Don’t bring the muzzleloader season in. Then the next thing people will bitch about is that they want special specific trad bow seasons
I agree with you....but, The problem though is that there will never be enough guys to do this to make a noticeable difference. You have to make the hunting more difficult by changing season structure or make other changes to limit how many bucks are killed.
In a state the size of Montana it absolutely could be both ways.
The problem is Montana continues to manage like the resident population isn’t growing and mule deer numbers aren’t declining
Absolutely. I think a lot of people have the misconception that anyone wanting change wants nothing more than big deer for themselves. If shooting a 2 year old buck makes you happy and gives you a great memory, by all means shoot it and I’ll be the first to congratulate you. I think we can kind of have our cake and eat it too though to some degree with some management changes. A season that doesn’t encompass the entire rut still gives anyone putting forth some effort an opportunity to take a deer but allows more bucks to get a year older. I live where it was done. It’s undeniable.
I wish the debate was just about more opportunity or more trophies.
That looks like a lot of opportunity to me. No need to sacrifice opportunity for better hunting.
It’s a little more nuanced, isn’t it?
Yes it is, That is why I said I wish.
Mule deer numbers are high and the buck to doe ratio is excellent! Actually too high You can’t argue with the counts. Glory days!!
