FWP Unveils Improved, Power-Packed Internet Hunt Planner

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The mysteries of Montana’s hunting districts have just become a lot easier to decipher with FWP’s improved and power-packed online hunting planner.

For several years, hunters could turn to FWP online to plan big game hunting trips. Now, FWP’s new Interactive Hunt Planner not only helps hunters find Montana’s regulations, it offers expanded mapping services that display hunting districts against Montana’s highway maps, topographic maps, and aerial photos that also show game species distributions.   Two new features include Wildlife Management Area locations and information and the ability to download GPS waypoint files with a click of the button.

The hunt planner’s mapping power was developed in partnership with the Natural Resource Information System in Helena.

"The new look and feel expands our mapping services and links to a quick reference feature for each hunting district," said Ira Miller, FWP’s Webmaster. "We developed most of the improvements with the help of feed back from users who really helped us focus on what hunters need and expect."

Miller said visitors can begin a search with either a regional map and species, or go right to the hunting district and species of interest. From there, hunters will find a new report and mapping services.   The report offers specific information on legal descriptions, hunting regulations, and drawing and harvest statistics. F or the first time, deer population data is also available.   Databases for Montana’s other species are expected to come online over the next year.

"We think it’s the best and most comprehensive Internet hunt planner in the nation," Miller said.

While the new maps are clearer, and the options more varied, Miller cautions that   navagating the maps will take a little practice. "We’ve provided great online help and even a pop-up window for first-time users, " he said.

The Interactive Hunt Planner can be found at http://fwp.state.mt.us/hunting/planahunt/ or by going to http://fwp.state.mt.us, then Hunting and Plan A Hunt.