It’s hard to believe that in the early 1900s elk had been exterminated from much of Montana. Work by conservation groups and the state’s wildlife agency slowly rebuilt elk herds, some of which were transplanted from Yellowstone National Park. Now, a couple of generations later, the state is struggling with how to manage its wealth of wildlife. The discussion often splits along the lines of landowners and outfitters versus hunters and conservation groups. The division came to the forefront recently in discussions about free either-sex elk licenses provided to some landowners under a revised landowner access program. Resolution of the issue is not going to be easy, and requires compromise and leadership. To read more about what’s taking place, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/managing-montanas-elk-wealth-is-causing-heartburn-for-landowners-fwp-and-hunters/article_0fff5315-4b72-5b85-9bb8-a99d85f68601.html.
Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette
