Montana Mule Deer Mismanagement

[sclancy27]

Where I live mule deer doe harvest over the last decade+ has been essentially negligible on the grand scale. The biggest change here is the combination of moisture and relatively mild winters since 2023. Even the heavy snow we got in W24-25 was short-lived. The good conditions undoubtedly confound any changes made to season structure. Probably different than where there’s a lot more doe harvest obviously but I chalk a significant gain in mule deer numbers to better weather.

I think 2019 - Spring 2023 were the worst years weather wise for mule deer/pronghorn in my lifetime.

 

[DFS]

I think 2019 - Spring 2023 were the worst years weather wise for mule deer/pronghorn in my lifetime.

2009-2012?

 

[sclancy27]

2009-2012?

I think the years I referenced were worse because of the severity of the droughts. I'd take concurrent bad winters over concurrent bad droughts. And 2021-2022 was bad bad.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Where I live mule deer doe harvest over the last decade+ has been essentially negligible on the grand scale. The biggest change here is the combination of moisture and relatively mild winters since 2023. Even the heavy snow we got in W24-25 was short-lived. The good conditions undoubtedly confound any changes made to season structure. Probably different than where there’s a lot more doe harvest obviously but I chalk a significant gain in mule deer numbers to better weather.

Maybe specific to your area. I can definitely say there were more deer where I was last week, does especially, than in past years. mtmuley

I think both can be true. Region 7 definitely seems to show improvement in numbers of does on public land.

 

[DFS]

I think the years I referenced were worse because of the severity of the droughts. I'd take concurrent bad winters over concurrent bad droughts. And 2021-2022 was bad bad.

Not that it matters but deer and antelope numbers never came back from that 09-12 timeframe. Hopefully MTFWP has learned some lessons with doe tags since then.

 

[Nunjagottam]

It must be miserable living in Montana from reading some of the posts in this thread.

Yes its a shithole, not even worth a visit tell your friend's

 

[sclancy27]

Not that it matters but deer and antelope numbers never came back from that 09-12 timeframe. Hopefully MTFWP has learned some lessons with doe tags since then.

I mostly agree on that. There are some pockets I've found that I thought were getting close but overall I think you're right. Some areas in northern 7 saw like 80% or greater mortality in 11'.

 

[golfer]

I’ve already reached out to my local legislator about carrying a bill to make these handouts be full priced. I’d prefer to see them go away altogether. Getting rid of these or making these former residents pay the full NR price seems like a no brainer and a low hanging fruit. The vast majority of constituents would fully support it.

And what was your local legislator’s response?

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I think both can be true. Region 7 definitely seems to show improvement in numbers of does on public land.

Doe tags will be back soon. The state needs those $10 does gone
Hope you're doing well - love seeing your boys out there doin damage.

 

[bigsky2]

And what was your local legislator’s response?

Said he wants to meet in person and talk about it more.

 

[El Jason]

Yes its a shithole, not even worth a visit tell your friend's

Oh no, I told them where to hunt and what to expect.

 

[El Jason]

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.

You clearly don’t get it. Carry on.