Not sure if anyone is looking at the data that is provided with that Montana Hunters First survey, but some of it is pretty interesting. There's been a big jump in both R and NR license sales in the past 10 years...
There is a lot of truth to this. Colorado moved their season dates back around 5 years ago and it sounds like it has had a huge effect on the number of mature bucks, even with their short seasons.
It would be interesting to know how much of that has to do with OTC cow hunting and/or paid shoulder season hunts. I’d bet that has something to do with it.
Those permit numbers were proposed by your ex-commissioner, the same one that decided we should hand out archery antelope permits like they’re candy. I believe the reason they’ve remained unchanged is because of outfitters that want those numbers high, as well as locals and some individuals on...
If you want to see any change you better care, at least a little bit. Gianforte is pretty connected with MOGA. I think he is often at their annual convention. FWP takes their marching orders from Gianforte. Hell, even a lot of the commission's amendments are drafted by MOGA. Its unfortunate, but...
https://fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2026/aug/0812---corrected-draft-environmental-assessment-hannah-ranch-term-conservation-easement-fwp-sea-wld-r4-26-02
Looks like the access would be permanent even if the CE isn't. Please comment again.
Most of it is flat country so try to get as much elevation to glass as possible. Sometimes that means hiking up on a little knob and sometimes that means standing and glassing off a fully extended tripod in the bed of the pickup.