Nature constantly reminds us that attitude can completely override a size disadvantage, as proven by a remarkable viral video captured in Yellowstone National Park. During a tense standoff, a sandhill crane protecting its nesting site refused to back down when a curious three-year-old grizzly bear named Storm stumbled too close, driving the several-hundred-pound predator away with a fierce, wings-spread display.

This fearless defense is actually typical behavior for sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis); they stand up to four feet tall, boast a wingspan up to six and a half feet, and will aggressively use their dagger-like beaks to defend their nests against threats—even bullying alligators in locations like Florida.

On the other hand, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) can easily weigh between 300 to 600 pounds, yet subadults or newly independent bears like Storm are often quite pensive and easily intimidated by a hyper-aggressive opponent. While grizzlies possess immense physical power, they are also calculating animals that usually prefer to avoid a chaotic, noisy fight that puts their eyes and face at risk over a meal that isn’t worth the trouble.

To learn more about these incredible species and how this interaction unfolded, check out the detailed coverage on Cowboy State Daily and the viral breakdown featured on PetHelpful.

Checkout this video:

So, you’ve decided to trade your cozy morning latte for a freezing pre-dawn trek into the woods, fueled by the romantic notion of becoming “one with nature.” Fast forward two hours: you’re wearing 40 pounds of camo, your thighs are screaming, and you suddenly realize you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. Every snapping twig sounds like a grizzly bear, and you’re 90% sure that rustling bush is judging your life choices. Hunting for the first time can feel less like a majestic outdoor adventure and more like being dropped into a high-stakes stealth video game where you forgot to read the control manual.

Before you accidentally trigger a full-blown panic attack trying to decode the mysterious nods of your seasoned hunting buddy, take a deep breath. This hilariously relatable video is the ultimate dummy-proof guide to the woods, breaking down seven basic hand signals every rookie needs to survive. These quick gestures will save you from yelling and scaring off the local wildlife. It’s a pretty good start for those who aren’t sure what to do. lol

Looking to head up to Georgetown Lake this week? Blackfoot River Outfitters has you covered with their June 12, 2026 report. With a beautiful weather outlook on the horizon and fish actively moving into the shallows to feed, timing and positioning are everything right now. Check out the conditions at-a-glance below for this week’s top techniques, weather outlook, and critical shoreline regulation reminders before you hit the water!

Our Report

3/5 for Fishability

Tip of the Week The fish are tracking the heat. Target the muddy, shallow bays along the north and west shores that warm up first under the morning sun. Position yourself on windward points where cruising fish wait to ambush trapped insects, and focus your casts right where shallow flats drop off into the deep weed lines.

***Open third Saturday in May through March 31, except for the South and East shoreline area which is only open July 1 through March 31. South and East shoreline areas described as follows: all waters from the shore or within 100 yards of shore in the area extending from a point 200 yards west of Lakeside at Georgetown Marina (along the shore, including all of Stuart Mill Bay)***

7 Day Outlook Up at Georgetown, a sunny and cool forecast for the weekend. Highs will be in the 50’s and 60’s. At the beginning of the week it will start to warm up into the high 60s and low 70s.

Best Techniques Indicator fishing is still the best tactic up here. Hang a balanced leech or a chironomid under a bobber, letting the choppy lake surface do all the jigging for you. If the wind really starts picking up, ditch the indicator, switch to an intermediate sinking line, and strip woolly buggers or damselfly nymphs over the drop-offs.

Conditions change fast! Call us at 406.542.7411 for the most recent updates on area rivers, fly selection, and gear recommendations. Local to Missoula? Swing through the shop to get dialed in with the best gear from Orvis, Patagonia, and Skwala, plus the exact bugs they’re eating today.

^{Feature photo via FWP}

Summertime is here, and Montana’s lakes, rivers, and streams are ripe for the picking. The right gear and location knowledge can make the difference between a successful fishing trip and just a trip to the water. Arm yourself with that knowledge for your favorite spots in these up to date reports across Montana.

Missed it, get it here. Last weeks shows are a click away. From updates on what and where the fish are biting, to information on the Canyon Ferry Walleye Fishing Tournament, its all right here.

The Walleyes Unlimited of Montana, Gallatin Chapter Makes Some Big Changes for Those Who Would Rather Compete Without Forward Facing Sonar

Ever since Forward-Facing Sonar entered the fishing tournament scene there has been a decline in competitors in most of Montana’s fishing tournaments. That’s why the Gallatin Chapter of Montana Walleyes Unlimited decided to add something new to this year’s Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival. That is what your host of the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale is talking about with Tournament Director Eve Parrow. So, what did they add you ask? A choice! That’s right, they created two competition categories that they call the Tournament Class and the new Social Class. As Rigger put it; “This just might solve a problem that many anglers have had with fishing tournaments these days!”. The Tournament Class, which has an entry fee of $420, will be for those who love to use the new high tech Forward-Facing Sonar or just don’t mind competing against those who do, and the Social Class which has a much lower entry fee of just $200 will be exclusively for those who will not use Forward-Facing Sonar, basically for those who want to compete against those who compete with low tech or no tech. Of course, there are a specific details and rules that go with these new competitive categories and that is why you for sure should watch or listen to this week’s podcast. Tourney Director Eve Parrow does a great job of covering what you need to know. Eve also talks about all the ways that the whole family can have a blast at this year’s Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival! In fact, one tidbit we found super interesting is that in the Social Class up to 5 people can be in a competing boat. Course, only the two-person team can fish but the rest can have some fun cheering them on in the boat! And there is even more things that just might surprise you so, for sure watch or listen to this podcast. Then check out the links below and of course let Rigger know what you think!

Links:

• To enter the Tournament Class of the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival right now click here or scan this QR Code:
• To download an Entry Form, click here.
• To enter the Social Class of the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival, click here to email your entry.
• Click here to learn about the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival from the Townsend Chamber of Commerce.
• Click here to learn more about the Gallatin Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana. 
• Click here send Eve Parrow a Facebook Message.
• To send Eve Parrow an email click here.
• Course, you can always click here to email Downrigger Dale.

Forget the freeze-dried meal pouches. Today, Kokanee Quinn is all about breakfast with this ultimate Mountain Breakfast Skillet by Fresh Off the Grid. It’s a glorious, one-pan mash-up of a crispy potato hash and a cheesy frittata.

Best of all, one skillet means minimal dishes at the campsite!

The Ingredients

• 1/2 lb Yukon gold potatoes (cubed)
• 1 green bell pepper & 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 1/4 lb maple sausage links
• 6 eggs + 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Oil, salt, green onions, and hot sauce.

The 4-Step Execution

1. Crisp the Potatoes: Sauté cubed potatoes in 1 tbsp of oil for 10–15 minutes until golden.
2. Sauté the Veggies & Meat: Add another tbsp of oil, the peppers, onions, and salt. Sauté until soft, then add the sausage and brown.
3. The Egg Vortex: Push the mixture to the outer edges of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs and cheddar into the center, scrambling until set.
4. The Fold: Toss the outer ring of veggies and sausage back into the eggs.

Top with hot sauce and green onions, and eat straight from the pan. Now go fuel up—that mountain isn’t going to hike itself!

The Gallatin is dropping faster than your weekend plans, which means it is officially game on. The trout are currently hugging the banks and hiding behind boulders like they owe someone money, so target that soft water. Whether you want to dredge the bottom with a grocery list of worms or hurl dark, moody streamers, they are ready to bite. Just keep a few dry flies on standby, because if you spot a rise, it’s time to party on the surface.

Here’s the latest from Bozeman Fly Supply for the Gallatin as of June 10, 2026;

The Gallatin river is sitting at 1670 cfs this morning and it’s looking great out there. The flows are currently dropping, so it is game on. Fish are sitting in the softest water you can find, whether that be on the bank or in the middle behind rocks. Fishing with nymph rigs or streamers have been the most consistent ways to put fish in the net as of late. Some of our favorites this time of year are the Pat’s rubberlegs/girdle bug, squirmy worms, san juan worms, fish finder worm, pheasant tail, hare’s ear, perdigons, backflop jigs, or GDP Jigs. Streamer fishing can be good as well with darker flies usually fishing better than flashier flies. Some of the shop favorites are the mini peanut envy, mini kill whitey, area 51, mini headbanger, MT intruder, and mini dragon! If you see fish rising try a puff caddis, corn fed caddis, cinnamon stubby chubby, buzzball, parachute Adams, or purple haze.

