Montana Governor Announces the Members of the Private Lands and Public Wildlife Council

8/21/2007 -- (HELENA) - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced new members of the Private Lands and Public Wildlife Council. "Our hunting and fishing opportunities are part of what makes our state such a great place to live," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "This council works with outfitters, sportspersons and landowners to reach consensus on outdoor issues important to Montanans."

Land Tawney, Missoula – Tawney will serve as chair of the council. He fulfills the qualifications for the council as a sportsperson. As a former council member, Tawney helped organize the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and is a member of the Hellgate Hunter and Anglers.

Jamie Byrne, Ekalaka - Byrne fulfills the qualifications for the council as an outfitter. Byrne owns J & J Guide Service, and also served several years on the board of directors for the Montana Outfitters & Guides Association.

Dan Vermillion, Livingston – Vermillion fulfills the qualifications for the council as a member of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission. He is currently the Commissioner of Fish Wildlife and Parks and Vice-President and Co-Owner of Sweetwater Travel Company.

Gordon Haugen, Bozeman - Haugen fulfills the qualifications for the council as a sportsperson. Haugen has held various fish & wildlife management positions in Canada and U.S. federal agencies, and is a member of numerous outdoor organizations.

Donna McDonald, Alder - McDonald fulfills the qualifications for the council as an outfitter. McDonald and her husband own Upper Canyon Outfitters, a full service guest ranch.

Lindsay Giem, Twin Bridges – Giem fulfills the qualifications for the council as a landowner. She is Director of Giem Ranches, which participates in the block management program, providing the public with free hunting access to private land.

Max McDonald, Vaughn - McDonald fulfills the qualifications for the council as a landowner. McDonald and his wife own and operate a ranch near Vaughn, and are active members of the Montana Cattleman’s Association.

Mike Penfold, Billings - fulfills the qualifications for the council as a sportsperson. Penfold is a life-long and active sportsperson and member of several sportsperson interest groups.

Brett Todd, Big Timber - Todd fulfills the qualifications for the council as an outfitter. Todd is owner of K Lazy Three Outfitters, a backcountry outfitting company, and a board member of the Montana Outfitters and Guide Association.

Rick Miller, Colstrip - Miller fulfills the qualifications for the council as a sportsperson. A native Montanan, Miller has been an active sportsman his whole life and a member of both the Montana Bowhunters Association and Local Colstrip Sportsmen's Club for 15 years.

Doug Schott, Stevensville - Schott fulfills the qualifications for the council as an outfitter. Schott previously worked as a guide for a hunting and fishing outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and owned a canoe rental business on the Clark Fork River.

Kathy Hadley, Deer Lodge - Hadley fulfills the qualifications for the council as a landowner. Hadley helped organize the Montana Landowner/Sportsmen's Conference in 1986. This event brought together landowners, sportspersons, and government agencies.

Richard Iverson, Culbertson - Iverson fulfills the qualifications for the council as a landowner. Iverson and his wife have owned and operated an 8,000 acre ranch for over 30 years and worked hard to improve the wildlife habitat.

Representative John Ward, Helena - fulfills the qualifications for the council as a legislator. Representative Ward is owner of Litt’l John’s Septic Service and served 24 years in the Navy.

Senator Lane Larson, Billings - fulfills the qualifications for the council as a legislator. As a legislator, Senator Larson worked closely with other legislators on hunting, fishing and public access issues.

About the Private Lands and Public Wildlife Council

The governor shall appoint a committee of persons interested in issues related to hunters, anglers, landowners, and outfitters, including but not limited to the hunting access enhancement program, the fishing access enhancement program, landowner-hunter relations, outfitting issues, and other issues related to private lands and public wildlife.

The review committee shall report to the governor and to each legislature regarding the success of various elements of the hunting access enhancement program, including a report of annual landowner participation, the number of acres annually enrolled in the program, hunter harvest success on enrolled lands, the number of qualified applicants who were denied enrollment because of a shortfall in funding, and an accounting of program expenditures, and make recommendations for funding, modification, or improvement needed to achieve the objectives of the program.

The review committee shall report to the governor and to each legislature regarding the success of the fishing access enhancement program and make recommendations for funding, modification, or improvement needed to achieve the objectives of the program. The department shall provide fiscal analyses of all fishing access enhancement program funding sources to the review committee for review and recommendations.

Source: Montana Governor