Montana Walleyes Unlimited



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—MAY 18, 2012

Contact: Diane Tipton, 406-444-3079, or visit the FWP website at fwp.

PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON PROPOSED 2012/2013 WOLF HUNTING SEASON DETAILS

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on a proposed 2012-13 general wolf hunting and trapping season. The general season would run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013, with trapping allowed from Dec. 15 to the end of the general wolf season.

Trapping and hunting of wolves is provided for in Montana's wolf conservation and management plan.

Montana's 2011 wolf season included a statewide hunting-only quota of 220 wolves aimed at reducing the minimum population to about 425 wolves. Hunters harvested 166 wolves last season.

"We’re proposing a 2012 season that aims to get us closer to a post-season population count of 425 wolves as stated in 2011," McDonald said.

McDonald said the population count only represents an annual target for the 2012 hunting season. The 2012 season is also designed to help Montana meet management objectives that include reduced impacts to livestock and ungulate populations while maintaining a viable wolf population."

The public is encouraged to read the complete wolf hunting season proposal and submit public comments online. To comment, and to find more details on the proposed changes, visit FWP’s website at fwp.. Click “Hunting.”

Public information meetings are set for 7-9 p.m. at these locations:

• May 22—Missoula—Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown at the Park

• May 22—Bozeman—Holiday Inn; 5 E Baxter Ln.

• May 22—Great Falls—FWP Region 4 Office; 4600 Giant Springs Rd.

• May 22—Billings—FWP Region 5 Office; 2300 Lake Elmo Dr.

• June 13—Kalispell—Flathead Valley Community College; 777 Grandview Dr.

The public may also comment in writing through June 25 to: FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701. For questions, call the FWP Wildlife Bureau at 406-444-2612.

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2012 MOUNTAIN LION QUOTAS UP FOR COMMENT

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the 2011 mountain lion hunting quotas and sub-quotas.

Public comment is also sought on an adjustment to the allocation of special mountain lion licenses that would allow an unsuccessful special lion license applicant to purchase a general lion license valid for any open district statewide during the fall season and for any open quota areas in FWP Region 2 during the winter season.

These items will be addressed along with the proposed 2012 wolf season at a public information meeting in Missoula on May 22 at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown at the Park from 7-9 p.m.

Comments will be accepted through Friday, May 25 at 5 p.m. For details and to comment electronically, visit FWP’s website at fwp.. Click “Hunting.” Send written comments to: FWP–Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701.

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COMMENTS SOUGHT ON PROPOSED HARVEST IN ARCHERY/ELK HUNTING DISTRICTS

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed antlerless harvest prescriptions for a group of 21 bundled hunting districts outside the Missouri Breaks and seven other hunting districts in the Missouri Breaks area for the 2012 hunting season.

In February, the FWP Commission modified the elk archery regulations in these hunting districts for the 2012-2013 hunting season by increasing the either-sex elk archery permits available, and removing hunting districts 420 and 455 from the group of bundled hunting districts.

Public comment on the proposed harvest levels for each of the following bundled hunting districts will be accepted through June 18.

Missouri Breaks

HDs 410/417

• 300 antlerless elk (HD 410)

• 85 antlerless elk (HD 417)

HDs 620/621/622

• 400 antlerless elk

HD 700

• 205 antlerless elk

Outside Missouri Breaks

HDs 401/403/450

• 50 antlerless elk (HD 401)

• 50 antlerless elk (HD 450)

HDs 411/412/426/511/530

• 375 antlerless elk (HDs 411/511/530)

• 150 antlerless elk (HD 412)

• 25 antlerless elk (HD 426)

HD 447

• 300 antlerless elk

HDs 500/570

• 45 antlerless elk

HDs 502/510 (west of Hwy 310), 520 (south and east of West Fork of Rock Creek)/575

• 15 antlerless elk (HD502/510 portion)

• 35 antlerless elk (HD 520 portion)

• 25 antlerless elk (HD 575 east of Stillwater River)

• 80 antlerless elk (west of Stillwater River)

HD 580 (south of Sweetgrass Creek)

• 110 antlerless elk

HD 590 and portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Myers Rd.

