Smith River Permits out Today!

I DREW A PERMIT!!!

I can't believe it I actually drew the permit. Now I have to see if there is going to be any water in the river in August. This was my second choice I never thought I would draw so now we'll see.

This year, 5,704 people applied for a permit to float the Smith, and 915 received the permit they sought, a 16 percent success rate.

Total applications this year were behind last year’s record of 5,820. Of this year’s applicants, 4,785 were Montana residents; 919 were nonresidents.

To see if you were one of the lucky one's LIKE ME check on the FWP web page: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licensedraw/results.aspx

Beginning March 18, the Smith River reservation line, (406) 454-5861, will be in operation Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. Here you can pick up any cancelled launch dates. You can also use this number if you need to cancel a launch date.

50 Years Of Predator Hunting Wisdom

What do you ask a guy that has been predator hunting longer than you been alive?

I had to ask myself this when I decided to write about Walt Earl Sr. Walt has been actively working in predator control for over 50 years and at 70 years old Walt is still going strong.

Walt started his career at 19 years old as a government trapper. He held that position for 22 years. Then in 1980 because of some changes in government rules he decided to leave the federal workforce and turned his career turned to predator control for the private sector. That was 29 years ago. Today he conducts seminars across the country and Montana. He also conducts a hands on predator control school where he teaches his methods to students. Visit www.olcoyote.com for more information on the school and the product and calls he uses.

Some people might say why hunt coyotes? Over 10,200 sheep and lambs were killed in Montana by coyotes in 2008. On sheep alone, coyotes accounted for 67% of the predator caused losses or $700,000 according to the USDA News Release this month. This is more than all other predators combined!

The day I met him we drove to a local ranch that was losing calves to coyotes. As we pulled up to the ranch I looked it over and thinking where I would set up to call. Walt pointed out where he had patterned the coyotes that were living on the ranch. “The coyotes here are living in very close territories. The proximity of the territories is determined by the amount of food and cover available in the area. Obviously here there is a lot of both”. He pointed out the different places each breeding pair was and where they hunted.

Walt’s tactics are typically different than an average predator hunter. This is the way Walt makes a living and is paid to reduce the predators on a ranch. “Some fur hunters may not like that I hunt coyotes all year around” Walt shared with me. “I think if they were in my shoes having to make a living doing this they would probably do the same thing.” In my opinion I agree with Walt, I would do the same things he is doing if I were in his shoes.

I was here on Walt’s invitation which I sincerely thank him for. I wanted to glean some of the wisdom and knowledge that he has from the 50 years of chasing predators, so time to learn.

We checked some snares that he had set up and saw one female coyote sitting out above a fence where Walt had caught the “Dog” or male coyote. “She’s hanging out where I caught him a few days ago. “ Walt shared. As we neared the location we saw eagles circling and some magpies fly off. All of this told us something was in the snare. As we approached we could see that it was a snowshoe rabbit. Now we know an additional reason the female coyote was hanging out there. Between the coyote, eagles and magpies that were all eager for a meal there wasn’t much left. I asked Walt if we would call to the female. He told me, “90% of the time if a coyote sees you it won’t respond to the call”.

We went checking snares and set up for a calling session where the ever changing wind was making our choice of calling location tough. First the wind was blowing from the south, then switched to the north and then back again. Nevertheless we found a place where the wind was consistent and we set up for a calling set.

The first thing I noticed as Walt started his barks and howls on his diaphragm call was how loud my calling was compared to his. I asked him about this. He let me know, “most people call way to loud”, “I think you want to challenge a coyote but you also want to invite him to some see what you are, not scare him off”. He went on to say, “if you get an answer back, call a little softer, maybe not so course or tough. It’s like telling the coyote that maybe I’m not as mean and tough as I thought I was before he answered.” Earlier I had let Walt know that I archery hunted and he brought up this question, “What happens if you bugle and bull answers you, then you let out a big, mean, deep bugle, like you’re the baddest bull in the woods?” I replied, “Usually the bull will gather up his cows and head off in the other direction.” Walt let me know that it was the same thing with coyotes.

