Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting MT's 6 month Elk season

Couldn't be said any better.

Vore destroyed the Bitterroot. Then he got a promotion. Now he's set on destroying the whole state.

Quite honestly, a part of me hopes the FWP takes a good chunk out of the elk herd and both resident and non resident hunters respond by buying fewer licenses. That is the only thing that will get their attention at this point. Public comment is chirping birds to them.

The commission is appointed by Bullock, our democrat governor. Given the MT repubs in he legislature, things would be much much worse if they were in control. The sportsmen don't have a political party in MT right now.

This "shoulder season" is an absolute abortion. The state land gods want it all their own way, and the cowardly FWP caves in to these idiots time and time again. Elk make their land infinitely more valuable than normal ag prices, but by god they only want elk on their own terms. Couple reducing herd strength with stressing these same elk herds when they are most vulnerable (winter), and I see this as a recipe for disaster for public land hunters.

Unbelievable...

This has everything to do with Varmitguys very own Debby Barret (R). She was in the Montana House of Representatives back in 2003 and sponsored HB42. This bill mandated FWP to manage elk at of below objective numbers.

She is responsible for killing more elk then wolves, lions and giz combined.

This is so true and so frustrating. I'm a strong believer in private property rights and feel a landowner can do what he wants with his land. They shouldn't, however, be allowed to have their cake and eat it to. FWP needs to tell them, "you want help, open your land" or chase/haze/scare the elk off your land yourself.

Shrapnel,

I can tell you for a fact there were higher bull to cow ratios and a higher percentage of the elk population was found on public land in the 1960's than now.

These shoulder seasons are a joke and so is the MFWP.

While this may seem like a good idea, state law will not allow it. Because of poor management the legislature mandated FWP to kill elk In at least 44 HD's.

You are mistaken if you think I am supporting everything the FWP is doing in regards to wildlife in general and elk specifically. You are also mistaken if you don't realize that the elk population is much higher in Montana than it was in the1960's...

Shrap needs to re read Buzz's post. Whiff!

Callnum needs to read Shrapnel's post...Whiff!

Buzz is taking %, I am talking total numbers...

I can't figure out how anybody can say there were more Elk anywhere in Montana in the 60's. I started hunting in 1957, and if you wanted to shoot an Elk you had better be ready to do some traveling. Then be prepared to come home empty handed. Now most residents can get an Elk just out of town. They are everywhere.
As long as some of the Elk are protected on private lands the herd will never quit growing.
I do know the FWP would rather not have all of the Elk to manage that they do now.

Ken

Sharp's reading comprehension is not so good. Neither is his understanding of current elk populations and management goals.

I believe that to be true too. Maybe they will have less hunters paying their bills too?