Walking in Seeley's Winter Wonderland

Most big game hunting for this season will come to an end with the closing of the Traditional Muzzleloader season on Dec. 18. The abundance of snow in the valley, however, means that many winter activities have begun. 

Many will travel to the trailheads and unload their cross-country skis or snowmobiles to access hundreds of acres of Forest Service and State lands.

Some will flock to fishing access sites and state parks to ice fish or skate on freshly frozen lakes and others will be using this time to continue to hunt or trap.

Users riding snowmobiles are encouraged to check the status of their trail pass, which is required to legally ride on any of the 4,000 + miles of groomed trails in Montana. Trail passes for residents are valid for two years and cost $20 and apply to snowmobiles, motorized snow bikes and fat tire pedal bikes. All revenue from the sale of these passes goes directly into grooming these trails. Not sure where to go once you’ve got your trail pass? Trail maps are available from the Forest Service, the Montana Snowmobile Association, and your local snowmobile club.

For those venturing out onto the ice this winter, use these tips to stay safe (and dry!):

The general rule of thumb is that there should be a minimum of 4” of good, clear ice to safely hold you and your fishing gear. If you’re going to be driving an ATV or snowmobile out onto the ice, there should be at least 7”. Drill a test hole and measure the ice before dragging you and your stuff out to your favorite spot. 

While ice fishing you should also bring extra layers and gloves, tell someone where you’re going, and check the weather for the day.

The winter season for mountain lion hunting opened on December 1st, allowing licensed hunters to hunt until April 14, 2023, or the closure of the quotas for the hunting district.

Mountain lion hunters are encouraged to check the status of the quota before going hunting each day, especially if they are hunting in multiple districts.

You can check the quota status online here: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/mountain-lion or by calling 1-800-385-7826. Quotas are set to ensure that the amount of hunter harvest does not negatively impact genetic diversity or population dynamics, and that sustainable harvest may continue. 

Trapping season for wolves opened in many areas across Montana on November 28th. But the wolf trapping season has not started yet in many areas deemed occupied grizzly bear habitat, like the Seeley and Swan valleys. Biologists have been surveying across the state to determine if bears are still out in these areas, and FWP will open wolf trapping season once most of the bears in an area have begun hibernation/torpor (remember grizzly bears aren’t true hibernators!) and no later than Dec. 31. Trapping seasons are open for beaver, otter, bobcat, muskrat, fisher, marten, and mink. 

For more information go to fwp.mt.gov or call your local FWP office.