Action Needed – Wolf bill goes to Senate floor

Good news and we need your help! Please see below what we need you to do for SB 183 right now!

The Senate Fish and Game Committee held its public hearing on MSSA’s wolf bill, the “Montana Wolf Recovery Act” (SB 183) yesterday AND acted on SB 183 the same day (unusual but not unheard of). The Committee made some agreeable amendments to SB 183 and passed it by a vote of 5 to 4.

Senator Shockley (R-Victor) supported the bill (thanks Jim) but very reluctantly (he needs messages thanking him for support). Other Republicans on the Committee also supported SB 183 including Greg Barkus (R-Kalispell), John Brenden (R-Scoby), Debby Barrett (R-Dillon – a VERY strong supporter), and bill sponsor Joe Balyeat (R-Bozeman).

All Democrats on the Committee opposed SB 183. I was mildly surprised that Steve Gallus (D-Butte) opposed, as there is SO much support for wolf control in Butte. Also opposing was Joe Tropila (D-Great Falls) who will often support our gun and hunting bills. Also opposing were Trudi Schmidt (D-Great Falls) and Larry Jent (D-Bozeman).

SB 183 will come up within a couple of days on the Senate floor for Second Reading.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you contact your senator and any other senators to urge them to support SB 183. I’ll give you some talking points below.

Steve Gallus might swing to support if he gets enough messages, especially from folks in the Butte area. Joe Tropila might swing to support if he gets enough messages, especially from the Great Falls area.

All senators need to be contacted, either by email, via the online message form, or by calling 444-4800 and leaving a message.

Remember, keep the messages civil and BRIEF – legislators have VERY short attention spans at this point.

Thanks to those folks on this list who showed up to support SB 183 at the hearing. That REALLY makes a difference.

PLEASE get messages in to YOUR senator and any other senators you wish asking them to please support SB 183 on Second Reading.

If you need more information about SB 183, go HERE.

Thanks loads for your support.

My brief talking points are below. Articulate any of them you like, or your own, in forming your messages to senators.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com