What justifies self-defense in a grizzly killing? We still don't know.
At least seven grizzly bears died in Montana in 2023 after being shot by hunters. Another grizzly was wounded by a bird hunter’s shotgun but not found. All were judged to be self-defense. Official acc...
14 Maj 202418min
The winding and tortuous saga of Bullwhacker Road in the Missouri River Breaks
When it comes to accessing public lands, the Bullwhacker Road dispute south of Havre has been one of the longest simmering and most contorted in Eastern Montana. For 18 years the public, agencies and ...
7 Maj 202420min
Survey says: Montanans care about conservation, but life under the Big Sky is getting worse
Montanans of all stripes seem to agree on at least two things: They care deeply about conservation and public lands, and life here is getting worse. Those were some of the key findings from a recent ...
30 Apr 202423min
Colin Maas on the past, present and future of management of the Smith River
After more than 40 years and 1,200 holes, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has dug its last pit latrine on the Smith River. Starting this year, floaters are now required to carry with them something th...
25 Apr 202424min
Wrangling Water Words: Smith River mine hinges on definition of water ‘use’
The Smith River is a crown jewel of Montana’s natural splendor, but a proposed copper mine at its headwaters in central Montana has many people worried about negative impacts to the river’s pristine w...
9 Apr 202422min
End of an Era: The final collapse of Missoula County's wood product industry
Missoula County is reeling from the announcements recently of two huge wood products industry businesses closing and laying off all employees. Pyramid Mountain Lumber, the largest employer in Seeley ...
2 Apr 202418min
87 Miles: A proposal to lift a six decade old waterfowl hunting closure on stretch of Yellowstone River
When the big game season ends in November, there is a guaranteed influx of goose hunters along the Yellowstone River east of Billings. Since 1958, a portion of the river has been closed to waterfowl h...
26 Mars 202414min
Moose on the Move: First ever southeastern Montana moose tag offered
Moose hunting in southeastern Montana? That may sound like the punch line for a off-beat joke, but Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering its first moose hunting permit for Region 7 this spring. T...
12 Mars 202417min
