Dear Governor Gianforte,
I respectfully ask that you carefully consider vetoing the series of bills that attempt to legislate wildlife management (HB 224, HB 225, SB 267, SB 306, SB 314, SB 337, HB 468).
For 31 years, I have had the privilege to serve as a wildlife manager for eight organizations and state, federal and tribal agencies to manage the public’s wildlife trust in six Western states, including Montana. I’ve worked with several species – big horn sheep, black bear, cougar, elk, mountain goat, mule deer and wolves – and with people, including ranchers, hunters, foresters, conservationists and other folks inspired by our wild places and wild things.
I worked on a variety of management topics including populations, private property, agriculture, as well as their social, political and economic aspects. I, along with others, was integrally involved in creating and adapting Montana’s first wolf hunting and trapping regulations and seasons 2009-2014. I worked hard to manage the public wildlife trust across diverse and at times sharply divided public values. I am proud of Fish, Wildlife & Park’s work, its Commission, and Montanans that all worked hard to get to that spot in the middle. Something for everyone. Or more appropriately, not all for some.
Letter to Gianforte: Trapping bills bad for Montana, bad for wildlife
I respectfully ask that you carefully consider vetoing the series of bills that attempt to legislate wildlife management (HB 224, HB 225, SB 267, SB 306, SB 314, SB 337, HB 468).
For 31 years, I have had the privilege to serve as a wildlife manager for eight organizations and state, federal and tribal agencies to manage the public’s wildlife trust in six Western states, including Montana. I’ve worked with several species – big horn sheep, black bear, cougar, elk, mountain goat, mule deer and wolves – and with people, including ranchers, hunters, foresters, conservationists and other folks inspired by our wild places and wild things.
I worked on a variety of management topics including populations, private property, agriculture, as well as their social, political and economic aspects. I, along with others, was integrally involved in creating and adapting Montana’s first wolf hunting and trapping regulations and seasons 2009-2014. I worked hard to manage the public wildlife trust across diverse and at times sharply divided public values. I am proud of Fish, Wildlife & Park’s work, its Commission, and Montanans that all worked hard to get to that spot in the middle. Something for everyone. Or more appropriately, not all for some.
Letter to Gianforte: Trapping bills bad for Montana, bad for wildlife