brett french

The Yellowstone is a river in transition

Apr-25-25 by Angela Montana

When a sleepy stream surges 30-fold overnight and jet boats can’t float in spring, Montana’s rivers are telling a story—and it’s one we can’t ignore…

Dude ranch’s history, 1930 film unearthed after family research

Apr-17-25 by Angela Montana

When city slickers traded skylines for sawtooths, one dude ranch adventure in 1930 captured all the grit, grace, and goofy glory of Montana’s wild side on film. Here’s more from Brett French….

Numerous studies examine wild sheep for answers to die-off events

Apr-10-25 by Angela Montana

The bighorns of the Missouri Breaks once thrived—now, scientists are scrambling to find out why they’re gone…

400 Yellowstone bison removed through hunt, slaughter, quarantine this season

Apr-04-25 by Angela Montana

As Montana sues over Yellowstone’s bison plan, hundreds of buffalo are shipped to slaughter—while others dodge traps, lawyers, and horses in a bureaucratic stampede.

Selling landlocked state parcels to lessees proposed in Montana water bill

Mar-20-25 by Angela Montana

A controversial Montana bill could put 1.25 million acres of state land up for sale—along with its water rights—sparking debates over access, revenue, and the future of public lands.

Montana hunters request study in hopes of easing crowding

Feb-28-25 by Angela Montana

Montana hunters aim to ‘track’ solutions to overcrowding with new study request.

Bill would protect ‘furry friends’ by requiring signs when trapping FWP lands

Feb-21-25 by Angela Montana

House Bill 436 aims to protect Montana’s ‘furry friends’ by requiring signs at FWP access points where trapping is conducted—helping recreationists make safer choices for their pets. Read more from Brett French here..

Lawmaker sponsors resolution supporting federal land transfer to states

Feb-14-25 by Angela Montana

Montana’s public lands are back in the political crosshairs, with a new push to transfer federal lands to state control—reviving an old battle that could reshape access, management, and the future of our wild places…

Is forever too long? Landowners tell Montana lawmakers to butt out of property decisions

Feb-06-25 by Angela Montana

BRETT FRENCH bfrench@billingsgazette.com To make something perpetual is everlasting and permanent — so a long, long time. When it comes to […]

Bill would raise nonresident base license to boost hunter access funding

Jan-30-25 by Angela Montana

Will a proposed fee hike for nonresident hunters boost public access—or drive them away? Read more from Brett French…

Bill would increase private fish pond license fees to $600

Jan-23-25 by Angela Montana

Montana’s private fish ponds may seem like small fry compared to our famous rivers, but they’ve sparked a big debate. Read more from Brett French.

Montana hunters request study in hopes of easing crowding

Feb-28-25 by Angela Montana

Montana hunters aim to ‘track’ solutions to overcrowding with new study request.

Bill would protect ‘furry friends’ by requiring signs when trapping FWP lands

Feb-21-25 by Angela Montana

House Bill 436 aims to protect Montana’s ‘furry friends’ by requiring signs at FWP access points where trapping is conducted—helping recreationists make safer choices for their pets. Read more from Brett French here..

Lawmaker sponsors resolution supporting federal land transfer to states

Feb-14-25 by Angela Montana

Montana’s public lands are back in the political crosshairs, with a new push to transfer federal lands to state control—reviving an old battle that could reshape access, management, and the future of our wild places…

Is forever too long? Landowners tell Montana lawmakers to butt out of property decisions

Feb-06-25 by Angela Montana

BRETT FRENCH bfrench@billingsgazette.com To make something perpetual is everlasting and permanent — so a long, long time. When it comes to […]

Bill would raise nonresident base license to boost hunter access funding

Jan-30-25 by Angela Montana

Will a proposed fee hike for nonresident hunters boost public access—or drive them away? Read more from Brett French…

Bill would increase private fish pond license fees to $600

Jan-23-25 by Angela Montana

Montana’s private fish ponds may seem like small fry compared to our famous rivers, but they’ve sparked a big debate. Read more from Brett French.

FWP conservation easement in Fergus County stalls amid confusion, miscommunication

Jan-16-25 by Angela Montana

After months of miscommunication and delays, the Fergus County Commission gave the green light to the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement, ending a saga of confusion and setting the stage for better access to Montana’s wildlands—proving that collaboration can still win the day.

Daniel Stahle, Courtesy photo Analysis of subfossil whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) wood beneath a melting ice patch in the Yellowstone region indicates that a mature forest grew above treeline between 5,950-5,440 calendar year before present when the temperatures were similar to 20th century conditions and cooler than present.

Ancient trees reveal possible futures for Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Jan-09-25 by Angela Montana

Frozen in time: Ancient trees preserved in a Beartooth ice patch for 5,000 years are revealing secrets about past climates—and what they mean for our warming future. Read more from Brett French…

DEQ water quality studies lay groundwork for Smith River restoration

Jan-04-25 by Angela Montana

BRETT FRENCH bfrench@billingsgazette.com If the Smith River were a medical patient, its doctors now have in hand a series of […]

High land prices stall Montana sage grouse easements 

Dec-27-24 by Angela Montana

With Montana’s land prices soaring, conservation efforts to protect sage grouse habitat are hitting financial hurdles, putting the future of this vital program—and the iconic birds it protects—at risk.

Brett French reports: Collars reveal wild treks by migratory mule deer

Dec-20-24 by Angela Montana

Don’t let their backyard snacking fool you—Cody, Wyoming’s mule deer are world-class migrators. Read more from Brett French here.

Brett French reports: Property owner group appeals elk lawsuit

Dec-13-24 by Angela Montana

Montana’s elk management debate heats up as ranches, lawsuits, and wily elk take center stage! Is it about population control or just keeping elk in check?