ENNIS – A hunter killed a grizzly bear Saturday during a close encounter in the Gravelly Range.

The hunter was reportedly charged by the bear before shooting and killing the bear at close range in self-defense. The hunter was not injured.

Staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks visited the scene the next day and confirmed the bear mortality. The bear was an adult female grizzly with no known conflict history. The bear was in good body condition and appeared to be digging a den near where the encounter took place.

This incident is still under investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Be bear aware

Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year.

This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they prepare for hibernation. This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Hunters should be aware that bears will remain active throughout the general season.

Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Make noise to alert bears to your presence and travel in groups.
• Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
• Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
• Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
• Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana.
• If you are attacked by a bear and you are without a deterrent or the deterrent hasn’t worked, stay face down on the ground, protecting your face and neck with your arms. Stay still until you’re certain the bear has moved away.

People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility.
• Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence.
• Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
• Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
• If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
• Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.

 Residents around Bozeman, and commercial haulers, may have a closer place in the future to dispose of trash rather than heading to the landfill in Logan. Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a solid waste transfer station. The city will donate a plot of land located by the Water Reclamation facility to the county, who will construct and operate the project through its Solid Waste District.

“We’re grateful for this important partnership with Bozeman,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “Seeing this project through will be an enormous benefit to our citizens, now and into the future.”

A solid waste transfer station is a midpoint for trash and acts as a temporary holding area. Currently, when garbage trucks collect trash, they must make the nearly 30-mile drive to the landfill each time for disposal, then 30 miles back to the urban center. By having a smaller area nearer to the population center where the trash can be compacted prior to transport, the overall number of trips to the landfill is greatly reduced.

These sites reduce wear and tear on collection vehicles and resident cars as people do not need to travel as far for disposal, resulting in cost savings in fuel and vehicle maintenance and replacement. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, free up congestion at the landfill itself, save time for residents and haulers, and reduce litter along the highway.

While Bozeman also has the Bozeman Convenience Site for solid waste disposal, it only accepts regular household materials in small quantities, not bulk trash or trash from haulers. It cannot be set up to be a transfer site as that is not permitted under the operating license and the site is not large enough nor have the ability for appropriate traffic flow for a transfer station. The county is making plans to close that site.

“The county has been great stewards of our solid waste, and we’re excited to be able to provide the land and partner with them on this new project,” Bozeman Mayor Cyndy Andrus stated. “This change alone will cut emissions by more than 350 metric tons, which goes a long way in helping us meet our climate action goals. We hope residents will use the site too and find it a lot more convenient than heading out to Logan.”

Find more information on solid waste management in Gallatin County at https://www.gallatinsolidwaste.org/.

BOZEMAN — After 34 years of teaching at Montana State University while concurrently producing dozens of films and raising two children, Dennis Aig is ready for bed.

The 73-year-old left his mark on the film industry through his own work and by influencing generations of young filmmakers in the classroom and on film sets. In nearly every project Aig worked on, he included students, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience and strengthen their resumes.

“I always tell my production management class, I can teach you process but I can’t teach you what it’s really like,” Aig said. “I can tell you what to do, but I can’t tell you how you’re going to have to do it, because every film is different. Immersing the students in an actual movie that is being made with experienced filmmakers and at a very high level, that’s really the best way to learn because you see how they handle the situations.”

In recent years, students have returned the favor by hiring Aig to produce their films. He co-produced the award-winning documentary “Youth v. Gov” — now available on Netflix — with former student Christi Cooper, who directed, produced and wrote the film.

“One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had was that I’ve had my former students ask me to help them produce their films,” Aig said.

For his documentary “Unbranded,” Phil Baribeau, an MSU graduate and founder of Implements Productions, tapped Aig to run production while Baribeau traveled with cast members as they drove a group of wild mustangs from Mexico to Canada, through the Rocky Mountains.

