Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Cracking Montana’s Elk Draw: What Every Non-Resident Needs to Know

Montana's elk draw is one of the most competitive in the West. Here's what non-residents need to know before applying this season.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Who Really Pays for Montana Public Land Access: The Numbers Hunters Need to Know

Montana hunters fund public land access more than most realize. Here's the real breakdown before federal policy strips it away.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

The Silent Killer in Your Neighbor’s Yard: Why Japanese Yew is Dropping Montana Elk

Montana elk are dying from Japanese yew, a common landscaping shrub. Learn why this ornamental plant is lethal to wildlife and what you can do to protect herds.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana FWP Cracks Down as Illegal Lion Kills Spike This Spring

Montana FWP reports a spike in illegal mountain lion kills this spring. Here's what violations are happening, penalties involved, and how to stay legal.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Wyoming Rancher Takes DEF Fight to U.S. Senate: ‘It’s a Battle Against Cold and Clock’

Wyoming rancher tells Senate how frozen diesel fluid regulations threaten cattle feeding in sub-zero weather, demanding practical solutions for farmers

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Why Spring Trail Closures Matter More Than You Think: Understanding Wildlife Protections on Mount Jumbo

Discover why Mount Jumbo's spring trail closures protect crucial wildlife habitat and what every Montana hiker should know about seasonal restrictions.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Montana Mountain Lion Hunters Must Know Right Now

Montana mountain lion hunters face strict new regulations amid rising illegal harvests. Learn the essential rules, quota systems, and penalties to stay legal.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Hunters First Act: What It Means for Your 2026 Tags

The Montana Hunters First Act reshapes resident hunting rights. Here's what it means for public land access, draw seasons, and your 2026 tags.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

California Wants Yellowstone Grizzlies: Why Montana’s Delisting Fight Just Got Urgent

Montana's growing grizzly population faces delisting battles while California considers reintroducing bears from Yellowstone after 100 years without them.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Why Montana Hunters Are Losing Their Best Spots to Out-of-State Pressure

Montana hunters face growing pressure from out-of-state crowds on public lands. Why protecting local hunting traditions and giving resident voices priority matters now.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Four CSKT Staff Win Major Conservation Awards — Here’s What It Means for Flathead Fishing and Wildlife

Four CSKT staff earned statewide conservation awards. Here's what their decades of work means for Flathead fishing, wildlife habitat, and Montana's wild future.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Hunter Ed 2026: Deadlines, Locations, and How to Register

Montana hunter ed classes are filling fast. Here's where to find 2026 spring/summer sessions before fall draw deadlines close the door.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Every Montana Hunter Loses by Skipping FWP Meetings

Montana hunters who skip FWP meetings may lose hunting opportunities. These hearings decide tag allocations, district changes, and seasons that directly impact you.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How to Navigate FWP’s Hunting and Fishing Reg System Before Spring Seasons Open

Montana FWP's updated reg system is live. Here's how to navigate it fast before spring turkey, bear, and paddlefish deadlines hit.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Rancher Meg Brack Smith Wins National Land Stewardship Award

Montana rancher Meg Brack Smith wins prestigious W.R. Chapline Award for exceptional land stewardship at Fleecer Mountain Cattle Company. Discover her impact.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

First 2026 Yellowstone Grizzly Is Out: Montana Spring Backcountry Warning

A grizzly was spotted in Yellowstone March 10 feeding on bison. Montana backcountry users need to know what this means right now.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

FWP’s Hogan’s Slough Notice: What Region 5 Anglers Need to Check Now

FWP just posted new public notices affecting spring access and water projects. Here's what Montana hunters and anglers need to know right now.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Spring FWP Closures Every Montana Hunter and Angler Must Know

FWP spring 2026 closures affect bear, turkey, shed hunting & fishing. Here's what you need to know before heading out this week.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Agriculture Labor Crisis: Ranchers and Farmers Say the Worker Shortage Is Now an Emergency

Montana ranchers and farmers say the labor shortage is no longer isolated—it’s sector-wide and forcing hard choices on daily operations and long-term plans. At the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Agriculture Labor Summit, producers pushed for real solutions, from local training pipelines to reforms that make the H-2A program more workable.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

300,000 Snow Geese Are Funnel­ing Into Freezout Lake Right Now—Best Viewing Tips, Timing, and What to Know

Freezout Lake’s spring migration is ramping up fast, with major early flocks already confirmed and peak numbers typically arriving in late March. Here’s where to go, when to show up for the sunrise blast-off, what you’ll need, and how the Wild Wings Festival and spring Conservation Order fit into the month ahead.

Mar 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Cattle Market Report (March 1–7, 2026): Feeder Cattle Ease, Replacement Females Surge, Slaughter Bulls Jump $5–$8

Montana auctions moved 5,837 head in the first week of March with seasonal, quality-driven mixed trends. Feeder cattle ran steady to weak, replacement females dominated offerings, and slaughter bulls were the week’s standout—up $5–$8 as packers look for lean trim. Here’s the price recap, supply breakdown, and what to watch as spring grass demand builds.

Mar 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

NFU Honors Dr. Dale McCall With Top Meritorious Service Award for 40 Years of Family-Farm Advocacy

The National Farmers Union has awarded Dr. Dale McCall its highest honor—the Meritorious Service Award—recognizing four decades of leadership supporting family farms and ranchers across the Mountain West. McCall and fellow 2026 recipient Joe Logan were praised for lifelong service through Farmers Union and beyond.

Mar 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Ranchers Face a High-Stakes 2026: Record Cattle Prices, Historic Herd Lows, and Volatile Markets Ahead

After a record-setting 2025, Montana cattle producers are looking at a 2026 market shaped by historic lows in the national beef cow herd and unusually high volatility. Industry outlooks suggest bigger price swings—creating major opportunity, but also real budget and risk-management challenges for ranching operations across Big Sky Country.