Sandhill Crane Applications Due August 1

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August 1 is the application deadline for special permits to hunt sandhill cranes. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on tentative regulations for the four limited permit areas to hunt sandhill cranes in Montana:

Central Flyway-Sept. 7-15, 2002

· Wheatland County and that part of Sweetgrass County north of I-90 (50 permits).

In the remainder of the Central Flyway, people wishing to hunt sandhill cranes must obtain a free, unlimited permit from FWP offices in Billings, Great Falls and Miles City, or from the Bowdoin or Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuges. The season in the remainder of the Central Flyway is Sept. 29 to Nov. 25 and the daily bag limit in this portion of the Central Flyway is three (3) sandhill cranes daily, with six (6) allowed in possession.

Pacific Flyway—Sept. 7-8 and Sept. 14-15, 2002

· Dillon-Twin Bridges (50 permits)

· Warm Springs (25 permits)

· Ovando-Helmville (35 permits)

In these permitted areas the bag and possession limit is one sandhill crane.

Public comments on the tentative regulations should be emailed to: fwpwld@state.mt.us or submitted in writing to FWP Wildlife Division, 1420 East Sixth Ave., PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701 by July 22. The tentative quotas and any related material can be obtained by calling (406) 444-2612.

Applicants for special permits must apply in writing for one area only to: FWP, License Section, Sandhill Crane Drawing, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, and must include their printed name and their signatures, address, date of birth, ALS number (you must have a 2002 Conservation License), Social Security number, a $3 nonrefundable drawing fee and an indication of the hunting area for which they seek a permit.