It’s time to let the buffalo roam in Montana
Bison advocates should remain cautious of the news that Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) officials may allow some buffalo to temporarily access Horse Butte. While it sounds a tad encouraging, like the Royal Teton Ranch land lease, the devil is in the details. [more]
Unfiltered Commentary
Trapping Season Opens in MontanaYou’d have to live under a rock to miss the hoopla surrounding the build-up to hunting season in Montana. This yearly autumn ritual, as visible as the blazing larches, is a seasonal marker for hunters and nonhunters alike. You just can’t miss its bold entrance.
Another season opened in Montana on November 1st, but this one flies under the public radar stealthily, secretly. Furbearer trapping commences on public lands and waterways without fanfare, attracting virtually no notice. How many wildlife-enthusiasts realize that, beginning this day, beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink fall prey to choking snares, crippling foothold traps, and body-crushing Conibear traps? That for some, like beaver, the brutality of the trap ends in subsequent, panicked drowning? [more]
Bridger Zoning Hearing to Continue Tuesday 17thOver 60 people signed in to testify durring the original eight hour meeting on April 12 at the Bozeman Courthouse on mainstreet. There seemed to be a loud cry of opposition in the packed courtroom to the the way these plans were being pushed through. Tuesday's meeting will continue with public testimony. [more]
Conservation Groups Appeal Lolo National Forest Decision for Industrial Logging in Unroaded Wildland
Restoration or Exploitation?Claiming that the Fishtrap project perfectly illustrates the failed nature of the current U.S. Forest Service management scheme for restoring forests, the Ecology Center, Native Forest Network and Alliance for the Wild Rockies have filed a formal administrative appeal over the Fishtrap logging project that calls for industrial logging in unroaded wildlands, old-growth forests and habitat for grizzly bears and bull trout. [more]
WHEN BISON GRIEVE: Notes from Montana’s “Fair-Chase” HuntDo bison grieve? Decide for yourself. The remaining three bulls slowly gathered around their fallen brother, the carriage of their tails registering distress. One, in particular, seemed especially anguished; he pawed the motionless shoulder as if to rouse him. [more]
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BISON HUNT 101Welcome to Bison Hunt 101, the class you lucky tag-winners are required to take prior to Montana's new and improved bison "hunt." Please take notes. I'm presenting a number of bullet points -- ha, pun intended -- on "Bison Hunting DOs and DON'Ts." Here goes. [more]
Why does logging Industry official fear true restoration vision for public lands?
“This is Very Dangerous Stuff”An email from Julia Altemus, Resource Specialist at Montana Logging Association was obtained recently as part of a Native Forest Network Freedom of Information Act request regarding communications between public officials at the Bitterroot National Forest and the logging industry shines light on true colors of some within the industry. [more]
