Welcome to NFNewsNFNews is an independent newsite with the goal of providing everyone who loves the North Fork with information that they can use to make their time in paradise more enjoyable and productive. Explore the website and let us know what you think using contactus@nfnews.net. Mail sorting facilities moving out of KalispellPosted May 19, 2012 - Tom Lotshaw from the Daily Interlake reports that mail-sorting operations at Kalispell’s main post office are slated to be closed and moved to Missoula, the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday. Kalispell’s mail sorting center originally was targeted to be consolidated along with Missoula’s in Spokane. Whooping cough cases continue to climbPosted May 19, 2012 - The Hungry Horse News reports that as the Flathead City-County Health Department’s count of confirmed cases of pertussis in Flathead County climbed to 36 by Friday, May 18, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services reported more than 200 confirmed cases statewide. That is the highest number in the state since 2005, when an outbreak of whooping cough reached nearly 600 confirmed cases. DPHHS reported that since January this year, 18 of the state’s counties and tribal health jurisdictions have reported pertussis cases. Partial lunar eclipse on SundayReposted May 18, 2012 - On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the sun, transforming sunbeams across the Pacific side of Earth into fat crescents and thin rings of light. And you get to see it! Here's a website that shows you what you'll see and the best times to view. Another Canadian Caribou wanders into MontanaPosted May 18, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that Montana wildlife officials say a Canadian caribou has wandered into northwestern Montana for the second time this spring, and this one has the potential to make history. Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife manager Jim Williams tells KCFW-TV the possibly pregnant cow is from a herd that biologists brought to British Columbia to augment an existing herd. He says if the caribou gives birth, it would be the first known caribou birth in Montana in over 50 years. Late summer streamflows decreasing, says University of Montana studyPosted May 18, 2012 - Chelsi Moy of the Missoulian reports that the University of Montana study published this week in the international journal Climate Change discovered that late-summer streamflows have decreased in the western United States over the past half century because of higher air temperatures and earlier spring runoff. Scientists examined 50 years of U.S. Geological Survey streamflow data on 153 streams in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. They found that 89 percent of the streams experienced substantial declines in streamflow by August, likely as a result of longer and warmer summer temperatures. If this trend continues into the next half century, small streams in the central Rocky Mountains could start to run dry by late summer, the study said. Becoming an outdoors woman birding workshop June 22-24Posted May 17, 2012 - Women interested in learning the basics of bird watching are invited to a weekend workshop June 22-24, co-sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). “This workshop is for the beginning birder who wants to learn to identify birds through field marks, sounds and habitat,” said Liz Lodman, FWP coordinator of the Becoming An Outdoors-Woman workshops. Early North Fork squabblesPosted May 17, 2012 - Larry has a good story about early North Forkers in his column this week. We love hearing the old tales. Check it out. Wolves, aspen, elk and fire — keys to healthy forests?Posted May 17, 2012 - In this week's edition of the Hungry Horse News, Chris Peterson has an interesting article about how all of these elements work together to effect the North Fork. Check it out here. Park and Flathead County to conduct trainingPosted May 17, 2012 - Glacier National Park Rangers, in cooperation with Flathead County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, will conduct and participate in active shooter training exercises on Friday, May 18th at the West Glacier Elementary School. The school will not be in session that day, and no students or school personnel will be involved in the exercise. Emergency response personnel will participate in the day-long simulation event to increase emergency preparedness if an active shooter situation should arise in the area. The training will be led by Flathead County SWAT and attended by Glacier National Park's law enforcement staff and other law enforcement cooperators. Washable paint-based ammunition will be used during the training. A series of scenarios will be staged in the school setting to help law enforcement officers improve skills to better respond to a potential threat. Active shooter incidents are dangerous and often unpredictable. Situations evolve quickly and require swift action to mitigate the threat. For more information about the training, please contact park headquarters at 406-888-7800. Park wrestles with shuttle bus issuesPosted May 17, 2012 - Tom Lotshaw from the Daily Interlake reports that Glacier National Park is struggling with shuttle bus finances and over the next few years will craft a management plan to try to deal with congestion along Going-to-the-Sun Road. The park last week was awarded $1.3 million to create a management plan for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. The study will try to address packed parking lots and heavy user impacts along the road as well as the future of the shuttle bus system. The shuttles are popular but costly and have not taken as many vehicles off the road as hoped. Active-duty troops get free passes to national parksPosted May 16, 2012 - Tristan Scott from the Missoulian reports that active-duty military personnel and their families received the keys to a national trove of treasured lands on Tuesday when the Department of the Interior swung open the gates to all national parks in a gesture of appreciation. As a token of gratitude to America’s service men and women, and at the behest of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar introduced the “America the Beautiful” pass, which grants service members free admission to Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, as well as more than 2,000 other National Park Service sites and other public lands across the country – including 55 in Montana. The pass will be made available to all members of the military and their dependents beginning Saturday, May 19, to commemorate Armed Forces Day. Public comment sought on proposed 2012/2013 wolf hunting season detailsPosted May 15, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on a proposed 2012-13 general wolf hunting and trapping season. The general season would run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013, with trapping allowed from Dec. 15 to the end of the general wolf season. Under the proposed 2012-2013 season there would be no statewide quota, but quotas would be established in two areas near Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. The public may also comment in writing through June 25 to: FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701. For questions, call the FWP Wildlife Bureau at 406-444-2612. Getting ready for the summerPosted May 14, 2012 - A good neighbor from near Ford Station reports that he's seen a large grizzly bear feeding on grass in the meadow. It could well be Patti Bear! And while you're thinking about springtime activities, check out this weed control guide from Murdoch's. And so floating season beginsPosted May 13, 2012 - Flathead County officials say Glacier National Park employees used a boat to rescue a woman who fell out of her kayak on the Flathead River. Brian Heino of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office says the woman in her 30s was able to get to shore Friday afternoon but not up the bank. Heino tells the Daily Inter Lake that he’s not sure where the boat came from because park employees don’t normally have one. He says the woman was cold but not