Suggested Fly Patterns

• Dry FlyAdams (16-22), Purple Haze (16-20), Buzzball (16-18), Elk Hair Caddis Tan/ Olive(12-18), Film critic BWO, Stubby Chubby Purple, Cinnamon, Yellow, Tan (16-18)
• StreamerWooly Bugger Olive, Black (6-12), Fish Whacker Olive/white or Brown/yellow (6) Sculpzilla Tan,Black,Olive (4-8), GD P/Jig Streamer White/ Olive/Black (10), Micro Dungeon Yellow (10), Mini Dungeon Olive/ Purple/ Natural/ White (6)
• NymphPrince Nymph (14-18), Perdigon (14-18), Pat’s Rubber Legs (8-12), Hare’s Ear (14-18), Blowtorch (14-16), Zebra Midge Black/ Red/ Purple (16-20), Sweetmeat Caddis Tanger/Lime (14-16), Sizzlin’ Hot Squirrel (12-16)

Last night, trail cam footage east of Rotary Pond shows what appears to be a grizzly bear in the area. The bear has not caused any conflicts and may or may not still be in the area.  However, recreationists and campers in the area, and hikers along the Mount Otis trail, should remain vigilant and be bear aware.

Bears can be found throughout Montana. People venturing into the outdoors can help avoid issues by following some essential “bear aware” strategies, such as:

* Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.
* Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant bins; do not bury or burn garbage.
* Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.
* Stay alert and look for bear activity and make noise periodically, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.
* Travel in groups and avoid night, dawn or dusk hours whenever possible.
* When on the trail, avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.

For more information on bear safety, visit FWP’s page on bears in Montana at fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.

-fwp-

^{Feature photo is a stock photo of a grizzly bear via FWP}

Jonathan Miller with Montana Outdoor Approved Capital Sports in Helena reported on June 11, 2026 that Holter is heating up and offering action across the board. From the weedy shallows near the Gates to the deeper waters of the lower lake, anglers are finding success on everything from toothy pike to stubborn walleye and fast-acting trout. If you’re heading out this week, here is exactly where the fish are biting and the specific setups, colors, and trolling speeds you need to trigger a strike.

Here’s his full report:

Holter
Gates is getting weedy, but there are pike being caught on the edges, some big ones from what I have been hearing. If this is a fish you are targeting, I recommend a jerk bait in silver, gold, rainbow or perch patterns. Generally the bigger the better. Otherwise, jigging a tube jig off the weed edges is quite effective. Past the Gates area up into Land of the Giants I am hearing decent reports of fish being caught. Marabou or zonker jigs are still the first pick in olive/black, orange/yellow or brown/orange. The little bit I have heard from fly fishermen is streamers have been producing success as well.

Walleye are being caught in various locations throughout the canyon. I would check Willow Creek or Cottonwood. I recall last year that Cottonwood was fishing well with a bottom bouncer in perch patterns being pulled in 30 feet of water at 0.6mph to 0.8mph. Drop shots are also effective on a slow drift. Perch, smelt or goby colors usually find me the best luck.

Trout are being caught left and right in the lower section of the lake. Mainly on wedding rings behind a cowbell. It doesn’t sound like any one color in particular is producing, but I hear chartreuse and pink being brought up the most. Every once and a while it sounds like a kokanee is being caught. It has not been frequent, but they are still present. 1.0mph to 1.5mph seems to be the speed of choice while trolling.

Reports by Jonathan Miller | Montana Outdoor Approved

Capital Sports Address: 1092 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 443-2978

According to Jonathan Miller of Montana Outdoor Approved Capital Sports in Helena, the Missouri River is delivering great action right now. Upstream from Holter to Great Falls, low and slow waters are yielding decent rewards on nymphs and cooperating hatches. Meanwhile, downstream toward Fort Peck, the paddle fishing is hot—just be sure to mind the regulations before filling your final tag.

Missouri River (Holter to Great Falls)
The river is low and slow, but fishing is decent. Last I heard nymphing is the ticket to success. Prince nymphs and hares ear are the classic choices. I am told the PMD’s and Caddis are hatching when the weather is cooperating. When they are hatching it sounds like that bite is phenomenal.

Missouri River (Great Falls to Ft. Peck)
Paddle fishing has been hot! A ton of fish have been being caught at both Slippery Anne and Fred Robinson Bridge. If you still have a tag, this will be your last shot to get it filled. Friendly reminder that there is a requirement of only one hook per line and all barbs need to be pinched or removed.

Reports by Jonathan Miller | Montana Outdoor Approved

Capital Sports Address: 1092 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 443-2978

If you’ve been polishing your favorite lures and counting down the days until the June 18th opener on the upper Salmon River, it’s time for a little reality check.

According to the latest June 11, 2026 pre-season update from Greg Schoby with Idaho Fish and Game, the Chinook aren’t exactly throwing a welcoming party this year. The run is leveling off, survival rates are a bit sluggish, and—brace yourselves—our harvest shares are shrinking.

But it’s not all bad news. Grab a coffee, and let’s dive into what’s actually happening out there in the water.

The Sawtooth Run: Winding Down (or Just Playing Hard to Get?)

Since late May, tracking tags have been quiet at the Bonneville Dam. Only one lonely additional PIT-tagged Sawtooth Chinook made the crossing over the last two weeks.

• The Big Picture: Instead of the robust numbers we hoped for, the total run is now tracking to end up somewhere between 2,000 and 2,200 fish.
• The Reality Check: Less fish at the dam means less fish for your cooler. IDFG originally hoped for a harvest share between 300 and 500 fish. Now? We are looking at a much tighter 200 to 300 fish harvest share.

Is the party over before it started? Not necessarily. While it looks like the run is fizzling out like several other Idaho stocks this year, these fish have surprised us before with a late-June sprint.

The Journey Upstream: Tough Commutes and Low Flows

Getting from the Columbia River to Idaho is never an easy swim, but this year the commute is proving especially brutal.

Normally, about 78% of the Sawtooth stock successfully makes the trek from Bonneville Dam up to Lower Granite Dam. This year, only 60% are making it.

The silver lining? Over half of the expected adult hatchery Chinook (1,120 fish) are already past Lower Granite and officially on Idaho turf. In fact, tracking arrays near Elevenmile (just upstream of the town of Salmon) have already picked up a handful of both wild and hatchery fish over the last couple of days. Based on the math, that represents about 350 hatchery fish already pushing past Salmon.

The Silver Lining: Thanks to lower-than-average spring streamflows, these fish don’t have to fight massive currents. It takes them about 7 to 10 days to travel from the Salmon area up to Stanley, meaning there should absolutely be fish waiting for you in the local zones when the season opens next Thursday.

The Pahsimeroi Mystery

If you’re waiting on news for the Pahsimeroi return, join the club. Right now, we know next to nothing. Only two additional tagged fish popped up this week, bringing the grand total to a whopping six tags.

Statistically, we should be about halfway through this run. This leaves us with two choices: either the Pahsimeroi run is incredibly small this year, or they are running fashionably late. We’re crossing our fingers for the latter.

Get Ready for the Opener

The season officially kicks off on Thursday, June 18th. Greg Schoby will drop one final update next week with the absolute latest tag numbers and finalized harvest estimates before you head out to the banks.

Want to dig into the exact data, check out the run-timing graphs, or see the river flow charts yourself? You can read Greg Schoby’s full report with Idaho Fish and Game here.

If you want to get on Greg’s direct email update list, or have questions about the upcoming season, give the Salmon Regional Office a shout at (208) 756-2271.

^{Feature photo via Idaho Fish and Game}

As summer patterns take hold, Jonathan Miller of Capital Sports in Helena brings us the latest look at conditions across our local Helena area waters. Rising summer sun and shifting flows are accelerating weed growth, meaning anglers will need to rely on precise presentations and tactical adjustments to keep their lines tight this weekend.

Whether you are looking to navigate the heavy weeds for Hauser’s transitioning walleye and trout, target deep-dwelling Kokanee at the Regulating Reservoir, or adapt to the thick vegetation locking down trolling lanes on Lake Helena, this week’s breakdown delivers the exact bait choices, depths, and colors you need before heading out:

Hauser
Fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam has been proving to be slow. Some fish are being caught, but not swiftly. If you are dead set on it, I would try a bobber and a leech or worm in any slow swirls. Jigs are usually effective, but with more sunlight from summer and slow flows the weeds are nearly impossible to work a bait in.

Walleye are still biting at the Causeway, but it has been mediocre. Most fishing is happening with a slip bobber and worm or leech. A green/chartreuse or white paddle tail or ribbon tail jig is usually worth a try. The walleye are starting to show up all along the shore from York Bridge to Hauser Dam. My favorite approach is casting up shallow and jigging back to deep. Goby, perch or sungill patterns are my go-to colors on 1/4oz jig heads. I would also recommend tying on a 12lb+ fluorocarbon leader to help from loosing baits to hungry pike.

Pike should be coming out of their funk after spawn, I hope. I expect this to be the weekend when they start getting back to biting well and not giving so much attitude. I should have an accurate update on the bite next report.

