Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has named Mark Sullivan as the new Regional Supervisor for Region 6. He is replacing Tom Flowers. The Fort Peck resident holds a master's degree in wildlife management from Montana State University. His previous roles with FWP include work as a wildlife management biologist in Malta and block management coordinator for Region 4. His most recent position with the organization was wildlife manager for Region 6. FWP Director Jeff Hagener told the Great Falls Tribune...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) have developed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed action of translocating up to 40 sage grouse biennially between 2016–2020, from Montana to Alberta, totaling up to 120 sage grouse over the five-year period. In Canada, sage grouse are classified as an endangered species, and Canadian wildlife officials say sage grouse numbers in southeastern Alberta have declined about 80 percent since 1970. The proposed translocation is intended to counter f...
As nightfall sets in sooner and longer in the fall, there is a risky mix on Montana roads that requires drivers to be extra alert. There might be increased traffic from drivers ed students filling their hours, parents driving to out-of-town ball games, and haul trucks with big loads. At the same time, does and fawns are attracted to roadside vegetation, which also brings the bucks close to roads during breeding season. As a result, we see a rise of deer-vehicle collisions. A State Farm 2015 statistic indicates that Montana has the highest...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Land Management would like outdoor enthusiasts to be “Bear Aware,” even in Region 6. Although bear encounters are rare in most of Region 6, there are currently some bears present in the Little Rockies and the Bears Paw Mountains. In addition, bears are occasionally found wandering far from their traditional areas, and preventative measures should always be taken to prevent wildlife encounters. FWP recently relocated a black bear that was rummaging through garbage cans at Camp Creek campground,...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is reminding youngsters that a hunt for deer, limited to eligible hunters between the ages of 12–15, will take place this Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15–16, 2015. These dates coincide with Montana's annual 2-day teachers' convention, which are no-school days for most public school students. The 2-day youth hunt is open to: -Legally licensed 12-15 year olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age... Full story
ANTELOPE Montana antelope populations are continuing to recover and grow from previous years’ winter kills and low fawn numbers in central and eastern Montana. This year, there are even a few more special licenses available reflecting that improving status. Successful antelope-license applicants may recognize increased fawn production in many areas as populations respond to this year’s favorable weather and habitat conditions. Montana’s antelope archery season will close Oct. 9. The general rifle season for antelope will run Oct. 10-Nov. 8. Her...
For wild upland birds—grouse and pheasants and such—it’s all about the hatch and chick survival. Well, almost all. A really bad winter can knock things back for a year or two but generally, if there is a good hatch and good survival among the chicks, especially a few years in a row, there will be great hunting. Looking back a few years, Montana’s seen good hatches and good survival for game birds. So, at a state-wide scale, things should be pretty good for hunters this fall. Conditions for nesting and brood survival, however, can vary widely...
State wildlife officials are hosting public hearings to discuss and take comment on a draft environmental impact statement for bison conservation and management in Montana. For the Region 6 area, the upcoming hearing will be held in Malta on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Bison are currently designated as both a wildlife species in need of management and a species in need of disease control in Montana. The draft statewide bison conservation and management EIS, prepared by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, considers the possibility of bison restoration... Full story
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hunter Education course dates have been set for the Glasgow area, Aug. 14-16. This will be the last hunter education class offered in the Glasgow area for this year’s hunting season. To be eligible to hunt and be fully certified during the 2015 season, hunters must be 12 years old by Jan. 16, 2016. The hunter education class will be held in the Quonset building at the FWP headquarters in Glasgow. Classes will run from 4:30-9 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8-10 a.m. on Sunday. For the h... Full story
A popular Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 6 program that allows children and their families to check out free fishing rods and tackle is in full swing again this year. Just in time for summer fishing, FWP staff is in the process of restocking the 49 (and counting) different location sites across Montana's Hi-Line. The "Kids to Fish" program lets youngsters check out fishing rods, reels and basic tackle, such as hooks, bobbers and sinkers. Typically, eight rods are at each location, and a...
FWP Information and Education Program Manager for Region 6 Marc Kloker (left) and Lakeridge Motel and Tackle owner Gene Moore will provide expertise and insights into area fishing beginning next week. Our own novice sportsman James Walling will write the regular feature with their assistance. Look for it in the sports section.... Full story
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) have been making their rounds along the Hi-Line looking for public comment and questions on a few regulation changes. Comments need to be in by May 31. They made their stop in Glasgow last week and explained that there weren’t a lot of big changes in the works, and that has made for a fairly quiet public commenting period this year. Changes in our area, Region 6, include specifying more clearly the waters where use of live bait is allowed, prohibiting bow fishing for shortnose gar in the Fort Peck D...
Every spring Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks issues a message to Montanans to leave new born fawns, birds, and other infant wildlife where people find them. "If you care, leave them there," said Ron Aasheim, spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena. Aasheim said that most birds, for instance, learn to fly from the ground up, and not from the nest. "Whether you find a fawn or fledgling bird under a tree in a neighbor's yard or bunny under a bush it's important to know that wild...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and community volunteers recently sampled Box Elder Creek Reservoir (Bolster Dam) on the outskirts of Plentywood as part of their continued commitment to the fisheries in the Plentywood area. The sampling identified many interesting findings, and a few concerns as well. Region 6 fisheries biologists Tyler Haddix and Dave Fuller met with Plentywood community volunteers on the evening of April 14. Together, they set gill and trap nets, and also used electrofishing te...
