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 Wednesday, January 29, 2003. 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.
(Hunting - January 28, 2003)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 3 in western Montana will close one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, January 29, 2003. The district includes portions of Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison, Meagher, Park and Silver Bow counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 27, 2003)

The hunting of female mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 413 and 432, which includes portions of Cascade, Meagher and Judith Basin counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 28, 2003.   The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established sub- harvest quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 27, 2003)

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 Sunday, January 26, 2003. 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.
(Hunting - January 27, 2003)

The hunting of male mountain lions during the fall season in western Montana hunting districts 213 and 214, in portions of Granite, Powell and Deer Lodge counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, January 27, 2003. 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.
(Hunting - January 27, 2003)

The hunting of male mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 405, 447 and 471, in portions of Cascade, Chouteau, Judith Basin, and Fergus counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, January 26, 2003.    The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Hunting - January 27, 2003)

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 Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. 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 Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003.
(Hunting - January 24, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for 2003-2007. The plan identifies outdoor recreational issues, and how outdoor recreation will be managed over the next five years.   "The Land and Water Conservation Fund brought $1.28 million to Montana in 2002 to help acquire and develop outdoor recreation facilities," said Walt Timmerman, FWP recreation bureau chief.
(Headlines - January 24, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks internships for summer 2003 offer college students a variety of opportunities to gain "hands-on" work experiences that link to future career goals.   An internship is a great way to begin building an eye-catching resume, too.
(Headlines - January 24, 2003)

The Montana Trappers Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are teaming up to offer special education classes for youngsters interested in learning about trapping and Montana's furbearers.   Participants will learn about trapping equipment, trapping methods, regulations, health, safety and ethics.   Participants will also receive the National Trappers Association Trapping Handbook, the "Get Set to Trap" workbook and other information.
(Hunting - January 24, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will discontinue its 1-900-225-5397 information hotline on Feb. 3.   "Calls to the 900-number have decreased significantly as traffic to FWP's web site has increased," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim. The hotline was staffed by a private vendor who offered details to callers on a wide variety of recreation topics. After Feb. 3, callers to the 900-number will receive a fast busy signal.
(Headlines - January 24, 2003)

Trail riders seeking funds for off-highway trail maintenance, education, and noxious-weed control should consider attending Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' free grant-writing workshop set for March 1 in Helena. The workshop is designed to help agencies, organizations and clubs apply for a 2004 Off-Highway Vehicle Grant.   The workshop will be held March 1 at FWP headquarters in Helena, 1420 East Sixth Ave. beginning at 10 a.m.
(Headlines - January 24, 2003)

Montana’s popular TIP-MONT Program, which enlists outdoorsmen and women in reporting crimes they observe involving the state’s fish, wildlife and State Parks resources, is getting a financial boost from supporters.   “Montanans are so passionate about their natural resources that in addition to hundreds of tips a year, we often hear from people who want to donate to TIP-MONT,” said Jim Kropp, FWP Enforcement Division administrator.
(Hunting - January 24, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has proposed new guidelines to manage the state’s game bird farms and shooting preserves based on a detailed environmental study of the facilities. Changes include: simplified licensing procedures, changes in annual fees, and tighter controls to protect native upland game bird populations.
(Hunting - January 24, 2003)

This Valentine's Day, consider "The Magic That Is Montana." This colorful cookbook is the result of a partnership between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks employees, who supplied the recipes, and the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Foundation.   "The Magic That Is Montana" may be just the gift for your Valentine.
(Headlines - January 24, 2003)

Though many lion hunters in Montana covet a trophy mount or lion pelt, nearly 90 percent come home empty handed. Over 5,500 mountain lion licenses were sold in 2001, while about 500 lions were harvested.   Why?   "The hunt for me, and for others I know, is about putting the lion in the tree, not necessarily about killing a lion," said R.C. Carroll of Clinton who has hunted lions for over 20 years and killed five or six big cats in that time.
(Hunting - January 24, 2003)

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 Friday, January 24, 2003. 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.   For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 23, 2003)