• 225 antlerless elk (Bull Mtns)

• 45 antlerless elk (Pine Ridge)

HDs 702/704/705

• 50 antlerless elk (HD 702)

• 115 antlerless elk (HD 704)

• 45 antlerless elk (HD 705)

To comment and for details on the proposed changes, visit FWP’s website at fwp.. Click “Hunting.” Comments will be accepted through June 18 at 5 p.m. Send written comments to: FWP–Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701.

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NONGAME CHECK-OFF FUNDS PUT TO WORK

Every year at income tax time many Montanans contribute to the income tax check-off fund for wildlife. Annually these donations contribute on average about $27,000.

Proposals for putting this funding to work include:

• $15,000 for work to identify the most critical habitats for nongame, threatened or endangered species and identifying and monitoring any threats to these critical habitats.

• $15,000 for inventory, monitoring and conservation work on species of concern including bald eagles, common loons, bats and amphibians.

• $5,000 for a stipend for a student to perform nongame species research.

This work supports elements of FWP's overall nongame management program. The tax check-off funding is used with State Wildlife Grant funds for high priority habitat, survey, inventory and conservation needs.

To comment and find more details, visit FWP’s website at fwp.. Click “Hunting.” Comments will be accepted through May 25 at 5 p.m. Send written comments to: FWP–Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701. For information, call: 496-444-2612.

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FWP AIS INSPECTION STATIONS OPEN SOON ACROSS MONTANA

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today that aquatic invasive species inspection stations and roving inspection crews have begun to operate across the state at key border crossing sites, along major highways, and on heavily used water bodies beginning this week.

By law boaters must stop at AIS inspection stations for a brief interview and inspection.

Boaters are urged to inspect, clean and dry boats, trailers and gear exposed to the water to ensure they don't carry organisms from one water body to another, whether they plan to travel an inspection route or not.

"At the inspection stations, boats and trailers will be carefully inspected and boaters can learn more about how to identify invasive species and prevent their spread from one water body to the next," said Eileen Ryce, FWP fisheries biologist who heads the aquatic invasive species program.

The most likely aquatic invasive species threats to Montana waters include quagga and zebra mussels, New Zealand Mudsnails, and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Inspection stations and roving crews will be operating throughout the boating season in these locations:

• Clearwater Junction rest area

• Eureka Hwy 37 West bound

• Ronan Hwy 93 North bound rest area

• Culbertson Hwy 2 West bound rest area

• Dena Mora I-90 East bound rest area

• Dillon I-15 North bound

• Hardin I-90 rest area

• Swan Area

• Madison River drainage

• Bitterroot River drainage

• Roving crews will also work at fishing tournaments and other boating events.

For more on aquatic invasive species, go to FWP's invasive species website at fwp. and click on Aquatic Invasive Species on the Fishing page.

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REMEMBER TO "INSPECT. CLEAN. DRY."

“Inspect. Clean. Dry.”

You’ll hear that a lot in Montana this summer.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Department of Agriculture reminds Montanans and visitors to “inspect, clean, and dry,” boats, trailers and fishing gear to “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!”

As part of the state's prevention program, FWP will have boat inspection stations set up around the state. It is mandatory that boaters stop at these check stations.

The "Inspect. Clean. Dry." slogan draws attention to a national problem threatening to take root in the West—aquatic hitchhikers. These life forms are non-native, harmful aquatic plants, animals or microscopic organisms—everything from zebra mussels to whirling disease—that can be transported from water to water by popular recreational activities like fishing and boating.

The cost of invasive species damages in the U.S. amounts to more than $100 billion each year.

“Montana’s best defense against invasive species is to inspect, clean, and dry boats, trailers, and fishing gear after each use," said Eileen Ryce, FWP’s aquatic nuisance species coordinator in Helena. "We can control the spread of these invasive plant and animal species if we don't carry them from one water to the next."

Always remember to:

1)      Inspect—After leaving a lake or stream, inspect your boat, engine, trailer, anchor, waders, boots, and other fishing and boating gear for mud, water, and vegetation that could carry aquatic invasive species.

