The upper Beaverhead River, from Clark Canyon Dam to the Highway 91 North bridge near Dillon, and the Ruby River, from the base of Ruby Reservoir dam to immediately below the mouth of Alder Creek, will close to fishing beginning October 9, by order of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Pat Graham, acting with authority delegated to him by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. The river closures, affecting about 30 of 80 total river miles on the Beaverhead and about 14.
(Headlines - September 30, 2000)

Fishing at Bynum Reservoir, on the Rocky Mountain Front north of Choteau, will close beginning Oct. 3 to protect the popular walleye and yellow perch fishery there, Pat Graham, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director said today. Graham closed the reservoir to fishing until further notice, acting with authority delegated to him by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.
(Headlines - September 30, 2000)

Montana's pheasant season is set to open Saturday, Oct. 7. The daily limit is three cock pheasants. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. All upland game bird hunters, including pheasant hunters, from 15 to 61 years old need a Conservation License and an Upland Bird License. Residents 12-14, 62 and older, and holders of a Resident with a Disability Conservation License need only a Conservation License. Hunters should check regulations for exceptions and additional seasons.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Pheasants According to John McCarthy, FWP's upland game bird management coordinator, the outlook for the pheasant season is generally fair. Areas that had good populations in 1999 should still be supporting good populations, however dry conditions are expected to result in lower production across the state. The pheasant season opens statewide Oct. 7, and will close Dec. 15. The drought cut back the insect population this season, reducing an important food source for birds.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

The black bear hunting season reopened for the fall on Sept. 15 in most areas of Montana. Hunters should check the regulations for exceptions. Montana regulations prohibit hunters from wasting or allowing the meat from bears they harvest to become unfit for human consumption. Like the meat from elk, deer and most other big game animals, bear meat cannot be wasted, thrown away or left in the field. A hunter is also prohibited from abandoning in the field the head or hide of a harvested black bear.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Montana's fall black bear season opens in September or October in areas for which a fall hunt is authorized. With the opening, hunters take on the responsibility of knowing how to recognize the difference between a black bear and a grizzly bear. That's because there is no grizzly bear hunting season in Montana, yet grizzlies are found in some areas where black bear hunting is permitted.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Antelope (archery) Sept. 2 -Oct. 7 Antelope (gun) Oct. 8 - Nov. 5 Black Bear Apr. 15- May 15 or May 31 depending on district Black Bear Sept. 15-Nov. 26 with some exceptions Deer/Elk (archery) Sept. 2 - Oct. 15 Deer/Elk (backcountry) Sept. 15 - Nov. 26 Deer/Elk (gun) Oct. 22 - Nov. 26 Goat Sept. 1 - Nov. 26 with some exceptions Lion Oct. 22- Nov. 26 Lion Dec. 1 - April 14, 2001 Moose Sept. 15 - Nov. 26 with a few exceptions Sheep Sept. 15 - Nov.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Sage Grouse Sept. 1 - Nov. 1 Mountain & Sharp-tailed Grouse Sept. 1 - Dec. 15 Partridge Sept. 1 - Dec. 15 Pheasant Oct. 7 - Dec. 15 Turkey, Fall Sept. 1 - Dec.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Pacific Flyway Ducks and Coots Sept. 30-Jan. 12 Geese Sept. 30-Jan. 7 Swan Oct. 14-Dec. 1 Central Flyway Ducks and Coots Sept. 30-Jan. 4 Geese Sept. 30-Jan. 12 Sandhill Crane Sept. 30-Nov. 26 Common Snipe Sept. 1-Dec. 16 Tundra Swan Sept. 30-Jan.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Beaver, Mink, Muskrat, Otter Nov. 1 - April 15, 2001 Bobcat, Fisher, Marten, Wolverine Dec. 1 - Feb.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Montana hunters have the opportunity to take part in some of the finest hunting found anywhere. But each autumn some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate our game laws, drawing the ire of those who may witness the acts and causing concern among all who value the state's wonderful hunting heritage.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Among Montana's most common game violations are: Failure to properly validate a license/tag and securely fasten the tag in a visible manner to a game animal immediately after the kill and before it is moved or transported from the kill site. Failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property. Using someone else's tag on a game animal you killed or tagging a game animal that someone else killed.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

