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 of all ages by releasing up to 50,000 pheasants" per year. The legislature approved $1 million annually for this put-and-take operation, with the expectation that FWP would be spending about $20 per pheasant released. This program was incredibly controversial, but was it effective? Let’s take a ...

Montana lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon heard testimony in favor of and against a bill that would allocate 15% of the state’s special bison hunting licenses to private landowners near Yellowstone National Park. House Bill 522, sponsored by Rep. Marty Malone, R-Pray, would direct Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to make 15% of special wild bison tags available to people who own or are contracting to purchase 20 or more acres in areas where the animals roam. Emily Cooper, licensing bureau chief ...

In Montana, new drivers are required to take an in-person driving test before being allowed to legally operate vehicles. As a high school teacher, I had to be visually observed and evaluated to obtain my credentials. But currently, if you want to pass hunter’s ed in Montana, no such in-person requirement is needed, not even for firearm safety. This must change. In 2020, wanting to limit in-person exposure when the pandemic hit, the Department of FWP pivoted to an entirely web-based course ...