2)      Clean—Completely remove all mud, water, and vegetation you find. Boaters should use a pressurized power sprayer, found at most do-it-yourself car washes. The hot water helps kill organisms and the pressure removes mud and vegetation. No need to use soap or chemicals.

3)      Dry—Aquatic invaders can survive only in water and wet areas. By draining and drying your boat and fishing gear thoroughly, you will kill most invasive species. The longer you keep your boat, trailer, waders and other gear outside in the hot sun between trips, the better.

 "If boaters and anglers get into the habit of carrying out this preventative maintenance, we’ll be able to decrease the number of troubling, expensive, unintentional introductions of harmful species in Montana," Ryce said.

To learn more, visit FWP's website at fwp.. Click “Inspect. Clean. Dry.”

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RECREATIONISTS REMINDED TO CHECK STREAM ACCESS RULES

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds Montanans planning camping, fishing and float trips to check the rules and regulations governing stream access. Montana’s 1985 Stream Access Law enables water-related recreation, including fishing, floating, swimming, and boating on rivers and streams even if they flow past private land—but only up to the ordinary high water mark.

With the passage of Montana’s bridge access law in 2009, FWP is working with landowners, counties and other agencies to provide safe and legal access to rivers and streams at bridges.

When waterways are running at full flow there may be no dry land available below the high water mark to walk on. Montana’s laws do not allow recreationists to enter private lands bordering streams or to cross private lands to access streams without permission.

“At high water, aside from being careful, recreationists should either avoid the area until water levels drop or get landowner permission to cross private land,” said Jim Kropp, FWP Enforcement Chief.   Kropp said recreationists using bridge crossings for stream access must also be able to stay within the high-water mark during high flows and not cross private property.

Recreationists must ask for permission to use private land to access public waterways.

"Irrigation ditches are generally private property and no access is allowed without the permission of the landowner. But with a little advance planning, those wishing to use Montana's streams have huge opportunities to float, fish or just enjoy,” Kropp said.

For more information on Montana’s Stream Access Law, visit the FWP website at fwp. on the Fishing page, or pick up a copy of the Stream Access in Montana brochure at the nearest FWP regional office.

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BOAT VALIDATION DECAL REMINDER

Don't be embarrassed this summer by that old green decal on your boat!

Remember, owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft must have the new, free orange 2011-2014 validation decals on their watercraft. The new decal is good until 2014.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks boating law enforcement coordinator Ron Jendro reminds boaters that even when they have permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC they must still obtain two free boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at fwp. at Boat Validation Decals.

Owners who order validation decals on the FWP website will receive the decals in the mail. A current boat registration receipt issued by the County Treasurer is needed to obtain the decals.

For new boat or PWC owners, the County Treasurer's office will provide the first set of validation decals when the watercraft is registered. Boat owners will obtain subsequent sets of validation decals at a FWP regional or area office, or online.

For more information, go to the FWP Montana Boating Laws web page, or contact FWP at 406-444-2535.

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RENOWNED SHOTGUN EXPERT TO PRESENT HUNTING SEMINAR AND FIELD WORKSHOPS IN HELENA

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program will host a free shotgun seminar and field workshop June 2-4 in Helena.

An evening seminar on June 2, presented by CONSEP shotgun expert Tom Roster, will focus on shot shell choice and effectiveness, including the use of newer nontoxic loads. Roster also will discuss a variety of shotgun hunting topics, including ways to reduce wounding loss of birds and increase waterfowl and upland bird hunting enjoyment and success. The seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Montana WILD Education Center, 2668 Broadwater Ave. near Spring Meadow Lake State Park off U.S. Highway 12 West.

The seminar is open to the public and designed for any waterfowl or upland game bird hunter interested in becoming a more successful wing-shooter. CONSEP’s Roster has conducted shot shell ballistics research and has designed and administered the six most extensive steel vs. lead shot field tests on duck, goose, pheasant, and dove field tests ever conducted. 

