Hunters, please remember that it is your responsibility to identify and abide by any drought and fire-related restrictions that may be in effect in areas where you plan to hunt.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
Hunters who are taking to the field for Montana’s big game archery season beginning Sept. 2 need to take the warm, dry weather predicted for some areas of the state into account in their hunt planning. It can be tough to stalk big game when every blade of grass rattles and every twig snaps.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
Applications for Montana’s upcoming 90-day bison hunt are due Sept. 15. Prospective hunters must apply for licenses, which will be awarded via a special drawing. A license will cost $125 for residents and $750 for nonresidents.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold 11 public meetings this month to discuss a management plan and draft programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) for grizzly bears in 17 western Montana counties.
(Wild Things - September 01, 2006)
Off-highway vehicles, including motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), quadricycles, dune buggies, amphibious vehicles and air cushion vehicles, have registration and use rules. Snowmobiles are not considered OHVs.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
When planning a hunting trip, it is important for hunters to be mindful of the regulations associated with using State School Trust Land managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Just a few tips: * A $2 state lands access fee is now included in the $8 resident and $10 nonresident price of the FWP conservation license. This license replaces the $10 state lands recreational use license for hunting, fishing and trapping activities on state lands.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
Coyotes, the great adaptors, were quick in the past 100 years to take over habitat vacated by wolves. In doing so, they also took on a share of the natural ire that rural-dwelling Montanans feel when faced with threats to domestic stock and pets. The bushy-tailed coyote has survived that ire by being extremely adaptable and resilient. Coyotes generally weigh 20 to 35 pounds with rich fur coats that some hunters and trappers find very attractive.
(Wild Things - September 01, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission adopted waterfowl hunting regulations Thursday for the upcoming seasons.
(Hunting - September 01, 2006)
Fishing restrictions will be lifted noon, Sept. 1, on the Dearborn, Smith and Sun rivers in north central Montana, state officials say.
(Headlines - August 31, 2006)
The last official weekend of summer is here, but the fishing action is far from over.
(Fishing - August 31, 2006)
Due to low water levels, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is advising Cooney State Park visitors to leave their trailered boats at home.
(Headlines - August 30, 2006)
The fall upland game bird and dove hunting seasons are set to open on September 1. The fire danger is extreme so hunters need to take precautions against starting a prairie fire. During a dry fall, the chance of starting a fire is a serious concern to landowners, land management agencies and recreationists. Using common sense and taking a few simple steps to minimize the danger of starting a fire while we use the prairie can save everyone a lot of time, effort and expense.
(Hunting - August 29, 2006)
A fall hunter education class has been sheduled for Miles City. The 3-day class has been scheduled for September 12th, 23rd, and 24th and is offered free of charge to the public. Any hunters who are 12 years of age or older or who will turn 12 during the hunting season are required to complete a hunter education class before purchasing any hunting licenses. The class is required for adults that have turned 18 years of age after January 1, 1985, who have not completed a prior Hunter Education.
(Education - August 29, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials will close Placid Lake State Park to the public beginning Sept. 5, 2006 for site improvement projects. The park, located three miles off Hwy. 83 south of Seeley Lake, will remain closed until October 27, 2006.
(Headlines - August 29, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed fishing access site (FAS) on the Missouri River about six miles southwest of Great Falls.
(Headlines - August 28, 2006)
Recent sightings of a mountain lion in Lewistown should serve as a reminder to residents and visitors that anywhere in Montana is lion country.
(Headlines - August 28, 2006)
Scuba divers will plunge into Giant Springs and the Roe River Sunday, Aug. 27, in a biannual volunteer cleanup of aquatic vegetation in the state park.
(Headlines - August 28, 2006)
Like boy scouts, hunters need to be prepared, especially if they plan to hunt in a north central Montana state park or a fishing access site.
(Headlines - August 28, 2006)
State officials have reopened Dunes fishing access site on the Missouri River south of Great Falls after removing several hazardous cottonwood trees.
(Headlines - August 28, 2006)
The annual Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor will be held at Chief Plenty Coups State Park on Saturday, September 2. The event, put on by the Friends of Chief Plenty Coups Advisory Council, is open to everyone and is free of charge.
