State Agencies

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is celebrating Bear Aware Month in September with educational events across the state. FWP offices will accept expired or partially used bear spray canisters throughout September, with participants entering to win a bear spray storage canister. Events include bear safety workshops, bear spray practice demonstrations, and fruit donation drives to reduce bear attractants.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host bear aware office hours on Tuesdays in September at the Kalispell office. FWP bear education technician Anna Martin will provide bear safety tips and allow participants to practice with inert bear spray.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Aquaculture in the Classroom program partners with Duke Energy Florida, Coastal Conservation Association Florida, and Mote Marine Laboratory to provide hands-on marine science education to students across Florida. During the 2025-2026 school year, the program distributed over 3,000 hatchery-reared red drum and snook fingerlings to 23 schools statewide.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a free workshop on September 3 in Ulm to provide bear safety training, hands-on practice with inert bear spray, and tips for avoiding conflicts in bear country. FWP staff will discuss bear biology, safety practices, and conflict prevention strategies for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a free bear aware event on September 1 in Missoula, featuring safety tips, bear spray practice with a robotic bear, and staff discussions on bear biology and encounters. Participants can also drop off expired bear spray canisters for a chance to win a storage container.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department held a press conference on August 24 to address leadership transitions. Interim Director Eric Wiltanger outlined priorities including habitat restoration, Mule Deer conservation, and public access, while Chief Game Warden Dan Smith and Craig Smith assumed new interim roles within the agency.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council will meet August 27 in Wetmore to discuss the DNR's beaver-trout policy and public drone use on state-managed lands. The meeting runs 6 to 8:30 p.m. EDT at Munising Township Hall.

Eric Wiltanger, Deputy Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, has been named Interim Director following Angi Bruce's resignation on August 6. Chief Game Warden Dan Smith and Craig Smith will assume interim roles in the leadership transition effective August 10.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is collecting empty, partially empty, or expired bear spray canisters at its Miles City regional office during September's Bear Aware Month. Participants can enter a drawing for a spray storage container by dropping off canisters and scanning a QR code.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a meeting in Miles City on Aug. 27 to discuss the proposed 2027-30 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan. A statewide virtual meeting is also available Aug. 21 at noon, with comments due Sept. 14.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a meeting on Aug. 27 in Bozeman to discuss the proposed 2027-30 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan and 2027-28 fishing regulations. The plan, updated every four years, identifies statewide fisheries-management goals and strategies to sustain Montana's fisheries and angling opportunities.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened its application portal for the 2026 Generation Conservation Pre-Summit and Regional competitions, with registration closing Sept. 21. Schools can compete in challenges including cooking wild game, quiz bowls, debate, and conservation planning across three student divisions, with the summit held Nov. 4-5 at Bank OZK Arena and Convention Center in Hot Springs.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced a public comment period for their draft 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. The plan identifies 858 Species of Greatest Need requiring conservation attention and must be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 1, 2026.

Idaho Fish and Game has reopened the parking area at the Crystal Lake access site near Priest River following emergency repairs to address a sinkhole hazard. The agency also improved the boat ramp and trimmed trees while completing necessary maintenance at the site.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting a public meeting on August 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP office in Missoula to discuss the proposed 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan. The plan and environmental assessment are available for public review and comment through September 14, 2026.

Three proposed amendments by Region 1 Commissioner Ian Wargo for the Aug. 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting address Fall 2026–Winter 2027 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons. Amendments include retaining Region 1's bobcat quota, establishing regional wolf quotas, and creating a new Wolf Management Unit with a general hunting season. Public comment is welcome at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including W7 Ranch private pond licenses, Hannah Ranch conservation easement, Tongue River Reservoir wild fish transfer, Vande Sandt private pond license, wildlife management area plans, and the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan 2027-2030, with comment deadlines ranging from August 20 through September 14.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division is recruiting qualified applicants for the Coastal Advisory Council, which advises on conservation and management of coastal resources. Two vacancies are available: one for a Scientific Research Organization representative and one for State Government/Regional Commission representative. The application deadline is September 14, 2026.

The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Advisory Council will meet in Conrad on September 14-15 to review program activities and tour local habitat projects. FWP regional staff will highlight work to improve upland game bird habitat and expand public hunting opportunities. Both the field tour and meeting are open to the public.

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, August 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom to review landowner incentive survey results, discuss FWP access program funding, and finalize recommendations for the final PL/PW report.