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your homegrown newspaper December 4, 2024
Vol. 21, No. 12
Block Management continues decline despite increased pay cap
'A Christmas Carol' pg. 5
At its peak, the program provided public hunters with access to 8.8 million acres of private land. by Amanda Eggert and Jacob Olness, Montana Free Press
Tree contest pg. 9
CWD testing pg. 12
MONTANA — The number of acres enrolled in Block Management, a hunting access program managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has continued its gradual decline despite efforts to bolster landowner interest in the program. Hunters have been tracking revisions to Block Management, hopeful that changes to the landowner reimbursement payment structure authorized by the last two Montana Legislatures can reverse flagging participation in the program and help alleviate concerns about crowding as sales of hunting licenses climb.
MARTY HENSEL PHOTO
The general deer and elk hunting season in Montana came to a close last Sunday, Dec. 1. Data from the 2024 hunting season will provide insight as to how a raise in the payment cap affects landowner participation in the state's Block Management program.
As the last week of the general rifle hunting season approaches, Montana Free Press’ analysis of 2024 Block Management data finds that landowner participation in the program has continued its downward trajectory despite its popularity with hunters.
Block Management was developed nearly 40 years ago to help willing landowners manage hunting on their land, provide hunters with access to private and isolated public land, and help FWP better manage game species. It is often referred to as the state’s w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
premier hunting access program. The state Legislature established the program in 1985 and significantly expanded it a decade later. At peak participation, in 2002, 1,150 landowners provided hunters access to more than 8.8 million acres.
According to FWP data, the acreage enrolled in Block Management has continued its slow slide, even as the number of days that hunters spend pursuing game in Block Management areas continues to grow, consee page 2