MSSA News Release 12/17/08

Here is a section-by-section explanation of SB 183

OUTDOORSMAN of Februaty, 2009 - VERY GOOD information about wolves


MSSA "Wolf Recovery Act" - Senate Bill 183


I've spent the last six weeks crafting and working the kinks out of a wolf bill for the upcoming legislative session, a bill intended to dramatically revise the relationship between Montana and the feds concerning wolves.  Redrafting of this bill has now been completed by the Legislative Services Division and the bill text is posted HERE.

Here's what this bill will accomplish, if passed:

1)  Declare Montana authority for wildlife management and challenge federal authority to force wolves on Montana;

2)  Remove Montana from cooperation with the feds by voiding the cooperative management agreement between Montana and the feds and voiding the fed-driven Montana Wolf Management Plan;

3)  Declare that federal wolves are not in compliance with Montana wolf policy;

4)  Establish benchmarks that the feds must meet to bring federal wolves into compliance with Montana wolf policy; and

5)  Establish consequences (serious consequences) for any period that federal wolves are not in compliance with Montana wolf policy.

I know that most Montanans are beyond frustration with the impact that wolves are having on hunting opportunities and stockgrowing in Montana, and the extent that our voices have silenced in this debate - how powerless and irrelevant we've been made.  Well, all that will change if we can flex enough political muscle to get this bill passed.

You've all watched as the feds have made promise after promise to allow state management of wolves.  You've seen those promises evaporate like smoke in the wind.  You've watched over the years as great hunting areas become near biological deserts because of wolf predation.  You've seen the writings of the predator advocates who wish to achieve a "natural" predator/prey "balance," which is a euphemism for no more hunting - NO MORE HUNTING, and they're getting there.

Enough is enough.  We've had it up to here with wolves.  It's time for Montana to take charge.

Please spread this word among your hunting friends and others concerned about wolves and hunting in Montana.  When this bill is introduced, we will need to rally wholesale in support of it.  Anyone receiving this message not already on the MSSA email list, you may send me an email and request to be on the list.  That's how we will get word out about when and how to weigh in to support this bill.