Montana
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Multiyear Montana study shows the relationships between elk and wolves are not simple- FWP study finds multiple factors in wolf-elk relations. By Rob Chaney. Missoulian Nowhere are data adequate to ‘scientifically’ assign cause(s) for any declines that may occur,” author-biologists Kenneth Hamlin and Julie Cunningham wrote in their conclusion.” However, this conclusion certainly does not…
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Pacific northwest dry and burning as rest of West has a cool and moist summer respite- We planned to go to B.C. and Alaska this summer. Glad we didn’t. Instead we stayed in Pocatello, Idaho where a very wet late spring and cooler than normal summer has greatly reduced normal fires and given clean skies.…
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Very important. You can comment until August 12- Send your comments to Attn: Wildlife Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks POB 200701 Helena MT 59620-0701 fwpwld@mt.gov This MOU paves the way for sport hunting of grizzly bears in this large delisted population. This splits the “discretionary” mortality (surplus) bears between the three states. It might be…
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Bill Schneider gives it a detailed analysis- I won’t go over the details because Schneider seems to do a good job, but my general impression is that there is no reason for Montana conservationists to support this, even though it is not immediately clear whether the “stewardship” elements are good, bad or neutral. What Tester’s…
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The ban on traps would apply to public lands only- Story in the Great Falls Tribune. Group aims to put a stop to trapping on public lands. By Michael Babcock. Great Falls Tribune Outdoor Editor. – – – – – News Release from Footloose, Montana- Footloose Montana Proposes “Montana Trap-Free Public Lands Initiative” Helena, Mont.…
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Take Back Our Public Lands By Tom Woodbury, Western Watersheds Project, Addition by Ralph Maughan. This is also in New West. You can comment there as well as on this blog. 2008 should be remembered as the year of the buffalo. Over 1600 bison were slaughtered in Montana that year, about half of the last…
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Although domestic sheep are not allowed to graze the Robb-Ledford Wildlife Management Area in SW Montana, they are permitted to spend a couple days “trailing across” it to summer pasture. This may be enough to pollute the area with sheep diseases that kill bighorn. Thankfully, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, at the request of Western…
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Finally some international pressure on the coal pit/coalbed methane proposals just northwest of Glacier (and Waterton) National Parks- United Nations Will Study Threats to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. By Dan Testa, Flathead Beacon (in New West)