FWP announces elk permit deadline; locals voice concerns on elk management proposals

After announcing the March 15 deadline for applying for bull and antlerless elk and mule deer buck permits, officials from the FWP Region One met with community members last week to discuss elk management and some of the proposed hunting regulations.

Each year, FWP provides info on the possible upcoming season structure, listens to comments and develop ideas. They take the ideas they’ve gathered to the FWP Commission, who set guidelines for the FWP and put together a regulation package for each hunting session. FWP Commission is made up of five citizens who are appointed by the governor to set hunting regulations. The FWP administers the day-to-day activities of the department, works with the public to address needs and concerns, obtains data and conducts research.

Many new regulations have been proposed, including permits, general regulations for cows and permits for everything else, limited entry on bull permits, more shoulder seasons, late-antlerless only hunts, more early seasons, among other changes

The elk management public meeting in Libby last week, meant to promote questions, answers and feedback on the upcoming elk hunting season, was led by Wildlife Program Manager Neil Anderson, FWP Game Warden Tamie Laverdure and Wildlife Biologist Tonya Chilton-Radandt.

“This is meant to foster better communication between local hunters and us,” Anderson began the meeting.

During the last few years, locals have voiced their concerns to the FWP regarding the decrease of elk in the area and not enough mature bulls — in light of this tighter restrictions have been made on bulls between shoulder seasons, permits and point regulations.

Many hunters blame the decrease on wolves’ increase growth in population since they were reintroduced to the area in the 1980s into the mid-1990s.

Wolf harvest has gone up since 2013, according to Anderson. The current regulation on wolf hunting is five per person with no limit on wolves. As of last week, they’ve had 70 harvested wolves.

While a larger wolf harvest may help in the long run, Anderson said that the reality behind increasing bull elk population is more restrictions.

However, when it comes to point restrictions, Anderson said it could encourage people to break the law.

Hunting outfitters’ businesses may be affected by the upcoming regulations. One of the proposals is permits for bull elk in the region. Anderson said that will negatively impact outfitting business, because a non-resident is limited to no more than 10 percent permits.

“We’re not proposing this, it’s just something we heard and I think we need to talk about what that means for folks on the ground,” Anderson said. “This is very much a decision to reduce or almost eliminate [outfitters’] businesses.”

Anderson said that they are having quite a few game-damage complaints this year, but also said that shoulder seasons could help address that issue.

“[Shoulder seasons] pretty much meets our objectives and we have widespread support from the public,” Anderson said” If the elk population can support that and we can demonstrate that biologically, those seasons are pretty much slam-dunks.”

The deer and elk permit application packet is available at FWP license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov. The deer and elk permit application packet explains the rules for each hunting district and gives directions for applying. Hunters can apply online, or they may stop in to the FWP Office on North Meridian Road and apply in person.

All elk B licenses previously offered in Region One are now “antlerless elk permits.” Hunters who wish to hunt antlerless elk in Region One must apply by March 15. Applicants must hold a general elk license in order to apply. Hunters who receive an elk permit must use it with a current general elk license. An elk permit does not allow the hunter to take as second elk. There will be no antlerless elk B licenses available in Region 1 during the June 1 deadline.

Prerequisites for applying for these permits include a conservation license, base hunting license and elk and/or deer license. Also, applicants for Archery Season only permits must purchase a bow and arrow license prior to submitting an application.

The Region One special deer buck permits are available in Hunting Districts 109-50 and 130-50. Limited numbers of elk permits are available in a number of Region One Hunting Districts.

For more information, call FWP Region One at 752-5501.