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Montana Online Registration for Game Damage Hunts Opens June 15
Starting June 15, Montana hunters can register online for the annual Game Damage Hunt Roster through MyFWP, aimed at curbing damage from deer, elk, and antelope. Registration runs until July…
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How to Properly Acclimate for High-Altitude Climbing
Climbers face severe risks in the “death zone” of Everest, at 26,000 feet, where thin air makes survival difficult. Altitude sickness can lead to serious health issues when the body…
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NOTICE OF SPRING BLACK BEAR CLOSURE BMUs 300, 301, 319, 580
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has announced that hunting districts 300, 301, 319, and 580 will close for all black bear hunting due to exceeding a 37% female harvest.…
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Montana Outdoor Podcast – FWP Director Christy Clark Talks Corner Crossing
This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with the Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Christy Clark about the VERY controversial issue of Corner…
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The End of the Casual Drive-Thru Whitetail: Why Region 6 Just Placed a Deadline on Your Fall Plans
For years, hunting antlerless white-tailed deer in Montana’s Region 6 followed a familiar, comfortable rhythm. You’d pack your gear, drive out, and pull up to a license provider to buy…
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Body Found in Flathead Lake Near Bigfork
The waters of Flathead Lake are usually where we go to find a piece of ourselves—to catch a rising trout, to watch the sun dip behind the Mission Mountains, or…
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Fall moisture, mild winter fuel increases in observed mule deer across southeast MT
Wildlife biologists recently completed mule deer aerial spring surveys across southeast Montana’s Region 7, and for the third straight year the total number of observed mule deer and overall densities…
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Catching Memorial Day Memories
The Fort Peck Headquarters got some VIP company over the holiday weekend. Kelsey—daughter of the Captain himself—and her boyfriend, Chris Eckhoff, made the trek up from Missoula for a little…
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Western Montana Fly Fishing Report – Week of May 19, 2026 | Lightweight Fly Shop
Western Montana’s rivers experience high-water conditions from May 19–25, 2026. While improvements are noted, anglers should focus on slow water areas between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Bitterroot River…
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Have opinions on fishing? FWP wants your two cents.
Montana FWP is seeking public input on the 2027–2028 fishing regulations, featuring 41 proposals. Anglers can participate by attending a meeting on May 13, joining online sessions on May 26,…
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Texas man sentenced for trafficking eagles
Co-defendant Simon Paul, Branson, and others, hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere. In total, approximately 3,600 birds were killed, including eagles. They then illegally sold…
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The Missouri River: May 2026 Status Report
May fishing on the Mo favors afternoon outings with clear, low waters. Focus on dry flies for caddis hatches and use stealth, precision, and simple subsurface patterns for success.
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2026 Elk Hunting Changes in Region 1
Region 1 hunters face new rules for antlerless elk: B-Tags are now private-land only, PTHFV permits no longer cover antlerless elk, and archery hunting for cow elk is discontinued to…
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Missed the draw? Montana’s nonresident backup list opens May 1
Montana’s Nonresident Alternate’s List opens for a second chance at hunting tags from May 1 to June 1. Join for free, with no risk to preference points, and wait for…
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The “Upgraded Childhood” Comfort Bowl: Smoked Fish Mac ’n Cheese
The Smoked Fish Mac recipe transforms childhood comfort food into an adult gourmet dish, combining smoked fish, sharp cheddar, and a crunchy topping, perfect for cold weather and easy preparation.
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Series of Montana poaching crimes leads to lifetime loss of hunting and fishing privileges for Tennessee man
Apr 21, 2026 3:54 PM HAMILTON– Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens report that Jerry “Trey” Truitt III of Tennessee was recently sentenced for wildlife poaching crimes committed in Ravalli…
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A Montana Pheasant Hunt Turned Grizzly
Imagine waking up thinking about bagging a few pheasants and ending the day with 320 stitches and a crazy story for the grandkids. That was the reality for 25-year-old Mark…
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Old-School Gear vs. Modern Tech: A Showdown
The Day Modern Tech Met Old-School Iron In the battle between the 21st century’s most advanced communication tool and a centuries-old mechanical design, the winner wasn’t the one with the…
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Montana FWP Draw Results: Check Your Deer and Elk Permits
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released the results for deer, elk, and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can check results online or by phone, with upcoming application deadlines approaching.
