Bulls for Billionaires

On March 22nd, the Environmental Quality Council (EQC), the interim legislative committee tasked with overseeing Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, will meet in Helena to discuss the Landowner License program known as the “454” program, or known across Montana - the Bulls for Billionaires program. You can view the agenda here. 

The discussion about the 454 program will begin around 1:30 PM. We strongly encourage all who care about our hunting heritage to show up and voice their concerns about how Texas-based landowners like the Wilks’ Brothers and other wealthy, out-of-state landowners are trying to take over our Wildlife agency through this program. 

 The 454 program could be used to manage elk more effectively; however, that program is not being run transparently, efficiently, or effectively when it comes to game management. Therefore, we encourage everyone to write or call the members of the Environmental Quality Council (HERE) and ask those legislators to listen to resident hunters and restore the program to its intended purpose of ensuring that landowners who are active partners in wildlife management have the opportunity to hunt their properties. 

You can sign up for remote testifying here:  https://leg.mt.gov/committees/interim/eqc/meeting-info/remote-participation-eqc/

Or you can show up in person at Room 137 in the Montana State Capital at 1 PM MST to be ready for the hearing at 1:30 PM MST. 

Suggested talking points:

1.) Restore the 4:1 ratio for gifting licenses/permits. In the past, this ratio has worked well, and it’s helped ensure a better return on the investment of free licenses/permits. Having 4:1 as a bare minimum helps ensure better outcomes for wildlife managers, landowners, and hunters. 

2.) FWP must select all hunters rather than allowing landowners to choose some. The need to have an impartial and politically unassailable program is imperative. Landowners should retain the right to refuse access to antagonistic individuals or those who don’t respect the ranch rules. Still, FWP should be the only source selecting permits and license holders based on the needs of the elk and the needs of the landowner. 

3.) It’s time to put a cap on the number of agreements that can be brought forward. Currently, there is no limit on the number of licenses that can be awarded through this program. In some districts, this program alone could cause harm to the overall herd health, especially when we look at bull age structure within a herd. We suggest that no more than 5% of a limited entry area’s permits are assigned to landowners working with this program. When combined with the Landowner Preference System, which reserves 15% of all Limited Entry Permits for landowners, there would be a maximum of 20% of the Limited Entry Permits available for landowners. 

4.) Any agreement must come from the local area biologists in conjunction with the landowner. These licenses and permits must be used to advance elk herd management goals and not simply be gifts to landowners who allow access. The enabling legislation discusses how these licenses and permits help FWP ensure better outcomes for all Montanans, not just those wealthy enough to purchase large tracts of land.