Recommendation #2 



We recommend the department develop methods to; 



A. 



Coordinate access provided under the Block Management Program, the Upland Game Bird 

 Habitat Enhancement Program, and Habitat Montana. 



B. PubHcize and monitor hunting on conservation easements and the Upland Game Bird 

 Habitat Enhancement Program projects. 



Status: 



A. Implemented 



The department modified its publications so that the Upland Game Bird Habitat Enhancement 

 Program. Habitat Montana and the Block Management Program all cross reference each program 

 where appropnate. The intormation on FWT's website also reflects this change. FWT has 

 mdicated program administrators are continuing to meet to discuss areas for farther 

 collaboration. 



B. Implemented 



Hunting opportunities on conservation easements and Upland Game Bird projects are advertised 

 m Block Management materials in each of the regions. The monitonns ftmction on conservation 

 easements is done by a pnvate contractor coordmated by FWT. Departmental biologists monitor 

 lands associated with the Upland Game Bird Program. 



Recommendation #3 



We recommend the department establish an access coordination function. 



Status: Implemented 



The department created a new position in 2000, the Land Access Coordinator, to report directly 

 to the Landowner Sportsman Coordinator. This position is to work on a wide range of access 

 issues, including coordmation between private and public lands. This responsibility is not 

 lunited to state lands. It is not uncommon for enrollment of a tract of private land in Block 

 Management to create access to a tract of public land with wildlife management needs At the 

 regional level, access is coordinated by seasonal employees, titled Hunting Access Technicians 

 who do much of the groundwork involved in signage and direct hunter assistance. 



Recommendation #4 



We recommend the department re-evaluate the current base payment system used to compensate 



landowners enrolled in the Block Management Program. 



Status: Implemented 



The Block Management Working Group recommended the program consider implementing a 

 multi-year contract and payment system m the 2001 season. The department followed the advice 

 ot the Working Group and currently takes information from previous years to establish an 

 average number of hunter days in specific regions/properties. Contracts are signed for the year 

 based on these averages. The landowners are not paid, however, until the completion of the 



season. 



