Montana Regional Caps and Limited Entry for Mule Deer.

[Gerald Martin]

Discuss/ Argue here.

Proponents, make your case with as many specifics as possible to how you think FWP should implement regional caps or LE for mule deer across the state.

Let’s have a public discussion on the pros and cons of this topic in a dedicated space.

 

[cgasner1]

In before the lock

 

[Gerald Martin]

In before the lock

No reason for it to be locked. This has been a topic of discussion that has touched most recent threads about mule deer management. I think it’s time that it gets its own dedicated discussion.

I have my opinions about it. Those opinions vary in relation to the specific application proposed.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Discuss/ Argue here.

Proponents, make your case with as many specifics as possible to how you think FWP should implement regional caps or LE for mule deer across the state.

Let’s have a public discussion on the pros and cons of this topic in a dedicated space.

What specifics are you looking for?

Where and how to set the LE caps?

 

[huntin24/7]

I realize this is unlikely to ever happen, but I feel like regional caps that are species specific tags would work better than the current either species tag for going that route. I support regional caps for residents too, but I’ll stick to nr for this example. Region 6 and 7 definitely can support much higher mule deer harvest than regions 1 or 2, but if say 30-50% of the overall nr tags were whitetail only, then the western part of the state may be able to take some of the pressure to help spread it out while still minimizing mule deer harvest in those areas. The eastern half of the state is still going to have to take the brunt of the pressure, but I think there is some potential for a system similar to this to be beneficial. Or maybe I’m just talking out my ass with the 3 hours sleep I got last night.

 

[Gerald Martin]

What specifics are you looking for?

Where and how to set the LE caps?

Specifics I’m looking for is how the concept of regional caps or LE would be implemented statewide.

1. Numbers set for each region or district?

2. Resident and Nonresident? NR only?

3 Statewide or regional only?

4. Impacts to FWP budget?

5.What happens when someone doesn’t get their applied for region/district?

 

[Elktrack]

As a dirty, no good,NR I’d be all for it. Most of the MD areas I hunt are LE anyway. There are a couple of units that are general season. I very seldom hunt East of Bozeman so I’ve never experienced the 700 problems, etc.
When I’m lucky enough to draw a combo tag it’s usually Whitetail hunting for me.

I’ve said it before, this isn’t going to be fixed by making it LE for NR only. IMO, it would have to apply to R and NR. I realize this pisses off the R guys. I think there’s been ample evidence that it’s not a R vs NR thing.

The current system has some good parts. Not being restricted to one region is desirable to most guys, R and NR. I’d like to see that stay the same. I’d propose making some individual units LE vs all MD hunts. I think that would be more palatable and easier to gain support.

It appears to me that FWP doesn’t want to put in the necessary work that would be required to go to a unit by unit LE scenario. In order for that to happen they’d need to have accurate data (doubtful that’ll ever happen), and be willing to admit that there’s actually a problem.

 

[Treeshark]

5.What happens when someone doesn’t get their applied for region/district?

Just spitballing, but it could be setup for people to rank their choices upon applying- residents could be a guaranteed a region/district if they chose a backup(s). If not, they get a point for next year.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I’ve said it before, this isn’t going to be fixed by making it LE for NR only.

It appears to me that FWP doesn’t want to put in the necessary work that would be required to go to a unit by unit LE scenario.

First - youre not a no good dirty NR.

Hunters from all over america who hunt - literally just saved public lands. Youre ability to enjoy them (and hunting them) is tantamount to its future - both near and long term.

To the first statement - absolutely - has to be R/Nr.

To the last statement - i find that to be false. I think plenty of folks at fwp are open to drastic changes including this. Doing it wont be easy though.

 

[Elktrack]

Specifics I’m looking for is how the concept of regional caps or LE would be implemented statewide.

1. Numbers set for each region or district?

2. Resident and Nonresident? NR only?

3 Statewide or regional only?

4. Impacts to FWP budget?

5.What happens when someone doesn’t get their applied for region/district?

1. District specific
2. BOTH, NR and R
3. Statewide
4. I don’t think it would impact the budget negatively at all. All tags will be sold. If anything I think it might add money via guys buying bonus points that historically never needed to.
5. Oh well, apply again next year or hunt a general unit. I’d love to draw every year but that’s not how the game is played.

 

[Treeshark]

5. Oh well, apply again next year or hunt a general unit. I’d love to draw every year but that’s not how the game is played.

I was tempted to reply with that too- but remember, this has to have a snowballs chance in hell of passing and that would be disqualifying in my opinion.

 

[Elktrack]

First - youre not a no good dirty NR.

Hunters from all over america who hunt - literally just saved public lands. Youre ability to enjoy them (and hunting them) is tantamount to its future - both near and long term.

To the first statement - absolutely - has to be R/Nr.

To the last statement - i find that to be false. I think plenty of folks at fwp are open to drastic changes including this. Doing it wont be easy though.

I was being a smart arse about the dirty NR thing. It cracks me up how everything is caused by the NR according to some guys.

You and I are going to have to disagree about FWP desire to put in the hard work.
All good.
We both agree things can and should improve.

 

[Gerald Martin]

5. Oh well, apply again next year or hunt a general unit. I’d love to draw every year but that’s not how the game is played.

Where are the general units? Everything is regional caps or LE isnt it?

 

[Forkyfinder]

Where are the general units? Everything is regional caps or LE isnt it?

Wouldnt a WT tag be good everywhere?

 

[bigsky2]

Wouldnt a WT tag be good everywhere?

We're asking you for those specifics.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Wouldnt a WT tag be good everywhere?

Potentially. That’s why specifics about general concepts are helpful.

 

[Elktrack]

Where are the general units? Everything is regional caps or LE isnt it?

I was thinking more along the lines that someone didn’t draw an LE tag would still have a general tag, but I see your point. In the case where there’s regional general quota, I guess they don’t get a tag. Kinda sucks but that’s how we ended up in this mess anyway, everyone gets a tag for 700, right???

 

[Elktrack]

Wouldnt a WT tag be good everywhere?

I wasn’t referring to WT since the thread was focused on MD. Yes, I’d vote for WT to be statewide.

 

[cgasner1]

The biggest problem is everyone points the finger at the other guy. It’s the nr or it’s the region 1 guys. That’s who should be giving up the opportunity the other guy. Until people are willing to start giving up their own opportunities we are all #@)(*%* and nothing changes. I think a region split is a horrible idea in any way that it’s done. I say that after being heavily impacted from the 900 archery split. The easiest starting point to me on any of this would be a species split but everyone still wants to be able to murder any animal they see even if they can only hunt in region 6 it’s their right to kill any deer with a horn

 

[cgasner1]

So the biggest con is a shooter is gonna shoot. Let’s say a hunter from region 2 gets his region 6 deer tag. He goes over to 6 for a week and a day or so before he heads home he will shoot a 2.5-3.5 year old deer. Guy took a week off work and spent a bunch of money on fuel he is going home with a deer. Now let’s say that same region 2 guy has a whitetail tag he goes over and spends his time in 6 and hunts and doesn’t see a buck he wants to harvest. Since he can go back home to 2 and continue to hunt he opts out of killing a deer in 6 and returns home.