The biannual season setting meetings is the chance for hunters to hear from their area wildlife biologists on all the proposed seasons for big game. Montana FWP sets the seasons every other year, then adjusts the quota based on game populations.
Hunters are particularly interested in the elk “shoulder seasons” that run for up to six months in many areas of the state. They started in 2015 and grew dramatically to run in more than 55 districts throughout the state.
The Montana Wildlife Federation and our affiliates had strong concerns with shoulder seasons because they had the potential to replace general season harvest. We need that strong general season harvest across the entire landscape of private and public lands to effectively manage large elk numbers while providing the most public hunting opportunity.
Make your voice heard by attending one of the season setting meetings in your area. Comments can also be submitted electronically to fwpwld@mt.gov. Details on the hunting season proposals can be viewed at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/, and going to “Opportunity for Public Comment.”
And be sure to take the elk survey by going to www.montanaelksurvey.com to speak up for your elk, their management and the future of your public hunting opportunities.
The seasons will be held throughout the state in these locations and times:
Region 1
Kalispell – Friday, January 3, FWP Region 1 Headquarters, 490 N. Meridian, 6:00 PM
Trout Creek – Wednesday, January 8, Lakeside Motel and Resort, 2955 MT 200, 6:00 PM
Libby – Friday, January 10, Maki Theater (Libby Little Theater), 724 Louisiana Av., 6:00 PM
Eureka – Thursday, January 16, Lincoln Electric, 312 Osloski Rd., 7:00 PM
Region 2
Missoula – Tuesday, January 7, Doubletree Inn, 7:00 PM
Lincoln – Wednesday, January 8, Lambkins Café, 6:00 PM
Hamilton – Thursday, January 9, Bitterroot River Inn, 6:00 PM
Superior – Monday, January 13, High School Multi-purpose Room, 7:00 PM
Drummond – Monday, January 13, Community Hall, 6:00
Philipsburg – Tuesday, January 14, Granite County Museum, 6:00 PM
Ovando – Wednesday, January 15, School Gym, 6:00 PM
Anaconda – Thursday, January 16, Metcalf Center, 6:00 PM
Deer Lodge – Monday, January 20, Community Center, 6:00 PM
Region 3
Helena – Tuesday, January 7, Montana Wild, 6-8 PM
Whitehall – Wednesday, January 8, Whitehall High School, 6-8 PM
Dillon – Thursday, January 9, Beaverhead Search and Rescue building, 6-8 PM
Butte – Tuesday, January 14, Butte Brewing Company, 6-8 PM
Livingston – Wednesday, January 15, Elks Club, 6-8 PM
Bozeman – Thursday, January 16, FWP HQ, 6-8 PM
Region 4
White Sulphur Springs – Monday, January 6, Meagher Co. Sportsman’s Assn. Shooting range off Jackson Ln, 7 PM
Chester – Monday, January 6, High School Auditorium, 511 Main Street, 7 PM
Winnett – Monday, January 6, United Methodist Church, 114 Milsap St.
Conrad – Tuesday, January 7, Community Center, 311 S. Vaughn, 7 PM
Fairfield – Wednesday, January 8, Ambulance Station, 13 1st Street South
Stanford – Thursday, January 9, Judith Basin CO Courthouse, 91 3rd Street North, 7 PM
Cut Bank – Monday, January 13, Glacier Electric Bldg., 410 E Main St.
Wolf Creek – Tuesday, January 14, Wolf Creek School, 7 PM
Lewistown – Tuesday, January 14, BLM Lewistown Field Office, 920 NE Main St., 7 PM
Fort Benton – Wednesday, January 15, Ambulance Barn, 810 15th St., 7 PM
Great Falls – Thursday, January 16, Paris Gibson Ed. Center, 2400 Central Ave., 7 PM
Region 5
Roundup – Thursday, January 9, Musselshell County Central Commons, 7-9 PM
Billings – Tuesday, January 14, FWP Headquarters, 7-9 PM
Red Lodge – Wednesday, January 15, Mountain View School Cafeteria, 7-9 PM
Big Timber – Thursday, January 16, Big Timber Public Library, 7-9 PM
Region 6
Havre – Thursday, January 9, 6:30, Hill County Electric, 6-8 PM
Malta – Tuesday, January 14, Malta High School Cafeteria, 6-8 PM
Plentywood – Wednesday, January 15, Jubilee Room Sheridan CO Courthouse, 6-8 PM
Glasgow – Thursday, January 16, Cottonwood Inn, 6-8 PM
Region 7
Glendive – Wednesday, January 8, Dawson Comm. College Ullman Cntr Rm 102, 7-9 PM
Miles City – Thursday, January 9, Miles Community College Room 106, 7-9 PM
