It needs to be understood, when caps were placed on ALL elk zones, (A few zones always had caps) the number of available NR elk tags stayed EXACTLY the same. (NR tags were adjusted downward in previously. ~5 years ago if memory serves. Which coincided with an NR tag price increase) The goal was to redistribute NR tags to under prescribed zones.I think a better question is, did residents see a decrease in hunters after limiting tag sales? Was tag quota a success or not?
The real answer to your question. It depends. With knowledge above, some zones did see less NR pressure. (Because in theory previously every NR could be elk hunting in one zone) The goal was to spread NR pressure. Great for some zones. But the previously under prescribed zones are likely seeing more pressure as NR's bought tags in previously under prescribed zones.
As of today, ~0800 MST Lolo still has tags for NR elk hunters. (Apparently Lolo is still under prescribed!)
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