Upcoming sign-ups:
- Game Damage/Management Seasons Hunt Roster — June 15 through July 15
- Request a copy of the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Access Guide starting July 14
Opportunity for Public Comment:
Notice to Hunters—Significant Archery Regulation Changes
Significant season changes for the 2008 and 2009 hunting season include the implementation of limited archery permits for either sex elk in seven hunting districts within the Missouri River Breaks and unlimited archery permits for either sex elk in 23 other hunting districts in Regions 4, 5 and 7. The unlimited permits are scheduled to become limited in 2009. The limited permits must be applied for by June 2. The unlimited permits may be purchased or applied for by June 2. Please see individual hunting district regulations for additional specifics. Click here to view Archery Map. An advisory committee has been assembled to further evaluate some of these archery regulations.
There are also changes and additions to A9/B12 antlerless elk licenses available through the drawing or over-the-counter. In addition to adjusted numbers of these licenses for 2008, a conservation license is now the only prerequisite to this antlerless elk license for both residents and nonresidents alike.
The 900-archery antelope license has been adjusted from an unlimited to limited structure. 5600 of these licenses are available thru the drawing. The June 2 drawing application deadline applies to these licenses and all other elk, deer and antelope permits and licenses as well. Please see individual hunting district regulations for additional specifics.
The mountain lion season structure in Region 2 has been adjusted to limited permits in all hunting districts except the Missoula Special Management Area. 2008 mountain lion quotas will be finalized at the June 12 Commission meeting. Lion licenses must be applied for or purchased by August 31. Please see individual hunting district regulations for additional specifics.
Hunters interested in participating in game-damage hunting opportunities on private land this year need to register online beginning Sunday, June 15, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(May 30)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on tentatively approved upland game bird hunting seasons for the 2008-09 seasons.
(May 30)
Montana’s $5 SuperTag lottery chances for big game hunts are on sale for 2008 with plenty of hunts available. An unlimited number of five dollar SuperTag chances are available for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, deer, antelope, mountain lion and bison in any legal district open for that species.The usual cost for applying for a special moose, sheep or goat license drawing, is $80 for residents and $755 for a non-resident. (May 16)
The deadline to apply for FWP’s special license drawings for elk, deer and antelope licenses and special permits is June 2. Hunters can apply in minutes for special big game hunting permits and licenses on the Internet by going to the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov and using FWP’s Online Services. For those who don’t own a computer, Internet access is available at Montana’s 80 public libraries and 30 branch public libraries. (May 16)
Montana elk and antelope archery hunters need to keep a sharp eye out for several recently adopted regulation changes for the 2008 hunting seasons that will require archers to apply for permits in hunting districts that may not have required permits in the past. (April 18)
The hunting of all black bears in south-central Montana hunting district 510 portion of BMU, which includes portions of Big Horn, Carbon and Yellowstone counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, May 11, 2009. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for this district had been met. (May 09)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on tentative mountain lion hunting quotas for the 2008 season. While the commission has tentatively agreed to maintain most of the 2007 mountain lion quotas, here's an update on proposed changes: Region 1—Northwestern Montana · Hunting District 100: increase limited licenses from 20 to 25; female subquota would be 10. (April 28)
Applying for special big game hunting permits and licenses is a lot easier these days for hunters who use the Internet instead of laboring over a paper application.
Resident and nonresident hunters can apply for special permits and licenses simply by going to the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov and using FWP’s Online Services.
(April 18)
Montana archery hunters need to keep a sharp eye out for several recently adopted regulation changes for the 2008 hunting seasons. The changes affect elk archery hunters and antelope archery hunters in 30 elk-hunting districts and antelope archery hunters who seek the early season multi-region "900 series" licenses, which are valid in most of Montana's antelope hunting districts. In each case, hunters need to apply by June 2 for a permit or license ... (April 10)
Two typographical errors in Montana's big game hunting regulations resulted in an incorrect moose season type in one northwestern Montana hunting district and an incorrect season date for white-tailed deer in another. On page 16 of the moose, sheep and goat hunting regulations, the moose seasons for hunting district 105 are erroneously listed as "Archery Only." The seasons are actually for either-sex moose in hunting district 105-00 and antlerless moose in hunting district 105-10. (April 10)
Research indicates that the proper and responsible use of bear spray will reduce the number of bears killed in self-defense and reduce human injuries caused by bears, but that the inappropriate use of bear spray may leave residues that could attract bears. "Bear spray, used properly, has been successful in preventing injury to both humans and bears," said Tom Smith, a wildlife ecologist formerly stationed at the USGS Alaska Biological Science Center in Anchorage. "Using it properly is the key. (April 10)
Do not run from a bear. Running may trigger a natural predator-prey attack response. Make certain you have bear spray at the ready. Immediately pick up small children and stay in a group. Move away from the bear, if it is possible to do so. Throw a kerchief or other object on the ground as you move away to distract the animal’s attention. If a black bear approaches, try to scare it away by shouting or making noise. (April 10)
If you haven't traveled in Central and Northwestern Montana recently, you may be surprised and sobered by the signs instructing visitors on how to avoid problems with local grizzly bears. You'll also see signage explaining the food storage orders in effect on U.S. Forest Service lands including the Flathead, Lolo, Lewis and Clark, and Helena National Forests. (April 10)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU LIVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY
(April 18)
Montana wildlife managers say the following recommendations are minimum requirements for effective use of bear spray—whether it is being used with charging bears or pouncing, swiping lions. (April 18)
HOW TO BEHAVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY
(April 18)
As Montanan’s prepare for a summer in the great outdoors, they can learn about Montana’s black and grizzly bears by visiting the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Be Bear Aware web pages. "Lots of photos of Montana's bears and streaming video of bears in action help make FWP's Be Bear Aware web pages an interesting place to visit on the Internet," said Ron Aasheim, FWP Communications and Education division administrator. (April 10)
In Montana, assume bears are present whether there are reports of bears in the area or not. Carry and know how to use bear spray. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Travel in groups of three or more people whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours. Stay on trails or rural roads. Watch for bear sign such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks. Keep children close. (April 10)
The TIP-MONT phone line, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks toll-free hotline for reporting wildlife poaching, property damage, and violations of fish and game laws is in operation 24 hours a day. TIP-MONT is the acronym for Turn In Poachers—Montana. (November 16)
