One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
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The final results are in from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Havre check station for the 2024 hunting season. The check station was open for eight weekends from Oct. 12 (the opener of general antelope and pheasant) through Dec. 1 (the end of the deer/elk general season). Overall, hunter numbers were down from recent years, big game numbers were below average, and upland bird harvest was mixed. Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations. FWP appreciates all hunters’ c...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking any information regarding a bull elk and whitetail buck that were shot, had their heads removed, and were left to waste in south Blaine County. Wardens received a report of the dead elk and deer, and after investigating, located them on private property about ¾ of a mile south of the junction of People’s Creek Road and Birdtail Road in south Blaine County, about 30 miles south of Chinook. The animals were shot with a firearm, and likely killed between the evening of Nov. 20 and early on...
With less than a week to go before the final day of the general season, hunters can help ensure the future of public access for generations to come. During these final days, remember “It’s Up to Us. Respect access. Protect the hunt.” This is a message from FWP and partners to encourage hunters to always practice conscientious behavior and show respect for private land and the access landowners provide. There are five actions hunters can take to show respect for landowners to ensure the hunting tradition continues: Plan ahead for access Respe...
What do bats do at night? Aerobatics! What do bats like to eat? Moths! Join Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and others for two opportunities to learn about and observe the fascinating world of bats, along with a special focus on moths and agriculture in Malta. Everyone is welcome to these events, but any youngsters under the age of 12 are encouraged to be accompanied by an adult. Some suggested items to bring include a flashlight/headlamp or glow sticks, bug spray, and sturdy walking shoes. We will see you there! August 2, Malta- 8:30 p.m., Traf...
Montana’s famed fisheries provide amazing recreational opportunities, from blue ribbon trout streams in the west, to the world-famous Fort Peck Reservoir in the east. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks provides abundant fishing opportunities, while protecting native fish species, and critical aquatic habitat. This includes managing fisheries under drought conditions. A new draft comprehensive statewide fisheries management plan is a key piece of that management and is now out for public comment. “The intent of the statewide management plan is to...
Hunters interested in signing up for elk permits left over from the permit drawing can do so between today, July 21, and Aug. 4. This new process for the sale of surplus licenses began in 2020 in response to issues in years past. The old process was vulnerable to long lag times, confusion, and a perception of inequity for those unable to use the first-come, first-served online option starting at 5 a.m. There is no prerequisite required to sign up for these permits, but if you are selected to purchase one you MUST hold a general elk license....
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on how it should move forward with developing shooting ranges throughout the state. An online survey is open now to gauge public interest in shooting ranges and public opinion on what should be included when considering the development of new shooting ranges or improvement to existing shooting ranges. This 10-minute survey will help gather detailed information to guide efforts throughout the next five to 10 years. FWP recently launched a Shooting Range Development Program, with the goal of...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will kick off the biennial hunting season-setting process earlier to allow for more public engagement and greater transparency. Public involvement will begin in June and end in November. In the past, public involvement happened primarily in December and January. FWP will conduct scoping meetings around the state from June 15 to July 15. FWP staff will look to hunters to provide broad input on regulation changes they’d like to see. Staff will also look for feedback on a few specific proposals. These scoping meeting...
Debbie Henry was fishing from shore with her family at Nelson Reservoir over the Memorial Day weekend when she noticed one of the fishing rods begin to severely bend in its holder. After over 10 minutes of fighting the fish, with it nearly spooling her line and dealing with a broken net, she was able to land the new state record Smallmouth Buffalo! The behemoth tipped the scales at a whopping 40.0 pounds! The old record was 38 pounds, also caught at Nelson Reservoir, in 2007. Congratulations to...
The annual application period for the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), a grant funding program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will open Sept. 1. The purpose of WHIP is to accomplish large-scale restoration of private and publicly owned high-priority wildlife habitats through noxious weed management. Grant expenditures are limited to herbicide, mechanical, biocontrol and re-seeding treatments, specifically to restore wildlife habitat functions. Grazing management improvements may also be funded through the program...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks director, deputy director and members of their staff will be visiting regional offices during a tour of the state in August and September. Director Hank Worsech and Deputy Director Dustin Temple invite the public to participate in the tour and to ask questions during evening open houses. All meetings begin at 6 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Aug. 31: Region 6, at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow, 54250 U.S. Hwy. 2 Sept. 6: Region 1 Headquarters in Kalispell, 490 North Meridian Road Sept. 7: Region 2 Headquarters...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on revisions to the statewide Elk Management Plan last adopted in 2005. FWP began work on the revised plan in 2020, when a citizen’s group was convened to develop guiding principles for the new plan. FWP is seeking input on the existing elk population objectives and local elk management challenges that should be considered in the revision. The scoping period started several weeks ago, but meetings have been sparsely attended and FWP has received few comments to date. “We’ve been heari...
A Shepherd man lost his hunting privileges for 16 years and will pay fines and restitution exceeding $6,000 after pleading guilty to 16 state and federal charges of poaching mule deer and leaving some parts at a federal recreation area. Brayden Reed, 19, pleaded guilty in Yellowstone County Justice Court to four counts of unlawful possession of deer, two counts of wasting game, three counts of hunting during a closed season, two counts of unlawful use of equipment, two counts of hunting without a license and one count of killing more than a lim...
During the last year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offered hunter and bowhunter education classes online due to COVID concerns. Since last spring, more than 17,000 Montanans completed the online courses, which is nearly double the number of students in a typical year. “The biggest increase we saw was among adult bowhunter education students,” said FWP outdoor skills and safety supervisor Wayde Cooperider. “It seems the online courses were popular with our students.” Because of the popularity of the online classes and to meet customer expecta...
During a special meeting held Feb. 8, the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission extended the late elk season in hunting district 580. The season will be open through Feb. 15 and is for antlerless elk off National Forest Lands. The meeting was held in response to landowner concerns expressed to FWP that shoulder season harvest is down this season due to mild winter weather. A 595-00 B license is required. Any hunter that holds a 595-00 B license can also use an unused general license during these seven days. The 595-00 B license is currently...
General big game season ends, shoulder seasons remain in many hunting districts Despite mild weather throughout November, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will not extend the 2016 big game general season, still 41 hunting districts have shoulder season that allow antlerless elk hunting, largely on private land, through December, and in several instances, into the new year. Not all shoulder seasons are open to general license holders, and hunters need to know what licenses are valid and when and where they can hunt. Be sure to read the... Full story
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists have completed the 2016 survey of the Missouri River Breaks (MRB) and Bears Paw elk herds in Region 6. The aerial surveys were completed in February and March by Region 6 biologists Scott Hemmer and Drew Henry. Overall, the surveys found that elk numbers in both areas increased since the last survey. “Both management units are doing well,” said Havre-area biologist Scott Hemmer. “Favorable weather conditions the past two years have resulted in increased elk production and survival, contributing to th...