Rokcast

Dr. Larsen and Dr. Mcmillan receive "Conservationist of the Year" at the 2023 Hunt Expo

The last thing you are going to hear any "coffee shop biologist" say, is that fewer bucks on the landscape would make more fawns. In fact, every expert knows the only way we are ever going to "increase deer populations" is to cut tags and limit hunting bucks. I mean, look at all the units out west with extremely limited buck hunting, the mule deer populations are EXPLODING there! Right?! Well..... ok maybe not. Why? If reducing buck mule deer tags is beneficial, why aren't those populations exploding?

The truth is, and yes, even in 2023 no matter how they identify, the doe deer or females in the population "grow the herd".

Think of it like this, a rancher would never have a pasture full of bulls when he can have that same pasture full of mother cows. He is going to have enough bulls to breed his cows, that gives him maximum productivity.

There of course comes a social component to hunting, and YES, hunters want to see bucks, big bucks. Where is the best place to manage buck to doe ratios? That is the million dollar question that; spoiler alert, we don't answer. However, Dr. Randy Larsen and Dr. Brock Mcmillan of the BYU Ecology lab jump on todays podcast to share some professional light on it, as well as talk about a variety of things involving mule deer biology and what they are learning. These guys are some of the best in their field and heavily involved with some of the foremost mule deer research there is.

As always, I think this podcast will help hunters get a deeper understanding of some of the biology and science that is Mule Deer Management.

Pregnancy Rates comparing 14:100 vs. 26:100 Buck:Doe Ratio

Cause Specific Mortality is important information

Dr. Brock Mcmillan on the Gohunt Podcast

Dr. Larsen on the Rokcast Podcast last year with Robby Denning

Dr. Larsen on Feeding Deer Podcast

Robby hosts Jeff Short, Wildlife Biologist for the Wyoming Game & Fish.  Jeff is a previous guest on the Rokcast. Last summer he shared his research on Antler Point Restrictions. On today's episode, Jeff and Robby go over the recently released data on the survey of the Wyoming Range mule deer.

Wyoming recently released the official report on the 2022/2023 winterkill on the Wyoming Range. This report indicates nearly two-thirds of that herd was lost to that winter, dropping from 30,000 deer to 11,000 deer between surveys conducted in February 2023 and February 2024

They define Wyoming Range Boundaries and discuss why the survey was conducted two years in a row.  The survey showed fawn:doe ratios dropped to 34 while buck:doe ratios fell to 24.  Jeff talks about what it will take to recover this herd and the fact that deer on the winter range now have already started their recovery with good body fat levels and range conditions.

If you'd like to read more on this topic, see the article by Mark Heinz at the Cowboy State Daily here Game And Fish: Two-Thirds Of Prized Wyoming Mule Deer Herd Killed Last Winter | Your Wyoming News Source (cowboystatedaily.com)

Robby hosts his friend Cliff Gray on today's episode.  Cliff was one of the most popular guests for 2023, and rightly so. Cliff has an extensive hunting background from DIY to Outfitter and all points in between. Cliff's hunted from the Caribbean to Colorado to Canada on everything from his own feet to horses and mules.  Hard to find something he hasn't experienced. On today's episode, they chat on a variety of topics, including Cliff's newly launched podcast, Pursuit with Cliff Gray here

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray on Apple Podcasts

or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Other topics on today's episode:

Colorado's wolf & mountain lion issues from a resident's perspective.

Colorado's proposed regulation moving Archery Elk from OTC to Draw?

And proposed changes to Mule Deer Seasons like an Archery opener on Aug 15, moving rifle seasons back to traditional dates, and adding a possible earlier opening 1st season deer.

They wrap up with why the original Social Media--Forums--might still be the best Social Media for hunters

Follow Cliff's Hunting Adventures at any of these links:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/

Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff

Pursuit With Cliff Gray Podcast

https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/

Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership

https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/

Hunt. Fish. Spear. (Experiences, Courses and Seminars)

https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences

Merch

https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/

SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER:

https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

Travis Hobbs & Robby Denning host Phil Mendoza of the Mile High Hunt & Fish Expo slated for April 5th-7th in Denver.  This is the maiden year of this Expo.  They talk about how this Expo was designed from the ground up for building the hunting community--everything from conservation, to equipment, to entertainment. Read on to get the Mile High Hunt Expo Promo Code and more information on this very exciting event.

Travis & Robby will be hosting a seminar to kick off the Mile High Hunt Expo weekend at 3:30 Friday, 4/5 titled "Hunting Big Mule Deer: Early to Late Seasons.

Here's a preview of their seminar

Hunting Big Mule Deer: Early to Late Seasons:

Travis: Hunting Big Early Season Mule Deer

Why hunt early season

Two parts to early season

Velvet Mule Deer

Hard-Antlered Mule Deer

 Robby: Late Season

Late Season includes the rut

Three phases to the rut

Early Rut

Peak Rut

Late Rut

Tips for hunting all three phases.

 We hope to see you at the seminar and the Mile High Hunt and Fish Expo!

