On November 8, Montanans soundly rejected Initiative 177 (I-177), which would have banned trapping on public lands in Montana, subverting the science-based fish and wildlife management model in the United States. Voters defeated I-177 by a vote of 63 percent to 37 percent. As written, I-177 would have prohibited use of traps and snares for …
On Tuesday, November 8, Montanans will decide the future of trapping in the state when they go to the polls to vote on Initiative 177 (I-177), which would ban trapping on public lands in Montana, subverting the science-based fish and wildlife management model in the United States. As written, I-177, “generally prohibits the use of …
Anti-Trapping Ballot Initiative to go Before Montana Voters on Election Day Read More »
On June 9, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Member Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT) announced his new public lands and access agenda, aimed at both protecting existing recreational access to public lands in Montana and exploring opportunities for opening up additional access to public lands in Big Sky Country. Governor Bullock’s public land access agenda was centered …
Montana: Governor Steve Bullock Announces New Public Lands Agenda Read More »
As of December 13, both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a F.Y. 2015 $1.1 trillion appropriations bill for the U.S. government, which extends until September 30, 2015. In a win for the sportsmen’s community, unwarranted regulation of traditional ammunition and fishing tackle with lead components via the Toxic Substances Control Act will …
Omnibus Spending Bill Includes Pro-Sportsmen Provisions Read More »
2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – Montana
Montana sportsmen outnumber the combined number of residents in Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls (232,000 vs. 218,000). Every five years in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey on hunters and anglers, CSF produces a report on the economic impact hunters and anglers have on the economy. This information is vital in helping policy …
Summary Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for access to activities like hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. As these agencies develop strategies to manage federal lands, it is critical for those who support these …
Summary In recent years, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use has increased rapidly across the country.The unmitigated consequences of such growth not only threatens the environmental health of the lands used in OHV recreation but also threatens to eliminate future OHV opportunities. Some states have taken steps to provide adequate funding for sustainable OHV management and …
Summary Properly managed wildlife habitat is essential for supporting sustainable and healthy wildlife populations. Well-managed lands containvarious successional stages that provide a diversity of habitats capable of supporting a diversity of wildlife. On federal lands, however, young forests and other early seral habitats are often underrepresented. The most efficient method to improve wildlife habitat is …
Summary In most states, fish and wildlife agencies are the entities best equipped to address fish and wildlife management issues within their respective borders. Recent efforts have been made to undermine state fish and wildlife management authority by placing greater authority under federal or local jurisdiction poses a serious threat to the future of state-based …
