A public hearing on a proposal to add a Hauser Lake recreation area to the lake's no-wake rules will be held in Helena on April 18. The new rule seeks to establish a no-wake zone at White Sandy Recreation Area in anticipation of increased use at new day-use and camping sites developed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The public hearing will be held April 18 at Lewis and Clark Library, 120 South Last Chance, beginning at 6 p.m.
(Headlines - March 30, 2007)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has extended the public comment period on its recent proposal to delist the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolf an additional 30 days. The comment deadline is now May 9. USFWS proposed in January to delist the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming--and parts of Washington and Utah. The USFWS said that the population exceeds recovery goals.
(Headlines - March 30, 2007)
The hunting of male mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 445 and 455, which includes portions of Cascade, Lewis and Clark and Meagher counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, March 31, 2007. 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 districts had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - March 30, 2007)
Registration is open for a Bowhunter Education class for youngsters 11-17 years of age.
(Headlines - March 27, 2007)
Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season runs April 7 to May 20 this year.
(Headlines - March 27, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announces improvement projects beginning at Carter’s Bridge and Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Sites on the Yellowstone River.
(Headlines - March 24, 2007)
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet March 29 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 1 p.m.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a series of public open houses to discuss a proposal that could allow a limited take of about five young peregrine falcons for use in falconry. In the practice of falconry, licensed falconers may take nestling or free-flying birds of prey from healthy wild populations and then train the birds for the hunting of small game like grouse, pheasants and ducks. Last year in Montana at least 65 active peregrine falcon nests fledged nearly 150 young birds.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' new Internet bear identification training and test for black bear hunters and others interested in bears simulates a real bear hunt. "The new setup tests a hunter's judgment and timing as well as his or her bear identification skills," said Thomas Baumeister, FWP hunter education coordinator. FWPs bear identification program is intended to help prevent mistaken killings of federally protected grizzly bears.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Montana’s 306 Fishing Access Sites are among the best places in the state to fish or camp. Now a new, full-color guide to these special places is available at all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices at no charge. The new guide is color-coded and formatted for use with the FWP fishing regulations and includes information such as the typical species of game fish that may be caught at each site.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Hunter's have their own spring rituals. One, applying for special big game hunting permits and licenses, took some paperwork. But now these applications can be efficiently completed online. The deadlines to apply for FWP’s spring drawings are May 1 for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat; and June 1 for elk, deer and antelope.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Landowners interested in raising and releasing ring-necked pheasants this year have until May 15 to submit an application. Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Upland Game Bird Release Program, landowners who attempt to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for raising and releasing pheasants. Landowners can apply if the land in the project area remains open to reasonable public hunting.
(Hunting - March 23, 2007)
As Montana’s bears emerge from their dens in the next few weeks, Montanans can get a refresher course on living with bears by visiting the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks new Be Bear Aware web pages. "You'll learn responsible ways to feed your pets, manage your garbage, landscape the yard and carry out a host of other activities in bear country, " said Ron Aasheim, FWP Communication and Education division administrator.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Many Montanans unaccustomed to recreating in grizzly bear country may be caught unprepared by the food storage orders in effect on U.S. Forest Service lands including the Flathead, Lolo, Lewis and Clark, and Helena National Forests and others. Recreating in grizzly bear country today requires good planning around the foods you choose to bring on your trip, how you plan to store that food and your garbage.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
One sure way for a Montana community to co-exist safely and happily with local bears is to bear-proof the community, say some. The effort to bear-proof Montana one community at a time is being led by a few dozen people, including Bill Lavelle of Columbia Falls, Erin Edge of Missoula and Carrie Hunt of Florence.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
The best strategy for dealing with reawakening bears this spring is to avoid them in the first place, said Kevin Frey, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear biologist in Bozeman. Grizzly and black bears generally wake up all over Montana 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 - March 23, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear managers say that most of the time people not bears determine how an encounter with a grizzly or black bear turns out. Bears, given a choice, will avoid people. The exception is a "food-conditioned" bear. Once a bear has contact with people and receives a reward in the form of food or trash it can quickly lose its fear of people. "Most food conditioned bears are eventually taken out of the population for being a threat to human safety," Manley said.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has led the recovery of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states since 1983. Committee experts say that bear spray is critical to grizzly bear recovery because it effectively deters grizzly bears and helps humans to avoid injury. Bear pepper spray is not a substitute for taking the proper precautions to avoid a bear in the first place. The IGBC recommends its use only as a deterrent in a confrontation with an aggressive or attacking bear.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Professional photographers know that to get great wildlife shots they need to use telephoto lenses and be very patient. Most professionals practice some form of low-impact photography and devote years to obtaining particular shots. Generally accepted wildlife photography etiquette includes: * View and photograph from an established observation area or the trail when hiking. If an animal approaches, back away in order to maintain a safe distance.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
About 316 wolves now inhabit Montana, nearly equally distributed between the state's northern and southern populations, according to the annual wolf conservation and management report released by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. FWP’s report, which is available on line at fwp.mt.gov , shows Montana's wolf population increased about 19 percent from last year. The minimum Montana wolf population is estimated at 316 wolves, in 60 verified packs, and 21 breeding pairs.