injured. Energy conference coming to town KalispellPosted May 13, 2012 - The Daily Interlake reports that several of Montana’s leading energy experts will headline the Northwest Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on Friday, May 18, at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. The Northwest Energy Coalition, one of the region’s foremost clean energy policy advocacy associations for the past three decades, holds its semiannual conference in Montana every other year. Good news about Big CreekPosted May 12, 2012 - A good neighbor sent in an email pointing to a Daily Interlake article that says the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Flathead National Forest announced the news Thursday that Big Creek had been removed from the state’s list of impaired waters. Recent monitoring data has shown that sediment and stream conditions in Big Creek, a major tributary to the North Fork of the Flathead River, now are similar to conditions in streams with minimal human impacts. Morel mushroomsPosted May 11, 2012 - We found this blog entry extolling the virtues of morel mushrooms and thought that we would share. We've picked morels on the NF before (albeit after a fire), so keep a lookout on your spring walks. Thompson Falls bighorn sheep herd continues to declinePosted May 11, 2012 - Based on recent surveys, the bighorn sheep herd in the Thompson Falls area continues to decline. FWP Biologist Bruce Sterling counted only 52 sheep on his annual flight this spring. This figure compares to 270 sheep counted in 2008. These numbers reflect the number of sheep observed in the survey, not the total number of sheep in the population. But the trend is alarming to Sterling, who attributes most of the decline to highway mortality. FWP deputy director leaves for NorthWestern postPosted May 10, 2012 - The Associated Press reports that the deputy director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department has resigned to take a governmental affairs job with NorthWestern Energy. Art Noonan worked for the state agency for nearly three years. His last day with FWP was Friday. Noonan tells Lee Newspapers of Montana he's excited to work in business after working in public policy for most of his career. Noonan has an extensive background in politics, working for the Montana Legislature, with former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams and Sen. John Melcher. He represented Butte in the state House of Representatives and has been director of the Montana Democratic Party. FWP is taking applications for a new deputy director through June 1. Noonan was making $96,429 annually... Nice work if you can get it. Lake volunteers neededPosted May 9, 2012 - The Hungry Horse News reports volunteers are needed for the Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network. Volunteers will receive training and equipment to assist them in data collection, but they will need their own boat. Volunteers will be asked to monitor their lakes twice a month and spend one day with Whitefish Lake Institute staff collecting water chemistry data. Rachael Potter to present talkPosted May 9, 2012 - The Hungry Horse News reports that former Glacier National Park botanist Rachel Potter will present a talk on “Botanical expeditions in Glacier National Park, 1909 and 1910” at the Montana House Regional Gift Shop in Apgar Village on Saturday, May 12, at 4 p.m. Potter will use written accounts, historic and modern photos and wildflower pictures to discuss the early journeys of noted Western botanist Marcus Jones and Morton Elrod, founder of Flathead Lake Biological Station. Potter holds a botany degree from the University of Montana and is a founding member of the Montana Native Plant Society. There is no cost to attend, but a call to 888-5393 for reservations is recommended. In that same article they also report that the Montana Loon Society and the Montana Common Loon Working Group need volunteers to help observe and count loons on lakes throughout Northwest Montana on Saturday, May 12, Spring Loon Census Day, and on Saturday, July 14, Loon Day. For areas west of Kalispell, call Gael Bissell at 751-4580; for the Tally/Stillwater area, call Laura Holmquist at 758-3501; for West Flathead Valley and Upper Whitefish Lake, call Chris Forestall at 751-2258; and for Glacier National Park, call Jamie Belt at 888-7986. Bear leaves den under Georgetown Lake cabinPosted May 8, 2012 - Remember the bear that moved into this cabin last fall? Here's the story about it moving out again. Many thanks to the owner for letter him stay the winter. You have to participate to win At FWPPosted May 7, 2012 - There is a significant sub-culture of hunters not commonly written about. It is made up of hunters who participate in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' special license drawings. Family Forestry ExpoPosted May 7, 2012 - The Family Forestry Expo is an annual, week long event that offers hands-on exposure to the role forests play in our everyday lives. The yearly event takes place through the dedicated involvement of over 20 diverse organizations such as local service clubs, forest industry, government natural resource agencies, conservation groups, professional societies, local businesses, many interested individuals and numerous local donations. This year the Family Forestry Expo is scheduled for May 7 through May 12 with the theme of "Celebrating Forests for People." Check out the fish in our local watersPosted May 6, 2012 - A good neighbor sent in this website which has good information for fisherpeople. It includes information about local lakes as well as streams and the North Fork River. Did you know, for example, that Red Meadow Lake has arctic grayling? They even provide a link that tells you all about arctic grayling. Check it out. June 1 license application deadline approachesPosted May 6, 2012 - The deadline to apply for FWP’s special license drawings for antelope licenses and antlerless B elk, deer licenses is June 1. Hunters can apply in minutes by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and selecting Online Services. For those who don’t own a computer, Internet access is available at Montana’s 80 public libraries and 30 branch public libraries. Information about FWP’s SuperTag lottery, and how you can purchase $5 chances, is available on FWP’s SuperTag web page under Hunting and then Licenses and Permits. Living with wildlife makes economic sensePosted May 6, 2012 - Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer, posted the following report on the MFWP website... Montana's wildlife is one big benefit of being a Montanan—or visiting here. Tourism, an important economic engine in the state, is fueled significantly by visitors interested in viewing wildlife. That is why learning to live with wildlife and avoiding conflicts makes good personal and economic sense. In the past when a wild animal came in conflict with homeowner or someone outdoors recreating, one easy response was to ask Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to relocate the animal. That may have been a common band-aid, but no more. These days, wildlife experts say a better, more cost-effective, and long-term solution is to identify what attractants brought the critter into conflict and how to defuse the situation. Polebridge Mercantile opened for the seasonPosted May 5, 2012 - Don't forget that the Merc reopened on May 1st, so stop by and say hello to Stuart and Flannery. The Northern Lights will reopen on the 25th just in time for Memorial Day. ‘Last Best Place’ slogan protected from trademarkPosted May 5, 2012 - North Fork news was a little slow, so here's what we came up with... The Flathead Beacon reports that Montana can officially keep its title as the "Last Best Place." The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced Friday they will honor Sen. Max Baucus’ provision to permanently deny any trademark application for the slogan “Last Best Place.” The battle over the trademark has been ongoing since 2002 when Nevada businessman David Lipson tried to gain exclusive rights to the term for his Paws Up Lodge in the Blackfoot