The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 121, which includes a portion of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, January 2, 2005. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 30, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 310, 311, 360, 361 and 362, which include portions of Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson and Broadwater counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 321 and 332, which include portions of Beaverhead, Silver Bow and Deer Lodge counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 28, 2004.
(Hunting - December 27, 2004)

Due to the steady decline the northern Yellowstone elk herd, state wildlife officials are proposing a significant reduction in permits for the late-season hunt on Yellowstone National Park's northern boundary near Gardiner.
(Hunting - December 27, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 102, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 26, 2004. The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 318 and 350, in portions of Jefferson and Silver Bow counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 24, 2004.
(Hunting - December 23, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 204, 260 and 261, which includes portions of Granite, Missoula and Ravalli counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 23, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for these districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 22, 2004)

With winter winds blowing and Christmas lights blazing, it's easy to forget that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will begin accepting applications to float the Smith River on Jan. 3, 2005. This popular float annually attracts about 3,500 applicants for about 700 float permits. In 2005, Smith River float applications can be submitted over the Internet for a nominal transaction fee. Applications may also be submitted in person or through traditional mail.
(Parks - December 22, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently approved the state's statewide elk management plan and environmental assessment following an extended public comment period that ended Dec. 6. The statewide elk management plan, which was discussed this fall at 23 public meetings, provides a new, adaptive framework for elk management that has been under development with public involvement since the fall of 2002.
(Hunting - December 22, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the tentative 2005 big game hunting regulations, season dates and on hunting district boundary changes for the elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep and turkey seasons. According to wildlife managers, the proposed elk season changes would help align seasons and quotas with the newly approved statewide elk management plan, creating some increased opportunities--especially for youth.
(Hunting - December 22, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will seek public comment on the tentative 2005 big game hunting regulations and seasons at a series of meetings set for January. Here is a schedule of the public meetings:           FWP Region 1 January 15, 2005:   West Coast Hotel in Kalispell (open house – 9am:   public hearing from 10 am to 3 pm)   FWP Region 2 January 4 - Deer Lodge, Community Center, 7 p.m.
(Hunting - December 22, 2004)

It is safe to say that the state’s fish, wildlife and parks and our abundant recreational opportunities played a role in many people’s cherished memories this past year. Our state has the highest number of hunters per capita of any state in the union—about one in four Montanans. Over 190,000 Montanans purchased a fishing license in 2004, and about 70 percent of the 1.65 million visitors to our State Parks are Montanans.
(Headlines - December 22, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 314, which includes portions of Gallatin and Park counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 22, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 21, 2004)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission the season for all hunting of bobcats in Trapping District 1 in northwestern Montana will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 20, 2004. The district includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis & Clark, Missoula, Powell and Sanders counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 17, 2004)

By order of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking fisher in Trapping District 2 of western Montana will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, December 18, 2004.    Trapping District 2 includes portions of Deer Lodge, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell and Ravalli counties.   For more information visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 17, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 122, which includes portions of Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 17, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 16, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission today approved a new hunting season for bison that migrate out of Yellowstone National Park.   In 2003, Montana's Legislature passed a law giving the Fish Wildlife & Parks Commission authority to establish a bison hunt in Gallatin and Park counties. At its Dec. 16 meeting in Helena, the commission approved a hunt and authorized 10 bison-hunting licenses for use Jan. 15-Feb. 15, 2005.
(Headlines - December 16, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission approved today a new hunting season for bison that migrate out of Yellowstone National Park. It's the first bison hunt authorized by the commission since 1990.     The commission authorized 10 bison-hunting licenses for use Jan. 15-Feb. 15, 2005. In subsequent years, more or fewer hunting licenses could be authorized for a season that would run from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15.
(Headlines - December 16, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will coordinate a statewide discussion to help develop a compensation program to pay for livestock damages caused by wolves, officials said today. "One of the complexities of a state-run wolf management program is how to effectively address damages caused by a fully recovered wolf population," said FWP Director Jeff Hagener.
(Headlines - December 16, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 300, 302, 328 and 329, in portions of Beaverhead County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 16, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for lions in the districts combined had been met.   For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 15, 2004)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 3 in southwestern Montana will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 17, 2004. The district includes portions of Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Meagher, Park and Silver Bow counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 15, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 123, which includes portions of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 14, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 13, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Helena, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 15 and 16, at the Helena FWP headquarters building, 1420 East Sixth Ave. The meeting begins at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and continues at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
(Headlines - December 10, 2004)