Use Promo Code: ROKSLIDE2024 at Mile High Hunt and Fish Expo 2024 here

Mile High Hunt and Fish Expo 2024 Tickets, Fri, Apr 5, 2024 at 12:00 AM | Eventbrite

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Today's Tipsy Tuesday has Kyle Virgin sharing his insight on building one of the most adaptable rifles systems in Alaska - The Hobbit Rifle. It was dubbed the Hobbit rifle for its compact size, thirst for adventure and simple fact it loves to eat! This week's reviews start with Mike Moore's take on the Stika Ambient UL Hoody https://www.rokslide.com/sitka-ambient-ul-60-hoody-review/ we move on to Torrin Miller and the Echelon Ultralite rifle stock https://www.rokslide.com/echelon-cf-versa-ultralight-stock-review/ Sam then shifts the talk towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest western news.

 

The Hobbit Rifle thread- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/the-hobbit-rifle.181028/

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action 

Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

It seems that anywhere Boone & Crockett mule deer grow there is potential for solar development. On today's episode, Robby hosts Joel Webster and Rob Thornberry of the Theodore Conservation Partnership (TRCP)

Recently the Bureau of Land Management proposed solar installation on public lands covering 22 million acres in 11 western states.  This matters to mule deer hunters and other big game hunters because solar development is fenced, blocking Mule Deer Migration Routes and other wildlife from using an area. If the fencing occurs on critical mule deer migration routes, this could cut off big game from accessing important summer and winter ranges.  With deer herds already down across much of the West, this could just make matters worse by making vital big game habitats unusable.

They talk specifically about the hunting units at stake, especially Idaho deer and pronghorn units. Then they jump into the remaining western states, naming herds with significant conflict in each state, such as the Paunsaugunt in Utah and the Kaibab in Arizona.

This important episode should serve as a reality check about the future. Joel and Rob wrap up the episode with information on what hunters and anglers can do about it.  Involved hunters are conservationists and are the thin line between healthy and unhealthy big game herds, so please listen in and get involved. Protect Mule Deer Migration Routes by visiting TRCP website here at www.trcp.org/solar

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Below are the Mule Deer and Pronghorn migration routes referenced in today's episode:

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

If you want to hunt more big bucks, you have to learn what mule deer on the edge really means.  Today, Robby hosts Habitat Biologists Troy Fieseler and Luke Schultz of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Stationed in the Pinedale Region, Troy and Luke are responsible for managing the habitat of the Wyoming Range mule deer herd and beyond.  They discuss many topics that can make you a better mule deer hunter. Topics like the population dynamics in mountainous vs. desert climates and how they are almost polar opposites; one has no problem putting fawns on the ground while the other rarely experiences winter kill.  They also define what mule deer habitat is, (summer and winter range) and go in to what mule deer prefer and need to not just survive but thrive. Finally, and most importantly, they discuss what we as hunters can do to improve and protect habitat for mule deer. Be a better buck hunter and learn about mule deer on the edge.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Today's Tipsy Tuesday is straight from the Western Hunting Expo featuring Rob Gearing from Spartan Precision Equipment https://javelinbipod.com/. Mr. G walks us through the Spartan Precision Equipment lineup and which applications best fit each of their multiple offerings of bipods, tripods, and even quad rifle supports. Listen as Mr. G gives Spartans answers from the competitive shooter all the way to the lightweight mountain hunter. We have Jessica Brown from Stocky Stocks https://stockysstocks.com/, and she takes us through Stocky new innovative in-house carbon fiber injection process. Brad Brooks co-founder of Argali Outdoors https://argalioutdoors.com/ talks about old favorites, new releases, and things coming down the pipe to watch for in the near future. Sam closes out with Dustin Defendeffer of MNTTOUGH https://mtntough.com/. The time is now to start thinking about getting up and down those steep mountains come fall. You can catch more Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] at the link.

MNTTOUGH's 6 weeks free with- MTNPOD

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action

Check out the 2023 Rokstaff Favorite Gear- 2023 Rokslide Staff and Moderator Favorite Gear Picks - Rokslide

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

On today's episode, Robby helps you be a better hunter. Better hunters stay up on the news and regulations in the hunting industry, and support conservation.  His first guest is Jaden Bales of The Wyoming Wildlife Federation and Hunt West

They touch on proposed changes coming to Colorado for elk and deer in the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure

Then it's Travis Hobbs next. They chat about Idaho's proposed fee for shed hunters, and a possible change to Idaho's Non-resident tag allocation process.  Then they're onto some good news coming out of Utah on the great winter mule deer are enjoying in 2024, and share some stats from Dr. Randy Larsen @wildlifeprof on fawn survival rates and more.

Robby also congratulates Travis on his recent win of the Conservation Person of the Year awarded at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo for Travis' work on the mule deer feeding project in 2023 in Northern Utah.   Like Travis, get involved in all things affecting big game hunting in the West.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

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Wanna be a better buck hunter? Then listen in...

Based out of Green River, Wyoming & Established in 2012, the Muley Fanatic Foundation exists to ensure the conservation of mule deer and their habitat and to provide such supporting services to further the sport of hunting and sound wildlife management.

The Muley Fanatic Foundation kicked off their Inaugural Event, Mule Deer Days, in 2023 in Rocksprings, Wyoming.  That event alone allocated $472K to projects like the Wyoming Hiway 189 Wildlife Crossing, and other mule deer habitat projects.

On today's episode, Robby hosts Joshua Coursey, President & CEO of the Foundation, to tell us more about this year’s Mule Deer Day's event that takes place May 2-4th in Rocksprings, Wyoming.  Be sure and listen in and attend if you can.  Learn more about the Muley Fanatic Foundation here

Listen here for past episodes on Mule Deer Days