Flathead Valley Mountain Exposure: Kalispell, Montana News

Northwest Montana’s state parks and fishing access sites, administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region One, are drawing increased numbers of visitors each year. According to Region One Parks Manager Dave Landstrom, visitation at the Region’s 12 state park sites totaled 417, 993 visitors for 2009, which is a 7% increase from 2008.

The five Flathead Lake State Park units accounted for the majority of the increases in visitor numbers, especially in the sites with campgrounds. Logan State Park on Middle Thompson Lake and Thompson Falls State Park on the Clark Fork River also experienced substantial increases in visitation over 2008. In addition to the state park sites, the Region’s 34 fishing access sites hosted 428, 717 visitors. This level of use is similar to 2008.

Those who fantasize about life on the shore of Flathead Lake near Kalispell have a new way to realize that dream-without taking on a second mortgage.
Beginning Jan. 15, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting reservations for summer stays in three yurts located in Big Arm State Park on the west shore of Flathead Lake.

The circular yurts, inspired by 13th century nomadic Mongolians, are made of a wood lattice frame covered with insulated canvas walls, skylights that open, screened windows, solid floors and locking doors. The spacious interiors of each 20-feet in diameter, 10-feet tall structure features simple, comfortable furnishings that seat and sleep from four to six people. Exterior decks provide a spectacular view of Flathead Lake.

The 39th annual Smith Lake Ice Fishing Derby held on Saturday, January 2 attracted a large crowd of about 300 anglers ranging from 1-80 years old. The event is put on by the Sunriser Lions Club as a public service to the community and as a way to make a modest amount of money to donate to family fishing pond programs. The Lions operated a food stand offering hamburgers, chili, and other items.

New This Season

Glacier Nordic Club will be hosting seven Tuesday Night Relay Race Series starting Jan. 12, 2010 and ending Feb. 23, 2010.

Location: Glacier Nordic Center lighted trails at the Whitefish Golf Course

Registration begins: 5:40-5:55 p.m.

Race start: 6:05 p.m.

FWP Game Wardens in Kalispell are asking for help on a number of open poaching cases from 2009. “We have come to a dead end on several cases and we need help from the public to close these out,” says Region One Warden Captain Lee Anderson.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a northwest Montana hearing on the 2010-2011 tentative hunting regulations at the Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell Center Mall, on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The proposed regulations cover all hunting in Montana except furbearers and migratory waterfowl.

FWP Commissioner Bob Ream, who represents western Montana on the Commission, will be on hand to listen to the comments of northwest Montana hunters on the tentative regulations. Other informational meetings may be scheduled in other towns, but this is the main hearing for collecting public comment from hunters across Region One. The aim of the hearing is to explain the tentative hunting regulations, answer questions, and provide opportunities for public comment. The FWP Commission will adopt final regulations at its Feb. 11, 2010 meeting in Helena.

FWP congratulates Geneva and Ray Becker for their successful “hunt of a lifetime” for Geneva’s Trophy Bighorn Sheep. Geneva Becker drew a Big Horn Sheep permit for Bighorn Sheep Hunting District 122, which is between Plains and not quite to St. Regis on the opposite side of the Clark Fork River. Ray and Geneva tell the story of their hunt in the story below:

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Citizen Advisory Committee will meet Thursday evening, December 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP headquarters on 490 North Meridian Road in Kalispell. At the meeting, members will hear a brief update on Flathead Lake fisheries co-management and Swan Lake fisheries management; FWP Commissioner Bob Ream will be on hand to discuss current FWP issues; A brief wrap-up of the big game hunting season will be presented; and Special Projects Leader Chris Smith will overview FWP funding issues.