With the opening of Montana's general big game hunting season Oct. 22, hunters who plan to pursue mule deer bucks in any one of 20 hunting districts in southwestern Montana are being reminded that they must possess a special permit. All other hunting districts within the former Southwestern-8 hunting area, once requiring specific hunting-license validations, will now be open to any hunter with a general Deer A license during both the gun and archery seasons.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

FWP's Block Management Program offers hunting access to nearly 8 million acres of private and isolated public land enrolled by almost 1,000 landowners for the 2000 hunting season. To help hunters identify how a Block Management Area (BMA) is administered, regional tabloids will depict BMAs as either Type I or Type II. Montana's general big game hunting season opens Oct. 22. Type I BMAs are areas which require no formal permission or where hunters sign in at sign-in boxes.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Hunters are required to obtain landowner permission before hunting on private land. To help hunters determine who owns land where they want to hunt, FWP has developed a "Directory of Montana Maps," a directory of landownership maps and the county, state, and federal agency offices where these maps can be accessed. "Identifying land ownership is a necessary part of hunting in Montana nowadays," says Alan Charles, FWP coordinator of landowner/sportsman relations.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Big game hunters headed afield for the season opening Oct. 22 are reminded that they need to purchase a State Lands Recreational Use License, if they plan to hunt on accessible State School Trust Lands this fall. The rules that opened Montana's State School Trust Lands contain provisions that may, in some instances, prohibit or restrict some activities. Camping, for example, is permitted only within 200 feet of a normal access point or access route on the property.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Hunters heading out for Montana's big game hunting seasons Oct 22 should be aware that they are required by law to leave proof of the species and sex of all big game animals they harvest attached to the carcass. According to Beate Galda, Administrator of the Enforcement Division for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, evidence of an animal's species and sex must remain attached to the carcass until it is processed (cut up).
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

TIP-MONT, the "crime stoppers" program managed by Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers substantial rewards to callers who report valuable information on natural resource crimes. If the information leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Callers who observe a crime involving big game, fish and vandalism in parks may call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) telephone line to make a report.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

The 1,000 volunteers who teach Hunter Education would like to remind all hunters of the three basic rules of gun safety: Always point any shooting device in a safe direction; Be sure of your target and what is beyond and, Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Hunting is a very safe activity. It is up to each hunter to make responsible decisions.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Motor vehicle use on accessible state lands is confined to county, state and federal roads, or to other roads designated open. In all cases, off-road use is prohibited. This restriction applies regardless of whether the state land is posted. Some recreationists mistakenly believe that a "designated" road is any established road or trail. Actually, a very limited number of roads are designated "open.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Hunters should remember that state law requires them to stop at all game checking stations on their routes of travel to and from hunting areas. Failure to stop at a checking station when personnel are on duty constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. While in the field, hunters can expect to encounter two basic types of checking stations -- law enforcement stations and biological stations.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Noxious weeds, like knapweed, leafy spurge and Canada thistle, are spreading across the Montana landscape and hunters in the state need to be aware of these silent invaders, regardless of the season, according the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' statewide noxious weed coordinator Adam Brooks. "Even in fall and early winter, walking through a patch of noxious weeds can help spread the seeds remaining attached to the seed pods.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

For up-to-date information on hunting areas impacted by fire, hunters can visit FWP 's website at: fwp.state.mt.us and click Hunting Updates on the home page. Please be aware that the effects of the severe drought continue to be evident on lands in many parts of the state. Lands remain extremely dry with some surface moisture provided by recent rains and snows.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Hunters can expect to find it more difficult than usual to finalize hunting access arrangements this year, due to the dry conditions in some parts of the state. While specific land closures are mainly in areas of active fire or fire cleanup, some private landowners may be reluctant to make access commitments on their own lands if they are in an area that is particularly dry or where fire was on or near their land.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

A hunting season following major forest fires and prolonged drought is an excellent time for hunters to take extra care to 'read the land,'" says Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife manager in Helena. "Being aware of the condition of the land may actually help hunters make choices that will increase their hunting success." Montana's general big game hunting season is set to open Oct. 22 and will close Nov. 26.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

With more than 100,000 hunters heading afield for the opening of Big Game season Oct. 22, many will see the nearly one million acres of land burned this summer in Montana, and signs of the drought that is impacting much of the state to one degree or another. "Even with our early fall snow, it is bone dry," says Gayle Joslin, FWP biologist in the Helena area office. "While we've had precipitation, it will take much more moisture than we've had to penetrate to the root zone.
(Headlines - September 29, 2000)

