| BOZEMAN-Montana
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment
on issues to explore as it develops a hunting season
proposal for bison that migrate out of Yellowstone National
Park.
In 2003, Montana's Legislature passed SB395, which gave
the FWP Commission authority to establish a bison hunt
in Gallatin and Park counties. The commission recently
directed FWP to prepare an environmental review for
a proposed hunt, which must begin with a public effort
to identify issues that may need to be addressed.
"As we move toward developing a bison hunting season,
we want to invite Montanans and others to help us identify
the benefits and challenges of such a proposal,"
said Kurt Alt, FWP's wildlife manager in Bozeman.
After public review of an environmental assessment,
which will be developed over the coming spring and summer,
a recommendation on whether or not to establish a hunt
could come by fall, officials said.
The intent of the law authorizing the hunt is to allow
Montana hunters to harvest wild, free-roaming bison
under fair chase conditions and to reduce damage to
private property by altering bison behavior and distribution.
Officials said the proposed hunt is not expected to
regulate bison populations. Population regulation
will continue to be achieved through the Interagency
Bison Management Plan.
FWP is seeking comment on all bison-related hunting
issues, including:
… Bison population impacts
… Ethics of hunting bison
… Proposed brucellosis vaccination program on
edibility of meat
… Hunting logistics, including boundaries, timing,
weapons, and licensing
… Public safety
… Exposure of hunters to brucellosis
… Property damage by hunters and bison
… Impacts on other activities and species, including
threatened and endangered species and activities described
in the Interagency Bison Management Plan
… Social, economic, and environmental impacts
near Yellowstone National Park
Comments should be mailed by March 12 to: Attn.
Bison Hunt Issues, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks,
1400 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718, or via Email to:
fwpbison@state.mt.us.
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