tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78817750581198816202024-03-05T06:26:29.778-08:00Montana Sportsmen Alliance PACMSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-771691330024576782023-04-03T18:14:00.000-07:002023-04-03T18:14:05.169-07:00Veto Montana HB 635<p> <span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HB 635</b></span></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" type="cite"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 3, 2023 at 4:12:29 PM MDT<br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;">Governor Greg Gianforte <<a href="mailto:governor@mt.gov" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">governor@mt.gov</a>><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cc: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Freeman <<a href="mailto:michael.freeman@mt.gov" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">michael.freeman@mt.gov</a>><br /></span></div><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">April 3, 2023<u></u><u></u></span></p><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Gov. Greg Gianforte<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">1301 E. Sixth Ave.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Helena, MT 59601<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">RE: Veto request for HB 635<u></u><u></u></span></p><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Dear Gov. Gianforte, <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Montana Sportsmen Alliance is a Montana-based organization of more than 700 hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts. We care deeply about our public fish and wildlife resources, and the sporting opportunities they offer for all Montanans and people from around the world. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Our group works toward common sense solutions to solve the complex issues around elk management. These are valued public wildlife to all Montanans, and one of the most coveted game animals in the country. They provide meat for Montana families, and a highly valued trophy for many hunters. We have been engaged for over 15 years in the tough issues around balancing their populations on both public and private lands, the interests of landowners who have them on their property, and hunters who want opportunity. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">While MSA was not part of the Citizen’s Elk Coalition, we commend some of the ideas that came out of it. Those include increasing the payment cap under the popular Block Management program, and other proposals to reduce the number of nonresident big game hunting licenses to reduce hunting pressure.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">However, HB 635 is not a concept we support. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">We welcome non-resident hunters, but also, like all other states, set limits on how many. It’s a careful balance that we strike. However, once we decide how many non-resident tags to offer, everyone should have an equal chance of drawing those licenses, regardless of their social status, wealth or landownership. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">HB 635 violates that principle. It creates a new, special pool of the nonresident big game licenses for a special class – people who own at least 2,500 acres of land. While the concept that this could reduce hunting pressure on public lands sounds good, it’s extremely doubtful these people are hunting public lands and would reduce pressure there. And the numbers are too insignificant to make any difference across the landscape. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This bill, while well intentioned, has no real public benefit, sets a precedent of special treatment for a special class of people, and erodes decades of Montana tradition in treating everyone the same for hunting opportunity. It’s a bad bill coming from a well-intentioned effort. It’s not necessary at this time, has caused deep division within the conservation community and will not help improve elk management for Montanans and everyone who values Montana’s wildlife. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">For those reasons, we respectfully ask that you veto HB 635. </span></p><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sincerely, <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><img alt="Text, letter
Description automatically generated.jpeg" height="105" /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Joe Perry<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">President</span></div></div></blockquote>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-67155396871166113282023-02-21T12:20:00.000-08:002023-02-21T12:20:02.910-08:00SB 356 Requires terms for Conservation Easements using state funds.<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Mr. Chairman and Committee,</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">We thought maybe this committee would like to hear from folks who have sizable easements. We are a farm/ranch couple living SE of Conrad on Circle S Ranch. We pay property taxes in 4 counties. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">We donated a perpetual easement on all our land. We have wildlife habitat we don’t ever want disturbed. We want our place to remain in agriculture. We have our own reasons.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">It surprises us that legislators not wanting big government in our lives and wanting to limit paperwork, would support this kind of legislation. </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Please allow landowners flexibility to do the easements WE want without government making choices for us.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Joe and Debby Perry</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Circle S Ranch</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">406-450-3013</p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-41336509131429880872023-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:002023-02-21T12:10:02.615-08:00HB 547-Provide penalties for selling data/images from trail cams on public lands<p> </p><p><br /></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">HB 547 -<span style="color: #0d1c57; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provide penalties for selling data/images from trail cams on public lands</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #0d1c57; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #0d1c57; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mr. Chairman and members of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> The Montana Sportsmen Alliance is a coalition of resident hunters, anglers and sportsmen and women. We stand in support to HB-547. Technology is rapidly changing how many hunt in Montana and across the US. In some states, it is legal and acceptable to use trail cams and when that buck walks in front of the camera, the image is immediately sent to a cell phone. What an opportunity for a hunter to learn of a “trophy” animal is on a particular piece of property. You can imagine what these images might be worth! Also, we preach the value of “fair chase”. How could this possibly be recognized as fair chase. Please vote green on HB-547. Thank you</span></div><blockquote style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" type="cite"><div style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you</span><div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Montana Sportsmen Alliance </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Leadership Team</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jeff Herbert Helena</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tim Thier Trego</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dale Tribby Miles City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Joe Perry Conrad</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">JW Westman Park City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don Thomas Lewistown</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Steve Schindler Glasgow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Harvey Nyberg Lewistown</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Andrew McKean Glasgow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ray Gross Dillon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Robert Wood Hamilton</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greg Munther Missoula</span></div></div></blockquote>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-80869487758608130872023-02-21T12:06:00.003-08:002023-02-21T12:06:46.525-08:00HB 522- Provides landowner preference bison tags for landowners near YNP.<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica;">HB 522 </span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #0d1c57; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mr. Chairman and members of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Montana Sportsmen Alliance is a coalition of resident hunters, anglers and sportsmen and women. We stand in opposition to HB-522. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The idea of providing preference to a</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> landowner owning a minimum of 20 acres adjacent to YNP and allocating up to 15% of the annual licenses to these individuals is unfair. Drawing a bison tag is essentially as difficult and as coveted as drawing a moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat tag. To provide preference </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">to someone owning as few as 20 acres used by bison and who may never or rarely have bison on the property is a taking from the many Montanans who desire an opportunity at this license. Is this encouraging subdivision of important habitat? There is no definition as to what constitutes use by bison. Is this meant to be one animal for one day in the past five years? This needs to be revised and clarified. Please do not diminish the common Montana resident with an opportunity to hunt bison adjacent to YNP. Vote no on HB-522. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you</span><div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Montana Sportsmen Alliance </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Leadership Team</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jeff Herbert Helena</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tim Thier Trego</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dale Tribby Miles City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Joe Perry Conrad</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">JW Westman Park City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don Thomas Lewistown</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Steve Schindler Glasgow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Harvey Nyberg Lewistown</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Andrew McKean Glasgow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ray Gross Dillon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Robert Wood Hamilton</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greg Munther Missoula</span></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-47665614447888077972023-02-21T12:03:00.001-08:002023-02-21T12:07:37.039-08:00HB 593-Revise FWP laws related to publishing the number of nonresident <p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">HB 593 </span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0d1c57; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0d1c57; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Mr. Chairman and members of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;"> The Montana Sportsmen Alliance is a coalition of resident hunters, anglers and sportsmen and women. We stand in support to HB-593. The need to publish the number and means by which non-resident hunting licenses are sold is an important step to get a handle on how much use is occurring in Montana. In addition to the items included in this bill, we encourage the bill to be amended to clearly define how many non-resident licenses are issue to non-residents utilizing an outfitter, not just those who acquired a preference point. Without this information, it will be difficult for future legislatures, FWP or the Commission to get a clear idea on how many and to whom these licenses are going to. We urge a do pass on HB-593. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;"> Thank you</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Montana Sportsmen Alliance Leadership Team<br />Jeff Herbert HelenaTim Thier TregoDale Tribby Miles CityJoe Perry ConradJW Westman Park CityDon Thomas LewistownSteve Schindler GlasgowHarvey Nyberg LewistownAndrew McKean GlasgowRay Gross DillonRobert Wood HamiltonGreg Munther Missoula</span></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-13997225512241269502021-07-15T15:25:00.000-07:002021-07-15T15:25:05.192-07:00Mont Wildlife Federation Shoulder seasons are being abused by FWP<p> <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /></p><blockquote class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div class="">Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="" style="color: black; font-family: -webkit-system-font, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b class="">From:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span><span class="" style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Montana Wildlife Federation" <<a class="" href="mailto:mwf@mtwf.org">mwf@mtwf.org</a>><br class="" /></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="" style="color: black; font-family: -webkit-system-font, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b class="">Subject:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span><span class="" style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b class="">Shoulder seasons are being abused by FWP</b><br class="" /></span></div><div class=""><br class="" /><table bgcolor="#f1f1f1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="nl-container" role="presentation" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f1f1f1; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; min-width: 320px; table-layout: fixed; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; width: 100%px; word-spacing: 0px;" valign="top"><tbody class="" style="line-height: inherit;"><tr class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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line-height: inherit;"><div class=" block-grid" style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 600px; min-width: 320px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; display: table; line-height: inherit; width: 600px;"><div class="col num12" style="display: table-cell; line-height: inherit; max-width: 600px; min-width: 320px; vertical-align: top; width: 600px;"><div class="col_cont" style="line-height: inherit; width: 600px;"><div class="" style="border: 0px solid transparent; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;"><div align="center" class="img-container center autowidth" style="line-height: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><img align="middle" alt="image of ..." border="0" class="center autowidth" src="https://nvlupin.blob.core.windows.net/images/van/AV/AVEA/1/30208/images/ELK_HERD_WEB.png" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; 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font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;"><div class="" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: inherit;">Hi John,</span></div></div></div><div class="" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px;"><div class="txtTinyMce-wrapper" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2;"><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">When Montana began extended elk “shoulder seasons” in 2015, they were not meant to be permanent, and more importantly they were never meant to replace the harvest of elk during our archery and rifle seasons.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">But under a proposal from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, that’s where shoulder seasons are heading in 18 hunting districts. T<strong class="" style="line-height: inherit;">hey include HDs 262, 290, 298, 390, 391, 393, 411, 417, 502, 510, 511, 520, 530, 540, 560, 575, 580 and 590</strong>. These are areas with very limited public hunting access during the archery and general seasons to help us manage elk populations.</span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"> </p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">The Commission last year shortened these seasons because they weren’t meeting the criteria that were agreed to with the hunters of Montana. Those included data collection on how they’re working, whether we’re seeing the increase in elk harvest during the 11-week archery and rifle seasons, and whether we’re getting half of the needed harvest in the longstanding archery and rifle seasons. </span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="line-height: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">If the Commission considers accepting these recommendations, it has yet to provide the public the data on how these seasons are working, and whether they’re meeting the criteria for a shoulder season.</span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="line-height: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">The shoulder seasons in the long run encourage some landowners to harbor elk. They can sell trophy bull hunts for six weeks of archery hunting and five weeks of rifle, then get hunters in for winter cow elk hunts to address the over population.</span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="line-height: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">Contact the Commission today and tell them to stick to the agreement with the hunters of Montana.