Glasgow will host its Feather Fest on June 2-5 in conjunction with the annual meeting of Montana Audubon
(Headlines - May 01, 2006)

The Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council will meet Saturday, May 13 at the Fort Peck Hatchery to discuss hatchery funding, elk issues and FWP's cooperation with Farm Bill programs
(Headlines - May 01, 2006)

All recreationists, even gopher shooters, must obtain landowner permission before shooting on private land.
(Headlines - May 01, 2006)

Boat owners are already preparing for the 2006 season and that includes getting the proper decals on their vessel before launching. Sailboats 12 feet long and longer, all motorboats, and all personal watercraft must be registered, numbered, and display the proper decals.
(Headlines - May 01, 2006)

Loons are appearing on northwestern Montana lakes and preparing to nest. Loons are among the state's "commuter" species. They winter along the Pacific coastline and return here in late April. One female banded in 1997 migrated almost 1,000 miles from the coast of central California to Montana in less than five days. This 15-year old loon made it safely back to Montana again this spring.
(Headlines - April 28, 2006)

The loons' eerie calls echo across the glassy, evening waters of lakes in northwestern Montana, somehow enhancing the solitude. In fact, they require solitude spring and summer to successfully breed and raise their young. Of the 65 pairs that attempt to nest in Montana, only about 30 pairs successfully hatch and raise one to two chicks each year.
(Headlines - April 28, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' Trails Programs staff will provide two-hour training sessions to assist those applying for Recreational Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Program grants.   The grant application deadline for the next funding cycle is July 1.
(Parks - April 28, 2006)

Spring's melting snow packs and high water can create swift, cold currents and dangerous eddies for boaters. Such conditions, combined with ice cold waters, make hypothermia a serious threat.   Boaters heading out for the first time this season need to assess the condition of their boat and gear, and check to be certain they are equipped for the colder, early boating season.
(Fishing - April 28, 2006)

Montana boat owners preparing for the 2006 season are reminded to obtain the proper decals on their vessel before launching.   Sailboats 12 feet long and longer, and all motorboats and personal watercraft (jet skis), must be registered, numbered and display the proper decals.
(Fishing - April 28, 2006)

Montana’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is offering a “Jane Deere” workshop specifically for farm and ranch women. The workshop is set for   June 9 – 11 at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch near Dupuyer. Women who attend the Jane Deere workshop will gain hands-on experience in identifying wildlife, target shooting, plant identification, using a GPS, nature journaling, bird identification, using chain saws and more.
(Headlines - April 28, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks statistics show more hunters are using the Internet in 2006 to apply for special big game hunting permits and licenses. So far this spring, about 10,000 hunters have applied over the Internet for the May 1 and June 1 special drawings, already a 46 percent increase over last year at this time.
(Headlines - April 28, 2006)

Montana’s TIP-MONT "crimestopper" program is at work year round because wildlife crimes and vandalism occur year round. Recently 18 people who phoned in information useful to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in solving crimes received a total of $11,400 in reward money. The potential reward and the fact reports can remain anonymous are two good reasons to keep the TIP-MONT number handy. It is 1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668.
(Parks - April 28, 2006)

Montana has numerous laws prohibiting the capture, feeding, possession and harassment of wildlife—both game and nongame species. These laws also protect Montana's wild animals from becoming "pets." Oddly, no single state law specifically states: "Do not remove newborn animals from their mothers, or from the wild."   Yet, in most cases, when newborn animals are removed from the wild they are healthy with a parent nearby.
(Headlines - April 27, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has written a draft environmental assessment (EA) for Lone Pine State Park (T28N, R22W, S24) in Flathead County for the purpose of granting an easement on the existing tower access road to a telecommunications company for the purpose of accessing their existing tower near the park’s northwest boundary . In consideration for this easement, park managers would receive additional noxious weed treatment funds to be used at Lone Pine. The five-year easement would
(Headlines - April 26, 2006)

To protect Montana's deer and elk from the impending threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks can no longer safely accept, hold, or rehabilitate deer and elk.
(Headlines - April 26, 2006)

