|
|
|
DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
|
|
2007 Hunting Report
Hello out there in Blackfeet land. This is a public notice that the 2007 hunting season has been extended by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council for tribal members only. The last day to hunt will be Friday, December 21, in Zone 2 and Zone 2A East. The extended hunt is for elk only (either sex) in the mentioned zones. The bighorn sheep season will run until the end of February and Zone 3 is for bull elk and buck whitetail deer only.
We had a pretty good harvest this year, considering habitat the fires took. We also got a glimpse of a new migration pattern, due to the fires. This pattern will not be clearly evident until maybe next season, it just depends on the habitat and pressure. The total number of elk taken this year and previous years are as follows along with the surveys filled out when purchasing tags. Note: keep in mind the surveys are not accurate because of individuals purchasing tags for someone else and guessing what they got the previous year. The game warden harvest report is just what was turned into the game warden by you, the public.
Wildlife Harvested
Game Warden Reports |
Wildlife Harvested
According to Surveys |
2007
Tags Issued: 1368
Elk - 40 Bulls, 60 Cows
White Tail Deer - 94 Bucks, 120 Does
Mule Deer - 16 Bucks, 7 Does
|
2007
Surveys Taken: 807
Nothing Harvested: 419
Elk - 50 Bulls, 88 Cows, 7 Calves
White Tail Deer - 204 Bucks, 98 Does
Mule Deer - 76 Bucks, 14 Does |
2006
Tags Issued: 1268
Elk - 60 Bulls, 77 Cows
White Tail Deer - 79 Bucks, 28 Does
Mule Deer - 15 Bucks, 15 Does
|
2006
Surveys Taken: 685
Nothing Harvested: 327
Elk - 44 Bulls, 40 Cows, 4 Calves
White Tail Deer - 182 Bucks, 73 Does
Mule Deer - 77 Bucks, 14 Does |
2005
Tags Issued: 1179
Elk - 47 Bulls, 102 Cows
White Tail Deer - 105 Bucks, 58 Does
Mule Deer - 19 Bucks, 9 Does
|
2005
Surveys Taken: 587
Nothing Harvested: 358
Elk - 38 Bulls, 37 Cows, 5 Calves
White Tail Deer - 158 Bucks, 47 Does
Mule Deer - 58 Bucks, 8 Does |
2004
Tags Issued: 1217
Elk - 32 Bulls, 38 Cows
White Tail Deer - 41
Mule Deer - 17
|
2004
Surveys Taken: 754
Nothing Harvested: 474
Elk - 70 Bulls, 93 Cows, 7 Calves
White Tail Deer - 178 Bucks, 74 Does
Mule Deer - 71 Bucks, 13 Does |
2003
Tags Issued: 1173
Elk - 80 Bulls, 230 Cows
|
2003
Surveys Taken: 758
Nothing Harvested:
Elk - 57 Bulls, 113 Cows, 5 Calves
White Tail Deer - 172 Buck, 72 Does
Mule Deer - 51 Bucks, 10 Does |
The number of tags issued includes bow hunters. There were 110 bow tags this year and are not all one-time tag purchases. The tags are marked bow and must be returned to the office and traded in for rifle tags if the bow tag is not used. It is only one elk per active hunter. Also some of the tags are elder or lost tags and are given out free. The lost tags will be charged next year to help cover printing costs.
We had a tremendous response from the public this year on the Chronic Wasting Disease sampling and would like to thank the public for their participation. There were over 100 samples collected and each sample qualified the individual for a free drawing. The three winners selected were Gilbert Running Crane, winner of the 20-06 rifle with scope; AJ Russell, winner of 10x50 binoculars; and Mike Tomal, winner of the folding buck knife with case. Congratulations and we will still continue to collect samples. This has enabled us to get good feedback from the hunter and also helped in our game counts. Thanks again. This is really important information about our wildlife population and loss of habitat.
The State of Montana’s consideration of extending elk season in several districts was based on their elk management plan and was not due to the lack of backcountry snowfall. The Blackfeet Tribe maintains its own quota, seasons and management objectives. The length of the tribal hunting season gives members adequate opportunity to harvest an animal. However, conservation and preservation of our wildlife is still highly considered and ensures future animals for our younger generation.
Our reservation is losing more and more areas that allow hunting. After all the calls we got this year on hunters disrespecting landowners and stealing their property, it sound like a lot more people are going to post their lands. We did get some call from ranchers / farmers wanting to have a walk-in hunting area only on their properties or kids-only area. Also the 2A-West will be restricted to foot traffic and horseback only again next year.
I witnessed firsthand in that area what happens when elk try to come down. They hear a vehicle on that road and just head back into the park. We need to try and have a fair chase corridor for them to migrate down to 2A-East and give tribal members a better opportunity to harvest an elk. Also the land is getting torn up from vehicles because of the drought and areas drying up are making it more accessible for vehicles. We need to conserve what we have and think about the impact the fires had on us and plan for the future. Also walking is good for the heart and diabetes, and landowners would be more receptive of hunters if you walked. With gas at almost $4 a gallon and smokes and refreshments adding up, it could be an expensive hunting trip. And with Christmas around the corner we all know how much our families need the extra funds we need to conserve anyway we can.
Trapping season is still on and if you never got a trapping permit stop by the office and pick one up. They are free of charge. And if you would like an area trapped for beaver or coyotes, call the office and let us know. We have a trapper that is trapping for the pelts only. The trappers will not be paid by the Tribe.
The number of entries on the lottery were 977 for five moose and 631 for the five Boulder elk. Next year we will be drawing for 10 moose and five Boulder elk. A new possibility for the lottery may be five bighorn in Boulder. Another option that was brought up was to make that area a limited bow area because what we found out the last couple of years is lottery tag winners for Boulder are not taking advantage of the opportunity. Some are just driving the road and hoping an elk comes out in front of them rather than hike or ride horseback in the area. So the price of the Boulder tag may go up and the elk harvest allowed may go down to attract the serious tribal hunter. This includes non-members, too, in the limit.
Stay tuned. This year's lottery had a huge turnout from the public to watch as the tags were drawn. So next year we're thinking to have an afternoon of come-and-see, with door prizes, booths, refreshments and our shooting system set up for the public. This year was the biggest turnout ever, with an estimated 250-plus.
In closing, this is to let you know that if you know of any violators, let them know that they are hurting everyone's opportunity and privilege and to straighten up.
I invite you to view our new website at www.blackfeetfishandwildlife.com. We are trying to get this out to everyone so we can save on publishing and printing costs, and on behalf of the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife department have yourself a safe and merry Christmas.
GAYLE SKUNKCAP, DIRECTOR
|
|
