Major construction efforts are underway this spring at a number of State Parks. Frenchtown Pond State Park is a popular day-use area west of Missoula. The site will be getting a major facelift and upgrade, including a new comfort station, entrance, infrastructure upgrades, and landscaping. Construction work will continue through June. Hell Creek State Park is an important destination north of Jordan in eastern Montana. Located on Ft.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

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(Headlines - July 01, 2001)

When you think of what makes a community a great place to live, what do you think of? If you have young children, you may consider the school system. If you are retired, you might think of the climate. If you are a businessperson, you might look into the economic health of a place. Often people consider parks and recreational opportunities an important asset. Our state parks are part of the economic and social fabric of many communities across Montana.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Many Parks are perfect natural outdoor classrooms for learning about our fragile environment, abundant wildlife, prehistoric animals, ghost towns, geology, history, and of earlier cultures. Cynde Swartz, fifth grade teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Great Falls, knows the importance of "hands on" teaching. She says the best way to teach students these subjects is to take them to places where it can be viewed and experienced.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Travelers Rest, near Lolo, became Montana's 42 nd State Park in March. After a year of patient negotiation, The Conservation Fund purchased the property from Pat and Ernie Deschamps and simultaneously donated it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The park is now operated through a unique partnership between FWP and the Travelers' Rest Preservation Project (TRPP). FWP owns the site while TRPP is responsible for operating and maintaining the 15-acre park.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Managers at Missouri Headwaters State Park have secured $90,000 in two challenge cost-share grants from the National Park Service to address needs at the park. Near the community of Three Forks, the park is a major destination for Lewis and Clark enthusiasts. While it is an important Lewis and Clark site, the park has many other rich stories to tell, making it one of the premiere interpretive sites in the state park system.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Montana State Parks Passports, the car windshield decals that allow annual entrance to Montana's State Parks and provide discounts on camping fees, can now be purchased on the Internet from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Anyone with an Internet connection and a credit card can purchase the State Park Passport from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the first of many state services soon to become accessible on the Internet.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Parks Division would like to announce that the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant applications for fiscal year 2002 will be available in late June of this year. Applications can be downloaded from the FWP website or you can contact the Helena office. It's anticipated that approximately $714,000 (RTP) and $164,000 (OHV) will be available. Questions on presenting an application should be directed to Bob Walker (444-4585).
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Since 1965, communities across Montana have received over $31 million for outdoor recreation projects in Land and Water Conservation fund grants. Last year the communities of Three Forks, Twin Bridges, Bozeman, Polson, Livingston and Choteau received LWCF grant funds. We are pleased to announce that once again Cities, Towns, School Districts and Tribal governments are eligible to compete for $403,556 in Land & Water Conservation Fund grant money for outdoor recreation projects this year.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

With the passage of House Bill 132 by the 2001 Legislature, more options are now available for FWP to provide funding for motorboat improvement projects statewide. All Montana boatowners who register their motorboats pay a fee in-lieu of tax of which 20% goes for boating improvements, such as boat ramp rehabilitation, latrines, buoys, and related items. The remaining 80% remains in the county where the fee was paid.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

In an ongoing effort to provide angler access to Montana's streams, rivers, and lakes these new sites have been added to the Fishing Access Site program. A portion of each fishing license sold is deposited into a fund for acquisition.
(Parks - July 01, 2001)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Wednesday, July 11 in Helena at the FWP Headquarters building at 1420 East Sixth Ave. beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will be dedicated to discussing and setting the 2001 Mountain Lion Season in FWP administrative Region One. Public comment is being sought on tentative regulations to limit the number of nonresident mountain lion hunters allowed in FWP administrative Region One.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

The State Board of Land Commissioners on June 18 reviewed and approved two significant projects to secure important wildlife habitat agreed to at the June meeting of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. Acquisition of 106 acres in Lake County will expand the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area to 3,571 acres and on the Blackfoot-Clearwater winter elk range, exchange agreements are part of a long-range project to consolidate FWP lands there.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants for $180,000 in grants available for the development and improvement of safe, public shooting ranges. FWP administers the grant program, which is funded by hunting license dollars, to create safe training areas for students enrolled in hunter and bow hunter education programs and to provide hunters and recreational shooters an opportunity to improve shooting skills.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

July 10 is the application deadline for special permits to hunt sandhill cranes. The four limited permit areas to hunt sandhill cranes in Montana are: Central Flyway-Sept. 8-16, 2001 Wheatland County and that part of Sweetgrass County north of I-90 (45 permits) Pacific Flyway- Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 15-16, 2001 Dillon-Twin Bridges (100 permits) Warm Springs (25 permits) Ovando-Helmville (25 permits) Applicants must apply in writing to: FWP, License Section, Sandhill Crane Drawing, P.O.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

