DOI Drops Badger Appeal
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Bad Bill for Habitat Montana Keeps Moving
Habitat Montana Bill
HB 265 (Revise laws related to approval of FWP conservation easements, Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman) passed out of the Senate Fish and Game committee this week in a 6-4 vote. This came despite dozens of comments from members of several sporting organizations letting the committee know that Montana’s sportsmen and sportswomen strongly oppose the bill. It would require state Land Board approval for conservation easements under Habitat Montana, an issue that was settled last year by the state Supreme Court.
We saw last year the uncertainty and arbitrary nature of this process and the severe chilling effect it would put on farm and ranch families who want to work with FWP. We will be working in the next few days to let the full Senate know that this bill is bad for Montana’s landowners, hunters, anglers and for our wildlife and sporting opportunity.
Elk Shoulder Season Resolution
The Senate Fish and Game committee also passed out HJ 18 (Resolution urging enhancement of elk management/shoulder seasons, Rep. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale). This resolution, while it has been improved, calls for six months of elk hunting and extending the shoulder seasons from Aug. 15 to Feb. 15 onto public lands. That was not the intent of shoulder seasons. MWF opposes the resolution and testified along with several conservation partners against it in the committee, but it passed out in a 6-4 vote. We will continue to oppose this resolution that divides landowners and sportsmen and have let the full Senate where Montana’s hunters stand on this bad resolution.
Agency Wildlife Data Protection
On a positive note, the Senate Fish and Game committee heard SB 247 (Protect fish and wildlife information from misuse, Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena) and passed an amended version of it to the full Senate, where it also passed. The bill makes it illegal for people to use specific FWP data on individual animals to hunt or harass wildlife. It’s an important bill to maintain our fair chase hunting tradition while still allowing FWP to conduct needed research.
Proof of Game Animal Bill
A bill to clean up the state law on how animals must be brought out to prove their sex, SB 333 (Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena) passed out of the Senate Fish and Game committee. The law has been poorly worded and needed changes. This bill would remove the requirement for either-sex licenses, and make it easier for hunters to comply with the law for others by changing the requirements when an animal’s sex must be determined. It passed the full Senate on second reading.
Road Access
The bill to require county commissions to give the approval to gate a road under their jurisdiction, SB 301 (Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby) was heard in the House Judiciary Committee this week. Counties have the authority to allow encroachments on county roads, but this bill would make a person wanting to block a road to first go to the commission. That would trigger a public process with input on why a road can be encroached upon, and state law doesn’t allow roads to be abandoned unless there is other adequate public access to public lands they reach. MWF supported the bill to add transparency to road disputes.
Wolf Donation Bill
HB 291 (Create a voluntary account to wolf mitigation, Rep. Becky Beard, R-Elliston) would create a permanent fund at Montana FWP to allow hunters to donate to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services. MWF opposed the bill because most of the voluntary programs at FWP do not raise much money, and can end up costing the agency with administrative costs. MWF asked for a sunset to give the program a chance, similar to many of our popular conservation programs. The bill passed the Senate Fish and Game committee and is going to the full Senate.
State Parks Funding
The second bill that would have severely cut into the State Parks program’s budget died this week. SB 242 (Create state park decal, Sen. Roger Webb, R-Billings) would have eliminated the voluntary $6 per year vehicle registration fee for an optional $35 per year decal for entrance to state parks. It would have cost the state parks an estimated $3 million per year and forced it to close parks or start charging entrance fees. The bill died in the Senate Fish and Game committee unanimously.
FWP Budget Moving
The main operating budget for the state, HB 2, was heard this week in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee. FWP’s budget has thus far come out in good shape, with needed equipment and personnel to properly manage our fish, wildlife and parks resources. MWF has been monitoring the budget throughout the process and will continue to do so as we move into the final month of the session.
That’s a quick rundown of the main bills in the session. Our complete Bill Tracker is available with real-time updates on our homepage, and remember it’s not too late to join our Legislative Action Team as we head into the homestretch of the Legislature. Our volunteers and staff will ensure that we come out of the session with good policy for our wildlife, habitat, and access.
