Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Montana 2010 Commissioners did...

What at their Feb 11 meeting?

Is there a local news link available...thanks...jim

I am not sure about a site to look at but I know they will be starting big game seasons on a Sat now, and something about a youth season for a weekend before the general season. Something along those lines.

I also read in the paper that the lead shot ban was shot down, but by a very small margin.

I like the Saturday start,makes it a real opening weekend instead of opening sunday. Better for a good hunt!

I found a story in the Helena paper, but no mention of the proposed changes to the non-resident draw procedures. I am mostly concerned about that...thanks...jim

Pretty sure they kept that as is, but not positive.

No lead shot ban as well.

I understand a bill has been proposed to ban outfitting in MT. Talked with my local rep. yesterday, she visited here at work, and she said that there is a lot of support for it. I told her if leasing hunting rights went away so would most, if not all, of the animosity toward outfitters. She seemed to think that sounded like a better idea - doubt anything will happen either way but I can dream.

From the MT.gov Fish, Wildlife & Parks section, here is the meeting agends:

Final License and Permit Allocation Process for Deer, Elk, and Antelope
Final 2010/2011 Deer/Elk/Antelope Hunting Seasons and HD Boundaries
Final 2010/2011 Moose/Sheep/Goat Hunting Seasons and HD Boundaries
Final 2010/2011 Black Bear Hunting Seasons and HD Boundaries
Final 2010/2011 Biennial Quota Ranges
Final 2010/2011 Bison Hunting Seasons and HD Boundaries
Final 2010/2011 Lion Hunting Seasons and HD Boundaries
Final 2010/2011 Upland Game Bird Regulations and Turkey Quotas
Final 2010/2011 Hunting Season Dates
Final 2010/2011 Game Damage/Management Season Quota Authorizations

The first item covered changing the procedure for non-resident applications for deer licenses inter alia so that we could apply directly for a special deer hunt without first applying for a combo license in March. The expectation is they would make that change in 2011...

jim

This is the only write-up I have seen...

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100212/NEWS01/2120321/1002/FWP-ends-late-elk-hunts

mudhen,

That article had more information than the articles in the Helena and Missoula papers, thanks for posting the link.

Any month now FWP will publish something I guess.

jim

There is NO bill to ban outfitting. mtmuley

According to her there is - maybe she is wrong - or maybe I misunderstood her and she was referring to a push for a bill to ban outfitting. Like I said, I don't have a problem with outfitters at all, leasing, on the other hand, is obnoxious. So is any law that gives favor to outfitters in any way, shape, or form in regards to the game that the people of MT own. No more leasing = far more access and opportunities.

ranger1, there's a citizens initiative called I-161, which if it gets the signatures, and passed in Nov. would take back the outfitter guaranteed tags. It would increase the average NR tag, but for a 1/3 of the NR the tags would be cheaper.

If her name was Jean, then I could believe that she told you the bill banned outfitting. She's not getting enough sympathy so she out and out lying to get public eye.

I just called FWP and the nice lady there said the Commission decided to kick the can down the road to 2011, so no action this year...jim