According to Don Childress, FWP's Wildlife Division administrator, in most years there are areas where unexpected game damage problems occur and, as a result, general hunting seasons do not adequately address the problem. "Damage to everything from row crops to haystacks occurs and for a variety of reasons. With the extremely dry conditions we are experiencing this spring, we may see more problems than normal," Childress said.

"In most areas, FWP uses lists of individuals who were unsuccessful in the special drawings for a deer or elk permit, but in some areas we do not have special permit opportunities. It is in those areas in which we are developing rosters," Childress said.

For this fall, FWP is creating rosters for deer hunters in the following districts: 121, 132, 170, 200, 201, 202, 203, 283, 285, 301, 311, 312, 315, 322, 331, 333, 335, 339, 340, 350, 370 and 393.

Interested individuals need to send their name, address, phone number and district number(s) in which they are applying to: FWP, Attention: Game Damage Roster, PO Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701. Applications need to be postmarked by June 30. There is no application fee.

Childress said individuals will be randomly selected and contacted only if there is an opportunity to participate in a damage hunt sometime later this year.