Breaching the public trust

The Commission has broken trust with the people of my district in the Bitterroot. If the argument to support the commission’s decision to terminate the wolf hunt was based on an alleged conflict with the ongoing predator study, how not was there a similar conflict since last fall’s general hunting season?
Many of us in the Bitterroot have been putting boots on the ground hunting these critters. The Commission behavior in this instance, along with the outrageous end run around the legislature for some “select” pay raises is going to make for a very adversarial relationship between the department leadership and the legislature next session. Perhaps with a new administration, and the appointments that would follow, things may improve.
Commission statements such that they don’t support wolf hunting “during the breeding season” is an absolute joke. What then do they say about the early season elk in the Bob or the general archery seasons? Do they feel archery season should be terminated as well?
Those that have followed my actions in the legislature realize that although I have had my disagreements with some FWP policies, I have strongly supported better treatment for the department’s wardens, advocated and defended Montana resuming State control of wolves, a spring wolf hunt and the requirement and financing for collaring a member of every wolf pack in the state to obtain the best population numbers possible. At the November commission meeting (and then in December) I voiced the need to waive the hunter orange requirement for wolf hunting (outside the general rifle season), to extend the wolf season in Montana until the regional quotas were met – and if not met, in particular in HD 250, use department personnel and any means necessary to meet the Federal USFWS’s approved 10j target kill of 18. Likewise, I supported a hybrid cat season that would insure meeting their target kill, too.
I do acknowledge the commission’s approval of the hybrid cat season, which is a positive achievement for my region, but it doesn’t balance out the issue with the wolves.
Rep. Pat Connell, HD87
Member, Fish, Wildlife & Parks House Committee