The Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office is resuming regular public office hours this week. 

Since September 2022, due to short staffing, the Clerk of District Court’s Office has been closing to the public at 3 PM each business day to enable staff to catch up on office work. 

The department is now up to staffing levels that will allow it to resume normal public office hours. 

Beginning Aug. 1, the office will be open Mondays through Fridays from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

The Clerk of District Court’s Office is located on the second floor of the Law and Justice Center (615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman). 

Duties for this office include keeping records for District Court, providing marriage licenses, keeping minutes for court proceedings, filing all actions for every case filed in District Court, and more. 

We thank the public for their patience during these months as the Clerk of District Court has worked to hire and train employees. 

Training season with wild birds on public lands begins Aug. 1 for residents

HELENA –Anyone training bird dogs using game birds not raised in captivity needs to hold a bird dog training license, whether on private or public land. If you are training dogs with captive-reared birds, a license is not required.

These licenses can be purchased online through the FWP Online License Service, any FWP regional office or any license provider. The license is $5 for residents ages 18 and over and $10 for nonresidents 18 and over. For residents and nonresidents ages 12 to 17, the license is free.

Bird dog training season with wild birds on public lands begins Aug. 1 for residents and Aug. 15 for nonresidents and ends March 31, 2024.

The license is a new requirement that that came from the 2023 Legislature. While the license requirement is not included in the printed 2023 Upland Game Bird Regulations booklet, it is included in the online version. Please contact your nearest FWP office for questions about dog training relative to this new license requirement.

For those commercially training bird dogs on state trust land, a special recreational use license (SRUL) is required from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

HELENA – Dead trout. Sick trout. Trout with fungus on their skin. What is going on with the fish of the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby Rivers?

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in partnership with the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (MCFRU) at Montana State University wants to find out. Together, they are launching three studies to determine what is affecting fish abundance in these streams. A fourth study, conducted by FWP, will look at fish health and building capacity to sample fish for diseases.

“Those who work and recreate on these rivers are troubled by what they see happening to the trout populations,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “FWP is troubled, too, and staff have a plan in place to figure out what’s driving the decline in trout health and abundance.  FWP along with private and public partners have a long history of effective conservation work on these rivers. This plan is the first next step towards understanding how those same partners can turn the current circumstance around.”

FWP fisheries staff in southwest Montana and MCFRU are finalizing how best to tackle this challenge. While the details are new, this collaborative is a familiar one. The research unit is a long-standing collaboration among FWP, MSU, U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Its mission is to conduct fisheries research, educate future fishery professionals and provide technical assistance to fisheries biologists working for state and federal agencies, nonprofits and industry.

“We’ve worked with FWP on hundreds of projects since our inception in 1963,” said Dr. Al Zale, the leader of MCFRU and a professor at MSU.

Those projects included native species restoration, fish diseases – especially whirling disease, catch-and-release mortality, predation, Missouri and Yellowstone river fisheries and much more.

FWP’s Region 3 fisheries manager Mike Duncan and his staff are comparing notes with MCFRU.

“We all met several times to come up with a plan of what knowledge gaps to fill,” Duncan said.

The three studies with MCFRU will focus on adult mortality, juvenile origins and survival and fish diseases.

Since 2011, trout numbers in these rivers have steadily declined and are now near historic lows. While those declines can be linked to low flows and warm water temperatures, the research projects will take a more in-depth look at other factors that may be affecting these fisheries.

The adult mortality study will involve tagging and tracking fish, Duncan said. FWP staff will capture and tag fish on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers, along with the Madison River. The project will assess how flows, water temperatures, angling and disease influence survival.

As part of the study, fish biologists Matt Jaeger and Jim Olsen are developing adaptive management plans that will inform fishing regulations on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers. “This could include spawning closures and catch-and-release as examples,” Duncan said.

The juvenile study will look at where fish are born and their spawning and rearing habitat. “We’ll mainly be looking in tributaries,” Duncan said. Biologists will sample the fish’s otolith, or ear bone, to determine where the fish has lived and traveled during its life. This work will help focus and direct potential habitat projects.

The third project will examine the level that disease is impacting trout populations on these three rivers. It will include testing for novel pathogens and help determine better ways to routinely sample fish for disease in the future.

Some of these projects will involve recruiting graduate students to work with MCFRU. “These usually take four or five years in fisheries science because of the seasonal cycles that regulate nature,” Zale said.

To accompany these projects, FWP will increase fish health monitoring and reporting resources. “We want to get a better handle on environment triggers and how pathogens are affecting the fisheries,” Duncan said.

The public can participate in fish health monitoring by reporting dead and sick-looking fish on the new web portal fwp.mt.gov/sickfish.

For more information and to follow the progress of the research projects, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fisheries-management/trout-mgmt-sw-mt

As Montanans and visitors head to local ponds, lakes and reservoirs for late summer fun, public health official urge citizens to know the health risks of Harmful Algal Blooms, or “HABs”. 

