I saw all kinds of does and fawns but no big bucks, like back in 

 the 60 's. I saw four 2 points and 200 does and fawns, not a good 

 ratio. 



I think herd population is to low. I do not think that tags 

 either sex should go on. I don't like damage hunts. Other 

 things could be done to lower the population in problem areas . 

 Part of our licenses should be given to landowners instead of 

 landowners charging to hunt ever if there is an increase in 

 licenses. 



Big game populations need to be increased drastically. 



Fact #1 Numbers of elk have hq effect of availability of feed. 

 In deep snow the larger the herd, the easier it is for the young 

 and weak to eat. Shooting elk in late season hunts only creates 

 extra stress on elk and the weak still starve. Late season hunts 

 do not lower snow depth one inch nor make a blade of grass more 

 feed. I work in the woods and live year round in the woods. I 

 really believe habitat could support 5 times present herd 

 numbers. On bad winter its better to let the elk starve, 

 because it's natures natural way of getting rid of the weak and 

 sickly. One simple way of increasing the elk herd, would be to 

 require everyone to hunt with open-site and outlaw use of scopes 

 on rifles. Another way is quit killing spikes, cows and calves. 

 Another way it to permit only 5 point or better for killing of 

 bulls. If you had more elk, and hunting by open-site rifles, 

 shotgun and muzzle loaders or bow, you could allow more hunters 

 (not killers) to hunt without descriminating as you do so often 

 a gainst the poor. The more hunters the more profit for you 

 bureaucrats . 



F/G Dept. will have to adopt another game management method for 

 elk or the hunting will continue to decline as the elk population 

 declines . 



Bow hunting is good but I think we could use a few more bulls and 

 bucks so you should not be able to shoot spiked animals. They 

 need more of a chance to get smart . 



The reason less bugling bulls is not less elk but smarter bulls. 

 I don't know what can be done about slob hunters (their in both 

 sports rifle and archery) if anything. 



I've hunted elk and deer in Montana since I was 12 years old, 

 thats 35 years hunting experience. I'm a logger and freelance 

 photographer and I feel there's more elk and deer now than then. 

 Their just more nocturnal and bugle wise. 



As a rancher it seems to me that the elk herd in 291 and 292 have 

 increased 3 fold in past 5 years. It has begun to be a problem 



