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 change in policy or a new regulation; it was a shift in decision-making, from a steadfast reliance on science to an expedient embrace of special interests. This move was evident by the unanimous vote of the seven-member Commission to eliminate science-based quota ranges on permit allocations in coveted deer and elk hunting districts.
This development isn’t merely procedural but part of a troubling shift in how we manage wildlife — a pivot from scientific rigor to political whimsy.
About Thomas Baumeister
Capital Chapter Leader - Montana BHA; Board Member - Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame; Board President - Orion -The Hunter's Institute