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This time of year may not seem busy to most, but for many Fish, Wildlife, & Parks staff, January and February are the calm months before the storm. That storm, of course, being the new license year that begins on March 1st and brings with it permit application deadlines for antlered bucks and bull elk. But that's just the beginning. Once a hunter has applied for their permits, either in person or online, the long wait and hopeful planning begins. While some hunters will not travel far, instead...
Most big game hunting for this season will come to an end with the closing of the Traditional Muzzleloader season on Dec. 18. The abundance of snow in the valley, however, means that many winter activities have begun. Many will travel to the trailheads and unload their cross-country skis or snowmobiles to access hundreds of acres of Forest Service and State lands. Some will flock to fishing access sites and state parks to ice fish or skate on freshly frozen lakes and others will be using this time to continue to hunt or trap. Users riding...
Tip lines have been used throughout history by law enforcement for their wide range of applications and effectiveness in gathering information related to ongoing or high-profile crimes. In 2002, the FBI used a tip line when the D.C. Sniper attacks were occurring which led to the arrest of two suspects who were eventually charged and incarcerated. Tip lines likely weren't around when Governor Richards appointed W.F. Scott as Montana's first state game warden in 1901, but we've come a long way...
Just like that, summer has come and gone. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff have been hard at work doing aerial flight surveys and preparing for hunting season. Block Management Area (BMA) maps were released Aug. 10th for early elk shoulder season to start in select hunting districts Aug. 15! Fisheries biologists and technicians are still in the middle of their busy field season, electrofishing in creeks and high mountain lakes for trout and other species. Here's what you should know as we tr...
Springtime brings new life to the world. Deer, elk and other wildlife species start having their young and are more actively feeding in urban areas. While it's easy to enjoy seeing newborn fawns and bear cubs, there is a level of care that should be taken when observing and living around these animals. If you come across a fawn or elk calf by itself, leave the area and keep pets and children away to maximize the chance that the parent will return. This will also minimize the stress to the...
The northern pike (Esox Lucius) is at the top of the food chain in many of Montana's rivers and lakes. This adaptable species was first observed in Lindsay Reservoir (Dawson County, Montana) in 1950, but has since expanded its range. This spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists started tagging pike in the Missoula area to help better understand their movements. The expansion and survival of northern pike is largely due to their voracious appetite-they'll eat anything that will fit in...
After last year's Legislative session, and the FWP commission meeting this spring, hunters can expect to see some changes to the regulations this year. Consult the newest edition of the regulations each year, as they may change annually or add clarification for specific rules. The new license year began on March 1 so all anglers are now required to have their 2022 Fishing License. All regulations are available in print or at: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations. This spring, black bear hunters will be...
Summertime in Montana brings warmer temperatures, blue skies, and blooming wildflowers. This summer, however, much of Montana is blanketed in smoke, and the lack of moisture paired with record heat waves is causing some unexpected consequences. Seeley Lake has always been a destination for fishing and water-based recreation in the summer- for both locals and tourists alike. This summer, particularly, the conditions have created a perfect storm, bringing humans and bears closer together. My...
In the Clearwater River Watershed alone there are over two-dozen lakes that provide opportunities for anglers and recreationalists. While some are more well known and exceedingly popular during the summer months, you may not have remembered some of these lakes that could provide the quiet escape you've been looking for! Just miles north of the Seeley Lake community lies lakes Alva and Inez. Lake Alva has 'no wake' boating restrictions, making it a popular destination for non-motorized...
The Seeley Lake area is renowned for great boating, paddling and fishing opportunities. Every year visitors from across the US come and enjoy the nearly two dozen lakes and rivers here. With the increased visitation from tourists and their boats comes an increased risk of new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) being introduced into our watersheds. AIS has become increasingly prevalent in the West and Montana has recently seen several outbreaks of non-native species which threaten our aquatic...
Warming temperatures and clear skies have started to thaw the valley floor. Even though snow will remain at high altitudes for a while longer, grizzly and black bears have emerged from their winter dens. These bears have spent the last few months in torpor, not hibernation- a common misconception! Torpor, defined as a state of physical or mental inactivity, differs from hibernation in one surprising way- bears can- and do- wake up! For example, female bears will awaken from torpor to give birth...
Finally, it seems winter has graced the valleys with its presence, drawing recreationalists from Montana and throughout surrounding states. Locals who have patiently waited for snow to fall have begun trapping, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Here are few things to remember when engaging in these outdoor activities, especially with these bone chilling temperatures and windy days. If you're headed out for a walk through the snow-blanketed woods, especially if bringing along a...
I've heard that phrase several times since moving back to the area and starting my position as the Seeley Lake Game Warden. I'd like to thank everyone I've met, from the bottom of my heart, for being so welcoming! This monthly column will be a place I can inform the community about important Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks information, dates and opportunities, as well as an expression of my creative side. I hope you enjoy! As the sun dips beneath the lodgepole horizon, I smile. It's the end of ye...
