Mar 26, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
FWP releases 2026–2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
Montana FWP releases its 2026–2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, focusing on trail access, inclusive recreation, facility maintenance, and conservation balance.
Mar 26, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana’s Drift Boat War: The Data Behind Crowded Rivers
Montana's rivers are overwhelmed with drift boats. Locals blame outfitters, guides blame DIYers—but the data reveals surprising truths about who's really crowding the water.
Mar 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Full Moon Sunset Hike at First Peoples Buffalo Jump — April 1
Join ranger Andy Keller for a full moon sunset hike at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park on April 1. The 3-mile guided hike begins at 7 p.m. Registration required; $4 fee.
Mar 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Why the San Juan Worm Catches Montana’s Biggest Trout (Even If Purists Hate It)
Montana's most controversial fly pattern works because trout eat worms. Here's why the San Juan Worm deserves respect from even the snobbiest anglers.
Mar 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Upcoming Montana State Park Events
Montana State Parks hosts wolverine presentation March 28 and a full moon sunset hike April 1, both at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park near Great Falls.
Mar 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Needs Hunters & Anglers for Invasive Weed Council—5 Seats Open
Montana needs you! Join the fight against invasive weeds threatening hunting, fishing & farmland. 5 key advisory positions open for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mar 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area vehicle registration for antler hunters opens April 1
Shed antler hunters heading to the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA by vehicle can register online April 1–19 ahead of the May 15 noon season opener near Seeley Lake.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Foothills Sheds Are Dropping Now: Best Montana Units This Weekend
Warm March temps are dropping elk and mule deer sheds early across Montana. Here's exactly where to look this weekend before the window closes.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
How ‘A River Runs Through It’ Changed Montana Fly Fishing — 32 Years Later
Discover how the 1992 film A River Runs Through It transformed Montana fly fishing, creating both opportunities and challenges that still impact anglers today.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
USDA Meat Labels: What Montana Ranchers Need to Know
New USDA rules mean foreign beef can no longer fake a USA label. Here's what the change means for Montana ranchers and the meat on your table.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Warm March 2026 Is Moving Merriam’s Strut Zones — Scout Now
Montana's warm dry March is shifting where Merriam's toms strut. Here's how to adjust your pre-season scouting before the April opener.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Missouri River Rainbows Are Peaking Right Now — Before Runoff Hits
Late March is your last clear-water shot at Missouri River rainbows. Here's where to fish, what rigs are working, and how long you have left.
Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Michigan Angler Got Jail for No License – Here’s How To Avoid This In Montana
A Michigan angler just got jail time for fishing without a license. Here's what Montana's penalties look like — and why FWP is watching right now.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Shed Hunting 2026: Which Units and Elevations Are Dropping Right Now
Late March snowpack is receding fast. Here's exactly which Montana units and elevation bands are producing fresh elk and mule deer sheds this week.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Grey Bear Boat Ramp Closes March 30 for Construction—What Yellowstone Anglers Need to Know
Grey Bear Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River will see partial closures starting March 30 due to construction. Work wraps up April 30; campground stays open.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Fire Weather Watch: What Montana Spring Hunters Must Know This Week
A Fire Weather Watch is active in Montana this week — here's what turkey scouts, shed hunters, and spring bear hunters need to know before heading out.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Turkey Opener 21 Days Out: Scout Water Now Before Strut Zones Lock In
Montana's turkey opener is 21 days out. Here's the one late-March scouting move on public land that most hunters skip — but shouldn't.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Scout Troop 214 Collected 1,600 Christmas Trees to Build Perch Habitat at Canyon Ferry
Scout Troop 214 sank 1,600 Christmas trees into Canyon Ferry for perch habitat. Here's what anglers need to know before ice-out this spring.
Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
5 Montana Ranches and Producers Just Won $1M in USDA Value-Added Grants
Montana ag producers score big as USDA announces $1M+ in Value-Added Producer Grants for 5 operations, helping farmers move beyond raw commodities
Mar 20, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Elk Migration Exodus: Where Montana’s 2026 Migration Hits First
Thousands of elk are leaving Wyoming's National Elk Refuge now. Here's exactly where they'll enter Montana and how to use it to your advantage.
Mar 19, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
The Big Timber Pond Project: Why Montana Anglers Are Diving Into This Particular Permit Application
Montana's FWP seeks public comments on the Big Timber Ranch Private Ponds License proposal, focusing on its environmental impact and water management before the March 30, 2026 deadline.
Mar 18, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
4 Fly Fishing Hacks From a Montana Guide That Make a Difference on the Water
Montana guide Tim Cammisa shares 4 practical fly fishing hacks for spring trout season on the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone rivers.
