Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 38
Helena – It took a while to get here, but winter finally hit Montana. That means winter enthusiasts will be heading out to recreate. Whether ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling, or just taking a walk, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff reminds recreationists that safety should be the number one concern during a day out on (or near) the ice. Here are some safety tips: • Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay close attention to the changing conditions of the ice...
Helena - So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected 66,000 watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Of those, 35 were mussel-fouled and more than 200 were found with aquatic weeds. FWP and partner agencies, which include tribes, counties and conservation districts, operate more than 17 road-side watercraft inspection stations across the state. To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440. A July survey for Eurasian watermilfoil...
Helena - The upland game bird season is less than one month away, and hunters will soon be able to refer to the Projects Access Guide, published annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP). Beginning Aug. 10, hunters can view and download the new guide and maps online. Click UGBEP Projects Access Guide. The guide contains all active projects administered through the UGBEP including Open Fields, habitat management leases, food and cover plots, CRP...
Helena - Each spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks receives calls from people who have picked up deer fawns or other wildlife. It’s important to remember that FWP does not accept, hold or rehabilitate moose, deer, elk and most other animals. Often times, people think they are rescuing an orphaned animal. However, it’s important to understand that wildlife care for their young much differently than humans. They have strategies to provide the highest chance of survival for their young. One strategy that some species, particularly those speci...
Helena - Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk licenses, but they shouldn’t wait for the last minute. Get it done now. Hunters who are applying for special licenses and permits need to have a valid email address. Hunters can apply for permits on the FWP website. If hunters want to apply in person, FWP offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Hunters and anglers can also take advantage of the MyFWP mobile app, if they haven’t already. The app holds and displays licenses, permits and E-Tags, which can be dow...
Helena - During its meeting on Feb. 22, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a new regulation that prohibits snagging of paddlefish within the intake fish bypass channel on the Yellowstone River. The intake fish bypass channel is part of a Yellowstone River intake diversion dam project. The project’s objectives are to improve upstream and downstream fish passage for pallid sturgeon and other native species, including paddlefish, while maintaining water diversions into the lower Yellowstone project main canal. Snagging for paddlefish is v...
Helena - A District Court in Lewis and Clark County issued a temporary restraining order impacting some of Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping regulations. The changes go into effect immediately. The changes outlined in the temporary restraining order are as follows: • Reinstitutes wolf management units (WMU) 110, 313, and 316 as they existed in the 2020 wolf regulations. WMU 110 borders Glacier National Park and WMUs 313 and 316 are north of Yellowstone National Park. • Reinstitutes the quotas for WMU 110, 313, 316 as they existed in the 2...
Miles City – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has lifted access restrictions at some recreation sites in southeast Montana that were prompted by flooding along the Yellowstone River. Drive-in access to Rosebud West and Rosebud East Fishing Access Sites near Forsyth has been restored, and the Rosebud East campground has reopened. Full access is restored to Isaac Homestead and Amelia Island Wildlife Management Areas near Hysham, but the Amelia Island fishing access is still restricted to walk-in traffic. Walk-in-only access to Intake Dam FAS in Daw...
Helena —River recreators should avoid contact with water during and for at least two weeks after flood events. Floodwaters have already impacted communities in the Yellowstone River basin, and more flooding is anticipated elsewhere in the state, such as in the Flathead River basin and Missoula County. Floodwaters can carry potentially dangerous debris and may contain chemicals and bacteria from damaged or overwhelmed wastewater treatment facilities and flooded homes, businesses, and agricultural fields. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has i...
Helena – Although the weather wasn’t ideal for outdoor recreation, aquatic invasive species stations around the state conducted more than 2,000 inspections over the Memorial Day weekend. So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected 14,000 watercraft, 21 of which were mussel-fouled. One of those detections happened Saturday when a mussel-fouled boat was intercepted at Wibaux. The boat was a recent purchase and was being commercially transported from Michigan to Seattle. The driver failed to stop at the inspection station and was int...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold its annual update meeting on the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan on Wednesday, April 20. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Montana WILD Education Center in Helena and will update anglers and the public on population trends of principle game fish in the plan area. The Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan guides fisheries management for Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs and the Missouri River from Toston to Canyon Ferry and...
The 2022 license year opened March 1, which means you can buy new hunting and fishing licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1. Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B, elk B, antelope B, moose, sheep, goat, bison, bear, turkey – can now be done. This spring Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be launching the new MyFWP mobile app that will store and display licenses, permits, and digital carcass tags, known as E-Tags, which can be used in the field witho...
Landowners have until March 15 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for enrollment in the Unlocking Public Lands (UPL) Program or the Public Access Land Agreement (PALA) Program. These programs are designed to provide recreational public access to state (Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) or federal (Bureau of Land Management or United States Forest Service) land where no or limited legal public access currently exists. For enrollment in UPL, landowners will receive a tax credit in the amount of $750 p...
