News

Wolf Management Controversy – MBA Position

Posted by at 3:07 am

As you are probably aware Judge Donald Molloy has handed down his decision to re-list the gray wolf as an endangered species. The MBA is very disappointed in this decision.  Aside from the fact that the 2010-2011 wolf season would have been the first season to incorporate an archery only opportunity, Judge Molloy’s decision once again takes the management of our wolf populations out of the hands of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Dept. and puts it back into the courtrooms where decisions are often made based on legal tactics and emotional arguments rather than sound biological principles.

Up until now the MBA has supported any and all attempts by FWP to manage wolves. We have also financially supported studies which focus on wolf predation hoping this science would one day help win the fight in the courtroom as well as help FWP manage wolves once they are de-listed.  However and from the legal aspect, there was not much we could do but wait on Judge Molloy’s verdict and hope for the best.

Along the way the sportsmen of this state have played by the rules while waiting for the right decision to come down from the court system giving us the ability to manage wolves which are decimating our large ungulate herds in certain areas of the state. Meanwhile the anti-hunting and environmentalist crowd has been using the system against us and continually increasing what they see as “acceptable populations “ while the population of wolves in our state rises to an alarming level well above the numbers that we were forced to accept when these animals were re-introduced.

It’s time to take the gloves off. The MBA is now working with groups like the National Rifle Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever and other nationwide sportsman’s organizations along with state organizations from across the country to change the way wolves are managed. Montana’s congressional delegation has proposed to introduce legislation to put the wolf management back into the state’s hands, and they have asked for our support.

We are now talking with other groups with similar views and interests to come up with a solid strategy to achieve the goal of Montana managing its own wildlife as we see fit and based on biology rather than emotion. In the coming weeks we will be sharing with you this strategy and sincerely urge you to do all you can to help us win this fight. The future of hunting in Montana depends on it. At this point in time the best thing you can do is contact our Senators and Representative listed below and insist they support legislation that allows wolves to be managed at the state level.

Senator Max Baucus (maxbaucus@baucus.senate.gov)

Senator Jon Tester (http//tester.senate.gov/Contact/)

Representative Denny Rehberg (denny.rehberg@mail.house.gov)

Sincerely
Jason Tounsley,  MBA President

MBA Report on Initiative No. 161

Posted by at 3:02 am

As most of you know by now, Ballot Initiative No. 161 has received enough signatures to qualify for the November General Election ballot.  I-161 abolishes outfitter-sponsored hunting licenses, replaces outfitter-sponsored big game licenses with general nonresident licenses, and increases nonresident license fees in order to preserve funding for hunting access and habitat.

During our board meeting in March, the Board decided against taking a position on

I-161, and will focus instead on educating our members in a pro-con fashion.  We settled on this course based on the fact that the MBA does not have a vote in November, although our members certainly do.  Our organizational responsibility is to present the pro and con positions so that our members can be as educated as possible on this issue and vote their conscience.

Here’s a bit of background on outfitter-sponsored hunting licenses: Current law sets aside 5,500 non-resident big game combination licenses (out of 17,000) and 2,300 non-resident deer combination licenses (out of 4,600) exclusively for outfitters and their clients.  Each of these licenses requires the non-resident book a hunt with a licensed outfitter and pay an increased license fee.  No draw by lottery is required, as the outfitter is guaranteed the license.  Conversely, a non-resident who does not book with an outfitter pays a lower license fee and is subject to a lottery draw.  I-161 aims to remove the outfitter-sponsored licenses and allocate all of those licenses to the general non-resident draw pool.  It would additionally increase the cost of all non-resident licenses, and projects a net increase in revenue.  Another factor to consider in I-161 is the potential impact to the Block Management Program (BMP).  The BMP currently derives its funding from non-resident license sales, the majority of which comes from outfitter set-aside licenses.

Proponents of I-161 cite the following reasons for supporting the initiative:

• Provides non-residents equal opportunity to draw a license, rather than showing preference to hunters able to secure an outfitter-guaranteed license
• Removes the direct financial connection between Fish, Wildlife and Parks and revenue generated by the outfitting industry
• Attempts to reduce the incentive for outfitters to lease land
• Attempts to reduce the potential for harboring of wildlife on private land
• Attempts to reduce the potential of privatization/commercialization of wildlife
• Aims to increase funding for hunting access and habitat improvement (Habitat Montana and Block Management Programs)
• Does not eliminate outfitting or guiding services; any non-resident hunter may still choose to use an outfitter

Opponents of I-161 cite the following reasons for opposing the initiative:

• Attempts to regulate private businesses through an initiative process rather than the free market
• Attempts to manage wildlife through an initiative process rather than broad oversight of the legislature, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the Commission, and the Private Land Public Wildlife Council
• Fails to address the issue of private land leasing by non-residents individuals or hunting clubs
• Potential increase in non-resident hunter days afield and additional hunting pressure on public lands, as individuals would not be bound by an outfitter’s land use plan and schedule
• Potential to lessen revenues should all non-resident licenses not be sold
• Increase potential of legal action regarding inequity in  resident and non-resident license fee structure
• Individual landowners ultimately decide how their private lands are managed and who is allowed to hunt; removing outfitter-sponsored licenses will not change the hunting access structure on public lands

One thing seems clear in reviewing the pro and con points of I-161.  No one really knows for sure what the outcome will be if the initiative passes.  As with any complex issue, many variables exist, and unintended consequences may result.  Each MBA member must carefully weigh the risk-benefit ratio they perceive before they vote.

