I am not asking this out of Curiosity, but in fact out of Concern.
The Concern is because of some of the Rumblings I am hearing thru discussions with others about some
Areas in R3 bordering R5 and the impacts R3 is starting to see and show signs of.

Firstly, I like to say I was worried when I heard that R5 would close for 10 Days from the onset.
And many that I speak to, both long time hunters and FN and Ranchers are seeing the same issues.
The first issue is the increase in Hunters in some of the MU's, which i would say have seen a 300 to 400%
increase (just an observation, not stat).
Right from the get go, there was an increase, and over time, word of mouth and I guess hunters inviting
other friends has helped create further increase in Hunter #'s.

Now, talking to a few other long time Hunters (40 years + and hunt theses MU's often in the season), there
certainly seems to be grounds for concern.
MD Doe #'s seem to be decreasing, but what is really noticeable is the "Lack of Mature MD Bucks" in these
MU's.
The Local Ranchers in the Area also saying the same thing.
One that I talked to said that they have a filed with hay bails, and cameras, and for years would see upwards of 50 MD at night, mostly Doe, but with Bucks.
Now, they are barely seeing 20, and only 1 reasonable mature MD Buck (which was poached on their
property, by whom, who knows, maybe hunters, maybe FN?).
Talking to a couple of FN from the nearby Bands, I am hearing the exact same thing from them.
So much so, that there are "whispers" of what they want to see happen.

The FN Bands are talking about "Full on Closures, or possibly Rotating Full on Closures, alternating each
year".
These areas would be that where we have seen Fires this season as well as some from a few years ago.
(And I am not joking here folks!).

Ranchers are posting up Signs, due to all the hunting traffic and concerns for safety and livestock etc.
(Sounds like The Cattleman's Ranch Association is stepping in to help these smaller Ranches and you
will probably see some new signage for next year! but some just went up now from what I am told).

As for some of the long time Frequent Hunters of MD, there is now the thought that the "Any Buck Season"
should be removed from R3, or at least certain MU's, due to the lack of mature MD buck sightings.
(if those rumblings take off in certain R&G clubs, who knows how far up that travels then??)
The other rationale being to get rid of some of the heavy traffic of hunters these same MU's are seeing.

I know some of these areas well.
I have to be honest and there is certainly grounds for concern.
Its hard to spot a mature MD buck
And, if one does get taken by Hunters, they are pretty damn small now (no more than 3.5 years of age imo)
And I am now seeing MD Doe #'s going down (and I was always in the past saying #'s were stable but
could never figure out why #'s weren't increasing as many of the Mature Doe had 1, if not 2 yearlings)

We also had some large Fires, and I don't think anyone, from any of the Groups I mentioned above can
really say if possibly the lack of MD or dwindling #'s is due to these big fires (it could be).
That is yet to be seen, as it will take a few years to get back on track, but don't think you will see deer
using all of the same terrain as much as they did pre-fire.

But, 2 elements are true, imo.
Hunter Traffic has gone way way up.
Mature Buck # have gone way down.
(there were quite a few small bucks taken this year in the any buck season from reports in October).

The reason I ask about R5 closure, is the fact that it is causing some real issues now.
If it doesn't get re-opened, and help take away some the hunting pressure in those R3 M's, we might be
facing further restrictions or potentially closures in R3.

When you start having experienced long time hunters, Ranchers and the FN all saying the same thing,
then there certainly will be talks going on shortly I fear.

For my part, when having these one to one discussions, I ask everyone to be patient and see what comes
from the Southern MD Study.
We are seeing that Cougar are doing their part for sure.
And we need to know all the factors before we start saying, restrict this or close that!
Its great that this study is collaring Doe and yearlings, as I would like to understand why we aren't really
seeing an increase in MD# over time.
Only lacking point I see is that there aren't any mature MD being collared, as to see what is their fate.
Yes, Doe are still getting pregnant at a high rate, but by who and what age????
So, it still wont have all the answers.
And whether something comes from it, who knows, I ain't holding my breath.

Certainly there is some poaching element going on.
I have seen small bucks lying dead with only their antlers cut off.
Doe left to rot (and they weren't lost)
Some other incidents as well, so it is happening.
And no one really knows where the FN #'s fall into it all.
I have had conversations with some band members, and some say they have taken 1 or 2, while others
report they have taken 4 in a season and one individual proudly stating he took 20 in one season.
What to think, who to believe?.

So, I ask, what is going on with R5 and may we see it reopened at some point?
It could take the ever increasing pressure off of some of the R3 MU's, imo.
I am trying to not hit the Panic Button here.
But I am conveyancing that there is a lot of talk starting to develop, and solutions differ depending on which
group you are talking to, but all of them are saying something needs to change ASAP.

I am saying something is going to change soon, because too many are starting to talk.
The talk always include restriction or closure.
That's concerning, so, that is my heads up to all.