Nick Gevock
Conservation Director
Wolves, Bison and FWP Budget
HB 2, the main state operating budget, passed out of the full House this week in great shape for Montana’s hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts. FWP has asked for a pair of grizzly bear management specialists, a big game planner and some equipment to replace ATVs and boats that are old and outdated.
That was among the highlights from the past week, in which as always MWF’s staff, lobbyist and volunteers showed up to testify and talk to legislators to stand up for our wildlife, habitat, and access. Here are the bills that saw action this week:
FWP Budget Solid
HB 2 General appropriations act (Rep. Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton) passed the House in great shape for FWP’s operations. It includes grizzly bear specialists in Butte and Red Lodge, which are two areas seeing many more grizzlies moving in, as well as a wildlife planner position to update the statewide elk management plan. The bill also includes new boats, off-road vehicles and other equipment that FWP needs to do its job in the field.
The Bill Now Heads to the Senate
In addition, HB 5, which is the capital improvements bill, passed second reading in the full House this week. The bill includes the appropriation for Habitat Montana, which is our best state conservation and access program.
Wolf Bills
Numerous wolf bills have come forward this session, ranging from several bills to lower the cost of wolf hunting licenses for both resident and non-resident hunters, to bills to allow bounties to be paid for trappers.
HB 279 Allow for wolf trapper reimbursement (Rep. Bob Brown, R-St. Regis) would allow groups to pay trappers for wolves they kill. MWF does not support payments for the taking of any game species, which is a bounty and a system we abandoned nearly a century ago. The bill was heard in the Senate Fish and Game committee this week, where MWF opposed it.
MWF also opposed in the Senate Fish and Game committee HB 291 Create voluntary wolf mitigation fund (Rep. Becky Beard, R-Elliston). The bill would create a fund at FWP where hunters can donate to pay USDA Wildlife Services. Such voluntary programs rarely generate much funding, and such programs can end up costing FWP money. MWF asked for a sunset on the program to see if it works, similar to numerous other FWP programs included many of our best conservation programs.
We supported HB 281 Revising laws related to how non-resident wolf licenses are issued (Rep. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls). The bill would allow non-resident hunters who buy a big game or deer combination hunting license to add on a wolf license for half price, which is $25.
Wounded Veterans Programs
HB 275 Revise hunting privileges for Purple Heart recipients (Rep. Frank Garner, R-Kalispell) would revamp how we issue licenses that Montana residents purchase and can donate to injured veterans for use in guided hunts supplied by outfitters. This program has worked successfully for several years, but needed some changes to get more veterans to qualify. It passed second reading in the Senate this week.
Bison Redefined
HB 132 Clarify definition of bison (Rep. Kenneth Holmlund, R-Miles City) would make all bison within the state of Montana domestic animals, including those coming out of Yellowstone National Park. It would redefine as domestic any bison that has ever been reduced to captivity, among the criteria, and that includes bison that are held in a quarantine facility for testing.
The bill passed the Senate with amendments and is going back to the House for final approval. MWF opposes the bill.
APR Resolution
MWF joined five other groups this week to write a letter in opposition to HJ 28, Joint resolution requesting denial of American Prairie Reserve grazing permit (Rep. Dan Bartel, R-Lewistown). The American Prairie Reserve as a private landowner has opened up more than 27,000 acres of land to Montana hunters through the Block Management program. In addition, the nonprofit group has opened access to public lands that have been off-limits to public hunters for years.
APR is requesting to change to year-round grazing its leases with the Bureau of Land Management, and MWF has supported that. MWF testified against the resolution in the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee.
Other Bills
Several bills have become law in the past week that was clean up measures. They include:
HB 43 Revise landowner elk license laws to allow non-transferable licenses for landowners who sign a contract with FWP to allow public hunters (Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis).
HB 94 Clarify hunting access programs’ statutes (Rep. Zach Brown, D-Bozeman).
HB 143 Remove sunset on three-day nonresident bird license (Rep. Neil Duram, R-Kalispell).
MWF supported all of the bills.
Looking Ahead
This week will be another busy one as we enter the final month of the Legislature. MWF staff, volunteers and lobbyist will again be busy making sure the voice of Montana’s hunters and anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts are heard in the Capitol. Your participation is important, so stay engaged and check your email, our Facebook page and our website for alerts and information as bills come forward. You can also check our bill tracker for real-time updates on the status of bills.
