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)

Widespread public and private land closures due to extreme fire danger will prohibit most early September hunting in most of western Montana until Level V fire restrictions are lifted, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today. With today's addition of 19 counties, a total of twenty-seven western Montana counties are now under Level V fire-danger closures. Montana's remaining 29 counties, generally the eastern portion of the state, are under Level III fire-danger restrictions.
(Headlines - August 23, 2000)

Sites within FWP Region 1 Flathead Lake: Bigfork, Ducharme, Elmo, Walstad, Sportsman Bridge (partially open), Woods Bay (partially open), and Somers fishing access sites will remain open Flathead River: Presentine, Teakettle, Old Steel Bridge fishing access sites will remain open. Flathead Lake Parks: Big Arm, Finley Point, Wayfarer, and West Shore will remain open. McGregor Lake: Boisverts Fishing Access Site will remain open.
(Headlines - August 23, 2000)

Editors Note: Due to Montana's current drought conditions and high fire danger, hunters may encounter Block Management closures or restrictions. Some BMA cooperators may be reluctant to make access commitments until weather conditions improve. FWP's Block Management Program will offer hunting access to nearly 8 million acres of private and isolated public land enrolled by almost 1,000 landowners for the 2000 hunting season.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Editors Note: Due to Montana's current drought conditions and high fire danger, hunters may encounter Block Management closures or restrictions. Some BMA cooperators may be reluctant to make access commitments until weather conditions improve. Hunters are now required to obtain landowner permission before hunting on private land.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Upland game bird game hunters and archers headed afield for the season opening Sept. 1 and 2 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 - August 18, 2000)

Hunters heading out for Montana's upcoming early big game hunting seasons 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 - August 18, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks toll-free hotline for reporting wildlife poaching, property damage, and violations of fish and game laws is operation 24 hours a day. TIP-MONT is the acronym for Turn In Poachers-Montana. Anyone who witnesses a fish and game violation, or property vandalism, can report the crime by calling 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) or online at http://fwp.state.mt.us/tipmont . Callers will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

The 1,000 volunteers who teach Hunter Education would like to remind all hunters of the three basic rules of gun safety: 1. Always point any shooting device in a safe direction; 2. Be sure of your target and what is beyond and 3. 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 - August 18, 2000)

Since they were implemented in the spring of 1992, the rules that opened Montana's state school trust lands to licensed recreational use also have imposed restrictions on recreationists deemed necessary to protect people and personal property, as well as to preserve the lands and their resources. The rules contain provisions that either prohibit or restrict fireworks, open fires, camping, littering, parking, pet control and discharge of firearms.
(Headlines - August 18, 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-which may occur singly or together.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has adopted new archery equipment standards that are similar to those set by a nationally recognized bow hunting organization. The new regulations require that compound bow's maximum "let-off" not exceed 80 percent. Compound bows have mechanical devices that reduce the force an archer must exert on the bowstring to draw back and hold the bowstring steady. Also in the new standards, the bow can be no shorter than 28 inches.
(Headlines - August 18, 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, according the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' statewide noxious weed coordinator Adam Brooks. "These insidious plants are capable of out-competing most of our native vegetation and pose a serious threat to grazing lands and the stability of stream banks and lakeshores everywhere," Brooks says.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

For up-to-date drought and fire information hunters can call 1-800- 472-8455, or visit FWP 's website at: fwp.state.mt.us. Look for the "Fire/Drought Update" on the homepage. Please be aware that conditions remain volatile in many areas. Your assistance in protecting Montana's precious natural resources during this time will be deeply appreciated.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Hunters can expect to find it more difficult than usual to finalize hunting access arrangements this year, due to high fire danger in many parts of the state. While specific area closures or recreational activity limitations may result from the actions of various governmental agencies, private landowners may be reluctant to make access commitments on their own lands until fire danger is reduced.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

In response to questions raised by Gov. Marc Racicot's executive order to apply Level V restrictions to 10 western Montana counties, FWP officials say there will be a hunting season this year, but due to the extreme fire danger some hunting season openings may be delayed in some western Montana areas.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Montana is experiencing one of the most extreme and dangerous fire seasons in documented history-some experts say since 1910. Please be aware that conditions remain volatile. Your assistance in protecting Montana's precious natural resources during this time will be deeply appreciated. Hunters are reminded to ASK FIRST before hunting on private lands-it's the law--and to exercise caution with regard to the fire danger that is present in all areas of the state.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Due to Montana's current drought conditions and high fire danger, hunters may encounter Block Management closures or restrictions. Some BMA cooperators may be reluctant to make access commitments until weather conditions improve. 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.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Several parks and campgrounds within Gov. Marc Racicot's executive order to apply Level V restrictions to ten west central Montana counties, are permitted to remain open to recreation, FWP officials said today. Exempted from the order are: Seeley Lake, Lake Alva, Salmon Lake State Park, Placid Lake State Park along with River Point, Alva, Big Larch, Salmon, Placid and Seeley campgrounds. Quartz campground off Interstate-90 west of Superior. Frenchtown Pond west of Missoula.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

Opening day for most upland game bird hunting season occur on the same day every year-Sept. 1.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

The first of several fall hunting seasons begins Sept. 1 with the opening of the upland game bird seasons. In Montana, upland birds consist of sage and sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian (grey) and chukar partridge, mourning doves, and spruce (Franklin's), ruffed and blue grouse. Ring-necked pheasant hunting, a popular Montana sport, doesn't start until Oct. 7. For upland birds, hunters from 15 to 61 years old need a Conservation License and an Upland Bird License.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

