someone who is unskilled, isn't out there making a Bad name for 



serious archers . 



Especialy would like to see a post or late season Buck hunt. 



I wish that all archers would have to practice before going 

 hunting. I think or hear of people going out with none or very 

 little practice for hunting. I also wish there was a way to get 

 them to wait for a good shot and check their shot out better than 

 some hunters do. 



There needs to be a way to check Bow hunters competance. 

 There a too many people that pick up a bow a week before season, 

 cant hit a bale of hay and wound an elk at 70 yards - They 

 shouldn't be shooting over 10 yards but if they can see an animal 

 they will elevate and shoot. 



I'm very glad to see such surveys. My wish is to see a better 

 relationship between the bow and gun hunter. I would like to see 

 both groups of hunters have to pass a test in order to hunt along 

 with stiffer fines to detour those who choose to ignore present 

 regulations. I believe this would raise any additional funds 

 needed . 



I would like to see the Antelope 800 tags apply to districs 

 closer to home, ie; western Montana. Also, road closings better 

 enforced durring the archery season. 



Because of the special requirements of archery hunting, all 

 hunters whould take the bowhunter education class. 



Elk hunting, with a bow, is the most challenging sport I've every 

 tried (and enjoyed). I think elk population in S.W. Mont, are 

 very high now & I would like to see them maintained. If they 

 should decrease actions to reduce lowest would be fine with me. 

 More archer education is needed, also a profency test to all 

 archers would be advisable. 



Education is the best way to have good hunters, both bow & rifle. 

 To make then choose between a bow or rifle is I hope, the last 

 resort. I belive that the better the sportsman the better the 

 sports . 



1) You should also ask how many of us who passed up cows & spikes 

 eventually ended the season with no. elk. Many of us do, because 

 hunting is much more than simply sticking any animal. Don't 

 assume we always get those 6-pt bulls. More often, we end up 

 empty-handed. That's our choice. 



2) How many rifle hunters shoot at and miss elk? Or hit them but 

 only wound them? I'm sure the number of missed shots & wounded 

 elk from rifle hunting is far greater - even on a per capita 

 comparison - than from archery hunting. This is a deplorable 

 situation, but is it biologically significant? 



3) Montana has excellent hunting - as shown by the number of 



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