Need to quit closing all the roads so some of the old timers can 

 still be able to hunt. Its not right, because some older people 

 can't walk into some of these areas 



roads closed in areas making impossible to hunt by older and 

 crippled people these areas such as 283 could be more accessible 

 by opening the road from elevation MT to scotty brauns fridge, 

 this large of an area does not need complitly blocked off for 

 just a few to hunt that can afford horses or are phyicially able 

 to back park in and then back pack out an elk. 



Too many gates ! 



I would like to see more opportunities for Montana hunters whom 

 do not own, or cannot afford horses for hunting. Also I do not 

 think we should be forced into hinring an outfitter to take us 

 hunting. Just because the government is closing the roads & 

 trails. 



I feel that you should close off all secondary roads and have 

 people choose archery or rifle. Also you ahould set up a way to 

 test archery skills before selling licenses. 



USFS looging roads are the main reason the quality of hunting is 

 going down hill. Any time a hunter can sit on his fat ass to 

 reach good hunting, good hunting will not last long. 



Aircraft for scouting is unethical and should be illegal. I 

 was stalking 4 bulls for over an hour when a small plane came in 

 and started circling the bulls, they spooked. Then the plane flew 

 to another area (within my view) and did the same thing. I 

 almost shot the plane! 



All hunters should be required to but licenses before opening 

 day. Roads, (even gate closures) still increase hunter access via 

 horses, bikes, ect. into areas where foot travel was once 

 difficult. Increased hunter access and bugling by hunters has 

 resulted in a reduction of security for the elk herds. This 

 reduction in security has reduced the number of mature bulls as 

 well as the herd numbers. Areas of security may well be a 

 limiting factor for elk in many areas today. A prime example of 

 this is the Mt . Bushnell area near St Regis 



In the 1987 season weather was warm, some elk were lost to 

 spoilage only saw this with out of state hunters with outf iters. 

 Outfiters & guides need schooling in meat and downed game no 

 matter how cold or hot no meat need ever be lost there is no 

 excuse, (none) This is from a life time of hunting including 

 being a guide in Montana, at this time I think it should be a no 

 1 priority for the fish and game 



We need more elk in Montana. We need shooter competency tests. 

 Outfitters have too much free run on policies regarding hunting. 



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