State should follow Elon Musk’s lead on simplifying hunting regs
Wow, can you believe the beautiful weather we had last weekend? My truck thermometer registered 50 degrees. What a great time to sit on the ice while watching my bobber or fish camera.
The warm days of March are my favorite time to ice fish. Was I ice fishing this weekend, nope? I was attending the local sport show at the fairgrounds. I was working a couple of booths for my fishing and hunting clubs. I did manage to sign up for a summer fishing trip to Northern Saskatchewan in July, with my son, Erik. But it wasn’t all work and no play. I saw many hunting and fishing buddies at the sport show, so lots of re-telling of last fall’s hunts. I also took some time to look at the shiny new fishing boats on display. Do I need a new boat? If I’m really honest, the answer is no. But a new boat is a personal want which I need to satisfy.
Speaking of hunting, we hunters are now getting into the planning part of 2025 hunting seasons. The 2025 hunting regulations are out on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ website. The hard copies of the 2025 hunting regulations for deer, elk and antelope have just arrived at FWP headquarters on Meridan Avenue. The 2025 edition of those regulations are 146 pages long. I recall a recent FWP director set a personal goal of shorting hunting regulations, which at that time were 120 pages long. Since the 2025 regulations are now 146 pages, I would guess that director’s goal was not met. With dozens and dozens of hunting districts in Montana and many species of game which can be hunted, simplicity does not seem possible. Perhaps FWP should ask President Trump and Elon Musk for some help.
Hers’s some good hunting news. While prowling around FWP’s website, I stumbled across an unknown hunting opportunity. Seems that in 2023, the Legislature passed a new law that gave every Montana resident, who purchased a deer or elk general license, a chance at one moose, goat or bighorn sheep tag. The hunter’s name would automatically be placed in a special drawing for a sheep, moose or goat tag. That tag would be good in any hunting district with an open season for that species. Last year that special tag was good for a moose. Apparently, this special tag will rotate each year between moose, sheep or goat. What a nice bonus! My thanks to the legislators who voted in this bonus hunting tag.
My quick review of the new hunting regulations doesn’t indicate any major changes from last year. But you need to carefully review the regulations for each species you plan to hunt, especially for your hunting districts. With 146 pages of fine print hunting regulations, I think I probably break some regulation every time I go hunting. But while I dislike these extensive regulations, I am at a loss for suggestions of how to shorten them without leaving out necessary information.
Also, don’t forget March 1 is this Saturday, so you will need a new 2025 fishing license if you are going ice fishing this weekend. Resident fishing licenses for adults are only $21, which is a super bargain. But remember you must also purchase a conservation license for $8 and an AIS prevention pass for $2 before you can buy a fishing license.
MWF is famous for dinging hunters and anglers with a host of minor permits and fees. For instance, a deer license is a reasonable $16. Youth and seniors over 62 years are only $8, but you must also first buy a base hunting license for $10 and a conservation license for $8. The base hunting license for $10 which you must buy, doesn’t allow you hunt any game animal. Why not just add a few dollars to a deer or elk license and get away from the paperwork and hassle of a base hunting license? Yuk!
Trump is busy trying to reduce the size of the federal government. Let me throw out a suggestion to him. Get rid of the federal Endangered Species Act. How many tens of millions of federal dollars are spent each year managing endangered species. A good example is the management of wolves and grizzly bears. These are resident wildlife species that should be managed by the states. Uncle Sam should not be involved. I believe the management of migratory waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans are appropriate for federal management because these birds fly between states and countries each year. Federal oversight is appropriate. But resident wildlife and fish management regulation belong with the states. I’m sure many wildlife biologists will disagree with me. But I also recall the federal Endangered Species Act is also jokingly called the Wildlife Biologist Employment Act.
Looks like a great winter weekend coming up, so get out there to fish, snowshoe, ski or just soak up some great scenery.