 HABs are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful, but some can produce dangerous cyanotoxin, including microcystin.  Blue-green algae blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings, or green latex paint. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats; they do not grow from the bottom with roots like other water plants.

On July 26, 2023, a Harmful Algal Bloom was identified and microcystin was detected at the boat launch area at Hyalite Reservoir in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and Elk Grove Park Pond.

Zoot is committed to championing the Montana art community. The corporate exhibit space is open to the public and hosts rotating works by Montana artists for the enjoyment of employees and the community. The gallery has an expansive open area for sculpture and boasts over 100 square feet of vertical exhibit surfaces. One exhibiting artist described it as “…arguably the finest gallery space in the area.”

All work sold through the gallery is commission-free, and underwriting is provided for opening receptions. The exhibits of Montana-only artists rotate approximately every three months and are selected by the Zoot Committee for the Arts.

Public hours are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the Zoot art gallery website at zootartgallery.com or contact Carol Lehmann, Gallery Coordinator, at carol.lehmann@zootweb.com.

Call Deadline: August 25th, 2023
Notification of Acceptance: On or before September 29th, 2023
Accepted Mediums: All
Application: zootartgallery.com

BOZEMAN –Family Promise of Gallatin Valley is expanding their shelter services by purchasing the former Montana Bible College property on July 31 to create Family Promise’s A Journey Home campus. Family Promise will be hosting an open house on Monday, July 31 from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at 100 Discovery Drive.

The acquisition of A Journey Home will allow Family Promise to double the number of children and families served that experience housing insecurity, along with adding workforce housing to their suite of services.

Currently, Family Promise receives 10-15 calls per week from families seeking shelter and/or services and have had to turn away families due to limitations on space.
Over the last 18 years, the number of families receiving services from Family Promise increased 4,725%. Last year alone, Family Promise served a total of 193 families, an increase of 164% from the year before. Despite FPGV increasing shelter space, developing innovative diversion programming, and increasing staff size from 4
to nearly 40, the significant increase in needs in our community is not being met. Both emergency shelters and eight transitional homes are at capacity.

In response to this increase in community need, Family Promise scaled shelter services and developed innovative programs. However, despite these efforts, the current level of community needs remains unmet, underscoring the need for additional available space to provide transformative services to every child and
family seeking assistance continues to increase.

According to Executive Director, Christel Chvilicek, “Since 2005, Family Promise has been singularly focused on serving children with families. Family Promise is uniquely equipped to design and deliver solutions to address family homelessness in our community. With over 17 years of experience in serving families experiencing homelessness, we have a deep understanding of the root causes of homelessness and a proven track record of helping families achieve self-sufficiency and stable housing.”

To learn more about the impact of Family Promise on children and families in our community, visit familypromisegv.org.

For the safety of all the children and families served, Family Promise requires comprehensive background checks that screen for violent and sexual offenders. With A Journey Home, FPGV will create a campus where the realization of goal setting and attainment is prioritized and the commitment to success is shared among all. It is incumbent upon us to provide safe and healthy living spaces for children and families who are on a path to self-sufficiency.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is advising anglers that full fishing closures and hoot-owl restrictions will be in effect starting July 26 on portions of some rivers and creeks in western and southwestern Montana. Full fishing closures prohibit all fishing. Hoot-owl restrictions close all fishing daily from 2 p.m. to midnight. The restrictions will stay in effect until conditions improve.

Full fishing closures

• Madison River from the Warm Springs Day Use Area to the Madison Dam (Ennis Reservoir). Water temperatures measured below Ennis Lake near McAllister exceeded 73 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days since July 22, meeting fishing restriction criteria.
• Within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek on the Clark Fork River. Maximum daily water temperatures measured at the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek has exceeded 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days. This satisfies angling-restriction criteria for bull trout.
• Within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of the St. Regis River on the Clark Fork River. Maximum daily water temperatures measured at the mouth of St Regis River has exceeded 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days. This satisfies angling-restriction criteria for bull trout
• Within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Cedar Creek on the Clark Fork River. Maximum daily water temperatures measured at the mouth of Cedar Creek has exceeded 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days. This satisfies angling-restriction criteria for bull trout.
• Within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Fish Creek on the Clark Fork River. Maximum daily water temperatures measured at the mouth of Fish Creek has exceeded 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days. This satisfies angling-restriction criteria for bull trout.

Hoot-owl restrictions

• Clark Fork River from the confluence with the Flathead River to the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek.
• Big Hole River for: Section 1, confluence with North Fork of the Big Hole River to the Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road; Section 2, Dickie Bridge to North Fork of the Big Hole River; Section 4, Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site (FAS) to FWP Maiden Rock FAS. Hoot-owl restrictions for Section 5, mouth to Tony Schoonen FAS remain in place.
• Gallatin River from the confluence with the Missouri River to Nixon Bridge near the confluence with the East Gallatin River.

