Spring black bear hunting season opens April 15

HELENA — The spring black bear hunting season starts April 15.

Here are some reminders for the 2023 season:

• There is a 48-hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests.
• The mandatory inspection of black bear harvests in Region 1 changed in 2022. See page 10 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
• It is lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. See page 4 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
• Hunting and fishing licenses are now accessible through a secure and convenient mobile app. The Montana MyFWP app provides a digital wallet to store and display licenses and digital carcass tags, known as E-Tags, that can validate your harvest in the field. See mt.gov/myfwpapp.
  
  

  Spring turkey hunting season opens April 15

  HELENA – Montana’s spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, license providers or online.

  The 2023 turkey regulations are included in the 2023 Upland Game Bird Regulations Booklet. Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov.

A dark sky citizen science kit pictured on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Montana State University in Bozeman. The kit contains an instruction sheet, sky quality meter, night sky field guide, planisphere, red flashlight, log book, pencil and citizen science stickers. MSU photo by Colter Peterson

BOZEMAN — Montana State University is offering a new way for citizens to help scientists and contribute to national science projects.

The MSU Science Math Resource Center is partnering with the MSU Library to provide four citizen science kits that all MSU Library users, including community borrowers, may use for free. A citizen science kit holds everything needed to gather data for a specific citizen science project. Each kit was field-tested by librarians and patrons and includes a printed activity guide, helpful tips, and any specialized tools or materials needed to complete the project, as well as information about student researchers in Montana. The kits are all linked to national citizen science projects and focus on light pollution, pollinators, biodiversity and water.

Citizen scientists help scientists with their research by making observations, collecting data or documenting changes in nature. Anyone, regardless of their age, education or profession, can be a citizen scientist, according to Suzi Taylor, director of the MSU Science Math Resource Center, which created the kits. The kits are part of the outreach efforts of the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR program, which supports water quality research across Montana.

“Citizen science is for everyone,” Taylor said. “We really hope people will check these kits out and do them.

“We chose projects that are pretty user-friendly regardless of people’s age, and we really do hope that kids use them, or schoolteachers could check them out,” Taylor added. “They would also be great for retired people.”

"Libraries across the country are circulating the kits, hosting events and collaborating with their communities to enable participation in citizen science," said Kris Johnson, head of MSU Library's Learning and Research Services, which circulates the kits. "When Suzi approached us about this possible partnership, I said we’d love to test out checking out the kits as part of our technology lending program."

One kit focused on the night sky invites citizen scientists to take part in an international citizen project that involves the public in measuring and collecting night sky brightness observations to help scientists understand the impact of intrusive artificial light known as light pollution. Information included with the kit notes that too much light pollution can wash out starlight in the night sky, interfere with astronomical research, disrupt ecosystems, have adverse health effects and waste energy.

The kit includes a sky quality meter to measure light pollution, a field guide to the night sky, a night-sky map known as a planisphere, a red flashlight to help with night vision, a log book, a pencil and citizen science stickers (borrowers are invited to keep a sticker). It also includes instructions for contributing observations online through a national database, SciStarter.

Taylor noted that citizen science results can be trusted due to scale.

“When you’re getting a thousand measurements, they may not be made with the precision you would have with a $4,000 instrument, but through the sheer volume of the measurements, you can still see patterns and collect observations that you wouldn’t typically get.”

And, Taylor said, individuals who complete observations as citizen scientists really do help the professional scientific community.

“When you observe, for example, birds or water or clouds, there are scientists who rely on having those observations,” she said. “There’s no way they could have the human power to get all that data themselves. It’s pretty cool to actually be contributing to true research.”

It’s also fun, she said.

“It’s great to combine citizen science with the activities you already do, like hiking or camping or birdwatching,” Taylor said.

Finally, citizen science can help spark an interest in and understanding of science, Taylor noted.

“Any time we can get people doing real science – even from the very youngest age – we may help build more future scientists,” Taylor said. “Citizen science helps people understand how scientific data is collected and what kinds of information scientists like to get. It also enables individuals to connect with professional scientists and other people all around the world.”

The kits were launched for Citizen Science Month, which is in April every year. More information about the four kits, titled “Dark Skies: Measuring Light in the Night,” “Observing Pollinators,” “Exploring Biodiversity” and “Water Wonders: EarthEcho Water Challenge and Crowd the Tap,” is available on the MSU Library technology checkout page at lib.montana.edu/request/tech-checkouts/#citizenscience. Questions may be directed to the Science Math Resource Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Development at smrc@montana.edu.

