Montana reducing nonresident deer tags

[Britt-dog]

Montana reduces non-resident deer hunting licenses

On Thursday, the Fish and Wildlife Commission took action that will have some big impacts for resident and out-of-state deer hunters.

www.ktvq.com

I haven't seen this being discussed here. I don't really understand how this will impact tag numbers and I have seen estimated reductions up to 5000 tags. this article suggests 2500. It looks like a political bow to constituents that really wont affect the health of the herd.

 

[Britt-dog]

Looking at non-resident hunter numbers

According to Montana outfitters and guides association director Will Israel, non-resident hunter numbers have remained fairly steady over the past ten years.

www.ktvh.com

More info regarding hunter numbers and time afield.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Finally some change. However large areas west of Bozeman have not had a shootable buck since the 90s and they still give out 60 doe tags and have a very limited mtn lion tags. Some concept in agressive management would be nice.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

As a NR to the state, Im all for better management of the rescource. Just found the next paragraph in the article funny. The comish voted to pass changing the number of deer tags a R can hold from 8 to 3. Whoof, cleary the NR were the sole reason for MD decline.

 

[Jimmy]

I'm all for states prioritizing residents over NR

 

[Deadfall]

What would really be cool is if people had to present some predator tails before purchasing a ungalate tag of any kind.

 

[Britt-dog]

I should have titled this Montana Reduces deer tags for Residents and non residents. I have no proof but I suspect the number of residents shooting more than three deer a year is small. Data on that would be interesting.

What I'm really concerned about is weather or not this will result in a positive result in herd health. Will there be a corresponding push for more aggressive predator management? will this just be the new norm? What we've all seen in other states is a death by a thousand cuts. Lost opportunity never comes back.

 

[Kurts86]

Montana needs to change something or more than likely of a lot of things for the deer herd. Restricting nonresidents is the easiest thing a state commission can do politically regardless of its quantitative impact on the ground. I still think the season length and timing is the biggest problem for Montana.

 

[Fire_9]

Something needs to change and this sure as hell isn't going to hurt...

 

[Andrew12gauge]

So if I’m understanding they aren’t actually reducing deer tags, just reducing the number that won’t have an elk tag with them more big game combos and less elk combos and deer combos in order to reduce hunter numbers by a small margin maybe?


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[Q_Sertorius]

As a non-resident who enjoyed upland bird hunting on BMA lands this past October, I am all in favor of increased fees going to keep that open.

 

[mtnbiker208]

I doubt the mule deer will ever come back. To much habitat loss, people need a place to put houses and business, ect. As one biologist put it to me, we will never get the sage brush habitiat back due to homes. With out the sage habitat, the mule deer won't come back.

 

[repins05]

Reduce the number of dogs and cats and watch the numbers come back. You may see more deer in the cities than you do in the wilderness now.

 

[peterk123]

I should have titled this Montana Reduces deer tags for Residents and non residents. I have no proof but I suspect the number of residents shooting more than three deer a year is small. Data on that would be interesting.

I agree. We are meat hunters. We will get a bunch of tags but use half. We get the tags so we can focus on a few different locations, doing three day hunts as a family. By using the WT B tags it reduces the need to shoot a buck. Once we get what we need we are done. But now with the reduction in odds, I'm going to be much less selective when it comes to a buck.

I bet a lot of hunters use the same strategy. I will also say that the areas we are filling B tags have a lot of does.

This will also force us to focus more on getting an elk. Usually I only elk hunt during archery. Now it will include rifle. I suspect a lot more locals just became elk hunters.

But, at least they are trying some new things.

 

[wind gypsy]

“Until we can find out where all the pressure is, I think that we can manage a lot better knowing where they are at,” said Robinson.

Statement must be out of context right? Pretty embarrassing. Those pulling the strings at FWP have fought mandatory reporting and seemingly anything that would support better biologically based decision making.

I'm not even against the change, might help a bit. Anything we can do to make sure MT residents can continue sluicing rutting forkys with rifles with tags that cost the same as a chipotle burrito.

 

[jkoehle1]

Finally - commission doing what the dept and legislature should have forever ago.

 

[WCB]

In general...there is zero reason to shoot a MD doe ever. Might as well shoot your neighbors mule as it eats from your hand. There are enough WT does to kill what you need.

 

[jkoehle1]

As a NR to the state, Im all for better management of the rescource. Just found the next paragraph in the article funny. The comish voted to pass changing the number of deer tags a R can hold from 8 to 3. Whoof, cleary the NR were the sole reason for MD decline.

Have you looked at harvest in r7 and r 6?

 

[mt terry d]

Statement must be out of context right? Pretty embarrassing. Those pulling the strings at FWP have fought mandatory reporting and seemingly anything that would support better biologically based decision making.

What's biology got to do with MT deer (mis)management?
Besides, we have to trust their "data" (even though their 'data gathering method' is total crap)
because they are the Government Certified and Approved Experts and no one else knows $hiNola.

 

[wind gypsy]

What's biology got to do with MT deer (mis)management?
Besides, we have to trust their "data" (even though their 'data gathering method' is total crap)
because they are the Government Certified and Approved Experts and no one else knows $hiNola.

Huh?

What i'm saying is that the appointed leadership (by the governor) seemingly intentionally sabotages ideas that would yield good data so they can justify just doing what has always been done.