(Headlines - August 25, 2006)
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state.
(Fishing - August 24, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting on Thursday, August 24, to collect comment on proposed new rules that would require a permit and a fee to use FWP managed sites for commercial purposes.
(Education - August 21, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has authorized a pre-season game damage hunt for deer in a portion of Hunting District 590 in Bighorn County. The game damage hunt is currently in place on one property in the area to address excessive damage to alfalfa.
(Headlines - August 21, 2006)
The Yellowstone River will re-open to all day fishing starting at noon on Saturday, Aug. 19. The 105-mile stretch of river from Big Timber to Huntley has been closed to fishing between noon and midnight since July 28 because of high water temperatures.
(Headlines - August 21, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to develop and manage approximately 2.5 acres of land owned by Missoula County as a new Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Clark Fork River west of Missoula.
(Headlines - August 21, 2006)
Small sections of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers near Milltown Dam will be closed to fishing and other recreation beginning Sept. 1 as part of the project to remove the dam.
(Headlines - August 21, 2006)
FWP game wardens are asking the public's help with information regarding the illegal shooting of a white-tailed deer east of Opheim.
(Headlines - August 19, 2006)
Upland bird populations appear to be plentiful, but hunters should plan to find areas with moisture in order to find birds in the region's parched landscape.
(Headlines - August 19, 2006)
The new FWP game warden for the Plentywood district, Ezra Schwalm, is ready to assist hunters and recreationists.
(Headlines - August 19, 2006)
The next meeting of the Missouri Breaks Elk Working Group is Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Malta's First State Bank.
(Headlines - August 19, 2006)
The Region 6 meeting to collect public comment on proposed rules regarding commercial use of FWP lands will be held Aug. 31 in Glasgow.
(Headlines - August 19, 2006)
Applications for Montana’s upcoming 90-day bison hunt are now available online. Paper applications will be available Monday, Aug. 28, from most Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and license providers.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
In Montana, upland game birds consist of sage and sharp-tailed grouse, blue, ruffed and Franklin’s grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, and Hungarian (grey) and chukar partridge. Upland game bird seasons in 2006 are: Mountain Grouse Sept. 1 - Dec. 15 Partridge Sept. 1 - Jan.
(Headlines - August 18, 2006)
Most upland game bird seasons begin Sept. 1, with the exception of ring-necked pheasants. Pheasant hunting for Montana residents and for nonresidents is Oct. 7-Jan. 1, 2007. ? The sage grouse season is Sept. 1-Nov. 1. ? The mountain grouse season is Sept. 1-Dec. 15. ? The sharp-tailed grouse and partridge hunting season is Sept. 1-Jan. 1, 2007.
(Headlines - August 18, 2006)
Montana's upland game bird hunters appear to have a favorable season of hunting ahead. A mild winter across most of the state resulted in good over-winter survival of birds and spring offered good nesting and brood rearing conditions in most of the state. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said pheasant, grouse and hun populations in northeastern Montana are expected to be above average and elsewhere upland game bird hunting opportunities will be similar to last year’s.
