Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Region 3)

08/18/2026

Pete Glowacki has spent nearly two decades in law enforcement, including almost half that time with Montana FWP. During his career, he’s worked as a warden, sergeant, and lieutenant, with experience in investigations, hiring, training, and administration. Read more about Glowacki and what's ahead for the enforcement division here: http://kxlh.com/news/montana-fwp-enforcement-division-enters-a-new-chapter-in-leadership?fbclid=IwY2xjawTxZhhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXgxd1RNek9aa3cxWklnck9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenymUHzxKDkfP_vc5rWh0UnNg8eNoOtwsq_z4vM5t1jPDE5r_Wim1rJTJiRk_aem_zCgsvwDhTrULxoKmFAV-iw

Now, the agency has hired Pete Glowacki as the new chief of enforcement for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

08/14/2026

Berry crops have had mixed success in southwestern Montana, but bears are using a variety of available food sources. This is the time of year when bears begin their preparation for hibernation, and it's an especially important time to keep attractants such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food secured. Keeping attractants out of reach of bears goes a long way toward preventing conflicts, improving human safety and encouraging healthy bear behavior. Here's a seasonal update from FWP's Region 3 grizzly bear specialist, Jeremiah Smith.

08/13/2026

FWP lands in Beaverhead County will be under Stage I fire restrictions starting Aug. 13.

Under Stage I restrictions, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire is prohibited unless an exemption is made. People may only smoke within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter clear of flammable materials. People may cook on a liquid petroleum gas or propane stove that can be turned off.

FWP follows the county’s lead in placing fire restrictions on its properties within that county. These restrictions at FWP sites will be in place until further notice. FWP urges people to use caution while recreating due to dry conditions and fire danger.

Learn more about wildfire prevention and the latest information on fires in Montana at mtfireinfo.org. For information on restrictions and closures at FWP sites, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

08/12/2026

FWP is implementing a new lottery system for managing hunting access at Missouri Headwaters State Park.

Missouri Headwaters State Park offers quality wildlife habitat and diverse recreation opportunities. As interest in hunting in the park grows alongside general park visitation, FWP staff are looking to manage hunting access in a way that ensures the safety of all visitors while keeping the park open for hunting where appropriate.

Beginning this season, hunting access at Missouri Headwaters State Park will be managed through a lottery reservation system. Those who wish to hunt in the park must complete an online application the week before they plan to hunt, choosing up to three days as possible hunting dates. Up to six hunters will be selected randomly for each day. Those hunters will receive an email with hunting rules, a map with safety zones, and a tag for their vehicle.

The online application will be open each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Aug. 26 through Jan. 6, with hunting dates available weekly from Sept. 1 through Jan. 15. Hunters will be selected one week at a time.

Learn more: https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2026/aug/0812-what-you-need-to-know-about-hunting-at-missouri-headwaters-state-park-this-fall

08/11/2026

Join us at Missouri Headwaters State Park for a guided Bat Talk & Walk on Aug. 22! We'll learn all about how important these little nighttime fliers are and then walk around the park using echolocators to pick up bat calls and look for bats. Bring your favorite camp chair and a flashlight!

We'll meet behind the park office at 8 p.m. Registration is required, and the cost is $4 per person. To sign up, call the park at 406-285-3610 or visit https://montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=MT&parkId=630317

08/03/2026

Anaconda's Smelterman’s Days are Aug. 7-9, which are packed with fun for all! Highlights include a parade, brewfest, tours of Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park and more in this annual community celebration.

Enjoy live music and food from local food trucks at the Brewfest and After Party. Get your running shoes and participate in the Smelter City Scamper, a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Kids Sprint.

See the tallest masonry structure in the world and learn about Anaconda's rich mining history on one of the bus tours running all weekend.

Learn more: https://www.discoveranaconda.com/smeltermen

08/03/2026

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in the Rainbow Point area of Hebgen Reservoir, and that area is closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Routine monitoring of Hebgen shows the water contains anatoxin-a, a toxin made by certain algae that can make people, pets, and livestock very sick. Other parts of the reservoir are also being monitored, but those areas currently have lower toxin levels and remain open.

Read the full press release here:https://www.healthygallatin.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PressRelease_HAB_HebgenLakeRainbowPoint_07.30.2026.pdf

Toxin exposure can occur in humans from recreational activities where water might be ingested such as swimming, wind surfing, jet skiing, and water skiing. Children and pets are more likely to ingest HAB infested water because they spend most of their time wading in the shallow waters where algae can accumulate and they have less control over how much water they ingest. Animals and livestock that drink large amounts of contaminated water, and pets that collect scum on their fur and then ingest it by licking, are at high risk of toxin exposure.

If you suspected HAB call the Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health at 406-582-3120. Our website also has resources for identifying and reporting HABs: https://www.healthygallatin.org/environmental-health/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms-habs/

07/30/2026

More exciting (and free!) interpretive events are planned at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park through the rest of summer. Come enjoy an evening at Montana's first state park and learn about geology, wildlife, history and much more!

07/29/2026

FWP's Bozeman office is closed today, July 29, due a scheduled power outage associated with nearby construction. We look forward to serving you again tomorrow, July 30! Licenses can still be purchased online at fwp.mt.gov or at other license ambassadors, which can be found here: fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/licenseproviders

07/28/2026

Two men from Harrison were convicted of multiple hunting violations in Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin counties.

Jeremy Michael Hill and Ryan Francis McGuire faced several charges after the two men were found to have killed multiple deer illegally over several years.

Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted a yearlong investigation into Hill and McGuire following a report from a concerned witness about a wasted whitetail buck found in Hill’s possession. The investigation revealed evidence that Hill, over a three-year period, killed multiple antlered deer each year. Hill also used hunting licenses issued to family members to tag illegally harvested deer.

McGuire aided and abetted Hill as they hunted deer from a vehicle after legal shooting hours.

Their charges included unlawful possession of a game animal, hunting or killing overlimit on deer, unlawful hunting from a public highway, unlawful hunting from a vehicle, unlawful use of equipment while hunting (spotlighting), waste of a game animal, failure to obtain landowner permission for hunting, and failing to validate a general deer license.

Hill was sentenced to a 36-month hunting and fishing privilege suspension and fines totaling $2,980. McGuire was sentenced to a 24-month privilege suspension and fines totaling $670. Montana is part of the interstate wildlife violator compact where violators who lose privileges in one state lose them in all 50 states.

Montana game wardens rely on members of the public being good witnesses in the field and reporting wildlife violations when they happen. Anyone with possible information about crimes against wildlife or state lands is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.