Good afternoon, Montanans (and visitors!) and welcome to mud season! Roads and trails on the B-D are a sloppy, soupy, mess and they will be until nighttime temps rise.
Far beneath the surface the soil is still frozen. Moisture from melting snow can’t be fully absorbed as it is later in the season. This pattern contributes to spring flooding and the associated hazards as well as erosion, falling rock, and thick mud.
Forest visitors should be prepared for slick, and varied conditions on FS roads. Remember, forest roads are not maintained for heavy traffic, however our roads crew of 9 works hard to keep them in operable condition. Please don’t hesitate to contact a District Office if you come across any safety or road hazards due to the spring melt.
It is wise to carry a shovel in your vehicle just in case you need to dig out of a sticky situation; strategic rock placement can also help when the tires are spinning. As always, avoid any off-road motor vehicle use. Moist soil conditions can lead to compaction and rutting which in turn hamper nutrient uptake. A little dirt never hurt but might require additional planning. So, head on out there and enjoy springtime forest activities just don’t forget to leave your boots at the door.
Guest Writer: Mandalyn Child, Resource Assistant, BDNF
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Bozeman Fishing Reports 10.13.25

Oct-15-25 by Angela Montana

Cool mornings, clear rivers, and hungry trout—fall fishing around Bozeman is hitting its stride with steady flows, active fish, and plenty of chances to hook up all day long.

Department of Livestock Responding to Potential Feral Swine

Oct-15-25 by Moosetrack Megan

The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) is responding to a report of potential feral swine.

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from 6:06am to 8:00am

Montana Outdoor Podcast

New Episodes Every Saturday!

MT Outdoor Podcast: Find Out What the Hunting Will be Like in Hunting Regions 1 & 2

Oct-04-25 by Angela Montana

Two podcasts, twice the hunting intel — get the inside scoop on Montana’s Region 1 and 2 game hotspots in one epic double feature….

MT Outdoor Podcast: Wondering What the Hunting Will be Like in Region 6?

Sep-27-25 by Angela Montana

Sneak a peek at Montana’s Region 6 hunting outlook—elk, deer, antelope (with some surprising numbers!), and more on this week’s podcast….

MT Outdoor Podcast Sneak Peek: What’s Waiting in Region 6 This Season

Sep-26-25 by Angela Montana

Get a sneak peek at Montana’s Region 6 hunting outlook—elk, deer, antelope, upland birds, and more…

MT Outdoor Podcast: It’s Up to Us Is The Future of Hunting Access

Sep-20-25 by Angela Montana

Want more hunting land access and a shot at free onX Elite? Don’t miss this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast!

Exclusive Sneak Peek: The #1 Issue Hunters Email About—Solved?

Sep-19-25 by Angela Montana

This week, the Montana Outdoor Podcast dives into the future of hunting land access—check out this exclusive sneak peek!

Rookies, Rods & Rewards: The Mack Days Money Question Answered

Sep-13-25 by Angela Montana

This week. Downrigger Dale put Mack Days to the test: can a newcomer with basic fishing skills walk away with real winnings?

Esclusive Sneak Peek #2: The Truth About First-Timers at Mack Days

Sep-12-25 by Angela Montana

Exclusive Teaser #2: Can a Mack Days rookie really reel in cash on their first try? Catch this sneak peek today before the full episode drops tomorrow!


Montana Tourney Trail

Montana Fishing Reports

Outdoor How-To

Unwanted Flies

Aug-05-25 by Angela Montana

Whether you’re casting a fly or just trying to eat in peace, it’s time to fight back—because fruit flies may be tiny, but their mess is anything but! Read more from Montana Grant here…

How To: Pike Handling Protocol

Jul-25-25 by Angela Montana

Every angler has a style when holding pike…here’s one angler’s “how to” video…

How To Master the King Salmon Fillet

Jul-10-25 by Angela Montana

Clean your king salmon catch before it even knows what happened…

MT Wildlife

When Predators Hunt Predators

Oct-10-25 by Angela Montana

You never know what you’ll see in the woods — but few hunters expect to watch wolves turn the tables on bears.

Home Invasion–Wildlife Edition

Oct-09-25 by Angela Montana

A quiet night in takes a wild turn when an uninvited guest crashes into your room…

The Great Beaver Drop of 1948

Oct-09-25 by Angela Montana

Watch the rise, fall, and literal flight of beavers — plus how wildlife experts handle them today — all in one quick video!

Viral Stories

Bear’s Journey from Montana to the Savanna

Aug-15-25 by Angela Montana

From Montana’s peaks to Africa’s plains, this pup’s next job is guarding the herd to spare the fastest cat alive…

A Drone’s Fiery Encounter in Sidney, MT

Jun-26-25 by Angela Montana

A routine storm chase detoured into a fireball-filled explosion in Sidney, Montana…

A Bison’s Final Steps at YNP’s Grand Prismatic Spring

Jun-23-25 by Angela Montana

Onlookers horrified at a bison took one wrong step into Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring…

Cow moose, 2 calves dead after encounter with angler

Jun-19-25 by Moosetrack Megan

On the morning of June 14, 2025, Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel received a report that a cow moose had been shot in a confrontation with an angler on the North Tongue River in the Bighorn National Forest near Bear Lodge Resort. When game wardens responded, they found the moose deceased from her injuries.

Montana FWP

Tips sought on vandalism at Kelly Island Fishing Access Site

Oct-09-25 by Moosetrack Megan
FWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a vandalism that occurred last month at the Kelly Island Fishing Access Site (FAS) Spurgin Road entrance in Missoula.

Wild Game Recipes

Viral Feta Pasta, but with Elk Meat

Oct-14-25 by Angela Montana

Apparently, the viral feta pasta just went wild….wild game, that is!

Venison and Potato Pizza

Oct-12-25 by Angela Montana

Elevate your pizza night with this Venison and Potato pizza