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if you were a MT legislator...

A

Anonymous

Guest
Hereford76 said:

I have no real problems with any of those bills- even tho I hate to see government bureaucracy expanded- and new 7 member boards come into existence... There will be an added cost for these folks meetings- and for Dept of Livestock folks investigations and testimony along with the cost of hearings... They must be thinking of holding full blown hearings on each case- with giving the board quasi-judicial powers and apparently the power to subpoena witness's...
As long as folks are aware everything like this comes with an additional cost and are willing to put up without whining later about the cost- I agree with it...
What makes that interesting is that right now our Dept of Livestock District, and I believe 3 others in the state, are sitting without District Investigators due to the fact of retirements/resignations (ours quit after years of no salary increase-and went to work for the Sheriffs Office)-- and from what I'm hearing due to lack of budget these positions may not be able to be filled til mid year...

On the same note- did you see where Bullock signed a law into effect allowing much more leeway in the wolf hunting law:

New Wolf Laws Take Effect Immediately

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A wolf management bill that won swift and overwhelming bipartisan support in the Montana Legislature was signed into law today by the state's new governor.

Gov. Steve Bullock said the law, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, will allow hunters to purchase up to three wolf licenses and lowers the price of a nonresident wolf license from $350 to $50. The measure will also fortify state wildlife officials' science-based efforts to manage Montana's recovered and growing wolf population, the Governor said.


"This legislation leaves management of the gray wolf where it belongs, in the hands of scientists, not politicians," Gov. Bullock said.

The legislation was amended by lawmakers to allow hunting and trapping of wolves near national parks and allows wildlife officials to close such areas after established wolf harvest quotas are met.

In signing the legislation, Gov. Bullock asked FWP to ramp up education programs aimed at averting the harvest of collared wolves near national parks.

Gov. Bullock also directed his staff to determine the best way to reengage the wolf advisory council. The council was originally formed to lead the state's productive wolf conservation and management plan discussions more than 12 years ago.

The new law also allows for wolf hunters to use their license after 24-hours of purchase, instead of a five-day wait; authorizes the use of electronic calls ; and removes the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter-orange clothing after the general deer and elk hunting seasons have ended.

The recovery of the wolf in the northern Rockies—an area generally comprised of wolf populations in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming—remains one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record. The recovery goal for wolves in the three states was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs—successfully reproducing wolf packs—and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. In the mid 1990s, to hasten the overall pace of wolf recovery, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. By 2002 the recovery goal was reached and the wolf population has increased every year since.

Today, at least 1,774 wolves in 287 packs and about 109 breeding pairs, live in the region. The minimum Montana wolf population estimates at the end of 2011 include 653 wolves, in 130 verified packs, and 39 breeding pairs. New official population estimates are expected in March.

Montana's wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through Feb. 28. So far, hunters have taken 115 wolves and trappers have reported taking 84 wolves. For more information, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Montana Wolf Hunt".

I did see they have a bunch of buffalo bills in the legislature- which doesn't surprise me... I haven't read the details of each- but have no problem giving landowners more of a legal stand against them...




Bison Take Over Montana State Legislature

Northern Ag Network posted on February 14, 2013 09:44 :: 194 Views

Bison bills are making their way into the 63rd Session of the Montana Legislature.


The Montana Farm Bureau Federation's John Youngberg recently gave Northern Ag Network a recap of what legislators have before them.

Those bills do include:



HB 249 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Alan Doane (R), Bloomfield

Short Title: Revising laws related to presence of bison/buffalo on private property



According to Youngberg, this gives you the ability to shoot a bison on sight if you feel “it was providing a threat to your livestock or your property.”





HB 396 (Click here for full details.)

Spponsored by Mike Lang (R), Malta

Short Title: Revise laws regarding translocation of wild buffalo/bison



According to Youngberg, this “would require county commissioner permission” before bison could be translocated to an area near your property or into your county.





Draft Bill LC1827 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Gene Vuckovich (D), Anaconda

Short Title: Prohibit state funds for movement or relocation of bison to Spotted Dog WMA



According to Youngberg, this would “prohibit bison from being put on the Spotted Dog Ranch near Deer Lodge.”





Draft Bill LC1970 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Alan Redfield (R), Livingston

Short Title: Generally revise bison laws



Youngberg says that this bill would address Yellowstone National Park bison. In the past, the Montana Department of Livestock could do certain things if bison went onto your private property. This bill would require the Department to act if the landowner requested it.





SB ___ (yet to be assigned)

Sponsored by John Brenden (R), Scobey

Short Title: (yet to be assigned)



Youngberg says this bill deals with the movement of bison on Indian reservations.


http://www.northernag.net/AGNews/tabid/171/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7769/Bison-Take-Over-Montana-State-Legislature.aspx
 

Hereford76

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Hereford76 said:

I have no real problems with any of those bills- even tho I hate to see government bureaucracy expanded- and new 7 member boards come into existence... There will be an added cost for these folks meetings- and for Dept of Livestock folks investigations and testimony along with the cost of hearings... They must be thinking of holding full blown hearings on each case- with giving the board quasi-judicial powers and apparently the power to subpoena witness's...
As long as folks are aware everything like this comes with an additional cost and are willing to put up without whining later about the cost- I agree with it...
What makes that interesting is that right now our Dept of Livestock District, and I believe 3 others in the state, are sitting without District Investigators due to the fact of retirements/resignations (ours quit after years of no salary increase-and went to work for the Sheriffs Office)-- and from what I'm hearing due to lack of budget these positions may not be able to be filled til mid year...

