Bored of basic beef jerky? These five wildly unique jerky recipes—from Dr Pepper Jalapeño to chocolate-covered, coffee-marinated, maple syrup, and Bloody Mary—bring sweet heat, smoky depth, and serious snack-time swagger.

A 10-year-old angler landed a 28.5-pound freshwater drum during the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby and eventually earned Vermont state-record certification — plus about $26,000 in prize money. From Lake Champlain to Montana’s seasonal contests, the appeal is the same: one unexpected bite can change everything.

Love early mornings on the water at Fort Peck? Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop is hiring dependable, hardworking team members for full-time and part-time roles including store clerks, housekeeping, groundskeeping, and bait care. Call 406-526-3597 to apply.

Walleyes Unlimited of Montana’s Jim Rettig Memorial Scholarship is back, offering at least two $1,500 scholarships each year for WUM members and their dependent children heading to college this fall. Applications are due April 1, and winners will be notified by letter no later than July 1.

Organizers of the 1st Annual Fort Peck Montana Tournament of Kings at Fort Peck Lake simplified online registration after angler feedback. When registration opens March 15, 2026, only the team captain must enter an SSN at sign-up; other team members can provide SSNs at check-in. An EIN option is available, and organizers say the form is secure and encrypted.

Want a job that keeps you outside? Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hiring a full-time position based in the Plentywood area, with work ranging from state park and fishing access support to maintenance, signage, and hunting-season assistance. Full benefits included; applications due March 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Idaho Fish and Game’s March 3, 2026 Upper Salmon River steelhead report shows another strong week, with the best catch rates upstream of the Pahsimeroi (location codes 18–19). Midweek weather reduced clarity downstream, but conditions improved by the weekend and PIT tag detections at the Elevenmile (USE) array climbed to 136 for the run year.

The Flathead National Forest has released a proposal to reconstruct the wastewater treatment system serving Holland Lake Campground’s bay loop, the RV dump station, and Holland Lake Lodge. Review project documents online and submit input within 30 days; an in-person and virtual information session is set for March 9, 2026 in Condon, Montana.

Idaho Fish and Game removed 82 wild mule deer that entered a captive elk facility in GMU 60A after hunters reported seeing them inside during the 2025 season. Officials said lethal removal and CWD testing were the most responsible option because wild deer can’t legally remain in captivity and there’s no reliable live test for chronic wasting disease.

A solo snowmobiler got stuck in deep snow near the Yellowstone Park boundary, about 11 miles south of West Yellowstone. Rescuers used coordinates shared by phone to reach the rider by snowmobile, free the machine, and escort the rider back to the main trail system. Authorities urge riders to travel with others when possible and carry satellite communication and basic survival gear.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Keith Mack of Troy, Montana, was reported missing after an ice fishing trip to Spar Lake. Search and rescue teams responded after his snowmobile and fishing gear were found near a hole in the ice, and he was recovered from the water March 2, 2026.

Four Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources staff members received major statewide awards for decades of fisheries and wildlife conservation leadership — including bull trout recovery, Jocko River restoration, Flathead Lake native fish work, and habitat restoration across the Flathead Reservation.

Hell Creek Marina in Jordan, Montana shared a March 2 ice update for Fort Peck Lake: based on water clarity, it appears the lake has rolled over and conditions are back to walk-on. Here’s what to know and what to watch next.

Low, steady flows out of Libby Dam (4,000 cfs) and mild weather have the Kootenai River fishing very doable heading into early March. With water temps around 40°F, expect limited dry-fly action—but consistent nymphing and slow, deep streamer presentations can still turn up quality fish, especially in softer 5+ foot holding water.

Most mountain lions stay within a home range—but documented dispersals show some can go far beyond what most people imagine. One young tom’s journey from South Dakota’s Black Hills to Connecticut topped 1,500 miles, and GPS studies have captured other long treks, including a female that logged close to 1,000 miles across multiple western states.

Winter still has a say, but the Livingston-area bite improves steadily through mid-March—especially for bigger pre-spawn rainbows. Focus on afternoons (possibly late morning by March 1), fish low-and-slow in deep walking-pace pools, and watch for brief midge or winter BWO activity on warm, calm days. Here’s the latest river-by-river guidance from Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing.

Mack Days returns to Flathead Lake March 12–May 9, 2026, giving anglers nine weeks to target non-native lake trout while supporting conservation of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat. Get the key dates, prize details, entry rules, fish drop-off locations, and important release and fish ID requirements.

Got an old busted fishing rod collecting dust? Don’t toss it—convert it into a short, sensitive DIY ice rod for jigging. This simple, budget-friendly build gives old gear a second life, and the video walkthrough shows you the basic steps to get back on the ice without breaking the bank.

On the hard water somewhere north of the border (possibly Canada), anglers haul a true monster lake trout through an ice hole—an ice-fishing moment that turns frozen fingers into a story for years.

Tongue River Marina reports 15–20 feet of open water off the ramp, with Marina Bay still mostly iced over but improving. More open water is showing from Rattlesnake south toward the mine as daytime temps warm—boat fishing could be just weeks away.

Looking for kid-safe toys that get kids off screens and into the backyard? These five “gateway gear” picks—from night vision binoculars to a bug-hunting kit—help young hunters, anglers, and explorers build outdoor skills one adventure at a time.