Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking original artwork for the 2002 migratory bird stamp design competition.  The stamp will feature a design in celebration of Montana's heritage from the time of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. The competition is open to Montana artists and the artwork must be original and not entered in competition in any other state or federal waterfowl stamp program.
(Headlines - September 28, 2001)

  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks now offers an All Terrain Vehicle safety home-study training course available at no charge.  "Driving an ATV safely requires unique safety skills and handling to avoid common hazards, as well as particular responsibilities for the environment," said Ray Paige, FWP's trails program specialist.  "It is important that ATV users, especially our youth, have access to a quality training opportunity to gain skills in these areas.
(Headlines - September 28, 2001)

  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the second draft of the 2001 Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan.  This document is the result of an effort this summer to encourage comment from a wide spectrum of the public on the initial draft. "Once again, we've attached questionnaires to the second draft of the plan to stimulate as much comment as we can get," said Bill Wiedenheft, FWP Region 6 fisheries manager.
(Headlines - September 28, 2001)

Over the past ten years two things have remained constant with elk hunters, according to the most recent survey of elk hunters published by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks-they hunt for the love of the outdoors and they continue to provide a significant economic boost to local Montana economies.  The survey was conducted beginning in 1998 to find out if elk hunters had changed in the decade following the last survey in 1988.
(Headlines - September 28, 2001)

  In talking to an outfitter friend about good places to hunt, my dad learned of a private ranch south of Ashland near the Wyoming border where I might be able to hunt antelope this past year.  When Dad called, the rancher said "sure, come on down."    This wouldn't be my first hunt ever, but it was a great opportunity to get an antelope and I was ready. I learned from my Dad to be real careful with guns.  Once you pull the trigger, that's it, there's no taking that bullet back.
(Headlines - September 28, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will conduct four public hearings in October to discuss and take comment on new proposed rules that reclassify prairie dogs as nongame wildlife in need of management and regulate prairie dog shooting on public lands. The meetings are set for 7 p.m. at the following locations: Oct. 10; Malta; Great Northern Hotel; 25 First East Oct. 11; Miles City; Guest House Inn; 3111 Steel St. Oct. 12; Billings; FWP Headquarters; 2300 Lake Elmo Dr. Oct.
(Headlines - September 20, 2001)

Deer & Elk archery -- September 1 - October 14 Backcountry Deer & Elk -- September 15 - November 25 Deer & Elk general -- October 21 - November 25 Antelope archery -- September 1 - October 6 Antelope general -- October 7 - November 4 Bighorn Sheep -- September 15 - November 25 Moose -- September 15 - November 25 Mountain Goat -- September 15 - November 25 Black Bear fall -- September 15 - November 25 …
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks upland game bird manager, John McCarthy says upland game bird hunters are likely to find that the hunting has declined some compared to the past couple of years. "Montana's drought over the last few years translated into a lack of cover for birds during nesting, a time when the birds seek taller grasses and forbs for nesting cover and raising of their young," McCarthy said.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

FWP's Block Management Program offers public hunting access to over 8 million acres of private and isolated public land enrolled by more than 1,000 landowners. Hunters should contact regional FWP offices or BMA landowners prior to making final hunting trip plans, to identify any possible changes including closures, restrictions, or other actions that could affect hunting activities.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

In Montana, upland game birds consist of sage and sharp-tailed grouse, blue, ruffed and Franklin's grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, and Hungarian (grey) and chukar partridge. Most upland game bird seasons begin Sept. 1 with the exception of ring-necked pheasants. Pheasant hunting doesn't start until Oct. 6 for residents. Nonresidents may begin pheasant hunting Oct. 8. The sage grouse season will close Nov.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Bear identification is not just for hunters anymore. As people and bears, particularly grizzly bears, expand their ranges in Montana -- encroaching on each other's territories -- encounters are more likely for anyone who spends time in the outdoors.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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 the state's game laws, angering those who witness the acts and causing concern among all who value the state's hunting heritage.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks works to make hunting more accessible to hunters, including those with physical disabilities. Some individuals with a disability may qualify for a special permit to hunt from a vehicle. Hunters who are authorized to hunt in this way must use the permit according to specific regulations spelled out in Montana Statute 87-2-803.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Antelope numbers depend on how these unique prairie animals survive the winter. "Montana's relatively mild winters the past couple of years are responsible for some nice increases in antelope populations around the state," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife bureau chief. "Growing populations translate into increased hunting opportunities." Antelope hunters in Montana apply for permits distributed through a special drawing in June.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Hunters' patience and compassion may be called upon again this fall when making hunting access arrangements on private lands in some parts of the state. Farmers, ranchers and other private landowners in many parts of the state have been wrangling with a summer's worth of drought, low water and rains on freshly cut hay.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