Helena Regulating Reservoir
Kokanee fishing has been decent. There has been a noted slow down, but catching is still happening. Trolling a wedding ring around 35 feet of water is where I would start. Orange, pink or chartreuse are the safe choices. Sometimes black and chartreuse can produce fish if they aren’t biting anything else. A silver or pink spoon jigged at the same depth with corn can also produce fish.

Lake Helena
I have confirmed that Lake Helena is getting weeded up too much to be trolling on. There are some pockets that could be fished, but it is all but over for trolling in.

Reports by Jonathan Miller | Montana Outdoor Approved

Capital Sports Address: 1092 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 443-2978

^{Feature photo via Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks}

We survived the deluge! The massive inflows from our recent rainstorms have finally calmed down, though they definitely left the lake with a bit of a muddy hangover. The great news? The fish don’t seem to care. The bite is maintaining its solid momentum, meaning you can still find plenty of success out there if you lean into bright, high-visibility presentations.

The inflows have settled down quite a bit since the crazy rainfall we had, but it wasn’t without making the lake muddy. Regardless, the fishing is maintaining and staying good. Trolling around ponds 1, 2 and 3 is still producing fish. Bright colors are the general first pick. Orange, chartreuse and yellow for bottom bouncers. For crankbaits I would try fire tiger, gold or black/gold or UV bright colors. Perch patterns will still catch though so don’t be afraid to throw those. I have had reports of good shore fishing by the Silos with a bobber and worms, or jigging small paddle tails in perch patterns or bright colors.

North end is still producing trout in the deeper water with deep diving crankbaits. Fire tiger, rainbow trout or silver are the colors I recommend starting with. Troll 1.2mph to 2.5mph and favor the shoreline and structure. I wouldn’t recommend going deeper than 60 feet of water. The other thing to watch for with the spike of heavy inflow is the walleye dispersing across the lake faster. If they have made it to the north end, I like jigging perch patterns on an 1/8oz or 1/4oz jig from shallow water towards the boat into deeper water.

Current Canyon Ferry level is 87.1% full with an inflow of 4100cfs

Capital Sports Address: 1092 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 443-2978

^{Photo by Gateway Graphic Design and Photography}

According to the latest fishing report from Hell Creek Marina on June 10, 2026, angling conditions are reaching a seasonal peak. The marina reports that walleye, northern pike, and bass are all highly active, providing excellent opportunities for fishermen throughout the area.

“Great fishing on all three species [is] reported from Crooked Creek East to Timber Creek on the main lake and in the bays,” the marina stated, noting that the fish are biting across a wide range of depths, “from shore out to around 16 ft deep.”

For anglers looking to find success on the water, Hell Creek Marina highlighted several proven techniques that are currently yielding the best results. They recommend targeting the active schools by “using bottom bouncers, pitching spoons and pulling cranks.”

With multiple species biting across both the main lake and the bays, the marina closed their report with a simple wish for everyone heading out this week: “Happy fishing!”

High winds have Fort Peck heavily churned up, with main lake water temps sitting between the mid-50s and low 60s. Despite the rough conditions, the bite is on if you adapt. Here is Don Wilkins’ exact depth and presentation blueprint for targeting walleye, pike, and lake trout right now, as of June 11, 2026.

Walleye– bottom bouncers with a slow death hook and a half crawler and a jig and crawler have been working well. 15-20 FOW 

Northern Pike– casting spoons and crankbaits near weed beds in 10-15 FOW  is producing some good numbers of fish. Trolling deeper diving crankbaits from 15-35 feet is also catching some fish.

Lake Trout– some fair numbers of fish coming through on flats and main lake points in 70-95 FOW. We’ve been keeping our jigs 10-15 feet off the bottom and waiting for the more aggressive fish to come off the bottom for us. 

 Lots of wind again this week has the lake pretty churned up quite a bit .Water temps out on the main have ranged from low 60’s to mid 50’s 

Starting Monday, June 15, Montana hunters can register online via MyFWP for the annual Game Damage Hunt Roster to help landowners mitigate property and crop damage caused by deer, elk, and antelope. This year’s registration, which runs through July 15, also includes a special roster for managing out-of-bounds bison. Because these damage control situations require a rapid response—typically within 24 to 48 hours—and summer bison hunts necessitate a well-equipped team for quick field dressing, hunters are strongly encouraged to sign up only for districts they know well and can reach immediately.

To sign up, hunters must log into MyFWP and select one final, unchangeable hunting district per species. Since wildlife behavior is unpredictable, being placed on the list does not guarantee a hunt opportunity, and party registrations are not permitted. A randomized roster will be generated and posted to MyFWP accounts by July 20. Selected hunters will be contacted directly via phone or email, though FWP may also use alternative selection methods like first-come, first-served notices or landowner-provided lists depending on the urgency of the situation.

Jun 10, 2026 11:41 AM

Press release courtesy of
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks News.
Montana Outdoor republishes FWP press releases to keep our readers informed about official wildlife and fisheries news from the state agency.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – On the morning of June 8, occupants of a vessel on Yellowstone Lake discovered the body of a 41-year-old male, Brandon Rhea of Denver, Colorado, floating in the water near Rock Point on the northwest shore of the lake near Bridge Bay. 

National Park Service rangers responded to the scene and recovered the body, along with a capsized kayak and personal belongings. The incident is under investigation, and there are no further details to share at this time.  

Source: NPS

Photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A Monday morning dog walk turned into an absolute brawl in California’s Old Mammoth area. Around 6 a.m., a woman went outside to see why her dogs were barking, only to find a 70-pound, 17-month-old black bear squaring off with one of them.

When she tried to intervene, the bear switched targets, tagging her in with some serious biting and clawing. A man rushed out to help, got caught up in the melee himself, and things went full action-movie. The woman started whacking the bear with a water bottle to buy the man enough time to grab a hatchet from the house. A few blunt-force swings later, the bear was neutralized.

• The Humans: Suffered significant injuries but managed to drive themselves to the hospital. They are expected to make a full recovery.
• The Pups: Walked away with minor injuries and are doing just fine.
• The Bear: Was critically injured in the fight and was later humanely euthanized by wildlife officials after being deemed a public safety threat.

We’ve all heard the golden rule of the woods: “If it’s brown, lay down; if it’s black, fight back.” Because black bears are generally the timid, easily startled introverts of the bear world, it’s easy to treat them like oversized raccoons. But don’t let their usual “politeness” fool you—less aggressive does not mean harmless. When pushed, cornered, or tangled up with your pets, a black bear will absolutely throw hands (and teeth).

Local police emphasized that this kind of aggression is incredibly rare for Mammoth Lakes bears, who usually run away the second things get awkward. Still, nature is unpredictable. Stay bear aware, keep your pets close, and maybe keep a water bottle—or, you know, a hatchet—handy.

New Mexico is in outdoor news a lot lately.

Nearly four years ago, the New Mexico Supreme Court dropped a massive win for anglers, ruling that the public has a constitutional right to wade and fish in the state’s streams—even where they flow through private property. But while most landowners accepted the law, one Pecos River property owner, Erik Briones, allegedly decided to enforce his own rules using firearms, barbed wire, and heavy machinery.

On June 1, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced Briones’ arrest on five counts of aggravated assault. The arrest follows years of “hostile encounters” documented by local anglers, including a chilling 2023 video where Briones racks a shotgun shell and threatens to “target practice” across the river where a guide was fishing.

[The Conflict on the Pecos]
The Law:       Public has the right to wade and fish.
The Landowner: Deployed shotguns, handguns, and barbed wire.
The Result:    Arrest warrant and 5 counts of aggravated assault.

Aside from armed threats, the state alleges Briones played real-life supervillain by using an excavator to dig deep underwater trenches and stringing barbed wire along the riverbank. According to AG Torrez, these illegal modifications were designed to funnel wading fishermen into hazardous deep water, creating a literal drowning risk.

Landowners have tried repeatedly to fight the stream-access ruling, but every appeal—from the U.S. Supreme Court to the 10th Circuit—has been flatly rejected. As Torrez made clear, no one gets to use violence just because they disagree with the law.

Craving more of the details, witness statements, and legal drama? You can read the full story at Outdoor Life.

BRETT FRENCH | bfrench@billingsgazette.com

American Prairie has cancelled its annual public lottery that authorizes winning hunters to kill bison, citing the uncertainty created by a Bureau of Land Management directive to remove the animals from 63,500 acres of federal grazing allotments.

American Prairie, which has purchased more than 168,800 deeded acres in northeastern Montana, began offering its bison hunting program in 2016. Those deeded acres are attached to 436,900 acres of public lands where hunting has occurred.

