Montana season structure proposal 2.0

[Forkyfinder]

I really wish the last 2 weeks of several areas would be LE only for mule deer.

I know this isnt the goal but i wish there was a place for people to apply.

 

[antlerradar]

But this is expected, no? I have said I have little sympathy for a rancher that puts in a pivot and complains of too many deer or elk. You own their IDEAL WINTERING GROUND!!!. Asking them to eat someplace else isn't exactly an option for them.

Actually, the ideal wintering ground is most likely to be public land. Mule deer flock to the pivots in fall to put on fat in preparation for winter, by Mid Dec they will nearly all be gone.

I think you are reading something into my post that I did not intend. I am not saying ranchers should have doe tags filled on there pivots because they do not like deer. I am saying the doe tags should not be filled on public when numbers are in the tank. Giving the deer numbers in region 7 there should be zero doe tags issued, but since there are those tags should be filled on private. Hunters are going to fill the doe tags where it is the expected costs and benefits are the most advantageous. One of those incentivizing human behavior issues.

 

[SAJ-99]

I really wish the last 2 weeks of several areas would be LE only for mule deer.

I know this isnt the goal but i wish there was a place for people to apply.

There are already several areas that are LE for mule deer. Look at how many residents apply. People want was is and want what could be.

Agree @antlerradar

 

[antlerradar]

Harvest stats as accurate as they may or may not be wouldn’t allow that to happen. I would hope.

FWP does not care if a NR or a R kills the deer, only the number of deer killed. If Regions 6 and 7 have 40% of the states mule deer,(I don't know the actual number off the top of my head) FWP will set the NR quota for regions 6 and 7 at 40% of the total NRs. Then you add in the politics of Outfitters and landowner wanting more NR and region caps on NR may not end well for 6 and 7.

 

[antlerradar]

There are already several areas that are LE for mule deer. Look at how many residents apply. People want was is and want what could be.

Agree @antlerradar

Although this is not part of this proposal, I think that there is some merit to very limited LE rut hunts for mule deer. Could be a good way to address the very real problem of point creep in some of the more sought after units.
Demand is high for quality mule deer hunting. It is the reason why MT residents pay thousands of dollars to lease private land in eastern MT.