Draw Stats

[Battle River]

I was just going through the Draw stats from this year and it appears that SRD really wants to reduce populations overall. Some peace areas had 500 cow elk tags given out, how was the anterless elk hunt up there? crowded? As well the 300 odd tags given out in 402 really shocked me as I do not recall that area being overrun with elk. In 2004 there were 6500 cow tags given out, this year, 9600. Your opinions on this? Is this a good thing, or does it reflect the low success rate of the average hunter to harvest an elk?

[Huntnut]

This is my opinion, but they really messed up with how many tags they gave out up here in the peace. With the winter kill we had last year there was no reason to still hand out 4 mulie doe tags or have a mulie season at all. There should have been no cow or calf moose season at all and the cow elk should have been cut back as well.

[mitchman72]

Originally Posted by Battle River

I was just going through the Draw stats from this year and it appears that SRD really wants to reduce populations overall. Some peace areas had 500 cow elk tags given out, how was the anterless elk hunt up there? crowded? As well the 300 odd tags given out in 402 really shocked me as I do not recall that area being overrun with elk. In 2004 there were 6500 cow tags given out, this year, 9600. Your opinions on this? Is this a good thing, or does it reflect the low success rate of the average hunter to harvest an elk?

Battle river, where did you get the draw stats from this year? I can only find the 2006 draw summry report. Thanks

Mitchman

Originally Posted by mitchman72

Battle river, where did you get the draw stats from this year? I can only find the 2006 draw summry report. Thanks

Mitchman

http://www.srd.alberta.ca/fishwildli...wssummary.aspx

I'm thinking with the huge decline in animals due to winter kills, we are going to see a drastic change in the amount of tags allotted for next year.

Nobody controls populations like Mother Nature.

"I'm thinking with the huge decline in animals due to winter kills, we are going to see a drastic change in the amount of tags allotted for next year."

In the northern parts of the province I'd expect it as well. I talked with a few fish and wildlife officers and they were pretty interested in how many mule deer we were seeing. It wasn't very many and they were surprised to hear we had any sightings in the one area. The way this winters starting (knock on wood) it may get worse in some areas, deep snow, tons of wolves, bad combination for moose and elk as well. Will be interesting to see how this winter goes.

[thumper]

Already this winter, the deer in the Rockies (at least in Banff & Jasper Parks) are digging through snow to eat junipers. If it's long & cold like the forecasts say, it'll be a tough year on deer and elk.

[Vindalbakken]

I hope that someone is monitoring the situation with the outfitters so that when they have to reduce the draw allotments that the appropriate reductions are made in the Non-resident Alien tags as well.

I have my own theory on why numbers have been increasing.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Hoochie Papa

I'm thinking with the huge decline in animals due to winter kills, we are going to see a drastic change in the amount of tags allotted for next year.

Nobody controls populations like Mother Nature.

In speaking with the one of 2 Fish cops up that way.. (good guy BTW) he also agreed with that statement. Alberta Gov screwed up this year. Forget about excess calf moose tags in the coming years.. (One of the reasons I didn't close mine) As for deer, I wouldn't be surprised to see it changed.

Jamie