Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages mule deer through aerial surveys, fawn recruitment data, harvest information, and habitat assessment. Area biologist Sonja Andersen explains how multiple information sources build a clearer picture of each herd and its landscape.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages outdoor enthusiasts to report black bear den locations during fall and winter to support bear management programs. Reported dens may be investigated by DNR biologists who select candidates for research projects involving collaring and data collection.
As daylight saving time ends in November, Utah residents face increased vehicle-wildlife collisions during peak deer migration. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app and Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative, partners with the Utah Department of Transportation to track collisions and construct strategic wildlife crossings to reduce accidents.
Six-year-old Leo Youngdahl discovered a rare 2.75-inch conulariid fossil at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during a Rafting and Rocks event. Kelly Ekue, outdoor education specialist, and paleontologist Shane Tucker identified the ancient marine animal fossil, one of only three known conulariids found in Nebraska.
The state Game and Fish Department's annual fall aerial mule deer survey begins October 19 in western North Dakota, taking approximately two weeks to complete. The survey collects population data from 24 badlands study areas to monitor demographic trends including buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios.
A woman was injured by a cow moose on October 3 near McAllister while walking her dogs on private land. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens responded but did not locate the moose, determining it likely acted defensively. The woman received treatment at Madison Valley Medical Center for significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
Montana is home to the Northern Scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus), the state's only scorpion species. These small, nocturnal arachnids are rarely seen but can be found on south-facing slopes in southeastern Montana and throughout the state in suitable sagebrush and grassland habitats. They serve as an important food source for pallid bats, a species of special concern in Montana.
Montana FWP provides educational videos featuring bear specialists Colby Anton, Chad White, Ali Marschner, Jeremiah Smith, Kyle Orozco, and Danielle Oyler covering grizzly bear safety, food management, hunting in bear country, trapping practices, and bear spray techniques.
A landowner in the Trego area shot and killed a male grizzly bear on October 1 after encountering it at close range near his property. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks responded to the scene. FWP Director Christy Clark emphasized the importance of securing food attractants during fall hyperphagia to prevent bear conflicts.
Montana is home to the shortnose gar, Lepisosteus platostomus, a small primitive fish species native to the state's Missouri and Mississippi river systems. These unique fish can extract atmospheric oxygen through their swim bladder, allowing survival in low-oxygen waters, and are considered a species of concern due to limited distribution and low population densities.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Lander Region is hosting a free "Living in Large Carnivore Country" workshop in Rawlins on October 6 at 6 p.m. Wildlife professionals will discuss mountain lion and black bear behavior, attractant management, and conflict prevention strategies.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks removed 14 black bears from a Bozeman-area residence in late September after finding them heavily food-conditioned and habituated to humans due to alleged supplemental feeding. Game Warden Captain Josh Leonard stated the bears posed human safety risks and were humanely euthanized, with one cub sent to FWP's Montana WILD facility.
The Maryland DNR warns residents that black bears are increasing feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation, consuming over 20,000 calories daily. Residents should remove food attractants and delay filling bird feeders to prevent human-bear conflicts and keep bears wild.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host an information session on mule deer in Miles City on September 29 at Miles Community College. The meeting will cover population surveys, hunting season outlook, and chronic wasting disease efforts, with wildlife health biologist Bevin McCormick presenting on CWD in Montana.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) provides guidance on assisting sea turtles during storm season. If you find stranded hatchlings or injured turtles, contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) rather than handling them directly.
Lori Roberts published a scientific paper on detecting grizzly bear parturition using radio collar activity data from the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem project. The study tracked female bears across four western North American ecosystems, measuring behavioral changes during hibernation to identify birth events with greater accuracy than traditional flight surveys.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Hardware Wildlife Education Center in Hyrum offers a free Night Life exhibit during the first three weekends of October, featuring photographs and educational displays about nocturnal animals. Director Marni Lee invites visitors to learn why Utah's wildlife is active at night through interactive activities and family-friendly programs.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting free kokanee salmon viewing events at Strawberry Reservoir on September 19 and Fish Lake on September 26, where visitors can observe the bright red fish during their spawning season. Multiple other locations throughout Utah offer opportunities to see kokanee salmon from September through October, though anglers are prohibited from keeping any kokanee from September 10 to November 30.
As Florida black bears prepare for winter by foraging up to 20 hours daily, residents can reduce human-bear conflicts by securing garbage, removing bird feeders, and following BearWise tips. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission emphasizes that removing food attractants encourages bears to leave neighborhoods naturally.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host an information session on mule deer in Malta on September 30 at Malta High School. The meeting will cover mule deer population surveys, research, and chronic wasting disease (CWD) status in northeast Montana, with time for questions and discussion.