Everyone who hunts doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, snipe, or coots in Montana must be "HIP" certified. HIP stands for Harvest Information Program, and certification delivers essential information to wildlife biologists so they can better manage wildlife resources in Montana and the United States. Most waterfowl seasons open in Montana on Sept. 29, but the snipe and dove hunting opener is Saturday, Sept. 1.
(Hunting - September 01, 2001)

Surplus elk permits, and antelope and deer "B" licenses, will go on sale Tuesday, September 4. The licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis by mail application only from the FWP Helena headquarters through September 14.After September 14, any remaining licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis by the FWP region where the licenses are valid.
(Hunting - August 31, 2001)

Feeding wild game is too often a common practice in some parts of Montana. "Few people seem to realize it is against the law in this state to feed wild game," said Beate Galda, FWP Enforcement Division chief."This year the Legislature clarified the law, Section 87-3-130 of the Montana code, and made it clear bears are included under it.
(Wild Things - August 31, 2001)

Recreational Trails Programs in Montana will benefit from $1.4 in funding for new trail projects planned in 2002 and 2003, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.The funding, administered by FWP with federal oversight by the Federal Highway Administration, is provided under the Transportation Equity Act.
(Parks - August 31, 2001)

They 're an odd bunch with old-time Hollywood names like Spoonhead, Stonecat, Cutthroat, Brassy, Redbelly, and Shovelnose. But they're not film noir crooks. They're Montana's native fish.
(Wild Things - August 31, 2001)

Migratory bird hunting regulations will be available mid-September from FWP regional offices and the Helena headquarters, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Migratory Bird and Wetlands Coordinator Tom Hinz. For the 2001-2002 season there are some minor season date changes and the season for canvasbacks will be open for the special two-day youth waterfowl season (Sept.22-23) and then open only from Sept. 29 to Nov. 5 in the Pacific Flyway and from Sept. 29 to Oct. 23 in the Central Flyway.
(Hunting - August 30, 2001)

Fire-danger and fire-use restrictions will have a big impact on Labor Day and early-season hunting plans throughout western Montana this weekend. On the heels of two of the driest years in recent memory, and several weeks of record low stream flows and record high temperatures in August, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters and others who plan to be outdoors to be cautious of fire danger and fire restrictions on public and private lands.
(Hunting - August 29, 2001)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Thursday, September 6 in Helena at the FWP Headquarters building on 1420 East Sixth Ave., beginning at 8 a.m.  Final decisions will be made on 13 recommended Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects totaling over $190,000, the Kootenai Falls Wildlife Management Area rules and the FWP Region 4 Prairie Dog Transplant plan.
(Headlines - August 28, 2001)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds anglers they have until August 31 to comment on the 2002 and 2003 proposed fishing regulations. Comments will be considered in developing the tentative regulations that will go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission for approval September 6, according to Karen Zackheim, FWP Fisheries Division bureau chief. "Anglers actually have a couple of opportunities to participate in setting the new fishing regulations," Zackheim said.
(Headlines - August 23, 2001)

Montana's 2001 black bear licenses are composed of a carcass tag and hide tag. The carcass tag must be attached to the carcass of the bear and the hide tag must be attached to the hide. Bear hunters should immediately validate the hide tag and attach it to the hide. The carcass tag, which has no validation slots, must be attached to the carcass when the hide is removed. Fall black bear season in Montana begins September 15 in most areas of the state open to bear hunting.
(Hunting - August 17, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal requiring black bear hunters to complete mandatory bear identification testing before purchasing a black bear license. "Black bear hunters are very likely to encounter grizzly bears where they haven't been seen before and so they have to be alert and able to quickly and accurately identify bears," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife management bureau chief.
(Hunting - August 17, 2001)

Deciding when to celebrate the creation of Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, the first of Montana's now 42 State Parks, isn't as easy as it sounds. The Caverns were a total mystery when "first" discovered in 1892 by Thomas Williams, a local rancher, and his hunting partner Burt Pennell. Williams and his adventurous group of friends used ropes, picks and candles in 1898 to descend into the opening of the Caverns that locals began to call the "Discovery Hole.
(Montana Outdoors - August 17, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comments on the regulation of snowmobile "skipping" on open public water. An emergency rule, adopted by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission last week, took effect August 9 and will remain in effect for 120 days, until December 6.
(Headlines - August 17, 2001)

Nonresident mountain lion hunters who hunt in northwestern Montana, FWP Region 1, will see some changes that affect them in the final lion hunting regulations adopted by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission in July. The changes aim to keep the hunt within established harvest quotas and to address biological issues.
(Hunting - August 17, 2001)

Hunters have a variety of options available to them for hunting locations this fall. "Now is a great time for hunters to make arrangements for their fall hunting, if they haven't already thought about it," said Alan Charles, FWP's coordinator of landowner/sportsman relations. "Hunters who hope to hunt on private land should make those arrangements well in advance of when they plan to hunt." A good place to begin is with FWP's Block Management Program.
(Hunting - August 17, 2001)

Hunters who recently received a special antlerless elk permit for hunting district 540-00 should be aware the season dates printed on the permit are incorrect. The correct season dates are October 15 through November 25, as printed in the regulations.
(Hunting - August 17, 2001)

Thousands of hopeful hunters will be camped at their mailboxes Saturday waiting for the arrival of at least one of the coveted 96,000 deer, elk and antelope hunting licenses and permits Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will mail Friday. Hunters, who applied for the special permits and licenses in June, will be able to access their drawing results free of charge via FWP's website at fwp.state.mt.us. beginning at 8 a.m. Friday morning.
(Hunting - August 09, 2001)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on migratory bird seasons and bag limits for the 2001 season. The following season dates are proposed: Statewide Youth Waterfowl Season : Sept. 22 - 23 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows two additional days as a special hunting opportunity to encourage young people ages 12 through 15 to participate in waterfowl hunting. Pacific Flyway: Ducks, Coots : Sept. 29 - Jan.
(Hunting - August 09, 2001)

MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks warden sergeant based in Butte has been named the recipient of the prestigious Shikar-Safari Club International’s Wildlife Officer of the Year Award. Coy Kline, a 10-year veteran, was recognized for his exceptional teamwork and contributions to critical FWP work.
(Headlines - August 03, 2001)

MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS Women interested in learning more about shooting a bow and arrow are invited to attend a one-day clinic on Saturday, August 18, at the Teller Wildlife Refuge south of Missoula.   Participants will also learn the art of Dutch oven cooking as they help prepare lunch. At the clinic, participants will learn how to string a bow, fletch an arrow, practice stationary and aerial shooting, and learn archery games.
(Headlines - August 03, 2001)

MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS The proposed Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan is moving into the second phase of the public comment and review process following public review of the first draft of the plan. “Managing a multiple-species fishery as diverse as Fort Peck and balancing the wide spectrum of public opinion is challenging, “ said Bill Wiedenheft, FWP Region Six fisheries manager.
(Headlines - August 03, 2001)

  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is developing rosters of individuals who are interested in being considered for game damage deer and elk hunts later this year in some specific areas that may experience game damage problems.   “The damage can be to everything from row crops to haystacks,” said Don Childress, FWP wildlife division administrator.
(Headlines - August 03, 2001)

As “the largest hydraulic fill dam in the world,” one of the more unusual claims to fame, Fort Peck Reservoir and its surroundings are considered a treasure of the plains.    Fishing, recreation and new development continue to showcase Fort Peck as a bright spot in northeastern Montana.
(Headlines - August 03, 2001)