House Bill 568 aims to address the impact of nonresident hunting in Montana April 10, 20225 ABC Fox Montana
... The bill would direct Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to conduct a two-year study on the impact of nonresident hunting. Montana has seen a significant increase in nonresident hunting licenses. From 58,254 in 2019, the number rose to 85,228 in 2023 ... "Currently in eastern Montana, our mule deer populations are at ten-year lows." ...
Experts continue to look for wildlife crossing solutions along 191 March 12, 2025 Montana, Explore Big Sky
... Between 2008 and 2022, 2,625 white-tailed deer, 625 mule deer and 312 elk were struck and killed by vehicles ...she photographed a struck elk that had been moved off the road, and lit on fire some hours later. She remembered a time when one driver, unfamiliar with the area, struck three elk in Gallatin ... Community contributors pledged $3 million in donations to help match federal funding ...
Chronic wasting disease increases in much of northeastern Montana February 25, 2025 Montana, NBC Montana
... “Region-wide, CWD prevalence in adult mule deer has increased from around 3 percent of the 2018-19 samples to almost 18 percent of 2024 samples,” said Scott Hemmer, Havre-area biologist ... In Hunting District 670, the prevalence rate was 34%..,
Elk calves die in Bitterroot Valley after eating toxic plant February 19, 2025 Montana, NBC Montana
... at least five elk calves ... necropsies were conducted on the calves, there were high levels of toxic Japanese yew ... The plants are popular for landscaping ...
Montana Bill Would Require License Fees for All Shed Hunters February 12, 2025 Field & Stream
... The bill proposes a $10 fee for an annual shed hunting license for residents and a $50 non-resident license. License holders would be allowed to collect “naturally-shed antlers" or dead heads from deer, elk, and antelope—as long as the animal died from natural causes...
Ranchers concerned about impact of Montana State University animal exclusion fence on elk herd February 4, 2025 Montana, KBZK
... a large fence surrounds Montana State University research land... “We have elk, deer, moose, antelope, that come across this property. They have been for probably hundreds of years,” says Doug...
Hunters help FWP collect most CWD samples since testing began February 3, 2025 Montana FWP News
... Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks submitted 9,066 samples for chronic wasting disease testing in 2024-2025 hunting season to date. This is the largest number of CWD samples ever to be collected in a single year in Montana. Many of these samples were collected by hunters themselves. Of those samples, 335 tested positive for the disease, including 202 white-tailed deer, 127 mule deer and six elk..,
When it Comes to Wildlife Management, Who's Behind the Proposals Matters January 30, 2025 Montana, Flathead Beacon
... In the last two sessions, multiple bills have been brought forward to allow outfitted clients and non-resident landowners to jump the line for coveted deer and elk tags in Montana... The one thing these proposals have in common? They’re all being pushed by the lobbyists at the Taylor Luther Group ...
Montana Tribes oppose bill allowing non-tribal deer hunting on reservation January 29, 2025 KPAX
... House Bill 216 ... that would allow non-tribal residents to hunt big game on the Flathead Reservation is one in a long line of similar bills that have tried and failed to challenge tribal sovereignty over the past few decades...
Fee increase proposed for nonresident hunters in Montana January 24, 2025 KTVH
... House Bill 145 ... would increase the nonresident base hunting license fee from $15 to $100... Nonresident hunters make up around one-seventh of the total number of hunting licenses sold yearly. In 2023, they represented around 80% of the revenue from deer and elk licenses sold...
MDT wildlife crossing studies garner grants but lack action January 21, 2025 Montana, Missoula Current
... the Montana Department of Transportation learned it had been awarded a Federal Highway Administration grant for more than $424,000 to study wildlife collisions and make a plan to reduce them along a 30-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 93 ... MDT has rarely done anything with the information collected in feasibility studies, according to a former biologist that contracted with MDT...
Collars reveal wild treks by migratory mule deer December 20, 2024 Montana Outdoor
... In a cave high atop a mountain, in a remote region near Yellowstone National Park, a mule deer doe gave birth to a fawn this spring. To get to the birthplace above Bear Creek she had hiked 28 miles while gaining 22,765 feet and losing 20,229 feet on an average slope of 21%...
