Editor:

Initiative 161 is a job killer for Montana! Outfitting brings in many millions of dollars to the state of Montana, and this initiative is meant to put outfitters out of business.

Before the outfitter-sponsored licenses, outfitting was, at best, a starve-to-death business. Now, a hunter who wants to plan a vacation a year or two in advance can book a hunt with an outfitter and know that he has a license. Can you imagine planning a vacation, where you will spend approximately $10,000, and not being able to plan it until March of that year? Believe me, it won't happen.

One of our typical hunters spends $1,100 on a license, which goes for block management — to allow Montana sportsmen access to private land — and wildlife conservation in the state. Then, he or she travels here, either by road or plane, spends at least a few nights in hotels, while buying meals, gas, gifts for family, taxidermy and meat processing.

This is all out of state money, keeping Montana small businesses employing Montanans.

Then, we as outfitters, not only pay our guides, which trickles in to the economy, but we also buy trucks, trailers, maintenance, tires, horses, mules, tack, groceries, gas, feed, hay and retail items too numerous to mention. We do our part to keep the Montana economy ticking along, and as we all know, it is not easy to make a living in Montana. We live and work here because we love it.

Montana Chamber says to vote no; NRA says to vote no; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation says to vote no; Montana Sportsmen United says to vote no; Montana Stockgrowers says to vote no; and these are just a few! Please do your part to keep Montanans working. We are our best asset!

Susan Johnson, Hell's A Roarin' Outfitters, Gardiner