Montana: Sage Grouse Hunting Ban to be Heard in House Committee Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee is scheduled to hear sage grouse hunting ban legislation, Senate Bill 247.  Sponsored by state Senator John Brenden (R-17), SB 247 would remove the ability of the Fish and Wildlife Commission to authorize the hunting of greater sage grouse in Montana.  Your NRA, along with 32 other organizations, signed onto a letter to the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee outlining the concerns with SB 247.

Senate Bill 247 is unnecessary.  Hunting is not a significant factor influencing sage grouse populations in Montana.  This legislation removes the deliberative, science-based and universally successful system of wildlife management by a civilian Commission advised by professional wildlife biologists and establishes the dangerous precedent of making wildlife management decisions in a political venue.

Regulated hunting is the cornerstone of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, a system that keeps wildlife a public and sustainable resource, scientifically managed by professionals.  Hunters provide a valuable service to the environment as major funders of important conservation efforts across the country and by managing wildlife populations. 

It is important that you contact members of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee and politely urge them to oppose Senate Bill 247.  Contact information for committee members is provided below.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee:

Representative Kelly Flynn (R-70), Chairman
Phone: (406) 266-3322
Email: [email protected]       

Representative Jeffrey Welborn (R-72), Vice Chairman
Phone: (406) 949-6070
Email: [email protected]     

Representative Jean Price (D-24), Vice Chairman
Phone: (406) 452-9315
Email: [email protected]

Representative Bob Brown (R-13)
Phone: (406) 827-9894
Email: [email protected]      

Representative Zach Brown (D-63)
Phone: (406) 579-5697
Email: [email protected]        

Representative Rob Cook (R-18)
Phone: (406) 868-3426
Email: [email protected]        

Representative Virginia Court (D-50)
Phone: (406) 259-5099       
Email: [email protected]   

Representative Clayton Fiscus (R-43)
Phone: (406) 860-6400
Email: [email protected]     

Representative Stephanie Hess (R-28)
Email: [email protected]      

Representative Tom Jacobson (D-21)
Phone: (406) 868-9814
Email: [email protected]  

Representative Ed Lieser (D-5)
Phone: (406) 471-2082
Email: [email protected]  

Representative Bruce Meyers (R-32)
Phone: (406) 399-7776
Email: [email protected] 

Representative Mark Noland (R-10)
Phone: (406) 837-4810
Email: [email protected] 

Representative Andrew Person (D-96)
Phone: (406) 210-0161
Email: [email protected]  

Representative Randall Pinocci (R-19)
Phone: (406) 264-5391
Email: [email protected]  

Representative Ray Shaw (R-71)
Phone: (406) 842-5039
Email: [email protected]        

Representative Bridget Smith (D-31)
Phone: (406) 230-2268
Email: [email protected]

Representative Kirk Wagoner (R-75)
Phone: (406) 465-8291
Email: [email protected]        

Representative Kerry White (R-64)
Phone: (406) 587-3653
Email: [email protected]