Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on ice fishing contests proposed for the 2026-2027 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, and the FWP Fisheries Division will approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications. Comments must be submitted by August 24.
The Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force will meet Aug. 10 via Zoom. Co-chairs Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe and Sen. John Fuller will use feedback from over 1,400 Montana shooters and research from South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado to develop facility recommendations due June 30, 2027.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launched IHEA PathPerks, becoming the second state agency to offer newly certified hunters pro-level gear pricing from over 200 outdoor brands including Hornady, Swarovski Optik, Weatherby, and Vortex Optics. Co-developed by the International Hunter Education Association and Guidefitter, the no-cost program reaches Alabama's approximately 500,000 hunters at no expense to the state or students.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting September 3 in Newberry to discuss the removal of three aging dams: Brockies Pond Dam, Millecoquins Pond Dam, and Silver Creek Pond Dam. Removal is expected in 2027, with estimated costs under $300,000 per dam.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will meet Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Lansing Community College. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will livestream the meeting at 9 a.m. via the DNR's YouTube meetings channel, with the draft agenda available at Michigan.gov/NRC.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will hold a public meeting on Friday, August 7, at 8 a.m. at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, Arizona. A complete agenda and information on viewing or speaking to the commission is available at www.azgfd.com/commagenda.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple proposals including a private fish pond license for Irving Weissman in Hamilton and agenda items for the August 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. Comment deadlines range from August 7 to August 14.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants for the Southwest Lion Ecoregional Population Objective Panel to advise on mountain lion population objectives in southwest Montana. The 12-member panel will attend meetings in October and January to develop management recommendations balancing interests of hunters, livestock producers, wildlife enthusiasts, and ungulate conservation advocates. Applications are due August 21.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold an in-person meeting on August 5 at the Panama City Beach Conference Center at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, beginning at 9:00 AM CDT. The public is invited to attend and provide comments on agenda items or contact Commissioners directly via email at Commissioners@MyFWC.com.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting on August 6 at the Maser Monarch Lodge in Okoboji to discuss shoreline restoration plans at Pilsbury Point on West Lake Okoboji. The project will stabilize nearly 1,200 feet of steep public shorelines damaged by 2024 flooding, with construction scheduled from fall 2024 through fall 2027.
Tony Mong, Cody Wildlife Biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, has retired after 16 years of service. His career included significant contributions to wildlife conservation initiatives such as the Bagg's Mule Deer Initiative, Absaroka Fence Initiative, and bighorn sheep surveys. Mong plans to continue conservation work locally through a non-governmental organization.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is hosting multiple advisory board meetings in August covering waterways, wildlife, parks, and natural resource management. Key meetings include the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on August 12, Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee on August 19, and the Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee on August 20, with various contact persons listed for each.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites the public to a virtual meeting on August 5 to review and provide feedback on a draft general management plan for Interlochen State Park in Grand Traverse County. DNR staff will present park improvements and planning details, with an interactive survey available through August 23.
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.
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.