Montana's top wildlife official was recently elected president of an organization of fish and wildlife agencies based in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Pat Graham, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, was chosen to lead the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its annual meeting last week in Indianapolis.
(Headlines - September 27, 2000)

The 73.7 mile lower reach of the Big Hole River was reopened to fishing today by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Pat Graham, acting with authority delegated to him by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. The reopening of the river is effective immediately. The lower reach of the Big Hole was closed August 12 to protect the wild brown and rainbow trout that make it a nationally renowned sport fishery and to protect the Arctic grayling that inhabit this part of the river.
(Headlines - September 27, 2000)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in the FWP Helena office, 1420 East Sixth Ave., Oct. 5-6. The meeting will begin Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and continue Friday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
(Headlines - September 27, 2000)

The comment deadline for the Montana State Trails Plan and Trails Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) has been extended two weeks, based on public requests for more time. The new deadline for public comment will be 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Comments should be sent to the State Parks Office at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Headquarters in Helena. The mailing address is Box 200701, Helena, Montana 59620. Comments can also be e-mailed to jerickson@state.mt.us.
(Headlines - September 27, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released today the plan that will guide Montana's efforts to restore threatened bull trout populations to the Clark Fork and Kootenai river basins. The Bull Trout Restoration Plan is a voluntary effort on behalf of the State of Montana to restore bull trout to a sufficient level of abundance and distribution to allow for recreational fishing.
(Headlines - September 26, 2000)

From a new skating rink in Choteau to improved ball fields in Twin Bridges, for the first time since 1995 six Montana communities will benefit from federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for local park and recreation projects. "It's been a long time coming," said FWP Director Pat Graham, whose agency recently awarded more than $180,000 in LWCF grants in Montana.
(Headlines - September 26, 2000)

The comment deadline for the Montana State Trails Plan and Trails Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) has been extended two weeks, based on public requests for more time. The new deadline for public comment will be 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Comments should be sent to the State Parks Office at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Headquarters in Helena. The mailing address is Box 200701, Helena, Montana 59620. Comments can also be e-mailed to jerickson@state.mt.us .
(Headlines - September 26, 2000)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, hunting district 501, which includes portions of Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties, will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Friday, September 22, 2000.
(Headlines - September 20, 2000)

The full reach of the Jefferson River was re-opened to anglers today by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Pat Graham after being closed for six weeks. General fishing regulations will be in effect including a limit of five trout, only one over 18 inches, with catch and release required for all rainbow trout. Graham acted under authority delegated to him by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. have released a draft environmental assessment for the Thompson and Fisher River Valleys Conservation Easement. The public comment period extends to October 16. Public meetings, include an open house starting at 6:00 p.m. followed by a formal hearing at 7:00 p.m.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

The deadline for submitting an application for a special permit (not the mountain lion license) to hunt lions in certain hunting districts in Region 1, Kalispell area, has been changed from August 31 to October 10, 2000. This administrative change is being made to accommodate those lion license buyers who had their application postmarked by August 31, but had not received their lion license through the mail in time for the special permit deadline.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

An Environmental Assessment of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' process to place and replace latrines shows that the agency's work will not significantly impact the natural or human environment. The Programmatic Latrine Placement Environmental Assessment also determined that the criteria to assess future latrine replacement or installation are appropriate to protect the natural and human environment.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting in Great Falls, Sept. 19 from 7-9:30 p.m., at the Region 4 FWP office, 4600 Giant Springs Road, to discuss future plans for the Morony Townsite. The Morony Townsite and associated lands, located on the north side of the Missouri River across from Giant Springs State Park and 10 miles downstream, were gifted to FWP last November.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a boat ramp at Martinsdale Reservoir Fishing Access Site near Martinsdale and is seeking public comment on the EA through Monday, Oct. 2. FWP is proposing a boat ramp 16 feet wide and 140 feet long for fishing and motorboat users. To obtain a copy of the Draft Martinsdale Reservoir Boat Ramp Environmental Assessment, contact FWP Region 4 at 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405, or call 454-5840.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council is seeking public comment on a draft proposal to authorize Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP) to issue non-transferable complimentary landowner licenses or special permits to landowners who allow public hunting access under certain conditions. According to Council chairman Tom Hougen, "This plan has potential to open up some new opportunities in special permit areas where landowners can't ever seem to draw a permit to hunt on their own land.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

