Outdoors

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — The annual application period for the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), a grant funding program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will open Sept. 1. The purpose of WHIP is to accomplish large-scale restoration of private and publicly owned high-priority wildlife habitats through noxious weed management. Grant expenditures are limited to herbicide, mechanical, biocontrol and re-seeding treatments, specifically to restore wildlife habitat functions. Grazing management improvements may also be funded through the program to restore native wildlife habitats and reduce susceptibility to noxious weed invasi...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) will meet Aug. 30 and 31. The STAC advises FWP on trail-related concerns and needs across Montana, including funding, use and the promotion of recreational trails across l...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on revisions to the statewide Elk Management Plan last adopted in 2005. FWP began work on the revised plan in 2020, when a citizen’s group was convened to develop guiding principles...

News from the CSKT Division of Fire LAKE COUNTY — As of Sunday evening, Aug. 21, the Garceau fire is 6,724 acres and 33% contained. 340 personnel are working on the fire, led by Local Type 3 organization, and Incident Commander Darrell Clairmont. There are no evacuations and there are no struct...

HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for its new Habitat Conservation Lease Program. A habitat conservation lease is a voluntary, incentive-based agreement between FWP and private landowners in which the landowner commits to specific land management practices that pr...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks MONTANA — The upland game bird season is less than one month away, and hunters will soon be able to refer to the Projects Access Guide, published annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP). Hunters c...

News and Photo from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — Wolf numbers and distribution continue to be stable across Montana, according to numbers released on Aug. 1 in the 2021 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wolf Report. “What the data shows us really isn’t surprising,” ...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA – After 10 meetings and much deliberation, the Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group has forwarded its recommendations to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech. “I’m very impressed with the work that went into these r...

News from The Division of Fire RONAN — The Division of Fire officials want to update the public on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes fire danger. The Flathead Indian Reservations fire danger is at High.   Although no restrictions are in place at this time, the extended forecast...

MONTANA — When wildfire smoke billows from its source and lingers in the air, the haze brings coughs and questions for many Montana residents. Among them: How should I interpret air quality ratings? How does smoke affect my indoor air quality? Is it safe to walk my dog or head out for a hike today? ...