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When: Friday, February 16 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Montana State Capitol, Room 317 Virtually via Zoom ONLY
Public Comment
Comments on the following topics were accepted through Jan. 23,, with final action at the February commission meeting. Public comment on amendments to Black Bear and Upland Game Bird were accepted through Jan. 31.
Further public comment can be made during the meeting via Zoom registration. Please note that this meeting is virtual only, so there will be no in-person comment opportunity. All public comment will be via Zoom.
Registration for public comment is closed. The deadline was noon on Feb. 15.
Public Meetings to Discuss Proposed Upland Game Bird and Turkey Hunting Regulations
In preparation for the February meeting, FWP hosted two virtual and in-person public meetings in Glendive and Scobey state to present proposed hunting regulations.
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Future Fisheries Improvement Projects - Winter 2024
Coversheet (PDF)
Commission Memo (PDF)
Funding Recommendations (PDF)
Project Prioritization (PDF)
FFIP 2023 Report (PDF)
Public Comment (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Lake Trout Removal - Swan Lake
Coversheet (PDF)
Public Comment (PDF)
MTU Comments (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Black Bear Season Setting
Coversheet (PDF)
Proposals (PDF)
Justifications (PDF)
Cebull Amendment (PDF)
Updated Context for Department's Response (PDF) *NEW!*
Public Comment - Cebull Amendment re: BMU 520 (PDF) *NEW!*
Public Comment - Survey (PDF)
Public Comment - GYC (PDF)
Public Comment - MWF (PDF)
Public Comment - MSA (PDF)
Public Comment - BHA (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Upland Game Bird Season Setting
Coversheet (PDF)
Proposals (PDF)
Resident Bird Dog Training Survey Results (PDF) *NEW!*
Non-Resident Bird Dog Training Survey Results (PDF) *NEW!*
FWP Amendment-Bird Dog (PDF)
Chair Robinson Amendment (PDF)
Bird Dog Training Survey Summary (PDF) *NEW*
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Sage Grouse Translocation
Coversheet (PDF)
Public Comment - Survey (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Block Management ARM Rule
Coversheet (PDF)
Draft Adoption Notice (PDF) *NEW!*
Public Comment - Survey (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on December 26, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Elk Hunting Access ARM Rule
Coversheet (PDF)
Draft Adoption Notice (PDF) *NEW!*
Public Comment - Survey (PDF)
DRAFT Standard Operating Procedures - Elk Hunting Access (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on January 3, 2023. Comments were accepted through January 23, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Peregrine Falcon Falconry Take for 2024–2025 Biennium
Coversheet (PDF)
Public Comment - Survey (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposals began on January 17, 2023. Comments will be accepted through January 31, 2024, with final action at the February commission meeting.
Half Moon Slough Draft Language
Original petition (PDF)
Draft language (PDF) *newly added*
Public Comment (PDF)
This topic has been postponed due to a request for additional time prior to Commission consideration.
The following is a combined file of public comments received through January 31, 2024 specific to the amendments submitted for Upland Game Bird and Black Bear seasons.
Public Comments (PDF)
Public comment will be taken during the February 16 meeting, either in-person or via Zoom. Registration for Zoom comment will close on February 15 at Noon. The scope of the commission's decision space for this topic is narrowly focused on whether to initiate rulemaking or not.
Repeal of Administrative Rule 12.9.101 Big Game Management Policy
Coversheet (PDF)
ARM 12.9.101 (PDF)
What follows are links that provide copies of the emails sent by the Fish and Wildlife Commissioners since the last meeting on December 14, 2023. Emails that were addressed to FWP Legal staff have been withheld to protect attorney/client privilege.
Commissioner Sent Emails
Region 6 - Chair Robinson (PDF)
Region 1 - Vice Chair Tabor (PDF)
Region 2 - Commissioner Burrows (PDF)
Region 3 - Commissioner Brooke (PDF)
Region 4 - Commissioner Walsh (PDF)
The commission may take action on all matters specifically noticed on any agenda.
Extensive opportunity is provided for public comment on hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. As a matter of equity for citizens who cannot attend commission meetings, when making final decisions on these regulations, the commission will not open public comment unless a significant amendment to the tentative proposal is brought forth by the commission or department. Comments will be limited to the amendment only. Time for comment may be limited at the Chair's discretion.
The department ensures its meetings are fully accessible to persons with disabilities and if special accomodations are needed, please contact the Commission Coordinator in the Director's Office at 406-444-7826 or by cell at 406-594-8921.