One component in this whole dialogue that doesn’t get considered is what it takes to live in Montana. Jobs and salaries for those jobs aren’t much compensation for the equivalent in almost every other state. A Montana resident isn’t here for the money.
I know of plenty out of state outfitters that live and work elsewhere, then come to Montana during the prime months to profit from guiding, buoyed up by their higher out of state salaries.
The NR hunters come here for the same reasons and still want access to all Montana has to offer with a claim to public land. I am not opposed to that access, as it is public land, but the “entitlement” attitude of what else they should be given seems to pollute the fairness to the whole hunting community.
I don’t see anyone thanking the FWP for anything they have done over the years, just bitching about what they haven’t done. While all of the NR hunters have been pursuing their careers to make more money so they can come to Montana and hunt, FWP has been trying to develop a fragile resource for the benefit of all hunters and fishermen.
When I was a kid in the 60’s, you could hardly find elk and deer weren’t all that plentiful. Now everyone is complaining about too many elk, shoulder seasons and no access. No matter what FWP does, it isn’t enough and the sparks are flying.
Is FWP perfect? No, but Montana has come a long way with the hunting and fishing opportunities that weren’t there in the 60’s. Landowners aren’t fair with their land and outfitters are stealing all the good hunting.
Can’t anyone find something good about hunting in Montana? I can, I hunt public and private ground where other people hunt and outfitters guide. I get deer, elk and antelope every year and see more than I kill. Frankly I am tired of all the whining because it isn’t what everyone wants to suit themselves.
dont hold back, tell us what your really thinking 
