Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists completed their surveys of the Missouri River Breaks elk hunting districts 621, 622 and 630 in February. Overall, the surveys indicate that elk numbers are below current population objectives for each respective portion of the Breaks. Appropriate management actions, such as adjusting antlerless B-licenses for this fall, may occur in some districts.

A national report by the Poor People’s Campaign that tracks the intersections of race, poverty and the effects of COVID-19 shows that nationally, counties with more poverty and more people of color suffered the effects of the pandemic more severely than other wealthier, White communities. The statistics for Montana largely support that trend, showing that many rural counties with a higher percentage

Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.03/g on Monday, April 18, according to Gas-Buddy’s survey of 615 stations in Montana. Prices in Montana are 3.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.30/g higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $3.83/g on Sunday,

The walleye trap netting and egg-taking operation has commenced on Fort Peck Reservoir once again. However, it’s been a challenging and bumpy (literally) start to the season. Compared to last year, lower reservoir elevations have caused us to relocate our operation further down the reservoir between Nelson and McGuire Creek. High winds over the past week have prevented us from getting

Montana’s unemployment rate fell to a new record low in March to 2.3 percent, the fourth lowest rate in the nation. Montana’s labor force and total employment are at record highs. Inflation, however, has reached a 41-year high, undermining Montanans’ wage growth and threatening Montana job creation and economic growth. “Because of Montanans’ hard work, we’re at our lowest unemployment