A working group of 10 members plus a representative of Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet at least 4 times over the next 3 months to hammer out recommendations for elk archery hunting regulations in the Missouri Breaks area. The group includes hunting outfitters, landowners, and both archery and rifle hunters, according to an FWP official.

FWP began to focus on fine-tuning its archery hunting regulations in 2008, after receiving complaints from hunters that bowhunters were overharvesting trophy bulls and driving elk from public lands onto private property before the general big-game rifle hunting season began.

But other landowners, outfitters and hunters said the limits put on archery permits, especially in hunting districts where elk populations are above targets, is unfair and creates an economic hit in times that are tough already.

The group’s first meeting is set for 1pm on July 25 at the FWP office in … Read the rest »