FWP looks at adding elk shoulder season hunting district

From FWP

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks will ask the Fish and Wildlife Commission to add another hunting district when it meets Nov. 8 to consider the elk shoulder season pilot project for this year.

Elk hunting district 391 would join 392, in the Big Belt Mountains; 445, 446, 449 and 452, on the east side of the Big Belts and the Castle Mountains; and 410, in the Missouri River Breaks.

Comments on the proposed elk shoulder season pilot project will be taken until 5 p.m. on Nov. 6.

This year’s shoulder season pilot project in those six districts would run from the end of the regular season, Nov. 29, through Feb. 15.

Next year, the commission may decide to expand the shoulder season for hunting seasons 2016 and 2017.

The new “shoulder season” guidelines are in response to Gov. Steve Bullock, lawmakers, hunters, landowners and others concerned that many of Montana’s 138 elk management areas exceed population objectives. In all, 80 areas are over objective, 39 are within objective, and 19 are below objective.

For more information or to comment online visit the FWP website at http://fwp.mt.gov. Click “Shoulder Season Guidelines.”