By EVE BYRON Independent Record
Public comments are being sought for a number of proposals pending before the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission.
Topics include proposed peregrine falconry take rules; using hunters to kill bison outside of identified “tolerance areas” north of Yellowstone National Park; extending the wolf hunting season in the Bitterroot Valley and a proposed increase in the mountain lion quota there; refinements to deer and elk permits; and a proposal for commercial seining for carp on Lake Helena and Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
The comment periods vary for the proposals, as do some of the addresses where comments should be sent.
Wolves and lions
The wolf hunting season and the mountain lion quota are part of an effort to stop the precipitous drop in numbers of elk in Hunting District 250. Many people believe wolves are responsible, but an ongoing study shows that mountain lions are taking down more elk calves than wolves in that area.
Of the 18-wolf quota for the district, only four animals have been harvested. That prompted the commission at its meeting last week to give initial approval to extend the wolf hunting season from Feb. 15 to April 1.
The issue split the commission, with two members voicing concerns about killing wolves during their reproductive season.
However, the commission agreed unanimously to give initial approval to increasing the number of mountain lion permits in that same hunting district from 20 to 30, and to increase the female subquota from three to five. That season ends when the quota is met or on April 14.
Yellowstone bison
The bison proposal is part of the state’s effort to find more tolerance for the animals that migrate out of Yellowstone Park into Montana. Bison currently are allowed on about 75,000 acres south of Yankee Jim Canyon, but not north of Dome Mountain into the Paradise Valley, or east of the Yellowstone River. That’s a change from previous policy, where they were either hazed back into the park or rounded up and put into holding pens, with some taken to slaughter.
Deadline exception
New this year is a proposal to allow residents who complete hunter safety after March 15, and nonresidents purchasing returned combination to secure an unlimited deer or elk permit after the March 15 application deadline. The deadline was pushed forward this year to better accommodate hunters, and the commission realized that moving the date could cause problems for some people.
Comments on the wolf, bison, mountain lion and deer and elk proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 13, with the commission expected to make a decision at its Feb. 16 meeting.
Peregrine take
The peregrine take involves authorizing the take of five nestling or fledged peregrines in 2012 and five in 2013 by residents through a quota system. The quota for take in 2013 would be reduced if the quota is exceeded in 2012. Nonresidents would be allowed one peregrine in 2012 or 2013 through a permit system.
The take is restricted to June 1 through Aug. 31, and would be prohibited in eastern Montana to encourage expansion of the breeding population. It also would be prohibited in areas where wildlife viewing has high values and where research is taking place.
Falconers who take a peregrine must wait two years before trying to get another, and the sale, barter or exchange of wild birds is prohibited.
The comment period on this runs through 5 p.m. Feb. 20, with final action being taken by the commission at its March 8 meeting.
Additional information on the above issues can be found online at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/default.html
Those who wish to comment on these issues may go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click on the Hunting Home page for more information. To comment electronically, click on the subject line for each issue listed.
Written comments can be mailed to: FWP—Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
Seining carp
The proposed permit for seining carp includes restrictions on the time and location of seining operations, requirements for handling non-targeted species caught during the operations and other details. A Townsend man has held the permit for years, but FWP staffers say they don’t believe it’s ever been used.
The public may comment through Feb. 26 via the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. On the home page, click “Submit Public Comments” then choose “Fishing.” They also can be sent by regular mail to: FWP, Fisheries Bureau, P.O. Box 200701, 1420 E. Sixth Ave., Helena, MT, 59620.
Public comments will assist FWP in preparing a final draft permit for approval by the FWP Commission.
Anyone with questions on any of these issues also can contact FWP at 444-2535.