We’re closing out February with classic late-winter conditions. Some lakes are finally offering decent ice, but thickness still varies, especially on larger reservoirs. Fort Peck and Canyon Ferry have fish being caught, mostly perch and the occasional walleye, but anglers are still checking ice often and avoiding pressure cracks and shoreline edges. Smaller lakes continue to be the safer bet.
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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Dale interviews Greg Lemon about significant hunting regulation updates and the new License Ambassador Program, replacing the outdated License Provider Program. Check out this exclusive sneak peek!
On the Montana Outdoor Podcast, host Downrigger Dale talks with instructor Racheal Vargas (Montana K9 Safety and Montana Health & Safety Training) about practical, life-saving skills you can learn through training for individuals and groups—including preparation to help friends, family, and even pets in emergencies.
By popular demand, we’re running last week’s in-depth podcast episode for a second week. Guest Brian Lipscomb explains how what happens at Flathead Lake—especially at the dam—can ripple through the Flathead River system and influence ecosystems, communities, recreation, and agriculture far beyond the lakeshore.
Montana Outdoor Podcast host Downrigger Dale talks with Brian Lipscomb, CEO of Energy Keepers, Inc., about the dam on Flathead Lake—now known as the Séliš Ksanka Ql̓ispé Hydroelectric Project. Learn the history, what surprised Dale most, why lake levels stayed high longer this year, and where to find reliable water level, flow, and forecast resources.
Downrigger Dale talks with Yellowstone Summit organizers George Bumann and Jenny Golding for an exclusive preview of the 5th annual online event (Feb. 19–22). Get the key dates, what the Summit is, and how to register—plus how to watch or listen to the episode and explore speakers and sessions.
Skijoring began as practical winter travel—skiers pulled by dogs, reindeer, and later horses—before turning into a spectator sport. From early Nordic Games and brief Olympic-era exhibitions to today’s high-speed, technical races in the American West, here’s how skijoring evolved and why Montana is at the center of its modern resurgence—plus the latest Montana Outdoor Podcast episode to watch.
A coyote was captured on camera chasing a 3-year-old boy through the front gate of his Pasadena home—until his mom’s scream from inside the yard sent the animal the other way. It’s a stark reminder that wildlife awareness isn’t just for the backcountry; sometimes it starts right in the front yard.
Elk hoof disease (TAHD) is a painful, polymicrobial infection that leaves elk lame and struggling to walk. First detected in Southwest Washington in the late 1990s, it surged after 2007–2008 and has spread into parts of Oregon, Idaho, and California. With no vaccine or treatment for wild elk and many unanswered questions about transmission and vulnerability, hunters and wildlife managers across the West—especially in nearby states like Montana—are watching closely.
A cow elk in Montana wastes no time going full defense mode when a mountain lion is near her calf. Hooves fly as the mother elk stomps and strikes—an intense reminder that wildlife threats in the backcountry aren’t limited to predators.
Minnesota angler Beau Rochel shared a simple DIY multi-hole cover for a Clam X600 ice shelter to help keep feet warmer while fishing. Here’s the basic idea, materials mentioned, and an easy foam-tile alternative that’s becoming a trend for overnight shack anglers.
A mom and daughter in Colorado were stunned when a massive elk herd took over their neighborhood yards. The same elk have also been seen along a nearby highway and even shutting down a local golf course—another reminder that in elk country, wildlife can show up anywhere.
A six-man crew from Helena, Montana, took home more than half a million dollars at Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Team Grey Bull beat out a packed field to place third in the Billfish Division after landing a 398-pound black marlin.
Shot over the 4th of July weekend in 2017 near Ajax Mountain, Montana, this rare clip captures a wolverine in action. Wolverines are famously elusive in the Lower 48—only about 300 are thought to remain—and can travel 18–20 miles in a single day.
Wild Rooster Farm’s Bear, an AKC purebred Anatolian Shepherd from Kalispell, Montana, is set to travel to South Africa to join the Cheetah Outreach Trust as a breeding stud in its Livestock Guardian Dog program—aimed at protecting livestock while supporting cheetah conservation.
The Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA opens for antler hunting on May 15, but nonresidents must wait until May 22. Vehicle access requires registration, with a focus on safety and group arrivals.
Montana’s bobcat hunting and trapping in Region 6 will close on February 28. Mountain lion hunting in LMU 280 ends on February 27, 2026, following quota limits. Check FWP’s website for updates.
Kokanee Quinn shares a delicious bell pepper chimichurri recipe designed for bison or elk tri-tip, elevating wild game with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors for an unforgettable grilling experience.
These venison breakfast sausage stuffed pancakes—credited to Jenn Homa and shared by Kokanee Quinn—deliver a sweet-and-salty, handheld breakfast that’s perfect for cold mornings, early alarms, and everything from rut-chasing to couch lounging.
