By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission the season for all trapping and/or hunting of bobcats in Trapping District 3 and District 5 will close at midnight on Sunday, December 31, 2006. Trapping District 3 includes portions of   Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Meagher, Park and Silver Bow counties.
(Hunting - December 29, 2006)

The hunting of female 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 Thursday, December 28, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 27, 2006)

State wildlife officials will not be conducting meetings this winter to discuss next fall’s big game hunting season
(Headlines - December 22, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is extending the public comment period on a proposed enhancement project at Carter Ferry Fishing Access Site (FAS), located on the Missouri River in Chouteau County, approximately 27 miles north of Great Falls, MT.
(Headlines - December 22, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed project to improve the underground irrigation system and historic concrete footbridges at Giant Springs State Park, Great Falls, MT.
(Headlines - December 22, 2006)

The Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council wants to help FWP identify prospective state-parks sites, remove impediments to hunting access and encourage closer dialog between hunters and landowners.
(Headlines - December 21, 2006)

Last week FWP Warden Nathan Reiner investigated a waste case where someone breasted out seven geese, put the remainder of the carcasses in a garbage bag, and left the bag approximately 1 mile south on Steel Bridge Road.
(Headlines - December 20, 2006)

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 Thursday, December 21, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 20, 2006)

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 midnight on Thursday, December 21, 2006. The district includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis & Clark, Missoula, Powell and Sanders counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 19, 2006)

By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 7 in southeastern Montana will close at midnight on Wednesday, December 20, 2006. The district includes portions of Bighorn, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Treasure, Yellowstone and Wibaux counties. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts HD 290, 291 & western half of 292, which includes portions of Powell, Granite & Missoula County, will close one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 18, 2006. The closure notice for 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 240, which include portions of Missoula and Ravalli counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 17, 2006. The closure notice for 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 124, which includes portions of Sanders County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

By order of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking fisher in Trapping District 1 of northwestern Montana will close at midnight Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Trapping District 1 includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Powell and Sanders counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 416, 446, 449, 452 & 454, which includes portions of Broadwater, Cascade, Meagher & Judith Basin counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. 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 www.fwp.1
(Hunting - December 18, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to allow licensed Montana falconers the limited opportunity to take wild peregrine falcons for falconry purposes.   In the practice of falconry, falconers may take nestling or free-flying birds of prey from the wild to train for the hunting of small game like grouse, pheasants and ducks.
(Headlines - December 15, 2006)

Avalanche safety training is a critical tool for snowmobile riders in Montana today, from the extreme sport enthusiast to the family rider.   Nationwide last winter, 12 snowmobile riders died in avalanches—four of them in Montana. That is triple the number killed backcountry skiing.
(Headlines - December 15, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 320 & 333, which include portions of Madison, Silver Bow, Gallatin and Jefferson counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 13, 2006. The closure notice for 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 13, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in central Montana Hunting District Series 422, 423, 424, 425 and 442, which includes portions of Lewis & Clark and Teton counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 14, 2006. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for lions in these districts combined had been met.
(Hunting - December 13, 2006)

The 2006 spring paddlefish season required only 12 days to reach the 1,000 fish harvest quota. The fishing action was non-stop and continuous both day and night. Region 7, FWP put together a team of biologists, fishery technicians and wardens to handle the intense fishing pressure that can accompany the spring paddlefish season. After it was all said and done, this team came away with a prestigious Director's Award.
(Fishing - December 13, 2006)

Deer hunters should contact FWP's office in Glasgow between Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec. 15 if they are interested in being on a roster for deer management seasons and game damage hunts in Region 6. Elk hunters will be selected from an existing game-damage roster.
(Headlines - December 12, 2006)

FWP is seeking volunteer applicants to fill four slots on the Region One Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The 12-member CAC is in its 11th year and was established to provide input and guidance to FWP from the public. This is a general advisory committee that works with FWP on many issues and programs.
(Headlines - December 12, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting district, HD 250 – which includes portions of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, December 10, 2006. 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 11, 2006)

A fur handling workshop will be offered in Deer Lodge Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.. The workshop, sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, will offer information and demonstrations on fur handling safety, ethics and techniques.
(Headlines - December 11, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 335, 339 and 343, in portions of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 12, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 11, 2006)

By order of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking fisher in Trapping District 2 of western Montana will close at midnight on Thursday, December 13, 2006.    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 fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 11, 2006)

