Bullock’s choice of Hagener for FWP a good one

On Friday, Gov.-elect Steve Bullock announced he was bringing back Jeff Hagener to run Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and a collective sigh of relief could be heard from livestock producers, hunters and anglers across the state.

Bullock’s choice to head FWP was highly anticipated after it became clear he wasn’t going to keep outgoing director Joe Maurier, who took over the post in 2008.

Hagener is a familiar face to many around the state. He was the agency’s director from 2000 to 2008, being appointed by Gov. Judy Martz, a Republican, and held on to when ov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, took over in 2004.

Read more: Independent Record (January 02, 2013)