The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council announced 11 final recommendations that will be offered to the Governor and 59 th Legislature calling for continuing and enhancing Montana’s Block Management Hunting Access Enhancement Program. Council members also voiced support for continuing two other Fish, Wildlife, & Parks programs, the Private Land Fishing Access Program and Habitat Montana.
Four recommendations propose new, additional sources of funding for access programs, while other recommendations call for creating new license incentives for participating landowners, modifying current landowner incentives, improving program maps and materials, and hiring more game wardens and seasonal staff.
Over the past 18 months, the PL/PW Council has reviewed the progress of the Block Management program and developed a consensus that the program should not only be continued, but enhanced.
The council developed recommendations for additional funding based on the realization that without additional revenue, the program would need to be downsized. Rather than downsizing, the council is recommending the program be expanded to accommodate additional landowners and hunters, and to allow for needed growth to address regional hunting access and wildlife management needs.
The program has grown in size and popularity since 1995 when the PL/PW Council recommendations resulted in the Legislature adopting an enhanced Block Management Program. For 2004, over 1,250 landowners have enrolled more than 8.8 million acres in the program. Last year more than 80,000 hunters spent more than 450,000 days hunting on Block Management Areas. Additionally, since 2000, FWP has expanded program efforts to include projects aimed at maintaining or improving access to public lands (Access Montana projects) and Special Access Projects, which are regional localized projects focused on a specific species.
More information about the PL/PW Council and their recommendations is available at www.fwp.state.mt.us/hunting/plpw , or by contacting Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, at (406)444-3798, acharles@state.mt.us, or PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620.
Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of the Private Land /Public Wildlife Council’s recommendations
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS (11)
PL/PW ADVISORY COUNCIL
Adopted August 31, 2004
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #1 : Re-authorize existing program by repealing sunset provisions attached to program statutes and assure continuation of a citizens’ review committee.
Existing program includes the following:
1) statutes authorizing FWP to administer hunter management/hunting access programs;
2) three sources of existing funding for hunting access programs, including but not limited to:
a. variable-priced outfitter-sponsored B10 and B11 licenses;
b. resident and nonresident Hunting Access Enhancement Fees;
c. $55 of the $110 nonresident upland bird license;
Rationale:
* Existing program has proven popular and successful, based on survey data and landowner, hunter, and department participation.
* It is the intent of the Council to support FWP in enhancing and improving the hunting access programs.
* Re-authorization of the current program received strong support from members of the public commenting on Council draft recommendations.
* Council members feel that a citizens’ review committee should make recommendations for funding, modification, or improvement needed to achieve program objectives. FWP should provide fiscal analyses of HAEP funding sources to the citizens’ review committee for review and recommendations.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #2: Create a “Montana Access Partners” decal, made available through voluntary purchase at an amount of $10 annually, with revenue dedicated to the Hunting Access Enhancement and Fishing Access Enhancement access programs;
Rationale:
* Provides affordable opportunity for voluntary funding source by interested individuals;
* Provides a visible symbol of support for hunting/fishing access programs;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #3: Explore the establishment of a trust fund, providing for voluntary donations with revenue dedicated to the hunting/fishing access programs, to be administered through the FWP Foundation.
Rationale:
* Provides an economic incentive for larger contributions by individuals or corporate sponsors through tax and estate planning benefits;
* Provides an additional voluntary opportunity for partnership in continuing the success of hunting access programs;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #4: Create a Big Game Super Tag program, allowing individuals to purchase unlimited chances for special “super” tags for big game species in a voluntary lottery-type system, which provides for random selection of the permit recipients, with revenue dedicated to the hunting access programs.
Rationale:
* Provides significant funding without a substantial contribution from any one source;
* Patterned after successful new program in Idaho;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #5 : Consider sale of advertising in the Hunting Access Guides as a possible source of revenue for funding the hunting access programs if FWP determines it is economically feasible.
Rationale:
* Proposal may allow Department to offset some administrative costs;
* FWP is currently authorized to use advertising in Department publications;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #6: Allow all cooperators to receive complimentary license AND compensation.
Rationale:
* Provides greater equity in compensation to cooperators;
* Provides additional landowner incentive to participate in hunting access programs;
* Currently nonresident cooperators are eligible to receive complimentary license OR compensation, but not both;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #7: Allow BMA Cooperator to designate immediate family member to receive a complimentary Class AAA Resident Sportsman’s License or Class B-10 Nonresident Big Game Combination License in lieu of BMA Cooperator receiving a complimentary license for his or her own use. If Cooperator elects to utilize this option, cost of complimentary license issued would be deducted from total Block Management compensation paid to cooperator. Cooperator may designate resident or nonresident family member to receive license.
Rationale:
* Provides additional incentive for BMA cooperators;
* Allows for enrollment of more cooperators;
* Provides fair and equitable treatment of resident and nonresident cooperators;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #8: Improve and standardize BMA maps, incorporating landowner input for increased accuracy.
Rationale:
* Addresses problems with trespass;
* Responds to hunter/landowner requests ;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #9: Hire more game wardens and hunting access technicians, with duties assigned specifically to provide better patrol, management, and enrollment of properties in Block Management.
Rationale:
* Responds to landowner and hunter requests;
* Enhances overall program administration and stability;
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #10: Re-authorize FWP Private Land Fishing Access Program.
Rationale:
* Existing program is successful and has potential to expand fishing access opportunities;
* It is the intent of the Council to support FWP in enhancing and improving the fishing access program.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION #11 : Re-authorize the FWP Habitat Montana Program.
Rationale:
* Existing program is successful and has potential to protect additional important wildlife habitat that is seriously threatened;
* It is the intent of the Council to support FWP in protecting and preserving important wildlife habitat that is seriously threatened;
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