Governor Gianforte Boosts Public Access, Increases Hunting Opportunities for Montanans

• October 23 2023

HELENA, Mont. – Marking the final stop of his third annual 56 County Tour at Lake Helena Wildlife Management Area, Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated new laws to promote public access and increase hunting opportunities for Montanans.

The reforms are a product of the work of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association (MOGA) and Montana Citizens’ Elk Management Coalition, which collaborated with the governor’s Private Lands / Public Wildlife (PLPW) Advisory Committee, the Montana Wildlife Federation, and a bipartisan group of legislators this session to deliver wins for sportsmen, outfitters, and landowners.

“Protecting our way of life means protecting things that make Montana, Montana – like our outdoor heritage and vast public lands,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Building common ground this spring, sportsmen, outfitters, and landowners delivered a series of historic wins for Montanans, boosting public access and hunting opportunities. I was glad to recognize their hard work today.”

Gov. Gianforte highlighting new laws to boost public access and increase hunting opportunities

Joined by bill sponsors and representatives from MOGA and the PLPW Advisory Committee, Gov. Gianforte praised the groups for their collaboration throughout the session and presented them with his Spirit of Montana award.

“Together, the Citizens’ Elk Management Coalition, MOGA, and so many others went above and beyond to find common ground on an issue that matters so much to Montanans – our outdoor heritage. In doing so, they’ve embodied the spirit of Montana,” the governor said.

Ed Beall, chair of the governor’s PLPW Advisory Committee, reflected on the collaborative effort.

“Many folks with differing needs said ‘yes’ to setting aside some of the divisiveness of the past, and choosing to cooperate to flesh out solutions and make improvements,” Beall said. “When you have the Montana Wildlife Federation, MOGA, the newer Citizens’ Elk Management Coalition, PLPW, and others coming together, we can be really effective quickly.”

Brad Longcake, MOGA assistant executive director, added, “This is very special. A number of diverse individuals and groups participated in this coalition, and working together, we found a path forward that we could all agree upon.”

Ed Beall speaking to the consensus package of bills for sportsmen, outfitters, and landowners

Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, sponsored two of the five bills in the legislative package and praised the groups’ collaboration today. “When people start talking together and cooperating, more things get done,” he said.

The governor highlighted one of his bills at the event, House Bill 438, which promotes public access by removing application fees for landowners who enter into Public Access Land Agreements.

The agreements provide compensation to landowners who voluntarily provide access through their private property to public lands which are land-locked or difficult to access. Previously, landowners were required to pay a small application fee to enter into the agreements.

The governor also promoted Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, which doubles the cap on payments to landowners who open their land to hunters through block management. The Block Management Program is a cooperative program between private landowners and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that provides the public with free hunting access to private land and helps landowners manage hunting activities.

Finally, the governor highlighted his work to increase access to and better manage Montana’s public lands.

“We’ve proudly increased public access to over 100,000 acres of public land in Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As we increase public access to our public lands, we’re also better managing them, making forest management a top priority for our administration.”

This spring, the governor proposed and secured $15 million annually to address the forest health crisis in Montana.

Amanda Kaster, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, spoke to the importance of this investment, adding, “We’re committed to this work, and we look forward to continuing to improve the health of forested lands in Montana.”