Montana"s antelope hunting season ends one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, Nov.7. Sage grouse hunting season ends Monday, Nov. 1 and mountain grouse season ends Dec. 15.   The season for sharp-tailed grouse, partridge, ring-necked pheasant and wild turkey will remain open until Jan. 1, 2005.
(Hunting - October 28, 2004)

This year’s fall mountain lion season for hunting without hounds is underway and will continue until Nov. 28, or until pre-established harvest limits are met.
(Hunting - October 28, 2004)

With the opening of the fall mountain lion season Oct. 24, questions about the number, location and health of lion populations abound. Obtaining that information can be a tall order for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists. "Seemingly simple questions about how many lions are out there, where, and how well they are doing are tough to answer when you’re talking about the reclusive, secretive mountain lion," said Rich DeSimone, FWP biologist.
(Headlines - October 28, 2004)

Big game hunters, who often disguise their human scent and dress in hunter orange and camouflage colors, are likely to encounter a variety of wildlife on the hunt, including mountain lions.
(Headlines - October 28, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a tentative hunting season and regulations for bison in southwestern Montana. In 2003, Montana's Legislature passed a law giving the FWP Commission authority to establish a bison hunt.   At its Oct. 7 meeting in Helena, the commission tentatively approved FWP’s environmental review and plan for a proposed hunt, authorizing 25 bison-hunting licenses for use Jan. 15-Feb. 15, 2005.
(Headlines - October 28, 2004)

Montana"s furbearer season for trapping beaver, otter, muskrat   and mink in western districts 1, 2, and 3 begins Monday, Nov. 1.
(Hunting - October 28, 2004)

TIP-MONT, the resource "crime stoppers" program managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, offers substantial rewards to callers who report valuable information on natural resource crimes. If the information leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 and may remain anonymous.
(Hunting - October 28, 2004)

With Montana"s general deer and elk hunting seasons in full swing, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks urges hunters to police their own ranks and call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) if they witness a fish and game violation, or property vandalism in a Montana State Park or national forest.
(Headlines - October 28, 2004)

A rooster here, a grouse there, and a lot of walking between flushes and points. That describes upland bird hunting this year in northeastern Montana. Declines predicted by biologists based on harsh weather last winter and spring, are being confirmed by hunters who see a relative scarcity of birds.
(Hunting - October 28, 2004)

A young sow grizzly bear headed for a captive facility in Canada died unexpectedly of heart failure at the Montana Wildlife Center in Helena following an operation to spay the animal. The 235-pound female grizzly was operated on by a team of veterinarians and wildlife technicians and died during recovery at the center on Oct. 24, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said.
(Wild Things - October 27, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 130, which includes portions of Lake and Missoula counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, October 28, 2004. The order halting the Fall Hunting Season Without Dogs came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for lions in this district had been met.
(Hunting - October 27, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 300, 302, 328 and 329, in portions of Beaverhead County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, October 28, 2004. The order closing the Fall Hunting Season Without Dogs came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for lions in the districts combined had been met.
(Hunting - October 26, 2004)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Nov. 4, at FWP Headquarters, 1420 East Sixth Ave. in Helena beginning at 8:30 a.m.    Information will be presented on the Beaverhead and Big Hole River recreation rulemaking process and on the elk plan.
(Headlines - October 22, 2004)

At the annual October Ghost Walk, long-told stories of spirits shroud the ghost town of Bannack, Montana. Vigilantes bestowed violent beginnings. But dig deeper. The town’s windswept cemetery where its spirits rest, or don’t rest, is an indelible record of the lives and tragedies that will forever color the history of Bannack.
(Parks - October 14, 2004)

If it's elk you’re after this hunting season, populations across Montana are looking good. Elk hunters will even be able to take a cow or calf elk in some hunting districts, mostly located in southwestern Montana, with their regular elk hunting licenses. Montana's five-week general elk hunting season is set to open Oct. 24.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a tentative hunting season and regulations for bison in southwestern Montana.
(Headlines - October 14, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently adopted final fishing regulations for the 2005 fishing season, but is still seeking public comment on proposed changes that could affect two reservoirs. Most of the changes adopted at the Commission's Oct. 7 meeting in Helena were distributed to the public for review and comment in September.
(Fishing - October 14, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking trail recreationists to serve on the State Trails Advisory Committee.   The committee advises the agency on the distribution of $800,000 of Recreational Trails Program funds and tackles various trails-related issues. “We"re seeking four new committee members with broad recreational trail backgrounds to ensure the committee is balanced and includes a range of perspectives,” said Bob Walker, FWP Trails Program Coordinator.
(Parks - October 14, 2004)