During the day we saw three coyotes and called in one location. “No sense in educating the coyotes and making it tougher for me tomorrow.” Walt shared. With the shifting wind and tough open approaches the coyotes definitely had the advantage this day.

Here are Walt’s top Common Mistakes hunters make when calling and tips on choosing a calling location.

Walt’s Top Five Mistakes
1. Most people call too loud (Guilty as charged)
Remember a coyote can hear a mouse in the grass so he can hear you calling

2. Don’t expose yourself to the calling area
Keep hidden using the terrain to shield yourself from being seen

3. Don’t park too close to the calling area
Park at least one mile away

4. Always be aware of the wind
Don’t set up and call if the wind isn’t in your favor. All you do is educate the coyote
5. Watch your own scent
Don’t wear cologne, deodorant and clothes with heavy detergent odors
“We here to kill the coyote not ask it out” Walt let me know

Walt’s Tips on Choosing a Call Location
1. Call any place
Sincerely these coyotes are smart and they can be anywhere

2. Locate coyotes
Hunt coyotes like you would if you were turkey hunting. Know where they hang out and where they live before you call to them

3. Plan your route calling route
When you approach give care not to be seen as you enter the area and look at the
wind as before you make your way into their territory. If it’s not right don’t do go into their territory and educate them.

4. Select the right call for the right time of year. For example;
December through March I use a bark and howl
June through August use the kiyi (but locate the den first)
September through November use the fawn in distress and fawn in distress with coyote giving chase

5. Shoot straight and don’t miss
Cause we all miss at some point.

As a predator hunter myself I had a couple of questions I had wanted to know the answer to…Here are my questions with Walt’s answers:

Q: If you get a howl or bark back what should you do?

A: “Don’t be the aggressor. Howl shorter or bark and yip softer. Don’t be the biggest and
baddest.

Q: Is it possible to get mange from coyotes?

A: No mange is only species specific coyotes to coyotes, wolves to wolves etc.

Q: Should you cover your face when calling?

A: I don’t, and none of the noted callers in the country like Randy Anderson, Les
Johnson, or Wiley Carol did. But I do cover my hands. Cause your hands are moving
all the time and the white on the back of your hands flashes from the movement.

Q: After you shoot a coyote should you let it lay while all the fleas and ticks come off of it?

A: I put them in a black plastic bag and spay in this stuff called Ortho Home Defense, it
kills whatever comes off them.

Q: Do coyotes use the same den each year?

A: No then use a new den each year.

When I asked Walt about calling he told me to remember that all coyotes sound different and there is no such thing as a perfect howl. So go out there and try. See what happens and learn from it. He told me that in 1976 he and the rest of the government trappers were sent a free Crit’r Call from Major Boddicker and he’s been using one every since. Walt produces some diaphragm calls he uses for barks, howls, and kiyi’s. They are very effective.

After spending a day with Walt I felt like I was the one who really benefited from taking the day to spend with him. It was a great day! Check out his website and think about attending one of his predator schools. I know I’m trying to see how I can fit it in my schedule.

If you’ve have any questions for Walt visit his website at www.olcoyote.com where you’ll find a place to send him an email.

Good luck and Shoot Straight!

Joe Esparza

Status of Bills Affecting Hunting, Fishing and Access

Bill Recap and Status Montana Hunting and Fishing

HB 79 - Restricts the State to no net gain in State Land acreage.That means no new Fishing Access Sites, Habitat MT purchases.

HB 190 - Bridge Access Bill, passed through the House with only 5 no votes on 2nd reading and 97-3 on 3rd reading. Will be transmitted to the Senate. This is one we all want to see passed!

HB 172 - Hearing 02/03/2009~ Provisional Hunter Safety Certificate for Persons with Disabilities. This bill will offer hunting opportunities to those individuals with "special" education needs, but does not give gun privileges to those who have been precluded from using firearms. Passed 3rd reading in House 2/10/09.

HB 253 - The Montana Wild Bison Recovery and Conservation Act would put primary bison management responsibility into FWP authority. Bison are a game animal in MT but Dept. of Livestock has had the primary role within the Interagency Bison Management Plan discussions. HB 253 would change that. HB 253 was tabled in committee.

