Judge: Where's the damage?

For the second time in as many months, a state district court judge has sided with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and hunting groups in a lawsuit over elk management.

The dispute relates to a 2003 law directing Fish, Wildlife and Parks to manage elk "at or below" the sustainable populations established in the state's elk management plan. Two years ago, the United Property Owners of Montana, a membership-based nonprofit that promotes its members' business interests, sued FWP, arguing that swelling elk populations have damaged its members' bottom lines.

Among other changes, UPOM asked the stat...