Simplified hunting regulations and an effort to bring Montana's elk populations in line with management targets are among the highlighted hunting-season changes recently adopted by Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently approved a new hunting-license lottery for hunters seeking a $5 chance to draw a license for some of the states most popular big game species.   Under the new rules, resident and nonresident hunters can purchase an unlimited number of $5 chances to draw any one of the new "SuperTags" for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk and deer. Hunters who win a SuperTag will receive a license good statewide for that species during the regular hunting season.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

Special permits are no longer required for turkey hunters headed to Ravalli County this spring. An over-the-counter turkey license and associated prerequisite licenses are the only requirements.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

Hunters who wish to hunt in a special turkey permit area this spring must apply by March 15 for a permit and must purchase a spring turkey license before hunting.Special spring turkey permit areas in western Montana include Granite, Mineral, Missoula, Lincoln, Sanders and Powell Counties.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

A spring hunter education course has been set in Conrad.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

A state fisheries crew will spend March studying burbot in the Missouri River south of Great Falls.
(Headlines - March 01, 2006)

Hunter/Bowhunter Education Instructors were honored at the annual meeting for northwest Montana instructors Saturday at Flathead Valley Community College. A total of 88 instructors were in attendance, representing a combined teaching experience of about 1,000 years.
(Headlines - February 27, 2006)

A four-year old male mountain lion killed recently by a Lewistown hunter was radio collared three years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota – 450 miles away.
(Headlines - February 21, 2006)

How warm was January? Warm enough to wake a grizzly bear from a mid-winter’s nap. Craig Lang, backcountry ranger with the U.S. Forest Service in Choteau, reported seeing a grizzly Jan. 5 near the North Fork of the Sun River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
(Headlines - February 21, 2006)

Glasgow's youth fishing pond, Home Run Pond, is open to ice fishing until conditions deteriorate.
(Headlines - February 21, 2006)

Montana's 2005 hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 28, and new licenses for 2006 bring the first change in general fees for Montana hunters and anglers in 12 years.   The 2005 Montana Legislature approved a resident fee increase that will go into effect March 1.   Montana's last general resident fee increase came in 1994.   Nonresident fees were last increased in 2003.
(Headlines - February 21, 2006)

Many Montanans begin thinking about upland game birds well before the upland bird season opener. Whether you are interested in increasing bird populations on private land, training hunting dogs, or raising upland game birds for food, your first stop should be Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to obtain a permit. These annual permits are available now and expire on Dec. 31.
(Headlines - February 17, 2006)

Montana's spring turkey gobbler season is April 8-May 21. Licenses are available from all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, on-line from the FWP website and from most license providers throughout the state.
(Hunting - February 17, 2006)

Last year, about 2,000 Montanans took part in wildlife projects studying the habits of pygmy rabbits, helping conserve cavity-nesting birds, and doing research on bird species dependent upon wetland and riparian habitats. Were they members of a select group? How did they single out these projects? How did they make such a meaningful contribution? The answers are no, they didn't, and easy—by checking the box on their income tax form marked with the eagle symbol.
(Headlines - February 17, 2006)

The Montana Trappers Association will conduct a free trapper education class in Bozeman, Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office, 1400 South 19 th St.
(Hunting - February 17, 2006)

The Montana Trappers Association's annual Tri-Agency Youth Trapper Camp will be June 9—11 at Beaver Creek Park, South of Havre. The camp is open to all youth.
(Hunting - February 17, 2006)

Montana’s TIP-MONT "crimestopper" program is at work year round because wildlife crimes and vandalism occur year round. It is a good idea to keep the TIP-MONT number handy. It is 1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668.
(Headlines - February 17, 2006)

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 Saturday, February 18, 2006.
(Hunting - February 17, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 6 in northeastern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Monday, February 20, 2006.
(Hunting - February 17, 2006)

Ice anglers out on frozen lakes have long been a part of Montana's winter landscape. But this year there are fewer anglers on the ice, and in fewer places. A few hard-core enthusiasts said recently that they are getting some fishing in, but they are being very cautious. "When you get a good cold snap in December and then it warms up and snows on top of the ice it is real dangerous.
(Headlines - February 16, 2006)

Ice fishing turns angling into a year-round sport. But just because it is legal doesn't mean it is always safe to ice fish this time of year. The warm winter of 2005-2006 will go down as a challenging year for ice anglers. The safest ice anglers are those who are particular about their ice and who fish on water bodies they are familiar with.   Dressing to help prevent frostbite and hypothermia is essential, as is a basic knowledge of ice safety and ice rescue.
(Fishing - February 16, 2006)

Montana’s fifth grade students will have an opportunity to test their artistic skills this spring and win some exciting new prizes by participating in the 2006 Montana State Parks poster contest. This year’s theme for the annual contest is "Time Travel In Montana State Parks." The deadline to enter is March 31. Prizes include lodging in a Montana State Park, backpacks, equipment and field guides.
(Parks - February 16, 2006)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hooked On Fishing Program has provided ice-fishing opportunities for youngsters since it began in 1996. In the early years, a couple of classrooms of students could catch 200-300 perch in two hours ice fishing on reservoirs such as Beaver Creek near Havre. In 2005, the ice fishing trip for the Big Sandy and Havre classrooms was cancelled for the first time ever due to poor ice conditions.
(Fishing - February 16, 2006)

