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Montana Senators Need to Hear from Sportsmen Now!!

Our friend, Senator Scott Boulanger, has introduced a bill that will help preserve Montana’s hunting heritage for generations to come. Senate Bill 197 creates an apprentice hunting license, which permits an experienced mentor to take a newcomer hunting under restricted circumstances prior to the completion of hunter education.

This approach, called “Try Before You Buy,” has been implemented in 34 other states so far, including Idaho and Wyoming, and the new apprentice licenses are doing a great job recruiting young people and women! In fact, more than 782,000 since 2006.

The safety record has been incredible, actually four times safer than regular hunting because of the watchful eye of the mentor. That is why so many great organizations are behind this effort including Montana chapters of Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife are supporters too, along with the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and the Mule Deer Foundation. Nationally, the program is supported by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the National Rifle Association.

Please contact the members of the Senate Fish and Game committee listed here. Ask them to support Senate Bill 197. Tell them it’s good for the future of hunting, and safe!

To email the Senate Fish and Game Committee, go to: http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp

Fill in your contact information.

Select the Senate Fish and Game Committee.

Fill in SB 197 for the bill number, and select that you are “For” the bill.

Leave a short message in the box below that.

Finally, hit send, and your message will be sent to the members of the committee.

Remember: your email will make a difference. Please take the time to send it today!

Other News….

Mark Your Calendars! – The 2013 Annual Western Montana SCI Banquet will be held Saturday, March 16th at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Missoula. Join us for this fun filled evening of drinks, dinner, silent auction, live auction, raffles, and much more! You can purchase your tickets online or call us to reserve your spot at 866-633-8110. Sponsor information can be found by clicking here!

Share your Hunting Story – We want to hear about your hunting season! Send us your story (with pictures, please) no later than March 15th. If we publish your story, you will receive a free SCI knife ($35 value). Articles can be submitted via email to editor@westernmtsci.org.
Have you “liked” us on Facebook? – We’d love to see your hunt pictures this fall. Take a moment, “like” us and participate on our Facebook page!

FWP Headquarters • 1420 E. 6th Ave. • Helena, MT 59620-0701
Phone: 406-444-2535 • Fax: 406-444-4952 •
http://fwp.mt.gov/default.html” fwp.mt.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2013
Contact: Ron Aasheim: 406-444-4038; raasheim@mt.gov

FWP TO KEEP HUNTING AND TRAPPING OPEN NEAR GARDINER
State wildlife officials today canceled a Jan. 29 conference call to reconsider a recent court-challenged decision to close the wolf hunting and trapping seasons in two areas north of Yellowstone National Park.
The areas were closed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission on Dec. 10, in response to concern about the harvest of wolves with collars that supply scientific information to YNP researchers. The seasons, however, were reopened by the district court in Livingston in response to a lawsuit brought by several sporting groups and a state representative from Park County.
FWP officials said today that the best course of action is to fully follow the judge’s Jan. 18 order that prohibits FWP from enforcing the wolf hunting and trapping closure.
“The judge clearly stated that FWP would have to return to the court to apply for an order to dissolve the injunction and have proof that requisite public notice was given. We have simply run out of time,” said Ron Aasheim, FWP’s spokesman in Helena.
Aasheim noted that wolf hunting and trapping season is set to end in 34 days, on Feb. 28, and that obtaining a hearing and court action prior to the end of the wolf hunting season would be unlikely.