How fast are Pronghorn's capable of running? Sources differ, but pronghorns have been clocked from 60 to 70 mph for up to three or four minutes, and at 30 mph for up to five miles before slowing. What is unique about the pronghorn antelope's horns? These antelope have horns rather than antlers and their horns are unique because they are shed and re-grow each year. The horn has a permanent bony core covered by a fibrous, hair-like keratinous sheath.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

To help hunters determine who owns the land where they want to hunt, FWP has developed a Directory of Montana Maps that explains how to find maps that identify both public and private land ownership. "Identifying land ownership is a necessary part of hunting in Montana nowadays," says Alan Charles, FWP coordinator of landowner/sportsman relations. "Hunters have to do their homework, know where they are, and ask local people about ownership and property boundaries.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

It's been said that a dog's nose is a million times more sensitive than a human's. Most of the time, when bird hunting, a dog's nose will also be more reliable than your brain. In addition, the dog may also surprise you by learning and retaining a lot more than you thought and by how well he responds to a few carefully chosen, often repeated commands. In fact, the hardest lesson to learn may be to trust what your dog is telling you.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Opening day for most upland game bird hunting seasons occur on the same day every year -- September 1.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Beaver, Mink, Muskrat, Otter -- November 1 - April 15 Bobcat, Fisher, Marten, Wolverine -- December 1 - February 15 Bobcat season in Regions 4,5,6 & 7 -- December 1 - March 1 For more information check the FWP website at fwp.state.mt.us or the FWP Furbearer Regulations.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Species Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Sharptail 4- 4- 5- 7- Sage 5- 4- 4- 5- 7- Blue 6= 4+ 5- 5= 4= Ruffed 6= 4+ 4- 6= 5= Spruce 6= 4+ 4- 5= Pheasant 5- 3= 3- 4- 7= 5- 7- Huns 5- 3= 5= 5= 6- 8= 5= Turkey 7+ 4= 6= 6= 8= Chukar 5- The above table compares the 2001 populations with populations in 2000. Numbers in the cells represent the size of the population based on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being high. A "+" represents an increase, a "-" dcrecrease and an "=" means the numbers are about the same as in 2000. …
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, in a move to increase upland game bird hunting opportunities for the average Montana bird hunter, set the 2001 resident pheasant opening season dates to allow a two-day resident-only period from October 6-7, except on the Flathead Indian Reservation where residents and nonresidents may begin pheasant hunting on October 6 with the appropriate permit. The general pheasant season opens October 8 across the state.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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 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.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Montana hunters can now turn to FWP online to plan big game hunting trips. FWP's"Interactive Hunt Planner" allows users to select a species to hunt and then quickly provides information from Montana's Big Game Hunting Regulations and easy-to-use databases. The planner displays hunting districts against Montana's new digital highway map. Additional options provide topographic maps and land-ownership maps that can also show big-game species distributions.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

FWP's Block Management Program will offer hunting access to over 8 million acres of private and isolated public land enrolled by more than 1,000 landowners for the 2001 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. Type I BMAs are areas where hunters administer their own permission, either by signing in at sign-in boxes or hunting on areas which require no formal permission.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Upland game bird game hunters and archers headed afield 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.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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).
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks toll-free hotline for reporting wildlife poaching, property damage, and violations of fish and game laws operates 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 in Montana's State Parks, can report the crime by calling 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

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 to protect people and personal property, and to preserve the land and resources. The rules may either prohibit or restrict fireworks, open fires, camping, littering, parking, pet control and discharge of firearms, depending on the area.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

The Paralyzed Veterans of America, a national organization, donated $20,000 in special adaptable equipment to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks this year to increase opportunities in the state for hunters with disabilities. The equipment includes five automated tree stands and four ground blinds. The automated tree stands lift a hunter in a wheel chair to a height of about 14 feet.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Officials at biological checking stations gather information needed to manage the state's wildlife resources. When hunters stop at biological checking stations, they may be asked a variety of questions including how many deer, elk or antelope they saw and in which drainages or general locations their hunting took place. 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.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Pheasant hunting prospects are top of mind with bird hunters looking forward to pheasant season in October. The new two-day resident-only period is October 6-7, with general pheasant season opening October 8 across the state. Good pheasant hunting depends on pheasant production. "More than half of the birds taken by hunters are juvenile birds.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

