Either or seasons could be good. Bowhutning should be allowed 

 during rifle season always. I would be nice for a bowhunter to 

 not have to wear orange while hunting on special permits for 

 sheep, goat and moose. 



I strongly favor keeping an archery season. I would like to see 

 it split with most of it in Dec, for some close it during the elk 

 bugle season as I strongly believe it disturbs the elk and 

 scatters the herds so the cows are not getting bred to fall 

 capacity. I see to many cows without calves. 



Special B tags for deer antelope-take some pressure from elk and 

 allow bow hunters to harvest game without losing A tags for rifle 

 season. 



I would like to see buck season reduce to 1 or 2 weeks-doe season 

 increased to full term. I would like to see elk hunting stopped 

 for 3 years as to increase herds. Last year I saw over 2 00 does 

 and only 4 bucks-we need to take more does. 



Archery hunting has no effect on rifle season as far as I can 

 see. 



I live in area 130 having moved to Bigfork in 1953. Was district 

 ranger here on the Swan District from 1953 to 1970 when I 

 retired. During the past 15 years I have noticed a marked 

 decline in elk populations in district 130. I would be in favor 

 of it being closed to elk hunting or at least the season 

 shortened to help rebuild the elk population. 



My ideal bow hunting season would be structured as follows: 

 Shorten the season to allow animals to "relax" for two weeks 

 between seasons, allow the purchase of a separate tag for the 

 species to be hunted and limit the bowhunter to that species of 

 animal, if successful the bowhunter would also be able to hunt 

 that species with the regular rifle tag during gun season. 



I would like to see all early "B" tags for deer incorporated into 

 the general rifle season, as the present practice shortens my 

 deer bow-hunting season in my favorite areas. I am sorry if this 

 sounds selfish, but I am sure it can be easily accomplished, even 

 if it meant a late hunt. 



Private timberland management vs. habitat is critical in N.W. 

 Montana. Something needs to be done now! 



Separate elk/deer archery to allow same season rifle hunting. 



Allow deer archery during rut. 



Bow hunting is a very natural form of hunting and there by does 

 not create the pressure which regular hunting season may incurs 



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