Helena, Montana – The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PLPW) Advisory Committee of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is scheduled to hold its next meeting on April 22, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom, with opportunities for public comment during the session.
The virtual meeting allows public participation through the Zoom platform. Interested individuals can join and provide comments by visiting the dedicated PLPW webpage at fwp.mt.gov/plpw and clicking on the provided meeting link. This setup ensures accessibility for stakeholders across the state to engage directly with the committee’s discussions.
The agenda for the April 22 meeting focuses on three key objectives. First, the committee will review the current status and future plans for technology integration and FWP’s broader public access programs. Second, members will examine and offer recommendations regarding public access land agreements, which are crucial for facilitating hunter and angler entry onto private properties. Third, the group will analyze statistics from the 2025 access programs, providing insights into participation trends, enrollment numbers, and overall effectiveness.
The PLPW Advisory Committee, appointed by the Governor of Montana, serves as a citizen-led body comprising individuals representing diverse interests in hunting, fishing, landownership, and outfitting. This 13-member panel includes representatives from various regions of the state, such as Ed Beall, Chair from Helena; Richard Birdsell from Kalispell; Cynthia Cohan from Butte; Lee Cornwell from Glasgow; Paul Ellis from Bozeman; Christopher Faber from Havre; Everett Headley from Stevensville; Craig Jourdonnais from Missoula; Donna McDonald from Alder; Dave McNaney from Hysham; Stephanie Prater from Lewistown; Drew Steinberger from Billings; and Dale Tribby from Miles City. Their terms extend through specified dates up to August 1, 2029, ensuring continuity and regional perspectives.
The committee’s mandate is comprehensive, encompassing the review, reporting, and recommendation on multiple facets of FWP’s operations. It addresses hunting and fishing access programs, relations between landowners and hunters, challenges within the outfitting industry, specifics of public access land agreements, and broader issues at the intersection of private lands and public wildlife. By fostering dialogue among these stakeholders, the PLPW initiative aims to balance private property rights with public recreational opportunities, promoting sustainable use of Montana’s natural resources.
Central to the PLPW efforts are programs like Block Management and Public Landowner Access Agreements (PLFA), which incentivize private landowners to open their properties for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. For instance, Block Management Areas (BMAs) have become a cornerstone, offering structured access to private lands during hunting seasons while compensating landowners for their cooperation. These initiatives not only expand hunting and angling opportunities but also contribute to wildlife conservation by distributing hunting pressure and supporting habitat management on private properties.
The committee regularly convenes to evaluate these programs’ performance. Recent meetings, such as the February 10, 2026, session, have covered topics including landowner preference issues, draft work plans, and hunter education materials. Earlier gatherings in 2025, like the December 16-17 meeting, delved into landowner preference overviews and October discussions on 2025 PLFA projects and scoring criteria. Agendas from July 2025 included 2024 Block Management summaries and access program comparisons, highlighting ongoing refinements to enhance program efficacy.
Public involvement remains a priority, with past meetings providing recordings, agendas, and supporting documents available on the PLPW webpage. This transparency allows stakeholders to stay informed and contribute to shaping policies that affect conservation, habitat stewardship, and recreational access. As Montana’s landscapes support diverse wildlife populations, the committee’s recommendations help ensure that public access aligns with ecological sustainability and landowner incentives.
By addressing technology advancements, such as potential digital tools for access mapping or reporting, and reviewing statistical data—like participation in 2025 programs—the April 22 meeting positions the committee to influence future directions. These efforts underscore FWP’s commitment to collaborative management of private lands for the benefit of biodiversity and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
For more information, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.