A limited number of surplus antelope and elk permits and antelope and deer "B" licenses may be available after September 14 from FWP regional offices. Those who were not successful in drawing an antelope permit are eligible to purchase a surplus license, if one is available. Also, those successful in drawing an either-sex antelope license may apply for a doe or fawn antelope license through this application process, again if surplus licenses remain.
(Hunting - September 16, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on a tentative annual rule for 2002 Nonresident Combination hunting licenses. The FWP Commission adopted the tentative rule at its September 6 meeting. The main changes from 2001 are an increase in the price of the Outfitter-Sponsored Combination License from $975 to $1,100, and an increase in the price of the Outfitter-sponsored Elk Combination License from $875 to $1,000.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

It's a matter of respect and one of the unwritten rules for hunters everywhere: Cover your game. While nearly everyone enjoys watching wildlife, few want to see dead deer, elk, and antelope in the bed of a pick-up truck, or worse. That's why FWP annually urges all hunters to cover their game on the way home. "A deer or elk strapped to a vehicle may seem harmless to some, but it's really a needless affront to many others," said Thomas Baumeister, FWP's hunter education coordinator.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a tentative biennial rule that will set State Parks fees through 2003. The FWP Commission approved the tentative rule during its September 6 meeting in Helena. Written comments must be received by November 2. The FWP Commission will meet November 8 to approve a final rule. Among the changes is a proposed increase for the resident State Parks Passport from $20 to $24. The second and third passports purchased would increase from $10 to $15.
(Parks - September 14, 2001)

Over $190,000 in funding was approved by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission in September for 13 Montana Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects. This funding will be matched by over $502,000 from outside sources. Private citizens, citizen groups, watershed groups and others submitted a total of 19 proposed projects. The Commission makes final decisions on funding requests after a 13-member citizen panel reviews proposals and submits funding recommendations for their consideration.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking volunteer advisory committee members for the State Trails Advisory Committee. The committee advises the agency on the expenditure of up $735,000 of Recreational Trails Program funds, discusses recreational trails issues and recommends solutions to trails issues.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

The Montana Wildlife Federation will conduct a "Go Wild With Wildlife" weekend September 22 and 23 to recognize the 30th Anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The event is open to the public and will be held at the YMCA Camp Child along the Little Blackfoot River near Elliston. The "Go Wild" weekend will include one overnight stay in a rustic cabin, information about Montana game animals, predators, endangered species, birds, fish and non-game animals. All ages are welcome.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that $150,000 in state grant funding is available to maintain existing off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails, including education, signage and noxious weed control. Federal and state agencies, organizations and clubs may apply for the grant money that is generated by gasoline taxes and registration fees for OHV's. Grant applications should be submitted to the local state biologist by Sept. 28, 2001 for their evaluation.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on tentative revisions to the Preference Point System announced in 2001. The tentative revisions clarify that bonus points are awarded only when a participant in a license drawing is unsuccessful and that an individual may not "purchase" or be awarded a bonus point without applying for a special license awarded through a drawing.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

     As Montana's population grows, conflicts between people and wildlife are increasing, especially around homes on the fringes of traditional wildlife habitat. While the state's wildlife draws newcomers, people's enthusiasm turns into frustration after repeated visits by creatures oblivious to property boundaries and our human expectations of them.   The first step is often a phone call asking Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to capture and remove the offender...a band-aid at best.
(Headlines - September 14, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently adopted tentative fishing regulations for the 2002-2003 fishing seasons. Most of the changes adopted at the Commission's Sept. 6 meeting in Helena were distributed to the public for review and comment in August, but the Commission also adopted several additional changes. The Commission will take comments on the tentatively adopted regulations through Oct. 12, said Karen Zackheim, FWP Fisheries Division bureau chief.
(Fishing - September 11, 2001)

Everyone who hunts doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, snipe, or coots in Montana must be "HIP" certified. HIP stands for Harvest Information Program, and certification delivers essential information to wildlife biologists so they can better manage wildlife resources in Montana and the United States. Most waterfowl seasons open in Montana on Sept. 29, but the snipe and dove hunting opener is Saturday, Sept. 1.
(Hunting - September 01, 2001)