HB 317 - Guarantee special hunting license forfeited because of military deployment. MWF supports our troops and believes this provision is only the fair thing to do for those abroad sacrificing for their country. Passed 3rd reading and will be scheduled for the Senate soon.

HB 314 - Our Harboring Act that would provide relief to ranchers who offer public hunting but suffer crop loss due to a neighboring landowner that harbors deer, elk etc. but not allow public hunting to control animal numbers. Hearing held Tuesday February 17, executive action expected soon.

HB 382 - Hearing 02/03/2009 Hunter Mentoring for Certain Hunters and exempts beginner hunters from Hunter Safety instruction, for up to 5 years. That 26 states have begun a "mentor" program sets some precedence, but no reports on their success are available and it is questionable that Montana needs this program. This bill passed out of the FWP Committee after amendments changed the requirements to "only hunters over the age of 14" and limiting the exemption to 1 year. Passed 2nd reading, 3rd reading scheduled for today 2/18.

HB 402 - Removes sunset on Land Banking and increases maximum acreage trade to 500,000 acres. Sportsmen want to keep current 200,00 acre maximum and a sunset to ensure the program isn't abused.

HB 430 - Establishes in law that although Stockgrowers can fence across navigable streams to keep livestock under check, those fences can't be barbed wire for public safety reasons. Hearing scheduled for March 5 in House FWP Comm.

HB 614 - Makes it a state crime to ride off-highway vehicles on closed public lands. No such law exists making off-road violations difficult. Hearing likely on Friday February 20 in House Judiciary Committee.

SB 31 - Requires that a member of the FWP Commission to own 1280 acres & be in the full-time business of raising livestock. By state law, one member of the Commission must have a history with raising livestock already, we shouldn't eliminate good Commission candidates who might raise hay or wheat, or someone who depends on leasing for their operation. This bill has passed the Senate 28-21and is scheduled to be heard in House FWP Committee.

SB 162 -Requires FWP to ONLY make season/license changes where biological reasons dictate. This is an attempt to take any social elements from the season-setting and harvest processes in response to changes in Archery license requirements in select Hunt Districts. SB 162 will be heard on the Senate floor on Monday February 9, 2009 at 1 pm. Passed 2nd reading, Killed on 3rd reading 23-26.

SB 163 - Will require FWP to do an Economic Impact Analysis within every rule making procedure. The cost to sportsmen and diversion of license dollar funds is enormous for no perceivable gain. Fortunately this bill has been tabled.

SB164 - Requires a set 40% of any purchase price for FWP properties to be set aside for maintenance whether or not the condition of the land requires any weed containment or other upkeep. This bill's intent is merely to cripple FWP's authority to establish a responsible budget. It was amended to require 20% additional money to be set aside for maintenance and removed the requirement that no further purchases until that maintenance/weed control has taken place then passed on 3rd reading in the Senate.

SB 183 - Prohibits cooperative work with US Government in regards to wolves. Hearing 2/19 at 3PM in Senate F&G Comm, 3PM.

SB 213 - Hearing 02/03/2009 ) Require FWP plan to manage wildlife to prevent disease transmission: Senate Bill 213 will require FWP to manage wildlife to "prevent disease transmission". Because of its vague wording, this bill could be used to begin a "test and slaughter" program for elk in the Yellowstone area. FWP already has the authority to address disease issues and always has. SB 213 was heard in the Senate Fish and Game Committee. Fiscal note shows a $300,000 cost in sportsmen's dollars. SB
213 has been amended to prevent disease transmission BETWEEN livestock and wildlife, a change that takes the teeth out of the bill. Likely to pass 3rd reading soon.

SB 217 -Requires that testing costs be borne by FWP with license dollars for any livestock diseases that can be attributed to wildlife if big game numbers are over FWP objectives. In many areas in MT, we cannot manage by hunting or get access to big game to manage populations then how can we meet objectives using our number one technique: public hunting! The Fiscal note shows a cost to sportsmen of $18 M in state and federal funding .
Tabled in Committee.

