Court Victory in Montana on Wolf Hunting

[robby denning]

Before you read this, I already know some of you don't like Big Game Forever. We've already beat that dead horse. If you have another organization who's working on the wolf issue, you're welcome to post them up, too.

Just got this email with a little good news:

As you are aware, Big Game Forever is tirelessly working to allow for recovery of elk, moose and deer populations in Montana and other states. We continue to fight efforts that would delay this recovery. We are pleased to announce a big court victory and provide an update on two other important developments on the wolf hunt closures North of Yellowstone National Park.

Here is a quick summary of these developments:

1-We are happy to report that we have decisively won last week's hearing. Judge Gilbert has now ruled on the wolf hunt closures and issued a preliminary injunction. This injunction will keep the wolf harvest open in the “closure” areas in the hard-hit Northern Yellowstone Herd. Thank you to every Big Game Forever supporter for making this court victory happen. We couldn’t do it without your tireless support. We are also grateful for Alan Redfield, Citizens for Balanced Use, Montana Guides and Outfitters and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife who are co-plaintiff’s in this lawsuit. Please email me if you would like a copy of the Judge's order.

2-Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission has indicated that they will “short circuit” the lawsuit by holding a properly noticed public meeting on January 29th. One commissioner has indicated that this new hearing is in response to concerns of lack of public notice raised by our lawsuit and by Montana sportsmen. Many observers expect that the Commission will again close the wolf harvest in these areas. Here is a link to FWP Commission agenda for January 29th: http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/insideFwp/commission/meetings/agenda.html?meetingId=28628377

3-The Montana Legislature is now getting involved. HB 73, co-sponsored by Kelly Flynn and Ted Washburn, will prevent the creation of wolf harvest buffer zones and related wolf harvest closures around national parks. Just as important, the legislation loosens current restrictions on wolf management in hopes of recovering elk, moose, deer and other wildlife populations in Montana. The Montana House recently voted 100-0 in support of this new legislation. We expect this bill will go to the Montana Senate as early as this week. Here is a link to the bill: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2013/billpdf/HB0073.pdf

The Billing’s Gazette has an article on our lawsuit, the Jan. 29th Commission meeting and HB 73 being considered by the Montana Legislature. Here is a link to the article:
http://billingsgazette.com/news/sta...cle_1818ad2a-fc8a-5263-ade0-76320938ff3e.html

In light of efforts to prematurely close wolf harvest in portions of Montana, we strongly encourage concerned sportsmen to support HB 73. We are encouraged by the efforts of the Montana legislature to allow responsible predator management. Recovery of healthy ungulate populations in Montana will be a big job. HB 73 is a big step forward to restoring proper balance of predators and other wildlife. With your help we look forward to providing the grass-roots support needed to allow this recovery effort to continue.
--
Ryan Benson
http://biggameforever.org/
[email protected]

 

[ohhiitznik]

Thats awesome to hear. I'm glad Montana is taking a stand

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Robby, email sent.

 

[robby denning]

Scott, email sent

 

[belly-deep]

Great news. We need to get a good legal firewall set up against the enviro attacks.

 

[robby denning]

Update I just got on email. More good news.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2013
Contact: Ron Aasheim: 406-444-4038; [email protected]

FWP TO KEEP HUNTING AND TRAPPING OPEN NEAR GARDINER
State wildlife officials today canceled a Jan. 29 conference call to reconsider a recent court-challenged decision to close the wolf hunting and trapping seasons in two areas north of Yellowstone National Park.
The areas were closed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission on Dec. 10, in response to concern about the harvest of wolves with collars that supply scientific information to YNP researchers. The seasons, however, were reopened by the district court in Livingston in response to a lawsuit brought by several sporting groups and a state representative from Park County.
FWP officials said today that the best course of action is to fully follow the judge's Jan. 18 order that prohibits FWP from enforcing the wolf hunting and trapping closure.
"The judge clearly stated that FWP would have to return to the court to apply for an order to dissolve the injunction and have proof that requisite public notice was given. We have simply run out of time,” said Ron Aasheim, FWP’s spokesman in Helena.
Aasheim noted that wolf hunting and trapping season is set to end in 34 days, on Feb. 28, and that obtaining a hearing and court action prior to the end of the wolf hunting season would be unlikely.
End


Big Game Forever applauds Montana FWP for this decision. This is a great step on forward for toward elk, moose and deer recovery in these areas. Big Game Forever is also grateful for our co-plaintiffs Citizens for Balanced Use, Montana Guides and Outfitters, Montana SFW and Alan Redfield for joining this effort.

On a related note, a bill which is moving through the Montana legislature, HB 73 will prevent this type of closure in future years. Not only does HB 73 prevent creating of harvest buffer zones and premature wolf harvest closures, it also includes provisions aimed at increasing wolf harvest to improve recovery of elk, moose and deer in Montana. Last week, HB 73 passed the Montana House 96-3.

Thank you to Big Game Forever supporters from Montana and all over America for sending messages and making phone calls in support of recovery of the Northern Yellowstone Herd. With your help, Big Game Forever will continue our tireless legislative and political efforts to address some of the most challenging threats to hunting and wildlife in America.
--
Ryan Benson
http://biggameforever.org/
[email protected]