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="" style="line-height: inherit;">The deadline to comment is July 26</strong>, so please<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong class="" style="line-height: inherit;">send your message by emailing the Commission at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="" href="mailto:fwcomm@mt.gov" style="line-height: inherit;">fwcomm@mt.gov.</a></strong></span></div><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"> </p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">PLEASE WRITE YOUR OWN MESSAGE, but hit these main points.</span></div><ul class="" style="line-height: inherit;"><li class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; text-align: left;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">Shoulder seasons aren’t meant to replace the harvest during Montana’s archery and rifle seasons. Hunters support fair chase and ethical hunting. Chasing elk in deep snows and bitter cold when they’re just trying to survive is not supported by hunters, or the general public.</span></li><li class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; text-align: left;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">We need to see the data on whether these hunts are opening up more hunting access in the archery and rifle seasons, when we need the most elk harvest to effectively manage them, including by getting elk back onto public lands.</span></li><li class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; text-align: left;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">This was never the deal that FWP made with the hunters of Montana, and it’s wrong to extend these hunts another month after elk have already been hunted for five months.</span></li><li class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; text-align: left;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">Shoulder seasons mean fewer elk on public lands, more leasing of private lands and de facto game farming of our public elk for private interests to profit off of it.</span></li></ul></div></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="divider" role="presentation" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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padding: 10px;"><div class="txtTinyMce-wrapper" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2;"><p class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; text-align: center; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"></span></p><p class="" style="line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; text-align: center; word-break: break-word;"> </p><div class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; text-align: center; word-break: break-word;"><span class="" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;">Montana Wildlife Federation<br class="" style="line-height: inherit;" />PO Box 1175<br class="" style="line-height: inherit;" />Helena , MT 59624<br class="" style="line-height: inherit;" />United States</span></div></div></div><div class="" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px;"><div class="txtTinyMce-wrapper" style="color: #555555; 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<span>
Guest view: Republican claims about outdoor legislation are inaccurate
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SKYLINE SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION
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<div class="lee-article-text first-p"><p>The June 15 guest view
published in the Montana Standard titled Our outdoor heritage, authored
by Representatives Wylie Galt, Casey Knudsen, and Sue Vinton, suggested
that Republican legislators worked to improve Montanans' recreational
opportunities during the 2021 legislative session. They claimed to have
improved wildlife management, expanded elk hunting opportunity, reduced
efforts to shut off access to public lands, improved habitat, and
reformed Montana’s outdoor management agencies. They accused Montanans,
frustrated with their actions, of generating false claims about their
work.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>As a group of Montana
resident sportsmen, the Butte Skyline Sportsmen’s Association
respectfully disagrees with many of these claims. From our perspective,
the 2021 legislative session was one of the most demanding and
frustrating experienced, because of Republican-sponsored legislation. We
do appreciate Republican-sponsored HB 353, which authorized replacement
hunting licenses for harvested game deemed unfit for consumption, and
the portion of HB 637 that increased Block Management reimbursement to
landowners. We also appreciate funding allocated to the Habitat Montana
Program through HB 701. However, funding allocation to the Habitat
Montana Program — a program Butte Skyline Sportsmen's Association views
as one of the most beneficial to Montana resident sportsmen and general
public lands users — was not the result of Republican effort. Montanans
spoke clearly, through their votes on Ballot Initiative 190, regarding
our desire for this funding. Subsequently, Montanans had to fight
Republican legislators to include this funding in HB 701.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>From our perspective Republican-sponsored legislation also attempted to or did:</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
commercially privatize our public elk to the benefit of some private
landowners and wealthy nonresident hunters (HB 505, SB 143);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- increase the nonresident big game hunters in Montana (HB 637);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- reduce the public's ability to collectively purchase land for our interests (HB 677);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
reduce the public's ability to provide comment on environmental reviews
by allowing financial charge for our comments (HB 695);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
require hunters to financially compensate some private landowners for
crop damage resulting from over-objective elk populations even if
hunters had no legal access to harvest those elk (HB 697);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
reduce the public's opportunity to pursue mature bull elk on public
lands by removing long-established limited entry bull elk permits (HB
417);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- remove voter-approved conservation funding generated by taxes on marijuana (HB 670);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
complicate the public's ability to acquire private land conservation
easements by adding layers of government hurdles (SB 115);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
remove administration of sportsmen-purchased Wildlife Management Areas
and Fishing Access Sites from our Fish and Wildlife Commission (SB 153);</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- secure a perpetual voting majority for some private landowners on the Fish and Wildlife Commission (SB 306);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- remove the public's ability to legally challenge disputed public rights-of-ways to public lands (SB 354);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
spend large amounts of sportsmen's funds on pheasant raise and release
efforts that have long been proven ineffective (HB 637);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- remove hunters' ability to donate permit and license refund monies to the Habitat Montana Program (amendments to SB 208);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- prevent sportsmen-supported Andrew McKean from serving on the Fish and Wildlife Commission (SR 61);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>- remove Montana resident sportsmen representation on the Board of Outfitters (SB 275);</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>-
and overturn voter-approved Initiative 161, which made clear that the
majority of Montanans don't support outfitter-guaranteed hunting license
allocation (SB 143).</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Throughout
the session, Montana sportsmen overwhelmingly commented to the Senate
Fish and Game committee on bills that were not in our best interest that
were then moved out of committee on 7-4 party-line votes, with
Republican legislators voting against Montana sportsmen's interests.
Republican avoidance of Montana resident sportsmen input was clearly
demonstrated when sportsmen-opposed elk management legislation that
increased nonresident elk licenses was amended into HB 637 and voted out
of committee in the final hours of the session without soliciting any
public comment.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>If
the authors of "Our Outdoor Heritage" truly worked to benefit Montana
resident outdoor opportunity last legislative session, what’s the need
to write guest editorials explaining public benefit? Shouldn't the
results of your work and the responses from the public speak for
themselves?</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>The
Butte Skyline Sportsmen's Association wants to emphasize these are our
perspectives of the 2021 legislative session. We encourage Montana
resident outdoor enthusiasts, especially resident hunters, not to
blindly accept our perspectives or the perspectives of politicians,
regardless of party affiliation. We encourage you to review the bill
introductions and voting records from the 2021 legislative session and
develop your own perspectives on how ongoing legislation is impacting
your outdoor heritage. Information on introduced bills, bill amendments,
and bill votes can be found at <a href="https://www.leg.mt.gov">https://www.leg.mt.gov</a>.
If you need assistance navigating the Montana State Legislature
website, please contact the Butte Skyline Sportsmen's Association at <a href="mailto:skylinesportsmen@gmail.com">skylinesportsmen@gmail.com</a> or our Facebook page at Skyline Sportsman’s Association Butte, MT.</p></div></div></div><div class="lee-track-in-article asset-content p402_premium" itemprop="articleBody"><li class="social-share-link fb"><a class="tnt-share-link fb" data-new-window-height="300" data-new-window-width="500" data-tncms-track-dmp="Social Media Share" data-tncms-track-event="{"app":"editorial","metric":"social_share","uuid":"c6d7c39d-1ca6-5178-8336-60201171f267"}" data-toggle="new-window" data-track="{"network":"Facebook","socialAction":"post","url":"/opinion/columnists/guest-view-republican-claims-about-outdoor-legislation-are-inaccurate/article_c6d7c39d-1ca6-5178-8336-60201171f267.html"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmtstandard.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumnists%2Fguest-view-republican-claims-about-outdoor-legislation-are-inaccurate%2Farticle_c6d7c39d-1ca6-5178-8336-60201171f267.html%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_campaign%3Duser-share" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank" title="Share on Facebook"><span class="tnt-stack">
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<a class="save-list-c6d7c39d-1ca6-5178-8336-60201171f267-btn save-asset " data-asset-uuid="c6d7c39d-1ca6-5178-8336-60201171f267" data-tncms-track-dmp="is_saved_items_user" href="https://mtstandard.com/content/tncms/live/#" rel="nofollow" role="button" title="Save to list">
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<svg aria-hidden="true" class="tnt-svg tnt-bookmark tnt-w-12 asset-save-icon tnt-stack-1x" data-fa-i2svg="" data-icon="bookmark" data-prefix="far" viewbox="0 0 384 512" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></a><br /></li></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-3719425199169167942021-07-08T11:04:00.003-07:002021-07-08T11:04:56.560-07:00 Galt-Vinton-Knudsen Reply Lte<p> Galt-Vinton-Knudsen Reply<br /> This paper recently ran an opinion piece by politicians Galt, Vinson, and Knudsen that cannot go unchallenged. No matter how hard they try to spin the facts, the last legislative session hurt Montana’s resident hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts more than any in memory. While they correctly note that Montana would not be Montana without the ability to live, work, and play outside, their own legislative agenda took dangerous steps toward making this impossible.<br /> Providing landowners with big game tags to do with as they please and drastically increasing the number of tags reserved for outfitters and their wealthy out-of-state clients is but the first step in the move toward the complete Texas style commercialization of our wildlife resources, which properly belong to everyone.<br /> I’m not sure who the “environmental groups” making these allegedly false claims are (probably the same ones whose finances Galt and company sought to “investigate”) but the people I know who were left dismayed by this agenda are hard-working Montanans of ordinary means who are tired of seeing their outdoor heritage wrested away and sold to the highest bidder. We don’t need “shooting ranges and fish cleaning stations.” We need reasonable public access to public lands and waters in accordance with the Montana constitution. We don’t need commercially exploited wildlife and more “no trespassing” signs as Montana continues to be bought up by wealthy out of state interests who will never pay their fair share of our tax burden—the real beneficiaries of the legislation Galt and company have touted.<br /> I am an independent voter with no partisan agenda, but as these writers acknowledge in their piece, these legislative insults originated from one side of the aisle. Personally, I look forward to a day when I can once again vote for Republican candidates based on issues and qualifications, without knowing that I’m voting to destroy my way of life by doing so.<br /> Do Galt and company really think Montana hunters and anglers are naive enough to swallow the nonsense presented in their recent letter? If so, I feel insulted. So do a lot of my friends, all of whom plan to vote in the next election. <br /> Don Thomas<br /> Lewistown, MT<br /> thomasdon@me.com<br /> 406-366-6401<br /><br /></p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-36189492585893513032021-07-08T10:40:00.003-07:002021-07-08T10:40:52.142-07:00"RESPECT" Lte from Tim Thier and Toby Spribille<p> Respect<br /><br />Montana is home to a great diversity of wildlife with many animals not found in most states. For years, it has led the country in developing wildlife management policies that balanced sustainability with family traditions of hunting and trapping. The maintenance of these traditions have always relied on ethics and respect – respect for the land, respect for the animals we hunt and trap, and respect for each other. By acknowledging that wildlife and the outdoors belongs to all of us, a delicate balance was reached that allowed hundreds of mountain lions, wolves and black bears to be harvested each year, while maintaining populations of both predators and prey.<br /><br />The recent legislative changes that allowed for the greatly liberalized taking of wolves that includes snaring and bounties and the chasing and hunting of black bears with hounds has legalized practices that have upset this balance. Not only is this opposed by the vast majority of wildlife professionals in this state, but also a great number of hunters and trappers. Numerous, unforeseen consequences are inevitable with these changes that will only further alienate the image of hunters and trappers with the public. If our traditions of hunting and trapping are going to continue, we need broader public support, not less. <br /><br />By allowing and encouraging these new methods of harvest, not only will it lead to an increase in captures of pets and non-target wildlife, but also the harassment of females while they are rearing their young. Ultimately, the abuse of these new liberties will lead to increased public pressures to curtail the traditions we all enjoy. We all share this beautiful place we call home and it is imperative that we all show greater respect for each other and the animals we hunt. Just because something is legal, it does not mean it is the best for wildlife, or our community.<br /><br />Tim Thier<br />Toby Spribille<br /><br /></p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-34892898574209936512021-04-14T14:09:00.003-07:002021-04-14T14:09:32.222-07:00Montana Bowhunters Association Jerry Davis Crossbows<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><blockquote style="margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 5pt;"><div><div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Representatives and Members of the House Human Services Committee, </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">I apologize for not sending each of you a personalized email but my time is limited as I still work part time. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">I write to you today as a Vietnam era vet who is close to 70 and who has a bad shoulder and extreme spinal stenosis, and as an avid but unsuccessful bowhunter to express my opposition to SB 111, a bill that would allow crossbow use by those with disabilities and remove the requirement that a person using a permit to hunt from a vehicle not have to have a companion. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">First let me talk to the crossbow issue. Crossbow use has no business in Montana’s Archery season by anyone. Many are saying that there is no difference between a crossbow and a modern compound bow. Well from the crossbow ads I had seen I was not so sure. Then, I was loaned one by a bow shop. I found my presumptions to be correct, that a crossbow is vastly different than a compound bow.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">From my experience with this crossbow, I would say that a crossbow is not inherently a weapon for those with disabilities. It is heavy, this model weighed 7.75 lbs. which is more than twice the weight of my compound bow which weighs about 3.5 lbs. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">This model requires the use of a crank mechanism because the draw weight is so high, 358 lbs. Other models that do not come with a crank mechanism still require between 200 lbs. and 325 lbs. force to draw and cock the weapon. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The trigger mechanism had a rather stiff trigger pull, which I would think needs to be modified for those with limited hand strength.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">I found them not only to be heavy but also cumbersome and they require a support or tripod to shoot from. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">This model has two rails each of which can be loaded with a bolt. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Note: A bolt is fired from a crossbow. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The bolt hold-down on the bottom rail failed after a few shots. I did not notice the hold-down failure until after I had cocked the weapon. I now had to un-cock the crossbow because dry firing the crossbow could easily lead to catastrophic failure of the limbs potentially injuring the shooter. I un-cocked the crossbow using a special tool provided but I still ended up getting my fingers slammed as I worked to un-cock the crossbow to relieve the high energy stored in the limbs. Somewhat dangerous in my opinion. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">So, by themselves crossbows are no more useful to a person with disabilities than a legal bow and arrow without modification. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Some of the specifics of the crossbow I was shooting are:</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The weight of the bolts supplied with the crossbow were 352 grains in comparison to 378 grain arrows I shoot from my compound.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The bolt speed as measured with a chronograph was found to leave the crossbow at 364 feet per second (fps) but other models from this manufacturer have advertised speeds up to 440 fps. My compound, on the other hand, has a measured release arrow speed of 240 fps.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The kinetic energy of the arrow as it is released from my compound bow is 48.3 ft-lbs.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The kinetic energy of the bolt when it is fired from the crossbow is 103.5 ft-lbs. which is more than double that of my compound bow. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">NOTE: If you have further ballistics questions, I try to answer them. I am a Professional Engineer. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">All crossbows built by this manufacturer, including the one I shot, come with a scope with graduations for various distances. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">All models including the one I shot have a stock and forestock much like a rifle. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">I found the crossbow to be very accurate out to 100 yards with very little practice, a substantially greater distance than an average bowhunter can accurately shoot a compound bow, which I would say is between 30 and 40 yards. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">After verifying that the crossbow was sighted in at 20 and 40 yds, I shot between 2 and 3 bolts each at 50, 60, 70, and 80 yards from a rest, and then 5 additional shots at 100 yds also from a rest. Of the 9 bolts that I fired out to 80 yards only one was substantially off mark by 5 inches at 70 yards. The other 8 shots were within 3.5 inches, with my last shot at 80 yards being only .75 inches high of dead center. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Of the 5 shots I took at 100 yards, one was 9 inches, one was 7 inches, two were 3 inches, and my last shot was 1.75 inches from dead center of the target. My impression was that shooting a crossbow with a scope is very comparable to shooting a modern rifle.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">So, you may ask why am I so concerned about allowing crossbows into the archery season if it is limited to those with a disability?</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Being successful at bowhunting requires a lot of practice with a bow, a lot of patience and stealth, and a lot of luck. Bowhunting is a low success endeavor. Mastering all the aforementioned skills and having the right luck just do not occur that often. Because of our low success bowhunters have been allowed to archery hunt during the early bugling season when bull elk are distracted with breeding activities.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Putting the crossbow into this mix may well jeopardize our and our grandchildren's future archery opportunities to pursue bull elk when they are more vulnerable to long range weapons. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">With a weapon that has 100-yard accuracy, hunters will not have to master all the skills required by those that use legal archery equipment. Success will increase proportional to the number of hunters using crossbows. More bull elk will be harvested, quite likely leading to severe limitations or termination of the archery season and quite likely have negative impacts on the general season.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">And adding to that problem will be the abuse of certificates for a disability, as required in this bill. It will be an easy task for those wishing to abuse this option, just as the Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle (PTHFV) permit was abused between 2008 and 2012. In 2008, when special opportunities were provided to those with a PTHFV, permit numbers grew from 512 permits to 11,000 in 2012. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Montana lawmakers made changes to the law in 2013 in response to requests from disabled-hunter organizations who said the existing PTHFV privilege was being abused by able-bodied hunters and that the program had lost the respect of landowners and disabled and able-bodied hunters alike.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The same is likely to happen with the crossbow. Being allowed to harvest a bull elk during the bugling season with a rifle like weapon will be considered by many as a huge opportunity. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Individuals wanting to take advantage of this opportunity but who are not willing or wanting to master the skills of bowhunting will likely game the system to get a certificate of disability. Dr. Olszewski’s testimony during the hearing for this bill in the Senate Fish and Game committee said as much. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">The Permit to Modify Archery Equipment on the other hand still requires the bowhunter to master all the skills required to be successful at bowhunting while making allowances for their unique disabilities. All archery shooting requires a lot of practice regardless of it being a longbow, a recurve bow, or a compound bow and the same applies to archery equipment that has been modified to meet individual disabilities.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">So, I ask that you vote NO on SB 111. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">I am also giving you a link to my unprofessional video of my last shot at 100 yards with a crossbow. I cannot even hit the target bag at a 100 yds with my compound bow.</div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Please feel free to call or email me with any comments or questions. I will also be happy to meet with you personally to discuss the bill if you desire. </div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.42300033569336px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Sincerely, </div><div style="border: 1pt solid rgb(221, 221, 221); max-height: 18px; padding: 4pt;"><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal" style="background-color: whitesmoke; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J73RBgi7zIEpZHSEjXLDlphwPhNrMFO6/view?usp=drive_web" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="16" id="x_yiv5347085696m_-193818360912484638_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="min-height: 0.1666in; width: 0.1666in;" width="16" /></span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> Crossbow at 100 yds.mp4</span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></div></div><div><div><div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal">Jerry Davis </div><div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal">725 Middlemas Rd </div></div><div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal">Helena MT 59602</div></div><div><div class="x_yiv5347085696MsoNormal">(406) 475-2226</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /><p><br /><span class="w4txWc oJeWuf" id="c1" role="region"></span></p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-2525662747218668682021-03-03T07:47:00.004-08:002021-03-03T07:49:27.748-08:00ALERT: Sportsmen Pay Attention! The Montana Sportsmen Alliance OPPOSE HB 505<p> </p><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />The Montana Sportsmen Alliance Opposes HB 505</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">HB 505, sponsored by Wylie Galt, one of the largest landowners in Montana and Republican Speaker of the House:</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">HB 505 will create Class B-13, landowner-sponsored nonresident elk-only combination license. A landowner will be able to sponsor and sell up to 10 B-13 elk licenses, if they own 640 or more contiguous acres, within a hunting district. This is pure privatization and commercialization of wildlife. Wildlife is a public resource to be managed as a public trust for all the people of Montana. This bill would take management of wildlife away from professional biologists and put it in the hands of private landowners to manage elk and deer for profit. Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado have land-owner tags. Here are just a few examples of how they are commercialized (I have left out the names of the landowners and outfitters):</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">With the largest selection of landowner tags and hunts online, ___________ Outfitters has your one-click access to the finest hunting in the Western U.S. ... Nevada. New Mexico.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">New Mexico Landowner Elk Tags For Sale - Private Ranch. New Mexico is well known worldwide to hold the biggest trophy bulls in the nation. Due to this reputation, landowner elk hunting tags are very difficult to obtain.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ranching For Wildlife. __________ Outfitters, big elk. We have been fortunate to acquire some fantastic elk hunting opportunities near Hayden, CO in the northwest corner of Colorado.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">HB 505 is just wrong; giving a landowner with 640 acres their own tags to sell will privatize and commercialize wildlife management in Montana. Landowners will be able to manage elk for the biggest profits; denying access to the public during the regular hunting season; then using shoulder seasons; antherless elk only harvest to clean up their management mess when elk are over objective populations. Wildlife is a Public Resource, to be managed for the benefit of the public; not just the few. </div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Section 2, Antlerless elk only option will give bonus points to a person who obtains a Class A-5, anterless elk tag, to hunt antlerless elk between August 15 and February 15, on private land in hunting districts where the elk populations are above sustainable. And a single bonus point may be purchased, due to nonparticipation in a drawing and receive an additional five bonus points for a total of six elk species bonus points.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Section 3. Section 87-2-117, MCA, is amended to revise the license bonus point system to give an applicant, who has purchased more bonus points, more chances in the drawing over an applicant who has purchased fewer bonus points.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sections 2 and 3 of HB 505 is a small bone thrown out to the public to lure some to support this bill and to clean up the management mess that will be created by HB 505. The hypocrisy of sections 2 and 3 is there are other bills, if passed, that would take away limited tags in hunting districts where populations are over objective. </div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">From an ethical standpoint, Mr. Galt will personally profit handsomely from this bill. Isn't that conflict of interest?<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">HB 505 is no more than a subsidy for land owners, taking license income away from the state and it does not resolve elk populations being over objectives; in fact it exacerbates the issue. HB 505 would be a major step toward Texas-style management in which the landowner actually owns the wildlife, in clear violation of the Public Trust Doctrine. <span>This bill will destroy solid Montana traditions for profit!!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you for the opportunity to comment!</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Montana Sportsmen Alliance</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Leadership Team</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">John Borgreen Great Falls</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ray Gross Dillon</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Don Thomas Lewistown</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sam Milodragovich Butte</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Steve Schindler Glasgow</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Doug Krings Lewistown</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jeff Herbert Helena</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Robert Wood Hamilton</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">JW Westman Park City</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Joe Perry Conrad</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Dale Tribby Miles City</div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></blockquote>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-13471624851697420352021-03-02T12:29:00.001-08:002021-03-02T12:29:12.364-08:00Please get on MSA pages to get Alerts!!!<p> <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br class="" /></p><div class=""><div class="">I don’t think our emails are getting to everyone. Please send these out to all your email lists. Ask that they sign up to join…get all our alerts, costs nothing and we don’t share email addresses.<br class="" />Joe<br class="" /><br class="" /><br class="" /><br class="" />MSA Facebook link<br class="" /><a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/Montana-Sportsmen-Alliance-PAC-123400691088041/">https://www.facebook.com/Montana-Sportsmen-Alliance-PAC-123400691088041/</a><br class="" /><br class="" />MSA Blog<br class="" /><a class="" href="https://montanasportsmenalliance.blogspot.com/">https://montanasportsmenalliance.blogspot.com/</a></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-60074923939864167022021-02-24T12:56:00.000-08:002021-02-24T12:56:00.971-08:00Hunter Landowner Relations Joe Perry<p> </p><div class="date-posts">
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<a href="https://montanasportsmenalliance.blogspot.com/2016/03/hunter-landowner-relations-by-joe-perry_28.html">Hunter Landowner Relations by Joe Perry</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgULiq4dr1rejQCX8SGtJvyoBESlpLqBhiG6yReihTzCfheJpQFpWCO5vlr6EZ60gBxhXLGIZS52aYrVrLD1mAMWrA5sh4vISFIbwdxNmPkGUYd4Rk7f1eraR8IQiH3-OeHB_KdroTt8e/s1600/joe+perry.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgULiq4dr1rejQCX8SGtJvyoBESlpLqBhiG6yReihTzCfheJpQFpWCO5vlr6EZ60gBxhXLGIZS52aYrVrLD1mAMWrA5sh4vISFIbwdxNmPkGUYd4Rk7f1eraR8IQiH3-OeHB_KdroTt8e/s320/joe+perry.png" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">I am a
farmer/rancher and landowner. I am also a hunter, angler, and
recreationist. Each of these terms describe me but I am the sum
total of all. I have never charged anyone a dime for access to my
property. I take on as many hunters as I can but sometimes have to
limit the numbers so as not to be overrun. After 40 years on the
land, I have retired. Over that time, I have watched the “landscape”
deteriorate from “hunt where you want but be respectful” to one
of tightly controlled – or no- access. I believe that there is
more to be said, and said candidly from the perspectives of both
landowners and hunters/recreationists.</span></div>
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<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The root of the
issue seems to be from a growing disconnect between rural landowners
and urban recreationists. We’re all busy. We are much more mobile
and don’t have the same level and type of contact with close
friends and neighbors as we did in the past. I remember fondly all
the times our family went to stay the weekend with our country
cousins. Brandings, livestock and chores, machinery and driving,
real fresh eggs, milk and cream and maybe hand-cranked ice cream
Great wholesome food from gardens and barnyards. We kids kept busy
all weekend while our folks visited and played cards. We developed
an understanding of each other’s lives and real, close
relationships came from that.
</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The level and kinds
of interaction today has declined due to many factors. Livestock
handling and machinery have become increasingly high tech and
expensive. Kids aren’t welcome to play here. Farms having
combinations of geese, turkeys, chickens, milk cows, beef, sheep,
pigs, and cattle are rare.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">In addition, there
are so many additional “extra-curricular” activities and sports
that we didn’t have. Parents pass each other coming and going,
often dividing kid’s interests and commitments between them.