When filming for “Unbranded” was about to begin, Aig was asked to take over as director of MSU’s School of Film and Photography, which he did, from 2013 to 2016, while simultaneously teaching and producing.

“So, I didn’t sleep for like three years,” Aig said.

This exemplifies his motto of “embrace the chaos,” a line that resonated with Aig’s students and reflects the work of a film producer, where one minute everything can be going smoothly and the next, pandemonium erupts.

“You have to love that — the idea that if you make a mistake, the deep end is not too far away, but if you do it right, higher ground is there, too,” Aig said.

Cindy Stillwell, an MSU film professor who worked alongside Aig for 24 years, was impressed with his persistence, levelheadedness and almost photographic memory. She reflected fondly on listening to him share knowledge with students in his office next door to hers.

“I remember him being the voice of reason when passions ran high on the set from various stress or whatever,” Stillwell recalled. “Dennis talked me off a ledge more than once. He just embraces chaos and rolls with it.” 

Aig accepted a job at MSU in 1989 to teach in the College of Arts and Architecture and produce films for Montana PBS. He was born in New York but moved to Montana from Ohio, where he attended graduate school and made marketing videos for a chemical information company. The 1970s “second golden era of film,” which included several Martin Scorsese movies, “The Godfather” series and “Star Wars,” inspired Aig to pursue a film career.

His first big hit, 1992’s “Shadow Casting: The Making of ‘A River Runs Through It,’” jumpstarted his career as a filmmaker. Aig has won five regional Emmys while also overseeing the film school’s MFA  program and its rise to the nation’s No. 1 ranked program in science and natural history filmmaking .

While most known for his work on documentaries, Aig has also produced dramatic feature films, commercials and even music videos. Olivia Andrus, a former student of Aig’s, learned from him how to diversify.

“I’m a better producer because of him,” she said. “He’s been in the industry and has done everything. He thinks filmmaking is filmmaking, regardless of genre. He taught us to be open to all of the opportunities that come our way.”

Although Aig’s retirement from MSU leaves a hole in the film department, his legacy endures among the students and faculty he positively influenced during the last four decades, according to Alexis Pike, interim director of MSU’s School of Film and Photography. She noted Aig’s perseverance, work ethic and generous sharing of information as key factors that led to his success as a professor, producer and administrator.

“I think the one thing about Dennis is that his legacy continues in the students he has mentored and the opportunities that they have been able to carve out for themselves in the industry,” Pike said. “He is very supportive of those students and also serves as an example of working in the industry while working in academia.”

However, she questioned his sleeping habits.

“Dennis sends emails at the crack of dawn – 4 a.m. sometimes. I don’t know if he sleeps. I really don’t,” Pike said.

Baribeau added, “When you’re on a project with him, you can pretty much expect you’re going to get an email at 11 p.m. or midnight, and then your next email is going to be at 4 or 5  in the morning.” 

Aig’s former students and coworkers agreed: The man deserves some rest.

But he’s not done yet. “I only have one job now,” Aig said with a smirk.

He’s still working on films. He recently produced a thriller that is looking for distribution, “Thine Ears Shall Bleed,” and is collaborating with another former student, Cynthia Matty-Huber, on a documentary about the Montana photographer Barbara Van Cleve. He plans to continue producing, “as long as I can see and stand up.”

With his career as a professor in the rearview mirror, Aig plans to spend more time with his wife, daughters and grandchild. And maybe get some rest.

“It’s one reason I decided to retire,” he said. “I have to get some sleep. You can only do this for so long.”

BOZEMAN – Montana State University will be part of a new, federally designated regional technology hub focused on photonics and smart sensor technology, research areas in which MSU has decades of experience.

The Economic Development Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced today that the state of Montana has been named a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub. The program is designed to drive regional growth by strengthening the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy critical technologies, according to the program’s website.

