Sorted by date Results 1 - 16 of 16
Samples taken from bridges in three eastern Montana counties have tested positive for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. The presence of the fungus – Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) – was confirmed in Daniels, Richland and Fallon counties but does not necessarily confirm the presence of the disease. The samples were tested by the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI. National Health Center and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff are closely mon...
As a reminder to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines should be followed at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks sites. Keep your distance from fellow recreators. FWP has closed group-use sites. This includes all fishing piers at Montana state parks, fishing access sites and wildlife management areas due to the risk of high congregation. While state parks, fishing access sites and a few wildlife management areas (check for seasonal closures) remain open at this time, maintenance at FWP facilities will be cut back and...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites anglers and other interested parties to participate in a survey regarding changes to the 2020 fishing regulations. The survey is available at http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/publicComments/regsScoping.html. The survey is part of a public scoping process to review fishing regulations and identify potential issues with fisheries. This review happens every four years. Public input is vital to crafting fishing regulations, said Eric Roberts, FWP fisheries management bureau chief. We evaluate how a regulation may impact...
High-water conditions continue to impact fishing access sites and other recreational areas in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7. FWP urges people to use caution and check accessibility if they plan to recreate near rivers or streams. Breaking ice jams, spring rains and continuing snowmelt mean that some areas may see flooding and elevated water levels. Road access is partially restricted at some sites, and even foot traffic could be hazardous. FWP Fisheries/Maintenance crews will assess conditions as they visit sites and offer periodic...
A couple of tiger muskies were reported caught recently in Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7, one at Gartside Dam near Sidney and one at Tongue River Reservoir. These are the only waters in the region that have tiger muskies, so it's a rare and exciting opportunity. It's also a chance to remind anglers that they need to abide by the statewide regulation for tiger muskie, which is one fish daily and in possession, and the fish must be over 40 inches in length. Fish not meeting these dimensions must...
The 2018 Hunting Access Guide is now available, directing hunters to almost 6,000,000 acres of private, state and federal lands enrolled in Montana’s Block Management Program. Southeastern Montana alone offers almost 2,200,000 acres of hunting access. Get your access guide today at FWP Region 7 headquarters in Miles City or download it at fwp.mt.gov. FWP Region 7 Block Management staff are set up in the front conference room to assist hunters in finding access and obtaining maps and landowner contact information. August 22 will be the first d...
Hunters will be able to obtain 2018 Block Management Area information from the Block Management page of the FWP website and in FWP regional offices beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 10. Guides also will be shipped this week to those who have already ordered one. In prior years, the Hunting Access Guide and BMA maps were not available until Aug. 15. However, FWP was able to move up the date up this year as a few BMA properties are open on Aug. 15. “Hunters must look at the information in the 2018 Block Management Hunting Access Guide to determine w...
A group of Montana state agencies and conservation organizations is seeking nominations for the second round of inductees to the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame. The MOHOF honors individuals who have contributed to the restoration and conservation of Montana’s fish, wildlife, and other outdoor amenities. “Montana’s Outdoor Hall of Fame recognizes Montana’s historical and contemporary conservation leaders,” said Montana Governor Steve Bullock. “We need to capture and share the important stories of the men and women who’ve championed Montana’s out...
The awards give recognition to landowners who work collaboratively with their neighbors to enhance Montana’s sense of community. The group is seeking nominations of landowners from across Montana. Winners will receive specially printed and framed Montana Neighbor Award certificates signed by Gov. Bullock and awards committee members. The Montana Neighbor group includes Artemis Common Ground, The Nature Conservancy of Montana, Montana Council of Trout Unlimited, Montana Association of Land Trusts, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and the O...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks checked more than 36,000 private and commercial boats this season under a state law that requires all motorists hauling watercraft—from trailers with motorboats or inflatable rafts to canoes and kayaks perched atop cars and pick-up trucks—to stop at inspection stations. FWP operated inspection stations and roving crews from late May to early September at well-marked roadway locations and at boating and fishing events throughout the state to help curb the risk of aquatic invasive species from attaining a foo...
Montana State Parks announced today that it is seeking public comment on the Hell Creek State Park Draft Master Site/Management Plan. Public Comments are due by Wed., Nov. 25, 2015 at 5 p.m. Hell Creek State Park is an important recreation area located on the Fort Peck Reservoir, near Jordan, MT. The area is heavily used for camping, fishing, and recreation on the reservoir. As the popularity of the park has grown, so has the demand on natural resources, infrastructure and agency management. Montana State Parks developed the draft...
In Montana, a weekend like none other awaits. After purchasing hunting licenses, applying for permits months ago, and laying plans over hot coffee and topography maps, young and old are filled with the anticipation that only comes with the opening day of Montana’s general deer and elk hunting season. Beginning Sat., Oct. 24 and continuing until the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, hunters in Montana will head afield with friends and family in pursuit of tradition as much as deer and elk. “There’s really nothing to compare it to,” said Jeff H...
With higher than normal temperatures forecast this summer–and snowpack runoff depleted a month ahead of schedule–Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is gearing up now to protect fish from the life-threatening stress of low flows and elevated water temperatures. “In many areas we’re seeing stream flows fall below average for this time of year, and some that are the lowest ever recorded,” said Stephen Begley, a water conservation specialist for FWP in Helena. The situation is particularly grim in northwestern Montana. Following the warmest May on re...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is developing a statewide management plan for mountain lions and is seeking the public's help identifying issues of concern. FWP's last statewide look at mountain lion management was completed about 20 years ago. The updated plan will summarize the latest science and monitoring data, describe conservation and harvest strategies, and compile policies in a single document. "Management plans provide guidance to wildlife biologists and Fish and Wildlife Commissioners and they provide the public information on how and...
Montana’s verified wolf population declined by 73, 12 percent, last year while livestock depredations by wolves continued to decline, dropping about 46 percent from 2013. The minimum number of wolves counted by FWP at the end of 2014 was 554 compared to a minimum of 627 wolves counted at the end of 2013 according to Montana Fish Wildlife & Park’s annual wolf conservation and management report released Monday. Montana’s minimum wolf packs were counted at 134, compared to 152 last year, while breeding pairs increased to 33 from 28 counted last...
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission recently adopted rules and an annual wolf quota completing the process necessary to allow private landowners to take a limited number of wolves per year that potentially threaten livestock, domestic dogs or human safety. The rule was adopted to comply with Senate Bill 200, a new state law passed by the Montana Legislature last year. The annual quota allows landowners or their agents to take up to 100 wolves a year without a hunting license. The statewide quota for this effort will be examined in four...
