MOGA JOINS OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS IN
OPPOSITION TO INITIATIVES TARGETING TRAPPING
Montana Outfitters and Guides Association announced their formal opposition to the two Citizens Ballot Initiatives that seek to reduce or eliminate trapping on public lands.
I-167 has been approved by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General’s office and is in the signature gathering phase. I-167 prohibits trapping of certain animals by private individuals on any public lands within the state of Montana.
The other (Ballot Issue #9), more recently filed, and is pending a review legal sufficiency ruling by the Attorney General. This initiative also seeks elimination of trapping on public lands in Montana.
MOGA as an organization that supports sustainable natural resource utilization and science based wildlife management opposes these actions.
The Montana Trappers Association has a portion of its website dedicated to defeating I-167
http://www.montanatrappers.org/mewm.htm If you desire more information or wish to offer a contribution to the campaign to defeat I-167 you may do so by visiting the site.
This will be a long and expensive effort. Many of us know first-hand the vagaries associated with Ballot Initiatives. At some point the Sportsmen and Conservation groups of Montana need to stand together and eliminate this type of ballot box biology that threatens our hunting and trapping heritage.
Mac Minard, Executive Director of MOGA said “Make no mistake, large outside money will fuel the pro I-167 campaign, and when done with this they will look to eliminate lion hunting and then move to spring black bear. It has happened in other states and it will happen here if we do not find a way to prevent it.”
Mac Minard
Executive Director
Montana Outfitters and Guides Association
