The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it turned back a petition to list the Yellowstone cutthroat trout as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act because the petition lacked the biological information needed to trigger federal protection for Montana's state fish.
(Headlines - February 23, 2001)

Montanas Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in the FWP Helena Headquarters office, 1420 East Sixth Ave., Friday, March 2 beginning at 3 p.m. During this brief meeting, the FWP Commission will take final action on proposed Future Fisheries projects and on the contract for a concession at Tongue River Reservoir State Park.
(Headlines - February 22, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission set the 2001hunting regulations at its February meeting in Helena. Montana's 2001 big game hunting regulation booklet will be available in later March. Here is a summary of some changes adopted for deer, elk, mountain lion, black bear, bighorn sheep and upland game bird hunting seasons and regulations: DEER *General-season deer permits can be used by archers during the Archery-Only season.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

The 2001 Montana State Parks Calendar of Events offers exciting opportunities for recreation, relaxation and learning, with something to appeal to everyone. "Our goal is to plan events to capitalize on the unique assets of the parks," said Doug Monger, State Parks Division administrator. "Were blessed with parks that offer everything from water-based recreational opportunities to a real-time education in Montana history.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

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 single 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 16, 2001)

"Connecting Communities With Trails" is the theme of the 2001 Montana State Trails Conference in Billings on April 5-7 at the Sheraton Billings Hotel. Sponsored by Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Montana Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Community Foundation, the conference will focus on urban and near-urban settings and is targeted to trail advocates, park and recreation professionals, planners, engineers, landscape architects and consultants.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and the Citizens Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) Advisory committee are seeking public input on grants requesting $181,668 for projects including OHV curriculum training, trail relocation and reclamation, trail renovation, noxious weed control, trail ranger positions, and trailhead signage. More than $160,000 in revenue generated by the state gas tax and OHV registrations is available to fund these projects.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

A Trappers Education course is scheduled in Lewistown on Saturday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheriffs Complex, 121 8th Ave. South. The course, sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association and FWP, will cover trapping ethics, regulations, equipment, fur handling and other trapping topics. Students will receive a certificate, National Trappers Association handbook, trapping workbook and informational brochures. This course is free of charge and open to the public.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Parks Division administers the Recreational Trails Grant Program which provides funds for trail construction, renovation and maintenance. This year, the Parks Division received applications from cities, counties, state, federal agencies and private associations totaling $1.2 million. Successful applicants will be awarded $734,000 in May. FWP is now seeking public input for these grant applications.
(Headlines - February 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking nonresident hunting and fishing license fee increases through the State Legislature to bring Montana's fees in line with other Western states and to reverse a revenue decline that would otherwise force cuts in services and staff within five years, FWP said today. FWP Director Jeff Hagener said the agency's financial situation is presently defined by falling revenue and rising expenditures.
(Headlines - February 14, 2001)

Most visitors to Tongue River Reservoir State Park return home feeling good about their overall experience at the park, according to research recently released by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Tongue River Reservoir State Park, north of Decker in southeastern Montana, is popular with water sports enthusiasts and anglers.
(Headlines - February 09, 2001)

A new Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website feature provides lion hunters an easy way to view harvest quotas and the hunting season status in specific districts. The new color-coded map allows visitors to zoom into a specific area or to click on a district to view up-to-date harvest and quota information. The mountain lion map and information can be found at fwp.state.mt.us.
(Headlines - February 09, 2001)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 4 in north central Montana will close at midnight on February 11, 2001. The district includes portions of Hill, Glacier, Chouteau, Toole, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Meagher, Park, Judith Basin, Fergus, and Petroleum counties.
(Headlines - February 09, 2001)

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, February 10, 2001. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota had been met.
(Headlines - February 09, 2001)

Editor's Note: The following release erroneously listed the closing date as March 7 correct date is February 7, 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, closed at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, February 7, 2001.
(Headlines - February 09, 2001)

The public is invited to comment on an Environmental Assessment (EA) that outlines the acquisition of the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition campsite, Travelers' Rest, in Lolo. The 15-acre site, owned by the Deschamps family, will be purchased by a foundation that will donate it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Travelers' Rest was used by Native Americans beginning about 8,000 years ago. It was a trail junction used by the Nez Perce, Lemhi Shoshone and Salish peoples.
(Headlines - February 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 Wednesday, February 7, 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 - February 06, 2001)

A voluntary educational program aimed at ensuring black bear hunters are able to successfully distinguish black bears from grizzly is now on line in February on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' web site. The new training is free and can be accessed at fwp.state.mt.us/bearid .
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

The Montana Trappers Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will conduct a Trappers Education course on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 1400 South 19th, in Bozeman. The course will cover trapping ethics, regulations, equipment, fur handling and other trapping topics. Students who attend will receive a certificate of completion. The course is free of charge and open to the public.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

The Second Annual Youth Trapper Camp will be June 15, 16, and 17 at Beaver Creek Park in the Bears Paw Mountains south of Havre. Sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, in cooperation with Montana 4-H and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the camp classes are geared to the young trappers ages 8 18. Top instructors in the state will be there to teach safe and ethical techniques to harvest fur.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

Two state parks and the C.M. Russell Museum of Great Falls are partnering to offer the public a chance to see three attractions for one discounted price. For $6 visitors can buy an entrance pass good for one visit to the Russell Museum, Giant Springs State Park, and Ulm Pishkun State Park 10 miles south of Great Falls. The pass represents a 30 percent savings on the normal adult entry fees.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

How many adults today think to themselves, that's what I would have become, if I'd only known I could? A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks internship could help a student interested in biology, the outdoors, recreation-management and a range of other subjects make the right career choice. FWP's internships offer a variety of "hands-on" work experiences that enable a student to combine career goals with on-the-job training.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

Women interested in hunting upland game birds next fall are invited to attend a one-day clinic on Saturday, Mar. 3 in Great Falls to help prepare for the hunt. Clinic participants will practice shotgun handling safety, see how to use a hunting dog, learn how to care for birds in the field and take part in a hunting experience. Participants must provide their own shotgun and ammunition, have some hunting experience and purchase a 2001 Upland Game Bird license prior to the workshop.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)

The hunting of male mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 290, 291 and 292, in portions of Powell, Granite and Missoula counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, February 4, 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 has been met.
(Headlines - February 02, 2001)