Results at the six northwest Montana check stations indicated that the 2005 big game season ended on a strong note. Hunter numbers were 24,843, the highest on record.
(Headlines - December 01, 2005)

State, Federal and Tribal authorities are seeking information on three wolf mortalities. State wardens are seekin information on elk poaching cases.
(Headlines - December 01, 2005)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel in Region 6 are prepared to help boat owners obtain free validation decals, required before the craft is launched next year.
(Headlines - November 30, 2005)

Deer hunters in northeastern and north-central Montana finished the season with solid harvest
(Headlines - November 30, 2005)

Glasgow's youth fishing pond, Home Run Pond, will be closed to ice fishing until a Jan. 14 festival that kicks off the winter fishing season.
(Headlines - November 30, 2005)

A trapper education class will be offered in Miles City, Saturday, Dec. 10 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Miles City Community College.
(Education - November 29, 2005)

Harvest numbers were strong at south-central Montana’s three check stations during the fourth week of big game hunting season. Elk hunters reported the highest totals, with 413 elk checked through the stations.
(Headlines - November 22, 2005)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Helena Dec. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. at FWP headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave.
(Headlines - November 22, 2005)

The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Advisory Council is set to meet Dec. 9 in Chinook to develop recommendations for improving program operations.
(Hunting - November 22, 2005)

Hunting for antlerless elk with a general elk license closed Sunday, Nov. 20 in hunting district 270 located south of Hamilton and east of highway 93 because the quota was met.   A total of about 250 cow elk had been checked through the Darby check station shortly after hunting with a general license for antlerless elk began Saturday Nov. 19. This closure only affects hunters using their general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk in HD 270.
(Hunting - November 22, 2005)

Comment by Dec. 21, or attend a Dec. 13 meeting in Malta, on a draft plan that addresses abundance and population objectives for prairie dogs in northeastern and north-central Montana.
(Headlines - November 22, 2005)

FWP's Havre check station data indicates that while hunter numbers are down, numbers of deer and upland birds are generally up.
(Headlines - November 22, 2005)

FWP is seeking leads on a jar of zebra mussels left on a doorstep in Jordan
(Headlines - November 22, 2005)

The antlerless elk quota was met Sat. Nov. 19 for all of hunting district 270, including the Rye/Creek Eastfork areas of the Bitterroot. Under the 24-hour closure notice, hunting for antlerless elk with a general elk license in HD 270 will close one half-hour after sunset today, Sun. Nov. 20.
(Headlines - November 21, 2005)

Montana’s 2005 general big game hunting season will close Sunday, Nov. 27 at one-half hour after sunset.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

Most of 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. 2005 FURBEARER SEASONS Beaver    (trapping district 1,2, and 3)                      Nov.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

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. This year, moose, sheep and goat hunters will be getting calls beginning shortly after Thanksgiving.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

Ooops! Boating registration law has changed again. Montana boaters will need to have two new decals on their motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft before launching them next year.
(Fishing - November 18, 2005)

Cities, towns and counties can now apply to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for grants of up to $35,000 for improvements at motorboat recreation facilities. The deadline to apply for a total of $150,000 in grant money is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2006.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council, newly-appointed by Governor Brian Schweitzer, will meet Dec. 7 in Helena to discuss issues related to hunting and fishing access in Montana. The public is invited to observe the meeting, set for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wingate Inn, 2007 N. Oake, and to participate during a public comment period scheduled at 11:30 a.m.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Advisory Council is set to meet Dec. 8 in Chinook to develop recommendations for improving program operations.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

Many hunters who own ATV's enjoy using their machines to get to the hunt during bow or rifle season. But for hunters who stalk animals and value stealth to get a good shot, an ATV is the last thing they want to see in the backcountry.   "We know from other states that ATV’s used in hunting can create conflicts.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

Hunters heading out for Montana's upcoming deer and elk general season should be aware the law requires that the proof of the species and sex of all harvested big game animals remain attached to the carcass. Hunters must harvest only the species and sex of the big game animal that they hold a valid tag to harvest.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

Reporting violations observed in the field immediately is part of ethical hunting.   Montana's 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) call-in line is open 24 hours a day.   Callers can remain anonymous and may receive a cash award for their tip.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

I was born and raised in Havre, and I've been a hunter and angler since I was old enough to go out with my dad and brothers. Like many other hunters, for me Thanksgiving is a time for family, and a time to hunt. My early outdoor hunting experiences stirred an interest in natural resource management, particularly in wildlife management. Today, these experiences also make me grateful for the work of previous generations to restore species and retain public hunting and fishing access.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

Many hunts make unforgettable stories that hunters tell for years. This time of year my thoughts often turn to fall nine years ago when I was 15 and hunting with my dad with our muzzleloaders. I remember climbing down from a tree stand where I'd sat with my .50 caliber muzzleloader rifle since before morning light.   A whitetail doe had stealthily passed beneath my stand, also one hunter on foot, but no buck deer.
(Hunting - November 18, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Lolo National Forest have again agreed to a limited mountain lion hunt in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area. The deadline to apply for the hunt has been extended to Monday, Nov. 28.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

