Got my first tag and have a population/predator question

[Gnomepunter]

Well I got my first ever tag this year( Montana Big Game Combo). I have been doing alot of reading about populations of deer and elk in montana.I think I will opt to take a Whitetail rather than a Mule deer due to population declines. And also am interested in doing my part as far as predator hunting goes to help with herd numbers. Just want to do the right thing and help out however I can being a nonresident. I guess my question is would black bears be the most impactful? Due to the hugh calf mortality due to bears? Anyone have any input? Sorry for the longwinded post.

 

[Mtandrew]

Depends where you will be hunting. Wolves are a sure bet killer. Everyone is sick of the grizzlies if one happens to run in front of you on the hwy and your foot slips off the brake that would be appreciated.

 

[Gnomepunter]

Depends where you will be hunting. Wolves are a sure bet killer. Everyone is sick of the grizzlies if one happens to run in front of you on the hwy and your foot slips off the brake that would be appreciated.

Yea I have been keeping up with that as well. Thats a messed up situation. From what I can understand the state is wanting to start a management plan. But are hitting a wall due to federal protections. I figured I would try to do what I could to help and take a predator or 2 off the landscape. Might even try to do a spring bear hunt next year.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Well I got my first ever tag this year( Montana Big Game Combo). I have been doing alot of reading about populations of deer and elk in montana.I think I will opt to take a Whitetail rather than a Mule deer due to population declines. And also am interested in doing my part as far as predator hunting goes to help with herd numbers. Just want to do the right thing and help out however I can being a nonresident. I guess my question is would black bears be the most impactful? Due to the hugh calf mortality due to bears? Anyone have any input? Sorry for the longwinded post.

Most whitetail populations are not limited by predators in Montana. Lions kill the most deer by far. Good luck.

 

[Gnomepunter]

Most whitetail populations are not limited by predators in Montana. Lions kill the most deer by far. Good luck.

Im sorry I suck at being clear sometimes lol. I was talking about predators that are affecting Mule deer and Elk numbers. Which I am aware also that environmental variables are a big role as well.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Im sorry I suck at being clear sometimes lol. I was talking about predators that are affecting Mule deer and Elk numbers. Which I am aware also that environmental variables are a big role as well.

Lions still have the largest impact on most ungulate species in most lower 48 states out west. Depending on where you hunt, most mule deer and elk are not limited or hardly even statistically impacted by predators.

 

[ccc23454]

Start by shooting a sexually mature animal

 

[Gnomepunter]

Start by shooting a sexually mature animal

Oh for sure. I limit myself here in Alabama to 4.5 year old bucks and older. Now given I take 2 or 3 does a year as well. I cant see taking a young animal before it reaches its potential. I do however make exceptions to the 4.5 year old rule (rarely) for obvious cull bucks here

 

[Gnomepunter]

Lions still have the largest impact on most ungulate species in most lower 48 states out west. Depending on where you hunt, most mule deer and elk are not limited or hardly even statistically impacted by predators.

I got you. This is why I wanted to ask in here. Wanted input from people that had first hand experience. Just going off of reading things online it would lead someone to think bears and wolves were the worst.

 

[SAJ-99]

If you get satisfaction from knowing you are helping with FWP budget, then purchase the tags. Using them will be very dependent on where you plan on hunting.

 

[Gnomepunter]

I was going over some of the units and did some more digging. Some of them seem to have high bear populations. Others say high wolf populations I do apologize if not posting the units is a bit cryptic or troublesome. I am just trying to avoid coming off like I am looking for information on where to Elk or Deer hunt.

 

[Caseknife]

Black bears have the most impact on herd number recruitment by targeting newborn calves and fawns. Cats probably kill the most adult animals. Wolves definitely have an impact and will change the prey animal's habits. Good for you an wanting to help in predator management.

 

[Gnomepunter]

Black bears have the most impact on herd number recruitment by targeting newborn calves and fawns. Cats probably kill the most adult animals. Wolves definitely have an impact and will change the prey animal's habits. Good for you an wanting to help in predator management.

Thank you sir. And of course I would want to help. I am merely a vistor. I should put in some degree of work to help.

 

[nrpate05]

Predator hunting for the most part is a drop in the bucket. Maybe come out during the summer and join FWP or one of the NGO's on a habitat enhancement project.

 

[Gnomepunter]

Already planning to! Got the idea from Utahs dedicated hunter program actually.

 

[Gnomepunter]

Predator hunting for the most part is a drop in the bucket. Maybe come out during the summer and join FWP or one of the NGO's on a habitat enhancement project.

Do you know of a specific NGO that would be considered a good choice?
I was looking at Mtcorps recently. I guess I could reach out to FWP directly.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Black bears have the most impact on herd number recruitment by targeting newborn calves and fawns. Cats probably kill the most adult animals. Wolves definitely have an impact and will change the prey animal's habits. Good for you an wanting to help in predator management.

This is blatantly false. I'd love to see one study conducted in the west that illustrates this. Lions kill more fawns and mature animals, hands down, in any study where both animals occupy the study area. Parasites, roadkill, habitat loss, etc all have a much larger impact than bears by a long shot. Most of these factors have a larger impact than predators as a whole.

 

[X13]

Just go hunt. Don’t ruin the experience of your first western hunt on a predator crusade or pass on a mule deer to appease strangers on the internet

 

[Gerald Martin]

Thank you sir. And of course I would want to help. I am merely a vistor. I should put in some degree of work to help.

I wouldn’t overthink it. The price you payed for a NR license is your contribution to FWP’s professionals. NR license sales are 73% of total license dollars collected.

Enjoy your hunt, look for mature animal that makes you happy and don’t feel guilty about shooting one.

If you are hunting an area with a decent population of wolves then you might consider picking up a tag. They’re really cheap and a wolf is an incredible trophy in its own right.

As far a bears or lions hunt them if you want on the merits of them being a game animal not necessarily a predator to be eliminated. They’re a natural part of our MT’s diverse suite of wildlife.

In all reality if you want to put predator control into perspective there’s going to be @ 200,000 two legged predators with rifles in their hands trying to kill deer and elk this year… no tags available for them and shooting is definitely prohibited..

 

[jpc01101]

Just go hunt. Don’t ruin the experience of your first western hunt on a predator crusade or pass on a mule deer to appease strangers on the internet

I have to agree with this, have a tag in your pocket for wolves (2 actually, you get one reduced price with BGC) and go hunt and have a blast.