Social time is at these events. Golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, etc.
have been added to football basketball and track. Computer games and
fast-thumbing on smart phones occupies the attention of so many
folks.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Yet, a major
touchstone of Montana’s heritage is shared resources such as
wildlife. Montanans love to hunt and fish and recreate. It is
family time. Wild game is a regular feature on the menus of many
homes. People move here from out of state and work for less money
than they could get in big cities for those reasons. Many of us who
were born here made conscious decisions to stay here even if it meant
making less money. The quality- and quantity of life- was worth the
trade.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The personal
relationship building of the past seems to receive less emphasis.
Liability issues and OSHA make free help from outside folks much
riskier and far less desirable. Relationships are much harder to
build at a distance. Getting Western Montana townsfolk and Eastern
Montana producers together happens on fewer occasions.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Something that many
people who are not rural producers don’t understand is that Private
Property Rights are paramount to landowners. Management decisions
and the responsibility for the results of those decisions made on
private property largely rest with the owners. Their livelihoods
survive or not, based on these decisions. There too, are those
landowners who consider the public lands they lease for farming or
grazing to be essentially their own personal property. Many of these
folks fail to recognize that they are only paying leases for grazing
and/or farming. Those leases do not allow limiting access to the
public. Also, as a result, many lessees are inclined to deny public
access across their private property to access these public lands.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">One thing that has
struck me is that there seems to be little focus on what I call
Public Property Rights. There are those who deny that the public
owns all wildlife, and that each and every one of us shares in the
ownership of our public lands. For some Americans and Montanans,
public lands are the only ownership they will ever have. As a
result, they love their public lands, and with good reason.</span></div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Why are landowners
often at odds with recreationists? I see many contributing factors,
attributed to both “sides.” Some recreationists show what I
perceive is an arrogance about private lands. Folks forget that the
landowner owes them nothing; trespass or access is a privilege not a
right. Garbage dumping, littering, thoughtless tearing up of roads,
willful unethical behavior, ignoring game laws, property damage and
vandalism, unauthorized driving – the list goes on and on. When
these activities regularly occur, it’s hard for a landowner to want
to be generous. Additionally, many recreationists are not good about
turning in illegal activities. They assume it’s not their problem
or simply don’t want to be bothered. We need to step up and be
accountable. “If you see something, say something” is the right
way to help and show appreciation for the privileges you are accorded
on private land.</span></div>
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<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The story of the
hunter or angler encountering a landowner who treats them unfairly
and poorly is as old as the hills. Upon asking permission to hunt on
a rancher’s land, are lectured about how bad all recreationists
are, getting a solid chewing for other’s inexcusable indiscretions.
The recreationist gets an earful about how tough the landowner has
it, and is personally blamed for the state’s wildlife agency’s
missteps or contentious policies. Add to that the increasing lack of
public access to private lands where there is so much pent up demand
that landowners get inundated. Very early morning visits and calls
and those late at nite to landowners who do welcome the public become
overwhelming, coupled with long hunting seasons. As a result, good,
reliable folks are denied access without having a chance to prove
themselves.
</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Along with these
issues, add private land outfitters to the mix. They are profit
driven, and frankly, offer an alternative to landowners in the form
of good payments and responsibility to handle all recreation on the
place. Since outfitters usually demand exclusive access for their
clients, the public is completely left out of the equation. Some
outfitters claim to “manage” these places to maximize bucks and
bulls but in reality is simply restricting access and as a result
putting more and more wild critters on the ground. “Managing”
for trophy wildlife by restricting access can be done by anyone; it
is not wildlife management. Managing overall game populations and
their distribution across the landscape is the charge of FWP in
Montana. But there seems to be no responsibility taken by these
outfitters to “manage” (i.e.- encourage and engage in the hunting
of) all critters in the herd, particularly those pesky, “valueless”
antlerless critters who are protected by limited access and hunting
during the regular seasons, Wildlife numbers expand, often
exponentially, with the result of over-objective herds, moving onto
the neighboring properties (often ones that do allow public hunting),
reeking havoc on someone else’s property. Late season,
antlerless-only seasons then are demanded to solve the “problem”
without affecting outfitted, antlered buck or bull clientele. There
seems to be no consideration to run seasons concurrently to avoid
brucellosis, chronic wasting disease, and other maladies that result
from unnatural concentrations of wildlife. Concurrent seasons could
disperse animals on the landscape while at the same time, offer
public hunters a chance to harvest on private and public lands
accessible to them. Shoulder seasons (hunting season that would
begin and/or end after the 5-week General Rifle Season) were recently
pushed as a means to deal with these problems. But they have
performance criteria that require buy-in by landowners and
outfitters, which has been pretty limited except with a few notable
exceptions. The problems created for the private landowners through
exclusive hunting on their properties keeps going to the legislature
for resolution. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is the place where
such decisions need to be made. They have the time, access to
resources, information and expertise to consider the best way to
move. Making wildlife management policy decisions in the partisan
arena only serves to slap bandaids on problems and utilizes the most
convenient and politically expedient solutions. We’ve seen the can
kicked down the road too many times. Nonetheless, I expect to see
the outfitters to continue to try to legislate their way out of their
responsibility for the problem.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Farmers and ranchers
were the original conservationists. Landowners are a fiercely
independent lot and often that tenacity has paid off. Farmers and
ranchers are coming off the best financial decade ever and they
deserve it. There have been some real tough times for producers with
little or no return on their investments. Often, government help was
the only way we survived. Yes, government help with crop price
deficiencies and disaster aid kept many farmers and ranchers on the
land. Subsidized crop insurance makes risk management affordable to
producers. In addition, the services of government agencies like the
Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Dept.
Natural Resources and Conservation provide help with land management
decisions, loans, and improvements like water and grazing systems,
fencing, trees, CRP, wildlife improvements, and many others. But are
these entitlements? Maybe to some, but they are paid for by all the
tax paying residents of our country, “The Public.”</span></div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Leases on state and
federal public lands for farming and grazing are a huge, necessary
part of many producers’ operations. Generally, these leases are
made far below “market”- what would be charged by a private
landowner. In the case of federal leases, they are so low as to be
ridiculous. Yet, these allowances have kept many an outfit in
Montana in operation. Once again, who pays for the costs of these
agencies who often manage at a big loss? “The Public.”</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">My intention is not
to single out anyone. Keeping agricultural operations viable not only
contributes to the economy but more often than not, has been of great
benefit to wildlife, fisheries and public recreation in general. But
I think it’s important to point to the fact there is legitimate and
crucial financial interaction and relationship between producers and
the public. Yes, those same town folks who you go to church with,
basketball games, funerals, weddings, and benefits. The same folks
who own the hotels, restaurants, gas stations, stores, bars, etc.
The families your kids go to school with. Property taxes paid by
landowners are a major component of the sustenance of our towns and
counties. We need to recognize that it is a two-way street.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">I believe it’s
high time to realize we are all in this together and no one is
getting out alive. Landowners, producers, and their city cousins all
contribute to something called community, this thing we call “The
Last Best Place”. FWP manages wildlife in trust for all of us. We
all have legitimate and equal stakes in how it is managed and
maintained into the future. Landowners as well as recreationists must
realize we all rely upon one another, and, in fact, need each other.
Tolerance and cooperation are the main components of our collective
successful future. We all need to take responsibility for our
actions!</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Solutions:
Sportsmen, take the FWP Hunter Landowner Stewardship course online.
Report lawbreakers, “if you see something, say something.”
Treat access to private lands as a privilege. Use “Fair Chase”
and “Hunter Ethics” as your guide.</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Landowners, know
what the “Public Trust Doctrine” and the “North American Model
of Wildlife Conservation” are. Remember your leased public lands
are a privilege not a right. Share the resources your property can
offer with your less fortunate urban cousins. Keep track of bad eggs
and habitual offenders and let them pay the price for indiscretions,
while allowing others to prove themselves. Have enough tolerance for
the Public to harvest excess critters within the regular season.
</span></div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Outfitters: Yes you
are a business but, since you harvest Public Trust resources, treat
it as a privilege. Look at more than just money in your pocket.
Have some compassion for the critters. Work with sportsmen to allow
harvest on leased lands during the regular seasons. Take
responsibility for problems you create. When you run to the
legislature to bypass public process, expect to pay the price of bad
relationships with the Public. Public Land Outfitters, if you don’t
want to pay the price for bad relationships caused by Private Land
Outfitters, speak up for integrity! You have always shared the
resources and have taken a shared role in management decisions. You
have worked with sportsmen on a variety of issues. Be cautious who
you allow to represent you. Private land outfitters, quit stirring the pot.<br /></span></div>
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<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Joe Perry</span></div></div></div></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-56126253889531446032021-02-24T11:08:00.004-08:002021-02-24T11:08:40.781-08:00Our Montana w Mike Penfold/ tv show<p> <a href="https://comm7tv.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=de736bb5-76e4-491f-8728-8892d2b80d68&nav=programs%2FOur%20Montana" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">https://comm7tv.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=de736bb5-76e4-491f-8728-8892d2b80d68&nav=programs%2FOur%20Montana</a></p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-36926547689015775742021-02-15T15:39:00.001-08:002021-02-15T15:39:27.720-08:00MBA OPPOSES SB 111 to give crossbows their own season<p> </p><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="" src="https://mtbamembership.org/EmailTracker/EmailTracker.ashx?emailCode=AFb8UwBdNvmkA9weU5UFOGDjv9si0uBFFhORhh5z7INyqWYCL777pNOA2ZTz2O8c%2bleZmextgjwIKURJPaOGAkHIlUkLyOoAmR6zuhJPN80%3d" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: none; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; height: 1px; left: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; outline: none; position: absolute; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; top: 0px; white-space: normal; widows: auto; width: 1px; word-spacing: 0px;" /><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><table align="center" background="https://mtbamembership.orgnone/" bgcolor="transparent" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 50% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-collapse: collapse; height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top"><div style="margin: 0px auto; max-width: 600px;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; direction: ltr; font-size: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="mj-column-px-600 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="direction: ltr; display: inline-block; font-size: 0px; max-width: 600px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 600px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1; text-align: left;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" data-waedittimecounter="67566" id="idEmailTemplateBody" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Georgia;"><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; font-size: 13px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="122" src="https://mtbamembership.org/Resources/Pictures/mba.logo.png" style="border: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 13px; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" title="" width="122" /></td><td align="right" style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; height: 39px; width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td align="right" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td align="right" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #827478; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px;">February 15, 2021</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; font-size: 13px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0px 0px 10px;" valign="top"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: #663300; font-size: 36px;">MBA Member Alert - The 3rd reading of SB 111 the Crossbow Bill will probably happen tomorrow February 16th on the Senate Floor</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: black;">SB 111 titled <strong><u>Revising laws re conditional hunting permits for disabled persons</u></strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Senator Brad Molnar - SD 28 in Laurel passed its 2nd reading on the Senate Floor and will probably get its 3rd reading tomorrow February 16th. There will be no debate, only a vote and we need that vote to be NO. </span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;">The sponsor contends that Montana is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That is not true. Montana's hunting regulations were challenged <span style="background-color: transparent;">as not meeting the ADA</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> in 2004 because they do not allow crossbow use during our archery season by an individual with a disability. The Department of Interior, Office of the Secretary determined that in fact Montana's regulations restricting crossbow use by those with a disability during our Archery season is NOT in violation of the ADA. See this link. <a href="https://mtbamembership.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=fUYtRkCap3eYMbDGX4ur3d5QSpWq4PftC3YMPS%2bYkuEfc5UtglEaZ957JGMeXIyx6xNZVdH64HSYBwjWs4U8WQtFQI3kqxQfVCnNOfBxlR4%3d" target="_blank">USDOI - USFWS decision MT crossbow use.pdf</a></span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;">MBA has donated $15,333.00 for development and application of modifications to archery equipment for those with a disability. That is roughly $950/year. And at this time, we are making modifications for 4 other individuals, one of which is Mr. Seigel who testified during the hearing. He had never contacted MBA before, so we reached out to him and he graciously accepted our offer. </p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;">MBA has never denied an individual who has requested our assistance.</p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;">In the Fiscal note for the bill, the FWP estimates that there will be 9364 hunters who will qualify for crossbow use during archery season, which could have a potential impact on the resource both bull elk and antelope populations. </p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;">Though FWP estimates that only 31.25% of those eligible will use a crossbow that number quite likely underestimates the usage. A crossbow is like a rifle and many how only hunt with a rifle would love to hunt elk during the elk rut with a rifle like weapon and not have to master a bow. </p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Below is a list of Senators that Voted Yes. Please contact these Senators NOW and let them know that Montana's Archery season restrictions are not in violation of the ADA and that MBA has been and continues to be devoted to providing those with a disability a legal means to pursue hunting with a modified bow and arrow during Montana’s treasured Archery-Only season. There is no need for crossbows to be used during archery season. