State Eyes Mont. Ranch for New Wildlife Management Area

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved pursing the purchase of nearly 5,000 acres of the Big Belt Mountains southeast of Helena for the state's newest wildlife management area.
Under state ownership, the area north of Townsend would be managed for elk and deer winter range and open up new public hunting opportunities.
Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist Adam Grove tells the Independent Record that the proposed purchase of part of the G Bar T ranch is in its early stages and a purchase is far from imminent. FWP is currently completing an appraisal.
Approval of any land purchase is subject to approval by the Montana State Board of Land Commissioners, which has recently butted heads with Gov. Steve Bullock over approval of FWP conservation easements.

Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com