While the general 2004 big game hunting season ended Nov. 28, an extended season for antlerless elk in a limited number of hunting districts in the Bitterroot Valley, southwestern Montana and Central Montana will close Dec. 12.   Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said the elk harvest in these key areas was below elk-management objectives due to mild weather and a lack of snow. No other general hunting season extensions are planned.
(Hunting - December 10, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials remind trappers that there are some important changes in the 2004-05 furbearer regulations including: * 24-Hour Reporting   - Anyone who harvests a bobcat, otter, fisher, or wolverine must report it within 24 hours to the new toll free line for furbearer harvest reporting: 1-800-230-9865. To assure consistent harvest management, trappers and hunters can now only report a harvest to the 800 number.
(Headlines - December 10, 2004)

Montana's hunting season for mountain grouse will close Dec. 15.   Upland game bird hunting seasons for sharp-tailed grouse, partridge, pheasant and fall turkey will continue until Jan. 1, 2005.
(Hunting - December 10, 2004)

With Montana's hunting season's winding down, outdoor lovers' thoughts turn to winter recreation. One of the state's popular choices is snowmobile riding. Here are some interesting snowmobile-related facts from information gathered by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Snowmobile Program. * There are just over 8,000 miles of snowmobile trails in the state, half of them groomed thanks to local snowmobile clubs.
(Parks - December 10, 2004)

This time of year, about 100,000 Montanans and some 50,000 nonresidents snowmobile riders are preparing to hit Montana's 8,000 miles of trails. These are the folks that the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Snowmobile Program has in mind as we track snowmobile use, provide training and information on snowmobile safety, enforce laws on snowmobile registration and fees, and administer grants for trail grooming.
(Parks - December 10, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' annual hunter harvest surveys began in December with calls to hunters holding moose, sheep and goat licenses. Other big and small game license holders who hunt deer, elk, antelope, black bear, upland game birds, and migratory birds will be surveyed starting mid January. Wildlife managers will use information collected during the survey to estimate the 2004 harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons.
(Hunting - December 10, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 120, which includes portions of Flathead and Lake counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, December 11, 2004. The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 240, in portions of Missoula and Ravalli counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 12, 2004.
(Hunting - December 10, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting district 422, in portions of Lewis and Clark County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 12, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for this district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 10, 2004)

The hunting of male mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 200 and 201, which includes portions of Mineral, Sanders and Missoula counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 10, 2004. The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 319 and 341, which includes portions of Silver Bow and Deer Lodge counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, December 10, 2004.
(Hunting - December 09, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 101, which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 9, 2004. The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 104, which includes portions of Lincoln County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 8, 2004.
(Hunting - December 07, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 202 and 203, which includes portions of Mineral and Missoula counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for these districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 07, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 283 and 285, which includes portions of Missoula and Powell counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 8, 2004. The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 290, 291 and the western half of 292, in portions of Powell, Granite and Missoula counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 8, 2004.
(Hunting - December 06, 2004)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 320 and 333, which include portions of Madison, Silver Bow, Gallatin and Jefferson counties, will close   one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 7, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 06, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 103 and 124, which includes portions of Lincoln, Flathead and Sanders counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 7, 2004. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district has been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 06, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 210, which include portions of Missoula and Granite counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 8, 2004.   The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for the district had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.state.mt.
(Hunting - December 06, 2004)

The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 100, which includes portions of Lincoln County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 5, 2004. The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 130, which includes portions of Lake and Missoula counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 6, 2004.
(Hunting - December 03, 2004)

Sauger and walleye in the Missouri River near Fort Benton appear to swim downstream as much as 150 miles to spawn before returning to their exact location, a graduate student has found.  “We thought they swam upstream or up the Marias River to spawn,” says Steve Leathe, Fish Wildlife and Parks regional fisheries manager. “This is sort of a reverse migration.
(Fishing - December 01, 2004)