Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure » HUNTING http://www.outdoorsmontana.com (Scroll Down to read latest and see photos) Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:38:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 NEW THIS YEAR—DEER & ELK PERMIT APPLICATION DUE MARCH 15 http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/new-this-year-deer-elk-permit-application-due-march-15/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/new-this-year-deer-elk-permit-application-due-march-15/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:43:40 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=3018 NEW THIS YEAR—DEER & ELK PERMIT APPLICATION DUE MARCH 15
Hunters in Montana can get an early start on making plans for the upcoming season thanks to recent license-purchase and special permit-application deadline changes.
This year hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Jan. 16 and the deadline for residents and nonresidents to apply for deer and elk permits has moved up to March 15.
In past years, new hunting licenses would go on sale at the end of February and special deer and elk permits were due June 1.
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently adjusted the dates in response to public comment.
“Now resident and nonresident hunters will have their drawing results by mid-April, instead of the end of July,” said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman in Helena. “That gives hunters three additional months to make plans, scout hunting areas, get in shape, and talk to landowners.”
Resident and nonresident applications and information, including application success tips, will be available online at HYPERLINK “http://fwp.mt.gov/” fwp.mt.gov beginning Jan. 16. Click “New Deadline – March 15 Deer & Elk Permits”.
Paper applications and information will be available from FWP offices and license providers by Jan. 18.
Hunters will also notice that the permit application packet has been revamped and simplified.
“We’ve heard for years that the application process is too complicated,” Aasheim said. “In response to the deadline change we boiled down 120 pages of hunting regulations to an eight-page information and application packet.”
Montana’s traditional deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations will still be available in early April.
FWP continues to urge hunters to apply online. “It’s fast, it’s convenient and it’s always accurate,” Aasheim said. “The online system won’t allow you to submit an application that contains an error. This year, we’re really encouraging hunters to read the application information, and then carefully fill out a paper application to guide their online submissions.”
Aasheim said the best tip he can offer is to start hunting plans early, but hold off on submitting deer and elk permit applications until sometime after Feb. 16. “There are many hunting districts with ‘pending’ quotas that won’t be finalized by the FWP Commission until Feb. 16. If you are interested in applying for one of the pending hunting districts, check the FWP website after the Feb. 16 meeting, make your choices and then submit your application.”
Nonresidents who wish to apply for big game combination, elk combination or deer combination licenses and deer and elk permits for the 2012 fall Montana hunting season can also apply online or download an application from FWP’s website beginning Jan. 16. To request an application by mail, write to:  Licensing Section; Montana FWP; P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT; 59620-0701; or call: 406-444-2950. The application deadline is March 15.
Aasheim stressed that the deadline to apply for moose, sheep, goat and bison licenses remains May 1. June 1 remains the deadline to apply for antlerless deer B and elk B licenses and antelope and antelope B licenses.
Montana’s upcoming hunting and fishing license year runs from March 1 to Feb. 28, 2013.
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]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/new-this-year-deer-elk-permit-application-due-march-15/feed/ 0 FWP Seeks Early Input for 2012-2013 Hunting Seasons http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/fwp-seeks-early-input-for-2012-2013-hunting-seasons/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/fwp-seeks-early-input-for-2012-2013-hunting-seasons/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:21:16 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=2510 FWP Seeks Early Input for 2012-2013 Hunting Seasons

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) invites hunters, landowners, outfitters, and others to get involved now to help set hunting seasons for 2012 and 2013. The public can comment online now and at a series of regional open houses set for Monday, Aug. 29 at all seven FWP regional offices, including the Missoula office (3201 Spurgin Road).
The 7-9 p.m. open house will include a brief overview of the season setting process, and the public can stop by any time during the open house to visit with FWP biologists and game wardens.
“We’d like to know what hunting regulation changes you think we should be considering, including what are you seeing and experiencing out there and what ideas you have to make things better,” said Mike Thompson, FWP Region 2 Wildlife Manager. “We also want to know what things you really value and don’t want to change in the future.”
Thompson hopes that hunters and others will stop by the open house for an informal opportunity to have their questions answered and to leave input that FWP will consider alongside its data as it prepares tentative hunting season proposals for 2012-2013 hunting seasons.
The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 6. To submit comments online, go to fwp.mt.gov and click on For Hunters and follow links to the Hunting Homepage.
Proposals that emerge for the 2012 and 2013 hunting seasons will be presented to the FWP Commission in December, followed by public comment opportunity in January 2012. The Commission will adopt final rules in February.
For more information, call FWP at 406-542-5500.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/fwp-seeks-early-input-for-2012-2013-hunting-seasons/feed/ 0 WOLF HUNTING LICENSES AVAILABLE AUGUST 8 – MFWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/wolf-hunting-licenses-available-august-8-mfwp/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/wolf-hunting-licenses-available-august-8-mfwp/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:54:40 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=2493 WOLF HUNTING LICENSES AVAILABLE AUGUST 8

