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Constitutional protection for abortion to be on November ballot in Montana
Voters will get to decide whether they want abortion protected in the Montana Constitution. The Montana Secretary of State’s Office approved and certified Constitutional Initiative 128 on Tuesday, said Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights in a news release. “We’re excited that CI-128 will be on the ballot in November, and Montana voters will finally have the […]
Xanterra reopening in Yellowstone after employee identified in ‘mass shooting’ threat, death
The person who died after being shot by law enforcement rangers in Yellowstone National Park on the Fourth of July had been shooting a semi-automatic rifle toward a dining facility at Canyon Village, the park said Tuesday in a news release. The deceased shooter was Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, of Florida, according to a […]
On first inspection weekend in Montana, first ‘mussel-fouled boat’ intercepted
Inspectors detected and cleaned the first “mussel-fouled watercraft” of the season in Montana on Sunday at the Anaconda inspection station, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Tuesday. The boat, a pontoon, had not been in Montana waters, the agency’s spokesperson Greg Lemon said. “It’s the first one of the year, and it’s always surprising to […]
Glacier National Park announces camping, wilderness permit reservation changes
Glacier National Park is increasing some frontcountry camping fees and adding early access lotteries for wilderness permits. The park announced the changes this month in advance of the 2024 season and reservation openings. Camping fees for some popular sites are going up $3 to $10 a night. Those include peak seasons reservations at Apgar, Fish […]
Yellowstone extends comment period for bison management plan after high volume of comments
Given the volume of people writing in, Yellowstone National Park has extended the public comment period for its draft Bison Management Environmental Impact Statement until Oct. 10. “We’ve received nearly 2,000 comments so far,” a park spokesperson said Thursday in an email. “At the end of the 60-day public comment period, we’ll analyze and consider […]
Bill to open more walkup campsites in Montana sailing through Legislature
Helping Montanans have a better shot at camping in state parks is a popular idea in the Montana Legislature. House Bill 440, which would limit the number of reserved campsites at 80% to allow more walkups, passed unanimously in committee, and then it passed unanimously in the Montana House. Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, had said […]
As more Americans get to know the great outdoors, poop on public lands is becoming a problem
“Go before you go.” That’s the advice Glacier National Park’s Bradley Blickhan has for hikers heading up a trail. Translation? Go to the bathroom before you go on your adventure. “We have a staff of wilderness rangers, and part of their job is to take care of these structures,” Blickhan said. “But we’re finding it […]
When a bear tries to steal elk from wolves in Yellowstone National Park, here’s what happens
Bears are thieves, among the predators that steal carcasses from wolves. A new study based partly in Yellowstone National Park sheds light on the interactions of these animals and how they compete for food, such as elk or moose. Aimee Tallian, lead author of the international study, said it’s one more puzzle piece that helps […]