We live 10 minutes from Rose Lake State Game Area. It’s about 5 miles by 5 miles of public land. The word is that it’s heavily pressured. It’s the game aera that’s closest to the capitol city and the Big U, right? But is it really? And how does that work anyway?
I wonder what’s the real score.
Here’s my hunch…
I bet 90% of the hunting on any public land is done by regulars. For deer hunting, it narrows down a lot more. I suspect that each regular hunter has his favorite 5 acre chunk with a couple back-ups depending on weather. People wander around and explore until they find places that no one else is hanging out in, then they settle down. Others come by, see them, and move on. My hunch is that things somewhat stabilize.
I suspect that newbies and wildcards form only 10% of the pressure on an area. Most of that would be lightweight—new guys who do quick walk-throughs in the most trafficked areas. A serious new person who comes in, early in the season even, and scouts out good turf, then finds out later on what parts aren’t being used regularly, is probably an infrequent occurrence. Not even once a year per 100 acres.
My hunch is that public land use takes on almost family-land use-patterns.
I’d say that newbies and lightweight interlopers make casual and brief appearances only a few times a season…with low impact.
I’m not sure about any of this. It’s all just speculation. I really should get out there and do a little testing of my theory.
I do go out into the parks every day during winter for XC skiing. On the public land, I’d say that half the people I see are regulars. And this is on the main trails. On side trails I see people about once a winter—and I only see them briefly. We stop for a quick chat sometimes. How does this pressure relate to what a hunter experiences off the trails? Any reports?
