practice 2 or 3 days a year, then brag about the number of 

 animals they hit, but which got away) . 



I am in favor of choosing rifle vs. archery, if it is by species . 

 I love to bow hunt for elk, but bow hunting for deer holds no 

 appeal for me at all. I would rather hunt deer with a rifle. 

 However, if I had to make the choice, I would hunt with a bow and 

 give up the rifle, as bow hunting for elk is the ultimate 

 challenge for me. 



Archery hunting is not for everyone, especially those who aren't 

 totally dedicated to the sport. In my opinion those who only 

 hunt for the extended season and opportunity, without practicing 

 and without regard and respect for the animal (flinging arrows 

 mentalities) should be cleared from the ranks of the truly 

 dedicated archers. For this reason I believe the either/or 

 choice for choosing rifle or bow would significantly improve 

 archery hunting in Montana because: it would effectively reduce 

 numbers of the variety that aren't serious, don't practice and 

 generally contribute highly to bad press and circumstances 

 detrimental to the future of bowhunting. Mandatory bowhunter 

 education is an excellent idea. Increased fees will not inhibit 

 the "slob bowhunters " that I abhore. And most of all, I 

 vehemently oppose reduced bowhunter season length because the 

 bowhunter requires more days in the field. He doesn't reduce the 

 opportunities for the gun hunter in the least under current 

 management. If anything, there should be more "archery only" 

 hunting areas than currently exist. I don't think you'll find 

 anyone in the know who will deny that current archery only areas 

 retain and sustain some of the very best trophy animals. In my 

 opinion it is because archer success is low; the animals get the 

 chance to mature which is not the case in many of the overhunted 

 general hunting districts. I strongly oppose "permit only" 

 archery hunting or restricted season or limited districts by 

 choice! 



I think that the number of archery hunters has risen to the level 

 were the quality of the hunt has detoriated in several ways: 

 more hunters in places I've never seen other hunter before, more 

 wounded game (found an arrow in the 310 bull I killed rifle 

 season) due to long shot "hail Mary's" from new macho archer 

 willing to risk all in hopes of a lucky kill. I've hunted elk 

 for years and have had no kills, however I enjoy seeing the game 

 in an undisturbed setting and have spent a good deal of time 

 chasing bigger bulls. I would probably give up archery hunting 

 in favor of the rifle should an either/or season be adopted, yet 

 the resource is being over pressured in my opinion. With an 

 either/or season more serious archers able to do it right or not 

 at all would be the rule and any negative impact on the herd 

 would be eliminated. Instead of the ABOVE though - a guaranteed 

 drawing every thrid year or so for the archer like myself could 

 also accomplish much - could hunt both seasons every so often. 



