Outdoors

POLSON — Snowpack is lower than average throughout western Montana. And, the Flathead basin received the least amount of snow, compared to average, of any region in western Montana.  The upper Clark Fork basin, near Butte, has seen the highest percentage of average snowpack in western Montana, and the region is at 94 percent of average snowpack. The Flathead basin received 89 percent of average snowpack by Jan. 11, according to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal hydrologist Casey Ryan. “We expected a warm dry winter and that’s about what we’re getting,” Ryan said. He said an early October snowstorm brought over six inches of snow to higher...

POLSON – One hundred plus marathoners competed in the Sorry ‘Bout That half marathon on Saturday afternoon and braved 13.1 miles in mid 20-degree-temperatures with ice-covered uneven surfaces along the trail.  The Polson Running group organized the race for the sixth year to provide runne...

News from CSKT FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION — Dan McClure, chief of the Tribal Conservation Program, announces the posting and enforcement of the following seasonal closure. The Ferry Basin Wildlife Management Unit’s tribally owned lands are closed to all recreational access and use by non...

FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION – The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking information on the shooting of a female grizzly bear in the Moiese Valley that occurred on or about Oct. 12.  The bear was found shot to death in a field near Moiese Valley Road...

KALISPELL — It is December and time for the 20th annual Kalispell bird count on Sunday, Dec. 30. Centered at Reserve and Highway 93, the 15-mile-diameter-count circle includes Evergreen, and much of the Flathead River corridor, including the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area, Happy Valley, Herron Park, and t...

HELENA – This year was record-setting for Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s statewide partners in the rigorous battle against Aquatic Invasive Species. “Our AIS staff and partners have done fantastic work to increase our watercraft inspection and monitoring efforts,” said Tom Woolf,...

News from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks MONTANA – With the arrival of winter weather, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is reminding residents that firewood gathering for personal, non-commercial use is allowed at certain state parks in Region 1, including the Thompson Chain of Lakes bet...

News from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks MONTANA — Montana’s general big game hunting season ended Nov. 25.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ five regional check stations tallied a combined total of 950 white-tailed deer, including 676 bucks, this season. That is down fr...

MONTANA – Montana hunters have been afield pursuing deer, elk and other big game, just as we have done for decades. But new this year is the knowledge that chronic wasting disease (CWD) is present in our state’s mule deer and white-tailed deer.  Last year’s first-ever detection of t...

News from CSKT and Fish & Wildlife Board FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION – The Flathead Reservation Fish & Wildlife Board and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council are looking for public input on proposed changes to the 2019-2020 Fishing, Bird Hunting and Recreation regulations.&...