Very glad to see this survey as archery hunting is becoming a 

 very fast growing sport and a way to thourally enjoy the Montana 

 outdoors . 



My archery experiences have been rather limited to only 2 or 3 

 days each year. However, I believe the length of season is more 

 than adequate, and elk and deer taken by archery hunters don't 

 have much effect on the general populations, due primarily to the 

 low hunter success rate. 



I believe this State is a good Ten yrs from having to regulate 

 Bow Season. I have hunted 4 yrs with a Bow at about 1-2 weeks/yr 

 and havn't seen 1 other bow hunter. I'm not a purest but still 

 value the bow hunting experience as it is . 



As far as Elk hunting with a bow gose, I have been with in range 

 to take a shot seval times. I didn't because I wasn't sure of my 

 shot. I hunted on public land all the time. I think that bow 

 hunters tend to stir up the herds befor rifle season and this 

 might have somthing to do with declining hunter success rate. 

 The last two winters have been easy on them. (The Elk). So there 

 are more animals, but they are all skidish by the time regular 

 hunters get their chance. 



In the past three years the number of bow hunters has increased 

 which takes away the high quality of archery hunting. But, I'm 

 afraid that if archers numbers are cut down by higher fees or 

 "either or seasons" that archery seasons would shortened and 

 other wise cut back. 



Most areas in Western Montana have too much pressure during 

 archery season, uless your willing to hike 2-4 miles from the 

 roads. If the Forest Service gates were closed during archery 

 season it would help. 



I think bow hunting overall makes you a better hunter because of 



increased knowledge of your quarry & shooting skills required to 



make a clean kill. 



Because of low sucess rates for bowhunters i see no need for 



restricting hunters to rife of bow only seasons. 



I think all tags should required to be purchased before opening 



day & a small increase in archery fee to provide better habitat 



for wildlife. 



In over 30 yrs of hunting with a Bow I have killed 2 deer with a 

 bow, no elk and have only taken about 5 shots at elk. If other 

 archers have no better luck than I do then Archery dan ' t be 

 considered a management tool 



If I had a choice between archery and Rifle I would chose 

 archery. Archery is more chalenging and requires one to get in 

 close to their prey. Archery hunters never have the high percent 



