Fish, Wildlife & Parks news briefs
Trapping Advisory Committee to meet Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Great Falls
The Montana Trapping Advisory Committee will hold its fourth and final meetings on Thursday, Jan. 31, and Friday, Feb. 1, in Great Falls at the Fish, Wildlife & Parks headquarters, 4800 Giant Spring Road. The meeting runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, and from 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon on Feb. 1.
FWP assembled this citizens’ committee to provide recommendations that ensure population viability of trapped species, the humane treatment of animals and the minimization of social conflict. The committee represents the spectrum of opinions on trapping.
During the meeting, members will complete and come to agreement on outcomes per the individual “Important Questions” and on recommendations related to the 2018 trapping regulations and 1999 Trapping Committee report; draft a recommendations document and agree on how recommendations will be presented to FWP; confirm remaining work for the committee; and, if necessary, lay out a calendar for that work.
The committee’s charge is to present recommendations to FWP by Saturday, March 30. FWP staff are not members of the committee but will provide information and technical assistance.
The meeting is open to the public. The committee will hear public comment at noon on both days.
Swift fox season closed in TD 6
The season for taking swift fox in a portion of Trapping District 6 in northeastern Montana closed at midnight on the evening of Jan. 26.
The district includes portions of Blaine, Hill, Phillips and Valley counties.
Bobcat season closed in TD 2
By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, the season for trapping and shooting of bobcats in Trapping District 2 in western Montana closed Jan. 27.
The district includes portions of Deer Lodge, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Silver Bow, Powell and Ravalli counties.
Mountain lion hunting closed in several HDs in Regions 2 and 4
The hunting of female mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 290, 291, 292 and the western half of 298 west of State Route 141 — which includes portions of Powell, Granite and Missoula counties — closed Jan. 26.
The hunting of all mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 405, 447 and 471 — which includes portions of Cascade, Chouteau, Judith Basin and Fergus counties — closed Jan. 26.
The order halting the hunts came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest sub-quota and quota for the districts had been met.
Several mountain lion HDs closed in Regions 1, 3 and 5
The hunting of male mountain lions in northwestern Montana hunting district 101 — which includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties — closed Jan. 27.
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 312 and 393 — which include portions of Gallatin, Park and Meagher counties — closed Jan. 27.
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 350 and 370 — which include portions of Silver Bow and Jefferson counties — closed Jan. 27.
The hunting of all mountain lions in Montana hunting districts 530 and 590 — in portions of Fergus, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Petroleum, Big Horn and Yellowstone counties — closed Jan. 27.
The order halting the hunts came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quotas for lions in the districts listed above had been met.
Several mountain lion HDs closed in Regions 1, 3, 4 and 5
The hunting of male mountain lions in northwestern Montana Hunting District 104 — which includes portions of Lincoln County — closed Jan. 29.
The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 322, 326 and 330 — which include portions of Beaverhead and Madison counties — closed Jan. 29.
The hunting of male mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 410, 417, 419 and 426 — which includes portions of Fergus, Petroleum and Judith Basin counties — closed Jan. 29.
The hunting of male mountain lions in north-central Montana hunting districts 418, 420 and 448 — which includes portions of Judith Basin, Meagher, Fergus and Cascade counties — closed Jan. 29.
The hunting of all mountain lions in south-central Montana hunting district 502 and 575 — which includes portions of Carbon, Yellowstone, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties — closed Jan. 29.
The order halting the hunts came shortly after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials received word that the pre-established harvest quotas and sub-quotas for lions in the districts listed above had been met.
For more information on season closures, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov., choose “Hunting”, then “Drawing & Quota Status”, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.