Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials confirmed today that they will submit a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed this week against the federal government over a decision to remove gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the list of endangered species. FWP officials also said the agency will similarly oppose a request from about a dozen groups that seeks a preliminary injunction from the federal district court in Missoula where the lawsuit was filed.
(Hunting - May 01, 2008)
As Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks prepares to intervene in a lawsuit filed this week against the federal government over a decision to delist gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains, the agency continues to field questions about the state's wolf management role and what private citizens can do to protect their pets and livestock. Until a federal judge rules otherwise, FWP will continue to follow its federally-approved management plan and associated Montana state laws.
(Hunting - May 01, 2008)
Montana's fishing season officially opens the third Saturday in May, and that is May 17 this year. That means eager anglers are already digging out their tackle boxes, throwing out dried up bait and dreaming over new tackle at sporting goods stores on the weekend.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
Last year 390,000 anglers purchased fishing licenses. Residents comprise about 59 percent of the state's fishing-license buyers. About 33 percent of all adult Montana residents purchase fishing licenses annually. Nearly 82 percent of angler days are spent seeking trout and salmon. Some of the rivers that generally receive the most fishing pressure include the Madison, Missouri, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Bighorn, Yellowstone and Gallatin rivers.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
Montana's angling community received a big surprise when Missoula angler Bob Hart caught the new state record walleye from Tiber Reservoir on Nov. 18, 2007. Although Tiber produces good numbers of smaller walleye, it is not particularly known for producing trophy-sized fish. Hart's record walleye, measuring 35 inches in length and weighing 17.75 lbs., unseated Dan Spence's previous record by more than a pound. Spence's walleye was caught in Fort Peck in 2000.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
This past fall FWP biologists sampling fish on the Tiber Reservoir found a very uncommon fish for that water in the gill net—a shovelnose sturgeon. Because there has never been any evidence of the shovelnose reproducing in the Marias River above Tiber, and only about a dozen adult sturgeon have been found in Tiber since netting began in 1973, this fish is likely a relic of the Marias River before it was impounded 51 years ago. Sturgeon are very long-lived fish and mature slowly.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
2007 marked the first 20 years of the Blackfoot River restoration initiative. Work in the Blackfoot has evolved into a ridgetop-to-ridgetop philosophy of conservation with restoration on 50 tributaries completed, many of which host westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout. The emphasis of the Blackfoot River restoration initiative is to restore degraded tributaries by improving riparian health and fish habitat.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
The removal of the Milltown Dam has caught the interest of fisheries biologists worldwide, said David Schmetterling, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2 fisheries biologist charged with monitoring the related fisheries for the past 11 years. "It is an engineering marvel to remove a dam of this size and the millions of tons of toxic sediments from behind it," Schmetterling said. "A project of this scope has the short-term potential to harm the very aquatic environment it will ultimately benefit.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
This time of year Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries biologists are eager to get back out on Montana's rivers and see how the state's fish are doing. "We've monitored one section of the Jefferson River for nine years. We've done a lot of work to improve fish habitat in the area, and that makes it even more exciting to get back and see how the fish are doing," said Ron Spoon, FWP Region 3 fisheries biologist.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
Many kids wish they had a fishing-hole just a bike ride from their back door. That wish is a reality for kids in a few communities around the state, thanks to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' new Community Ponds Program. Communities that have taken advantage of this new program include Whitehall, Hamilton, Missoula, Lewistown and, most recently, Great Falls. Many Montana towns have a river or stream running through them, or water running near the city limits.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
Years ago, when my son was about six-years old, we went fishing near Helena at the York Bridge. He was casting near the boat launch, and typical of little boys, watching the launching of many different boats. About mid-morning, an out-of-state two-wheel drive truck, towing a large pull camper and a small fishing boat attached to the camper, pulled in. The older driver and his buddy started backing down the boat ramp.
(Fishing - April 30, 2008)
A domestic calf was found dead and consumed on private land in the Madison Valley. USDA Wildlife Services investigated the incident on Apr. 25 and determined it was a probable wolf depredation.
(Headlines - April 29, 2008)
Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a fee-title acquisition of approximately 52-acres of the Hodges property located in Sanders County. This property is locally known as the “Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area” just east of Thompson Falls below Koo-Koo-Sint Ridge along Highway 200.
(Headlines - April 29, 2008)
Two individuals were recently convicted of various hunting-related offenses in southeastern Montana. These convictions lead to a significant amont of money collected in fines and restitution, as well as the suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for several years.