April 9-15 is 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in Gallatin County and the perfect time to highlight all the incredible work our dispatch center staff does for our community.

The Gallatin County 911 annual report for 2022 highlights the activities and accomplishments of Gallatin County 911, operations, systems and records division last year.

The 2022 annual report shows that Gallatin County dispatchers processed 152,829 incoming calls, a 4.77% decrease from the previous year. However, the 2022 total was 1.22% higher than the five-year average of calls.

“We’ve seen several factors contribute to the decrease in calls being processed by our staff,” said Gallatin County 911 Director Tim Martindale. “Throughout the year, we’ve made an effort to educate the community on when to call 911 and when not to. We’ve also invested in the PulsePoint app to encourage the community to be part of our solution in responding to calls. Along those same lines, several of our law enforcement partners are investing in online reporting tools, this would directly contribute to the number of calls coming into our center going down.”

In addition to statistics on calls and 911’s budget, the report also highlights accomplishments of the staff, including launching an online records request portal, taking part in the implementation of a mobile mental health crisis team, lifesaver awards, and numerous trainings completed by staff.

“I could not be prouder of the commitment and excellence that our staff exudes,” Martindale said. “Like any organization, there are times where we fall short, but with this staff, we pick ourselves up, take ownership and move forward.”

Click here to see the entire report.

Gallatin County 911 continues to look for quality dispatchers. Click here to see our current job openings and apply to join our team.

In conjunction with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Gallatin County Commission proclaimed April 9-15 as 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in our area.

“The Gallatin County Commission honors the staff of the Gallatin County 911 Dispatch Center for their service and sacrifice, which make all of the communities in our county better and safer places to live, work and play.”

The valuable protein resource has already been delivered to many of our Network Partners in Beaverhead, Big Horn, Browning, Carbon, Cascade, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier, Granite, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Powell, Rosebud, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wibaux, and Yellowstone counties.

Montana Farmers Union:

“Montana Farmers Union is working with Montana Food Bank Network to help feed the families of Montana. Recently we donated a third truckload of pork that was processed in a Farmers Union-owned Redwood Farms pork processing plant. This is our way to help farmers to feed families. MFU is also working with Montana Premium Processing Cooperative to process donated livestock for the food banks and pantries of Montana. Farmers Union will pay for the processing of any livestock that is donated to Montana food banks and pantries that is processed at Montana Premium Processing Co-op. I am also excited to be helping Montana Foodbank Network to raise money to build a new storage and processing facility in Missoula to help with the procurement and distribution of food around the state. This new facility will have a special space dedicated to taking food directly from Montana growers to be repackaged for distribution. This will allow Montana farmers to provide food directly to the food bank network. If you are interested in supporting Montana Food Bank Network, please reach out to let them know.”Walter Schweitzer, President  

Montana Food Bank Network:

“We are so thankful for Montana Farmers Union’s donation of 36,840 pounds of pork! This could not have come at a better time as food pantries statewide continue to report significant numbers of households needing food right now as families struggle to keep up with the inflated cost of groceries, fuel, utilities, rent, and living expenses. It is because of donors like the Montana Farmers Union that I remain optimistic that we will get through these hard times and provide some relief to our neighbors and seniors experiencing food insecurity.” Brent Weisgram, Vice President and COO    

Distribution Statistics:

Thanks to Montana Farmers Union (MFU), all donated pork has been provided and distributed free of charge to our Network Partners of food banks, food pantries, shelters, schools, and senior centers across Montana.

Montana Farmers Union is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the agricultural way of life. Their membership is made up of folks who support rural communities and family farms and ranches. They believe that no farmer or rancher should stand alone, and are fighting for the issues that will preserve agriculture and rural communities for the next generation. For more information, visit montanafarmersunion.com.

Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is Montana’s only statewide food bank and member of Feeding America. MFBN distributes food to over 340 partners that include community food banks, pantries, senior centers, shelters, and schools to end hunger in Montana. MFBN’s hunger relief programs include BackPack, Hunters Against Hunger, Mail-a-Meal, Retail Food Rescue, and SNAP outreach. MFBN advocates for long-term policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address the root causes of hunger.

For more information, visit mfbn.org.

