Biologist wants to increase doe harvest in region 3 units - Help!

[Eric Albus]

An estimated population of 40,000 mule deer region wide and you're worried about an extra 175 does?

They estimate 60k in R6. I say less than half that number. More mule deer and better quality bucks on the Ft Peck Rez.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Why is it necessary to hunt any mule deer does in western Montana?

Slippery slope there IMO.

Why is it necessary to hunt mule deer in western Montana?

This thread clearly illustrates how the HT bias (myself included) of desiring higher "quality" mule deer (i.e. older, larger male deer) is not the reality of the desire of most hunters to just shoot an animal regardless of age or antler size.

I'm still hopeful the mule deer working group will get 1 or 2 ideas through, but I think we lose site of those not on here, but very much in the field (or on the roads at least), reading like-minded posts.

 

[El Jason]

The most likely option is a landowner complained or somebody told the biologist they saw a lot of deer.

Given the bio involved, there is an extremely high probability this is the case.

 

[cgasner1]

So we should kill more of them?

We have to be getting trolled

 

[cgasner1]

Slippery slope there IMO.

Why is it necessary to hunt mule deer in western Montana?

This thread clearly illustrates how the HT bias (myself included) of desiring higher "quality" mule deer (i.e. older, larger male deer) is not the reality of the desire of most hunters to just shoot an animal regardless of age or antler size.

I'm still hopeful the mule deer working group will get 1 or 2 ideas through, but I think we lose site of those not on here, but very much in the field (or on the roads at least), reading like-minded posts.

I feel like a lot of information is being left out. They may have an issue in a couple spots and the tags should be private land only. We definitely need to trust our bios he is recommending it for a reason. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and he also shouldn’t be surprised people asking why

 

[SaskHunter]

I feel like a lot of information is being left out. They may have an issue in a couple spots and the tags should be private land only. We definitely need to trust our bios he is recommending it for a reason. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and he also shouldn’t be surprised people asking why

It seems like those same biologists just hate everything with four legs at times though.

Our new draw supplement/quotas are out and there are drastic changes across the board. Mule deer antlerless tags are pretty much non-existent, most OTC tags went to buck/bull only and quotas have been adjusted based on herd sizes due to recent severe winters and droughts.

 

[cgasner1]

It seems like those same biologists just hate everything with four legs at times though.

Our new draw supplement/quotas are out and there are drastic changes across the board. Mule deer antlerless tags are pretty much non-existent, most OTC tags went to buck/bull only and quotas have been adjusted based on herd sizes due to recent severe winters and droughts.

I think it’s a cultural thing and the people that are paying attention are pist at the bios when for the most part their hands are tied. Feel like we are potentially missing some facts/information on this issue

 

[BrentD]

Has anyone thought about calling the biologist and asking why? Might be educational and at least interesting

 

[MTMOOSE]

I have communicated with the biologist and expressed my concerns. He was very responsive and we had a good conversation. His primary reason for the increase is trying to target higher deer numbers on private land. The good news is two of the unit’s permits would be private land only and I think he is still considering the increase on the third.

In one unit he is primarily trying to decrease “subdivision” deer numbers, but giving unit wide permits that are valid on public land is not going to do any good when those deer never leave the small parcels of private that feed them and keep them safe.

Deer are no different than elk and when pressure continues to increase on the public they’ll seek protection on the private where they are not getting blasted from the road by the likes of hogback hunter. That shouldn’t mean we go shoot more deer on public trying to address a couple high(in the biologists opinion) concentrations of subdivision deer.

 

[MTMOOSE]

I dont understand where you are comin from. Total doe tag has been really low for 15 years. We used to be able to drive the roads around Nellson and get a few bucks and a couple does every year. Now with the lack of opportunity we get no does, and rarely see any bucks off the road. The biologist should be giving more doe tags in 392 like they used too. If you were really worried about deer maybe dont worry about doe tags maybe try to hunt a bear or mountain lion.

My family took two lions out of the very unit you speak of this winter, but you go ahead and keep stacking them roadside does and bucks there pal.

 

[hogback hunter]

I have communicated with the biologist and expressed my concerns. He was very responsive and we had a good conversation. His primary reason for the increase is trying to target higher deer numbers on private land. The good news is two of the unit’s permits would be private land only and I think he is still considering the increase on the third.

In one unit he is primarily trying to decrease “subdivision” deer numbers, but giving unit wide permits that are valid on public land is not going to do any good when those deer never leave the small parcels of private that feed them and keep them safe.

Deer are no different than elk and when pressure continues to increase on the public they’ll seek protection on the private where they are not getting blasted from the road by the likes of hogback hunter. That shouldn’t mean we go shoot more deer on public trying to address a couple high(in the biologists opinion) concentrations of subdivision deer.

Let me get this strate. Fwp biologis told you there are to many does close to roads and he wants to issue more tags? Why is that a controversial issue? If me and my brothers killing a few does is what is preventing you from killing a 3 year old buck i have bad news for you. Maybe you would see more deer if you got a gym membership and hiked into the areas where older deer live. Thats good to hear your family killed two lions. I think if you were concerned with deer you yourself would hunt a lion and not rely on the in laws.