The lottery has proven popular, with more than 25,000 people entering, including more than 5,400 last year. Hunters have killed more than 370 bison that generated over 75,000 pounds of meat, according to American Prairie.

Sale of the hunting permits has generated $79,000 in revenue, the conservation group said, and stopping the hunt will result in a loss of $25,000 in income this year.

Since its founding in 2002, American Prairie claimed it has added $34.1 million to the local economy “including staff wages, tourism, equipment and supply purchases, veterinarian services, and hiring of local fencing contractors.”

Critics counter that the group pays no state or federal income taxes.

American Prairie’s announcement came as the group filed a 40-page document with the Department of Interior’s Appeals Departmental Cases Hearing Division challenging the BLM order to remove the bison.

The Department of Interior has 45 days to consider the appeal. Should that route fail, American Prairie can challenge the BLM’s decision in federal court.

The slingshot fishing reel—in the footage below—is easily one of the coolest pieces of gear out there. It throws out the traditional 7-foot fishing rod and replaces it with a compact, sometimes even wrist-braced, catapult that looks like something straight out of a survival movie. To use it, you just click the free-spool button on the attached mini-reel, lock a heavy-duty steel dart into the rubber bands, pull back, and let it fly. The second you hit your target under the water, you just crank the reel handle to engage the gears and haul your catch right back to you.

While it looks like a crazy novelty gimmick, it’s actually quite the interesting piece of engineering. Because it fires in a straight line with a ton of speed, you can easily shoot past overhanging branches or cut through stiff winds that would ruin a normal cast. Plus, the whole aluminum frame folds down small enough to throw into a backpack, making it a huge hit for camping, hiking, and survival kits.

It completely changes the game by turning a lazy day of fishing into an active, close-quarters hunt—just make sure to check your local wildlife laws first, and see where this reel is categorized, as many consider it a bowfishing tool.

Three New Mexico outfitters allegedly decided the elk draw system wasn’t just competitive—it was something you could outsource, automate, and quietly monetize across state lines, including clients coming in from places like Montana and other out-of-state hunting hubs.

According to federal charges listed on the US Attorney’s Office in the District of New Mexico, between 2019 and 2022, the group behind Big Horn Outfitters is accused of manipulating New Mexico’s elk tag lottery by building fake hunter identities, using prepaid debit cards to avoid leaving clean financial trails, and submitting bogus “medical transfer” paperwork backed by allegedly forged doctor notes. Once resident tags were secured, prosecutors say they were funneled to out-of-state hunters—including clients traveling in from states like Montana—along with guided hunts and outfitting services.

Investigators allege the operation didn’t stop at wildlife regulations. The money side reportedly moved through burner emails, prepaid cards, and questionable tax reporting, while harvested elk were transported across state lines as part of the guided trips.

Officials framed the case as an attack on a system where residents already wait years for a fair shot at drawing a tag, emphasizing that schemes like this don’t just bend rules—they effectively rewrite them for whoever is paying.

The defendants now face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Lacey Act violations, and tax-related conspiracy counts. As always, the indictment is an allegation at this stage, and all are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

We’ve all been there. You pack up the heavy gear, set your sights on a legendary predator, and head out to the water with dreams of glory. But the universe? The universe usually has its own punchline ready.

Just ask Helena local Tod Smitham.

Tod and his buddy Jonathan Miller hit up Salmon Lake with one goal in mind: catch some northern pike. But as anyone who has ever stared at a motionless bobber for hours knows, sometimes you just need to pivot.

Taking a breather from the pike grind, Tod decided to downsize his rig. He threw on a smaller bait, hoping to entice a modest trout or perch just to get some action.

Instead, he hooked into a absolute unit of a Largescale Sucker. Because, hey, suckers have to eat too.

As it turns out, this particular fish had been eating very well.

Here is how the new king of Montana suckers shapes up against the old titleholder:

Stat	The New Record (Tod Smitham)	The Old Record (Wade Merschat)
Weight	6.86 lbs	6.72 lbs
Length	24.5 inches	25.25 inches
Location	Salmon Lake	Noxon Reservoir
Date	Recently	June 2024

That’s right—Tod’s fish was actually nearly an inch shorter than Wade Merschat’s 2024 record-holder from Noxon Reservoir, but it easily took the crown by being an absolute tank, weighing in at a thumping 6.86 pounds.

Next time you’re out on the water and your main target isn’t biting, don’t sleep on the backup plan. Downsize that bait, keep your expectations low, and you just might end up in the state record books for a fish you weren’t even trying to catch.

Congratulations to Tod on the historic haul! As for the pike, they’re officially on notice.

Most of us expect to look out the window and see a squirrel stealing birdseed, a rabbit nibbling on the lawn, or maybe a neighbor’s dog conducting an unauthorized inspection of our landscaping.

What we don’t expect to see is a 150-pound mountain lion casually lounging in the yard.

Yet that’s exactly what happens in several neighborhoods across the western United States. In one recent California incident, residents found a mountain lion stretched out in a backyard garden, looking less like a predator (that’s debatable) and more like a giant house cat enjoying a lazy afternoon nap. Authorities eventually relocated the animal safely.

A mountain lion isn’t supposed to look comfortable in your yard.

When we see a bear, our brains immediately scream, “Danger!” But mountain lions are different. They’re sleek. Quiet. Calm. They move with the confidence of an animal that knows it’s at the top of the food chain. Seeing one reclined beside your flower bed is unsettling because it makes the extraordinary seem ordinary.

Imagine opening your curtains, coffee in hand, and spotting what appears to be an oversized tabby cat. Then your brain catches up.

That’s not Mr. Whiskers.

That’s a cougar.

A cougar that could clear an 8-foot fence without breaking a sweat.

Wildlife experts note that mountain lions are naturally elusive and generally avoid people. However, expanding neighborhoods, habitat fragmentation, and the presence of deer and other prey animals can bring them closer to residential areas than many homeowners realize.

The good news is that encounters are still relatively rare, and mountain lions usually want nothing to do with humans. The bad news? They are masters of stealth. If you happen to see one, there’s a decent chance it noticed you long before you noticed it.

What Should You Do If You See a Mountain Lion?

First, resist the urge to get a better photo for social media.

Wildlife agencies recommend:

• Stay calm and do not approach the animal.
• Never run. Running can trigger a predator’s instinct to chase.
• Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms or opening a jacket.
• Keep children and pets close to you.
• Maintain eye contact and slowly back away.
• If a mountain lion acts aggressively, make noise, throw objects, and fight back if attacked.

For homeowners in mountain lion country, experts also recommend keeping pets indoors at night, removing attractants that bring deer into the yard, and reporting sightings to local wildlife authorities.

Perhaps the strangest thing about mountain lion sightings isn’t that they happen—it’s how relaxed the animals often appear. One lion was found hiding under a car in a busy neighborhood. Another calmly rested in a residential backyard. A famous Los Angeles mountain lion even became known for appearing in driveways and urban spaces.

It’s a reminder that while we may think of suburbs as human territory, wildlife doesn’t necessarily see the same boundaries.

So the next time you glance out the kitchen window and spot something lounging in the yard, take a second look.

If it has a 30-inch tail, weighs as much as a linebacker, and looks suspiciously unbothered by your existence, maybe skip the “Here kitty, kitty” routine and call wildlife officials instead.

Some guests aren’t looking for belly rubs.

Sources info:

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• National Park Service – Mountain Lion Safety Guidelines
• People

Dillon Area Fishing Report courtesy of Backcountry Angler – June 8, 2026

Beaverhead River

The Beaverhead is fishing exceptionally well right now, and anglers are finding success from the upper stretches all the way down to Dillon. Subsurface setups continue to do the heavy lifting, with scuds, midges, San Juan worms, BWO patterns, and PMD nymphs all producing steady action.

The bigger story, however, is what’s just around the corner. Pale Morning Duns are starting to make their presence known, with early hatch activity showing up between late morning and early afternoon. It’s not quite full-blown PMD season yet, but we’re close enough that keeping a dry-fly rod ready is becoming less of a precaution and more of a necessity.

Big Hole River

If you’ve been waiting for classic summer dry-fly fishing, the Big Hole is delivering. Salmonflies continue to blanket much of the river, and despite the hatch beginning to mature in some sections, fishing remains outstanding.

Recent cloud cover has only sweetened the deal. Overcast conditions have extended bug activity and kept trout looking up, creating some of the most consistent dry-fly fishing we’ve seen in quite some time. Whether you’re chasing big eats along the banks or prospecting likely water, now is an excellent time to be on the Big Hole with a box full of salmonfly patterns.

There is a maybe-not-so-common misconception that lightning is just a flashy light show or a cinematic backdrop for a dramatic movie scene. In reality, lightning is a massive, untamed column of actual electricity shot straight from the sky.

