We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Every hunting season, there are reports of vandalizing of Block Management Area (BMA) boxes, hunters driving off road, trespassing, hunters being shot over, littering, livestock being shot, and more. With upland bird and mourning dove seasons beginning on Sept. 1, and big game archery on Sept. 4, we encourage everyone to be good stewards of the land. Below are just a few reminders (in no particular order) that hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of when enjoying our resources:
Prevent wildfires- Be aware of fire danger, county restrictions, and use precautions.
Avoid standing crop- avoid hunting, walking or driving in fields that have not been harvested yet.
Respect livestock operations- fall is a very busy time for all producers. Along with late harvest, cattle and other livestock are being moved from their summer and/or fall pastures and are often brought near the home site for winter feeding and care. Please use common sense and respect when around these activities.
Don’t Litter- not only is littering careless and unsightly, it is against the law, and doing so while hunting or fishing can result in loss of privileges for one year.
Manage Human waste- we all must use the outdoor restroom at times. Please do so in a respectful manner and bury waste if possible. BMA sign-in boxes and parking areas are not the places to do your business!
Leave gates as you find them- If a gate is closed, close it behind you. If it is obviously open (pulled all the way back to the fence), leave it open. If you are unsure, contact the landowner or public land agency.
Know your target and beyond- Hunters must be sure of what they are shooting at (species, sex, etc.), and know what lies beyond their target (houses, outbuildings, livestock, vehicles, other hunters).
Be weed free- Check clothes, dogs, ATV’s, and vehicles for weeds and weed seeds to help prevent the spread to other private and public lands.
Avoid driving on muddy roads- Unless it is a well-graveled road, walk. No one likes rutted roads. Sometimes, if you wat a couple of hours after rain (or for melting snow to freeze), road conditions often improve.
Avoid ridge driving and driving to overlooks- Not only is this a poor strategy while hunting, it is considered as “driving off road” if it is not already an established or marked trail.
Do not park on roads- Move well off roads to avoid folks moving farm equipment. Find a designated parking area or an approach that is clearly not being used for equipment, but do not park in tall grass.
Don’t drive off road- While hunting on private property, a person may not drive off established roads or trails without landowner permission. Off-road travel on public land, including game retrieval, is prohibited unless designated as open. Consult the appropriate land agency or land maps for specifics.
Ask for permission to hunt- Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land. Even if the land is not posted, hunters must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their agent before hunting on private property.
Completely fill out BMA slips- If a hunter doesn’t correctly fill out a block management slip, they are hunting without permission.
Know where you are located- Whether you are hunting public land, private land, or land enrolled in an access program such as block management, it is every hunter’s responsibility to know where they are to avoid trespassing. Maps are always available, and there are GPS chips and cell phone apps to aid in orientation.
Legally access public lands- Access to public lands through private land requires permission of the private landowner, lessee, or their agent.
Follow camping rules- camping is allowed on most public lands (see land agency regulations), but permission is needed to camp on private property and BMAs.
Know the rules- Consult BMA maps for specific rules on block management property, including: driving on roads, parking areas, no shooting zones, walk-in only areas, camping, number of hunters allowed, game retrieval, etc. Rules for most land agencies can be found on maps and/or on brochures. Go to the appropriate agency website or local office for information.
Report violations- report any hunting and fishing, trespassing, vandalism, or other criminal activity you see to 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).
The 1-800-TIP-MONT program is a toll-free number where one can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction.
Remember, be respectful to the outside, as “The Outside is in us All!”
