So, you have heard the buzz about Initiative 177 (which will be on the ballot this November when you vote) but you aren’t sure what it is about, take a look at this.  I-177 was proposed by an anti-sportsmen group based out of Missoula, Montana, which was founded by a German national who is working to not only incorporate her ideals here for wildlife management in Montana but also the entire country.  Some of the members have now jumped on board with national animal rights groups that are working to dictate to each state how they should manage their wildlife. Keep in mind many of these people are vegan and think that killing Fluffy the wolf is horrible after it rips two moo cow calves to shreds in one night.  They think that Bambi is real and that all the deer out there really can speak and understand English and they have the same emotions we do as humans.  They feel that raccoons and skunks get a bad rap and should be relocated–not harvested or managed–until THEY have nuisance coons and skunks in their yard.  There are a lot of delusions involved with these groups, and here is just the tip of the iceberg of what would happen if I-177 were passed in Montana:

• I-177 would prohibit regulated trapping by licensed trappers as a wildlife management tool on any and all public lands in Montana, regardless of the damage it would cause to Montana’s wildlife populations, sportsmen, ranchers, farmers, and local economies
• I-177 would give Animal Rights Groups the power to remove an important, proven, and relied upon wildlife management tool endorsed by professional wildlife biologists and agencies
• I-177 would reduce much of the wolf harvest in Montana which is needed to protect elk, moose, and deer populations and hunting opportunities
• I-177 would increase pubic and pet risks to rabies and other diseases, animal attacks on people and pets, and property damage
• I-177 would cost MFW&P a minimum of $422,000 annually.  That cost would come from other F&W programs that are paid for with sportsmen’s licenses
• I-177 would remove an effective method to control predators that reduce waterfowl, and upland game bird populations
• I-177 would increase beaver complaints and costs to the public by damage to roads and culverts, damage to timber, cutting residential and park trees, and causing flooding of septic and well systems

Vote NO on I-177      NO  [ X ]

Vote NO to the Animal Rights Groups 

• Trapping accounted for 39% of the wolves harvested in Montana since 2012 and of those trapped wolves, 43% were trapped on public lands
• I-177 would result in more wolves and less elk, deer and moose in Montana, not to mention the increased predation and loss of livestock to wolves and coyotes on our states ranches and farms!
• In Montana trapping is closely regulated by MW&P with detailed booklets of wolf and furbearer harvest regulations.  Let’s keep it that way!
• Trapping provides over $2 million dollars annually for Montana families from fur sales
• People have trapped furbearers in Montana since the time of Lewis and Clark and the mountain men
• Trapping is an outdoor experience, enjoyed by many families – much like hunting, fishing, and camping.
• Opponents of I-177 include major sportsmen’s, ranching, and shooting organizations, such as:

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Big Game Forever, MT Sportsmen for F&W, NRA, US Sportsmens Alliance, Stockgrowers, Wool Growers, Trappers, Outfitters & Guides, Bowhunters, and several other associations

I-177 is a first step to ban trapping on public lands, and then all trapping in Montana, then bear hunting, then hound hunting, and finally YOUR HUNTING (their words–they have already said bear hunting is next)

Vote NO on I-177    NO [ X ]

Visit Montanans for Wildlife and Public Land Access on Facebook today.

Volunteer, DONATE and VOTE NO on I-177 this November. SPREAD THE WORD, and keep your right as a hunter, trapper and/or angler to help manage wildlife while putting food in your freezer and keeping you warm with a natural, renewable resource–fur! Support our ranchers and farmers who rely on trapping to protect their livestock–which is their livelihood.

Website is coming soon.

(Special thanks to Paul Fielder for I-177 bullet points)