"Follow the investment trail" is an old saying in boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies and small family businesses when talk turns to "priorities." Following that "trail" through the Montana State Parks 2000 budget, a colorful journey, shows top priorities are: The resources--protecting and enhancing the natural, historical and recreational features that make our parks what they are today.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

Every region of the state benefits from dollars allocated to State Parks from the "boat-in-lieu" of tax program (funding generated from boat registrations in each county throughout Montana). A Boating Advisory Committee works with FWP Regional Parks Managers, Regional Supervisors and Helena parks staff to select projects that enhance basic boating and water based-recreation opportunities at FWP sites.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

Missouri Headwaters State Park is expected to be a major destination for thousands of people celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. These folks are likely to visit some or all of the historical sites noted in the extensive journals kept by Lewis and Clark. Park Manager Ray Heagney, Missouri Headwaters State Park, says the park already attracts informed visitors from Poland, Japan, Russia, France, Israel and Germany.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

The 2001 Montana State Parks Centennial Passport celebrates Fish, Wildlife & Parks first 100 years. The passport, available at FWP Offices, is valid for one license year (March 1st to the last day of February) "Early Bird" Passports purchased between December 1st - February 15th are valid immediately upon purchase, if permanently affixed to the interior windshield on the lower left side.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

A proposal for work at Chief Plenty Coups State Park, available for public review now, deals with park issues such as fire protection, needed classroom space, and traffic flow. Improvements to the site to-date include a comprehensive pest control program in the museum, upgrades to make the restrooms handicapped accessible, and many small maintenance and improvement projects. Since 1993, $403,830 has been spent on restoration, preservation, and development projects at this important site.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

Periodically, Montana State Parks initiates a land acquisition or exchange to acquire lands within or adjacent to a park to enhance or preserve the natural character, geological integrity, historical, or recreational value of the park. A significant land exchange to acquire the "jump face" of the buffalo jump at Ulm Pishkun State Park and the area at the base of the jump is underway now.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

The Friends of Makoshika are the force behind a $48,000 Tourism Infrastructure Improvement Program (TIIP) grant to rehabilitate the amphitheatre at Makoshika State Park. FWP brought $50,000 in matching funds to the table so work could proceed on the stone terraces and stairs, new benches, electrical wiring, and trail improvements.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

The Montana State Parks staff is an accomplished crew, equally adept at welding and plumbing as they are at developing historical displays and brochures to tell a park’s story to visitors. These folks use everything from motorboats and canoes to backhoes and computers to get the job done. And, they work in some of the most scenic parts of Montana.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

Following public review of the Master Site Plan and Management Plan, Frenchtown Pond State Park is getting a "facelift." Project design and construction teams will organize this fall to tackle the construction scheduled for spring 2001. Improvements to the park will include a new restroom facility, interior road system upgrades with a sidewalk to make routes between facilities wheelchair accessible, new signage, security lights, a new location for the park host, and landscaping improvements.
(Parks - December 01, 2000)

A hunter's and a wildlife manager's big game hunting season experience can be mountain ridges apart and as different as missing or hitting the target. But by the measures tracked by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists and wildlife managers, this big game season was a success. While hunter numbers appear to be down slightly, harvest was up, based on information from game check stations around the state.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

Montana's general land-trapping furbearer season for bobcat, marten, fisher, and wolverine opens Dec. 1. The general water-trapping furbearer season began on Nov. 1 for beaver, otter, muskrat and mink. Trapping seasons end on Feb. 15, 2001 for terrestrial furbearers and April 15, 2001 for the semi-aquatic furbearers. Season closures may vary, however, if harvest quotas are met prior to season closing dates. The bobcat season runs until Mar.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