Homes next to Montana's forests or wild lands are often within bear country. Bears also may occasionally wander into towns and neighborhoods searching for food. Anything people or their pets eat will attract bears -- quick learners that make it a habit of returning to these sources of food over and over. These "food conditioned" bears are removed and relocated but frequently return and eventually are destroyed to protect the public safety.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

Vandalism in Montana State Parks is an annual drain on budgets and a threat to the historical resources, recreational opportunities and natural wonders Montanans treasure, according to Shelly Hiron, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks TIP-MONT coordinator. "TIP-MONT gives Montanans a way to reduce this crime and protect our State Parks," Hiron said. Repair and replacement costs for damage by vandals can range from $10 to $2-3,000.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

Women interested in learning more about shooting a bow and arrow are invited to attend a one-day clinic on Saturday, August 18, at the Teller Wildlife Refuge south of Missoula. Participants will also learn the art of Dutch oven cooking as they help prepare lunch. At the clinic, participants will learn how to string a bow, fletch an arrow, practice stationary and aerial shooting, and learn archery games. Participants may bring their own bow, arrows and arm guards or the equipment will be provided.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

BY -- Whether it's the azure-blue of Mountain Bluebells in the high country, or the candy-yellow of Balsamroot spread along fence lines in the valleys, the Treasure State never disappoints when it comes to dazzling floral displays. But beware...there are imposters in our midst! Each year, more and more of the colorful displays we see blanketing Montana's countryside are the result of noxious weed infestations, not wildflowers.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

*New Additions Effective February 11, 2000 Category 1. Category 1 noxious weeds are weeds that are currently established and generally widespread in many counties of the state. Management criteria includes awareness and education, containment and suppression of existing infestations and prevention of new infestations. These weeds are capable of rapid spread and render land unfit or greatly limit beneficial uses.
(Headlines - June 22, 2001)

Public comment is being sought on tentative regulations to limit the number of nonresident mountain lion hunters allowed in FWP administrative Region 1. House Bill 142, passed by the 2001 Montana State Legislature, provides the authority for the FWP Commission to make this decision. Two alternatives are being considered.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

Acting to secure important wildlife habitat, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission at its June meeting approved acquisition of 106 acres in Lake County to expand the NinepipeWildlife Management Area. "The 106-acre parcel is extremely productive upland bird and waterfowl habitat immediately next to the WMA and near the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge," said Paul Sihler, FWP Field Services Administrator.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

Now women of all ages can leave the kids at home, escape work place worries and head to summer camp. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' annual "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" (BOW) summer workshop from July 27-29 is a great opportunity to learn outdoor skills while indulging in a great summer getaway.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

July 10 is the application deadline for special permits to hunt sandhill cranes. The four limited permit areas to hunt sandhill cranes in Montana are: Central Flyway - Sept. 8-16, 2001 Wheatland County and that part of Sweetgrass County north of I-90 (45 permits) Pacific Flyway - Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 15-16, 2001 Dillon-Twin Bridges (100 permits) Warm Springs (25 permits) Ovando-Helmville (25 permits) Applicants must apply in writing to: FWP, License Section, Sandhill Crane Drawing, P.O.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

Anglers interested in the statewide and regional issues related to the 2002-2003 fishing regulations now have until June 30 to send in their comments. The statewide issues include: the pros and cons of today's "possession limit" which is difficult to enforce; more restrictive limits for sauger on the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers; and options for standard cutthroat trout regulations in the Western Fishing District.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

A Montana State Parks Passport is now available for purchase on the Internet from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us/parks or at DiscoveringMontana.com. Anyone with a credit card and current driver's license can access these sites and go through the simple steps to purchase the passport, which will be received by mail within about five days.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

The number of out-of-state applicants for big game licenses in Montana demonstrates hunters from around the country continue to have a strong interest in hunting here. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks accepted over 25,000 applications for 11,500 general big game deer/elk combination licenses and over 10,000 applicants for 2,300 deer combination licenses.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently approved no-wake zones near new boating developments on Hauser Reservoir near Helena. The no-wake rule states all watercraft must maintain no-wake speeds within 100 feet of the docks or as buoyed at Devil's Elbow and 300 feet from shore or as buoyed at Clark's Bay, which was formerly a Lewis and Clark County Recreation site. The U.S.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks turned 100 years old this year. The story of Montana's century of conservation, however, is not about a government agency. It's a story about people from all walks of life who made difficult choices and personal sacrifices to conserve so much of what so many believe is best about Montana. It's really a comeback story. Maybe one of the best comebacks of all time. In 1888, Benjamin F.
(Headlines - June 08, 2001)