The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 322, 326 and 330, which include portions of Beaverhead and Madison counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 31, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 31, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 122, which includes portions of Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 1, 2002. The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 335, 339 and 343, which includes portions of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 1, 2002.
(Headlines - December 31, 2001)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission the season for all trapping and shooting of bobcats in Trapping District 1 in northwestern Montana will close at midnight on Saturday, December 29, 2001. The district includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis & Clark, Missoula, Powell and Sanders counties. For more information visit Fish, Wildlife & Parks' web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 27, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 320 and 333, which include portions of Madison, Silverbow, Gallatin and Jefferson counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 24, 2001. The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 314, which includes portions of Gallatin and Park counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 24, 2001.
(Headlines - December 24, 2001)

The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 202 and 203, which includes portions of Mineral and Missoula counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 25, 2001 The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 310, 311, 360, 361 and 362, which include portions of Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson and Broadwater counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 25, 2001.
(Headlines - December 24, 2001)

            The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on tentative 2002 big game hunting seasons and regulations, upland game bird seasons and 2002 and 2003 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons and quotas. Comments may be made by attending one of the regional public meetings scheduled around the state, or by submitting written comments to the Wildlife Division, Montana FWP, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 204, 260 and 261, which includes portions of Granite, Missoula and Ravalli counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, December 22, 2001.  The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for these districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed at its December meeting to propose a permanent rule to ban the practice of "skipping" snowmobiles at high speed over open water.  The proposed rule is open to public comment until Feb. 22, 2002.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission tentatively accepted a management strategy for black-tailed and white-tailed prairie dogs in Montana at its Dec. 13-14 meeting.  The management strategy is outlined in the "Conservation Plan for Black-tailed and White-tailed Prairie Dogs in Montana" developed by the state's prairie dog working group, composed of state and federal agencies, Montana's Indian tribes, conservation organizations, and landowners.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            Looking for a special gift that captures the spirit of Montana, endures throughout the year, and 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 regional offices, are a great way to give "Montana" for the holidays.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has received 95 applications from cities, counties, state and federal agencies and private associations totaling $3.3 million dollars for development and maintenance of recreational trails.  The Recreational Trails Program will provide $856,000 for grants in FY 2002 and $812,000 in FY 2003 to successful applicants.  FWP’s State Parks Division administers these funds, with advice from the citizen's State Trails Advisory Committee.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

Snowmobile owners planning to ride on public land in Montana must remember to register their machines and display current decals.                  Snowmobiles must be registered and all fees paid to the county treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides.               Half of the decal fee is designated for snowmobile trail development and maintenance, and half is used in enforcing snowmobile laws.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            Colder weather means ice will begin covering many of Montana's waterways and tempting winter anglers to start ice fishing.  Anglers should keep in mind that from early December through mid-January, ice begins to firm up and may melt when temperatures fluctuate. That means ice that was safe yesterday may be a death-trap tomorrow.             Whatever the weather, it's best to test the condition of the ice before venturing onto it.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' annual telephone hunting and harvest survey is underway.  The survey began the end of November with calls to hunters holding moose, sheep and goat licenses.  Other big and small game license holders will be surveyed beginning the end of January.             Wildlife managers will use information collected during the survey to estimate the 2001 harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications from individuals, clubs, and state and federal agencies requesting $451,294.70 for projects including trail maintenance, education, workshops, weed control, equipment leasing and trailhead signings.             Funding for the grants comes from State Gas Tax and OHV registrations.  About $150,000 will be distributed among successful applicants in fiscal year 2002 and 2003.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

            Concerns over thin ice have led to the closure of Bean Lake and Bynum Reservoir to fishing this winter.             Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commissioners voted at their December meeting to close the popular fishing spots along the Rocky Mountain Front until April 1.  Low water in both has led FWP fisheries biologists to install aeration systems.  The systems create openings in the ice, making conditions unsafe for people who want to ice fish.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

When I come down the stairs at 4 a.m., Rob Brooks is already in his long underwear and arranging his gear.  Rob drove from Helena to spend the night at my place in Bozeman, so we could head out early today to the Yellowstone River east of Billings to hunt Canada geese.  Leaving the house at 4:45 a.m., the entire country is blanketed in fog.  Hours later we leave the highway to wind our way to the landowner’s cornfield where we have permission to hunt.
(Headlines - December 21, 2001)