Montana's mountain lion winter hunting season begins Dec. 1 and hunters can expect a change when they report their harvest. To streamline the process of aging the lion, FWP personnel may pull a tooth after visually examining the lion when the hunter registers it. "The lion's age is an important piece of data in managing this species," says Rich DeSimone, Fish, Wildlife & Parks mountain lion research biologist in Helena.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports that calls to TIPMONT, the 800 "crime stopper" number for reports of natural resource crimes, soared during this year's big game season. "TIPMONT was busier than any other time of year with calls from hunters and others reporting possible big game violations or following up on previous calls to TIPMONT," said Shelly Hiron, FWP TIPMONT coordinator. Hiron estimates that TIPMONT averaged 70 calls on weekends during big game season.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

The Parks Division of Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again sponsoring a statewide poster contest for students in grade 5 this year in celebration of FWP's 100 years as a state agency. The poster theme is: "We celebrate the past while looking toward the future. What will Montana State Parks be like 100 years from now?" The contest will enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the resources that exist in Montana's State Parks.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

Looking for a special Christmas gift that captures the spirit of Montana, endures throughout the year, and that can be shared by the recipient? The Early Bird State Parks Passports, on sale Dec. 1 at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters in Helena and region offices, are a great way to give "Montana" for the holidays.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

The first annual public meeting to review Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' fisheries data on three popular upper Missouri River reservoirs is set for Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Helena. "This will be our first meeting to review our surveys and discuss fish-management strategies on Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter reservoirs," said Karen Zackheim, FWP's fisheries management bureau chief. The meeting will be held from 7-10 p.m. at FWP Headquarters, 1420 East Sixth Ave., in Helena.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet in Billings Dec. 7-8 to put the final touches on a legislative proposal to generate more funding for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunting access programs. PL/PW is a diverse citizens group appointed by Gov. Marc Racicot to address hunter access issues. The council will meet at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane, beginning Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
(Headlines - December 01, 2000)

With the Thanksgiving holiday and the Nov. 26 close of big game hunting season drawing near, FWP Director Pat Graham thanked Montana's private landowners for their role in helping the state preserve wildlife habitat, conserve in-stream water flow for fisheries and provide hunting access. "On behalf of the many sportsmen and women who hunt and fish throughout Montana, we would like to say, 'thank you,' to Montana's private landowners," Graham said.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southcentral Montana Hunting Districts 502 and 575, which include portions of Carbon, Yellowstone, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, November 18, 2000. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota had been met. The winter season will open on December 1, 2000.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Montanans have put about $4 million to work protecting or enhancing habitat for wild or native fish through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program created in 1995 by the Montana Legislature. Applications for the next round of funding are due Jan. 1 to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Habitat Protection Bureau. The simple one-page applications are available from FWP regional offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow, Miles City or the Fisheries Division in Helena.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds trappers and hunters that the upcoming winter trapping season is closed for lynx. Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the Canada lynx as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act. The listing covers 16 states, including Montana. As a federally threatened species, taking a lynx by trapping or shooting is prohibited.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Montana's 2000 general big game hunting season will close Sunday, Nov. 26 at one-half hour after sunset. The general season closure includes hunting for black bear, elk, deer, mountain goat, mountain lion, moose and bighorn sheep. Montana's 2000 general river and stream fishing season is set to close Thursday, Nov. 30.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

With the close of big game hunting season near at hand, hunters who haven't filled their tags are feeling the pressure. What to do? When a new hunting strategy seems called for-it's time to check the regulations again and make sure your new plan doesn't violate any hunting regulations or state land and private land access laws. Here are some quick tips.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Looking for a special Christmas gift that captures the spirit of Montana, endures throughout the year, and that can be shared by the recipient? The Early Bird State Parks Passports, on sale Dec. 1 at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters in Helena and region offices, are a great way to give "Montana" for the holidays.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

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 Feb. 9-11 at the University of Montana's Lubrecht Forest, 30 miles east of Missoula off U.S. Highway 200. At the workshop, women also can attend classes on snowshoe techniques, animal identification and participate in an avalanche rescue.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

