INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY RESOLUTION ISSUES 



House Joint Resolution 36 directed a study of ways of 

 alleviating damage caused by wild animals to agricul- 

 tural crops, land, and fixtures. The resolution 

 resulted from legislative consideration of several 

 unsuccessful bills on wildlife damage compensation and 

 from concern over an apparent increase in wildlife 

 damage in the face of other agricultural problems in 

 Montana. 



The resolution recognizes certain public policy 

 assumptions regarding wildlife damage: 



that the wild animals of the state are a public 

 resource, held in trust by the state for the 

 benefit and enjoyment of all citizens; 



-- that sound wildlife management policies require 

 protecting the wildlife resource as well as 

 mitigating damage caused by the animals through 

 appropriate and expeditious actions by the Depart- 

 ment of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 



— that landowners possess their land with the 

 recognition that wildlife may use the land and 

 that they must tolerate a certain level of use by 

 wildlife; and 



that Montana's wildlife resources provide a 

 valuable source of revenue for both the state and 

 the private business sector through license sales 

 and sales of goods and services to sportsmen. 