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Spring Woods Stereotypes: The 4 Faces of Turkey Season
From old-school purists to aggressive stalkers, spring turkey season brings out every type of hunter. Discover the four distinct archetypes you’ll encounter in the timber and how they fill tags.
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Heavier Metal: The 2026 Guide to Not Missing That Tom
Outdoor Life’s Alex Robinson reveals that while pricey TSS loads dominate at 60 yards, “the shooter is almost always the weakest part” and high-tech ammo can’t replace old-fashioned woodsmanship.
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Montana U.S. Senator Sheehy makes an emergency landing in Madison County
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an emergency aircraft landing this afternoon involving a privately-operated plane carrying two occupants. Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft, piloted…
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The Wednesday Morning Marmot: Why We’re All Just Large Rodents in Business Casual
We’ve all been there. It’s 9:01 AM on a Monday…or a Wednesday, appropriately. You have your coffee in one hand and a glimmer of hope in the other. Then, you…
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Gone but Not Forgotten: A NW Montana Hunter’s Final Trophy
Tom Welch clears the air on a legendary Northwest Montana whitetail. This “buck of a lifetime” carries a tragic weight, as the hunter passed away the same night he harvested…
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Fishing Strategy Insights from March 25, 2026 by Fins and Feathers
Trout are currently inactive in fast currents, preferring calm areas. Successful fishing requires precise, clean drifts with deeper nymphs and smaller streamers. Focus on lazy water for better results.
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Montana Ice Out, Turkey Scouts, and FWP Updates: Week of March 26
Discover Montana’s late March outdoor transitions: ice breakout fishing, spring turkey scouting, shed hunting tips, and wildlife updates for 2026’s best season.
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So… There’s a Grizzly Bear in Your Yard. Now What?
Picture this: you step outside with your morning coffee, ready to enjoy the peaceful countryside… and there’s a grizzly bear rummaging through your stuff like it owns the place. Awkward.…
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Montana Deer & Elk Permit Application Deadline, April 1
If deer or elk hunting is on your Montana to-do list this year, remember that the deadline to apply for deer and elk permits—and nonresident combination licenses—is April 1. Instead…
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Special Youth Turkey Hunt Opportunity in Flathead Valley, Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting a free youth turkey hunt on May 2-3, 2026, for ages 10-15, including safety training and mentorship. Applications are due soon.
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More than 156,000 geese push through Freezout Lake WMA in past six days
The migration is on at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area near Choteau, where bird counters have observed more than 156,000 light geese and hundreds of swans pushing through!
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North Idaho angler hauls in new state record cutthroat trout
Imagine then the wave of hysteria after reeling in a 27-inch long Westslope cutthroat trout one day. For Coeur d’Alene angler Kyle Hatrock, that day was Feb. 1.
