New landowner survey seeks to find ways to improve hunter relations
Source: Helena Independent Record, by Brett French
September 09, 2007
In hopes of mending the rift between landowners and hunters, a state conservation organization sent surveys to 840 Montana property owners to identify and resolve some long-standing problems.
“We’re very open to what landowners have to say,” said Craig Sharpe, executive director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, which conducted the survey.
About 130 landowners responded, with 50 indicating they would be willing to talk to the group about improving landowner-hunter relations and about 30 saying they would be willing to help develop or discuss test-model projects. What those projects might be, Sharpe couldn’t say.
“We won’t know until we talk to the landowners,” Sharpe said.
The main thrust of the outreach effort, Sharpe said, is to try to find ways to keep private property from being withdrawn from public hunting and leased to individuals or outfitters.
Alan Charles coordinates the Block Management Program for the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In essence, the state pays landowners to allow public hunting and helps control and manage the hunting. This year, the program has about 8.3 million acres enrolled by 1,250 landowners. He roughly estimated that, across the state, about 80 percent of private land is not in block management or leased by an outfitter.
“I think I can say with quite a bit of confidence that there’s a tremendous amount of private land in Montana open to the public when people take the time and make an effort to build relationships with landowners,” Charles said.
The Montana Wildlife Federation conducted its survey by mail. Sharpe said another 150 surveys will be sent out to another four counties this month.
“We surveyed two categories of landowners,” he said. “About a quarter owned 160 acres or more and three quarters had a section or more. That way we got a good spread of ownership.”
The survey also is designed to promote better hunter behavior, reduce conflicts and improve the image of hunters. To that end, the survey asked landowners to identify and rate the problems they have experienced with hunters. Topping the list were: improper use of motorized vehicles, failure to ask permission, littering and hunters not following instructions.
“While Fish, Wildlife and Parks has moved forward to resolve some of these issues, not many have been resolved,” Sharpe said.
He was referring to the Hunter Behavior Advisory Committee convened by FWP in 1999. A survey in 1998 laid out problems that landowners were having with hunters, identifying some of the same problems.
“Maybe we need to continually recycle the message for new people coming into the sport or those new to the state,” Charles said.
The survey is the second part of a plan by the Montana Wildlife Federation to improve hunter and angler behavior. The first part of the plan launched earlier this year was a four-page “Hunter and Angler Code of Ethics” that identifies 10 rules of conduct.
Ten rules of conduct
The Montana Wildlife Federation wants hunters and anglers to adhere to the following Ten Rules of Conduct to improve relationships and the image of hunters and anglers. The rules are:
1. Adhere to and promote ethical, fair-chase hunting and fishing;
2. Respect fish, wildlife and natural environments;
3. Elevate fish, wildlife and habitat conservation;
4. Respect private property;
5. Hunt and fish courteously and safely;
6. Show consideration for all outdoor users;
7. Know, uphold and advance the law;
8. Be proficient in outdoor, hunting and fishing skills;
9. Be knowledgeable about fish and wildlife;
10. Assist others in becoming ethical hunters and anglers.
For more information on MWF’s Hunter and Angler Code of Ethics go to www.montana-
wildlife.com. To receive a free wallet-size Rules of Conduct card call MWF at 800-517-7256 or e-mail mwf@mtwf.org.
Contact Brett French at french@billingsgazette.com or 657-1387.
