Eastern Montana is the home of the blue sucker. This species appears to inhabit only the larger streams, primarily the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. It is easily recognized by its elongate shape, long dorsal fin, and slate-blue coloration. The largest weight for this species in Montana is slightly over 10 pounds. It was once taken commercially from the Mississippi River but is now too rare.
Montana populations appear to be stable and fairly abundant with a healthy size structure. Although the blue sucker populations appear to be healthy and stable, special recognition is warranted because this species may be susceptible to population declines due to its unique biological characteristics (longevity, low recruitment, migratory nature and reliance on high flows in tributary streams for spawning). Montana has some of the finest habitat for blue suckers found in their range and losses of Montana populations would be significant to the overall gene pool (AFS website 2003).
Amphibians are ectothermic vertebrate animals that live on both land and in water, lack scales, and produce external gelatinous eggs requiring moist conditions. Montana is home to breeding populations of almost 15 amphibian species.
Birds are endothermic vertebrate animals that possess feathers and produce external eggs. Montana is home to breeding populations of over 250 bird species. In addition, over 170 bird species visit our state during their spring and fall migration journeys.
Fish are aquatic, ectothermic animals with backbones and have fins and gills throughout life. Montana is home to breeding populations of over 85 fish species.
Invertebrates are animal species without backbones. Montana is home to breeding populations of almost 150 invertebrates, including over 120 mollusk species and over 20 crustaceans.
Mammals are endothermic vertebrate animals that possess hair and mammary glands for the production of milk for feeding offspring. Montana is home to breeding populations of over 110 mammal species.
Reptiles are ectothermic vertebrate animals that possess scales and produce external amniotic eggs with membrane and yolk sac. 17 native reptile species have been confirmed as being present in Montana.
In the late 1990s, a small group of Montanans demanded that Fish, Wildlife & Parks reduce the annual harvest of mountain lions, or cougars. They said hunters were killing too many lions, and if the department didn’t lower harvest quotas, populations in many areas would rapidly decline.
Unlikely as it might seem, the assertions did not come from antihunting groups, but rather from the lion hunters themselves (known as houndsmen for the dogs they use to chase and tree the big cats). [Full Story]
Near Lolo Pass, along Montana’s border with Idaho, a light drizzle falls on larches lining steep mountainsides. Pepin, a tall, lanky, fawn-colored dog with a dark muzzle, paces in the back of the car, panting excitedly and steaming up the windows. When his handler, Megan Parker, opens the door, he bounds out and wildly races in circles. Parker calls for the dog to sit and places an orange vest around his chest. “Go to work,” she says. [Full Story]
When the Wetzsteons decided to sell their southern Bitterroot Valley ranch, they could have made a fortune. Real estate agents regularly knocked on their door, offering a premium price for the 367 acres of timbered, rolling hills and lush pastures surrounded by scenic, snowcapped mountains. [Full Story]
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