FWP Seeks Public Comment On The Tentative 2003 Deer, Elk And Antelope Permit Quotas

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the tentative 2003 deer, elk and antelope permit quotas.

Deer:  The tentative deer quotas in FWP Regions 1, 2 and 7 are unchanged from 2002.  The tentative deer quotas in FWP Regions 5 and 6 reflect the greatest change with antlerless mule deer B licenses and some antlerless whitetail deer B licenses increasing by 50 to 500 depending on the hunting district.

Elk:   The tentative elk quotas for 2003 include increases in the number of antlerless elk permits in some hunting districts in FWP Regions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.   Tentative elk quotas in FWP Regions 5, 6 and 7 are largely unchanged from the 2002 season.

A second A9 antlerless elk license was also proposed for the 2003 season for some hunting districts in FWP Region 2, 3 and 4 for hunters with the pre-requisite antlerless elk permit or general elk license. These A9 second antlerless elk licenses would total about 1,000 licenses in the three regions. Here are some of the other proposed elk quotas for 2003:

Region 1 121-00             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 225 to 450.

Region 2 200-01              Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 25 to 50.

281-00             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 150 to 250.

282-70              Increase A-7 Antlerless Elk Licenses from 50 to 75.

285-70             Increase A-7 Antlerless Elk Licenses from 100 to 200.

Region 3 311-20             Increase Disabled Either Sex Permits from 1 to 4.

311-21             Increase Youth Either Sex Permits from 1 to 4.

313-00             Reduce late season Antlerless Elk Permits from 2,080 to 1,400.

313-11              Reduce late season Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk Permits from 105 to   90.

362-11             Increase Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk Permits from 4 to 8.

380-20             Reduce Either Sex Elk Permits from 125 to 50.

380-00             Reduce Anlterless Elk Permits from 200 to 75.

380-01             Reduce Antlerless Elk Permits from 75 to 25.

380-02               Reduce Antlerless Elk Permits from 75 to 25.

380-70             Reduce A-7 Antlerless Elk Licenses from 200 to 75.

Region 4

411-01              Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 50 to 100.

417-01             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 60 to 250.

417-20             Increase Either Sex Elk Permits from 40 to 75.

442-General     Decrease the Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk Quota from 400 to 200.      

445-20              Reduce Either Sex Elk Permits from 50 to 40.

446-00             Incr ease Antlerless Elk Permits from 300 to 500.

448-00             Reduce Antlerless Elk Permits from 400 to 250. Valid HD 420.

450-00             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 30 to 60.

452-00             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 15 to 35.

454-00             Increase Antlerless Elk Permits from 15 to 45.

455-20              Reduce Either Sex Elk Permits from 75 to 70.

Antelope:  Tentative antelope quotas will be adjusted after the July population surveys are complete.  Hunting district 510-00 was added to the list of districts where one additional doe fawn antelope permit may be offered to either sex permit holders.  Those hunting districts include:  500, 501, 510, 513, 530, 550, 560, 570, 571 and 590.

For details on the proposed 2003 deer, elk and antelope quotas call 406-444-2612. Send comments by mail to: FWP, Wildlife Division, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620-0701 or by email to: fwpwld@state.mt.us.