We’ve included op-ed pieces in this issue to give members the opportunity to voice their viewpoint.  We hope this pro-con article offers a concise overview of each side’s stance.  If you wish to review additional viewpoints of each position, visit Kurt Kephart’s website on I-161 at www.publicwildlife.org and the Say No To I-161 website, paid for by Supporters for Preserving Montana’s Outfitting Tradition, at www.stop161.org.  View full text of I-161 at: http://sos.mt.gov/elections/archives/2010s/2010/initiatives/I-161.asp.

Disabled Bowhunters

Posted by at 2:55 am

The MBA wants to help disabled folks get back out into the field. We’ve compiled a list of organizations on this page to help.

More links will be included as they become available. If you know of an organization that should be added, please e-mail the webmaster.

For assistance right here locally, feel free to contact the following MBA members who may be able to offer suggestions and more information:

• Jim Gappa, 406-655-8263, jsgappa@msn.com
• Billy Lewis, 406-220-1837,billylewis71@yahoo.com
• Greg Munther, 406-542-1320, munther@bresnan.net

Products for Disabled Bowhunters

Axess Outdoors’ Off-Road Wheelchairs

Axess Outdoors’ goal is to provide a manual, off-road wheelchair to help disabled people see that they can still enjoy the outdoors independently. The innovative design of the “Independent Mobility” (i.m.) allows a space for carrying your own equipment, whether it is your backpack or a small cooler. Getting people back into the outdoors actively allows a person to live a happier, healthier lifestyle. You can live the way you lived before you became disabled by “taking the dis out of disability”. – George Young, Designer/User

For more information visit www.axessoutdoors.com or contact George Young, Axess Outdoors, 1308 Park Garden Rd., Great Falls, MT 59404, 406-899-4726.

New York Bowhunters Association

The New York Bowhunters Association’s Physically Challenged Committee was formed to assist those Physically Challenged hunters who thought they would never again be able to bowhunt, to in fact enjoy our sport once again. The NYB Physically Challenged Committee has led the nation in developing innovative accessories and techniques which allows Physically Challenged hunters to legally bowhunt with modified archery equipment. The Physically Challenged Committee has helped numerous hunters from across New York State and the country to get back out into the outdoors to enjoy bowhunting once again. This list of hunters includes paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, the blind and the deaf to name just a few. Many other hunters with various illnesses and diseases have also been helped by the committee. www.newyorkbowhunters.com

PTMAE (Permit To Modify Archery Equipment)

Also known as the MAP (Modified Archery Permit), the MBA sponsored and led the way on this permit that allows a person with a permanent disability to use modified archery tackle that supports the bow, and draws, holds and releases the string to accommodate the individual disability (arrows, however, are not exempt, and still need to meet current requirements for the archery season as defined in the annual regulations). Crossbows may not be used during the archery season. Download form here …

Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America

Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded to assist physically disabled persons with actively participating in bowhunting and archery sports. A major emphasis is placed on reaching people with disabilities who have never been exposed to the greatest recreational therapy in the world – bowhunting and archery. www.pcba-inc.org

United Foundation For Disabled Archers

If you are a physically challenged hunter looking for unique bowhunting adventures, the United Foundation For Disabled Archers (UFFDA) has the opportunity you have been searching for. Each year, seasoned bowhunting volunteers sponsor free bowhunts for UFFDA’s disabled members and we would consider it a privilege to entertain you on one of these hunts each year.www.uffdaclub.com

Bitterroot Wolf Elk Study Request for Funding

Posted by at 3:39 am

Here is information about the Wolf / Elk Study. The study involves putting GPS collars on 40 cow elk, 20 from the East Fork of the Bitterroot (HD 270), and 20 from the West Fork (HD 250). Radio location data will provide information on movement patterns, location of calving areas, and interchange with adjacent herds. The 60 elk calves will receive radio collars and monitored daily for one year to determine survival and mortalities. In addition, wolves will be fitted with radio collars in the West Fork with the intent of targeting packs that are presently unmarked.

The driving force behind this study is science over opinion. The results of this study could potentially have a profound impact of the future direction of the elk management and wolf management as well as the court. The study will allow FWP to set predator quotas based on science to help achieve elk objectives for the entire state not just the Bitterroot.

Please look it over and consider contributing and help out some elk! The MBA has set up a special fund and is helping to support this study. Members can help by contributing to the MBA in support of this study. Information on contributions can be found in the last paragraph of the Wolf / Elk Study. If you have questions, please e-mailJason Widaman, MBA Region 2 Representative.

Jason Widaman, MBA Region 2 Representative
406-799-9939

Archery Season for Wolves

Posted by at 3:54 am

Fellow MBA Members,

The Fish and Game Commissioners are currently considering an archery season for wolves that would run during the archery season while we are out there hunting elk and deer and would allow 20% of the wolf quota for any specific wolf unit to be taken with a bow. They are also considering increasing the wolf quotas to one of three choices – 153, 186, 216. The MBA is supporting the wolf archery season as well as supporting the highest wolf quota of 216. The Commissioners need to hear it from you the bowhunters and sportsmen of Montana too.

Go to:http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=43678 to find out more about the specifics of the proposals.

Fish Wildlife and Parks is also holding statewide meetings to hear the public’s comments on the wolf season. I’ve attached the schedule so you can all get out to the meeting in your area and let them know what you think.

Its time to step up and be heard. Thanks for your continued support and involvement.

Steve Kamps – MBA Tentatives Chair