The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet in Missoula at the Double Tree Hotel Missoula/Edgewater, 100 Madison, June 12-13 to discuss issues related to elk management, hunting access, and landowner incentives. The 16-member Council, appointed by Gov. Judy Martz to deal with hunting access issues, is comprised of hunters, landowners, and outfitters. The Council will meet Wednesday, June 12 from 7 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 13, from 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
(Hunting - May 31, 2002)

Montana State Parks Passports, the car windshield decals that allow annual entrance to Montana’s State Parks and discounts on camping fees, can be purchased on the Internet from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at fwp.state.mt.us. Anyone with an Internet connection and credit card can purchase a Montana State Parks Passport for $24.50 from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To purchase a Parks Passport on line, go to the FWP home page at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - May 31, 2002)

"No-wake" boating rules are in place on a number of waters around the state. No wake speed is defined as a speed where there is no "white" water in the track or path of the vessel or in waves immediately near the vessel.
(Education - May 31, 2002)

The Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, now under construction in Helena next to the Stedman Foundry, came closer to reality with the recent hiring of the center's new director, Caryn Amacher of Indian River, Michigan. Amacher started her new job May 20. She will work in the Helena Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters building until the new Rehabilitation and Education Center is completed later this spring.
(Wild Things - May 31, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently clarified its policy on illegal introductions of aquatic species and the restoration of streams that may be affected by these illegal introductions. Illegally introduced aquatic species can harm native, wild and stocked fish populations; spread disease; impact water quality and aquatic habitat; increase fishery management costs and diminish fishing opportunity in the state.
(Fishing - May 31, 2002)

"Hello, Tim? This is the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. We have a report of a grizzly bear at a private residence in the North Fork." The bear had been coming to eat birdseed the last few nights. Tonight it was trying to dig under a dog-kennel fence...with three Saint Bernard dogs barking in its face. The landowner was tired of the bear, and now he was afraid for his dogs. I turn and look at the clock. 2:36 a.m. It's going to be a long day.
(Wild Things - May 31, 2002)

Women seeking to get their bowhunter education certificate or wanting to know more about archery hunting should plan to attend a Bowhunter Education class for adult women on June 21 – 23. The class will cover handling archery equipment safely, tree-stand safety, laws, field dressing animals and sportsmanship.
(Hunting - May 31, 2002)

Spring is a time of renewal in the wild. For many, newborn wildlife is irresistible, and many well-meaning people are tempted to "help" when the best thing they can do is leave the young alone. Born in May and June, many young wild animals appear to be abandoned and helpless, or seem to be lost. Young wildlife are not helpless and are rarely abandoned. Most often the adult is only temporarily away or is staying a short distance away to avoid attracting attention to her young.
(Hunting - May 31, 2002)

Boating statistics kept by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks show a steady decline in total annual boating fatalities, according to Liz Lodman, FWP Boat Education Coordinator. "We had a high of 14 fatalities in 1996 and a low of five fatalities in 2001," said Lodman. "While the trend is positive, we’ve already have two boating fatalities in 2002 with the death of two teens canoeing on Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Helena.
(Education - May 31, 2002)

Women can learn to canoe on the Yellowstone River near Livingston this summer. The Montana Becoming an Outdoors Woman program has teamed up with Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) to offer a 5-day canoeing adventure for women. The class begins in Livingston and runs August 21-25. The Yellowstone is a wide, swift moving river whose banks are lined with shimmering cottonwoods and is home to bald eagles, osprey and a healthy fish population.
(Education - May 31, 2002)

Leave the kids at home, mom, and go to a camp designed just for you. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is sponsoring a “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” (BOW) workshop this summer. The workshop will run from August 9 through 11. These popular workshops provide women an opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as fishing, fly-tying, shotgun and rifle shooting, canoeing, map and compass reading, dutch oven cooking, backpacking and more.
(Education - May 31, 2002)

Spring is a time of renewal in the wild. For many, newborn wildlife is irresistible, and many well-meaning people are tempted to "help" when the best thing they can do is leave the young alone. Born in May and June, many young wild animals appear to be abandoned and helpless, or seem to be lost. Young wildlife are not helpless and are rarely abandoned. Most often the adult is only temporarily away or is staying a short distance away to avoid attracting attention to her young.
(Wild Things - May 29, 2002)

