490 North Meridian Rd., Kalispell, MT 59901 Contact: John Fraley 406-751-4564
REGION ONE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2005 --FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSESSMENT MEETING, AUGUST 3 IN KALISPELL --REMINDER: FINAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES OFFERED --APPLY NOW FOR FALL TURKEY PERMITS
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FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSESSMENT MEETING TO BE HELD AUGUST 3 IN KALISPELL FWP is seeking comments on a new assessment of fish and wildlife completed for the state. In Kalispell, the meeting to collect comments will be held Wednesday, August 3, 6-8 p.m., at the FWP headquarters on North Meridian Road. Once complete, Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy will bring the state a step closer to securing federal funding needed to conserve species that fall in the conservation gap between the state’s major game animals and those that are threatened or endangered.
“This statewide assessment identifies Montana’s critical wildlife habitats and the animals that need special attention,” said FWP’s T.O. Smith, who will be leading the meeting. “The goal is to keep species from becoming threatened or endangered and to keep fish and wildlife management decisions in the hands of Montana citizens."
Montana’s 600-page draft document identifies 636 species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crayfish and mussels. It represents two years of work to compile and develop fish, wildlife and habitat conservation needs identified by government agencies, private groups, universities and others in the state.
The federal government is requiring states to develop these documents to ensure that State Wildlife Grant funds are being used efficiently and for the states to remain eligible for future allocations. Montana, like other states, must submit its effort to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by Oct. 1. All the states hope the work leads to long-term commitment of federal funds to contribute to the states’ conservation resource pool.
Since 2002, Montana has received more than $5 million in State Wildlife Grant funds for fish and wildlife conservation programs, including: prairie-stream surveys, native Arctic grayling and cutthroat trout restoration, loon research, wolf and grizzly bear management planning, and inventories of small mammals and reptiles.
Montana’s draft assessment has four main components based on geography, fish and wildlife communities, species in the greatest need of conservation, and species that need to be inventoried. Those components were subsequently placed into tiers of conservation need, from those in greatest need to those with fewer needs for additional conservation efforts. The assessement identifies 60 species of greatest conservation need and the habitats they rely on.
A draft document is available and comments can be submitted online by clicking on The Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy link at fwp.mt.gov. A h ard copy is available for review at the FWP office on North Meridian Road in Kalispell.
Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 14 and can be addressed to: Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701. For information, call 406-444-3889. ***************************************************************************
REMINDER: FINAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES OFFERED The final Bowhunter Education Classes for the year in northwest Montana are scheduled in Polson and Olney. By state law, all first time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase an archery-hunting stamp. Bowhunter education classes are free of charge.
Polson : Register by calling Larry Rattray, 849-5230. Classes are held at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 19, and Thursday, July 21 from 6:30-9 p.m. The field course is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 beginning at 8 a.m.
Olney: Call Thad Briggs at 881-2819 for information. Must register at Thad’s Tackle Shop in Olney by July 20. Classes are held on July 25, 26, and 27, from 6-9 p.m.
These are the last Bowhunter Education classes for the year in northwest Montana.
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APPLY NOW FOR FALL TURKEY PERMITS
The fall wild turkey hunting season runs from September 1- January 1. The bag limit is one wild turkey, either sex.
In northwest Montana, there are three turkey hunting units:
Flathead Valley Hunting Unit : Fall turkey hunting tags are sold over the counter, no permit needed;
Lincoln County Uni t: 150 either sex permits;
Sanders County Unit : 150 either sex permits.
Hunters interested in these special turkey hunting permits for the Lincoln and Sanders County units must apply by August 1 at FWP offices or online.
Lincoln County Area :A total of 150 fall turkey either-sex permits will be issued. Reminder: Hunting only with shotgun or archery. Permits valid only in Lincoln County in its entirety.
Sanders County Area : A total of 150 fall turkey either-sex permits will be issued. Reminder: Hunting only with shotgun or archery. Valid in a portion of Sanders County, see regulations on line.
Applicants for special turkey permits may apply online, in writing, or download the application from the FWP web site, and send it to the Regional Office of the special permit area they would like to hunt. The written application must include name, address, ALS number, indicate which county the application is for, and include a $3 nonrefundable drawing fee. Hunters must have the current 2005 conservation license. Hunters can send the information and $3 fee to: FWP, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901. Hunters can also stop in at the office on North Meridian Road to apply. Successful applicants will be notified by mail and will be required to purchase a fall turkey license before hunting.
Details on hunting in the general hunting areas and special permit areas are available on the FWP website (fwp.mt.gov) or available at Regional Offices or license providers.
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