Valley. Sondreson Hall cleanup dayPosted May 4, 2012 - Following is a message from Karen McDonough, Vice President for the North Fork Landowners' Association... Mark your calendar for SONDRESON HALL CLEAN UP DAY on May 26th, we will start at 10:00 AM. I look forward to seeing all of you North Fork "worker bee's" and to getting the hall all ready for the start of summer. North Fork River monitoring and patrolPosted May 4, 2012 - Rachael Potter asked that we post the following, but the deadline is soon so don't wait to sign up... Description: River monitoring is part of the Glacier National Park (GNP) Backcountry Patrol volunteer program. Florida house for salePosted May 3, 2012 - Lois and Bill Walker are selling their house in Florida and asked that we post it on the BBoard. Here's the scoop... It's located in Port Saint Joe, off RT. 98 between Panama City and Apalachicola. It's a half-acre lot on a quiet circle with 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, LR, DR, and central air and heat. The house is just one mile from the Gulf with its crystal white sand beaches. It's outside the flood plain so no flood insurance is required. Slow-paced life on the "Forgotten Coast." A perfect winter get-away home. It's just that easy and it's free. Send us BBoard postings to contactus@nfnews.net. Jimmy DeHerrera retiringPosted May 2, 2012 - Jimmy DeHerrera, District Ranger for the Hungry Horse - Glacier View Ranger District, has announced that he will be retiring from his position in the Flathead National Forest as of June 1. Jimmy has worked closely with folks from the North Fork over the last several years and has been a good friend of the North Fork. We're going to miss working with him but want to wish him and Michaelan all the best in their retirement. Forecast for flooding has been reducedPosted May 2, 2012 - Good news. Based on conditions as of April 30th, NOAA's predictions for flooding at Polebridge has been reduced. In this current forecast, the river doesn't reach the 10' mark until sometime mid June and flood stage is at 12'. Check out the graph here. Fire season loomsPosted May 2, 2012 - Dillon Tabish from the Flathead Beacon reports that the first three months of 2012 were the warmest on record for the contiguous United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Every state experienced at least one record high temperature in March – there were 15,272 in all – and the average overall temperature in the U.S. was 42 degrees Fahrenheit, six degrees above the long-term average. The average temperature through March has only surpassed 40 degrees four times since 1920, according to NOAA. And the warming does not bode well for fire season On the other hand, Rob Chaney from the Missoulian reports that Western Montana should expect a normal fire season this summer, but it should also have plenty of water to fight it. That’s the tentative forecast from experts at the 2012 Water Year Outlook conference in Missoula on Tuesday. However, shifting trends in global weather have clouded their crystal balls. “There’s not a real great signal to drive forecasts in the future,” National Weather Service hydrologist Ray Nickless said. Trout's ear bone reveals its history like a tree ringPosted May 2, 2012 - Tristan Scott from the Missoulian reports that Like a tree’s concentric growth rings, a small bone within a fish’s ear reveals a history of its growth. And according to a new study of westslope cutthroat trout in the Flathead River system, the bone also contains a record of its migration pathways – a kind of geochemical diary of its life. Park hosts community meetingsPosted May 1, 2012 - Glacier National Park is hosting two community meetings to share information about park activities and provide an opportunity for personal dialogue between park management and local community members and neighbors. A west-side meeting will take place Tuesday, May 15, 5:30-7 p.m. at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls and an east-side meeting will be Wednesday, May 16 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Apgar campground to open Friday, May 4Posted May 1, 2012 - Many of the Glacier National Park's campgrounds will be opening for the summer season in upcoming weeks. Apgar Campground, on the west side of the park, will open with services on Friday, May 4, and St. Mary Campground on the east side, will open with services on May 14. Additional campgrounds will open as the season progresses. New grizzly in the neighborhoodPosted Apr. 30, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that wildlife officials captured a young male grizzly bear Friday in a residential area north of Columbia Falls, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The 4-year-old bear was caught in a trap set for a much larger grizzly that was getting into garbage in the area. The young male was relocated Saturday in the Whale Creek area of the North Fork of the Flathead River drainage. The 230-pound grizzly had not been handled previously. FWP Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley fitted the bear with a radio collar so its movements can be monitored. Anglers - keep the Tip-Mont number handyPosted Apr. 30, 2012 - With Montana’s general fishing season opening May 19, FWP reminds anglers to make a note of the TIP-MONT hotline and keep it handy this fishing season. It is 1-800-TIP-MONT, or 1-800-847-6668. To report suspected violations, call: 1-800-TIP-MONT. For more information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov and or go directly to TIP-MONT. Fatal 2012 boating accidents are adding upPosted Apr. 30, 2012 - The MFWP website reports that in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, there have already been nine fatal boating accidents since mid-March. One of the nine occurred in Montana. “Anglers need to take note of these accidents, they all have three things in common," said Liz Lodman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' recreational boating coordinator. "They are: cold water, no life jackets and small paddle crafts.” All accidents were in water temperatures in the upper 30’s, seven of the victims were not wearing life jackets, and eight were operating small paddle crafts. Use safer fishing tackle this summerPosted Apr. 29, 2012 - MFWP wants folks to know that Loons, swans, cranes and other water birds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers. Sinkers and jigs do not have to be made of lead. To help protect water birds from getting lead poisoning, anglers can use sinkers and jigs made from nonpoisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel and recycled glass. Here is what anglers can do to be conservation-minded:
Montana stream access lawPosted Apr. 29, 2012 - MFWP wants to remind folks that under Montana's stream access law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high water mark. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not give them the right to enter private lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to access streams without landowner permission. Fishing notes from the 2012 Annual FWP Fishing NewsletterPosted Apr. 29, 2012 - To help anglers prepare for this year's fishing season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has produced the 2012 Annual Fishing Newsletter. The 54-page report on the status of Montana's fisheries is provided by local FWP fisheries biologists who collect data on Montana's heralded rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. It features color pictures and readable, insider reports on some of Montana's favorite fishing spots. Flooding briefly closes Sun RoadPosted Apr. 29, 2012 - The Daily Interlake reports that flooding caused a short closure Friday morning of Going-to-the-Sun Road along Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. The flooding was caused by a plugged culvert, prompting park officials to close the road at the foot of the lake until about 1 p.m. Friday, said Denise Germann, the park’s public affairs specialist. High water on Lower McDonald Creek also has caused the closure of the Quarter Circle Bridge area. Elsewhere in the park, the Many