Is this true

[mdunc8]

I think the overcrowding issue is a little overblown. If you want to get away from people, you can. Sure, some areas probably see more hunters than they should, but it's a big state. I haven't been here long and I haven't had a problem finding areas that I can hunt without running into anyone.

The tags may not sell out this year or next, but once people eventually start making money again (and if gas ever comes back down), I could see an increase in the number of people putting in for tags. Probably not an issue for the next few years though.

I could see the wilderness tags being an issue. Are outfitters limited in the number of folks they can take into their licensed areas or could one of the guides up in Big Sky theoretically take 17,000 nonresidents into the Taylor-Hilgard Wilderness? If they are limited, I could see extra tags being a draw to nonresidents for areas like that and the Bob. However, even if they are limited to a certain number of hunters, I'm not sure if the outfitters currently book up in those areas.

 

[Ben Lamb]

The way I read SB 400, 2000 tags would be specific to wilderness areas within the state. That is on top of the statutorily approved 17,000.

Those tags are not tied to outfitters, which means that all of those 2000 tags would be specific to wilderness. Not sure how the commission would divvy those up.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Mixedbag- In reguards to resident license pricing... I think the consensus here on Hunttalk is we would all like to see resident license fees be increased. That would give residents more "skin in the game" concerning the funding of Block Management instead of depending on high priced NR tags to fund the program.

With residents funding more of the programs that favor resident use it would blunt some of the outfitters clout concerning tag numbers.

I don't think anyone here is against outfitting as an industry, its just that many are ticked off because outfitters are pushing for unlimited tags and increasing tags so that their clients are guarrenteed a tag. This puts a lot more pressure on elk and deer across the unit from increased hunter numbers. Meanwhile the private land that the outfitter has leased doesn't see increased pressure because the outfitter controls access.

If the Breaks and other units were to go back to unlimited permits, the outfitters would be sure of their clients drawing. If an outfitter takes 20 hunters a year on private land and all 20 draw, the hunting pressure stays relatively the same. But since the whole unit is now a guarrenteed draw there might be 1000 more Res and NR's (than there are under current permit numbers) in that unit on public land.

 

[Gerald Martin]

"Those tags are not tied to outfitters, which means that all of those 2000 tags would be specific to wilderness. Not sure how the commission would divvy those up"

Where's the justification for increased tags when the combo tag isn't even sold out this year??????

SB 400 needs to die.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Logic, reason and sound wildlife management have nothing to do with the 62nd Montana Legislature.

 

[shoots-straight]

SB 400 moved on

 

[shoots-straight]

The way I read SB 400, 2000 tags would be specific to wilderness areas within the state. That is on top of the statutorily approved 17,000.

Those tags are not tied to outfitters, which means that all of those 2000 tags would be specific to wilderness. Not sure how the commission would divvy those up.

The tag holder can turn his deer tag back in, and it can be resold, that user can use that tag in any open HD in the state. So we could have up to an additional 4000 NR hunters if all deer tags were turned in.

 

[Big Fin]

Where's the justification for increased tags when the combo tag isn't even sold out this year??????

SB 400 needs to die.

Hard to believe that would pass when we didn't sell what we had. Guess we want to undersell by 3,200 and then let people come and buy them after the fact. Maybe MT should just go to first-come first-served, given how many tags we are going to be printing.

The Federal Treasury will need to loan us a printing press capable of keeping up with the pace of increase.

 

[birddog32]

Having applied for a NR combo tag, I hope what I'm hearing means I'm going hunting this fall. Can't wait for the opportunity to hunt your state for the first time.

 

[Big Fin]

Having applied for a NR combo tag, I hope what I'm hearing means I'm going hunting this fall. Can't wait for the opportunity to hunt your state for the first time.

Get your bags packed. You will draw. Congrats and good luck. Hope you find the big ones you are looking for.

 

[onpoint]

Logic, reason and sound wildlife management have nothing to do with the 62nd Montana Legislature.

Broken Record again....keep in mind, this legislature is the offspring of the last 5-6 sessions, culminating in the cluster%$#* we are currently enjoying. Logic, reason, and sound wildlife mgmt have all been lost on a lot of MT legislators for a time now. MUST LEARN FROM THIS.....MUST NOT HAPPEN AGAIN....

 

[Trucker]

I already applied for my non res license but the outfitters are already sending emails out. 1200 left over licenses at $912 each = $1,094,400. Thats a lot of money sitting out there. hope they sell them.


Hello,
Word is out that Montana may have some unsold big game combo tags. If so these tags will be available on a first come basis from FWP in a couple weeks. Give us a call if you missed the deadline and would still like to hunt this year, we can help you with the license process. We still have a few openings for deer in October and early November.
Check our website for the archery antelope special. We have several openings in the rut season that should prove exciting.
Prairie dog hunts are filling fast also. we have 2 openings in June left, if you can't find a hunting partner give us a call and we can fit you in one of these openings. May has only one opening left for a group that is the 16th-19th. July has several spots open for groups.