(Enforcement - April 28, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, to answer questions, hear concerns and share information about the its proposed acquisition of the Circle R River Ranch east of Billings.
(Headlines - April 28, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 28, 2008)
A 500-pound, 6-8 year-old male grizzly was captured on April 22 behind the Point of Rocks Restaurant near Stryker west of Highway 93.
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for the purpose of reestablishing public motorboat access on Crystal Lake in Lincoln County, Montana
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks authorized the lethal removal of six wolves from the Hall area after several confirmed wolf-related livestock depredations and continued wolf presence near livestock.
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
he recent spate of early spring snowstorms seems to have slowed the emergence of bears from their winter dens. “There are some grizzly bears out of their dens and down on low elevation private lands,” says Mike Madel, Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear management specialist. “But no bear-people conflicts to date on the Rocky Mountain Front.” Madel works out of Choteau on the Front, where grizzlies mix with livestock interests.
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
Hunter and bowhunter education instructors from north central Montana were honored recently in Great Falls. Two instructors – Ed Erickson of Conrad and Drew Uecker of Great Falls – were honored for 30 years of teaching. Besides Erickson and Uecker, 34 other instructors received service awards ranging from 5 to 35 years. In addition to the instructor awards, two individuals were recognized.
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
State fisheries biologists this spring will again put reward tags on 100 walleye in Canyon Ferry Reservoir. The tags will bring $75 each to anglers who report catching one of the walleyes, whether they keep the fish or release it. “We’re tagging the fish as part of a larger study to determine what percentage of tags anglers are voluntarily returning,” says Steve Dalbey, Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist.
(Headlines - April 24, 2008)
A grizzly bear that caused safety concerns and showed a diminished fear of people was captured near cabins in the Boulder River drainage south of Big Timber this week. It will be transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., where it will live in a facility that researches bear biology and behavior.
(Headlines - April 23, 2008)
One weeklong bowhunting class and two special weekend classes remain on the schedule for Yellowstone County this spring and summer.
(Headlines - April 23, 2008)
FWP Wardens investigated the killing of a grizzly bear in the North Fork Flathead Drainage north of Camas Bridge on Sunday April 20. A Whitefish hunter contacted FWP through TIP-MONT stating he may have shot a grizzly bear thinking it was a black bear
(Headlines - April 23, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials have decided not to close the Smith River to recreational floating despite a recent cold snap that temporarily resulted in the river freezing over in many areas. But officials are warning floaters to be prepared for near winter weather conditions. “There are low water flows and nasty weather,” says Gary Bertellotti, FWP regional supervisor in Great Falls.
(Headlines - April 23, 2008)
Hatching brown trout in the Montana stretch of the Bighorn River got a two-week reprieve Tuesday when federal water managers agreed to stabilize flows from Yellowtail Dam.
(Headlines - April 22, 2008)
A calf was confirmed killed by wolves on private land near Hall on Tuesday, April 15th. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks authorized the lethal removal of two wolves.
(Headlines - April 22, 2008)
Lake Elmo State Park in Billings Heights will open for motorboat testing on May 17, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days, Lake Elmo is open only to boats that are hand-paddled or have small electric trolling motors.
(Headlines - April 22, 2008)
With the late spring this year, users of Plum Creek and Stoltze timberlands should be particularly careful not to damage roads as spring break-up occurs. Spring bear hunters and others should avoid driving on open roads if the roads are wet or soft.
(Headlines - April 21, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will conduct a public informational meeting on the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Project on Wednesday, May 14, 5-9 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Office on North Meridian Road in Kalispell.
(Headlines - April 21, 2008)
A summer hunter education course is set for Aug. 7-9 at the Billings Rod and Gun Club. Registration will run from July 14-31 at the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 5 headquarters at 2300 Lake Elmo Dr. in Billings.
(Headlines - April 21, 2008)
Two domestic calves were confirmed killed by wolves on private land in the Gravelly Mountains. USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed the depredations on Apr. 16.
(Headlines - April 21, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 3 will auction non-perishable wildlife parts, including trophy mounts in Bozeman on Saturday, April 26, with proceeds deposited back into the state FWP account.
(Headlines - April 21, 2008)
Safety in mountain lion country is a matter of education more than anything else, said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist Rich DeSimone who studies mountain lions.
Though catching a glimpse of a mountain lion, or cougar, is a rare, if heart-pumping experience, fewer than 12 human fatalities due to lions have been recorded in the past 100 years in the U.S.
