BOZEMAN – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists and experienced houndsmen will be conducting field work this winter in the Gallatin Range south of Bozeman to help estimate the number and density of mountain lions in the area.
The research is scheduled to begin in early December and last through mid-April as part of a statewide effort to monitor and manage Montana’s lion populations.
To collect data, FWP biologists and local houndsmen will use trained dogs to track and tree mountain lions. They’ll use darts to capture small tissue samples to submit for genetic analysis. This will be combined with genetic samples from hunter-harvested lions to help biologists estimate lion numbers. Lions won’t be sedated, collared or tagged during this survey effort.
This research comes from FWP’s mountain lion monitoring and management strategy adopted in 2019, which prescribes using genetic samples to make periodic population estimates of lions in different management ecoregions of the state. FWP is in its fifth year of this population monitoring strategy.
Over time, FWP will be able to use these population estimates, along with more than 25 years of field research data and annual harvest information, to guide lion management decisions. This monitoring program is helping improve Montana’s ability to understand the effects of lion harvest. It is also helping biologists manage and maintain viable lion populations in balance with other wildlife species and various public interests.
For more information, contact FWP field research lead Alissa Anderson at Alissa.Anderson@mt.gov.
On Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at approximately 3:19 PM, Gallatin County dispatch received a call from a GPS device monitoring service. A device the company monitors had recently been activated near Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon. Gallatin County dispatch later received a 911 phone call from an eyewitness stating an ice climber had fallen and was injured. The patient was identified as 36-year-old Montana resident and avid ice climber, Kyle Allen Rott.
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers along with Two Bear Air and Billings Clinic Med-Flight helicopters responded to the Grotto Falls trailhead. Five teams of search and rescue volunteers were deployed to the area where Rott was located. Search and rescue volunteers provided initial medical treatment to Rott who was eventually hoisted from the area by Two Bear Air and taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office coroners responded to the hospital where Rott was determined to have died accidentally, caused by blunt force trauma of the head, sustained during an ice climbing fall.
Sheriff Dan Springer would like to express his condolences to Mr. Kyle Rott’s family in South Dakota and his friends. Sheriff Springer also thanks all the dedicated search and rescue members who responded so quickly.
If you are planning a family vacation, consider touring Montana. It has attractive sceneries and wide-open spaces, making it a perfect destination for outdoor lovers. It is also home to the world’s oldest park, the Yellowstone National Park, which features awe-striking mountain ranges, super volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, and rivers. Read on for five fun things to do in Montana for an enjoyable and memorable vacation.
Explore Yellowstone National Park
If you are an outdoor lover, you should definitely tour Yellowstone National Park. The park was established in 1872 and is Montana’s most famous attraction. Yellowstone is primarily located in Wyoming and Idaho, and only three percent of the park is in Montana. Schedule a tour of the region to see the national park’s famous attractions, including Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Lake, and Lamar Valley.
Be sure to schedule white water rafting trips in Yellowstone for a unique experience in Montana. Other fun activities in Yellowstone National Park include hiking, camping, horseback riding, skiing, kayaking, and fishing.
Hike Glacier National Park
Hiking Glacier National Park is one of the best and fun things to do in Montana. Glacier National Park has more than 700 trails and is known as the hiker’s paradise. As you walk through the trails, you will enjoy the scenic views of serene lakes, glacier-carved valleys, alpine meadows, and pristine forests. You also get to watch wildlife up close in Glacier National Park. Some common animals in the park include grizzly bears, elk, and goats. If you enjoy boating, you could book a boat ride across Lake McDonald.
Go wildlife viewing
If animal viewing is on your travel bucket list, consider touring one of the United States’ oldest wildlife refuges, the National Bison Range. The National Bison Range is located in Moiese and covers approximately 18500 acres. It is home to various wild animals, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and pronghorn antelope. If you are a birdwatcher, pack up your binoculars to enjoy viewing over 200 bird species, including hawks, geese, meadowlarks, eagles, and bluebirds, to mention a few.
Drive the Hi-Line
Take your family on a road trip by driving the Hi-Line. As you go on your road trip, you will enjoy the incredible views of historic shops and homes, reservoirs, distillers and breweries, volcanic peaks, and beautiful rivers. Be sure to check local towns for accommodation options, especially when planning a long drive.
Soak in Montana’s hot springs
Montana is home to various hot springs. Be sure to enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the hot springs. A perfect option is the Quinns Hot Spring resort located seventy miles northeast of Missoula. While here, you could stay in one of the cabins as you enjoy the region’s exceptional views. Other famous hot springs in Montana include Elkhorn Hot Springs, Bozeman Hot Springs, Chico Hot Springs, and Norris Hot Springs, to mention a few.
Endnote
Montana is a perfect choice if you are looking for a destination with beautiful national parks, stunning vistas, and plenty of outdoor activities. Add the above fun activities to your itinerary for an unforgettable vacation.
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