This question is for Montana residents only please. What are your thoughts on Block Management hunting areas? My own thoughts are that the govt. should not take our wildlife funds and use them in this way. It has been my observations that Block land is usually overhunted, especially the units that only require signing in at a box. I have seen these areas get hit every day for weeks straight. It also seems like a lot of these areas are mainly used by non-residents. I do not believe the gov't. should run an entitlement program for hunting , which is what the BMP really is. Wouldn't these tax monies be better spent paying landowners to enhance their land for wildlife? The last few years our state has seen a significant decline in deer numbers in a lot of areas, yet the fwp keeps selling "b" tags like there is no tomorrow, only now figuring out what most people in the state have been screaming for the last couple of years, "stop selling doe tags!" Should my tax money really go to helping some guy from out of state have a place to hunt? I say no. There is federal and state lands for this, along with ranchers and farmers who allow access without being in the BMP . From what I have seen a lot of these out of staters have no regard for the animals they are pursuing nor the land they pursue these animals on. When you see a chunk of Block get hunted every hour of legal hunting time for a month straight, it is really disheartening. Please contact your State of Montana Reps in Helena and tell them we need to make changes to the BMP, thanks.
Block Management Program good or bad?
- Thread starter MTHusker
- Start date
Big Sky
Active Member
I have to disagree 100%, I have had nothing but great experiences with the program. I killed my first bull on block management and my wife did also. Yes there are some that get over hunted but that is the same with every thing. If it is easily accessible then it will be over hunted. I am grateful every time I go out and make a point to thank the owners when ever I get the chance.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Block Management gets a huge thumbs up for me as well.
What a great great program. I hope my kids get to enjoy it.
What a great great program. I hope my kids get to enjoy it.
Montana
Veteran member
I dont really love it but I do support it. With all respect help me understand the entitlement part?
As far as the out of state hunters... I am surely grateful for them. They carry a great economic impact, in many areas. Not to mention I like to hunt out of state and I would only hope to be treated the same.
As far as the BMA's hunted on a daily basis... I agree. And thats why I try to stay away but what I like about it is that it disburses the numbers. I figure everybody has to hunt somewhere. More area to hunt, in theory, less chance of running into someone.
As far as the out of state hunters... I am surely grateful for them. They carry a great economic impact, in many areas. Not to mention I like to hunt out of state and I would only hope to be treated the same.
As far as the BMA's hunted on a daily basis... I agree. And thats why I try to stay away but what I like about it is that it disburses the numbers. I figure everybody has to hunt somewhere. More area to hunt, in theory, less chance of running into someone.
It uses Govt. funds
If you use public funds it is an entitlement. Just like food stamps, medicare, Medicaid. You can argue that it comes from hunters and spent on hunters, but there are still hunters who are paying into the program who, like me do not receive benefits from it. I would also argue that the amount of areas that are not overhunted, way out number those with few hunters.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I think using hunting license money for hunting access is a better use of public funds than most.
I am having trouble figuring out why you want to close access to hunters. If anything I hope more landowners enter the program.
I think out of state hunters should be able to comment on this thread as well. They pay license fees too, and pay dearly. There are also many responsible and respectful nonresident hunters out there that make good use of the program.
I am having trouble figuring out why you want to close access to hunters. If anything I hope more landowners enter the program.
I think out of state hunters should be able to comment on this thread as well. They pay license fees too, and pay dearly. There are also many responsible and respectful nonresident hunters out there that make good use of the program.
Musket Man
Veteran member
I have hunted one block management area in eastern MT 2 times. I had a great time both times and never saw another hunter either time. I harvested a nice old buck on one of those trips. As far as I know the funding for it comes from hunting license and tag sales which non residents pay dearly for these days so Im not understanding why you dont like non residents using the program or how it is comparable to food stamps. I agree over hunting any area is never a good thing but I believe the land owner can put restrictions on it if they want to. Some land owners dont want alot of wildlife on their property because it takes feed away from their cattle and I think they see the block management program as a way of managing wildlife on their land.
hoshour
Veteran member
Another thumbs up for the block management program. Nonresidents are at an enormous disadvantage in hunting areas in Montana that aren't national forest. We don't know relatives or school buddies or coworkers or church members to give us permission to hunt like longtime residents do and we aren't there to do the knocking on doors, nor do we have the ability to scout until we get there.