(Headlines - March 23, 2007)
Spring Hunter Education Classes have been scheduled for Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Polson, Ronan, Kalispell, and Olney
(Headlines - March 22, 2007)
Plentywood-district game warden Ezra Schwalm will present three programs in April that detail the scope of illegal hunting activity in Montana, and ways citizens can recognize and report poaching.
(Headlines - March 22, 2007)
Bowhunter Ed and Hunter Ed courses have been scheduled in numerous communities in Region 6, with additional courses still to be announced.
(Headlines - March 22, 2007)
Public access concerns at Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (FAS) were addressed March 21 in a preliminary settlement agreement between Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and adjacent landowners.
(Headlines - March 21, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Bureau of Land Management, Dillon Field Office announce the beginning of a joint process to develop a special recreation permit program for commercial use, competitive events, and organized group activities on the popular Madison River Corridor. The permit program would not apply to the general recreating public unless they are conducting commercial uses, competitive events, or organized group activities.
(Headlines - March 21, 2007)
A heifer was recently confirmed killed by wolves on private land west of Wisdom in the Big Hole Valley. USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed the depredation on March 17.
(Headlines - March 20, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recovered the remains of a dead wolf on Highway 191 near the Taylor Fork junction on March. 11.
(Headlines - March 20, 2007)
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet March 29 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 1 p.m.
(Commission - March 20, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public comment on a proposal to acquire a Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Blackfoot River. The proposed Scotty Brown Bridge FAS would provide access at river mile 45, between Clearwater Crossing and Ovando, south of Highway 200.
(Headlines - March 20, 2007)
A U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposal to delist the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolves may mean that changes in wolf management are in store for Montana. The public has until April 6 to comment.
(Headlines - March 20, 2007)
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 Wednesday, March 21, 2007. The district includes portions of Fergus, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Park, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon and Treasure counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - March 19, 2007)
The first of three Hunter Education courses in Valley County will be held the week of April 23 at Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Quonset classroom in Glasgow.
(Headlines - March 15, 2007)
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants to fill as many as five vacancies on the Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council.
(Headlines - March 15, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a series of public open houses to discuss a proposal that could allow a limited take of about five young peregrine falcons for use in falconry. In the practice of falconry, licensed falconers may take nestling or free-flying birds of prey from the healthy wild populations and then train the birds for the hunting of small game like grouse, pheasants and ducks. Last year in Montana at least 65 active peregrine falcon nests fledged nearly 150 young birds.
(Headlines - March 15, 2007)
The Region 7, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Citizen Advisory Council is scheduled to meet in Miles City at the regional headquarters conference room on March 28, 2007.
(Inside FWP - March 13, 2007)
A hunter education class for students 15 and older wishing to complete part of the course online, will be offered in Missoula in April. Registration for the class is March 20, 7 p.m., at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) office, 3201 Spurgin Road.
(Headlines - March 13, 2007)
The spring bowhunter education course for the Polson area begins Tuesday night, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Good Shepards Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue East in Polson.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
For the Birds! Teacher Workshop
Including an Introduction to the “Flying Wild Educator’s Guide”
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
A Bowhunter Education class has been scheduled May 23-26 for those interested in the Ashland area.
(Hunting - March 12, 2007)
Another year, another record when it comes to Smith River float permits.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
Hunter and bowhunter education instructors from north central Montana were honored recently in Great Falls.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
State fisheries biologists this spring will put reward tags on 500 walleye in Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
The annual upper Missouri River reservoir fisheries management update meeting will be 7-9 p.m., April 3, at the Montana Association of Counties Building, 2715 Skyway Drive, which is near the Helena Regional Airport.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
Great Falls first bowhunter education course for this year has been set.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
Fish, Wildlife and Parks will improve the irrigation system at Giant Springs State Park.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
A calf was recently confirmed killed by wolves on private land west of Wisdom in the Big Hole Valley. USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed the depredation on Mar. 6.
(Headlines - March 12, 2007)
Montana's 2007 spring turkey and bear hunting regulations are available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website at fwp.mt.gov under 2007 Hunting Regulations. The regulations for deer, elk, antelope, moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep hunting are expected to be online March 16. FWP print regulations are generally available within two to three weeks of appearing n the FWP web page.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
Many Montana fifth grade students are testing their artistic skills this spring by participating in the 2007 Montana State Parks poster contest. The contest's theme is "Kids In The Great Outdoors" and the deadline to enter is April 6. Prizes include lodging in a Montana State Park, backpacks, equipment and field guides. The contest organizers at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hope to stimulate fifth grade students, including those home schooled, to spend more time in the outdoors.
