KNOW YOUR REGS

[funstuff]

If you are hunting you need to completely understand your hunting regs. Don't assume it is the same all the time, year after year.

Here in mt our districts are broken down into 6 seperate regions, further into units. Quotas are by region. When the quota is filled the kill season is over for that region, but you can still chase!

Our chase only season starts Feb 16 for my region, and runs until April14. I do NOT need a RHTL, resident hound training license, for the chase only season. A trapper license, which you must have in order to pursue with hounds if you kill, must be purchased by by NOV 30.

Read and understand your regs!

[live to hunt]

According to page 7. A resident must possess a valid trapper's license to hunt or chase bobcat or a RHTL to chase bobcats

[dhostetler]

funstuff, There are various ways you can interpretate on exactly what the regulations are saying about when an RHTL is needed. I buy it every year, as the last thing I want is get in an argument with some FWP warden if I need or don't need the $7.00 RHTL.

[driftwood blue]

Just what is $7.00-- not even the tank of gas!.. just buy the sucker

[Old dog]

yea just bend over what the heck its just money and principle.

[twist]

If one buys the trapper tag before Dec 1 or if a lion tag is bought one does not need the hound handler permit. If one does not purchace a valid trappers tag that is endorsed before Dec 1 for bobcat or have a valid lion tag one must purchase the permit before he can chase either. Andy

[sheimer]

Andy is correct. My only question is... if you buy a lion tag, harvest one(using the said tag), and then decide to go out and chase the next day. Where is your "permission slip"????

Let's talk about use of 2 way communication. When is it legal and when isn't it?

Montana regs are clear as mud.

Scott

[bigskybowhunter]

Scott,

That's a topic I discussed with our head warden here in region 5 and he basically told me it was up to the Wordens discretion. If the Worden felt it was aiding in the taking of game and relaying animal movements he could ticket you for it. Which in my opinion is not right because if a Worden has it out for you he could be more apt to ticket you. He also told me unless they have recorded proof you would win the court case against the f&g due to lack of physical evidence.

[twist]

Scott, I haven't bought a lion tag for yrs just the handler permit but they should give you a reciept for purchasing the tag so that should be as good as gold. Andy

[dhostetler]

Yes I agree the regs are as clear as mud. It is clear that you do not need a handler permit if you have a trapping liscence to chase during the trapping season from Dec. 1 to Feb. 15 even if the quota is closed. What is not clear is if you need it from Feb. 16th to April 14th, during the Chase only season. Another question is our 2014 liscences all expire on Mar. 1st, does that mean the hound handler permit also becomes invalid on Mar. 1st?

I have a friend that had a lion confiscated because someone seen him talk on his cell phone after his hounds were released. He got his attorney involved and the FWP gave his lion back.

Yes Old Dog I might just bend over to easily, I even buy a wolf tag every year. I have a hunting buddy that would never stoop that low as to buy a tag for one of those vile creatures.

[twist]

As long as one has his trappers tag validated before Dec 1 it is my understading that you are fine to chase bobcats until Arpil 14

[funstuff]

In the Furbearers regulation booklet on page 8, second column, 5th paragraph, under Chase-only Season are all the answers pertaining to bobcat for the chase season.

And 7 bucks is more than they deserve, just cuz.

When you check in a lion you are reissued another lion license, not tag.