LETTER: I-177 will only hurt Montana

There has been a lot of misinformation lately in the papers about how I-177 will not affect hunting and sportsmen if passed. Most of the proponents of this initiative are using political smokescreens to sway the uninformed.

These are some FACTS about I-177: It will ban one of the most effective and essential methods for controlling wolves, coyotes, and other predators to protect Montana’s elk, moose and deer populations, as well as livestock. I-177 will cost AT LEAST $422,000 in taxpayer money EVERY year for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to do what trappers currently buy a license to do at no cost to taxpayers. Forty percent of all wolves harvested in Montana are taken by regulated trapping.

I-177 is being pushed by animal-rights groups such as PETA and the Humane Society, which are using huge amounts of out-of-state money to fund this agenda. Part of their stategy is to divide and pit sportsmen against each other. They have already made it known that they intend to stop ALL hunting and trapping, state by state, using the ballot box. I-177 is opposed by Montana’s major sportsmen’s organizations, cattle and sheep ranchers and wildlife management professionals. If you think that I-177 won’t affect sportsmen across the state, think again — look at what has happened in other states like California and Washington.

Look at the science and facts and not the political smokescreens being put up by emotionally intoxicated out-of-state interests that are driving this initiative.

Then look at the groups that are supporting this initiative, none of which are hunters or sportsmen’s groups. I hope Montana’s voters can make an informed decision in November and we don’t end up like California. —Dan Helterline, Plains