The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will make a final decision on whether to remove all or a portion of the Lone Pine Game Preserve at the FWP Commission Meeting on September 9 at the FWP Headquarters on Spurgin Road in Missoula. The Commission is scheduled to consider the decision during the morning. The Preserve is a 4,000-acre portion of Hunting District 120, southwest of Kalispell, described as within the boundaries of Foys Canyon Road, Foys Lake Road, and Airport Road.
(Headlines - September 01, 2004)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in Missoula, Sept. 8-9, beginning both days at 8 a.m. at the FWP Missoula regional headquarters, 3201 Spurgin Rd. Wednesday, Sept. 8 will be a work session followed by the regular business meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9.    The commission will make final decisions Sept.
(Headlines - August 30, 2004)

The Blackfoot Drought Response Committee and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) are lifting the voluntarily fishing restrictions on the Blackfoot River and some of its tributaries because streamflow has increased.   Anglers were being asked to limit fishing on the mainstem Blackfoot River to morning-only and to cease all fishing in important bull trout tributaries including Gold, Belmont, Cottonwood, Copper, Monture Creeks, North Fork Blackfoot River and Landers Fork.
(Fishing - August 27, 2004)

2004 Fall General Big Game Season Dates
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

The final mourning dove and sandhill crane seasons for Montana are were recently set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission.   DOVES The statewide mourning dove season is Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of 30.   “The best time to hunt mourning doves is generally the first few days of the season,” said Jim Hansen, Migratory Bird Coordinator with FWP.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

Hunting opportunities for Montana’s upland game bird hunters will be a mixed bag this fall. The season for most upland game bird species begins Sept. 1.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

In a significant change, elk hunters this fall will have the opportunity in some hunting districts to shoot an antlerless elk, cow or calf, with their regular elk hunting licenses. In most cases, hunters previously needed to apply for an antlerless elk permit if they wanted to bring home a cow elk.
(Headlines - August 20, 2004)

Montana hunters can now save time by turning to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ web site to plan big game hunting trips.   FWP’s “Interactive Hunt Planner” allows users to select a species to hunt and then quickly provides information from Montana’s Big Game Hunting Regulations and easy-to-use databases.   The planner displays hunting districts against Montana’s new digital highway map.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

A fall hunting expedition is a great way to give a youngster an edge. Many adults say early family hunts gave them skills, confidence and values that have served them throughout their lives. Planning and taking a hunt also helps youngsters get the extra time and attention they need at a time in life when they really need it. To help make those early hunting experiences special, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers these youth-oriented opportunities.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

Tree stand hunting is a hunting style and discipline of its own. It is all about remaining perfectly still for hours on end, while remaining alert and focused. What it is not is an easy way out of the hiking that hunting entails. Scouting for a perfect site for your tree stand with the best odds of bagging game calls for almost as much legwork as traditional hunting.   For those interested in giving tree-stand hunting a try, here are some basics.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

Late summer and early fall most hunters ritually check their rifles’ sights over sandbags and benchrests. I’ve noticed, though, that most seem to think that the Creator made them naturally born expert shots. Few practice from offhand, sitting, kneeling, or prone positions, or fire from shooting sticks, or do any other rifle shooting except from the dratted bench.   Maybe they think they’ll find a benchrest in elk timber or up on the side of a sheep mountain.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

Montana hunters have the opportunity to take part in some of the finest hunting found anywhere.   But each autumn, some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate the state’s game laws.   Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials ask that hunters take the time to review Montana's hunting rules and regulations to ensure they act within the law and are prepared to recognize when others violate the law.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

Although hunting is not a “team sport,” sportsmanship and ethics are as important as they are in any sport.   If hunters keep a few simple thoughts in mind, they can hunt safely and set a good example for other hunters.   *        Follow the rules of safe gun handling. *        Be proficient in the use of your equipment.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

When planning a hunting trip, it is important for hunters to be mindful of the regulations associated with using State School Trust Land. Just a few tips: *        A $2 state lands access fee is now included in the $6.25 price of the FWP conservation license. This license replaces the $10 state lands recreational use license for hunting, fishing and trapping activities on state lands.
(Hunting - August 20, 2004)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet Aug. 30-31 at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch near Dupuyer to make final recommendations regarding Montana’s Block Management Hunting Access Enhancement Program. Over the past two months, the Council has accepted public comments on 12 draft recommendations, adopted during a June 15th meeting.
(Hunting - August 19, 2004)

Some archery only antelope hunters are already afield. These hunters hold a 900 series license to archery hunt antelope in any hunting district starting with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
(Hunting - August 19, 2004)

Women interested in hunting upland game birds or deer this fall are invited to attend educational clinics sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The Upland Bird Hunting Clinic will be Friday evening and all day Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25 at a location to be announced in western Montana.   At the clinic participants will learn to identify birds, practice shooting their shotguns, and experience hunting with pointing and flushing dogs.
(Headlines - August 19, 2004)

The final mourning dove and sandhill crane seasons for Montana are were recently set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission.   DOVES The statewide mourning dove season is Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of 30.   “The best time to hunt mourning doves is generally the first few days of the season,” said Jim Hansen, Migratory Bird Coordinator with FWP.
(Hunting - August 19, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds black bear and mountain lion hunters that licenses must be purchased by Aug. 31, a Tuesday, for the fall season.
(Hunting - August 19, 2004)

