This project would protect in perpetuity more than 15,000 acres of private ranchland from development, and keep it in a working cattle operation. It would forever open up nearly 20,000 acres of private and public land to quality hunting for mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope and upland birds. And it would still allow the holder of the mineral rights to responsibly develop those rights while giving the landowner a seat at the table to ensure it’s well planned and thoughtful.
The whole proposal would be paid for largely with hunter license dollars through Habitat Montana, one of our state’s most successful conservation and access programs. It’s truly an exemplary project that won the unanimous support of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission this month. But last week the state Land Board kicked the can down the road and delayed Horse Creek. Please contact the board and tell members to support this easement that supports our agricultural economy, our wildlife, and our hunting heritage.
Working farms and ranches are good for our state’s agricultural economy, good for wildlife, good for hunters and ultimately good for Montana.
Keeping traditional farm and ranch families on their land benefits is a tough proposition. Market swings in commodity prices, weather, and development pressures – it all adds up to plenty of reasons why it’s a challenge today. But one tool that gives farmers and ranchers a boost and helps them pass their operations onto future generations is a conservation easement.
One such project just sailed through the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission in a unanimous vote to use Habitat Montana funding to purchase a conservation easement. The Horse Creek Complex conservation easement would protect more than 15,000 of ranch land in eastern Montana. And combined with public land that is inside the boundary and adjoins the ranch, nearly 20,000 acres of land would be opened up for public hunting access.
This property is a hunter’s dream. It’s a mix of rolling hardwood draws and native grasslands, badlands, and large-scale sagebrush grasslands. An easement on the property would protect these lands from development, and maintain the incredible habitat that supports an abundance of wildlife.
The ranch holds mule deer and white-tailed deer in the bottoms, antelope, and occasional has elk pass through. It’s excellent habitat for upland game birds, including sage grouse in several areas that includes leks. And it’s strong habitat for numerous non-game species of native wildlife, including songbirds.
That kind of intact, native habitat equals hunting opportunity. The landowners commit to providing 600 hunter days per year, which would open up land in an area that is largely private property and has limited hunting opportunity for the public.
The easement would cost $6.15 million and be funded through a combination of Habitat Montana hunter license fee dollars, as well as federal Natural Resources Conservation Service funds. These are the kind of public investments that support our agricultural economy, our wildlife, and our hunting heritage.
The project comes before the Montana State Land Board on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in Room 303 of the state Capital in Helena.
Read Montana Wildlife Federations comment letter to Gov. Bullock and the Montana State Land Board Members.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will set the seasons for hunting for the next two years in a jam-packed agenda that includes a major conservation easement and several fisheries issues.
The Commission on Thursday will finalize the 2018-2019 hunting seasons for most big game species. This includes deer, elk, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lions, wolves and more. The proposals lay out what animals can be legally killed in each district, quota ranges by district, and season dates.
In addition, the Commission will consider adopting an annual review of the elk shoulder seasons, which are rifle seasons that are printed in the hunting regulations that run outside of the general season and can run from Aug. 15 to Feb. 15. Commissioners will also adjust several hunting district boundary adjustments, set quotas for game damage and special Chronic Wasting Disease hunts.
The Horse Creek Complex Conservation Easement is also before the Commission for final approval. This project near Wibaux would protect more than 15,000 acres from development, and open up more than 18,000 acres of habitat – and public hunting opportunity – for mule deer, sage-grouse, antelope, upland birds and waterfowl. This project is another great example of the work that Habitat Montana does for Montana’s wildlife and hunters.
The Commission will also act on a recommendation to hold off on a grizzly bear hunt this year. They will consider a letter reaffirming their support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill currently before Congress that would provide $1.3 billion nationwide to state wildlife agencies, including $29 billion to Montana FWP, to help conserve at-risk wildlife and preempt listings under the Endangered Species Act.
As at every Commission meeting, Montana Wildlife Federation staff will attend the meeting to track the discussion and comment on key issues. MWF volunteers will also be on hand at regional offices to offer public comments.
The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Montana WILD center, 2668 Broadwater Ave. in Helena. The public can also go to any of the seven Montana FWP Regional headquarters to make comments.
The public can also listen in by going to www.fwp.mt.gov.
The elk was local food. So too was the white-tailed deer, antelope and trout. And there was more than just game meat dishes that came from local products.
The third annual Wild Dinner last Friday drew more than 60 people to Free Ceramics Helena, where a feast of locally produced game meat dishes, breads and vegetable dishes awaited the crowd on a cold night. The event is a joint effort put on by the Montana Wildlife Federation, Alternative Energy Resources Organization and Helena Hunters and Anglers.
It’s meant to feature the contribution that game meat makes to kitchen tables throughout Montana, but also the fact that locally produced food includes a variety of grains, vegetables and other products, such as honey and locally raised livestock. It’s part of the growing “localvore” movement in which people work to consume as much food as possible from their own gardens, from the bounty of wildlife we enjoy and from local sources.
That included local beer. Ten Mile Creek Brewery in Helena donated a keg of its Queen City Pale Ale. It complimented the big variety of local foods perfectly.
The night included a brief talk by MWF Conservation Director Nick Gevock on how hunting fits in with the localvore movement, and how it’s helping to recruit a new generation of hunters. That’s crucial for wildlife conservation as we continue to build on the work that hunters and anglers have done for decades to promote abundant wildlife and the habitat it depends on.
Ravalli County commissioners were forced to move the location of their meeting Wednesday morning as hundreds of public land supporters showed up to voice their concerns about Senator Steve Daines bill the “Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act” (S.2206). The legislation would strip protective status for nearly half a million acres of public lands across the state.
In Ravalli County, the Sapphire and Blue Joint Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) provide for unique backcountry hunting and fishing opportunities and key habitat for fish and wildlife. This secure roadless habitat is important for deer and elk populations that summer there and eventually migrate to lower elevations. More importantly, the clean, cold water that comes from these areas are vital to native trout populations and iconic blue ribbon trout streams like Rock Creek and the Bitterroot River.
At Wednesday’s meeting, over 50 people spoke out against Senator Daines legislation and called for a transparent public process to determine the fate of the WSA’s. MWF President Bill Geer said “This meeting and hearing should have been held by Senator Daines before it ever got to this point,” referring to the fact that Daines had not held one public meeting in regards to his bill before it was written.
Montanans deserve better than a Washington DC written bill that does not incorporate the voices of sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists. Take action today and visit www.ourlandourlegacy.org to see how you can help.
Alec Underwood
MWF Western Field Representative
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.
