The highlights of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' drafts of plans that will guide the management of fish, wildlife and state parks in Montana over the next six years are available for public review and comment through March 15. The plans analyze the problems and opportunities for the three program areas over the six-year period and list strategies to accomplish the work.
(Headlines - February 25, 2000)

The governors of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have appointed a 15-member panel to review a plan that outlines how grizzly bears and their habitat would be managed within the Yellowstone Ecosystem when the bears are taken off the federally protected list of threatened species. "We are working on the tasks that need to be completed to achieve recovery for grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem," said Patrick Graham, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Headlines - February 22, 2000)

More Montanans, especially families, could be enjoying the state's legendary hunting and fishing opportunities, according to Pat Graham, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "Montana's world-class recreational opportunities draw sportsmen and women from thousands of miles away," Graham says. "Yet those of us who live here will put off taking time to get out and enjoy those same opportunities as a family.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission adopted final 2000 deer, elk and mountain lion hunting seasons, regulations, and quotas and set hunting seasons and regulations for all other big game, upland game bird, and turkey hunting through 2001. Here is a brief summary of some of the new regulations adopted by the Commission at its Feb.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Big game criminal investigations are more aggressive, sophisticated and involve more inter-state collaboration among agencies than ever before, according to Beate Galda, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks enforcement division administrator. Galda said the most recent example is the indictment of seven individuals by a federal grand jury in Great Falls in Dec. and Jan. Charges included violations of Montana state wildlife laws and one count each of conspiracy to violate the federal Lacey Act.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana's trapping season for bobcat in the central and eastern portions of the state will be open until March 1, unless district quotas are reached resulting in the season closing earlier. The general trapping season for marten, fisher, wolverine, and bobcat in the western districts is closed. The state's general trapping season for aquatic furbearers, including beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink closes April 15.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana's spring turkey gobbler season runs April 8 to May 7 this year, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Ample opportunities to hunt gobblers exist in most of eastern Montana's "general turkey hunting areas" with a valid Spring Turkey License. In addition, special spring turkey gobbler permits are required in some areas of central and western Montana.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Two citizens' advisory committees that deal with hunting access will meet March 2 and 3 in Bozeman at the Comfort Inn, 1370 North 7th Ave. The Block Management Working Group, which deals with Block Management program issues, will meet Thursday, March 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with times for public comment scheduled at 11:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters and anglers that all 1999 hunting and fishing licenses expire on February 29. To fish or pursue any game animals during scheduled 2000 seasons from March 1 through February 28, 2001, new 2000 licenses will be required. FWP licensing officials emphasize that residents purchasing licenses must present a valid Montana drivers license or valid Montana Identification card and their Social Security number.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again offering Montana college students an opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen field of study by serving as interns. An internship with the agency provides a means for acquiring new skills and knowledge, and students are able to complete practicum requirements by working in positions that relate to their career interests. The internship program benefits both students and FWP.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Bowhunter Education classes, based on the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) curriculum, are now being held throughout the state. Opportunities to take these classes this year will end July 31. As a reminder: All resident and nonresident youth, 12 through 17 years of age are required to present a Montana Hunter Education Certificate when purchasing any hunting license. Those same youth are required to present a NBEF Bowhunter Education Certificate to purchase a bow and arrow stamp.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Handling firearms safely, wildlife conservation, laws and sportsmanship will be some of the topics covered in a Hunter Education class offered for adult women. The class will be March 31 through April 2 at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch west of Dupuyer. At the class, which begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon, participants will have an opportunity to shoot rifles and shotguns and take part in field exercises simulating a hunting experience.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Heavy snowpack in many of Montana's mountainous areas and greatly varying temperatures have created potentially dangerous snow conditions in the state. If you plan to be snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing, please check snow and avalanche conditions before you head out. Avalanche advisory information is available from the U.S. Forest Service in the following areas: northwestern Montana (800) 526-5329; west-central Montana (406) 549-4488; and southwestern Montana (406) 587-6981.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana's mild winter has made judging ice conditions on many low valley lakes and reservoirs a tricky call for even the most experienced outdoor recreationist. "Anglers, snowmobilers, ice skaters and others should use extreme caution whenever venturing onto the ice," said Liz Lodman, coordinator of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' vehicle safety program. Sunny days and warm winds are not the only conditions affecting ice thickness and strength, Lodman said.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