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 Friday, January 24, 2003. 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.
(Hunting - January 23, 2003)

The hunting of all 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 Sunday, January 26, 2003.   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.
(Hunting - January 23, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southcentral Montana hunting district 520, which includes portions of Carbon, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties,   closed at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003. The order halting the hunt came shortly after 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.
(Hunting - January 21, 2003)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 2 in western Montana will close one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003. The district includes portions of Deer Lodge, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell and Ravalli counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.us at "Hot Topics" then click on "Trapping Season Status," or call the toll free number at 1-800-711-8727.
(Hunting - January 21, 2003)

Visitors to Montana's 42 State Parks spent nearly $180 million statewide, according to a 2002 study by the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.   About 65 percent of that spending occurred in communities surrounding the parks, such as Billings, which is near Cooney Reservoir; Dillon, near Bannack; and Missoula, near Frenchtown Pond.
(Headlines - January 17, 2003)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 312 and 393, which include portions of Gallatin, Park and Meagher counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003.          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.
(Hunting - January 17, 2003)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on a tentative 2003 regulation on prairie dog shooting that is unchanged from 2002.
(Hunting - January 17, 2003)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping and hunting bobcats in Trapping District 4 in north central Montana will close one-half hour after sunset Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. The district includes portions of Hill, Glacier, Chouteau, Toole, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Park, Judith Basin, Fergus, and Petroleum counties. For more information visit Fish, Wildlife & Parks' web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 17, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 411 and 412, in portions of Golden Valley, Fergus, and Judith Basin counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, Jan. 17, 2003.   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. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 16, 2003)

The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 210, which include portions of Missoula and Granite counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, January 16, 2003.   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.
(Hunting - January 15, 2003)

ESPN's Great Outdoor Games is proposing a fly-fishing competition in the Missoula area April 8-10, contingent on the approval of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.   FWP's fisheries division is seeking public comment on the proposed contest through Feb. 7.   The contest will require a waiver because Montana's fishing contest rules prohibit contests that impact wild trout.   Most rivers in Montana contain wild trout and are not stocked with hatchery fish.
(Fishing - January 15, 2003)

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 Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. 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 had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 15, 2003)

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 Wednesday, January 15, 2003. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district has been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 14, 2003)

By order of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking fisher in Trapping District 2 of western Montana will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, January 16, 2003.    Trapping District 2 includes portions of Deer Lodge, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell and Ravalli counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 14, 2003)

Meetings on the proposed regulations for the 2003 big game seasons continue throughout the state. During January, meetings on the tentative regulations for the 2003 deer, elk, black bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, antelope, upland game bird and spring turkey seasons are set for: Region One: January 18 (Sat.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

Hunters and others interested in chronic wasting disease--a fatal disease of deer and elk that has yet to turn up in any Montana wild game, but that is present in nearby states and Canadian provinces--can offer comments at public meetings set to discuss the 2003 hunting seasons.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks River Recreation Advisory Council will meet in Helena, Thursday, Jan.16, to continue its work to develop recommendations to manage recreation on the state's rivers.   At the meeting, the council will consider policies for the allocation of river recreation opportunities and discuss Montana's legislative session. The group will meet at FWP headquarters, 1420 E. 6th Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Headlines - January 10, 2003)

Look for our national symbol among the lines and boxes on your 2002 Montana income tax form.   The bald eagle hovers over the box where you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the state's watchable wildlife. Watchable wildlife species include the bald eagles we see perched in trees or soaring above our rivers and the chorus frogs that give a voice to wetlands on summer evenings.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