When a storm decides to ground its voltage, it doesn’t just pass through the environment—it alters it. Packing up to 200 million volts of electricity and reaching temperatures of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun), lightning is nature’s ultimate high-voltage weapon.

The Danger of Dry Lightning

While lightning can happen anywhere, Big Sky Country gets a disproportionate taste of its destructive power. Montana’s vast landscapes and high elevations make it a prime target for severe summer storms. One of the most dangerous phenomena the state faces is “dry thunderstorms.” These are storms that produce plenty of lightning but little to no rain because the precipitation evaporates before hitting the ground.

• Igniting Wildfires: According to wildfire risk assessments from predictive meteorologists, dry lightning strikes from a single storm cell can ignite dozens of forest fires simultaneously. This completely overwhelms local firefighting resources before they even know what hit them.
• Massive Lightning Counts: Montana is no stranger to serious voltage. Historical data from the National Weather Service shows the state averaging well over 3 million total lightning events annually. That is a lot of cosmic electricity searching for a place to land.

The Human and Animal Toll

When that kind of raw power connects with living tissue, the results are devastating. Lightning doesn’t just cause external burns; it travels through the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

• Wildlife and Livestock: Because animals often seek shelter under trees or bunch together in open fields, a single strike can travel through the ground and kill entire herds of cattle or wildlife instantly.
• Human Cost: For people, the danger is equally real. While modern medicine and better education have reduced fatalities over the decades, outdoor enthusiasts remain highly vulnerable. According to data tracked by the National Lightning Safety Council, Montana lightning strikes have tragically claimed the lives of everyday folks doing ordinary things—like walking along a road in Glendive, rounding up cattle on horseback in Bridger, or fishing in a reservoir near Helena.

The “Chimney Effect”: Burning from the Inside Out

If you want a truly bizarre visual of what millions of volts can do, look no further than a viral phenomenon caught on video in Australia.

When lightning strikes a living tree, the electricity takes the path of least resistance. It travels down the inside of the trunk, boiling the moisture and sap within the tree instantly. This creates a massive amount of pressurized steam and heat, essentially hollowing out the core of the tree. The result is a terrifyingly beautiful “chimney tree”—a trunk that remains perfectly upright, completely intact on the outside, while a roaring fire blazes out of its center like a demonic furnace.

Whether it is sparking a massive forest fire in the mountains of Montana or turning an Australian eucalyptus tree into a backyard chimney, lightning reminds us that the sky holds a live wire. When thunder roars, it’s best to stay indoors.

Who says you have to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy Thanksgiving food? Created by Michael Pendley of Realtree Timber-2-Table, this recipe completely shatters the calendar rules by cramming all those iconic, comforting holiday flavors into a low-stress, single-dish bake you can whip up on a random Tuesday. Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting, transforming wild game into ultra-tender shredded goodness that gets tossed with savory herbs, classic aromatics, and a sweet pop of cranberries before baking to a perfect golden crisp. It is a brilliant, all-in-one comfort meal that satisfies that holiday craving whenever it strikes—and if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, they fry up beautifully under a runny egg the next morning.

Wild Turkey and Dressing Casserole

• Ingredients:
  • 1 side of a wild turkey breast
  • 32 ounces chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, diced
  • 12 ounces prepared herb stuffing
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup dried cranberries (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  • Place the wild turkey breast, chicken broth, 3 tablespoons of butter, and bay leaves into a slow cooker; cook on low for 10-12 hours (or high for 4-6 hours) until the meat easily shreds, then shred the turkey and reserve the cooking broth.
  • Heat the vegetable oil and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat, then sauté the onion, bell pepper, and celery for 4-6 minutes until soft.
  • Stir the fresh sage into the vegetables, cook for another 1-2 minutes, and remove from the heat.
  • In a large bowl, mix the herb stuffing, sautéed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, dried cranberries (if using), and 2 ½ cups of the reserved cooking broth.
  • Fold the shredded turkey into the stuffing mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste, and spread evenly into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then slice into squares to serve.

From Montana FWP, via social media

Montana FWP Region 6 game wardens Andy Matakis and Dirk Paulsen recently returned from a trip to Oregon and Washington where they conducted interviews with 10 suspects who were involved in three separate investigations.

Wardens addressed 40 violations in six different Montana counties, resulting in guilty pleas from the suspects. Violations included hunting without a license, unlawful possession, tag transfer from one hunter to another, purchasing licenses from another hunter, unlawful procurement of multiple licenses, unlawful use of deer B licenses to harvest buck deer, and the use of district specific deer licenses in the wrong district.

Wardens seized two bull elk, two antelope bucks, four whitetail bucks and three mule deer bucks that were unlawfully harvested throughout Montana.

FWP Enforcement would like to thank the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police for all their assistance with these investigations. We would also like to thank Lincoln, Superior, Custer, Liberty, Lewis and Clark, and Blaine Counties for their hard work to resolve these cases.

Anyone with information about crimes involving fish, wildlife or park regulations is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details or to get in touch with their local warden. Those who report information may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Photo: Pixabay

FWP responded and euthanized the bear MISSOULA – A black bear entered a tent at Beavertail Hill State Park campground on Tuesday morning. Campers were in the tent, but fortunately nobody was injured.Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks responded and was able to locate and euthanize the bear. The bear had become habituated to people and remained in the area looking for food and other attractants.Beavertail Hill State Park is about 30 miles east of Missoula and is currently open to visitors.Bears can be found throughout Montana. People venturing into the outdoors can help avoid issues by following some essential “bear aware” strategies, such as: Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant bins; do not bury or burn garbage.Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.Stay alert and look for bear activity and make noise periodically, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.Travel in groups and avoid night, dawn or dusk hours whenever possible.When on the trail, avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.For more information on bear safety, visit FWP’s page on bears in Montana at fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware. Source: FWP Photo: Pixabay

(Serving up the latest fishing report for the Bighorn River via Fly Fish Food)

The Bighorn River is in its absolute prime right now, giving you the perfect excuse to call in “sick” to work.

• The Flow: A super manageable 1,540 CFS. Translation: Waders and floaters can both get a piece of the action without fighting a raging torrent.
• The View: Crystal clear water below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. (Just double-check the water after Tuesday’s potential storms).
• The Vibe: Weather is bouncing between 44°F and 77°F with some partly cloudy skies.

The Menu (What the Fish are Ordering)

While the bugs are throwing an all-day buffet, the fish are being a bit strategic about when they eat. Fly Fish Food has the underwater tracking dialed in:

• Subsurface Staples: If you want guaranteed action all day long, go deep. The underwater Sowbug and Scud party is raging 24/7.
• The Midday Rush: Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are starting to show face around lunchtime, especially when the sun hits.
• The Happy Hour: Caddis are gearing up for their late-June peak. Look for splashy rises in the fast water as the sun starts to dip.

Hot Flies to Tie On:

• Under the water: Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug (#10), Blowtorch (#12), or an Egan’s Thread Frenchie (#12).
• On the surface: Parachute BWO (#22), Stealth Link Mercer (#20), or a Corn-fed Caddis (#20).

  6:00 AM – 9:00 AM   |  Midge Madness. Fish the slow pools with tiny pupae (Zebra Midges) while the world wakes up.
 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM   |  Prime Time. Look for PMD and BWO hatches. If you see fins breaking the surface, swap to dries.
  4:00 PM – 7:00 PM   |  The Caddis Evening Show. Watch the lower riffles for explosive, splashy bites.

Run a two-fly rig about 4 to 5 feet under your indicator. Put a heavy lead fly up front (like a Blowtorch or Sowbug) and trail a tiny PMD or Baetis behind it.

Weather Hack: Keep an eye on Tuesday’s forecast. If those afternoon thunderstorms roll in, the cloud cover is going to absolutely trigger the Blue-Winged Olives. Don’t pack up early—that’s when the big Browns and Rainbows lose their minds.

A peaceful evening in the North Idaho backcountry took a tragic turn this past weekend when a bear hunter stumbled upon human remains deep within our neighboring state’s Coeur d’Alene National Forest, according to North Idaho News. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, dispatching backcountry deputies and detectives to the isolated Marie Creek area.

Reaching the site proved to be a grueling task, requiring emergency crews to saw through a dense blockade of fallen trees just to get vehicles through. Upon arrival, investigators determined that the woman’s body had likely been exposed to the elements for a significant amount of time.

While a passport found at the scene suggests the woman may be a 69-year-old traveler from New York, officials are withholding her identity out of respect until the Kootenai County Coroner’s Office can confirm who she is and properly notify her family.

According to Sheriff Robert B. Norris and Lieutenant Mark Ellis, preliminary evidence does not point to foul play. As the community sends its thoughts to a family likely half a continent away, an autopsy and a thorough investigation are underway to provide the answers and closure this heartbreaking situation demands.

