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Marcus Strange

MWF, anglers push for new fishing access site on the Bitterroot River in Stevensville

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Alec Underwood gives testimony at Stevensville town council.
Alec Underwood gives testimony at Stevensville town council.

It’s been nearly a month since the landowner of one of the most popular fishing access sites on the Bitterroot River locked out the general public from launching their boats there. This unfortunate situation was a result of an ongoing failed land swap negotiation in which the town would have to trade up to eight and a half acres of its park land to secure the access site. While some in the fishing community were ready to take the deal, many Stevensville locals spoke out against what they saw as an unfair trade.

Despite the land swap debate putting the fishing community and park-goers in a tough spot, a push by Stevensville Mayor Jim Crews to find a temporary access site on the town’s property became a new hope for restoring access.

MWF was quick to respond and after meeting with Crews at the proposed new site, Western Field Representative Alec Underwood garnered widespread support from Montana’s fly fishing community to find a new access site. Within three days, over 70 anglers, guides, outfitters, and business owners from around the state had signed on to a letter in support for finding a timely resolution.

Underwood submitted the letter to the town council during a meeting on Monday night where the council would decide whether or not to move forward with trying to develop an access site. Along with reading the letter aloud, Underwood emphasized the importance of finding a solution sooner than later.

“Many people in the fishing community understand that looking toward a different solution is not only the right thing to do, it will solve the issue more quickly than revisiting land swap negotiations. Now is the time to act on these alternatives that will work for all citizens,” Underwood said.

Several members of the public referenced the importance of the site as an economic driver for the town of Stevensville while speaking out against revisiting a land swap deal and in favor of moving toward other solutions. With the strong testimony, a motion by a town council member to put the land swap to a town vote in November died. In contrast, the decision to allow Crews to open a temporary access site on the town’s property was unanimously approved.

Pending the permit approval for site construction, Crews says that he may be able to have the access site constructed within two to three days and with little manipulation. While this will temporarily solve the access issue, FWP will also be assessing the viability of a permanent site on the west side of the river. MWF sees this decision as a step in the right direction for the town of Stevensville and for all those who fish the Bitterroot River.

The decision by the town would not have been possible without the support from the fly fishing community. We thank the many anglers, outfitters, guides, and shop owners who signed on in support of solving this issue and restoring access to the Bitterroot River in Stevensville.

Alec Underwood is Montana Wildlife Federation’s Western Field Representative. You can reach him at alec@mtwf.org

Make It Count for the Missouri Breaks

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Upper Missouri Breaks NM - CC License - Bob Wick
Upper Missouri Breaks NM – CC License – Bob Wick

With some of the best public land wildlife habitat in Montana, the Missouri Breaks is an essential part of our hunting heritage.

For the last 17 years, the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument has protected this land for future generations to hunt, float, and camp, while also preserving working ranches and other public land uses.

Unfortunately, the Interior Department has decided to reopen the books and investigate the Breaks, along with other national monuments around the country, with an eye toward reducing the size of the monument and rolling back its protection.

Two years of local effort went into protecting the Breaks, but they want to undo it with barely two months of public input.

Visit the link below to leave your comments on the national monument review. And do these three things to make sure your comments get the formal record:

1. Make it personal. The federal beancounters will do everything they can to ignore comments that they think are mass-produced. Make your comments specifically about the Missouri Breaks and why you value this land, so they know you are a real person who cares about a real place.

2. Provide specific examples of how reducing the size of the monument or limiting public access will impact your use of your public lands. The more specific you can be, the better.

3. Say why you are qualified to comment. This doesn’t have to mean that you have a professional or academic credential – it is just as important to have personal experience hunting, floating, or camping in the Breaks. Just make sure you specifically say that, so they know your voice matters.

Comment on the Breaks

Hunting Public Lands: The Missouri Breaks

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Bowhunting by Marcus Strange
Bowhunting by Marcus Strange

“I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the area where we were hunting. We were in what people who hunt refer to as “big country.” I was blown away by the grandeur of the towering buttes, the serenity of the golden plains, the mystery of the dark coulees, and the overall enormity of the public land we were privileged to hunt.”

While hunters of Montana eagerly await their draw results, here’s the story of MWF board member Marcus Strange on a successful Missouri Breaks archery hunt. This area is under a new BLM planning process, visit montanawildlife.org/lewistownrmp to learn more and get involved.

To read the full story visit http://urbantocountry.com/chasing-memories/

EXPERIENCING THE JOY OF HUNTING

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On a bright November day, unable to stay indoors a minute longer, I’m guiding two colleagues on a pheasant hunt – standing in as hunt master for my husband, Bruce.

Passing the last dense patch of winter berry, we’re near the end of the first push. Mark is enjoying the scenery. “Be ready!” I rasp, and, right on cue, a rooster explodes between us. Mark takes a fast shot, and connects.

Bird in hand, we’re relaxed, chatting, as we amble through short grass where there “are never” any pheasants, and a huge rooster flushes at our feet. We empty our guns and the bird flies out of range behind a tree. “Any sign of a hit?” I ask. Mark and Sam shake their heads glumly. I had glimpsed two tiny feathers in the air after my shot.

Believing the bird lost, we proceed. Below me, at the bottom of a spring creek, my dog, Violet, is digging into the brush. Suddenly there’s a squawk, and her face emerges full of pheasant. Since I had seen the feathers, I claim the bird!

My pre-Montana self would not recognize the person I am today. I grew up in the urban sprawl of northeast England; moved to New Zealand in my twenties, where I sang opera, enjoyed Shakespeare and frequented art-house movies.

And I was anti-gun. Until I met Bruce. It took him roughly five minutes to explain why he hunted; I was won over instantly. I’d always felt guilty about eating meat without engaging in the killing process, but here was an opportunity to source my own food – in an ancient, natural and sustainable way, in tune with the rhythms of life.

It didn’t hurt, either, that the first time I tried his 12 gauge, I hit the target, three times in a row. Shooting was fun!

Then the hard part began. I’d go out bird hunting, and make one mistake after another – I’d shoot from afar, swing my gun through someone when I stumbled. I’d be behind the push, or in front, not quite in sync and got yelled at a lot. When I did shoot, other people shot as well so I never knew if the bird was “mine”. Many times I’d want to run away in tears but I loved it too much to quit.

Eleven years later, I am an experienced and avid hunter, with more wild birds bagged than I care to recount. I am keen to pass on my skills to others. We have a beautiful property with wildlife galore. I am confident I can teach newcomers to become “safe and savvy hunters” more quickly than I did by trial and error. We’ve named our hunting school “Joy of Hunting”. We teach in a style that is conducive to women but are open to co-ed classes as well.

“Joy of Hunting” sums up why I hunt. Behind the sadness of taking a life is exhilaration, gratitude and joy. For me, it’s not about trophies but about a deep connection with Life.

Anne Kania is a professional classical singer who moved to Montana in 2007 and has re-invented herself as a hunter. She and her husband, Bruce, own a 340-acre property on the Yellowstone River in Shepherd, which is stewarded for uplands birds and fish, and from which they operate two businesses – Floating Island International, Inc. and Joy of Hunting.

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.