HB 265, sponsored by Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, would require the state Land Board approve conservation easements under the Habitat Montana program. This program has protected more than 880,000 acres of crucial habitat including winter range for big game and opened those lands to permanent public hunting access. Lands projects go through extensive review by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, independent appraisers, and finally through the Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Last year the Land Board injected politics into the program and indefinitely delayed the Horse Creek easement near Wibaux. That put at risk 20,000 acres of excellent mule deer, antelope, and bird hunting and threatened the future of a Montana ranch family to stay on their land.
The state Supreme Court ruled easements don’t require Land Board approval, and are complete when the Fish and Wildlife Commission approves them. HB 265 would undo that, and re-inject politics into wildlife management & private property rights decisions. The bill passed the House and is now going to the Senate.
The Montana Legislature was back in full swing this week following the brief transmittal break. As we enter the second half of the session, the budget for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is in good shape after passing the House and other good bills continue to move forward.
As always, MWF staffers and our lobbyist were in the Capitol to make sure our voices were heard. And it’s having an effect. Our work this past week included a lobby day in which more than a dozen volunteer activists showed up to speak about our key bills on access, habitat protection and on a resolution affecting elk management.
Here are the highlights from the week.
Camo at the Capitol and HB 265
MWF joined a half dozen other sporting groups to host a “Camo in the Capitol” lobby day for sportsmen and sportswomen. It was a big success, with hunters and anglers showing up from Butte, Anaconda, Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and as far as Glasgow to get a quick lobby training and then head to the Capitol to lobby on a total of five bills.
The day included a working lunch with the governor’s staff, FWP Director Martha Williams and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney to talk about our bills this session on improving public access, sage grouse conservation and on elk management.
The day was completed when the sportsmen and sportswomen attended the Senate Fish and Game Committee for the hearing on HB 265 (Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman) which would undo last year’s state Supreme Court ruling that Land Board approval is not required for Habitat Montana conservation easements.
MWF and our affiliates worked hard on the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement and the Supreme Court case. It’s important because landowners need certainty that when they begin the lengthy process of negotiating an easement with FWP, it will be completed once the Fish and Wildlife Commission approves it.
Trapping Setbacks
HB 552, (Rep. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls) would have barred in state law the ability for Montana FWP to establish setbacks for traps on closed roads on public lands. This is a recipe to set up numerous conflicts with recreational users because snowshoers, cross country skiers, bird and lion hunters and numerous other people use these roads for recreation. And many bring their dogs with them, which means the bill would set up these closed roads to have dogs getting caught in traps.
The bill had been tabled but was revived this week in the House FWP committee. It came out amended but was still a recipe to create conflict between trappers and the non-trapping recreational users. The bill died on the House floor Friday 50-50. MWF supports trapping but also understands that its future will be dependent on resolving conflicts between trappers and the non-trapping public.
Other Bills Advance
A host of other bills continue to move forward this session. They include: HB 29 Revise bird hunting dog laws (Rep. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton); HB 205 Revising laws related to fish pond licenses (Rep. Ray Shaw, R-Sheridan); HB 239 Allow special drawing refunds to be redirected to block management program (Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula); HB 432 Allow bonus points for limited fishing licenses, tags, and permits (Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula)
MWF supports all of the bills.
FWP Budget
Montana FWP’s operating budget, in HB 2, came out of the House Appropriations committee in really good shape this week. The bill is the main portion of the budget for the agency and includes several strong provisions that MWF supported.
Among them are two grizzly bear management specialist positions, who will help manage grizzly bears and work to prevent conflicts with livestock and other issues. In addition, the budget includes a new staff position as a wildlife planner for deer and elk. MWF supports revamping the 2004 statewide elk management plan, and FWP needs the staff to do it.
HB 2 also includes new equipment that FWP staff needs. That list includes new boats, off-road vehicles, and two new helicopters to conduct wildlife counts.
Thanks again for being a member of MWF’s Legislative Action Team. Please encourage friends and family to join, and stay engaged as we continue to move through the session. As we move closer to the end, MWF will continue to work in the Capitol every day for our public wildlife, habitat and to improve public access.
When FWP’s Automated License System was created, smartphones didn’t exist and people were searching the web with Alta Vista. It doesn’t make sense to use a 20-year-old system for selling hunting and fishing licenses, managing permits, and collecting data. HB 10 includes funding for a long overdue upgrade to the ALS – which won’t cost taxpayers anything because it will be paid for with hunter/angler license fees. MWF joined a broad coalition of sporting groups in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging passage of this needed system.
Last December, President Trump announced that protections will be removed from the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. He is also considering similar changes to several other national monuments.
Your generous donation supports Montana Wildlife Federation’s work conserving our wildlife, wild places, and hunting and angling opportunities for current and future generations.
A new bill introduced today by Senator Jon Tester will help address Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) – a debilitating and always-fatal neurological disease in deer, elk and moose that threatens big game populations and hunting opportunities in Montana and nationwide. The disease was detected in Montana in 2017 and has been confirmed in 26 states so far.
The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act will authorize $35 million funding for state and tribal wildlife agencies to take action in response to CWD. It also authorizes $25 million in funding for practical research to understand and respond to the disease.
“Chronic Wasting Disease is a threat to Montana’s big game, our hunting opportunity, and ultimately our outdoor economy,” said Dave Chadwick, executive director of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “Senator Tester’s bill will marshal the resources that our wildlife managers need to fully understand this disease and rapidly respond to outbreaks.”
“Chronic Wasting Disease is a clear and present danger to North America’s deer, elk, and moose herds, and the hunters and communities that depend on them,” said Mike Leahy, director of Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing Policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “But even though the disease has continued to spread, there’s been a lack of urgency in our federal leadership. That promises to change, with these plans to provide states and tribes the support required to respond to this critical threat to America’s wildlife.”
A companion bill to Senator Tester’s bill was also introduced today in the House of Representatives by Reps. Ron Kind and Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin.
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.
