However, the performance based shoulder seasons that began in 2015 as a pilot project have grown to 58 districts and have a mixed record of achieving the intended results as laid out in the performance criteria. Pressured by private landowners and legal mandates to drive elk numbers down, fwp created additional hunting seasons called elk shoulder. Commission approves elk shoulder season guidelines, pilot. At least in this case, fwp is trying to follow the shoulder season criteria in analyzing the effectiveness. Montana will have its fourth elk shoulder season beginning in august, but many folks arent happy about the decision the fish and wildlife commission made wednesday including two members.
Last week, the montana fish and wildlife commission voted to continue the early and late season cow elk hunts rather than target burgeoning elk. Montana fish, wildlife and parks will not extend big game hunting seasons following below average elk harvest across the state, but the agency is encouraging hunters to participate in shoulder. Shoulder seasons arent what they appear the opinion pages. Last season fwp held pilot shoulder season hunts in a handful of districts. In some areas, the shoulder season will occur at the same time as the archery season, while in others it will not include the archery only season. I am going to strike this off my list of hunts to do. Hd 212 and 2 b license by drawing only dec 01 feb 15. Montanans share concerns over elk shoulder seasons state. Additional elk tags during shoulder season hunts may be. Elk managementgame damage hunts that were used before the shoulder season were sometimes like that. Dec 24, 2019 fwp proposing changes to elk shoulder season in southcentral montana according to fwp spokesperson bob gibson, the biggest proposed change is removing elk shoulder seasons in most areas. Montana fish, wildlife and parks has proposed ending the extra twoandahalf months of hunting there, one of two shoulder seasons.
The seasons focus on antlerless elk harvest on private land and are not intended to replace or reduce harvest during the existing general archery and 5week general firearms season. He finds there tracks, misses the first shot, then manages to find their tracks again and catch up with them. Montana elk hunting shoulder seasons continue as general seasons end. Shoulder seasons will vary in timing and function from hunting district to hunting district. However, this could be the last year for the wintertime hunt. You keep trying to bring that ridiculous story of defacing property. This year, 41 districts remain open mostly on private lands and under district specific regulations. Others noted the shoulder season hunts could have an unintended consequence of leaving motherless calves to starve during the winter or shooting pregnant cow elk, doubling the recruitment losses. In anticipation of strong interest in upcoming antlerless elk shoulder seasons in five central montana hunting districts, state wildlife officials are contacting landowners and working out details for hunters interested in participating in the postseason hunts. Montana hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. Nov 24, 2015 the shoulderseason hunts are pilot projects approved earlier this month by the montana fish and wildlife commission for hunting districts on the north and east sides of the big belts, the castle.
Those criteria were an agreement between fwp and the hunters of montana to measure the actual effectiveness of these hunts. Originally posted by greenhornoriginally posted by shrapnelof course not. Montana s elk shoulder season, which has turned out to be extremely popular, is meant to reduce the number of elk on private land. Our guided whitetail deer hunts are offered in one of two seasons, and we have several options. A shoulder season occurs outside the 5week general firearms season. Cow elk shoulder season hunt september 2017 youtube. Elk shoulder season to be extended across montana fort. The others notsomuch and not even meeting recruitment. Nov, 2015 recalling lateseason cow hunts on private lands, i was excited at montana fish, wildlife, and parks proposal to institute shoulder season hunts, meaning hunting could occur before or. Montana offers the block management program, a system designed to encourage private property owners and land management agencies to allow free public hunting. Oct 14, 2015 the montana farm bureau federation mfbf commends the fish and game commission for their recent adoption of guidelines establishing elk shoulder season hunts in montana. Beginning in midaugust, shoulder seasons are antlerless elk hunts which stop during the general season and begin again in december and run through the beginning of february. Feb 18, 2019 montana will have its fourth elk shoulder season beginning in august, but many folks arent happy about the decision the fish and wildlife commission made wednesday including two members. May 17, 2019 last season fwp held pilot shoulder season hunts in a handful of districts.
While most shoulder seasons focus on antlerless elk harvest on private land and are not intended to replace or reduce harvest during the existing archery or 5week general firearms seasons, a few are meant to address problematic distribution of elk. Recalling lateseason cow hunts on private lands, i was excited at montana fish, wildlife, and parks proposal to institute shoulder season hunts. Dec 30, 2019 during the shoulder season we do everything we can to get people in there to harvest a cow elk, he said. Montanas long elk hunting seasons causing consternation. We have a remote backcountry camp in the absarokabeartooth wilderness in montana, adjacent to the northern boundary of yellowstone national park. Outdoors fwp prepares for elk shoulder seasons the shoulderseason hunts, aimed at reducing elk populations in some areas, are pilot projects.
