Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings Oct. 27-28

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a work session and meeting to discuss several matters, include black bear hunting with hounds and final decisions on wolf trapping regulations.

The Commission will hold a work session at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. This is an information session during which the commission will have the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about black bear hunting with hounds from members of the Montana State Houndsmen Association.

Public comment will not be taken for this meeting. To listen to the meeting, click on the link provided on the commission webpage https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission.

Then, on Thursday, Oct. 28, the Commission will meet in person at the State Capitol in room 303. Additional seating is available in the balcony. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m.

Public comment via Zoom will be managed with the system utilized by the Legislature. If you are interested in commenting, you must register online via the Fish, Wildlife & Parks website by noon, Oct. 27. The public will also be able to comment in person at the meeting or at any FWP regional office.

The sign up is open from 12 p.m. Oct. 20 to 12 p.m. Oct. 27. To sign up, go to: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/mtg/fishandwildlifecommissionmeeting10282021

The commission will make final decisions on the following:

• 2021 wolf trapping and snaring regulations adjustments;
  
• Request by four individuals for accommodation to use crossbow;
• Fresno Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan.

2022 Fishing Regulations

• Public elk hunting access agreements;
• Clarification of the 2021 Deer and Elk Heritage Muzzleloader Season;
• 2022 Annual Work Plan for Elk Management in Areas with Brucellosis;
• Deer Adaptive Harvest Management Plan revisions;
• Turkey translocations;
• Bad Rock Canyon fee title acquisition;
• Kootenai Forestlands Phase II Conservation Easement;
• Bull River Wildlife Management Area Timber Salvage.

The commission will hear the following proposals:

• Comprehensive update of licensing administrative rules;
• Madison River Workgroup proposal to repeal Madison River rest rotation and walk wade rules;
• Spring 2022 Light Goose Conservation Order Hunt in the Central Flyway;
• Grizzly bear relocation sites;
• Doney Lake forest habitat project.

The commission will also drought update presentation.

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with special needs. To request arrangements, call FWP at 406-444-3186.

For the full agenda and background on the scheduled topics, go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov; under “Quick Links” click “Commission.”

FWP's website offers live streamed audio of each Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting.