Sauger and walleye in the Missouri River near Fort Benton appear to swim downstream as much as 150 miles to spawn before returning to their exact location, a graduate student has found.  “We thought they swam upstream or up the Marias River to spawn,” says Steve Leathe, Fish Wildlife and Parks regional fisheries manager. “This is sort of a reverse migration.
(Fishing - December 01, 2004)

The hunting of all 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 Thursday, November 25, 2004.      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 during the Fall Hunting Season without Dogs.
(Hunting - November 30, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today that both mountain lion hunters with hounds and elk hunters will be afield in a limited number of hunting districts Dec. 1-Dec. 12. While the general 2004 big game hunting season ended Nov. 28, some hunting for antlerless elk only will continue to Dec. 12 to reduce elk populations in several hunting districts.
(Hunting - November 30, 2004)

Many of Montana’s general big game seasons close Sunday, Nov. 28.
(Headlines - November 24, 2004)

Some upland game bird, webless migratory bird and waterfowl gun hunting seasons close soon. Swan season in the Pacific Flyway closes Dec. 1. Mountain grouse season closes Dec. 15, while other upland game bird seasons continue to Jan. 1, 2005 except sage grouse season, which closed Nov. 1. Among the webless migratory bird seasons, common snipe season closes Dec. 16 and sandhill crane season in the Central Flyway closed Nov. 21.
(Headlines - November 24, 2004)

Montana’s mountain lion hunting season for hunting lions with dogs opens Dec. 1 and continues to April 14.
(Headlines - November 24, 2004)

Most Montana’s furbearer trapping seasons for species such as marten, fisher, wolverine, and bobcat open Dec. 1. Seasons for trapping beaver, otter, muskrat and mink opened earlier in the year and continue into spring. Here is a complete list of furbearer seasons in Montana.
(Headlines - November 24, 2004)

The annual Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan meeting is set for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Red Lion-Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Drive, in Helena. This meeting is held annually to discuss the latest fisheries data collected on Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs..
(Fishing - November 24, 2004)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet Dec. 15 in Helena to   discuss legislation and other issues related to Montana’s Block Management Hunting Access Enhancement Program.   The Council will meet from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Dr.   The public is invited to attend and participate at designated times.
(Hunting - November 24, 2004)

Every winter as Montanans store hiking boots and pack away rifles and shotguns for the season, about 80 telephone interviewers take to the phones to interview hunters about their luck in the hunt.
(Hunting - November 24, 2004)

The hunting of all 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 Thursday, November 25, 2004.      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 during the Fall Hunting Season without Dogs.
(Hunting - November 24, 2004)

While the general 2004 big game hunting season will end on Sunday, Nov. 28, hunting for antlerless elk will continue for an additional two weeks to reduce elk populations in several key hunting districts. The elk harvest in some key areas has been lower than expected due to mild weather and lack of snow.
(Hunting - November 23, 2004)

Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has begun formal steps to develop northeastern Montana’s first state park on land surrounding a popular lake northeast of Dagmar.   Brush Lake historically has been a favorite recreation and picnicking site for people from local communities across northeastern Montana and western North Dakota. More recently, the lake has been used for pleasure boating, personal watercraft operation, swimming, group use and camping.
(Parks - November 19, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed today to extend the comment period on the wildlife agency's draft elk plan and environmental assessment. Comments will be accepted through Dec. 6. The original 45-day comment period closed Nov. 8. That deadline was chosen to ensure that FWP could analyze the comments and submit a revised final plan for commission approval in December. “The commission still needs FWP to submit the plan for approval at its Dec.
(Hunting - November 16, 2004)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, hunting district 501-20, which includes portions of Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties, will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, November 17, 2004. The order halting the hunt came after the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met.
(Hunting - November 15, 2004)

Montana's big game general hunting seasons for deer and elk, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat and black bear all close Nov. 28.  The 2004 Montana general fishing season on many smaller rivers and streams will close Nov. 30. Most Montana lakes and several of the state’s larger rivers remain open the entire year. Details and exceptions are available in the Montana Fishing Regulations.
(Hunting - November 12, 2004)

Montana's fall mountain lion season for hunting without dogs closes Nov. 28, or earlier if pre-established harvest limits are met. Only 20 percent of the overall quota can be taken during the fall hunting season. Mountain lion hunting with hounds generally begins Dec.1. Please check the 2004 mountain lion regulations for details on season dates and quotas.
(Hunting - November 12, 2004)

A two-day Snowmobile Safety Instructor Workshop will be held Dec. 4-5 at the Val-U Inn, 3801 Brooks St., in Missoula. The workshop will start at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 4, and will end at 1:00 p.m. on Dec. 5.   Participants are trained and certified to teach the Montana snowmobile safety class.   The workshop will emphasize teaching techniques for instructors and includes presentations on snowmobile ethics, riding techniques, survival, avalanche awareness, snowmobile laws and other related topics.
(Parks - November 12, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking grant proposals that will help prevent or solve human/wildlife conflicts in urban and suburban settings. Proposals are due Nov. 30 for a total of $25,000 in project funding to be awarded in December. FWP's "Living With Wildlife" grant program promotes the successful coexistence of people and wildlife. The program emphasizes local involvement, partnerships, cost sharing, and prevention, or solutions designed to address human/wildlife conflicts.
(Headlines - November 12, 2004)

Nonresident snowmobile riders who plan to use Montana trails this winter will share in the cost of grooming Montana’s snowmobile trails through a $15 snowmobile use permit that is required for each machine not registered in Montana. Eighty-three percent of the revenue collected is used to groom snowmobile trails.   The balance goes to snowmobile law enforcement, search and rescue and administrative costs.
(Parks - November 12, 2004)

I first encountered hypothermia, a stealthy foe, a few years ago on a ridge near the Continental Divide. This ever-present danger for hunters and others occurs when core body temperature drops from the normal 98.6 F to 95 degrees F or below. My brother had tracked an elk all afternoon, after the stubborn but mortally wounded creature ran uphill and then disappeared.
(Hunting - November 12, 2004)

Four factors contribute to hypothermia: cold, moisture, wind and fatigue. Each person is affected differently, depending on physical condition, body size, and age. When outdoors alone or with others, be alert for these symptoms. * Shivering * Slurred speech * Dazed behavior * Numb hands and feet * Weakness * Short attention span Take action immediately . * If possible get indoors, at minimum reduce or eliminate exposure to the cold. * Exchange wet clothing for dry. * Start a fire.
(Hunting - November 12, 2004)

With hunting seasons in full swing, hunters are urged to be especially careful in areas where livestock may be present. "Every hunting season, we receive reports of livestock being injured or killed by a firearm," said Alan Charles, coordinator of Fish, Wildlife & Parks' landowner/sportsman relations program.
(Hunting - November 12, 2004)

The hunting of all 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, November 13, 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 - November 12, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks today extended the comment period on an environmental assessment of a state and federal proposal to establish a bison quarantine facility near Corwin Springs. The proposed facility would hold bison from Yellowstone National Park. Public comment on the assessment will now be accepted through Nov. 24. The original comment deadline was Thursday, Nov. 11.
(Hunting - November 10, 2004)

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, November 10, 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 - November 09, 2004)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, Hunting District 424, which includes portions of Lewis and Clark County, will be closed to all hunting of antlerless elk, effective one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, November 6, 2004.   The season will remain open for brow-tined bull elk until November 28, 2004.
(Hunting - November 05, 2004)