Elk can cause a large amount of property damage and a growing population of elk has caused many landowners to look to the fwp for help. Region valid in hunting district s license type shoulder season dates. Shoulder seasons should be removed from all districts where elk populations have met, or are below, the 2005 emp population objectives. You havent even been there and keep trying to make something of it. Hunting although it hasnt been like shooting elk from a haystack, montanas experimental shoulder season to reduce numbers of cow elk and minimize crop. There could be a few changes to montanas elk shoulder season if house joint resolution 18 hjr 18 is approved.
Elk shoulder seasons open in montana natural resources news. While montana fwp would keep the early shoulder season that runs aug. There are 58 hunting districts across montana with shoulder seasons including seven in fwps bozemanbased region 3, which covers southwestern. Hunters raise concerns about shoulder seasons for elk. Our backcountry elk hunts start during the bugle season, september 15 and run through to october 15.
First approved by the montana fish and wildlife commission in october 2015, shoulder seasons are an opportunity for hunters in hunting districts where elk populations are over objective. Mt fwp elk shoulder season proposal enhancing montanas. With that, vermillion asked if the galt ranch would qualify for damage or management hunts in place of a shoulder season. A number of the shoulder seasons, which had run as late as feb. Elk shoulder seasons open in montana natural resources. Montana fish, wildlife and parks has proposed ending the extra twoandahalf months of hunting there, one of two shoulder seasons statewide it wants removed. The shoulderseason hunts are pilot projects approved earlier this month by the montana fish and wildlife commission for hunting districts on the north and east sides of the big belts, the castle. Shoulder seasons arent what they appear the opinion. But for this plan to work, landowners will need to grant access to new hunters.
Cody goes on a shoulder hunt on a local ranch in montana looking for a cow elk to shoot. In our assessment, shoulder season hunts on public lands do not redistribute elk herds from private lands onto public lands. Montana proposes eliminating some extended elk hunts. Montana elk hunting guided hunts hells aroarin outfitters. This is an early rifle season and the hunts are 7 days long. On thursday, the fwp commission reluctantly voted to approve fwps plan to reinstate shoulder seasons for elk. Aug 20, 2019 montana will have its fourth elk shoulder season beginning in august, but many folks arent happy about the decision the fish and wildlife com montana untamed idaho fish and game commission. Elk shoulder season could see some changes for 2019. Once the pressure is on the herds may move back from roads and the pack out can be long. Fwp signs off on 43 new shoulder season hunting districts.
We run a very limited number of hunters to keep our success rate high. Hunters raise concerns about shoulder seasons for elk local. Final information on these shoulder seasons will be available online by the end of february and at all license providers in midmarch in the 2016 deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations. You can begin planning your hunt using either a regional map by species or go right to the hunting district information you are interested in. Montana proposes big changes for region 2 hunting districts. I have not heard what they are charging this year, as i dont believe the elk are on the ranch yet. Elk shoulder seasons exist between regular hunting seasons and are implemented when there is an overpopulation of elk on private properties. Sounds like they should rename this hunt shoulder to shoulder elk hunting season. Montana fish and game, regarding shoulder hunts, stop them all. Mwf supports continuation of the shoulder season in hunting district 445, the devils kitchen, until that time that population objectives are meet.
Here are some numbers i tabulated from data on fwp page for 20162018 seasons. If so, maybe the game damage hunts and shoulder seasons will be unnecessary. I spoke with howard burt who explained that the shoulder season elk harvest objectives were not being met and the expected increased access free public access on the larger private land elk habitat didnt happen either. Montanas general biggame rifle season for elk and deer lasts five weeks in october and november. Hunters kill 350 cow elk in montanas shoulder season the. Nov 29, 2016 additionally, shoulder seasons offer hunting opportunities, which are often challenging despite the late season. Fwp proposes changes for several helenaarea hunting districts. A shoulder season is a firearms season that occurs outside the general firearms and archery seasons. Fwp proposing changes to elk shoulder season in southcentral. Hunters will need to respect private land and be prepared to hunt and shoot well.
Montana fwp is proposing to continue the shoulder season into the 4 th year, even in hunting districts where elk populations are are at or below the 2005 emp objectives. Hunters kill 350 cow elk in montanas shoulder season. Then fwp sidestepped some of the new guidelines when it proposed pilot shoulder seasons to. In addition to the 10week general season in the fall, montana hunters can now hunt elk into february with the acceptance of the new shoulder season. Last week, the montana fish and wildlife commission voted to continue the early and late season cow elk hunts rather than target burgeoning elk populations in five specific hds that would allow for restrictive cow elkonly. Shoulderseason hunts not answer to herd balance letters. The shoulder seasons would only be valid on private property and some public land thats.
Elk shoulder season north of livingston proposed for removal. Montana guided whitetail deer hunting swan mountain. These bigmoney ranchers leasing all regular hunting to outfitters are causing the problem. Mwf calls for elimination of elk shoulder seasons montana. Montana elk hunting shoulder seasons continue as general. Shoulder season hunts are being expanded onto public lands within some hunting districts. Depending on the specific hunting district, hunters can hunt during a shoulder season using their general elk license or elk b license the latter obtained through a limited drawingthe application deadline for which was june 1or over the counter. For the 2018 season, the commission approved shoulder seasons in more than 50 hunting districts, in six of fwps seven regions. There are 58 hunting districts across montana with shoulder seasons including seven in fwps bozemanbased region 3, which covers southwestern montana. Snowy springs outfitters offers big game hunting in the great bear wilderness of montana.
