This acquisition is essential at the statewide level to the extent that the elk population 

 under consideration is an important component of the state's elk resource. The MFWP 

 strategic plan states, "The long-term future of elk depends on: (1 ) public control of 

 additional key habitats; (2) protection of elk habitat as land uses intensify; (3) 

 increased public support and funding to protect necessary lands; (4) addressing 

 private landowner tolerances; and (5) optimum use of available harvestable supplies 

 of elk in some areas while limiting hunting in others to improve the quality of elk 

 harvested." This proposal offers an ideal opportunity to implement these strategies in 

 their entirety with a willing and concerned seller. 



The Little Belt Mountains provide approximately 45,000 hunter days of elk hunting 

 recreation annually. During a typical hunting season, the Little Belts provide recreation 

 to approximately 47 percent of the elk hunters, 41 percent of the hunter days, and 32 

 percent of the elk harvest in MFWP's Region 4. 



Reductions in elk availability and/or population sizes due to expanding land closures 

 for commercialization of the elk resource or land development could mean a loss of up 

 to 10,000 hunter days and 250 harvested elk on an annual basis. The stated objective 

 for the Little Belt-Castle Mountains Elk Management Unit Plan is to maintain elk related 

 recreational opportunity at current levels. 



Loss of/or impact on habitat is a major concern addressed by this proposal. If the 

 Department does not obtain the land, it could be sold to developers and ultimately 

 subdivided. If this event occurs, valuable access to public land and elk winter range 

 will be permanently lost. Department ownership and management of this property will 

 allow for the maintenance of critical habitat with increased elk carrying capacity and 

 hunter opportunity. 



The 2,500 acre area of the JRWMA south of the county road is bisected by a mining 

 company's 500 acre deeded inholding. Sapphire production has ceased and the 

 majority of the deep mining trench has been recently filled and reclaimed. The mining 

 strip of land is accessible via county road and undoubtedly has high subdivision 

 potential. When development occurs, much of the south side JRWMA will likely 

 become unsuitable for wintering elk. This fact mandates the Department should obtain 

 additional lands to the north in order to secure the future for the local elk herd and 

 associated recreation opportunities. 



