03-24-2008, 05:10 PM
On a conference call today Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Nez Perce Tribe affirmed their commitment to work together on bison hunting issues.
During the conference call, Nez Perce Tribal leaders and FWP committed to developing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Tribe and Montana prior to the start of the 2008-09 bison hunt.
The MOA will outline the long-term relationship between the Nez Perce and Montana, regulation of future bison hunts, and numbers of bison available to respective state and tribal hunters.
"We are very encouraged by this morning's discussion and look forward to working closely and cooperatively with the Nez Perce Tribe," said Pat Flowers, FWP Regional Supervisor. "We also hope to involve the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in these discussions."
Alleged violations of hunting rules and regulations by Nez Perce Tribal hunters were also discussed.
The Nez Perce Tribe assured FWP that every reported violation of hunting rules has been and will continue to be reviewed for potential prosecution by the Nez Perce Tribal Court.
"FWP law enforcement is committed to continued cooperative work with our Nez Perce law enforcement colleagues to address issues now and in the future," said FWP Regional Warden Captain Sam Sheppard. "FWP is currently working jointly with Nez Perce law enforcement on an alleged waste-of-game case from last week."
Sheppard noted that most Nez Perce have hunted lawfully in Montana.
Tribal leaders and FWP personnel agreed to begin developing the MOA immediately.
During the conference call, Nez Perce Tribal leaders and FWP committed to developing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Tribe and Montana prior to the start of the 2008-09 bison hunt.
The MOA will outline the long-term relationship between the Nez Perce and Montana, regulation of future bison hunts, and numbers of bison available to respective state and tribal hunters.
"We are very encouraged by this morning's discussion and look forward to working closely and cooperatively with the Nez Perce Tribe," said Pat Flowers, FWP Regional Supervisor. "We also hope to involve the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in these discussions."
Alleged violations of hunting rules and regulations by Nez Perce Tribal hunters were also discussed.
The Nez Perce Tribe assured FWP that every reported violation of hunting rules has been and will continue to be reviewed for potential prosecution by the Nez Perce Tribal Court.
"FWP law enforcement is committed to continued cooperative work with our Nez Perce law enforcement colleagues to address issues now and in the future," said FWP Regional Warden Captain Sam Sheppard. "FWP is currently working jointly with Nez Perce law enforcement on an alleged waste-of-game case from last week."
Sheppard noted that most Nez Perce have hunted lawfully in Montana.
Tribal leaders and FWP personnel agreed to begin developing the MOA immediately.