Wolf hunting, trapping resumes near Yellowstone Park

Environmental Issues, News,

Less than a month ago, Montana shut down the wolf hunt in a small area near Yellowstone National Park because too many collared, research animals were being taken. Now the hunt is back on . . .

Wolf hunting and trapping can resume near Yellowstone National Park after a Montana judge on Wednesday blocked the state from shutting down the practice over concerns that too many animals used in research were being killed.

The restraining order from Judge Nels Swandal allows hunting and trapping to resume in areas east and west of the town of Gardiner in Park County.

State officials closed the gray wolf season in those areas on Dec. 10…

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Flathead County going after road money for Blacktail and North Fork roads

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While the North Fork Road rests under its winter pavement, Flathead County is making plans for improvements  .  .  .

Flathead County plans to vie for money from a restructured federal highway program to make improvements to Blacktail and North Fork roads.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act — MAP-21 — that was signed into law in July will fund surface transportation programs at more than $105 billion for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Montana’s slice of the federal pie will be $50 million over the two years.

Blacktail Road in Lakeside, the road leading to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, is a prime contender…

A second proposed project is conducting an engineering analysis and making improvements to the stretch of the North Fork Road north of Polebridge in the Wurtz Slump area…

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North Fork mail delivery a challenging task

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The challenges of delivering mail on the North Fork got some recognition from the Flathead Beacon today . . .

The United States Postal Service estimates it will deliver 18 billion cards, letters and packages this holiday season. A few of those parcels will pass through the hands of Karin Craver.

Twice a week, Craver, 38, drives 130 miles up and down the North Fork Road, delivering mail to the hearty souls that call the remote area home. In these parts, holiday joy doesn’t come in a red sleigh, but rather a road- and weather-beaten Mitsubishi Montero.

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Chas Cartwright’s tenure as ‘temporary guardian’ of Glacier Park nears its close

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Chas Cartwright tenure as Glacier Park’s Superintendent nears its close . . .

It was by organic and geologic fortuity that the towering mountains of Glacier National Park were hewn during the last ice age, and without regard for the legacy bestowed on its millions of annual visitors, or the suite of wildlife its pristine ecosystem supports.

As Chas Cartwright’s decades-long career in public service draws to a close with him at the helm of Glacier National Park, he isn’t much concerned with the notion of legacy, either.

Cartwright set out as Glacier’s 21st superintendent not to carve out a monument to himself, but to serve as the park’s temporary guardian…

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Wolf trapping season opens, with protests

Environmental Issues, News,

Montana’s first wolf trapping season got off to a low-profile start, but not without a public protest . . .

Montana’s 2012 wolf hunt shifted to a new gear on Saturday as trapping became a legal way to take the predators.

However, state Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials don’t expect a rush of activity over the weekend. Trappers could not place traps before Saturday, and may leave them unchecked for up to 48 hours. They must report any kills within 24 hours.

Experienced trapper Mike Day of Missoula said he didn’t expect much success at all from the state’s new trapping program. Between the unhelpful weather and the difficult rules, he doubted the wolves had much to fear.

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Bison once roamed Glacier Park’s high country

History, News,

Here’s an interesting tidbit about Glacier Park’s — and perhaps the North Fork’s — historic fauna . . .

A project to study cultural and biological resources near ice patches in Glacier National Park has revealed an interesting find in the Park’s high country — bison.

Often thought of as a plains animal, researchers recently found bison remains at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the Park’s St. Mary drainage.

Researchers say the bison remains were not left by hunters — it’s a nearly complete skeleton. Bison may have their home on the range, but that homeland extended into the mountains, it turns out.

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Interagency committee wants full picture of grizzly bear diet before delisting

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The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee plans a close look at the grizzly bear’s overall diet . . .

To ensure they’ve got the best look at how well grizzly bears can endure in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, researchers want a full picture of the predators’ diet before another attempt to remove them from endangered species protection.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee hopes to convince the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals it was justified in delisting the big bears from the federal Endangered Species Act…

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Kym Hall to serve as Glacier Park’s interim superintendent

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As expected, Glacier Park’s second in command will be the interim superintendent . . .

Glacier National Park’s No. 2 official will take over for retiring Superintendent Chas Cartwright at the end of the year with an eye toward filling the position permanently.

Kym Hall will become the park’s interim superintendent when Cartwright steps down Dec. 28, Cartwright said Friday.

The National Park Service plans to name a permanent replacement for Cartwright by late spring 2013, and Hall said she will throw her name into the ring.

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Report discusses future climate change impact on native trout

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A just-released report discusses the impact of climate change on Rocky Mountain trout species . . .

A new research paper published in Fisheries magazine explores how a warming climate is affecting trout streams in the Flathead River basin and throughout the Rocky Mountains, and urges quick action if native trout populations are to persist in diminishing cold-water habitats.

The report examines the climate histories of five river basins in the Rocky Mountains, including the Flathead River, which is home to robust populations of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. In every case, stream characteristics have been adversely affected by warming trends, which have led to higher stream temperatures and habitat fragmentation.

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Montana shuts down wolf hunting & trapping near Yellowstone

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As anticipated, Montana officials shut down wolf hunting and trapping in areas close to Yellowstone National Park . . .

Montana wildlife commissioners closed down the state’s gray wolf season in some areas north of Yellowstone National Park on Monday, in response to a spate of recent shootings of animals that had been collared for scientific research.

The move shuts down hunting and trapping in areas to the east and west of the town of Gardiner, just days before trapping season was set to begin.

But wildlife commissioners did not yield to pressure from wildlife advocates to create a permanent and more extensive buffer around the park.

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