Bowhunter education classes will begin earlier than usual this year in Missoula with the first class scheduled for January. Ten classes are planned for Missoula between January and May.
(Headlines - December 08, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed enhancement project at Carter Ferry Fishing Access Site (FAS), located on the Missouri River in Chouteau County, approximately 27 miles north of Great Falls, MT.
(Headlines - December 06, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to stock largemouth bass into East Fork Reservoir, south of Lewistown.
(Headlines - December 06, 2006)

Montana wildlife biologists are up in the air over deer.
(Headlines - December 06, 2006)

Due to potential threats to Montana’s fishery through introduction of aquatic nuisance species, the option to import bait fish into southeastern Montana will be permanently discontinued effective January 1, 2007. This change means that in all of Montana no bait fish can be imported. Anglers living in Wyoming who travel into Montana to fish the Tongue River Reservoir located near Decker, MT, should be aware that they can no longer bring bait fish into Montana.
(Fishing - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 390, 391 and 392, which include portions of Broadwater, Gallatin, Meagher and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 370 and 380, which include portions of Broadwater, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 322, 326 and 330, which include portions of Beaverhead and Madison counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 280, 281, 284 and 293, which includes portions of Powell and Lewis & Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The closure notice for 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 390, 391 and 392, which include portions of Broadwater, Gallatin, Meagher and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, December 7, 2006. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 05, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for Lone Pine State Park in Flathead County. The project proposes upgrading the existing gravel parking lot and access road located on Valley View Drive by paving them and slightly enlarging the parking area at the same time.
(Headlines - December 05, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting District 270, which includes a portion of Ravalli County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Monday, December 4, 2006. 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 December 3, 2006.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of male mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 411 and 412, in portions of Golden Valley, Fergus, and Judith Basin counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.   The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana Hunting Districts 283 and 285, which include a portion of Missoula and Powell counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for lions in the districts had been met.   For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of all female mountain lions in Montana hunting district 301, which includes portions of Gallatin and Park counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The closure notice for 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 website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 370 and 380, which include portions of Broadwater, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 320 & 333, which include portions of Madison, Silver Bow, Gallatin and Jefferson counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 317, which includes portions of Park County, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 319 and 341, in portions of Silver Bow and Deer Lodge counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.
(Hunting - December 04, 2006)

TIP-MONT, the "crime stopper" program managed by Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks, offers substantial rewards to callers who report valuable information on natural resource crimes. If the information leads to an arrest, a call to 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) may lead to a cash reward of up to $1,000. FWP wardens rely heavily on hunters, landowners, and citizens to report crimes they observe involving wildlife or fish, private land, and violations in State Parks and on U.S. Forest Service lands.
(Headlines - December 01, 2006)

Snowmobile riders who relish playing in new snow have some great weekends ahead this month, but experienced riders know early deep snows and mild weather can lead to a potentially dangerous avalanche season. Once avalanche conditions exist, human activity is the most frequent avalanche trigger. "If there is enough snow on the ground to ski or snowmobile, then there is enough snow to avalanche," said Doug Chabot of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
(Headlines - December 01, 2006)

With the winter season for mountain lion hunting with hounds opening Dec. 1, lion hunters need to be wolf-aware to avoid conflicts between hounds and wolves. "Wolves look at all domestic dogs as competitors," said Carolyn Sime, FWP wolf coordinator. "Competition for territory, food or a mate drives wolves to be aggressive toward dogs. Sime said that in Montana only a few cases of wolves killing domestic dogs are reported each year, though some incidents may go unreported.
(Hunting - December 01, 2006)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will make a final decision on rules for commercial use of lands managed by FWP at its meeting Dec. 14 in Helena at the FWP headquarters. Examples of commercial uses include guided angling and rafting, guided walks and tours, guided trail rides, and commercial filming.
(Headlines - December 01, 2006)

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Dec. 14 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 8 a.m.
(Headlines - December 01, 2006)

Montana Fish, Wildlfie & Parks wildlife managers I've talked to say this was a fine year for antelope hunters. That is a testimony both to the abundance of antelope in Montana this hunting season and to the patience and skill of antelope hunters. My 16-year old son, Nate, and I relish the challenge of hunting antelope. Their exceptional eyesight, exotic form and speed—some hunters call them "speed goats"—demand the best of us and teach us something new about hunting every trip out.
(Headlines - December 01, 2006)