Changes at Montana Sportsmen Alliance

 

Montana Sportsmen Alliance,

A Voice of Reason on Montana Fish and Wildlife Issues, 

is concerned about the future of our hunting/fishing heritage in Montana.

 

 

To help address these growing issues:

• We have added a couple new board members, included Consultant Contributors, redesigned our MSA website ( click MSA Home, soon we will have our legislative scorecard uploaded).
• To utilize social media, we created our MSA Blog for news, articles, MSA position statements and public comments, including articles from our Consultant Contributors. You can subscribe by adding your email address in the "Follow by Email" box on the right hand side of the MSA Blog, then hitting the "Submit" button. You will then receive a confirmation email in your inbox from Feedburner, click the confirmation link they provide in the email and you are set to receive notifications whenever MSA posts to the Blog.
• Additionally, we have set up a MSA Constant Contact email alert to quickly network issues as they happen. You can subscribe to our MSA Blog and Email Alerts, to bring the news right to your email box. If you are receiving this News Alert as a forward and would like to subscribe, simply click the olive green "Subscribe" button at the top right hand side, fill in your Name and email address, then click the gold "Sign Up" button, you will automatically be subscribed to MSA's Constant Contact mail list. If you would like to Unsubscribe, there is a safe, one click Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the Email.

We hope you like our efforts and of course, we are always open to suggestions.  For those of you who don’t know, we have been active on our Facebook page since our old site had become obsolete.
MSA has also made it easier to contribute through a secure, online Paypal account, where you can also use your debit/credit card, if you dont have a Paypal account. You are always welcome and encouraged to contribute by check through the old fashioned snail mail:

Montana Sportsmen Alliance
3238 3rd Ave. S.
Great Falls, MT 59405
Welcome and we hope you enjoy.

John Borgreen, Great Falls

Sam Milodragovich, Butte

Joe Perry, Conrad

JW Westman, Laurel

Robert Wood, Hamilton

Steve Schindler, Glasgow

Jeff Herbert, Helena

 

MSA APHIS Brucella Abortus Select Agent List Comment

March 14, 2016

Docket # APHIS -2014-0095

Regulatory Analysis & Development

PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8

4700 River Road, Unit 118

Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

Dr. Isaac:

The Montana Sportsmen Alliance, the voice of reason for the Montana hunters, anglers and conservationists appreciates the ability to comment on this very important issue. MSA strongly supports the removal of brucella abortus from the APHIS overlap select agent list.

MSA recognizes the hardship to Montana’s cattle producers when brucellosis is positively diagnosed. Private landowners, are our partners in stewardship of our publicly owned wildlife resources. MSA is equally concerned of transmission of brucellosis from domestic livestock to our wildlife, such as bison and elk. The fear of brucellosis transmission has greatly affected the natural distribution of our wildlife across the landscape and has caused conflicts between the livestock industry and wildlife advocates.

Reducing the above conflicts could be greatly affected by more research; therefore, being able to produce a more effective livestock vaccine is the ultimate outcome. With brucella abortus listed on the select agent list MSA strongly feels the overall production of a better vaccine is greatly hampered. In closing MSA feels removal of brucella abortus could be safely accomplished and would allow better, more thorough research. The end product could be an improved cattle vaccine, which would benefit Montana’s livestock industry as well as our publicly owned wildlife. MSA again, appreciates the ability to comment on issues of importance.

Respectfully submitted,

MSA Leadership Group:

John Borgreen, Great Falls

Sam Milodragovich, Butte

Joe Perry, Conrad

J.W. Westman, Park City

Robert Wood, Hamilton

Jeff Herbert, Helena

Steve Schindler, Glasgow

MSA Condolences

 Concerning the death of Jennifer and Joseph Knarr and their son, Daniel,

To our friends in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, so sorry and sad for your loss. Please know you, and all touched by this, are in our thoughts and prayers and we share your loss. Take comfort in family and friends and cherished memories. 

The Montana Sportsmen Alliance would like to offer our condolences to the family and to our family of FWP wardens!


 

State fails to act on festering Fort Belknap issues

An article recently appeared in the Gazette and newspapers across the state regarding an incident that occurred in September of 2014 in North central Montana. A group of armed individuals forcibly detained State Game Warden Dirk Paulsen for over 5 1/2 hours on a public country road in Blaine County, outside the Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation. The Tribal Business Committee had issued an order that no Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel may travel through or on lands owned by or associated with the Tribes. This, a result of wildlife citations issued to Tribal members who had illegally killed elk on BLM —not sub marginal or reservation—lands in the vicinity. The animals taken were trophy Missouri Breaks elk.  The acts would have been illegal regardless of who pulled the trigger.

The group forcibly detained Warden Paulsen, attempting numerous times to disarm him. Had it not been for Paulsen’s cool head and professionalism the outcome of this situation would undoubtedly have been tragic.  Paulsen was finally "allowed" to leave the scene and later personally issued a citation by Tribal Law Enforcement for trespassing- on a public, county road.

