Montanans Launch Elk Management Coalition

Montanans have traditionally worked together to solve thorny issues related to wildlife conservation and public lands. That’s the Montana way. But, unfortunately, conflict has replaced collaboration as the status quo. In recent years, elk management has become one of the most divisive issues in the state, dividing groups who once worked together towards shared goals and harming our hunting traditions. Elk, in particular, have become politically charged. It’s time that the citizens of Montana take back elk management from the politicians and unelected bureaucrats who seek to change our hunting opportunities and wildlife management practices fundamentally.

That’s what we’re going to do. In 2022, we will be traveling across Montana to work with folks interested in finding a better path forward. We will be sitting down with ranchers, farmers, hunters, and outfitters. We strongly believe that there is more that unites us than divides us. Only by stepping away from today’s toxic politics will we achieve positive steps forward for all Montanans regarding our big game herds and hunting opportunities.

“In eastern Montana, elk populations have grown, but the management prescriptions haven’t caught up. For example, Region 7, over 30,000 square miles,has a herd objective of only 750 elk. That’s so far out of line with what the vast majority of Montanans want to have as an objective that it’s silly. It’s time for a new Elk Management Plan that will be implemented fairly and equitably for all,” said Justin Schaaf of Glasgow Montana, Volunteer President of Keep It Public and a former member of the FWP Elk Advisory Working Group.

The new Elk Management Plan and new legislation will be needed to modernize Montana’s elk management policies. “The legislature has spent a lot of time, energy, and effort ensuring that hunters and landowners remain on opposite sides of this issue. It’s time to skip the partisan politics and get down to the business of fixing Montana’s approach to elk management. Our elected officials in Helena should be willing to follow the priorities of Montana citizens, and we hope to bring them critical legislative measures in 2023 that would have broad support from hunters, landowners, and outfitters. This is a pivotal opportunity for Montanans to reframe our wildlife management policies to benefit stakeholders, our elk herds, and our community discourse,” said Walker Conyngham, President of Hellgate Hunters & Anglers (Missoula).

“The current drive towards a ‘pay to play’ scenario where the general public loses hunting opportunities in favor of paying clients is part of the reason that we’re in this situation. We’ve all experienced it: you’re hunting public land in spots your family has gone every year, and the sign is there, the smell is there, and the elk are there too, they’re just on the other side of a fence that nobody can cross.

Landowners have every right to control access to their land, but those decisions have consequences in terms of herd management. Until we address that issue, along with so many others, we’re just going to have the same fight, with more frustration, anger, and conflict,” said Chris Marchion, long-time conservation advocate and Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame inductee (Anaconda).

On December 14th, the Coalition will be at the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting to set out the concerns and priorities of Montana’s hunting community.

To find out more information, visit http://www.montanaelk.org.

Marcus Strange

(Montana Wildlife Federation)

Mstrange@MTWF.org

Justin Schaaf (Keep it Public)

JSchaaf71@gmail.com

Walker Conyngham

(Hellgate Hunters & Anglers)

walkconyngham@gmail.com

Chris Marchion

cjmarchion@outlook.com