It’s not a joke. The threat that feral swine pose to Montana’s wildlife, habitat and to our agricultural industry is very real. And it’s very pressing, with reports that feral swine are well established within a few miles of the Montana-Canada border in Saskatchewan.
Across the United States, feral swine cause an estimated $1.5 billion in crop and private property damage. They do a tremendous amount of damage to habitat by digging. And they kill numerous native mammals, amphibians, and birds. Feral swine, which are descended from Eurasian wild boar but also can descend from domestic pigs that become feral, also carry numerous diseases and parasites that are a threat to livestock, pets, and humans.
In 2015, MWF stood with our friends in the agricultural community to pass a bill to make it illegal to transport, or possess feral swine in Montana. It was the right thing to do. In Montana, we value our native wildlife populations and the world-class hunting and wildlife watching opportunities they offer. We live in a state with a dozen native big game species. We value these incredible resources and work to conserve them every day. We also value our agricultural producers and the contribution they make to our economy, as well as the private habitat they provide for our public wildlife.
The law passed in 2015 was very carefully crafted. We don’t allow the hunting of feral swine because we don’t want to develop a constituency for them, as we’ve seen in other states with feral swine populations. But landowners can kill them on sight if they’re threatening livestock or property.
The best solution to feral swine is to keep them out of Montana in the first place. Feral swine are found in an estimated 38 states, and we want to keep Montana on the list of states that don’t have them.
We hear folks say all the time, “I have been doing it this way my whole life” or “it never used to be this way”. The concept of time, or rather the way humans perceive and remember the passage of time, is a fascinating sociological topic. People today can easily tell you what they remember the world was like for them when they were kids, or when their grandparents were growing up.
We recognize that a lot has changed for civilized humans in the last 150 years as technological development has allowed for human populations to continue to propagate. Rapid population growth has consequently shrunk our ability to share resources and enlarged our land use footprint. We have cell phones with satellite technology and computers that can do the work of a hundred people in a matter of seconds. We now see fifty years as only a halfway point in an average human lifespan, when a century ago many people would have been grateful to live to fifty. While most people are well aware that a lot of has changed in the last couple of centuries, it appears to be much more difficult to apply that awareness outside of our own memories.
Prior to European expansion onto the plains, grizzly bears, wolves, elk, bison, and many other species of wildlife roamed huge swaths of the North American continent. Over millions of years, these species evolved to live in the open prairies of North America, to find sustainability with each other and indigenous people for food, space, and survival. Then in a relatively short span of time, European settlers disrupted the equilibrium that had been in place for centuries. Westward settlement quickly upset the established balance and threw new weight into the mix. With time, knowledge and a steep learning curve, we are beginning to discover if it is possible to restore a balance or stability to North American ecosystems. This dynamic will never be the same as it once was, and people today contribute to the scales in ways we never had before. Does this mean that we will never be able to find a balance again? Is there no longer enough room for bears, wolves, bison or elk in the world we now dominate?
Humans and wildlife can co-exist, and not only co-exist but that we can find a new paradigm that allows all wildlife to find their equilibrium again in our current ecological system. This will take some time, however in the grand scheme of things, very little time. Elk have already adapted to life as primarily a forest dwelling species. Similarly, grizzly bear and wolf populations in the lower 48 states have rebounded from almost non-existent numbers by taking re-establishing in remote forested landscapes. These mammals as species, and as individuals, continue to have their own steep learning curve to deal with, without having the benefit of remembering “how it used to be”, or a book to reference their previous history. They only have instinct and us to help guide them towards coexistence and thus survival. We as people have to remember that it took generations for them, and us, to evolve to the point we are at now.
We need to give wildlife a chance to adapt. The way it used to be for them, is not what we remember. In the progression of time, five, ten or even fifty years is not very long, but might be the time it takes for recovering species such as grizzly bears and wolves to find their place on the balance of scales that we have the power to manipulate.
By Sara Sylte
Sara Sylte works for the Wildlife Management Institute to support Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the USDA Forest Services and US Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to conserve grizzly bears.
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.
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.
As the session winds down, and the bills that MWF has worked on over the last four months are dead, passed or indefinitely postponed, we can say that Montana’s wildlife and public access programs had a good year. Between the budget, House Bill 5 and House Bill 10, more than $35 million in new spending authority for better equipment and facilities for FWP is moving forward, as is the funding for a new Automated Licensing System (the current one is 20 years old!). Habitat Montana funding remains strong and intact, while the Upland Gamebird Enhancement Program and Governor’s tag funding all will be going where it needs to go: toward habitat improvement and acquisition.
