BOZEMAN – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants to the Region 3 Citizen Advisory Council in southwestern Montana.

The council meets several times per year and operates in an advisory capacity to help FWP be responsive and effective resource managers within the constraints of the law. Citizen advisors help identify emerging trends and potential conflicts, and they act as FWP ambassadors to various interest groups and geographic communities.

FWP employees benefit from having a deeper understanding of public priorities and expectations with help from citizen advisors, who can function as a trusted sounding board for ideas and initiatives. People who volunteer in this capacity benefit from understanding FWP programs, priorities, administrative processes and limitations in a broader context.

FWP is seeking applicants representing a variety of interests from communities across southwestern Montana within Region 3. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.

To learn more or to apply, click here.

On Tuesday, November 25, the Commission will consider a resolution of intent to separate the roles and responsibilities of the election administrator from the office of the Clerk and Recorder.

The resolution of intent sets a public hearing for a decision on an item the commission is considering and gives notice so that the public can participate in the decision-making process. The Commission will make their final decision during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 9.

Montana law states the County Clerk & Recorder is the Election Administrator unless appointed by the County Commission. This appointment process is not part of the Gallatin County Government Study Commission.

Incumbent Clerk & Recorder Eric Semerad, who was elected in 2017, will present the resolution of intent to the board.

The resolution proposes to professionalize the position through a competitive hiring process based on qualifications and experience and would remove the requirement that the election administrator run for partisan office while ensuring the nonpartisan administration of elections. Increased county size and election complexity are among the additional reasons an appointed Election Administrator is being considered.

Among the top three Montana counties by population and number of registered voters, Gallatin is the only county that does not have an appointed election administrator. Both Missoula and Yellowstone counties employ full-time, appointed election administrators dedicated solely to running elections. Several other counties, including Cascade, Glacier, Big Horn, Lake, and Lincoln, have also appointed election administrators.

This resolution is a second attempt by an incumbent Gallatin Clerk and Recorder to separate the Election Administrator role from their elected office. In 2017, former Republican Clerk & Recorder Charlotte Mills also presented a similar resolution to Commissioners, which was unanimously denied.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend these public hearings to be held at 9 a.m. on November 25^th and December 9^th in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse. Hearings will be held in person, via Zoom and AV Capture. Public comment may be made in person, virtually or by emailing Commission@gallatin.mt.gov.

Montana’s work often depends on machines that run long days in wide-open spaces. Tractors drag feeders through frozen fields, excavators shape new homes on the valley floor, and utility equipment keeps rural properties in motion. All of that depends on hydraulics. When the main pump or motor starts to fade, the work that keeps many families and businesses moving can slow down in a hurry. Understanding these parts helps equipment owners keep their machines ready for whatever the next job requires.

How Hydraulic Pumps Keep Montana’s Equipment Working

A hydraulic pump supplies the steady force behind many of the machines used throughout the state. It converts engine power into the pressure needed to lift bales, operate buckets, steer heavy loads, and power various attachments. When a pump is in good condition, the machine responds the way the operator expects. For many ranchers and crews, that consistent response is what allows them to finish a job on time and move on to the next task waiting on the list.

Signs Your Hydraulic Pump or Motor Needs Replacing

Equipment usually offers a few clues before a pump or motor reaches the end of its service life. A loader might move more slowly than usual or hesitate during simple lifts. An excavator could begin to shake or make a sound that was never there before. Leaks around fittings sometimes appear during colder weather when worn components struggle to hold pressure. A faint burning smell or heat can also signal trouble. These signs often begin as small changes. Paying attention early helps prevent more serious problems and protects the rest of the hydraulic system from strain.

OEM and Aftermarket Replacement Parts:
What Equipment Owners Should Know

Hydraulic replacements generally fall into two groups. OEM parts match the components originally installed on the machine. Other manufacturers build aftermarket parts to meet the same requirements. Both options can work well, and many equipment owners mix the two depending on availability, cost, and the age of the machine. 

Some equipment relies on Rexroth parts, while other models use pumps or motors from Kawasaki, Cross, Permco, or similar makers. Older equipment may need discontinued or limited-availability pieces, and certain pumps have specific fit and performance requirements. When parts need to be sourced, Mission Hydraulics provides OEM and aftermarket components that match a wide range of equipment models. The goal is to choose parts that meet the machine’s specifications so it performs consistently once repairs are complete.

Choosing the Right Pump or Parts for Your Equipment

Matching replacement parts begins with the basics. Manuals and model plates list important details such as pump size, flow rate, and pressure limits. These numbers make it easier to find components that work well with the machine. Owners of older tractors, excavators, or skid steers sometimes seek help when the original parts are no longer available. 