The Montana Watershed Coordination Council is seeking nominations for the fifth annual Montana Watershed Stewardship Award through Mar. 1.   The award is made in recognition of innovative, locally led approaches to restoring and enhancing Montana’s watersheds. Recipients of the 2002 stewardship award included watershed groups working in the Jefferson River and Deep Creek drainages.
(Headlines - January 10, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on six new fishing contest applications received for the summer of 2003, four of which are in northwestern Montana. Contest participants must comply with all applicable fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.   FWP will accept public comments on the following contests through Jan. 31.
(Fishing - January 10, 2003)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has taken the recommendation of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and is proposing to extend the current recreational use rules for another two years on the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers.   The rules have been in effect since May 2001 and are due to expire in May 2003.
(Headlines - January 10, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual survey of Montana’s big and small game hunters will begin the end of January.   Wildlife managers will use information collected during the survey to estimate the 2002 harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons. According to FWP research specialist Candy Hinz, about 80,000 Montana households will be contacted over a four- to six-week period.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

The 2003 Montana State Parks Passports are now available at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters in Helena, FWP regional offices and from FWP license providers around the state.   The Early Bird Park Passport was discontinued beginning this year. The annual $30 windshield decal allows unlimited entrance into State Parks without paying a daily fee for each visit.   The decal also provides a $3 reduction in camping fees at State Parks.
(Parks - January 10, 2003)

In the Pacific Flyway, the duck-hunting season closes on Jan. 10.   In the Central Flyway, duck hunting season closed on Jan. 2. The goose-hunting season closes Jan. 10 in both the Pacific and the Central Flyways.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

The Montana Trappers Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will present trapper education classes for those interested in learning more about trapping. Participants will learn about trapping equipment, trapping methods, regulations, health, safety and ethics.   Participants will also receive the National Trappers Association Trapping Handbook, the "Get Set to Trap" workbook and other helpful information. These free classes are open to all interested individuals.
(Hunting - January 10, 2003)

Montana's Future Fisheries review panel will meet in Helena on Friday, Jan. 24 in the Metcalf Building's Glacier Room, 1520 East 6 th Ave., at 8:30 a.m. to discuss 29 project applications requesting nearly $1.3 million in program funding.
(Fishing - January 10, 2003)

Looking for a winter project that will remind you of summer? Then fill out an application for a 2003 Smith River float permit. Or spend a few nights reading the Smith River annual report. “Smith River applications are available at all Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices,” says Joe O’Neill, FWP Smith River manager. “You can also download them from FWP’s web site.” On the Internet, go to FWP’s web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us .
(Headlines - January 10, 2003)

Winter should mean that good ice is covering many of Montana's lakes and reservoirs and tempting winter anglers to start ice fishing.  With this unseasonably warm winter, ice buildup has become less predictable and dependable.   As ice begins to firm up, it 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 any ice before venturing onto it.
(Fishing - January 10, 2003)

This winter, especially in Cooke City and Yellowstone, conditions are unstable and avalanche warnings have been posted.   Early snows iced over and subsequent snows created unbonded layers, which are likely to result in avalanches. Avalanches are powerful, unpredictable and can occur at any time. The best way to avoid an avalanche is to recognize the warning signs and to steer clear of avalanche-hazard areas.
(Headlines - January 10, 2003)

Current hunt results for the Gardiner late hunt. This document is available online for download. [LATEHUNTRESULTS2002.
(Hunting - January 07, 2003)

Hunters and others interested in chronic wasting disease--a fatal disease of deer and elk that has yet to turn up in any Montana wild game, but that is present in nearby states and Canadian provinces--can offer comments at public meetings set to the discuss the 2003 hunting seasons.
(Hunting - January 07, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 323, 324, 325 and 327, which include portions of Madison and Beaverhead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 7, 2003.    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.
(Hunting - January 06, 2003)

The hunting of all 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 Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003. 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. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 03, 2003)

The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 211 and 216, which includes portions of Granite and Missoula counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, January 4, 2003. The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 283 and 285, which include portions of Missoula and Powell counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, January 4, 2003.
(Hunting - January 03, 2003)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 5 in southcentral Montana will close one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, January 5, 2003. The district includes portions of Fergus, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Park, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon and Treasure counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - January 03, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 331, which includes portions of   Beaverhead, Silver Bow and Madison counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, Jan. 3, 2003. 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.
(Hunting - January 02, 2003)