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Please be respectful in your communications. </span></strong></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Please the names of the senators that voted yes on the below list and email and/or call them ask that they vote Do Not Pass on this bill.</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 8px;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid; width: 565px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid windowtext;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">FirstName</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">LastName</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Districts</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">City</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Email Address</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Phone Number</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MIKE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">CUFFE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 1</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Eureka</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:mcuffe@interbel.net" target="_blank">mcuffe@interbel.net</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 293-1247 or</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 889-5777</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BRIAN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">HOVEN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 13</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Great Falls</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Brian.Hoven@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Brian.Hoven@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 761-8533 or</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 899-5000</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">RYAN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">OSMUNDSON</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 15</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Buffalo</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:ryanosmundson@gmail.com" target="_blank">ryanosmundson@gmail.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 949-3715 or</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 374-2449</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MIKE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">LANG</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 17</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Malta</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:mike.lang@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">mike.lang@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 654-7357</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">STEVE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">HINEBAUCH</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 18</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Wibaux</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:steve.hinebauch@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">steve.hinebauch@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 365-7967 or</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 989-1372</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">CARL</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GLIMM</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 2</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Kila</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:carl.glimm@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">carl.glimm@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 751-7334</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">DUANE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">ANKNEY</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 20</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Colstrip</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:goodwind1.duane@gmail.com" target="_blank">goodwind1.duane@gmail.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 740-0629 or</span></p><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 748-4328</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">JASON</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SMALL</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 21</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Busby</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:j2thedsmall@gmail.com" target="_blank">j2thedsmall@gmail.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 690-0923</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">DOUG</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">KARY</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 22</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Billings</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Doug.Kary@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Doug.Kary@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 698-1478</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">TOM</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MCGILLVRAY</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 23</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Billings</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:tvmcgillvray@gmail.com" target="_blank">tvmcgillvray@gmail.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 698-4428</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">JEN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GROSS</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 25</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Billings</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Jen.Gross@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Jen.Gross@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 696-0649</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">CHRIS</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">FRIEDEL</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 26</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Billings</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:chris@chrisfriedel.com" target="_blank">chris@chrisfriedel.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 272-2245</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">CARY</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SMITH</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 27</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Billings</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:cary.smith@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">cary.smith@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 698-9307</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BRAD</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MOLNAR</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 28</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Laurel</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:brad.molnar@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">brad.molnar@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 794-5982</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">DAVID</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">HOWARD</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 29</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Park City</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:David.Howard@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">David.Howard@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 633-2762</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">KEITH</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">REGIER</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 3</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Kalispell</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:keith.regier@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">keith.regier@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 756-6141</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">JOHN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">ESP</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 30</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Big Timber</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:johnesp2001@yahoo.com" target="_blank">johnesp2001@yahoo.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 932-5662</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GORDON</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">VANCE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 34</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Belgrade</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:vancesd34@gmail.com" target="_blank">vancesd34@gmail.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 587-8608</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">RYAN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">LYNCH</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 37</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Butte</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 498-6625</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MARK</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BLASDEL</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 4</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Kalispell</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Mark.Blasdel@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Mark.Blasdel@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 261-3269</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">TERRY</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GAUTHIER</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 40</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Helena</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:mrmac570@me.com" target="_blank">mrmac570@me.com</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 461-0744</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">JASON</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">ELLSWORTH</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 43</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Hamilton</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Jason.Ellsworth@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Jason.Ellsworth@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 360-0009</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">THERESA</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">MANZELLA</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 44</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Hamilton</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:theresa.manzella@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">theresa.manzella@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 546-9462</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">DAN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SALOMON</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 47</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Ronan</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:dan.salomon@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">dan.salomon@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 253-9724</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BOB</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">KEENAN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 5</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Bigfork</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Bob.Keenan@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Bob.Keenan@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 250-4111</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GREG</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">HERTZ</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 6</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Polson</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:greg.hertz@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">greg.hertz@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 253-9505</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BOB</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BROWN</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 7</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Thompson Falls</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="mailto:Bob.Brown@mtleg.gov" target="_blank">Bob.Brown@mtleg.gov</a></span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">(406) 242-0141</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="155"><br /></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="97"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">BRUCE (BUTCH)</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="88"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">GILLESPIE</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="56"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">SD 9</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" valign="top" width="72"><p style="display: block; margin: 16px 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Ethridge</span></p></td><td style="border-collapse: collapse; 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All rights reserved.<br />Contact email:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:mtba@mtba.org">mtba@mtba.org</a></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px 0px 19px;">You are receiving this message because you opted in at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://mtbamembership.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=40j%2fFDRYocIpTZ33yNzNbahm5ERw6NDeKHQEg%2fDOn1CoIRPAkRtR49SuP1M1PEuz1YJ5b6Btm%2f57BONpBrq%2fOfzFSP0c11wx0xdg0vuiD0E%3d" style="color: #00b4ff;">https://mtbamembership.org/</a></td></tr><tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://mtbamembership.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=4ntFrWKmZSLAnidJ9eNezhWPqjipfpmazYxayb74S64U7qWGiA2N1s7xlpr%2b1Q8yH3NO6tvHRsFn0wGR1R5M7tHcHpaBvbWJHC8d%2fZ9koyQ%3d&up=%3fet%3dGQua3AQ1aF0GawD%252fU%252b4raD0g6uhDd06suWEqPxeaRR4FbbNXmISKH%252fqE2MoNSnmwaErdumyMdZfYuC830p8015e8SVngokX%252fL7fK7IMftB8a0GlwaQ4hOt3igExXSbs39CzZJer2Xc%252fdhp20i2kxeoqh2jc%253d" style="color: #00b4ff;" target="_blank">Unsubscribe</a></td></tr><tr><td height="35" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><form></form></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-32157727415579166842021-02-14T13:12:00.000-08:002021-02-14T13:12:11.544-08:00ALERT: MSA OPPOSES Appointment of Pat Tabor for F&G Commission <p> Please go viral!!! Let your Senator know your opposition!!!<br /></p><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><blockquote type="cite"><blockquote type="cite"><blockquote type="cite"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />The Montana Sportsmen Alliance would like to go on record as opposing the appointment of Pat Tabor to the F&G Commission. Mr. Tabor is well known to us. He is an ultra rich corp exec that came to Montana and bought out a number of outfitters. He is a Moga past president. Mr. Tabor also served on the Board of Outfitters (Boo) for a term.<br /><br />Mr. Tabor has taught us not to trust him. His main charge as a member of Boo was to assure protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. He was supposed to serve all the public of Montana in Boo but was instead, intent on reducing outfitters responsibilities to the public and to managing agencies. He failed to represent anyone but Moga. He was strictly interested in reducing transparency and hiding information from the public. He even openly chastised other outfitters on the board for not voting as a block and his comments were recorded in the minutes.<br /><br />Mr. Tabor is one of reasons the Boo is a big sad joke. Outfitters and guides must come before the board when they have been cited for committed infractions. Mr. Tabor led the charge on the Boo to let outfitters and guides get off with a slap of the hand for infractions brought in front of the board. Outfitters dominate every vote of Boo. We have never seen any balance of representation from Mr. Tabor.<br /><br />In his new capacity as F&G Commission Chair he just engineered a freebie hunt for his buddies in Moga. Sportsmen have fought for transparency and getting rid of the “good old boys” type of operations. Mr. Tabor is a danger to transparent, honest game management in Montana. We respectfully ask for Mr. Tabor to be rejected for F&G Commissioner. <br /><br />Montana Sportsmen Alliance<br />Leadership Team<br /><br />John Borgreen Great Falls<br />Steve Schindler Glasgow<br />Don Thomas Lewistown<br />Sam Milodragovich Butte<br />Ray Gross Dillon<br />Jeff Herbert Helena<br />Joe Perry Conrad<br />Dale Tribby Miles City<br />JW Westman Park City<br />Robert Wood Hamilton<br />Doug Krings Lewistown</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-74717066983003023032021-02-08T12:22:00.002-08:002021-02-08T12:22:30.459-08:00 Opinion: Bad bill undoes hunting partnership between CSKT and non-tribal members<p> </p><div class="top-bar">
