Extreme hunting pressure in region 7.

[Forkyfinder]

If the BMA payments are capped, and the only payout difference is how quickly the BMA hits its cap, then there will be some BMAs where it’s completely irrelevant how many hunters were bird hunters and how many were deer hunters.

Great logic.

If 3000 deer hunters max out the bma, but 2000 bird hunters used it afterwards - its all good? Given that its the sheer amont of hunters that keep landowners unenrolled, i dont see how it doesnt matter beyond the $ of the bma and not just its use.

Even if the "use per dollar" is going down (when a bma prop hits its max) - bird hunters are riding a free ride only rivaled by R hunters.

 

[El Jason]

It’s hilarious all of a sudden Montanans care about fiscal parity.

Price increases haven’t had a chance to make an impact yet.

Landowners have the option of limiting number hunters per day if total hunter numbers is big issue to them.

 

[Forkyfinder]

It’s hilarious all of a sudden Montanans care about fiscal parity.

NR bird licenses will be capped in the future. The legislation hasn’t had its effect yet.

Landowners have the option of limiting number hunters per day if total hunter numbers is big issue to them.

Youre the smartest person ive ever met

 

[Pagosa]

I have spoken to one former outfitter in SE Montana and probably half dozen ranches in Carter and Powder River Counties and it was the landowners idea to begin leasing to outfitters to avoid the hassle of RESIDENT hunters. The landowners contacted the outfitters bc they didn't have the time to regulate/police bad hunter behavior and no one should have hunters accessing their land for months on end. They could get more landowners involved in BMA if they limited tags and seasons across the board. Hunting animals for four months is not right.

People need to contact their legislature before the next writing season. A few of the regional Biologist have an open ear, but the Commission is completely in the tank with the Governor.

 

[El Jason]

Youre the smartest person ive ever met

That’s funny. I’d say the same about you.

I gotta go pack to go hunting. You guys should do the same.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I gotta go pack to go hunting. You guys should do the same.

I wish. I struck out on opportunities to go this weekend. Have fun, wish you luck.

Some context:

 

[cgasner1]

Seems like at this point it would be worth just making a “5 day” nr bird season but sell it as 1-3-5 so if a someone wanted to do a couple weekends that’s a option or just all 5 in one shot. Would be pretty easy to cook the books and add 20% to the overall cost they are being charged also. Mainly to help reduce pressure. But what do I know I’ve never packed a shotgun in 7 on public birds aren’t my thing

 

[Treeshark]

I wish. I struck out on opportunities to go this weekend. Have fun, wish you luck.

Some context:View attachment 389104

View attachment 389105

I’m trying to decipher that: what were the res/NR upland bird total numbers?

 

[Forkyfinder]

I’m trying to decipher that: what were the res/NR upland bird total numbers?

Theyre listed there....?

 

[Treeshark]

Theyre listed there....?

I’m not sure what that 8263 number is.

Is it fair to say that it’s roughly 90-10 res/NR? Or is the 8263 NRs? The way you have it laid out is confusing me a bit.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I’m not sure what that 8263 number is.

Is it fair to say that it’s roughly 90-10 res/NR? Or is the 8263 NRs? The way you have it laid out is confusing me a bit.

Blue are res
Orange are non res

 

[Treeshark]

Got it. Roughly 65/35 by my quick math. Hopefully the upcoming early season NR restrictions help you guys have a better opener.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Where is that established? I dont see that.

Perhaps either making bird hunters pay an additional use fee, per bma, and/or drastically cutting their numbers would help. Its near obvious theyre using more BMA than they are paying for.

Should this apply to waterfowl, antelope, crane, turkey, moose, sheep, goat, etc as well?

 

[Treeshark]

Its near obvious theyre using more BMA than they are paying for.

This statement seems to apply to the vast majority of upland BMA users (especially-so when you include both R and NR freeloaders).

This observation may explain some of the ‘why’ behind the downward trend of BMA enrollment, I suppose.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Got it. Roughly 65/35 by my quick math. Hopefully the upcoming early season NR restrictions help you guys have a better opener.

What wss the ratio in 2017 as compared to last year?

 

[Forkyfinder]

Should this apply to waterfowl, antelope, crane, turkey, moose, sheep, goat, etc as well?

Forgive me - did you get an unlimited 3 day NR moose season passed last session?

 

[Treeshark]

What wss the ratio in 2017 as compared to last year?

Those were the good ol’ days!

 

[Forkyfinder]

Those were the good ol’ days!

Nice math.

 

[Treeshark]

Looks like roughly 75/25 back in 2015, which is kind of surprising. I would have thought things had changed more in the past 10 years.

I think the one thing we all probably agree upon is that without the increase in NR hunters, the BMA program would be in even worse shape than it currently is. One could certainly make the argument they’re almost single-handedly saving hunting in Montana right now.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Forgive me - did you get an unlimited 3 day NR moose season passed last session?

Your point is that people are using BMA's without contributing, correct?

How do you know that those w/upland licenses don't also have other licenses that do contribute to those access programs? The base hunting license alone for NR's is generating significant funding for block management (about $6 mil per biennium).