Montana Mule Deer Mismanagement

[DFS]

Just got this in the mail this week and was impressed with the details of the survey. Good to see they're including antler measurements and proper aging techniques. Does anyone know if this is a new survey for deer permits? Ill probably call the bio and pick his brain and I can report back.
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Well that’s something, good for them
for trying to collect data, sorry for your luck on the tag you drew.

 

[Edwin]

Well that’s something, good for them
for trying to collect data, sorry for your luck on the tag you drew.

I knew what I was getting into. Looking forward to it. Pulling the boat up next week to do some fishing and bow hunting.

 

[DFS]

I knew what I was getting into. Looking forward to it. Pulling the boat up next week to do some fishing and bow hunting.

I think there was a time when they gave out 15-25 tags there I know it spiked to 200 at some point and I think it is on its way back down as far as tag numbers go.

 

[8andcounting]

I knew what I was getting into. Looking forward to it. Pulling the boat up next week to do some fishing and bow hunting.

Sounds like a great experience no matter what you see for horns . It will be a great trip

 

[Edwin]

I think there was a time when they gave out 15-25 tags there I know it spiked to 200 at some point and I think it is on its way back down as far as tag numbers go.

Yeah they've had it capped at 100 tags the 3 previous seasons. I haven't hunted region 6 since 2023 which was pretty much rock bottom based on my observations. Hopefully its improved some since

 

[DFS]

Yeah they've had it capped at 100 tags the 3 previous seasons. I haven't hunted region 6 since 2023 which was pretty much rock bottom based on my observations. Hopefully its improved some since

Enjoy the trip, great that they are actually trying to collect data out of the unit.

 

[brockel]

Reading the last few pages reminds me why I don't hunt Montana anymore.

Spread the word

 

[Forkyfinder]

Just got this in the mail this week and was impressed with the details of the survey. Good to see they're including antler measurements and proper aging techniques. Does anyone know if this is a new survey for deer permits? Ill probably call the bio and pick his brain and I can report back.
View attachment 416282

This is excellent.

Everyone should send the guy an email and thank him.

Which is why putting an outsize dependence on NR to fund a majority of FWP’s budget is a flawed funding model. I think that all residents should have stake in paying for the management of their wildlife resources is the logical solution. Whether a resident hunts or not, his wildlife resources are a valuable asset to being a MT resident.

Maybe. That sounds nice - but i think you have a better chance of being govenor than that happening.

Mind telling me how/why the dramatic upshift in R6 wasnt noticed in all the meetings you had? Specifically - i find it shocking the trend with "hunter days" was apparently flatly missed. It obviously shows there needs to be regional caps and ultimate a cap on NR mule deer hunters thats below the statute. Theres nothing in statute that stops fwp from capping the whole state with 15k or 10k NR MD tags. We have spent a plethora of time talking about "selective harvest" and then totally discount the most selective group having the largest impact.

They make their voices heard. I have long criticized that MOGA report. The numbers might be optimistic but they aren't zero or even immaterial. The problem is figuring out the elasticity of the numbers in relation to NR permit changes. Either way, MT hunters made their bed by tying the vast majority of their funding to the NR. You want to change it, pay the bill.

Oh... yeah you got me. There numbers arent 0. The draw/economics from the weed stores/strip/casinos clubs in the border towns is probably higher though. Should i worship at the feet of those "economic drivers"?

Unlike the myth of small businesses rich of NR hunters - I'd bet those businesses would speak up and not be silent if some one were to try to regulate/cap non residents and theyd be quick to show some real data that supports it. Not Lamb shit.