New week, new reports, new information, so if you missed it, get caught up right here. Montana Outdoor Radio Show […]

Final update from this year’s Fall Mack Days, FWP, anglers and outfitters report in from across the state, and much […]

Searching Montana elk poaching cases? Here's how investigations work, what penalties poachers face, and how to report violations with TIP-MONT.

Harry Horn Trail is being rebuilt to open the Montana shoreline to everyone, including wheelchair users and those who struggle on rough, uneven paths.

A Montana man was fined $20,000 and sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to federal Lacey Act violations involving the trafficking of bighorn sheep taken during a guided hunt.

Havre’s hunter check station recorded 222 hunters over Nov. 7–8, bringing the annual total to 1,105, slightly above average. Antelope harvest exceeded recent and long-term averages, while mule deer improved from 2025 but remained below normal. White-tailed deer, elk, pheasants, and sharp-tailed grouse remained low; partridge and duck numbers were comparatively strong.

A Perfect Fly Store report describes Montana’s Smith River as a remote, wild-trout freestone requiring lottery permits for its premier 60-mile float. Access is difficult because surrounding lands are private. Conditions vary seasonally, while November fishing is reportedly fairly good. Recommended tackle includes 4–6-weight rods, small midges, olives, caddis, and streamers.

Sixteen bison walked onto northeast Montana grassland in 2005. Two decades later, the prairie tells a story worth watching.

West-central Montana's deer and elk harvest is tracking close to last year at the general season's midpoint. See what steady numbers mean if you still have a tag.

A record 81 grizzlies have died in the Yellowstone region this year, the third straight record. So why do some experts say the bears may be fine?

An easy way to turn poached pike into a flavorful fish soup is to reuse the poaching liquid. Add potatoes and celery root, then enhance the broth with chili, lemon juice, tarragon, and parsley. Celery root provides unexpected depth, creating a simple, satisfying soup that may quickly become a favorite.

Lake Trout- Fish are still in the shallows in big numbers. Jigs and plastics worked the best for us in […]

A rare, bright yellow burbot has been discovered in New York’s Oswego Harbor during a routine invasive species survey. The […]

Winter conditions now shape the Madison River, with year-round park water remaining mild and holding late-season fish. The Upper and Lower sections are colder, offering strong wading and nymphing opportunities, especially in Bear Trap Canyon. Fish deep during late morning and afternoon using Rubberlegs, Zebra Midges, and Parachute Adams. Check gauges before fishing, as conditions can change quickly.

Montana FWP highlights three upcoming events: a Nov. 12 guided fish dissection for families at Montana WILD in Helena; Nov. 17 discussions in Columbia Falls about conservation easements and public access; and a Lone Pine State Park presentation on James J. Hill’s railroad and its influence on Kalispell, Whitefish, and Glacier National Park.

The Montana Ice Grand Slam returns for the 2026–2027 ice-fishing season, running December 1 through March 31. Anglers compete by totaling their longest catches across 27 Montana species. Registration is limited to 30 participants, costs $30, and last year’s top three split $500. Sign up through the Fish Donkey app.

Six grizzlies on a Choteau calving lot, 35 miles from the mountains. A new video explains why Montana’s bears keep moving onto the plains.

Found a dead goose or ducks while hunting? Learn how to spot bird flu risks, protect yourself and your dogs, and report sick or dead birds in Montana.

GYE grizzly deaths hit a modern record high for the third straight year. Here's what Montana elk hunters need to know right now in the field.

FWP reminds hunters that Nov. 30 is a key deadline. Residents must purchase bobcat hunting or trapping licenses by then, while one new mountain lion license covers fall and winter seasons. Hunters must verify LMU quotas, and nonresidents should review hound-license rules. Other dates include bison opening Nov. 15 and several seasons closing Nov. 29.

Montana’s ski season faces a warm, mostly dry start, particularly in the northwest, as El Niño influences unreliable long-range forecasts. Southeastern Montana remains severely drought-stricken, with historically low surface water raising concerns about a prolonged dry winter. Resorts may need snowmaking, with openings scheduled from late November through December, while nearby Wyoming and Idaho offer alternatives.

Blaine County’s Fur Fest returns to Chinook, Montana, December 4–6, 2026, combining coyote and small-game hunting with raffles, prizes, and community fundraising. Proceeds support fairgrounds improvements, 4-H, and FFA programs. With updated rules and online registration, organizers encourage teams to register early and support participating local sponsors.

A truck blows through a check station near Dillon and wardens spot deer blood in the bed. See how it plays out and what it means for Montana hunters.

Montana FWP reports 14 affected sites, mostly with maintenance, construction, or cleanup advisories rather than full closures. Brogan’s Landing remains completely closed. Others offer modified access, including walk-in, bank fishing, or open sections. Conditions are temporary and may change, so visitors should verify current restrictions with FWP before traveling.

Skip the July crowds. Winter and late fall fishing on Montana's rivers means empty banks, hungry trout, and a quiet stretch of water all to yourself.

Master late-fall streamer fishing in Montana. Get the best flies, rigs and tactics for post-spawn browns on the Yellowstone, Madison and Missouri.

Late-season browns are crushing streamers on the Yellowstone below Livingston. Here's what's working now and why this narrow fall window closes sooner than you think.

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas, Governor Greg Gianforte, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and […]

(Washington, D.C., November 10, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum […]

(Kalispell, MT, November 10, 2026) — The Flathead National Forest announced today that the Tally Lake Ranger District has released the […]

The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (SBFC) isproud to share its 2026 season accomplishments in the Selway-Bitterrootand Frank Church-River of […]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge Review received strong support from the Boone and Crockett Club. Its recommendations emphasize active habitat management, field-based staffing, accountable implementation, and collaboration with neighboring landowners. The Club credited Theodore Roosevelt and hunters’ funding for the system’s foundation and urged prompt execution of the reforms.

Montana’s Griz-Bobcats rivalry will unite fans in blaze orange during the Nov. 21 Brawl of the Wild. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Town Pump, and both athletic departments will distribute 4,000 free hunting vests promoting respect for private property and landowners. Fans can also join stewardship activities and enter a hunt-and-gear raffle.

Elk handle the landscape a lot like we do: they go where the gates are, and they leave when the […]

Midseason checks in southwestern Montana found mixed hunter participation and success amid unusually mild weather. Biologists contacted 759 hunters, who harvested 39 elk, 29 mule deer and two white-tailed deer. Participation and success varied by station, with Divide notably busier. Black and grizzly bears remain active, requiring continued bear awareness.

Region 5 check stations tallied 228 mule deer, 163 whites, 147 elk and 82 antelope in warm weather. See harvest numbers vs. average and CWD results.