Elk management group to meet virtually

The Elk Management Plan Initial Guidance Citizens Group will meet via Zoom on Nov. 19, Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 16-17. The citizens group will provide initial guidance to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for the revision of Montana’s Elk Management Plan. This guidance will specifically focus on principles to guide the future of elk management in Montana.

The group will take public comment at the December meetings. The meetings are open to the public and will be live streamed at fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/elk/citizensGroup.html. The Nov. 19 meeting is informational with presentations regarding elk and elk management in Montana. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. and topics include:

social science related to elk

elk harvest surveys and trends

elk population surveys and trends

elk competition with mule deer and other ungulates

brucellosis in elk: livestock impacts

elk habitat, access, and distribution

carnivore impacts on elk and integrated carnivore-elk management

The December meetings begin at 9 a.m. To view the Elk Management Plan Initial Guidance Citizens Group meeting agendas, visit: fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/elk/citizens

Group.html. FWP ensures meetings are fully accessible to persons with special needs. To request arrangements, contact the Wildlife Division at (406) 444-2612.