The Attorney General's Office investigated and produced an extensive report that to date hasn’t been acted upon. Yet, due to what appears to be nothing more than purely political reasons, Warden Dirk Paulsen's unlawful detainment has languished in the hands of the Attorney General, the Governor's Office and FWP administrators. After almost two years, they continue to allow the issues to simmer, unable to separate sub marginal lands jurisdiction from clearly illegal acts. They boiled up again recently and as a result Paulsen was ordered by FWP not to set foot on or travel through Tribal lands of the Ft. Belknap Reservation. Ostensibly, this order was for his "...personal safety..." but it also included a caveat that his failure to comply with the order could result in disciplinary action against him. 

In the incident, Dirk Paulsen's civil rights were violated as well as many state and federal laws —interfering with an officer of the law, coercion, unlawful restraint and a host of others that would constitute kidnapping by any other standard. Had this act been perpetrated by anyone else, they would be in jail. Yet, no action has been taken.  Instead, Paulsen has been vilified, the scapegoat of bureaucratic and political indolence and bungling.  All this when he, in fact, is the victim.  His excellent record of working with Tribal members and personal friendships and affiliations with the community are ignored and Paulsen is condemned a racist because he did his duty: investigating and citing people who willfully and knowingly violated state fish and game laws on public, non-Tribal lands.

Warden Paulsen was and is doing the job that we have entrusted him to do on behalf of all the people of Montana: protect and enhance our wild resources. That these crimes against him have been ignored is absolutely wrong. No Montanan –regardless of affiliation– is above the law. And allowing armed individuals to a take the law into their own hands in a fashion not unlike what recently occurred in Burns, Oregon, and do so with impunity is  unconscionable. 

On behalf of sportsmen and women and all Montanans, we condemn the treatment of Warden Paulsen. We urge in the strongest terms that the Governor, Attorney General and FWP administration stop playing politics, beating around the bush, and allowing these issues to fester. They need to voice strong support for Warden Paulsen in both words and deeds.  At the same time, the state must finally act to resolve jurisdictional issues with the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes. Working relationships with other tribes in Montana, most notably the Confederated Salish and Kootenai are in place that respects state and tribal rights and sovereignty while also protecting our precious wildlife resources. Ft. Belknap should be no exception. To continue to do nothing is to sidestep the responsibility of upholding the laws of the state, seriously diminishes the value of our wild resources and in essence, officially sanctions the illegal actions that took place on that county road in 2014.

Signed:

The Montana Sportsmen Alliance Leadership

John Borgreen, Great Falls

Sam Milodragovich, Butte

Joe Perry, Conrad

Steve Schindler, Glascow

JW Westman, Park City

Robert Wood, Hamilton

Jeff Herbert, Helena

MSA thoughts regarding recently passed "Shoulder Seasons"

March 2, 2016

Montana FWP Commission

Helena, MT

Dear Chairman Vermillion & Commissioners:

The Montana Sportsmen Alliance, the “Voice of Reason” for Montana hunters, anglers and those who enjoy our wildlife resources wish to thank all of you for your service to Montana’s conservation efforts. Although we often disagree, we do so as a result of our passion.

Our thoughts regarding the recently passed “shoulder seasons” are as follows:

• The criteria, numbers 1 through 4 being of the utmost importance, by which these shoulder seasons were sold to sportsmen must be strictly adhered to. Anything less will do nothing more than greatly upset Montana sportsmen and women. We trusted FWP and the Commission decision to follow these, we will be watching that they are followed to the letter, as Montanans were told they would be.
• There must be 100 per cent accountability throughout; that accountability spread between FWP and you, the Commission. Anything less will continue to ignite very poor relationships between Montana hunters, FWP and the Commission.
• The data, again which were added to these shoulder seasons, must be compiled in a timely manner and be accounted for-throughout the process with 100 percent transparency.
• Even though we were, and are still not seeing the importance of shoulder seasons we conceded they were going to be pushed through by FWP, The Governor’s office and the Commission. In this regard we’ve had enough. The time has come for you, the Commission, the Governor’s office and FWP to very publicly talk of why the tools we presently have in the tool box have never been allowed to work. In particular, going to antlerless only for all seasons in an over-objective area until it comes into objective. There needs to be open conversations regarding diseases, un-natural distribution across the landscape and of course un-natural concentrations (harboring). We all know these things are happening and we’re wondering when the conversations will begin, not just the bending to the will of landowners and outfitters.

We are also disappointed in the traction the “6 point rule” seemed to get. Homework on this issue was not done! MOGA’s proposal held no water and came from animal husbandry folks, not biologists. In science based management, multitudes of literature shows us they rarely work. We hope you never allow MOGA to push us into rediscovery of the wheel simply for their financial gain!

In closing we remain thankful we still have the process, which we aggressively protect, and we are thankful that we are able to speak, even if in very frank terms. Again thank you.

Montana Sportsmen Alliance

Montana's public trust wildlife model under seige

Montana's public trust wildlife model under seige by J.W. Westman

The Montana Model - Defined by the Public Trust 

Montana’s Constitution, Article IX, Section 7.  Re-enforces what has become known as the Montana Model.  That section states; Preservation of harvest heritage. The opportunity to harvest wild fish and wild game animals is a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the individual citizens of the state and does not create a right to trespass on private property or diminution of other private rights. In those simple, yet strong words, Montanans have a constitutional right to responsibly enjoy their public trust fish and wildlife.

