People sought for trapping advisory committee

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks about 12 people to serve on a Trapping Advisory Committee to provide input on the agency’s trapping and furbearer management.

The committee will lend a citizen’s perspective to Fish, Wildlife and Parks in reviewing the science and management of trapping, predicting and anticipating public sentiment, and public communication efforts concerning trapping and furbearer management.

The committee will not consider whether or not there will be trapping in Montana. Trapping is a legal activity protected by Montana’s constitution. It is recognized and endorsed by Fish, Wildlife and Parks as an appropriate activity and wildlife management tool, and will continue. However, the committee will be asked to review such controversial issues as trap check time and other regulations.

This advisory committee needs to be diverse and ideally will include people from across the state and contain a broad cross-section of views, experiences and interests, including wildlife, livestock, scientific, recreation, economic and local governments.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff will participate in but not formally sit on the committee. Meetings will be facilitated and be advertised and open to the public with opportunity for public comment.

To apply visit fwp.mt.gov/hunting/trapping/advisoryCommittee.html. The deadline is Oct. 20, and the Fish, Wildlife and Parks director will select panelists by Nov. 1.

The first meeting will be Dec. 12-13 at Fish, Wildlife and Parks’s Helena Montana WILD. Subsequent meeting dates and places will be arranged at the close of each meeting, but meetings will be held in various cities across the state. The committee will have its recommendations for Fish, Wildlife and Parks by April 30. Interested individuals should be willing to travel for up to five one to two-day meetings in 2017-2018.

For more information call 406-444-3940.