HB 596

[sacountry]

Mac 'n Lamb on the same side of a bill? Yup I can confirm that I just saw it on HB596. I know Ben's been working on this for quite some time. Great to see. Nice job Ben.

 

[Big Fin]

Link here - https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2023/billpdf/HB0596.pdf

 

[sapperJ24]

A quick read through, free access, 3 public tags to 1 owner tag, the landowner can pick 1 public and FWP picks the other 2 tag holders.
And to receive a limited permit, the landowner must allow access for an equal permit.

Is that other's takeaways?

 

[cgasner1]

So would they have to open it up to the entire public with a valid tag or just whoever draws

 

[Ben Lamb]

A quick read through, free access, 3 public tags to 1 owner tag, the landowner can pick 1 public and FWP picks the other 2 tag holders.
And to receive a limited permit, the landowner must allow access for an equal permit.

Is that other's takeaways?

The bill also gives the commission a lot more leeway in approving applications based on the final negotiation between the agency & the landowner, meaning the strict 3:1 agreements will be less likely to get approved versus those where more opportunity is given for the license.

There will be three amendments to this bill:

1.) Allows the agency to choose the first hunter, in consultation with the landowner.

2) allows this to apply only to private land, and private land leased for ag production

3.) Deletes the language relative to where the application should be filed. We are going to get a rule on that instead of law so it is more specific.

This is the 4th bill in the MCEMC/MOGA elk package.

HB 621 & HB 635 are up Thursday.

SB 281, HB 243, SB 58 are the other bills, and we were successful in adding a fte to FWP's budget to gather better data for the Hunt Planner including what are open or closed DNRC roads, new access agreements & generally curate the hunt planner better. Senator Jeff Welborn secured the extra FTE.

 

[Ben Lamb]

So would they have to open it up to the entire public with a valid tag or just whoever draws

The agency & landowner will negotiate the final ratio. These are for management purposes so it's a lot of cow hunting as well as limited bull hunting, depending on the landowner. This bill moves the program to a better direction.

 

[sacountry]

This is the 4th bill in the MCEMC/MOGA elk package.
[/QUOTE]

This was the first time I was able to tune in for one. Kinda like watching Ripley's Believe It Or Not, except it was broadcast on MPAN.

 

[cgasner1]

The agency & landowner will negotiate the final ratio. These are for management purposes so it's a lot of cow hunting as well as limited bull hunting, depending on the landowner. This bill moves the program to a better direction.

Hopefully it’s a step in the right direction then. I didn’t see it turning a new ranch into a block management area in our problem areas

 

[Ben Lamb]

Hopefully it’s a step in the right direction then. I didn’t see it turning a new ranch into a block management area in our problem areas

I don't think you will see many of the properties who get 454's signing up for Block Management. Most of these are tightly held properties with non-resident owners who are finally engaging in some level of wildlife management with the state. Much different motivations from them than the 4th or 5th generation landowner who enjoys sharing their property with the public.

Not really a values statement, but just a recognition that some folks value different things, so if we're going to have this program we need to make it as good as possible. Giving the commission more ability to improve the agreements is a huge step in the right direction, IMO.