#13. I sense a growing anti-bowhunting sentiment both within FWP 

 and the general public as elk hunting opportunities diminish. 

 However, I feel archers contribute less than 10% of elk hunting 

 and harvest. If elk have to be managed that close, we're all in 

 trouble. I would also point out that bowhunting probably 

 generates more days of recreation per animal harvested and I feel 

 that bowhunters in general are more committed to the resource and 

 hunting than rifle hunters. 

 Part III 



#3. What the question doesn't show is that in the years I've 

 missed with a bow, I've easily (comparatively) taken elk with a 

 rifle. Eliminating bowhunting probably wouldn't save many elk 

 because a good bowhunter is usually a better than average rifle 

 hunter and will still fill his tags. As far as bowhunting picking 

 off all the big bulls, I've shot 3 each of branch-antlered bulls 

 with a bow and rifle and they were all about the same size- 

 scoring 240-280. 



#7. If pressured heavily, elk will go more nocturnal but I 

 haven't seen any evidence they were less active in the rut. 

 #10. I'm embarassed to admit I wounded elk but that's a truthful 

 answer. My worst year yet. What the answer doesn't show is that 

 the 2 that got away were nonlethal wounds. My impression is that 

 archers wound more but that the wounds are less serious than 

 rifle wounds. Interms of total numbers, rifle hunters lose more 

 dead animals . 



In all fairness, are you going to hold a similar survey for 

 rifle hunters? I hate to be paranoid but I feel like bowhunters 

 are being singled out in hopes of solving the elk hunting 

 problems . 



There seems to be some controversy towards archery hunters . Most 

 people I talk to really don't find it a problem. It's a great 

 recreational opportunity with little impact on game. 



I believe we should have to buy a hunting licenses, before a 

 hunter can put in for any special drawing - I also believe you 

 should not change archery rules or regulation. I know that there 

 are not very many elk or deer taken out of the hunting areas that 

 I hunt, with bow & arrow. 



Archery hunting is a quality type of hunting experience. It is 

 important that hunter pressure is not excessive in any given area 

 during the early bugle season (I believe that has been the case 

 thus far) . 



I DON'T THINK ARCHERY HAS ANY DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON ELK HERD 

 SIZE, QUALITY ON ELK, OR DAMAGE TO ELK IN GENERAL BY THE SERIOUS 

 ARCHER. IT DOES NOT EFFECT RIFLE HUNTING IN ANY WAY. DO NOT ALLOW 

 CROSS BOW HUNTING DURING ARCHERY SEASON. 



I would like to see more elk population increase, but I dont 

 believe restricting archers is the answer. I personally know of 



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