Illustrating the difficulty of managing large elk herds, the Fish and Wildlife Commission is proposing to do away with shoulder seasons in several hunting districts, including the Snowy Mountains. The elk that roam the central Montana mountains move across three different hunting districts. However, the largest portion of the herd resides on private land with limited hunting access. Shoulder seasons have increased harvests, but the herd continues to grow and not meet criteria set up by Fish, Wildlife & Parks concerning the six-month seasons. Hunters have an opportunity to comment on changes at meetings being held across the state.

To learn more, read my story in the Billings Gazette at https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/snowy-mountains-elk-herd-over-population-shows-montana-s-challenge/article_161227e0-0ba1-5cf8-8235-a12d34666536.html

(Written by Brett French – Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette/Montana Untamed)