Why It Matters: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission was directed by a recent decision out of the ninth circuit court of appeals to adjust wolf trapping seasons within the court-established geographic area. These changes are a result of the court finding that wolf trapping and snaring could pose a “reasonable risk” to ESA listed …
Why It Matters: As the hot, dry summer months drag on, many western states are being impacted by drought and fire conditions. Heat, fire, and reduced water flows are having an impact on fish and wildlife, leading to access restrictions as state fish and wildlife agencies scramble to balance wildlife health, public safety, sporting access, …
Outdoor Activities Heating Up in the West, but Not in a Good Way Read More »
Why It Matters: This past week, the fish and game Commissions for both Montana and Washington State reviewed their mountain lion quotas and hunting seasons. Montana took an ecosystem approach and aimed for harvests that were sustainable for both mountain lions and ungulates while maintaining hunting opportunities. Washington focused solely on mountain lion populations with …
Why It Matters: As population studies wrap-up, commissions convene, and court decisions are announced, management and regulatory conversations begin anew. While wolves are only one species among thousands, the decisions being made with wolf management have ripple effects throughout wildlife conservation as well as hunting and trapping opportunities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is working …
Why It Matters: Delisting the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) regions will return the management of the bear to the respective state fish and wildlife agencies. State fish and wildlife agencies have long been recognized as the primary and most effective managers of fish and wildlife …
FWS Announces Consideration to Delist Certain Grizzly Bear Populations Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why it Matters: As the fourth largest state in the nation, it is often a difficult task to bring legislators and conservation partners from across Montana to one place, particularly in off session years. Therefore, the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Advisory Council decided to take this …
Montana Sportsmen’s Caucus Wraps Up Spring Events Tour Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Why it Matters: According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 report titled “Species Status Assessment for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Lower-48 States” the grizzly bear population in the NCDE has made significant strides towards recovery. The proposed amendments to the NCDE Grizzly …
Montana: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Highlights: Why it Matters: Despite their popularity and charismatic nature, gray wolves are just like every other species of wildlife in that they need to be properly managed in order to mitigate conflict. Unfortunately, gray wolf management is not that straight forward and fraught with controversy over …
Montana Wildlife Commission Tackles Controversial Wolf Management Directive Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Highlights: Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women play an integral and unique role in providing the majority of state-level conservation funding in the United States through the American System of Conservation Funding. Since the inception of this System, state fish and wildlife agencies have …