Southwest Montana is fortunate to have 11 Wildlife Management Areas totaling approximately 140, 000 acres for recreational users to enjoy throughout much of the year and wildlife to use during the critical winter months. To protect wildlife, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds users, including horn hunters, that it’s against the law to enter a wildlife management area during the wintertime closures.
(Headlines - April 26, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Region 3 Citizens’ Advisory Committee will meet in Dillon on Wednesday, May 3. The meeting will be held on the University of Montana-Western campus in the Lewis and Clark Room of Matthews Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
(Headlines - April 26, 2006)

A recent evaluation of test results by an elk-brucellosis epidemiological review team revealed that elk in southwestern Montana have likely been exposed to a gastrointestinal bacteria, and are not necessarily coming into more contact with brucellosis as once believed.
(Headlines - April 26, 2006)

Residents of northeastern and north-central Montana interested in assisting FWP with a variety of resource issues are encouraged to apply for consideration on the Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council.
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

After a 5-year hiatus the Missouri Breaks Elk Working Group will reconvene May 2 at the First State Bank in Malta.
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

A hunter education class will begin May 16 in Saco
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

May 1 marks the deadline to apply for a license for one of the most popular big game animals in north central Montana – the mountain goat.
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

FWP has issued a decision document authorizing prairie dog abundance and distribution standards in Region 6
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

Fish, Wildlife and Parks together with the Missouri River Flyfishers club will hold their annual fly tying night for kids May 8 at FWP regional headquarters in Great Falls, 4600 Giant Springs Road.
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

Region 7 Fish, Wildlife and Parks has recently been notified that mercury levels in some fish located in South Sandstone Reservoir are high enough to be a concern for table fare
(Fishing - April 24, 2006)

Be a part of living history and ride with the Road Agents as they attempt to intercept a gold shipment on its way to Bannack by stagecoach! This exciting and educational trail ride sponsored by the Montana Heritage Commission (MHC) and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) will explore the rich Gold Rush history of southwest Montana.
(Headlines - April 24, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Department of Livestock will hold a public meeting in Ennis on Wednesday, April 26 to present the findings of a review team regarding brucellosis sampling in elk in the Madison Elk Management Unit. The meeting will be held at the El Western Hotel beginning at 7 p.m.
(Headlines - April 21, 2006)

An accidental discharge of a shotgun in a state-sponsored hunter education class on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, points to the importance of firearm safety at all times. No one was injured in the incident.
(Headlines - April 20, 2006)

The most recent in a series of domestic sheep depredations in northeast Montana took place April 15 when two sheep were reported killed, state wildlife officials have said.
(Wild Things - April 18, 2006)

The North Marias Landowner-Sportsmen Committee will hold a meeting at 7 p.m., May 4th, at the Whitlash Public Meeting Hall.
(Headlines - April 18, 2006)

Montana's spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. All spring black bear hunters had to purchase their licenses on or before April 14. Licenses purchased after April 14 can only be used for the fall black bear season.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

The FWP Commission recently adopted several changes to Montana's mountain lion hunting season regulations that also will affect some traditional dates for license sales and permit applications.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

A fish species that has survived for eons will be on anglers' minds - and hopefully lines - during the 2006 paddlefish season. Montana's paddlefish season runs from May 15-June 30, or as posted, on the Yellowstone River from the mouth of the Big Horn River to the North Dakota state line.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials reminds hunters that the deadline to enter the special drawing to obtain a license to hunt moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat must be postmarked by May 1 at 5 p.m., and online applications must be completed by no later than May 1.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

Montana’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is offering a “Jane Deere” workshop specifically for farm and ranch women. The workshop is set for   June 9 – 11 at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch near Dupuyer.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

Applications are due April 26 for a four-day "DirtBike Coach" course set for June 1-4 at the Lewis and Clark Country Fairgrounds in Helena. The course will be free to successful applicants. The standard fee for the course is typically $450.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that May 15 is the deadline to apply for Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program funds for the release of pheasants on private lands of 160 acres or more.
(Headlines - April 14, 2006)

