Future plans for Montana's newest State Park, Travelers' Rest State Park, will be discussed at two open house meetings September 4 and September 12 from 4-7 p.m. at the park, 6650 Mormon Creek Road in Lolo. The site plan, and the materials and signage that will tell the story of the park, will be presented.
(Headlines - August 23, 2002)

The draft report of the Montana State Parks Futures II Committee, appointed by Governor Judy Martz, is available for public review and comment through September 20. The public will also have an opportunity to comment during a simulcast public meeting linking eight sites around the state via satellite on September 11 from 7-9 p.m.
(Headlines - August 23, 2002)

An escalating international trend of possessing and trading "exotic" wildlife for personal and commercial purposes has raised concerns about the potential impact of these nonnative species on Montana's native wildlife, plants, and agriculture and the possible human health issues. Exotic wildlife may be anything from a very unusual type of animal to a commonly known animal that is simply not native to the state.
(Wild Things - August 23, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is requesting public comment on the 2002-2003 tentative regulations for waterfowl. The only significant changes are that the canvasback season will be closed in both the Pacific and the Central flyways, and there will be a shortened season for pintails in both flyways. Under the federal framework approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the season is closed on canvasbacks, and shortened for pintails, because both are well below population objectives.
(Hunting - August 23, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has developed a new, handy reference guide to programs that relate to or involve private landowners. The Landowners' Guide brochure offers a brief summary of each FWP program and describes the benefits to landowners who choose to become involved. The programs range from financial assistance in preserving wetlands and riparian areas to the benefits of being involved in the Block Management Program.
(Habitat - August 23, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that seven local government entities across the state will receive nearly $150,000 to fund boating improvement projects. Communities receiving grants ranged from Libby on the Kootenai River to Billings on the Yellowstone River. Improvements planned include construction and rehabilitation of boat ramps, parking areas, signs, and restroom facilities.
(Headlines - August 23, 2002)

During the past year, the Montana State Parks Futures II Committee, appointed by Governor Judy Martz, met in nine cities across the state, held seven public meetings, and conducted on-site reviews of 11 state parks. Its findings, the second full review of Montana State Parks in 13 years, are now available for public comment from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The Committee's draft report is on the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Headlines - August 23, 2002)

Women interested in hunting waterfowl this fall are invited to attend a clinic on Saturday, September 14, in Great Falls to help prepare for the hunt season. Participants will learn to identify waterfowl, practice shotgun shooting, use duck calls, develop skills in how to estimate distances when shooting, set up decoys and build a blind. Participants can bring their own shotgun or one will be provided.
(Hunting - August 23, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks closed a 19-mile stretch of the upper Big Hole River today to all angling due to extremely low water conditions that threaten the survival of the river's native Arctic grayling population. Today's closure encompasses the upper-most reach near Wisdom a 19 mile stretch from Rock Creek Road to the mouth of the North Fork of the Big Hole, about 14 miles downstream of Wisdom.
(Headlines - August 20, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds bear hunters that licenses must be purchased by August 31 for fall black bear hunting season. In addition to the Conservation License and Black Bear License, a new Hunting Access Enhancement fee will be charged at the time the hunter purchases their first license of the year. Black bear hunters are required to successfully complete the Black Bear Identification Test and must present a certificate of completion when purchasing a Black Bear License.
(Hunting - August 09, 2002)

Mountain lion hunters have until August 31 to purchase a license. Mountain lion licenses are available at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and FWP license provider's establishments. By September 30, nonresidents must apply for the hunting harvest permit required in FWP Region 1 by submitting their name, address and phone number, 2002 ALS Number, lion hunting district number and a $3 nonrefundable fee to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region 1, 490 N.
(Hunting - August 09, 2002)

A Montana Wolf Conservation and Management update, with summaries of public comments received and recorded by FWP earlier this year, is available on-line at www.fwp.state.mt.us . Click on "Montana Wolf Management" in the Hot Topic box.
(Wild Things - August 09, 2002)

The newly appointed Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks River Recreation Advisory Council will meet Thursday, August 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Montana Association of Counties, 2715 Skyway Dr., in Helena. The meeting is open to the public.
(Headlines - August 09, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently joined other state conservation agencies across the country in a new bi-partisan organization formed to create partnerships with the federal government to enhance the management and conservation of America's natural resources. The Natural Resources Leadership Council of the States (NRLCS) recently received its approval from the National Governors Association.
(Inside FWP - August 09, 2002)

Everyone who hunts doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, snipe, or coots in Montana must be "HIP" certified for the upcoming hunting seasons. 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. The program is entering its fifth season. Most waterfowl seasons open in Montana in late September, but the snipe and dove hunting opener is September 1.
(Hunting - August 09, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks now offers an All-Terrain Vehicle safety home-study course at no charge. "Driving an ATV requires unique safety skills to avoid common hazards, as well as an understanding that each rider has particular responsibilities for protecting the environment," said Ray Paige, FWP's trails program specialist. "It is important that ATV users, especially our youth, have access to a quality training opportunity to gain skills in these areas.
(Education - August 09, 2002)

Imagine being able to tell your out-of-state friends and family members that one of your hobbies is training bears! It makes great cocktail conversation, too. Best of all, learning to train bears is easy and it takes less time than training the propane driver not to drive on the grass or the neighbor's cat to stay out of your flowers.
(Wild Things - August 09, 2002)

Women interested in hunting waterfowl this fall are invited to attend a clinic on Saturday, September 14, in Great Falls to help prepare for the hunt season. Participants will learn to identify waterfowl, practice shotgun shooting, use duck calls, develop skills in how to estimate distances when shooting, set up decoys and build a blind. Participants can bring their own shotgun or one will be provided.
(Education - August 09, 2002)

The draft report of the Montana State Parks Futures II Committee, appointed by Governor Judy Martz, is now available for public review. The public will have an opportunity to comment during a satellite public meeting linking eight sites around the state on September 11 from 7-9 p.m. The State Parks Futures II Committee reviewed the Montana State Parks system and its operations, management and direction and sought public input over the course of the past year.
(Headlines - August 09, 2002)

In Montana, wild trout are a treasure, a commodity, and a priority. After the discovery of whirling disease in the Madison River in 1994, all of Montana’s wild trout appeared to be threatened. Since then, however, much has been discovered about the distribution of whirling disease, how and why it affects trout, and environmental conditions that may trigger the disease.
(Wild Things - August 09, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment by September 6 on 11 fishing contest applications proposed for the winter of 2003. All but one of these ice-fishing contests have been sponsored in past years. One new contest on Bitterroot Lake is proposed for March 2, 2003 by the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier County. Participants may catch and keep fish entered in the contests, but must comply with state fishing regulations including daily and possession limits.
(Fishing - August 09, 2002)

Applications are now available for tundra swan hunting permits for the 2002 season. In the Pacific Flyway, which includes Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area near Fairfield, 500 permits will be offered for swan hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Toole, Liberty, Hill and those portions of Teton and Pondera counties east of US Highway 287 from Augusta to Choteau and US Highway 89 from Choteau to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
(Hunting - August 09, 2002)