As far as getting a direct benefit from the money paid in, nonresidents pay the lion's share of hunter money going to the Fish and Game. We pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars per tag while residents pay only double digits for most tags. So, we pay far more than residents and don't get to enjoy anywhere close to the time afield that a resident can. I think block units are a help to offset the huge disadvantage.
As far as getting a direct benefit from the money paid in, nonresidents pay the lion's share of hunter money going to the Fish and Game. We pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars per tag while residents pay only double digits for most tags. So, we pay far more than residents and don't get to enjoy anywhere close to the time afield that a resident can. I think block units are a help to offset the huge disadvantage.
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Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I've had one experience with Block Management. In 2006, we drew 5 non-resident deer tags for my wife and three of my sons. We got a copy of the Block Management participants and called around. Found one ranch that only allowed one party at a time and scheduled dates with them. There was no place to stay within 50 miles of the ranch, so the rancher offered to rent the one of the ranch houses for several days. The rancher came down every day to see how we were doing and offer suggestions. We took four bucks on the hunt and the one son who didn't get his buck had multiple opportunities. The rancher had told us to bring our shotguns. We hunted pheasants on his ranch where they literally ran around like chickens. One of the most fun hunts I've ever been on. We spent about 5 days with exclusive access to a 10,000 ranch for the cost of a house rental. It was an unreal opportunity for the kids. We would have never gone for the tags had it not been for the Block Management program and access to private lands.
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whiskeytango
New Member
- Dec 10, 2013
- 11
- 0
UH - what an awesome story.
I've hunted the BMs a couple times in eastern MT but havent killed anything on them. I know other guys who have and am appreciative for the opportunity they provide for us to hunt. I'm sure I'll connect one of these days.
I utilize the HMAs in Wyoming and have had a lot of success in those. My friends and I are all thankful for the landowners that open up access.
I feel that non-resident hunters bring in a lot of money that helps subsidize residents cheap tags so we should have an opinion. Outfitters on the other hand...
I've hunted the BMs a couple times in eastern MT but havent killed anything on them. I know other guys who have and am appreciative for the opportunity they provide for us to hunt. I'm sure I'll connect one of these days.
I utilize the HMAs in Wyoming and have had a lot of success in those. My friends and I are all thankful for the landowners that open up access.
I feel that non-resident hunters bring in a lot of money that helps subsidize residents cheap tags so we should have an opinion. Outfitters on the other hand...
Agree whole heartedly with the guys that the BM program is a great thing. I've lived in MT for my entire hunting life, and grew up hunting the river bottoms for whitetails. Nowadays it seems like everywhere I used to hunt is either leased by an outfitter and it will take $5,000 to hunt or it has been purchased by some super wealthy guy (Ted Turner, Hirsch, etc etc) that has completely locked up the place and in a lot of cases locked up access to thousands of acres of our federal lands.
I haven't had a season in the last 5 years where I haven't hunted a BM area at least a few times. Is it over hunted, perhaps, but its no more crowded that the federal lands that are my alternative. It's like anything else when you're hunting ground that's open to the public, you have to go further and hunt harder than the next guy. Does it always pay off, absolutely not, have I come out of a BM area having hiked/hunted my tail off and seen little game and many hunters, of course. But I do know that having a place to hunt, and being able to access thousands of acres that could otherwise be leased by some JERK outfitter beats the heck out of the alternative.
Plus if we don't use the funds for the Block Management program what will they be used for? I don't think using the money for wildlife management is a good idea, our biologists obviously aren't doing a very good job "managing" our deer herds now, just look at the crazy amount of doe tags still being issued!!
I in fact think that the landowners that enroll in the BM program should be given a tax incentive as a reward for allowing public access to try and get more acres enrolled. I also believe that the landowners that are leasing their land to these JERK outfitters should be taxed differently (as recreational land and not agricultural land) to try and discourage the leasing/locking of private ground from the public.
I haven't had a season in the last 5 years where I haven't hunted a BM area at least a few times. Is it over hunted, perhaps, but its no more crowded that the federal lands that are my alternative. It's like anything else when you're hunting ground that's open to the public, you have to go further and hunt harder than the next guy. Does it always pay off, absolutely not, have I come out of a BM area having hiked/hunted my tail off and seen little game and many hunters, of course. But I do know that having a place to hunt, and being able to access thousands of acres that could otherwise be leased by some JERK outfitter beats the heck out of the alternative.
Plus if we don't use the funds for the Block Management program what will they be used for? I don't think using the money for wildlife management is a good idea, our biologists obviously aren't doing a very good job "managing" our deer herds now, just look at the crazy amount of doe tags still being issued!!
