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RATIO MOUNTAIN Firefighters from the Forest, along with our interagency cooperators, responded to a new fire located 20 miles north/northwest of Whitehall, MT. The fire, estimated at approximately 2 acres, is burning in heavy dead and downed trees and in an area with a large amount of standing dead trees or "snags." The fire is located between Ratio Mountain and Whitetail Reservoir. Firefighters are urging the public to stay clear of the area for safety reasons. Road and trails closures are likely in the near future. Firefighters are currently assessing the situation on the ground. More information will be shared when available.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information VOLLEYBALL No. 15 ranked Montana Western Volleyball (2-2) leaves behind a weekend of exciting matches with numerous top 25 opponents, including a big win over no. 5 ranked Viterbo (Wis.) on Friday morning and a pair of five-set thrillers. They will continue on the road this weekend with the Wolf Pack Welcome hosted by Loyola University (La.). Friday afternoon will feature a pair of contests, first against Webber International (Fla.) at 12 p.m. Then the Bulldogs will take on the host (RV) Loyola (La.). They will then close out the weekend on Saturday against (RV) Texas Wesleyan at 12 p.m. CROSS COUNTRY The Montana Western women's and men's cross country teams will kick off their 2024 season this week at Montana State University. The MSU Bobcat Twilight meet will feature tough competition and a great opportunity to get the 2024 season rolling for the Bulldogs.  The men will begin action at 7:20 p.m. with the women following at 7:45 p.m.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information CALDWELL, Idaho —  The no. 15 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (2-2) closed out their opening weekend with another five-set victory, this time over the (RV) College of Idaho. They then closed out the afternoon with a 3-1 loss to the no. 3 ranked Eastern Oregon. How It Happened vs. (RV) College of Idaho The Bulldogs turned an early 6-9 set deficit into a 17-12 lead thanks to three kills and a solo block from Peyton Vogl . Western then closed out the set up 25-17 following a 5-0 run that featured kills from Danyel Martin and Vogl paired with a block from Jaiden Perez and Vogl. Three kills from the Bulldogs got Western out to a solid start in set two, but the Yotes battled their way back into it and tied the set at 8 apiece. Kara Pospisil pounded down a kill to take UMW to a 12-10 lead before COI would take a 4-0 run to their own two-point lead. After battling for position for the remainder of the set, the Yotes took the final two points to win 25-23. The Yotes pushed out to their own 18-12 lead following a pair of aces to start the third frame. Despite the deficit, UMW rose to the occasion and found success behind a block from Vogl and Jordan Olson and an ace from Jazi Smith . Up 22-21, the Bulldogs outscored the Yotes and closed the set up 25-23. Finding little success in the middle of the fourth frame, the Bulldogs allowed the Yotes to run behind a 13-2 scoring run to a 21-10 lead. A kill from the arm of Dani Brown broke the streak and the Bulldogs fought back to fall 25-19 in the set. Utilizing the late fourth set magic, the Bulldogs pushed out to a quick 7-4 lead. A pair of kills from Perez pushed the UMW lead to 11-6 and the Bulldogs were able to hang on to finish the fifth set win 15-11. How It Happened vs. No. 3 Eastern Oregon UMW found little rhythm in the first two sets against the no. 3 ranked Eastern Oregon. The Mounties combined for a whopping 25 kills on just four errors across the first two sets to hold the Bulldogs to scores of 25-11 and 25-12. Maxine Hoagland got the Bulldogs within striking distance in the third frame after recording a kill to bring UMW down one at 9-8. EOU continued to take shots at the Bulldog defense but the Red and Black remained tough and stayed close with the Mounties through the set. Down 22-17, Olson proved to be too much for EOU and put down four kills and recorded a pair of blocks as the Bulldogs outscored EOU 9-2 to win the set 26-24. Third set excitement wore off as the Mounties found their rhythm once more and kept UMW on their heels. They went on to hold the Bulldogs to just five kills on seven errors to win the set 25-10. Notables The Bulldogs combined for an impressive 66 kills in the win over the Yotes. The last time the Bulldogs topped 60 kills in a match was against Rocky Mountain last season in the Frontier Conference championship match. The third set win against the Mounties was the first time the Bulldogs have won a set against EOU since the 2014 season. Four Bulldogs saw double-digits in kills against the Yotes with Martin leading the way totaling 14 kills. She also tied for a team high of five blocks. Smith tabbed her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 21 digs against the Yotes.   Up Next The Bulldogs take a week off and will travel to New Orleans, La. to compete in the Wolf Pack Welcome hosted by Loyola University (La.) starting Friday Aug. 23. They open the weekend on Friday with a pair of matchups starting with a contest against Webber International (Fla.) at 12 p.m.