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Volunteers sought to monitor osprey nests in Flathead Valley
As spring approaches in northwest Montana, the return of ospreys signals the beginning of another breeding season in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Audubon Society is inviting community members to…
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Food Coma Phenomenon: Why Bears (and Humans) Crash After a Big Meal
From berry-stuffed bears to hunters nodding off at daybreak, the “eat big, pass out” pattern shows up across species. Here’s why food comas look so similar in the wild and…
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Montana Hunter Education Classes (2026): Spring & Summer Dates in Central and Eastern MT + How to Register
Ready to hunt in Montana? Montana FWP is listing in-person hunter education classes and online-student field days across central and eastern Montana this spring and summer. Seats can fill fast,…
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Montana FWP: LMU 422 Will Close to Male Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset on March 12, 2026
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has ordered LMU 422 closed to all hunting of male mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Check the official…
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New Automated Gate Added at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River: Hours & Rules
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks installed an automated gate at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site near Livingston to curb overnight use, vandalism, and after-hours issues. Daytime access remains the same:…
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Best Nymph Rigs for the Gallatin River (Plus Top Flies & Where to Fish at 301 CFS)
With the Gallatin running at 301 CFS at Gallatin Gateway, The River’s Edge reports fishing has been phenomenal—and even a colder stretch shouldn’t slow the bite much. Most consistent action…
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Livingston, MT Fishing Report (Feb 15–Mid-March): Prime Afternoons, Slow Water, and a Growing Shot at Big Pre-Spawn Rainbows
Winter still has a say, but the Livingston-area bite improves steadily through mid-March—especially for bigger pre-spawn rainbows. Focus on afternoons (possibly late morning by March 1), fish low-and-slow in deep…
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Montana Wolf Harvest Update: 241 Taken So Far (Out of 452) — Regional Breakdown, Open Units, and Season Dates
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports 241 wolves harvested statewide so far this season out of a 452 quota (excluding WMUs 313 and 316). Here’s the regional breakdown, which units…
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Grilled Bison (or Elk) Tri-Tip With Bell Pepper Chimichurri: Kokanee Quinn’s Flavor-Packed Recipe
Fire up the grill for Kokanee Quinn’s bison (or elk) tri-tip topped with a bright red bell pepper chimichurri—parsley, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and a touch of heat. Simple prep,…
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Deer Hunting Checklist: Gear, Licenses, Safety, and Field Dressing Essentials for a Smooth, Legal Hunt
A deer hunting checklist keeps you legal, safe, and prepared—from licenses and land access to weapon readiness, navigation, scent control, and field dressing gear. Use this streamlined list to reduce…
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Video: Coyote Chases 3-Year-Old Through Front Gate in Pasadena—Mom’s Scream Sends It Running
A coyote was captured on camera chasing a 3-year-old boy through the front gate of his Pasadena home—until his mom’s scream from inside the yard sent the animal the other…
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Elk Hoof Disease Explained: How TAHD Spreads, What Researchers Know, and Why Hunters Are Worried
Elk hoof disease (TAHD) is a painful, polymicrobial infection that leaves elk lame and struggling to walk. First detected in Southwest Washington in the late 1990s, it surged after 2007–2008…
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Montana Closes Male Mountain Lion Season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 After Sunset (Feb. 24, 2026)
Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered the male mountain lion season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 to close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Hunters should…
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Montana Hunting Licenses Go on Sale March 1: What Opens, What Changed This Year, and What to Check Before You Buy
March 1 is Montana’s “opening day for paperwork”: licenses go on sale and special draw applications open. With multiple rule changes tied to the 2025 Legislature and the Fish and…
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Montana LMU 680 Closing to Female Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset (Feb. 23, 2026) — What to Know
By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, LMU 680 will close to all hunting of female mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Get…
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Life-Saving Skills You Can Learn: Downrigger Dale Interviews Instructor Racheal Vargas
On the Montana Outdoor Podcast, host Downrigger Dale talks with instructor Racheal Vargas (Montana K9 Safety and Montana Health & Safety Training) about practical, life-saving skills you can learn through…
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Montana Closes Female Mountain Lion Harvest in LMU 320 & LMU 121 After Sunset Feb. 21, 2026 (Quota Update)
Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission announces female mountain lion harvest closes in LMU 320 and LMU 121 one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, as part of the…
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Fort Peck Lake Ice Report (Feb. 20, 2026): Parts Capped Over Again, But Ice Still Thin & Unpredictable (Lakeridge Update)
Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop reports parts of Fort Peck Lake have capped over again, but conditions remain thin, snow-covered, and unpredictable. Snow can hide cracks and slush, and new…
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Montana Hunter Ed Registration Is Opening Now: Grab a Spring Seat Before the Summer Rush
More than 15 hunter and bowhunter education courses across north-central Montana are open or about to open for registration. Spring is the easiest time to secure a spot, with both…
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