Eye The Eagle On Your Montana Tax Form

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Look for our national symbol among the lines and boxes on your 2002 Montana income tax form.   The bald eagle hovers over the box where you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the state’s watchable wildlife.

Watchable wildlife species include the bald eagles we see perched in trees or soaring above our rivers and the chorus frogs that give a voice to wetlands on summer evenings. There are the birds at our backyard feeders--chickadees, nuthatches, finches, as well as the birds of Montana’s natural landscape.   Nearly any of Montana’s over 500 fish and wildlife species may qualify as "watchable," if the opportunities are there for people to do the viewing.

Watchable wildlife-related work includes constructing wildlife viewing stands and other viewing opportunities and creating interpretation materials that wouldn’t be possible without these tax-deductible contributions. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks may also use these funds to match federal funding sources, compounding their value.

  Over the years, the tax checkoff has helped fund:

·         Publication of the Montana Wildlife Viewing Guide and accompanying binocular signs placed at viewing sites around the state.

·         Reprinting and distribution of popular Montana Outdoors articles on songbirds, reptiles and amphibians.

·         Publication of the Montana Bird Distribution book, in partnership with Montana Audubon.

·         Partial funding of the popular Loon Ranger program, which protects nesting loons through a combination of education and management activities at lakes used for nesting.

·         Funding for educational displays, posters, pamphlets, and wildlife checklists that help Montanans learn about and enjoy wildlife.

              Ninety percent of Montanans participate in wildlife viewing.   In 2001 alone, people spent $391 million in Montana on travel, motels, birdseed, and other expenses related to wildlife viewing activities.

While wildlife viewing is a popular activity that plays an important economic role in the state, there are no other direct sources of funding to support it. Your contribution is tax-deductible. And don’t forget, if a tax accountant prepares your return, to say that you want to make a "check" for wildlife.