WEDBESDAY – MAY 13 6-9 p.m. - FWP Open House meeting to provide information on the 2016-2019 fishing regulations to be held in the meeting room at the Glasgow Job Service, 74 4th Street N. More info, call Region 6 Headquarters at 406-228-3700. THURSDAY – MAY 14 Deadline to register for FMDH and Billings Clinic LifeStyle Balance Telehealth program on June 3 for the prevention and treatment of diabetes using telehealth technology by contaqcting Mary Christianson or Julie Lawson at 228-3500. Cost is $50. 1 p.m. - Malta Irrigation District's reg... Full story
WEDNESDAY – MAY 6 6 p.m. - A DC Trip meeting at GHS in room #4. It is not too late to sign up for the 2015-16 trip to DC. 6-8 p.m. - Free Skywarn Weather Spotter Class will be held at the Senior Citizen Center in Nashua. The National Weather Service in Glasgow will cover weather safety, ways of getting weather information, and how thunderstorms form. No RSVP is needed. For those who can not attend in person, there is also an online class. There are two online modules, and you can select the option to have your information sent to the NWS a... Full story
This year's Montana paddlefish seasons will again kick off on May 1 with the opening of the Upper Missouri River section from Fort Benton downstream to Fort Peck Dam. Camping and other access will be available at the James Kipp Recreation Area near the Fred Robinson Bridge south of Malta. The area is a popular location for paddlefish anglers and their families, and the public boat ramp at the Kipp Recreation Area is fully operational. For questions about the recreation area and other...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Glasgow is conducting a pilot project to open Block Management Areas (BMAs) for spring turkey hunting along the Milk River. Up to 9 BMAs could be open for the spring turkey season, beginning April 11, and running through May 17. Most of the properties are located along the Milk River between Hinsdale and Nashua. According to Tim Potter, Jr., Region 6 BMA coordinator, the idea of spring turkey hunting on BMAs has been in the works for awhile. "I have been... Full story
Warmer temperatures and melted ice mean the annual walleye spawning operation on Fort Peck Reservoir is beginning early this year and will soon be in full swing. Volunteers are always welcome, and needed, for the success of this operation. According to Heath Headley, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Fort Peck biologist, agency staff and volunteers will again be trapping fish and taking eggs from areas in the upper Big Dry Arm of the reservoir. “The reservoir is about 11 feet higher than last year,” Headley said, “so we will focus t...
He's probably more than just a local legend, more than likely he's part of many stories that are shared around the globe. A straight forward personality and a witty sense of humor could keep you on your toes with one local man. Many outdoor enthusiasts in the area may have met this individual and probably sigh with envy when it comes to some of his true tall tales. Woody Baxter, our local Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional state park and fishing access site manager in Glasgow, is setting out his...
The final results are in at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Havre check station for the 2014 hunting season. Overall, hunter numbers and big-game harvest were down. “In general, big game harvest was slower this year,” said Havre-area wildlife biologist Scott Hemmer. “This is likely due in part to the elimination of all Region 6 deer B licenses and buck-only harvest on the A-tag for mule deer. The weather this year also may have affected harvest. It was unseasonably warm at the beginning of the season, which may have reduced game sight...
Marc Kloker has been appointed as the Region 6 information and education program manager for Montana of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. He will be based out of Glasgow, and replaces Ron Selden, who passed away unexpectedly in August. In addition, Ken Plourde has been appointed as the new FWP Region 6 upland game bird program habitat specialist. Kloker, 37, a longtime Valley County resident, comes to FWP from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, where he worked as a land use...
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 6 Citizen Advisory Committee will meet 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Best Western Great Northern Inn in Havre. In addition, an open house for legislators to interact with attendees is scheduledfor 2 to 4 p.m. The intent of this portion of the meeting is to provide legislative updates and present FWP proposed legislation. A second and similar open house will be held 2-4 p.m. Dec. 18 in Fort Peck at the FWP Hatchery conference room. The meetings are public. For more details, contact the Region 6... Full story
Comment Period Ends Dec. 11 On Bison Habitat Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and Montana Department of Livestock invite the public to comment on an addendum to their 2013 draft environmental assessment, Year-round Habitat for Yellowstone Bison. The addendum focuses on a new alternative under consideration that combines components of three of the original alternatives with some additional management tools depending on the bison population level. Comments can be submitted by regular mail to MFWP – Bison Addendum, PO Box 200701, Helena M...
Paddlefish season begins May 15 on the Yellowstone River below the mouth of the Bighorn River and Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists continue to monitor these unique populations and take a conservative approach to managing these long-lived fishes. “Opening day this year falls on a catch and release only day so anglers need to be aware that if they intend to fish on opening day, Intake Fishing Access Site is their only option that day”, said Mike Backes, Region 7 Fisheries Manager. All paddlefis...
