Applying for special big game hunting permits and licenses is an annual spring ritual in Montana, but increasing numbers of hunters no longer labor over a paper application and mail it in.
(Hunting - March 31, 2006)

More than $250,000 in funding was approved recently by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park Commission for 15 Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects. The funding will be matched by more than $850,000 from outside sources.
(Fishing - March 31, 2006)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission's May meeting will be held in Whitefish at the Grouse Mountain Lodge.
(Headlines - March 31, 2006)

Private pond owners who have fish-stocking permits that are 10 years old and older will have until June to renew the permit under a law passed by the 2005 Legislature. The new law requires fish-stocking permits to be renewed every 10 years and it sets a $10 fee for permit applications and renewals.
(Fishing - March 31, 2006)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet April 12 in Bozeman to discuss hunting and fishing access issues. The council will meet at the Wingate Inn, 2305 Catron Street, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Items to be discussed during the meeting include river access, outfitter client expansion, and the process used by the Madison Valley Ranchland Working Group to address local wildlife habitat and access issues.
(Headlines - March 31, 2006)

Montana's contribution to a nationwide inventory of America's fish and wildlife was approved this week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, endorsing the state's commitment to conserving hundreds of species that fall in the gap between the state's game animals and those that are threatened or endangered.
(Headlines - March 31, 2006)

TIP-MONT, the "crimestoppers" program managed by Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks, recently paid rewards totaling $11,400 to 18 callers.
(Hunting - March 31, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 2 in western Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Sunday, April 2, 2006. The district includes portions of Deer Lodge, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Silver Bow and Ravalli counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - March 31, 2006)

Women new to hunting and firearms handling or those wanting to refresh their knowledge are invited to attend an April hunter education course at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks office.
(Headlines - March 31, 2006)

Montana's black and grizzly bears start emerging from their dens in early April in an eons old spring ritual.    As they reawaken, the mother bear must begin to gather early grasses and high-protein pine nuts, beetles, grubs and other invertebrates to build her milk supply. The cubs stay behind near the den, or in nearby snow-free areas, and the mother frequently checks on them. The bear knows exactly where her cubs are secured.
(Headlines - March 30, 2006)

Just in time for the annual spring snow goose migration, Fish, Wildlife and Parks has produced a brochure explaining why the birds flock to Freezout Wildlife Management Area and where they are going.
(Headlines - March 28, 2006)

On almost any warm late spring or summer day you can see a kid riding a bicycle with rod and reel in hand headed to Spotted Eagle Lake for a day of fishing. Thoughts of big fish abound in that youngster’s mind. Fish big enough to break your pole or pull you in the lake are the daydream.
(Fishing - March 28, 2006)

A rural Cascade County man, who was caught hunting while his privileges to hunt were suspended, has had his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges taken away for life.
(Headlines - March 27, 2006)

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking up to three volunteers to assist with the Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Program for the 2006 field season.
(Wild Things - March 27, 2006)

Four Hill County teens were charged in Justice Court after admitting to harassing antelope north of Gilford.
(Headlines - March 27, 2006)

Hunters interested in learning how to apply for licenses and special hunting permits on-line are invited to a public workshop the evening of March 30 at the Glasgow-Valley County Library.
(Headlines - March 27, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will hold a public meeting with houndsmen from southwest Montana on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the FWP Region 3 Headquarters (1400 S. 19th Avenue) in Bozeman.
(Headlines - March 24, 2006)

A public meeting to discuss conservation needs identified in the newly drafted Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CFWCS) for Montana will be held in Missoula Wednesday, March 29. The meeting will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 3201 Spurgin Road.
(Headlines - March 24, 2006)

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 Friday, March 24, 2006. The order closing the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for lions in the districts combined had been met.
(Hunting - March 22, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in south-central Montana hunting district 560, which includes portions of Park and Sweet Grass counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - March 21, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking applicants to fill 12 volunteer positions on the first-ever Region 4 citizen advisory committee (CAC).
(Headlines - March 20, 2006)

Warm water fishing enthusiasts range from retirees fishing the state's reservoirs for walleye and northern pike, to youngsters angling for crappie or perch from the shores of a community pond. Now these anglers, and their friends and relatives, can support projects that improve Montana's warm water fisheries and habitats by contributing to the Warm Water Fisheries and Habitat Enhancement Fund.
(Fishing - March 17, 2006)

Applications are due March 28 for a four-day "DirtBike Coach" course set for April 27-30 at the Lewis and Clark Country Fairgrounds in Helena. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, will host the course and cover the costs for instruction and materials.
(Headlines - March 17, 2006)

Boat owners are already preparing for the 2006 season and that includes getting the proper decals on their vessel before launching.
(Fishing - March 17, 2006)

Montana's 2006 hunting regulations for moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep, spring black bear and spring turkey are available on the FWP website. Montana's deer, elk and antelope regulations are expected online by Wednesday, March 22 at fwp.mt.gov .
(Hunting - March 17, 2006)

To hunt in the spring black bear season, black bear hunters must purchase a license by April 14. The spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. Licenses purchased after April 14 can only be used for the fall black bear season.
(Hunting - March 17, 2006)

The spring turkey-hunting season will begin April 8 and end May 21.
(Hunting - March 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. Their tax-deductible contributions provided more than $25,000 to help support wildlife projects.
(Headlines - March 17, 2006)

"When hunting season ends, many people think calls to TIP-MONT stop, but the TIP-MONT hotline is available year round to protect our natural resources," said Debbie Lewis, TIP-MONT coordinator. Montana’s popular TIP-MONT Program and hotline (1-800-847-6668) enlists outdoorsmen and women in reporting crimes they observe involving the state’s fish, wildlife and State Parks resources and U.S. Forest Service lands and facilities.
(Hunting - March 17, 2006)

