Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MONTANA CITY - The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) joined an effort to oppose I-161, an initiative seeking to abolish outfitter-sponsored non-resident big game and deer hunting licenses. I-161 would replace the 5,500 outfitter-sponsored licenses with 5,500 general nonresident big game licenses. MDF officials says game management, hunter access, guide and outfitter licenses should be regulated by agencies given authority to do so and not by popular vote.

"We know that our best chance to stop this initiative is during the signature gathering phase, and we are working to inform people about the issues to make sure it never reaches the ballot," said Mac Minard, Executive Director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association.

MDF has eight Montana efforts and joins the Montana state Chapters of Safari Club International, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association and the Montana Stockgrowers Association in opposing the measure. MDF also says I-161 would block the primary funding source for Block Management, a program that places more than 8 million acres of private lands open to public hunting.

"When people and organizations look beyond the emotion and rhetoric they find I-161 has serious flaws that will negatively affect every hunter in Montana, cost our state jobs and harm the economy," said Minard.