The proposals resulted from an FWP study of resident and nonresident hunting for sharp-tailed and sage grouse, pheasants and other upland game birds required by the 1999 Legislature.

One of the proposals is to cap at 11,000 the number of nonresident bird licenses sold annually. FWP sold 10,969 of these licenses in 1999.

A second proposal would allow residents an additional nine days to hunt pheasants at the front end of the season, as well as additional hunting days at the end of the season.

The final proposal would reserve for Montana residents upland game bird hunting on 13 FWP-managed wildlife management areas.

In addition to the three proposed changes in bird-hunting regulations, the public is asked to comment on whether FWP should increase both the amount of upland game bird habitat protected by conservation easements and the amount of hunting access available for pheasant hunting through the state's Block Management and the Upland Game Bird Habitat Enhancement Programs.

The FWP analysis is available by contacting the Wildlife Division in Helena at (406) 444-2612 or on the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us click on "What's New," and look under "Hunting." Comments will be accepted until November 27 by mail: FWP Wildlife Division, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT. 59601; e-mail to <mailto:fwpwld@state.mt.us>fwpwld@state.mt.us, or directly on the FWP internet site.