At its meeting in Helena on Nov. 9, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission took final action on FWP's rules for selling nonresident combination licenses in 2001. The new nonresident combination license fees will increase in the range of $75 to $140 in 2001 for outfitter-sponsored big game, elk and deer combination licenses.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have adopted the Flathead Lake and River Fisheries Co-management Plan, following a 16-month public process. The plan aims to increase native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the system, while maintaining a viable recreational fishery. FWP Director Patrick Graham said the plans adaptive approach is a good fit for managing the system.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with the Montana Trappers Association, will conduct two, one-day trapper education courses this fall and winter. The courses, which are free of charge, include trapping ethics, equipment, furbearer regulations and identification, trapping skills and other information useful to the first-time trapper or as a review for the experienced trapper. Attendees of all ages will receive a certificate of completion and a trapper handbook and workbook.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a Snowmobile Safety Instructor Workshop on Dec. 2 and 3 in Lincoln. The workshop will train volunteer snowmobile safety instructors to conduct snowmobile safety classes in their communities. Volunteer snowmobile safety instructors will receive training on ethics, avalanche awareness, clothing, winter survival, laws that relate to snowmobiling, first aid, and riding techniques. This training, which is being offered at no charge, is sponsored by FWP.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

The Parks Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, is again sponsoring a statewide poster contest for students in grade 5. This year's theme is "We celebrate the past while looking toward the future. What will Montana State Parks be like 100 years from now?" The contest will enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the resources that exist in Montana's State Parks. Poster artwork may use all mediums, such as crayon, ink, or pencil and should be suitable for reproduction.
(Headlines - November 17, 2000)

Tests of two elk captured in September by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks from the upper Dearborn River basin north of Helena--and later killed to be tested for disease and suspected hybridization with red deer--show neither animal had contracted chronic wasting disease. "Once again we are relieved to know that these elk had no signs of chronic wasting disease," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim. "This is what we had hoped to find.
(Headlines - November 09, 2000)

Montana's Wolf Management Advisory Council will meet in Helena, Tuesday, Nov. 14-15 to continue its work on wolf management recommendations for Montana. The 12-member citizen's panel has developed 16 draft guiding principles that could become the foundation of the emerging wolf management plan. The guiding principles generally address management efforts that are socially acceptable, biologically possible and economically feasible, while maintaining flexibility of management options.
(Headlines - November 09, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has issued the Decision Notice and Final Environmental Assessment for the Thompson and Fisher River Valleys Conservation Easement. This decision notice results from the draft environmental assessment released Sept. 15, 2000. Interested persons can obtain a copy of the notice by calling FWP at 752-5501. The Decision Notice recommends to the FWP Commission that FWP purchase the conservation easement on approximately 140,000 acres of Plum Creek land.
(Headlines - November 09, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has approved a special turkey game-damage hunt for southeastern Montana, FWP Region 7, through Dec. 15. A larger than average turkey population is causing damage on area ranches. The Commission said 150 game damage Turkey Licenses will be available immediately from the FWP Miles City office at the current price for resident ($5) and non-resident ($13) hunters. The game damage license will be valid only on ranches designated by FWP.
(Headlines - November 03, 2000)

An additional $1million would be available to fund public hunting access in Montana, if a Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Committee proposal is approved by Montana's upcoming Legislature. The advisory committee's proposal seeks to generate $1 million in new revenue to enhance Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' hunter access programs by increasing the price of a hunter' s Conservation License by $2 for resident hunters and by $10 for nonresident hunters.
(Headlines - November 03, 2000)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in the FWP Helena office, 1420 East Sixth Ave., Nov. 9, at 8:30 a.m. The meeting is expected to end late in the afternoon. The Commission will take final action on these items: Approval of two new Fishing Access Sites on the Beaverhead River south of Dillon and a minor addition to the Poindexter Slough Fishing Access Site. The Fluss conservation easement on the Powder River east of Miles City.
(Headlines - November 01, 2000)