(Headlines - August 18, 2006)
The 1,100 volunteers who teach Hunter Education would like to remind all hunters of the four basic rules of gun safety. * Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction. * Always treat every gun as if it were loaded. * Always be sure of your target and beyond.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Montanans hunting or recreating outdoors this fall are encouraged by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee to carry and know how to use bear pepper spray. The IGBC, created in 1983 to lead the recovery of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states, recommends bear pepper spray to reduce the number of grizzly bears killed in self-defense, reduce human injuries caused by bears, and to help promote the recovery and survival of the grizzly bear.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
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. In past hunting seasons TIP-MONT has received many calls with useful information enabling FWP enforcement to better enforce Montana’s game laws and provide follow up on U.S. Forest Service violations.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Some archery only antelope hunters were afield by Aug. 15. These hunters hold a 900 series license to archery hunt antelope Aug. 15—Nov. 5 in any hunting district starting with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This either sex antelope license had to be obtained over the counter before June 1. Archers who secured this license can only hunt antelope with archery equipment for the entire fall hunting season.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
A bowhunter needs to be sneaky, with "no-scent" on, and camouflaged to look like a bush. While that’s what it takes to get close enough for a good shot with a bow and arrow, that hunter is making it hard for a bear to notice him or her. A bear’s usual early warning systems of sight, sound and smell can be scrambled by bowhunters, resulting in surprise encounters. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and these bears are re-colonizing some historic ranges.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
It's time for hunters who plan to hunt on private land to be thinking about securing permission from landowners. Montana law requires hunters to obtain permission for ALL hunting on private land. Whether pursuing upland game birds, coyotes, gopher or big game, hunters must ask permission from the landowner before hunting on private property.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
For the 2006 hunting season, hunters will have access to nearly 9 million acres of land statewide through the Block Management Program administered by Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The program assists landowners in managing hunting activities on lands under their control, and provides hunters with public hunting access to private and isolated public land free of charge.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
To help hunters determine who owns the land where they want to hunt, FWP has developed a Directory of Montana Maps that explains how to find maps that identify both public and private land ownership. "Identifying land ownership is a necessary part of hunting in Montana nowadays," says Alan Charles, FWP coordinator of landowner/sportsman relations. "Hunters have to do their homework, know where they are, and ask local people about ownership and property boundaries.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Montana sets aside a full weekend just for young duck hunters. The state's "Special Statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend" is set for Sept 23-24. The regular duck season opens on Sept. 30 statewide. Legally licensed hunters ages 12 through 15 may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers on the special weekend, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
"The best time to hunt mourning doves is generally the first few days of the season," said Jim Hansen, Migratory Bird Coordinator with FWP. "A cool front in early September with nighttime temperatures into the low 40s will send a lot of doves south, especially the young-of-the-year. Adult males tend to be the last to leave." The mourning dove season is Sept. 1 – Oct. 30 and the bag limit is 15 daily and 30 in possession. Scouting in advance of your hunt will help.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Applications are now available for tentatively approved tundra swan hunting permits for the 2006-07 season. Hunters may apply for a swan permit in only one flyway. The seasons are expected to run Sept. 30 –Jan 4, 2007 in the Central Flyway and Oct. 14-Dec. 1 in the Pacific Flyway. Applications, which must be received or postmarked by Sept. 8, are available at all FWP offices, or visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov . Click "Hunting.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds black bear hunters that licenses must be purchased by Aug. 31, a Thursday, for the fall season. Hunters may purchase a license on the Internet at fwp.mt.gov under Hunting, or at FWP regional offices and FWP license providers. All mail-in applications must be postmarked no later than Aug. 31. The cost of a black bear license is $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Mountain lion hunting licenses for Montana’s 2006-07 season are available at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks license providers , online at FWP’s website , or through the mail . Hunters have until Aug. 31 to either apply for one of the special permit districts or purchase and validate their license for either the fall or winter season.
(Hunting - August 18, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting in Billings on August 23 to collect comment on proposed new rules that would require a permit and a fee to use FWP managed sites for commercial purposes. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at FWP’s Region 5 office, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive.
(Headlines - August 18, 2006)
Applications for Montana’s upcoming 90-day bison hunt are now available online. Paper applications will be available Monday, Aug. 21, from most Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and license providers. For the 2006-07 hunt, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently approved the sale of 95 either-sex bison licenses and 45 cow/calf licenses for use between Nov. 15 and Feb. 15, 2007. The hunting will take place in two separate areas over four time periods.
(Headlines - August 18, 2006)
Even in 1895 Montana’s hunters had regulations to guide their hunting. The Hartford Pioneer, a newspaper located in Hartford City between today’s Montana City and Clancy, reported on Saturday, May 11, 1895 that new game and fish laws had been set. The story on hunting regulations is framed by an advertisement for the San Francisco Bakery in Helena that delivered goods to Hartford, Clancy and Lump Gulch, and then continued on to Unionville.
(Headlines - August 17, 2006)
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state. For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water. For detailed information on river flows, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow Late summer means that terrestrial time has neared its peak in Montana.
