Montana Mule Deer Mismanagement

[El Jason]

Probably because we know what it could be. Always wanting to improve something I don’t think is a bad thing. “Just be happy you’re not like so and so state” I think is a bad thing.

I would agree 100% with this.

Not specifically directed at you. It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to complain about things all the time while you’re working to change them. It’s easy to lose perspective and forget to be thankful for what you do have, not simply complain complaining about what you don’t

 

[DFS]

I would agree 100% with this.

Not specifically directed at you. It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to complain about things all the time while you’re working to change them. It’s easy to lose perspective and forget to be thankful for what you do have, not simply complain complaining about what you don’t

It is hard to be thankful when you have watched a precipitous self inflicted decline. Sitting back and taking it like you suggest is a puzzling attitude for me to understand.

 

[SAJ-99]

2027 Montana Legislative session starts Jan 4. Anyone have proposals drawn up? Anyone making calls and sending emails? Anyone?

 

[huntin24/7]

2027 Montana Legislative session starts Jan 4. Anyone have proposals drawn up? Anyone making calls and sending emails? Anyone?

I think more people do than one would think. But certainly not enough. High numbers of residents are pretty casual hunters that are and always will be happy just to be able to buy a cheap tag otc every year and have a long season. That is probably the biggest obstacle for change. Add in a legislature that really doesn’t care about anything beyond revenue, and it is beyond an uphill climb. But the point you’re hinting at is valid.

 

[huntin24/7]

Another thing I notice where I live is that so many guys I know fixate on getting mad about “everyone” shooting the young bucks. Instead of focusing on that, I’d rather we work on making the hunt more challenging through season structure, hunter dispersal, etc., so hunters can still shoot what makes them happy but they have to work a little harder for that animal and a few more of those animals make it through the season, but those who put in a little effort can still be successful.

 

[Irrelevant]

It is hard to be thankful when you have watched a precipitous self inflicted decline. Sitting back and taking it like you suggest is a puzzling attitude for me to understand.

Ok, what place can you point to as being better than a decade ago? A generation ago?

I can only think of a few slivers of real estate that I think check that box.

There are more people almost everywhere. Technology has allowed everyone to have a bigger impact. Economics have been too great for too long... Social media has made entry too easy and spots burned.

But in general, today is going to be the best day you're going to have. You'll never be younger and more able bodied. Make the most of it, instead of looking in the rearview complaining about what used to be.

 

[Gerald Martin]

2027 Montana Legislative session starts Jan 4. Anyone have proposals drawn up? Anyone making calls and sending emails? Anyone?

When the proposed bills are introduced there will be some variation of “Bob’s Feel Good Bill to Reduce NR’s and Preserve the RUT HUNT for MONTANANS.”

Not likely to be anything that reduces pressure on the resource from all hunters or anything that touches the 3500 half-priced NR tags sold to former residents who want to come back home and shoot a buck or a bull.


One bright spot that is t really being talked about right now is that a couple years of eliminating mule deer doe harvest on public land seems to be having a positive effect .

 

[brockel]

One bright spot that is t really being talked about right now is that a couple years of eliminating mule deer doe harvest on public land seems to be having a positive effect .

I’ve noticed that as well. And FWP was against it

 

[DFS]

Ok, what place can you point to as being better than a decade ago? A generation ago?

I can only think of a few slivers of real estate that I think check that box.

There are more people almost everywhere. Technology has allowed everyone to have a bigger impact. Economics have been too great for too long... Social media has made entry too easy and spots burned.

But in general, today is going to be the best day you're going to have. You'll never be younger and more able bodied. Make the most of it, instead of looking in the rearview complaining about what used to be.

I am making the most of it. I have made the most of it my whole life. I dont need to shrug my shoulders and say well shoot I guess eastern Montana just has to take every nonresident and resident hunter so they can have opportunity to shoot a deer in November that can’t even see straight. We aren’t even trying to maintain what we have. It wouldn’t take much to move things in the right direction, as Gerald stated above the doe tags deal has been a positive move.