F & W Commission meeting summary, February 11, 2016

• Approved the regulations for a commercial carp fishing operation on Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Helena for 2016-2020.
• Approved a channel mitigation easement and its purchase on 89.5 acres along and adjacent to the Yellowstone River to be held by the Montana Land Reliance, enforceable by FWP.
• Approved additional opportunity for Permit to Hunt From Vehicle holders to harvest antlerless elk in Regions 2 and 3.
• Approved Fish and Wildlife priorities to be used in preparation of budgets for the 2017 Legislative session.
• Denied a request to put out for public comment, a proposed amendment to the classification of exotic species ARM to allow possession of Potos flavus-Kinkajou ( Honey Bear) with only a controlled species permit from FWP.
• Approved FWP staff negotiating additional water-right lease agreements for irrigation water rights from Deep Creek in Broadwater County sufficient to protect desired downstream flow levels, subject to final approval by the Commission
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 elk hunting seasons and hunting districts including; the establishment of early and or late shoulder seasons in 43 hunting districts or portions thereof ; liberalizing general season opportunities in several hunting districts; eliminating the 900-00 bundled B licenses valid in a number of hunting districts in Regions 4, 5 and 7.

In HD 313, approved the archery and first 3 weeks of the general season as browtined bull with a general license, 50 either sex permits the last 2 weeks and sixty general season antlerless permits including 30 youth only.

Adopted the requirement, beginning in 2017, that applicants for any archery only deer, elk or antelope licenses and permit have a bow and arrow license when applying .

• Approved eliminating any opportunity to apply for unlimited deer and elk permits after March 15.
• Approved 2016 season dates for deer, elk, and lion archery from Sept. 3 to Oct. 16, deer and elk back country, Sept. 15 to Nov. 27, deer and elk general season, Oct. 22 to Nov. 27.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 antelope hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented by FWP. The general antelope season structure season changes include increased quotas and quota ranges to address increased and growing populations.  The dates for the antelope 900 season are Aug. 15 to Nov. 13, for antelope archery Sept. 3 through Oct. 7 and the general antelope season Oct. 8 through Nov. 13.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 deer hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented by FWP. Included is the requirement a person  have a deer license when applying for any deer  permit, the same as is currently the case for nonresident applicants and for all applicants for elk permits.  Deer season dates will mirror those approved for elk.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 moose hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented by FWP. The moose season will run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 27.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 bighorn sheep hunting seasons and hunting districts. Changes include the requirement for presenting harvested sheep in the region harvested to presenting it to FWP anywhere in the state, with the exception of Region 6 and the unlimited districts. The general bighorn sheep season will run from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27 with the sheep archery season to run from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 mountain goat hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented. .  The mountain goat season will run from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 black bear hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented. Included is a change to the mandatory reporting time requirement for presenting a harvested bear for tagging from five to 10 days to match reporting requirements for other species. The black bear spring season will run from April 15 to June 15 in most districts, fall archery season from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14, the fall season from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 bison hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented. Included are licenses valid in the Gardiner-Absaroka Beartooth hunting district beginning Sept. 15. The remaining bison season will run from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15. A mandatory reporting requirement was approved.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 mountain lion hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented. The archery mountain lion season will run from Sept. 3 to Oct. 16, the fall season Oct. 22 to Nov. 27, the winter season will run from Dec. 1 to Apr. 14.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 upland game bird hunting seasons and hunting districts as presented. Included are a number of changes to simplify the turkey regulations and expand opportunity.  Upland game bird seasons will run from Sept. 1 through Jan. 1 with the exception of sage grouse closing Sept. 30 and pheasant opening Oct. 8.  Spring turkey will run from April 9 to May 15, the fall season would run from Sept. 1 to Jan. 1.
• Approved, for public comment, the late season 2016 and 2017 migratory bird hunting regulations as proposed pending compliance with federal frameworks. The general waterfowl season would start Oct. 1 with the end date to be adopted late summer 2016 per federal frameworks.
• Approved expanding sandhill crane hunting opportunities by establishing 15 drawing only permits valid in Carbon County.
• Approved for, public comment, early season migratory bird regulations as presented.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 quota range for take of urban deer by the City of Helena as presented. Action results in no change to the existing quota range of 0 – 250 deer.
• Approved the 2016 and 2017 game damage, management season and wildlife health authorization quota authorizations as proposed. Action changes the deer quota in Region 1 from 500 to 800, all other quotas remain unchanged from 2014 – 2015.

Additional details on the Commission page on the FWP website.

(Report via Ron Aasheim, FWP)