Montana’s wolf-hunting licenses will go on sale Monday, Aug. 8.
Licenses will be valid within 14 specifically defined wolf management units. Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private lands.
How to purchase
• Hunters can purchase a wolf license online at fwp.mt.gov, or from any FWP regional office or license provider.
• Hunters must have, or also purchase, a 2011 conservation license.
• Wolf hunting licenses are $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents.
Regulations and Seasons
• Early Season Backcountry Archery: Sept. 3-14.
• Early Season Backcountry Rifle: Sept. 15-Dec. 31.
• General Season Archery: Sept. 3-Oct. 16.
• General Season Rifle: Oct. 22-Dec. 31.
• The hunting season will close in a specific WMU when the quota is reached.
• If a WMU’s quota isn’t met, the wolf-hunting season would be extended in that area through Dec. 31.
• Wolf hunting regulations are available via the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov, and from most FWP license providers.
• Hunters cannot use any motorized vehicle—including OHVs and snowmobiles—to hunt wolves.
• The use of dogs, bait, sent, lures, traps, lights, electronic tracking devices, or any recorded or electrically amplified bird or animal calls to hunt or attract wolves is prohibited.
• Additional rules and regulations that apply to big game hunting are also in effect.
Quotas
• The total harvest quota is 220 wolves across 14 WMUs Two management units—WMUs 290 and 390 have subquotas.

Where to Hunt Wolves
• Montana is divided into 14 WMU and each has its own quota.
• FWP wildlife management areas are open to hunting during the fall wolf season.
• Legally accessible State School Trust Land is open to wolf hunting.
• Hunters by law must obtain permission to hunt private land.
• Only tribal members may be allowed to hunt wolves on Indian Reservations. Contact the respective Tribal Government Office with questions.
• State Game Preserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges are closed to wolf hunting.

Reporting Requirements & Season Closures
• Hunters are required to call 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) to report harvests within 12 hours.
• To maintain possession of the hide and skull, hunters must by law personally present the tagged wolf hide and skull to a designated FWP employee within 10 days of the harvest for inspection. Evidence of the animal’s sex must remain naturally attached to the hide.
• When a WMU reaches its quota, FWP will close the season upon 24-hour’s notice. Hunters should always check FWP’s closure updates before each day afield.

Wolf Hunt Information Hotline
• Hunters can call 1-800-385-7826 beginning Sept. 3 for the latest wolf-harvest status and closure information.
To learn more about Montana’s wolf hunt, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Montana Wolf Hunt.”
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]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/wolf-hunting-licenses-available-august-8-mfwp/feed/ 0 Hunt Safely And Responsibly – MFWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunt-safely-and-responsibly-mfwp/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunt-safely-and-responsibly-mfwp/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:33:19 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=2490 HUNT SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY
The 1,200 volunteers who teach Hunter Education remind all hunters there are four basic rules of gun safety.
1) Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction.
2) Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.
3) Always be sure of your target and beyond.
4) Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
Hunting is a very safe activity. It is up to each hunter to make responsible decisions to keep it that way.
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]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunt-safely-and-responsibly-mfwp/feed/ 0 STATE WILDLIFE OFFICIALS DECRY WOLF DECISION http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/state-wildlife-officials-decry-wolf-decision/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/state-wildlife-officials-decry-wolf-decision/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:08:28 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1659 Montana wildlife officials decried today’s federal court decision that placed the recovered Rocky Mountain gray wolf back on to the federal list of threatened and endangered species.

“We believe we made arguments to the judge that he could have relied on to uphold the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to delist the wolf,” said Joe Maurier, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “We will carefully examine the ruling to determine what options remain open to Montana’s wildlife managers.”

While today’s decision by Federal District Judge Donald W. Molloy in Missoula takes away state management of the wolf, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission officially asked FWP to immediately appeal the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court and to aggressively seek management options with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“If we understand the ruling correctly, Judge Molloy is telling the federal government that because Wyoming still doesn’t have adequate regulatory mechanisms to manage wolves, you can’t delist the wolf in Montana and Idaho.” Maurier said. “We simply can’t manage wildlife successfully in that environment. We must have the ability to manage wildlife, to do our job, to seek a balance among predator and prey. As a practical matter, as wildlife managers, we need the authority to respond to the challenges wolves present every day.”
Today’s federal court decision reinstates Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains, with federal law guiding Montana’s wolf management options. With today’s ruling, a general wolf hunting season in Montana is prohibited.

Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains were removed from federal protection in March 2009, a decision that was almost immediately challenged by a coalition of 13 groups seeking to put wolves back on the endangered species list.

The recovery of the wolf in the northern Rockies is one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record. In the mid 1990s, to hasten the overall pace of wolf recovery in the Northern Rockies, more than 60 wolves were released into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

The minimum recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs—successfully reproducing wolf packs—and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. This goal was achieved in 2002, and the wolf population has increased every year since.

The wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountain Recovery Area, which comprises parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, was estimated to be at least 1,706, with 242 packs, and 115 breeding pairs at the end of last year. About 525 wolves were estimated to inhabit Montana, in 100 packs and 34 breeding pairs.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/state-wildlife-officials-decry-wolf-decision/feed/ 0 BIG GAME FOREVER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE WOLVES FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/big-game-forever-launches-campaign-to-remove-wolves-from-the-endangered-species-list/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/big-game-forever-launches-campaign-to-remove-wolves-from-the-endangered-species-list/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:30:02 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1657 Contact: Ryan Benson
ryandbenson@msn.com
1-801-870-5307

http://biggameforever.org

As a judge in Montana considers whether to permit Montana and Idaho to continue hunts to manage mushrooming wolf populations that have decimated big game herds, Defenders of Wildlife has sought to triple the number of wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned Interior Secretary Salazar and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide for expansion of wolf populations across the entire United States.

In response to these actions and the strong grassroots desire of sportsmen, outfitters, ranchers, and many others all across the US to insure that wolves are de-listed from the Endangered Species List and managed by all states where they are found, Big Game Forever, a political action arm of nationally-respected organization Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, has drafted legislation to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List. Big Game Forever is now working with a growing number of Congressmen and Senators to have the bill introduced early in 2011. The bill will allow needed wolf management measures to stop the decline of some of the West’s and upper Midwest’s most important herds of elk, moose and deer and help rebuild those herds.

“The decision to remove wolves, one of North America’s most abundant and successful predators, from the endangered species list by both the Bush and Obama administrations will not be respected by animal rights and a handful of environmental groups, even though excessive predation on big game has caused at least $100 million damage to the economies of states where wolves are found,” says Ryan Benson, National Director for Big Game Forever.

“Wolves are being exploited in an attempt to remove the rights of sportsmen to have access to and use of renewable wildlife resources. Notwithstanding the experimental nature of wolf reintroductions and repeated declarations that wolf populations have expanded far beyond recovery objectives, these groups continue to make millions of dollars suing the federal government on technicalities within the Endangered Species Act. It has become clear that there will be no end to the litigation despite the unprecedented damage to wildlife, surplus killing of livestock, and attacks on pets and guard dogs in the West and Upper Midwest. Ultimately those most affected by the ongoing litigation continue to be Sportsmen and wildlife, including the very wolves the anti-sporting groups proclaim to protect,” Benson says.

The federal government is currently spending $3.7 million dollars yearly to remove problem wolves that kill domestic livestock in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. This is money that should be used for wildlife conservation, including restoration of elk, moose, wild sheep and deer that have been decimated by rapidly-expanding wolf populations in many areas, Big Game Forever asserts.

The proposed legislation will provide assurances of agreed upon wolf population numbers in states where experimental reintroductions have reached sustainable populations spelled out in original enabling mandates. “State wildlife managers can either manage for abundance or scarcity,” explains Benson. “In the last 10 years, sportsmen have contributed $20 Billion in federal wildlife funding in an attempt to restore healthy big game populations and waterfowl populations. In addition to federal funding, State wildlife agencies, which are largely if not exclusively funded by sportsmen’s dollars, spend hundreds of millions annually in the West to restore and protect habitat, and manage wildlife populations.”

Sportsmen have worked tirelessly and put their money where their mouth is in an effort to restore healthy wildlife herds to the West,” says Don Peay founder of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife http://www.sfwsfh.org/. “Decades-long recovery efforts by states and sportsmen’s groups are being erased in herd after herd. We will not stand by and watch our efforts wasted by an anti-management agenda that has proved to be a failure for elk, moose and even the wolves they proclaim to protect.”

Congressional intervention provides a mechanism to ensure that states can fulfill their mandate to manage all wildlife populations for the use of its citizens. Benson explains, “Wolves are here to stay. The same state agencies that successfully manage balanced numbers of mountain lions, bears and other large predators are well-positioned to maintain balanced numbers of gray wolves while protecting abundant prey populations.”