Glacier Road has been opened and the Two Medicine Road has been opened beyond Running Eagle Falls. Potential for floodingPosted Apr. 28, 2012 - Based on conditions as of the 26th, NOAA is predicting that the North Fork river will reach near flood stage this week. Check out the graph here. NFLA Spring Newsletter is on its wayPosted Apr. 28, 2012 - The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here... the NFLA Spring Newsletter is in the mail and should be arriving at any time. Learn about all of the upcoming summer events, how to care for our bears, how to join the NFLA, and much more. Glacier Facebook a big hitPosted Apr. 28, 2012 - Jim Mann of the Daily Interlake reports that Glacier National Park has it going with social media, with the Glacier Facebook page recently surpassing 100,000 viewer “likes.” That milestone came just three years after the park’s Facebook page was created. Jared, a Huntsville, Ala., resident, became the 100,000th “friend” of the park. Caribou rescuedPosted Apr. 28, 2012 - The Daily Interlake reports that what started out as an unusual hunt for a dead caribou that wandered south of Eureka from Canada turned out to be an animal rescue mission Thursday for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists. British Columbia wildlife officials notified the biologists Thursday morning that a recently transplanted cow caribou had wandered into the Pinkham Creek drainage, and its satellite collar was broadcasting a mortality signal that is triggered when the collar doesn’t move for six hours. Jim Williams, the regional wildlife manager, teamed up with biologists Tim Thier and Tim Manley to retrieve the animal using snowmobiles. Park plows reach Haystack Creek areaPosted Apr. 27, 2012 - The Daily Interlake reports that a Glacier National Park snowplow crew was making initial bulldozer cuts through the Haystack Creek area Thursday, while another crew was moving equipment to start plowing toward Logan Pass from the east. The west-side crew on Going-to-the-Sun Road is just over five miles from Logan Pass and has encountered snow depths ranging from 5 to 18 feet deep. The crew is making good progress, but the earliest Sun Road could open over Logan Pass is June 15 because of contract terms that allow for both lanes to be closed for accelerated work that is part of a multiyear road reconstruction project. Montana budget picture continues to improvePosted Apr. 27, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that Montana's budget picture continues to improve beyond the original expectations of the state Legislature, as lawmakers were told Thursday there could be close to $500 million in surplus when they convene in 2013. Budget staffers now predict there will be an extra $168 million in state coffers compared to what was first estimated for the two-year budget that began in July. The extra money means that lawmakers could go into session next year starting with a surplus exceeding $400 million — and perhaps much more. Local photographer captures Park’s vistasPosted Apr. 27, 2012 - Matt Baldwin of the Hungry Horse News reports on Whitefish photographer Chuck Haney who has made a career out of capturing iconic images of Glacier Park’s rugged landscapes. This month, Haney releases his second Glacier Park-themed book, “Glacier Unforgettable,” published by Farcountry Press. The 120-page hardcover album spans Haney’s career in the Park dating back to the early 1990s. Hungry Horse News photographer Chris Peterson penned the book’s foreword. National Park WeekPosted Apr. 26, 2012 - Lido Vizzutti from the Flathead Beacon reports that National Park Week is underway and there is still time to take advantage of the free access to nearly 400 national park sites across the country, including Glacier National Park. Entrance fees are waived for visitors through April 29, making this an ideal time for everyone, specifically families, to get outside, explore and take in the natural beauty of the park. “This annual celebration is a great opportunity to experience spring at the park and view the many birds that migrate to or through the park at this time of year,” said Chas Cartwright, Glacier National Park’s superintendent. Grizzly death being investigatedPosted Apr. 26, 2012 - Wildlife officials are investigating the death of a male grizzly bear reported near Rhodes Draw northwest of Kalispell. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks received a call Tuesday morning from an individual who reported the dead grizzly. FWP wardens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforcement are investigating. No further information has been released at this time. New exhibit traces rich history of mountaineering in Glacier ParkPosted Apr. 25, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon has an article that says the rich history of climbing and trekking in Glacier National Park is the subject of a historical exhibit being introduced at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell. An opening reception for the exhibit, “Mountaineering in Glacier Park,” is on Friday, May 4 from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit offers an in-depth look at the history of mountaineering in Glacier through a video presentation, photographs, old newspaper stories and a rock wall built to display the gear used for mountaineering. Nonresident big game and elk combo hunting licenses availablePosted Apr. 24, 2012 - Nonresidents can now purchase Montana big game and elk combination hunting licenses online or over-the-counter at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office. The licenses, good for antlered deer and elk in most hunting districts, can be used during the archery and general hunting seasons. “We have about 1,700 nonresident big game and 2,150 elk combination hunting licenses available for this hunting season,” said Hank Worsech, the licensing section chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena. Local distilleries getting national recognitionPosted Apr. 24, 2012 - Molly Priddy of the Flathead Beacon reports that Like some of the best things in Montana, the Flathead Valley’s distilleries started with humble roots and grew through hard work. Now, after several recent competitions, it looks like the rest of the country is starting to catch on to what the locals have to offer. Ridge Distillery, Glacier Distilling Company and Whistling Andy have all won awards for their respective spirits since opening in the last 18 months. As Bakken oil booms, so does crimePosted Apr. 24, 2012 - Matthew Brown of the Flathead Beacon reports that drug crimes in eastern Montana have more than doubled. Assaults in Dickinson, N.D., have increased fivefold in just two years. And the once-sleepy town of Plentywood, Mont., has seen three assaults with weapons in the past few months — a prospect previously unheard of in the tiny community tucked against the Canada border. Booming oil production has brought tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues to communities across a wide expanse of the Northern Plains. But it also has brought more crime, forcing law enforcement from the U.S. and Canada to deal with spiking offenses ranging from drug trafficking and gun crimes to prostitution. See a related story from the Missoulian here. Glacier Park plowing activityPosted Apr. 22, 2012 - You can get the latest information about the status of the plows in Glacier National Park by using this page. Youth trapper camp offered In JunePosted Apr. 22, 2012 - The 2012 Youth Trapper Camp is accepting applications. The three-day camp, established 13 years ago, by the Montana Trappers Association, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Montana 4-H, offers youth the opportunity to learn all aspects of trapping from qualified instructors. Held in the Bears Paw Mountains, south of Havre at Beaver Creek Park, the camp is set for June 15-17. Fees are $50 per camper, with a $20 scholarship available to the first 60 applicants. All meals, snacks, drinks and educational materials are included. Adults are encouraged to attend with their children. The camp is handicap accessible. Applications