A record number of calls came into Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' 1-800-TIP-MONT hotline in 1999. "We logged 1,050 calls last year, the most calls in the 15-year history of the hotline," said Shelly Hiron, FWP's TIP-MONT coordinator. In 1996, TIP-MONT calls numbered 770. In 1998, the 863 reports came into the hotline.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 60 grant applications totaling $1.2 million for development and maintenance of recreational trails. More than $700,000 in grant money will be awarded through the Recreational Trails Program. The remaining dollars will come from local sources. A citizen's committee, the State Trails Advisory Committee, helps evaluate the grant proposals.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications from individuals, clubs, and state and federal agencies requesting $221,000 for projects including trail maintenance, education, workshops, weed control, equipment leasing and trailhead signings. Funding for the grants is derived from State Gas Tax and OHV registrations. About $164,000 will be distributed among successful applicants.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Annual Report for 1999 is now available. We are sure you won't want to miss the pictures! And, you may find some interesting facts you can use in wildlife and outdoor stories over the next few months. If you would like to receive a copy, please call Coreen Robson at (406) 444-4041, or send an e-mail to: crobson@state.mt.us with your mailing address and we will mail one to you. Beginning in March, the Annual Report will also be on the FWP web site at fwp.state.
(Headlines - February 18, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission adopted final 2000 deer, elk and mountain lion hunting seasons, regulations, and quotas and set hunting seasons and regulations for all other big game, upland game bird, and turkey hunting through 2001. Here is a brief summary of some of the new regulations adopted by the Commission at its Feb.
(Headlines - February 09, 2000)

A Western state conservation agreement to manage the black-tailed prairie dog has helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine that while the species warrants a "threatened" listing under the Endangered Species Act it will not propose to list it at this time. "This conservation agreement is an excellent first step toward the recovery of the black-tailed prairie dog," stated Ralph Morgenweck in a prepared USFWS news release.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 60 grant applications totaling $1.2 million for development and maintenance of recreational trails. More than $700,000 in grant money will be awarded through the Recreational Trails Program. The remaining dollars will come from local sources. A citizen's committee, the State Trails Advisory Committee, helps evaluate the grant proposals.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Governor Marc Racicot is seeking individuals to serve on a citizen council to help Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks develop a wolf management plan in anticipation of the wolf's eventual delisting under the federal Endangered Species Act. An estimated 25 breeding wolf packs exist in the Montana, Idaho and Wyoming recovery areas. A federal plan currently calls for establishing 10 packs in each of the three areas for three years before delisting can occur.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Hunters and anglers purchasing Conservation Licenses and licenses obtained through most special drawings will need, by law, to furnish one new piece of information in 2000 - their Social Security number. Senate Bill 76, passed by the 1999 Montana State Legislature, requires Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to obtain a Social Security number from resident and nonresident license applicants - including youth - beginning this year.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

A quick and easy way to make a difference for wildlife in Montana is to check YES next to the eagle on the Montana state income tax form. "A simple check mark helps raise funds for a variety of research, education and management programs for non-game wildlife, " said Ron Aasheim, a spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Marking this box automatically sets aside a tax-deductible contribution to the Watchable Wildlife fund administered by FWP.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Would-be Smith River floaters need to act quickly, float permit applications are due Feb. 15 by 5 p.m. to the Helena office of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. FWP moved the drawing process from Great Falls to Helena in order to accommodate the growing number of applications. About 3,700 applicants applied in 1999 for about 700 Smith River float permits. The number of applicants has nearly tripled in the last five years.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

The Parks Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is again sponsoring a statewide poster contest for students in 5 th grade. This year's theme is "Who once lived in Montana State Parks…historic homes of our parks." The contest is only open to 5 th graders, and is meant to enhance a student's understanding and awareness of state parks. The deadline is April 7. Winners will be announced April 14.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has scheduled several open-house meetings this month to discuss recreation conflicts on Montana's rivers, streams, and lakes. In response to increasing demand for water-based recreation, the 1999 Legislature passed House Bill 626 which expands the FWP Commission's authority to regulate watercraft for "public welfare" and "the resolution of conflicts between users of motorized and non-motorized boats.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)

Trapping has one of the longest histories of any outdoor activity in Montana. Young trappers will have an opportunity June 23, 24 and 25 to learn about that history, as well as about trapping techniques, furbearer identification, outdoor ethics, fur handling and other important social and biological issues related to trapping. The camp is sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, in partnership with the 4-H Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Headlines - February 04, 2000)