Chronic wasting disease detected in deer for first time in two south-central Montana hunting districts December 19, 2024 Montana FWP News
... Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected this season in a mule deer buck from hunting district (HD) 515 and a whitetail buck from HD 525, both harvested by hunters. This is the first time CWD has been detected in these HDs..,
Following Local Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease, FWP to Remove Deer at Flathead County Landfill December 17, 2024 Montana, Flathead Beacon
... Wildlife officials in October confirmed the disease in a symptomatic buck at the Flathead County Landfill. Since then, FWP has removed and tested additional deer at the landfill and documented nine additional positive samples..,
Proposed wildlife crossing could make I-90 in Montana safer for all December 9, 2024, ktvq
...The stretch of I-90 between Huson and Alberton has some of the highest rates of wildlife-related car accidents in the state ... The proposal suggests building up fencing along the highway, routing wildlife to the two existing crossings and two new open bridges, which would replace the culvert...
10-year Montana study reveals moose insights, and some surprises December 8, 2024 Lewiston Tribune
... Moose numbers are stable to increasing in three regions selected as representative of Montana’s moose population ... Statewide, moose abundance based on hunter surveys was estimated at between 9,800 and 11,700 animals, with moose numbers averaging 10,380 between 2012-16 and 2021-23...
Lewistown's urban deer plan on hold for season December 7, 2024 Montana, Lewistown News-Argus
... "Using last year as a trial run, I quickly learned that the only deer we were able to harvest safely were the deer on the edges of the City Limits. We could not safely cull any deer that are deep within the city limits due to many safety concerns, therefore, we were not able to effectively reduce the number of deer that cause the majority of problems for residents. This was the main reason I did not request a renewal of the program this year,” [Chief of Police Justin Jenness] ...
General hunting season ends with increased success in western regions, mixed results in east December 6, 2024 Montana, Daily Montanan
... Hunters across the state had mixed results, with hunters in Montana’s western regions seeing increased harvests compared to 2023, while hunters in many of the eastern regions reported mixed or decreased harvest numbers...
CWD detected for first time in Montana Hunting District 404 November 21, 2024 Montana Outdoor
... detected in a mule deer buck taken by a hunter north of Great Falls in Hunting District 404. This is the first time CWD has been detected in that Hunting District. Two tests taken in the first round of testing from the deer came back as positive for CWD, but a final confirmation test was negative. FWP will treat these results as a first detection of CWD in HD 404..,
FWP increases deer license availability after CWD detection November 14, 2024 Montana, Valley Journal
... Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is increasing the availability of antlerless white-tailed deer hunting licenses in Hunting District 170 in the Flathead Valley following the detection of chronic wasting disease..,
Two Montana elk test positive for chronic wasting disease November 8, 2024 News From The States
... an elk in southeast Montana tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. The elk was located on private land in Hunting District 704 north of the Custer National Forest... a fifth elk tested positive in Hunting District 322 in the Ruby Mountains east of Dillon ..,
The spread of CWD and what hunters need to know November 6, 2024 Montana, Yellowstone Public Radio
... trying to better understand the high prevalence of Chronic Wasting Disease in areas where it’s popping up the most, like near Montana’s borders with Canada and Wyoming. “It’s very possible that part of that is natural spread that occurs from interconnected deer populations, but honestly, we could also be seeing spread due to people moving contaminated materials,” said McCormick..,
Wardens investigating live mule deer buck shot with arrow in Billings neighborhood November 5, 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
... The buck is alive and not expected to die from the injury. Wardens responded to a report from a resident in the area on Saturday, Nov. 2, and found the buck with an arrow stuck in its back... The area surrounding the neighborhood is within city limits, where hunting is not permitted... FWP does not believe the arrow wound will be fatal for the deer and at this time are not planning to capture the deer to remove the arrow...
CWD detected for first time in elk in Ruby Mountains November 1, 2024 Montana,
... A hunter harvested the CWD-positive elk adjacent to the lower Ruby Valley, where CWD has been observed at high prevalence locally in both white-tailed and mule deer. While this is the first time CWD has been detected in elk in the Ruby Mountains, it was expected to eventually occur given the presence of the disease among deer populations that use the same habitats..,
Reward doubles to possible $2K for tips on poached mule deer near Florence October 28, 2024 Montana, Yahoo
... two mule deer bucks that were poached ... the potential cash reward for tips was increased to $2,000 thanks to a private donation...
