We're a month out from gaveling in to the Montana legislature, and there's already 99 bill drafts just on fish and wildlife issues. Crossbows are coming back, modifications to the muzzleloader season, and some unconstitutional issues as well as the possibilities of setting even more seasons in statute while eliminating more commission authority. There will probably be another 150 drafts requested in just the fish & wildlife space, and that doesn't account for the budget, spending bills or forestry & state lands, among other keystone issues that hunter-conservationists care about.
The budget has some good and some troubling items in it. There's a request for $7 million more for block management along with a standalone bill that would double the total payment cap on block management from $25K to $50K. That's a great concept and it ties in well with the market relative to leasing and actual impacts to the bottom line of landowners dealing with wildlife and hunting access. Huge thanks to PLPW and especially Ed Beall, @406LIFE, @Eric Albus & @Big Shooter for their work on this concept over the interim. FWP is looking for a big increase in maintenance spending on WMA's and other lands owned by the agency. This is needed and should be supported especially since it doesn't attempt to rob other programs to pay for it.
There will also be a bill to send about $6 million per year of the recreational marijuana money from the general fund to the Conservation Districts. Another great concept.
There will also be work in the hunter ethics space, and given the amount of grumbling about trespass I'm hearing, I expect there to be some bills relative to this issue, although I've not heard specifically of any corner-crossing legislation from UPOM. That doesn't mean it's not coming, it just means it hasn't popped yet. Most of the problematic or conflict laden proposals won't pop until the session begins, as it helps to move bills that will face stiff resistance when things are fast & furious.
The Citizen's Elk Coalition unveiled their priority legislation on Friday: https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2022/12/montanans-float-new-trust-fund-for-land-water-wildlife/
If you haven't signed up for the action alerts of groups like the Montana Citizen's Elk Coalition, the Montana Wildlife Federation or Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, now's the time to do so, and to send them a few bucks to help keep a strong presence during this legislative session. My last count showed that there will be at least 5-7 wildlife conservation lobbyists working on behalf of hunters at the legislature, including the fantastic folks at Montana Audubon who show up and make a huge difference every session. That doesn't count the mountain of volunteers and board members for groups like the Montana Bowhunters Association, etc.
While there isn't a ton of clarity on any of the bill drafts right now except the agency bills, the content of those mystery bills will become known shortly.
Regardless of that good work, there will no shortage of bad bills and bad ideas but that's nothing new. Since 2009 or so, over 500 wildlife policy bills have been introduced in Montana. Many of them were problematic and were dispatched, but many got through. We've been in this same position before, but we're better armed to protect & conserve this session than last.
2023 is going to be a big year for elk management and wildlife conservation in Montana. It's time to suit up, get fierce and be nice. Or, to paraphrase former Secretary Mattis, Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill every bill that needs killing.
Here we go...
The budget has some good and some troubling items in it. There's a request for $7 million more for block management along with a standalone bill that would double the total payment cap on block management from $25K to $50K. That's a great concept and it ties in well with the market relative to leasing and actual impacts to the bottom line of landowners dealing with wildlife and hunting access. Huge thanks to PLPW and especially Ed Beall, @406LIFE, @Eric Albus & @Big Shooter for their work on this concept over the interim. FWP is looking for a big increase in maintenance spending on WMA's and other lands owned by the agency. This is needed and should be supported especially since it doesn't attempt to rob other programs to pay for it.
There will also be a bill to send about $6 million per year of the recreational marijuana money from the general fund to the Conservation Districts. Another great concept.
There will also be work in the hunter ethics space, and given the amount of grumbling about trespass I'm hearing, I expect there to be some bills relative to this issue, although I've not heard specifically of any corner-crossing legislation from UPOM. That doesn't mean it's not coming, it just means it hasn't popped yet. Most of the problematic or conflict laden proposals won't pop until the session begins, as it helps to move bills that will face stiff resistance when things are fast & furious.
The Citizen's Elk Coalition unveiled their priority legislation on Friday: https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2022/12/montanans-float-new-trust-fund-for-land-water-wildlife/
If you haven't signed up for the action alerts of groups like the Montana Citizen's Elk Coalition, the Montana Wildlife Federation or Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, now's the time to do so, and to send them a few bucks to help keep a strong presence during this legislative session. My last count showed that there will be at least 5-7 wildlife conservation lobbyists working on behalf of hunters at the legislature, including the fantastic folks at Montana Audubon who show up and make a huge difference every session. That doesn't count the mountain of volunteers and board members for groups like the Montana Bowhunters Association, etc.
While there isn't a ton of clarity on any of the bill drafts right now except the agency bills, the content of those mystery bills will become known shortly.
Regardless of that good work, there will no shortage of bad bills and bad ideas but that's nothing new. Since 2009 or so, over 500 wildlife policy bills have been introduced in Montana. Many of them were problematic and were dispatched, but many got through. We've been in this same position before, but we're better armed to protect & conserve this session than last.
2023 is going to be a big year for elk management and wildlife conservation in Montana. It's time to suit up, get fierce and be nice. Or, to paraphrase former Secretary Mattis, Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill every bill that needs killing.
Here we go...
