NR Upland Seasons (LC3901)

[Gerald Martin]

Its a perfectly workable and easy solution.

The primary problem is that no with a lot of money benefits from it. So theres no where to get the political support to push making the changes.

There’s no monetary benefit to anyone with our
proposal either. We’re still going for it.

I would love to see the commission be presented with multiple options by various stakeholders. It would reinforce the message that we want change and present a menu of options.

There are multiple paths towards the same end goal.

 

[DFS]

What data did you use to come to that number or is it a "gut feeling" kind of thing?

Looking back at happier times from MTFWP data that could very well be inaccurate.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Lest this turn into yet another dead end mule deer thread, I think the issue with upland hunting, or a lot of hunting in this state and many others these days, is that demand outstrips supply. There has to be some sort of way to better align opportunities with supply of resource. I include quality of the experience on the supply side of the equation. I think this bill is a reasonable step towards that for upland birds in MT.

 

[sclancy27]

Lest this turn into yet another dead end mule deer thread, I think the issue with upland hunting, or a lot of hunting in this state and many others these days, is that demand outstrips supply. There has to be some sort of way to better align opportunities with supply of resource. I include quality of the experience on the supply side of the equation. I think this bill is a reasonable step towards that for upland birds in MT.

I completely agree with the quality of experience, and it's pretty easy to tie that with tag sale/harvest data. Upland bird and turkeys have increased several hundred % in the last decade from the NR side. I think it's really reasonable to cap both at a 2019/2020 level for NR.

 

[DFS]

Looking back at happier times from MTFWP data that could very well be inaccurate.

I will take my talent elsewhere, sorry for wrecking your bird thread @Hunting Wife

 

[Gerald Martin]

I will take my talent elsewhere, sorry for wrecking your bird thread @Hunting Wife

Me too. My apologies. This deserves its own discussion.

 

[bigsky2]

Great discussion. Appreciate the different perspectives. I’ve always said it’s a really good thing birds don’t have antlers. Bird hunters are so cordial. Not that I don’t kill antlered stuff!

I’m not a dog trainer, but I do run 7 dogs. I just like hunting dogs. I started going to MT from KS regularly 12 years ago. I had always wanted to go back just never had the means. My grandpa took me there maybe 35 years ago the first time. It was a dream. When I finally got the means myself I started going. Now I hunt 8-9 states each year, probably pushing 50 days of upland each year…most of it in KS. I’ve worked hard in my life to do this and it’s all I do basically outside of work. Some I make the opener and others I don’t. I tent camp. I guess the perspective I’m trying to present is one of passion for the dogs and birds. Not all of us are in it for the training, guiding, or money. I’m a non-resident but I’m still a guy who just loves to hunt birds behind dogs like a lot of you. Even the guys that are in it for training and guiding they have their own passions they are living out. The bottom line is NRs are not villains. They are guys mostly like every other bird hunter.

I do support the bill in MT. I just want everyone else to support it for reasons other than thinking NRs are villains.

I don’t think NR are villains but I live in a destination bird hunting area and the NR pressure has gotten so bad that I don’t even hunt birds around here unless I get an invite from my friend with private access. Maybe I’m just not serious enough but getting to the public spots well before daylight to claim the spot for upland bird hunting seems a little ridiculous to me.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I don’t think NR are villains but I live in a destination bird hunting area and the NR pressure has gotten so bad that I don’t even hunt birds around here unless I get an invite from my friend with private access. Maybe I’m just not serious enough but getting to the public spots well before daylight to claim the spot seems a little ridiculous to me.

Last time I drove to your area I arrived an hour after daylight. Multiple vehicles in my first three spots. Ended up hunting marginal cover in my fourth choice. Didn’t see any birds.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I will take my talent elsewhere, sorry for wrecking your bird thread @Hunting Wife

That wasn’t a spanking, and not my thread. Sorry if it came across that way. Just had another bird-related thought

 

[bigsky2]

Last time I drove to your area I arrived an hour after daylight. Multiple vehicles in my first three spots. Ended up hunting marginal cover in my fourth choice. Didn’t see any birds.

That’s exactly why I rarely hunt birds around here. It’s no fun going and getting pissed off when all you want to do is take the dog for a walk through some decent bird habitat that hasn’t already been hunted by three groups.

 

[sclancy27]

The should include MTN grouse in the bill too. They are just risking a bunch of pressure goes there

 

[sclancy27]

Great discussion. Appreciate the different perspectives. I’ve always said it’s a really good thing birds don’t have antlers. Bird hunters are so cordial. Not that I don’t kill antlered stuff!

I’m not a dog trainer, but I do run 7 dogs. I just like hunting dogs. I started going to MT from KS regularly 12 years ago. I had always wanted to go back just never had the means. My grandpa took me there maybe 35 years ago the first time. It was a dream. When I finally got the means myself I started going. Now I hunt 8-9 states each year, probably pushing 50 days of upland each year…most of it in KS. I’ve worked hard in my life to do this and it’s all I do basically outside of work. Some I make the opener and others I don’t. I tent camp. I guess the perspective I’m trying to present is one of passion for the dogs and birds. Not all of us are in it for the training, guiding, or money. I’m a non-resident but I’m still a guy who just loves to hunt birds behind dogs like a lot of you. Even the guys that are in it for training and guiding they have their own passions they are living out. The bottom line is NRs are not villains. They are guys mostly like every other bird hunter.

I do support the bill in MT. I just want everyone else to support it for reasons other than thinking NRs are villains.

I'm similar to you hunting multiple states for birds every year. I just don't like NR camping in states and pounding the piss out of everything. I would like to see a 7 day upland license ONLY in MT, personally, on top of the other limits in this bill.

 

[huntin24/7]

The non resident bird hunting pressure on bma’s or any piece of public in NE region 6 has to be seen to be believed.

 

[brockel]

Watched groups of NR pound a section of block management by my house for a week straight twice a day. I can’t remember exactly how many books the guy went through but by Christmas I believe he was into his 4th

 

[GigiBobert]

Cut the NR upland bird limits in half. No reason to kill 4 sharpies per day.