Board of Directors
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TAKE ACTION
Take Action Articles
HUNTERS AND ANGLERS - TAKE ACTION, STAY INVOLVEDThe 63rd Montana Legislature is currently in session. There are over 200 bills that if passed will significantly affect your hunting and fishing future as well as the ability of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to manage wildlife, access, and habitat in Montana. Some bills are good and need to be supported, while others are bad and need to be opposed. ... (more) HB 444 - Tax credit for public land access. Provides for a refundable tax credit of $500 for each parcel of otherwise inaccessible state or federal land opened by a Montana landowner. Maximum $2000 (. ... (more) SPEAK UP! LEGISLATIVE ACTION!In Montana, most families hunt, fish, or recreate on public lands and waters. ... (more) This bill would have decriminalized "corner jumping" and was strongly supported by PLWA . It would have op opened thousands of acres of public land. Sadly, the bill was defeated in the House Judiciary Jan 30 on a straight party line vote with all the R's voting against it. ... (more) by John GibsonIn a recent Tribune guest editorial by Hertha L. Lund she says Attorney General Steve Bullock is “misusing his office” when he filed an official complaint regarding closure of the South Fork of the Tenderfoot road in Meagher County. Ms. ... (more) PLWA is often asked if we are involved in access issues within the boundaries of National Forests and other public lands. The answer is very seldom.The reason is this, once you enter public land the issue is no longer access but the kind of access. ... (more) Sportsmen - Remember the Sordid SixThink about the last legislative session and the onslaught of bills attacking the interests of resident hunters and anglers. Fortunately, resident sportsmen were successful in killing most of these really bad bills and the Governor vetoed others. Outdoor people from all over the state established a strong communication network that followed the legislature and legislators voting records very closely. ... (more) February 15, 2011 AN OPEN LETTER TO MONTANA SPORTSMEN REGARDING LIMITED ARCHERY ELK PERMITS A serious effort is underway in the current Legislature to reverse recent FWP Commission decisions limiting archery elk permits in Hunting Districts where rifle permits also are limited. {See HB 285 sponsored by Rep. Bill Harris. ... (more) The Average Guy wins!Conservation message Dec 2010How could Initiative 161 have passed with such a large margin of votes when it was not openly endorsed by a single candidate from either party or any major newspaper in the state, and opposed by most statewide and national organizations claiming to represent sportsmen? Can you say disconnect? ... (more) Governor Brian SchweitzerE-mail: governor@mt.govCapital StationHelena, MT 59620(406) 444-3111(406) 444-5529 (fax)Senator Max Baucus511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.Washington, D. ... (more)
In Montana, most families hunt, fish, or recreate on public lands and waters. But we are an overlooked constituency. Special interests hoping to profit from privatizing public land and water often prevail.
Someone once said The world is run by people who show up and speak up. In regard to public access, nothing could be truer. If access advocates and citizens dont stand up and speak up, public lands will be sold, public roads will be chained off, public bridges will be barricaded, and private special interests will get their way. You are the key to preserving access!
Public Officials
Public Official Contact Information (link) for addresses and contact information.
At the national level, let your congressmen know how you stand on legislation effecting access. (Names and contact info listed on this site.)
At the state level, pay attention to the governors office and the legislature first and foremost. The most important thing is to find out how the candidates stand on access issues, and vote accordingly. Without the right folks in power, you are likely to be wasting your time advocating for public access.
Every two years the legislature meets and considers important access bills. Contact your legislator to carry an access bill or get them to co-sponsor access bills. Attend committee hearings. Legislators are often callous to professional lobbyists, so citizen testimony can carry the day. If unable to attend, E-mailing and calling representatives can go a long way in influencing proper voting. A complete list of legislators and contact information can be found on the legislative website http://leg.mt.gov.
PLWA is an affiliate of the Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) which does most of the heavy lifting at the Helena Capitol level for us. This includes lobbying and coordination with state agencies. (PLWA members should also join MWF. See their website www.montanawildlife.com )
In between sessions pay attention to the various agencies, committees, and groups affecting public access policy. These include the Forest Service and the BLM at the federal level. At the state level watch action by Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission, FWP Private Land Public Wildlife Council, and Regional Citizens Advisory Councils. Stay informed and show up. It will make a big difference. Also at the state level, stay tuned to the actions of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. (DNRC.) They are important players as they control state land.
Many, if not most, of the site specific access problems involve your County Commissioners. Get to know them and show up commission meetings with your input.
NEWSPAPER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editors of your local newspaper on current access problems are very effective. Most rational letters are published and are an excellent way to communicate to citizens issues involving public access. Contact one of the directors for assistance in drafting a letter if you feel we could be of help. The link Montana Newspaper Information on this website will give you addresses and contact information.
SPECIFIC ACCESS PROBLEM AND ISSUE REPORTING
(If you know of developing or existing impediments to public access, forward information to PLWA.) We can help you do the research in order to make a determination of the merits and appropriate action. Our directors and volunteers have had substantial experience in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM and other state and federal government agencies.
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