Rule 12.9.611 - REQUIREMENTS OF PROJECTS INVOLVING WILD TURKEY RELEASES(1) The department may authorize participation in the upland game bird release program projects for turkeys if the proposed project meets the following requirements: (a) all releases made will be of wild/free ranging stock that have been trapped in Montana or have been moved into Montana under the direction of the department;(b) all releases outside of Flathead County will be Merriam's turkey only;(c) eastern turkeys may be moved only within Flathead County;(d) no new releases will take place until: (i) an environmental assessment evaluating the release and the release site has been completed and approved by the commission; and(ii) the department has secured agreements from adjacent landowners that would be affected by expanded populations indicating consent for the transplant and free public hunting for the species; and(e) supplemental releases will require an evaluation by the department that will include but not be limited to: (i) a history of previous releases;(ii) justification for supplementing the existing population;(iii) a legal description of the release site;(iv) a legal description of the area that will be closed to public hunting until the population has become established (two-year minimum); and(v) agreements from adjacent landowners that would be affected by expanded populations indicating consent for the transplant and free public hunting for the species.NEW, 2001 MAR p. 1725, Eff. 9/7/01.87-1-249, MCA; IMP, 87-1-248, MCA;