The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 270, a portion of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, February 26, 2003.   The order halting the hunts came 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 - February 25, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 270, a portion of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, February 26, 2003.   The order halting the hunts came 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 - February 25, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds hunters and anglers that March 1 is the beginning of the new fishing and hunting license year.   Current fishing and hunting licenses expire on Feb. 28, except for licenses that cover furbearer trapping and mountain lion hunting. New licenses are available at FWP offices or from FWP license providers around the state.
(Headlines - February 21, 2003)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks River Recreation Advisory Council will meet in Helena, March 6-7 to continue its work to develop recommendations to manage recreation on the state's rivers.   At the meeting, the council will continue discussing permit allocation systems. The group will meet at the Montana Association of Counties building, 2715 Skyway Dr, beginning at 10 a.m. on March 6 and 8:30 a.m. on March 7.
(Headlines - February 21, 2003)

Women interested in hunting upland game birds next fall are invited to attend a clinic March 14-15 in Great Falls to help prepare for the hunt. Clinic participants will practice shotgun shooting, learn how to use a hunting dog, and how to care for birds in the field.   Participants must provide their own shotgun and ammunition and have some hunting experience.
(Hunting - February 21, 2003)

The fourth annual Youth Trapper Camp will be held June 6-8 in Beaver Creek Parks in the Bears Paw Mountains south of Havre.   Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana Trappers Association and Montana 4-H will co-sponsor the three-day camp. Youngsters attending the camp will learn trapping methods, equipment, regulations, ethics, furbearer identification and fur handling.   The camp is open to young people under the age 18.
(Hunting - February 21, 2003)

The Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Commission said the 2003 annual rule regulating prairie dog shooting would remain unchanged from last year.   In January, the Commission took public comments on the existing rule and re-adopted it in early February.
(Hunting - February 21, 2003)

I’m a hardcore snowmobile rider with enough experience to get into and out of tight spots where a person shouldn’t be in the first place. Not surprisingly, I’ve had two close calls with avalanches. My first brush with an avalanche was the winter of 1999-2000 when I nearly lost two friends in an ocean of snow.   There wasn’t a sound, just the wind created by snow moving toward me at over 100 mph. This near miss taught me respect.
(Headlines - February 21, 2003)

On a gray overcast day a few years ago, friends Larry Menard, Dan Burns and I decided to take advantage of a fresh snowfall to snowmobile. We met at Kleinschmidt Flat Road and the North Fork trailhead near Ovando.   Equipped with avalanche beacons, probe poles, and shovels we headed up the North Fork.   As we played in the snow, we noticed that snow “slabbed” off a road cut. The new snow hadn’t bonded to the older snow. We all agreed to be cautious.
(Headlines - February 21, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced today that it placed its trout hatchery in Lewistown under a fish-health quarantine. The quarantine at the state's Big Springs Trout Hatchery was imposed last week when a bacteria that causes bacterial kidney disease, or BKD, in trout was found in some rainbow trout and Arctic grayling at the facility. The fish were hatched from eggs gathered from wild fish in southwestern Montana.
(Headlines - February 21, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 240, in portions of Missoula and Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, February 20, 2003. The order halting the hunts came 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 - February 19, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks today denied to grant a wavier to allow ESPN's Great Outdoor Games to stage a fly-fishing competition in the Missoula area in April. In January, the television sports network asked FWP to waive an administrative rule that prohibits fishing contests for wild trout on streams and rivers. Most trout streams in Montana contain wild trout and are not stocked with hatchery fish.
(Headlines - February 19, 2003)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 313 and 316, including portions of Park, Carbon and Sweet Grass counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, February 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 had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - February 18, 2003)

The hunting of all 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, February 19, 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.
(Hunting - February 18, 2003)

The hunting of all 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, February 19, 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.
(Hunting - February 18, 2003)

MONTANA STATE PARKS PASSPORTS ON SALE 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.
(Headlines - February 11, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 212 and 215, which includes portions of Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge and Silver Bow counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, February 13, 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 - February 11, 2003)

The hunting of 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 Wednesday, February 12, 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 - February 10, 2003)

The hunting of all female mountain lions in southcentral Montana hunting district 511, which includes portions of Wheatland, Fergus and Golden Valley counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, February 11, 2003. The order halting the hunt came shortly after 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 - February 10, 2003)

The hunting of mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 390, 391 and 392, which include portions of Broadwater, Gallatin, Meagher and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 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 - February 10, 2003)

The hunting of 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 Tuesday, February 11, 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 - February 10, 2003)

