Because of the continuing concern expressed by Montana hunters, Montana's FWP Commission has released for public comment two alternatives that address the issue of public hunting access to private lands in Montana. The Commission believes the Montana tradition of free public hunting on private land is rapidly disappearing, Commission Chairman Stan Meyer, said. These ideas are offered to generate public discussion about alternatives to be presented to the 1999 Legislature.
(Headlines - December 24, 1998)

At its meeting in Helena on December 10 and 11, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission took final action on FWP's rules for selling nonresident combination licenses in 1999 and the rules concerning refunds requested by nonresidents who have purchased those licenses. Commissioners also adopted tentative 1999 spring turkey and spring black bear quotas, as well as tentative 1999 hunting seasons and regulations for deer, elk, mountain lions and black bears.
(Headlines - December 18, 1998)

According to a survey conducted last summer, visitors to Montana's State Park System are satisfied with the value obtained for the fees they pay to use the parks, and they think the fee system is fair. Parks Division Administrator Doug Monger said "we are very pleased to learn that most of our visitors believe they are getting their money's worth, after the first fee increase in seven years.
(Headlines - December 18, 1998)

Selected boaters in Montana will soon be taking part in a survey that will help Fish, Wildlife & Parks determine where it can best use available funding for boating improvements. In 1993, the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 463, which directed a portion of the fees paid in lieu of taxes on motorboats to FWP to fund boating improvements in the state. Part of H.B. 463 required FWP to survey boaters to determine where they do the majority of their boating.
(Headlines - December 18, 1998)

Three Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists specializing in management of bears received awards from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) during the committee's recent meeting in Missoula.
(Headlines - December 18, 1998)

The Northwest Section and Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society will sponsor a symposium entitled "2001: A Space for Wildlife Odyssey" at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman, MT on March 8-10, 1999. Topics center around land use planning and managing for open space. Few issues in the West are more important to the future of wildlife and the quality of our lives than that of open space. Many of us want to live in the natural beauty of the great outdoors that surrounds us.
(Headlines - December 18, 1998)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet on Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11, at the Montana Department of Transportation building, 2701 Prospect Ave., in Helena. On the agenda for the meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and continue at 8:15 a.m.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)

Ice fishing, cross-country skiing and winter survival will be some of the "hot" topics covered in classes being offered this coming February at a winter outdoor skills workshop hosted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The workshop is scheduled for February 19-21 at the University of Montana's Lubrecht Experimental Forest, 30 miles east of Missoula off U.S. Highway 200.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)

Great Falls artist Cliff Rossberg has won Montana's state migratory bird stamp contest for 1999. Based on the decision of a panel of judges in Helena on November 19, his acrylic painting of a pair of Barrow's Goldeneye ducks taking flight will be reproduced as Montana's 1999 migratory bird stamp. Second place went to Darrell Davis of Helena; in third place was Joe Thornbrugh of Hamilton and fourth place went to Robert Kercher of Great Falls. Thornbrugh won last year's contest.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)

Montana's 1998 general big game season closed Sunday, November 29. Even though the general season has ended, hunters are encouraged to keep firearms safety a year-round priority. Tim Pool, hunter education coordinator for Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena, said curious children sometimes will handle guns to "check them out" or "show them off.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' annual telephone and mail survey of Montana's moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunters is underway. According to FWP wildlife researcher Candace Haskins, everyone who received a permit to hunt moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goats this fall will be contacted by mail or telephone before Christmas. The survey will address hunting success and other related questions. Most telephone calls will be made during the evening and on weekends.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)

Volunteers once again proved extremely valuable to the operation of Montana's state park system in 1998. They donated 47,235 hours of time during the 1998 park season to assist with services at Montana's state parks. The numbers of volunteers have increased from just over 1,100 in 1997 to 1,395 this year. That assistance has saved Fish, Wildlife & Parks funds equivalent to the wages of nearly 23 full-time employees.
(Headlines - December 04, 1998)