Montana archery elk season 2026 starts September 1. Run through this complete bowhunter checklist before the opener so you don’t leave opportunity behind.

Smith & Wesson's Model 500, designed for heavy-duty wilderness survival, led to the creation of the 500ES Emergency Survival Kit in 2006. This kit combined a powerful handgun with essential survival gear. Fast forward to today, Custom & Collectable Firearms has introduced a modern Grizzly Emergency Kit, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and collectors alike.

If you ever needed definitive proof that carry-on capsicum isn’t just for grizzlies, ask the Yellowstone hiker who found themselves […]

Smoked salmon cream cheese bites are an impressive, easy appetizer perfect for gatherings. Simply smoke salmon and cream cheese for about an hour, then spread the mixture on crispy toasted baguette slices topped with chili crisp and dill. These bites remain delicious even when cooled, allowing hosts to enjoy their party.

The Lewistown Gun Show will take place from October 9 to 11, 2026, at the Fergus County Fairgrounds in Montana. Admission is $10, valid for all three days. The event emphasizes firearms and related gear, with vendors required to showcase at least 80% gun-related items, promoting serious trading and buying opportunities.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are hosting Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake from September 10 to November 8. Anglers can compete for cash prizes, bonuses, lottery drawings, and thousands of tagged lake trout, providing numerous opportunities for fishing and potential earnings during the event.

Montana FWP lands in Madison County are now under Stage I fire restrictions, prohibiting open campfires and limiting smoking and cooking on FWP-managed properties.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is preparing for the 2026–2027 ice fishing contest season and seeks input from anglers and locals. The public can submit comments until August 24, 2026, via email. Contest organizers are reminded to submit applications and reports on time for a successful season.

How much can a grizzly bear lift? The verified numbers are staggering — and they have real implications for Montana backcountry hunters and hikers.

This one-pan pasta skillet aims to satisfy even the most steadfast ground turkey skeptics, combining aromatics, canned tomatoes, and herbs for rich flavors. With a cooking time of 1 hour 15 minutes, it serves 6 and proves to be a comforting, flavorful alternative to traditional beef dishes. Leftovers enhance in taste.

A recent increase in deer deaths have been reported on the Flathead Reservation from the Hot Springs, Valley View and […]

This week's fishing report around Helena highlights active catches of walleye, rainbows, and perch in Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter Reservoirs. Recommended techniques include bottom bouncers, jigs, and slip bobbers. Notable spots include Confederate Bay and the Causeway Arm, with kokanee fishing best in early mornings.

A Montana warden had a scoped rifle pointed at him twice in one day on opening day. Here’s what happened and why every hunter needs to see it.

Twins Jacob and Sage Mulally from Lewistown, Montana, enjoyed an exciting fishing trip with their Grampa Joe Moline and Uncle Cameron. They caught impressive walleye, making it a memorable family adventure filled with excitement and togetherness. A beautiful day out on the water for the Mulally family!

The Henry’s Fork is performing well this midsummer, with improved water clarity and cooler flows supporting active trout. Anglers are seeing success using various flies, including small perdigons and ants. The canyon sections offer effective dry-dropper rigs, while lower stretches are best fished on cooler days to avoid high water temperatures.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species list and allow Idaho to manage them independently. He criticizes federal rules for enabling legal challenges that undermine state wildlife policies. Idaho asserts its conservation efforts justify reduced federal oversight.

Montana FWP wardens spent six months cracking an elk poaching case — including aerial surveillance in a Super Cub. Here’s what hunters need to know.

Archery elk opens September 1. Here’s where Montana bowhunters should be glassing right now to pin down velvet bulls before the opener.

Big Sky Warrior Outreach announces its annual Cow Elk Hunt for combat veterans and Purple Heart recipients from December 3–8, covering all expenses. Applications open from August 22 to August 25, requiring detailed personal and military information. Eligible veterans have a unique opportunity for hunting, camaraderie, and organic meat.

Twin Elements’ new film covers a Montana archery combo hunt for mule deer bucks and bull elk — plus tips, season dates, and public land context.

Missed last week’s Montana Outdoor Radio Show? No worries. We’ve got the full show ready for you to catch up. […]

The days are starting to get shorter, but the fish are not. Reports are in from across Montana and if […]

The 2026 World Fly Fishing Championship will soon take place in Montana, attracting top anglers from around the globe. The event highlights the unique competition format, emphasizing technique and strategy. Team USA aims for gold on familiar waters, with international participants eager to experience the region's renowned fisheries.

Bozeman, Mont. – August 21, 2026 – Harmful algal blooms (HABs) persist on different areas of Hebgen Reservoir. Currently, the toxin levels at Corey Springs area have increased, and that area is now closed for water-based […]

BUTTE, Mont. — The Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary order restricting camping at the Carbella Recreation Site in […]

Gardiner, MT, August 21, 2026—The Gardiner Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest has implemented a temporary closure of […]

Walleye are being caught using bottom bouncers in 24-30 FOW with slow death hooks, especially favoring orange blades or white beads. Pike fishing is successful with crankbaits or spoons in 15-35 FOW, while salmon remain scarce but are being caught at 70-100 feet down with blues and greens, trolling at 2.1-2.2 MPH.

RED LODGE – Around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, an adult black bear attempted to attack a person walking near Roosevelt Middle School in […]

Crisp mornings signal the approach of fall fishing along the Missouri River. As water temperatures cool, anglers can target walleye with jigs and drop shots, especially in the mornings. In more challenging areas, nymphing remains effective. Pike are actively chasing streamers, offering an exciting option for fly fishing.

Kokanee salmon and walleye are actively being caught at Holter Reservoir. Successful salmon fishing occurs 60 feet down using dodgers and hoochies, especially during early morning and evening. Walleye are found around deeper weed beds and drop-offs, responding well to jigs and jerk baits, with perch patterns being particularly effective.

It's prime fishing season at Hauser and Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir. Trout are active near Spokane Bay, while walleyes are thriving off weed lines, with large catches reported. At Regulating Reservoir, kokanee are biting at depths of 10 to 35 feet. Anglers are advised on effective tackle and techniques for success.

Canyon Ferry's south end walleyes are still actively biting, favoring bottom bouncer or lindy rigs with pink, purple, and blue tackle. The north end is yielding fewer but higher-quality fish, mainly rainbows, with deeper trolling techniques effective. The best areas are between White Earth and the dam.

Carter J. Hickey, a 21-year-old from Ohio, faced severe legal consequences after flaunting illegal hunting activities on TikTok. He pled guilty to seventeen wildlife crimes, incurring over $33,000 in fines, jail time, and a ban on hunting. His case highlights the importance of reporting wildlife crimes to protect ethical hunting and conservation efforts.

After three years of dreaming, 57-year-old James Haskins embarked on a hike through the Beartooth Mountains with friend Keil Clavadetscher. Over ten days, they covered 132 miles, facing challenges like wildlife encounters and inclement weather. Despite hardships, the adventure brought joy and a sense of accomplishment, inspiring plans for future hikes.

Washington, D.C., August 21, 2026 – The U.S. Forest Service today announced plans to publish a notice of intent to prepare […]

Learn how Montana FWP aerial surveys shape tag quotas — and how understanding the process helps you make smarter application decisions each season.