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Marcus Strange

Montana Sporting Coalition Defends Habitat Montana

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HB The Montana Sporting Coalition is made up of more than a dozen hunting and angling organizations with a deep commitment to our outdoor traditions. Our diverse interests means at times we disagree on specific issues. But we all recognize the vital role that habitat plays to all wildlife species, and we come together to protect vital areas for our big game, upland birds, waterfowl and for our fisheries. For that reason, the MT Sporting Coalition opposes HB 265.

This bill would require that the state Land Board approve all conservation easements on private land under the Habitat Montana program. This program is one of our state’s biggest conservation success stories. For over 30 years it has funded conservation easements with willing landowners, targeted fee title purchases of important winter range and other quality wildlife habitat.

Habitat Montana uses a small portion of hunting license fees, and it’s used to leverage federal and non-governmental dollars to fund habitat projects. It has an incredible track record of success. Last year the state Land Board unnecessarily delayed the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement near Wibaux. This quality, 15,000-acre project had been in the works for two years and went through an extensive review with Montana FWP staff. It was unanimously approved by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission. But the Land Board voted to indefinitely delay the project.

Finally, the governor approved the project after determining that conservation easements don’t require Land Board approval under state law. That was challenged by the Attorney General’s office, and the case was decided by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that easements, in fact, don’t require Land Board approval under the original intent of the Legislature when it created the Habitat Montana program.

MWF thanks our conservation partners for signing onto this letter to the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee against HB 265. We also thank the Stenson family, who put an easement on their land last year that guarantees permanent public hunting access and conserves the land, for making the drive to Helena and testifying.

Graveley-Warm Springs Conservation Easement Benefits Wildlife, Hunters

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WarmSprings
© NRDP

The Graveley-Warm Springs conservation easement will permanently protect more than 8,200 acres of prime wildlife habitat near Garrison. The property is a great mix of native grassland, wetlands, forested areas and aspen groves that sits along the eastern flanks of the Garnet Mountain Range. The project entails using $3.5 million in funding from the Natural Resource Damage Program, which was set up to compensate the state of Montana from the damage of mining in the Clark Fork River Basin.

But there’s more than just the land protection. The agreement includes permanent public hunting access to the property. That means more opportunity to pursue elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and antelope for public hunters. It’s a great conservation and access project that will have lasting benefits for future generations. MWF commends the Graveley family, NRDP staff and the non-governmental organizations that worked to put together this solid land deal. View MWF Graveley-Warm Springs Conservation Easements Letter of Support .

Support for Proposed Buxbaum-Boulder Creek Ranch Conservation Easement

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ALEC3 A proposed conservation easement located near Philipsburg would secure more than 1000 acres of public hunting access if approved by Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The Buxbaum-Boulder Creek Ranch easement, brokered by Five Valleys Land Trust, would protect 1,193 acres and allow hunting access in perpetuity. The ranch supports diverse wildlife habitat including important big game winter range as well as non-game species habitat, native grasslands, forested draws, pocket wetlands, and aspen stands.

The easement will be purchased using funds from the Montana Department of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Upon approval, the access portion of the easement would be transferred to FWP to administer hunting access. The proposed easement is adjacent to USFS lands.

MWF, Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, and Anaconda Sportsmen’s club wrote comments in support of the easement that will improve public hunting access and protect important wildlife habitat from development. Read the Letter of Support.

FWP will be accepting comments until January 18th.

Initiatives to Protect Important Montana Landscapes

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Blackfoot RAver

Important bills are awaiting action to provide protection for important lands and waters in Montana. Two of the most crucial are the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act.

The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act would permanently block mining in the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, just outside Yellowstone National Park. The bill has strong support from residents and businesses in the Paradise Valley and across Montana and has the support of Senator Tester, Senator Daines, and Representative Gianforte.  

The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act would add new wilderness lands in the headwaters above Seeley Lake while also supporting much-needed forest management activities and the development of more recreational trails. The bill is the product of more than a decade of local collaboration and enjoys strong local support, and it has been championed by Senator Tester. 

Even with a number of contentious national priorities on the agenda, our elected officials should be able to move forward bills with such broad support.  MWF will be working hard to make sure that the voice of Montana’s hunters, anglers, and other conservationists are heard in the final days of this Congress. And if anything does not pass before the end of December, we stand ready to raise these issues again in 2019.

Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area

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SpottedDog

Just west of MacDonald Pass lies the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Consisting of nearly 38,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat, this land was placed in the public trust ensuring quality wildlife habitat and increasing hunter opportunity in an area where access is shrinking. MWF strongly supported acquiring the Spotted Dog WMA and believed that this acquisition would permanently conserve and provide recreational opportunity for thousands of Montanas. This fall, I chose to see this country for the first time while hunting for elk.

We struck out in the dark. It was snowing and the moon reflected off each flake, making our headlights unnecessary. We trudged along, cutting a trail through the freshly fallen snow. After two miles we reached our destination, a saddle where a swath of open meadows meandered between thick stands of pines. As we stood in the stillness, snow falling, our breath suspended in the air, an elk stepped into the meadow.

First one elk, then another stepped into the clearing. With no cover available, we dropped into the snow to blend in as much as possible. Moving quickly I dropped my pack and propped my rifle on the frame. But the elk had become conscious of our presence and, giving no shot, turned and made their way up the hill. My heart sank. Out of nowhere, two more elk wander into the meadow. I settled back in, took in a breath, let it out, and squeezed.

SpottedDog2 This hunt, like so many others, was made up of moments when things when right that could have gone wrong. But for me, the moment that defines this hunt and that I can stop thinking about was the moment when the Spotted Dog WMA became public land in perpetuity. That conservation effort made my moment on that snowy hillside possible and has provided similar opportunities for so many other Montanans. The efforts to secure and open access to public lands must continue, or future generations will miss out on opportunities such as this. We should not begrudge them their moment in time.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Elk Campaign Manager

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.