Brett French reports: Upland bird proposals draw many comments

Amendments that would delay nonresident upland game bird hunting and dog training in Montana drew pages of comments from hunters. Posted on the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s webpage, the comments ranged from nonresidents saying they won’t come to the state anymore if the restrictions are enacted to residents supporting the delays. Also, commission chairwoman Lesley Robinson added an additional amendment that would ensure the two week hunting delay would apply only to private lands. Robinson said she proposed the new amendment after complaints from outfitters concerned about hunts they already had booked this fall. The issues will be addressed in Friday’s commission meeting, so tune in to the meeting, to this show on Saturday morning, or listen online to find out what the commissioners finally decided. To read more of the comments, including from concerned landowners in northeastern Montana, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/upland-bird-hunting-lesley-robinson-fish-wildlife-and-parks-fish-and-wildlife-commission-nonresident-bird-hunters-dog-trainers/article_3228af0a-cac7-11ee-92f0-7331da2b694c.html.