In addition to the seminar, Roster and FWP will conduct two field workshops June 3-4 at the Helena Trap Club, 5505 North Montana Ave. While anyone may attend the June 2 seminar, each field workshop is limited to 15 people who also attended the seminar. For the field workshop, FWP is seeking experienced bird hunters from partner organizations such as Pheasant Forever; Ducks Unlimited; local rod, gun and shooting clubs; 4-H shooting sports; Montana hunter education instructors and others committed to assisting with similar events across Montana. 

For details contact Thomas Baumeister, FWP’s Montana WILD supervisor, via email at tbaumeister@ , or call 406-444-9946 and; or Jim Hansen, FWP’s Central Flyway Migratory Bird Coordinator, at jihansen@ or call 406-247-2957. The seminar and field workshops are free.

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FWP'S SPECIAL DRAWINGS MADE SIMPLE

By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer

Among hunters who apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' special drawings, many are focused right now on FWP's upcoming June 1 deadline to apply for deer B and elk B licenses and antelope licenses.

June 1 is the last of three important deadlines for Montana hunters—March 15 for bucks and bulls; May 1 for moose, sheep, mountain goat and bison licenses, and June 1 for (antlerless) deer B and elk B licenses and antelope.

Hunters who enter this drawing are hoping for a license to harvest an antlerless deer or elk, or for an antelope license. All antelope licenses are distributed through this special drawing.

The June 1 deadline also means the dust is settling around a recent big change—the new March 15 deadline—when resident and nonresident hunters apply for special bull and buck permits. Of these permits, 10 percent are allocated to nonresident hunters.

"For the first time on March 15 residents and nonresidents applied for special permits to hunt bucks and bulls, and everyone knew by April if they'd drawn a special permit and where," said Hank Worsech, FWP license bureau chief. In the past, resident hunters had to apply for special permits and for deer B and elk B licenses and antelope licenses all at once on June 1.

"A married couple in April applied as a party and successfully drew 380-20 bull tags to hunt in the Elkhorn mountains near Helena. They were thrilled to draw this once-in-a-lifetime hunt on a party application and are already arranging for sitters, getting into shape," Worsech said.

Among the hunters considering submitting an application for the June 1 deadline, some are undoubtedly wondering what is magical about June 1.

The short answer is, to use FWP jargon, the deer B and elk B licenses are for "management animals"—the females of the population that are needed in sufficient numbers to sustain the population.

"Quotas on female deer and elk are set based on the previous season's harvest, winter surveys and winter survival rates which we get from spring aerial surveys," Worsech said. "It takes time to do the surveys and calculate the quotas, hence the June 1 application deadline."

Worsech added that the lines in the days before June 1 may be shorter this year.

"Hunters who entered the March 15 drawing have already bought their conservation license, a deer and/or elk general license and often their fishing license," Worsech said.

Those who apply using FWP's website at fwp. don't have to worry about lines at all. Online applications also remove the possibility of a third party postal error. If you can avoid even a small chance that your application is lost or delayed, it is worth it.

But, there are still a lot of hunters who consider standing in that line to enter the drawing a rite of spring. To them we say, welcome!

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FWP NEWS FOR MAY 18

• PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON PROPOSED 2012-2013 WOLF HUNTING SEASON DETAILS

• 2012 MOUNTAIN LION QUOTAS UP FOR COMMENT

• COMMENTS SOUGHT ON PROPOSED HARVEST IN ARCHERY/ELK HUNTING DISTRICTS

• NONGAME CHECKOFF FUNDS PUT TO WORK

• FWP AIS INSPECTION STATIONS OPEN SOON ACROSS MONTANA

• RECREATIONISTS REMINDED TO CHECK STREAM ACCESS RULES

• REMEMBER TO "INSPECT, CLEAN, DRY"

• BOAT VALIDATION DECAL REMINDER

• RENOWNED SHOTGUN EXPERT TO PRESENT HUNTING SEMINAR AND FIELD WORKSHOPS IN HELENA

FWP OUTDOORS EXTRA

FWP'S SPECIAL DRAWINGS MADE SIMPLE

By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer

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