That’s why I said in places like AZ. In AZ/NV it makes a difference. Places like WY, MT, CO I’d tend to agree, the habitat can support them without a lot of human improvements.
Those few tags build a lot of drinkers and do a lot for animal habitat (particularly sheep). In places like AZ where the environment is harsh, that can make a big difference in animals numbers, which translates to overall tag availability.
Few things to consider, region 6 and 7 are massive, almost half of the state. Also happen to be the most sparsely populated. That combined with them being located in the east, it is easy to see why numbers would look like that. It just shows residents don’t want to drive.
If you are really...
Had this bull come in on a cow hunt a few years back. I shot a hot cow and he wouldn't leave, I lost some meat because I couldn't scare him off. Yelling, shooting the ground, tried just about everything. He charged me twice, had a climb a tree. The next morning I came back to dress her and twice...
I'd be much more worried about the trend towards catering to outfitters and large NR landowners. If the woods seem a little crowded, it's likely all those new MT residents/hunters getting out there. The NR cap hasn't changed since 1975 I believe.
My dad is 65, double knee replacement at 63. Last year he killed an elk (archery) at 11k, 6 miles from the truck. We got it out and camp in a little over a day. Most people's limitations are all in their head. Also packed out a bear, caribou and several mule deer since the new knees, all...