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<header class="site-header"><div class="wrap"><div class="title-area"><p class="site-title"><a href="https://missoulacurrent.com/">Missoula Current</a></p><div class="sub-title"><h2>Missoula's News Journal</h2></div><br /></div></div></header><div class="site-inner"><div class="content-sidebar-wrap" style="position: relative;"><article aria-label="Opinion: Bad bill undoes hunting partnership between CSKT and non-tribal members" class="post-452873 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-opinion entry"><header class="entry-header"><h1 class="entry-title">Opinion: Bad bill undoes hunting partnership between CSKT and non-tribal members</h1>
<h3><span class="red">By Walker Conyngham, Tom Puchlerz, John Sullivan and Chad Harvey</span><span class="float">February 5, 2021</span></h3>
</header><div class="entry-content"><div class="essb_links essb_counters essb_displayed_top essb_share essb_template_default4-retina essb_template_glow-retina essb_1069895237 print-no" data-essb-button-style="button" data-essb-counter-pos="hidden" data-essb-fullurl="https://missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2021/02/opinion-bad-bill-undoes-hunting-partnership-between-cskt-and-non-tribal-members/" data-essb-instance="1069895237" data-essb-position="top" data-essb-postid="452873" data-essb-template="default4-retina essb_template_glow-retina" data-essb-url="https://missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2021/02/opinion-bad-bill-undoes-hunting-partnership-between-cskt-and-non-tribal-members/" id="essb_displayed_top_1069895237"><br /></div><div class="pdfprnt-buttons pdfprnt-buttons-post pdfprnt-top-right"><a class="pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-print" href="https://missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2021/02/opinion-bad-bill-undoes-hunting-partnership-between-cskt-and-non-tribal-members/?utm_source=mailpoet&print=print#038;utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=montana-today_461" target="_blank"><img alt="image_print" data-pagespeed-url-hash="2403919870" src="data:image/png;base64,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" title="Print Content" /></a></div><p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">For
the hook and bullet community in Western Montana, the Flathead
Reservation is a source of incredible opportunity. From backpacking and
skiing in the Mission Range to pursuing waterfowl, pheasants and a wide
array of fish species on the valley floor, outdoorsmen and women in our
part of the state are privileged to have access to reservation lands,
their abundant wildlife habitat and the adventures they provide. Nobody
who has hunted birds or jigged for perch with the Mission Mountains in
the background forgets that experience. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
owe that privilege to the hospitality of the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes, who manage and own the lands, fish and wildlife that
make the Flathead Reservation the peerless place that it is. For nearly
thirty years, the CSKT has allowed non-tribal members to hunt and fish
on the reservation through the Montana-CSKT Fishing and Bird Hunting
Agreement, and the state has recognized their sovereignty and authority
to manage their lands and the fish and wildlife within. That long
standing relationship is now under attack in the Legislature, and
hunters and anglers will suffer if a few landowners have their way.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">House
Bill 241, introduced by Rep. Joe Read of Ronan, would give non-tribal
members who own inholdings on Montana reservations the ability to hunt
big game on their property, thereby bypassing the decades of
collaborative management and mutual respect between the State of Montana
and the CSKT. Should this bill pass, it will inevitably provoke the end
of the Montana CSKT Fishing and Bird Hunting Agreement as well as
litigation by the CSKT, who will, justifiably, fight for their right to
manage wildlife within the boundaries of the reservation. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This
bill, brought forward for the benefit of a few non-tribal landowners on
the reservation, threatens the opportunities of the hunters and anglers
who hunt birds and fish on CSKT lands each year. Our organizations
oppose this bill, and we ask the Legislature to affirm the management
authority of the CSKT and the proven success of the Agreement by
rejecting HB 241. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s
worth noting that this bill would affect all reservations in the state
of Montana, from the Flathead Reservation to the Crow, Blackfeet and
Fort Peck reservations. We would likely see lawsuits resulting from this
assault on tribal sovereignty from those tribes as well, with
corresponding closures for recreation. Those bringing this bill forward
are apparently ignorant of the extent to which this would profoundly
injure the relationships between the outdoor community and those tribes
as well as the loss of access and opportunity that would result for
hunters and anglers across Montana. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Montanans
are not wanting for hunting and angling opportunity in our state—we are
lucky to live in one of the most opportunity-rich places in North
America. Hunters who live on the Flathead Reservation do not have to
travel far in any direction to find elk and deer populations on Forest
Service, Bureau of Land Management, State of Montana and private lands
outside of the reservation. Those landowners who are attempting to
legislate against the sovereignty of the CSKT should remember that they,
and we, are lucky to be able to live and recreate in one of the most
beautiful places in Montana. Let’s not push it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Please
join Hellgate Hunters & Anglers, the Montana Wildlife Federation,
Pheasants Forever and the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters &
Anglers in opposing this legislation. If you hunt birds or fish on the
Flathead Reservation, now is the time to speak up or risk having your
opportunities threatened. Contact your legislators on the House Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Committee before the bill’s hearing on Tuesday,
February 9, and let them know that you oppose this misguided
legislation.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Walker
Conyngham is the president of Hellgate Hunters & Anglers. Tom
Puchlerz is the president of the Montana Wildlife Federation board. John
Sullivan is the board chair of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry
Hunters & Anglers. Chad Harvey is the regional representative for
Pheasants Forever.</i></span></p></div></article></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-37078186414322046442021-02-08T10:41:00.001-08:002021-02-08T10:56:09.609-08:00Billings Gazette SB143 OPPOSE Go Viral<p> </p><div class="row">
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<div class="title">Bill would guarantee hunting outfitters licenses, defying 2010 citizen initiative</div>
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</div><article class="asset article-default" data-url="https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/bill-would-guarantee-hunting-outfitters-licenses-defying-2010-citizen-initiative/article_090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3.html" id="asset-090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><div class="asset-masthead"><header class="asset-header"><h1 class="headline" itemprop="headline">
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Bill would guarantee hunting outfitters licenses, defying 2010 citizen initiative
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<ul class="list-inline"><li><span class="tnt-byline asset-byline" id="author-fc57a7ce-60e5-11de-9cdd-001cc4c03286-asset-090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3" itemprop="author">
<a href="https://billingsgazette.com/users/profile/BrettFrench">
Brett French
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<time class="tnt-date asset-date text-muted" datetime="2021-02-03T17:00:00-07:00">Feb 3, 2021</time></li><li class="hidden-print"><br /></li></ul>
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<img alt="Wildlife issue" class="img-responsive full tnt-restrict-img-33baba79-9bdf-525d-94fa-0bd6489fe228 default" height="945" src="https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/3b/33baba79-9bdf-525d-94fa-0bd6489fe228/601b36e8b6f68.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C517" width="2194" />
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<p>Guaranteeing outfitters a portion of
nonresident big game licenses could lead to more leasing of private
land, hunters said during testimony on Senate Bill 143 on Tuesday in
Helena.</p>
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Brett French
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<div class="in-article-byline text-muted lee-article-text padding-bottom"><span class="tnt-byline asset-byline" id="author-fc57a7ce-60e5-11de-9cdd-001cc4c03286-asset-090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3" itemprop="author">
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Brett French
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</span></div><div class="lee-article-text first-p"><p>Hunting
outfitters turned out in force at the Capitol on Tuesday to support a
bill that would guarantee them a percentage of nonresident deer and elk
licenses for their clients.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“This
bill optimizes the economic return to Montana by making available a
portion of the existing nonresident licenses to the hunter who chooses
to hunt with an outfitter,” said Chuck Rein, a Big Timber rancher,
outfitter and president of the Montana Outfitters and Guides
Association, during a hearing before the Senate Fish and Game
Commission.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Critics see the
bill as a privatization of public wildlife, a subsidy for one group of
small business owners, and also reducing the opportunities for
do-it-yourself nonresident hunters to draw a tag.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“This
bill will put us back on the path to privatizing and monetizing our
publicly owned wildlife resources," said John Sullivan, president of the
Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. "The citizens of
Montana rejected that idea."</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Sullivan was referring to a <a href="https://sosmt.gov/elections/ballot_issues/2010-2/i-161/" target="_blank">citizen’s initiative</a> passed in 2010 that removed 5,500 nonresident big game and deer combination licenses that were guaranteed for outfitters. The <a href="https://missoulian.com/news/local/initiative-161-would-remove-set-aside-outfitter-licenses/article_71136f90-c9f3-11df-b8f1-001cc4c03286.html" target="_blank">initiative</a>
also raised the nonresident license fees and allowed them to be
adjusted for inflation. Proceeds from the fees were targeted to fund
hunting access and to preserve and restore habitat.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><h3>Drawing</h3></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Since
passage of the initiative, all nonresident hunters must draw a tag
through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ lottery system. Hunters
may then book with an outfitter after drawing a tag, or book ahead of
time in hopes of drawing a tag and then cancel.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“Right
now as a guided outfitter I have to overbook to stay booked,” said
Donna McDonald, whose family offers guided and nonguided hunts on their
ranch and adjoining national forest land in the Ruby Valley.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Many
other outfitters, operating family-run businesses for generations,
stressed the uncertainty and unpredictability of the current system and
its negative effect on their operations.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“Supporting
the bill is supporting small family businesses in Montana,” said Lydia
Sargent, who operates Cayuse Hills Outfitters south of Shawmut with her
husband, Wes.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><h3>Crowding issue</h3></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Bill sponsor Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, framed <a href="http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_SESS=20211&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=SB&P_BILL_NO=143&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&P_CHPT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ2=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=" target="_blank">Senate Bill 143</a>
as a way to reduce crowding by nonresident hunters on public and Block
Management Program lands. The program uses a portion of license dollars
to pay private landowners for public hunting access.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“Our
out-of-state (hunters) are having to congregate on that land, and
obviously this is probably affecting success rates for both Montana
residents and nonresidents,” Ellsworth said.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>The
number of licenses awarded would be based on what outfitters are
currently booking, estimated at about 40% of nonresident hunters. The
bill currently sets aside 60%, but Ellsworth said that would be revised
downward.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“These guys already get those licenses, so it’s not taking away from do-it-yourself hunters,” Ellsworth said.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>The
bill includes adding a $200 fee to nonresidents who choose to use an
outfitter. The additional charge will raise an estimated $2.4 million to
$2.8 million a year, Ellsworth said.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>These
funds would be distributed to several coffers, including fees for
disabled resident veterans to hunt for free, funding for Block
Management, provide money for purchasing easements across private land
to access landlocked public property, and add cash to the Future
Fisheries program. The bill also removes language that has tied
nonresident big game license increases to the Consumer Price Index.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Landowner
and stockgrower groups testified in support of the bill, including
Chuck Denowh representing the United Property Owners of Montana.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“Outfitters
and hunters all benefit from the herds but it is landowners who bear
the costs,” he said. “Perhaps the most important aspect of this bill is
that it provides opportunities for landowners that we don’t have today.”</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
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<p>Outfitted hunters would be guaranteed
a license under a bill sponsored by Hamilton Sen. Jason Ellsworth.
Testimony on Tuesday drew a large crowd of outfitters to the capitol.</p>
</span>
<span class="credit">
<span class="tnt-byline asset-byline" id="author-fc57a7ce-60e5-11de-9cdd-001cc4c03286-asset-76b1dece-690b-5dea-bc03-9d764d7afa79" itemprop="author">
<a href="https://billingsgazette.com/users/profile/BrettFrench">
Brett French
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</figure></div><div class="lee-article-text"><h3>Critiques</h3></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Missouri
resident Virgil Groom attended the hearing with his sons to testify
against the measure. For five years he’s hunted in Montana and said the
reduction in the state’s pool of nonresident unguided tags would make it
harder for him and his boys to draw a license.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“I’m a huge fan of the state, it’s beautiful,” said Colton Groom. “I just want my kids to come out and enjoy it.”</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>A
compromise solution offered during the testimony was moving up the
drawing date for big game licenses, providing more time for outfitters
and their clients to connect.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“The
simplest thing to do is use a scalpel and not an ax to fix this problem
and fix the lottery,” said Patrick Schumacher, a nonresident Montana
landowner. “Be the first state in the West to publish your results. Get
ahead of Utah and all these other states. To me that’s a simple fix.”</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><h3>Clarification</h3></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Ellsworth
said his bill is justified because promises made before Initiative 161
was passed have not been met. The initiative's sponsors said it would
create more access, but the amount of Block Management land has dropped
from 8.2 million acres to 7.2 million. Meanwhile, nonresident use of
those lands has increased from 16% to 22%, he said.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Those
numbers are accurate, but don’t reflect the full scope of the issue.
The amount of Block Management acreage has dropped, especially in
southeastern Montana, because fewer large landowners are participating,
according to Jason Kool, who oversees the program for FWP. Some of those
lands have been sold, he said.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Use
of Block Management lands in Eastern Montana is up partly because there
are more upland bird and antelope hunters, about 30% to 40% of which
are out-of-staters, Kool said. Those numbers fluctuate as the
populations of game rise and fall.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><h3>Challenge</h3></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>When
asked directly by Sen. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, if the state
guarantees a customer base for any other business, Ellsworth instead
answered there is no industry that relies on a lottery.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“We’ve
got bars, we’ve got restaurants, we’ve got hotels and there’s no
guarantee that a customer is going to walk in the door,” Jacobson said.