Behind the fire 2000 headlines other important stories unfolded. These smaller dramas were of people working together to protect already stressed natural resources. "For a few of the state's major trout streams, the drought has been a catalyst, triggering watershed groups, agency specialists, landowners, irrigators and anglers to work together to protect Montana's world-class fisheries," says Kathleen Williams, Fish Wildlife & Parks Water Resources Program Manager.
(Headlines - September 15, 2000)

Cool temperatures and better water flows due to conservation efforts by local irrigators prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials to open a 31-mile stretch of the Smith River to catch-and-release fishing from Tenderfoot Creek to the Rattlesnake Boat Camp. The entire 125-mile long Smith River has been closed to all angling since Aug. 17 to reduce drought and angling stress on the river's wild trout populations.
(Headlines - September 13, 2000)

The Montana Department of Livestock and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a series of informal open houses to gather public comment to review the environmental impacts that may be associated with the granting of a license to operate an alternative livestock ranch. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) and review process is required by Montana law.
(Headlines - September 12, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Friday, Sept. 8 in Livingston.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Fire-danger land closures and restrictions will have a big impact on Labor Day plans this weekend. While many recreationists will be faced with land and recreation-site closures throughout western Montana, some western Montana campgrounds, lakes, and fishing access site are available for use. Visit FWP's Internet website at fwp.state.mt.us for a list of western Montana sites that remain open for recreation.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

For up-to-date drought and fire information hunters can call 1-800-472-8455, or visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.us. Look for the "Fire/Drought" Update" on the homepage. Please be aware the conditions remain volatile in many areas. Your assistance in protecting Montana's precious natural resources during this time will be deeply appreciated.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials, noting that most early September hunting in western Montana will be prohibited due to fire-danger land closures, are asking hunters to voluntarily stay home until conditions improve. "Landowners in eastern Montana are especially concerned about the impacts an influx of hunters could have in areas of high fire danger," said FWP Director Pat Graham. "This is a time for patience, restraint and compassion.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Due to Montana's current drought conditions hunters may encounter Block Management closures or restrictions. While FWP's Block Management Program offers public hunting access to nearly 8 million acres of private and isolated public land enrolled by almost 1,000 landowners, many BMA cooperators may be reluctant to make access commitments until weather conditions improve.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Governor Marc Racicot has issued an emergency executive order to allow Montana water-right owners to bypass time-consuming red tape to keep water flowing in streams to help Montana's wild fish survive the effects of the prolonged drought of 2000. Currently, if water-right owners do not take all the water they have rights to use, the left over water flows downstream for another's use. Gov. Racicot's order eliminates what can be a year-long permitting process.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 16-member Hunter Education Steering Committee met for the first time on Saturday, August 26 to begin assessing the state's youth Hunter Education Program. Members were recruited from the ranks of the Hunter Education instructors from around the state. "Our objective is to give Montana's Hunter Education Program the equivalent of a 50,000 mile tune up," said Thomas Baumeister, who administers the program for FWP.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Concern about the drought's impact on the state's fisheries will continue into next year, according to Fish, Wildlife & Parks Water Resources Program Manager Kathleen Williams. "It is too early to predict how Montana's fisheries will fare, but fisheries biologists know that the drought-induced stress on the state's trout streams won't end with the first heavy rain or snowfall," Williams said.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Migratory bird hunting regulations will be available September 30, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Migratory Bird and Wetlands Coordinator Tom Hinz. Season dates and most other details are unchanged from last season. Baiting regulations have been significantly revised. Hunters cannot hunt waterfowl or any other migratory game bird by baiting an area or hunting on or over an area that is baited.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

Montana has a special weekend set aside for youngsters 12 through 15 to hunt waterfowl this year. The "Special Statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days," approved by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Commission, are set for Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows youth to hunt ducks, geese and coots on these days outside the regular waterfowl hunting season.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet September 6-7 at the Paradise Inn in Livingston to discuss possible legislative proposals for increased hunter access funding. Council members will assess public comment received on a current proposal to increase resident and nonresident hunters' conservation license fees, and begin drafting final recommendations. Other topics related to hunter access, outfitting, and landowner incentives will be discussed.
(Headlines - September 01, 2000)