To document the groundswell of support for wolf de-listing, Big game Forever has launched an online petition at http://biggameforever.org that has already drawn thousands of signers. Some of the early supporters of the petition include entertainer Jeff Foxworthy, former NBA all-star player Karl Malone, Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs, President of Hoyt Archery Randy Walk, Randy and Coni Brooks of Barnes Bullets, and David Allen, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

ABOUT BIG GAME FOREVER.org
For the last 15 years, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife has endeavored to restore abundant wildlife populations in the West. SFW has worked tirelessly to reintroduce Bison, Big Horn Sheep, Elk and Mountain Goats to their original habitat while also putting millions of dollars on the ground across the West to restore almost 1,000,000 acres of habitat. Big Game Forever was created in 2010 to facilitate political action. Big Game Forever and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife believe that protecting the western way of life can only be accomplished through the involvement of American Sportsmen in the political and legal process.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/big-game-forever-launches-campaign-to-remove-wolves-from-the-endangered-species-list/feed/ 0 ALTUS BRANDS DONATES 1,000 BUGHATS TO LOUISIANA COASTLINE CLEAN-UP EFFORT http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/altus-brands-donates-1000-bughats-to-louisiana-coastline-clean-up-effort/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/altus-brands-donates-1000-bughats-to-louisiana-coastline-clean-up-effort/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:28:27 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1655 A Northern Michigan-based manufacturer of bughats is extending a helping hand to the Louisiana coastline oil spill clean-up, by donating 1,000 of its hats to volunteers helping in the “save our gulf” effort.

The unique head gear (www.bughat.com) will not only protect clean-up workers from biting insects, but also the sun, explained Altus Brands, LLC president Gary Lemanski, in announcing the donation this week.

“Following news about the spill caused us to think about what a small company could do,” explained Lemanski. “And though large corporations and government are ramping efforts, we decided to do something quickly that might help a little. We’re in this together and need to help each other.”

Two groups will be receiving the free bughats, a $25,000 value, this week: the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program. Both are active in the coalition to restore coastal Louisiana.

“Our biologists are on the water and in the coastal marshes daily supporting the wildlife rescue mission,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “The department greatly appreciates this offer which serves our personnel well during the hottest months of our south Louisiana summer.”

The novel boonie style bughats use a fine mesh netting to protect the face and neck from biting and pesty insects. They have a secret pocket to store the netting when not needed, while also providing protection from the sun.

CHALLENGE TO OTHER SMALL BUSINESS
The Altus Group president is hoping his company’s example will inspire other small businesses with products that can be used in the oil spill clean-up effort to make similar donations.

“The Louisiana coastline is a national treasure,” said Lemanski. “What happens to it affects the entire country. If a small company like ours can make even a bit of difference, then just think what can happen as the momentum grows.”

In that vein, the Altus Group will also be donating 10% of all future online sales of bughats to support ongoing wildlife rescue in the Gulf Coast region. The special offer appears on the www. bughat.com website.

ABOUT ALTUS BRANDS, LLC
A private company with headquarters in Traverse City, Michigan, Altus Brands LLC (www.altusbrands.com) owns a diverse platform of companies that manufacture various types of outdoor recreational products.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/altus-brands-donates-1000-bughats-to-louisiana-coastline-clean-up-effort/feed/ 0 Free Family Blackpowder Shooting Match – April 17th http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/general/free-family-blackpowder-shooting-match-april-17th/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/general/free-family-blackpowder-shooting-match-april-17th/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:31:48 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1578 You are invited to a Free Family Public Day
Blackpowder Shooting Match
April 17 – 10am to 3pm
7350 Zaugg Road, Bonner

Introduce the family to:
Shooting a blackpowder rifle (must be 12 or older)
Tomahawk throwing skills
Fur trade – Mountain man era – rendezvous
Contact: Fred Beyer 258-6526
Hellgate Civilian Shooters Association

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/general/free-family-blackpowder-shooting-match-april-17th/feed/ 0 Missoula Trapper Education Class Set For March 6 http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/missoula-trapper-education-class-set-for-march-6/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/missoula-trapper-education-class-set-for-march-6/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:25:09 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1559 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.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/missoula-trapper-education-class-set-for-march-6/feed/ 0 Online Hunter Education Available to Adults http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-hunter-education-available-to-adults/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-hunter-education-available-to-adults/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:22:31 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1557 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.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-hunter-education-available-to-adults/feed/ 0 Online Bowhunter Education Available to Adults http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-bowhunter-education-available-to-adults/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-bowhunter-education-available-to-adults/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:20:24 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1555 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