The Highline Canal above Axtell Anceny Road near Gallatin Gateway has failed is several locations causing water to flow onto the roadway.  People are asked to stay clear of the area.

The Bozeman Spring MADE fair is fast approaching on May 5-6, just in time for finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift, and we are excited to connect artists with the Gallatin Valley community again. Shop and discover a curated collection of over 195 local and regional artists. You can expect to see everything from affordable, functional works of art to fine heirloom pieces at the show. Make a day of it with your friends and enjoy strolling the aisles and supporting your local artists. Visit our website for additional details and pre-shop all of the participating artists.

Those interested in a head start on their shopping can purchase a Friday $10 VIP Pass, valid 5 pm-8 pm, or an Early Bird $5 Pass, valid from 9 am-10 am an hour before the show opens. Get a solid head start shopping and check out the best selection. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit Compassion Project, a local non-profit dedicated to teaching and spreading compassion through art and mindfulness. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. In 2023 handMADE Montana raised over $18,000 for non-profit organizations across Montana.

The MADE fair is a modern art & handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Our events are a curated collection of skilled artisans and a handful of non-profits. The MADE fair’s mission is to increase awareness of handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items and to support local and regional small craft businesses by providing a place to sell their goods. We provide opportunities to artists of all levels—from hobbyists to seasoned professionals. The MADE fairs are presented by handMADE Montana.

Event Details

Date:  May 5-6, 2023

FRIDAY: 5 pm-8 pm : $10 VIP PASS

SATURDAY: 9 am-10 am $5 EARLY BIRD PASS

10 am -4 pm: FREE ENTRY

Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana 

Cost: Free Entry/Parking*

Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

*VIP passes can be purchased online. There is a limited number available. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/handmademontana/867460

Sales from VIP Passes benefit Compassion Project.

Event Details: https://handmademontana.com/pages/bozeman-spring-fall-made-fair

Artists Participating: https://handmademontana.com/collections/bozeman-spring-made-fair-2023

https://handmademontana.com/collections/bozeman-spring-made-fair-2023

BOZEMAN— Dean Adams, professor of art and director of the Center for Faculty Excellence at Montana State University, was selected as the new dean of the College of Arts and Architecture. He will begin his new position July 1. 

Adams will oversee the schools of architecture, art, music, and film and photography, as well as the outreach program Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. About 1,100 students are enrolled in the MSU College of Arts and Architecture. 

“As the newly appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture at Montana State University, I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to help lead a community of students, faculty and staff who are dedicated to advancing our understanding of what it means to be human through studio-based learning, critical studies, creative practices and public engagement,” Adams said. 

Robert Mokwa, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, described Adams as an excellent teacher, communicator and leader. 

“He understands the many challenges and opportunities of leading a diverse college at a research land-grant university, and he has the intelligence, calm demeanor and decision-making ability that will position him as a solid leader of one of the most renowned colleges of arts and architecture in the Northwest,” Mokwa said. 

Adams was one of three finalists interviewed last week after a national search. The interview process included meetings with faculty, administrators and students. Members of the public were also invited to participate in open forums and submit comments online. 

“We had a strong pool of applicants and an excellent group of finalists who each participated in a full day of interviews that were attended by over 100 faculty, students and staff members,” Mokwa said. “This is a testament to the vibrancy and sense of community in the College of Arts and Architecture and the excitement about future opportunities. The faculty and staff in the college have been key contributors to the success of MSU, and I am confident that under the leadership of Mr. Adams, the college will continue on an even stronger trajectory in achieving excellence in teaching, research and outreach.” 

Adams will replace Royce Smith who has been dean of the college since 2016. 

Adams has long been connected with MSU. He received a bachelor’s degree in art from MSU in 1992 and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa in 1995 with an emphasis in ceramics and drawing. He then went on to a career of teaching and creating art. 

He returned to MSU in 2001 as an adjunct instructor. In 2010, he became an assistant professor and foundations coordinator for the School of Art, overseeing first-year student curriculum. He achieved tenure and the role of associate professor in 2016. 

In 2017, he became associate dean and was acting dean for roughly eight months in 2019. Starting in 2019, he has overseen faculty development programs as the director of Center for Faculty Excellence. 

“I am committed to working collaboratively with all members of the CAA community to ensure we continue to provide the highest quality education, creative and scholarly endeavors, and community engagement opportunities to our students and to enhance our impact on the world around us,” Adams said. “Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and inclusive community that reflects the values of the CAA and MSU.” 

