"Access and Animals: Complexity, Contradictions
and Cultural Changes"
The Wheeler Center, May 13th in Helena

Hello MWF Members:

For several months I have been working on another effort that will draw public attention to the issues related to the increasing loss of public access, public opportunities and related public wildlife management issues. Some of you may have heard about this or even seen it posted on the internet. The draft agenda, dates, attendees, etc., have now been pretty much set. The event, conducted by The Wheeler Center will take place May 13 in Helena. Jim Posewitz and Chris Marchion will be participants as well as stockgrowers, outfitters, legislators and others.

Below is the invitation from the Wheeler Center. Clearly sportsmen, sportswomen and MWF members, including board members, should make a good showing. If you would like to see the near final draft agenda, you can go to The Wheeler Center Web-site, listed below, and then click on the Program's text.

Larry Copenhaver

From the Wheeler Center - We cordially invite you and your associates to the upcoming Wheeler Center Spring Conference on hunting access issues. There is a $20.00 registration fee for attendees prior to May 7, and $40.00 after May 7. Please feel free to pass on this invitation to your email lists, memberships lists and associates.

"Access and Animals: Complexity, Contradictions and Cultural Changes"

A Wheeler Public Forum

Thursday, May 13, 8am - 4pm

Holiday Inn Downtown, Helena

Montana's hunting heritage is broad and deep. Our varied and plentiful game attracts tremendous attention both in and out of state. Over the last several years, important questions have arisen about access to Montana's game animals as changes have occurred in licensing structures, game management strategies, patterns of land ownership, attitudes about hunting, and the economic value of game animals.

To facilitate discussion on these topics, the Burton K. Wheeler Center at MSU has organized a day-long forum on Thursday, May 13 in Helena at the Holiday Inn Downtown. The conference is designed for any Montanan with an interest or stake in this issue: state game managers and biologists, hunters, outfitters, ranchers, realtors, land and animal conservation organizations, educators, extension agents, elected officials and other decision makers in this arena. To see the program and to register, go to www.montana.edu/wheeler <http://www.montana.edu/wheeler>. Please also call us at 994-0336 with questions. The deadline for registering is May 7.

The Wheeler Center is a non-partisan, privately funded public policy center at Montana State University. Our mission is to gather Montanans together to discuss critical state issues in a frank and open educational forum. All
Wheeler events are designed for, and open to, the general public.

So there will be broad representation at the conference, we encourage you to send this invitation to all those on your email lists. Thanks very much; we look forward to seeing you in Helena.

Julie Hitchcock
Associate Director
Burton K. Wheeler Center for Public Policy
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
www.montana.edu/wheeler

This message is brought to you by the Montana Wildlife Federation ... Montana's largest, statewide wildlife conservation organization with over 7,000 members.