A Big Hole River Arctic grayling working group (dubbed the Hub and Spoke) invites the public to attend new monthly meetings on the progress of the Arctic grayling Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) program in the Big Hole Valley.
(Headlines - February 01, 2008)
Summary of 2008 Gardiner Late Elk Hunt HD 313 Hunter numbers, elk harvest, and harvest success by 4-day hunt period.
(ALS - January 31, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks welcomes Jim Olsen to Butte in a newly created Big Hole River fisheries management biologist position. Olsen officially started working in Butte on Jan. 7.
(Headlines - January 31, 2008)
A trapper education class is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2008, at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office in Bozeman (1400 South 19th Ave.).
(Headlines - January 31, 2008)
The hunting of mountain lions in central Montana hunting district 540, which includes portions of Meagher and Wheatland counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, February 1, 2008. 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.mt.
(Hunting - January 31, 2008)
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting district 340, which include portions of Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson and Silver Bow counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, January 31, 2008. 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.mt.
(Hunting - January 30, 2008)
The hunting of female mountain lions in central Montana hunting district 540, which includes portions of Meagher and Wheatland counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. 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.mt.
(Hunting - January 28, 2008)
A trapper education class will occur Feb. 23 in Great Falls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 4600 Giant Springs Road. The class, sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, will cover trapping regulations, ethics, safety, furbearer identification, equipment and trap setting. The class is open and free to the public, but students should bring a lunch. An adult must accompany children under the age of 12 years.
(Headlines - January 28, 2008)
The dates for the spring hunter education course in Great Falls have been set. Registration will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Feb. 26, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 27-29, at the Region 4 Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, 4600 Giant Springs Road. A parent or guardian must accompany each student 17 or younger to co-sign the registration card and liability release. Classes will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
(Headlines - January 28, 2008)
A study involving 22 GPS-collared antelope will help FWP determine pronghorn winter and summer range, and the migration corridors connecting them.
(ALS - January 28, 2008)
FWP offers intern program for Montana college students Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again offering students currently attending a Montana college an opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study by serving as interns for the agency. The student applies what they have learned in college to the world of work. Through this learning experience the student usually received academic credit and a grade while completing practicum requirements.
(ALS - January 28, 2008)
The fifth meeting of the PDIC will start at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4
(ALS - January 28, 2008)
The fishing is good in Montana for ice anglers. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries managers and biologists provided this survey of major Montana waters with ice fishing opportunities—and offered some cautions. Always check recent weather reports and ice conditions daily when planning to ice fish.
(Fishing - January 25, 2008)
Fans of the popular Smith River float have until Feb. 15 to submit their permit applications. Applications can be submitted over the Internet for a nominal transaction fee, in person or through traditional mail. To apply online, select Online Licensing on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov . Applicants will need an FWP automated licensing number and a credit card to pay the application fee. To apply by mail, go to the Smith River webpage at fwp.mt.gov to download and complete the application.
(Parks - January 25, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said attendance was good at the 44 public hearings held in January to discuss the tentative 2008-09 hunting regulations. The FWP Commission, after reviewing the public comments received, will discuss and adopt final regulations at its Feb. 20 meeting in Helena.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on a recently approved tentative regulation that would allow a limited take of up to three young peregrine falcons for use in falconry this year. Only Montana residents who are currently licensed as general or master falconers could apply for the limited opportunity to take a wild peregrine falcon.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has extended the public comment period on its proposal to establish a wolf hunting season contingent upon federal delisting to Feb. 13. FWP proposed in December to create a wolf season if the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming--and parts of Washington, Utah and Oregon--are delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual game harvest survey is underway and is expected to continue into May. This critical part of the hunting season cycle provides the information that wildlife biologists and managers need to estimate the annual wild game harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons. FWP harvest statistician Justin Gude in Helena said that about 80,000 Montana households are generally contacted over the course of the survey.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
These days the word weasel is used in reference to someone who is a little shifty more often than it is used to point out a small, slender mammal with tiny eyes. In movies and cartoons, characters with narrow, weasel-like features are often the bad guys. "Weasel words" are insincere. And, a band in Kansas City calls itself "The Weasels—a rodent-rock party band.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
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 Saturday, January 26, 2008. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - January 25, 2008)
The hunting of male mountain lions in northcentral Montana hunting districts 410, 417, 419 and 426, which includes portions of Fergus, Petroleum and Judith Basin counties will close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after 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 - January 25, 2008)
Anglers and snowmobilers need to take caution if they visit Wood Lake on the Front this winter. That’s because state officials have installed two windmill-powered aerators at the lake along Benchmark Road to help prevent a winter fish kill. As the wind turns the blades, air gets pumped into a line that runs to the submerged air stone, sending oxygen into the water column.
