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MWF Gears Up to Fight

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Photo by Marcus Strange.

The 2019 Legislature will, as always, be a busy one for issues that affect wildlife, habitat, and access for sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as recreationists. The session will be dominated by issues surrounding the state budget, Medicaid expansion, infrastructure funding, and education issues. But as always, natural resources bills will be prominent with Montanans.

In the state Senate, Republicans will hold a 30-20 majority, while in the House of Representatives, Republicans will have a 58-42 seat majority. Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, will again serve as Senate President, while Jon Sesso, D-Butte will be the Senate Minority Leader. In the House, Greg Hertz, R-Polson, will serve as Speaker, and Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls, is Minority Leader.

As the majority party, Republicans will chair committees in both houses. The Senate Fish and Game Committee will be chaired by Senator Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls and the Senate Natural Resources Committee will be chaired by Sen. Jeff Wellborn, R-Dillon. In the House, the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee will be chaired by Rep. Bob Brown (R-Thompson Falls) and Natural Resources Committee will be chaired by Rep. Kerry White (R-Bozeman). MWF will be working closely with lawmakers of both parties to ensure that FWP’s budget is sound and that key conservation priorities get the staffing and funding needed to manage our public trust resources.

Our ability to give Montanans a voice at the Capitol depends on your support.  Please make a quick donation to help us speak up for wildlife, hunting and fishing, and public access in 2019!”

Proposed Falls Creek Purchase

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Photo by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, © Laura Verhaeghe, Falls Creek

Montanans have a chance to add to our shared public lands heritage and gain access to a massive block of National Forest lands through the proposed Falls Creek purchase in northern Lewis and Clark County. This 442-acre parcel is a gem in and of itself. But even more importantly, its purchase would open up a mile of the Falls Creek Trail, protect important wildlife habitat along Falls Creek and open up access to roughly 26,000 acres of Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest lands in the area. This is an incredible opportunity to improve public access and help improve wildlife management. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is working with the landowner and several other partners to make this land purchase happen. Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) commends all parties engaged in this process and strongly supports this excellent project.

View MWF’s letter to the Lewis and Clark County commissioners, supporting this great project by RMEF that will open up new public land on the Rocky Mountain Front.

 

 

Block Management

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John elk

Montana hunters are in the heart of the general deer and elk season. Over the course of the year, hunters have been getting ready by sighting in rifles, organizing gear, and scouting areas to find a place with a chance to punch a tag.

Of course that critical element – a place to go – is vital for a successful hunt. Montana is blessed with millions of acres of public land, including national forests, Bureau of Land Management and state Wildlife Management Area lands that are open to the general public. Montana is also blessed with thousands of generous landowners who welcome hunters to their properties. Many landowners choose to open their gates through the popular Block Management program. A model throughout the country, Block Management has opened up more than 7.5 million acres across the state. Through the program, landowners allow public hunters onto their lands.

In return, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (through fees paid by hunters) provides services including enforcement, hunter management, and proper signage to help out landowners. The landowners also receive payments to help offset some of the impacts of hunters, including weed management. Each area has its own rules, and hunters need to check with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for information on specific Block Management Areas. Block Management is mentioned by hunters throughout the West as a great partnership. Residents and non-residents alike have come to rely on these areas throughout the state. The program not only opens up private lands but in many cases also provides access to adjoining public lands. It’s been a huge success and one that the Montana Wildlife Federation strongly supports. If you get out on a Block Management area this fall, be sure to thank the landowner. Hunters are still guests on these areas, and without them, we’d have less hunting opportunity.

Renewed Oil and Gas Leases Threaten Badger-Two Medicine

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Photo by Kendall Flint, President, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance

In recent months, the Badger-Two Medicine has been in the conservation limelight as renewed oil and gas leases threaten this sacred space. The Badger-Two Medicine is a wild landscape that holds historical, cultural, ecological, and religious significance to the people of Montana.  On October 30, sixteen diverse sportsmen organizations signed and sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke asking him to stand up for the Badger. Because of the high value of the Badger-Two Medicine Area, public and private interests have repeatedly come together to protect this vitally-important national resource and this time is no different. Alongside all those who value the Badge-Two Medicine, sportsmen are the among the most passionate advocates for this sacred space and will continue to advocate for the permanent protection of the Badger.

 

Gov. Bullock Protected Habitat Montana

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Horse Creek Easement 5 Gov. Steve Bullock stood up for private property rights, sportsmen and sportswomen and wildlife habitat with his move today to protect conservation easements under the Habitat Montana program.

Bullock filed a lawsuit today against Attorney General Tim Fox challenging his official opinion that Habitat Montana conservation easements must be approved by the state Land Board. Bullock pushed for the Montana Supreme Court to rule on the case, saying with the clock ticking on three easements it is imperative for the landowners and the Habitat Montana program that it make a quick ruling on the case.

“The Habitat Montana program is crucial for protecting habitat and improving public access through partnerships between hunters and landowners,” said Dave Chadwick, MWF executive director. “The conservation easements that Habitat Montana funds are essential to our wildlife herds, our farmers and ranchers for their businesses and our hunters. We must continue this program to keep Montana’s strong hunting heritage for everyone into the future.”

“I’m not a lawyer, so I defer to the legal experts at FWP and in the Governor’s office.  We thank Gov. Bullock for his action to keep Habitat Montana conservation easements moving forward.  With several easements in the works that must be completed by the end of the year, we’re hopeful that we get a quick resolution to this issue to give certainty to our farmers and ranchers who spend years working with FWP to plan easements.”

The case arose when the Land Board indefinitely delayed the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement near Wibaux. The 20,000-acre project was approved by Bullock when he determined Board approval isn’t required for conservation easements. Fox, in an Attorney General’s opinion last week, determined Board approval is required. An AG’s opinion is law until overturned by a court. Bullock in his suit is seeking a quick ruling from the Montana Supreme Court, saying it is imperative for three easements in the works that must be completed by the end of the year.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director

Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.