New tool helps ranchers control big game herds

by Jim Knight, Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department

A new MSU Web site, www.doecowhunt.montana.edu seeks to unite hunters with landowners who need herd management

Ranchers are often frustrated by the inability to find hunters willing to harvest doe deer, doe antelope or cow elk. Most hunters want to harvest only a buck or bull. When a male is removed from the herd, the population is reduced by one. When a female is removed from the herd, that female, her offspring and her offspring's offspring are also removed.

Fact is, there are many hunters willing to harvest only the female segment of the population. The problem has been getting these hunters together with ranchers or farmers who need them.

The MSU Extension Wildlife Program has developed a web site to help address this situation. This site was developed for ranchers who want doe or cow elk hunters and hunters who are looking for a place to hunt does or cow elk. This site helps them find each other!

There is no charge to use the site, and those listed have total control over entry and deletion of their name. Each participant will select a password so only they can access their listing. At any time, users can delete their information from the site. Users can simply view the list (Choice 1) or register so they can enter their contact information (Choice 2). Choice 1 allows ranchers to look at the list of hunters, contact them by email, and invite them individually to hunt does or cows on the ranch. Choice 2 allows ranchers, who are registered on the site, to be contacted via email by hunters who want to harvest antlerless animals. Ranchers can also choose to enter their name, address and phone contact information.

After registering under choice 2, a rancher can enter information on the species to be hunted (whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope or elk) and the hunting district(s) in which the ranch is located. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Hunting District map is available through the site.

The site also allows users to comment on the listings, so ranchers can see opinions on hunter quality, cooperation or other items related to the Hunters are also able to comment on their experience The comments will be continually monitored by MSU to ensure they are appropriate.

The web site does not guarantee the quality of hunts or hunters, and it is the responsibility of to have the necessary licenses and permits to hunt game they are after. And, the web site is dedicated to hunting doe/ fawn deer, doe/fawn antelope and cow/calf elk. Coordination of hunts for bucks and bulls is beyond the scope of the site.

At the end of hunting season, the program will evaluated through a research project in Animal and Range Sciences. Other states have already expressed an interest in implementing a similar tool after the Montana program is evaluated.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006