The black bear hunting season reopens 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 - August 18, 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 - August 18, 2000)

One of the important joys of hunting can be found in learning more about wildlife. Many hunters can quickly determine if a deer is an adult or juvenile, but few know how to properly age an upland bird. Here are some tips bird hunters can use to help make that determination in the field. Wing Feathers Can Provide a Clue As a rule, upland game birds in Montana (with the exception of ring-necked pheasants) can be effectively aged by looking at their wings.
(Headlines - August 18, 2000)

2000 Montana Big Game Seasons Antelope (archery) Sept. 2 -Oct. 7 Antelope (gun) Oct. 8 - Nov. 5 Black Bear Apr. 15- May 15 or May 31 depending on district 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 Dec. 1 - April 14, 2001 Moose Sept. 15 - Nov. 26 with a few exceptions Sheep Sept. 15 - Nov.
(Headlines - August 18, 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 - August 18, 2000)

Bow hunters who plan to pursue mule deer bucks in any one of 20 hunting districts in southwestern Montana possess a special permit. The new requirement may catch some bow hunters by surprise because they had to apply for these permits far in advance of archery season. 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 - August 18, 2000)

In a move to protect wild trout populations from drought and angling stress, the Smith River will close to all angling Thursday, and morning-only angling restrictions will be applied to a 35-mile-long blue ribbon stretch of the Missouri River, FWP announced today. The emergency Smith River closure will go into effect Thursday, Aug. 17, and encompass: The entire 125-mile stretch of the Smith River from the confluence of the North and South forks of the Smith to its mouth.
(Headlines - August 14, 2000)

The 73.7 mile lower reach of the Big Hole River will close to all angling effective midnight Saturday, August 12, according to Larry Peterman, Fisheries Division chief, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park. "This closure will protect the wild brown and rainbow trout that make the lower reach of the Big Hole a nationally renowned sport fishery, as well as protect the Arctic grayling that use this important summer habitat between Dickie Bridge and Divide," Peterman said.
(Headlines - August 11, 2000)

In response to questions raised by Gov. Marc Racicot's executive order to apply Level V restrictions to 10 western Montana counties-and the anticipated mailing of 92,000 hunting permits on Friday--FWP officials said today there will be a hunting season this year, but due to the extreme fire danger some hunting season openings may be delayed in some southwestern Montana areas.
(Headlines - August 10, 2000)

The full length of the Jefferson River was closed to angling effective midnight, Saturday, Aug. 5 by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission during the commission's regularly scheduled meeting today. In a related action, the Commissioners delegated authority to FWP Director, Pat Graham, to close the lower reach of the Big Hole River when that river hits 150 cfs at Melrose.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

As the drought conditions across Montana continue, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel are keeping a close watch on the state's critical resources. Montana State Parks and Fishing Access Sites located within or adjacent to national forest lands will carry the same drought restrictions as national forest lands. Parks visitors and anglers should be sure to check on local fire conditions and determine whether the national forest is open to the public.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

FWP fisheries administrators say drought is an unfortunate reminder of the need for innovative short- and long-term tools to help relieve low stream flows. One way to protect Montana's fisheries is work FWP does with local communities, watershed groups, conservation districts and sportsmen and women to identify and act on situations where in-stream water flow and fisheries habitat can be preserved.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Game Warden based in Big Fork, Mike Quinn, received the prestigious Shikar-Safari Club International's "Montana Wildlife Officer of the Year Award" for Montana on Aug. 4 during the FWP Commission meeting in Helena. Quinn, a 27-year veteran, was recognized by Pat Graham, FWP director, for his exceptional skills investigating and solving wildlife crimes, his commitment to his work and his dedication to the resources he is charged with protecting.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

With only six months on the job as a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden in southeast Montana, Jim Smolczynski joined 33 other law enforcement recruits for a three-month basic training course at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena recently. Smolczynski aced the rigorous 12-week program, receiving the Alex F. Mavity Award for ranking number one in fitness, academics, firearms, skill-based training and performance evaluations.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

The upcoming FWP press release package scheduled for August 18 will contain stories on the upcoming fall hunting season, including bow hunting information, upland game bird season predictions, block management information and more. For details, contact Diane Tipton on 406-444-3079.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

Bears may be shifting how they use their range on the Rocky Mountain Front and in some other areas affected by this summer's drought, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks grizzly bear management specialist Mike Madel, based in Choteau. "It appears we're seeing more black bears down low, hanging around campgrounds and in one case displaying atypical behavior in biting a young girl.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

Any home in or near Montana's forests or wild lands may be within bear country. Bears also may occasionally wander into towns and neighborhoods searching for food. Anything people or their pets eat will attract bears. Bears learn quickly where to find these sources of food and make a habit of returning. People who live in or near bear habitat can prevent good bears from learning bad-bear behavior by eliminating bear attractants. Here are some tips.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Council, a citizen's panel appointed by Governor Racicot to develop recommendations related to public hunting access, is soliciting public comment on a proposal to increase resident and nonresident hunting-related Conservation License fees to expand FWP's hunter access programs.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)

Montana bird hunters will have an opportunity to learn about shotgun handling and shooting techniques at a Fish, Wildlife & Parks seminar and shooting clinic to be held in the Bozeman in September. On Sept. 8, a Friday evening seminar will be offered in Bozeman featuring Tom Roster, internationally recognized expert in the field of shotgunning and shotgun-handling techniques. The seminar is free and open to the public. The specific time and location of the event has yet to be determined.
(Headlines - August 04, 2000)