are available online at MTA website at www.montanatrappers.org. For more information contact Jim or Fran Buell via email at 7mbuell@itstriangle.com, or call 406-376-3178. Glacier National Park getting both hotter and drierPosted Apr. 22, 2012 - Tristan Scott of the Missoulian reports that warming climate is changing the face of Glacier National Park, and as the region’s iconic glaciers retreat into obscurity decades of research suggests that entire ecosystems will be put into flux, with permanent transformations on the horizon. Many of the park’s small glaciers have disappeared entirely and others are shrinking fast. Of the 150 or so glaciers that adorned the park’s high alpine peaks in 1850, perhaps 25 remain – and most, if not all, could likely melt out over the next 10 years. As a consequence, the Crown of the Continent – and much of western Montana – will experience reduced snowpack levels and declines in streamflows, increases in temperatures, more wildfires and a loss of wildlife. Public Invited to Brown-Bag LecturePosted Apr. 21, 2012 - The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park is hosting a brown-bag lecture on Wednesday, May 2, from 12– 1pm at the Community Building in West Glacier. The public is invited to join Dr. Cristina Eisenberg present her recently completed doctoral dissertation, The Complex Food Web of Fire, Aspen, Elk, and Wolves in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Dr. Eisenberg is the research director on the High Lonesome Ranch in north-central Colorado, where her research interests involve living sustainability with large carnivores and utilizing food web concepts to restore ecosystems. Bears active; hunters urged to take precautionsPosted Apr. 20, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists are seeing an unusual amount of grizzly bear activity along the Beartooth Front west of Red Lodge this spring. So they are urging black bear hunters to take precautions. Shawn Stewart, FWP’s wildlife biologist in Red Lodge, believes more bears are using the mountain face between Red Lodge Creek and West Rosebud Creek than at any time in recent memory. As a result, spring black bear hunters are likely to run into grizzlies. Hunters in that area need to make doubly sure that any bear they see is legal before they shoot it. Hunters also should take special precautions when retrieving harvested game, which can attract scavenging grizzlies, Stewart said. Resort posts record numbers despite December droughtPosted Apr. 20, 2012 - Matt Baldwin from the Flathead Beacon reports that Whitefish Mountain Resort closed their season April 8 with a settled base of 118 inches at the summit and 303 inches of total snowfall for the season — slightly above average and a big change from the dismal start to the season. Resort management was more than pleased with skier traffic and their overall financial outlook. December was slow for sure, resort marketing director Nick Polumbus said, but traffic picked up in January as snow started to accumulate. Christmas Day saw only 31 inches of snow at the summit and 30 trails open. By mid-January, the mountain was 100 percent open. Talking North Fork roads, firesPosted Apr. 19, 2012 - Larry's article this week in the Hungry Horse News talks about topics near and dear to all of our hearts. Check it out. Trickiest Sun Road work nearly completedPosted Apr. 19, 2012 - The Daily Interlake reports that Glacier National Park visitors again can expect traffic delays on Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer due to a long-term road reconstruction project. But the $137 million Sun Road rehabilitation project’s most difficult phase on the road’s alpine section is expected to be almost entirely finished by this fall. “The most expensive, most difficult construction areas, the ones with the adverse weather and short seasons, our plan is to have that done at the latest by spring of 2013,” said Jack Gordon, the park’s landscape architect. In a related article from the I.. Glacier National Park plow crews are now beyond The Loop on the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Camas Road is now open to vehicles. The road is closed to vehicles at the Lake McDonald Lodge. When crews are plowing, hikers and bikers can go as far as Avalanche Creek, but when crews aren’t plowing, there are no restrictions. Park spokesperson Denise Germann said she anticipates minimal construction delays on the Sun Road during weekends on the lower section of road. But once the upper end is plowed — likely in May if the weather holds, construction crews will probably work seven days a week from Haystack Creek to Big Bend. Montanans encouraged to book campsite reservations for summer 2012Posted Apr. 18, 2012 - Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) is reminding the public that they can book campsite reservations for the 2012 summer season online at stateparks.mt.gov or by phone at 1-855-922-6768. Montana sees boost in tourism numbers, dollars spentPosted Apr. 18, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that more than 10.5 million out-of-state travelers visited Montana last year, a 1.6 percent increase over 2010, according to the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research. The amount of money generated from tourism was also higher. Nonresident travelers spent $2.77 billion in 2011, a 10 percent hike from 2010. Interesting website for hiking the Whitefish RangePosted Apr. 17, 2012 - A good North Fork neighbor recently sent in an interesting website that includes lots of hike descriptions in the Whitefish Range. According to our source... It's a "peak bagger" site, but lots of walk ups listed. The intro to the range is okay, not 100%accurate. Looks like the into page was written by Blake Passmore who has been publishing new hiking guides to the Park. Here's the URL... enjoy. It won't be long before we can make these hikes! http://www.summitpost.org/whitefish-range-mt-bc/519551 Entrance fees waived for National Park WeekPosted Apr. 17, 2012 - Entrance fees to Glacier National Park and the nearly 400 National Park Sites across the country will be waived during National Park Week, April 21-29. Everyone, specifically families, are encouraged to take advantage of the free entrance to get outside and explore or just “take in” the natural beauty of the park. Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright said, “This annual celebration is a great opportunity to experience spring at the park and view the many birds that migrate to or through the park at this time of year.” North Fork bear update from Tim ManleyPosted Apr. 16, 2012 - Tim recently wrote and said... Bears have been coming out of their dens for a while now. During the next Cubs mean that we all need to be even more careful this year so that the next generation of bears are not habituated. Westslope cutthroat restoration shows good resultsPosted Apr. 16, 2012 - Another take on this story. The Daily Interlake reports that a decade-long program to restore Montana's state fish to a chain of 21 alpine lakes above the South Fork Flathead River drainage is showing good results, a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks official said. Some of the lakes in the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation project have been poisoned to kill non-native fish and then stocked with cutthroats. Others have been densely stocked each year with genetically pure trout to try to get rid of hybrid populations. Five remote lakes have received no treatment so far. Border limits increased for Canadian shoppersPosted Apr. 16, 2012 - Get ready for even more Canadian visitors to the valley. The Daily Interlake reports that a recent rule change by the Canadian government will allow Canadians to bring more purchases made in the United States back across the border tax-free. Canadian visitors staying 24 hours in the United States now may bring $200 worth of goods back to Canada, up from a $50 limit for overnight visitors. Those staying 48 or more hours now may take $800 worth of goods back home to Canada without paying tax or duty at the border. The previous limit was $400. On