BOW AND RIFLE HUNTERS MAY BE AFIELD AT THE SAME TIME

>

> Bow hunters and rifle hunters will be afield at the

> same time in the next few weeks said Montana Fish,

> Wildlife & Parks officials, and hunters are urged to

> take extra care in confirming their target.

> The archery-only deer and elk season will continue

> until Oct. 15 and a number of game damage rifle

> hunts are also underway in FWP Regions 1, 2, 3, and

> 5.

> "We want to remind hunters to watch for each other

> in the field. Bow hunters are not required to wear

> hunter orange in the deer and elk archery-only

> season and they are known for their quiet stealth.

> That may make it difficult for rifle hunters to hear

> them or to be aware they are nearby," said Ron

> Aasheim, FWP Communications and Education Division administrator. The

> deer and elk archery-only season is Sept. 2- Oct. 15.

> Game damage hunts, in which firearms may be used,

> are underway for deer in hunting districts 121, 201,

> 322, 502, and 590; and game damage hunts for elk are

> underway in hunting districts 210, 290, 370 and 380.

> Some game damage hunts will run until the end of

> October and additional hunts may be scheduled as

> needed.

> Game damage occurs when animals such as elk, deer

> and antelope concentrate on private farms and

> ranches and eat crops. FWP game managers may use

> game damage hunts to help reduce damage where

> landowners provide public hunting during the general

> hunting season yet still experience damage due to

> wildlife.

> Aasheim said hunters who registered for potential

> game damage hunting opportunities on private land in

> Montana this year may check their status online at

> Internet Game Damage Roster.

> -fwp-