Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) will be developing a new elk management plan using the guiding principles of the Elk Management Plan Initial Guidance Citizens Group proposed in 2020.
Some of the principles included maintaining hunting as a primary tool for elk population management, minimizing impacts on agricultural production and private rangeland, and incentivizing collaboration among stakeholders.
While the new plan is being developed, MTFWP will continue to work with the Private Land/Public Wildlife (PLPW) Council to evaluate elk hunting access agreements (454 agreements) and other programs that direct MTFWP’s work with landowners to enhance public access.
MTFWP is also creating an Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group. The advisory group’s effort, along with the work of the PLPW Council, will be reflected in the final elk management plan, which should be completed by the summer of 2023.
