Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is moving forward with a controversial program to stock pen-raised pheasants on state-owned lands in an effort to recruit more hunters. FWP is now seeking final approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to fund the program through 2026, and the department hopes to get birds on the ground before the youth hunting season starts in September. Although the program has received significant pushback from hunters and sportsmen’s groups in the state, stocking ...

For the most part, we know our draw results and our fall hunting plans are beginning to take shape. Even though we're six weeks away from archery opener, elk still dominate the news here in Montana. Here's a rundown.   The latest uproar around elk management in Montana came from a proposal that FWP's elk advisory group forwarded calling for hunters to 'pick a weapon/season.' While the intent of this idea is valid, we argue that this is absolutely not the time for this change, nor is it ...

A long-awaited markup of public lands legislation by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was held on Thursday, July 21. Among a total of more than three dozen bills were eight pieces of legislation supported by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as well as the nomination of Laura Daniel-Davis as an assistant interior secretary. Not often does a lineup of important policy items all arise in one long hearing. Here's a breakdown of what's relevant for sportsmen and women and why. Laura ...

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 59620-0701    Re: The Proposed Pheasant Release    Chair Robinson; Vice Chair Tabor, Commissioners Waller, Byorth, Walsh, Cebull and Lane:    The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers implores the Fish and Wildlife Commission to deny approving the release of pheasants on state-owned lands for ...