Category Archives: News

Special map raises money for Flathead Lake biostation

Environmental Issues, News, ,

An artistic map of Flathead Lake is being sold to raise money for the Flathead Lake Biological Station . . .

The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station and the Flathead Lakers have collaborated with a Missoula-based map making company to create a unique, artistic rendition of Flathead Lake to benefit the biological station.

The limited-edition print of Flathead Lake from Xplorer Maps features an antique style complete with illustrations of regional flora and fauna…

To view or purchase the map and find more information about the map and the programs that the proceeds will support, visit www.xplorermaps.com, www.flatheadlakers.org or www.umt.edu/flbs.

Continue reading . . .

Glacier Park’s popular Highline Trail is open

News, ,

Well, cripes, I thought the Highline Trail would be clear already, but today is the official opening. Here is the core part of the official press release . . .

The popular Highline Trail at Logan Pass is anticipated to be open by Friday, possibly earlier. Hikers are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared. Hikers may encounter rocks and mud on trails, eroded trail tread, and some snowfields on higher elevation trails across the park.

Due to recent mud and rock slides along the Highline Trail, both west and east-side park trail crews have been working to allow for public access on the trail from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte. On July 17 a rain event triggered numerous mud and rock slides in the area and deposited lots of rock and mud debris on the trail. Much of the tread, flat surfaces or step-like features built by trail crew, were washed out. In several areas of the trail, bedrock is exposed and hikers are encouraged to use caution. Often the bedrock is angled downhill, wet, and potentially slick.The use of hiking poles is encouraged in this area.

Visitors planning to hike on trails in the higher elevations of the park are encouraged to have appropriate footwear for snow travel, specifically lug-sole boots, and self-arrest tools such as ice axe and crampons, as well as the knowledge and skills to utilize the tools. It is recommended to have layers of clothing available, including a rain jacket, for changing weather conditions throughout the park. Caution should be used near rivers and streams, as water may be extremely cold, and running swift and high. All hikers are encouraged to turn around if conditions exceed what is comfortable or beyond personal experience and limitations.

Continue reading full press release . . .

Grizzly bear moved from Lincoln area to North Fork

Environmental Issues, News, ,

Another nuisance griz got the boot from more settled areas and introduced to the North Fork . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists and field assistants captured a grizzly bear last week that had become too comfortable grazing near homes in the Lincoln area. Crews relocated the bear to the North Fork of the Flathead on Sunday.

FWP bear management specialist Jamie Jonkel said the bear was mostly eating clover, but also got into some birdseed, one bag of garbage and 100 pounds of water-damaged winter wheat that was on a property on 7-Up Ranch Lane.

Continue reading . . .

Searching for the biggest Western larch

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

Andrew Larson, an assistant professor of ecology at the University of Montana, is on the hunt for the biggest Western larch in the U.S. . . .

The largest Western larch in the land is a giant, standing 153 feet over the placid waters of Seeley Lake in a quiet, shady grove.

Visiting the tree is akin to a quest and standing in its presence, where the air is fresh and light, brings one a sense of serenity…

As large and distinguished as the old larch is, Larson thinks there’s a bigger tree awaiting discovery in northwest Montana’s vast tracts of wild and remote lands.

Continue reading . . .

Canadian Flathead Valley scheduled for ‘BioBlitz’

Environmental Issues, News,

A team of scientists will be conducting a biological survey in early August of the area being proposed as an expansion for Waterton Lakes National Park in the Canadian Flathead drainage . . .

British Columbia’s North Fork Flathead drainage will soon be swarming with scientists looking to document as many forms of life possible in a first-ever “BioBlitz” for the area.

The search will involve about a dozen scientists and support personnel combing the drainage for birds, bees, bats, fish, fungi, flowers, lichens, trees, reptiles and mammals of all types…

The scientists will be working in an area of southeastern British Columbia that is proposed as an expansion area for Waterton Lakes National Park…

Continue reading . . .

Lightning sparks wildfires in Flathead National Forest

News,

This explains the increased low-flying air traffic yesterday . . .

A late-night storm on Sunday generated more than 100 lightning strikes in the Flathead National Forest and sparked seven small fires. On Monday, crews were working to suppress the fires and flying over the Spotted Bear Ranger District to get a better idea of what was burning.

According to the forest’s public affairs specialist, Wade Muehlhof, five of the fires are located within the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Snow Peak Fire is the largest and had burned 8 acres of land as of Monday afternoon.

Continue reading . . .

Grizzly bear deaths spike in Yellowstone region this summer

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

It could just be statistical anomaly, but there have been 16 grizzly bear deaths in the Yellowstone region this summer. Most are natural losses, but they are much higher than normal . . .

Bear biologists are refraining from assigning a single reason for a two-fold increase in the rate of natural grizzly bear deaths in the Yellowstone National Park region.

Ten of the 16 grizzlies that have met their ends this summer have died of natural causes, according to data from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.

Historically, humans are to blame for more than 75 percent of the bear deaths in the first half of the summer. While the rate is just 37 percent this year, it is derived from a small sample size, and biologists aren’t jumping to any conclusions.

Continue reading . . .

Grizzly bear taste for chicken makes for conflicts — and dead bears

Environmental Issues, News, ,

We mentioned this last year, but it bears repeating: Human-bear conflict is not just caused by garbage, dog food and bird feeders. There is a growing problem these days with unprotected chicken coops. The New York Times ran a story a couple of weeks ago . . .

Longing for fresh eggs, Levi and Nauni Griffith began raising chickens in their backyard. They started with a few, and eventually had 116. Until late last summer, that is, when a grizzly sow and her cub, filling the night with fearful growling, got in among the shrieking chickens and then lumbered off, leaving bits of 99 birds behind…

In northwestern Montana, as in much of the country, more people are keeping chickens. And bears of all kinds are developing a taste for poultry that lures them into populated areas, presenting a dangerous situation for both people and, especially, for bears.

Continue reading . . .

Montana FWP Commission approves new wolf hunt rules; allows trapping

Environmental Issues, News, ,

To no one’s surprise, the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission approved new wolf hunt rules late last week, including a provision for trapping . . .

Montana wildlife commissioners approved new wolf hunting rules Thursday that allow trapping and the killing of up to three of the predators by one trapper.

The move came after the officials waded through thousands of written comments regarding management of the species that evokes strong emotions…

Wildlife managers will allow some trapping, lift most quotas and expand the length of the season…

Continue reading . . .