Changes could be abreast for hunters and wildlife managers on Oct. 8 when the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. in Helena.
On the agenda are proposed changes to align the Central Flyway Duck Zone to match the Central Flyway Goose Zone.
The commission will also consider approving a management program for bucellosis.
The bacterial infection can be spread between livestock and wild animals. It causes elk and cattle to abort their calves and produce “undulant fever” in humans. The disease was largely eradicated in 2008 in the United States before it made a comeback in the Yellowstone area.
The issue has been controversial in the past. Hunting groups sued over Montana Fish Widlife and Park’s 2014 elk management brucellosis plan, saying that plans to haze or kill elk on private land would be detrimental to hunters.
Also up for discussion at the meeting will be a proposed elk shoulder seasons. The gathering was moved from Kalispell to Helena because of the huge interest in the possibility of the state opening firearm seasons between Aug. 15 and Feb. 15 in areas where elk overpopulation is an issue.
The public is welcome at the meetings and can comment on issues on the agenda, which is posted here: http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/insideFwp/commission/meetings/agenda.html?meetingId=37161832
