Unit 260 was voer populated this year, and numerous new articles 

 attracted a larger number of hunters than previous years . Many 

 of these hunters were unfamiliar with the local deer habits, and 

 generally spooked deer out of the kill zone. I'm sure that 260 

 had a decline in deer kills this year because of that. 



In this case (specifically metcalf wildlife refuge) I would 

 support a controlled muzzleloader hunt to reduce populations. I 

 have discussed thi8s with metcalf management and other bow 

 hunters, and have come up with several proposals that might work. 



Same a Part II # 1 and 7. 



All of western Montana open to the hunting of elk. 



Only about 105 of it contane elk in a huntable supplye. 



It is my belief that the male (buck) law is bad. The reason is 

 (1) that too many bucks are killed leaving the population with 

 too many un bred does with a gem young bucks to bred without 

 success. (2) Too many rifle hunters shoot at bucks at too long 

 of range nowaday or not sending their game or shooting to fast 

 hiting the doe in frong and learing her there because it is not 

 legal (wasted game). (3) Does are better eating than in rut 

 bucks and antlers are not good to eat anyway. 



Too many animals getting killed off in 100,101, 102, and 103 need 

 the season closed down for aobut 5 years. 



I feel that if I take a branched antlered bull that I should pass 

 up the next elk season bow and rifle and only hunt deer or bear. 

 This should improve the number of bull's in my area 215. As it 

 si now we do not have quality or quanity of bulls we have so many 

 cows they are haveing a late season hunt. 



I would really like to see some general areas for trophy 5 pt or 

 better but it would have to be set up to take into account the 

 movements of the herds because in order for it to work the same 

 regs. would have to apply no matter where the herd was during 

 rifle or archery season. I really believe Colorado had a good 

 idea that way but a very bad idea by allowing unlimited 

 nonresident hunting. 



Part III 



#6 in my favorite area I am satisfied but there are so many areas 

 that need a lot of help as it is very hard to find many mature 

 animals . 



In the last few years the weather had been mild, making the 

 finding of the elk difficult even though they have increased in 

 population. 



11 