(Headlines - January 24, 2008)
USDA Wildlife Services killed two wolves on private property near Hall on Jan. 22 in response to confirmed livestock depredations in the area.
(Headlines - January 23, 2008)
2007 Gardiner Late Elk Hunt HD 313 Hunter numbers, elk harvest, and harvest success by 4-day hunt period.
(Hunting - January 22, 2008)
The hunting of all mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 211 and 216, which includes portions of Granite and Missoula counties, will close one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, January 23, 2008. 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 www.fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 22, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 3 in southwestern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Monday, January 21, 2008. 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 fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 18, 2008)
State wildlife officials said today that a number of bighorn sheep in the Elkhorn Mountains south of Helena have died from pneumonia over the past few weeks. The nearly always-fatal respiratory disease was first suspected in the herd when a traveler reported sick bighorn sheep on the Indian Creek Road near Townsend on Jan. 8. "All indications suggested pneumonia," said Tom Carlsen, a wildlife biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. "We picked up about six carcasses so far.
(Hunting - January 18, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Snappy Sport Senter of Kalispell and Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, are sponsoring a regional competition for the national State-Fish Art Contest.
(Headlines - January 18, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has extended the public comment period on its proposal to establish a wolf hunting season contingent upon federal delisting to Feb. 13. FWP proposed in December to create a wolf season if the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming--and parts of Washington, Utah and Oregon--are delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(Hunting - January 18, 2008)
The hunting of all 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 Friday, January 18, 2008. 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 - January 17, 2008)
2007 Gardiner Late Elk Hunt HD 313 Hunter numbers, elk harvest, and harvest success by 4-day hunt period.
(Hunting - January 15, 2008)
Bobcat season to close in Trapping District 6 By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 6 in northeast and north-central Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 13. The district includes all or portions of Blaine, Chouteau, Daniels, Garfield, Hill, McCone, Phillips, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties.
(ALS - January 14, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) plans to thin hazardous trees from 39 acres at Lost Creek State Park near Anaconda beginning January 15. The pine trees slated for removal are dead or dying from pine beetle damage.
(Headlines - January 14, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping otters in Trapping District 1 in northwestern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2008. The district 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 - January 14, 2008)
The hunting of all mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 132, which includes portions of Flathead and Lake counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. The hunting of all mountain lions in Montana hunting district 314, which includes portions of Gallatin and Park counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.
(Hunting - January 14, 2008)
The Region 6 Citizens Advisory Council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 2-6 p.m. at Glasgow's Cottonwood Inn.
(ALS - January 14, 2008)
There will be a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting Thursday evening, January 17, beginning at 7 p.m. at the FWP headquarters on 490 North Meridian Road in Kalispell.
(Headlines - January 14, 2008)
FWP conducted a patrol today after reports that an aggressive moose encountered downhill skiers on the back-side of Whitefish Mountain Resort.
