All posts by nfpa

New rule proposed to end endangered species listings by state

Environmental Issues, News,

The federal government has proposed a new rule to govern endangered species listings that seems to make no one happy except, perhaps, a few attorneys and policy wonks. Here’s today’s AP coverage . . .

The Obama administration proposed a new rule that would end a practice in which some endangered species were classified differently in neighboring states.

The new policy would clarify that a plant or animal could be listed as threatened or endangered if threats occur in a “significant portion of its range,” even if the threat crosses state lines and does not apply in the species’ entire range.

Continue reading . . .

Glacier National Park shifts to winter mode

News, ,

Glacier National Park is shifting over to winter mode. The park is not closed by any means; there’s still plenty to see and do.

A couple of online publications have excellent articles on Glacier’s winter operations, including fees, activities and facilities.

The National Parks Traveler has a very complete write up, whereas the Flathead Beacon has a shorter, but more personal, discussion that includes information about Flathead National Forest as well as Glacier Park.

Montana FWP Commission extends wolf hunt to Feb. 15

Environmental Issues, News, ,

As expected, Montana FWP extended the wolf hunt into next year — not expected was its extension to Feb. 15 . . .

Montana on Thursday extended its wolf hunt to Feb. 15 as the number of predators killed so far has fallen far short of the quota of 220 animals.

The state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission also approved a plan to allow hunters to assist state and federal officials in killing problem wolves that prey on livestock, a duty that previously solely belonged to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.

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Larry Wilson: On North Fork curmudgeons

Commentary, History, , ,

This week, Larry starts off with a few word about North Fork curmudgeons. It’s a subject more appropriate to a short book than a short column, but he pulls it off . . .

Earlier in November, it looked like it was going to be a long winter. Snow was getting deeper and deeper, temperatures dropped below zero, and Lynn Ogle was getting grumpier by the hour.

He was almost like Wilke Hastings, who used to live in a small cabin on Trail Creek…

Continue reading . . .

Officials debate way forward on grizzly bear management

Environmental Issues, News, ,

A good article by Rob Chaney posted recently to the Missoulian . . .

As the Rocky Mountain grizzly bear population grows, its managers have encountered something of a vision problem: They’re not sure what success looks like.

“We have a pretty good road map on how to recover grizzly bears – reduce mortality and provide them a place to live, and bears will slowly increase,” Idaho Game and Fish Director Jim Unsworth told his colleagues at the Interagency Grizzly Bear Commission last week in Missoula. “I’d like to see us move more into proven areas instead of hanging out in the past.”

Continue reading . . .

Wolf quota reached in one district in northwest Montana

Environmental Issues, News, ,

From the Daily Inter Lake . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has closed wolf hunting in a district covering areas east of Kalispell and in the Swan Valley because the allotted quota was recently met.

The quota for District 130 was 12 wolves, and over the weekend the state announced that the quota had been met and the district would be closed as of sunset Monday…

The Montana wolf hunt is scheduled to continue through Dec. 31. A proposal to extend it one more month is under consideration.

Continue reading . . .

Wolf hunt wraps up today in parts of Flathead County

Environmental Issues, News,

From today’s Flathead Beacon . . .

Wildlife officials are closing down the gray wolf season in portions of western Montana where hunters have met the state’s annual quota.

Officials said hunting in Wolf Management Unit 130 was to end a half-hour after sunset on Monday because the area’s 12-wolf quota has been filled. That includes portions of Flathead, Lake and Missoula counties.

Continue reading . . .

Public not getting the word on avoiding bears

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

No one who has spent much time on the North Fork will be surprised by the material discussed in this Associated Press article about grizzly bear encounters by inexperienced hikers.

However, there is a startling statement near the end that makes the whole article worth reading . . .

Officials recommend hikers carry bear spray, not run from grizzlies, and not hike alone.

Meanwhile, a representative of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment said a new study there found more evidence of Canadian black bears making predatory attacks on humans.

“We’re used to defensive attacks by grizzly bears, that are usually triggered by protecting cubs or food or space,” said Tony Hamilton. “But now we’re seeing black bears that have typically had no previous human contact looking at us as potential prey…

Read the entire article . . .

Larry Wilson: The North Fork gives thanks

Commentary, News, , ,

Larry Wilson discusses Thanksgiving on the North Fork and tail end of hunting season . . .

As usual, the Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall was a big community success. While most of the U.S. has made Thanksgiving a family holiday, here on the North Fork it is a community event. Just like the original Pilgrims, we choose to live in a place where the weather can be harsh and there is a real need for neighbors to help each other at times. With town fifty miles away and many services limited or non-existent a good neighbor is a fine thing.

It is not unusual up here to help a neighbor get out of the ditch or to bring auto parts or groceries from town. On the North Fork, a neighbor might live 20 miles away but is still considered not only a neighbor but a friend. In the towns or cities people are more likely to look through you than at you. No so, on the North Fork.

As a result, the Thanksgiving dinner is a collection of 60-80 neighbors who are glad to see you and you are glad to see them.

Continue reading . . .

Less than half of wolf quota killed so far; extended hunt possible

Environmental Issues, News, ,

From today’s Missoulian . . .

Hunters across Montana had killed less than half the quota of wolves set by state biologists as of Sunday, the end of rifle season for deer and elk.

The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks had recorded that hunters had shot 99 wolves by Sunday across 14 management units. The quota was reached in only one wolf district, the large unit that stretches from just east of Butte to the North Dakota state line.

Continue reading . . .