Mar 18, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Pre-Runoff Nymphing: 5 Rivers Still Fishing Before Montana Blows Out
Flows are spiking fast across Western Montana. Here's which rivers still have fishable nymphing conditions this week — and exactly what to throw.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Your First Yellowstone Cutthroat: Waters, Timing, and Flies Before Runoff
The pre-runoff window is closing fast in mid-March 2026. Here's exactly where, when, and how to catch your first Yellowstone cutthroat on the fly.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Bitterroot Up 55%, Big Hole Surging: Nymph These Montana Rivers This Week
Flows are rising fast. Here's which Montana rivers still have fishable nymph water this week — and when each one blows out.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Wyoming’s Elk Season Overhaul: 5 Things Montana Border Hunters Must Know
Wyoming's elk season changes affect Montana border hunters now. With MT draw deadlines April 1, here's what you need to know before submitting applications.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
How Montana’s Deer and Elk Draw System Actually Works — And How Not to Get Burned by It
Montana's deer and elk draw system is complicated. Here's what hunters need to know about preference points, deadlines, and limited entry permits.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Outdoor Recreation Hit 5% of GDP — What Hunters and Anglers Need to Know
Montana's outdoor rec sector hit 5% of GDP in 2024 — here's why that $3.8B number matters for public land access and conservation funding right now.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Shed Hunting Now: Hit These Elevations Before Green-Up Buries Everything
Mid-March is your last realistic window to find elk and mule deer sheds in Montana before green-up hits. Here's where to walk right now.
Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana’s $3.8B Outdoor Boom: What 32,000 New Jobs Mean for Your Hunting Season
Montana's $3.8B outdoor economy now ranks 3rd nationally, but explosive growth means more crowded trails, harder access, and tougher hunting seasons ahead.
Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Massive Railroad Merger Could Leave Montana Farmers and Ranchers Over a Barrel
Montana farmers face potential pricing nightmare as $85B railroad merger threatens to eliminate competition and spike shipping costs for grain and cattle feed.
Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Bears Emerging in February 2026: What Shed Hunters and Spring Outdoorsmen Must Know
Montana's mild 2026 winter has bears out weeks early. Here's what shed hunters, turkey scouts, and backcountry anglers need to know right now.
Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
The Buffalo Slaughter That Wrote Montana’s Hunting Laws
How the 19th-century buffalo slaughter wiped out Montana's great herds — and directly shaped every tag, season, and law you hunt under today.
Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Fixed vs. Mechanical Broadheads: What Montana Bowhunters Actually Need
Montana bowhunters debate fixed vs. mechanical broadheads for spring bear and fall elk. Here's what outfitters and public land hunters actually trust.
Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Cattle Prices Drop 3% as Trading Volume Falls 32% This Week
Montana cattle markets face pressure with 3,973 head traded – feeder prices drop on quality concerns while cow markets stay strong. Get the full breakdown.
Mar 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Stillwater Fly Fishing: Montana’s Best Move When Runoff Wins
Montana rivers are blowing out now. Here's how to pivot to stillwater fly fishing at Canyon Ferry, Holter, and Hauser this spring.
Mar 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Bitterroot Surges 55% as March Warmup Hits Montana Rivers: Where to Fish Now
Spring conditions arrive early with flows jumping 55% on some rivers. Here's where to fish this week as temperatures climb into the 50s.
Mar 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
How Montana Hunters Lost $800 in Venison—And How You Won’t
Montana hunters risk losing a freezer full of elk or deer every storm season. Here's how to protect your wild game before next outage hits.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Turkey Season 2026: Public Land Scout and Prep Guide
Montana's spring turkey season opens April 15. Here's your one-month public land scouting and prep guide to punch your tag opening week.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Hard Lessons Montana Outdoorsmen Learn Too Late Every Spring
Mid-March is Montana's most dangerous season. Here's what kills trips—and sometimes people—when anglers and hunters rush back outside too soon.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Realtree’s Spring Thunder Heads West — What Montana Merriam’s Hunters Can Learn From It
Realtree's Spring Thunder crew chases Merriam's turkeys in Black Hills country — here's what Montana hunters can take from it for a DIY public land spring hunt.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Smith River Permit 2026: The Complete Guide to Drawing, Planning, and Floating Montana’s Most Coveted Trip
Your complete guide to the Smith River permit 2026 lottery — deadlines, odds, standby tips, outfitter options, and insider float planning advice.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Backcountry Trail Cam Footage Shows What’s Really Moving When Nobody’s Watching
Year-round Montana backcountry trail cam footage from Diaries of a Trailcam — with tips on how hunters can use this intel to scout smarter.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Something Big Hit on the Bighorn: Wildhook Adventures Tangles With a Mystery Catch on One of Montana’s Most Legendary Rivers
The crew at Wildhook Adventures hooks into something massive on the Bighorn River near Fort Smith — one of Montana's top tailwater trout fisheries.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Cracking Montana’s Elk Draw: What Every Non-Resident Needs to Know
Montana's elk draw is one of the most competitive in the West. Here's what non-residents need to know before applying this season.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Why Dumping Bait Fish Could Destroy Your Favorite Montana Lake
Illegal fish stocking is one of Montana's biggest fishery threats. Here's why dumping bait fish or "pet" fish can ruin a waterbody forever.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Cuts 2,500 Nonresident Deer Combo Tags: What Hunters Need to Know for 2026
Montana just cut 2,500 nonresident deer combo tags. Here's what hunters need to know before planning their 2026 season.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
2026 Fort Peck Salmon Derby – Registration Opens 3/15/26 – Critical Information to Know
Registration for the Fort Peck Salmon Derby opens Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, and teams planning to compete should […]
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Big Hole Surges 21% While Madison Holds Steady: Montana Rivers March 14, 2026
Southwest Montana rivers splitting—Madison and Gallatin stable and clear, but Big Hole and western drainages rising fast from snowmelt.
Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Where Montana’s Best March Fishing Is Happening Right Now
Montana's ice-out begins! Mid-March brings hot fishing action as winter loosens its grip. Late ice opportunities plus early spring river action await.