"PLPW Forwards Recommendations to FWP and the Public, Comments Due August 4, 2004"

PLPW [Private Land/Public Wildlife Council] has been charged with some of the most important issues to hunters and anglers- public access to public wildlife on private lands- and have spent the past year and a half reviewing Block Management, The Montana Hunter Enhancement Program and Fishing Access Enhancement Program before their respective sunset deadlines in 2006 to develop recommendations. The 12 resultant recommendations will be forwarded to the 2005 Legislature after a public comment period is completed. You are encouraged to examine these recommendations and send your comments before the deadline on August 4, 2004. The importance of PLPW's work cannot be overemphasized, some of the recommendations are strong viable statements, some leave something to be desired. Send your comments as soon as you can. The PLPW recommendations have been posted on FWP's website for review at http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/publicnotices/show.aspx?id=614, I have summarized them for your convenience.

1. Re-authorize existing program by repealing sunset provisions attached to program statutes and assure continuation of a citizens' review committee.
2. FWP should create a "Montana Access Partners" decal, made available through voluntary purchase at an amount of $10 annually, with revenue dedicated to helping fund access programs.
3. FWP should establish a trust fund, which could perhaps be administered through the FWP Foundation, providing for voluntary donations with the interest income dedicated to helping fund hunting access programs.
4. FWP should create a Big Game Super Tag program, with unlimited chances sold for a special tag, one each for moose, sheep, goat, elk, and deer, in a lottery-type system which provides for random selection of the permit recipients, with proceeds from the sales dedicated to helping fund the hunting access programs.
5. FWP should create a new category of license, a Landowner-Sponsored B-10 Elk/Deer Combination License, subject to the following provisions:
   • no more than 500 licenses created; licenses do not count against the 17,000 limit;
   • licenses are non-transferable;
   • no landowner may sponsor more than 2 hunters; landowners must designate hunters in advance of license being issued;
   • license sells for same price as same type license in general category;
   • landowner must enter into contractual public hunting access agreement with FWP for eligibility to sponsor hunters;
   • net proceeds will be earmarked for hunting access programs;
   • use of the license restricted to the sponsoring landowner's deeded land and interior inholdings of state and federal land where the sponsoring landowner has exclusive authority to grant access;
6. Only if FWP determines it is economically feasible, sale of advertising in the Hunting Access Guides should be considered a possible source of revenue for funding the hunting access programs.
7. Allow nonresident cooperators to receive complimentary license AND compensation.
8. Allow Block Management Cooperator eligible to receive complimentary license to designate immediate family member or an employee who is employed by such owner or owners as a ranch manager or in a similar capacity to receive the complimentary license instead.
9. FWP should continue to improve and standardize BMA maps, incorporating landowner input for increased accuracy.
10. Remove restrictions on impact payments for species/season restrictions under certain wildlife management situations.
11. FWP should hire more game wardens and hunting access technicians, with duties assigned specifically to provide better patrol, management, and enrollment of properties in Block Management.

As you can see, MWF is happy that PLPW supports reauthorization of the programs and has taken steps to stabilize them. However, some of the provisions do raise some concern. Already landowners can choose from 9
complimentary license programs, they shouldn't add another license give away to the list until they consolidate and simplify present programs. The Super Tag is fashioned after Idaho's program will impose a burden on FWP and may not even raise the anticipated revenue.

After many false starts over the years, the PLPW has produced a product in the form of these Recommendations. It is incumbent upon sportsmen and sportswomen to speak their concerns about the proposed programs and add their voice to the conversation. Please make that voice loud and clear, so they know you're listening.

Comments can be submitted electronically through the website www.fwp.state.mt.us/hunting/plpw
or in writing by August 4, 2004 to:

Alan Charles, Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations
PO Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620.

Thank you for standing up for Montana's hunting and Fishing Heritage.

Larry Copenhaver
Conservation Director
Montana Wildlife Federation
Web-site: montanawildlife.com
[406]458-0227
[800]517-7256

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