Hello, everyone!

      I don't have much information to give you this month. With the time requirements for these articles, by the time you read them some things that we are working on have already happened.

      One item in point is that MSHA appeared before the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee to testify in support of HB 32 on January 9, 2003. HB 32 is the bill that we requested Representative George Golie carry in the Montana Legislature this year to give us a defined Training season for the hounds. If this bill passes as written, we will have a training season from December 1 to April 14 each year. At this time, I cannot give you information as to what happened, but if you would like to call Sanford Shrout, Jim Lechleitner or myself, we would be happy to update you on what is happening.

      HB 55 is the bill that FWP requested to give them the authority to regulate nonresident hunters statewide for mountain lion hunting. This is an update to the HB 142 that was passed in the 2001 legislature for Region One of the state. Since its passage, nonresidents must apply for a harvest permit to hunt lion in Region One. If HB 55 does not pass, HB 142 will sunset April 30, 2004. As of January 4, 2003 this bill had no hearings set. If you are interested in watching the Legislature this year and have an Internet connection, you can log onto the website at: http://leg.state.mt.us/pls/laws03. As I said last month there is a wealth of information on this website.

      The biggest item of news that I have comes from far away England. I want everyone to know that our English member Dusty Miller has again come through for MSHA. This gentleman who is working in England to maintain their ability to hunt with hounds keeps thinking of us. I went to the post office when I returned from Mexico and had a very large package waiting for me. I had no idea what it was. Well, I got home opened it and found one of the most beautiful oil paintings of a mountain with a stream, hounds working across the stream and a mountain lion head painted in the sky. This painting cannot be described in mere words. It measures 29" x 40" and is awesomely done. Dusty and a friend did this painting and frame. Dusty has sent this painting to MSHA as either a raffle item or trophy. He also sent us eight CD's of England's hound songs. The shipping value of these items is over $800.00 I will have a picture of this painting in next month's article, but I well know that a picture will not do it justice. I would like to quote Dusty from his letter. "I hope when you open it, you feel exactly how my friends did when they first saw it. Some said I should keep it. Some were totally gobsmacked at its beauty. But my reply to them all was, you can't pay for what's in my heart." "No matter where you hang this painting, as the light fades and casts its shadows, it takes on a new mood. It's more than a way of life...'IT'S A LOVE.'"

      Dusty had this painting done in memory of his father and I think it is awesome that he sent it to us. I personally would like to keep it on my wall right where it is hanging for safekeeping until a field trial, but know that it can generate funds for MSHA just as Dusty wishes.

      Another quote from Dusty, "I would like to thank everyone I've had contact with - letters, photos, videos and books. For you have all helped. As well as Full Cry for their impressive magazine with all that it holds. But above all, I would like to thank the American people with all of my heart. For their hounds big or small and keep up their fight for the next generation to follow their wisdom, to follow their heart."

      Just a personal note, part of the reason you didn't get to read an article in the December issue was that I was getting extra work done before Rolly and I left for Mexico for a week. We had a tremendous time and I'd like to enclose here a picture of a 300+ pound blue marlin that Rolly caught one day while I was attending a tax update school. I look at this picture this morning and think that we had a great time, then I think about Rolly out looking for the majestic cat tracks with three of his hounds today after burying our old matriarch last night. Anne made our lives richer for being here, but she is now chasing cats in the doggie heaven above.

      Send me pictures and I'll have them in the articles.