“There’s no guarantee that they’re going to get so many rooms rented.”</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>“There’s
no guarantee here,” Ellsworth countered. “The reality is that if these
professionals do not do a good job and they don’t outfit correctly,
they’re not going to get customers.”</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>Jacobson
asked if Ellsworth had worked with any sporting groups prior to
drafting the legislation. He said no, but added that he hopes to get
engagement from people now. As proof, Ellsworth said he had received
numerous calls and emails regarding the legislation.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>No action was taken on the bill.</p></div><div class="asset-info-boxes p402_hide subscriber-only"><div class="asset-fact related-wrapper">
<h4>Some perspective</h4>
<p>Simmering beneath the surface of Senate Bill
143 is a difference of opinion between some Montana hunters and
landowners regarding access to public land and wildlife.</p><p>Landowners
who can monetize wildlife for profit have incentive to deny hunters
free access to their property or across their property to adjoining
public lands, hunters argue.</p><p>Landowners can counter they are owed
some compensation since wildlife are responsible for eating crops and
causing damage to infrastructure like fences on private land.</p><p>North
American wildlife law and conservation was founded on the basis of
wildlife as a public trust resource, not managed for personal or
corporate gain.</p><p>“Our concern is that it would shift management of
wildlife from a broad public interest to one that starts Montana into a
commercial-based interest,” said Tim Roberts, president of the
Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, in testimony before the Legislature
on Tuesday. “As a person who has lived in Utah, I have seen the result
of management practices done in a similar fashion. I can tell you it
won’t stop there.”</p><p>Although guided hunters, mostly out-of-staters,
may be willing to pay big bucks for large bucks, what about all of the
does and cow elk that aren’t sought by these hunters? Hunting is the
only way the state has to manage wildlife populations. </p><p>For FWP,
lack of public access to private lands has allowed some elk populations
to grow beyond management objectives, in some cases pitting landowners
harboring wildlife against their neighbors who suffer the consequences
of larger deer and elk herds.</p><p>All of these issues have increased friction between some landowners and Montana hunters.</p><p>“I
believe it’s time we all work together to stop the wedge between
private land, public land, guided, unguided,” said outfitter Donna
McDonald during Tuesday’s hearing. “Let’s just start working together
and move forward and stop some of this rhetoric that’s out there that
doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”</p><p>The future may settle the
disagreement in an unsettling way. Chronic wasting disease, which is
always fatal, is spreading across Montana. It has the potential to
reduce deer and elk numbers substantially, and possibly for generations
to come, as it lingers in the ecosystem.</p>
</div></div></div></div><br /><div class="lee-track-in-article asset-content p402_premium" itemprop="articleBody"><li class="social-share-link sv">
<a class="save-list-090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3-btn save-asset" data-asset-uuid="090f5c85-382e-5fae-b799-9299650dccc3" data-tncms-track-dmp="is_saved_items_user" href="https://billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/live/#" rel="nofollow" role="button" title="Save to list">
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<svg aria-hidden="true" class="tnt-svg tnt-bookmark tnt-w-12 asset-save-icon tnt-stack-1x" data-fa-i2svg="" data-icon="bookmark" data-prefix="far" viewbox="0 0 384 512" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></a><br /></li></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-57448317820009686262021-02-08T10:34:00.004-08:002021-02-08T10:34:57.356-08:00Some details on SB 143 OPPOSE<p> 12-5-21 SB 143<br />SB 143 will transfer up to 60% of the unguided nonresident hunters from Main Street businesses to Outfitters<br />Currently Montana issues 17,000 nonresident B-10 and B-11 elk and deer combination licenses in a random drawing. <br />Outfitter customers currently apply for those licensed just like everyone else. <br />SB 143 language as of 2-5-21 <br />Section 8. Section 87-2-511, MCA, is amended to read:<br />"87-2-511. Sale and use of Class B-10 elk and Class B-11 deer licenses. <br />(1) the department shall offer the Class B-10 and Class B-11 licenses for sale on April 1, with 60% of each of the Class B-10 and Class B-11 licenses reserved for applicants hunting with a licensed outfitter pursuant to [section 1] and to [section 3].<br />Impacts using FWP supplied numbers.<br />17,000 B-10 and B-11 Nonresident licenses are distributed each year in a drawing. <br />2020 23,245 nonresidents applied<br />17,000 X .6 = 10,200 Guaranteed Outfitter licenses<br /> 6,800 customers left for Main Street Businesses.<br /> .29% chance for our family and friends to return for a hunt.<br />Areas with healthy wildlife populations and at least reasonable public access attract a large percentage of the non-resident hunters in Montana every fall. Most stay in local motels, frequent restaurants, bars, gas stations, convenience stores and other main street businesses.<br />Nonoutfitted hunters mostly drive to and across Montana, buying gas, food, lodging etc. <br />Outfitted hunters may drive but frequently fly to Montana and are picked up by the outfitter at the airport.<br />The large majority of outfitters provide food, lodging and other amenities in camp. Their clients rarely visit main street businesses. <br />Main Street businesses face the loss of up to 60% of their normal nonresident hunting season customers every fall if SB 143 passes. <br /><br /></p>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-54015252732649842582021-02-08T10:31:00.001-08:002021-02-08T10:43:34.203-08:00SB 143 OPPOSE Please go viral<p> </p><div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Hello hunters and Senators, </div><div><br /></div><div>I would like an invitation to speak with you during public comment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hunting feeds us, though I haven't pulled a trigger in several years. Dad was the first outfitter in Powder River Co and you may remember my son, Jaeger Held (his name is German for "Hunter Hero"). He went to Boys State and was both a Legi Aid and a Page. You may have seen him on the front of the Gazette on Veterans Day or heard him repeatedly speak at the legislature, since age 12, in support of the historical society. My kids are 5th generation Montanans and we have the longest running business by the same family in Broadus, the Broadus Motels. SB 143 will cut deeply into the 8% accommodations tax we collect for you. <br /><div><br /></div><div>I would like to voice opposition to SB 143. Hunting season is the only revenue producing season for many small Montana communities. Motels, restaurants, bars, gas stations, grocery stores, taxidermies and trespass fees directly to ranchers would again lose drastically under SB 143. Outfitters pay a piddling amount to harvest game. I never have and never will lease my ranch to an outfitter. </div><div><br /></div><div>My dad, Cap Hough, was the first outfitter in Broadus and was also a motel owner. My kids grew up on our ranch south of Broadus and are the third generation who will take over the motels. I accommodate outfitters regularly, for example, when their wounded animals come on to us. Usually several big bulls and bucks a year. They provide a service for wealthy people who need help with their hunt. It's grossly unfair to favor one business over all others in distributing licenses and remove the high-quality DIY hunters. If this passes, outfitters can forget stepping foot on us, the animals can rot where they die and we'll collect the horns and skulls, turning communities into scavengers. We also work hand in hand with FW&P, with access to our cameras and customers. Another free help we give that will evaporate. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just one example where it hurts: A party of 8 that comes here from Kentucky, grandpa Sheriff and his brothers, sons State Police Honor Guard, grandsons plan to be cops and preachers, and they save all year to rent the best accommodations in the region for 10 days, in order to hunt public lands. The large lodge has 25' ceilings, a huge fireplace with it's 8'2" longhorn, a full professional kitchen, laundry, 6 bathrooms for less than the price of one guy hiring an outfitter for the weekend who stays in a broken down old trailer house. This group of 8 regular guys comes out twice a year, also going to western MT for the archery elk season. Those 8 won't be back to Montana if SB 143 passes and neither will thousands of others who sustain us and these Montana towns. That one bunch pays more for the Lodge than an outfitter would pay to chase all the wildlife off my place and ruin the hunting for a whole season. That one bunch buys thousands of dollars of food, fuel, taxidermy across the state that will disappear. Outfitters here shop in Gillette at the box stores and their clients don't come to town. The majority of our yearly business will disappear with this bill that continues taking from the many and giving to the few. Half our staff is kept working all year to repair, maintain and clean for hunting season. SB 143 will suck millions out of small businesses, cut accommodation revenues to the state and hurt most Montana families directly or indirectly. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Kind regards, </div>--<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div>Steve Held<br /><br /><a href="mailto:steve.twinhearts@gmail.com" target="_blank">steve.twinhearts@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.broadusmontana.com/" target="_blank">www.broadusmontana.com</a></div><div><a href="http://steve.twinhearts.googlepages.com/home" target="_blank">http://steve.twinhearts.googlepages.com/home</a><br />It's always a beautiful day above the clouds.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-9045629513368142462021-02-08T09:45:00.000-08:002021-02-08T09:45:28.808-08:00Billings Gazette Nick Gevock<p> </p><div class="asset-masthead ">
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<div class="kicker lead text-muted">GUEST OPINION</div><h1 class="headline" itemprop="headline">
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Guest opinion: Bill is an aggressive attack on hunting
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<p>Americans pay an 11% tax on the purchase of new firearms and ammunition.</p>
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<div class="in-article-byline text-muted lee-article-text padding-bottom"><span class="tnt-byline asset-byline" id="author--asset-f9ed96dc-36f5-5210-ba5f-8f2e86233c6c" itemprop="author" rel="popover">
NICK GEVOCK
</span></div><div class="lee-article-text first-p"><p>The
Montana Legislature is leveling one of the most aggressive attacks on
public hunters we’ve ever seen under the guise of protecting gun rights.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>HJ5,
sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Lolo, states that taxing firearms is
unconstitutional, and unenforceable. Apparently, Rep. Tschida and
supporters of this measure don’t like Montana’s abundant wildlife, the
habitat that supports it and the world-class hunting we all enjoy.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>That’s
because we’ve had a tax on firearms for 84 years. It’s called the
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, most commonly known to
hunters as the Pittman-Robertson Act. It’s named after the two
visionaries in Congress who passed the measure, and it’s one of the most
successful programs in our nation’s history.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>The
Pittman-Robertson fund was passed by Congress in the throes of the
Great Depression. Hunters stepped up when times were incredibly tough
and said they were willing to be taxed for something they value —
wildlife. That takes habitat.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>In
the eight decades since, those funds have conserved key wildlife
refuges. We’ve used it for habitat restoration. And it funds state
wildlife agencies whose biologists employ scientific management. The
program has strict sideboards on how the funding can used, and that
accounts for its success.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>In
total “PR” funds have pumped more than $18.8 billion into state
wildlife agencies. The results have been nothing short of miraculous for
restoring wildlife after the utter destruction caused by habitat
degradation and market hunting in the 19th Century.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>In
Montana at the turn of the 20th century, there were about 5,000 elk
left. Today we have an estimated 170,000 elk. Deer were almost wiped out
too, and antelope were saved only because a few ranchers protected the
last remaining herds. Hunters joined landowners and state officials in
conservation efforts that continue today.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>We
use PR funds as matching dollars for our best state-based conservation
and access program, Habitat Montana, to complete habitat purchases. Just
look at Montana’s system of world-class game ranges, which provide
winter range for deer, elk and other wildlife, and public hunting access
those public lands provide. This wildlife abundance didn’t just happen.
