FWP Divisions

Management & Finance

The Management and Finance Division is responsible for:

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

Communications & Education

The Communications and Education Division is the information and education arm of FWP. The Division acts as a clearinghouse for information on FWP activities, and is a contact point for people requesting information about FWP business, including state and national media. Several educational and recreation-safety programs are administered from this division, including:

• Hunter and bow hunter education programs and the shooting range development program
• Boating, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle safety programs
• Youth-education programs
• FWP's official magazine Montana Outdoors
• Hunting, fishing and trapping regulation booklets, films and videos

Enforcement

The Enforcement Division 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

Field Services

The Field Services Division is responsible for:

• FWP's Lands Program;
• Design and Construction Bureau
• Hunter Access Enhancement Programs
• Landowner-Sportsman Relations Program
• Game Damage Assistance Program
• Livestock Loss Reimbursement Program
• “Crossing the Barriers” accessibility program

Fisheries

The Fisheries Division 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
• An increased emphasis on public education and participation in management

Information Services

The Information Services Division is responsible for:

• Information technology; including the automated licensing system
• Data management, GIS services, and web site development
• Application development
• Network services and support

Parks

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
• Fishing access sites
• The snowmobile program
• State trails programs
• Other recreational and community grant programs of the department

Wildlife

The Wildlife Division 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 Division 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