With spring fever at epidemic levels, a change of pace sounds appealing, whether that means a travel adventure, a new idea, or a little controversy. Those who can manage to escape to Bali or fly off to do relief work in Africa have already left. For the rest of us, there is the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks web site at fwp.mt.gov
(Headlines - March 17, 2006)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet March 20 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 10:15 a.m.
(Headlines - March 17, 2006)

Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comments on a proposal to acquire a fishing access site close to Glendive, Montana. The proposed site is called Black Bridge and the draft environmental assessment is available on FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov under public notices.
(Fishing - March 15, 2006)

Fish, Wildlife and Parks will build a 1,200-square-foot maintenance garage and expand the visitor parking lot at Ulm Pishkun State Park.
(Headlines - March 14, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer spring hunter education classes in Butte starting March 23, 2006. Pre-registration will take place on Tuesday, March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Butte High School Commons.
(Headlines - March 14, 2006)

The southeastern Montana Citizen Advisory Council will meet in Miles City at the FWP regional headquarters, 7 pm - 9pm on Wednesday, March 15, 2006.
(Education - March 13, 2006)

A public meeting to discuss conservation needs identified in the newly drafted Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CFWCS) for Montana will be held in Bozeman on Monday, March 20, 2006. The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Region 3 Fish, Wildlife and Parks office (1400 S. 19 Avenue).
(Headlines - March 13, 2006)

Chippewa-Cree Dance Troop to perform at Ulm Pishkun State Park
(Headlines - March 10, 2006)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet March 20 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 10:15 a.m.    The FWP Commission will make final decisions on the Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Helena commercial fishing regulations; on developing a fishing access site at the Snowden Bridge site on the Missouri River in Richland County; and on funding proposed Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects.
(Headlines - March 09, 2006)

Saturday's meeting of the Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council will be devoted to discussing funding of the Fort Peck Multi-Species Fish Hatchery and an overview of Fort Peck Lake's recreational fishery.
(Headlines - March 08, 2006)

A recent survey of swift fox population and distribution indicates that the cat-sized canines are dispersing from the international border where they were released several years ago.
(Headlines - March 08, 2006)

Among the changes to this fall's big-game season approved by FWP's Commission include a youth hunt for antlerless elk in districts 631 and 632
(Headlines - March 08, 2006)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has closed the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 3 in western Montana will close at midnight on Friday, March 10, 2006. The district includes portions of Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Meagher, Park and Silver Bow counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - March 08, 2006)

Several hunter education and bowhunter education classes have been scheduled in various locations across Region 7. At this time, bowhunter eduation classes are planned for Broadus and Colstrip and spring hunter education classes have been scheduled in Sidney, Fairview and Hysham. The classes are offered to the public free of charge and are open to anyone 12 years of age or older or any youth who may turn 12 during the upcoming hunting season.
(Education - March 08, 2006)

Dates have been set for spring Hunter Education classes in Missoula. Interested students must attend a class registration April 5 at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks office.
(Headlines - March 07, 2006)

From Dwayne Andrews, Region 7 I & E Officer: Sunday (March 5th) I was cleaning a paintbrush in the kitchen sink when I glanced out the window into my backyard. There sat a small hawk. He was apparently just resting on the ground and facing away from my view. A short time later I was back at the sink and the hawk had turned around and was facing me. I ran downstairs to fetch my binoculars so I could get up close and personal with the hawk while still keeping my distance.
(Wild Things - March 06, 2006)

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will host statewide public meetings in March to discuss conservation needs identified in its recently completed Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CFWCS).
(Headlines - March 03, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks granted over $1 million in the past year to 37 different agencies and private organizations to build and maintain trails in Montana. Another $1.1 million will be awarded this fall for trails projects.
(Parks - March 03, 2006)

Results from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' recent efforts to help develop rules to govern commercial-use on lands and waters the agency manages are available on the FWP home page at fwp.mt.gov under Recent Public Notices.
(Headlines - March 03, 2006)

Trails experts from Montana and adjoining states will meet April 13-15 in Helena for the biennial State Trails Conference at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel.
(Parks - March 03, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has approved 34 open water fishing derbies for the 2006 open water season.
(Fishing - March 03, 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.
(Parks - March 03, 2006)

The southeastern Montana Sage Grouse working group announced its annual meeting to be held on March 14th at Miles Community College, Room 106, in Miles City, Montana. The meeting begins at 3:00 pm and ends at 6:00 pm.
(Hunting - March 03, 2006)

The spring turkey-hunting season is set to begin April 8 and end May 21. Hunters must have the upland game bird, conservation, hunter access enhancement and turkey licenses to legally pursue a turkey in the spring or fall.
(Hunting - March 02, 2006)

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 this spring. Boaters may obtain the two new free decals at FWP regional offices or by going to the FWP website: fwp.mt.gov at Boat Validation Decals.
(Fishing - March 02, 2006)

The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission recently approved a black bear hunting opportunity in southeastern Montana. The new hunting area is called a Bear Management Unit (BMU) 700. The hunting unit generally includes most of FWP’s Region 7.
(Hunting - March 02, 2006)

If you enjoy identifying wildlife species you haven't seen before, here is a new challenge for you—the Western spotted skunk. "It has been 10 years since anyone has reported seeing a Western spotted skunk in Montana," said Steve Carson, data programmer and analyst for FWP.
(Headlines - March 02, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer spring hunter education classes in Belgrade on March 20-25 and in Bozeman on April 24-29.
(Headlines - March 02, 2006)

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)