Fish, Wildlife and Parks news
Block Management Program information available
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FWP proposes rule regarding grizzly bears
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing an administrative rule to codify the population objectives detailed in the conservation strategy for grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
FWP announces sales dates for over-the-counter and surplus licenses
A few important dates remain for hunters looking for license for this upcoming hunting season:
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Big game survey results available for NW Montana
Results from the spring 2018 big game surveys in northwest Montana are available.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Young grizzly moved to Cabinet-Yaak area
On the morning of July 21, a 2.5-year-old grizzly bear emerged from a culvert trap, stepped into the sunlight and entered the rugged Cabinet Mountains near the Montana-Idaho border.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
State hunting and fishing news
Don’t forget – the deadline to apply for Resident and Nonresident Deer B, Elk B, Antelope and Antelope B licenses is Friday, June 1.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Drawing for 2018 deer, elk permits is next week
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will conduct the 2018 deer and elk permit drawing the week of April 23.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Watercraft Inspection Stations opening for the season
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Comments sought on proposed hunting seasons and regulations Items include proposal for hunting district near Libby
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting four public meetings in January across northwest Montana to share information and gather input on tentative hunting season dates and rules for the next two years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks comments on proposed hunting seasons and regulations
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting four public meetings in January across northwest Montana to share information and gather input on tentative hunting season dates and rules for the next two years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Special chronic wasting disease mule deer hunt proposed
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing a special two-month mule deer hunt in south central Montana near where two bucks – which later tested positive for chronic wasting disease, or CWD – were killed earlier this fall. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide Dec. 7 on the …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Decision made on FWP fire salvage project
Region One of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has completed the public review process for the West Kootenai Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Fire Salvage Project Draft EA.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Officials: Some indications suggest the rut is starting
Overall hunter numbers and percentage of hunters with game were below last year’s numbers at the five game check stations in region one for the fourth weekend of the season. Hunter numbers are only slightly below last year, when considering all the check stations combined. The percentage of hunters with …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Now is a good time to apply for apprentice hunter program
Montana’s general deer and elk season opened Oct. 21. If you want to expose a young person to hunting and mentor that person through their first hunt, now is a good time to consider signing them up for the Apprentice Hunter program. With that, it’s important to note that legal …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Be bear aware while hunting this fall
It’s important for all hunters to practice bear aware behavior. In Montana, bear country can be anywhere in the western half of the state and sometimes beyond.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Wildlife officials increase surveillance efforts
Chronic wasting disease has not yet been discovered in Montana’s wild populations of deer, elk and moose, but as the disease continues to expand to the north, south and east of the state, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park officials believe it is only a matter of time before it is …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Avoid these 10 common hunting mistakes
Each fall tens of thousands of Montana men and women spend anywhere from a few hours to a several weeks hunting. Most have a wonderful time; a few run afoul of the law.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Big game forecast for Northwestern Montana
In the northwest corner of Montana, the story for 2017’s hunting season was really started last winter with deep snowfall across much to the region.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
TIP-MONT works to stop poachers
Montana’s outdoor crime-stopper help line, TIP-MONT, has an online option to report poachers and other hunting-season violators.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Public hearings set to explore dog-training legislation
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has worked for more than a year on rule changes to address confusion with a statute that requires its director’s permission to train dogs within a mile of nesting habitat. However, because the Environmental Quality Council wants to address the statute itself, Fish, Wildlife and …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Wolf season to close in area where quota was met
The hunting or trapping of all wolves in Montana Wolf Management 316, which include portions of Carbon, Sweet Grass and Park Counties, will close Wed. Oct. 4, 2017 at one half-hour after sunset.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
People sought for trapping advisory committee
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks about 12 people to serve on a Trapping Advisory Committee to provide input on the agency’s trapping and furbearer management.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Youth-only pheasant, waterfowl hunt to open
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Public hearing scheduled for proposed changes to dog training rules
To minimize the impacts of dog training operations on nesting upland gamebirds and waterfowl, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing new requirements for trainers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Elk numbers strong, white-tailed deer on the rise
Elk numbers in western Montana are robust. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologists counted 26,226 elk this spring, the second-highest total in 53 years of annual aerial surveys. Numbers of bull elk in the surveys were notably strong, probably reflecting the light harvest last fall.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Get block management details from Fish, Wildlife and Parks
For the 2017 hunting season, more than 1,300 cooperators have enrolled about 7.3 million acres in Montana’s Block Management Program.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Get familiar with upland game bird program access guide
Upland bird season kicks off Sept. 1, so it’s a good time to dig into this season’s hunting access guide.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hunting forecast for upland birds in northwest Montana
Favorable spring weather conditions generally lead to good upland bird numbers. Just the thought of wings exploding into flight across the prairie or through the pine forests is enough to get the average upland game bird hunter’s heart racing. And fortunately, from end to end, corner to corner Montana has …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
How to use bear spray
Here are some guidelines for using bear spray:
