The Eagle Marks The Spot On Your Income Tax Form

Print

Look for our national symbol among the lines and boxes on your 2003 Montana income tax return form.  The soaring bald eagle marks where you can make a tax-deductible contribution to Montana’s nongame wildlife programs and help support wildlife viewing.

Montana’s nongame wildlife species are highly "watchable,” including hawks, owls, loons, frogs, raccoons, and birds such as chickadees, nuthatches, and finches—among many other species. 

Over the years, the nongame wildlife tax check-off has helped fund:

* The Montana Wildlife Viewing Guide and the accompanying binocular signs placed at viewing sites around the state.

* Distribution of reprints of popular Montana Outdoors wildlife identification guides on songbirds, reptiles and amphibians.

* The Montana Bird Distribution book published in partnership with Montana Audubon.

* An online Montana Bird Distribution database developed by Montana Audubon and the Montana Heritage Program, available by going to http://nhp.nris.state.mt.us ,   and searching for Montana Bird Distribution.

* Funding for the popular Loon Ranger program to help protect nesting loons through education and management activities at lakes where they nest.

* Assisting the Mountain Bluebird Trails, Inc. to carry out projects to promote conservation of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds.   For more information go to:   http://www.mountainbluebirdtrails.com/   

* 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 and nongame-related activities.   So, while you or your tax accountant prepares your 2003 tax return, take the time to locate the eagle and make the check-off that counts for Montana’s nongame wildlife.