[blacktailslayer]

And I thought hunters were saying Montana's elk have all but disappeared.

"Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission members, sparking debate among wildlife managers about the proper steps to reduce the state’s ever-growing elk population."

"Now in its second season, shoulder seasons allow elk hunting mostly on private land as early as August and continuing through February in some hunting districts."

"Last year, Vore said the 10 hunting districts with shoulder seasons that lasted to Feb. 15 reached 95 to 96 percent of their total harvest objective, a figure that includes the harvest during the general and extended seasons."

"According to FWP’s mathematical calculations based on 80 percent of elk being counted, elk numbers have climbed from about 163,000 a year ago to an estimated 176,000 across the state, a nearly 8 percent increase. The objective the FWP wants to reach is around 92,000 elk, which would be a 47 percent reduction in the current elk population."

http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/re...cle_80c3b99f-f452-54a0-9dc3-c4230385eec3.html

 

[tpcollins]

I've taken 2 elk with a bow in Montana. Some of the best hunting I've ever done.

 

[Asells]

A little of subject but, I’m looking at a diy elk hunt in Montana in the next couple years. As a non resident they dont have otc tags right. How does the points system work? Ive heard it’s almost a guarantee draw?

 

[full moon64]

i miss going too Montana

 

[dtrkyman]

Best elk hunt I’ve had was Montana!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Juneauhunt]

Maybe they need more wolves, lol.

 

[johnsd16]

A little of subject but, I’m looking at a diy elk hunt in Montana in the next couple years. As a non resident they dont have otc tags right. How does the points system work? Ive heard it’s almost a guarantee draw?

There have been leftover general elk tags for a few years now so if you put in, it SHOULD be 100% draw but that may change with the improving hunting and price increase in WY. General tags (deer, elk, and deer/elk) are awarded by a true preference point system. Those who draw general tags can put in for LE tags which are awarded by a bonus point system. Beware though, if you draw a LE tag, you are limited to that hunt and cannot hunt other units on your general tag.

The shoulder seasons are crazy. If you talk to the biologists the reason the MT elk pop is increasing and above objective, is because way over half of them are on private land, much of which is either inaccessible or has very limited access to hunters. Huge out of state landowners alike ted turner that don't allow hunting or only have outfitters or want $500-$1000 trespass fee for cow elk. These same jack wagons want to be payed by game and fish for elk getting into their haypiles, damaging fences, or working the alfalfa fields. Good luck finding access to hunt cow elk on a B tag in shoulder season without a ton of legwork or paying a trespass.

 

[RidgeNinja91]

I guarantee the answer isn't more NR tags. That would be a disaster, elk hunting in MT is like going to Panama for Spring Break. 90% tourists and 10% locals that hate the tourists.

 

[johnsd16]

I guarantee the answer isn't more NR tags. That would be a disaster, elk hunting in MT is like going to Panama for Spring Break. 90% tourists and 10% locals that hate the tourists.

Got any stats to back up that claim???? Got any numbers for tags sold for R vs NR?? How about harvest by R vs NR???

Not disagreeing with your point that more NR tags is not a good idea (not sure who said it was in the first place) but not sure what you're trying to claim about 90% being NR.

 

[gutshotem]

There have been leftover general elk tags for a few years now so if you put in, it SHOULD be 100% draw but that may change with the improving hunting and price increase in WY. General tags (deer, elk, and deer/elk) are awarded by a true preference point system. Those who draw general tags can put in for LE tags which are awarded by a bonus point system. Beware though, if you draw a LE tag, you are limited to that hunt and cannot hunt other units on your general tag.

The shoulder seasons are crazy. If you talk to the biologists the reason the MT elk pop is increasing and above objective, is because way over half of them are on private land, much of which is either inaccessible or has very limited access to hunters. Huge out of state landowners alike ted turner that don't allow hunting or only have outfitters or want $500-$1000 trespass fee for cow elk. These same jack wagons want to be payed by game and fish for elk getting into their haypiles, damaging fences, or working the alfalfa fields. Good luck finding access to hunt cow elk on a B tag in shoulder season without a ton of legwork or paying a trespass.