(Headlines - January 11, 2008)
Montana will receive more than $1 million in new federal funds next year as its share of State Wildlife Grants, the nation’s core program for keeping common species common and preventing rare species from becoming endangered. "Once again, members of Montana's Congressional delegation joined with other supporters in securing this important fish and wildlife funding," said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Jeff Hagener.
(Habitat - January 11, 2008)
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Jan. 17 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The FWP Commission will make a final decision on accepting the proposed Sauerkraut-Willow Creeks conservation easement, part of a community-driven initiative to conserve approximately 88,000 acres of private land in the Blackfoot River Basin.
(Commission - January 11, 2008)
Fans of the popular Smith River float have until Feb. 15 to submit their permit applications. The Smith River float annually attracts about 4,500 applicants for about 900 float permits. Applications can be submitted over the Internet for a nominal transaction fee, in person or through traditional mail. Here are details: To apply on line select Online Licensing on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov .
(Parks - January 11, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has created a new web page for public comment and appointed a citizen advisory committee to aid in the updating of the Smith River State Park and River Corridor Management Plan in 2008. The plan provides direction on issues such as how boat camps are selected, the permit allocation system, food storage, human waste management, and the pet policy. The public may comment at any point during the planning process from the web page at fwp.mt.
(Parks - January 11, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' handy NOW YOU KNOW book is updated and available on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov , on the Inside FWP page under Goals and Objectives. NOW YOU KNOW is a compilation of facts and figures and important events in the history of the state's fish, wildlife and parks. This web book features an interactive table of contents. Just click on a topic of interest in the table of contents and the document automatically opens to that page.
(Hunting - January 11, 2008)
State and national trail experts will speak on trail design, management and maintenance at the State Trails Conference in Missoula, April 17-19, at the Holiday Inn Downtown. "Trail advocates, planners, engineers, landscape architects, consultants and park and recreation professionals from across the state benefit from this semi-annual conference," said Clint Blackwood, the State Trails Program Coordinator for Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The conference opens April 17 at 9 a.m.
(Parks - January 11, 2008)
Three Montana communities—Seeley Lake, Anaconda and West Yellowstone—received full-sized snowmobile trail groomers this winter for local snowmobile clubs to use to groom area trails. Snowmobile clubs in western, southwestern and south central Montana groom nearly 4,000 miles of trails each winter.
(Parks - January 11, 2008)
Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Region One is implementing Alternative C of the Environmental Assessment for West Shore, Lake Mary Ronan, and Finley Point State Parks thinning projects.
(Headlines - January 11, 2008)
The hunting of all 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 Saturday, January 12, 2008. The closure notice for 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.mt.
(Hunting - January 11, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 6 in northeastern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Sunday, January 13, 2008. The district includes portions of Blaine, Chouteau, Daniels, Garfield, Hill, McCone, Phillips, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 11, 2008)
FWP will trap up to 30 sheep on Wild Horse Island and move them to Kootenai Falls Wildlife Management Area west of Libby to augment that existing herd.
(Headlines - January 11, 2008)
Invitation-only deer and elk management seasons are underway for the next month in the Bear Paw Mountains, western Missouri Breaks and Milk River uplands.
(ALS - January 10, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for trapping and shooting of bobcats in Trapping District 2 in western Montana will close at midnight the evening of Friday, January 11, 2008. The district 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 - January 09, 2008)
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks has authorized the removal of two more wolves from private land in the Middle Fork of the Dearborn River west of Bowmans Corners. Fish, Wildlife & Parks has authorized Wildlife Services to remove up to two wolves from the Monitor Mountain pack. In 2007, a total of six cattle had been confirmed killed on the same ranch and one calf was reported missing. The livestock incidents began in January 2007, and were ongoing through March.
