Wendy Weaver, influenced by her childhood river experiences, is now leading the Yellowstone River Ambassadors program in Montana. This initiative aims to educate recreational users on river etiquette, conservation, and responsible usage. By addressing issues like overcrowding and waste management, Weaver hopes to foster better stewardship of the Yellowstone River for future generations.

The Bureau of Land Management has opened a new parking area west of Belfry, giving access to 6,400 acres of federal land. Suggested by the Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen, this area aims to improve public access. While lacking trails currently, future plans include developing pathways, despite limited funding and staffing challenges.

BRETT FRENCH | bfrench@billingsgazette.com American Prairie has cancelled its annual public lottery that authorizes winning hunters to kill bison, citing […]

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks estimated 3.1 million acres of landlocked public land, slightly exceeding a private company's figure. Of this, 2.2 million acres are locked by private land, and 628,000 acres are accessible only by corner crossing. Discussions highlight the need for solutions to enhance public access.

A record-high 72 grizzly bears died in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in 2025 — and all 18 deaths outside the monitored zone were human-caused. Here's what it means for delisting.

The 2022 Stillwater River floods prompted extensive bank projects, harming fish habitats. Fisheries biologist Bryan Giordano warns of a 90% decline in fish populations due to human interventions and climate change impacts.

In 2025, modifications were made to a fence blocking access to the West Boulder River after negotiations, allowing public access while controversies over landowner restrictions continue to rise in Montana.

BRETT FRENCH | bfrench@billingsgazette.com Interest in a once-controversial program that gives free elk tags to landowners to encourage them to allow public […]

Jack Atcheson Jr., a pioneering outfitter in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, emphasizes low-impact hunting while advocating for bighorn sheep conservation, reflecting over 50 years of dedication and global experience.

Water levels in Bighorn, Boysen, and Buffalo Bill reservoirs are significantly low due to a dry winter, impacting boating and fishing. Predictions indicate reduced runoff and earlier peak snowpack, affecting recreational access.

Low water levels on Montana's Bighorn River threaten trout spawning, despite healthy fish populations. Experts call for action to preserve habitats as drought risks increase and fishing restrictions may be implemented.

Flathead County in Montana is projected to grow by nearly 30% by 2040, increasing pressure on outdoor recreation areas. Public lands drive this growth, highlighting the need for improved access and facilities across the state.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is focusing on preserving streamflows to combat rising river temperatures, employing water leasing to support Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations amidst significant environmental challenges.

A proposal to donate an 82-acre island in the Yellowstone River to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks aims to preserve its wildlife habitat, named Pine Siskin fishing access site, for public benefit.

A Wyoming study indicates that mule deer populations are declining due to habitat loss, climate change, and other stressors, with current estimates dropping significantly since their peak in 1991.

An avalanche investigation says a Feb. 22 slide in Idaho buried a Minnesota father and his 21-year-old son just 15 feet apart, creating overlapping transceiver signals that complicated the rescue. The incident unfolded in Carrot Canyon near West Yellowstone during “considerable” avalanche danger above 8,000 feet, with multiple slides triggered on the same slope.

Montana’s Block Management Program is seeing far more demand even as enrolled private-land acres shrink. FWP is surveying landowners—and considering new incentives and outreach—to ease crowding and rebuild access.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is expanding hunter education support by hiring seven regional education technicians, even as youth participation faces headwinds from overscheduled kids, two-income parents, and volunteer instructors. The technicians will help backstop the required firearm safety program for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985.