Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 239
Courtesy NRCS Bozeman BOZEMAN, Mont., February 5, 2024 – At the beginning of January more than half of NRCS snow monitoring stations in Montana and surrounding river basins reported their lowest snowpack on record. "Well above normal precipitation was needed to begin a recovery from lack of snow, yet precipitation was mostly below normal across Montana last month," said Eric Larson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Water Supply Specialist. The exception was the northern Flathea...
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 – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is forming an advisory council to help begin the process of developing a new statewide mule deer plan. The Mule Deer Citizens Advisory Council (MDCAC) will consist of 10 to 12 people and will identify expectations for the new mule deer plan, which could include expectations for development process, management actions and goals, and results. “As we begin the process of developing a new mule deer plan, we are really open to taking a different approach, if that’s what the public wants,” said FWP Director Dus...
HELENA – Starting Jan. 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will require Hunter and Bowhunter Education students age 12 to 17 who take the online course to pass an in-person field day. Students in that age group must pass both the online exam and the field day to earn a course completion certificate. For Hunter Education, the in-person field day will require students to practice and demonstrate key safety skills related to firearm handling, the four main rules of firearm safety, and the PROVE procedure, which stands for “Point, Remove, Obs...
MILES CITY – Sunday’s close of the deer and elk general season saw relatively mild weather and a mixed bag for hunter numbers and harvest rates at check stations around southeast Montana. Ashland Hunters experienced fair weather for this time of year during the deer and elk closing weekend. A total of 47 parties and 81 hunters came through the Ashland check station, with a harvest success rate of 30 percent (8 percent below the 10-year average). The number of hunters is 24 percent below the 10-year average for this weekend at Ashland. Har...
MILES CITY – If all goes well, anglers could reap the benefit of experimental crappie production at the Miles City Hatchery, after stocking of nearly 10,000 hatchery-reared white crappie at Tongue River Reservoir on Oct. 10. The crappie population at the reservoir – particularly white crappie – dropped significantly in 1996 when the reservoir water level was reduced to rebuild the dam. Crappie numbers increased slightly the first two years after dam repairs were completed in 1998 but have stead...
By MT FWP MILES CITY – Hunters out and about in southeast Montana during the closing weekend of antelope season (November 11-12) found continuing mild weather, and most said they had opportunity to harvest an animal if they wanted to. Ashland The pleasant weather this past weekend made it nice for hunters to be out. A total of 85 parties and 152 hunters came through the Ashland check station, with a harvest success rate of 30 percent (slightly below the 10-year average). The number of hunters is 16 percent below the 10-year average for this wee...
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now accepting applications for Shooting Range Improvement Grants. Approximately $300,000 in funding is available. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2024. Montana's Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to non-profit shooting clubs, organizations, local governments and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state. To learn more about the Shooting Range Grant Program and to download this year's grant application, visit FWP’s website at fwp...
HELENA – To highlight the importance of wetland conservation, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is launching a new Migratory Bird Stamp. “We know the value of wetland habitat to the landscape in Montana and conservation efforts to protect or enhance these habitats has gone on for decades,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “But we can do more. FWP, along with the help of landowners and other conservation partners, is putting a renewed emphasis on wetlands habitat.” The complimentary new Migratory Bird Stamp will help raise additional awareness...
MILES CITY – The weather was pleasant for the opening weekend of the general deer and elk season, and the number of hunters visiting the three area check stations and the harvest rates were near the long-term average. Ashland The nice weather this past weekend made it great for hunters to be afield but also limited the amount of big game activity during daylight hours. A few folks coming through the Ashland check station had decided not to harvest anything due to the heat. A total of 78 p...
HELENA – If you’re a fan of fishing, archery, or wildlife stewardship, and want to share your knowledge with others, please join us. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hiring contract educators across Montana to teach standardized lessons on fish identification and habitat, fish art, water distribution, bear awareness, living with wildlife, and much more. Check out more information and how to apply here – or reach out to Rhonda Peters with the Montana Department of Administration at [email protected] or 406-444-3320. The application perio...
MILES CITY – Antelope hunters enjoyed good weather and slightly above-average harvest rates for the general season opening weekend. Broadus Most hunters passing through the Broadus check station were satisfied with their outing and had an opportunity to fill a license, according to wildlife biologist Ryan DeVore. A total of 81 parties and 151 hunters came through, with an overall harvest success rate of 65%. That success rate is 9% above the previous four-year average for the pronghorn opener. The majority of hunters were pursuing pronghorn, w...
By MT FWP Montana’s annual youth-only deer hunt is set for Oct. 19-20 this year. The two-day youth hunt is open to: * legally licensed 12 to 15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age; * and properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult “mentor” at least 21 years of age. This hunt is for deer only. All regulations apply. Elk hunting is prohibited. Young hunters must wear hunter orange an...
