Gianforte signs bill to expand block management

Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law last week a bill that will double the payment cap for landowners who participate in Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Block Management Program.

Gianforte signed Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen.

Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, at the Sieben Ranch Block Management Area on April 25. The legislation increases the payment cap from $25,000 a year to $50,000 a year for landowners.

“Today, we’re investing in the success of this program for years to come for the benefit of hunters and landowners,” Gianforte said in a statement.

The Block Management Program allows landowners to work with the state wildlife agency to provide the public with hunting access on private lands. It also aids landowners in managing hunting activities.

“The Block Management Program is an incredible program that promotes access for hunting and other recreation,” said Dillon Tabish, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Region 1 communication and education program manager. “We are just grateful.”

According to Gianforte’s office, the bill received strong support from the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and the Montana Citizens’ Elk Management Coalition. It was a part of a package of bills backed by sportsmen, outfitters and landowners during the legislative session.

In the Flathead Valley, hunters and outfitters expressed excitement about the legislation. According to Jim Vashro, the president of Flathead Wildlife, doubling the payment cap allows for more access and more incentive for landowners across the state to participate.

“Block management is a great program and it gives landowners an alternative to either leasing or dealing with hunter access by themselves,” Vashro told the Inter Lake.

Tabish also looks forward to how the legislation will work in Northwest Montana. “Most of our acreage up here is corporate timber land and we’re extremely grateful for those owners who enroll in block management and have for so long,” Tabish said. “They help us keep the hunting traditions of Northwest Montana.”

According to the wildlife agency, Northwest Montana has hundreds of thousands of acres enrolled in the program, many of which are owned by timber companies. For the fall 2022 hunting season, there were over 675,000 acres of private land accessible through the Block Management Program in Region 1 alone.

“I think this is a great move and hopefully we’ll keep those existing land owners in the program and keep those lands open,” Vashro said.