Gianforte sides with Mega Ranchers/Outfitters

[Meteetse Trail]

I see Gianforte signed SB 106 to restrict aircraft landing hunters. The bill, supposedly to stop scouting and harrasing game was based on very thin anecdotal testimony, with no supporting documentation on how prevalent the problem is. I do not believe there was any real problem. The bill supposedly will still allow helicopters to drop off hunters on public land, BUT the landing must be within 100 feet of a two track road!!! What a joke. There are large areas of landlocked public land that offer good hunting opportunities, but doggone few of them will have a "two track" road out in the middle. For hunters to wish to spend money for a helicopter transportation to a nice hunting area, this is a slap in the face. It will benefit only big mega ranchers and outfitters who slaver for exclusive access to public land. Looks like Gianforte and the Republicans in the legislature are selling out average citizens. Any guess what they will do if corner crossing ever gets back on the table in Montana????

 

[mtmuley]

Do you have a plane or a helicopter? mtmuley

 

[Forkyfinder]

Someone didnt like the durfee hills trick. Amazing what a little money can buy.

 

[mtmuley]

Someone didnt like the durfee hills trick. Amazing what a little money can buy.

A little money. mtmuley

 

[MTLabrador]

I’m all for restricting aerial scouting and I guess I don’t see what the problem is with landing on a two track. You can’t land a helicopter on national forest or state land in Montana, which restricts air travel to BLM. Pretty much all landlocked BLM in Montana has cattle grazing, and there’s going to be two tracks anywhere there are cattle.

Someone didnt like the durfee hills trick. Amazing what a little money can buy.

This doesn’t change that at all. There’s old two tracks all over that country.

 

[BuzzH]

Do you have a plane or a helicopter? mtmuley

Better to rent, and that's usually way cheaper than paying for a guided hunt.

 

[mtmuley]

Better to rent, and that's usually way cheaper than paying for a guided hunt.

I know a guy. mtmuley

 

[Meteetse Trail]

I’m all for restricting aerial scouting and I guess I don’t see what the problem is with landing on a two track. You can’t land a helicopter on national forest or state land in Montana, which restricts air travel to BLM. Pretty much all landlocked BLM in Montana has cattle grazing, and there’s going to be two tracks anywhere there are cattle.


This doesn’t change that at all. There’s old two tracks all over that country.

What defines a two track? Established road? pickup track? Will rancher file complaint on old pickup track? Really stupid. I lived in Alaska for years. Most hunting/fishing was drop off. No hunting same day. If someone wants to pay a few$$ for a helicopter drop off...no problem. Two track or not.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I’m all for restricting aerial scouting and I guess I don’t see what the problem is with landing on a two track. You can’t land a helicopter on national forest or state land in Montana, which restricts air travel to BLM. Pretty much all landlocked BLM in Montana has cattle grazing, and there’s going to be two tracks anywhere there are cattle.


This doesn’t change that at all. There’s old two tracks all over that country.

Why include it the provision about two tracks then?

To be clear - the aerial craft went from different day to 24 hour requirement. When prince ali ababwa buys the sheep hunt tag - and flies the breaks - he is still going to shoot/hunt the next day or the following day.

 

[rogerthat]

Do you have a link to the final text? The draft I saw I didn’t see anything about the 2 track issue. I’m trying to understand what you are saying and the implications of the bill as signed into law.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Do you have a link to the final text? The draft I saw I didn’t see anything about the 2 track issue. I’m trying to understand what you are saying and the implications of the bill as signed into law.

https://legiscan.com/MT/bill/SB106/2025

Think this is final.

 

[Gerald Martin]

How is this siding with mega-landowners & outfitters?

The change from hunting after spotting or flying from next day to 24 hours is siding with fair chase and is an improvement for all hunters.

This isn’t a siding with one user group over another.

 

[Meteetse Trail]

Ron Howell, FWP law enforcement guy is the one quoted in the Gazette article on the 100 foot issue for enforcement. If not part of the law, why did he say so?
BTW, As I recall, Alaska law prohibited helicopter drop offs for Dall sheep. Dont know if it the same now, but it was a good law. No drop off for sheep hunting..yes.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Existing law is landing on or beside two tracks on BLM. Forest Service only allows landing on established la ding strips. What part of this is Gianforte siding with mega-landowners @ outfitters?

 

[BuzzH]

Existing law is landing on or beside two tracks on BLM. Forest Service only allows landing on established la ding strips. What part of this is Gianforte siding with mega-landowners @ outfitters?

I talked with the BLM about landing on an open ridge in an elk unit I was looking to hunt. They told me to provide the location and they would do an assessment on it and if they found nothing like an archeological site, etc. they would approve it.

 

[2ski]

I dont know many none rich people that can afford helicopters so this doesnt effect me or the 98% of hunters anyways.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I talked with the BLM about landing on an open ridge in an elk unit I was looking to hunt. They told me to provide the location and they would do an assessment on it and if they found nothing like an archeological site, etc. they would approve it.

Is this new law a lessening of access opportunity? Serious question. I don’t fly to access hunting areas. I’m reading the significance of the change to be in the time between flying and hunting which I view as a good thing since it limits the amount of folks who fly open country at dusk to spot elk and then hunt them the next morning at daylight.

Am I missing something?

 

[BuzzH]

Is this new law a lessening of access opportunity? Serious question. I don’t fly to access hunting areas. I’m reading the significance of the change to be in the time between flying and hunting which I view as a good thing since it limits the amount of folks who fly open country at dusk to spot elk and then hunt them the next morning at daylight.

Am I missing something?

I have the same question, I don't see anything in the legislation that says anything about where a plane or helicopter can land.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

The key point is land otherwise....

 

[Lota lota]

Is this new law a lessening of access opportunity? Serious question. I don’t fly to access hunting areas. I’m reading the significance of the change to be in the time between flying and hunting which I view as a good thing since it limits the amount of folks who fly open country at dusk to spot elk and then hunt them the next morning at daylight.

Am I missing something?

I agree with you 100%. Not only that...it's practically unenforceable. I don't know how they could prove that's actually what you were flying for.