Projects and Issues
New MWF Landowner Survey Seeks to Improve Hunter Relations
The issue of landowner/sportsmen relations is not new. Montana Wildlife Federation acknowledges a landowner’s right to determine who hunts or recreates on his/her properties. MWF recognizes that collaborations between private landowners and hunters and anglers are central to wildlife conservation and public recreation opportunities in Montana. Traditionally, much collaboration has resulted in several good programs for landowners, hunters, and anglers such as the Block Management Program, the Fishing Access Enhancement Program, and others.
The MWF 2005-2010 Strategic Plan identified landowner/sportsmen relations as an area that we need to improve. MWF organized a Landowner/Sportsmen Relations Project Committee and during the first of many committee meetings recognized the need to understand and identify landowner issues by going directly to Montana landowners.
The MWF Landowner/Sportsmen Relations Project is seeking to identify, design and implement projects that will establish better sportsmen and landowner relations, reduce conflicts, and improve the image of sportsmen and sportswomen. We can only be successful if private landowners and hunters and anglers work together for conservation and improved hunter behavior.
As part of this effort MWF recently conducted a mail survey of more than 800 Montana landowners. “MWF has long recognized that if hunter’s relationships with landowners could be improved, public hunting on private lands might also improve,” said MWF Executive Director Craig Sharpe. “With Montana’s hunting season kicking into high gear we want to share with hunters and landowners some of the results of our survey and some steps hunters can take to improve relations.”
The survey resulted in more than 138 responses, a 16 percent return, with 50 landowners indicating that they will speak to someone in the Federation about how landowner/hunter relations might be improved.
“We are pleased to learn that 114 of the respondents allow some level of public hunting and the vast majority, 95 landowners offer various opportunities for free hunting” Sharpe said.
The survey asked the landowner to identify and rate the problems they have experienced with hunters. Improper use of motorized vehicles, failure to ask permission, littering, and hunters not following instructions, topped the list.Twenty two percent of those that responded indicated they are willing to help develop or discuss test-model projects. Sharpe said MWF will be contacting these landowners in the hopes of developing one or two model projects with participating landowners.
“It’s exciting to think that this could result in new opportunities not only for public hunting but also other collaborations,” said Sharpe.
The survey is the second part of a plan by MWF to improve the behavior of hunters and anglers and improve relations between private landowners and the general public. The Federation launched the first part of the plan in late 2006 by producing a four-page “Hunter and Angler Code of Ethics” that identifies ‘Ten Rules of Conduct’ for sportsmen and sportswomen. MWF’s prior release of the “Code” was in conjunction with the 2006 hunting season and the launching of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, “Enough is Enoughh” anti-poaching program. MWF is a strong proponent of increasing fines and consequences for poachers.
“The results of our landowner survey show that if all hunters followed the code of ethics it would go a long way towards being better neighbors and keeping public hunting open on many private lands,” said Sharpe. “Our challenge now will be to work with landowners on a few pilot projects that will be productive for both private landowners and sportspersons.”