On the same note- did you see where Bullock signed a law into effect allowing much more leeway in the wolf hunting law:

New Wolf Laws Take Effect Immediately

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A wolf management bill that won swift and overwhelming bipartisan support in the Montana Legislature was signed into law today by the state's new governor.

Gov. Steve Bullock said the law, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, will allow hunters to purchase up to three wolf licenses and lowers the price of a nonresident wolf license from $350 to $50. The measure will also fortify state wildlife officials' science-based efforts to manage Montana's recovered and growing wolf population, the Governor said.


"This legislation leaves management of the gray wolf where it belongs, in the hands of scientists, not politicians," Gov. Bullock said.

The legislation was amended by lawmakers to allow hunting and trapping of wolves near national parks and allows wildlife officials to close such areas after established wolf harvest quotas are met.

In signing the legislation, Gov. Bullock asked FWP to ramp up education programs aimed at averting the harvest of collared wolves near national parks.

Gov. Bullock also directed his staff to determine the best way to reengage the wolf advisory council. The council was originally formed to lead the state's productive wolf conservation and management plan discussions more than 12 years ago.

The new law also allows for wolf hunters to use their license after 24-hours of purchase, instead of a five-day wait; authorizes the use of electronic calls ; and removes the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter-orange clothing after the general deer and elk hunting seasons have ended.

The recovery of the wolf in the northern Rockies—an area generally comprised of wolf populations in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming—remains one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record. The recovery goal for wolves in the three states was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs—successfully reproducing wolf packs—and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. In the mid 1990s, to hasten the overall pace of wolf recovery, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. By 2002 the recovery goal was reached and the wolf population has increased every year since.

Today, at least 1,774 wolves in 287 packs and about 109 breeding pairs, live in the region. The minimum Montana wolf population estimates at the end of 2011 include 653 wolves, in 130 verified packs, and 39 breeding pairs. New official population estimates are expected in March.

Montana's wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through Feb. 28. So far, hunters have taken 115 wolves and trappers have reported taking 84 wolves. For more information, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Montana Wolf Hunt".

I did see they have a bunch of buffalo bills in the legislature- which doesn't surprise me... I haven't read the details of each- but have no problem giving landowners more of a legal stand against them...




Bison Take Over Montana State Legislature

Northern Ag Network posted on February 14, 2013 09:44 :: 194 Views

Bison bills are making their way into the 63rd Session of the Montana Legislature.


The Montana Farm Bureau Federation's John Youngberg recently gave Northern Ag Network a recap of what legislators have before them.

Those bills do include:



HB 249 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Alan Doane (R), Bloomfield

Short Title: Revising laws related to presence of bison/buffalo on private property



According to Youngberg, this gives you the ability to shoot a bison on sight if you feel “it was providing a threat to your livestock or your property.”





HB 396 (Click here for full details.)

Spponsored by Mike Lang (R), Malta

Short Title: Revise laws regarding translocation of wild buffalo/bison



According to Youngberg, this “would require county commissioner permission” before bison could be translocated to an area near your property or into your county.





Draft Bill LC1827 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Gene Vuckovich (D), Anaconda

Short Title: Prohibit state funds for movement or relocation of bison to Spotted Dog WMA



According to Youngberg, this would “prohibit bison from being put on the Spotted Dog Ranch near Deer Lodge.”





Draft Bill LC1970 (Click here for full details.)

Sponsored by Alan Redfield (R), Livingston

Short Title: Generally revise bison laws



Youngberg says that this bill would address Yellowstone National Park bison. In the past, the Montana Department of Livestock could do certain things if bison went onto your private property. This bill would require the Department to act if the landowner requested it.





SB ___ (yet to be assigned)

Sponsored by John Brenden (R), Scobey

Short Title: (yet to be assigned)



Youngberg says this bill deals with the movement of bison on Indian reservations.


http://www.northernag.net/AGNews/tabid/171/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7769/Bison-Take-Over-Montana-State-Legislature.aspx

so what's the hang up with the bison all about?

about the house bills on losses - to me its a double edged sword. i hate that it creates more bureaucracy and more revenue to fund it. it seems so stupid to have to go down this path to solve this wolf/bear/predator problem. it just don't make sense - our ancestors eradicated the wolf to solve an in your face problem. how much space do we have to give the grizzlies - do they have to get to St. Louis before its enough? what's the big deal about protecting your own livestock from wolf/bear? but if this is the only way to fight letting wolves/bear get out of hand again then i'm for it but i'm sure the folks in town have a different take.

last spring i went down to Helena with the state vet to plead to the board of livestock about letting canadian cattle come in without ocv - i sat and listened to them talk about all the potential risk bison put the MT livestock industry at. basically they had no real sense of what the handle really was. but here we had a governor that wants to have buffalo dancing over his grave. i just get how a governor of the state can see it so much different.
 
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