"Public Meeting in Bozeman (Monday, June 21st, 7:00 pm)
to Discuss FWP's EA on Bison Hunt"

Dear Sentry:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting in Bozeman on Monday, June 21st to gather public input on an environmental assessment that evaluates a bison hunt in southwestern Montana. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Lane, in Bozeman

The environmental assessment was prepared to evaluate the feasibility of a limited public hunt for bison that enter Montana from Yellowstone National Park. Bison from the Yellowstone herd were legally hunted in Montana in the early 1950s and late 1980s.

Public responses to our scoping document issued in February were evenly divided between respondents in favor of hunting, and those opposing hunting. The public’s opinions of the four alternatives contained in the environmental assessment are encouraged so that FWP can continue the process. The four alternatives include a no hunting alternative, and three other alternatives that vary in location, hunt periods, and number of permits.

If you can't make the public meeting, MWF urges you to send in you comments. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. July 9, 2004 and should be mailed to:

Bison Hunt, Montana FWP
1400 S. 19th Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59718

or e-mail comments to bisonhuntcomment@montana.edu.

The EA is available for viewing on the FWP website at http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/publicnotices/show.aspx?id=605, or a copy can be obtained from the Region 3 headquarters at (406) 994-4042.

Thank you for standing up for Montana's hunting and fishing heritage.

Larry Copenhaver

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