Wildlife Bureau

The Wildlife Bureau is responsible for protecting, enhancing, and regulating the wise use of the state's wildlife resources for public benefit now and in the future. Wildlife Bureau programs provide management of:

• Big game (12 species)
• Upland game birds (10 species)
• Waterfowl (about 39 species)
• Furbearers (10 species)
• Nongame (over 400 species)
• Montana’s 109 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)
• Habitat Montana programs
• Coordinating issues related to endangered and threatened wildlife in Montana

Fisheries Bureau

The Fisheries Bureau is responsible for the management and perpetuation of Montana's fish and other aquatic resources. Montanans and visiting anglers want optimum fish populations in Montana waters and diverse, quality angling opportunities. These opportunities are being provided through:

• A strong commitment to habitat protection
• A"wild fish" management philosophy for streams and rivers
• An efficient hatchery stocking program for lakes and reservoirs
• A management emphasis on remaining native species
• Adequate public access for angling
  • Fishing access sites
• An increased emphasis on public education and participation in management

Enforcement Bureau

FWP’s Enforcement Bureau carries out the laws, hunting regulations, and Montana State Parks rules that protect Montana’s outdoors. Game wardens have peace officer status in the State of Montana and work closely with other local, state, and federal law enforcement groups. Direct contact with visitors and recreational users is the primary method used to encourage compliance. The Enforcement Bureau is responsible for:

• Enforcing all fish, wildlife, and parks laws of Montana, FWP rules, and Commission regulations
• Enforcing statewide boating, snowmobile, and off-highway vehicle rules and regulations
• Enforcing private-property laws and regulations as they apply to fishing and hunting
• Regulation of commercial uses of wildlife such as alternative livestock ranches, shooting preserves, zoos, and menageries
• 1-800 TIP-MONT (847-6668), the toll-free number to report violations of fish, wildlife, or parks regulations.

Communications & Education Bureau

The Communications and Education Bureau is the information and education arm of FWP. The bureau acts as a clearinghouse for information on FWP activities; is a contact point for people requesting information about FWP business, including state and national media; and publishes FWP's official magazine Montana Outdoors. Several educational and recreation-safety programs are administered from this bureau, including:

• Hunter and bow hunter education programs and the shooting range development program
• Boating, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle safety programs
• Youth-education programs; resources for kids and teachers
• Hunting, fishing, and trapping regulation booklets, films, and videos

Strategic Planning & Data Services Bureau

The Strategic Planning and Data Services Bureau is responsible for long-term agency strategic planning and data services management including GIS and GPS, comprehensive fish and wildlife conservation strategies, and agency leadership for energy, residential, transportation, and climate change issues.

Regional Bureaus

The regional bureau chief is a line officer that is the director's representative in each administrative region. As such, the regional bureau chief is the chief administrative officer for that region. The bureau chief is responsible for the daily activities of all regional personnel with the goal of assuring the proper implementation of department programs. This responsibility includes authority for recommending to the director hiring and firing of personnel; direct supervision of work schedules; evaluation of regional fisheries, wildlife, enforcement, communication and education, and administrative personnel; coordination of work schedules; and monitoring and controlling assigned budgets. The bureau chief is responsible for developing and maintaining an effective network of communication between the director's office, regional personnel, other state and federal agencies, and the general public.

The Management and Finance division provides overall department direction regarding policy, planning, program development, guidelines, and budgets. The division acts as the liaison with the Governor's Office, with the Legislature, with the FWP Commission, with Montana's indian tribes, and with federal agencies. It is made up of the director’s office, the legal unit, regional supervisors and their administrative support staff, human resources, and the finance component of the agency. The division is responsible for:

• Accounting
• Purchasing and property management
• Personnel
• Federal funds administration
• Licensing and special drawings
• Budgeting
• Administrative support

The Finance Division consists of:

• Accounting & Property Bureau
• Licensing Bureau
• Budget Development & Analysis Bureau
• Federal Aid Bureau
• Administrative Support Bureau

Parks Division

The Parks Division’s objective is to provide diverse recreational opportunities while preserving important historical and cultural resources within Montana. The division is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of all:

• State parks
• Affiliated lands
• The Snowmobile Grant Program
• State Recreational Trails Grant Program
• Other recreational and community grant programs of the department

The Parks Division consists of:

• Field Operations Bureau
• Capital & Recreation Bureau
• Business Operations Specialist Bureau
• Administrative Assistant