Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hunter Education online field days have been set for northeast Montana. These will likely be the last online field days, and possibly courses, offered for hunter education this season in northeast Montana. Eligible students that were not able to get into a classroom course this year may want to choose this option. Reminder: A hunter can hunt for two years as a hunter apprentice before needing a hunter education course. Go here to learn more about being a hunter apprentice. Field days for students ages 12-17 who... Full story
The annual application period for FWP’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) opened Sept. 1. WHIP is a grant funding program that focuses on large-scale restoration of high-priority wildlife habitats, on private and public land, through noxious weed management. Grant expenditures include herbicide, biocontrol and mechanical treatments, restoration seedings and grazing improvements. Awarded grants can be structured to provide funding for up to five years. Total available funding is $2 million annually; no single grant request can e...
It’s fall and hunting season is upon us. Soon the mornings will be crisp and cold and the leaves will be turning. Under the Big Sky, this is the season many of us spend the whole year looking forward to. In the following forecasts, FWP outlines what hunters can expect for deer, elk and pronghorn seasons around the state. We also have a fairly in-depth upland game bird forecast. Along with this great information, we have some tips on being safe in bear country and the importance of being good stewards when hunting on private lands. D...
Montana’s two-day, youth-only deer hunt is coming up Oct. 17 and 18, and general deer season opens Oct. 26. Now is a good time to consider signing up for the Apprentice Hunter Program and the application is available on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/apprentice-hunter. The apprentice hunter program allows people ages 10 and older to hunt as apprentices with a mentor for two seasons without completing a Hunter Education course. People interested in the Apprentice Hunter Program should visit the website and...
The Fish and Wildlife Commission is accepting public comment on agenda items for its Oct. 10 meeting. The meeting will be held at the Montana State Capitol in Room 102 and through Zoom. Written comments can be submitted through Sept. 19 on the FWP website or sent to 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59601, Attn: Erik Wickman. The following proposals are up for public comment: 2025-26 Fishing Regulations – FWP is proposing 48 regulation changes, and the rest of the regulations as written in the current 2024 regulation book, for the 2025-26 Montana F...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a community meeting on waterfowl hunting regulations and zone management. The meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. The event is intended to provide information about how federal frameworks influence state regulations. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for hunters to share their concerns, suggestions and ideas regarding current waterfowl hunting zones and season dates directly with agency representatives. This meeting is a key part of FWP’s commitment to ensuring that w...
Block Management Area (BMA) program information is now available at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices. The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP) Projects Access Guide will be available later this month. To request a hard copy or to review these guides online go to fwp.mt.gov/BMA and fwp.mt.gov/UGBEP. The BMA guide offers hunters access to the most current information on lands enrolled in BMA. In addition to the access overview guide, each BMA has its own property map and specific rules. The BMA program provides hunter management...
Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks is seeking public input for a proposed public shooting range project in Glasgow. A public scoping meeting will be held at the FWP Region 6 headquarters in Glasgow, in the Quonset building meeting room, on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 5:30 p.m. Written comments on the proposal must be received by Aug. 31. FWP is seeking to lease property from the City of Glasgow where the current Glasgow public shooting range is located, approximately one-half mile north of Glasgow off Skylark Rd. FWP would improve and manage the...
Fisheries management of northeast Montana's ponds and small reservoirs can be a challenge. Habitat limitations, excess nutrient input from multi-use practices, and extreme winter and summer conditions can all negatively impact these biologically and recreationally important fisheries. In addition to these challenges, illegal fish introductions are a pervasive issue that further complicate management. Whether done intentionally or by accident, it is illegal to move or introduce live fish from...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host public meetings around the state to present proposals for the 2025-26 fishing regulations and answer questions from the public. The public meetings will all be held at 6 p.m. and at the following locations: Aug. 27, Miles City, Miles City Community College, Room 110 Aug. 28, FWP Office, Glasgow, 1 Airport Rd. Aug. 29, FWP Office, Billings, 2300 Lake Elmo Dr. Sep. 12, Statewide Zoom Meeting This past spring FWP held meeting around the state to gather input on regulation changes. That input helped to...
As you are hunting, hiking, and exploring Montana this fall, be sure to take a break from scanning the horizon 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 once considered the second most abundant reptile...
The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Aug. 16, at 8:30 a.m., at Montana WILD and via Zoom. The deadline to submit written comments on most agenda items was July 25. However, public comment will be taken during the meeting; those wishing to make a comment must register at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/august-2024-meeting. Registration deadline is Thursday, Aug. 15 at noon. Agenda items for the Aug. 16 commission meeting are: Resident SuperTag Administrative Rule Selection of Organizations to Auction 2025 Shiras Moose, Bighorn Sheep...
