"Estimated annual average harvest, resulting from 900-20 licenses across Region 3, increased from 124 during 2004-2005 to 277 during 2023-2024 (Appendix I; Figure 3). Applying the average annual statewide harvest rate from 900-20 licenses (18%) indicated that 900-20 license holder participation across Region 3 increased from 653 during 2004-2005 to 1,539 during 2023–2024. During that period, allocation of either-sex rifle licenses across Region 3 was reduced by approximately 25%. Relative to the most recent peak in 2011, either-sex rifle licenses were reduced approximately 50% (Appendix I; Figure 4). Those reductions were in response to declining antelope abundance. In 2024, 900-20 licenses comprised an estimated 37% of all antelope licenses used in Region 3. That compared to 13% in 2004. The current level of harvest resulting from 900-20 licenses across Region 3 is reducing the number of either-sex rifle licenses that can be issued.
Bowhunters - not a big impact?
- Thread starter Frequently Banned Troll
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"Estimated annual average harvest, resulting from 900-20 licenses across Region 3, increased from 124 during 2004-2005 to 277 during 2023-2024 (Appendix I; Figure 3). Applying the average annual statewide harvest rate from 900-20 licenses (18%) indicated that 900-20 license holder participation across Region 3 increased from 653 during 2004-2005 to 1,539 during 2023–2024. During that period, allocation of either-sex rifle licenses across Region 3 was reduced by approximately 25%. Relative to the most recent peak in 2011, either-sex rifle licenses were reduced approximately 50% (Appendix I; Figure 4). Those reductions were in response to declining antelope abundance. In 2024, 900-20 licenses comprised an estimated 37% of all antelope licenses used in Region 3. That compared to 13% in 2004. The current level of harvest resulting from 900-20 licenses across Region 3 is reducing the number of either-sex rifle licenses that can be issued.
sclancy27
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I used to archery hunt R3 alot for goats but haven't in 3 yrs for this reason. I love hunting August but I wonder if we could cut the antelope pressure pretty significantly by cutting the Aug 15 start date and confining it to normal archery and rifle season. It would take away a lot of the incentive of that tag.
I bet you're right. I put in for that tag as a way to get some hunting in before elk season opens, or as insurance in the event that I don't draw an elk permit.
sclancy27
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It used to be that way, I can't remember when they started the Aug 15 opener.
Frequently Banned Troll
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Fact.
Best time to bowhunt antelope is when all the 900 guys are done crippling antelope with their tricked out archery set-ups and have moved on to chasing elk with their 3rd pack of expandable heads for the season.
Frequently Banned Troll
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Bull #4. Pulled this out of my AZ elks ass this year. He was a fighting machine and showed no sign of an old injury.
Frequently Banned Troll
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www.facebook.com
Pronghorn populations in some portions of southwestern Montana have hit record lows, coinciding with archery hunter interest and success in the region skyrocketing.
To compensate, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks proposed issuing only 500 archery-only pronghorn hunting permits in Region 3 for the next two hunting seasons. At the same time, the agency would remove the region from the statewide pronghorn archery permits.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission agreed to the proposals on Thursday.
Story: Brett French | Lee Newspapers
Photo: Lee Newspapers
#montana #mtnews #wildlife #hunting #pronghorn
Frequently Banned Troll
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Let's make it better, by making it worse. Totally makes sense, and still there will be bowhunters claiming they are getting the shaft.
“Limited permit” but we need to ensure that everyone that applies for it is able to draw it.
thusby
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Bowhunters are scumbags!
Mallardsx2
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Nick87
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A good part of the population are scumbags. Some of them bowhunt.
FWP did a study years ago in the Madison that suggested that for every elk killed one was lost by bowhunters.
I would like to see the entire stunt that is bowhunting go away.
Very few survive. Sepsis is a thing.
Nick87
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Edit to add- some of them rifle hunt too.
I have heard many horror stories even seen pictures of the perfect shot and I don’t understand it. Elk have a giant vital area. I have shoulder bladed a bull that I didn’t recover but I think I’ve shot 10 plus bulls I would have to count and most die in sight. 44 yards has been my longest shot. Maybe I’ve been lucky.
Gerald Martin
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One of the more popular units in xxx was @ 25% for drawing a rifle permit about five years ago. I started applying there without carefully tracking draw odds because it was a unit I wanted to hunt and I didn’t care if I didn’t hunt antelope every year. I think odds were down to 2% for drawing last year. Due completely to “population level effects” of archery harvest.
Nick87
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Probably has a lot to do with being "lucky"
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