Most Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, June 1, to assist hunters meet the special-drawing application deadline for Montana’s coveted elk, deer, and antelope hunting licenses and permits. "FWP staff will be on special duty on Saturday, June 1 to help handle the additional traffic we expect and to answer questions from hunters and license providers around the state," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim.
(Hunting - May 24, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds anglers that applications for ice fishing contests planned for this winter, including fundraisers, are due by July 1. Application forms are available from local FWP regional offices or by calling the Helena FWP headquarters at 406-444-2449. Applications will also be available on the FWP web page beginning June 1. A decision on ice fishing contest applications will be made no later than Oct. 1.
(Fishing - May 17, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has produced an addendum to the 2002-2003 Fishing Regulations, including corrections and clarifications. The addendum is available at all FWP regional offices, the FWP headquarters office in Helena and from FWP license providers.
(Fishing - May 17, 2002)

Even though the famous cliché tells us that in the spring our thoughts should turn to love, for many of us, spring means something else. The long winter has taken its toll across Montana, worms are being dug, flies are being tied, and rods are being assembled. Once again, it's time to go fishing! Although some cherish the solitude and tranquility of fishing alone, for others, fishing is family time.
(Fishing - May 17, 2002)

Black bear hunting season closed May 15 in most 100 and 200 series bear management areas and in BMU district 300. Black bear hunting closed earlier in bear management areas where hunting quotas were met. Black bear hunting continues until May 31 in the following bear management areas: 240, 216, 301, 317, 319, the 400 series, and 500 series. For hunters with validated licenses, bear hunting continues until May 31 in bear management areas 103, 106, and 107.
(Hunting - May 17, 2002)

Hunters have until June 1 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for antelope licenses, deer B licenses, and special elk and deer permits that are annually awarded through special drawings. To apply for a special permit, you must have already purchased a Conservation License and, if applying for an elk permit, must purchase an Elk License before submitting an application for the special drawing. Be sure to check individual hunting district regulations for specific requirements.
(Hunting - May 17, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the hunters and anglers who buy licenses in the next few weeks will be weathering some peak license sales periods. FWP advises license buyers to plan to purchase licenses early and to allow extra time. "We anticipate peak license sales May 25 to June 1. Sales of Conservation Licenses and Fishing License will peak at the same time the applications for special license drawings are due June 1," said Ron Aasheim, FWP Conservation Education division administrator.
(Headlines - May 17, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds operators of off-highway vehicles that all OHV's operated on public lands in Montana must display an off-highway decal in a conspicuous place and pay other OHV fees. On most public lands, cross-country travel is not allowed. OHV's are self-propelled vehicles such as off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's).
(Headlines - May 17, 2002)

Anglers, fish biologists, high school biology students, tourists and local area residents curious about which fish species Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is stocking in area lakes, reservoirs or ponds can once again consult the Annual FWP Fish Stocking Plan. "Our Annual Fish Stocking Plan is a surprisingly popular document," said Gary Bertelloti, FWP Hatchery Bureau Chief.
(Fishing - May 17, 2002)

The hunting of all black bears in Bear Management Unit 520, in portions of Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Carbon counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, May 16, 2002. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said the harvest quota was reached.
(Hunting - May 14, 2002)

Landowners still interested in releasing ring-necked pheasants this year have until May 15 to submit an application. Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Upland Game Bird Release Program, landowners who attempt to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for releasing pheasants. Landowners can apply if the land in the project area remains open to reasonable public hunting.
(Habitat - May 03, 2002)

Montana residents purchased more black bear hunting licenses this year than in 2001 leading state wildlife officials to suspect that many Montanans unexpectedly enjoyed the new mandatory bear identification training and decided to give black bear hunting a try. "FWP's mandatory bear identification training and testing may have actually stimulated more interest in bear hunting this year," said Thomas Baumeister, FWP Hunter Education coordinator.
(Hunting - May 03, 2002)