If anyone has been looking for a reason to channel their inner Robin Hood (or Katniss Everdeen), the Broken Arrow Archery Club is providing the perfect excuse. Archery enthusiasts can dust off their gear, because the club is taking over EOB Ranch at 369 Lower Deer Creek Rd Big Timber, MT for its annual 3-D Archery Shoot.

This event is far from standing in a line shooting at boring paper targets. Attendees can expect an immersive, 40-target realistic hunting course designed to test actual skills—plus extra novelty and distance shoots to determine who really earns the bragging rights.

Here is everything people need to know to make a weekend out of it.

When & Where to Aim

The event kicks off the weekend of June 13th and 14th, 2026.

• Saturday, June 13th: 7:00 AM until dark (Raffles happen throughout the day)
• Sunday, June 14th: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (More raffles, though winners must be present to claim prizes)

Getting There: Drivers can head about 7 miles East of Big Timber on Highway 10, then turn South on Lower Deer Creek Road. After traveling about 4 miles on the gravel, visitors will spot the registration canopy on the right. Signs will also be posted at the turn-off to keep everyone on the right track.

The Cost

The club has priced the event so entire families can attend affordably.

Household Cap: The absolute maximum any single immediate household will pay is $45 for the entire weekend.

Camping & Fuel

Those wanting to make a true weekend out of it can pack a tent. Campers are welcome to roll in starting Friday night, June 12th. However, guests should note that this is traditional camping with no RV hookups.

Concessions will be located right by the registration table, ensuring no one has to forage for lunch while tracking targets.

For those wishing to support the club, donations are highly appreciated, and a list of sponsors will be proudly displayed at registration.

Questions or inquiries can be directed to the event organizers. Interested parties can call Buck Duncan at 406-931-0021 or Charles Lautzenheiser at 406-930-0732. Callers who reach voicemail can leave a message for a prompt return call.

When you are out casting a line in big sky country, it is easy to get hyper-focused on reading the water and looking for the perfect eddy. However, angling in Montana means you are sharing the ecosystem with apex predators, and tracking what is happening on the shoreline is only half the battle. Rushing water can easily mask the sound of an approaching animal, and thick riverside brush provides the perfect cover for a surprise, close-quarters encounter. In fact, many people forget that rivers and lakes are shared hunting grounds and travel corridors—meaning you have to look beyond the banks and sometimes even IN the water!

As footage all over the internet shows, grizzly bears are elite, powerful swimmers that won’t hesitate to take to the water if they spot an easy meal or a curious object. Seeing a massive black bear or grizzly cut through the current straight toward your boat or wading spot is a reminder that the water isn’t a safety barrier. Whenever you head out, stay alert, avoid fishing near carcasses, and always keep your bear spray (or firearm) readily accessible right on your chest or hip, not buried in a backpack. Stay safe out there, keep your eyes on the horizon, and always be prepared! Check out some tips via the National Park Service:

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

Here’s some footage of a bear encounter with anglers from Alaska:

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is giving the public a chance to weigh in on everything from mountain lion regulations to beaver relocation projects.

The commission will host its next public meeting on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Attendees can participate in person at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena (225 N. Roberts St.), stream the meeting via Zoom, or gather at any regional FWP office.

The Agenda

The commission is making critical decisions regarding Montana’s outdoor spaces and wildlife management. The main topics under review include:

• Elk Hunting Access Agreements: Rules and parameters regarding where hunters can access land.
• Beaver Translocations: The logistics of moving ecosystem-engineering beavers to new habitats.
• Mountain Lion Regulations: Management and policy updates for big cats in the CMR and ULB areas.
• MaltEurop Renewals & Amendments: Standard but essential updates to regional land and wildlife management.

How the Public Can Comment

Members of the public can voice their opinions either live during the meeting or through the remainder of the open comment windows.

1. Live Testimony (Meeting Day: June 12)

Those wishing to speak directly to the commission can do so in person in Helena, at any regional FWP office, or virtually via Zoom.

Zoom Registration Deadline: Virtual commenters must register in advance. The digital sign-up window closes promptly at noon on Thursday, June 11.

2. Early Online and Mail-In Comments

While the early comment window for the main agenda items (including elk, beavers, and mountain lions) closed on June 7, general feedback and meeting-day participation remain open.

Ultimately, public input directly shapes how hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are managed across Big Sky Country. To review the official proposals or register for the virtual meeting, residents can visit the FWP June 2026 Meeting Agenda Page.

Here is the quick breakdown, based on Fins and Feathers June 5, 2026 report, of what’s biting and what’s not around Bozeman right now, minus the boring fluff:

• The Big Picture: Runoff is finally throwing in the towel on a few rivers, though others are still nursing a hangover. Things are officially looking up!
• The Gallatin River: Go get ’em. It’s got that sexy green hue anglers love. Fish are hungry, so throw some Pat’s Rubberlegs, TJ Hookers, or flashy attractor nymphs. Streamer guys are finding love here too.
• The Upper Madison: Dropping water levels mean it’s decent, but the fish are acting a little sluggish. Don’t rush it—slow down, hit the deep buckets hard, and set an alarm to get out there early if you want to brag later.
• The Lower Madison: Still the MVP of the Bozeman lineup. Afternoon PMDs are popping, evening Brown Drakes are making a cameo, and the nymphing is rock solid. Tie on a crayfish attractor with a PMD-style perdigon dropper and thank us later.
• The Yellowstone: She’s finally behaving. Dropping flows mean the fishing is way better than last week. Stick to nymphing for the win, as streamers are a total gamble day-to-day. Bonus: Keep your eyes peeled because the stoneflies are about to crash the party.

What to pack in your fly box: Grab some Pheasant Tails, Black Pat’s Rubberlegs, Juju Baetis, Olive Mini Dungeons, Skiddish Smolts, Prince Nymphs, Parachute Adams, and Rainbow Spanish Bullets. Now get out there!

If you’ve been waiting for the stars to align, the Missouri River just basically handed you the constellations. We survived the drenching rains, and while the anglers got soaked, the House of Fly reported that the trout are currently throwing a metabolic rager. The Dearborn dumped some “green gold” (tinted water) into the main stem, giving the fish enough cover to feel brave and the anglers enough hope to keep casting.

As the legendary House of Fly wisdom goes:

“The tug is the drug.”

And right now, the Mo’ is a high-grade pharmacy.

The Bug Situation: Mayfly Hangover & Caddis Parties

We’ve been riding the PMD wave for a month, and frankly, the fish are starting to get a PhD in “Spotting the Fake.” If you want to trick them now, you’ve got to bring your A-game. We’re talking long leaders and presentations so delicate they’d make a ballet dancer look clumsy.

• The Transition: PMDs are still around, but the Caddis have officially crashed the party.
• The Vibe: Afternoon “swing sets” with soft hackles are producing aerial acrobatics that’ll make your reel scream.
• On the Horizon: Tricos and Brown Drakes are warming up in the bullpen.

Tactical Playbook

• Dry Fly Snobs: If you aren’t seeing noses, don’t just stand there. Drop a Loop Wing Emerger or a Translucent Pupa.
• Nymphing: The Frenchy and Two Bit Hooker are still the heavy hitters.
• The “Heart Attack” Special: If you’re bored, throw a White Dungeon. It’s basically the “Go Big or Go Home” button of fly fishing.

Remember, Craig is currently the center of the universe. The boat ramps are busy, and the energy is high. As the House of Fly mantra reminds us:

“Keep it reel.”

Be cool to your fellow anglers; we’re all just chasing the same scales and tails.

Apres-Fish: Pizza & Pints

When you finally peel off the waders, The Trout Shop is pulling 12-hour shifts (7-7) to keep you caffeinated and fed. If you want the “over-the-top” meal experience at the Hub Saloon, do yourself a favor and hit Open Table.

Because at the end of the day, as House of Fly puts it:

“Life is short. Fish hard.”

The water is 56 degrees, the fish are hungry, and the beer is cold. What are you still doing reading this? Get to Craig.

For those whose idea of a perfect workday involves breathing fresh air, working with their hands, and ensuring Montana’s wild spaces stay beautiful, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Region 6 has an opening that might just require lacing up some work boots.

FWP is currently seeking a full-time, year-round Maintenance Worker 2 in the Havre area.

As a vital part of the Parks and Outdoor Recreation maintenance team, the selected candidate won’t just be working in northeast Montana—they will be taking care of it. This role serves as a hands-on steward, maintaining and improving habitat areas, grounds, and facilities across fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, and administrative spots. It is the perfect opportunity for someone who wants their daily efforts to directly benefit Montana’s outdoor community.