I in fact think that the landowners that enroll in the BM program should be given a tax incentive as a reward for allowing public access to try and get more acres enrolled. I also believe that the landowners that are leasing their land to these JERK outfitters should be taxed differently (as recreational land and not agricultural land) to try and discourage the leasing/locking of private ground from the public.
Varhunter
New Member
I see problems with the Block Management program but what else can you do? Private land is being closed to hunting like wildfire and there's only so much state land and national forest. Block management is the only thing out there to help spread the hunters out. Yes many of them are over crowded and extremely over pressured but the deer just move off and find better land to live on. Until all the hunters that give the rest of us a bad name are gone ( which will never happen) private land will remain private and all us hunters without our own land will be S.O.L. I have noticed that the area's that are written permission are much better than the sign in boxes.
I feel really compelled to respond to this post and add my own experience with Block Management Areas. First, I just want to say that the Block Management Program is a fantastic program and find it hard to believe someone on here finds issues with the premise of the program in general. You're allowing more hunter access and giving incentives to the landowners to allow hunting by compensating the landowners who participate... seems pretty win-win to me. But, secondly, I'd just like to relay my personal experience with hunting BMAs:
2009 was the last year I hunted Montana as a resident. I ended up killing a bull in Western MT, a buck in Eastern MT (along with 2 other bucks my buddies took on the same BMA), and an antelope in Southwestern MT, ALL on different BMAs throughout the state. I grew up in Montana and, as a RESIDENT, had plenty of access at my disposal to private ranches, public land, etc. and still ended up harvesting all of my animals that season on BMAs. BMAs are a fantastic resource for ANYONE hunting Montana, including residents. Here are some pics from that year:
2009 was the last year I hunted Montana as a resident. I ended up killing a bull in Western MT, a buck in Eastern MT (along with 2 other bucks my buddies took on the same BMA), and an antelope in Southwestern MT, ALL on different BMAs throughout the state. I grew up in Montana and, as a RESIDENT, had plenty of access at my disposal to private ranches, public land, etc. and still ended up harvesting all of my animals that season on BMAs. BMAs are a fantastic resource for ANYONE hunting Montana, including residents. Here are some pics from that year:
Musket Man
Veteran member
weigand
New Member
I agree with the majority, block management gets a thumbs up. I think how its being run right now is pretty darn good considering the scope and magnitude of the program. I hunted BM growing and consistently harvested mature whitetails ever year. I hunted BM that would have 2-12 entries everyday.
You just have to know how to hunt it. Most people would hit the river bottoms at first light and there would be a truck at ever section of bottom. BUT deer get smart to that after opening weekend. Once they hear the trucks the deer go somewhere. You just have to find that particular somewhere.
Also a perk of the program is the federal access it opens up. I have harvested numerous deer on BLM and state land that is locked by private but borders BM. I'll sign in and just use their land to access other areas.
You just have to know how to hunt it. Most people would hit the river bottoms at first light and there would be a truck at ever section of bottom. BUT deer get smart to that after opening weekend. Once they hear the trucks the deer go somewhere. You just have to find that particular somewhere.
Also a perk of the program is the federal access it opens up. I have harvested numerous deer on BLM and state land that is locked by private but borders BM. I'll sign in and just use their land to access other areas.
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,216
- 797
I'm not from MT,but would like to say that I've hunted"sign in" and "reservation" BMAs! I have been super lucky I guess, I have taken antelope or deer(depending on which I was looking for!) on all 5 occasions. Not one time did I see other hunters. I really appreciate these opportunities and have made some real friendships out of them! I will say if these areas didn't exist that I would still hunt MT, I would just hunt the public land more, making it more crowded. I think a large portion of the funds to run most wildlife agencies comes from surcharge on hunting licenses (Resident and Non) as well as Pittman/Robertson act excise tax on sporting goods(federal funds from both Resident and Non) Although I'm not sure exactly how MT ear-marks each funding source! I Personally would like to thank MT and it's residents for welcoming us to hunt!
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,216
- 797
As most have stated, not sure how a program that rewards landowners for opening up public access is a bad thing. Certainly some areas are overused, but others are well managed. With the rapidly declining lack of access in Montana, there are bigger issues that require hunters attention. Most importantly, it seems that the MT Outfitters and Guide lobby has way too much influence in the state of Montana. Eliminating the guaranteed tags was a good first step, but more needs to be done. Outfitters are having much more of a negative impact on hunting quality and access in Montana than BMAs.