Access Council seeks public comment on proposals

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council is seeking comment through Sept.12 on draft recommendations regarding access to public and private land and on improving relationships among those who enjoy, participate and make hunting possible in Montana.

Council members worked over the past eight months to develop draft recommendations to help achieve a number of goals, including: (1) maximizing access to public lands; (2) improving communications and relationships among outfitters, landowners, hunters, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks; (3) increasing public access to private property and outfitted lands; (4) improving hunter compliance with laws; and (5) recognizing good behavior.

Recommendations focus on developing better information about which public lands have legal public access; landowner elk-permit incentives to allow public elk hunting; revisions to a nonresident hunting license for nonresident family members; and ways to promote responsible hunter behavior, good hunter and landowner relationships, and the Montana Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project, FWP’s web-based education program.

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The governor-appointed council—comprised of hunters, landowners, outfitters, legislators, and an FWP Commissioner—makes recommendations related to Montana hunting and fishing access programs; landowner, hunter and outfitter relationships; and other lands and wildlife issues.

Comments on the draft recommendations are due by Sept. 12. For more information, or to comment online, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov, then click “PL/PW Council Recommendations”. Send comments via mail to Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620; or via email to acharles@mt.gov or plpw@mt.gov.

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–Mont. Fish, Wildlife & Parks