The Perks

FWP offers a robust compensation and benefits package designed to provide long-term stability:

• The Pay: A competitive $25.01/hour.
• The Schedule: Full-time and year-round, offering steady employment through every season.
• The Benefits: A comprehensive package that includes health insurance, paid leave and holidays, and a reliable retirement plan.

Applicants do not need a niche degree to qualify, but rather a practical, reliable skillset. The knowledge and skills for this position are typically gained through a high school diploma (or equivalent) combined with three years of job-related experience. However, FWP is flexible and evaluates alternative combinations of education and experience on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

Opportunities to get paid for protecting Montana’s natural spaces do not come around every day. Interested individuals ready to make northeast Montana their official workplace should act quickly.

The application deadline is June 21.

To learn more about the position and submit an application, candidates can visit the Montana State Jobs Portal.

^{Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks}

Whether you’re hunting down walleye on the bottom or pulling up rainbows from the top, the Missouri River reservoirs are absolutely buzzing right now—and even the carp are getting in on the action. From a booming walleye bite on Canyon Ferry and Hauser to a massive mixed-bag bonanza over on Holter, it is officially prime time to load up the boat, grab your favorite jigs or crankbaits, and hit the water. Here is the full breakdown from Montana FWP on where the fish are biting and what they’re hitting this week.

Canyon Ferry: Walleye fishing is starting to really get good between mid-reservoir and the south end.  Trolling bottom bouncers with worm harnesses in 12-15 feet of water between Duck Creek and Pond 1 has been the most productive.  White Earth to Round Top has produced good results as well with some anglers using jigs.  Rainbows continue to be caught on the north end and around White Earth while trolling crankbaits, spoons or cowbells.  Rainbows are also being caught while fishing for walleye.  Shore fishing has produced both rainbows and walleyes on worms or jigs with a worm around Broadwater Bay and north of the Silos. The carp spawn is providing action for both bow fishing and hook and line.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Walleye fishing has been great on Lake Helena and inside the Causeway Arm. Trolling various crankbaits or using jigs tipped with worms or leeches has been working well for walleye. Carp have been spawning, and archers have been doing well. Rainbow fishing has been great while bank fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam with marabou jigs or Power Bait, and while trolling cowbells with nightcrawlers or a Wooly Worm, Crankbaits or silver spoons between Soup Creek and Black Sandy.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: The walleye bite has been good inside the Canyon near the Gates of the Mountains while using slip bobbers and leeches over top of the weed beds. The Clay Banks and some other bays on the west side of lower Holter have also been good spots to find a few walleye while jigging with night crawlers or trolling bottom bouncers and spinners. A few perch are being caught throughout the reservoir while searching for walleye. Trout fishing continues to be great throughout the reservoir while trolling cowbells with crawlers. Fly fishing with balanced leeches or midge nymphs on the upper end of the reservoir has been popular, and some anglers are catching a few trout from shore near the public boat ramps and from Departure Point. Kokanee anglers are catching a few fish near the Dam while trolling dodgers and hoochies or wedding rings at least 40 to 50 feet deep. A few northern pike are being caught around various weed beds between the Gates of the Mountains and Ming Bar while casting spoons or larger spinners.   Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Montana’s livestock auctions saw significantly lighter activity this week, with total receipts dropping to 2,293 head compared to 3,670 head last week. Despite the lower volume, renewed demand for grass cattle and improved pasture conditions from recent rains provided some bright spots for ranchers across the state.

Market Highlights

Recent rainfall across much of Montana has improved pasture and range conditions, sparking renewed interest in cattle suitable for grass turnout. Demand for feeder cattle remained good to very good, even with limited test numbers making trend analysis difficult. Quality varied from plain to attractive, with most cattle offered in small groups or as singles.

CME futures markets experienced significant volatility this week. A confirmed case of New World screw worm initially pressured prices before pushing them limit higher on Thursday. The August contract closed Friday at $353.90, up $5.48 from the previous week’s close.

Key Price Summary

Market Movements

Slaughter cattle markets faced pressure with most categories trading lower. Breaking cows held steady in limited comparisons, but boning and lean cows dropped $4-8 per hundredweight. Slaughter bulls were off $2-6, while feeding bulls declined $2-4. Interestingly, bulls suitable for feeding often brought higher prices on a dressed basis than high-yielding bulls headed directly to harvest.

The bright spot came in replacement cattle markets, where young cows suitable for feeding or rebreeding sold $8-12 higher. Recent rains gave buyers confidence to purchase cattle for turnout and breeding programs. Canadian buyers remained active, particularly for thinner-fleshed, lower-yielding cattle for feeding programs.

Weekly Receipts Breakdown

• Total Receipts: 2,293 head (vs. 3,670 last week, 2,792 last year)
• Feeder Cattle: 543 head (23.7%)
• Slaughter Cattle: 1,217 head (53.1%)
• Replacement Cattle: 533 head (23.2%)

Of the feeder cattle supply over 600 pounds, 66% fell into this heavier weight category, reflecting the seasonal movement toward grass-ready cattle.

Looking Ahead

With improved moisture conditions across much of the state and continued good demand for grass cattle, Montana ranchers have reason for cautious optimism. The volatile futures markets and mixed demand from American packers suggest continued price uncertainty, but strong feeding demand—both domestic and Canadian—should provide support for the right kind of cattle.

Market activity was mostly moderate to active despite a smaller buyer pool, indicating underlying strength in fundamentals even as overall numbers remain light.

Source: USDA AMS Montana Weekly Livestock Auction Summary

The weather is warm, the trails are calling, and unfortunately, the ticks are waiting. If you spend any time hiking, gardening, or just walking through tall grass this season, finding one of these tiny hitchhikers on yourself, a family member, or a pet is almost a rite of passage.

Discovering a tick embedded in your skin can bring on an immediate wave of panic, but removing it doesn’t have to be complicated. The golden rule is speed and precision: the sooner you remove it, the lower the chance of transmitting illness.

Here is your straightforward, step-by-step refresher on exactly how to handle a tick discovery safely and effectively.

How to Remove a Tick Correctly

Forget the old wives’ tales. Do not use a burnt match, petroleum jelly, rubbing alcohol, or nail polish to “suffocate” the tick. These methods can actually irritate the tick, causing it to regurgitate fluids back into your bloodstream, which increases your risk of infection.

Stick to the medically approved, standard tool: a simple pair of fine-tipped tweezers.

1.Grasp the tick close to the skin:

Step 1.

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible. Your goal is to grasp it by the mouthparts, not the plump body.

2.Pull straight up with steady pressure:

Step 2.

Pull upward with a steady, even motion. Do not twist, jerk, or wiggle the tick. Twisting can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded in the skin.

3.Clean the bite area thoroughly:

Step 3.

Once the tick is out, wash the bite site and your hands completely with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

4.Dispose of or save the tick:

Step 4.

Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of it by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. If you live in a high-risk Lyme disease area, consider saving it in a sealed baggie to show a doctor if you develop symptoms.

What to Do If the Mouthparts Break Off

If you pull the tick out and its mouthparts break off and stay in your skin, don’t panic. The infectious part of the tick is in its body, which you have already removed.

• Try to remove the remaining pieces gently with clean tweezers.
• If you cannot remove them easily, leave them alone and let the skin heal. Digging into the skin will only increase your risk of a secondary bacterial infection. Your body will naturally expel the remaining fragments over time, much like a splinter.

Watch the Visual Walkthrough

If you want a quick visual demonstration to keep fresh in your mind before you hit the trails, check out this excellent, quick video guide:

Watch Now: How to Remove a Tick Safely (Video Refresher)

When to See a Doctor

Keep a close eye on the bite area over the next 30 days. You should reach out to a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• A rash: Look out for an expanding red ring (often called a “bullseye” rash), or any unusual rash spreading from the bite.
• Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headaches, or swollen lymph nodes.
• Local infection: Increased redness, warmth, swelling, or oozing at the site of the bite.

A quick check after every outdoor adventure and a reliable pair of tweezers in your first-aid kit are all you need to stay safe and enjoy the season confidently.

Source info:

Video Guide: For a quick, 30-second visual demonstration of the removal process, watch the Tick Removal Video Refresher on YouTube.

Medical Guidelines: The step-by-step removal protocol, tool recommendations, and symptom-monitoring timeline strictly align with the standard public health guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Rock Creek Walleye Tournament final top five teams

Photo: USFWS

Cooking wild game can sometimes feel intimidating, but preparing bear meat doesn’t have to be a complicated, multi-day ordeal—in fact, it can be incredibly simple. Because ground bear meat has a rich flavor that pairs beautifully with Italian herbs and melted cheeses, it serves as the perfect substitute for beef or pork in your favorite foods. Look no further than this straightforward bear meat lasagna recipe: by browning the ground bear meat with some garlic and onions, layering it with pasta sheets, marinara, and a blend of ricotta and mozzarella, you get a savory, crowd-pleasing dish with minimal extra effort!

