Well, the Montana legislature is in session, so it is once again time for the "idiot show" to hit the stage. We are off to a roaring start, with our Republican legislators doing their best to show complete disregard for everything that has brought about wildlife bounty beyond what most can imagine.
Here is the next chapter in our story from one of the most infamous offenders of common sense, Debbie Barrett.
She proposes these stupid bills, and sometimes gets them passed. In this one, she is telling FWP that they must get numbers to established objectives or we will issue landowner permits and reimburse for testing of wildlife related diseases.
She knows full well that most areas in MT that are over population objective is because of no access to the animals. Since FWP cannot force access to private land, it is pretty hard to get hunters there to get the necessary harvest. And, as has been stated on this site before, MT management plans and the objectives stated in such have recommended populations objectives far below carrying capacity, so even with good harvest, it is hard to get/stay below these ridiculous population objectives.
Knowing that, and knowing such units will be over objective, she is trying to get some handouts to her and her industry pals. Like landowner tags, which would be used to shoot bulls/bucks would NOT reduce disease and population numbers.
And the ignorant part is the "wildlife disease" issue. There is not a disease in wildlife that was not first transmitted to them by domestic livestock - cattle, sheep, horses, etc. Yet, now she expects the livestock industry to be reimbursed for testing of such, even though those landowners will not allow access to wildlife whereby hunting would aid in reducing numbers and lessen the likelihood of transmitting these diseases originally spread by domestic livestock.
I am a registered Republican, but say so with much embarassment when dipshits like this are in charge. And to think she is one of the legislative leaders in the party and always given seats on F&G committees.
:BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP:
The hearing is on Thursday. I hope I can make it. Idgits, friggin' idgits!|oo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2009 Montana Legislature
Additional Bill Links PDF (with line numbers)
SENATE BILL NO. 217
INTRODUCED BY D. BARRETT
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS TO REIMBURSE LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TEST LIVESTOCK FOR DISEASES THAT MAY BE TRANSMITTED BY GAME ANIMALS DURING PERIODS WHEN GAME ANIMAL POPULATION OBJECTIVES ARE NOT MET; AMENDING SECTION 87-1-323, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 87-1-323, MCA, is amended to read:
"87-1-323. Viable elk, deer, and antelope populations based on habitat acreage -- reduction of populations as necessary -- reimbursement for livestock testing. (1) Based on the habitat acreage that is determined pursuant to 87-1-322, the commission shall determine the appropriate elk, deer, and antelope numbers that can be viably sustained. The department shall consider the specific concerns of private landowners when determining sustainable numbers pursuant to this section.
(2) Once the sustainable population numbers are determined as provided in subsection (1), the department shall implement, through existing wildlife management programs, necessary actions with the objective that the population of elk, deer, and antelope remains at or below the sustainable population. The programs may include but are not limited to:
(a) liberalized harvests;
(b) game damage hunts;
(c) landowner permits; or
(d) animal relocation.
(3) The department shall:
(a) manage with the objective that populations of elk, deer, and antelope are at or below the sustainable population number by January 1, 2009; and
(b) evaluate the elk, deer, and antelope populations on an annual basis and provide that information to the public.
(4) During any period that the population objectives for game animals, as defined in 87-2-101, are not met, the department shall reimburse livestock producers who are required to test livestock for diseases that may be transmitted by game animals for the actual cost of testing."
Here is the next chapter in our story from one of the most infamous offenders of common sense, Debbie Barrett.
She proposes these stupid bills, and sometimes gets them passed. In this one, she is telling FWP that they must get numbers to established objectives or we will issue landowner permits and reimburse for testing of wildlife related diseases.
She knows full well that most areas in MT that are over population objective is because of no access to the animals. Since FWP cannot force access to private land, it is pretty hard to get hunters there to get the necessary harvest. And, as has been stated on this site before, MT management plans and the objectives stated in such have recommended populations objectives far below carrying capacity, so even with good harvest, it is hard to get/stay below these ridiculous population objectives.
Knowing that, and knowing such units will be over objective, she is trying to get some handouts to her and her industry pals. Like landowner tags, which would be used to shoot bulls/bucks would NOT reduce disease and population numbers.
And the ignorant part is the "wildlife disease" issue. There is not a disease in wildlife that was not first transmitted to them by domestic livestock - cattle, sheep, horses, etc. Yet, now she expects the livestock industry to be reimbursed for testing of such, even though those landowners will not allow access to wildlife whereby hunting would aid in reducing numbers and lessen the likelihood of transmitting these diseases originally spread by domestic livestock.
I am a registered Republican, but say so with much embarassment when dipshits like this are in charge. And to think she is one of the legislative leaders in the party and always given seats on F&G committees.
:BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP::BLEEP:
The hearing is on Thursday. I hope I can make it. Idgits, friggin' idgits!|oo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2009 Montana Legislature
Additional Bill Links PDF (with line numbers)
SENATE BILL NO. 217
INTRODUCED BY D. BARRETT
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS TO REIMBURSE LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TEST LIVESTOCK FOR DISEASES THAT MAY BE TRANSMITTED BY GAME ANIMALS DURING PERIODS WHEN GAME ANIMAL POPULATION OBJECTIVES ARE NOT MET; AMENDING SECTION 87-1-323, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 87-1-323, MCA, is amended to read:
"87-1-323. Viable elk, deer, and antelope populations based on habitat acreage -- reduction of populations as necessary -- reimbursement for livestock testing. (1) Based on the habitat acreage that is determined pursuant to 87-1-322, the commission shall determine the appropriate elk, deer, and antelope numbers that can be viably sustained. The department shall consider the specific concerns of private landowners when determining sustainable numbers pursuant to this section.
(2) Once the sustainable population numbers are determined as provided in subsection (1), the department shall implement, through existing wildlife management programs, necessary actions with the objective that the population of elk, deer, and antelope remains at or below the sustainable population. The programs may include but are not limited to:
(a) liberalized harvests;
(b) game damage hunts;
(c) landowner permits; or
(d) animal relocation.
(3) The department shall:
(a) manage with the objective that populations of elk, deer, and antelope are at or below the sustainable population number by January 1, 2009; and
(b) evaluate the elk, deer, and antelope populations on an annual basis and provide that information to the public.
(4) During any period that the population objectives for game animals, as defined in 87-2-101, are not met, the department shall reimburse livestock producers who are required to test livestock for diseases that may be transmitted by game animals for the actual cost of testing."
