I will passup shots at cows and spikes if I believe I still have 

 a reasonable chance at a bull (1st day of 2 day hunt, begining of 

 season, etc). I am not, however, above shooting a cow or a 

 spike. It is a nice option to have. 



It is my opinion that if a hunter is not willing to respond to a 

 Fish and Game survey without being bribed with a self addressed 

 stamped envelope and a prize or drawing, he is not much of a 

 sportsman nor is his opinion worth much. Perhaps prize money 

 would be better spent on habitat. 



Cross bows would be disasterous and you know it. Elk habitat is 

 the m os t i m portant issue facing our herds. It's now or never - 

 lets buy it while we can. 



I think the state FW & P should support the sportsmen in keeping 

 the USFS from logging prime elk range i.e.. Treasure MT sale. 

 This area is prime elk habitat with a stable population. 



Because of the continual increase in pressure I would like to see 

 more walkin and wilderness areas. Would also like to see more 

 areas managed like the CMR. 



I would like to see more winter range created in NW Montana so 

 the country could support more elk. Would like to see more elk 

 transplanted in certain drainages establishing more elk herds. 

 Do not want to see gun hunters being able to hunt during bugling 

 season outside of wilderness areas (Bob). 



I'd like to see larger game numbers. I'd be willing to give up 

 hunting for 2 years if it meant an increase. I think we have 

 plenty of wilderness in this part of the state. I'm not rich so 

 can't afford lots of horses to get into wilderness. Heavy 

 logging is SW Montana Gallatin Forest is taking its toll on geune. 

 I never see much game in logged areas. I'd rather see oil 

 fields. One does not have to strip sections to get to oil. Too 

 many roads are being shot down in the Beaverhead NF. I'm 

 speaking of the Gravelly area. 



My feeling on elk hunting in Montana reflect one of continued 

 maximum hunting opportunity. When you lose opportunity, so goes 

 sportsmen and revenue. With proper habitat management, and 

 considering that elk populations have increased in the state, 

 this opportunity should be maintained. Also, with limited out of 

 state hunters and a relatively stable number of resident hunters, 

 I fail to see the reason to consider more restrictive regulations 

 on the sportsmen. Habitat management is the key, howevere it is 

 much more difficult to regulate and manage than the sportsman. I 

 hope you do not intend to follow the trends occurring in more 

 populated western states. 



