Montana’s rivers are becoming more crowded, and the outfitting industry thinks it’s being unfairly targeted by regulations as outdoor recreation becomes more popular nationwide. The Montana Environmental Quality Committee met on Wednesday morning to discuss the state’s waters, with essentially unanimous agreement they are in trouble. Dropping fish populations, high usage of rivers

Each spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks receives calls from people who have picked up deer fawns or other wildlife. It’s important to remember that FWP does not accept, hold or rehabilitate moose, deer, elk and most other animals. Often times, people think they are rescuing an orphaned animal. However, it’s important to understand that wildlife care for their young much differently

Track athletes from Culbertson and Bainville opened their season at the Sidney early-bird invitational held on Saturday, March 28. Culbertson took sixth with 40 points and Bainville was seventh with 21 points in the boys’ standings. Williston, N.D., topped the standings with 141.33 points. Bainville placed fifth in the girls’ standings with 39 points. The Cowgirls were eighth with 26 points.

The following student athletes in Bainville earned Academic All-State honors this winter by having a 3.5 grade point average or higher and lettering in a sport. Boys’ basketball players honored were Kaiden Holmes, Rowan Wilson, Kyn Beery, Parker Berwick and Charles Johnston. Girls’ basketball players awarded were Hailey Berwick, Lila Butikofer, Addison Hansen, Siena Martinez, Jodi Albus,

Don’t wait to apply for deer and elk permits. The application deadline is April 1. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers several tools to help hunters navigate the application process. The application process is different for residents and nonresidents, but FWP has created instructional videos

Montana’s spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, a License Ambassador location or online. A new regulation requires nonresident hunters on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program to wait 10 days later than residents for all upland game bird species except mountain