Legislation brings science to elk tag system

Many of the issues that we discuss at the Legislature can seem distant and complicated to the average Montanan. Hunting is not one of those issues.

This session, I am sponsoring Senate Bill 270, which brings more science into our state’s tag system for elk hunting. The bill both protects elk in areas where populations are below objectives and allows for objective-based tag limits in areas where elk are abundant. 

Senate Bill 270 is a common-sense bill. Some parts of Montana, like my area, are under objective for elk numbers. Other parts of the state have so many concentrated in certain places that they can become a problem. The bill makes sure our elk tag system reflects this reality by lowering the cap on the number of B cow tags in low-population zones and capping them at two in zones with populations higher than objectives.