clear shot is not possible. There are good herds out there but 

 the spikes outweigh the big bulls, (six points & better) 



It disturbs me (and discourges) to walk as many miles as my 

 friends & I have, and see only a couple or NO elk at all! I've 

 been archery hunting for 23 yrs . (8 in Mont.) (the rest in Colo.) 

 These past 4-6 years are the worst I've seen. I'm not try to 

 sound harsh, but I enjoy getting out & seeing elk whether I 

 harvest an animal or not. Please do something to bring up the 

 count & quality of Elk hunting. So many other states have let 

 their herds become almost "zero" for good hunting - I.E. Most of 

 Herd bulls killed off so spikes & Rag horn is all that left. 



Never shot at an elk, but in the last 3 years I was within 50 

 yards of 6 different bulls. I was within 100 yards of 4 more, 

 bulls. 



My primary goal is to take 1 trophy quality bull, which 

 automatically limits my opportunities. I have passed up many 

 shots at cows, calves, spikes in the last 7 years as well as 2-3 

 younger bulls/year. My real concern is lack of recruitment of 

 bulls. I monitor 2 herds of elk almost year round. In one herd 

 7 of the 9 spike bulls were killed; in the other 13 of the 14 

 spikes were killed (rifle season) . Where will the future breeder 

 stock come from? I am also finding a decrease in the cow/calf 

 ratio, despite 3 very mild winters. 



I believe that a trial program of alternate year closures, of a 

 certain number of districts to B.A.B. only deserves 

 consideration. (I.E. Archery & Rifle Seasons both; even number 

 years, Branch-Antlered bulls only; odd number years spike & 

 B.A.B. s legal.) 



I also would support regulations restricting holders of cow 

 permits to cpw elk only! 



I hunted one (1) 7 point Bull for the last 6 (six) years in area 

 283 - He's a smart old bird and has made a complete fool out of 

 me - next year I'm going to shoot the first cow or rag-horn that 

 gets in my range Ml! 



the # of elk in the area is low unless you work out in the woods 

 so you know where they are. To many doe's populate the woods. 



This was my first year. I didn't see any elk, but I saw lots of 

 deer. 



I feel that the Bull to Cow Ratio in our area 100-101-103 is 

 acceptable. However, I would like to see an increase in general 

 elk population. This could be accomplished by decreasing the 

 number of roads constructed, increasing road closures during 

 general season, and increasing effort to protect and increase 

 winter range. 



