This free page features the Big
Sky Upland Bird Association
and is courtesy of the Montana Hunting and Fishing
Journal.
To find out how your non-profit organization
can acquire a free page, contact scaggs@nwf.org.
[Check out the MHFJ
Scrapbook for some great photos, too!]
Big
Sky Upland Bird Association
POB 9005, Missoula, MT 59807
Dedicated to:
• improving habitat for all upland birds,
• opening more land to the public,
• encouraging ethical hunting and good relationships
with landowners and managing
agencies,
• educating and informing upland bird hunters, and
• fostering friendships among them.
This May, Montana's Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission proposed
shortening the upland bird seasons, delaying the traditional September
1 opener. The Big Sky Upland Bird Association was dead-set against
this and, in partnership with a majority of Montana's bird hunters,
was able to defeat the proposal at the Commission's June meeting.
Pass Anti-Upland Bird laws? Nope!
With BSUBA's assistance, Senator Dale Mahlum (R-Missoula) introduced
a bill that would have reduced penalties for accidental trespass
while hunting properties with no marked boundaries. A competing
bill by Senator Keith Bales (R-Otter) would have increased the
penalty for the second instance of accidental trespass to $2,000.
Unfortunately, Senator Mahlum's bill failed, and, fortunately,
so did Senator Bales'.
One bill would have slashed spending on upland bird habitat
projects, instead dedicating all funds to releasing tame farm-reared
pheasants, a practice which has been scientifically proven fruitless
for increasing upland bird populations. Another bill would have
transferred all responsibility for upland bird enhancement, and
even funds raised by upland bird license sales, to Montana State
University, leaving Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks with less
authority and no funding to improve bird habitats. BSUBA was pivotal
in defeating both these bad bills, helping organize hunters to
write legislators, attend the hearings, and speak out in opposition
to bills gutting our critical upland bird programs.
BSUBA engages the issues, and gets results.
We have been appointed to the Montana Citizen Advisory Committee
on Upland Birds, taking one of only twelve citizen seats. That
Committee has recommended extending most upland bird seasons,
increasing habitat improvement projects, hiring more Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks staff dedicated to professional upland bird
management, and accomplishing it all under a new 10-year state
upland bird plan.
We have met with, and lobbied, Fish and Game Commissioners
tirelessly to support acquisition of more public land and conservation
easements in Montana for upland bird hunting, continuing a long
track record of support for more public hunting opportunities.
We have been some of the most active and effective outdoors
advocates in Helena. Several anti-hunter and anti-game animal
bills were introduced in the 2003 session. Hunters spent a tremendous
amount of time and energy defeating these bills, and trying to
pass a handful of pro-hunting and pro-wildlife bills.
The Big Sky Upland Bird
Association is committed to serving you, the Montana bird hunter.
Whether you hunt sharp-tailed grouse on Montana's prairies, ringneck
pheasants in our farmlands, or blue grouse high on the mountain
divides, BSUBA is dedicated to conserving all of Montana's upland
birds. No other organization works routinely with agencies and lawmakers
to preserve your hunt quality, to increase your bird hunting opportunities,
to raise funding for improving upland bird habitats, or to advocate
professional upland bird management and rational seasons.
Please join us!
Here is what you get for
your $20 membership!
Quarterly newsletters and meetings on upland birds, full of
conservation updates, "how-to" hunting and shooting
tips, dog training information, and other key information for
continuing your enjoyment of our bird hunting heritage.
An invitation to the annual Wing Shot Warm-Up Invitational sporting
clays shoot. In 2003 it was held in late August in the upper Blackfoot
Valley.
An attractive new decal, to display your support for upland
birds and your sport.
The strongest organized voice in Montana for upland bird habitat
conservation and hunting opportunities.
