Montana 2025 Legislative Session

[Big Fin]

Wish I wasn't in a full on travel schedule this month. For now, emails and phone calls will have to suffice for my testimony.

Thanks to all who are able, and willing, to testify.

 

[Schaaf]

When you’ve got MWF, RMEF, MOGA, Stockgrowers, and dozens more signing on to a letter opposing, you might have a bad bill.

 

[Big Fin]

With the variety of groups signing on to that letter, it seems hard to believe that this approach by the new Chairman is going to work. Yet, some people have far more self-confidence than they have knowledge and experience, so I guess we will see.

Kudos to the folks who were able to put together a coalition of voices and interests such as that. It might be the first time I've ever seen such a wide variety of groups speaking in unison.

 

[cgasner1]

With the variety of groups signing on to that letter, it seems hard to believe that this approach by the new Chairman is going to work. Yet, some people have far more self-confidence than they have knowledge and experience, so I guess we will see.

Kudos to the folks who were able to put together a coalition of voices and interests such as that. It might be the first time I've ever seen such a wide variety of groups speaking in unison.

Looks like a good list to look at if someone was looking for a place to make some donations or join a new group

 

[Forkyfinder]

ttt

13 mins remaining to sign up and testify.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I'm hearing that some folks are being less than polite in their comments, emails & messages.

That is not helpful. It is disrespectful and please keep it professional and tight.

 

[shoots-straight]

https://tenor.com/YCb3.gif

Maybe this?

I was very nice.

 

[Carnage2011]

Any update on how it went today? I'm traveling and tried to pull it up but think I missed this bill. Unless the timing is off, in which case they haven't gotten there yet?

 

[Schaaf]

Any update on how it went today? I'm traveling and tried to pull it up but think I missed this bill. Unless the timing is off, in which case they haven't gotten there yet?

Committee's meeting now, the hearing on the bill comes up next.

 

[Flynarrow]

Reality check for expectations of some legislators: While interviewing legislative candidates for a wildlife group, I asked one incumbent legislator why he voted for a particularly harmful bill. His Response: "Lookit with all the bills that come through I don't have time to read them......I just vote however the PARTY tells me to."

 

[8andcounting]

Reality check for expectations of some legislators: While interviewing legislative candidates for a wildlife group, I asked one incumbent legislator why he voted for a particularly harmful bill. His Response: "Lookit with all the bills that come through I don't have time to read them......I just vote however the PARTY tells me to."

Sounds about right

 

[Carnage2011]

Some interesting comments so far. I appreciate those that showed up and made comments. It's been almost comical how many strays the mule deer group has caught from different commenters.

 

[shoots-straight]

Lotsa lurkers on HT.
I find it comical how they refer to "Small group wanting to change up mule deer management" as the reason for legislation. That goes both ways on many things, even their poke at legislation.

 

[Nameless Range]

Nice job to the hunt talkers who spoke in opposition. That letter is impressive.

Definitely a sensitive subject. If I’m just stepping back and listening, and hadn’t been a member of this forum for 15 years, I think I’d feel both sides have strong reasoning behind their support or opposition.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Nice job to the hunt talkers who spoke in opposition. That letter is impressive.

Definitely a sensitive subject. If I’m just stepping back and listening, and hadn’t been a member of this forum for 15 years, I think I’d feel both sides have strong reasoning behind their support or opposition.

So the bill had support? Disappointing but not suprising

 

[cgasner1]

And now we wait. Kinda feel like I drew a blank I wasn’t expecting our purposal to be attacked the way it was.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Open post of thanks to Gerald Martin:
Thank-you for standing up and representing the work of the group considering best way forward for mule deer in Montana. You logically and articulately presented, explained, and defended the ideas, as well as the overall vetting process.
Of particular interest was your exchange with the young legislator who pointed to the Commission as political appointees, seeming to assert that the legislature voted in by the people should therefore be responsible for wildlife management decisions. IMO, HB 139 represents that notion, which is one reason I expressed opposition.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Another point of interest was the questions posed by Jill Cohenour regarding FWP, F&G Commission, and process. Although I am certain she was already familiar with all of that, it was pretty apparent that a number of House Fish & Wildlife Committee members are ignorant of FWP and F&G Commission process relative to wildlife management and season setting.
It is appalling that such legislative officials can be members of a committee so critical to hunting, fishing, outfitting, wildlife management and much more with so little knowledge and experience.

 

[Carnage2011]

And now we wait. Kinda feel like I drew a blank I wasn’t expecting our purposal to be attacked the way it was.

I was a little surprised by the attack on the group. I was not surprised at all with the blowback against the proposal. This bill was obviously written to address that proposal, and Hinkle made it clear with his Facebook comments when the proposal first came out. The fact that people assume there is some sort of personal agenda within the group is the part that's crazy to me. I'm assuming that's because there are outfitters involved??? I'll be surprised if this bill is tabled in committee though.

 

[SixPoint]

I guess we know who’s been answering the mule deer surveys. That was rough. Gerald did an excellent job and was unfairly held to the fire in my opinion.