By order of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking fisher in Trapping District 1 of northwestern Montana will close at midnight on Friday, December 21, 2001.   Trapping District 1 includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Powell and Sanders counties.  For more information, call the toll free number at 1-800-711-8727.
(Headlines - December 19, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 101, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 18, 2001)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 322, 326 and 330, which include portions of Beaverhead and Madison counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 18, 2001)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana Hunting District 317, in a portion of Park County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 17, 2001 The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the district has been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.us/lionmap, or call the toll free number at 1-800-385-7826.
(Headlines - December 17, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 102, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for lions had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt/lionmap, or call the toll free number at 1-800-385-7826.
(Headlines - December 17, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 121, which includes a portion of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.us/lionmap, or call the toll free number 1-800-385-7826.
(Headlines - December 17, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 123, which includes portions of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, December 15, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.us/lionmap, or call the toll free number 1-800-385-7826.
(Headlines - December 14, 2001)

State and federal wildlife officials today released the final report on the grizzly bear attack that caused a human fatality on October 30 on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area.  Chris Servheen, the lead author of the report and the grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S.
(Headlines - December 14, 2001)

The hunting of male mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 212 and 215, which includes portions of Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge and Silver Bow counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 14, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, log onto FWP’s website at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 13, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 103, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 11, 2001. The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 104, which includes portions of Lincoln County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 11, 2001.
(Headlines - December 10, 2001)

            Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet at FWP headquarters in Helena, Dec.13-14. At Thursday’s meeting, which will begin at 9 a.m., the commission will take final action on the Smith River Rule, commercial fishing regulations, and FWP’s bighorn sheep transplant priorities.  In addition, the commission will consider tentative rules for fishing derbies, snowmobile water skipping, game damage season permit quotas, and spring turkey season quotas.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

            The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 250, in portions of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, December 8, 2001.             The order halting the hunt came after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met.             For more information, visit FWP's web site at http://fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

Chris Hunter, a 12-year veteran of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, was recently named the agency's Fisheries Division administrator. Hunter, 51, was promoted from his post as FWP's assistant Fisheries Division administrator, which he's held since 1999. Hunter replaces Larry Peterman, who was promoted to FWP’s chief of operations in September.  Hunter began his career with FWP in 1989 as the Lower Missouri River Reservation biologist.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

This year’s Montana State Park’s poster contest theme is "Montana State Parks—A Symbol of Freedom, Inspiration and Hope."  The deadline for entries, which is open to fifth grade students only, is April 5, 2002. "We thought that this year it would be appropriate for the poster contest theme to reflect our renewed awareness of how precious our way of life is," said Debbie Cheek, FWP Parks Division field administrator.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

If finding a Christmas gift for the outdoorswoman on your list has you stumped, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has the answer.  Why not give her something she is sure to love, and that will pay dividends for years to come?   FWP is offering a winter workshop in 2002 as part of its highly popular "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" program. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing are some of the "hot" topics covered in the classes being offered Feb.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

Montana’s general land-trapping furbearer season for bobcat, marten, fisher, and wolverine opened Dec. 1.  The general water-trapping furbearer season began on Nov. 1 for beaver, otter, muskrat and mink.  Trapping seasons end on Feb. 15, 2002 for terrestrial furbearers and April 15, 2002 for 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 07, 2001)

            Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual hunting and harvest survey began the end of November with calls to hunters holding moose, sheep and goat licenses.  Other big and small game license holders will be surveyed beginning the end of January.  Wildlife managers will use information collected during the survey to estimate the 2001 harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

            One frequent request heard at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is for a duplicate Hunter/Bowhunter Education Certificate.  Montana youth must complete hunter and bowhunter education courses and present a Montana-issued education certificate if they are ages 12-17 to purchase any hunting license.  Also, some other states require proof of Hunter Education for adults. Though hard earned, the certificates are sometimes lost.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

Our Montana outdoor heritage and traditions depend heavily on private landowners and their work to protect wildlife habitat and provide public recreational opportunities. Through their good stewardship and warm hospitality, these landowners open their gates to the public year after year, providing access to lands where habitat and the wildlife populations it supports have been conserved and enhanced.
(Headlines - December 07, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 400, 401, 403, 406, 415, and 441, which includes portions of Toole, Pondera, Liberty, Chouteau, Glacier and Teton counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 7, 2001.  The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Headlines - December 06, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 280, 281, 284 and 293, which includes portions of Powell and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 6, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's website at http://fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - December 05, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 120, which includes portions of Flathead and Lake counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 4, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district has been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)

- The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 283 and 285, which include portions of Missoula and Powell counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 5, 2001.  The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)

- The hunting of female mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 400, 401, 403, 406, 415, and 441, which includes portions of Toole, Pondera, Liberty, Chouteau, Glacier and Teton counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 4, 2001.  The order halting the hunt came shortly after Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)

- The hunting of male mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 280, 281, 284 and 293, which includes portions of Powell and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 4, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)

- The hunting of male mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 318 and 350, in portions of Jefferson and Silver Bow counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 5, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 100, which includes portions of Lincoln County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 5, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met.
(Headlines - December 04, 2001)