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FWP Region 2 hunter check stations saw steady traffic on opening weekend
The 2026 Montana big game general hunting season opened Saturday, Oct. 24, and a slightly above average number of hunters passed through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife check stations near Anaconda, Bonner, Darby and Fish Creek. At the hunter check station just outside of Bonner, there was slightly more hunter activity than in the past five years, with 930 hunter stops logged at the station over the weekend, compared to an average of 820. The total number of deer and elk checked was also up slightly. “We have a new opportunity for either-sex white-tailed deer harvest on the…
Read More2026 Hunting Forecast for Southwest Montana (FWP Region 3)
Hunting opportunities for a variety of wildlife are plentiful in southwestern Montana. Hunters should remember that crowding will occur on easily accessible public lands, and wildlife may be visibly concentrated on private lands where access is limited. Hunters should acquire landowner permission well before hunting on private land and remember that continued access opportunities depend upon hunter behavior, ethics, and safe hunting practices. Please treat all lands—public and private—with respect, abide by land use rules from the landowner or land management agency, and be courteous with other hunters and landowners sharing the landscape. Elk In the Livingston area, a very…
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FWP: Hunters, help manage Chronic Wasting Disease
Hunters are key to tracking chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Montana. Every deer, elk, or moose you bring in for sampling tells us more about how to manage CWD and help stop CWD in its tracks. Is CWD a concern? YES. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It spreads through direct contact and contaminated environments, and once it is established, it is very difficult to remove from the landscape. Where do we need help most this year? FWP has identified CWD Priority Sampling Areas in northwestern and central Montana, in addition to HDs 213 and…
Read MoreFishing closure lifted on section of upper Big Hole River: FWP
A fishing closure has been lifted on a section of the upper Big Hole River. The closure area extended from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road upstream to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. The closure began Aug. 12 due to low flows and in accordance with the Big Hole River Drought Management Plan. Flows in that section of the river have improved, and the closure has been lifted. Yearly fishing closures related to spawning remain in effect for other sections of the Big Hole River. For more information on drought-related fishing restrictions and closures…
Read MoreFWP announces its Hunting Forecasts for 2026
Part 1: Region 2 As leaves fade to yellow, storefronts across Montana turn orange, adorned with huge “Welcome Hunters” banners. FWP also steps up to help people prepare for the season with its annual Hunting Forecast. The links below break down the state region by region to outline what hunters can expect for deer, elk and pronghorn. It’s also not just focused on big game. The forecasts include an upland game bird season outlook with trends for grouse, partridge and pheasant using FWP’s spring survey results, weather and other data. We anticipate better than average hunting opportunities for the upcoming…
Read MoreStopped in their tracks: Some AIS inspection stations remain open
AIS season isn’t over quite yet. Anglers and waterfowl hunters with watercraft must continue to stop at all aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection stations they encounter. While some inspection stations close after Labor Day, others continue operating through October in high-risk corridors. Six stations are still operating, including Anaconda’s. So far this year, more than 110,000 watercraft have been inspected. Thirty of those were carrying mussels, and more than 600 were carrying weeds. According to aquatic invasive species bureau chief Tom Woolf, that’s about 3,000 fewer boats than last year, and six fewer mussel-fouled boats. No new AIS populations have…
Read MoreAngling closure lifted on Section 5 of Big Hole River
Due to improved flows because of rain over the weekend, the angling closure on Section 5 of the Big Hole River has been lifted. Section 5 extends from Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site (Notch) to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. The Section 1 closure will remain in place. Section 1 extends from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. An annual fishing closure on the Big Hole River from Dickie Bridge to the Jefferson River will go into effect on Oct. 1 to protect trout during spawning seasons. These annual…
Read MoreFish and Wildlife Commission to hold special meeting Sept. 24
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m., via Zoom, and is seeking public comment on the agenda items. Agenda items include: • Administrative rulemaking petition – 24-hour trap check; • Administrative rulemaking petition – bear spray requirement; • Initiation of administrative rulemaking process – predator management policy; Want to weigh in? Here’s how Your voice matters in this process. The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Sept. 18. There are two ways to comment before the meeting: • Online portal (SurveyMonkey): Each agenda item includes a survey for submitting public comment. Letters and supporting documents may be attached…
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Montana mule deer: Myths, misconceptions and regional conditions
A mule deer buck goes out exploring a field in the Anaconda area in July. Photo courtesy of Carly Moodry. Hunters should know that we take your concerns about mule deer management seriously. FWP and hunters share the same goal – healthy herds and more hunting opportunities. Staff know how easy it is to believe myths and misconceptions when they are repeated over and over again – by friends, at hunting camp and even at check stations. In a new video posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK_0YUb9p_g, FWP addresses the most common myths and misconceptions about mule deer management. These include: • Hunting…
Read MoreMontana Hunters First Act survey seeks input on impact of nonresident hunting
Hunters who are interested in sharing their experiences and opinions on the impacts of nonresident hunting on how licenses are allocated can provide feedback via a new survey from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The survey is part of research released today as required by House Bill 568, The Montana Hunters First Act, which was passed during the 2025 session. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, required FWP to do a nonresident hunting impact study. The data collected in the study and the survey can be found on the FWP Website: https://fwp.mt.gov/legislature/montana-hunters-first-act-hb-568. Overall, Montana is seeing growth in nonresident…
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