The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks block management program just got a big addition in Northwest Montana with Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. enrolling 900 acres.

The CFAC land, located east of Columbia Falls along the south edge of the Flathead River, will be limited to hunters with disability licenses or youths ages 12 to 15 - and they can hunt only with written permission.

"This property hasn't been open to the public to hunt for a long time, and it provides an excellent chance to harvest a deer or even an elk," said Lee Anderson, regional warden captain for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "CFAC deserves a huge pat on the back for taking on this project."

State wildlife officials approached CFAC with the idea this summer and the arrangement came together.

"We wanted to give something back to the community and when FWP approached us we jumped on board," CFAC spokesman Gary Kimmett said. "The plan is to start the program small the first year to see how well it works."

Anderson said that if the hunt goes well, the aluminum company may consider increasing hunting opportunities on other portions of company land.

Jim Williams, the state's regional wildlife manager, said the CFAC addition is significant because outside of the area's two largest block management participants - Plum Creek Timber Co. and Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. - there are relatively few participants compared to other parts of the state.

"And it is very significant on the Flathead Valley floor" where hunting access is highly limited, Williams noted.

For more information about the new hunting area, contact Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 752-5501.