(Fishing - August 17, 2006)
A fall Hunter Education class has been scheduled for the Sidney area from September 12th to September 19th. The class is offered free to the public and is open to anyone interested in hunting and related activities. Any hunters born after January 1, 1985, are required to have completed a hunter education class before they can purchase a hunting license.
(Education - August 16, 2006)
Hunters have until Aug. 31 to purchase a bear license for the fall season. Mountain lion hunters planning to hunt this fall or winter must also purchase a license or apply for a special permit by the Aug. 31 deadline.
(Headlines - August 16, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold an Aug. 28 public meeting in Missoula to collect comment on proposed new rules that would require a permit and a fee to use FWP managed sites for commercial purposes. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Parkside.
(Headlines - August 16, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer two fall hunter education classes in Missoula beginning September 11.
(Headlines - August 16, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, in cooperation with local landowners, will hold two limited game damage hunts in Hunting Districts 322 and 350 beginning August 19. FWP will use these game damage hunts to remove animals from the area where they are causing damage.
(Headlines - August 16, 2006)
A three-year study of walleye and sauger in the Missouri River downstream of Fort Benton has concluded that walleye may be competing with sauger for food and living space.
(Headlines - August 15, 2006)
A giant cottonwood tree apparently brought down by old age and wind has led state officials to close temporarily Dunes fishing access site on the Missouri River south of Great Falls.
(Headlines - August 15, 2006)
Want to get a child started in duck and goose hunting?
(Headlines - August 15, 2006)
A calf was recently confirmed killed by a wolf on a Forest Service allotment in the Gravelly Mountains. USDA Wildlife Services investigated the depredation on Aug. 13.
(Headlines - August 15, 2006)
Hunters from Whitefish and Illinois won Montana's deer and elk SuperTag lottery Monday.
(Hunting - August 14, 2006)
The family and friends of Jeffrey Pollard and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have installed a memorial bench at the Mallard’s Rest Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River to honor his memory. In addition, the family contributed $2500 for site improvements including new picnic tables and grills.
(Headlines - August 14, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer three fall hunter education classes in Bozeman and Belgrade beginning on August 21.
(Headlines - August 14, 2006)
An adult male grizzly bear captured Saturday, Aug. 12 in the West Yellowstone area was euthanized today by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials.
(Headlines - August 14, 2006)
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state. For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water.
(Fishing - August 10, 2006)
Hunters will have opportunities to buy surplus tags for antelope, deer and elk starting this month after drawings are complete.
(Headlines - August 10, 2006)
Pictograph Cave State Park will host the Yellowstone Valley Amateur Astronomers Club as they present a public celestial viewing event at the park on Saturday, August 19.
(Headlines - August 10, 2006)
FWP has issued kill permits to 4 landowners in the Bear Paw Mountains to take up to 14 elk from a herd causing agricultural damage along Clear Creek.
(Headlines - August 10, 2006)
Antlerless deer and doe-fawn antelope permits are available in several Region 6 hunting districts.
(Headlines - August 10, 2006)
Surplus deer and antelope tags in north central Montana are set to go on sale Aug. 14.
(Headlines - August 09, 2006)
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 citizens advisory council will hold its next meeting Aug. 15 at the FWP office in Great Falls.
(Headlines - August 09, 2006)
A Kalispell man was cited into justice court for the recent escape of an alligator into the wild. The 5-foot long alligator was killed and removed from Shady Lane Pond on July 31.
Rod Nelson was cited for unintentionally releasing an alligator that he possessed. This violation is covered under Montana St
(Headlines - August 08, 2006)
Nathan Bache (pronounced Baych), 10, of Libby caught a state record pumpkinseed sunfish in Upper Thompson Lake on July 30. Nathan caught the fish, which measured 9.5 inches in length, on a green-headed jig while fishing with his parents in their boat.
