Montana reducing nonresident deer tags

[Rifleman86]

Six months ago…

“Western politicians are trying to sell your public land! All you NR’s need to contact your senators!! This is DIRE!! We need help to save your hunting opportunities!”

Fast forward to now…

“We’ve mismanaged our deer herd for DECADES at the state level… NR’s are an easy politically convenient scapegoat, so we’re gonna take their tiny slice of the total tags we sell and cut it in half to say we did something.”

I’ve seen this story on repeat now for years. At some point, it will be unsustainable. I’m not sure where it ends, but I doubt it will be good for any of us, resident and NR alike.

 

[peterk123]

People might be growing but in a large portion of the state, urban sprawl is not causing a MD decline. That is quite laughable actually

It may be impacting migration patterns. Not just homes, but roads, commercial and other infrastructure. I think it's been documented, certainly in wyoming, not sure about Montana.

 

[ianpadron]

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.

The vast majority of the B tags are whitetail only FYI

 

[Taco John]

People might be growing but in a large portion of the state, urban sprawl is not causing a MD decline. That is quite laughable actually

I find it hard to believe that folks cant comprehend rural sprawl.

 

[AHayes111]

People might be growing but in a large portion of the state, urban sprawl is not causing a MD decline. That is quite laughable actually

Some people just do not want to admit that the nearly unlimited opportunity they enjoy is the problem.

 

[Fire_9]

I find it hard to believe that folks cant comprehend rural sprawl.

Oh I understand it but that is not what is killing mule deer in central and eastern MT. There are so many places that are and always have been completely void of people that the mule deer are now struggling. If there’s no housing developments in the middle of the winter range, what would you suggest the problem is?

 

[406huntermt]

Some people just do not want to admit that the nearly unlimited opportunity they enjoy is the problem.

Is it really the problem though? Or is not having enough self control to not shoot a young deer or a shot it to fill the freezer the problem? I think the big problem is every one needs the instant gratification of the internet so they have to pull the trigger. I haven’t shot a deer in 6 years, have had more then the average guys chances to kill 150 to 170 bucks and choose not to, I also get a mule deer doe tag and throw in the the trash so it’s not being used. I think Looking for a true giant is more fun than just pulling the trigger to pull it. People saying it’s for the meat is a load of crap… the amount of fuel people burn to go to region 6 or 7 for a week and all the other amenities needed could equal the cost of a half a beef pretty dang easy and they’d be supporting a local rancher! The ample opportunity isn’t the problem it’s the gratification people need and get from strangers on a social media platform and not having any bit of self control and eating a tag for the betterment of conservation! Take it for what it’s worth but that my 2¢

 

[ianpadron]

Is it really the problem though? Or is not having enough self control to not shoot a young deer or a shot it to fill the freezer the problem? I think the big problem is every one needs the instant gratification of the internet so they have to pull the trigger. I haven’t shot a deer in 6 years, have had more then the average guys chances to kill 150 to 170 bucks and choose not to, I also get a mule deer doe tag and throw in the the trash so it’s not being used. I think Looking for a true giant is more fun than just pulling the trigger to pull it. People saying it’s for the meat is a load of crap… the amount of fuel people burn to go to region 6 or 7 for a week and all the other amenities needed could equal the cost of a half a beef pretty dang easy and they’d be supporting a local rancher! The ample opportunity isn’t the problem it’s the gratification people need and get from strangers on a social media platform and not having any bit of self control and eating a tag for the betterment of conservation! Take it for what it’s worth but that my 2¢

Id be happy if guys killed 150-170s instead of the first legal buck honestly, doesnt have to be holding out for a giant...just a mature 4.5+ year old deer

 

[NRA4LIFE]

What now, is a NR deer tag going to be $1500 to keep the revenue stream going? I've been done with MT for a number of years now. I can go to my place in MO and buy 3 tags for less than half what 1 costs in MT.

 

[Chris in TN]

I'm all for states prioritizing residents over NR

On state owned public lands I'd wholeheartedly agree.

On lands not owned by the state, the landowner should have the freedom to allocate tags as they saw fit.

Wait, that would include federal lands.....

*ducks, covers*