SB 314 - would change the definition of "natural waters" for Stream Access purposes, to only those streams that have NO irrigation return water, or have any water diverted for irrigation purposes, essentially eliminating almost all streams outside of National Forest boundaries. Any such streams would be ineligible for stream access until they return to Class I waters, or those which meet Navigability requirements. Additionally, it alters portage requirements to apply only to "manufactured" obstructions, which now are defined as anything "manmade". You could not portage those boulders and rootballs put into streambeds to divert water into headgates!! February 12 - SB 314 was to be heard in Senate F&G Comm. at 3PM but has been postponed to a later date. Currently the sponsor has asked that the bill not be heard.

SB 316 - Hearing 02/10/2009 Allow Attorney General Assistance to County Attorney in Road Disputes. Please support this excellent bill carried by Jeff Essman (R) of Billings. As more and more public/private road disputes arise, the work load imposed upon County Attorneys has grown to unmanageable levels. This short bill clarifies the role of the AG in determining legal status of questionable road ownership. Hearing was canceled in Senate Judiciary Committee but expected to be rescheduled in March.

SB 383 Requires full-size license plates on ATVs and off-highway vehicles.
When abuses occur in the field, identification is difficult. This bill will provide another tool for prosecuting violators. Hearing scheduled for Thursday, February 19 at 3PM in Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, rm 405.

SB 404 - Revises location requirements for Bird Shooting Preserves, increases maximum size requirements and requires no net loss of public hunting opportunities as a result. Passed out of Committee headed for Senate floor.

Issues and Bills of Concern and Their Current Status: (fromhttp://www.blogger.com/www.montanawildlife.org)

Don't Forget to Renew Your License

March 1 is the beginning of the new fishing and hunting license year. Current fishing and hunting licenses expire on Feb. 28, except for licenses that cover furbearer trapping and mountain lion hunting. New licenses are available at FWP offices or from FWP license providers around the state.

Fishing in FEB follow-up

Ok, maybe I'm not the shapest knife in the drawer. Too many tequillas in college or did my mom drop me once to many.

I was fishing again this past weekend. Again no fish but is was beautiful. Is there a trend here???

$245,000 Paid for MT Sheep Tag

The conservation tag was auctioned off to an Illinois man at the Wild Sheep Foundation's convention in Salt Lake last weekend. Good thing I missed the auction....yeah right! The Foundation would not release the Champaign, Illnios bidders name. But we do know that he owns a chain of sandwich shops. Can you say $245,000 foot long?

This year's tag sold for $50,000 more than the tag a year ago. Considering that three, possibly four rams, were shot this year that scored over 200 this year this gentleman has a great opportunity to take a book ram.

A Montana hunter from Whitefish bid $10,000 for a mountain goat liscense and the Mule Deer Foundation auctioned off a mule deer liscense for $8,500. The elk liscense will be auctioned off at the Elk Foundations big convention to be held in Fort Worth, TX March 5-8. We'll keep you posted on that one.

Unlike Utah where the new world record elk was taken, these conservation tag winners have to hunt during seasons and with weapons that apply to the rest of us.

Response From Senator on SB 314

UPDATE

Here is Senator Wanzenried's response to my inquiry of status of SB 314 Received February 18.

As of this moment, it still has not been scheduled for a hearing, Joe.

Watch for a last minute hearing, rushed testimony, and a favorable vote just prior to the transmittal deadline, when we have a flood of bills.

Please see if you can follow this link:

http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=SB&P_BILL_NO=314&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&P_CHPT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SBJ_DESCR=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_LST_NM1=Hollenbaugh%2C+Galen+&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=5479

Respectfully,

Dave Wanzenried



I thought that I would let you all know that your voice does make a difference here is the response I got after emailing all the Senators on the Natural Resources Committee. Thank You! Senator Wanzenried, Senate District #49 Missoula.

Hello, Joe.

Based on my reading of SB 314 and the input I have received to date, which has been overwhelmingly against the bill, I intend to vote against NO.

As you can see from this link, a hearing on the bill has been canceled two times:

http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=SB&P_BILL_NO=314&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&P_CHPT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SBJ_DESCR=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_LST_NM1=&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=

As of this evening, I have no idea as to when it might be re-scheduled.

Please continue to make calls and send e-mails to the members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, especially the R's.

