State wildlife officials have denied a Bitterroot Valley couple’s request to close part of Mitchell Slough to waterfowl hunting.
John and Kathy Lewis argued the stream was too narrow and winding for hunting without the possibility of wasting game. They also argued the area was too close to people, livestock and buildings.
The state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission decided Thursday to keep the area open for hunting, but to work with landowners and sportsmen to develop and access plan to the waterway.
In 2008, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that Mitchell Slough was a natural stream governed by the state’s stream access laws. Area landowners had argued it was a private irrigation ditch.
Duck hunting became an issue this fall after some landowners, including rock musician Huey Lewis, turned to feeding waterfowl on the slough.
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