Montana rules

One thing I didn't realize until talking with a buddy this year - if you're hunting a unit that allow spikes (this does not apply in an either-sex unit), a "spike" with a 4"+ tine in the upper half of the antler (not particularly uncommon) is not a spike. Nor is it a brow tine bull. For all intents and purposes, it's a unicorn and you can't kill unicorns.
1663247580493.png
 
4ohSick said:
One thing I didn't realize until talking with a buddy this year - if you're hunting a unit that allow spikes (this does not apply in an either-sex unit), a "spike" with a 4"+ tine in the upper half of the antler (not particularly uncommon) is not a spike. Nor is it a brow tine bull. For all intents and purposes, it's a unicorn and you can't kill unicorns.
View attachment 239599
Click to expand...
I have heard it stated in the past that this is part of the reason for some of the weird antler configurations that come out of some of the LE districts for elk that allow spike hunting. Those "Spikes" with a branch in the upper part of their antlers survive (or at least they are supposed to since they are illegal to shoot) that first year and then end up being over represented in the population that gets older. These are still first year elk, at least most of them should be, and those genetics are the ones that make it through.

Have not seen any data on this, but it does make some sense.
 
brockel said:
Not according to the warden I asked.
Click to expand...
Sometimes Fish & Game Officers don't "know what they think they know" as to the rule(s). Hey, they are human just like me - except they are on their third divorce in five years and having a really difficult day.

The OP is right to ask questions ahead of any event. Learn all you can. Take a copy of the regs with you. It might facilitate a discussion (and avoid a ticket) or worse.

Enjoy your hunt!
 
Evidence of Sex (MCA 87-6-406)
A person who kills a game animal in this state shall retain evidence of sex of the animal with the carcass until it is processed. The provisions of this section do not apply to a game animal harvested using a license with which either sex of the animal may be taken. Evidence of sex does not need to be naturally attached. A person who kills a game animal in a hunting district where the harvest is limited by the animal’s antler point or horn size shall retain the antlers or horns until the carcass is processed.
 
If I fill my general deer tag this fall I’m not keeping evidence of sex and any warden wants to tell me different can pound sand as this is straight out of the regs .
 
Obviously you have to hunt in a hd where regs allow for either sex on gen tag
 
4ohSick said:
One thing I didn't realize until talking with a buddy this year - if you're hunting a unit that allow spikes (this does not apply in an either-sex unit), a "spike" with a 4"+ tine in the upper half of the antler (not particularly uncommon) is not a spike. Nor is it a brow tine bull. For all intents and purposes, it's a unicorn and you can't kill unicorns.
View attachment 239599
Click to expand...
It's bad luck to shoot a unicorn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
New Mexico elk hunting
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
huntingdad79
H
Hammsolo
Montana Archery Elk Research?
2 3
Replies
56
Views
4K
Hammsolo
Hammsolo
Ckleeves
Colorado penalty box?
Replies
18
Views
738
bmg2506
B
rmyoung1
Hey, draw odds dorks…
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
3K
gbfan
G
Bowhunt_406
MT Elk Archery Pressure
2
Replies
24
Views
2K
R.K.
R.K.
Caribou Gear

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
111,159
Messages
1,949,473
Members
35,064
Latest member
Ak2021

Share this page

Back
Top