Truth

 

[SBjanderson]

Same thing you will hear in any state for any type of game, well besides hogs, nobody wants too many hogs.

The hunters always say the numbers are decreasing, and the state always says they are increasing.

 

[RidgeNinja91]

I guarantee the answer isn't more NR tags. That would be a disaster, elk hunting in MT is like going to Panama for Spring Break. 90% tourists and 10% locals that hate the tourists.

Got any stats to back up that claim???? Got any numbers for tags sold for R vs NR?? How about harvest by R vs NR???

Not disagreeing with your point that more NR tags is not a good idea (not sure who said it was in the first place) but not sure what you're trying to claim about 90% being NR.

It's a generalization to drive home a point. Obviously 90% is grossly over-estimated. But the point remains. It isn't about how many tags are sold. Go to MT during elk season. It's like a Walmart parking lot near Disneyland.

 

[I like Meat]

Cut the population by almost half ?? ... what the hell are these idiots thinking.... and here I thought our DNR was a bunch of idiots with their high Doe kill quotas ...

 

[7thgenmt]

Mt has too many elk locked up on private land that is under lease by outfitters during general season.Then the land owners cry to the MT F&G wanting the elk numbers knocked down...its a BS system where the hunters of MT end up being population control tools for land owners who sell off the bulls but stroke out over the thought of john q public shooting a bull off their place.

 

[iceman14]

There have been leftover general elk tags for a few years now so if you put in, it SHOULD be 100% draw but that may change with the improving hunting and price increase in WY. General tags (deer, elk, and deer/elk) are awarded by a true preference point system. Those who draw general tags can put in for LE tags which are awarded by a bonus point system. Beware though, if you draw a LE tag, you are limited to that hunt and cannot hunt other units on your general tag.

Only for mule deer are you limited to a certain district if you draw it. If I draw an elk permit I can still hunt any general area I want.

Shoulder seasons are lame. I can't blame the landowner for making money off of us during the regular season, but they shouldn't get any assistance for "game damage" if they aren't in block management. Yes there's a lot of elk here, on private land. And a lot of hunters on national forest.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[7thgenmt]

Shoulder seasons are nothing more than the F&G cow towing to the big land owners that wont let us on during the general season,if people would quit partaking in it then it would end.If shooting a cow with a cat sized calf in it on some guys place to save a few bales of hay after he rakes it in thousands selling off the bulls in the hayfield that they make sure not to run off before the paying customers show up then this hunt is for you.Its a friggen joke,and as long as people buy into this its going to get worse.

 

[ravensgait]

Shoulder seasons are nothing more than the F&G cow towing to the big land owners that wont let us on during the general season,if people would quit partaking in it then it would end.If shooting a cow with a cat sized calf in it on some guys place to save a few bales of hay after he rakes it in thousands selling off the bulls in the hayfield that they make sure not to run off before the paying customers show up then this hunt is for you.Its a friggen joke,and as long as people buy into this its going to get worse.

Spoken like a True Socialist !! Try Venezuela their government practices might be more to your liking

 

[7thgenmt]

Spoken like a True Socialist !! Try Venezuela their government practices might be more to your liking

Its ok snowflake,you can come shoot cows for guys that wouldnt give you the time of day during the antlered hunt,nobody is going to care.

 

[ravensgait]

Its ok snowflake,you can come shoot cows for guys that wouldnt give you the time of day during the antlered hunt,nobody is going to care.

I sure hope you are an import , hate to think a fellow Montanan was such a socialist .
Here's an idea work hard and buy your own place then you can complain about some real problems.
Sure there are some well to do Landowners that have land just to have it not to work it but the majority are hard working farmers and ranchers who you insult with your BS .