More than $585,000 in funding was approved this week by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission for 15 Montana Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects.

Montana's annual income tax check-off fund for nongame wildlife supports conservation work that benefits birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Montana's annual big game hunting regulations will be available at FWP offices and license providers by the first of April. The black bear hunting regulations are now available online and at FWP offices and license providers.

Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season opens April 13 and ends May 19.

Montana's spring black bear hunting season opens April 15. Licenses purchased after April 14 may not be used for five days and are available at FWP offices, license providers and online.

Three Butte area men pled guilty in Jefferson County Justice Court late last week to charges stemming from a November 18 hunting incident in Aspen Valley Estates near Boulder.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host a public meeting to answer questions about the Draft Environmental Assessment to Investigate Suppression of Walleye in Noxon Reservoir. The open house style meeting will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on March19, 2013 at the Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department on highway 200. Interested persons are welcome to arrive at any time during this session. Verbal comment will not be collected at the meeting; however, the public will be encouraged to submit written comment.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has hired Joe Jaquith as Game Warden Captain for west-central Montana’s Region 2.

An adult female mountain lion harvested in February at the north end of central Montana’s Crazy Mountains apparently traveled there from South Dakota, where it was fitted with a radio collar last summer.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a free program at Montana Wild on March 28 that will showcase the work of a wildlife pilot.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens charged two juveniles this week in a cow moose poaching case that occurred last month northeast of Avon.

Youngsters and others who need to complete their hunter safety education coursework can do so next week in Hinsdale.

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet via video conference call March 14 to consider final action on two fishery related items.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces the scheduling of spring hunter education classes in Belgrade, Bozeman and Manhattan. Registration is required, and students under 18 years of age must have the consent of a parent or guardian.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds shooting range enthusiasts that the deadline to apply for range development grants is May 1.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Region 3 Citizens’ Advisory Committee will meet in Bozeman on Thursday, March 7 at the FWP Regional Office (1400 S. 19th Ave.) from 12:30-5:30 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking applicants to fill 15 volunteer positions on an advisory committee for Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Deer Lodge valley.

State wildlife officials released today the results of the 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping seasons, which saw a substantial jump in harvest over last year.

March 15 is the deadline to apply for Montana's 2013 deer and elk hunting permits. An easy-to-use eight-page application packet is now available from all hunting license providers, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and online at fwp.mt.gov.

Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors will receive service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop to be held Saturday, March 2 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. A total of 34 Instructors will receive service awards ranging from 5 to 35 years of service. All service award recipients receive a plaque; additional awards include: 10 year: engraved knife; 20 year: FWP belt buckle. A number of other awards will also be presented.