Big Court Victory to keep wolf harvest open in Montana

[huntrights]

Big Game Forever Update:

Big Court Victory to keep wolf harvest open in Montana Support wolf harvest bill HB 73 at the Montana Legislature

"Folk,
 
As you are aware, Big Game Forever is tirelessly working to allow for recovery of elk, moose and deer populations in Montana and other states. We continue to fight efforts that would delay this recovery. We are pleased to announce a big court victory and provide an update on two other important developments on the wolf hunt closures North of Yellowstone National Park.
 
Here is a quick summary of these developments:
 
1-We are happy to report that we have decisively won last week's hearing.  Judge Gilbert has now ruled on the wolf hunt closures and issued a preliminary injunction. This injunction will keep the wolf harvest open in the “closure” areas in the hard-hit Northern Yellowstone Herd. Thank you to every Big Game Forever supporter for making this court victory happen. We couldn’t do it without your tireless support. We are also grateful for Alan Redfield, Citizens for Balanced Use, Montana Guides and Outfitters and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife who are co-plaintiff’s in this lawsuit.  Please email me if you would like a copy of the Judge's order.
 
2-Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission has indicated that they will “short circuit” the lawsuit by holding a properly noticed public meeting on January 29th. One commissioner has indicated that this new hearing is in response to concerns of lack of public notice raised by our lawsuit and by Montana sportsmen. Many observers expect that the Commission will again close the wolf harvest in these areas. Here is a link to FWP Commission agenda for January 29th:  http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/insideFwp/commission/meetings/agenda.html?meetingId=28628377
 
3-The Montana Legislature is now getting involved. HB 73, co-sponsored by Kelly Flynn and Ted Washburn, will prevent the creation of wolf harvest buffer zones and related wolf harvest closures around national parks. Just as important, the legislation loosens current restrictions on wolf management in hopes of recovering elk, moose, deer and other wildlife populations in Montana. The Montana House recently voted 100-0 in support of this new legislation. We expect this bill will go to the Montana Senate as early as this week. Here is a link to the bill: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2013/billpdf/HB0073.pdf
 
The Billing’s Gazette has an article on our lawsuit, the Jan. 29th Commission meeting and HB 73 being considered by the Montana Legislature. Here is a link to the article:
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/judge-keeps-wolf-season-going-outside-yellowstone/article_1818ad2a-fc8a-5263-ade0-76320938ff3e.html
 
In light of efforts to prematurely close wolf harvest in portions of Montana, we strongly encourage concerned sportsmen to support HB 73. We are encouraged by the efforts of the Montana legislature to allow responsible predator management. Recovery of healthy ungulate populations in Montana will be a big job. HB 73 is a big step forward to restoring proper balance of predators and other wildlife. With your help we look forward to providing the grass-roots support needed to allow this recovery effort to continue.
--
Ryan Benson
http://biggameforever.org/
ryandbenson@msn.com
________________________________________
 
 
Details on Judge Gilbert’s Ruling
As many of you are aware, last week attorneys for Big Game Forever presented arguments before Judge Brenda Gilbert in Montana requesting that the wolf harvest remain open in areas of the Northern Yellowstone Elk and Moose Herd. The Montana Fish and Game Commission had closed these areas due to pressure from anti-hunting groups due to harvest of collared wolves in areas North of Yellowstone National Park.
 
We are happy to report that we have decisively won this hearing. Judge Gilbert has issued a preliminary injunction after last week’s hearing finding the following:
 
First, Judge Gilbert issued an injunction allowing regulated wolf harvest to remain open in the “closure” areas North of Yellowstone National Park.
 
Second, Judge Gilbert ruled that Big Game Forever and the co-plaintiffs have established a “prima facie showing” of “violation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.”
 
Third, Judge Gilbert ruled that plaintiff’s established that the Commission’s Agenda “did not provide notice to the public of wolf hunting district closures” would be considered at the meeting;
 
Fourth, Judge Gilbert ruled that the commission’s cover sheet would lead the average reader to conclude the action regarding the wolf hunting districts would NOT be decided at the December 10, 2012 meeting.

Email me if you would like a copy of the Judge's ruling."

[turkeyfeather]

That's a big win. 

[GrainfedMuley]

WOOHOO.....Montanan's can keep killing wild dogs!