Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet in Helena Feb. 13 to consider final approval of most hunting regulations, seasons and harvest quotas for the next two years.
The hunting season regulations the commission will consider include those aimed at aiding the recovery of Montana’s declining deer populations by reducing hunting pressure on antlerless mule deer and white-tailed deer. Additionally, commissioners will take final action on 2014 and 2015 hunting regulations for elk, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lion, bison, upland game birds, migratory birds, game damage and management seasons, and hunting season dates.
The commission also will take final action on the City of Helena’s urban deer management quotas, commercial fishing regulations on Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Helena, commercial-use fee rules, the Unlocking State Lands tax-incentive program, and a conservation easement at Raundal Coulee near Mosby.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Ave., next to Spring Meadow Lake State Park off Highway 12 West.
Items proposed for public comment include amendments to a work plan to manage the risk of transmitting brucellosis from elk to livestock in southwestern Montana’s Paradise Valley, a limited peregrine falcon take for falconry for 2014-15, and an amendment to the no-wake regulation on Whitefish River in northwestern Montana. FWP will also seek the commission’s endorsement of upcoming budgets and priorities.
A Fish & Wildlife Commission work session, where no official action is taken, will be held Feb. 12 at FWP Headquarters, 1420 E. Sixth Ave., beginning at 2 p.m. At the work session the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe will discuss its Flathead Lake fisheries management plan and FWP will discuss the southwestern Montana grizzly bear management plan.
For the full agenda and additional information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “For Commission Information.”
FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to individuals with special needs. To request arrangements call FWP at 406-444-3186.