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/online-bowhunter-education-available-to-adults/feed/ 0 Spring Turkey Hunting Season Begins Soon http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-turkey-hunting-season-begins-soon/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-turkey-hunting-season-begins-soon/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:16:33 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1553 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.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-turkey-hunting-season-begins-soon/feed/ 0 Spring Black Bear Hunting Begins April 15 http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-black-bear-hunting-begins-april-15/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-black-bear-hunting-begins-april-15/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:15:12 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1551 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.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/spring-black-bear-hunting-begins-april-15/feed/ 0 Time To Apply For Nonresident Big Game Licenses http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/time-to-apply-for-nonresident-big-game-licenses/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/time-to-apply-for-nonresident-big-game-licenses/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:55:08 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1545 Time To Apply For Nonresident Big Game Licenses – MFWP
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hunting
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that applications for the Nonresident General Big Game Combination Licenses and Landowner Sponsored Licenses, which are sold through a drawing process, are due soon. To apply for these and other nonresident licenses and for more information, go to the FWP Web page at fwp.mt.gov under For Hunters and select Nonresident Deer and Elk Licenses .

Applications for these licenses and for the new Come Home To Hunt licenses, must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before March 15 and addressed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Nonresident Big Game Drawing, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 8012, Helena, MT 59604-8012.

Applications for outfitter sponsored licenses must be filed in FWP’s Helena licensing bureau on or before March 15. Postmark dates are not taken into account for these licenses.

For more information, contact FWP at 406-444-2950.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/time-to-apply-for-nonresident-big-game-licenses/feed/ 0 Shot Show Live Chat Set For Wednesday – POSTPONED http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/shot-show-live-chat-set-for-wednesday/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/shot-show-live-chat-set-for-wednesday/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:51:02 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1538 SHOT SHOW LIVE CHAT SET FOR WEDNESDAY . . . NSSF will be holding a live chat on Wednesday from 2 to 2:30 p.m. EST. During the live chat, NSSF Senior Vice President Chris Dolnack will answer questions related to the 2010 SHOT Show as well as the upcoming 2011 show. Visit nssf.org/shotshowchat to take part.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/shot-show-live-chat-set-for-wednesday/feed/ 0 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Feb. 11 In Helena http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/montana-fish-wildlife-parks-commission-to-meet-feb-11-in-helena/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/montana-fish-wildlife-parks-commission-to-meet-feb-11-in-helena/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:41:13 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1536 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Feb. 11 In Helena

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Feb. 11 at the State Capitol Old Supreme Court Chambers beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The commission will make final decisions on 2010-2011 hunting seasons, including the:

deer, elk and antelope license and permit allocation process,
deer, elk, antelope hunting seasons and HD boundaries,
moose, sheep, goat hunting seasons and HD boundaries,
black bear hunting seasons and HD boundaries,
biennial quota ranges,
bison hunting seasons and HD boundaries,
lion hunting seasons and HD boundaries,
upland game bird regulations and turkey quotas,
hunting season dates,
game damage management season quota authorizations.
The commission will also decide on the proposed commercial fishing regulations for Canyon Ferry Lake and Lake Helena.

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with a disability. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at: 406-444-3186.

The full agenda and additional information on the topics to be discussed may be found on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov under the FWP Commission icon.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/montana-fish-wildlife-parks-commission-to-meet-feb-11-in-helena/feed/ 0 Predator Classic Tournament – February 18 thru 20th http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/predator-classic-tournament-february-18-thru-20th/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/predator-classic-tournament-february-18-thru-20th/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:43:48 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1514 Predator Hunting Tournament – February 18th thru February 20th. It will include outdoorsmen from all over the state and is being primarily sponsored by Sportsman’s Warehouse in Billings. We are really trying to get kids involved in this year’s Predator Classic by allowing 17 year olds and younger to join the two-man adult teams for free. This tournament will be the largest hunting tournament in montana with tons of big prizes including two rifles,hunting gear, cash, a calcutta auction, and a catered closing ceremony. The opening ceremony is being held at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Billings on Thursday February 18th at 6:00 pm. Contestants may sign up at the opening ceremony or pre-register @ www.obsessedoutdoors.com

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/predator-classic-tournament-february-18-thru-20th/feed/ 0 Winter Survival – Bruce Auchly, FWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/winter-survival-bruce-auchly-fwp/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/winter-survival-bruce-auchly-fwp/#comments Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:35:40 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1503 Winter Survival – MFWP
Bruce Auchly, FWP Region 4 Information Officer
Friday, January 15, 2010
Headlines – Region 4
Subzero temperatures and snowstorms are good excuses to stay inside and turn up the heat.