(Parks - March 09, 2007)
Montanans interested in increasing bird populations on private land, training hunting dogs, or raising upland game birds for food, can obtain a permit by contacting Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks . These annual permits are available now and expire Dec. 31. Landowners may release captive-reared ring-necked pheasants on their lands by obtaining a permit. Landowner should provide appropriate habitat, including sources of food, shelter, and water for the birds.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season opens April 7. Licenses are available from all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov and from FWP license providers in the state. Hunters who wish to hunt in a special spring turkey gobbler permit area must apply by March 15: on line at fwp.mt.gov ; in writing; by visiting a FWP office; or by downloading an application from FWP’s web page.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
To hunt in the spring black bear season, black bear hunters must purchase a license by April 14. Licenses purchased after April 14 can only be used for the fall black bear season. Only one black bear license per year is issued to an individual. The spring black bear season begins April 15. Check the 2007 black bear hunting regulations on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov for details.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
Last year about 2,000 Montanans made tax-deductible contributions totaling more than $25,000 to help support wildlife viewing opportunities in the state. Montana’s diverse wildlife species are highly "watchable," on the land, in the air and the water. In addition to cavity-nesting birds, other highly watchable species include: hawks, owls, loons, frogs, chipmunks, and birds such as chickadees, nuthatches, and finches, and many others.
(Hunting - March 09, 2007)
Ice fishing turns angling into a year-round sport. But ice fishing as winter turns to spring is not always safe. In changing conditions, the safest ice anglers are those who are particular about their ice and who like to fish on familiar waters. Dressing properly for the weather, in flexible layers, is important as is a basic knowledge of ice safety and ice rescue. Here is a safety checklist for ice anglers: * Check out ice conditions before you go.
(Fishing - March 09, 2007)
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. The TIP-MONT program rewards callers who report natural resource crimes, hunting and fishing violations, or vandalism in a Montana State Park or on U.S. Forest Service lands. The caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
If you have dodged or collided with a wild animal on Montana’s roads or highways, you’re not alone. The Montana Department of Transportation estimates there may be 7-8,000 wildlife collisions each year in Montana resulting in more than 100 injuries and two to three fatalities a year. Most wildlife collisions occur at dawn and dusk. Deer are most often involved, though collisions with moose, elk, bighorn sheep, bears, coyotes and wolves also occur.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
Today aquatic invasive species are staging a genuine alien invasion. "Some invasive aquatic species are already established here and recent discoveries suggest others may not be far behind," said Eileen Ryce, FWP aquatic nuisance species coordinator. "The invasive quagga mussel was just discovered in the Colorado River system including lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu. This is the first evidence of this species in the West," Ryce said.
(Headlines - March 09, 2007)
Registration is open for the 2007 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake.
(Headlines - March 06, 2007)
The hunting of female 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 Tuesday, March 6, 2007. The closure notice came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for lions in this district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - March 05, 2007)
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 Wednesday, March 7, 2007. 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 05, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and The Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association (TRPHA) will hold a March 14 public open house at Travelers’ Rest State Park to share the newly created Cultural Resource Management Plan for the park.
(Headlines - March 05, 2007)
Stimson Lumber Company recently donated approximately 9.5 acres of land to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for a Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Upper Clark Fork River 15 miles west of Drummond.
(Headlines - March 05, 2007)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) will offer two spring hunter education classes in Missoula beginning April 2.
(Headlines - March 05, 2007)
Hunter education is scheduled to begin this month at Woodman School near Lolo. Interested students should attend registration and the first night of class Thursday, March 22,
7-9:30, at Woodman School, approximately eight miles west of Lolo on Highway 12.
(Headlines - March 05, 2007)
Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors will receive service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop to be held Saturday, March 10 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell.
(Headlines - March 02, 2007)
The hunting of female mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 400, 401, 403, 406, 415, and 441, which includes portions of Toole, Pondera, Liberty, Chouteau, Glacier and Teton counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, March 3, 2007. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met.
(Hunting - March 02, 2007)
Respected Butte Game Warden Marty Vook retired from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Dec. 2006 after 32 years of exceptional service to the citizens of Montana. FWP welcomes Ryan Gosse and Shane Brozovich to southwest Montana.
(Headlines - March 02, 2007)
To hunt in the spring black bear season, black bear hunters must purchase a license by April 14. Licenses purchased after April 14 can only be used for the fall black bear season. Only one black bear license per year is issued to an individual. The spring black bear season begins April 15. Check the 2007 black bear hunting regulations (fwp.mt.gov) for details.
(Hunting - March 01, 2007)
New fishing and hunting licenses are now on sale at FWP and at all hunting and fishing license outlets.
(Headlines - March 01, 2007)
Registration for the Whitefish Hunter Education Course will be held Thursday, March 1, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday March 3, noon-4 p.m., at the Whitefish City Library.
(Headlines - March 01, 2007)
Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season runs April 7 to May 20 this year.
(Headlines - March 01, 2007)
To hunt in the spring black bear season, black bear hunters must purchase a license by April 14.
(Headlines - March 01, 2007)
New fishing and hunting licenses are now on sale at FWP and at all hunting and fishing license outlets.
(Headlines - March 01, 2007)
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