We’re entering the final stretch of Montana’s legislative session, which is where the majority of our time and focus has been this year. That said, there are things happening outside of Helena too! Here’s our quarterly update and newsletter from your volunteer chapter leaders at Montana BHA. 

Legislative & Policy Update 

• If you missed our mid-session recap, give it a read. But much of that is already outdated, and many bills have died. We’ll be providing an in-depth recap at the end of the session, but wanted to bring to your attention a few big ones still alive in Helena: 
  • Two bills deal with Habitat Montana funding - one good and one bad. Learn more and take action here.
  • HB 486 was tabled in Committee on Thursday, April 6th, by a close vote of 7-5. There's a chance to revive it on the Senate Floor though. Please ask your state senator to vote YES on HB 486.
  • HB 635, the bill that would give large nonresident landowners deer and elk tags is on its way to Governor Gianforte’s desk. Montana BHA and nine other hunting and conservation groups submitted a veto request letter; you too can ask Gov. Gianforte to veto this bill by taking action here.
• Be sure to follow us on Instagram and join our Montana BHA Facebook page to stay up to date on legislation as it moves through the Capitol.
• The Lolo National Forest Land Management Plan Revision is up and running. There are numerous ways to engage in the early stages of this process. Learn more here.
• West of Missoula, FWP is revisiting the recreation management plan for the Fish Creek Complex. Learn more here. 
• East of Missoula in the wild land complex around Gold Creek, the BLM is gathering input to help direct management decisions on their recently acquired public lands. The public is invited to two upcoming open houses on April 11th and 12th.
• In February, we supported the Hannah Ranch Conservation Easement and provided comments to the BLM’s Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

If you haven’t already seen them, be sure to watch these three short videos narrated by Ryan Callaghan explaining how decisions are made in Montana that impact our wild public lands, waters and wildlife

Upcoming Events & Event Recaps! 

April 13 - IF4 Screening in Missoula
April 15 - turkey and black bear season opens!
April 22 - 2nd Annual CMR Fence Pull
April 29 - 2nd Annual Logan DNRC cleanup

• It was freezing cold, but we still made sure to Rally for our Public Lands! Read the recap here!
• Missed our North American Rendezvous? Get some FOMO by checking this recap!
• Two Montanans were awarded top honors this year, including our own Stewardship Leader Corey Ellis!
• We held our first pint night of the year in Three Forks - more social events are coming soon! 
• There's still time to Win an Adipose Drift Boat
• Stay tuned for upcoming stewardship events!

Recipe from the Backcountry

Flathead Regional Leader Aaron Agosto and Helena Regional Leader Anne Jolliff cooked up an AMAZING meal to represent Montana in the Wild Game Cook-off at Rendezvous. Check out their Backcountry Bistro recipe here!

Time to Renew!

Is your membership up to date? Right now, if you join or renew, you'll get a FREE Public Land Owner Bison t-shirt!  If you need to check your membership status, head to your member portal! 

As always, we appreciate our members, thank you for supporting your Montana Chapter, and wish you the best in spring turkey, bear and fishing! If you want to get more involved in policy, stewardship or events, shoot us an email!

Learn more about the Montana Chapter:

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