The sportsman, residents, landowners, businesses, and outfitters of hunting district (HD) 390 and 391 (Broadwater County), without consultation or sound science, are being burdened with a reduction in the general season brow-tined bull rifle hunting season length by one week, further reducing the available locations to hunt brow-tined bulls in a region already limited due to HD 380 (trophy district). This will result in further negative impacts to hunters throughout the region and financial impacts to both local businesses and landowners.

Specifically, the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) has proposed to shorten the general hunting season in HD 390 and 391 for brow-tined bull harvest from the entire general season, to brow-tined bull or antlerless elk for the first 4 weeks, and then antlerless-only for the last week. These changes appear to be unsupported by data, and have been done without consideration of the local community, sportsmen/women, or landowners.

In certain cases, the proposed changes are contrary to basic biological tenants. As a matter of point, changing the harvest of male species is not an effective technique for population management, nor do any of the districts where proposed reductions in brow-tined bull hunting demonstrate brow-tined elk count deficiencies. In fact they exceed desired percentages (e.g., HD 390, 391, and 392). In this regard, what is the intent of this change under the auspices of wildlife management?

We request the Commission further scrutinize FWP's proposal and remove the restriction on the harvest of brow-tined bull elk for the last week of the general season in HD 390 and 391. Likewise, we would like to see consultation with residents of the community in formulation of a coherent wildlife management plan in the redistricting, addition of shoulder seasons, or changes in any hunting regulations.

If you agree with this petition, please add your signature. Feel free to add additional comment as such information can be passed along to the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission in making their decision.