News - Montana Wildlife Federation

Land Purchase Would Improve Access

March 30, 2021July 2, 2020 by Guest Profile

On December 4, MWF Central Montana Field Representative, Marcus Strange, and board member, John Salazar, attended a meeting of the Meagher County Commission to address the Commission opposition to a public access project by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Know as the Holmstrom Sheep Creek Access Project, this land purchase would improve access to roughly 11,000 acres of habitat in Meagher County. MWF strongly supports the proposed purchase of the 4,273 checkerboarded acres by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. This area offers incredible wildlife values, stunning scenery and would improve public access in the Little Belt Mountains, a place where access can be challenging at times. Additionally, the project will also improve access to roughly 9 miles of cold-water tributary streams that are vital to the robust nature of the Smith River. Once transferred to the Forest Service, this land would be protected as public land in perpetuity.

Originally this project would be funded through LWCF funds; however, because the Meagher County Commission has opposed the project, it is highly unlikely the RMEF will be able to secure LWCF funding, meaning that the project would not occur and the land would stay in private hands. After meeting with RMEF, MWF, and a host of citizen advocates, the commision has agreed to reconsider their decision to oppose the project.

Because the support of the Commision is vital to the funding of this project, please take a moment and let the Meagher County Commission know that you support public lands, public access, wildlife, and a citizen’s right to sell their land by clicking HERE (get link from ZACH).

Read MWF’sHolmstrom Sheep Creek Access Project Letter of Support.

If you’d like to help speak up for our public lands and wildlife, contact Central Montana Field Rep. Marcus Strange at mstrange@mtwf.org or 458-0227.

Montana Wildlife Federation Applauds Senate Passage of Great American Outdoors Act

March 30, 2021June 16, 2020 by Guest Profile

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2020

Contact: Alec Underwood, Montana Wildlife Federation, alec@mtwf.org, 406-303-0494

On Wednesday, the United States Senate voted to pass S.3422, the Great American Outdoors Act. If passed through the House of Representatives and signed by the President, this bipartisan legislation would fully fund one of America’s most important conservation tools: the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It would also address a multi-billion dollar deferred maintenance backlog within our National Parks and forests.

LWCF has directly benefitted public lands and Montana communities, securing new public access, maintaining wildlife habitat and investing in projects that are essential to the quality of life for Montanans. For hunters and anglers, the program is a valuable tool for acquiring new public lands and fishing access sites.

“A big thank you to Senator Tester and Senator Daines for getting GAOA over the Senate finish line. We are incredibly grateful for Sen. Tester’s decade-long dedication to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Sen. Daines’ leadership in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has been vital to the bill’s passage. We’re on the cusp of a historic, bipartisan victory for outdoor recreation in Montana that will ensure critical investment in our public lands for generations to come – during a time when we need access to our public lands and waters most,” said Alec Underwood, Federal Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation. “MWF salutes the generations of Montana hunters and anglers who’ve advocated for full, permanent funding the past 60 years. Today’s Senate bipartisan vote to advance the Great American Outdoors Act gets us closer to seeing the full benefits of one of our country’s most important conservation tools.”

Outdoor recreation in Montana has emerged as one of the top economic industries in the state, supporting over 71,000 jobs and resulting in over $7 billion in consumer spending annually. This robust economic driver is directly dependent on having adequate access and high-quality recreation opportunities on public lands.

“Securing new public lands like the recent purchase of 13,000 acres in the Lower Blackfoot River corridor is a prime example of how valuable LWCF is to outdoor users,” said Adam Shaw, President of MWF affiliate, Hellgate Hunters and Anglers. “Whether it’s one of the hundreds of fishing access sites, or community parks, trails, and ballfields that have been funded by LWCF dollars, securing full and dedicated funding will solidify future investments in our public lands and give our outdoor recreation economy a needed boost.”

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S.3422 would also establish the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Fund to address the growing maintenance backlog within the National Park Service as well as on other federal lands. It would direct up to $9.5 billion to multiple federal agencies while creating needed, new jobs, and improving public lands infrastructure that is severely outdated.

The House of Representatives has introduced companion legislation, and Montana hunters and anglers hope that Representative Gianforte votes with three-quarters of Montanans who support full, dedicated funding for LWCF.

The Last Cast

March 30, 2021May 14, 2020 by Guest Profile

The current pandemic continues to impact all of us. During these unprecedented times protecting Montana’s fish, wildlife and outdoor heritage is more difficult than ever. That’s why MWF is one of the only sporting organizations in Montana to consistently act on climate change. It’s clear that climate change will continue to have major impacts on fish and wildlife habitat. Last year, MWF developed a short film, The Last Cast, about the growing impacts of climate change on Montana’s rivers and fisheries, highlighting some of the everyday people that depend on having healthy rivers for their livelihood and quality of life. Coming soon in May, MWF will be releasing the film, asking anglers from across the country to TAKE ACTION on climate change.

Support a Lead Free Montana

March 30, 2021May 7, 2020 by Marcus Strange

MWF knows that hunters care about wildlife like no one else and they have shown a willingness to do the right thing in defense of wildlife. In Montana, we are seeing too many occurrences of our wildlife becoming critically ill due to lead poisoning, contracted from consuming lead left in gut piles. While this is an unintentional repercussion of hunting with lead ammunition, the impact can be mitigated when hunters switch to lead-free alternatives. We are asking you to join us in our Lead-Free MT initiative by taking the MWF Non-Lead Pledge. By taking the MWF Non-Lead Pledge you agree to help wildlife and your fellow Montanans by:

Only use lead-free ammunition, such as steel or copper, when hunting.
Where possible, practice at established ranges so lead on the landscape is confined to specific, manageable areas.
Help to educate others on the benefits of hunting with lead-free ammunition by sharing your knowledge and experience.

While these steps may seem simple, the positive effects they will have can not be understated. It is our role to stand up for the wildlife that can’t stand up for itself. Stand up for Montana’s wildlife today by taking the MWF Non-Lead Pledge HERE. Together we can support our wildlife and each other by creating a lead-free Montana.

Supporting our Network of Dedicated Affiliates

March 30, 2021April 3, 2020 by Marcus Strange

MWF is fortunate to work with our network of dedicated affiliates. In an effort to better support the work our affiliates do, in 2019 MWF started an affiliate grant program to award funding to our affiliates who are working with conservation-minded landowners on wildlife habitat protection and enhancement.

MWF awarded one of the first of these grants to the Western Bear Foundation (WBF). Due to the increasing presence of grizzly bears near Valier Montana, residents have become increasingly concerned about bear activity near Lake Francis Campground, which is directly adjacent to the town.

WBF and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks identified a need for better bear-proof garbage cans at the campground. In an effort to be proactive, mitigate conflict, and protect wildlife, WBF placed 6 Kodiak Bear Proof Containers at various locations around the campsite. The garbage cans are 96 gallons each and are able to be dumped by sanitation staff without having to leave the vehicle.

Bear proof garbage cans will help prevent grizzly bears from using the campground which is within Valier town limits. Additionally, the visibility of such receptacles will promote bear aware behaviors and actions in the town community. Keeping bears away from town and showing that agencies and organizations are working hard to keep people safe will aid in building tolerance for the grizzly bear population in the area.

MWF is proud of the work that our affiliates, like WBF, do. We are looking forward to awarding our 2020 grants soon and support more quality work from these conservation stalwarts. We encourage you to also support your local MWF affiliate by becoming a member or donating to them today. If you would like to learn more about MWF’s affiliate program, contact Marcus Strange at mstrange@mtwf.org.

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director