(Headlines - August 08, 2006)
Hunters can soon buy over-the-count antelope licenses and surplus licenses for deer, elk and antelope.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
Even as the August heat beats down on Montana, waterfowl hunters can look forward to another exceptional fall season. The promising fall-flight forecast comes from the cool north, where the total population of 10 of the most sought after duck species exceeds 36 million birds, a 14 percent jump over last year.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
Applications are now available for tentatively approved tundra swan hunting permits for the 2006-07 season.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently adopted final 2006 hunting regulations and season dates for "webless" migratory game birds.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently set antelope permit quotas for the upcoming hunting season, adopting several changes for the 2006 hunting season.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently set the final furbearer regulations and quotas for the 2006 and 2007 trapping seasons.
(Hunting - August 08, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on tentatively approved fishing regulations that would remain in effect March 1, 2007 through February 29, 2008.
(Fishing - August 08, 2006)
There are a few common strategies used by anglers to find success during the mid-summer weeks of Montana’s fishing season. Stream anglers should carefully study the hatches, and pay close attention to the insects that they see on the water, since the insects hatching have changed dramatically since the cooler days of early spring. Fish will not be found in the same places where they were earlier in the season, since low water levels have changed the rivers entirely.
(Fishing - August 07, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 78 recreational trails grant applications from cities, counties, state, and federal agencies and private associations.
(Parks - August 04, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 19 grant applications for a variety of off-highway vehicle projects.
(Parks - August 04, 2006)
The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet Aug. 22 – 23 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn to discuss hunting and fishing access issues. The council will meet from 8:30 a.m. - noon on Aug. 22, with a field trip scheduled for the afternoon, and again on Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Headlines - August 04, 2006)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking trail recreationists interested in serving on the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee. The committee advises the agency on the distribution of $200,000 in OHV Trails Program funds and various trails-related issues.
(Parks - August 04, 2006)
Homes in Western Montana near forests or wild lands are often within bear country. Bears also may occasionally wander into towns and neighborhoods searching for food. Anything people or their pets eat will attract bears who are quick learners and who make a habit of returning over and over to sites where they found food.
(Headlines - August 04, 2006)
With recent wild fires concentrating deer and elk in a small portion of the Pine Ridge area this year, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is preparing for what could be an even greater crop damage problem than in years past. The Pine Ridge fire, which burned over 120,000 acres earlier this summer, destroyed much of the animals’ preferred habitat.
(Headlines - August 04, 2006)
Due to low water levels, use of boat ramps at Cooney State Park is limited. Water levels have been drawn down significantly for crop irrigation in the area.
Starting today, the Marshall Cove and North Shore boat ramps are unusable for the launching of boats from trailers. The boat ramp at the Red Lodge camping area is currently open, but it is suggested that no boats over 16 feet in length use it. Fishing on Cooney Reservoir remains open.
(Headlines - August 04, 2006)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission approved today in Missoula a 90-day bison hunt to open this fall and to include two large hunting areas in southwestern Montana. For the 2006-07 hunt, the commission approved the sale of 95 either-sex bison licenses and 45 cow/calf licenses for use between Nov. 15 and Feb. 15. 2007. The hunting will take place in two separate areas over four time periods. The time periods are Nov. 15-Dec. 31, January 1-16, Jan. 17-31, and February 1-15.
(Hunting - August 03, 2006)
Two wolves from the Wedge Pack in the Madison Valley were shot and killed on private land after two confirmed livestock depredations and one probable livestock depredation last week. USDA Wildlife Services investigated the depredations.
(Headlines - August 02, 2006)
A wolf-related livestock depredation was reported east of Sula, Montana on August 1. USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed that one calf was killed by wolves on private land.
(Headlines - August 02, 2006)
A public tour of the land area known as the Dutchman Wetland, located one mile west of Warm Springs, will be offered Wednesday, Aug. 9th. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is currently taking comment on a proposal to accept the donation of the Dutchman land, approximately 3,750 acres of wetland, from the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO).
(Headlines - August 01, 2006)
Hunters who registered for potential game damage hunting opportunities on private land in Montana this year can now check their status at online at fwp.mt.gov. Game damage occurs when animals like elk, deer, and antelope concentrate on private farms and ranches and eat crops.
(Hunting - August 01, 2006)
A recent survey of the Missouri River breaks bighorn sheep population indicates that the herd in District 680 is at a record-high level.
(Headlines - August 01, 2006)
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