Realistic discussions of the Montana Model must include a review of past successes that have made Montana the iconic state it is today. These successes define Montana’s Public Trust Model: Montana’s Stream Access Law, Fish and Wildlife In-Stream Flow Reservations, Habitat Montana, Upland Game Bird Program and Hunter Access Enhancement Program.

No shoulder seasons

When considering the ever-increasing pressure by privatization and commercialized interests focusing on Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ inability to manage elk numbers on and adjacent to private land, it’s no wonder polarization among interest groups is reaching a boiling point. The recently proposed, unnecessary “elk shoulder seasons” are the latest boiling pot ingredient. Part of the reason for the divisiveness on these issues lies in the fact that FWP has never established sideboards to the public trust. A solid commitment by FWP leadership to publicly develop those sideboards is necessary.

Public ownership of wildlife and wildlife must be managed by science, not opinion, as a public trust by FWP. Fair and equitable allocation of licenses and permits for Montana residents must be maintained first with up to 10 percent for nonresidents. Privatization schemes must be resisted.

Without this emphasis on the public trust, commercialization and privatization will continue eroding the public trust and focus on season structure and license/permit allocations favoring privatization and commercial interests will continue both inside and outside of the Legislature. Public understanding of the Montana’s Public Trust Model is crucial. We must:

• Institute a public trust educational program component into hunter education.
• Develop a private land/public partnership where both contribute. This program would not be designed to replace the existing block management program, rather provide an additional tool to landowners. The “Hunting Heritage Partnership” represents a starting point.
• Continue focus on Montana’s fair-chase, ethical hunting and fishing tradition; law enforcement that stresses that ethic; the democracy of hunting opportunity for Montana residents; continuation of the five-week season structure (with extensions for qualifying landowners) as the basis of sound wildlife management.
• Work with private landowners and sportsmen, to recognize the significance of various diseases and identify the role of problematic wildlife concentrations (harboring).

While not all inclusive, the following key elements have been established by past statute and FWP Commissions: continue with existing game damage qualification criteria (with no monetary compensation); prohibit winter big game feeding; continuation of no baiting policy; no game farms; no high fence hunting; continue to prohibit license transferability and limited entry elk and antelope archery seasons which limit nonresident participation at up to 10% must continue.  

Preserving Montana’s Public Trust Model will accomplish the business of “We the People.”

J.W. Westman of Park City is a longtime hunter and Montana outdoors advocate.

FWP proposal would reduce public hunting opportunity

FWP proposal would reduce public hunting opportunity by Joe Perry

February 6, 2016

Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the press and the governor have promoted elk shoulder seasons as successful. By what metric? If it’s just killing public trust elk, it begs the question: If the same level of access were available during the general season, would it not have achieved the same results or better?

It’s disingenuous to call this success without any data regarding the original objectives and performance measures. Most of us were led to believe it was a package deal. Obviously, we were misled.

Shoulder seasons, by definition, are any season outside of the regular five-week general hunting season. We’ve had shoulder seasons for many years. The differences are the shoulder seasons now proposed are for entire hunt districts, not just localized areas within hunt districts. Up till now, in order to have a shoulder season or any other game damage or management season action, a landowner must meet qualification criteria that incorporates access during the five-week season into any management action. The newly proposed shoulder seasons by contrast ignore landowner qualification criteria. The only requirement is that the hunt district be over objective. This is wholly unacceptable.

This dynamic allows outfitters to sell public trust bull elk without allowing any public access to properties during the archery and general seasons. So elk congregate on these lands and from surrounding lands hunted by the public. The public is denied an opportunity to harvest these critters and elk congregate in large bunches, increasing danger of easy disease transmission. Because outfitters harvest almost entirely bulls, the antlerless animals tend to become over objective.

There are instances of elk not being present during the general season, only to show up later. Those folks need some help. But it seems a huge part of the driving force is from private lands outfitted during the general with little or no public hunting access.

In proposing to jump from five pilot projects to 44 hunt districts, has FWP done the homework with the landowners as required? Is there buy-in from landowners who know the original goals and objectives? Have we changed the rules on the metrics used to evaluate shoulder seasons? What happened to the measurable objectives decided upon earlier?

What is the cause of these over objective numbers? Elk hunting interest, being what it is in Montana, it's difficult to understand hunt districts being 200 percent to 300 percent over objective and growing at 15 percent per year. This screams harboring, plain and simple.

Would local businesses not flourish during the regular season if access weren’t an issue?

We think it is only fair to let the public know if rules are changed. Let's slow down, stop the rhetoric, stay the course, stick to the original rules, collect the data and present it honestly and factually. Last but not least, why are some wanting to treat our public elk as a private commodity during hunting season and pregnant varmints after the season? We find this very distasteful.

Joe Perry of Brady writes for the Montana Sportsman's Alliance. He was appointed this month by Gov. Steve Bullock to the Montana Private Land Public Wildlife Advisory Council.