Bowhunter education classes are scheduled to begin this month in Missoula. Interested students must attend a class registration Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks office to sign up for the two February classes. Eight additional class sessions will be offered in Missoula from March through June.
(Headlines - February 15, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Department of Environmental Quality are hosting a public informational meeting to present the results of the investigation and clean-up alternatives for heavy metals discovered recently at Spring Meadow Lake State Park and the adjoining Montana Wildlife Center west of Helena. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Public Library (120 S. Last Chance Gulch).
(Headlines - February 14, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 4 in south central Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Thursday, February 16, 2006. 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 FWP's web site at www.fwp.mt.
(Hunting - February 14, 2006)

The annual Upper Missouri River Reservoir fisheries update meeting will be held 7-9 p.m., March 1, at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters in Helena.
(Headlines - February 13, 2006)

State wildlife officials have decided to drop a proposal to extend the antlerless deer season from three to five weeks in four hunting districts north of Great Falls.
(Headlines - February 13, 2006)

The hunting of male 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, February 14, 2006.   The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - February 13, 2006)

Joe Maurier, a 25-year veteran of the Colorado Division of Parks, was named today the new Parks Division administrator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Helena.
(Parks - February 13, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will close the bison hunt in the northern boundary area (Eagle Creek/Bear Creek) beginning at 12 p.m. today.
(Headlines - February 10, 2006)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Helena on February 21 at the Colonial Hotel Red Lion, 2301 Colonial Drive, beginning at 8 a.m. in the Judicial Room.
(Headlines - February 10, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will close the bison hunt in the northern boundary area (Eagle Creek/Bear Creek) beginning at 12 p.m. February 10, 2006. The closure is necessary to allow for hazing to ensure no contact between bison and domestic livestock that are in the immediate vicinity.
(Hunting - February 10, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services (APHIS VS) will hold a public meeting in Gardiner, Montana, on Thursday, February 16, 2006 on the Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study Phases II and III. The meeting will be held at the Gardiner Community Center from 6 to 9 p.m.
(Headlines - February 10, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 7 in southeastern Montana will close at midnight on Saturday, February 11, 2006. The district includes portions of Bighorn, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Treasure, Yellowstone and Wibaux counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - February 09, 2006)

Montana's 2005 hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 28th, and new licenses for the license year bring the first change in general fees for Montana hunters and anglers in 12 years.
(Headlines - February 08, 2006)

Nonresidents who wish to apply for big game combination, elk combination or deer combination licenses for the fall of 2006 Montana hunting season can apply online or download applications at Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks website at fwp.mt.gov.
(Hunting - February 08, 2006)

ATTENTION ANGLERS! Have you, or someone you know, ever caught a PALLID STURGEON on the YELLOWSTONE RIVER? If so, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks needs your help! FWP is seeking historical information about pallid sturgeon caught over the past 150 years throughout the Yellowstone River drainage.
(Fishing - February 08, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 315, which includes portions of Meagher, Park and Sweet Grass counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, February 9, 2006.
(Hunting - February 08, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has temporarily closed the bison hunt in the West Yellowstone area as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2006.
(Headlines - February 07, 2006)

By order of the Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission, the hunting of bison in the West Yellowstone portion of the Bison Hunting district, as described in the legal descriptions, will temporarily close at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 07, 2006.
(Hunting - February 07, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 5 in southcentral Montana will close at midnight on Thursday, February 9, 2006.
(Hunting - February 07, 2006)

Sign up starts in February for the three scheduled Hunter Education classes in Glasgow and Fort Peck.
(Headlines - February 07, 2006)

Montana's 2005 hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 28, and new licenses for 2006 bring the first change in general fees for Montana hunters and anglers in 12 years.
(Hunting - February 07, 2006)

Nonresidents who wish to apply for big game combination, elk combination or deer combination licenses for the fall Montana hunting season can apply online or download applications at Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks website.
(Hunting - February 07, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 7 in southeastern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
(Hunting - February 06, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Jeff Hagener approved the final management plan for Ulm Pishkun State Park on February 1, 2006.
(Parks - February 06, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' annual survey of Montana's big and small game hunters began Jan. 19.
(Hunting - February 03, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again offering college students an opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study by serving as interns.
(Headlines - February 03, 2006)

If you have dodged or collided with a wild animal on Montana's roads or highways, you're not alone. This time of year is especially dangerous because so many people are driving to and from work in the dark. In 2004, motorists reported about 1,800 crashes involving wildlife, and the Montana Department of Transportation says another 5,000-6,000 wildlife collisions go unreported each year. Collisions with wild animals result in over 100 injuries and two to three fatalities a year.
(Headlines - February 03, 2006)

Spring Hunter and Bowhunter Education Classes are being scheduled for northwest Montana. All hunter and bowhunter education classes are free of charge and open to hunters and non-hunters alike.
(Headlines - February 02, 2006)