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dust off the fly rod and brave the elements, this is it. May wrapped up with a glorious stretch of skuzzy weather—which, in the fly-fishing world, is just code for “perfect trout conditions.” The latest report (from June 4, 2026) by Big Sky Anglers breaks down exactly how this recent soaking rain gave Yellowstone’s rivers a much-needed boost, triggering some killer mayfly hatches while pushing the park’s meager snowpack to its final stand.

Here’s the latest from Big Sky Anglers:

May wrapped up with a full weekend of cool, skuzzy weather across Yellowstone, complete with temperatures in the 40s and a steady soaking rain. At this point in the spring, it was a welcome change. The moisture provided a much-needed boost to the rivers while also triggering hatches of Baetis and Pale Morning Dun mayflies.

Forecasts call for a return to warmer, windier conditions before another round of wet weather arrives early next week. That warmth will likely finish off what remains of the snowpack at the Black Bear SNOTEL site atop the Madison Plateau. Less than 10 inches of snow remain on the ground, and it would be surprising to see any of it survive beyond the weekend.

With the last of this year’s meager snowpack fading away, the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison now depend on cool, wet weather to keep water temperatures within a safe range for trout. Fortunately, the forecast remains favorable over the next week, but anglers should continue to carry a thermometer and closely monitor water temperatures as the season progresses.

Elsewhere in the park, runoff is still in full swing with many of our favorite summertime fisheries running high and dirty. The season continues to progress quickly and trend ahead of schedule. So, stay tuned here for updates over the coming weeks as conditions improve and more fisheries come online.

FIREHOLE

Warm, windy conditions will reduce the potential for strong mayfly hatches and limit opportunities to find rising fish. Your best bet to find dry fly targets will be in the mornings and evenings with pale morning dun spinners (rusty and olive, size # 16-18), as well as nectopshyche (white, size #14-16) and hydropsyche (tan, size # 16) caddis.

On warm, calm mornings, you may see pmd spinner falls mixed in with a sparse emergence as early 8:00am.

As always, swinging soft hackles through the riffles is a fun and productive way to spend the afternoon, or any time when fish aren’t feeding on the surface.

MADISON (in YNP)

If you’re headed into the park from West Yellowstone to fish the Firehole on a warm, calm morning this week, you’ll be presented with a conundrum. You have to drive by miles of beautiful dry fly water on the Madison to get there. Such a dilemma!

Pale morning dun spinner falls will also bring fish to the surface on the Madison, as long as the wind stays down, or at least remains relatively light. 

If you’re planning to spend the morning in Yellowstone and the afternoon elsewhere, perhaps on the Madison below Quake Lake or the Henry’s Fork, don’t overlook the Madison in the Park. It’s a convenient place to sneak in a few hours of fishing before the wind picks up and the crowds begin to build.

GIBBON

Not much has changed on the Gibbon this week. It continues to offer a diverse range of fishing opportunities between its rough-and-tumble canyon stretches and slow, meandering meadow sections. Pocket water above and below Gibbon Falls remains an excellent option for anglers fishing dry-dropper rigs or indicator nymph setups for brown, rainbow, and westslope cutthroat trout. Upstream, the meadow reaches provide a completely different experience, rewarding careful presentations to subtle risers tucked beneath grassy undercut banks.

Lakes

Ice out has occurred on many of our favorite lakes in the Park including Shoshone, Lewis, Grebe, and Yellowstone. This is a great time to find fish cruising the shallow areas close to shore hunting for leeches, damsel fly larvae, and callibaetis nymphs. 

As always, If you venture into any of the back country lakes, be sure to bring your bear spray, and be bear aware anytime you’re fishing in Yellowstone Park. 

Stay Safe in Bear Country

• Stay 100 yards away from bears at all times.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills)
• Make noise
• Hike in groups of three or more people.
• Don’t hike at dawn, dusk, or at night, when grizzlies are most active.
• Don’t run from a bear.  

Now that we have reached the general open season in the Park, more options will come into shape every week. If the current trend continues, many of the fisheries we start visiting in late June might be worth checking out over the coming weeks. Keep a close eye on the current weather and water conditions, and always feel free to give us a shout in the shop (406) 646-7801 for the most up-to-date info. 

We’ve all seen internet arguments get out of hand, but usually, they don’t involve a Chicago sports radio icon, the FBI, and a northern pike.

As first reported by Wide Open Spaces, back in March of 2025, Dan Bernstein—longtime co-host on Chicago’s 670 The Score—found himself in some incredibly hot water after an online fishing flex took a dark, bizarre turn. For a guy who spends his days dissecting sports strategy, he completely misplayed his hand on social media, resulting in him suddenly being “off the air for the week” and ultimately leading to his firing.

It all started innocently enough: Bernstein posted a selfie with a fish he had caught. Enter the internet critics. One social media user chimed in to question Bernstein’s angling ethics, replying:

“LOL, that isn’t walleye, that is a female northern pike that was getting ready to spawn, but instead Dan killed it and seems proud of it.”

For most public figures, this is where you scroll past or, at most, drop a quick “Nope, it was safely released!” But Bernstein took the bait—hook, line, and sinker.

Bernstein didn’t just defend his sportsmanship; he went absolutely nuclear. Insisting the fish “took off like a torpedo,” he launched into a profanity-laced tirade, openly daring the critic to a fight and declaring, “I’m a bad enemy, f—ker.”

If he had stopped there, he might have just looked a little too online. Instead, things took a sharp turn into doxxing territory. Bernstein allegedly tracked down the user’s personal details, bragging that he knew where the man worked and hinting that he had his address and phone number.

The worst part is that the radio host reportedly threatened to involve the user’s children in the feud. That move prompted the social media user to report Bernstein directly to his boss, Mitch Rosen, as well as the FBI.

Unsurprisingly, the internet didn’t take kindly to a major media personality threatening a listener over fish conservation. Other users immediately swarmed the comments, with one mocking, “Dan, you definitely killed that fish. And then lied about it… Now please feel free to reach out for my address.”

By the time Monday rolled around, Bernstein was noticeably absent from his usual radio slot. His co-host, Marshall Harris, casually mentioned that Bernstein “has the week off,” while station management and parent company Audacy remained completely tight-lipped until they announced his firing after the week.

The Moral of the Story

Some radio hosts are paid to have loud, aggressive opinions about sports, but trying to ruin someone’s life over a pike selfie is a swift way to get benched. Next time, Dan, just log off and let the fish stories stay stories. You hear this, Cap? lol

Here’s a follow-up interview from him after the firing, in case you are interested:

^{(and before anybody goes on about the feature image, 1. Yes, it is AI 2. we are aware it isn’t realistic. Thank you)}

Day 1 Results:

1st place — Chris McFadden and Brem Phipps, Montana, 50.16 pounds.

2nd place — Zeik Gordon and Owen Wilcox, Montana, 49.58 pounds.

3rd place — Gage Gordon and Brodee Ward, Montana, 49.24 pounds.

4th place — Tucker Cook and Tyler Graham, Montana, 49.14 pounds.

5th place — Wayne Wilcox and Cade McAllister, Montana, 47.40 pounds.

Photo: USFWS, public domain

Get all the up to date conditions and information from our correspondents across Montana. Conditions differ from one place to another, so listen in and go prepeared.

Fishing reports from around Montana continued to improve and change, offering challenges and success to those informed of what to use and where to go. Missed last weeks show, get caught up right here.

This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale continues his look at the issue of Corner Crossing in Montana. This time he talks with the President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), Ryan “Cal” Callaghan. BHA is basically on the opposite side of Corner Crossing compared to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks or at least as it relates to the court case that the two organizations are involved in. However, as Rigger put it, “When you listen to last week’s podcast and now this week’s podcast in a lot of ways both FWP and BHA are on the same side.” Watch or listen to this weeks and last week’s podcast and tell us what you think. Just like last week’s podcast, this week’s podcast is very interesting and we for sure would love to hear what you think and better yet make sure you get your comments into the Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Advisory Committee and the FWP. Ryan at GHA is a VERY smart guy and gave some excellent comments and perspective in this week’s podcast so be sure and watch or listen and then tell Rigger if you think he needs to do another Corner Crossing Podcast down the road. Our hope is that this issue gets worked out so Landowners and Hunters keep a good relationship going that can get even better! 

Links:

• Click here to learn more about Back Country Hunters & Anglers.
• To watch last week’s podcast, click here or here to just listen.
• If you have any questions or comments for Ryan Callaghan, click here to send him an email.
• Of course, Rigger always loves to hear from you so feel free to email him anytime by clicking here.