Surplus A7 antlerless elk only licenses, valid only on private land for an extended elk season, are available on a first-come, first served basis for five west-central Montana hunting districts. Hunters must exchange their general elk license by Friday, Nov. 25 at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Missoula office to receive one of the licenses.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

Big game hunting season’s third week in west-central Montana ended with total harvest numbers from the region’s three check stations above the five-year average for both deer and elk.
(Headlines - November 18, 2005)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southcentral Montana hunting district 520, which includes portions of Carbon, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on November 16, 2005. 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 - November 15, 2005)

A sharp-nosed black Lab initiated an investigation into pheasant poaching that led to charges against four Oklahoma hunters
(Headlines - November 15, 2005)

Public comments are sought on a request to expand outfitting use in the Bears Paw Mountains east of Big Sandy.
(Headlines - November 15, 2005)

Deer and elk hunters who harvest animals near the Canadian border are especially encouraged to participate in chronic wasting disease monitoring.
(Headlines - November 15, 2005)

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 Tuesday, November 15, 2005. 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 - November 14, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials placed the state's Miles City Hatchery under quarantine this week after whirling disease was detected in a sample of young rainbow trout collected for annual fish-health tests.
(Fishing - November 10, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reports of harvest success from the eight southwest Montana game check stations during week two of the 2005 general big game hunting season mirrored the opening week’s results.
(Headlines - November 10, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking for the public’s help with the investigation of a moose cow and calf killed Saturday, November 5, 2005, just off a road heavily traveled by hunters in the Gravelly Mountains.
(Headlines - November 10, 2005)

The public is invited to attend the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee semi-annual meeting on November 9 and 10 at the Holiday Inn located in Cody, Wyoming. Discussion of the ongoing process to delist the Yellowstone grizzly bear population will lead the agenda of items to be discussed.
(Headlines - November 10, 2005)

To the delight of hunters, harvest success in Region 3 increased significantly during week three of the Montana general big game season. Over 2,600 hunters passed through the Region 3 check stations with 295 animals. There were 179 elk, 82 mule deer, and 34 white-tailed deer checked for an 11.2% harvest success rate. This success rate is nearly double that of week two.
(Headlines - November 10, 2005)

Despite warm weather and little snow, big game hunting season’s first week in west-central Montana ended with a steady elk harvest, while season totals remain below average for deer.
(Headlines - November 09, 2005)

After a slow start to the season, deer harvest picked up during week two of big game season in west-central Montana.
(Headlines - November 09, 2005)

Elk hunting season will be extended to November 20 for A7 license holders on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, Hunting District 282. The season, originally scheduled to close Nov. 10, was extended to provide more harvest opportunity for an above-objective elk population.
(Headlines - November 09, 2005)

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 Thursday, November 10, 2005.
(Hunting - November 09, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director, Jeff Hagener, approved the final management plan for Makoshika State Park on November 7, 2005. FWP modified the draft plan to reflect public comments and concerns submitted during the public comment period.
(Parks - November 08, 2005)

The upland game bird, deer, elk and waterfowl seasons are in full swing across the state, with the antelope season just concluding. The harvest results in Region 7 so far have been lower than past hunting seasons. Weather seems to be a major factor in this finding with increased fuel costs for hunters also being a possible hinderance.
(Hunting - November 08, 2005)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 101, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, November 4, 2005. 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 - November 03, 2005)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Valley County Sheriff's office are seeking information regarding the vandalism of signs last month in southern Valley County.
(Headlines - November 02, 2005)

Three new collection points - in Malta, Opheim and Plentywood - are available for hunters to drop off deer and elk heads for CWD surveillance
(Headlines - November 02, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking for the public’s help with the investigation of an illegally killed bighorn ram.
(Headlines - November 02, 2005)

The beautiful weather provides a wonderful opportunity for people to experience a peaceful autumn day at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. Even though the caves are closed for the season, Montana’s oldest state park remains open, offering many recreational activities.
(Headlines - November 02, 2005)

A two-day Snowmobile Safety Instructor Workshop will be held Dec. 3-4 at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown. The workshop will start at 10 a.m. Dec. 3 and end at 1 p.m. on Dec. 4.   Participants are trained and certified to teach the Montana snowmobile safety class.
(Parks - November 01, 2005)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting open-water fishing contest applications for 2006. Contest applicants must submit the open-water contest application form to the Helena FWP office on or before Nov. 11.
(Fishing - November 01, 2005)

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 Tuesday, November 2, 2005.
(Hunting - November 01, 2005)

Montana waterfowl hunters can rest assured that avian flu virus strain currently active in Asia and eastern Europe is not yet a problem here, state wildlife officials said today.
(Hunting - November 01, 2005)