Notice to Hunters—Significant Archery Regulation Changes
The 2008 and 2009 hunting season structures for moose, sheep, goat, deer, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lions and upland birds have been set. Significant changes 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.
There are also changes and additions to A9/B12 antlerless elk licenses available through the drawing or over-the-counter. The mountain lion season structure in Region 2 has been adjusted to limited permits in all hunting districts except the Missoula Special Management Area. Please see individual hunting district regulations for additional specifics.
Spring Black Bear Season and Spring Turkey Season
Montana’s spring black bear season starts April 15. To hunt the spring season, a black bear license must be purchased no later than April 14. When purchasing the license, hunters must validate for the entire state except Bear Management Units (BMUs) 103, 106 and 107 or hunters must validate to hunt only in these three areas. Black bear hunting in BMUs 510, 520 and 700 is managed under a harvest quota while closing dates for the spring black bear season varies in other areas. Please see individual BMU regulations for additional specifics.
Montana’s spring turkey season runs from April 12 through May 18. A general season exists in most of eastern Montana while much of the turkey hunting in western Montana is under limited permits. Please see the 2008 Spring Turkey regulations for additional specifics.
Wildlife Management Areas to Open in May
Many of Montana’s FWP Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) seasonally re-open for public entry on May 15. After providing secure winter habitat for wintering deer, elk, antelope, sheep, moose, bear, upland birds and any number of nongame species, these habitat gems once again available to provide diverse public opportunities for human visitors throughout the coming summer and fall. For specific WMA characteristics, opening times and recreational opportunities, please call the appropriate regional office or explore FWP’s website (Habitat/Wildlife Management Areas).
Pheasants … header?
Landowners interested in raising and releasing ring-necked pheasants this year through the state Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program have until May 15 to submit an application. Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Release Program, landowners who wish to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for raising and releasing pheasants. Landowners can apply if the land in the project area remains open to reasonable public hunting. Projects must comprise at least 100 contiguous acres of land and contain a combination of habitat components—including cover and food—that upland game birds need to survive. Projects on private and public lands submitted in partnership with youth organizations, 4-H clubs, sports groups—or other associations that can guarantee the completion of all project requirements—also are eligible. Application for releases must be submitted to FWP by May 15. Pheasant releases take place between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15. Hunting preserves, lands that host a commercial hunting enterprise, and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible. For more information contact your nearest FWP office or download the application form.
For years, hunters, anglers, and other recreationists have pulled their hair out over not being able to recreate on certain state school trust fund lands. The parcels, established more than a century ago to generate revenue for Montana education, are open to public recreation. Unfortunately, roughly one-third are surrounded by private property, making them nearly inaccessible. A new state program, administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), is helping alleviate that frustration.
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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)
