Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission

Montana’s new plan to manage elk has been adopted after years of development. The Darby/Sula Ranger District on western Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest has a new leader.

News briefs: A trout population study, noise pollution inside Glacier National Park, UM wins discrimination case.

For the second time this month, wildlife groups are suing Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) for violating public meeting laws. Montana FWP has announced a series of public meetings to discuss the draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new fishing regulations for the coming year.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has admitted to violating the public’s constitutional right-to-know in response to a lawsuit filed last week. The agency must now follow conditions to improve public transparency.

Fishing closures on the Jefferson. Arctic grayling escape fish hatchery. Bison management comment period extended. Dueling wilderness bills advance. Oil & gas cleanup funding for tribal nations.

Projects to improve travel routes for Cutthroat Trout and Arctic grayling in southwest Montana and to stabilize streams along the Musselshell River get awarded state funding.

Commissioners passed a statewide hunting and trapping quota of 313 wolves. That’s higher than what was originally proposed by Montana FWP, but lower than last year’s quota.

The commission that oversees management of Montana’s fish and wildlife is meeting in Helena on Aug. 17. Commissioners will vote on hunting, fishing and trapping regulations in the meeting.

Montana’s estimated wolf population has decreased again following the 2022 hunting and trapping season. However, hunters didn’t kill all the wolves state regulators would have allowed.