the hunt as Montana wildflower season approachesPosted Apr. 15, 2012 - Rob Chaney of the Missoulian reports that the white on the ground remains snow instead of trillium petals, but wildflower season approaches. To plan for that, consider an expanded U.S. Forest Service website that features great bloom locations across the nation. Montana has a dozen options, including the Lolo, Bitterroot, Kootenai, Helena, Gallatin, Custer, Flathead, Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Lewis and Clark national forests. Project looks to restore native cutthroat trout in Flathead Valley lakesPosted Apr. 15, 2012 - Tristan Scott of the Missoulian has an update on this topic that begins... A controversial project aimed at restoring native cutthroat trout to a chain of alpine lakes above the South Fork Flathead River drainage has passed its halfway mark, and state fisheries biologists are already seeing evidence of the program’s success. Jim Vashro, regional fisheries manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation project is likely to become one of those rare, self-sustaining programs that restores a native species to an ecosystem on the brink of genetic corruption. Confirmed case of hantavirus in Flathead CountyPosted Apr. 15, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed a case of Hantavirus in a Flathead County resident. The resident is one of 35 confirmed cases reported in the state since 1993, according to a press release from the Flathead City-County Health Department, and the state typically sees one to two cases per year. Update on the predicted fire seasonPosted Apr. 13, 2012 - Rema Rahman from the Associated Press reports that fire officials expect a normal 2012 after last year's cool weather and spring floods all but eliminated fire season. Snowpack in Montana and northern Wyoming is at historically average levels, and barring a rapid warm-up, fire season is expected to start in mid-July, said Bryan Henry, a meteorologist with the Northern Rockies Coordination Center's predictive services. 2012 supertag chances on sale now!Posted Apr. 13, 2012 - 2012 SUPERTAG CHANCES ON SALE NOW! Montana's SuperTag chances for the hunt of a lifetime are on sale. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hopes to beat last year's sales that topped 67,797 SuperTag chances sold. Proceeds from SuperTag sales go to enhance hunting access and enforcement. Hunters can win the SuperTag drawing by purchasing one or more $5 SuperTag chances for the fall 2012 hunting season. The deadline to purchase SuperTag chances is July 5. Eight SuperTag hunt licenses are offered—moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, deer, antelope, mountain lion and bison. Winners may hunt any district open to the species for which they won a tag. A 2012 conservation license is needed to purchase a SuperTag. SuperTags are available at all FWP offices, license providers, or online at fwp.mt.gov using FWP’s online licensing service. Why trees matterPosted Apr. 13, 2012 - Jim Robbins, an op-ed contributor to the New York Times, has an interesting piece about trees and why they're important to our environment. Check it out. Use NFNews to post your informationPosted Apr. 12, 2012 - Summer is coming and a good time to let your neighbors know what goods and services you have available. Let us know and we'll post it on the Yellow Pages. For example, we just got a posting for Northern LIghts Homes that was posted today, so check it out. Biologists to begin grizzly bear capturing for research and managementPosted Apr. 12, 2012 - As part of an Interagency Program to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and Tribal wildlife managers are working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are once again about to begin in parts of western Montana. Park plows nearing Logan CreekPosted Apr. 12, 2012 - Chris Peterson from the Hungry Horse News reports that Glacier National Park plow crews made good progress last week, clearing the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side of the Park from Lake McDonald Lodge to beyond Red Rocks. Hikers and bikers can use the full length of the plowed section when crews aren’t working. Last weekend, a number of visitors biked to Avalanche Creek and beyond. The road has a few icy patches but is mostly clear. Hikers also reported the trail to Avalanche Lake has about 15 inches of snow and could be easily negotiated with snowshoes, although the snow is icy. Search and rescue training has been limited by the closuresPosted Apr. 12, 2012 - Larry's article in this week's Hungry Horse News discusses the adverse effects on training of closing areas to snowmobilers. Scams still aboundPosted Apr. 12, 2012 - Jesse Davis from the Daily Inter Lake reports that according to a February report completed by the Consumer Sentinel Network for the Federal Trade Commission, more than 1.8 million complaints of scams, fraud, identity theft and other associated crimes were reported in 2011. Montana crimes accounted for 4,410 of the total. Of those, credit card fraud and government documents or benefits fraud topped the list of identity theft complaints, while debt collection, prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries and impostor scams led the list of fraud and other complaints. In Flathead County, a multitude of scams are regularly reported to law enforcement officials, among them the ever-popular “grandparent scam.” Proposed Apgar transit center parking expansionPosted Apr. 11, 2012 - The Apgar Transit Center Parking Lot Expansion Environmental Assessment conducted by Glacier National Park specialists is available for public review and comment. Comments are due by May 7, 2012. The park is proposing to expand the Apgar Transit Center parking lot to accommodate increased visitor use of the transit center following the relocation of activities of the Apgar Visitor Center to the transit center. Feud between patrol, firefighters in Western MontanaPosted Apr. 11, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that statewide snowpack levels increased for the third month in a row in March, especially in Northwest Montana, according to snow survey data from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Brian Domonkos, NRCS water supply specialist, said storm patterns favored the western and northern parts of the state with the Kootenai, Lower Clark Fork and Flathead river basins seeing substantial increases in snow water. Snowpack levels in the Flathead River Basin are currently 106 percent of the average. This time last year the levels were 130 percent. The Kootenai is currently at 127 percent, 1 percent higher than last year. Coal exports surge to highest level since 1991Posted Apr. 11, 2012 - North Fork News was really slow today, so here is one that's sort of related. The Daily Inter Lake reports that U.S. coal exports reached their highest level in two decades last year as strong demand from Asia and Europe offered an outlet for a fuel that is falling from favor at home. U.S. Department of Energy data analyzed by The Associated Press reveal that coal exports topped 107 million tons of fuel worth almost $16 billion in 2011. That's the highest level since 1991, and more than double the export volume from 2006. Northwest Montana snowpack rises above averagePosted Apr. 10, 2012 - The Flathead Beacon reports that statewide snowpack levels increased for the third month in a row in March, especially in Northwest Montana, according to snow survey data from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Brian Domonkos, NRCS water supply specialist, said storm patterns favored the western and northern parts of the state with the Kootenai, Lower Clark Fork and Flathead river basins seeing substantial increases in snow water. Snowpack levels in the Flathead River Basin are currently 106 percent of the average. This time last year the levels were 130 percent. The Kootenai is currently at 127 percent, 1 percent higher than last year. Personal income in Montana increases 5.1%, Fed report findsPosted Apr. 10, 2012 - Phil Drake of the Flathead Beacon reports that personal income in Montana