Bad Bill Bob's Commentary on HB314

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
If one has been following the actions of the FWP they know that they                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
have issues with ranchers and outfitters making any money on hunting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The new view is that since  the game is public, the public                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
should be able to pursue it on private land.  The landowner has no                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
special rights to decide who hunts on his land.  This is the position of the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Montana Wildlife Federation  and this is their bill.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
This bill speaks of "concentrations of big game animals" and then  tries to tie that to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
disease.  The supporters don't want private owners to "harbor" big game animals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
on their  property during the hunting season.  The bill speaks of imbalance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
in the numbers of elk and the distribution of elk  and then claims that these                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
concentrations on private property are dangerous.  "Concentrations" during the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
47  weeks when the season is close are mentioned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
The fact is, based on FWP numbers, 37% of Montana's elk are on private  land most                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
of the year and FWP harvest numbers published show a 35-37% kill on private                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
ground.  Their theory is not  supported by any facts.