 
BOZEMAN— The City of Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board celebrates Historic Preservation Month in May. Throughout the month of May, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board and partners will host events including lectures, tours, and awards dedicated to Bozeman's history and the historic preservation program.

 
“This year’s theme, the Roots of our History, is a celebration Bozeman’s roots and how we have grown,” Sarah Rosenberg, Historic Preservation Officer at the City of Bozeman, stated. “We have tons of events for folks to participate in and hope everyone can join us in reflecting on our past.”
 
As part of the event series, the board is accepting nominations for Historic Preservation and Legacy Awards until Monday, May 1, 2023. Those interested can nominate buildings and organizations for numerous categories. Award winners will be honored at a ceremony on May 31 at the Bozeman Event Space at 14 S. Tracy.

 
All details, including how to register for the events and the award nomination, can be found on the City’s Engage Bozeman website at engage.bozeman.net/hpm2023.

The journey into the world of fishkeeping is one that can be both exciting and daunting.

As a new aquarist, you may encounter some missteps along the way to achieving your goal of having a healthy tank of colorful fish.

All too often, these little mistakes become big problems if left unchecked.

But fear not - with a few simple guidelines in mind, you can avoid these common pitfalls and confidently build an aquarium paradise for you and your finned friends!


1) Not researching Fish Species Before Purchasing

It's easy to be overwhelmed with the choices when picking out fish for your tank, but it’s best not to rush.

Researching different species, like the betta fish and their needs, is an important first step in being a successful fishkeeper.

Different types of fish need varying amounts of oxygen, pH levels, water temperature, food sources and space; all factors that must be taken into account before choosing any one kind.

Making sure you have enough room for the particular type of fish you'd like is essential as well.

Overcrowding can lead to stress or aggression between specimens, which could result in injury or death.

Learn more about each species' habitat and behavior so they can live happily in harmony together.

If done correctly, this will give you many years of enjoyment from your aquatic friends!

2) Overfeeding Fish

Having the right fish for your tank is important, but so is feeding them correctly.

Overfeeding can have serious consequences, such as polluting the water and stressing out your fish. It's more common than one might think - when a fishkeeper sees their pet swim up to eat food they've thrown in, it can be difficult not to keep giving them more!

The key is moderation: you should only feed what your fish will consume within five minutes of being dropped into the tank. The leftover food can rot and make the water dirty, leading to various illnesses that could potentially kill your aquatic friends.

Feeding twice a day at most is recommended; less often if you're unsure. You should also vary your fishes' diet with different types of foods like flakes, pellets or frozen meals. Keeping this balance guarantees healthy eating habits and an overall healthier aquarium environment.

I'm always amazed at how many new fishkeepers overlook water quality.

Testing your water and keeping an eye out for contaminants and PH levels is essential for healthy fish.

Don't make the mistake of ignoring these important factors; it's easy to avoid if you know what you're doing.

Testing Water Quality

Testing your water regularly is essential for successful fishkeeping.

Not doing so can lead to a deadly environment for your beloved pets.

Consistent monitoring allows you to spot any issues before they become too serious, and take steps to fix them quickly.

Test kits are easy and affordable, making it all the more important that you don't neglect this task - after all, these little guys depend on us!

So make sure you're testing your tank's water at least once a week; it could be the difference between life and death for your aquatic friends.

Overlooking Contaminants

But it's not just the lack of testing that can be a problem - overlooking contaminants can also have deadly consequences.

We've all heard stories of people forgetting to add dechlorinator when filling up their tank, or leaving something like food scraps in there for too long.

The result is often catastrophic; pollutants build up and cause irreparable damage to your fishy friends' health.

It's our responsibility as responsible aquarists to make sure these things don't slip through the cracks and end up costing us more than we bargained for.

So let's take this advice on board: always keep an eye out for anything which shouldn't be in the water, and act swiftly if you see any signs of contamination!

Ignoring Ph Levels

But we can't forget about pH levels either.

When it comes to water quality, a lack of monitoring and knowledge about proper pH levels could have disastrous consequences for our fishy friends' health.

Keeping an eye on the pH level is important because when these get out of whack - due to overfeeding or other factors - they can cause major stress on your aquatic life.

It's up to us as responsible aquarists to make sure these things don't slip through the cracks and end up costing us more than we bargained for by taking preventive measures like testing regularly and making adjustments if necessary.