rose an average of 5.1 percent in 2011, mirroring the national average, according to figures released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). But while Treasure State residents have moved up a notch or two on the economic ladder, officials say Montanans still have a way to go to rub elbows with residents of more affluent states. Also, per capita personal income, which is personal income divided by population, rose 4.3 percent in Montana from 2010 to 2011 from $35,053 to $36,573, BEA officials said. Montana ranked 35th in the nation (36th if you include the District of Columbia), for per capita income dollars, with 15 other states reporting lower income. Season of big snows winds downPosted Apr. 10, 2012 - Jim Mann from the Daily Inter Lake reports that as recreational attention turns to warm-weather pursuits, the ski season came to an end Sunday at Whitefish Mountain Resort while the final day of skiing will be Saturday at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. The 2011-12 season was marked by big snows at both Flathead Valley ski areas. Winter started out slowly on the Big Mountain, with a lack of snow forcing Whitefish Mountain Resort to open a week later than planned, but there was a recovery in snow as well as business. Audubon-sponsored field trip to Freezeout Lake offers ‘spectacular’ sightPosted Apr. 9, 2012 - Brenda Ahearn from the Daily Inter Lake has a story about this annual Audubon-sponosred field trip with a brief description of what was seen. Keep Montana wildlife wildPosted Apr. 9, 2012 - Montana laws prohibit the capture, feeding, possession and harassment of wildlife—both game and nongame species—necessary in part to curb the human tendency to "help" newborn wildlife. Wildlife biologists see too often cases of newborn wildlife being removed from the wild by people who fear the animal has been abandoned by its parent—when the adult is actually very nearby. "Please remind friends and family to leave young wildlife untouched this spring," said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman. "If you care, leave them there. It is the best way to ensure that young wildlife is raised as nature intended—in the wild." Pine beetle infestation tapering off in MontanaPosted Apr. 9, 2012 - The Daily Inter Lake reports that Mountain pine beetle activity is declining in Montana, a U.S. Forest Service official says. The finding is the result of aerial surveys last year and analyzed in the 2011 Montana Forest Insect and Disease Conditions report prepared by the Forest Service and state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. But the report also found emerging problems with western spruce budworm and pine butterfly. For the fox it pays to be close to the earth and low on the food chainPosted Apr. 8, 2012 - By Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer. Living close to the earth and low on the food chain seems to be working for the red fox in the West. Montana's fox population is thriving, according to Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Park's furbearer coordinator Brian Giddings. The red fox has a long history of association with humans, as do Montana's other canine species the swift fox, coyote and wolf. The red fox has been viewed in a variety of ways—as a favorite of wildlife viewers, a pest to ranchers and farmers, and a highly appreciated furbearer. The fox has also been a prominent image in folklore and mythology. Updated Apr. 9, 2012 - Since we posted this article we've had reports from other neighbors about more red foxes, so they are certainly in our area! Montana's special drawing deadlinesPosted Apr. 8, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' deadlines to apply for special license drawings is May 1 for bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat; and June 1 for the elk B, deer B and antelope license drawing. Applying for drawings for special big game hunting permits and licenses is a lot easier these days for hunters who apply using FWP's Online Services at fwp.mt.gov . Applicants will need a MasterCard or Visa credit card. To cover the cost of offering this service, there is a fee of $1.25, plus 2.55 percent of the total purchase price. Polebridge is waking upPosted Apr. 7, 2012 - We recently asked Flannery when the Polebridge Merc and Northern Lights would be opening. She says that the Merc is opening Tuesday, May 1st and Northern Lights is opening the Friday before Memorial Day. Virtual tours of NGP historyPosted Apr. 7, 2012 - Being a little short on news today, we were clicking around the Glacier National Park website and found these e-tours about GNP history. One is called Building the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the other Land of Many Stories. We also found the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex 2012 newsletter for those that are interested. Satellite broadband providers expand into rural areasPosted Apr. 6, 2012 - A North Fork neighbor from Trail Creek pointed us to this article in the USA Today about broadband providers that might be of interest to folks on the NF. It starts with ... Internet providers that beam broadband connections to rural America via satellites are expanding their services as the need for faster video and downloads is becoming universal. ViaSat and HughesNet are launching new satellites that take up the slack of lagging landline-based services and promise to increase capacity and delivery speeds. "If there is broadband wireless or wired connection, that's going to win every time," says Chris Baugh, an industry analyst at research firm NSR. "But unserved customers (are) a sizable market." 2012 NFLA calendar is readyPosted Mar. 28, 2012 - The 2012 NFLA calendar is now ready for your review. There are many, many new activities this year including cribbage, a movie night, more dance classes, and new outdoor activities as well. All the old classics are also there including the annual picnic and pie & ice cream social. Take a look at the calendar and plan on joining in the fun. Hellroaring Basin spring closure for grizzly bearsPosted Mar. 27, 2012 - The Flathead National Forest announces that effective April 1, 2012, the Hellroaring Basin at the Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big Mountain is closed. This closure occurs each spring to provide important security areas for emerging grizzly bears. Skiers and snowboarders are asked to comply with this closure. Skiers and boarders will have their passes (day or season) revoked for violating the in area closure.
The Hellroaring Basin will be signed at all gates and Chair 8 will not be in operation. Guns not safer than bear spray in grizzly country, study findsPosted Mar. 16, 2012 - Martin Kidston of the Billings Gazette reports that carrying a gun in bear county doesn't protect hikers any more than not using a firearm, a study released last week by Brigham Young University found. Conducted by biologist and bear expert Tom Smith, the study found that firing a gun was no more effective in keeping people from injury or death during a bear encounter than not using a firearm. "It really isn't about the kind of gun you carry, it's about how you carry yourself," Smith said. "We need to respect an animal that could potentially take our lives." Smith's work emphasizes a theme that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and conservation groups in the Greater Yellowstone Area have been emphasizing for years: carry pepper spray when in grizzly bear country and know how to use it. Update Mar. 26, 2012 - The AP reports that a bear expert says a study has found that people using bear spray during grizzly bear encounters are injured far less often than people using firearms. Time now to prepare for the bearsPosted Mar. 24, 2012 - Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Statewide Information Officer, says that grizzly bears on Montana's Rocky Mountain Front are already stirring. Reports that two grizzly bear family groups have already been spotted are reminders it is already time to clean up any bear attractants to prevent potential conflicts with spring's hungry bears. Guide to bear