Nick Gevock
Conservation Director
Private Property Rights and Hunter Access Under Attack
Last year the Land Board injected politics into the program and indefinitely delayed the Horse Creek easement near Wibaux. That put at risk 20,000 acres of excellent mule deer, antelope, and bird hunting and threatened the future of a Montana ranch family to stay on their land.
The state Supreme Court ruled easements don’t require Land Board approval, and are complete when the Fish and Wildlife Commission approves them. HB 265 would undo that, and re-inject politics into wildlife management & private property rights decisions. The bill passed the House and is now going to the Senate.
Please contact the Senate and tell them to Vote NO on this bad bill for landowners, hunters, and all Montanans. Send a custom message and tell them to protect Habitat Montana, our best state conservation and access program. You can click here to send an email, or call the state switchboard at 444-4800.
Budget Moves Ahead in Great Shape
As always, MWF staffers and our lobbyist were in the Capitol to make sure our voices were heard. And it’s having an effect. Our work this past week included a lobby day in which more than a dozen volunteer activists showed up to speak about our key bills on access, habitat protection and on a resolution affecting elk management.
Here are the highlights from the week.
Camo at the Capitol and HB 265
MWF joined a half dozen other sporting groups to host a “Camo in the Capitol” lobby day for sportsmen and sportswomen. It was a big success, with hunters and anglers showing up from Butte, Anaconda, Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and as far as Glasgow to get a quick lobby training and then head to the Capitol to lobby on a total of five bills.
The day included a working lunch with the governor’s staff, FWP Director Martha Williams and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney to talk about our bills this session on improving public access, sage grouse conservation and on elk management.
The day was completed when the sportsmen and sportswomen attended the Senate Fish and Game Committee for the hearing on HB 265 (Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman) which would undo last year’s state Supreme Court ruling that Land Board approval is not required for Habitat Montana conservation easements.
MWF and our affiliates worked hard on the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement and the Supreme Court case. It’s important because landowners need certainty that when they begin the lengthy process of negotiating an easement with FWP, it will be completed once the Fish and Wildlife Commission approves it.
Trapping Setbacks
HB 552, (Rep. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls) would have barred in state law the ability for Montana FWP to establish setbacks for traps on closed roads on public lands. This is a recipe to set up numerous conflicts with recreational users because snowshoers, cross country skiers, bird and lion hunters and numerous other people use these roads for recreation. And many bring their dogs with them, which means the bill would set up these closed roads to have dogs getting caught in traps.
The bill had been tabled but was revived this week in the House FWP committee. It came out amended but was still a recipe to create conflict between trappers and the non-trapping recreational users. The bill died on the House floor Friday 50-50. MWF supports trapping but also understands that its future will be dependent on resolving conflicts between trappers and the non-trapping public.
Other Bills Advance
A host of other bills continue to move forward this session. They include: HB 29 Revise bird hunting dog laws (Rep. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton); HB 205 Revising laws related to fish pond licenses (Rep. Ray Shaw, R-Sheridan); HB 239 Allow special drawing refunds to be redirected to block management program (Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula); HB 432 Allow bonus points for limited fishing licenses, tags, and permits (Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula)
MWF supports all of the bills.
FWP Budget
Montana FWP’s operating budget, in HB 2, came out of the House Appropriations committee in really good shape this week. The bill is the main portion of the budget for the agency and includes several strong provisions that MWF supported.
Among them are two grizzly bear management specialist positions, who will help manage grizzly bears and work to prevent conflicts with livestock and other issues. In addition, the budget includes a new staff position as a wildlife planner for deer and elk. MWF supports revamping the 2004 statewide elk management plan, and FWP needs the staff to do it.
HB 2 also includes new equipment that FWP staff needs. That list includes new boats, off-road vehicles, and two new helicopters to conduct wildlife counts.
Thanks again for being a member of MWF’s Legislative Action Team. Please encourage friends and family to join, and stay engaged as we continue to move through the session. As we move closer to the end, MWF will continue to work in the Capitol every day for our public wildlife, habitat and to improve public access.
MWF Conservation Director Nick Gevock
