Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment July 1- Aug. 31 on proposed statewide river recreation management rules. “The rules provide guidance on managing river recreation in order to prevent or resolve social conflicts,” said Charlie Sperry, FWP’s river recreation management specialist.
(Fishing - July 01, 2004)

Bannack, one of Montana’s most carefully preserved ghost towns, will celebrate its golden anniversary as a State Park with activities in Dillon on Monday, July 12, including a book signing and public reception. “For 50 years, Bannack has contributed to the Dillon-area economy, drawing in tourists from all over the country to experience a real ghost town,” said Tom Lowe, assistant manager of Bannack State Park.
(Parks - July 01, 2004)

This 4th of July weekend Montanans have 43 Montana State Parks to enjoy and they will pay no daily entrance fees. Montanans now have free daily access to all state parks, including vacation and cultural destinations like Flathead Lake near Kalispell, Bannack ghost town near Dillon, Lewis and Clark Caverns near Three Forks, and Cooney Reservoir near Billings. The Montana license plate is now your pass into Montana’s State Parks, thanks to an optional $4 annual fee on Montana vehicle registrations.
(Parks - July 01, 2004)

Many Montanans and visitors to the state are planning to celebrate the July 4 weekend outdoors fishing, camping and hiking. In most areas of the state, that means they will be sharing space with the state’s mountain lions and bears. Montana’s black and grizzly bears spend the summer months raising young and building up essential fat stores. Black bears are widely distributed across western and central Montana, while grizzly bears are more restricted to the western part of the state.
(Headlines - July 01, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment July 1- Aug. 31 on   proposed statewide river recreation management rules. “The rules provide guidance on managing river recreation in order to prevent or resolve social conflicts,” said Charlie Sperry, FWP’s river recreation management specialist.
(Headlines - June 30, 2004)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Helena on July 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at the FWP headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave.
(Headlines - June 29, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission adopted final 2004 moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and mountain lion quotas that are mainly unchanged from the tentative quotes recommended this spring, with the exception of some sheep quotas. Sheep quotas in some hunting districts in FWP Regions 1 and 4 were increased.   In hunting district 124-00 the either sex sheep quota went from seven to eight sheep, and in hunting district 124-30 the adult ewe quota went from five to ten.
(Headlines - June 25, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment until July 20 on the 2003-2004 tentative furbearer quotas. Beaver and Otter:   In FWP Regions 4, 5, 6 and 7 a proposed new general season for beaver would run Sept. 1-May 31 to increase opportunities for trappers and reduce damage caused by beaver. Season dates would remain Nov. 1-April 15 in FWP Regions 1, 2 and 3 to prevent the incidental harvest of otter where otter habitat is extensive.
(Headlines - June 25, 2004)

Learn about wilderness survival, fly tying, shooting sports, archery, and Dutch oven cooking during the “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” (BOW) workshop this summer. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is sponsoring the 11 th annual BOW summer workshop August 13-15, at Lubrecht Forest near Missoula. New classes this year include wilderness first aid, hunting dogs, outdoor fitness, and an overnight mock-survival experience. Volunteer instructors, many of them women, teach BOW workshops.
(Headlines - June 25, 2004)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council is seeking public comment through Aug. 4 on 12 draft recommendations regarding Montana’s Block Management Hunting Access Enhancement Program.   According to Council Chairwoman Darlyne Dascher, the Council adopted draft recommendations to continue and enhance the existing program through new landowner incentives, additional funding, and better maps and patrol of enrolled lands.
(Headlines - June 25, 2004)

Anglers need to be aware that aquatic diseases and nuisance species can easily spread from one water body to the other. For example, whirling disease, a bacterial parasite that causes deformities and death in trout, is found in many waters in Montana. In the Madison River, New Zealand mud snails are established and can be accidentally spread and invasive aquatic plants are another threat.
(Fishing - June 25, 2004)

For a blissful return to genuine family entertainment, check out the Campfire Programs at Montana’s State Parks. Here are some upcoming programs. For a full summer schedule, check the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us under Parks, then click on the Calendar of Events. Spring Meadow Lake State Park     Sat., July 10 at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Cardboard Cup Regatta is a great place to enjoy yourself.
(Headlines - June 25, 2004)

Bill Dasinger remembers fishing holes in the Missouri River that were so full of sauger that his jig couldn’t hit the bottom before it was snatched by a fish. “The sauger were in there thick at certain times of year,” said the Wolf Point angler. “There were holes that would start holding sauger in the fall, and those fish would stay in the same spots until they spawned in the spring.
(Fishing - June 25, 2004)

Every summer Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens spend long days enforcing Montana’s boating and water recreation laws, investigating from 20-30 boating accidents a year. With the July 4 weekend ahead, wardens will be focused on helping boaters be safe.   “Boating safety is something we take very seriously,” said Marc Glines, FWP warden in Ennis.
(Fishing - June 21, 2004)

With the July 4 weekend ahead, many anglers are looking forward longingly to a relaxing fishing trip on Montana’s waters. For most, boating safety probably isn’t on their minds. “Many anglers will jump in a boat in a flash,” said Ron Jendro, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recreation program manager. “These same people will spend weeks preparing for a camping trip, but then take the risks and complexities of boating for granted.
(Headlines - June 21, 2004)