Helena - Several in-person hunter educations classes have been scheduled around the state over the next several months. While online classes are also available, there are several advantages to in-person classes, including: hands-on experience, mentoring and the opportunity for students to ask questions and hear advice from experienced hunters. “We value our hands-on classroom courses and field days, all done with the dedication of our excellent volunteer instructors,” said FWP outdoor skills and safety supervisor Wayde Cooperider, “We feel...
Helena - The deadline for public comment on the 2022/20223 hunting regulation proposals has been extended from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21. Those interested can view the proposals and provide comment online at fwp.mt.gov/regproposals. Comments also can be submitted by email to [email protected]. This is a second opportunity for the public to provide input on 2022/2023 draft hunting regulation proposals. Earlier this fall, Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists offered science-based regulations\proposals that combine some hunting districts, reduce some license an...
It’s that time of year when ice anglers and other recreationists head out to Montana’s “hard” waters for the winter season. Whether ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling or just taking a walk, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff reminds recreationists that safety should be the number one concern during a day out on (or near) the ice. And when on the ice, remember: • Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay close attention to the changing conditions of the ice. • If...
Helena – Start 2022 off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at a state park near you. On Jan. 1, Montana State Parks will host First Day Hikes at Flathead Lake State Park (Wayfarers, West Shore, and Lone Pine units), Travelers’ Rest State Park, Spring Meadow Lake State Park, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park and Makoshika State Park. Being immersed in nature has never been more important for your mental health and physical wellbeing. These fun and informative hikes are open to all ages and are family friendly. Montana State Parks First...
The Lower Yellowstone River Corridor Advisory Committee (LYRC Committee) fulfilled its chartered commitment by presenting a final report of recommendations to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech and staff during a recent meeting in Miles City. The LYRC Committee is a citizen group sponsored by Gov. Greg Gianforte and convened by FWP. The Montana Legislature approved an initial $4 million investment by FWP into the lower Yellowstone River corridor. The group was tasked with providing recommendations to FWP on how to use the...
Miles City - The Lower Yellowstone River Corridor Advisory Committee (LYRC Committee) has made substantial progress since its first meeting in late August. The committee met Nov. 8 in Miles City and is preparing to submit its final recommendations for improving public access along the river. The LYRC Committee is a citizen group sponsored by Gov. Greg Gianforte and convened by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The group was tasked with exploring new access, recreation and habitat conservation opportunities along the Lower Yellowstone,...
Helena - Watercraft inspectors at the Wibaux inspection station intercepted a motorboat entering Montana with mussels attached. The Wibaux inspection station, located on the Montana-North Dakota border on Interstate 94, has intercepted 12 of the 54 mussels boats intercepted so far this year. This boat was unique in how the mussels were attached to the boat. Invasive mussels have byssal threads they use to attach to underwater surfaces. The threads or “hairs” are an adaptation found on invasive zebra and quagga mussels but are not found on North...
The Lower Yellowstone River Corridor Advisory Committee (LYRC Committee), a group tasked with exploring additional access and recreation opportunities along the lower stretches of the river, will meet for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 26 in Miles City. The committee will meet at the Sleep Inn, 1006 S. Haynes Ave., from 8-11:30 a.m. In addition to the 13 committee members, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech and FWP staff will attend. While the public is welcome to attend, there will not be any opportunity to participate or...
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is beginning the biennial hunting regulations review process, and this year the department is looking to take a fresh approach. In the past, the biennial hunting regulation process typically had few changes to the existing regulations. This year, FWP will tackle more significant changes such as combining hunting districts and simplifying license structures, while still keeping focused on statewide wildlife population management goals. "Hunters have told u...
Helena - Despite recent rains, high fire danger conditions persist throughout much of Montana. As a result, hunters may encounter closures or restrictions at Block Management Areas. Closures could change daily. The best resource for hunters making plans for late summer trips is the BMA closures and restrictions webpage at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement/restrictions. This page will be updated as closures or changes occur. Changes will also be shown on the Hunt Planner Map on the FWP website. Hunters and landowners with questions...
Don’t Drink and Drive. It’s a message you hear all the time. But what about Don’t Drink and Boat? Boating under the influence, or BUI, is dangerous and illegal. In Montana it is unlawful to operate or be in actual physical control of a motorboat, personal watercarft, sailboat, water skis, surfboard or similar watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to the United States Coast Guard, the use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities. Boating, fishing and other water sports are f...
Unseasonably warm weather is occurring early in Montana, and many boaters and anglers have been going to the local reservoirs and other waterways to get some relief from the heat. However, along with having fun, folks need to follow all the laws while out and about. Wardens have been checking a slew of boaters and anglers recently, and some common issues are recurring as summer is getting underway: • License possession while fishing: Many anglers contacted this spring and summer have not had the...
