Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed deer and antelope quotas that fall outside the biennial rule for the 2012 hunting season and on the 2012-2013 furbearer season structure and quotas.

Deer quotas outside the biennial quota ranges affect two hunting districts. Hunting district 797-00 would see a quota decrease from 500 to 100 under the proposal for antlerless mule deer B licenses. In hunting district 311-00 white-tailed deer B licenses would increase from 50 to 100.

Tentative adjustments to 2012 antelope quotas outside biennial ranges include hunting district 700-00 where either-sex licenses would decrease from 6,500 to 3,000 and doe/fawn licenses from 500 to 100. Antelope in eastern Montana were hard hit by the severe winter in 2010-2011.

Here is a summary of the proposed furbearer season structure and quotas.

Furbearer Seasons and 2012 Quotas

Proposed changes to the furbearer season structure and quotas for 2012 would:

• Close furbearer trapping in the Bass Creek Special Recreation Area in Region 2.
• Clarify language to prohibit snares within 1000 feet of public land trailheads.
• Replace otter carcass collection with skulls only for aging analysis.
• Retaining the special regulation restricting the use of larger grip traps in the fisher and wolverine regulations to minimize incidental take of lynx.
• Modify bobcat quotas in Regions 2 and 6: Region 2 increase from 100 to 180; Region 6 decrease from 125 to 90.

All other seasons and quotas would remain unchanged from 2011.

The public may review and comment on the proposals on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Hunting" and select "Opportunity for Public Comment." Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 9.

Send written comments to: FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, POB 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

The FWP Commission is scheduled to set final quotas at its July/August meeting in Helena.

For more information, call the FWP wildlife office at: 406-444-2612, or visit the FWP website at: fwp.mt.gov.