Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on proposed guidelines to establish additional elk hunting seasons, called "shoulder seasons". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Quentin Kujala says they’d be used as a tool to reduce elk populations.
"The biggest motivation for these guidelines as they speak to shoulder seasons is recognition that there are places around the state where elk populations are significantly and chronically over population management objectives."
Kujala says habitat capacity, game damage to private land and land owner tolerance are taken into consideration when establishing population management objectives.
"Do we use the tool? And if we do, what guidelines would help us use that tool, apply that tool. That’s the discussion we’re having right now," Kujala says.
Comments about these proposed hunting seasons are being accepted on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website until August 10th.
These guidelines could impact the 2016-2017 hunting season depending on the comments and the outcome of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission’s decision.