Montana Mule Deer Mismanagement

[Tlrussell]

Not to sound like an ass which I’m sure I will……the difference between 160” deer and 180” deer is quite significant

Agreed. A young 3 point, a nice three year old and a 4+ year old might have been a better description. However, I assume you get the point. I haven’t seen 3 deer in that area that represented different age groups age groups in a while.

Want me to drop you a pin?

 

[cgasner1]

Agreed. A young 3 point, a nice three year old and a 4+ year old might have been a better description. However, I assume you get the point. I haven’t seen 3 deer in that area that represented different age groups age groups in a while.

Want me to drop you a pin?

I’ll pass on the pin. That was more to my point it’s good you saw some different age classes the problem with putting numbers on things is it draws away from the conversation because then that’s all people think you care about when for me it isn’t about the numbers the tape breaks

 

[Forkyfinder]

Agreed. A young 3 point, a nice three year old and a 4+ year old might have been a better description. However, I assume you get the point. I haven’t seen 3 deer in that area that represented different age groups age groups in a while.

Want me to drop you a pin?

Pin for the forky??

 

[Tlrussell]

Pin for the forky??

Only if you promise not to tell

 

[Elky Welky]

https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/article_de5278b8-f2e1-11ef-b479-cf42652717a4.html

From the article:

"Northeast Montana has seen an increase in chronic wasting disease as it spreads across the landscape, according to the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
'Regionwide, CWD prevalence in adult mule deer has increased from around 3% of the 2018-19 samples to almost 18% of 2024 samples,' said Scott Hemmer, Havre-area FWP biologist. 'Prevalence is more pronounced for mule deer in the northern hunting districts that border Canada.'
Following the latest sampling, northern hunting district (HD) 600 has a prevalence rate of 28% for adult mule deer. HD 670, in the north-central area of the region, shows a prevalence of 34%, and HD 640, on the eastern end of the region, has overall prevalence rates in mule deer of 30%. Prevalence in mule deer bucks is higher"

 

[DFS]

https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/article_de5278b8-f2e1-11ef-b479-cf42652717a4.html

From the article:

"Northeast Montana has seen an increase in chronic wasting disease as it spreads across the landscape, according to the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
'Regionwide, CWD prevalence in adult mule deer has increased from around 3% of the 2018-19 samples to almost 18% of 2024 samples,' said Scott Hemmer, Havre-area FWP biologist. 'Prevalence is more pronounced for mule deer in the northern hunting districts that border Canada.'
Following the latest sampling, northern hunting district (HD) 600 has a prevalence rate of 28% for adult mule deer. HD 670, in the north-central area of the region, shows a prevalence of 34%, and HD 640, on the eastern end of the region, has overall prevalence rates in mule deer of 30%. Prevalence in mule deer bucks is higher"

I guess targeting the older bucks for the last 75 years didn’t work in stopping it.

 

[cgasner1]

I guess targeting the older bucks for the last 75 years didn’t work in stopping it.

Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t shoot one this year

 

[DFS]

Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t shoot one this year

Not according to the science. We need to bring the hammer. Sad state of affairs for mule deer.

 

[Point Creep]

I guess targeting the older bucks for the last 75 years didn’t work in stopping it.

 

[cgasner1]

Not according to the science. We need to bring the hammer. Sad state of affairs for mule deer.

Next year I’m filling that tag for science

 

[brockel]

Next year I’m filling that tag for science

#scienceofneckroasts

 

[Forkyfinder]

#scienceofneckroasts

Im just happy that most of the ones by my place made it through the cold snap. Hope that means good things elsewhere...

 

[brockel]

View attachment 362121
Im just happy that most of the ones by my place made it through the cold snap. Hope that means good things elsewhere...

Still a little early for me to get to excited about numbers. Whitetail around the house seem to be doing well this winter though

 

[DFS]

https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/montana-outdoors/2025/regs.pdf

Remember the wildlife managers love to hear your thoughts.

 

[DFS]

Harvest stats for 2024 deer are out, nonresidents continue to out pace residents in mule deer buck harvest in region 7. Something needs to change here.

FWP :: Harvest Estimates

 

[huntin24/7]

I’ve been a bit more encouraged about the potential for positive change in deer management the last few months. I’ve started seeing a few more posts on Facebook here in NE MT addressing the need for change and a couple smaller groups popping up talking about it more. I can’t help but think a lot of this stems from the work you guys have put out there in the past year.

 

[Deleted member 56631]

Cheers to smoking a ruttin forky over thanksgiving! #Blessed

 

[Forkyfinder]

If hunting mule deer during elk season is a problem or cause for concern - why is the same thing during antelope season a non-issue?

Think theres a lot more r6/r7 antelope tags than elk permits. What about the "incidental take" here?

 

[Forkyfinder]

@Gerald Martin how many antelope vs elk permits in r6 and r7?

How are you certain no forkies will be harmed?

 

[cgasner1]

@Gerald Martin how many antelope vs elk permits in r6 and r7?

How are you certain no forkies will be harmed?

Kill all the forkies you want that isn’t the point.