A state fisheries crew plans to remove suckers this spring at Ackley Lake State Park in central Montana to try to improve the trout fishery there.
(Headlines - April 13, 2006)

Raccoons, with their ringed tails and little bandit masks are unmistakable. Unlike bears, raccoons don’t hibernate, so Montanans may experience a raccoon raid winter or summer.
(Headlines - April 13, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announces that the two concrete boat ramps at Dailey Lake in the Paradise Valley will be closed for approximately 30 days beginning April 14, 2006. There will be a temporary dirt boat ramp available for users on the east shore while the construction takes place.
(Headlines - April 13, 2006)

A spring bowhunter education class has been scheduled for those interested in the Sidney area.
(Fishing - April 12, 2006)

Spring fishing for rainbow trout will pick up soon, especially in some of north central Montana’s large reservoirs. That will result in good memories for some anglers and bad behavior from others.
(Headlines - April 12, 2006)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Helena on April 20 at the Helena FWP headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave. beginning at 8 a.m.
(Commission - April 11, 2006)

The hunting of all female mountain lions in south-central Montana hunting district 580, which includes portions of Meagher, Park, Sweet Grass and Wheatland counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, April 11, 2006.
(Hunting - April 11, 2006)

Hunters interested in applying for special permit and license drawings to hunt big-game can now apply over the Internet and receive instant confirmation that the application is complete and accepted. A workshop for those interested in learning more will be held Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in Missoula at the Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main.
(Headlines - April 11, 2006)

A fish species that has survived for eons will be on anglers' minds - and hopefully lines - during the 2006 paddlefish season. Montana's paddlefish season runs from May 15-June 30, or as posted, on the Yellowstone River from the mouth of the Big Horn River to the North Dakota state line. The Missouri River above Fort Peck Lake is open to paddlefish snagging year round. Downstream from Fort Peck dam is open year round unless closed by FWP.
(Fishing - April 11, 2006)

Paddlefish give anglers a special and unusual fishing opportunity each spring. The Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers support this unique and ancient species of fish. Anglers have an opportunity each spring from May 15-June 30 to catch a paddlefish in the Yellowstone River system from the confluence of the Big Horn to the North Dakota line.
(Fishing - April 11, 2006)

The public is invited to attend an educational forum later this month in Havre dedicated to wildlife conflicts and resolution. The three-part forum is sponsored jointly by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Havre-Hill County Library Board and will be held Sunday, April 30 in the Technology Center on the campus of Montana State University Northern in Havre.
(Headlines - April 10, 2006)

An outfitter’s request to expand guided hunting for deer and elk in the Bears Paw Mountains has been approved with modifications by the Montana Board of Outfitters (MBO).
(Headlines - April 10, 2006)

Public comments will be accepted through May 12 on a proposal to build a shooting facility on a reclaimed landfill east of Poplar just north of U.S. Highway 2.
(Headlines - April 10, 2006)

As the weather warms and anglers’ thoughts stray to spring fishing excursions, Laura Leslie asks fishers to be mindful of where they can legally use live minnows for bait.
(Fishing - April 10, 2006)

A wolf-related livestock depredation was reported north of Avon, Montana March 21. USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed that one calf was killed by wolves on private land.
(Headlines - April 10, 2006)

The new manager of the brand new Fort Peck Hatchery is preparing to receive 100 million walleye eggs later this month.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

The $18.7 million Fort Peck Multi-Species Fish Hatchery will be dedicated Thursday, July 6 in an afternoon ceremony.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

The Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council is considering various options to sustainably fund the Fort Peck Multi-Species Hatchery and will issue recommendation in May.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

Eighteen instructors who volunteer their time and talents to teach Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education in northeastern Montana were recognized by FWP for their contributions.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

A Bowhunter Education class is scheduled for April 28 and 29 in Glasgow.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

Anglers fishing the Missouri River upstream of Fort Peck Lake are encouraged to participate in a creel survey through mid June.
(Headlines - April 06, 2006)

Applications for funds to release pheasants on private land are available now from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Hunting - April 06, 2006)

A weekend bowhunter education class is scheduled for April 22nd & 23rd in Broadus, MT.
(Hunting - April 05, 2006)