Learn backpacking in the beautiful Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains. The Montana Becoming an Outdoors Woman program has teamed up with Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) to offer a 5-day backpacking adventure for women. The class begins in Red Lodge and runs June 26-30. The journey begins in lowland foothills, at about 6,000 feet, and then ascends mountain canyons to the high alpine plateaus above tree line.
(Education - May 03, 2002)

Women interested in archery hunting this fall or in learning more about bow hunting are invited to attend a weekend Bowhunter Education class for adult women June 21 – 23. The class will cover handling archery equipment safely, wildlife conservation, tree-stand safety, laws, ethics and sportsmanship.
(Education - May 03, 2002)

The Montana Bowhunters Association, in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will conduct its fourth annual Discover The Outdoors Camp for single-parent families June 28, 29 & 30. The camp is provided free of charge to parent-child pairs that will be selected to attend. The camp is designed for youth 11-15 years of age and their single parent or guardian to provide them with opportunities to try different outdoor skills.
(Education - May 03, 2002)

With the Yellowstone River's paddlefish seasons set to open in May, FWP officials are reminding anglers that low-river flows may keep many of the prehistoric fish from navigating upstream this spring. "The outlook for a decent paddlefish opener is in question," said Don Hyyppa, FWP Region 7 supervisor. "A high-water spring runoff is needed for a superior paddlefish season and we aren’t seeing any miracles in the offing right now." Conditions remain dry in the eastern part of Montana.
(Headlines - May 03, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will administer up to $890,000 in fish restoration and irrigation funding available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The new funding is for voluntary fish screening and passage projects associated with water diversions west of the Continental Divide in Montana. Proposals for Montana projects must be submitted by May 30. Proposals for 2003 must be submitted by July 15, 2002.
(Fishing - May 03, 2002)

Big game hunters who plan to submit applications for deer B and antelope licenses and special elk permits need to have the applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena by Friday, May 31 or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than June 1, 2002. Big game regulations and applications for special permits are available at all FWP offices, from license providers statewide and on the FWP web page at fwp.state.mt.us.
(Hunting - May 03, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently mailed corrections on the 2002 Big Game Hunting Regulations to successful Nonresident Deer and Elk Combination License applicants. The corrections will also be distributed to all FWP license providers, FWP regional offices and area resource offices. The corrections, which follow, are also listed on the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us.
(Hunting - May 03, 2002)

In the late 1990's, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks developed a mule deer management plan that links population goals, harvest regulations, population monitoring and population modeling. One aspect of the plan was to increase the amount of monitoring scheduled on 13 of the 80 areas statewide designated as mule deer population "census areas." Bitter Creek, a high quality prairie mule deer habitat in Region 6, was one of the 13 new census areas.
(Wild Things - May 03, 2002)

Low water levels in the Smith River this spring have created difficult conditions that have stranded floaters, state officials warn. "People have already tried to float the Smith this year and found it too low," says Joe O’Neill, Fish, Wildlife & Parks Smith River manager. "In one instance a landowner was nice enough to come to the rescue and haul the floaters and their gear back to Camp Baker." Camp Baker is the launch site for the semi-wilderness float.
(Headlines - May 03, 2002)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet May 8-9 in Helena at the FWP headquarters, 1420 East Sixth Ave, beginning at 8 a.m. both days. May 8 will be a work session review of mountain lion research; the furbearer program; FWP youth programs and the FWP drought fishing closure policy.
(Inside FWP - May 03, 2002)

With more than 4,000 comments collected during Montana's 60-day wolf management scoping effort, the first phase of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' year-long process to develop and adopt a wolf management plan closed Tuesday, April 30. FWP Director Jeff Hagener said today that the high public interest, and the breadth of participation, will ultimately result in a ground-breaking wildlife management plan.
(Headlines - May 03, 2002)

Low water levels in the Smith River this spring have created difficult conditions that have stranded floaters, state officials warn. “People have already tried to float the Smith this year and found it too low,” says Joe O’Neill, Fish Wildlife and Parks Smith River manager. “In one instance a landowner was nice enough to come to the rescue and haul the floaters and their gear back to Camp Baker.” Camp Baker is the launch site for the semi-wilderness float.
(Parks - May 02, 2002)