By Brandon Walker EBS STAFF WRITER

BIG SKY – Moose populations and hunting opportunities are not what they once were in the Gallatin Canyon. Since the 1970s and ’80s, moose numbers have steadily declined and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has greatly reduced their harvest objectives. Between Montana hunting districts 306, 307 and 310, which encompass the area surrounding Big Sky and the Taylor Fork region, there once were 45 moose hunting licenses offered but now there are much fewer.

In 2000, only five moose hunting permits, all for antlered bulls only, were offered throughout hunting districts 306, 307 and 310. Fast forward 10 years and…