Victor artist Joe Thornbrugh has won Montana's state waterfowl stamp contest for the fourth time. Based on the decision of a panel of six judges in Helena on November 13, his painting of a golden retriever with a colorful drake mallard in its mouth will be reproduced as Montana's 1997 waterfowl stamp. Thornbrugh also won the stamp's inaugural competition in 1986, as well as the 1990 and 1991 competitions.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

The Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is now seeking public comment on a proposal to transplant at least 50 bighorn sheep to the Little Rocky Mountains on the Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation sometime in the near future. This cooperative program between FWP and the Tribes is proposed with the goal of establishing sound bighorn populations on the reservation and surrounding lands for the benefit of both tribal and public wildlife resources.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

At its meeting in Butte on November 7, the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission tentatively adopted procedures for conducting this year's late-season elk hunts in hunting districts 310, 311 and 313. The procedures for conducting these scheduled late season hunts were not adopted when Commissioners finalized seasons and hunting regulations for this fall. These procedures, which outline hunting times, areas, special regulations regarding checking in and out of established check stations, etc.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

Hunters pursuing big game along the banks of Montana's rivers and streams this fall should be aware that big game hunting is not allowed under the public's right to use accessible waterways for recreational purposes. When Montana's stream access law was passed by the 1985 Legislature, language specifically allowing the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission to authorize big game hunting with archery equipment or shotguns along navigable river corridors was incorporated.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

Internet surfers can now catch a wave of information from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at "http://fwp.state.mt.us." "We've drawn on the creative abilities of our staff to develop an Internet site that is attractive enough to hold a user's interest, and informative enough to give them a reason to come back," said FWP Director Pat Graham. "We hope this meets some of the increased requests for information we're receiving every day.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

The 1997 Early Bird Parks Passport will go on sale beginning November 25 at all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters and selected license agents. Early Bird sales will continue through February 15, 1997. The cost of the passport at the special Early Bird price is $12 per vehicle ($15 regular price) and $6 for a second vehicle ($7.50 regular price).
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

Big game hunters should note that the sunset times for "Zone 1" listed in the sunrise/sunset tables printed on page 70 of Montana's 1996 Big Game Hunting Regulations for the periods November 13-15 through November 22-24 are in error.
(Headlines - November 22, 1996)

Preliminary recommendations for inclusion in an upcoming draft Montana State Trails Plan are now available for review by the public. The recommendations are available in a new report incorporating comments and suggestions offered by the public and Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff during review of an initial trails plan document released last spring.
(Headlines - November 08, 1996)

The 1997 Early Bird Parks Passport will go on sale beginning November 25 at all Montana Fish, Wildlife & parks headquarters and selected license agents. Early bird sales will continue through February 15, 1997. The cost of the passport is $12 per vehicle ($15 regular price) and $6 for a second vehicle ($7.50 regular price). Passports are valid for one license year (March 1 through February 28) and are valid immediately upon purchase if affixed to the interior lower left of the windshield.
(Headlines - November 08, 1996)

This summer, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission shortened the 1996 sage grouse hunting season by six weeks. Instead of closing on December 15, the season for sage grouse ended on November 1. The season for sharp-tailed and mountain grouse, as well as partridge, ring-necked pheasant and wild turkey, will remain open until December 15.
(Headlines - November 08, 1996)

In the Central Flyway, the split season dates for the duck hunting season in Zone 1 are September 28-November 24, and December 7 - December 31. In Zone 2, the split season, which closed October 20, reopened on November 2 and will close December 31. The duck hunting season in the Pacific Flyway will remain open through December 29. Hunters should check current regulations for daily and possession duck and geese limits. Daily hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
(Headlines - November 08, 1996)