MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (MTSFW) has announced a $15,000 donation to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) from their organization-in support of the upcoming 2016/2017 Elk Shoulder Season Program.
The Elk Shoulder Season Program is a management tool FWP implemented last year to improve harvest and redistribute elk in hunting districts where elk have been over-objective or to address other specific local circumstances.
“MTSFW is pleased to present this donation that goes toward hunter access information coordination during the Elk Shoulder Season,” said Keith Kubista, MTSFW Director. “We were spurred on by the significant interest in last year’s pilot project and the Department’s efforts in working with the hunters and landowners.”
The donation is intended as a positive step to demonstrate sportsmen are willing to go beyond purchasing licenses to help the Department manage wildlife by meeting the objectives of the Elk Shoulder Season Program.
“MTSFW is proud to furnish funding that will enhance and strengthen landowner/sportsman relationships by assisting FWP in delivering services to the public that expand public hunting opportunities as a means to address a difficult situation. Providing partner funding for wildlife programs that benefit sportsmen, landowners, and FWP’s management of a public resource is consistent with our mission and principles. Our intent in providing this contribution is to promote more public hunting access by relieving some of the burden on FWP and landowners,” added Kubista.
The Elk Shoulder Season Program is being implemented as a provisional response to what appears to be a chronic dilemma.
Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife is a statewide membership sportsmen and sportswomen non-profit organization. For more information on the organization go to www.mt-sfw.org