Wildlife, however, doesn’t have that option. Antelope and members of the deer family in Montana have to tough it out. Most do through a variety of methods. But severe winter weather can tax even the hardiest critters.

Big game survive winter through four main adaptations: an insulated coat, reducing their metabolism (up to one-third of what they need to meet basic life functions), remaining bedded for long periods during bad weather and relying on stored body fat.

Up to 30 percent of a deer’s winter energy requirements can be met through body fat. By the way, don’t believe the old hunter’s tale of predicting a winter’s severity by the amount of body fat on a deer, or elk. The amount of fat says more about the animal’s ability to find adequate food in the late summer and fall than the upcoming winter.

“For deer, their condition going into winter is important,” says Tom Stivers, Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist. “East of the Divide, elk will go to where ever they can find some grass. And antelope, if it gets really tough, they’ll move to try to find sage and forbs.”

Both mule deer and whitetails will move to find food, too, often to winter habitats the species has used for a millennium. When winter hits the Rocky Mountain Front, for example, mule deer will move down in elevation to ridges and foothills along the front.

The same holds true in the Missouri River Breaks, Stivers says.

Winter represents a downhill slide for big game, even with migrational movements.

“Mule deer on core winter range and habitat will do okay,” Stivers says, “but deer have evolved to lose weight in the winter.”

One scientist likened a deer’s year to sledding on a brushy hill. Through summer and fall the animal climbs the hill, adding body fat. The winter and early spring are the downhill slide. Grass, shrubs and plants can slow the descent, but if the bottom of the hill is reached before spring plant growth starts, the animal dies.

“Elk are big body animals,” Stivers says. “They can eat grass in the winter and get that internal engine running and produce a lot of heat, like cattle. But deer have to process higher nutritional food. So they seek tips of browse.”

Of course plants need to be in good shape going into winter, too, or browse, like willows and chokecherry, won’t have the necessary nutrition.

Deer and antelope and elk do die each winter. Sometimes it’s from age, sometimes it’s malnutrition, and sometimes it’s predators. More than likely death comes from stress caused by a combination of factors rather than just weather.

In fact, an early winter may have little consequence on animals because most have fat reserves to draw on. But as an animal’s energy supply dwindles, usually later in winter, stress factors will start to kill the young, the old and the weak.

One remedy suggested periodically is to feed the deer or elk. It almost always doesn’t work for several reasons. But that’s a topic for another day.

Now it’s time to put another log on the fire.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/winter-survival-bruce-auchly-fwp/feed/ 0 Hunter Harvest Survey Is Underway http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunter-harvest-survey-is-underway/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunter-harvest-survey-is-underway/#comments Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:34:37 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1501 Hunter Harvest Survey Is Underway -MFWP
Friday, January 15, 2010
Hunting
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual game harvest survey is underway and is expected to continue into May.

This critical part of the hunting season cycle provides the information that wildlife biologists and managers need to estimate the annual wild game harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons.

FWP biometrician Robin Russell in Bozeman said that about 80,000 Montana households are generally contacted over the course of the survey. Survey interviewers collect information on big and small game — including deer, elk, antelope, moose, turkey and upland game birds.

This year the survey calls will be made from calling centers in Bozeman and Helena. The simple telephone survey generally takes about five minutes to complete.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunter-harvest-survey-is-underway/feed/ 0 Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/private-landpublic-wildlife-council-meets-feb-1-2-in-lewistown/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/private-landpublic-wildlife-council-meets-feb-1-2-in-lewistown/#comments Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:33:49 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1499 Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown – MFWP
Friday, January 15, 2010
Hunting
The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet Feb. 1-2 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn to discuss hunting and fishing access issues.

Council members will meet Monday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. to determine priorities and begin to work on identified issues. The meeting will continue Tuesday from 8 a.m.- noon.

The 15-member council, made up of landowners, outfitters, hunters, anglers, legislators, and an FWP Commissioner, is appointed by the Governor and charged with reviewing FWP hunting and fishing access programs, offering recommendations to help achieve program goals, and addressing issues related to private land and public wildlife.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting and observe council proceedings. A public comment period is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

For more information about the PL/PW Council, contact Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, by phone: 406- 444-3798, or by email: acharles@mt.gov . Or, visit the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under hunter access

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/private-landpublic-wildlife-council-meets-feb-1-2-in-lewistown/feed/ 0 Reward Increased Substantially for Information Related to Two Moose Poachings Near Cardwell http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/reward-increased-substantially-for-information-related-to-two-moose-poachings-near-cardwell/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/reward-increased-substantially-for-information-related-to-two-moose-poachings-near-cardwell/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:49:55 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1488 Reward Increased Substantially for Information Related to Two Moose Poachings Near Cardwell MFWP
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Headlines – Region 3
Thanks to private citizens, a sportsmen’s group, and local businesses, the reward for information about two bull moose poached near Cardwell in October of last year has increased by $4,000.

Anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the poachings of the two bull moose along the Jefferson River near Cardwell could receive up to $5,000.

Both moose were trophy class animals (40- and 48-inches) that were shot and left to rot in the vicinity of Cemetery Road and the Jefferson River south of Cardwell.

“I believe someone out there knows what happened to these moose,” said Boulder-Whitehall Warden Justin Gibson. “Those responsible may have bragged about it or let it slip out in conversation. I’m asking anyone with knowledge of these crimes to report to FWP.”

FWP received generous donations totaling $4,000 from an anonymous private citizen, the Jefferson Valley Sportsmen’s Association, and the Whitehall Ledger newspaper and local citizens and businesses. These donations will supplement any TIP-MONT reward.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is encouraged to call FWP Warden Justin Gibson at 406-439-4017 or 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800- 847-6668 ). Callers can remain anonymous or confidential and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1000 from TIP-MONT, plus the additional donated funds, upon conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/reward-increased-substantially-for-information-related-to-two-moose-poachings-near-cardwell/feed/ 0 Home » News Recent News Headline News Fishing News Hunting News Parks News Recreation News Public Notices News Archive Fishing Roundup Drought & Fire Search News Most Popular Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Jan. 14 In Helena 2010 Ice Fishing Derbies Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review RSS Feeds Recent News Hunting Fishing Drought Parks Recreation Employment What is RSS? Montana Outdoors Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown – MFWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpu/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpu/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:19:46 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1478 Friday, January 08, 2010 – MFWP
Hunting
The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet on Feb. 1-2 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn to discuss hunting and fishing access issues.

Council members will meet Monday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. to determine priorities and begin to work on identified issues. The meeting will continue Tuesday from 8 a.m.- noon.

The 15-member council, made up of landowners, outfitters, hunters, anglers, legislators, and an FWP Commissioner, is appointed by the Governor and charged with reviewing FWP hunting and fishing access programs, offering recommendations to help achieve program goals, and addressing issues related to private land and public wildlife.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting and observe council proceedings. A public comment period is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

For more information about the PL/PW Council, contact Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, by phone: 406- 444-3798, or by email: acharles@mt.gov . Or, visit the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under hunter access.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpu/feed/ 0 Recent News Headline News Fishing News Hunting News Parks News Recreation News Public Notices News Archive Fishing Roundup Drought & Fire Search News Most Popular Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Jan. 14 In Helena 2010 Ice Fishing Derbies Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review RSS Feeds Recent News Hunting Fishing Drought Parks Recreation Employment What is RSS? Montana Outdoors Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Jan. 14 In Helena http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpublic-wildlife-coun/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpublic-wildlife-coun/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:16:02 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1472 Wednesday, January 06, 2010 – MFWP
Commission
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Jan. 14 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6 th Ave beginning at 1 p.m.

The FWP Commission will make final decisions on:

acquiring bighorn sheep habitat near Anaconda and a right-of-way for a fishing access site 24 miles west of Bozeman on the Madison River;
Montana’s bighorn sheep conservation strategy; and
waterfowl hunting on Mitchell Slough near Missoula.
The commission will also consider proposals on the FWP budget and legislative priorities; the peregrine falcon take for falconry in 2010; antler-shed hunting on wildlife management areas; two conservation easements for upland game birds, and clarification of the no-wake zone rule on Echo and Swan lakes.

Commissioners will also discuss bison management in Montana.

A morning work session beginning at 8:30 a.m. will include a joint meeting with the Board of Livestock, and discussions on hunter/landowner stewardship and conservation management along the Rocky Mountain Front.

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with a disability. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at: 406-444-3186.