State wildlife officials are urging Montanans who will hunt big game in other states to take precautions to minimize the risk of bringing back animals with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). "While the chance is remote, our request is part of an ongoing effort to protect Montana's wild elk and deer populations from CWD," said Jeff Hagener, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

Each fall tens of thousands of Montana men and women spend anywhere from a few hours to several weeks hunting. Most have a wonderful time; a few run afoul of the law. Here are 10 problem areas, courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens, that hunters seem to stumble over year after year: 1.   Trespassing. Hunters must have permission of the landowner before hunting on private land. In Montana, private land does not have to be posted for a hunter to be guilty of trespassing.
(Headlines - October 14, 2004)

Montana's big game archery hunting seasons will wrap for deer and elk Sunday,   Oct. 17.   Montana's general rifle season for deer and elk will open Oct. 24 and close Nov. 28.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

Ask First is the law in Montana. If you plan to hunt on private land, remember you must ask first for permission for all hunting on private land. No matter whether pursuing upland game birds, antelope, waterfowl, coyotes, gopher or any other wildlife, hunters must have permission from the landowner before hunting on private property. Montana's general big game season for deer and elk is set to open Oct. 24.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

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. Hunters, landowners, and citizens can report crimes they observe involving wildlife or fish, private land, and violations in State Parks and on U.S. Forest Service lands.   Anyone who witnesses a fish and game violation, or property vandalism, anywhere in Montana can report the crime by calling 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

With the general deer and elk season set to open Oct. 24, 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, even if they have no game to check.    Hunters can expect to encounter two basic types of game check stations--law enforcement stations and biological stations.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

The mysteries of Montana's hunting districts have just become a lot easier to decipher with FWP's improved and power-packed online hunting planner. For several years, hunters could turn to FWP online to plan big game hunting trips.
(Hunting - October 14, 2004)

The Online Licensing System will be down on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.   Maintenance is scheduled on the Internet portal Wednesday morning. The Online Licensing System will be unavailable during this time.  Licenses can still be purchased during this time from License Agents.
(Headlines - October 05, 2004)

Black Bear hunting will close for a portion of BMU520 one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, October 7, 2004. In the Deer/Elk Hunting District 502 and 575 portion of Bear Management Unit 520, the season will remain open through November 28, 2004.
(Hunting - October 05, 2004)

The hunting of all black bears in the Deer/Elk Hunting District 510 portion of Bear Management Unit 510, in portions of Carbon County, will close one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, October 6, 2004.
(Hunting - October 04, 2004)

Montana"s big game archery hunting seasons will be wrapping up soon, with the bow and arrow only season for antelope set to end Saturday, Oct. 9. The following week, archery season for deer and elk will close Oct. 17.
(Hunting - October 01, 2004)

Hunters will find plenty of antelope in Montana when the general rifle season opens Oct. 10, 2004.
(Hunting - October 01, 2004)

With several Montana hunting seasons in full swing and others to open soon, hunters are reminded that Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land. No matter whether pursuing upland game birds, antelope, waterfowl,   coyotes, gopher or any other wildlife, hunters must have permission from the landowner before hunting on private property.
(Hunting - October 01, 2004)

TIP-MONT, Montana's fish and wildlife “crime stopper” program offers substantial rewards to callers who report valuable information on natural resource crimes. A call to 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) may lead to a cash reward of up to $1,000. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens rely on hunters, landowners, and citizens to report crimes they observe involving wildlife or fish, private land, and violations in State Parks and on U.S. Forest Service lands.
(Headlines - October 01, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public hearing Oct. 27 in Helena to discuss big game hunting-season extension procedures and objectives. The hearing, which will be held at FWP Headquarters, 1460 E. 6 th Ave., is set for 7 p.m.
(Hunting - October 01, 2004)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed land exchange that would allow a railroad spur to connect with the malting plant north of Great Falls. The International Malting Company wants a rail spur to hook up with a Burlington Northern rail line near Rainbow Dam on the Missouri River. The spur would cross 3 acres of PP&L land that is also part of the Lewis & Clark Heritage Greenway Conservation Easement.
(Headlines - October 01, 2004)