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With the general hunting season drawing to a close the weekend after Thanksgiving, we wanted to take a look back on the season, sharing our observations and what we garnered from talking to locals and hunters. Comments about deer numbers, or the lack thereof, were first and foremost on the list. The drought conditions over the last two years, as well as liberal bag limits on mule deer seem to have combined to either cause the death or killing off of a large number of mule deer, or caused deer to migrate from much of the area. One local rancher...
Courtesy MT FWP MILES CITY – Despite the wintry conditions that marked the closing weekend of pronghorn season, a lot of hunters still came through southeastern Montana check stations on Sunday. Hysham check station “Check stations provide an opportunity for regional FWP staff to visit with hunters and to better understand what they are experiencing in the field in relation to management prescriptions such as mule deer B license allocation,” explained wildlife biologist Steve Atwood. “With the onset of bitter cold weather, I was expecting...
Courtesy Mariah Leuschen, US Forest Service, Bozeman, MT- November 14, 2022- Across the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Christmas and holiday tree permits are available at local respective Ranger Districts or online through Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2022 Holiday season are $5.00/tree (limit 3). A small transaction fee is associated with the online platform. Fourth graders, through Every Kid Outdoors, can also obtain a free permit through Recreation.gov or at Ranger District offices. “Gathering a holiday tree with friends or family is a...
Courtesy MT FWP MILES CITY – Following some changes to the mountain lion license structure by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission that are now in effect, lion hunters are urged to review the regulations before purchasing a license. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers three types of lion licenses for sale: a general mountain lion license, a limited special mountain lion license (application only by July 22, 2022), and an unlimited special mountain lion license. You may only purchase or apply for one license. The exception is that tho...
Courtesy MT FWP MILES CITY – Cold, wet weather settled into southeast Montana on Saturday and Sunday, making for a challenging opening weekend of the general hunting season. Traffic was a bit slower than usual at area check stations Sunday, and harvest success rates were down a bit due to winter weather conditions. But for the most part, hunters took the weather in stride and looked forward to more time in the field. Ashland check station Ashland’s check station saw 156 hunters, with 33 bagging game for a success rate of 22 percent. Eight...
MILES CITY – The general fall hunting season for black bears without hounds in southeast Montana’s Black Bear Management Unit 700 closed one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, October 15. With the fall quota of 12 bears having been met, the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered that BMU 700 will close to all bear hunting on Oct. 15. The general black bear season began Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 27. The fall archery-only black bear season also closed early, on Sept. 8....
HELENA – Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was detected in wild birds and domestic poultry in Montana earlier this year. While HPAI cases in wild birds did appear to decline over the summer, there are detections of new cases in parts of the U.S., including Montana this fall. HPAI viruses are extremely infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds. Some scientists have been concerned that the U.S. would see a resurgence of the virus during the fall migration. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is monitoring the s...
Bozeman, MT (September 27, 2022) … The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey is being conducted on the Custer Gallatin National Forest from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This survey year is focused on the Beartooth, Ashland, and Sioux Ranger Districts. Surveys on the Gardiner, Yellowstone, Bozeman and Hebgen Lake Ranger Districts will occur the following year. Fall 2022 kicks off the fourth round of NVUM surveys conducted on the Forest, the last was conducted on these Ranger Districts in 2018/2019. This five-year f...
By PR Extension Office There have been reports of small, light-colored moths showing up by the thousands in people's lawns. These moths have been identified as sod webworms, which are now emerging throughout the area. Although these mild turf pests are somewhat common during the summer, the number of moth sightings and population densities are typically low. "We normally see these moths earlier in the summer," commented Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. "I think we are seeing a second or...
Courtesy MT FWP HELENA – There are only two remaining trapper education field days left this year before trapping season for most species begins on Nov. 1. As a reminder, to purchase a Montana resident trapping license, trappers must complete the Montana Trapper Education Course online or have purchased a trapper’s license in at least three prior years (in Montana or another state). The trapping course requires an in-person field day. The trapper education course consists of an online component, an in-person field day, and a written test....
Archery ends Thursday; general season starts Sept. 15 MILES CITY – Bear Management Unit 700 in southeast Montana will close to all archery black bear hunting on Thursday, Sept. 8, one-half hour after sunset. In anticipation that the fall archery-only quota will be met, the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission gave 48 hours’ notice of closure of the archery-only season on Thursday. The archery season was to end Sept. 14. The general bear season begins Sept. 15....
By MT FWP 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. Through the program, we coordinate with landowners to provide hunting access to more than 7 million acres of private land. The interactive Hunt Planner map 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...
By MT FWP Destination: SOUTHEAST MONTANA Multiple years of drought have taken a toll on bird numbers. While harvest in 2021 was around average, this year’s lek counts are down compared to 2021. Poor recruitment last year, little available habitat and some severe late snowstorms have had an effect on birds. This year will be very similar to 2018. The area is coming out of a tough drought and has received moisture this year. The habitat looks great compared to prior years, which is good news. The bad news is that the low bird numbers, paired wit...
Courtesy MT FWP 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. 15, 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 enhancements, shelterbelts and grazing sys...
Courtesy MT FWP Block Management Area (BMA) Program information for 2022 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/BMA. The FWP website, fwp.mt.gov/BMA, 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 plan on hunting. Not all r...
In the fifth of six regional meetings held by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, members of the Powder River County community descended on the Community Center in Broadus last Thursday to hear about FWP's plans for the Southeastern Montana Region 7 elk herd. The six meetings across the region including Broadus, Glendive, Miles City, Colstrip, Ekalaka, and Jordan were lightly attended, with nine locals in attendance at the Broadus meeting including your intrepid reporter. As usual with FWP...
By Liz Riter Zebra mussels have recently been found in Pactola Lake, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The zebra mussel is considered an aquatic invasive species in Montana, and watercraft inspection stations, such as the one located at Powder River Taxidermy supervised by the Montana Conservation District is on the lookout for such invasive species in watercraft. A stop at the station usually takes between 5-7 minutes to get information, inspect, and seal your boat, canoe, kayak,...
Courtesy MT FWP HELENA – Boaters and other visitors will soon have a new resource when venturing out on the lower Yellowstone River corridor this year. Starting this week, the “Lower Yellowstone River Guide” will be available for free at FWP offices and local sporting goods stores in communities along this scenic remote stretch of the Yellowstone River. The guide can also be downloaded from the webpage: https://fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/lower-yellowstone-river. This guide is aimed at helping current and future visitors of the Lower Yellows...
HELENA – Going fishing soon? Don’t forget your camera. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to feature your fun on the next fishing regulations booklet. With the recent changes to the fishing regulations process, your art will be in tackle kits and dry boxes for two years instead of one. Winners will see their work on the front and back cover of the 2023-24 fishing regulation booklet. Think beyond the brag board. We’re looking for families having fun and interesting action shots. Help FWP show what diverse fishing opportunities can be found...
Meeting planned for July 20 in Broadus HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be hosting a series of public meetings this summer and fall to gather ideas about local elk management issues and population objectives. A meeting is planned on July 20th from 6-8 pm at the Community Center in Broadus. Other meetings planned in this part of the country include July 12th from 6-8 pm at the FWP office in Miles City, July 18th from 6-8 pm at the Colstrip City Hall in Colstrip, July 19th from 6-8 pm in Ekalaka. FWP began developing a revised s...
The 2022 Bowhunter Education Class for Montana youth and adult bowhunters will be offered in Broadus on the following dates: Saturday, June 25, 2022: from 12:00 to 7:00 pm; and Sunday, June 26, 2022: from 12:00 to 7:00 pm. Attendance on both days is required. Youths need to bring a parent with them on the first day, to sign permission slips. Also, everyone is required to register online in advance, at the FWP hunter education website. The course will take place at Jeff Noble’s office at the Courthouse in Broadus. Everyone is welcome, and the c...
Course available June 1 online, field days scheduled this summer and fall Courtesy Marla Prell, Montana FWP HELENA – People looking to get into trapping will have a new, and required, education course available online June 1 from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The course is being developed by the Trapper Education Committee, which has members from the Montana Trappers Association and Montana Fur Harvesters, as well as staff from FWP. During the 2021 legislative session, Senate Bill 60 passed, which requires trapper education for all t...
Regular black bear season still open as of Tuesday Courtesy Marla Prell, MT FWP MILES CITY – The new black bear with hounds spring hunting season in southeastern Montana’s Bear Management Unit 700 will close at one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, April 28, since the quota of two bears has been met. The regular black bear spring season is still open, with one of the four-bear quota having been harvested as of Tuesday. As of 2022, it is now lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. See page 4 of the B...
Courtesy MT FWP MILES CITY – Montana State Parks, a division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is proposing increasing lodging and gathering options at Tongue River Reservoir and Cooney Reservoir state parks. At Tongue River Reservoir State Park, which is in Bighorn County about 30 miles north of Sheridan, Wyo., FWP would like to add up to five rental cabins and a day use area. At Cooney Reservoir State Park, which is in Carbon County about 40 miles southwest of Billings, FWP wants to add up to...
Booklets include turkey hunting regulations Courtesy MT FWP HELENA – New regulation booklets for upland gamebirds are available online at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations. Printed booklets will be available later this month. This year, the booklets include turkey hunting regulations. A turkey is considered an upland gamebird by Montana statute. Also new in the 2022 upland gamebird regulations: • Turkey hunting in Region 4 has changed to a general license spring opportunity. • Fall turkey and mountain grouse may be taken with an .177 caliber air rif...