Let's do our best to ensure that our aquariums are not just beautiful, but also healthy environments for all their inhabitants!

New fishkeepers often make the mistake of introducing their new fish to an un-acclimated tank. This is a surefire way for your new addition to become stressed and may even lead to death. It can also cause long-term health problems, so it's important to avoid this error.

Acclimating your new fish properly will help them adjust smoothly and safely into their new surroundings.

You should first get the temperature in the tank as close as possible to that of the water they have been living in previously. Then, float your bagged fish in the aquarium for around 15 minutes before releasing them.

Doing this will allow them time to adapt gradually while avoiding any harmful shocks or changes of pressure which could be fatal.

Neglecting to clean aquariums regularly is one of the most common mistakes new fishkeepers make. Fish waste and food can quickly build up, resulting in a toxic environment for your aquatic pets.

To avoid this problem, it's important to be diligent about cleaning your tank at least once every week or two.

It's also important to keep an eye on the water quality so that you know what needs to be adjusted when necessary.

Regularly vacuuming debris from the bottom of the tank and replacing some of the old water with fresh will help maintain good water conditions and create a healthy living space for your fish.

Keeping track of all changes made and any readings taken is essential too--it'll help you determine whether something unexpected has occurred that requires immediate attention.

Taking care of these things as they come along will ensure your pet fish have a safe and happy home in which to thrive!

It's important to understand what cycling is and why it's important; otherwise, your aquarium is doomed.

It's a process of establishing a balanced environment in the tank, allowing beneficial bacteria to grow and break down waste.

To cycle correctly, you need to test the water regularly and make sure the tank's parameters are in check.

What Is Cycling

It's one of the most important steps when setting up a new aquarium, yet many novice fishkeepers overlook it.

We're talking about cycling your tank: not only essential for keeping fish healthy and happy, but also vital for maintaining water quality.

Cycling is the process by which beneficial bacteria develop on all surfaces in an aquarium, helping to break down waste products from nitrite into less harmful nitrates.

Without this process, ammonia builds up quickly - leading to poor water conditions that can harm or even kill fish.

So don't forget to cycle before adding any animals!

Avoiding this mistake could be the difference between success and failure as a fishkeeper.

Why It Is Important

It's clear why cycling your aquarium is so important.

If you don't do it, the fish will suffer and their health could be in jeopardy.

Not only that, but poor water conditions can lead to long-term damage or even death for these creatures.

It's up to us as responsible fishkeepers to learn how to cycle an aquarium properly, so we can give our pets a safe and healthy environment they deserve.

We owe them nothing less than our best efforts when it comes to taking care of them – that’s what being a good fishkeeper is all about.

So let's make sure not to skip this vital step!

How to Cycle Correctly

Now that we understand why cycling an aquarium is so important, let's look at how to do it correctly.

It's not difficult if you know the basics; all you need is a little patience and attention to detail.

First off, make sure your tank is properly set up before adding any fish or plants.

Then cycle with natural bacteria, using water test kits regularly to monitor ammonia and nitrate levels in the water.

If needed, add biological filter media or liquid bacterial cultures as well.

Finally, keep track of your parameters over time - this will help ensure that your tank stays healthy for years to come!

Introducing new fish to an existing tank can be a daunting process, one so intimidating and nerve-wracking it feels like walking through a jungle blindfolded.

The worst mistake any fishkeeper can make is not quarantining their new fish beforehand.

It's imperative that you take the time to quarantine any additions before introducing them into your main tank; otherwise, you risk exposing your entire aquarium to all kinds of diseases.

Quarantine tanks are easy enough to set up: just grab an additional tank or container, add water from your main aquarium, filter it with carbon, install a heater if necessary, then add in some decorations such as plants or rocks.

Once this is done, simply introduce the new fish and monitor closely for signs of illness over the next few weeks.

Quarantining will also provide you with an opportunity to observe how they behave while acclimating to their environment - which could save both money and heartache down the line if compatibility issues arise.

Conclusion

I had made many of these mistakes when I first started out as a fishkeeper.

But with the help of my local pet store and online research, I was able to learn from them and correct my errors.

Now, every time I bring home new fish, I'm reminded of how much better off they are in clean water that's been properly cycled, monitored for quality, and quarantined before introducing them into their permanent homes.

With this knowledge, we can all be better fishkeepers—and the fish will thank us for it!