RMEF Statement on Montana Elk Shoulder Seasons

[airlocksniffer]

January 15, 2016

To Chairman Vermillion and FWP Commission and Director Hagener,

Please consider this letter as public comment from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) relative to the proposed Shoulder Season expansions for 2016 and beyond.

RMEF supported late season cow hunts as a viable elk management tool by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP); hence we supported legislation to provide such to the Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks. This legislation was vetoed and in its place a “shoulder season concept” was proposed and is currently being tested by FWP in limited, selected units.

While we have previously stated we generally support the ability of FWP to use such seasons as a tool to address over population issues of elk we do not officially endorse any program for the future without first seeing the results of the pilot programs currently underway. To date we have not been provided any results from this test program.

Based on the comments we have received from our members we continue to support the concept of a late season cow elk hunt for the purpose of helping to address over population of elk in specific areas of the state, especially for those who have tried all existing options. We are concerned about the expansion of such hunts on to public land. Past history shows that extending these efforts to public lands may focus on the wrong elk; those public land elk that our members have access to. We do not support early season hunts allowing special rifle hunts during archery seasons. Since the basis for these seasons is to reduce elk numbers in some areas, we would not support harvest of bulls under these seasons.

RMEF will not get drawn into the no-win debate over established objective numbers for elk versus carrying capacity numbers for elk; a debate that has become highly political. We fully recognize the need to consider both the biological and social aspects of elk and elk population goals but in this highly partisan atmosphere there seems to be little opportunity for flexible or negotiable allowances.

As a starting point for the path forward, we would suggest a review and update of the Elk Management Plan, with representation of all stakeholders. Elk are one of Montana’s most valuable wildlife resources, both culturally and financially. It seems an updated Elk Management Plan would be prudent and hopefully provide a better forum for discussing elk objectives, in consideration of social tolerance and carrying capacity.

RMEF fully subscribes to the principles of the North American Model of Conservation and we staunchly accept and defend the principles of private property rights by American citizens. We fully support the culture of hunting and state based management. A debate over an issue like shoulder seasons will not be solved without a willingness on all sides to compromise and work together.

RMEF again restates our support for late season cow elk hunts, primarily on private lands where additional tools are needed to reduce elk populations. We feel that more pilot programs in specific private lands are needed, along with results from current pilot programs, to justify any statewide expansion of late season hunts.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully submitted.

M. David Allen

Pretty much on point.

 

[slick]

Agreed Airlock. I don't think he could have said it any better. Particularly like that they brought up the re-working of the EMP.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Particularly like that they brought up the re-working of the EMP.

I think this is where we need to focus our efforts on. SB42 needs to be repealed and MT hunters need to get organized when the EMP is reviewed. I plan on being part of that process. Much easier for me living in Helena to participate. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later. Too many of these shoulder season will have a lasting negative effect on the health of our elk herds.

 

[mt100gr.]

Good thread and good for RMEF. I think for the shoulder seasons to continue and be a "success" the process needs to evolve.

Organization will be the key.

My question is how will private land owners feel about shoulder seasons once the dust settles and they are able to go a few hours.without a knock on the door or the phone ringing?

 

[Violent Hippie]

Thank you for posting this information..

 

[cowboy]

Shoulder seasons are an absolute joke but unfortunately the decision has been made and next year will be a fluster cluck here in Montana.
As far as the RMEF letter. I agree with it but it's too little too late. Just like RMEF's stance at the time of wolf re-introduction. Marketing hype with no teeth in it but it will drum up financial members.
As far as a new EMP - well it is not even on the FWP future agenda so don't hold your breath - it ain't coming very soon.
Until we can get the politics/agriculture out of FWP decision making process and get on a true biology based system anyone that kills a deer/elk in Mt will have done it in spite of MT FWP.
Sorry to be so direct but that's the way it is and I fear the worse is yet to come.

 

[Ed T]

From September to February is a long time to be pressuring elk.

 

[carlc]

I just left the helena comment session. The shoulder season so far has been a "pilot". They still do not know what the effects of it will be on the elk. However, they are proposing to create shoulder seasons in 44 more hunting districts. As well as create a rifle season for antlerless elk, which starts August 15 and runs through archery season. These hunts need to be changed or better yet stopped. Our comment period ends on Friday, email them your suggestions.

 

[cowboy]

Just got home from the Billings G&F meeting. Lots of comments and not one of them were in support of these Aug 15 - Feb 15 elk shoulder season proposals. With that said the G & F are mandated by law to get the numbers of elk down and this is how they propose to do it. The future does not look good for the elk herd - 100% negative comments here in Billings and I'd bet anybody anything that it will be approved anyway come Feb. meeting by our azz hat commission.

 

[Cross]

With that said the G & F are mandated by law to get the numbers of elk down and this is how they propose to do it.


How are they mandated by law to reduce elk populations?

 

[cowboy]

Based on an elk management plan of 2005 that set elk survey numbers per district followed by a senate bill that was passed later that made it Montana law that those objectives were met.