FWP's drought policy provides for angling restrictions when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees, or 60 degrees for streams that hold bull trout, for three consecutive days. Water temperatures of 77 degrees or more can be lethal to trout.

Restrictions of this nature are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions like this exist. FWP officials said one short-term strategy to address heat-induced stress in Montana's wild trout is to reduce catch-and-release mortality by alerting anglers to fish only in the morning. 

Anglers can also help reduce stress and mortality for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur: 

• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted. 
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.  
• Let the fish recover before releasing it. 

If high temperatures persist, anglers may want to consider fishing areas with less stressful temperatures, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies.

For the latest waterbody restrictions and closures, click here.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on shooting range grant proposals. Public comments will be accepted through August 9, at 5 p.m.

Montana's Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to non-profit shooting clubs, organizations, local governments and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state.

The program received proposals from:

• Billings Rod and Gun Club
• Boone and Crocket
• Butte Trap Club
• Chinook Rod and Gun
• Crooked Falls Practical Shooters
• Custer Rod and Gun Club
• Fallon County
• Gallatin Sporting Clays
• Havre Rifle and Pistol
• Helena Trap Club
• Thompson Falls Trap Club
• Western Montana Fish and Game Association

An environmental assessment (EA) for each proposal is available. To request an EA or to comment, send an email to fwp.shootingranges@mt.gov. Comments can also be mailed to: Montana FWP, Attn: Seth McArthur, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Comments are due Aug. 9.

Thomas McGuane, pictured in his office, is donating his papers to the MSU Library Archives and Special Collections. Submitted photo.

BOZEMAN — A collection of materials from the Montana-based writer Thomas McGuane will soon be available for the public to view at Montana State University’s Library.

The collection, which will be available for researchers and members of the community to view and use in the MSU Library’s Archives and Special Collections, includes notes, drafts and manuscripts of his short fiction, novels, essays and screenplays written since the 1980s. The collection features both published and unpublished works, as well as correspondence with friends, family and publishers, including correspondence with the writer Jim Harrison.

“We are so pleased to add Tom’s papers to our collections and look forward to sharing them with students, faculty and members of the public as part of our educational mission,” said Jodi Allison-Bunnell, head of Archives and Special Collections.

McGuane has written 10 novels, including the National Book Award-nominated “Ninety-Two in the Shade,” as well as six nonfiction essay collections and two short-story collections. McGuane is also a frequent contributor to The New Yorker magazine. His latest book is “Cloudbursts: Collected and New Stories.” His screenplays include “Rancho Deluxe” and “92 in the Shade.”

His work has won numerous awards, including the Rosenthal Award of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, and it has been anthologized in the “Best American Stories,” “Best American Essays” and “Best American Sporting Essays.” He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

MSU archivist Heather Mulliner noted that McGuane’s papers will allow researchers to explore his writing process and follow the development of his works from early drafts to finished products.

“In addition to his manuscripts, researchers will also be interested in his correspondence with writer Jim Harrison,” Mulliner said. “Their letters reveal an intimate friendship and a bond between artists, which will be a treat for literary scholars and students alike.”

McGuane has a long relationship with MSU in general and with the library in particular, according to Allison-Bunnell. In 2016, he was the speaker for the library’s annual Trout Lecture, where he spoke on what fishing means.

Allison-Bunnell said McGuane’s donation is the result of years of work from staff in Archives and Special Collections. Those efforts have been led by special collections librarian James Thull, who called McGuane a great friend of the library.

“In addition to the donation of his papers, which are now one of the cornerstones of both our angling and Western writers' collections, Tom has consistently supported collection efforts and endeavors and even served as our 2016 Trout and Salmonid lecturer,” Thull said. “The impact of having Tom’s archival materials cannot be overstated.”

The collection will be available to researchers in early 2024 after the Archives and Special Collections staff complete their work housing and describing the collection. When the papers are available, any interested parties can make an appointment to view them.

The MSU Library’s Archives and Special Collections has more than 800 collections, including collections related to Montana agriculture and ranching, Montana engineering and architecture, Montana history, MSU history, Native Americans in Montana, regional writers, prominent Montanans, trout and salmonids, U.S. Sen. Burton K. Wheeler, and Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Other recent donations to Archives and Special Collections include collections from Ivan Doig; filmmaker and writer John Heminway; artists Bob and Gennie DeWeese; noted wildlife researcher and conservationist Frank Cooper Craighead Jr.; Mike Clark, who served as head of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition; and letters written to and from the author Robert Pirsig. More information is available online at www.lib.montana.edu/archives/.

Montana residents and MSU affiliates may borrow materials from the MSU Library, and the public is welcome to visit the library. To learn more, visit www.lib.montana.edu/.