Please continue to keep in touch with me.

Respectfully,

Dave Wanzenried
Senate District # 49
Missoula

Legislative Alert Take Action to Protect Your Access

We recevied this legislative alert and ask you to take action right away!

Montana TU Legislative Alert - February 7, 2009

Your help needed today! Help defeat SB 314, the radical anti-stream access bill.

Background
Sen. Rick Laible (R-Victor) is sponsoring SB 314, a bill that will dramatically reduce the number of streams in the state that you can legally access for fishing.

Sen. Laible seems to be carrying this bill for a few landowners - several who are not even Montanans -- who live along Mitchell Slough, a natural side-channel of the Bitterroot River. For years, a few of these landowners have been employing legal actions to have Mitchell Slough declared off limits to public access.

Last October the Montana Supreme Court unanimously rejected the landowners' strategy to have the stream declared not "natural" and thus the stream access law wouldn't apply. Now, the landowners, with Sen. Laible's help are seeking to close the stream by having the Legislature re-define what a stream is.

In order to help a few landowners who have lost their case in the state's highest court, Sen. Laible's bill will turn the stream access law on its head by creating a new definition that could make hundreds of other streams in the state off-limits to access.

SB 314 says that a stream is open for access only if it flows perennially without the benefit of return flows from irrigation. However, one reason some streams aren't "perennial" is because they are dewatered by irrigation or occasionally by drought.

SB 314 further says that Class 2 streams that receive return flows from irrigation are not open for access. This includes most streams in many agricultural valleys. SB 314 then says that when an irrigator takes water from a stream, puts it on crops, and the remaining diverted water flows back into the stream, it makes the stream not "natural" and thus off-limits to access.

This occurs with most every stream in most irrigated valleys in Montana, including many in Sen.Laible's own district -streams that the public have been legally accessing for decades. Besides eliminating access, SB 314 provides incentives for some landowners to completely dry up streams.

SB 314 undermines the Montana Supreme Court's decision on what a stream is for access purposes, and it violates the Montana Constitution by saying that the water found in some streams is NOT owned by the public.

You can help stop this radical bill by doing four things:

1. Respectfully contact Sen. Laible TODAY and urge him to drop the measure. Tell him he should represent all Montanans by preserving the stream access law. Call him at 406-444-4800 during regular business hours and leave a message. Or e-mail him at ricklaible@aol.com .
2. Contact other members of the Senate Natural ResourceCommittee, where the bill will be heard, and tell them to oppose SB314. They are:

• Kelly Gebhardt gebby@midrivers.com
• Debby Barrett grt3177@smtel.com
• Aubyn Curtiss aubyna@interbel.net
• Ken Hansen hansen_kenneth@email.com
• Christine Kaufmann kaufmann@mt.net
• Gary Perry perrysd35@aol.com
• Jim Peterson jpranch@mtintouch.net
• Donald Steinbeisser donstein@midrivers.com
• Mitch Tropila tropila@mt.net
• David Wanzenried daveew@gmail.com

3. Contact your state senator and tell them to oppose SB 314 because it undermines our finely honed access law for the benefit of a few.

4. Write a letter to the editor of your paper asking the public to oppose SB 314 because it harms all Montanans for the benefit of a special few.

TAKE ACTION NOW OR LOSE YOUR ACCESS TOMORROW!!! I did two of the four today!

Frontier Anglers 2nd Annual April Spring Fishing Packages

I just received a great Spring Fishing Package from Matt at Frontier Anglers on my personal favorite river in Southwest Montana so I thought I'd pass it on.

Come join Frontier Anglers this April on a can't miss spring fishing package. You'll get 3 nights lodging, All meals, All flies and of course 2 full days of guided fishing with one of our experienced professionals. Float the legendary Big Hole River for the seasons 1st DRY FLY hatches. You'll experience Blue Wing Olives, Caddis, Skwalas and fish with large appetites. Or, choose to fish the Beaverhead River, loaded with over 4,000 fish per mile. Sight fish to pods of rising trout eating Blue Wings Olives, Caddis and Midges.Enjoy early season fishing, NO crowds & unsophisticated trout!At a price anyone can afford...........$575 per person/dbl. occupancy.

