Spring Turkey Hunting

Season Opens April 13

Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season opens April 13 and ends May 19.

Licenses are available from all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and from FWP license providers across the state.

The 2013 Spring Turkey regulations, with details on turkey hunting in the general area, are available online at fwp.mt.gov, at most FWP offices and license providers. The application deadline for western Montana’s spring gobbler season permits has passed.

Hunters should remember when transporting a spring turkey within the state of Montana, one leg and foot must be left naturally attached for evidence of sex. Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land.

FWP Hunting Regulations Available Soon

Montana’s annual big game hunting regulations will be available at FWP offices and license providers by the first of April. The black bear hunting regulations are now available online and at FWP offices and license providers.

The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits was Friday, March 15. The deadline is May 1 to apply for moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat licenses available through a drawing. June 1 is the deadline to apply for antelope licenses and antlerless deer B and elk B licenses available through a drawing.

Don’t Forget MT’s Watchable Wildlife at Tax Time

Montana’s annual income tax check-off fund for nongame wildlife supports conservation work that benefits birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

This tax-deductible fund also provides taxpayers with a speedy, convenient write-off at tax time.

Work funded by the wildlife income tax check-off fund includes wildlife monitoring, habitat improvement projects and the publication and distribution of educational materials.

Every dollar donated can be matched up to three times with federal dollars, enhancing its value. So, don’t forget to check your income tax form for Montana’s tax check-off for wildlife.

For details on Montana’s nongame check-off fund, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Nongame Wildlife Checkoff”  under the Fish & Wildlife tab.

BOW Horse Packing Workshop

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is sponsoring a horse packing workshop May 4 near Kalispell.

Packing into the back country by horse can be fun and rewarding.  Participants will learn about the variety of packing equipment available; defensive horse handling; how to pack a decker, sawbuck and riding saddles; and leave-no-trace camping.

This class is for beginners who want to learn the basic skills needed to pack with their own stock. The workshop will be held at an indoor arena and lunch will be provided. The $35 fee includes the use of all equipment and packing stock; participants don’t need to bring their horse or mule.

The workshop is co-hosted by the Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead and Trailhead Supply. To register, or for more information, contact FWP’s BOW coordinator at: FWP-BOW, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620; call 406-444-9940; or email Liz Lodman at: [email protected]. Or call instructor Andy Breland, 406-261-1109. Registration forms are available at the Region 1 FWP office, or on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov ; click “Becoming and Outdoors Woman”, under the Education tab.