A Call from Arms

Editor's note: This letter was sent to Outside Bozeman by the signing organizations listed at the bottom, and does not necessarily reflect this publication's opinion. However, if you want to know how closely it aligns with our perspective, check out this recent edition of "Champs & Chumps."

Dear Governor Gianforte:

We write with grave concern over the ongoing personnel management issues that have plagued the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks during your tenure. Despite promises from FWP leadership that these concerns would be addressed and remedied, the problems have accelerated. Our organizations have lost all confidence in the leadership of Director Dustin Temple and believe both FWP and Montana’s fish and wildlife resources would be best served by appointing a new Director. We call on you to do so.

Over the last few months, the Legislature’s Audit Division has released a report that documented significant tensions between FWP’s law enforcement personnel and FWP leadership. A senior manager was abruptly terminated after being place on a months-long administrative leave over a misdemeanor trespass charge that was dismissed, another senior manager with years of service was placed on administrative leave and physically escorted from the FWP building, other senior managers have resigned prematurely or under duress, and, most recently, Director Temple denied a long sought pay raise request by FWP biologists and wardens to bring their salaries into line with adjacent states.

The cumulative impact of these personnel and salary issues has been dramatic. Employee morale has suffered, as documented by a recent culture survey, experienced professionals are seeking other employment, and fear of reprisals has greatly impacted the free flow of information and ideas necessary for wise and publically supported resource management decisions. In the view of our organizations, FWP, which was one of the premiere fish and wildlife agencies in the country, is in serious decline. Its ability to protect and enhance Montana’s fish and wildlife resources has been seriously compromised. We note that applicant pools for open positions have deteriorated in size and quality. An agency we value is circling the drain, and that’s due to destructive leadership.

You likely are well aware that members of our organizations have taken issue with numerous changes that have occurred during your tenure, including: reducing opportunities for public input; elk permit changes that favor non-resident landowners and outfitters over residents; moving oversight of research programs out of the regions and into the Director’s office; and weighting Commission and committee appointments away from resident hunters and anglers and toward outfitters and ag. While we adamantly oppose these changes and will work hard to see them reversed, we believe they are eclipsed by systematic weakening of human capital and expertise in fish and wildlife science in the agency. That damage, which lies outside any differences over fish and game management principles, will take years to repair.

Director Temple was appointed by you after the 2023 Legislative Session had adjourned. As such, his appointment has not been approved by the Montana Senate, and his ability and experience to do the job has not been reviewed by either the Legislature or the public through the legislative process. Instead, and in the absence of such public and legislative oversight, controversy has surrounded Director Temple, and he has demonstrated that he lacks the leadership abilities that FWP needs and deserves. One small example in addition to the examples above: the recurring issues, inconveniences, and excess numbers brought by Temple’s software background and emphasis on online permitting have been an embarrassment to the agency, to the state, and, as the Governor who appointed him, to you. We believe the time is now to bring in a proven, respected manager with a strong fish and wildlife background to lead the Department.

We look forward to your prompt response to our concerns.

Signed,

Montana Sportsmen Alliance Jock Conyngham
Skyline Sportsmen Les Casteren
Helena Hunters and Anglers Steve Platt
Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Assoc. BOD Mark Oswald
Bridger Bowman Bill Siebrasse
Park County Rod and Gun Hays Goosey
Montana Public Trust Coalition Andrew Posewitz