Partnership continues to promote hunter behavior

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

HELENA — To promote the importance of hunter ethics and improved hunter behavior, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is partnering for a second year with several hunting and agriculture organizations to “protect the hunt.”

While the campaign encourages hunters to always practice conscientious behavior, it focuses particularly on showing respect for private land and the access landowners provide.

The slogan is: It’s up to us. Respect access. Protect the hunt.

Landowners play an important role in sustaining healthy wildlife populations, contributing to our economy and communities by creating jobs, and providing valuable habitat and treasured open spaces. But the relationship between hunters and landowners can start to fray when just a few hunters abuse the privilege of hunting on private land.

This year, the campaign will focus on five actions hunters can take to ensure the hunting tradition continues:

• Plan ahead for access

• Respect private property

• Practice safe hunting behavior

• Turn in poachers — call 1-800-TIP-MONT

• Gratitude goes a long way

While excellent hunter behavior might be the norm in Montana, poor behavior, like not following landowner rules, trespassing, abusing access privileges, littering, and a host of other offenses, can lead to a decline in access opportunities. In fact, many hunters don’t know that not following rules for a block management area can result in a citation for hunting without landowner permission.

As part of the campaign, FWP will be distributing give-away items, such as can koozies and stickers. For more information on hunting ethics, working with landowners and to link to all the partners involved, people can go online to https://fwp.mt.gov/ItsUpToUs .