This article was published in the Billings Gazette today.
Guest opinion: Hunters, step up to report thieves who take away from our sport
This spike bull, another spike and a cow elk were all found shot and left to waste on a Block Management Area near Whitehall.
7 hours ago • By VITO QUATRARO
Montana Sportsmen Alliance is appalled at the number of illegal and unethical incidents that have occurred since the opening of the general big game rifle season. Between moose poaching, elk shot and left, crippling of elk while shooting into large herds, trespassing to shoot elk, it has become apparent that hunters need to do a much better job policing ourselves.
Those who are killing and leaving the animals behind to rot should not be labeled as hunters, but instead “thieves” and criminals who are stealing from all of us. They are stealing our wildlife, our hunting heritage and the future of hunting from resident Montanans. While it may only be a small percentage of hunters causing the problem, the entire hunting community gets a black eye every time one of these incidents takes place. We cannot tolerate the “slob” hunter who refuses to hunt legally and ethically.
MSA has worked hard during the last four years to protect our wildlife resources, and the sport of hunting, while at the same time working to improve access and relationships with ranchers and other landowners. Ranchers and landowners have every right to be upset when people knowingly trespass to hunt. When it is left to rot, the crime becomes even more reprehensible. It would be impossible to blame landowners who decide to take their property out of Block Management or just close it off to hunting based on what is happening around the state. Access is critical for the sport of hunting and to provide proper wildlife management of our big game species. Every incident and violation can impact a rancher or landowner’s decision as to whether to allow hunting. With today’s GPS technology and available landowner “chips”, that are accurate to within a very short distance, there is no excuse for trespassing.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks only has so many wardens to patrol a very large state. Yet there are thousands of Montana resident hunters who are in the field virtually every day of the general season. We need to be additional eyes and ears of the FWP. When we see violations or unsafe practices, it is our duty to call the proper authorities and report the violation. If we see a blatant violation and say nothing, we are as guilty as those that commit the crime. This is our sport and we have the obligation to protect and enhance the reputation of hunting and hunters.
It is time that the resident hunters stand up for the sport and get involved. Walking away with the attitude that you do not want to get involved is unacceptable! We are not suggesting that you confront the violators, just report to the proper authorities. Your reward will be in the knowledge that you are doing the right thing.
Call 1-800-TIP-MONT (847-6668) or your local sheriff department whenever you see a violation or have information regarding any fish and game violation.
Vito Quatraro of Bozeman collaborated on this commentary with other MSA members, including Joe Perry of Conrad, John Borgreen of Great Falls and J.W. Westman of Park City.
Copyright 2014 The Billings Gazette. All
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opi...df7-58ef-9397-2449f4e696c7.html#ixzz3IrlPyW3P
Guest opinion: Hunters, step up to report thieves who take away from our sport
This spike bull, another spike and a cow elk were all found shot and left to waste on a Block Management Area near Whitehall.
7 hours ago • By VITO QUATRARO
Montana Sportsmen Alliance is appalled at the number of illegal and unethical incidents that have occurred since the opening of the general big game rifle season. Between moose poaching, elk shot and left, crippling of elk while shooting into large herds, trespassing to shoot elk, it has become apparent that hunters need to do a much better job policing ourselves.
Those who are killing and leaving the animals behind to rot should not be labeled as hunters, but instead “thieves” and criminals who are stealing from all of us. They are stealing our wildlife, our hunting heritage and the future of hunting from resident Montanans. While it may only be a small percentage of hunters causing the problem, the entire hunting community gets a black eye every time one of these incidents takes place. We cannot tolerate the “slob” hunter who refuses to hunt legally and ethically.
MSA has worked hard during the last four years to protect our wildlife resources, and the sport of hunting, while at the same time working to improve access and relationships with ranchers and other landowners. Ranchers and landowners have every right to be upset when people knowingly trespass to hunt. When it is left to rot, the crime becomes even more reprehensible. It would be impossible to blame landowners who decide to take their property out of Block Management or just close it off to hunting based on what is happening around the state. Access is critical for the sport of hunting and to provide proper wildlife management of our big game species. Every incident and violation can impact a rancher or landowner’s decision as to whether to allow hunting. With today’s GPS technology and available landowner “chips”, that are accurate to within a very short distance, there is no excuse for trespassing.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks only has so many wardens to patrol a very large state. Yet there are thousands of Montana resident hunters who are in the field virtually every day of the general season. We need to be additional eyes and ears of the FWP. When we see violations or unsafe practices, it is our duty to call the proper authorities and report the violation. If we see a blatant violation and say nothing, we are as guilty as those that commit the crime. This is our sport and we have the obligation to protect and enhance the reputation of hunting and hunters.
It is time that the resident hunters stand up for the sport and get involved. Walking away with the attitude that you do not want to get involved is unacceptable! We are not suggesting that you confront the violators, just report to the proper authorities. Your reward will be in the knowledge that you are doing the right thing.
Call 1-800-TIP-MONT (847-6668) or your local sheriff department whenever you see a violation or have information regarding any fish and game violation.
Vito Quatraro of Bozeman collaborated on this commentary with other MSA members, including Joe Perry of Conrad, John Borgreen of Great Falls and J.W. Westman of Park City.
Copyright 2014 The Billings Gazette. All
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opi...df7-58ef-9397-2449f4e696c7.html#ixzz3IrlPyW3P
