Quote:
Originally Posted by Chukar Hunter
Limit the maximum number of sheep killed per hunter to 2 or 3 in a lifetime. This is the case in many states. Shorten the season towards the end and more than anything educate hunters how to distinguish between young and older rams. Many of the F&W guys who are actually in charge of measuring rams for age are not experienced and trained enough to do it right. I have seen many erroneous rams scored wrongly. Pay for seasoned wildlife sheep biologists to educate them on aging.
Full curl rule; That's a tough one but as my good friend and mentor said;
Yes, many broomed old rams never hit full curl but then that is your biological reserve.
Predator control is also in dire need of a serious boost.
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Your arbitrary number of 2-3 sheep per lifetime isn't based on any science. While it your opinion thats fine but if we are making any changes to sheep regulations in this province it needs to be based on science.
If the same guys weren't out looking for sheep every year there would be no one left to be pationete about them. It would kill centuries old traditions and ways of life. Not everyone needs to be a sheep hunter and not everyone needs to kill one. this life of "fairness" we live in starts to get in the way of actual management.
If we are looking at making any changes in sheep management it needs to be done through proven science and a comprehensive program that weights heavily on habitat enhancement, predator and disease management, maybe we even take a hard look in to resident guiding during the general season.
but the last thing we need to be doing is restricting Albertan's hunting opportunities and leaving the rest to "balance its self" as if we have fixed or accomplished anything.
if you look back from the 70s the biggest thing that has changes is forest encroachment bringing with it smaller grazing areas and better opportunities for predators to get in closer. Some of these licks and water holes that have been vital to our sheep are now completely surrounded by forest and an ambush zone for he sheep and predator to meet.
The age thing has been beat to death. Biologists have already determined that by the time the vast majority of rams make 4/5 cure they are a "mature" ram being on avg 6 (on the low end) and 8 years old. The mortality rate of a ram greatly increases after 6 years old. I feel like some are trying to redefine what a mature ram actually is. Not all rams will see 8 if left alone let alone 10 plus