Upcoming Meeting
When: October 7 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
About the Panel
The advisory panel was selected to recommend a framework to the FWP Director for how to evaluate the potential for bighorn sheep restoration in areas dominated by private lands. FWP expects the framework to ensure state management authority, define public hunting opportunity and address stakeholder concerns, including those from private landowners.
FWP will use the framework, in addition to Bighorn Sheep Conservation Strategy, as a template to evaluate potential bighorn sheep restoration projects, including in areas dominated by private lands to determine which projects to pursue and how to build private landowner and other public support.
The Conservation Strategy outlines goals and processes for restoration and management across the state, but restoration efforts, particularly in areas dominated by private lands, have remained challenging. Many private lands offer excellent habitat potential for bighorn sheep and represent important opportunities to advance conservation goals, but these opportunities come with complex social considerations, including landowner concerns and public hunting access to this public wildlife resource.
Questions? Contact Region 3 supervisor Kelly Proffitt at KProffitt@mt.gov or 406-930-9537.