Hunting for whitetail deer in the mountains of montana is often done differently than whitetail hunting in the midwest or south. The term shoulder season was coined in the 60s to refer to the travel season between peak and offpeak seasons, especially spring and fall, when fares tended to be relatively low. This area is a model of a collaborative effort between fwp, landowners, outfitters and hunters to craft a season structure that focuses on a strong general season harvest. Elk shoulder season could see some changes for 2019 gohunt. Montana fish, wildlife and parks is proposing to cut back on extended elk hunts next season. You havent even been there and keep trying to make something of. Most, if not all the proposed shoulder seasons in mt are antlerless only. Find a list of the proposed shoulder season areas for 2016. We believe we offer hunters an incredible opportunity to hunt whitetail deer here in montana. The montana farm bureau federation mfbf commends the fish and game commission for their recent adoption of guidelines establishing elk shoulder season hunts in montana. The primary purpose of elk shoulder seasons is to reduce elk populations in areas that are over population objective as outlined in the montana elk management plan. Fwp considers elk shoulder seasons across montana local.
He finds there tracks, misses the first shot, then manages to find their tracks again and catch up with. Donate mwf calls for elimination of elk shoulder seasons. This whole thing called a shoulder elk hunting season is an absolute mess between the land owners, politicians and mt fwp. Montana fish, wildlife and parks is holding four public meetings in southcentral montana in january to discuss hunting regulations and. The montana wildlife federation mwf has called for the end of all elk shoulder seasons for the 20192020 hunting season so state wildlife biologists can evaluate how theyre working in their third season of widespread use. Montana hunt planner the hunt planner combines updated maps with hunting regulations and statistics. Last week, the montana fish and wildlife commission voted to continue the early and late season cow elk hunts rather than target burgeoning elk populations in five specific hds that would allow for restrictive cow elkonly hunting. Shoulder seasons will take place in 44 hunting districts. Two members of the montana fish and wildlife commission indicated at the boards thursday meeting in missoula that they were uncomfortable with allowing lateseason elk hunts this winter in.
In some districts the shoulder seasons will start as early as aug. Elk populations in montana are healthy, resulting in a special shoulder season, which will run in 43 hunting districts hd through the 2019 license year. I dont know of any shoulder season 16 minute hunts on land open to the public. Fwp prepares for elk shoulder seasons flathead beacon. A shoulder season is a firearms season that can occur as early as aug. Montana fish, wildlife and parks has stepped back a decade in its management of elk populations. The hunt coordinators will be so busy they may not call back. Launching the map provides you with the opportunity to view hunting regulations, harvest statistics.
Elk shoulder seasons are firearms seasons that can occur as early as aug. Elk shoulder season hunting guidelines adopted by fwp. Mwf submits comments on shoulder seasons montana wildlife. Oct 11, 2017 cody goes on a shoulder hunt on a local ranch in montana looking for a cow elk to shoot. Montana fish, wildlife and parks fwp released the proposed guidelines for public comment earlier this summer. Then fwp sidestepped some of the new guidelines when it proposed pilot shoulder seasons to begin in december. It was later adopted to refer to the spring and fall in pasture management, the lighter heating season, and other springfall terms. Elk shoulder season north of livingston proposed for. Even though 186 days of elk hunting sounds like a hunters dream, the elk deserve a break. Because of this, our success rate runs a bit higher than the average wilderness hunt. Fwp proposing changes to elk shoulder season in southcentral montana. Landowners speak out against shoulder seasons montana on. A proposal calls for shoulder seasons to cull the herd. Wanting to avoid more shootouts, landowners would pull out of block management and the gt ranch would eliminate public access if fwp established a shoulder season, brozovich said.
It comes several weeks after the fish and wildlife commission said the agency should find other ways to drop elk numbers on private land. Montana fish, wildlife and parks is proposing to eliminate elk shoulder seasons in some parts of southcentral montana and replace them with damage hunts. As one of the largest landowners in montana, according to the independent record, galt said, allowing hunting on public land during the shoulder season helps hunters keep hunters from accidentally straying onto landlocked public land and breaking the law while hunting during the extended season. Elk shoulder season to be extended across montana posted on october 14, 2015 by dharrisadmin 0 comments with archery season coming to a close on october 18 and the general elk season beginning on october 24, hunters will be happy to hear that elk populations are above average in many areas of the state. During the shoulder season we do everything we can to get people in there to harvest a cow elk, he said. Montana bha comments on shoulder seasons backcountry. In our assessment, shoulder season hunts on public. Montana fish, wildlife and parks will not extend big game hunting seasons following below average elk harvest across the state, but the agency is encouraging hunters to.
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