Dear FWP and the Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group -
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your ‘Establish (where possible) Localized Elk Working Groups’ proposal.
The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers supports efforts to create – and would like to be involved in – localized elk working groups. These localized groups should aim to achieve two goals: (1) Facilitate regular communication between hunters, landowners, outfitters, and FWP to foster better relationships and (2) Discuss policy, elk distribution and management, hunter distribution and activity, hunter access and other elk-related issues.
Where similar efforts have been made, they have typically been productive. It would be necessary for FWP to provide a facilitator to keep the meetings organized and on track, however, over time, as the local elk working groups mature, a facilitator may not be needed. It's always surprising how much common ground there actually is and how simply talking face-to-face can heal and lead to surprising outcomes.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on your ‘Establish (where possible) Localized Elk Working Groups’ proposal. We appreciate your careful consideration.
-The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers