FWP seeks public comment on Elk Management Guiding Principles, Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on Elk Management Guiding Principles developed by the Elk Management Plan Initial Guidance Citizens Group. This process was the first step in the revision of Montana’s Elk Management Plan. Comments are due by 5 p.m. May 3.
FWP is interested in comments regarding whether the guiding principles are adequate in describing what the department should be striving to achieve in an updated Elk Management Plan.
The citizens group used a structured, facilitated process to develop the Guiding Principles. The structured process began by identifying and defining issues with current elk management, followed by development of the Guiding Principles. Each Guiding Principle addresses a single elk management issue and defines what success would look like if the issue was resolved perfectly. The group developed 19 Guiding Principles to address the six categories of issues that were identified. An overview of the structured process and the resulting Guiding Principles can be found at myfwp.mt.gov/getRepositoryFile?objectID=101171.
FWP is also seeking public comment on its Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan. The plan was first approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission and implemented in fall 2017, following the first detection of CWD in free-ranging wild deer in Montana. The 2021 revisions to the plan build on prior plans and adds logistical details for implementation. This plan includes adjustments based on experience gained through surveillance, testing, management and outreach efforts since 2017.
The commission will consider public comments received regarding the Guiding Principles and the CWD plan prior to adoption.
To view and comment on the Guiding Principles and CWD Management Plan, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/public-comment-opportunities.
Weekly COVID-19 update
As of April 12, there are 106,253 cases of COVID-19 in Montana. There have been 589,743 doses of vaccines administered and 245,805 Montanans fully immunized. There are 1,124 active cases, 4,851 total hospitalizations with 51 active, 103,605 recoveries and 1,524 deaths in Montana due to COVID-19 complications. Missoula County has had 8,876 cases, has 134 active cases, 8,650 recovered and 92 COVID-related deaths.
For the most up-to-date and accurate information please refer to the Missoula County-City Health Department website http://missoulainfo.com or call 406-258-INFO (4636) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Log April 5 – April 11
• 4/6, 3:49pm, Cottonwood Lakes Road, Seeley Lake: Trespassing
• 4/7, 7:50pm, 18XX Bear Creek Road, Potomac: Suspicious Activity
• 4/9, 4:28pm, 18XX Camas Road, Potomac: Harassment
• 4/10, 10:05am, Kraft Creek Road, Condon: Suspicious Activity
• 4/10, 1:25pm, 72XX Highway 83, Condon: Suspicious Activity
• 4/10, 4:13pm, X mile marker Highway 83, Greenough: Suspicious Activity
• 4/11, 10:03am, 36XX Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake: Burglary
Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log April 4 – April 10
• 4/8, Paws Up Road, Greenough: Medical
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