Spring black bear season is set to open April 15, and hunters must purchase a spring bear license by April 14. Licenses may be purchased on the FWP web site, at license providers, or at FWP offices.
(Headlines - April 05, 2006)

A free screening of the wildlife film “Back from the Brink, Montana’s Wildlife Legacy” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Tues., April 25 at the University Center Theater on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. The event is sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Region 2 FWP Citizen Advisory Council.
(Headlines - April 05, 2006)

The deadline is fast approaching to apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).
(Headlines - April 04, 2006)

Who were those 4,500 people who applied for about 800 permits to float the Smith River this year?
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

State wildlife officials are seeking comment on an environmental assessment that would allow livestock grazing on a portion of the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area.
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 will host its annual volunteer orientation April 18.
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

Spring’s warm days lure people outside with their dogs, making it important to remember leash laws.
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

The best strategy for dealing with reawakening bears this spring is to avoid running into them in the first place, said Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear biologist in Bozeman. Grizzly and black bears wake up all over Montana beginning in early April.   "It is fairly easy to avoid bears. Learn to recognize bear sign, make noise near creeks and in thick timber, and stop once in awhile to look around for movement," Frey said.
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

It take only one careless member of a community or neighborhood to get a bear into trouble. Trouble for a bear means finding inappropriate sources of food—for example dog food on a porch, garbage, or apples in a yard.
(Hunting - April 03, 2006)

Prepare a bear-hazard assessment of the community and surrounding area. Plan ways to remedy situations identified in the assessment. Ensure community planning and decision-making is “Bear Aware.” Provide education programs to help the community become “Bear Aware.” Develop and maintain a bear-proof municipal solid-waste management system.
(Hunting - April 03, 2006)

Bear biologists and outdoor educators encourage people recreating in Montana's bear country to carry and know how to use bear pepper spray in emergencies. In most cases, bears in the wild will attempt to avoid a person or group of people. When bears see people they will generally tend to move off as long as they aren't surprised, harassed or threatened.
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

Though the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, created in 1983 to lead the recovery of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states, does not endorse any particular commercial bear pepper spray, it points out in its literature that proper use of bear pepper spray will: ·       reduce the number of grizzly bears killed in self-defense, ·       reduce human injuries caused by bears, and ·       help promote the recovery and survival of the grizzly bear. The IGBC offers these recommendations: When to use bear pepper spray: Bear pepper spray should be used as a deterrent only in an aggressive or attacking confrontation with a bear. Bear pepper spray is only effective when used as an airborne deterrent sprayed as a cloud at an aggressive animal. It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, other equipment or surrounding area as a repellent. Carrying pepper spray: ·         Each person should carry a can of bear pepper spray when working or recreating in bear habitat. ·         Bear pepper spray should be carried in a quick, accessible fashion such as in a hip or chest holster. ·         In your tent, keep bear pepper spray readily available next to your flashlight. You should also keep a can available in your cooking area. ·         Spray should be tested once a year. Do not test spray in or near camping areas. ·         Be sure to check the expiration date on your can of bear pepper spray. Using bear pepper spray: ·         Remove safety clip ·         Aim slightly down and towards the approaching bear. If necessary, adjust for cross wind. ·         Spray a brief shot when the bear is about 50 feet away. ·         Spray again if the bear continues to approach. ·         Once the bear has retreated or is busy cleaning itself, leave the area as quickly as possible, but don't run. Go to an immediate area of safety, such as a car, tree, or building. ·         Do not chase or pursue the bear. …
(Headlines - April 03, 2006)

Bears and mountain lions generally prefer to avoid humans, and many potential encounters go unnoticed by the person involved. Other times an encounter can be threatening to all involved, for example when a female bear feels called on to protect a cub, a lion to protect a kitten, or when food-conditioned bears grow bold.
(Hunting - April 03, 2006)

By order of the Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 4 in northcentral Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Wednesday, April 5, 2006. The district includes portions of Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Glacier, Hill, Judith Bain, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Meagher, Petroleum, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.mt.
(Hunting - April 03, 2006)