Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet at in the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the Montana State Capitol in Helena on Dec. 10.

Hunting seasons for the next two years top the agenda and some proposals reflect FWP’s effort to ask hunters, landowners, outfitters and others to become involved earlier than ever before to help set upcoming hunting season regulations.

In years past, FWP would propose “tentative” seasons and season structures, from general regulations to types of special permits offered in specific areas and then ask for comment on the proposals.

This summer, FWP invited the public to list or suggest things to change or consider for any upcoming big game or upland game bird hunting season before FWP developed tentative regulation proposals.

“We think this new way of doing business worked well,” said FWP Director Joe Maurier. “We held seven meetings across the state, received more than 370 comments, and came away with several pretty good proposals.”

Some proposed changes for the 2010 -11 hunting seasons include:

• moving the general deer and elk season opener to Saturday, instead of Sunday;
• issuing antlerless elk licenses instead of antlerless elk permits,
• adopting a new four-year waiting period for those who obtain some either-sex elk permits;
• regrouping the 23 elk-archery districts outside the Missouri River Breaks into one “bundle” of limited either-sex archery permits;
• creating a more conservative elk season in southwestern Montana’s hunting district 310 in response to population declines;
• allowing archers to pursue bears, mountain lions and wolves during the archery season, which typically opens in early September;
• creating a two-day deer season for youth to run in October on the Thursday and Friday before the general big game opener;
• requiring nontoxic shot for all bird hunting on wildlife management areas.

“It’s important to remember that these are only proposals at this point,” Maurier said. “On Dec. 10, commissioners will approve, reject or modify the proposals, and then those ultimately moved forward will undergo an intensive 43-day public comment period that will run through most of January.”

The Montana State Capitol is on the 1200 block of E. Sixth Ave. in Helena. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.   Live a udio of the meeting will be steamed via FWP’s Web site at fwp.mt.gov. Click the live audio button available Dec. 10. TVMT, a state run television service, will broadcast the meeting live to more than 20 communities via local cable providers. A full agenda and list of issues is available online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “FWP Commission.”

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with disabilities. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at 406-444-3186.

Tags: Hunting, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP)