The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed at the meeting held July 7, 2005, to tentatively approve a bison hunt to open this fall, confirming its intent to create a 90-day hunting season over a large area of southwestern Montana for the 2005-06 season. For the 2005-06 hunt, the commission tentatively approved the sale of 25 either-sex bison licenses for use between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15, 2006; and 25 either-sex licenses for use between Jan. 16, 2006 and Feb. 15, 2006. In accordance with a new state law, one of the licenses for each time period would be allotted to each of Montana’s eight Indian Tribes. The licenses would be valid on private lands with landowner permission, and on those public lands specifically defined as bison areas outside the northern and western boundaries of Yellowstone National Park where active hazing of bison is not being conducted. Last winter, about 8,300 people applied for 10 bison hunting licenses issued through a drawing. Should a 2005-06 bison season be officially adopted by the FWP Commission at its September meeting in Billings, the 10 licenses drawn earlier this year would be among the 50 valid for the 2005-06 hunts. With 16 licenses allocated by law to Montana’s Indian Tribes, the remaining 24 bison-hunting licenses available to the public would be offered through a special drawing that would likely be held in October. Drawing applications could be available by mid August and would be due by Sept. 30.
(Annual Rules - 07/20/2005)

Elkhorn WCT Introduction Decision Notice
(Decision Notices - 07/20/2005)

The 2002 State Park Futures Committee recommended the Division develop a marketing plan as part of its long-term management strategy. The goal of this plan is to increase the connections between state parks and park users, businesses and communities. Through this plan we hope to increase the utilization of state parks; to increase the top of the mind awareness of all of the attributes of the parks system and the community grants programs operated by the Parks Division; and to add to the economic vitality of communities touched by state parks. Additionally, we hope this plan will guide us in providing better customer service while continuing to protect some of Montana’s special places.
(Management Plans - 07/20/2005)

The enclosed draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the introduction of Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) into Sheep and Miller Creeks, and is submitted for your consideration. This project will attempt to expand the range of YCT in the Soda Butte Creek Drainage and halt the decline of this native fish. Questions and comments will be accepted until August 15, 2005.
(Species Stocking - 07/19/2005)

The landowner would like to have FWP stock rainbow trout into the reservoir and then provide reasonable access for public fishing. Dry Fork Coulee Reservoir is located on private land (Briese Ranch) approximately ten miles southwest of Big Sandy, MT. The reservoir is located on Dry Fork Coulee, a tributary to Coal Banks Coulee approximately 5 miles upstream from the confluence of Coal Banks Coulee and the Missouri River.
(Species Stocking - 07/19/2005)