Conservation easement would be win for all Montanans

Montana’s farms and ranches are an essential part of our state’s economy. They also provide important habitat for wildlife and, often, public access for hunting and other recreation. Working lands support big game, upland birds and waterfowl, as well as numerous nongame species. That abundance didn’t happen by chance.

For decades, Montana hunters and landowners have worked together to restore and manage the public’s wildlife on private habitat. Hunters and landowners don’t always agree, but our cooperation has given Montana the longest hunting seasons in the West and some of the...