This week, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), Montana Public Lands Council (MPLC), and the Montana Association of State Grazing Districts (MASGD) submitted comments on the amended 2020 Elk Shoulder Seasons Proposal.

In the comments, MSGA, MPLC, and MASGD stated support of the implementation of shoulder seasons to address over-objective populations of elk as shoulder seasons represent an important tool for addressing elevated population numbers and problematic elk distributions.

The comments also stated the organizations’ disagreement with the adopted motion to eliminate shoulder seasons in HDs that are above objective and not meeting all harvest criteria. We informed the commission of our members’ desire to encourage the commission to include HD 411 and HD 570.

Lastly, the comments emphasized the importance of landowner flexibility to manage elk hunting on their property and reduce game damage with a less cumbersome game damage hunt process, which would include regional lists for a more immediate effects from these hunts. Since 1884, MSGA has been dedicated to finding proactive solutions for Montana’s ranching communities and Montana’s diverse wildlife and we will continue to do so.