skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hegseth could lead troops who'd face getting fired for actions he's done in the past; Strong Santa Ana winds return for SoCal; Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon; RSV rise puts Indiana hospitals on alert; CT lawmakers urged to focus on LGBTQ+ legislation.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Special Counsel's report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for election interference. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth faces harsh questioning from Senate Democrats, and law enforcement will be increased for next week's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities, and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Wildlife Advocates React to MT Elk Management Plan

play audio
Play

Monday, August 21, 2023   

After months of public input and work by wildlife officials, Montana is set to release a new Elk Management Plan this fall.

Montana's last Elk Management Plan was drafted 18 years ago.

Advocates say the new strategy reflects changes the state has seen in that time - focusing on thinning Montana's elk population, which has been booming along with the human population.

Jeff Lukas - acting conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation - said while the plan is new, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks' strategy relies on an age-old tradition to manage elk numbers - by hunting.

"We're seeing FWP be more responsive to the public's desires, as far as opportunity to harvest, helping relieve pressure off of public land," said Lukas, "so that those elk come off of private land back onto public, where folks will get more opportunity."

Private landowners are doing their part to help thin the herd, too, and have been involved in crafting the plan that encourages hunting - even on their property.

The final Elk Management Plan is due out this fall.

In what amounts to a public-private partnership, Craig Jourdonndais - the big game researcher and hunt coordinator for MPG Ranch in northwest Montana - said the ranch is taking a strategic approach to help thin the herd.

Jourdonnais said he welcomes the opportunity for hunters to use two licenses during a single hunt.

"When we have hunters that we're trying to take a couple at a time," said Jourdonndais, "if instead they can each harvest an elk, if they can each harvest two elk - two antlerless elk - during the same hunt, that's a huge bonus for us."

And for the Montana elk population.

While the state's final Elk Management Plan is due out later this year, it won't go untouched for another 18 years like the current one.

Game officials have agreed to make small changes, as needed, as often as every five years.



Disclosure: Montana Wildlife Federation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Environment, Public Lands/Wilderness. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Wisconsin is one of nine states where voters are required to present photo identification to vote. The current state law has been in place since 2011. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A proposal to make Wisconsin's strict Voter ID law a constitutional amendment passed Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Assembly on Tuesday. Voters …


Social Issues

play sound

In Mississippi, where thousands of people are serving life sentences, the impact of long-term imprisonment falls disproportionately on Black …

Social Issues

play sound

One topic expected to make a big splash during Wyoming's general legislative session is property taxes at many levels. First on the agenda for the …


Feral hogs breed year-round and can have up to 12 piglets per litter, making population control difficult. (byrdyak/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The last Farm Bill allocated $75 million to reduce feral hog populations around the country but this year, funding has expired, which could be a …

Social Issues

play sound

In this year's state budget, Gov. Brian Kemp is proposing a $500 million investment to tackle a critical issue for Savannah and surrounding areas - …

Volunteer Hector Silva of Hunger Action Los Angeles prepares burritos for distribution to fire victims in Pasadena, Calif. (Sara Donis)

Social Issues

play sound

Food donations are pouring in to help victims of the Los Angeles fires, to the point donors are being asked to hold off a bit so it can all be …

Environment

play sound

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

Social Issues

play sound

In 2019, Colorado lawmakers set goals for cutting climate pollution by at least half by the year 2030, and by 90% by 2050 - compared with 2005 levels…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021