Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a public open house in Great Falls for the Fish & Wildlife Commission on July 8, which will be followed by the commission's regular monthly meeting on July 9.

The open house will be held for area residents to informally visit with Fish & Wildlife Commissioners and other FWP staff. The open house starts at 6 p.m. on July 8 at FWP Region 4 Headquarters, 4600 Giant Springs Road.

Before the open house, commissioners will participate in a tour of regional sites, including the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery, the Malteurop Plant, Whitebear Fishing Access Site, and several conservation-easement properties. A noontime lunch and discussion with Sieben Livestock Co., Lane Ranch and Dana Ranch landowners is also scheduled.

The commission's regular meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on July 9, also at FWP's Region 4 Headquarters. Commissioners will make final decisions on:

· rule amendments for recreation on Silver Lake near Anaconda;

· a work plan for nongame conservation funded by income tax check-off contributions;

· upcoming upland game bird hunting harvest quotas and limits; including sage grouse season dates and closures;

· upcoming furbearer seasons and quotas;

· upcoming wolf hunting and trapping seasons and landowner take quotas;

· changes to deer, elk and antelope quotas outside of biennial quota ranges; and

· bighorn sheep hunting licenses to facilitate the depopulation of the Tendoy Mountain herd near Lima contingent upon approval of an environmental assessment.

Commissioners also will consider two proposals for public comment, including early season migratory bird hunting regulations and a recreation management plan for 163,883 acres in Mineral, Missoula, and Powell counties managed by The Nature Conservancy and enrolled in FWP's Block Management program, which provides free public access during the fall big game hunting seasons. The proposed rule will provide year-round recreational access for public use.

FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with a disability. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at: 406-444-3186.

The full agenda and additional information on the scheduled topics may be found on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, then click "Commission Links".