Ray Marxer, manager of the historic 250,000-acre Matador Cattle Co. south of Dillon, along with his wife Sue, have won the first National Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award. The award is sponsored by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Wildlife Society, and the American Fisheries Society This is the second national award the Marxers have won this year.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

Bowhunter Education classes are currently being held throughout the state. Opportunities to take those classes this year will end July 31. As a reminder: All resident and nonresident youths, 12 through 17 years of age, are required to present a Montana Hunter Education Certificate when purchasing any hunting license. Those same youths also are required to present a Montana Bowhunter Education Certificate to purchase a Bow and Arrow license.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

Montana's spring turkey gobbler season opens April 10 and closes May 9, 1999. While the March 16 application deadline for special permits has come and gone, there are ample opportunities to hunt gobblers in most of eastern Montana's "general turkey hunting areas." All turkey hunters must have a valid upland game bird license, a conservation license and a turkey license in their possession in order to hunt.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

Spring black bear hunters are reminded that they must be purchased by April 14. Black bear licenses purchased after that date can be used only to hunt bears during the 1999 fall season; they cannot be used anytime during the spring season. The spring black bear hunting season opens April 15. In addition, no 1999 black bear licenses will be sold after August 31. The 1999 fall season begins on September 15 in most, but not all, hunting districts.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

There is a new, double tagging procedure for harvested black bear this year. This year, all black bear licenses are composed of a "carcass tag" and a "hide tag." The carcass tag must be attached to the carcass of the bear and the hide tag must be attached to the hide.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

FWP is searching for a student to spend a summer in a ghost town. If you are a college student with a major interest in the field of education, environmental education, mining, history, public relations, interpretation, or recreation resource management, FWP's summer internship at Bannack State Park could help you jump start your career. Free housing is provided, This is the only statewide internship offered by FWP. For information call Debbie Cheek at 406-444-4701.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

Recreators heading afield this spring need to be aware that a State Lands Recreational Use License is required on State Lands. The cost of a license is $10 for adults 18 to 59 years of age and $5 for youngsters 17 years of age and younger, and senior citizens over 60. A $20 family license for up to six immediate family members living in the same household also is available. These licenses are available from all FWP license agents.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

The Montana Bowhunters Association is offering single parents a chance to learn about the outdoors. The Discover the Outdoors Camp, set for June 18-20, is designed for single parents and a child whose age ranges from 11 to 15 years old. The camp will be held at FWP's Beartooth Wildlife Management Area north of Helena. Outdoor skills activities will include camping, cooking, bow and gun shooting sports, fishing, and evening educational programs. The camp is offered at no cost to participants.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

A federal court challenge to this spring's snow goose hunting currently underway in North Dakota, South Dakota, and some other states was denied March 17 by Judge Thomas F. Hogan of the U.S. District Court for The District of Columbia. The unique spring hunts are intended to reduce the exploding mid-continent light goose (snow and Ross' goose) populations that are severely damaging their arctic nesting areas, to the detriment of other species, as well as themselves .
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)

The State Trails Advisory Committee will review $2 million in trail grant applications at its April 10-11 meeting in Helena. The Recreational Trails Program, administered in Montana by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, provides funds for construction, improvements and maintenance of recreational trails. "The committee's task will be challenging this year," said Bob Walker, State Trails Programs Coordinator for FWP. "We received a total of 108 applications requesting $2,130,000.
(Headlines - March 26, 1999)