Why it's so hard to draw a bison permit in MT

[The Hedgehog]

When I checked my lion in at the FWP last week, applications were over 4500, I'm hearing about 7000 now. Wow.. way harder than any sheep tag in the state.

Cut and pasted from the Buffalo Hippie's web-site:

Buffalo Hunt: Thanks to all who have put their name in the drawing for a buffalo "hunt" permit, all with the intention of not using it to kill a buffalo. We greatly appreciate the support from buffalo advocates everywhere who are contacting friends and relatives and others to help the buffalo in this particular situation.

SPECIAL NOTE: You do need to have a Montana conservation (hunting) license to apply for a buffalo hunt permit, and these - as well as buffalo permit applications - can be obtained at https://app.discoveringmontana.com/elicensesales/.
We also have some great news: Patagonia has agreed to pay the $75 fee for every buffalo kill permit secured by a BFC supporter that isn't used. THANK YOU PATAGONIA for always coming through for the buffalo! Applications must be turned in to Fish, Widllife and Parks no later than 5:00 pm MST on January 3, 2005. The drawing takes place on January 7, 2005, and if your name is drawn, you will receive a phone call from FWP. Stay in touch with us! For FWP's information on the canned hunt visit http://fwp.state.mt.us/news/article_3245.aspx.

To learn more about why a buffalo hunt at this time is a very bad idea, visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/bisonhuntingbill.html

 

[JoseCuervo]

Sounds like a windfall for Revenue for MTFWP. Help keep those resident tag prices cheap....

 

[A-con]

So why dosn't Montana issue more tags. If "X" number of tags are going to people who don't use them, then the Buffalo harvest isn't going to match objectives, they should keep printing tags until objectives are met. Wouldn't it be funny if a bunch of the wakos had to pay for expensive tags, and enough hunters still got to hunt buffalo ?

 

[Bambistew]

MT should draw a bunch of extra names, put those people on a "call" list and when the hippies don't show up to hunt, just call the next guy on the list!

Patagonia should be boycotted all together as well. I haven't bought a single piece of thier junk ever and never will!

 

[1_pointer]

I'm a bit suprised at Patagucci's involvement. May have to look at other avenues for my hunting clothes OR just start sending them pictures of me with my freshly killed (albeit few in #) animals...

Just sent them an email asking for them to explain their reasoning in doing this. I'll post whatever response I get.

 

[1_pointer]

Hey, isn't this a depredation hunt? Wouldn't they just keep calling folks until they get someone who'll plug a buff?

**Answered my own question. 7000+ applicants for 10 tags!!! Pretty steep odds. Maybe they should go to a system like WY.

 

[BigHornRam]

Dang, now I'll have to burn my Patagonia jacket. Good time to raise the ante on the conservation licenses to say $20 a pop. Shouldn't set the hippy trust funders back too much. A days worth of pot isn't too much sacrifice for such a worthy cause.

Another question. How many of these DOPES are actually state residents? What are the fines for attempting to apply as a resident if you not legally one?

 

[Nemont]

Another question. How many of these DOPES are actually state residents? What are the fines for attempting to apply as a resident if you not legally one?

I don't think these guys are applying as residents they are just buying the Montana conservation license. What is so funny. Only one tag, of the 10, is reserved for nonresidents. I would say we should thank them for pumping a few more bucks into the coffers so that a better buffalo hunt could take place next year.

I will have to retire the Patagonia stuff I own.

Nemont

 

[Bambistew]

Good point Nemont... but what about us non-residents.

Maybe we can make it back fire on them! Some sort of press release on how popular the bison hunts would be in the future... Say if we get 10-15,000 applicants wouldn't that show the fish and game that its a lot more popular than they think?

Patagonia is the poster child for Peta, always has been...

 

[BigHornRam]

Nemont,

They are buying the $3 conservation license and then applying as a resident. That is why Patagonad is offering them a $75 refund if they happen to draw. My point is, is that I bet a bunch of these guys are not legal Montana residents and are breaking the law by applying as a resident. I doubt any of these kooks read the hunting regs before applying. Would be a good opportunity to make their plan backfire legally and finnacially on a number of them.