Hunters and anglers invited to 'Elk Camp at the Capitol'

Press release

HELENA — Montana hunters and anglers are invited to attend “Elk Camp at the Capitol” Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the Montana Capitol building in Helena. 

Elk Camp is a celebration of Montana’s exceptional outdoor legacy and an opportunity for hunters and anglers to discuss wildlife and habitat policy with lawmakers active in the 68th Montana Legislature. 

The event is hosted by member organizations who make up the Montana Citizens’ Elk Management Coalition. The Coalition has been active this past year working to improve the status-quo of elk management, foster better relationships between hunters and landowners, and in establishing a new trust account to fund habitat stewardship projects in rural Montana. 

Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition organizer Jeff Lukas said Elk Camp is an opportunity for hunters and anglers to learn how to be civically engaged during an important legislative session. 

“We want hunters and anglers to learn how to participate in the wildlife policies that impact our public access, wildlife, and hunting opportunity,” Lukas said. “There have already been 150 bills requested to modify fish and wildlife policy so we encourage hunters and anglers to get engaged and join us at Elk Camp.”

Elk Camp begins at 11:30 a.m. with a gathering on the North Lawn to hear from Montana citizens and bipartisan lawmakers active in wildlife management policy. Speakers include Sen. Jeff Wellborn, R-Dillon, Rep. Tom France, D-Missoula, and recently retired Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Byorth. 

After the gathering, participants will partake in civic training sessions and meet with lawmakers inside the building. Topics of discussion include improving the Block Management hunting program, public access and Habitat Montana, and establishing the Montana Legacy Trust to improve wildlife habitat conditions. 

Complimentary bus transportation to and from Helena is available from several cities in the state. A full list of activities and transportation opportunities, as well as the RSVP, is available at http://www.montanaelk.org. Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance.