BOZEMAN-Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now accepting applications from one-boat outfitters for temporary client days on the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers for use in 2012.

The temporary client days are available to one-boat outfitters who are currently not permitted to outfit on these two rivers and one-boat outfitters who are currently permitted to operate on these rivers, but want additional days.

Under the rules, a one-boat outfitter is defined as an outfitter who operates no more than one boat and is the sole guide. Outfitters must also be licensed by the Board of Outfitters to apply for these days.

One-boat outfitters may apply for a maximum of 60 temporary client days on the Beaverhead River and/or a maximum of 60 temporary client days on the Big Hole River.

After a one-boat outfitter has used temporary clients days for three consecutive years, the number of temporary clients days he or she may apply for in the following year may not exceed the highest number of temporary client days used in one of the previous three years. Outfitters should check their records to determine how many temporary client days they used in each of three consecutive years.

This year marks the sixth season for the temporary client day system. The rules state that after a one-boat outfitter has used temporary client days for five consecutive years, FWP may remove these temporary client days from the pool and allocate them to a one-boat outfitter for his or her use as regular client days. The outfitter could also become a multi-boat outfitter.

Application packets are available from the FWP regional office in Bozeman Applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2011, and submitted to:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers
1400 S. 19th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59718

FWP will notify successful applicants by Feb. 15, 2012. The temporary client days will be available for use in 2012.

Commercial use rules are in effect on the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers. These rules require outfitters and guides on these rivers to obtain permits and pay associated fees. For more information, contact FWP River Recreation Manager Cheryl Morris at 406-994-6359 orcherylmorris@mt.gov .