Conservation, hunting and fishing licenses for the March 1, 2003-Feb. 29, 2004 license year are on sale at license providers and FWP headquarters and regional offices. Resident license costs are unchanged from 2002, with the conservation license running $4, fishing $13, deer A $13, elk $16, upland game bird $6 and black bear and mountain lion $15 each.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds outdoorsmen and women to report crimes involving the state’s fish, wildlife, State Parks to 1-800-TIP-MONT.   Through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, violations on USFS lands may now also be reported to TIP-MONT at 1-800-847-6688.   Callers will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. About 1,300 calls per year come into the TIP-MONT line which operates 24-hours a day.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Women interested in hunting upland game birds next fall are invited to attend a clinic March 14-15 in Great Falls to help prepare for the hunt. The clinic begins Friday evening at 7 p.m. and runs all day on Saturday. Clinic participants will practice shotgun shooting, 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 and have some hunting experience.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

In anticipation of another drought year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is providing a special funding opportunity for stream-flow enhancement projects through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. “Our mountain snow pack is presently below average throughout most of Montana, making it likely that we will be faced with a continuation of drought conditions and low stream flows during the upcoming summer,” said Glenn Phillips, FWP habitat protection bureau chief.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

The annual Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan meeting is set for Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the FWP headquarters building, 1420 East Sixth Ave., in Helena. FWP will be discussing the most current fisheries data collected on Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs at this annual public meeting. Canyon Ferry data from 2002 indicates a continuing poor survival of young rainbow trout.   Hauser and Holter walleye populations have declined or stabilized.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

The 2003 Bannack Days celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, at Bannack State Park located 22 miles southwest of Dillon. “Bannack Days is a traditional Montana pioneer celebration,” said Angela Hurley, Bannack State Park Manager.   “Now is the time for those who want to provide period skill demonstrations, wagon or horse rides, skits, music or other activities to sign up.   We’re also looking for volunteers to work behind the scenes.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Outdoor enthusiasts are finding weak ice and undependable ice conditions on many of Montana’s water bodies.     “In Montana we have to be extra concerned with ice safety, “ said Dave Hagengruber, FWP angler education specialist.   “Even in a normal winter, our ice conditions vary widely.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

If your agency or trail club needs money to create, complete, renovate or maintain a recreational trail, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has money to help get the job done.   Applications are due June 1 for the $870,000 in Recreational Trails Program funding available.   FWP’s State Parks Division administers these funds with advice from the citizen’s State Trails Advisory Committee.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Subaru’s mountain bike trail care crew tops the list of 25 sessions offered at the Montana’s State Trails Conference in Butte, April 3-5 at the Ramada Inn Copper King Hotel.   More than 60 experts will share information during 25 educational sessions. Trails field trips will round out the agenda.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment through Feb. 21 on the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for 2003-2007. The plan is a requirement for Montana to participate in funding from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.   LWCF brought $1.28 million to Montana in 2002 to help acquire and develop outdoor recreation facilities.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

This winter many fifth graders are taking a "virtual" vacation to Montana's 42 State Parks in preparation for the annual Montana State Parks Poster Contest.   "The Internet tour enables students visit their favorite parks online so they can select one in particular to illustrate on their poster," said Debbie Cheek, FWP's parks field support specialist who manages the contest.  This year's poster theme is "The State Park I would most like to visit with my family is....
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment in February on recreational use rules for the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers, including two amendments.   The amendments contain material from the existing biennial rule that was inadvertently left out of a December public notice covering the proposed rules. The amendments deal with outfitter boat tags and rules on the transfer of the opportunity to outfit on the two rivers.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

Snowmobiling promises adventure, challenge, and camaraderie to the more than 1.5 million registered snowmobile owners in the U.S.    With over 3,700 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and plenty of ungroomed areas on public land to explore in Montana, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure.   The challenge is combining safety with that adventure. Sadly, 20 individuals have died in Montana on snowmobiles caught in avalanches since 1998.
(Headlines - February 07, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 250, in portions of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003. The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana Hunting District 301, in portions of Gallatin and Park counties, will close at one half hour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003.
(Hunting - February 07, 2003)

The hunting of male mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 390, 391 and 392, which include portions of Broadwater, Gallatin, Meagher and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 8, 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.
(Hunting - February 06, 2003)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 123, which includes portions of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, Feb. 6, 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 - February 05, 2003)

     Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Wednesday, Feb. 12, in Helena at the FWP Headquarters building on 1420 East Sixth Ave., beginning at 8 a.m. During Wednesday’s session, final decisions will be made on the rule authorizing the addition of deer, elk, antelope and swan to the Bonus Point Program.
(Headlines - February 04, 2003)

The Montana Upland Game Bird Citizens Advisory council will meet in Helena, Feb. 10-11 at the Best Western Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Dr., in Helena, beginning at 8 a.m. both days. The 12-member council was appointed by Jeff Hagener, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to help develop a management plan for the state’s upland game bird populations.
(Hunting - February 03, 2003)