resistant products growsPosted Mar. 23, 2012 - The MFWP website has an article that gives all kinds of information about bear resistant products. Visit FWP's Be Bear Aware Web Page to be bear awarePosted Mar. 20, 2012 - As bears emerge from their dens in the next few weeks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers guidance for avoiding conflicts between humans and bears. Visit FWP's Be Bear Aware web pages for important tips on maintaining bear-safe residences and camping expeditions. "You'll learn responsible ways to feed your pets, manage your garbage, landscape the yard and build electric fences to protect beehives and chickens in bear country, " said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman. "Managing each of these activities properly will significantly reduce conflicts between bears and people." Assessing your property's bear habitat featuresPosted Mar. 19, 2012 - James J. Jonkel, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2 Bear Specialist, posted an article on the MFWP website that says ... Do you know what role your property may play for grizzly and black bears attempting to move safely from place to place? Many people do not know that they live on a main wildlife travel corridor. Bears can survive in developed areas with little or no conflict if they can move naturally between large blocks of habitat that offer sufficient natural sources of nutrition. A bear will pass through a developed area to natural habitat, unless they locate a food attractant that makes it worth their while to linger. That is when the potential for conflict arises. Temporary load limits placed on Flathead National Forest roadsPosted Mar. 17, 2012 - Warm weather, snow melt and spring rains are creating soft road surfaces and spring “break up” conditions on many Flathead National Forest roads, prompting temporary road closures and load limits across the forest. Beginning Monday, March 19, an imposed weight limit of 8,000 pounds gross vehicle weight applies to all open forest roads until conditions dry out, unless otherwise permitted. Hunters' bear identification training requiredPosted Feb. 26, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds all black bear hunters it is their responsibility to avoid mistakenly shooting a grizzly bear during the state's upcoming spring black bear hunt. Montana's spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. Before first-time bear hunters can purchase a black bear hunting license, he or she must be certified by successfully completing FWP's bear identification training. FWP offers a bear identification training course online at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunter Education page. Online hunter education available to adultsPosted Feb. 25, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offers hunter education on the Internet to anyone 18 years and older.tate law requires anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 to take a hunter education course and complete a field course before purchasing a hunting license in Montana. The $15 online course allows adults to take the required hunter education course at their convenience. Following the online coursework, students must sign up for a scheduled field day. There are field days available throughout Montana every spring and into the fall. For more information go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov under Education and click Hunter Education. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Annual Report now onlinePosted Feb. 25, 2012 - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' 2011 Annual Report, now available online at fwp.mt.gov, features an introduction by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and FWP Director Joe Maurier. Annually FWP issues such a report to review the year's formative events and accomplishments in the areas of fish, wildlife and state parks management. "New this year to FWP's Annual Report is the ability to access trail cam video clips recorded during the agency's routine wildlife monitoring and research," said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesperson. "The clips sometimes humorously answer the question 'what do bear, moose, turkey and elk do when no one is observing them?'" FWP's online Annual Report summarizes newsworthy events of 2011, while providing links to FWP web pages, Montana Outdoors Magazine stories and Montana Outdoor Reports for more in depth coverage. For the next several weeks the Annual Report will be available from the FWP home page at fwp.mt.gov. After that time, go to the Doing Business web page, click on Reference Information then Reports. Report from the InterlocalPosted Feb. 23, 2012 - There were a couple of good articles in this week's print edition of the Hungry Horse News about news from the Interlocal that took place on the 15th. Unfortunately, these articles don't seem to have been picked up by the on-line edition of the Hungry Horse News. By the way, no column by Larry this week. NFLA Fire Mitigation Committee updatePosted Feb. 19, 2012 - Molly Shepherd has posted a winter update for the NFLA Fire Mitigation Committee that includes information about the DNRC's award of a hazardous fuels reduction grant to the North Fork community, the 2012 renewal of the North Fork’s membership in FireWise Communities USA, the annual FireWise Day, and the Fire Mitigation Committee's application for membership in FireSafe Montana. DNRC awards the North Fork a Fuels Reduction GrantPosted Feb. 19, 2012 - Molly Shepherd from the North Fork Landowners' Association's Fire Mitigation Committee reports that the DNRC has awarded a hazardous fuels reduction grant to the North Fork community, its third such grant since the Wedge Canyon and Robert fires in 2003. According to a DNRC spokesperson, “the North Fork project received priority in the grant selection process due in part to the demonstrated willingness of landowners to collaborate in combining treatments across the landscape.” Over 100 North Fork landowners have participated in the two previous grant programs. Many of their projects have benefited multiple landowners. New air group aims to help search effortsPosted Dec. 13, 2011- Jesse Davis from the Daily Inter Lake reports on the Flathead Emergency Aviation Resources (FEAR), a new nonprofit organization designed to give wings to search-and-rescue efforts. The organization’s goal is to save time, energy and money in aviation endeavors of law enforcement and search-and-rescue groups by providing easier, cheaper access to aircraft and pilots, according to one of the main organizers, Flathead County Undersheriff Jordan White. Apparently they will be an alternative to ALERT. Update Dec. 18, 2011 - The Flathead Beacon also has a story about this. North Fork history capturedPosted Nov. 27, 2011- Members of the NFLA's North Fork History Project were certainly busy this fall. They have completed several oral histories, three of which have been turned into files that can be downloaded from the internet. These include interviews with Larry Wilson, Ray Hart and Ivan Windsheimer. Check them out on the North Fork History Project page. Others that have been completed but are not yet available on the website include John Frederick and Cecily McNeil. The plan is to continue collecting these important oral histories next summer. By the way, if you are a North Fork land owner, you can join the North Fork Landowners' Association (NFLA) for just $10 a membership. You can get more information about the NFLA, including how to sign up, on their excellent website at www.nflandowners.com. Glass recycling at TargetPosted June 15, 2011- We tried out the glass recycling at Target yesterday while we were in town visiting the center-of-the-universe. We were concerned because, as North Forkers, we had accumulated a lot of glass bottles and didn't know if they had the capacity to so many. Although the bin where the bottles go is tiny, the helpful store staff said simply put the bagged bottles into a shopping cart and roll it next to the bins. They would take care of it. Job done. |
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