Good afternoon, Montanans (and visitors!) and welcome to mud season! Roads and trails on the B-D are a sloppy, soupy, mess and they will be until nighttime temps rise.
Far beneath the surface the soil is still frozen. Moisture from melting snow can’t be fully absorbed as it is later in the season. This pattern contributes to spring flooding and the associated hazards as well as erosion, falling rock, and thick mud.
Forest visitors should be prepared for slick, and varied conditions on FS roads. Remember, forest roads are not maintained for heavy traffic, however our roads crew of 9 works hard to keep them in operable condition. Please don’t hesitate to contact a District Office if you come across any safety or road hazards due to the spring melt.
It is wise to carry a shovel in your vehicle just in case you need to dig out of a sticky situation; strategic rock placement can also help when the tires are spinning. As always, avoid any off-road motor vehicle use. Moist soil conditions can lead to compaction and rutting which in turn hamper nutrient uptake. A little dirt never hurt but might require additional planning. So, head on out there and enjoy springtime forest activities just don’t forget to leave your boots at the door.
Guest Writer: Mandalyn Child, Resource Assistant, BDNF
May be an image of road
Topics
Hunt in Montana
–>

Bird Brains Don’t Wear Safety Orange

Sep-12-25 by Angela Montana

From ‘Great Pumpkin suits’ to saving bird dogs, this week we tackle the surprising history and life-saving importance of Hunter Orange. More from Montana Grant!

Anchor Ranch has been at center of access disputes

Sep-12-25 by Angela Montana

At the crossroads of wilderness and ownership, Anchor Ranch has become ground zero in a battle over who gets in—and who gets kept out.

LIVE Saturday Mornings
from 6:06am to 8:00am

Montana Outdoor Podcast

New Episodes Every Saturday!

Esclusive Sneak Peek #2: The Truth About First-Timers at Mack Days

Sep-12-25 by Angela Montana

Exclusive Teaser #2: Can a Mack Days rookie really reel in cash on their first try? Catch this sneak peek today before the full episode drops tomorrow!

MT Outdoor Podcast: Audie Stein Shares His Incredible Story

Sep-06-25 by Angela Montana

From excitement to terror: Audie Stein’s night that almost didn’t make it.

Flathead’s Best-Kept Fishing Secret Revealed on MT Outdoor Podcast

Aug-30-25 by Angela Montana

This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale gets the legendary ‘Whitefish Whisperer’ to spill his secrets for hooking Flathead Lake’s hardest-fighting — and best-tasting — fish.

Exclusive MT Outdoor Podcast Sneak Peek: Whitefish Wisdom with Ross Tate

Aug-29-25 by Angela Montana

The ‘Whitefish Whisperer’ spills his Flathead Lake secrets on this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast, and we have an exclusive sneak peek right here, right now!

Tiber Reservoir Secrets is the MT Outdoor Podcast Episode Worth a Replay

Aug-16-25 by Angela Montana

Last week’s Tiber Reservoir episode made waves; by popular demand, it’s staying for another week—don’t miss it…


Montana Tourney Trail

Montana Fishing Reports

Outdoor How-To

How To: Pike Handling Protocol

Jul-25-25 by Angela Montana

Every angler has a style when holding pike…here’s one angler’s “how to” video…

How To Master the King Salmon Fillet

Jul-10-25 by Angela Montana

Clean your king salmon catch before it even knows what happened…

How To Drink in the Wild without Regret

Jun-02-25 by Angela Montana

That sparkling mountain stream might be beautiful—but could also completely ruin your weekend…

MT Wildlife

Cruelty Is Not Comedy

Sep-12-25 by Angela Montana

This disturbing viral video isn’t just shocking—it’s a lesson in accountability and respect…

Rocking Wolves Away from Ranches with Music

Sep-03-25 by Angela Montana

Forget fences: scientists are using drones with loudspeakers to scare wolves off with rock music and RomCom dialogue…

Viral Stories

Bear’s Journey from Montana to the Savanna

Aug-15-25 by Angela Montana

From Montana’s peaks to Africa’s plains, this pup’s next job is guarding the herd to spare the fastest cat alive…

A Drone’s Fiery Encounter in Sidney, MT

Jun-26-25 by Angela Montana

A routine storm chase detoured into a fireball-filled explosion in Sidney, Montana…

A Bison’s Final Steps at YNP’s Grand Prismatic Spring

Jun-23-25 by Angela Montana

Onlookers horrified at a bison took one wrong step into Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring…

Cow moose, 2 calves dead after encounter with angler

Jun-19-25 by Moosetrack Megan

On the morning of June 14, 2025, Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel received a report that a cow moose had been shot in a confrontation with an angler on the North Tongue River in the Bighorn National Forest near Bear Lodge Resort. When game wardens responded, they found the moose deceased from her injuries.

Montana FWP

Fishing restrictions lifted today on sections of several rivers

Sep-09-25 by Angela Montana

Cooler water temps mean fishing restrictions are lifted on the Upper Bitterroot, Upper Madison, and Shields rivers—but low flows have forced a full closure on the North Fork Blackfoot to protect bull trout…

Wild Game Recipes

Stir Fry Crazy Trout

Sep-11-25 by Angela Montana

Trout haters, meet stir-fry: the recipe that might just change your mind… More from Montana Grant here!