MT HR6

Montana House Resolution urges the Fish and Wildlife Commission to retain the traditional November mule deer hunt, including hunting bucks during the rut (mating season), and resist moving the season earlier into October

A 2022 Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks survey showed 71% of respondents support the current 5-week general rifle season timing, and nearly two-thirds support hunting mule deer bucks during the rut

Recommends aggressively restricting antlerless (doe) mule deer harvest in regions where populations are below objective levels until populations recover

If buck harvest restrictions become necessary, urges limiting them to no earlier than November 6 and rotating restrictions by district to maintain hunting opportunities across most of the state

Proposes biological triggers for management, such as implementing restrictions when buck-to-doe ratios fall below 15 bucks per 100 does in postseason surveys