Through cooperative efforts with the Montana Power Company, the Trust for Public Lands and a private donor, Giant Springs State Park near Great Falls has added a 2,784 acre conservation easement to its holdings. The easement will protect the scenic views from the park and from the Missouri River. It adds 12 miles to Great Falls' Rivers Edge Trail. CONTACT GREAT FALLS.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Park management plans are currently underway at Bannack, Clark's Lookout, Frenchtown Pond, Giant Springs and Lewis & Clark Caverns. Park management plans help guide operations and management decisions for up to ten years. Without a good management plan, decisions are less likely to reflect a park's overall mission and resources. CONTACT HELENA.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Flathead Lake State Park sports the state_s first _marine trail . . . a network of access points and stopover areas for users of human and wind powered beachable watercraft._ In other words, you can _hike" by water and reach specially designated camping spots in your canoe or rowboat. Other states have instituted these systems, but Jerry Sawyer and our staff in Region 1 developed Montana_s first. CONTACT KALISPELL.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Welcome to the first addition of the Montana State Park News. To keep you better informed about Fish, Wildlife & Parks, especially your Montana State Park System, we are pleased to launch this newsletter. We hope to publish a few times a year to let you know about issues facing state parks and about recent improvements, to tell you of future projects, and to keep you posted on upcoming events.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

In June, FWP awarded $486,000 from the Recreational Trails Program to 64 Montana trail project sponsors including federal, state, county and municipal agencies, plus private clubs and associations. Grants are used for trail development, maintenance, renovation of trails, areas damaged by use, and acquisition of lands for trails. In fiscal year 1999, $144,000 from Montana's Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program were awarded as grants to 22 trail projects.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

During a recent weekend, Hell Creek State Park near Jordon on Fort Peck Reservoir hosted 176 camper units. This record high for a non-holiday likely results from Ft. Peck's great fishery and a new fish cleaning station, improved camper pads, and clean drinking water. John Little, Regional Park Manager from Miles City FWP comments, "It sure doesn't hurt that the 26 mile gravel road leading to the park was improved last year." CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Montana State Parks Eighth Annual Poster Contest attracted finalists from 40 Montana fifth grades. Contestants illustrated this year's theme "Montana State Parks are Home to Many Plants and Animals." Judges picked the following winners: 1st Place - SAMANTHA DORNE, Salmon Prairie Elementary, Swan Lake; 2nd Place - KELSEY OLSON, Lewis & Clark School, Missoula; 3rd Place - SAMMY COUTURE, Lewis & Clark School, Great Falls; and Honorable Mention - KYRIE HOANG, Smith School, Helena.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

With construction completed on the Tongue River Dam, the reservoir level has increased 4 vertical feet. Hence, many traditional camping and day-use sites have been flooded. The higher water dislodged numerous logs, driftwood, and other debris. Boaters are urged to use greater caution on the water. CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

June 5 marked the grand opening of the Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump Visitor Center. Years of planning culminated in the development of this facility and in improved resource protection at the park. The building includes a classroom and interpretive hall designed to educate visitors on the Plains Indian buffalo culture. New park manager Connie Jacobs supervises a small seasonal staff. Gros Ventre advisor Warren Matte is also helping FWP create stronger ties with Montana Indians.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

A hefty share of your state park fees pays to fix the vandalism caused by a few visitors. You can help us direct that money to better uses by calling the TIP MONT hotline to report acts of vandalism or other violations you witness in state parks, fishing access sites and wildlife management areas. Callers can remain anonymous and rewards are available if the information provided leads to a conviction. Do call 1-800-TIP MONT (1-800-847-6668).
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