You are lazily drifting with the current, lulled by the occasional dip or feather of a paddle in water and the scenery peacefully passing by.   Suddenly, a cast off plastic milk jug catches your eye. You might think, “Who would dare litter this water?”   But, your first thought should be, “Is there a hazard ahead?” New legislation passed in 2003 enables individuals or nonprofit organizations to place a sign or marker in the water to warn of hazards.
(Fishing - June 21, 2004)

This is the season for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ home-study boating course. The course, available free at all FWP offices, consists of a 71-page safe-boating manual, a workbook and test, and a registration card. The course helps families comply with the state law requiring youngsters 13 and 14 years old to have a motorboat operator’s certificate while piloting a motorboat without an adult on board.
(Fishing - June 21, 2004)

Where do you take a child fishing that is easy to get to, relatively safe and offers the best possible chance of success? Don’t let this dilemma delay your fishing trip. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has taken some of the guesswork out of fishing with kids by designating ponds for kids and stocking some other ponds with kids in mind. Here is a quick survey of a few prime children’s fishing ponds in the state. For a detailed list, check the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.
(Fishing - June 21, 2004)

With summer in full swing, it’s good to know Montana’s kids have every chance of being protected on the water. Boaters in Montana can borrow life jackets for kids through a special, free loaner program developed by Montana’s Safe Kids Campaign, a project of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Montana and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Fishing - June 21, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released a “Draft” Environmental Assessment (EA) for review and public comment pertaining to the site protection and improvements proposed at Stuart Mill Bay Fishing Access Site on Georgetown Lake near Anaconda.   The approximately 60-acre site being assessed for protection and improvements is a part of the 363-acre parcel of land known as Stuart Mill Bay that came under control and management of FWP in 2003.
(Fishing - June 18, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment by July 16 on a revised Environmental Assessment that is part of the overall management plan and conservation strategies developed for sage grouse in Montana. A conservation and management plan has been in the works for nearly three years. The sage grouse is a native upland game bird that a number of groups have petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. In March, FWP provided a proposed plan and EA for public comment.
(Headlines - June 18, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks resumed stocking fish raised in the state trout hatchery in Lewistown after tests revealed PCB traces within the state's one-meal per week consumption guidelines. "We're pleased to report that fish from several raceways that we tested for PCBs were within Montana's one-meal per week guideline," said Chris Hunter, FWP's chief of Fisheries in Helena.
(Headlines - June 15, 2004)

More fish, mainly crappie, small mouth bass and walleye, are cooked and consumed on weekends at Tongue River Reservoir State Park than maybe anywhere in Montana.   “This seemingly tranquil place can become an energetic small town in no time,” said Bob Peterson, park manager. “We have had as many as 10,000 visitors on a holiday weekend when the weather is good.
(Headlines - June 11, 2004)

Montana’s State Parks recently received $85,000 from the National Park Service to make improvements for visitors during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration. “The grant money will cover a significant portion of the costs for creative visitor   information programs at Headwaters and Giant Springs State Parks,” said Ken Soderberg, State Parks program manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
(Headlines - June 11, 2004)

For a blissful return to genuine family entertainment, check out the Campfire Programs at Montana’s State Parks.   As an added bonus, entry into Montana’s State Parks is now free to Montanans, thanks to an optional $4 annual fee on Montana vehicle registrations. For a full summer schedule, check the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us under Parks, then click on the Calendar of Events.
(Headlines - June 11, 2004)

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks bear specialists say it’s a good idea for campers, hikers and anglers to refresh their bear awareness skills now, before they head out for a summer of camping, fishing, boating or hiking. FWP’s bear specialists say most bears are shy of people because they are still “wild.” Bears generally don’t become a problem unless people make it easy for them to get food.
(Headlines - June 11, 2004)

Wildlife viewing, hunting and angling are some of the most popular activities in the state. As a result, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists and staff field some interesting questions on a range of subjects including requests to help bear proof homes, disentangle deer from fences, get birds out of homes, and prevent damage from beaver. Periodically, FWP will share some of these questions and our take on the answers.
(Wild Things - June 11, 2004)

Many women in Montana started camping, shooting, fishing, map reading and mountain biking by first participating in a “Becoming An Outdoors-Woman” workshop sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. This year’s Summer BOW workshop is set for Aug. 13-15 at Lubrecht Forest near Missoula. Beyond BOW are single topic classes.
(Headlines - June 11, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting in Bozeman on Monday, June 21 st to gather public input on an environmental assessment that evaluates a bison hunt in southwestern Montana.   The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Lane. The environmental assessment was prepared to evaluate the feasibility of a limited public hunt for bison that enter Montana from Yellowstone National Park.
(Headlines - June 08, 2004)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet in Helena June 15-16 to develop draft recommendations related to the Block Management Hunting Access Program.     Gov. Judy Martz appointed the 15-member Council comprised of hunters, landowners, and outfitters to review the success of Montana’s current Block Management Program, which provides hunter access to private and isolated public lands.
(Headlines - June 02, 2004)