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Montana Wildlife Federation Launches 75th year – Join Them April 17th To Celebrate
01
Mar
Montana Wildlife Federation Launches 75th year
The American people in the early 1900s realized that it was time to set a new direction for the future of wildlife. Progressive hunters, anglers, landowners, politicians and businesses worked together to enact visionary, momentous Acts and efforts across the Nation that today continue to ensure wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunities.
It’s doubtful that the loosely knit statewide assemblage of grassroots doers that worked together in 1935, the Montana Wildlife Conservation Association could have imagined that the alliance would be continuing its work 75 years later. In May 1936, this group including many new concerns met in Helena and formally became Montana Wildlife Federation, the largest statewide advocacy organization of conservation minded people who share a mission to protect and enhance Montana ’s public wildlife, lands, waters, and fair chase hunting and fishing heritage.
On April 17, 2010, MWF will launch its 75th year as Montana wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing leaders that have contributed so much to Montana gather together at MWF’s Annual Meeting in Helena .
During its 75 year history, MWF members have passionately volunteered tens of thousands of hours to ensure Montana’s fish, wildlife, and hunting and fishing future, established state management strategies, influenced the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission directions, and a lengthy list of state policies related to our wildlife and habitat legacy and our hunting and angling heritage. .
The open to the public event this year will be bigger than ever and include the prestigious statewide Conservation Awards Program luncheon, special dignitaries’, a public forum on the most challenge issues facing Montana wildlife, hunting and fishing, youth education displays and activities. A fun-filled Saturday evening Banquet is filled with various raffles, door prizes, live and silent auction items, rods, firearms, ‘commemorative’ items including a Sweetgrass fly rod, special hats, a Bison bronze, a Winston fly rod, a rifle, custom made knives and much more. Several notable Montana wildlife artists have contributed originals and unique limited edition high caliber wildlife art.
Join MWF, hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts at the 75th Annual Meeting
Sign-up today – seating is limited – for the 75th Annual Meeting Fundraising Banquet April 17, 2010 at Best Western Helena Great Northern. Afternoon meeting sessions will focus on Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Controversies, The Future of Wildlife Management and Public Opportunities.
For more information or to reserve your seating – Email mwf@mtwf.org or call 1-800-517-7256 — Reduced price Partnership Tables are available for up to 8; the number of Partnership Tables is limited!
Missoula Trapper Education Class Set For March 6
15
Feb
Missoula Trapper Education Class Set For March 6
The Montana Trappers Association (MTA) will offer a trapper education course Saturday, March 6 in Missoula. This will be the only trapper education course held in west-central Montana this year.
The free course will run 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Missoula FWP office, 3201 Spurgin Road. To register, stop by the FWP office, or call 406-542-5500.
MTA instructors will emphasize trapper ethics, trapping heritage, and trap sets. Instructors will show actual trap sets and techniques.
People of all ages are invited to attend, but students under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants should bring a lunch and note-taking materials. Students who complete the course receive a certification card. The course is not mandatory for trappers but strongly recommended.
Online Hunter Education Available to Adults
15
Feb
Online Hunter Education Available to Adults – MFWP
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks now offers hunter education on the Internet to anyone 18 years and older.
State law says everyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must take hunter education before he, or she, can hunt in Montana. The course, which costs $15, is a chance for an adult to take the course at his or her convenience.
Though the coursework is completed online, students born after Jan. 1, 1985, must also take a short field course to receive their certification card. Students born before this date are not required to take the field course for certification.
At FWP’s Region 4 in Great Falls, there are several field course dates available this year for online students. Those dates are: Feb. 20, March 13, April 3, June 8, July 21, and Sept. 18. Other field days may be available elsewhere around the state.
Registration is only available on the Internet to those who successfully complete the online course, and space is limited. For more information on the online course and field course times and locations, go to the FWP website, www.fwp.mt.gov, and click on Education.
Online Bowhunter Education Available to Adults
15
Feb
Online Bowhunter Education Available to Adults – MFWP
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks now offers bowhunter education on the Internet to anyone 18 years and older.
State law says all first time bowhunters must take a bowhunter education course. The online course, which costs $20, is a chance for an adult to take the course at his, or her, convenience.
All students, whether taking the course in a classroom setting or online, must take a field course to receive their certification card.
For online students in FWP’s Region 4, three field days have been set: May 1, June 19 and July31.
Registration is only available on the Internet to those who successfully complete the online course, and space is limited. For more information on the online course and field course times and locations, go to the FWP website, www.fwp.mt.gov, and click on Education
Spring Turkey Hunting Season Begins Soon
15
Feb
Spring Turkey Hunting Season Begins Soon
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hunting
Hunters anxious to prepare for Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season can obtain an application for the special spring turkey permit drawing by going on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov beginning Feb. 16.
Spring turkey season begins April 10. Residents must have a 2010 conservation and upland game bird license and nonresidents will need a conservation license to purchase a turkey license.
In addition to opportunities to hunt male turkey in most of eastern Montana’s general turkey hunting areas, spring male turkey permits are available through special drawings in areas of western Montana.
Details on spring turkey hunting in the general hunting areas and special permit areas and how to apply are available in the 2010 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations, found on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov beginning Feb 24.
Spring Black Bear Hunting Begins April 15
15
Feb
Spring Black Bear Hunting Begins April 15 – MFWP
Montana’s spring black bear season doesn’t begin until April 15, but hunters will be able to access the 2010 black bear hunting regulations on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov beginning Feb. 25.
Licenses purchased after April 15 may only be purchased over the counter at a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office and can not be used for five days after the purchase.
Bear hunters must have successfully completed FWP’s bear ID training at least once in order to purchase a black bear license.
Black bear hunters are urged to annually refresh their bear identification skills, including the ability to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly. Grizzly bears, a federally protected, threatened species, are not hunted in Montana.
To take the bear ID test, go to http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/bearID/default.
FWP Seeks Comment On Commercial Fishing Regulations
15
Feb
FWP Seeks Comment On Commercial Fishing Regulations – MFWP
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on the proposed commercial fishing regulations for Lake Helena and Canyon Ferry Reservoir that provide for the harvest of carp and suckers using seines.
The proposed regulations, in effect through Dec. 31, specify the areas where these fish may be harvested and how to report these commercial operations to FWP before the fishing begins.
Special regulations on the Lake Helena harvest from Jan. 1—June 30 were established to protect nesting waterfowl, and special regulations on Canyon Ferry will help prevent conflict with recreational anglers.
The FWP Commission is authorized to approve one commercial fishing operation for each body of water and to establish specific regulations. Only one individual has applied for the 2010 commercial fishing permit to harvest carp from Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Helena.
Comments must be received by March 12.
For details on the new commercial fishing regulations and to comment by email, visit the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov , click on Recent Public Notices and select Fisheries Management. Comment letters may be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Fisheries Bureau, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620-070. For assistance, phone the FWP Helena Fisheries office: 406-444-2449.