Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Wolf Trapping: Montana FWP May Have Violated Public Participation Laws

Toolelk - I know your comment was pointed at Buzz, but I will add my insight from the experience of being there at the last legislative session.

I don't get my information from MWF. I get it from the legislative website, by downloading and reading the bills, then going to Helena way too often to testify in the House and Senate FWP/F&G committees. I get it from meeting and swapping emails with legislators.

The last legislative session was an assault on hunters/anglers/access. The two decisions of the Commission last week only serve to make this upcoming session even worse than the last one.

And no, that is not MWF propaganda. No, I did not vote for I-161. No, I don't belong to MWF.

Yes, I am fed up with the onslaught the fringe elements of the Republican party seem to put on hunters/anglers/access every two years. I hate to have to call it that way, as I am a very conservative person, but that is how it has been for the last four or five sessions. Too bad.

A quick look at who the majority leadership appointed to chair and serve on the FWP/F&G committees, shows what is in store. Why they stack those committees with people so polarizing on hunting/fishing/access issues is beyond me. In doing so, it is hard to believe that they view those issues as anything other than political bait. The people they stacked on those Committees this session are some of the furthest fringe on these issues.

And then, as if the road ahead did not difficult enough, the Commission does dumb stuff like they did last week to make the far fringe of the legislature even more keen on hammering hunters/anglers/access. Regardless of the upcoming session issues, stupid Commission decisions such as these do nothing to help the process.

Gonna be ugly. No other way to put it.

Hey Randy, heard you briefly on NPR's "to The Point" last week... obviously heavily edited, but at least good job trying to get "our" point across.

Yeah, heavily edited. But, you expect as much when you deal with national media. So, I load them with as much as I can to explain the importance of these wolf hunts. Obviously they will pick those of my points they want, in whatever context they want.

Big Fin - yes, the "lectures" from Buzz are right out of MWF's playbook. I was also there and admit to complete frustration - same with the commission meetings. I think Ingwe has it right. Throw in the groups that claim to welcome all sportsmens' groups (I was at that one too) for a salient discussion of the issues and the field becomes way too narrow. Time to get all the players in one room - no agendas, no logos, no political affiliation. I know....more unicorn dreams.

I understand.

The "bias" in the national media (any media really) shows not so much in what is reported, but what is left on the editing room floor so to speak.

Still, despite the hosts obvious lack of understanding about hunting, wolves, the West, etc., the show did a passing job trying to present all sides, more than can be said for most.

Regardless, good job representing our interests in a reasonable manner.

Yes, along with Brad, thank you Randy.

I know he's right. At the same meeting the commission debated and voted on buying at ranch on the Mild River. Sportsman had testified that this needed a month long comment period as there were concerns on the price and who was footing the bill. It was found out later that the commission already had their minds made up and it was approved by a 4-1 vote with Moody the nay. So nothing testified there meant squat to this commission.

More info here: http://www.montanasportsmenalliance.com/news-and-clips/

FWP LAND RANKING FOR 2012

Heritage Act

Another article on the Milk River Ranch purchase

MSA Letter to FWP Commissioners

Milk River Ranch Purchase

That particular item just makes me want to puke. [bleep] bullschit of the highest order.

Was down visiting last month-talked to a friend in Big Sandy who said the whole state's getting bought up. What are these purchases and is access being shut down?

kroo88, the purchases I was referencing are being bought by the State FW&P's with money raised by the sales of sportsman licenses.

The problem with this purchase was it was ranked 15Th on a list of 1 to 15 with 1 being the most important.

I'm in favor of land purchases for us to hunt, and fish on. We just need the best bang for our buck.

Indeed Montana is being bought by the rich and famous. It's really important to get what we can for sportsman.

Basically the state bought ground that will ideally provide more hunting access for the public. Which is a good thing right?

Except they waaaayyy overpaid, and the ground isn't worth much as a recreational area to begin with. The whole deal was back door, and smells very bad. I live in the area, and can't tell you one local resident who has a good thing to say about it. [bleep] the sellers and [bleep] the buyers.

Hey, that sounds just like the APF buyout over this direction!



grin

I own a cutover 40 that butts-up against the Spotted Dog WMA. Through the course of past 18 months, I have had to deal with access, buffalo relocation, trespass, surveying, encroachment and fence re-location issues. From firsthand experience, I can assure you that having Fish, Wildlife and Parks as your new neighbor can be a pain in the ass. CP.

Hope it gets better for you Chris, that sounds like a pain.


I don't own any land but see first hand the constant headache it creates.


Good neigbbors help a great deal.

And it is just beginning...

http://billingsgazette.com/news/sta...95120df-49ef-53bd-8d6b-d396e85a4d94.html

Yeah Toolelk, I heard that on the radio this morning.

Bunch of pissed off 'neighbors'.

There are even going to be closures over around here because of the ongoing bullchit.


I talked to a guy that has bunch of land enrolled in BM and he is pulling out next year. He said I could still go hunt but does not want to associate with FWP in any way.
That's mostly over the buff but the land buying isn't helping relations.


And to be clear there aren't any hard feelings with the local FWP staff/wardens. The message is being sent to the ones pulling the strings.

FWP has got the bullchit 'thank you' ads playing on the radio.


PR move, I wonder why?

2 relocated Jellystone wolves shot on the north side of Cypress Hills Sask this week. Who do i send the collars to. LOL.

Same S H i T happening up here. Land that can only run 4 pairs per quarter has gone form 35K TO 100K in the last 2 years. This is the same land that guys lost their arses on at 70k ,30 years ago. China??

$10 million to run 400 head.


You'd go broke in a hurry.