(Headlines - April 18, 2008)
Bear spray may be an additional tool to use to deter an attacking lion, say two Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks mountain lion experts.
(Headlines - April 18, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
HOW TO BEHAVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU LIVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
Brian Shinn, an FWP research assistant, and I were capturing and radio-equipping lion kittens for a long-term mountain lion study in the Garnet Mountains in June 2001, east of Missoula, when we used bear spray to deter a female mountain lion that came within five feet of us.
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
Vandals have shot several deer and left them to die along the Bluewater Creek Road and in other areas near Fromberg in recent weeks. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest or other resolution of the crimes.
(Headlines - April 18, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
The deadline for landowners to apply to raise and release ring-necked pheasants is May 15.
Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Upland Game Bird Release Program, landowners who attempt to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for raising and releasing pheasants.
(Hunting - April 18, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is taking a conservative approach to managing the state's paddlefish season. Paddlefish reproduction is down after an extended drought with low water flows over the past several years. This, combined with increased fishing pressure for adult paddlefish, makes more conservative management of these long-lived fish essential.
(Fishing - April 18, 2008)
On all paddlefish waters, paddlefish caught during the catch and release portions of the season must remain partially submerged in the water at all times.
(Fishing - April 18, 2008)
With residential development requests on the increase in Montana, a state task force is offering local officials, planning boards and others a chance to learn how streamside planning can help to conserve local values, protect private property, guard builders and local governments against lawsuits, and boost economies.
(Headlines - April 18, 2008)
Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors Woman program will present a fly-fishing workshop in the Flathead June 20-22 at the Glacier Outdoor Center located just outside the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
(Education - April 18, 2008)
Along with spring weather, bears are emerging from hibernation in Montana. In some instances, they are finding food around where people live. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials know that no good comes when people mix with bears and other wild animals.
(Headlines - April 18, 2008)
State fisheries crews will be working nights starting April 21 to gather brown trout population estimates on the Missouri River. Twice a year – spring and fall – members of the fisheries division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks electro-fish two sections of the Missouri downstream of Holter Dam: near the towns of Craig and Cascade. In the spring the work focuses on the river’s brown trout population, because many rainbow trout are in tributaries spawning.
(Headlines - April 17, 2008)
Visitors planning to camp at Tongue River Reservoir State Park this spring and summer need to be aware of changes made at several of the popular camping areas. Recent construction projects, necessitated by resource degradation and concerns over visitor safety, have upgraded facilities at Campers Point and Pee Wee Point camping areas, which have resulted in a reduced number of camping sites available to the public.
(Parks - April 17, 2008)
FWP seeks applicants for Region 6 Citizen Advisory Council
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applications to fill five volunteer positions on the Region 6 Citizen Advisory Council (CAC). To obtain an application, either call FWP at 228-3700, email Judy Elletson at jelletson@mt.gov write CAC Application, FWP, 54078 U.S. Highway 2 West, Glasgow MT 59230. Completed applications must be received by FWP by May 31.
(Headlines - April 16, 2008)
A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ warden found a dead wolf near Gardiner on Apr. 3.
(Headlines - April 15, 2008)
About 250 people turned out for FWP’s wildlife auction on Saturday, April 12 at the FWP Headquarters in Kalispell. Many people came just to look, but 129 people registered to bid on the items.
(Headlines - April 14, 2008)
The first meeting of the Montana Conservation and Restoration Partnership steering committee, a group formed to advise agencies and organizations on how to best carry out new conservation programs, will meet in Helena on April 22 at the Red Lion Colonial Inn. The new partnership grew from a need identified during a workshop sponsored last year by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana land trust community.
(Headlines - April 11, 2008)
Montana archery hunters need to keep a sharp eye out for several recently adopted regulation changes for the 2008 hunting seasons.
(Hunting - April 11, 2008)
Montana archery hunters need to keep a sharp eye out for several recently adopted regulation changes for the 2008 hunting seasons.
(Headlines - April 11, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials reopened the Smith River to floaters on April 11.
“FWP's Smith River manager flew the river and found that the impassable stretches of ice covering the river had melted,” says Roger Semler, FWP Region 4 parks manager.
In late March, floaters informed FWP that the Smith was ice-covered and impassable in several 50 to 300 yard stretches, including the Indian Springs Boat Camp area below Camp Baker, the put-in spot for floaters.
