So, just got an email from the state of Utah’s DNR. The unit I hunt has new regulations starting this year and running until 2030. For deer hunting with a rifle only open sights or peep sights are permitted, and no semi-automatic weapons. If you hunt with muzzle loader, no 209 primers. Only flint lock, and percussion caps. This if freaking ridiculous!! And, I have a lifetime license. We are supposed to get one deer tag per year as part of that agreement. But, if I want to change units, I have to go three years without taking a permit at all.
This is just not right! Hell, if they’re trying to increase deer numbers, just shut the whole damn state down to deer hunting for a year or two instead of this BS crap!! There, I feel better. Excuse the rant.
I’m in the same boat. Trying to figure out what to do. I’ve always hunted the same Unit, it’s part of my family history of where we grew up and built memories. I find their whole proposal premise a flawed narrative to try and prop up their decision and it has me mad as hell.
Paraphrasing from the meeting;
They talk about how the “deer don’t have a chance at 800 yards”. Yes they do. 99.9% of hunters do not shoot that far. Even as a western hunter, I’d be surprised if I’ve ever had to take a shot over 350 yards for deer. The longer the shot, the increased chance you’re going to miss. I have to think open/peep sites will only lead to more wounded animals.
They want “bigger bucks”. A big buck would be great, but we already have premium deer draws for those looking for trophies. I just want to get out with my boys and have a great deer hunt, I don’t really care about them being massive. Everyone has invested in a hunting system, that includes scopes.
*If someone wants to use open sites or peep sites on their own, that’s fine but it should be their choice to hunt that way.
They talk about trying to “grow deer herds”. They were doing great and to my knowledge, the units are all at or mostly at management objectives, but the winter kills has single handedly done more to damage the deer populations than anything hunters have done. Maybe they could try supplementing herds when they struggle.
Ugh, it just pisses me off. And EVERYONE in Utah should care because it’s going to either increase competition for tags on other units and/or lead to it potentially being expanded to other units. We are going backwards.
Ugh. Agreed on all of this.
The “deer don’t have a chance at 800 yards narrative” is simply false. If that were true, then Hunter success rates should be off the charts, and yet the hunter success rate has hovered around 20% for about 50 years.
Well said Michael!! I my opinion if they want to increase deer numbers shut the whole state down to deer hunting for a year, or maybe two. Oh wait, how will the state make millions off of selling deer tags? No, just sell the tags and make it more difficult to fill your tag! Where did these so called “experts” in game management come from, PETA?? Like you Michael, I am totally pissed off, as I’m sure everyone who hunts that unit will be when they discover this bone headed BS!! 
DNR"s (or whatever your state calls it) exist to make rules and regs which ensure the continued survival of the DNR.
(at least in most cases. there are probably some good ones somewhere)
I received an email warning me of the new rules for Beaver since I’d put in trying to get a tag there before. I wonder if this will discourage hunters from putting in for tags in these oddball rule areas?