Montana is home to millions of acres of public land, yet much remains out of reach for hunters. Over 3 million acres—10% of our state and federal lands—are landlocked, surrounded by private...

Whether it's repeated attempts to privatize our wildlife or attacks on public access, Montanans have had plenty to complain about recently. While the legislature and Gov. Gianforte have been...

During Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Helena last week, a subtle yet profound shift occurred, signaling a troubling trend in Montana wildlife management. This shift wasn’t a...

Sharing the results of their Resident Elk Hunter Survey, FWP’s press release and summary tout that 73% of respondents "are satisfied with elk management." Given the contention around elk...

Montana FWP recently shared the results of their research gauging hunters' satisfaction with elk management in Montana. The survey was sent to 5,000 randomly selected resident hunters with half...

August 7th, 2023   Director Temple, Chair Robinson, Commissioners, Chair Beal -   First, thank you for your continued efforts to improve the Elk Hunting Access Agreements. As you know, since the...

In 2022, FWP established a new pheasant release program: “... which aims to engage youth in the sport of hunting, promote hunter success, and provide additional hunting opportunities for hunters...

January 13, 2023 Katie RediskeNEPA manager, Malmstrom AFB39 78th St. N.Malmstrom AFB, MT 59402341CES.CEIE.NEPAWork-Flow@us.af.mil Re: the Establishment and Operation of a Helicopter Aerial Gunnery...

Checks and balances are a cornerstone of American democracy. This system of controls is also central to managing our fish and wildlife as a public trust resource in Montana. Here, our elected...

July 21, 2022    Chair Robinson, Vice Chair Tabor, Commissioners Waller, Byorth, Walsh, Cebull & Lane  Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks  1420 East Sixth Avenue  P.O. Box 200701   Helena, Mt...

Photos: Erik Peterson "The movement for the conservation of wildlife and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and...

In their latest attempt to dismantle public elk hunting throughout the Big Sky State, the United Property Owners of Montana, a group representing wealthy, out-of-state interests and some resident...

Montana BHA delivered comments via Zoom during March 22's Environmental Quality Council meeting regarding the Public Elk Hunting Access Agreements. Below are our comments, delivered by Montana BHA...

March 16, 2022   Wildlife Division Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks PO Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701 fwpwld@mt.gov   Re: Comments on Proposed 2022-23 Mountain Lion Regulations   The Montana...

FWP Director Hank Worsech, when referring to the state of elk management in Montana, has repeatedly evoked a quote attributed to Einstein: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting...

At last, the Wilks Brothers got what they wanted but money couldn’t buy: the guaranteed opportunity to hunt trophy elk on their ranch. In a hastily arranged Zoom meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Friday,...

Montana BHA provided the following comments verbally at a virtual Bureau of Land Management hearing on Wednesday, July 21st. Good afternoon, my name is Thomas Baumeister. I serve on the board of...

I have never heard an elk hunter or a Forest Service employee complain about too many elk on Montana's public lands. The persistent narrative of over-abundance is a private lands issue, not one of...

“Cows not Condos” is a popular bumper sticker seen across Montana on everything from flatbed ranch trucks in Miles City to grocery getters in Missoula. The slogan captures one of the few...

December 1, 2020Phil KilbreathFWP Enforcement DivisionP.O. Box 200701Helena, MT 59620-0701pkilbreath@mt.gov Dear Mr. Kilbreath:  Montana has a long tradition of safeguarding the essence of...

September 8, 2020   Ashley Taylor, FWP Wildlife Biologist2300 Lake Elmo Dr.Billings, MT 59105   RE: Property Purchase to Establish Snowy Mountain WMA   Dear Mrs. Taylor,   The Montana Chapter of...

By Thomas Baumeister - December 19, 2019 - Originally published in the Missoulian Montana has a lot of elk — 134,557, to be more precise. Elk are part of our state’s identity and we’re better for...

December 12, 2019 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Attn: Commissioner Aldrich;Commissioner Byorth; CommissionerStuker; Commissioner Brower; Commissioner Colton; Director Wiliams; Wildlife Division...