What do bats do at night? Aerobatics! What do bats like to eat? Moths! Join Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and others for two opportunities to learn about and observe the fascinating world of bats, along with a special focus on moths and agriculture in Malta. Everyone is welcome to these events, but any youngsters under the age of 12 are encouraged to be accompanied by an adult. Some suggested items to bring include a flashlight/headlamp or glow sticks, bug spray, and sturdy walking shoes. We will see you there! Friday, Aug. 2, Malta 8:30...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is looking for public feedback on work from a citizen advisory council tasked with developing guiding principles for developing a new Mule Deer Management Plan. “We know how concerned people are with mule deer numbers across the state,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “Our focus is developing a new plan that will guide our efforts to manage herds well into the future. The council’s work is a critical first step for our planning process.” In early 2024, FWP solicited applications from Montana citizens to serve on...
A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hunter Education classroom course and online field day has been set for the Glasgow area. In person course: An in-person classroom course will take place in the evenings Aug. 12-16 from 5:15 p.m.-9 p.m. The classes will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, adjacent to the FWP office, with the field day at the Valley Co. Rifle and Pistol Club. In-person, instructor-led hunter education classroom courses are available to anyone age 10 and older and provide new hunters with a hands-on...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking up to 12 people to serve on a statewide River Recreation Advisory Council. The River Recreation Advisory Council’s purpose is to develop a set of recommendations for managing river recreation in Montana and administering the use of water-related activities. The focus area extends to department lands and water bodies that are restricted under the authority of FWP. This includes recreation use on and along the water way, including fishing access sites. Montana boasts an abundance of publicly accessible r...
Monday, June 24, alongside Wildlife Manager Brett Dorak, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Dustin Temple held a press conference to address the status of eastern Montana’s mule deer. “Our job at FWP is to manage Montana’s wildlife resources by providing full contextual, transparent, accurate data with full context,” Director Temple said. “Across the state, we are making the effort to ensure our management of mule deer is based on the best science and data.” FWP biologists have completed annual spring surveys. For Region 5, the numbers...
Biologists conducting spring deer and elk surveys found some areas with improved herd growth and some areas with lower recruitment due to poor habitat conditions and disease. During the spring season, FWP wildlife staff get a pulse on deer and elk numbers by conducting aerial spring trend surveys or green-up flights across the state. These flights occur in the same areas year after year so biologist can understand population trends. During the flights, staff count the total number of deer and elk they see and classify fawns/calves and adults...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bowhunter Education course dates have been set for Glasgow, with an in-person course taught by volunteer instructors starting Monday, June 24, and a field day for online students on Thursday, June 27. These bowhunter education courses are free of charge. In-person bowhunter education class Bowhunter Education classes are taught by skilled volunteer instructors and offer hands-on learning experiences, mentoring opportunities, and the ability for students to ask questions of experienced bowhunters. Students must be... Full story
The new Montana Mule Deer Citizen Advisory Committee will meet twice this spring and help the department identify important issues in mule deer management and goals for the new mule deer management plan. This is an early step in the planning process with multiple opportunities for public input before the plan is finalized in time to inform the 2026-2027 hunting season-setting process. Members of the committee include Valley County residents Eric Albus, Hinsdale, and Mitchell Griebel, Glasgow. “Most Montanans have a familiar appreciation for m...
Landowners have until May 1 to apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Elk Hunting Access Agreement (EHA) Program. These EHA agreements, which were established by the 2001 Legislature, provide landowners with an elk license (including elk B), an either-sex permit or combination of the two in exchange for allowing free public hunting access for elk management purposes. The licenses/permits issued through this program may be designated to an immediate family member or an authorized full-time employee of the landowner valid only on the l...
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be streamed live on Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ website, https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/april-2024-meeting, and YouTube, www.youtube.com/@MontanaFWP. The commission will take public comment on agenda items from registered commenters on Zoom. Those who want to make a comment on Zoom must register on the Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ website by noon on April 16. Written comment on most agenda items were accepted thr...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications from landowners who are interested in participating in the 2024 Block Management Program. Application deadline is June 1. Through the Block Management Program, landowners and FWP work together to help manage wildlife and public hunting activities on enrolled lands. Landowners and FWP enter into voluntary agreements that determine how hunting will be conducted on the landowner’s property. Items such as permission requirements, times when permission will be granted, hunting opportunities pr...
Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers several tools to help hunters navigate the application process. Click here to watch a video tutorial for Montana residents; click here to watch a video tutorial for nonresidents. To see a playlist of all FWP’s hunting license video tutorials, click here. For help with understanding how bonus points are used, you can v...
Whether you love hiking, hunting, biking or fishing, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to hear your thoughts on what matters most for the future of outdoor recreation in our state. Over the next few months, FWP will be gathering input from the recreating public as it updates its Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). SCORP serves as a guide for local, state and federal agencies as they work with FWP to develop future outdoor recreation opportunities across the state. SCORP also outlines outdoor recreation goals for the state over the...
