News - Montana Wildlife Federation

MWF Congratulates Appointed Commissioners

July 7, 2021April 25, 2019 by Alec Underwood

The Montana Wildlife Federation congratulates the four members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission who were confirmed by the Senate.

“We are looking forward to working with these commissioners to tackle the difficult but rewarding issues around our public fish and wildlife resources,” said Dave Chadwick, MWF executive director. “It is a major commitment of time and energy to serve on the Commission, and we’re thankful these leaders are willing to put in that effort.”

The Senate this week confirmed Tim Aldrich, of Missoula, and Shane Colton, of Billings, to terms that end in two years in 2021. Both were appointed in 2017 by Gov. Bullock and awaited Senate approval.

Also confirmed were Pat Byorth, of Bozeman, and Logan Brower, of Scobey, to four-year terms that will end in 2023.

Aldrich is a past president of MWF and has served on numerous advisory boards and councils regarding fish and wildlife, and lands. Aldrich is retired from a distinguished career in the US Forest Service. Colton served on the Commission for eight years in the 2000s and was again appointed in 2017.

Byorth is a former fisheries biologist with FWP who brings extensive knowledge of fisheries management. He currently works as an attorney with Montana Trout Unlimited working on water rights issues. Brower is a high school teacher and athletic director in Scobey.

The Commission will have numerous difficult issues to deal with in the coming two years. One of the main ones will elk management as we look at an update of the statewide management plan and address criticisms of elk “shoulder seasons”. The Commission will also have to address grizzly management, Chronic Wasting Disease, aquatic invasive species, and many more issues.

MWF is Working Tirelessly to Ensure the Future of Public Access

July 7, 2021April 25, 2019 by Marcus Strange

As Montana’s oldest wildlife conservation organization, MWF has seen the conservation and hunting needs of Montana change over the last eight decades. But one thing that has not changed is the need for quality access opportunities. MWF is working tirelessly to ensure the future of public access, including working to support the completion of the Graveley-Warm Springs Conservation Easements near Garrison Montana.

The Graveley-Warm Springs Conservation Easements will protect more than 8,200 acres of one of kind wildlife habitat. The easements will also allow hunting access in perpetuity, giving hunters opportunities for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, wolves, and upland birds. The property spans native grassland, wetlands, forested areas, and aspen groves that sits in the shadow of the Garnet Mountain Range and will provide improve wildlife habitat connectivity, something healthy wildlife desperately needs. As time progresses, projects, such as this, will become increasingly rare.

MWF and its members have been actively engaged in ensuring the completion of this project. From writing letters to attending meetings to providing public comments, MWF has shown up on this project like no other conservation organization. If you are interested in also supporting this project contact Central Montana Field Rep Marcus Strange at mstrange@mtwf.org.

Bill, Study Will Help Protect FWP Wildlife Location Data

July 7, 2021April 23, 2019 by Guest Profile

Montana’s longstanding tradition of fair-chase, ethical hunting had another boost this week as a pair of bills to address the issue of agency wildlife location data advanced.

SB 349 (Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena) passed the House and is heading to the governor for his signature. The bill makes it illegal to use Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife location data to hunt or harass wildlife. It’s an important step because FWP biologists need to be able to collect specific data to understand wildlife’s use of habitat, migration routes and other steps. At the same time, hunters and others shouldn’t be able to use that data for a grossly unfair advantage, or to harass wildlife.

But the bill doesn’t give the agency any ability to deny that data to the public. Montana has strong public interest laws protecting the public’s right to public information. Yet other states have given their wildlife agencies the ability to deny some information. That’s where SJ 30 (Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena) comes in.

The resolution calls for an interim study to look at FWP wildlife location data, to help determine under what circumstances or whether the agency can deny someone that information. It’s an important step to take a solid look at this issue, and potentially come up with legislation if needed to bring a bill to give the agency the ability to protect some of its data.

MWF supported both of these bills as needed measures to keep Montana at the forefront of ethical, fair chase hunting.

Spotted Dog Grazing Plan, Madison River Rules Top Agenda for Fish and Wildlife Commission

July 7, 2021April 22, 2019 by Marcus Strange

A proposal to enter a six-year agreement with the McQueary Ranch to graze cattle on the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area is among the items on the Fish and Wildlife Commission agenda this week.

The proposal would allow the ranch to graze up to 240 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) on 2,800 acres of Spotted Dog, on a rest-rotation basis. The cattle grazing would take place June-July. FWP says in its proposal that the grazing would take place above elk winter range, and could enhance forage for wildlife in the spring.

McQueary Ranch would rest more than 1,400 acres of its 2,100-acre pasture system and make it available for elk in winter. The proposal has drawn a lot of interest from hunting groups around Spotted Dog as well as statewide sporting organizations.

Also on the agenda are a continuation of the grazing leases for the Blackfoot-Clearwater, Ear Mountain, Rob Ledford, and Fleecer wildlife management areas; a forestry project on the Three Mile WMA; and renewal of the haying lease on the Big Lake WMA.

In addition to the discussion of WMA management, the Commission will get an update on the Madison Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. The group has been meeting to address crowding on the Madison River in an attempt to come up with rules to address the issue.

The Commission will also consider quotas for mountain lions for the upcoming year, a plan to reintroduce sharp-tailed grouse to areas west of the Continental Divide, hunting seasons for partridge, pheasants, and waterfowl, and will finalize the statewide Fisheries Management Program and Guide.

As always, MWF staff and volunteers will attend the meeting to make our voice heard on key issues.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. April 25, at FWP headquarters, 1420 E. Sixth Ave. in Helena. The full agenda and cover sheets for each item are available.

Nick Gevock

Conservation Director

Veto Needed of HB 265 To Protect Habitat Montana

July 7, 2021April 19, 2019 by Guest Profile

Montana Wildlife Federation and our partners in the Montana Sporting Coalition are asking Governor Bullock to veto HB 265, a bill that re-injects politics into Habitat Montana, Montana’s premier access and conservation program. Hunters, anglers and all recreational users made our strong opposition to HB 265 (Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman) clear. Our members, alongside members of numerous hunting, angling, and conservation groups showed up to oppose the bill throughout the process.

We also sent in thousands of emails, made phone calls and wrote letters to oppose the bill. Unfortunately, the Legislature didn’t listen. It passed HB 265 regardless of our opposition.

Now MWF and the Montana Sporting Coalition are asking Gov. Bullock to spare Habitat Montana conservation easements from the same unnecessary bureaucracy that we saw last year. That was when the state Land Board indefinitely delayed the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement near Wibaux. This easement not only permanently opened 20,000 acres of excellent habitat to public hunting for mule deer, antelope, and game birds, it ensured that future generations of ranchers can operate this ranch as viable cow/calf operation.

Simply put, Habitat Montana works. It works for landowners, for wildlife, for habitat, and for hunters. It has for 30 years. We want to keep it that way, and a veto of HB 265 by Gov. Bullock will allow Montana FWP to continue working with landowners to build good projects without the fear of political interference while continuing to build better partnerships between Montana’s hunters and landowners.

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director