July 21, 2023 The Honorable Joe ManchinChairmanSenate Energy and Natural Resources Committee306 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable John BarrassoRanking MemberSenate Energy and Natural Resources Committee307 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510   Dear Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso: On behalf of our roughly 3,000 dues-paying Montana members, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers would like to offer our full and enthusiastic ...

On November 9, 2022, the Custer Gallatin National Forest (CGNF) released public notice of a land exchange called the East Crazy Inspiration Divide Land Exchange. The preliminary environmental assessment (PEA) was released simultaneously to disclose and document the possible environmental effects which could arise from the Proposed Action. Here, the Proposed Action is committed to exchange approx. 4,135 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands for approx. 6,430 acres of non-Federal lands ...

Hunting season is here. Many hunters— including me — will head out this weekend in search of good times and a chance at harvesting Montana’s publicly owned game. While afield I’m often reminded of how lucky I am to hunt and to participate in the North American Model of Wildlife Management. This fuels my desire to preserve our traditions and opportunities and push back against efforts to privatize and commercialize our wildlife. Time afield also provides an opportunity for introspection. ...

Debby Barrett, former lawmaker from Dillon, is reprimanding Montana FWP for not using more tools to kill more elk in Montana. Pointing to her legislation from nearly 20 years ago, she highlights tools FWP should use, including “liberalized harvests, game damage hunts, landowner permits, (and) animal relocation.” Conveniently, Barrett fails to mention that these very tools — save the logistically challenging relocation of elk — are widely employed by FWP already. The only reason these ...

Gary Bertellotti (Region 4 Supervisor) Ryan Rauscher (Area Wildlife Biologist) rrauscher@mt.gov   Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks 514 South Front Street, Ste C Conrad, MT 59425   RE: Chip Creek Public Scoping   November 1, 2021   Dear Mr. Bertellotti and Mr. Rauscher:   The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers represents roughly 3,000 dues-paying sportsmen and women in Montana who value quality fish and wildlife habitat and ethical conduct in the outdoors. Our ...