News - Montana Wildlife Federation

Commission to set hunting seasons in busy meeting

August 2, 2021February 13, 2018 by Guest Profile

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.

Wild Dinner Highlights the Locavore Movement

July 2, 2020February 12, 2018 by Sonya Smith

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 Residents Defend Public Land Protections

August 2, 2021February 8, 2018 by Guest Profile

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

Resolving Conflicts Between Landowners & Hunters

July 2, 2020January 22, 2018 by Alec Underwood

Montana Wildlife Federation President Bill Geer has been reappointed to the Private Land/Public Wildlife Council for another term. It’s an important group that brings together landowners, hunters, conservation groups and other interests to work on the tough issues surrounding public hunting access to private lands.

Geer, who ran the state of Utah’s wildlife agency during his career as a professional wildlife biologist, brings a wealth of experience to the position. He understands the intricacies of managing a public trust resource – wildlife – that often lives on private land. And he understands the delicate balance that’s needed between hunters and landowners to effectively manage deer, elk and other game species. We’re looking forward to productive discussions within the council, and know that Montana’s hunters will be well represented with Geer serving on it.

Support the Rule of Law and Your Public Land

July 2, 2020January 19, 2018 by Alec Underwood

Today the Montana Wildlife Federation joined the Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Human Rights Network, Montana Conservation Voters, and the National Wildlife Federation in issuing the following statement about the anti-government meeting planned for this weekend in Paradise, Montana:

The rule of law and access to our public lands are integral to how Montanans live, work, and play together as good neighbors.

This weekend, a group of extremists, including Cliven Bundy, are gathering in our backyard to advocate violating both of these core Montana principles.

Cliven Bundy and his colleagues have a record of breaking the law, not taking responsibility for their actions, and not being held responsible. Even though a mistrial was declared against Mr. Bundy for his armed 2014 standoff, he still has a 20+ year record of illegally trespassing on America’s public lands and refusing to comply with court orders to halt his behavior.

Mr. Bundy defends his illegal behavior by proclaiming “I don’t recognize the US government as even existing” and calling the United States a “foreign government.” He has publicly declared “I abide by almost zero federal laws”, which is borne out by his repeated refusal to comply with legal court orders. He holds many other radical views, including the idea that slavery was good for African-Americans.

Mr. Bundy will be joined by several other other anti-government extremists, including Roger Roots. Roots has a long history with white nationalism and advocates radical concepts like “jury nullification”, an eccentric and dangerous theory that juries should ignore the law.

Most troubling, at least one Montana lawmaker has indicated that she intends to attend this event: State Senator Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls). Senator Fielder is well-known as an extremist within her own party, but standing alongside someone who ignores the law and rejects the American judicial system and the very existence of the federal government is beyond the pale.

The stakes are high in Sanders County. In addition to this weekend’s gathering of extremists, one Bundy militia member found guilty in Oregon is a Plains, Montana, resident due for sentencing on the 24th. Montana lawmakers and law enforcement officials have a duty to protect and uphold the rule of law, not entertain extremists.

We are asking reasonable Montanans to stay away from the Bundy meeting and not fuel the conflict. Instead of playing who-has-a-bigger-gun with these extremists, we are asking people to support the law and public lands by taking three actions:

Contact State Senator Jennifer Fielder and ask her to state her position on the multiple legal rulings against Mr. Bundy and if she believes he should be required to comply with court orders or not.

Contact Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, and ask them to support the peaceful rule of law and hold lawbreakers accountable.

Sign on this statement of support for the rule of law and public access to public land

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director