Montana May Extend 08 Elk Season

[shoots-straight]

"I'd still like to bring up the fact that on page 55 of the EMP (elk management plan) it states something to the order of taking refuge elk numbers (elk that are mostly inaccessible to hunters) out of the total post season counts."

THAT would be golden!!!

We've already achieved a partial reduction down here in 270. The elk counted on the CB Ranch will be removed from the total count. The problem is the FW&Ps assessed us a sub quota of 2600 from 3000. I'm thinking we'll be down substantially. That will put us in a restrictive season as per the EMP. So we'll be seeing permits again for cows. Maybe even possibly permits for bulls if the ratio's are really bad. Last year after this page was noticed (55) in the plan(EMP) our future President of the club (RCF&WA) sent this notice out to all club affiliates state wide so they could pressure FW&P in their area's. Not one club or sportsman group sent us a notice that they'd do anything. It's up to you where ever you live to force the Biologist and those associated in your area to do what their BIBLE says.

 

[Meatatarian]

5. Elk populations in portions of some EMUs may be almost entirely inaccessible to hunters during the general hunting season or accessible to only a few hunters. To avoid over-harvest of accessible elk on public lands or private lands open to hunting, the inaccessible elk may not be included in objective numbers. Trend count number objectives may include only elk normally accessible to general hunting (if they are a distinct segment), though hunter access negotiations will continue. Elk occupying these “refuges” may be counted separately where practical (if they are a distinct segment) and sub-objectives established that could be operative if access negotiations are successful. If significant harvest of these “refuge” elk is possible with special management at some times and locations, they should be included in objective levels.

Copied and pasted from http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/elkplan.html. Keep in mind that in legalese, there's a big difference between "may" and "shall."

 

[Oak]

Depends on how the word "may" is construed. I read it as it is "not allowed". As in the state trooper saying, "You may not drive over the speed limit."

 

[Horn Seeker]

Thats the way I read it too Oak...

 

[Meatatarian]

Looks like you guys MAY be right!

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/may