State
Presidents Message
Hello Everyone,
As many of you know the walleye fisheries in certain parts of the state have been steadily declining and it’s time we start paying attention. Currently FWP is formulating the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan (UMRRMP). This plan is a 10 year plan that manages Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter Reservoirs and the rivers in between them. A few weeks ago the FWP presented the new draft to the Fish and Wildlife Commission to get approval for public review. A few concerned individuals attended this meeting and voiced their opinion that the plan was not a good plan. In response the Commission failed to act on the plan and FWP stated they would back up and get input on possible changes to the plan. This was a “win” of sorts for Walleyes Unlimited of Montana (WUM); however, it was the lack of participation in the process up to this point that allowed this plan to be presented.
Since this time, Eileen Ryce, Eric Roberts and Adam Strainer, all fisheries biologists and leaders in the dept. have been reaching out to individual chapters from the area of those reservoirs seeking comments and ideas for the new plan. This is remarkable progress to me, that FWP is actively seeking us (WUM) out for ideas. I believe we have an opportunity to work with FWP in formulating the new plan. This has to be an item of interest for all chapters in WUM. What happens in the next few months for the UMRRMP will set the stage for future management plans around the state at other fisheries of interest to us. Our participation will show FWP that we are indeed interested in what goes on and the precedence will be set that we get contacted for ideas and information.
At this time FWP is not seeking information on how to fix some of the problems. Right now we are in what I would refer to as “Phase 1” of the process. All they need to know right now is what we want our fisheries to look like and perform like. Do we want trophy fisheries? Fisheries that we can catch a nice amount of fish every time out and keep a few eaters? Once they get a feel for want it is we want, they can then go to work on how to manage the fisheries and try to achieve those goals. Keep in mind that these are multi species fisheries so we are not the only ones weighing in on this. FWP is going to send out a survey to random license holders in the state to find out what a good cross section of the state feels. They will then come back to us for information. If you receive one of these surveys please insure it gets filled out and returned. In the meantime I would like to see all chapters query
their own members so we can have a consolidated consensus as an organization. I would request that all chapters return the information to me by Dec 15th.
One thing that FWP listed as a concern when talking about WUM was the severe lack of participation in the public comments and public meetings that they hold. As an example, leading up to the presentation of the UMRRMP to the Commission very few people attended any meetings or contacted FWP with concerns. Then they kind of got blindsided when attempting to present the plan. As a professional organization, WUM can do better. Remember the strength we carried when we all voiced our concerns about Quiet Waters! All members need to participate so that we can have a voice in matters involving our fisheries. I am aware that many members have trust issues when it comes to FWP and the Commission, however, the past is past and we need to move toward the future. The fact that FWP is reaching out to us is a positive and we need to embrace it. Does it mean we will get what we want? Not necessarily, however, we need to always put our best foot forward. We will be much more successful working with FWP, then trying to discredit them.
For now I am asking each chapter to disseminate the above information so that all members are aware of what is going on and we can be thinking about what we want our fisheries to be like. I will forward information as it becomes available and when this process transitions to “Phase 2” we will have some well thought out items to present at that time.
Mary Humbert
President, WUM
State Convention
The State Convention will be in Glendive hosted by WP, Mon-Dak, and Glendive Chapter's on March 23, 2019.
Forms/Applications
Nomination Forms
Jim Rettig Memorial Scholarship Application - PDF Form
Example of Scholarship Application and how applicants will be scored - PDF Form
Club Forms and Applications
INFORMATION FOR FILING WUM ANNUAL TAX DOCUMENTS
TAX REPORT IS DUE BY MARCH 1ST
Highly recommend Emailing it so that you have a record of delivery,
the Email address is: doris@chmspc.com
Also recommend asking her to reply confirming that she received
it. Then make a note on your copy documenting her confirmation date.
For those persons not having internet service it can be mailed to;
CHMS, P.C.
741 3rd Avenue South
Glasgow, MT 59230
Attention: Doris Leader
If mailing, send it certified mail or confirmed mail delivery.
2019 Fishing Tournament Applications
Montana Circuit
Crooked Creek - May 4-5
Tiber - May 18-19
Fresno - June 8-9
Canyon Ferry - June 22-23
Dual Dandy Entry Form
Fort Peck Circuit
Rock Creek - June 1-2
Gov Cup - July 11-14(FULL)
Hell Creek - July 27-28
Mission
WALLEYES UNLIMITED OF MONTANA MISSION STATEMENT
Walleyes Unlimited of Montana (WUM) is the largest sport fishing
organization in Montana with over 4,000 members. It was formed and
incorporated in 1983 to inform and educate the public about the importance
of warm water sport fishing in Montana and to support building and
maintaining suitable warm water fish hatcheries and develop a hatchery
program which can accommodate the needs of warm water fishing. Montana
walleye sanctioned tournaments require that you be a member of WUM to fish
these tournaments in order to collect prize money. WUM has no administrative
authority for any tournament; they are administered by a separate board of
directors.
The mission of WALLEYES UNLIMITED OF MONTANA is:
The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious,
educational, and/or scientific purposes or to foster national or
international sports competition under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal
Revenue code.
Improve and conserve walleye and other warm water fish in suitable bodies of
water:
Organize and educate fisherman to promote walleye and warm water fishing:
Develop and maintain forage fish programs in suitable bodies of water:
Support building and maintaining suitable warm water fish hatcheries and
develop a hatchery program which can accommodate the needs of warm water
fishing:
Support any worthwhile fishing, hunting, wildlife or recreational program
organized for pleasure, or other non-profitable purpose:
Dedicate its members by social and educational means to the conservation and
propagation of warm water fish; to support true sportsmanship in a lawful
and legal manner among those who fish; to promote and encourage good
fellowship among sportsmen; to encourage support of fish and game laws; to
work for the respect and knowledge of the just rights of property owners’
and to work for, support and encourage a close, friendly relationship
between property owners and sportsmen:
Dedicated to introducing youths to fishing; educate them to become ethical
and responsible sportsmen that respect and conserve fish and wildlife,
respect and preserve our public lands and public access and abide by fish
and game laws and acknowledge the just rights of property owners.
Have a positive presence in our local Chapter communities through
participation in worthwhile projects and activities.
By Laws
Members are encouraged to review and comment on the proposed Bylaws amendments
CURRENT BYLAWS
Awards
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL PAST YEARS AWARDS!
2017
HALL OF FAME
Dick M. Headley
Don Pyrah
Jill Meiers
Robert "Bob" Helmer"
Ron Reis
JIM RETTIG AWARD
Bob Hickey
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Mike Newton
YOUTH AGE 12 AND UNDER
Attison Craig
Indy Goodhart
YOUTH AGE 13-17
Brodie Goodhart
SPONSOR'S AWARD
Hilger Meats
2016
HALL OF FAME
Daisy Tuss
Dennis Cline
Mike Butzlaff
Randy Redfern
Steve Curtis
Travis Scott
JIM RETTIG AWARD
Bill Dasinger
Bob Klein
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
No Nominations
YOUTH AGE 12 AND UNDER
Bradley Fields
Keigen Ingram
YOUTH AGE 13-17
Domenick Zimdars
Jasmine Brinley
SPONSOR'S AWARD
Lewistown Rental
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