aware that any regulations have been implemented in Montana that would protect adult males 

 beyond phenotypical maturity. 



Response: Chapter III of the draft EIS provides a definition of a trophy animal and 

 trophy hunter (pp. III-14 and -15). The biological consequences of implementing 

 strategies to increase representation of older mature males are documented in 

 Chapter IV of the draft EIS (pp. IV-49 and -51). The recreational, social, and 

 economic consequences are documented on pp. IV-54, -59, and -62. FWP would 

 continue to provide opportunity to harvest big game under the present big game 

 season format. This format would strive to increase representation of large mature 

 males in designated geographical areas while emphasizing a diversity of hunting 

 opportunity throughout the state. 



ISSUE #10 

 Hunter Participation — 13 comments 



Summary 81 —ii 



Public comment endorsed expansion of himter education programs that will continue to provide the 

 revenue base to support wildlife management programs. Some comment targeted the allocation of 

 nonresident licenses as a system that works against recruitment of young hunters. 



Samples of Comments 



• Hunters have built the resource and need to continue to be recognized as the department's 

 primary constituents. 



• Nonhunting attitudes should not be part of the hunter ed program. 



• Again, your nonresident deer tag allocation system works against young hunter recruitment 

 both on an instate and out-of-state basis. It is our belief that short of restructuring this system, 

 no major strides will be accomplished by you in this area with the proposals in alternative 5, 

 although they are admittedly better than doing nothing. 



• Regarding himter education, I have a bias - what's wrong with hunting? Those who want to 

 eliminate it don't come up with feasible alternative funding sources. Yes, educate our hunters 

 to respect the land, landowners, each other, and different philosophies but go slow with this 

 "anti-hunting" business! It has to be recognized, true enough! 



Response: FWP would continue to use I&E that reduces barriers to participation in 

 hunting and develop shooting ranges to develop or improve skills. Under the 

 preferred alternative, FWP also would expand hunter education programs to focus on 

 i^' Montana 's hunting heritage. 



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62'i3 



