FWP and Outdoor News

2010 Hunting and Angling Regulation Changes

Fishing Regulations

 With the opening of fishing season and new regulations in effect March 1, anglers are reminded to review the rules before heading afield.

 One example is that the new Regulations Book includes a revised reservoir definition that will help anglers to identify where reservoir regulations end and stream regulations begin.
The new, more explicit definition of a reservoir can be found in the definitions section of the 2010 Fishing Regulations on page 16.

 Another example is that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again taking a conservative approach to managing the state’s unique populations of ancient paddlefish.
Fisheries managers in FWP’s Regions 6 and 7 say paddlefish reproduction suffered in recent years because of extended drought and corresponding low water flows. These factors, combined with increased fishing pressure on adult paddlefish, makes more conservative management of these long-lived fish essential. All paddlefish anglers should obtain a copy of the latest Montana fishing regulations, which include specific rules and seasons. 

 “Because river conditions and fishing pressure from anglers can change quickly, anglers are advised to check on paddlefish harvest status before they leave home,” said Region 6 Fisheries Manager Steve Dalbey. “That one call could save a lot of traveling time just to find the season has already closed or is close to being finished.”

Other noteworthy regional/district changes include:

Western District
Changes in the fishing regulations in the Western district generally were made to protect bull trout.

In the Clark Fork River drainage on Fish Creek and its tributaries, only artificial lures are allowed, including within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Fish Creek.

On the Flathead River, from the mouth of the Stillwater River downstream to Flathead Lake, no maggots and no scented artificial lures (infused, saturated or applied) are allowed.

On Hungry Horse Reservoir a bull trout fishing closure on Wounded Buck Bay was lifted.

Central District
Fishing regulation changes in the Central fishing district closed the Chessman and Scott reservoirs on the Upper Tenmile Creek drainage near Helena. The two reservoirs supply water to the City of Helena.  

Fishing on Deep Creek, a tributary to the Missouri River near Townsend, was extended so fishing is allowed June 15 through Nov. 30 from the mouth of the Missouri River to the North Fork of Deep Creek.

In the Yellowstone River drainage, a closure on Trail Creek from the confluence with Cabin Creek to the headwaters was lifted following completion of restoration work there.

2010 Fishing Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and on the FWP Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/default.html

Hunting Regulations

 While the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is still deliberating and requesting public comment on proposed 2010 wolf seasons and quota alternatives, a proposed HB 454 hunting access agreement, and the proposed fall upland game bird limits hunters need to pay attention to new hunting regulations included in the newly formatted regulations booklet. .  
The opening pages of the 2010 big game regulations outline the hunter’s legal responsibilities afield, followed by hunting district maps, regulations and legal descriptions of each hunting district. The final pages of the regulations contain information on licenses and general items of interest to hunters.
“We made the changes in response to requests for a simpler and easier way to access the array of information in Montana’s hunting regulations,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim. “We hope that most find the regulations easier to read and the information more accessible.”
In addition, there are several new opportunities for hunters in 2010. Here’s a summary:

·  New Opening Day— Antelope, deer and elk seasons will open on a Saturday for the first time in recent memory. The general season for antelope will open Oct. 9. The general deer and elk season opener is set for Oct. 23. In past years, most general big game hunting seasons opened on a Sunday.

·  Deer Youth Hunt at Fall Break— A youth hunt for deer limited to youngsters between the ages of 12-15 was approved for the Thursday and Friday preceding the Saturday opener. That’s Oct. 21-22 and coincides with Montana’s annual two-day teachers’ convention, which are no-school days for most public school students. FWP will evaluate the program over the next two years.

· “Party” Applications for Elk and Deer Hunters— For the first time ever, deer and elk hunters who enjoy hunting with friends and family can now apply for special licenses and permits as a “party” of up to four applicants. Be sure to follow application directions carefully.

·  ELK B Licenses— Elk B licenses (formally called “A9” or “B12” licenses), which allow taking a second elk, have replaced antlerless elk permits in several hunting districts. The change seeks to conform to deer and antelope “B” license classifications that provide hunters an opportunity to purchase a second license. An added benefit to hunters is the ability to use their special permit drawing application for a special bull-elk permit, instead of an antlerless permit. The change also provides additional opportunities for wildlife managers to increase antlerless elk harvest in areas where elk exceed population objectives.

·  Black Bear and Mountain Lion Archery— For the first time, Montana will offer black bear and lion archery-only seasons, which will open along with the general big game archery season on Sept. 4. To participate one must have a valid archery license.

· New Antelope and New Deer and Elk Applications for Residents— Due to additional opportunities, residents now have one application for deer and elk and another for antelope. 

·  Bonus Points— New this year, bonus points are also available for Elk B, Deer B and Antelope B licenses through the special drawings. The price to participate is $2 for residents and $20 for nonresidents per application.

·  Bison Hunting Districts— The deadline to apply for Montana’s special license drawing for bison was May 1. Hunters should note, as indicted on the application, that the West Yellowstone hunting district is 395 and the Gardiner hunting district is 385.

· Archery Hunting Clarification – A change in the big game hunting regulations has caused some confusion among archery hunters. Under “Archery & Crossbow Equipment,” the 28-inch bow length regulation includes the phrase, “axle to axle.” For clarification, FWP enforcement considers a bow legal if it is at least 28 inches in total length. Bows shorter than 28 inches are prohibited for use in Montana.

·  Wolf Hunting Proposals - The proposed wolf season being considered by the Commission includes three different quota alternatives; 153, 186, 216. Those quotas would be divided into 14 wolf management units (WMUs) with two sub-quota areas proposed. Also proposed is an archery season for all WMUs beginning September 4, 2010 that would run until 20% of the WMU quota or sub-quotas are met but ending no later than October 17, 2010. The Commission is accepting comments until June 14, 2010 for their final deliberation in July.

· HB 454 Hunting Proposal - The proposed HB 454 hunting access agreement being considered, if adopted, would provide one either-sex elk permit to a landowner or designee in HD 411 in exchange for four either-sex elk permits to be drawn from the list of unsuccessful applicants for HD 411 either-sex elk permits.

· Upland Game Bird Hunting Proposal - The fall upland game bird limits being considered are similar to 2009 limits. A change of note is a proposal to reduce the fall Region 7 limit from two to one either sex turkey.

 2010 Hunting Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and on the FWP Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/

 To review regulations still under deliberation and to submit comments go to: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/