Tell'em SportsmensAccess.com sent you

Call now to ensure your space....1-800-228-5263. Time is limited - April Only!

Missouri Breaks Stimulus Package DIY Archery Elk Hunt

• Current success rate of this hunt: 50%
• Average success rate of DIY archery hunters 12-15%
• Current shot opportunities on 270-320 class bulls 70-80%
• Killing a 300 point bull with your bow PRICELESS
  

If taking a bull like this with a bow is something that you want to do then check out Trip ID 2226

This is a DIY HUNT out of ground blinds and tree stands for bulls that have been averaging 270-320 B&C. This hunt even has a mobile home for you to stay in. At two hunters at $2,000 each this is a deal on a great private land elk hunt in the Missouri Breaks. Remember you can only book this hunt if your a member so JOIN TODAY.

New Bill has Elk in Crosshairs Brucellosis

Lawmakers took their first crack at the newest chapter in Montana’s long battle with brucellosis Tuesday: Elk.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Keith Bales, R-Otter, would add to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ duties the task of preventing disease transmission between livestock and wildlife. While those diseases include everything from tuberculosis to ungulate fever, there was no question at the bill’s afternoon hearing that brucellosis gave rise to the bill.

• Two cattle in Montana tested positive for brucellosis last year. The disease causes cows to abort. While Yellowstone bison have been the focus of brucellosis control, elk are thought to be the source of the most recent cases. “If this bill had been in place five or 10 years ago…we might not be in the situation we are,” Bales said of his bill. While Chris Smith of FWP said he does not necessarily agree with that statement, he spoke in favor of the bill as one that would allow his agency to continue its work on controlling brucellosis and other diseases.
  
  “They’re not livestock problems. They’re not wildlife problems. They’re disease problems,” he told the Senate Fish and Game Committee. Since the spring outbreak of brucellosis, FWP has killed two elk thought to be carrying the virus and has been working with landowners to control herds that threaten more cases of the disease, Smith said. Ag groups also came out for the bill.“A lot of ranchers are being overrun by elk, and they are fearful of a brucellosis outbreak,” said Ariel Overstreet of the Montana Cattlewomen’s Association. Jay Bodner, natural resources director for the Montana Stockgrowers Association, said he would like to see the bill move FWP toward practices like “strategic hazing,” something Smith said is not now in FWP’s disease control playbook.
  
  Opponents of the bill said they were concerned the wording of the bill could force FWP to devote a disproportionate amount of resources toward disease-control.v“This could set a precedent for managing wildlife for one particular reason,” said Ben Lamb of the Montana Wildlife federation.
  
  The bill, which carries a cost of $300,000 per year, was also the recipient of Budget Director Dave Ewer’s disapproval via form letter, which is being sent out to many hearings involving bills that cost money. Bales maintained Senate Bill 213’s importance.“The disease was spread to livestock from elk. Since the Department of Livestock has not authority over elk at this time, they cannot prevent that,” he said. “This will help. This will add the final key to trying to control disease.”
  
  While we at SportsmensAccess.com we agree that:
• There is a problem with elk carry brucellosis
• FWP is the agency that needs to deal with elk with this disease
• FWP would need additional funds from somewhere other it's normal operating budget to deal with managing this disease

We don't agree:

• That the elk should be shot by FWP officials. Why not have sportsmen on the game damage control list take these elk. Lower cost and less manpower spent by FWP.
• The point of view that ranchers "are being overrun by elk"

The two cows that we taken were shot on public land. Not on ranch lands. What do we do about these elk?

As we know large herds of elk gather on some private grounds with no access allowed. This is one of the tough issues that will need to be addressed. What do we do with large herds of elk that gather on private land where no hunting is allowed? Will FWP officials be able to "haze" elk of these properties? We stradle a fine line between private property rights and controlling a disease. No easy answer on this one.

Proposed Bill Looks to Change Hunters Ed Requirments

A Missoula lawmaker thinks Montana can bolster youth hunting by easing hunter education requirements in the state.

