How bad is the hunting in Montana?

[mountainman406]

Like others have stated, I think it really depends on where you hunt in the state and how much time you spend in the field. The past few years with limited time to spend in the field, I got one day a weekend and REALLY struggled to find any elk on public land where I have killed a few bulls before. Again, the trend in elk population has been declining significantly over the years and I see far fewer now than the last time I was able to put one on the ground (in my area at least).

On the flip side, I saw more mule deer, to include a few really nice bucks, this year than I have in the previous 10 years (R4). It was a really encouraging sign to see the rebound since they were almost non-existent for a few years in a row.

To go along with these observations, there has been a dramatic increase in hunting pressure for the area that I generally spend my time in. Parking areas at trailheads that used to have 1-2 vehicles now have 4-5 with many parking and then taking dirtbikes/ebikes in even further....despite the trails being closed. I think that this pressure has more to do with the lack of animals seen than any other factor. While still able to notch tags, the hunting definitively seems to be on the decline from what it was 5-10 years ago and I fear that without changes it will continue to decline. Or even worse......it will cater to a different demographic that truly doesn't care about management as long as they can pay a large some to show up and pull a trigger every year.

 

[Hunt eat repeat]

Things have changed A LOT over the last 15 years in Montana. But I think what a lot of people are upset about is their experience while hunting. Over crowding is a problem.

Our non resident quota for deer is supposed to be 4600 but we are selling 12,852.

Every year I am able to find a place to get away from people but it’s getting harder every year imho.

As far as muledeer are concerned it’s scorched earth in some areas compared to just 5 years ago. I don’t know what the answer is but what’s being done isn’t enough if you ask me.

FWP counted something like 79 deer in unit 410 last winter. I think there is 100 MD buck tags for that unit now with the new draw. I’m sorry but that’s not ok.

As for elk you are right. Ya gotta work for em and or have good access. But there is a pile of elk in this state. Perhaps in some areas they are outcompeting the mule deer.