Protecting FWP Data Revived
The House FWP committee this week reconsidered SB 349 (Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena). The bill makes it illegal to use specific GPS wildlife location data compiled by FWP to hunt or harass wildlife. This bill is important because FWP biologists need to collect wildlife data to map seasonal use, migration routes, denning sites, and other valuable scientific data. At the same time, that data should not be used to give a hunter an unfair advantage by showing the exact location of an animal. It violates the spirit of fair chase hunting, which is ingrained in Montana’s sporting heritage.
SB 349 had been tabled in the House FWP committee, but this week it was brought off the table. It passed second reading in the House and is up for the third reading next week. MWF is glad the Legislature took this important step in maintaining our heritage.
Wildlife Data Study
Another bill that calls for an interim study of how FWP handles its wildlife data passed out of the Senate Fish and Game and floor this week. SJ 30 (Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena) would set up a study by the Legislature to take a thorough look at FWP’s wildlife data, how it’s handled and how or whether it should be shared with the public. The bill is a solid step to determine whether FWP can restrict the dissemination of that data, and if so which section of state law it should go into. The resolution passed the Senate Fish and Game committee and awaits floor action.
PAL Act Headed To The Governor
The Public Access Land act, SB 341 (Sen. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell) passed the House this week and is heading to the governor’s desk. The bill sets up grants to fund access agreements with willing landowners to inaccessible parcels of public land.
This bill is a solid win for public landowners, access advocates and those who wish to see tensions between landowners and outdoor enthusiasts ease. It was drafted with significant input from the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, MWF, Montana Trout Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Farm Bureau and the Montana Association of Land Trusts. This is how legislation should be done, in a coalition of stakeholders who come to the table in an honest effort to address an issue in a manner that respects all interests and rights.
There have been concerns that these agreements could be used to undercut existing prescriptive easements and harm public access. That’s why we made sure that there was accountability built into the bill to help ensure that this gaming of the program won’t occur. Three accountability measures to safeguard the public’s property, whether that be roads or public lands, were deliberately inserted into the bill.
Rulemaking: FWP has broad powers to make rules related to the programs the legislature enacts. While no outcome can be guaranteed, we want to assure our members that MWF and our affiliates, including the Public Land/Water Access Association, will be heavily involved in the rulemaking for the bill to ensure that there is a review of projects and that projects that would entail roads in dispute do not move forward.
Review: In addition, projects must be reviewed and recommended by the Private Land/Public Wildlife Council. This gives the public an opportunity to provide comment on the proposed agreements and weigh in before going to the Director of FWP for their approval or denial.
Final Approval: The final decision rests with the Director of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The PAL act was modeled off of the Block Management statutes. That program has opened up over 7 million acres of private land to hunters. As with any program, bad apples can try to take advantage of any loophole, real or perceived. If that happens, we’ll be back at the Legislature working on improving the act. The funding for the act is limited to 2 years as well, so the program will need to come back to the Legislature to prove its worth in order to get the funding to continue. That’s the final level of accountability that was built into the bill.
The PAL act brought together a diverse group of interests from both parties, and we’re confident it will be another tool to help improve public access.
Wolf Licensing Bills
A pair of bills to lower the cost of resident wolf licenses passed the Senate this week and are heading to the governor. HB 280 and HB 407 (Rep. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls) are both meant to get more wolf hunters in the field. HB 280 would make it possible for Montana hunters who buy a sportsman’s license to add on a wolf tag for $10. HB 407 would lower the cost of wolf licenses from the current $19 to $12. MWF is thankful to Chairman Brown for working closely with us on these bills.
Habitat Montana Bill Veto Requested
This week MWF helped rally our partners in the Montana Sporting Coalition to send a letter to Gov. Bullock requesting that he veto HB 265 (Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman). The bill would require state Land Board approval for Habitat Montana conservation easements. We saw last year the problem with that when politics were injected into the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement near Wibaux after a ranch family spent two years working out the details of the project with FWP.
That project permanently opened up 20,000 acres of public hunting in excellent habitat. The state Supreme Court in December ruled that board approval is not required, and never was intended by the Legislature when it created Habitat Montana more than 30 years ago.
State Parks, Trails Get A Boost
SB 24 (Sen. Terry Gauthier, R-Helena) passed the House this week and is heading to the governor. The bill increases the optional fee on motor vehicles from the current $6 to $9. The fee was set in 2003 and has been a big boost to state parks. The bill will pump roughly $2 million more per year into our parks, while also benefiting trails across the state. It brought together a broad coalition of sportsmen and sportswomen, conservation groups, health interests, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce and communities across the state who all value the quality of life that trails bring to all Montanans.
Those are the highlights as we wrap up the 2019 Legislature. MWF continues to be present to make sure the voice of hunters, anglers and wildlife conservationists is heard in the Capitol. Look for a thorough breakdown of all the bills this session in the coming weeks, and remember that our Bill Tracker continues to be updated in real time.
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.