By PR Extension Office Are your evergreen trees showing yellowing or browning on interior branches? This may be a sign of seasonal needle drop, a normal physiological process, according to MSU Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. The MSU Schutter Lab has provided the following explanation for needle drop: DAMAGE/SYMPTOMS Seasonal needle drop is the gradual yellowing or browning and eventual loss of older interior needles. Needles that drop due to age may have some spots and blemishes; however, they do not display typical symptoms of d...
GLASGOW - As you are hitting the field this fall, be sure to take a break from scanning the horizon for game and look down at the ground once in a while. Not only will this help you avoid stepping on a cactus or a rattlesnake, but you might also see one of eastern Montana's rarely seen critters...the greater short-horned lizard, commonly known as a "horny toad." If you do, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to know about it. The greater short- horned lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi, was...
At the June 8th meeting of the MT Fish and Wildlife Commission, a change was made to the general deer license (often referred to as the either-sex or A tag). Mule deer does are no longer able to be harvested on this license, only antlered mule deer bucks, or either sex of whitetail deer in Region 7. The change to the general license is effective for hunting districts 301, 410, 411, 412, 417, 419, 426, 471, 621, 622, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, and 705. Mule deer doe tags are not available over the counter; they were only available through the...
By PR Extension Office Though the abundance of the moths has tapered in the last week, the sod webworm moths made the simplest jobs difficult, according to MSU Extension Powder River County Agent Mary Rumph. “Reports of having difficulty seeing and even breathing while on an ATV were common in the last few weeks due to the number of moths flying,” said Rumph. “My horse was even bothered by the pest flying around his face.” Though a common fall pest, the sheer volume of moths was unsettling, she added. The larva feeds on grass and damage wa...
HELENA – Youth hunters can get a head start on pheasant and waterfowl hunting during the 2023 Youth Pheasant and Waterfowl Weekend, which is Sept. 23 and 24. Licensed hunters, 15 and under, will be able to hunt pheasants, ducks, mergansers, geese and coots statewide on these two days. The two-day youth hunt is open to: • legally licensed 12- to 15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age, • properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of ag...
By MT FWP Aug 30, 2023 8:39 AM HELENA – Are you ready for hunting season? FWP can help. In addition to the following hunting forecast, FWP provides online information about hunting access, including our popular Block Management Program, which provides hunting access to more than 7 million acres of private land. FWP’s interactive Hunt Planner is a mapping tool that allows users to look at information for various species, including hunting districts and regulations. The hunt planner interactive map is a great way to access our block man...
HELENA – So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected more than 86,000 watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Of those, 45 were mussel-fouled and more than 400 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 fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440. In t...
By MT FWP Destination: SOUTHEAST MONTANA The area is coming out of a few tough years of drought, but so far this year the area has received ample moisture across a majority of the region. This has resulted in better grass and forb growth, which has equated to much better habitat conditions compared to previous years. Once again, the region had a lot of grasshoppers, as well. With good habitat and forage options across the landscape, birds will be spread throughout the country, and hunters may have to travel around. This may give the illusion t...
DPHHS urges Montanans to take extra care to avoid mosquito bites this summer State and local health officials are reporting increased West Nile virus (WNV) activity in several counties across the state this week, including the first three human cases for 2023, which have been identified in Dawson, Rosebud, and Yellowstone counties. These three cases range in ages from the late 30s to early 70s, including two males and one female. All cases were hospitalized for their illnesses. Additionally, this week, two horses were diagnosed with WNV...
Due to a law passed by the 2023 MT State Legislature, everyone ages 12 and older will need a Montana Conservation License to access most state lands. This includes all types of recreation—launching watercraft, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, etc. The following frequently asked questions from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks help explain the new rules: Conservation License Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is a Conservation License? A Conservation License is required to access most state lands. Before this year, only hunters, anglers and t...
By PR Extension Office “If it isn’t one insect this year, it is two or three! While mowing my lawn last week, I had clouds of tiny, light-colored moths billowing up from the ground,” reported MSU Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. Further investigation revealed the presence of sod webworms. They seem to do well during the hot, dry weather. Profile Sod webworm moths are one-half to one inch long, depending on the species. Their wings are dull-white or gray with a delicate fringe along the edges of the hindwings. Some species can also ha...
Courtesy MT FWP HELENA - Block Management Area (BMA) Program information for 2023 will be available to hunters beginning Aug. 10. Hunters can request their BMA Access Guide online and can print individual BMA property maps and rules at fwp.mt.gov/hunt /access/blockmanagement. The Block Management webpage allows hunters to download the Access Guide, up-to-date BMA maps and rules for every individual BMA enrolled in the program. These individual BMA property maps and rules are important for hunters to know and understand for each property they p...