House Bill 382 would allow first-timers to go out with an experienced hunter instead of attending a hunter education course, which is now required for anyone born after 1984. The hunters would have to take a safety course within five years, but Rep. Robin Hamilton, D-Missoula, said his bill would allow parents and grandparents to more easily get youngsters in the family interested in field sports.The bill was heard Tuesday in the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee.

Supporters of the bill echoed Hamilton’s assertion that the bill would get more youngsters into hunting and the outdoors.But many others n including many hunter education instructors n are opposed to the plan, in part because it would allow kids of any age to participate in the program and removes hunter education requirements.
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“There’s no age determination,” said George Golie of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “Does that mean a 7-year-old can have a .30-06 out there hunting?”“This bill guts the mandatory hunter education requirements,” said Ron Moody, a hunter education instructor from Lewistown.

Hamilton and other supporters attempted to calm fears that the program would make hunting less safe.“Modern hunters are so different and consciences of safety. The data doesn't bear out those fears,” Hamilton said.

A bill resembling HB382 has passed in 27 states, Gray said.“The mentored hunter, as a block, is the safest group of hunters,” Gray said. “We’ve had no incidents that involved an apprentice hunter.”

Underpinning the bill is a decline in hunters nationwide, a decline that’s largely to blame on fewer young people getting into the sport.According to the Families Afield Coalition n a group that is promoting legislation like Hamilton’s nationwide.

Montana has a 56 percent “replacement rate” for hunters. That means for every hunter taking up the sport, about two hunters are hanging their rifles up. Steve Gray of Families Afield said in other states, the mentoring programs they’ve helped create have worked. Nationwide, 208,000 people have gotten hunting permits under the programs, Gray said. He could not say how many of those hunters would have otherwise entered the sport by other means, but said he is confident it is helping to reverse declining numbers. “This is a proactive approach to ensure hunting well into the future,” he said. Opponents challenged that hunter education requirements are impeding young people’s interest in hunting. They pointed to changes in social norms and private property concerns. “Let’s get to the heart of the problem, which is access,” said Golie. The committee did not take immediate action on the bill.

We at SportsmensAccess.com disagree with Golie's point of view. New and young hunter numbers are declining not because of lack of access but because of video games, cell phones, ipods, and kids that aren't being recruited into the sport. There is solid data showing this from a study at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Update to the Stream Access Law from Jan 22nd

The only surviving bridge-access bill won the support of its most vocal critic in a House vote Monday, but several Southwest Montana lawmakers made up the extreme minority voting against the bill.

House Bill 190, sponsored by Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, was approved 95-5 in the House and will presumably be sent to the Senate after a final vote by representatives.

The bill seeks to put into law a Madison County judge’s ruling that people can access Montana rivers from most county bridges and puts into place a state enforcer to ensure that access.

The Montana Cattlemen’s Association, The Montana Farm Bureau, Trout Unlimited and many other groups are supporting the bill. Critics, however, say HB190 eliminates local control of bridges and could compromise private property rights.

The bill has proven to be one of the highest profile of the session thus far. One lobbyist even formed a lighthearted betting pool on what Monday’s House vote would be. HB190 makes the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks responsible for resolving conflicts. The Montana Association of Counties supports the bill as is.

Three of the five representatives who voted against the bill hail from Southwest Montana, home of the most popular fishing destinations in the state. Reps. Scott Sales and Gordon Vance, both Bozeman Republicans, joined Joel Boniek, R-Livingston in opposing the bill. Reps. Scott Mendenhall, a Clancy Republican and Lee Randall, R-Broadus, also opposed the bill. Sales, the House minority leader, said after the vote that Montana already has “tremendous access” and that this bill could enhance it “at the cost of property rights.” However, he may change his vote during the third reading of the bill, he said.Vance and Boniek both said they opposed the bill because they prefer counties oversee bridge access.

Fishing in FEB Burrrrr

Ok it was sunny when we started but as we all know does it change fast! Out on the Lower Madison on Super Bowl Sunday. Saw two other guys dumb as me to be out there fishing. No fish only one bite and froze my As%$#@(* off. Did I tell you I only had a vest on. "Forgot my jacket.

Sorry about the audio...Oh did I forget to say it was windy!