The full agenda and additional information on the scheduled topics may be found on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov under the heading FWP Commission.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landpublic-wildlife-coun/feed/ 0 Home » News Recent News Headline News Fishing News Hunting News Parks News Recreation News Public Notices News Archive Fishing Roundup Drought & Fire Search News Most Popular Private Land/Public Wildlife Council Meets Feb. 1-2 In Lewistown Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet Jan. 14 In Helena 2010 Ice Fishing Derbies Montana’s 2010-2011 Hunting Regulation Proposals Available For Review RSS Feeds Recent News Hunting Fishing Drought Parks Recreation Employment What is RSS? Montana Outdoors Open Houses & Hearings Scheduled in Region 6 – Ron Selden – MFWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landp/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landp/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:12:41 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1468 Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Hunting – Region 6
As a reminder, Montanans have a variety of opportunities to review and comment on 2010-2011 hunting regulation proposals by going online or by attending one of the many public meetings soon taking place across the state.

In FWP Region 6, hearings to discuss the proposed hunting regulations are scheduled in the Antique Room of the Duck Inn in Havre on Jan. 11, at the Jubilee Room of the Sheridan County Library in Plentywood on Jan. 14, at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow on Jan. 19, and at the Malta High School cafeteria in Malta on Jan. 20. Each of the hearings will run from 7 – 9 p.m.

The full statewide hearing schedule is available on the FWP Web site at “fwp.mt.gov” under the “2010-2011 Hunting Season Comments” section.

In addition, open houses designed for members of the public to meet informally with FWP Region 6 staff to discuss any other items of interest are scheduled on Jan. 11 at the Antique Room at the Duck Inn in Havre and on Jan 14 at the Main Bistro in Plentywood. Each of the open houses will run from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

FWP held seven summer meetings across the state and received more than 370 comments that led to several hunting season proposals. In years past, FWP would propose “tentative” seasons and season structures, from general regulations to types of special permits offered in specific areas, and then ask for comment on the proposals without a formal scoping session.

Among the proposed changes for the 2010 -11 hunting seasons are: moving the general deer and elk season opener to Saturday, instead of Sunday and the antelope opener to the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend; issuing antlerless elk licenses instead of antlerless elk permits; adopting a new four-year waiting period for those who obtain some either-sex elk permits; implementing party applications for deer and elk permits and licenses; regrouping the 23 elk-archery districts outside the Missouri River Breaks into one “bundle” of limited either-sex archery permits; allowing bow hunters to pursue bears and mountain lions during the archery season; creating a two-day deer season for youth to run on the third Thursday and Friday in October; and requiring nontoxic shot for all bird hunting on wildlife management areas across the state.

Details on these and other proposed hunting regulation changes are available on FWP’s Web site. The proposed regulations cover all hunting in Montana except for furbearers and migratory waterfowl.

Comments, which are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, may be submitted at the public meetings or electronically on the FWP Web page. Written comments also may be sent to: FWP—Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

]]> http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/home-%c2%bb-news-recent-news-headline-news-fishing-news-hunting-news-parks-news-recreation-news-public-notices-news-archive-fishing-roundup-drought-fire-search-news-most-popular-private-landp/feed/ 0 Hunting Regulations Meeting Coming Up January 16 In Kalispell – MFWP http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunting-regulations-meeting-coming-up-january-16-in-kalispell-mfwp/ http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/hunting/hunting-regulations-meeting-coming-up-january-16-in-kalispell-mfwp/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:10:39 +0000 bigskyoutdoornews http://www.outdoorsmontana.com/?p=1466 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a northwest Montana hearing on the 2010-2011 tentative hunting regulations at the Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell Center Mall, on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Other informational meetings may be scheduled in other towns, but this is the main hearing for collecting public comment from hunters across Region One. FWP Commissioner Bob Ream, who represents western Montana on the Commission, will be on hand to listen to the comments of northwest Montana hunters on the tentative regulations.

The schedule calls for an open house to be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. FWP biologists and managers will be on hand to explain information on wildlife populations and proposed regulations. The actual hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Each member of the public who wishes to speak will have a time allotment for each tentative regulation.

Proposed changes include a Saturday opener for deer, elk, and antelope seasons, a youth deer hunting opportunity just prior to the general opener, and an antlerless elk “B-tag” system. No changes are proposed for deer hunting regulations in northwest Montana because major restrictive changes were made last winter in anticipation of declining whitetail deer numbers. These tentatives don’t address the wolf-hunting season; those comments will be collected this spring.

The Commission approved the tentative regulations Dec. 10. Text of the regulations is available online at http://fwp.mt.gov and follow the “2010-11 Hunting Season Comments” link under “For Hunters.” Printed copies will be available at the public meetings. Comments gathered at the meetings will be submitted to the Commission before regulations are finalized. People also may submit comments online by following the link to “2010-11 Hunting Season Comments” on http://fwp.mt.gov and filling out a form. All comments are due by 5 p.m. January 22. The FWP Commission will adopt final regulations at its Feb. 11, 2010 meeting in Helena.

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