The Big Arm unit of Flathead Lake State Park invites you to try out the latest in circular camping comfort, a 20-foot wide, 10-foot tall yurt. Yurts, semi-permanent spheres, have been used for centuries by nomadic tribes of Siberia. Big Arm's new yurt sleeps up to six people and is furnished with many comforts of home. The domed tent is available year-around and is equipped with a wooden deck, electrical outlets, lights, electric heat, and a propane barbecue. Reservations recommended.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), an important source of funding for federal, state and local outdoor recreation projects since the mid 1960s, but unfunded at the state and local level since 1995, may be making a comeback. Many cities, counties, state parks and fishing access sites were developed and acquired with LWCF monies. Currently five pieces of legislation are being considered in Washington, D.C.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Construction of the new group use area at the Caverns was recently completed. It provides a much-needed location at the Caverns for visiting school groups, family reunions, and annual picnics. Cars and buses no longer need to compete for the same roadway space. CONTACT BOZEMAN.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a draft agreement to conserve and manage Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Montana. The draft Conservation Agreement and Management Program for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Crow Indian Tribe. It outlines an array of proposed management and conservation efforts that could be employed by state, federal, and tribal agencies.
(Headlines - June 23, 1999)

At its June 4 meeting in Helena, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission set tentative deer, elk, and antelope harvest quota for the 1999 hunting season. Here is a brief summary of the tentative quotas: Deer The tentative statewide harvest quotas for both white-tailed and mule deer for 1999 are similar to those for last season, with some adjustments in initial proposals for antlerless deer B licenses quotas for white-tailed deer and mule deer.
(Headlines - June 18, 1999)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has adopted tentative furbearer trapping and hunting regulations for the 1999-2000 season. Several proposals that emerged from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Trapping Advisory Committee are in the tentatives, including new definitions of water, ground and other trap sets.
(Headlines - June 18, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now soliciting proposals from wildlife conservation organizations interested in conducting the auctions through which Montana's bighorn sheep and moose auction licenses will be sold in 2000. To be eligible to conduct the moose license auction, an organization must have prior involvement in the conservation of moose.
(Headlines - June 18, 1999)

By order of the Montana FWP Commission, Montana's paddlefish season on the Yellowstone River and on the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 12 days earlier than scheduled. The closure will be in effect only on the Yellowstone River and on the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam. The paddlefish season upstream of Fort Peck Dam will remain open.
(Headlines - June 18, 1999)

July 1 is the application deadline for special permits to hunt sandhill cranes. The four limited permit areas to hunt sandhill cranes in Montana are: Central Flyway - September 11-19 Sweet Grass/Wheatland counties (30 permits) Pacific Flyway - September 11-12 and September 18-19 2) Dillon-Twin Bridges (65 permits) 3) Warm Springs (15 permits) 4) Ovando-Helmville (15 permits) Applicants must apply in writing to: FWP, License Section, Sandhill Crane Drawing, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
(Headlines - June 18, 1999)

Montana's paddlefish season on the Yellowstone River and on the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam will close 12 days earlier than scheduled due to an unusually high harvest rate that FWP officials say will soon meet the state's harvest quota of 1,500 fish. Faced with the prospect of an over harvest of paddlefish, a species of special concern in Montana, the Montana FWP Commission decided in a conference call today to close the season at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 18.
(Headlines - June 10, 1999)

At its June 4 meeting in Helena, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission set tentative deer, elk, and antelope harvest quota for the 1999 hunting season. Here is a brief summary of the tentative quotas: Deer The tentative statewide harvest quotas for both white-tailed and mule deer for 1999 are similar to those for last season, with some adjustments in initial proposals for antlerless deer B licenses quotas for white-tailed deer and mule deer.
(Headlines - June 10, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now soliciting proposals from wildlife conservation organizations interested in conducting the auctions through which Montana's bighorn sheep and moose auction licenses will be sold in 2000. To be eligible to conduct the moose license auction, an organization must have prior involvement in the conservation of moose.
(Headlines - June 10, 1999)

Montanans are invited to submit their names or nominate others for appointment to either of two landowner/sportsman advisory groups--the Private Land/Public Wildlife Council or the Block Management Advisory Group. Applications will be accepted through June 25, and may be submitted by individuals or groups. The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council, in existence since 1993 and appointed by Governor Marc Racicot, reports to the governor on issues related to hunters, landowners, and outfitters.
(Headlines - June 04, 1999)