Performance usually depends on selecting components that fit the system correctly. If a part varies too much from the original specifications, the machine may lose power or develop new problems. For readers who want a deeper look at how different pump styles work, this article on hydraulic pump fundamentals explains the core designs found in many pieces of equipment. Choosing a suitable replacement helps the equipment return to steady operation and protects the rest of the system from extra stress.

Why Reliable Sourcing Matters During Montana’s
Busy Work Seasons

Work in Montana shifts throughout the year, but equipment rarely gets a long break. Ranch families keep livestock fed and properties maintained year-round. Construction schedules pick up as soon as the ground thaws. Outdoor and land-based businesses handle projects that need dependable machinery. A pump or motor failure during these periods can create delays that ripple through an entire week. 

Distance, weather, and limited local inventory sometimes make it difficult to find the part a job depends on. Some ranch operations run nearly year-round, and repairs are part of that reality. The steady workload described in a feature on sustainable ranching shows how much daily activity depends on functioning equipment. With so much riding on these machines, having a reliable source for parts is an important part of keeping work on track.

Conclusion

Hydraulic pumps and motors support a wide range of tasks across Montana. When these components begin to weaken, equipment often shows small changes that build over time. Learning the basics of pump and motor replacement helps owners make decisions that keep their machinery dependable through busy months. With the right parts and timely repairs, equipment can continue to support the work many Montanans rely on year-round.

Some days feel flat. Just flat.

You go through your normal routine and nothing bad happens, but you still don’t feel that great. That annoying feeling usually means that you need something small to shake you up. Nothing dramatic, though; no packing, no driving for hours to get somewhere. Just a teensy little change that reminds you life is bigger than the 9-5 and chores. And the best thing is that this is easy to do because look at where you live!

Trails that are mere minutes from streets, quiet spots by the river, side roads people don’t often visit, parks… 

These aren’t exactly grand adventures, but they’re moments you can slip into between work, home, dinner, errands, and whatever it is that eats into your free time during the week. 

Let’s see what you can do.

Everyday Adventures That Change the Way You Experience Your Week

There’s this weird point in a week where everything starts to blend together, and it can be mentally exhausting. This is where those small adventures can help, and, best of all, they don’t need any planning. 

Well… Actually, that’s not 100% true.

If it’s an outdoor adventure, you’ll want to glance at a weather app or a global blended 15-day forecast so you aren’t surprised by a sudden downpour.

A Swift Reset

As soon as you step off the pavement and onto dirt, your body will respond. And your mind will quickly follow. 

Once you’re done with work, instead of your traditional routine (commuting or driving home), head to a nearby trail or park. This isn’t one of those ‘get in tune with nature ’ type of things. No. 

Just break your daily routine and do something new and different. You’ll feel much better this way.  Once you’re done with work, head to a nearby trail to get a clean break from the day. You’ll see how different the air will feel and how your mind will slow down without having to force it. 

If you don’t have a lot of time, it’s also ok. A 10-15 minute detour (e.g., Sourdough, Peet’s Hill, etc.) will do just fine.

The Sunset Stop
Have you ever observed the sun set in real life? We aren’t talking about a romantic date, because your mind would be all over the place, instead of relaxed. Nor are we talking about seeing such a scene in a movie.

In fact, the sunset experience isn’t supposed to be ‘romantic’ at all. It’s ok if it is. But if you’re just here, completely alone, watching the sunset, you get to experience something different. And that experience brings clarity and perspective. It also brings relaxation and soothness. 

It’s great to have that one special place where you can go to watch the sky.

A Walk Down the Street You Always Pass

You know those streets you always drive by, but you never go there? Aren’t you curious about them?

Taking a slow wander through one or two can be surprisingly refreshing. And if you take a longer walk, your mental health will thank you for it.

Who knows what you might find? Murals you’ve never noticed before, a little eccentric shop tucked in a corner, old architecture, a community board full of flyers, etc.

And even if you don’t see anything interesting, the walk alone will be good for you.

A Coffee Walk at Your Own Pace

Get a warm cup of coffee and walk through a neighborhood you’re familiar with. You’ll see, the entire afternoon will feel different. The warmth of the cup, the smell drifting up, the fresh air, the steady rhythm of your steps, it all adds up to a different kind of comfort.

You notice how the trees look today and what the houses sound like. To keep this interesting, do it in different seasons.

This is an incredibly easy way to slow down, but not so much that you completely stop.

