ISSUE #7 

 Special Constituent Groups — 6 comments 



Summary 



Public comment generally favored any exemptions offered to persons with disabilities, youth and 

 seniors. Comment about special consideration given private landowners was mixed although more 

 comment supported a viewpoint that it should be contingent on benefits they provide to public 

 hunting. Providing licenses to landowners for resale as an inducement was opposed. 



Samples of Comments 



• Do not allocate licenses to landowners for resale or reissuance. Licenses must go directly 

 from your agency to the individual receiving the license or permit. 



• A landowner should be allowed to hunt for any huntable species on his land without drawing 

 for special permits. Why let someone else hunt on your land if you are denied that privilege 

 yourself? 



• We support having reduced license fees for youth, disabled and the elderly. There should be 

 no "free" licenses since it affects Federal funding. 



Response: FWP proposes to continue providing some groups of hunters the current 

 special privileges but additionally would encourage landowners to allow access for 

 youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. 



ISSUE #8 

 Emphasize Wildlife & Habitat/Recreation — 10 comments 



Summary 



Public comment endorsed FWP actions that protect or enhance habitat. How recreation opportunity 

 is allocated with that endorsement, however, suggests a division in expectations among recreationists. 

 Some individuals and groups believe that FWP should not involve itself in nongame wildlife and 

 nonhunting recreation issues but remain committed to maintaining hunting and trapping as primary 

 tools to manage wildlife. Others believe that FWP should increase emphasis on nongame and 

 viewing. Public coimnent in those activities appears split about evenly on that issue. 



Samples of Comments 



• Continue to emphasize hunting and trapping as the primary tools to manage wildlife 



populations. 



• We do not feel that it is necessary for the department, at this time, to be Montana's provider of 

 nonhimter recreational activity, even though past director Dunkle envisioned the FWP as an 

 "outdoor recreation leader." 



m 



