Mule deer herds in the west have been declining over the last several decades while the elk herds have been improving. And this is certainly the case in Utah. I've watched the elk herds sky rocket since the early 90's. I can still remember when we had a very limited elk herd.

Predators definitely take a chunk out of our herds. Coyotes, mountain lions and now wolves are all having a huge impact on our mule deer herds. Coyotes and mountain lions are mostly effecting the mule deer herds right now and wolves are definitely effecting our elk herds. Wolves if not stopped will do unrepairable damage to all of our herds,

I could be wrong in this statement but I think we, including myself need to go coyote hunting more often. I think coyotes have a huge impact on the survival rates of our spring fawns.

I also think that we, including myself need to go mountain lion hunting more often.

Now that wolves are here I'll definitely be hunting them. Wolves will have the biggest and most devastating effects on all of our herds if they're left untouched.

I've seen some pictures of some huge wolves that were killed last season. Wolves are definitely a super predator and will wipe out anything in their path. They are one predator that I will gladly take aim at and stop.

I decided to write about this subject to just simply to bring awareness to all hunters out there. Our mule deer herds are definitely in decline and the over population of predators aren't helping their numbers.

Predator hunting is also very fun and can be just as exciting as taking a huge buck or bull. Granted big game hunting is king but without the big game to hunt there won't be any hunting at all.

So predator hunting is something that we should all do. If not for fun then to help control the growing population of predators.

I was watching the National Geographic channel the other day. They were doing a special on mountain lions. I've heard this before but it hit home when I heard it again. They said that an adult mountain lion will kill one big game animal per week. More if they can and more if a lion has kittens. Now if there are several cats in the same area that's a lot of deer or elk that will be killed each year.

That's something to think about. This is something else to think about. If we have coyotes, lions and wolves all eating our big game herds there's not going to be much left over. And nothing when the wolves get finished. (We're fighting them though and will win).

The weather has been great here in the west. Which makes it a lot easier to want to pack up and head out to do some coyote hunting.

The crew here at Rifle Scopes Pros.com is planning another yote hunt. We just can't resist with all of this warm, clear weather.

Be safe and good hunting my friends.

Jason Wall - Rifle Scopes Pros Staff Member