(Headlines - April 11, 2008)
The Billings location of a July 19, 2008, bowhunting field day and test for those who took the course online has changed.
(Headlines - April 10, 2008)
Magic City Fly Fishers, in cooperation with local fly shops, guides, friends of the river and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will clean up the upper eight miles of the Bighorn River Saturday, May 10.
(Headlines - April 10, 2008)
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 ...
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
A recent survey of hikers in Glacier National Park revealed that 35 of the 50 people interviewed who thought they were carrying bear spray actually had the wrong product. "Carrying the wrong product can create a false sense of security and put you at risk when it doesn't perform as needed during a confrontation with a bear," said Chuck Bartelbaugh of the Center for Wildlife Information.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
Shocking as it sounds, simple human foods—sunflower seeds, orchard apples— kill bears every year in Montana say Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear biologists. Why? Because once a bear finds these easy sources of food they can become conditioned almost immediately to favor them over the more difficult to find and less calorie laden natural bear foods such as clover, ants and grubs, and wild chokecherries.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
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.
(Hunting - April 10, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has scheduled two trophy wildlife auctions in April. The auctions are Saturday, April 12, at the FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell and Saturday, April 26 at the FWP Region 3 office in Bozeman. Non-perishable wildlife parts will be auctioned to the highest bidder, including in Kalispell deer, elk, and moose antlers, lion hides, and big horn sheep and antelope horns. Items for auction in Bozeman will include deer and elk antlers and bighorn sheep horns.
(Hunting - April 09, 2008)
Landowner/sportsman relations were recently strengthened by volunteer efforts on a ranch along Rosebud Creek in southeastern Montana. Sportsman from Colstrip, Ashland, Forsyth and Miles City gave a day of work on the McRae’s Rocker Six Ranch on Saturday, April 5, 2008.
(Education - April 08, 2008)
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet April 17 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners will make final decisions on no-wake zones rules for Swan and Echo lakes, recommendations for the Governor to consider to fill a vacancy on the Livestock Loss Reduction and Mitigation Board, a time-frame extension for the City of Helena to remove urban deer, and two lands related agreements.
(Commission - April 08, 2008)
Montana's Future Fisheries program committed more than $400,000 over the past two years to restore portions of the Big Hole and Ruby rivers for Arctic grayling—a Montana native fish and member of the trout family best known for its large, iridescent, sail-like dorsal fin.
(Fishing - April 04, 2008)
Montana's Future Fisheries currently offers about $745,000 annually to restore wild and native fish habitats across Montana. Future Fisheries emphasizes local approaches for on-the-ground restoration of lakes, rivers and streams that benefit wild and native fish—and the land and water that supports them. A portion of the Future Fisheries program now emphasizes mineral reclamation projects to restore bull trout and cutthroat trout habitats.
(Fishing - April 04, 2008)
Future fisheries fact sheet.
(Fishing - April 04, 2008)
When it comes to stream restoration in eastern Montana, the Future Fisheries program annually struggles to find suitable projects to benefit wild and native fish. For Future Fisheries, there is some irony in the eastern Montana restoration hurdles that confront the program. Consider, on one hand, that there are fewer water bodies on the eastern Montana prairie when compared to western Montana.
(Fishing - April 04, 2008)
Family and friends planning a trip to Montana this year can visit early by going to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks newly launched Parks and Recreation web pages at fwp.mt.gov . The new pages are packed with information on recreation in Montana and images of the state's natural, historical and recreational parks sites, including slide tours of Montana's parks in the spring, fall, summer and winter.
(Parks - April 04, 2008)
Montana State Parks hosted about 1.9 million visitors in 2007. Visitation at state parks has increased for four of the past five years. Montana's state parks contain buffalo jumps, tipi rings, ancient paintings and carvings, homesteads, and a ghost town. Montana has 2,294 public trails, totaling nearly 15,000 miles. Hikers, bikers, horsemen, snowmobilers, OHV riders, cross-country skiers, dog mushers and others use the trails. Montana has more than 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
(Parks - April 04, 2008)
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 to hunt a 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, for example, is $80 for residents and $755 for a non-resident.
(Hunting - April 04, 2008)
There are several opportunities remaining to take a bowhunter education class in Missoula and Frenchtown this spring.
(Headlines - April 04, 2008)
The deadlines to apply for FWP’s special license drawings are May 1 for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat; and June 2 for elk, deer and antelope licenses. Applying for special big game hunting permits and licenses is a lot easier these days for the many hunters who use the Internet in place of the 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.