The Tech Hub designation and its accompanying strategic development grant will allow the state of Montana to compete for millions of dollars in new federal and private funding to advance smart photonics sensing systems for autonomous systems that can be applied to critical defense, resource management and disaster prevention applications.

Montana was chosen from among nearly 200 applicants to receive one of 31 designations and 29 strategic development grants. Montana State University will be a member of a statewide consortium to develop the Headwaters Regional Technology and Innovation Hub along with companies; state, local and tribal governments; regional economic development organizations; and other academic institutions in the state.

“This designation affirms Montana State University’s status as a top-tier research university,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Montana State University is excited to offer our expertise in photonics and optics to the Tech Hub, whose goals aligns tightly with Montana State’s own longstanding commitment to serving our state and benefitting our local economies with new technologies and innovations.”

The Tech Hub program was enacted as part of the federal and Science Act of 2022. Montana’s U.S. Sen. Jon Tester secured an important provision in that law to ensure the Tech Hubs program included rural states, which paved the way for Montana to be included. Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines was a co-sponsor of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, also known as the Endless Frontier Act, which became the CHIPS and Science Act.

Montana State University’s staff and faculty include leading experts on smart photonic sensing, which is the core technology for the Headwaters Technology Hub, said Alison Harmon, vice president for research and economic development at Montana State University.

“That Montana State University expertise has stimulated the growth of a robust photonics industry in the Gallatin Valley,” Harmon said. “The technologies have wide-ranging applications from autonomous vehicles to precision agriculture.”

“The Tech Hub and Montana State University will help strengthen local economies in Montana and bolster our national security in terms of food, water and energy,” she said. “And we’re very excited about the new opportunities for our students as they engage in workforce preparation to become future industry leaders.”

This isn’t the first funding Montana State University has received as part of the federal CHIPS and Science Act. In May, the university announced that it had received two grants from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines Program, another CHIPS-funded program focused on catalyzing partnerships to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs.

The first of those two grants funded research by Montana State University and its partners into how the region can position itself as a leader in quantum technology, which is set to play a critical role in 21st century communications, computing and other related fields. The university is already part of the MonArk Quantum Foundry, supported by a $20 million NSF grant in 2021 focused on developing the specialized materials needed for quantum devices.

The second Engines grant will let Montana State University, as part of a project led by the University of North Dakota, explore ways to leverage its expertise in photonics to grow a regional economy for autonomous systems, such as self-driving cars and drones for precision agriculture.

“The Tech Hub designation is another exciting opportunity for Montana State University,” said Joseph Shaw, distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering and a member of the Montana consortium team.

“We have world-class expertise in the kind of optical technologies that are the key to making these smart-sensing autonomous systems work,” Shaw said. “Because of that groundwork, Montana State University is in a position where, in just a few years, we’re going to be on the short list of places to go to when you need this kind of technology.”

Montana State University’s research on lasers and other optical tools goes back to the 1980s and has helped spin off dozens of local companies, including some now making sensors for guiding self-driving trucks, mapping invasive weeds and more. Those and related technologies could allow for drones suited to applications in agriculture, self-driving farming machinery and other tools that could benefit rural communities, said Shaw, who also directs the university’s Optical Technology Center, or OpTeC.

“This is about mapping out how we could help create these technologies with rural applications but also how we can spread the economic benefit around the state and the region to create good high-tech jobs,” Shaw said. “We’re really committed to that.”

HELENA – By order of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, the hunting of all mountain lions will close in Lion Management Unit (LMU) 411, one-half hour after sunset today, Oct. 23. 

The mountain lion quotas in this LMU have been met. This LMU will re-open for the hunting of all mountains lions for the winter season beginning Dec. 1.

For more information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/by-species to check the current quota status, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office is holding a coroner’s inquest into an officer-involved shooting in Bozeman in April. 

The inquest will review the circumstances surrounding the death of 39-year-old Michael Rogel, who died in an officer-involved shooting with the Bozeman Police Department on Greenmore Court in Bozeman on April 3, 2023. 

