General tags

[the bourbon peasant]

Hoping to get a straight answer here...

What determines general tags in certain WMU's in reguards to certain species? Specifically, why is there general tags for bull elk in many 400 and 300 WMU's, but moose are a draw, even though the moose seem to far outnumber the elk? The only thing I can think of, is that there are so few elk in these areas, that the population won't really be affected by hunting. If that's the case, wouldn't making these draw areas help increase herd numbers?

I've called F&W, talked to a CO, read the regs, and asked other hunters, but still no straight answer as to how or why WMU's are designated the way they are. I was a little baffled by the CO not having the slightest clue.

[norwestalta]

Originally Posted by the bourbon peasant

Hoping to get a straight answer here...

What determines general tags in certain WMU's in reguards to certain species? Specifically, why is there general tags for bull elk in many 400 and 300 WMU's, but moose are a draw, even though the moose seem to far outnumber the elk? The only thing I can think of, is that there are so few elk in these areas, that the population won't really be affected by hunting. If that's the case, wouldn't making these draw areas help increase herd numbers?

I've called F&W, talked to a CO, read the regs, and asked other hunters, but still no straight answer as to how or why WMU's are designated the way they are. I was a little baffled by the CO not having the slightest clue.

Not to be smart or anything but I've never seen a herd of 100 plus head of moose but I've seen multiple herds of elk. I think you might be confusing elk to moose. I've got know idea on how they come up with numbers (maybe a dart board at the staff Christmas party)but I'm glad moose are on draw because there is a lot of moose hunters around and doesn't seem to be many moose.

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by the bourbon peasant

I've called F&W, talked to a CO, read the regs, and asked other hunters, but still no straight answer as to how or why WMU's are designated the way they are. I was a little baffled by the CO not having the slightest clue.

the co is just there to enforce rules not make them.

call the alberta government biologists they'll head you more in the right direction

[Suka]

Personally I just read the regs, survey the opportunities and plan our hunts around our draws and available general tags.
I love our draw system because it's as fair to everyone as can be. General tags offer even more opportunity.

More sage people may be able to provide you with more distinct answers. I figure our f&w are very limited in their budget and opportunities to do things like game counts. As I understand it the decisions are made from the best info they have available, including at least in part the responses from the hunter survey reports.

I guess what my 2 cents offer's is not to look a gift horse in the mouth. It may not be perfect but we have near endless opportunities if you're willing to research them. I just figure if you come across a situation as described they likely have a reason and hunt moose in a different wmu where I Can be drawn.

[Lefty-Canuck]

The SEASON is general either draw or non-draw....not the tags. The are species an antlered or antlerless designated.

LC

[dmcbride]

Originally Posted by the bourbon peasant

Hoping to get a straight answer here...

What determines general tags in certain WMU's in reguards to certain species? Specifically, why is there general tags for bull elk in many 400 and 300 WMU's, but moose are a draw, even though the moose seem to far outnumber the elk? The only thing I can think of, is that there are so few elk in these areas, that the population won't really be affected by hunting. If that's the case, wouldn't making these draw areas help increase herd numbers?

I've called F&W, talked to a CO, read the regs, and asked other hunters, but still no straight answer as to how or why WMU's are designated the way they are. I was a little baffled by the CO not having the slightest clue.

Simple answer,
Moose on general tag= no moose left
Elk on general tag= keeps the population in check. No one wants big herds of elk on farm land.

[the bourbon peasant]

I didn't mean to come off sounding unhappy about the draw process or with moose being a draw (my priority is decent too). I'm also well aware of the regs regarding elk. I feel very lucky to have the oportunity to hunt so many species so close to home. I am just surprised that elk are open in many areas. I spend quite abit of time in a few WMUs, see plenty of moose, but of the 2 elk herds I know of, only a few shooters in the bunch.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by the bourbon peasant

Hoping to get a straight answer here...

What determines general tags in certain WMU's in reguards to certain species? Specifically, why is there general tags for bull elk in many 400 and 300 WMU's, but moose are a draw, even though the moose seem to far outnumber the elk? The only thing I can think of, is that there are so few elk in these areas, that the population won't really be affected by hunting. If that's the case, wouldn't making these draw areas help increase herd numbers?

I've called F&W, talked to a CO, read the regs, and asked other hunters, but still no straight answer as to how or why WMU's are designated the way they are. I was a little baffled by the CO not having the slightest clue.

Generally.... general licences are available when the hunting harvest has been determined to be within management goals and conservation concerns. When the hunting harvest under a general licence is determined to be more than the allowable harvest for an area, a draw is usually imposed for conservation reasons.

We manage much of our general licence antlered elk under two protocols, three point and six point restrictions. This allows for an escapement of males for breeding purposes. Three point allows for the greater harvest opportunity while six point allows for more older bulls. Six point seasons tend to be in areas away from agricultural production.....

We could have a general Antlered Moose system under the same principals. Some jurisdictions use either or a combination of both a minimum and maximum size for legal bulls in a general season, often something like spike/fork (one antler must have less than three points) and 50" spread or greater. Spike/fork or 40" plus would likely work in many areas of Alberta.... enforcement concerns aside....

[the bourbon peasant]

Thanks WB, that's answers my questions exactly!

[norwestalta]

Walking buffalo, those size restrictions for moose sound good but I've heard that quite a few get wasted in bc because they're not of legal size. I think it would be welcome instead of people shooting the first bull they see with 4" of antler.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Guys, the reason for general elk bull tags is to generate revenue for F&W. Some zones will take up to 200 years for average elk hunter to harvest his bull elk. Only in farm problem areas such as Grande Prairie and Peace River does the success rate move up exponetialy.