A Short Drive Into the Unknown

Get in your car, pick a road you never take, and… Who knows?

Drive for 10-15 minutes with no plan whatsoever, just curiosity. A tiny little detour like this often leads to things you’d never find in your usual loops, like a new trailhead or an empty pullout with a fantastic view.

The fun is not knowing what’s next, and that means that there’s no pressure on the outcome. Even a short drive can become a small discovery if you treat it like this.

A Few Minutes of Watching Wildlife

Stop by a field or a riverbank and enjoy what you see.

If you’re really lucky, you might spot a deer moving along a tree line. But even without the deer, you’ll still get to see birds dipping into the water and little squirrels running and jumping around.

This’ll remind you of the rhythm the natural world has, totally separate from your schedule. 

Conclusion

Feeling calm and relaxed yet? No? 

That’s ok. But it’s no wonder really; you’re still staring at a screen. And that probably isn’t helping.

Turn off your phone for a bit, put on your comfiest pair of sneakers, and head out for a bit. No plan, no destination. Just go out and see where your feet will take you. All you need is the will to go out and shake things up. Don’t wait for a long weekend to feel alive because the year doesn’t have as many weekends as you think. 

Use ten minutes here and twenty minutes there to change how your days look. One little experience of feeding peanuts to a squirrel can make everything feel bigger.

The Downtown Bozeman Partnership Management Committee (PMC) has decided to refrain from printing and distributing Ghassane Moutaoukil's entry as the official 45th Annual Christmas Stroll Poster. This is largely due to safety concerns of all parties involved and the businesses that sponsor this wonderful community event. 

The purpose of the Christmas Stroll is to bring together the Bozeman community to kick off the holiday season, while also providing an opportunity to support over 100 downtown small businesses, Non-Profits, and business sponsors. The PMC has decided to instead showcase a photo of our beloved Holiday Spiders on the official Christmas Stroll Poster. This year, the fourth and final rebuilt spider will take its place along Main Street and be illuminated by Santa as part of Bozeman’s traditional kickoff to the holiday season.  

We look forward to celebrating with you at the Stroll on December 6th!

HELENA – Montana’s fossil record continues to surprise even the most seasoned researchers. Earlier this fall, paleontologists from the Museum of the Rockies announced the identification of a new species of dome-headed dinosaur, Brontotholus harmoni, from the Two Medicine Formation in western Montana. Dating to approximately 75 million years ago, this compact 10-foot-long pachycephalosaur represents the first of its kind documented in that geologic unit, an exciting addition to the diverse cast of dinosaurs that once roamed the Late Cretaceous landscape of the northern Great Plains. 

Although the Two Medicine Formation has been studied for decades, Brontotholus harmoni underscores how much we still have to learn. Pachycephalosaurs are known for their thick, domed skulls, and researchers believe these structures may have played roles in display, species recognition or intraspecific combat. The new find contributes to a clearer picture of how regional ecosystems changed as the Western Interior Seaway receded and upland environments expanded. Even in an area as heavily investigated as Montana, discoveries like this demonstrate that our landscapes continue to yield meaningful scientific insights. 

While this particular specimen was not found on FWP-managed land, the work provides an opportunity to highlight the collaborative relationship we maintain with the Museum of the Rockies. Through a long-standing agreement, the museum has permission to conduct paleontological research on many of our properties. Each summer, their staff lead a multi-week field school in Makoshika State Park, drawing scientists, students and volunteers from around the world. The field school has produced a wealth of new data about the park’s fossil resources and helps train the next generation of paleontologists. 

The Museum of the Rockies also serves as the official repository for significant paleontological remains recovered from FWP lands. Many of the specimens that visitors admire in their galleries, ranging from hadrosaurs to tyrannosaurs, were originally excavated from properties we manage. FWP’s Heritage Program regularly relies on the museum’s specialists to help evaluate project-related impacts to fossil resources, as FWP is required to do under state law. Their expertise ensures that development and stewardship decisions consider the scientific value of these irreplaceable materials. 

FWP staff across the agency play an important role in this work. Field crews, maintenance staff and seasonal employees may encounter fossils in the course of their daily duties. While many finds are expected and relatively common, some can be scientifically significant. If you spot a fossil while working in a park, fishing access site or wildlife management area, please let the Heritage Program know. A quick photo and location description can make all the difference. You never know when a small observation might lead to a big discovery. 

For those interested in digging deeper into the science, the formal description of Brontotholus harmoni was published earlier this month in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. It’s a fascinating read and a good reminder that Montana’s heritage, natural and cultural, is dynamic, evolving and full of unexpected stories still waiting to be told.