Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 5 Citizen Advisory Collective will meet July 29 at the Billings FWP office. The meeting will cover fisheries projects, proposed regulations, wildlife surveys, and the new CAC structure.
STATE AGENCIES
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host open bear aware office hours at the Missoula FWP office on set days from July through September. Attendees can receive bear safety tips and practice with inert bear spray while learning about bear biology and encounter prevention from FWP staff.
Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will host its 4th annual blood drive on August 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome. The goal is to collect 30 units of blood for the American Red Cross. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at www.redcrossblood.org using sponsor code FishGame or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
The Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation launched the Guide ARK Directory, an official listing of verified outdoor guides offering hunting, fishing, paddling, hiking, climbing and cycling experiences. Applications remain open at no cost for outdoor professionals to join and receive visibility on Arkansas.com and state tourism channels.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple environmental assessments including Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site bridge replacement, westslope cutthroat trout restoration in Harley Creek, rainbow trout stocking at Askin Pond, and various private pond licenses. Comment deadlines range from July 21-30.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is surveying anglers and stream enthusiasts to inform revisions to its Stream Black Bass Management Plan, which covers smallmouth, Neosho, largemouth, and spotted bass in Arkansas's free-flowing warmwater streams. The plan will be developed collaboratively with a Stakeholder Advisory Committee including outfitters, paddlers, landowners, and business owners. Survey responses are due by August 9.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark hosted a town hall in Choteau with local landowners to discuss proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule changes for grizzly bear management. The proposed rule would give Montana more management flexibility in recovery zones that have reached population objectives, including the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Teton Farm Bureau President Cody Shick encouraged farmers and ranchers to comment on the proposed rule through August 17.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission proposed a drawn permit waterfowl hunt on approximately 1,000 acres of the St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area to address crowding concerns. The draw will operate seven days per week during duck season with permit winners assigned marked locations and allowed three hunting companions per day.
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, July 21, at Fort Harrison State Park's Garrison Ballroom in Indianapolis, beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The agenda and related materials are available at nrc.IN.gov/meetings-and-minutes/current-meeting-agenda.
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reported record visitation of 54.3 million in 2025, generating $17.4 billion in economic impact and $10.2 billion in visitor spending. The state achieved record FY26 tourism tax collections of $26.9 million while supporting 71,860 direct jobs.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved renewal of the National Bighorn Sheep Center lease for 10 years and acquisition of 27-year public access easements adding 5,000 acres to the Bear River Divide Hunter Management Area. The commission also received updates on a new mobile app featuring digital licenses and recognized Fiscal Chief Dirk Miller's 38-year career before his retirement.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued a permit for Enbridge's Great Lakes Tunnel project to replace the 73-year-old Line 5 pipelines. The permit requires Enbridge to mitigate impacts on threatened plant species including Houghton's goldenrod and dwarf lake iris, as well as bat habitats, through seed collection, monitoring, and habitat protection measures.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and its partners are offering comprehensive Outdoor Skills Network events for all skill levels, from introductory shooting lessons to experienced hunter meetups. Events cover hunting, fishing, trapping, archery, wildlife viewing, and conservation education across multiple species.
The Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees will hold its third quarterly meeting on August 6 at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. The meeting will feature updates on program activities and tract assessments, with opportunities for public comment and land nominations.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Macomb County, is requesting public input on a new general management plan for W.C. Wetzel State Recreation Area through an online survey available until August 16. The 913-acre park in southeast Michigan offers hiking, hunting, fishing, and bird-watching opportunities.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has postponed two virtual public meetings scheduled for July 16 regarding the Palisades-Kepler dam engineering design project. The meetings will be rescheduled at a later date.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting an equipment workshop Oct. 5-9 at the Forest Fire Experiment Station in Roscommon. The workshop offers facility tours, field demonstrations, presentations, and networking for fire department chiefs and wildland fire professionals. Registration closes Aug. 31 with space limited to 16 attendees.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet July 15-16 at its Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome. A public hearing on July 15 at 7 p.m. will allow three-minute comments on Fish and Game matters, while the business meeting on July 16 includes decisions on electronic tagging rules, fiscal year 2028 budget, and 2026-2027 sage-grouse seasons.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for the Region 1 Citizen Advisory Collective in northwestern Montana. The CAC meets several times yearly to advise FWP on resource management and serve as ambassadors to local communities. The application deadline is August 14 at 5 p.m.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Western Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council will meet July 20 in Escanaba to discuss state park safety, charter boat captain requirements, and resolutions on bat research, fishing, climate change, and Great Lakes winter guiding.