It took a lot of hard work by hunters, who are happy to pay the tax.</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>I
personally have a cabinet full of rifles and shotguns that I paid the
11 percent PR tax on. I’m glad to — because I get to use those guns
every year on deer, elk, antelope and upland bird hunts. What good are a
bunch of guns without abundant wildlife and public access?</p></div><div class="lee-article-text"><p>This
measure states “that the taxation of privately held guns is
unconstitutional and does not have the power of law and is, therefore,
unenforceable.” It reads like a trial attorney’s dream. This is an open
invitation for people who are opposed to hunting to sue the state and
prevent us from receiving our PR funds — which make up a huge portion of
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks budget.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-4 fixed-col-right lee-sticky-container hidden-sm hidden-xs"><div class="lee-sticky-ad">
</div></div></div><div class="hidden-print asset-breakout-container subscriber-ad"><div class="container-breakout ad-col visible-md visible-lg">
</div></div><div class="row lee-text-row" style="position: relative;"><div class="col-md-8 fixed-col-left main-content"><div class="lee-article-text"><p>HJ5
shows that when hunters don’t pay attention and stand up for our best
conservation programs, they’re open for attack. Don’t let anyone who
supports this measure tell you they’re for hunters. In fact, they’re
working to destroy our sporting traditions.</p></div><div class="related-mugshots p402_hide subscriber-only"><div class="asset-related-mugshot inline-asset inline-image hover-expand" data-instance="#gallery-items-f9ed96dc-36f5-5210-ba5f-8f2e86233c6c-photo-modal" data-photo-target=".photo-cbf93b0f-643c-5df9-a1dc-c50920aabbf2" data-target="#photo-carousel-f9ed96dc-36f5-5210-ba5f-8f2e86233c6c" data-toggle="modal">
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<p>NICK GEVOCK</p>
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<svg aria-hidden="true" class="tnt-svg tnt-bookmark tnt-w-12 asset-save-icon tnt-stack-1x" data-fa-i2svg="" data-icon="bookmark" data-prefix="far" viewbox="0 0 384 512" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></a><br /></li></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-9017450902069860172020-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:002020-11-30T09:45:01.855-08:00 Who is Speaking for the Sportsmen Mr. Gianforte?<p> </p><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Who is Speaking for the Sportsmen Mr. Gianforte?</b><br /><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><span name="State"><span name="City"><span name="place"><span name="Street"><span name="address"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Great Falls</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tribune Sunday November 29, 2020</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Outdoorsmen need to protect sporting heritage in Montana</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">by Chris Marchion</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Last week, Montana hunters and anglers got our first sense of the direction that Governor-elect Greg Gianforte wants to take public land, access to critical hunting and sport fishing habitat, state parks and Montana’s $7.1 billion recreation economy. Gianforte offered an unbalanced slate of names of those who will be advising him on new leadership for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) and the Fish and Wildlife Commission.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> Hunters and anglers in Montana better be prepared to speak up and act to protect our sporting heritage, quality of life and economy. If you hunt, fish, value wildlife, value access to public lands and state parks then you have an urgent interest in these developments. If you use Block Management for hunting access or use fishing access sites to access streams for recreation, you should pay attention to these appointments by the Governor-elect.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> If you are a landowner with wildlife then you have an interest in ensuring your property rights aren’t curtailed. If you are a business owner whose company is dependent on the hunting and fishing public then your investments are at risk from a potential anti-public lands agenda.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> The problem is this committee does not represent the public’s interest in fishing and hunting, the very public that pays license fees and federal excise taxes on their equipment purchases which pay for the operation of FWP. Outfitters who promote exclusive use of the public’s resources for their clients are dominantly represented. Politicians hostile to public access and public lands are included.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">A minority of the appointees has some history of supporting the public’s interest in FWP but there is no one involved as an advocate without an economic interest in the activities of the agency. These are the public’s resources, the public’s valued opportunities, and we are paying the bills. Where is our representation?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> What are legislators Scott Sales’ and Kerry Whites’ voting history on FWP issues of significant value such as Habitat Montana, fishing access, or nonresident hunting licenses? Fishing guides and hunting outfitters are well represented by Cheryl Arnaud, Chuck Rein, and John Way but who represents the everyday person who fishes or hunts? Who represents the public lands recreationists?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">There are numerous Montana based, grassroots conservation groups, both statewide and local, who consistently engage in public issues and decision making for FWP and its commission. Many of us volunteer to mend fences, spray weeds, mark property boundaries and resolve landowner access issues, etc. Where is our representation?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Voices of Montana hunters and anglers must be heard in the Legislature, that much is clear. In fact, Montanans of all stripes value our public lands, waters and wildlife resources. It’s something that brings everyone together. It’s time for all of us to roll up and sleeves and increase our civic engagement with the Legislature and incoming governor. We have to step up for Montana wildlife, public land, conservation incentives and continued access to our hunting land and fishing waters.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>Chris Marchion is a member of the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame and board member of the Anaconda Sportsmen’s Club.</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><i>I urge all who read this to join a Sportsman Assn - Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is not going to lobby, MT Wilderness Assn is NOT going to lobby, MT Wildlife Federation will give up more rights than Sportsmen gain, it is Organizations like Anaconda Sportsmen's Club, Montana Sportsmen's Alliance, & Russell Country Sportsmen's Assn who have your back BUT you have to be a member - There is Strength in numbers.</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><i>If you want to send Governor Elect a note, you can, at </i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://montanacomeback.com/">https://montanacomeback.com/</a></span></p></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></blockquote>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-82922577073751610562020-10-28T11:11:00.001-07:002020-10-28T11:11:32.472-07:00Sportsmen Vote!!!!<p> </p><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="cite"><div><div><br class="" />Sportsmen Vote!!!<br class="" /><br class="" />We'd like to take one more opportunity to ask sportsmen/women to vote but vote carefully!!! Since hunting season has begun, perhaps it will be easier to drive home the point that "we must vote for sportsmen friendly candidates." True nationally, statewide, and local.<br class="" />We find it very interesting that Daines, Gianforte, and Rosendale are singing public land praises! Until election time "federal land transfer" was the tune! What is different?<br class="" />The answer is nothing. Its in the wording. They don't have guts enough to stand against the public so a little word smithing was in order. If you can just say you want public lands, you don't have to divulge that you really want these lands transferred to the State. The far right imagines a hayday of rape and pilage of these lands and eventual sale to their buddies.<br class="" /><br class="" />Steve Bullock, Kathleen Williams, and Mike Cooney are good and decent folks and are experienced leaders. They don't have to word smith! They have always been in our court on public lands and access and will continue. These folks regularly engage MSA and other Sportsmen/women groups. They are not going to take your guns!<br class="" /><br class="" />Gianforte, Daines, and Rosendale refuse to engage us at any time...even when invited. They are heavy supporters of Private Land Outfitters and Moga, very wealthy folks . None could likely explain Public Trust, the North American Model and the Montana Model. What do you suppose they might give away to the commercial operators that would be good for the Montana Resident Sportsmen? Answer, "nothing"! We are their last concern!<br class="" /><br class="" />So once again we will ask you to vote carefully. Our endorsees are listed below and they are proven supporters and solid voters for sportsmen and conservation.<br class="" /><br class="" />Steve Bullock US Senate<br class="" /><br class="" />Kathleen Williams US House<br class="" /><br class="" />Mike Cooney-Casey Schreiner Governor-Lt. Governor<br class="" /><br class="" />Melissa Romano Superintendent<br class="" /><br class="" />Bryce Bennett Secretary of State<br class="" /><br class="" />Shane Morigeau Auditor<br class="" /><br class="" />Raph Graybill Attorney General<br class="" /><br class="" />Mike Black Supreme Court<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 3 Debo Powers<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 47 Katharin Kelker<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class="" /><br class="" />HD 48 Jessica Karjala<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 49 Emma Kerr-Carpenter<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 59 Dan Vermillion<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 81 Mary Caferro<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 83 Kim Abbott<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 84 Mary Ann Dunwell<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 89 Katie Sullivan<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 90 Marilyn Marler<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 94 Tom France<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 98 Willis Curdy<br class="" /><br class="" />HD 100 Andrea Olsen<br class="" /><br class="" />SD 39 Gordon Pierson<br class="" /><br class="" /></div></div></blockquote><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-38097165014994719382020-10-27T13:50:00.003-07:002020-10-27T13:50:43.053-07:00Recreation Management Use on the Madison River<p> </p><div class="buofh1pr"><br /></div><div><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_aj"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Recreation Management Use on the Madison River</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Dear FWP Commissioners:
The Montana Sportsmen Alliance (MSA) submits the following specific to the Environment Assessment (EA) for Recreation Management Use on the Madison River.
MSA believes this process has taken far too long to complete and FWP continues to “kick-the-can” down the road. It is time FWP and the Commission adopt rulemaking which supports the Madison River Recreation Goal. MSA supports the three components of the goal, but believes all actions must first and foremost support long‐term health and sustainability of the fisheries. FWP data documents large fish are declining and angler satisfaction continues to deteriorate. Fish mortality resulting from hooking, angler satisfaction, impacts of commercial and non-commercial use, and changes in fish populations have been studied for many years. Data is abundant to move forward and make an informed decision.
Specific to the EA presented, we offer the following: </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">The GGTU proposal provides the greatest potential for meeting the goal for Recreation Management of the Madison River. If only one of the three alternatives is selected for adoption, we support the GGTU alternative. MSA believes additional and new actions not identified in the EA should be considered and proposed management actions modified, including:</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Utilizing 2019 or 2020 client use days as a base is proposed by both FOAM and the GGTU. FWP’s own data suggests this level of use will not sustain the fisheries in the Madison River. A much lower base should be utilized. For example, consider averaging the number of client use days from 2010-2015 as a base level. The litmus test for whatever level of use is allowed, must be whether the fisheries can be maintained or improved. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">MSA opposes the creation of “flex trips” that would allow outfitters to exceed their caps in two of any three years.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">It has been stated commercial use accounts for only 15% of the overall angler use on the Madison River. While this may be true, in the months of July/August commercial use accounts for over 90% of the total use on some reaches. This information needs to be clearly displayed.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">The use of a No Cost/No Limit Madison River Use Stamp may provide data useful to FWP in making future decisions. MSA questions the need to wait until after two years of data has been collected and analyzed before making a decision on future management. In addition, trigger points and the associated resulting management should be identified prior to adopting a “use stamp”.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">We question the need to limit development of additional FAS acquisitions below Greycliff. Wouldn’t additional FAS’ help to distribute angler use? Development of additional FAS’ on the lower portion of the Madison River, if coupled with limiting commercial and potentially non-commercial use may help to achieve the goal for recreational use on the Madison River.
</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">If use by commercial outfitters and their clients is in conflict with non-commercial user, please consider eliminating or greatly reducing the permitted outfitters who reside outside of Montana. On any given day there is a steady stream of vehicles pulling drift boats coming from Idaho to fish the Madison River. We believe these outfitters and their clients spend few dollars in Montana, except for the fishing licenses purchased. Client use days should be prioritized for Montana outfitters. This will help protect Montana outfitter and guides and support those communities dependent on commercial fishing use.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
If sustainability of the fisheries cannot or will likely not be achieved through limiting commercial use, the EA must address placing limits on non-commercial use as well. This has been adopted on other rivers in Montana and non-commercial fishermen would adapt. FWP limits the number of big game permits issued in an effort to maintain populations and hunter satisfaction; why should fishing on the Madison River be different?
The walk and wade section should be just that. There should be no allowance for floaters to transect these sections of the Madison River ever. If their clients want to fish this section, do what many others do, hike into the areas.
</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">If realistic reductions were placed on the number of client use days allowed, there would not be a need for rest-rotation. Rest-rotation places a burden on many outfitters and if other management actions were put into play, this simply is not needed. In addition, rest-rotation may simply shift a significant number of those client use days to other stretches of the Madison or other rivers, further exacerbating over use on those areas.
</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">We do not support the need for FWP to hire “Rangers” for the traffic control of FAS’. There are too many FAS’ currently to adequately patrol and public education is a better and cheaper tool, and quite simply we do not believe FWP can afford this expenditure.
</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">More clarification is needed related to the monetization of client use days and how this would be determined. MSA is strongly opposed to any such value and “right” placed on client use days. Monetization of these client use days, would make for sale a public resource, which MSA is opposed. Monetization would essentially would make it extremely difficult for a new outfitter to enter the business. These client use days were not purchased by current outfitters and as stated previously, we are opposed to the monetization of a public resource. FWP must require of transfer of any outfitter permit comply with current state law 47-37-310(4)MCA. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
In summary, MSA appreciates the opportunity to comment on this proposed rulemaking. We ask you to consider points identified above and other ideas received in the final rulemaking. MSA welcomes the opportunity to assist and will continue to comment as opportunities are provided.
Sincerely;
MSA Leadership
John Borgreen
Joe Perry
Jeff Herbert
Don Thomas
Laura Lundquist
JW Westman
Steve Schindler
Robert Wood
Sam Milodragovich
Doug Krings
Dale Tribby</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881775058119881620.post-63546716604282316242020-10-07T12:15:00.002-07:002020-10-07T12:15:51.837-07:00Montana Sportsmen Alliance 2020 Endorsed Candidates<p> Folks, The following are folks who have received the MSA endorsement for the 2020 election. We spend a lot of time looking over candidates and their platforms, past performance, and giving a survey and possible face to face interviews. We are confident in these folks. We don't care about party affiliation.</p><p>Make sure you get out and vote and consider how these folks stand on our issues!!!<br /></p><p> </p><p> Steve Bullock US Senate</p><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Kathleen Williams US House</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Mike Cooney-Casey Schreiner Governor-Lt. Governor</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Melissa Romano Superintendent</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Bryce Bennett Secretary of State</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Shane Morigeau Auditor</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Raph Graybill Attorney General</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Mike Black Supreme Court</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 3 Debo Powers</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class=""><table class="collapsible jquery-tablesorter wikitable candidateListTablePartisan sortable"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td class=""><br class="" /></td><td class="" height="40"><p class=""><span class="candidate">HD 47 <a class="" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Katharin_Kelker">Katharin Kelker</a> </span></p><div class="">HD 48 Jessica Karjala</div><div class=""><table class="collapsible jquery-tablesorter wikitable candidateListTablePartisan sortable"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td class="" height="40"><p class=""><span class="candidate">HD 49 <a class="" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Emma_Kerr-Carpenter">Emma Kerr-Carpenter</a></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="">HD 59 Dan Vermillion</div></div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 81 Mary Caferro</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 83 Kim Abbott</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 84 Mary Ann Dunwell</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 89 Katie Sullivan</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 90 Marilyn Marler</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 94 Tom France</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 98 Willis Curdy</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">HD 100 Andrea Olsen</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">SD 39 Gordon Pierson</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class=""><table class="collapsible jquery-tablesorter wikitable candidateListTablePartisan sortable"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br class="" /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>MSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519199537025613028noreply@blogger.com0