January 29, 1988 



John D. Cada 



Ass't Research Bureau Chief 



Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks 



RE: Harvest & Preference Survey - 1987 



Dear Mr. Cada 



Thank you for including me in your bowhunting survey. I wanted to 

 take the time to express my pride in your department for the tremendous 

 job that you have done in preserving our Montana hunting heritage. All 

 Montanans can be proud of the job you have done. 



I have been a hunter for 20 years and I can attest to the fact that 

 the effort that the Fish & Game Department has put forth in game 

 management has improved the hunting experience and the populations of 

 big game. When I was a young boy my father had told me by the time I 

 was his age there probably would no longer be hunting as he knew it. 

 Well in a strage way he was right. Today the hunting is not the same. 

 The populations are much higher and the opportunities are greater. The 

 advent of bowhunting has given me more hunting than I imagined. 



I feel that it is important to mention that I am very impressed 

 with the Departments' willingness to listen to hunters concerns and its 

 desire to be test alternatives and new ideas. I can think of no other 

 agency that is more cooperative, helpful and productive than yours. 



The major reason I have remained in Montana as an adult is for the 

 elk hunting and other outdoor opportunities that our State offers. I am 

 sure that there are many other who feel as I do. 



I realize that as hunting pressures increase the need for restrictions 

 will arise. This will mean that sacrifices will have to be made by 

 hunters in order to protect our states most valuable asset, wildlife. 



My major concern is that of the rapidly disappearing winter ranges 

 for our elk herds. I feel the Department must quickly address this 

 issue to prevent major winter kills that will inevitably occur when we 

 suffer our next severe winter. I think the Department must aggressivly 

 pursue this issue. I realise that there is a tremendous financial cost 

 to acquiring these lands. I suggest that license fees be raised to 

 accomadate this. I would gladly pay twice the current cost of an elk 

 license if I knew the increase would go to the acquisition of habitat. 

 I believe that most elk hunters would agree with me on this issue. 



Thank you for taking the time to hear me. I feel confident in your 

 abilities to manage this great resource of ours. 



Sincerely, 



An interested hunter 

 / - 



