Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has a busy October meeting on the calendar, and grizzlies, fishing rules, recreation fees and motorboats are all invited to the conversation.
The commission meets Oct. 15 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, with the gavel dropping at 8 a.m. Before then, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to hear what the public thinks about several proposals.
One of the bigger topics is where relocated grizzly bears can be released. State law requires those bears to go to commission-approved locations within occupied grizzly range, and most of the proposed sites will look familiar—they’re largely the same ones commissioners approved five years ago.
FWP is also proposing changes to fees for using and doing business at recreation sites. Camping and other public-use fees haven’t been updated since 2014, while some commercial fees have been sitting untouched since 2007. FWP says the proposed makeover would simplify the fee structure while accounting for inflation and the rising cost of keeping recreation sites running.
Also on the docket: 2027-28 fishing regulations, brown trout rules in the Flathead River drainage, northern leopard frog relocations, a temporary full closure of Kona Bridge Fishing Access Site, proposed motorized-use restrictions at Swan Lake and a final decision on a motorized watercraft closure on the Bitterroot River.
Have thoughts? The commission wants them. The deadline for public comments ahead of the meeting is Sept. 24, with comments accepted online or by mail. People can also speak up during the Oct. 15 meeting in Helena or from an FWP regional office.
Zoom commenters can join the action too, but there’s homework: advance registration is required. Sign-ups open Sept. 30 and close at noon Oct. 14.
In short: bears, boats, trout, frogs, fees—and plenty for Montanans to weigh in on before commissioners make their calls.
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