Montana Revamps Elk Management Plan
By Dan Pickar
Beginning in 2022, Montana FWP created an elk advisory group composed of citizens of Montana. The purpose was to get input on what direction elk management should go in the state from folks of all walks of life. Since then, FWP overhauled the management plan for the first time since 2005. For a region by region breakdown analysis check out the Montana MRS or TagHub in April.
The largest change in the plan is how FWP looks at and manages population goals based on several factors like landowner tolerance, public input and determined carrying capacity for that area; 76 HDs increased their goals since 2005 and 6 HDs decreased their goals. The 5 HDs that decreased their goals have too heavy of a canopy to count elk from the air. There are 30 districts that don’t have enough elk to be managed. The 2005 plan had a statewide sustainable population number range between 72,000 and 101,000 with the goal of 86,000 elk. The new plan was based on the current population of about 150,000 elk with a target range of 96,000 to 151,000 animals. To read the management plan for yourself visit www.fwp.mt.gov
What’s your take on this new plan in Montana?
