Big Game Needs Big Country

[Gimphunter]

On board

Got to keep gods country for the little guys!
It's nice to see a 4 year old say WOW DAD thats awsome are there some gig buck up there ?

 

[The Hedgehog]

Thanks for the support, guys. Much appreciated.

Here is a sample of businesses and groups who are supporting this bill.

Didn't see the woolgrowers, MOGA, SCI, SFW, or Citizens for Imbalanced Use on there.

 

[montanadogs]

Signed. Thanks to all those who are putting up the good fight. The front does need saving.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Send your message directly to Congressman Steve Daines as well.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Didn't see the woolgrowers, MOGA, SCI, SFW, or Citizens for Imbalanced Use on there.

Great Falls Chapter of SCI has endorsed the Heritage Act. But that's it.

SFW has been on multiple press releases deriding the Act. MOGA has not taken a position and CBU strongly opposes and protection for public lands.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Signed.

Question: Do you think the areas that are proposed to be added to the wilderness will have the same hunting regs as the current wilderness? If so, good or bad?

Also, what's the proposed price tag on the bill overall?

Randy's right: Hunting regs are unlikely to change. We crafted the bill with input from wildlife managers to ensure that we wouldn't reduce hunter opportunity or interfere with the work that goes on along the Front. In fact, if anything, this bill will preserve long seasons and liberal opportunity by maintaining the habitat as it is now: Roadless.

98% of the RMF is inventoried Roadless. While this bill does not close any roads, and in fact grandfathers in existing routes, it does help maintain habitat connectivity by placing reasonable sideboards on what the FS can and cannot do in relation to trail building, etc.

It also has a provision to expand the scope of the FS Noxious Weed program so that they continue the good work that's been started under District Ranger Mike Munoz to coordinate and tackle the weed issue with the help of local ranchers & farmers, County Commissions and Weed districts & Roundtables, ensuring both continued good grazing for livestock & habitat for wildlife.

The fiscal impact of this bill is negligent at best. There is no appropriation with the bill, so it technically doesn't cost the Gov't any money. There are some redirection of funding sources for things like weed management, but that is also being offset through grants through the NRCS, etc. PILT payments will increase slightly the first year of implementation, but will return to their current levels (IIRC) due to the increase of wilderness acreage.

There is no timber production on the front, the oil boom that everyone hoped for has fizzled yet again (I think this was the 4th or 5th promised boom) and Randy is correct, the Front hosts a hunting economy that rivals Ag for dominance. Over $11 million annually is spent by Bird hunters, Elk hunters, fisherman, and sheep hunters.

 

[JLS]

Signed, picture of Scapegoat Mountain.

 

[JLS]

Headquarters Pass

 

[npaden]

Just signed it. I was # 1,000.

Only negative was that it then wanted me to sign a gay marriage petition and sign up for a DNC newsletter.

I sure wish that being a supporter of public land hunting and conservation rights wouldn't lead to the assumption that you would also support gay marriage and the DNC.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Just signed it. I was # 1,000.

Nice! Let's see if we can hit 1200 by Monday.

https://www.change.org/petitions/back-the-front

 

[MTGunner]

We are blessed to live in Montana...

Signed. MTG

 

[Danvet]

Signed and feel good about it!

 

[DreaminofMT6X6s]

Just signed, hope it's not too late!

 

[Pierre]

Still not too late folks.

 

[Caleb_The_Carnivore]

Done and done

 

[Ben Long]

Thanks Big Fin and all. God didn't make any country finer than the Rocky Mountain Front. Let's not screw it up.

 

[Pierre]

See you folks that can make it today at Choteau at the PAVILLION for 2pm sign in...1st come 1st serve.
And thanks for taking the time to help us save one very special place.