The inquest will be held on Monday, Oct. 30 starting at 9 AM in courtroom 201 at the Law and Justice Center, located at 615 S. 16thAve. in Bozeman. It is anticipated the hearing will take the full day. 

A coroner’s inquest is a formal inquiry into the causes and circumstances surrounding the death of a person caused by a peace officer. After hearing all the evidence, jurors will then render a verdict, which must be a majority vote, that will determine: 

• who the deceased person is 
• when, where and how the deceased died 
• if the deceased died by criminal means 
• if it was criminal means then who committed the act, if known 

Park County Coroner Al Jenkins will preside over the inquest. Nine random jurors will be selected to listen to testimony and see evidence presented by the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office.  

Witnesses will include involved officers, other eyewitnesses, a pathologist, and investigator from the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation. 

When two people get together in a sweet bond called marriage, there's bound to be some issues as they age and hormones get lazy. And because no one is alike, both you and your partner's uniqueness will cause a little problem here and there. There are many all-too-common marriage issues, sometimes petty, but some are quite a ton, especially in later life. Resolving them can be trickier than you think!

Common Marriage Issues in Later Life and Ways to Solve Them

Communication Blues
Many couples are pretty sure that they completely know each other inside out after years of marriage. But since life is a continuous journey, people change and evolve, whether for the better or worse. The remedy? Keep talking. Share your thoughts and feelings, even how simple the topic may be. Even if it's only about a new recipe you tried or the new flower bed you prepared in the garden. Engage in discussing evolving interests and rekindle your connection.

So, continue to be interested in each other, hobbies and all. It's like discovering a whole new world within your home. So, keep the conversation flowing.

Financial Fights
Most of the time, money matters can lead to epic showdowns of financial issues. But with a little determination, you can sit down and discuss your finances openly and honestly. Share and discuss your financial goals, budgets, and other priorities. You can even throw in a little date night with a budget-friendly twist to avoid more money problems.

But if your financial quarrels can't be resolved, filing for divorce might be your last resort to live peacefully. If you're from the Lone Star State, you can ask experts how to file for a divorce in Texas. Otherwise, you may ask for the services of divorce attorneys in your state. 

While it's not really a straightforward path, divorce proceedings can be your final option. Keep in mind, though, that there are many, if not too complicated, requirements to meet. So when the going gets too rough to get along, it's best to ask for legal advisers to weigh out your options. 

Empty Nest Syndrome
When the kids have grown and fly the coop, you might feel like your home turned into a ghost town. Some couples find it hard to adjust from too hectic days with the kids to doing nothing. Life together becomes dull and rough, especially when you both start bickering for no reason. The solution? Rekindle your hobbies. Remember that both of you have pursued different interests before you got cooped up with family life. So it's time to get up and feel competitive again. You can also plan a surprise weekend getaway or just binge-watch your favorite shows together. Actually, you can both get busy with each other if you want boredom to go away. There are romantic walks in autumn, destination getaways during summer, and perfect icy hikes in winter. It's high time you indulge and enjoy your newfound freedom!

Health Hiccups
As the years roll on, there are health issues that might disturb your long years together. The maintenance, doctor times, and costs might stretch and stress both of you. It's why you hear of couples calling it quits because of health-related problems. 

These can be tough times, but it's best to support each other. It may get more burdensome, but at least you continue to inspire each other to hold on because it will all pass.

Support each other by eating healthy foods, exercising together, scheduling regular check-ups, and attending to each other. 

And, since laughter is the best medicine, remember to share a good chuckle every time.

Boredom Busters
Routine and boredom can be your marriage's killer. You get bored because of so many things that sometimes, you're not even sure what. It's just that you need more energy to listen to your spouse nagging. 

Might as well spice things up! Why not try new things together? Sign up for dance or art classes, a cooking adventure, or go on that bucket list trip you've always dreamed of. Adventure is your greatest ally to fight Mrs. or Mr. Boredom!