(Headlines - January 09, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 5 in southcentral Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Wednesday, January 9, 2008. The district includes portions of Fergus, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Park, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon and Treasure counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at www.fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 07, 2008)
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 335, 339, 343, and 388 which includes portions of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established quota for the districts combined had been met. For more information, visit FWP’s web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 07, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 4 in south central Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Wednesday, January 9, 2008. The district includes portions of Hill, Glacier, Chouteau, Toole, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Judith Basin, Fergus, and Petroleum counties. For more information visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 07, 2008)
The hunting of male mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 413 and 432, which includes portions of Cascade, Meagher and Judith Basin counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, January 8, 2007. 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 - January 07, 2008)
Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has extended comment through January 21, 2008 on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the purpose of reestablishing public motorboat access on Crystal Lake in Lincoln County, Montana
(Headlines - January 07, 2008)
Wolves killed another domestic calf on private property in the Big Hole Valley. It is the fifth depredation on this property since Dec. 29. USDA Wildlife Services confirmed the depredation on Jan. 4.
(Headlines - January 04, 2008)
Now is the time for river runners to apply for a 2008 Smith River floating permit. Applications are available at all Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices or on the FWP website: http://fwp.mt.gov/parks/recreation/smithriver/drawing.html . Applications must be postmarked or submitted no later than Fri., Feb. 15.
(Headlines - January 04, 2008)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on a resolution that urges federal wildlife authorities to complete a status review of grizzly bear populations in the northwestern U.S. and for Congress to fund on-going grizzly bear conservation efforts. The draft resolution asks for commitments from the U. S.
(Hunting - January 03, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a northwest Montana hearing on the 2008-9 tentative hunting regulations at the Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell Center Mall, on Saturday, January 12, 2008.
(Headlines - January 03, 2008)
By order of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, the season for taking bobcats in Trapping District 7 in southeastern Montana will close at midnight on the evening of Saturday, January 5, 2008. 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 - January 03, 2008)
In January, Region 5 will have a series of 6 hearings to discuss the tentative 2008-09 hunting seasons, quotas and regulations for big game, a proposed wolf season, and regulations for upland game birds, including spring turkey.
(Headlines - January 03, 2008)
The Region 5 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet at the office of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive in Billings at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2008. The committee will see a presentation on poaching "Enough is Enough" and review the tentative proposals for 2008-09 regulations. The public is invited to attend.
(Headlines - January 03, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Region 7 Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) will meet on Wednesday, January 16th in Miles City. The meeting is scheduled from 4-8:30 p.m. at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional office at the west end of Miles City.
(Inside FWP - January 03, 2008)
Wolves killed a fourth domestic calf on private property in the Big Hole valley northwest of Wisdom. The incident occurred on the same property where the three domestic calves were killed on Dec. 29. USDA Wildlife Services confirmed the additional depredation on Jan. 2.
(Headlines - January 03, 2008)
Tentative proposals for the 2008 big game hunting seasons, approved by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission on Dec 20th, will be the subject of public meetings in southeastern Montana. Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Region 7, has scheduled four meetings to provide public opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the 2008 hunting seasons in Montana.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is urging hunters and others to attend one of 44 public hearings set for January to discuss the tentative 2008-09 hunting seasons, quotas and regulations for big game, a proposed wolf season, and regulations for upland game birds, including spring turkey. The aim of the hearings is to explain the tentative hunting regulations, answer questions, and provide opportunities for public comment.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
The hunting of all 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 Wednesday, January 2, 2008. The order halting the hunt came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quota for these districts had been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) seeks landowners in Region 7 (southeastern MT) who are interested in joining the Block Management Program for the 2008 hunting season.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
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 Thursday, January 3, 2008. The closure notice for the hunt came shortly after 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 web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 323, 324, 325 and 327, which include portions of Madison and Beaverhead counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, January 3, 2008. 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 has been met. For more information, visit FWP's web site at fwp.mt.
(Hunting - January 02, 2008)
Three domestic calves were killed by wolves on private property in the Big Hole Valley northwest of Wisdom. USDA Wildlife Services confirmed the depredations on Dec. 29, 2007.
(Headlines - January 02, 2008)
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