(Hunting - April 04, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said that the state's big game regulations are expected to be delivered to license providers and FWP regional offices beginning April 8.
(Hunting - April 04, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on its proposed Statewide Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan by May 5. The plan will guide the agency's annual $600,000 noxious weed management program. FWP's noxious weed management targets exotic plant species capable of harming native plant communities and making land unfit for agriculture, forestry, livestock, wildlife, and other beneficial uses.
(Habitat - April 04, 2008)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on a proposal that would continue to allow state officials to restrict or close waters to angling to conserve wild fish during times of drought. The new rule makes official FWP's existing fishing-closure policy and further explains FWP's authority to adopt temporary angling restrictions or closures to protect a fishery when stream flows are low and water temperatures are high.
(Fishing - April 04, 2008)
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 attempt 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.
(Hunting - April 04, 2008)
One of the most significant threats to deer and antelope fawns, wild rabbits, infant raccoons, or other newborn wild animals is the risk of being taken from the wild by people who think they have found the tiny creature abandoned, or that it can be tamed and made into a pet, say Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife managers. Unfortunately, in most cases these newborns are healthy wild animals with a parent nearby.
(Wild Things - April 04, 2008)
Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors Woman program will present a fly-fishing workshop in the Flathead June 20-22 at the Glacier Outdoor Center located just outside the west entrance to Glacier National Park. The beginning and intermediate fly fishing workshop will teach participants about fish identification, knot tying, choosing the proper fly, and casting skills.
(Education - April 04, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will auction non-perishable wildlife parts, including trophy mounts, in Kalispell and Bozeman in April, with proceeds to go to the state FWP account. Items will be auctioned to the highest bidder, including deer, elk and moose antlers, lion hides as well as big horn sheep and antelope horns. Most items are the result of confiscations from adjudicated criminal cases, though items from road kills, management kills or parts found in the wild are also included.
(Hunting - April 04, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comments on a proposed modification to an existing shooting range enhancement grant for the Yaak Rod & Gun Club for the purpose of drilling a water well.
(Headlines - April 03, 2008)
Bowhunter education classes are scheduled to begin soon in Ravalli County, with two classes planned for Stevensville and two more for the Victor/Hamilton area between April and June.
(Headlines - April 03, 2008)
Two Hunter Education instructors in the Missoula and Hamilton area have reached 40 and 50-year milestones of volunteer service to the program.
(Headlines - April 03, 2008)
Giant Springs State Park officials would like to remind park and trail users that all dogs must be on a leash while in the park, and owners are required to remove their pet’s waste. The park and city provide “mutt mitts” at various locations for owners to use. Pet owners can also bring along plastic grocery bags when using an area where mutt mitts are not available. Trash receptacles are provided at many locations, or owners can take the waste home with them for disposal.
(Headlines - April 02, 2008)
A hunter education and firearms safety class specifically for women, and taught by women, is scheduled in Billings in May.
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
The Flathead Archery Club will host the 21st annual Lone Pine 3D archery shoot held at Lone Pine State Park on Sunday April 6, 2008
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
At a recent Hunter/Bowhunter Education Workshop in Kalispell, Bowhunter Education Instructor and High School Teacher Pat Allick highlighted techniques that work when educating young students. Here's Pat's outline of these time-tested tips.
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
Fish, Wildlife and Parks together with the Missouri River Flyfishers club will hold their annual fly tying night for kids April 23 at FWP regional headquarters in Great Falls, 4600 Giant Springs Road. The free event teaches youngsters the basics of the hobby and how to tie a few simple flies. In addition, the participants learn about aquatic insects, which many flies imitate. No equipment is necessary as everything, including instructors from the club, will be provided.
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
A warm, sunny afternoon and the sound of a western meadowlark might herald spring for some folks, but for deer spring can bring the toughest days of the year. “We’ve had a pretty good winter with no major die offs,” says Adam Grove, Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist in White Sulphur Springs. “But deer are at their most vulnerable right now.” That’s because the body fat reserves in a deer are normally about gone by spring.
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
Great Falls first bowhunter education course for this year has been set. Registration will be 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., April 22, at the regional Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, 4600 Giant Springs Road. Classes will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., April 28, 30, May 1, 5, 7, and 8 at CMR high school. A field day will take place on May 10. The course is free. Prospective bowhunters, ages 12 to 17, must take both a hunter and bowhunter education course before they can buy an archery license.
(Headlines - April 01, 2008)
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