Outdoors

News from USDA WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is welcoming new and modified proposals from conservation partners for the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative, a part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) focused on effectively managing wildlife habitat. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has expanded available practices under this initiative in response to feedback from partners.

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — The Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group will meet via Zoom on April 28 from 8 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be streamed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. Anyone interested in offering comment during the public comment portion ...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was detected in a snow goose from Canyon Ferry and a Canada goose from near Belgrade last week. HPAI was detected earlier this month in domestic poultry in Judith Basin and Cascade counties. Several mor...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — As grizzly bears emerge from their dens across the state the potential for conflicts with farmers, ranchers and other producers is increasing. In the past few years, bears have been spotted in areas where they haven’t been for more than a cent...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposals for mountain lion quotas and special limited licenses, trumpeter swan reintroductions, new Rainbow Lake fishing regulations, and pheasant releases. The Fish and Wildlife Co...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — The wait is over as the deer and elk permit drawing is complete just a couple weeks after the deadline. With the new online application process, FWP can complete the drawing much faster than in years past. “You can now start the fun plannin...

News from Natural Resources Conservation Service BOZEMAN — March did not bring a much-needed shift to active weather patterns that would have benefited our mountain snowpack. March precipitation was well below normal across most of Montana. As a result, most snowpack percentages decreased for the ...

News from MT FWP HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is implementing a new process for elk hunting access (EHA) agreements to provide more transparency with the public and landowners and allow for a clearer process for Fish and Wildlife Commission review. EHA agreements were codified in...

News from Montana Fish,  Wildlife & Parks KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is starting a public planning process to help guide future use and development of the new Somers Beach State Park on Flathead Lake. The overall planning process is expected to take several months....

News from the CSKT Deputy Executive Office FLATHEAD RESERVATION — On Jan. 2, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) assumed full management of the Bison Range, formerly known as the National Bison Range.  The Bison Range land was restored to the CSKT by the Montana Water Rights...