 

[MTMOOSE]

Let me get this strate. Fwp biologis told you there are to many does close to roads and he wants to issue more tags? Why is that a controversial issue? If me and my brothers killing a few does is what is preventing you from killing a 3 year old buck i have bad news for you. Maybe you would see more deer if you got a gym membership and hiked into the areas where older deer live. Thats good to hear your family killed two lions. I think if you were concerned with deer you yourself would hunt a lion and not rely on the in laws.

I’m leaving my house in two hours to go run a 12k trail run and consistently hit the gym 5 days a week, so I’m pretty sure my fitness is not an issue. I have hunted every square inch of the unit we are discussing and have never shot a deer from the road, or anywhere close to it. I don’t even hunt deer in the unit we are discussing anymore due to the lack of older age class bucks, but I still care about the resource and would like to see the health of the deer herd improve.

As for the two lions, one was killed by wife and the other by my father and I was at the tree for both of them and was the one driving around all night looking for their tracks. I have shot two lions myself, one with dogs and one with my bow while hunting elk, and I get way more satisfaction watching others harvest them now.

Your comments continue to hit the mark, so keep em rolling.

 

[hogback hunter]

I’m leaving my house in two hours to go run a 12k trail run and consistently hit the gym 5 days a week, so I’m pretty sure my fitness is not an issue. I have hunted every square inch of the unit we are discussing and have never shot a deer from the road, or anywhere close to it. I don’t even hunt deer in the unit we are discussing anymore due to the lack of older age class bucks, but I still care about the resource and would like to see the health of the deer herd improve.

As for the two lions, one was killed by wife and the other by my father and I was at the tree for both of them and was the one driving around all night looking for their tracks. I have shot two lions myself, one with dogs and one with my bow while hunting elk, and I get way more satisfaction watching others harvest them now.

Your comments continue to hit the mark, so keep em rolling.

Maybe you haven't shot a deer close to the road because they dont give any doe tags. You covered every inch of that district? Thats impressive? You have fun on your little run. I am going to drink my coffee and wait for my doe tag status to change from pending to successful.

 

[Forkyfinder]

This thread clearly illustrates how the HT bias (myself included) of desiring higher "quality" mule deer (i.e. older, larger male deer) is not the reality of the desire of most hunters to just shoot an animal regardless of age or antler size.

Thats the most true statement of 2025.

Seperately, the town deer (if theyre like my neighborhood deer) involve a certain sacrifice of neighborly political capital. Im not gonna kill the does my neighborhood likes to watch everyday. Even if theres a lot.

When that old megaforky shows up though, i guess i'll ask the neighborhood what flavor of jerky they like.

 

[hogback hunter]

I’m leaving my house in two hours to go run a 12k trail run and consistently hit the gym 5 days a week, so I’m pretty sure my fitness is not an issue. I have hunted every square inch of the unit we are discussing and have never shot a deer from the road, or anywhere close to it. I don’t even hunt deer in the unit we are discussing anymore due to the lack of older age class bucks, but I still care about the resource and would like to see the health of the deer herd improve.

As for the two lions, one was killed by wife and the other by my father and I was at the tree for both of them and was the one driving around all night looking for their tracks. I have shot two lions myself, one with dogs and one with my bow while hunting elk, and I get way more satisfaction watching others harvest them now.

Your comments continue to hit the mark, so keep em rolling.

You dont even hunt deer in this district but you want to tell fwp how to issue tags? Maybe worry about the deer were you hunt?

 

[Forkyfinder]

You dont even hunt deer in this district but you want to tell fwp how to issue tags? Maybe worry about the deer were you hunt?

Whens your favorite time to hunt deer?

 

[ismith]

I have communicated with the biologist and expressed my concerns. He was very responsive and we had a good conversation. His primary reason for the increase is trying to target higher deer numbers on private land. The good news is two of the unit’s permits would be private land only and I think he is still considering the increase on the third.

In one unit he is primarily trying to decrease “subdivision” deer numbers, but giving unit wide permits that are valid on public land is not going to do any good when those deer never leave the small parcels of private that feed them and keep them safe.

Deer are no different than elk and when pressure continues to increase on the public they’ll seek protection on the private where they are not getting blasted from the road by the likes of hogback hunter. That shouldn’t mean we go shoot more deer on public trying to address a couple high(in the biologists opinion) concentrations of subdivision deer.

I’ve drawn that doe tag twice and I filled it with subdivision deer both times.

 

[MTMOOSE]

The likes of Hogback hunter is exactly what we’re up against trying to get any meaningful change to mule deer management in this state.

 

[MTMOOSE]

I’ve drawn that doe tag twice and I filled it with subdivision deer both times.

That’s good to hear, and I hope there are more permit holders like you, but I’m concerned most blast the first one they see from the road regardless of where it is in the unit.

 

[hogback hunter]

The likes of Hogback hunter is exactly what we’re up against trying to get any meaningful change to mule deer management in this state.

The likes of you are what is eliminating hunt opportunities for us. Youre mindset is why people arnt killing deer and elk like we used to. I bet my family has killed more deer than you. I bet you dont even kill bull elk. I think you would change your tune if we talked about this face to face pal.