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hunters must expect to see bears
With Montana’s upland game bird season opening Sept.1, and the bow hunting season set to open Sept. 2, remember that slow moving, quiet or game-calling, scented and camouflaged hunters will soon be sharing the landscape with the state’s even stealthier bears that may be stalking similar prey.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks citizen advisors
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking up to five volunteer applicants to serve terms of two to three years on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee that was established in 1996. The primary function of the CAC is to increase FWP’s awareness of emerging issues throughout the region by sharing the …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
State releases 2017-18 waterfowl and 'webless' migratory bird regulations
Waterfowl and webless migratory bird regulations are already complete for the 2017-18 hunting seasons.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Fireworks not allowed on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks property
It’s been a long-standing policy with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to keep fireworks off our sites to ensure the safety of our public and to protect our recreation and habitat resources from firedanger.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Fall turkey, sandhill crane hunting license applications available
Permit applications for hunters planning to pursue wild turkeys or sandhill cranes in parts of Montana this fall are available from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Stand-up paddleboards require on-board life jacket
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants to remind persons using stand-up paddleboard (SUPs) that a life jacket is required to be on board.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Upcoming bow hunter and hunters education courses
Libby bow hunter and hunters education classroom courses are open for registration.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
New boat validation decals required
Owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft need to get a new, free 2017-2020 validation decals for their watercraft soon. The blue decals expired Feb. 28.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission seeks comments
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved several items for public comment at their June meeting. Comment on the following items will be accepted until 5 p.m. July 16. Final adoption of the proposed items will not be before the regular August commission meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Researchers track moose decline
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
BEWARE: Stage 1 fire restrictions in place
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Region 1 will adopt
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Wounded grizzly bear treated, relocated
Veterinarian Dr. Dan Savage treats a grizzly bear that had been hit in the eye by bird shot.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
Spotted Bear elk
This herd of elk in the Spotted Bear area was photographed during the annual aerial game survey conducted by state wildlife officials.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Caribou release
British Columbia biologist Larry Ingham holds a caribou before releasing it on a ridge in the Purcell Mountains just outside Cranbrook, B.C., this weekend.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Caribou rescued: Animal will rejoin its B.C. herd
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks transported this cow caribou from south of Eureka, where it had wandered, back to British Columbia.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Wolf hunt season ends state-wide
MONTANA — Wolf hunting statewide in Montana closed Wednesday, Feb. 15, and no seasons will be further extended, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials announced last Thursday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Frequent captive
This 18-year-old female grizzly was put down after it was captured Nov. 21. She had been captured and relocated nine times in 11 years. This photo was taken during a previous capture several years ago.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Young boy, old fish
This photo released by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Wednesday shows Garrett Frost from Kalispell holding a largemouth bass he caught in Rose Creek Slough on July 16, 2011. According to biologist Mark Deleray, Frost may have caught the oldest largemouth bass reported in Montana. The fish was 20 …
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Echo Lake flooding
Rising water levels on Echo Lake have prompted imposition of a no-wake zone.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Elk crossing the South Fork of the Flathead River
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Antelope
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Cutting a moose loose
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Solid opening weekend for hunting season
Hunters took to the field Saturday and Sunday across northwest Montana for the opening weekend of the general deer and elk season. At the six northwest Montana check stations, a total of 3,146 hunters checked 136 white-tailed deer, 25 mule deer, and 31 elk for a 6.1 percent rate of …
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Guest Column: Talking wild turkey
First-time turkey hunters have some serious research to do in a short period of time, if they haven’t already begun. Montana’s spring turkey season opened April 10 and runs to May 16.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: A good reason not to run pack bear spray
Research in Alaska indicates that bear spray reduces the number of bears killed in self-defense and reduces human injuries caused by bears.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Tips on selecting bear spray and living with bears
Bear Spray must be clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears" according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee's Web site. Purchase products that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency's Bear Deterrent Web site lists registered bear pepper spray manufacturers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Good news for campers this summer
Bear Spray must be clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears" according to the Interagency Grizzly
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Recreating in Bear Country
Following are suggestions from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on what recreationists can do to prevent conflicts with bears.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Fact and fiction on bears
Lewis and Clark were among the first to report seeing the "great white bear" about 200 years ago. By that time bear stories were already a favorite of early explorers and trappers, and later these stories appeared in the early correspondence and diaries of pioneers and settlers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Grizzlies continue to face challenges
Montanans interested in the well being of grizzly bears have had good and bad news recently.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Web exclusive: Black bears continue to thrive in Montana
The American black bear is a distant cousin to the grizzly bear, and remains a revered game animal in Montana.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Column: Be careful ordering online critters
The Internet makes a whole jungle full of “exotic” species available for delivery directly to your home. They may look harmless on the computer screen, but in reality most are not.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
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