In response to CWD discovery, white-tailed deer licenses increased for Flathead Valley October 25, 2024 Montana, Daily Inter Lake
... The state wildlife agency says it is increasing harvest opportunity in the district to assess the prevalence of CWD in the area.
.. The state strongly recommends that hunters receive a negative CWD test result before bringing their deer, elk or moose to a meat processor or donating it to a food bank..,
Chronic Wasting Disease Found for First Time in Wild Flathead Valley Deer October 24, 2024 Montana, Flathead Beacon
... FWP received reports of a symptomatic buck at the Flathead County Landfill. Wildlife biologists euthanized the animal and submitted samples for testing. The first test indicated that the deer was positive for CWD and a second follow-up test has been submitted for confirmation, following testing protocol..,
Mule Deer Foundation Drawing October 30 October 21, 2024 Montana Outdoor
... help support mule deer conservation across Montana and the West. Every ticket helps protect declining mule deer populations ...
Yellowstone's 'Paradise Valley' To Get Wildlife Overpass October 7, 2024 Montana, Newsweek on MSN
... a coalition of 15 local, state and nonprofit organizations, recently announced that its proposal to build two wildlife overpasses ... this stretch of highway is frequently crossed... between 2012 and 2021 ... 149 carcasses were recorded, mostly elk and mule deer ...
N.D. couple faces felony charges over illegal trophy deer hunt in Prairie County October 4, 2024 North Dakota, Terry Tribune
... charged with purposely or knowingly unlawfully possessing, shipping or transporting a game animal, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. In addition, a person found guilty of committing unlawful possession of an unlawfully killed game animal having a value of more than $1,000 must forfeit any current hunting, fishing or trapping licenses in the State of Montana ...
Pesticides linked to local wildlife population decline September 24, 2024 Montana, Bitterroot Star
... Hoy and her husband first noticed a decline in the local deer population in 1995, accompanied by an unusual number of deer with malformations... Her latest article summarizes studies of elk populations in the region and reviews observations and reports, which emerged after 1994, of birth defects and declines in other ruminant populations in western states ...
Chronic wasting disease testing advised for hunter-harvested deer, elk, moose September 17, 2024 Montana, Billings Gazette
... Hunters are being asked by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife veterinarian Jennifer Ramsey to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease by getting their harvested elk, deer and moose tested this season...
The Biden administration is taking steps to eliminate protections for gray wolves September 13, 2024 Montana, WFMJ.com
... he Biden administration has asked an appeals court to revive a Trump-era rule that lifted remaining Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the U.S. If successful, the move would put the predators under states’ oversight ...
Missouri Breaks mule deer hunters will see significant regulation changes in 2024 September 13, 2024 Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
... opportunities to hunt mule deer have dramatically changed due to low population levels, and mule deer hunting is extremely limited or non-existent over many Missouri Breaks hunting districts. After several years of severe droughts, mule deer populations in this area of Montana have suffered steep declines. In response to the low numbers, biologists have significantly changed the hunting regulations ...
Are hunter numbers really declining? An analysis of big game hunting license sales in Montana
- Leisure/Loisir, 2024
... in Montana from 2012 to 2022. License sales data suggest that there has been an increase of both resident and nonresident hunters during this time. Given the impact of an increasing number of hunters on big game populations, state wildlife agencies need to be proactive with management strategies to both protect wildlife resources and reduce hunter crowding, especially on public lands..,
Missing out on mule deer in southeastern Montana September 5, 2024 Montana Free Press
... According to a 2023 report by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the mule deer population in Region 7 ... is down 41% from its 10-year average...drought, winterkill and Chronic Wasting Disease, for example. Similarly, FWP’s ability to address predation by coyotes, mountain lions and bears is limited... conservation groups including the Mule Deer Foundation ... says there is one critical component of the decline that FWP can fix: overhunting..,
Restoring Wildlife Connectivity Across the High Divide August 29, 2024 Montana, mountainjournal
... “Southwest Montana has a high density of pretty impermeable fencing,” ... the Bureau of Land Management identified the High Divide as one of 21 priority landscapes, allocating almost $10 million from the Inflation Reduction Act ... At the USDA, the Migratory Big Game Initiative, which started in Wyoming, provides additional funds landowners can access to pay for fencing ...
