by James Mollander, Florence
I went up the 3 Mile this morning to see how the wildflowers are progressing. Where the 3 Mile Block Management Area starts there is a new sign that states all recreation in the block management area requires a conservation license.
I called the Missoula office and asked what all the term ‘recreation’ covered. Driving on the road is included, looking at wildflowers is included, taking pictures, and apparently breathing on the wrong side of the sign is included.
I next asked if the license is required at all block management areas in the state, and yes they are.
The road system on the 3 Mile is US Forest Service, but somehow you still need a Montana State Conservation License.
I have not hunted since the FWP closed my property to hunting, I have not fished in Montana for years. I wanted to get a grouse license but for what they cost it just is not worth it.
I don’t want to support the Montana Fish and Wildlife, and I will not pay their fee. If you agree, please contact our state senators and representatives. Please also do not vandalize these signs. Any game wardens that want to charge me for today’s conduct please feel free to contact the paper for my address.
I will be going up the 3 Mile without a license regularly for the next month to six weeks.
Sue says
You are very badly mistaken. On almost every point.
Threemile is not a Block Management Area, it is a Wildlife Management Area. The road on Threemile is maintained by FWP and thus requires FWP money to maintain it. If you do not buy a hunting or fishing license (which includes a conservation license), you are contributing nothing to the maintenance of Wildlife Management Areas. They are not paid for by tax dollars. By purchasing a conservation license (which is $8, by the way), you are helping pay for maintenance of those roads, weed spraying, fence fixing, etc.
How exactly did FWP “close your property to hunting”? I’m aware of no lands in the Bitterroot, public or private, that do not have some legal season available on them. There are season and quota regulations, sure. Are you mad that you have to follow regulations? Any other closures would be because of your HOA or city ordinances, not FWP.
An upland game bird license is $7.50. $3.75 if you’re over age 62. Big spender.
Tracy says
It is a USFS road and that means it is maintained by the USFS and NOT Montana Conservation money.
Sue says
The road to the north that is open year-round is a USFS road. It only cuts through a tiny portion of the WMA. The primary WMA access road spans the WMA from north to south, dead-ends on the WMA, and is maintained by FWP. If you look at the USFS’s Motor Vehicle Use Map, it is not on there, because it is not their road.