Memory Mishaps
It just started out as forgetting when was your first date, then boom! Dear beloved refuses to eat or starts the "invisible you" episodes. But forgetfulness is part of getting "the age," so it's best to clear up some misunderstandings. 

Experts found that forgetting where you placed your keys, passwords, or names of former classmates are not signs of dementia. They're actually considered normal as people age.

So relax, just accept that there are so many things you may not remember anymore. Just say sorry and move on. Keep things lighthearted. You can joke a lot about it, actually. Then, help each other out when forgetfulness strikes. 

Bottom Line

Every marriage is quite different for every couple. Experiences also vary, especially as the husband and wife get older. Physical, emotional, and habitual concerns get complicated as aging sets in.It may be a handful, but taking it one loving step at a time is best. Just be with each other, do things together, and experience together. It's where you may find patience and mindfulness go hand in hand to help your aging feelings.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a draft plan and environmental impact statement to guide the agency’s recommendations for the long-term management and conservation of wolves across the state.

The draft 2023 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (2023 Wolf Plan) incorporates updates in wolf-related research, more than 20 years of management experience, evolution in conflict management, new laws, social perspectives, and public input.

The new draft plan builds on a foundation of FWP wolf management: monitoring populations, tracking harvest, effective conflict management, and flexibility to integrate evolutions in science.

“The 2003 Wolf Plan guided our successful management for two decades. And under that management, wolves have become well established in Montana,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “This new plan relies on the best available science and reflects current Montana law and all the public input we’ve heard over the years regarding wolf management in Montana. I encourage folks to comment.”

The draft 2023 Wolf Plan shifts a key counting metric from the number of breeding pairs to the number of wolves representing at least 15 breeding pairs. The draft 2023 plan establishes that 450 wolves would ensure 15 breeding pairs. Population estimates will continue to be determined by the peer-reviewed Integrated Patch Occupancy Modeling method, or iPOM. The draft 2023 plan also describes the current depredation prevention and response program.

In the past 20 years, the public has had opportunities to comment on various components of wolf management as it was considered by the Montana Legislature, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, and FWP. Given this and the current direction within statute for wolf management in the state, FWP is not convening a citizen advisory group for wolf management at this time.

FWP is seeking public comment for 60 days on both the draft 2023 Wolf Plan and DEIS. The deadline for comments is Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. To view the draft 2023 Wolf Plan and comment, click here.

FWP is also seeking public comment on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). This document analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed plans. To view the associated DEIS, click here.

Comments on the plan and DEIS will be collected online and can also be sent by mail to 2023 Montana Wolf Management Plan DEIS, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Division, 1420 East Sixth Avenue Helena, MT 59620, or by email to FWPWolfPlanEIS@mt.gov.

Public meetings to answer questions about the draft 2023 Wolf Plan will be scheduled prior to the close of the public comment period and announced soon on the FWP website.

On October 19, 2023, at 6:47pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for a hang-gliding accident near the Rockhaven Camp and Retreat Center in the Gallatin Canyon. It was later discovered the incident was actually a BASE jumping accident and the patient had suffered a possible neck injury. The BASE jumper had fallen along the cliff face after deploying their parachute and landed on top of a steep rocky incline. 

The Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Valley Section and Heli Team, American Medical Response (AMR), Gallatin Gateway Fire Department, and Billings Clinic MedFlight all responded to the area. Valley members with an alpine endorsement deployed to the patient where they used low angle technical rope rescue techniques to get them to the awaiting ground crews.  Once down, ground crews transported the patient via one wheeled litter to the staging area. Ultimately the patient was flown by air ambulance to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the bystanders who recognized the emergency and called dispatch to activate the Search and Rescue call. This event happened in an area without cell service and without someone promptly leaving to call 911, the initiation of a rescue could have been significantly delayed.

Photo courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.