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About FWP > Commission Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting: August 17, 2023

When: Thursday, August 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Montana State Capitol and virtually via Zoom

Public Comment

The Commission will take public comment on agenda items both in person and via Zoom. The deadline to register to comment via Zoom was noon on August 16.

Philipsburg Urban Deer Plan

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Town of Philipsburg Urban Deer Management Plan

Geraldine Urban Deer Plan

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.

 

City of Geraldine Urban Deer Management Plan

Future Fisheries Summer 2023

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects, Summer 2023 funding cycle

Havre Field Office

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Property Acquisition for a new Havre Field Office 

Select Organizations to Auction

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Selection of organizations to auction 2024 moose, sheep, goat, mule deer, and elk licenses 

The following are the list of applicants. They are listed alphabetically for ease of reference.

Beckman WMA Grazing Lease

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.

 

Beckman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Grazing Lease renewal, Region 4

Blackleaf Grazing Lease

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Blackleaf WMA Grazing Lease Renewal, Region 4 

Trapping and Wolf Seasons

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Fall 2023–Winter 2024 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons and Quotas 

Nongame Wildlife Account

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Nongame Wildlife Account Workplan for FY2024 

Mountain Lion Season Structure

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Mountain lion season structure and quotas for fall 2023–winter 2024 

Grizzly Bear ARM

The public will have a chance to submit oral and written comments on the draft rule language once the draft rules are published in the Montana Administrative Register (MAR), consistent with the Montana Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) Rulemaking process and the Secretary of State's (SOS) rulemaking procedure. FWP will send out a notice and press release when the draft rules are published in the MAR and the written public comment period opens. FWP will also give specific instructions on how to submit the written comments and the date and location of the public hearing for oral comments on the proposed draft rules/amendments. Written and oral comments submitted during the MAPA/SOS rulemaking process become part of the record of rulemaking, and are considered by the Commission prior to any action (including adoption/amendment) on the draft rules. FWP will collect all of those written and oral public comments submitted through that MAPA/SOS process and put them in front of the Commission for consideration and discussion before the Commission takes any final action on the proposed adoption/amendment of the rules. People may be allowed short oral comments on this agenda item at this Commission meeting, but any such comments during the meeting will not become part of the rulemaking record (as that is governed by the MAPA and SOS process) and will not be put in front of the Commission with the other comments submitted as part of the rulemaking record. Any oral public comments given at this meeting must be limited to the decision before the Commission at this time, which is: should these draft rules and amendments go through the formal MAPA/SOS rulemaking process (which will include an additional public comment period)?

 

Amendments to Administrative Rules of Montana addressing grizzly bears

Gray Wolf ARM

The public will have a chance to submit oral and written comments on the draft rule language once the draft rules are published in the Montana Administrative Register (MAR), consistent with the Montana Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) Rulemaking process and the Secretary of State's (SOS) rulemaking procedure. FWP will send out a notice and press release when the draft rules are published in the MAR and the written public comment period opens. FWP will also give specific instructions on how to submit the written comments and the date and location of the public hearing for oral comments on the proposed draft rules/amendments. Written and oral comments submitted during the MAPA/SOS rulemaking process become part of the record of rulemaking, and are considered by the Commission prior to any action (including adoption/amendment) on the draft rules. FWP will collect all of those written and oral public comments submitted through that MAPA/SOS process and put them in front of the Commission for consideration and discussion before the Commission takes any final action on the proposed adoption/amendment of the rules. People may be allowed short oral comments on this agenda item at this Commission meeting, but any such comments during the meeting will not become part of the rulemaking record (as that is governed by the MAPA and SOS process) and will not be put in front of the Commission with the other comments submitted as part of the rulemaking record. Any oral public comments given at this meeting must be limited to the decision before the Commission at this time, which is: should these draft rules and amendments go through the formal MAPA/SOS rulemaking process (which will include an additional public comment period)?

 

Amendments to Administrative Rule of Montana (ARM) 12.9.1303 (Control Methods of the Gray Wolf Include Nonlethal and Lethal Means)

Consolidated Public Use Rules ARM

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.

 

Consolidated public use rules (ARM) for lands administered by FWP.

Block Management Rules ARM

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.


Block Management Administrative Rule (ARM) Update

Elk Hunting Access Rules ARM

Comments on the following proposed were accepted through July 24, 2023, with final adoption at the August commission meeting.

 

Contractual Public Elk Hunting Access Agreements (EHA) Administrative Rule (ARM) Update

Lower Bitterroot River Smallmouth Bass

Comments on the following proposed will be accepted either in-person, or via Zoom, at the August commission meeting.

 

Implement smallmouth bass catch, kill, and report regulation on lower Bitterroot River

Public Comments

Public comments received during the stated comment period, June 26 to July 24, will be posted below for review.  These comments are taken from postal submissions, email, and online surveys.

 

Public Comments (PDF)

Note:

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 Executive Office Manager in the Director's Office at 406-444-7826 or by cell at 406-594-8921.