Northwest Montana conservation easement up for approval at Aug. 16 meeting August 13, 2024 Western News
... would place nearly 33,000 acres of private timberland in northwest Montana under a conservation easement ... would conserve wildlife winter range and a movement corridor for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and moose ...
Montana Wolf Population Strong Despite Increased Harvest Limits August 5, 2024 Flathead Beacon
... The statewide wolf population in 2023 was estimated at 1,096 animals, just one fewer than the 2022 population estimates and slightly lower than the 10-year average of 1,140 wolves. However, biologists with FWP say they expect to see a moderate decline in wolf numbers beginning next year following further increases in harvest limits under consideration...,
FWP News: Guiding Principles for Mule Deer Management Plan Released for Public Comment July 16, 2024 Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
... “We know how concerned people are with mule deer numbers across the state,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple... the guiding principles include but are not limited to: Increasing mule deer populations. Using best available science to inform management decisions ...
FWP Director Addresses State Of Mule Deer In Eastern Montana July 3, 2024 Montana, The Glasgow Courier
... For Region 5, the numbers are below the long-term average but are trending higher... As for Region 6, where spring survey results are 16 percent below long-term average, FWP is reducing B licenses by 54 percent. Lastly, Region 7 spring survey results show an increase of 20 percent over the last year, but total numbers are still 40 percent below long-term average ..,
Montana mule deer population continues long-term decline, hunting tags to be limited June 28, 2024 Yellowstone Public Radio
... an average long-term decline in mule deer populations in pockets of the state, most drastically in Eastern Montana... extreme drought from 2020 to 2023 pummeled mule deer numbers in southeastern Montana... FWP will be issuing fewer tags for antlerless mule deer ..,
Spring deer, elk surveys show mixed results June 26, 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
... White-tailed deer numbers observed on the Yellowstone River this spring were 59 percent below long-term average, but poor observation conditions may have contributed to the low numbers. Additionally, in the deer trend areas in the uplands where mule deer and white-tailed deer numbers are surveyed, the trends areas were approximately 45 percent below long-term average... a video summary
FWP Director Addresses State of Mule Deer in Eastern Montana June 25, 2024 Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
... “Improved weather and habitat conditions across eastern Montana had led to increased fawn ratios observed this spring in eastern Montana and some increases in total mule deer observed, as well,” FWP Region 7 Wildlife Manager Brett Dorak said. “Currently though, most mule deer populations are below their long-term average.” ..,
New state program aims to put 500,000 acres of Montana prairie under conservation leases June 20, 2024 Montana Free Press
... The program aims to protect the habitat for a variety of prairie species, ranging from mule deer and pronghorn to waterfowl ... FWP memo to commissioners ...
Non-residents harvest more mule deer bucks than residents June 13, 2024 Montana, Missoula Current
... the increase in non-resident hunters and the uptick of licenses available appear to be major factors in the increase in harvests and decrease in mule deer populations. Drought is also a significant contributor ...
Montana Raises Record Funds for a Coveted Mule Deer Tag — Through a Public Raffle May 21, 2024 Yahoo
... it raised a record $56,620 for mule deer conservation by raffling a single statewide deer tag...
Wolves kill, devour elk on Gardiner school's football field April 24, 2024 Montana Outdoor
... The 8-Mile wolf pack, the largest in the [Yellowstone] park with six adults and 15 yearlings, was the nocturnal culprits behind the kill, swiftly vanishing into the dawn after their feast...
Missoula 'mitigates' urban deer population; other cities cull February 12, 2024 Montana, Missoula Current
... Most Missoula residents wouldn’t bat an eye at the sight of a buck walking down the sidewalk or a group of deer feeding on foliage in their front yard... “In order to protect anything that we plant (in the city), we put an exclosure cage around those plants for a few years until they’re large enough to withstand the deer. So, we basically just mitigate against urban deer,” said Jeff Gicklhorn, Missoula’s Conservation Lands Program Manager ...
Legislators ask MDT for wildlife crossing priority locations January 24, 2024 Montana, Missoula Current
...Last week, members of the Legislative Environmental Quality Council were concerned to learn how little the Montana Department of Transportation has done, compared to other states, about installing road-crossing structures to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions...
Plan to preserve Montana's old-growth forests a 'good first step' January 16, 2024 Sidney Herald
... The new Forest Service proposal would address insect infestations and implement logging practices for ecological health reasons ... these forests is important for cover for elk and mule deer ...
Bitterroot deer population 'stable' but overall data points to long-term declines January 11, 2024 Montana, Ravalli Republic
... Researchers do two surveys per year — a spring survey and a post-hunting season survey... Mowry has been looking at data on district 270 going back into the '90s, and overall it's showing long-term declines in the population of mule deer ... this year, there was only 1,000 ... in the '90s, we were getting over 3,000 ..,
FWP seeks members for mule deer panel as commission restricts doe hunting in Eastern Montana January 8, 2024 Montana, Billings Gazette
... Mule deer populations have declined in southeastern Montana from their most recent peak in 2020, according to FWP. Back then, 11,000 mule deer B licenses — good only to hunt antlerless deer — were issued. This past season that was cut to 1,000 B licenses. Overall, the region’s mule deer population is 48% below the long-term average...
FWP looks for members for mule deer advisory council January 6, 2024 Montana, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
... In the past few years, the concern over mule deer numbers and management has grown due to a few factors, including mule deer population declines in areas of Montana, the expansion of chronic wasting disease (CWD), and proposed harvest regulations in some areas to address CWD...
Thomas Baumeister and John Sullivan: Let FWP biologists do their job December 26, 2023 Montana, Independent Record, OPINION
... the unanimous vote of the seven-member Commission to eliminate science-based quota ranges on permit allocations in coveted deer and elk hunting districts... a pivot from scientific rigor to political whimsy... The previous quota ranges on hunting permits were based on professional opinions ...
CWD management hunt to open in portion of lower Ruby Valley December 14, 2023 Montana Fish and Wildlife News
... So far this season, CWD has been found in 71 percent of white-tailed does, 73 percent of white-tailed bucks and five of 10 adult mule deer harvested within the management hunt area... CWD was first detected in Montana’s wild cervids in 2017..,
Reviewing the elk management plan December 14, 2023 Montana, Daily Inter Lake
... the overall elk population is declining ... Northwest Montana had a vibrant timber industry and lots of deer and elk... This allowed the continued growth, for a decade or two, of ground cover that included these nutritious new grasses, succulent shrubs and small plants, which was the ideal late spring, summer and early fall food sources for deer and elk..,
Controversial ballot initiative on hunting unable to get support of environmental council December 6, 2023 Montana, NBC Montana
... The proposal would bar most hunting regulations that prohibit licensed landowners from hunting deer, elk, or black bear on their private property during hunting season... an exception ... when wildlife populations are in severe decline ...
Proposed hunting reg changes reflect declining mule deer populations December 4, 2023 Montana, Billings Gazette
... in portions of Regions 4 and 5 is a continuing decline in mule deer populations...
the number of fawns entering the winter has been quite low indicating a significant fawn loss during summer and fall ... Over winter fawn loss typically takes another 30% or more..,
FWP adopts new Montana elk management plan December 1, 2023 Billings Gazette
... Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has adopted the 2023 Elk Management Plan and accompanying environmental assessment. The elk plan lays out how FWP will manage elk; the EA is an evaluation and summary of potential impacts on the physical environment and human population... The Plan
Hunting season wraps up with low deer harvest and hunter turnout in south-central Montana November 30, 2023 Montana Fish FWP News
... Hunters across the region expressed dissatisfaction in observed deer numbers. Concern for access—specifically access to elk—was brought up at the Big Timber and Lavina check stations ... Mule deer harvest for the season was below average at the Billings, Lavina and Columbus check stations. Elk harvest for the season was up at all check stations except for Billings..,
Helena culling operation aims to reduce urban deer population November 28, 2023 Montana, ktvq
... Since Thanksgiving week, Helena Animal Control has set 12 traps and has killed five or six deer... The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks target number of deer for this year is the same as last year at 250...