Standing in our kitchens, peering out the window over a morning cup of coffee, we glimpse a deer passing through the yard, or even a bear getting into our bird feeder. The increasing numbers of wildlife in our neighborhoods have made these backyard wildlife encounters routine and in rare instances, even threatening. In fact, the abundance of wildlife in many Montana communities has created a need for people to manage these populations, and deer stand out as the biggest concern.
(Headlines - August 19, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today the agency will ask the state"s hunters and anglers to consider an increase in license fees to help reverse a trend that will otherwise result in a multi-million budget shortfall by 2009.   If approved by the Montana Legislature next year, it would become the first general increase for resident hunters and anglers in more than 10 years.
(Headlines - August 17, 2004)

The Blackfoot Drought Response Committee and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) request that anglers voluntarily limit fishing on the Blackfoot River and some of its tributaries until conditions improve.   Anglers are being asked to limit fishing on the mainstem Blackfoot River to morning-only and to cease all fishing in important bull trout tributaries.   The bull trout tributaries are Gold, Belmont, Cottonwood, Copper, Monture Creeks, North Fork Blackfoot River and Landers Fork.
(Fishing - August 12, 2004)

The magazine of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks won three top writing awards at the Association for Conservation Information annual meeting in New Orleans. Montana Outdoors took first place in the state parks article category with “Where Buffalo Fell,” a profile of Ulm Pishkun State Park written by Bruce Auchly, FWP regional information officer at Great Falls.
(Montana Outdoors - August 10, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that a variety of surplus hunting licenses for elk, antelope and deer B, or antlerless deer, will go on sale Aug. 16.   The surplus licenses will in most cases be available at FWP regional offices and license providers; on the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us , on the Hunting page click on the Online Licensing icon; or at www.discoveringmontana.com under online services and by mail. Licenses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
(Hunting - August 10, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is seeking individuals to serve on a citizen advisory committee that will evaluate the effectiveness of the rules governing recreational use on the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers. The committee will make recommendations to FWP and the FWP Commission.
(Headlines - August 09, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Chad Murphy of Whitehall, a 15-year FWP veteran, received the Pogue-Elms Award at the meeting of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its annual summer conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.   “The work of game wardens is not simply a job, but a personal commitment,” said Jeff Hagener, FWP director.
(Headlines - August 06, 2004)

Women interested in hunting upland game birds or deer this fall are invited to attend educational clinics sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The Upland Bird Hunting Clinic will be Sept. 11 near Hamilton.   At the clinic participants will practice shotgun shooting, learn how to use a hunting dog, and how to care for birds in the field.   Participants must provide their own shotgun and ammunition and should have some hunting experience. The Deer Hunting Clinic will be Oct.
(Hunting - August 06, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 54 applications totaling $1.6 million in trail maintenance and development projects. Montana’s Recreational Trails Program, administered by FWP, will provide $800,000 in grants in 2005 to successful applicants, including cities, counties, state, federal agencies and private associations.
(Parks - August 06, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the citizens Off-Highway-Vehicle advisory committee are seeking public comments on grant applications requesting $311,523 for a variety of projects. More than $160,000 in revenue generated by the state gas tax and OHV registrations is available to fund the projects. FWP’s Montana State Parks division evaluates the grant applications and awards grants with advice from the citizens OHV advisory committee.
(Headlines - August 06, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has set the final 2004-2005 furbearer seasons and quotas. There were some changes from the tentative proposals. Beaver:             In the central and eastern portions of Montana the beaver general season dates are extended to Sept. 1 – May 31 in an effort to address increasing beaver damage on private agricultural lands.
(Hunting - August 06, 2004)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment by Sept. 3 on 12 fishing contests proposed for the winter of 2004. Participants may catch and keep fish entered in the contests, but must comply with state fishing regulations including daily and possession limits. Applications for contests may be approved, denied or approved with conditions.
(Fishing - August 06, 2004)

For some refreshing 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. Camping, tour and rental fees still apply. Check with local park managers for details. Here are some highlights of the August Campfire Program schedule. For a full listing, check the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.
(Parks - August 06, 2004)

Though prairie rattlesnakes remain widespread in Montana, they have a tough life these days, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ native species specialist Allison Puchniak of Billings. Roadkills and deliberate killings by humans are two main causes of rattlesnake mortalities. Agriculture, urban expansion, and some forms of resource extraction can also destroy winter den sites or summer feeding grounds.
(Headlines - August 06, 2004)

Summer recreational traffic on Montana’s lakes can be “insanely busy,” said   Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Rick Schoening.   Schoening, who has been based in Polson for 19 of his 25 years with FWP, patrols Flathead Lake to prevent accidents and enforce Montana’s boating laws.
(Headlines - August 06, 2004)

The application deadline for tundra swan hunting permits for the 2004 season is Sept 3. Tentative tundra swan season dates in the Pacific Flyway are Oct. 16-Dec. 1, and in the Central Flyway are Oct. 2-Jan. 6, 2005.
(Hunting - August 06, 2004)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has approved tentative regulations for Montana's 2004-05 duck, goose, and swan seasons and is seeking public comment by Aug. 29 on the proposed regulations. Final regulations will be set the end of August.
(Hunting - August 06, 2004)