PeeWee All Around cowboy/cowgirl: 1st Jhett Tamke 2nd Berklee Keltz 3rd River Seymour 4th Nora Bernall Super Starters All Around Cowboy/cowgirl: 1st Teegan Keltz 2nd Berkley Ward 3rd Hallie Probst 4th Collins Bernall Juniors All Around cowboy/cowgirl: 1st Tenley Keltz 2nd Ace Ward 3rd Zane Garrison 4th Regan Bernall Junior All Around Roper: 1st Ace Ward 2nd Carter Probst Senior All Around cowgirl: 1st Molli Minor 2nd Scarlett Garrison Senior All around roper: 1st Molli Minor THANK YOU TO ALL OUR 24’ 4-H RODEO SPONSORS!!!! Osburn Fence (belt buckles) Bobbie Jo Osburn (added Money to all events and ages) The Den (added money to breakaway) Mountain View Insurance 747 General Contracting (Lane Miller) Pivots Plus Dan & Skylar Johnson Grove Law Joel & Jeanne Schnitzler 18 Mile Rentals LLC Town & Country (water and ice for contestants and volunteers) Wild Front Designs (Ronda Day) (Coffee cups for contestant bags) Stage Stop Boarding East Bench Grain McCartney Mountain Beef (Jim & Cheyenne Garrison) Garrison Ranches (Bill & Floydena) Hagenbarth Livestock Rocky Mountain Supply (Prizes) Allen Landscape Probst Ranch Pioneer Mountain Ranch Thorton Saddlery Birch Creek Millworks Lakeland Feed (grain) Axmen Feed(cookies and lick tub) Rob Holden (tophand halter) Henry Ranch Dell Merc (Chad Mussard) Seymour Equine Services Eric and Aicia Wendlend Marti Laknar (local vendor cupons) Mike and Phyllis Jones Dave Hollenback Meatheads, almost Gourmet hotdogs Sip 406

From Idaho County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page: On August 16, 2024, at approximately 1:42 PM, Idaho County Dispatch received a call from the International Emergency Response Coordination Center. They had received an SOS call from a Garmin inReach device. The first message didn’t state if there was an emergency, and the second advised the missing biker had been found alive but was in bad shape. A later message from the Garmin confirmed it was missing person Zachary Demoss. The coordinates given mapped to the Lost Creek Campground, near milepost 136 on Highway 12, and Idaho County Dispatch sent the Kooskia Ambulance, the Lowell QRU, Life Flight, an Idaho County Deputy, and the Idaho State Police to the scene. Upon arrival, they found Zachary to be alert and conscious. He had been drinking water out of the creek. Mr. Demoss was transported by Life Flight to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Sheriff Ulmer wants to thank everyone who helped in the search for Zachary, and we wish him the best on his recovery.

A two vehicle wreck on the corner of Atlantic and Glendale St Friday afternoon saw traffic being diverted as both Dillon Police Department, Beaverhead County Sherriff and EMS worked on helping those involved in the wreck. The wreck was between a Starflyte motorhome and a GMC Sierra pickup truck. Both vehicles received heavy front end damage. A person was transported from the scene in an ambulance.

DILLON, Mont. -  The Frontier Conference released the preseason men's and women's cross country coaches' poll this afternoon. The coaches from the league selected Montana Western to finish fourth on both the men's and women's side. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. First place is worth five points, second place is worth four points, third place is worth three points, fourth place is worth two points, and fifth place is worth one point. The Bulldogs are set to kick off their season on Aug. 30 with the MSU Bobcat Twilight meet hosted by Montana State University. 2024 Men's XC Preseason Coaches Poll Rank School (First Place Votes) Total Points 1st Carroll College (5) 25 T-2nd Rocky Mountain College (1) 19 T-2nd Montana Tech 19 T-4th Montana Western 11 T-4th Providence 11 6th MSU-Northern 5 2024 Women's XC Preseason Coaches Poll Rank School (First Place Votes) Total Points 1st Carroll College (4) 24 2nd Montana Tech 20 3rd Rocky Mountain College (2) 19 4th Montana Western 12 5th Providence 10 6th MSU-Northern 5

FINAL UPDATE Incident Commander: Bill Waln, Incident Commander Location: 10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT Start Date: 7/25/2024 Cause: Undetermined Size: 4,166 acres Containment: 22% Resources on Site: 15 engines Total Personnel: 119 KEY MESSAGES Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three will transfer command of the fire to a Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Type 4 Incident commander at 6:00 p.m. tonight. “Rocky Mountain Team Three was able to build on the strong work started by the Type 3 team before our arrival. We worked closely with the home unit, who provided strong leader’s intent. They identified the critical values at risk that allowed us to focus our work in specific areas. If in the future the fire should want to move, firefighters will have a safe and good line to hold the fire on. We are very thankful for the members of the community of Wise River. They treated us very graciously and made us feel at home,” said Bill Waln, Rocky Mountain Team Three Incident Commander. A burned landscape presents several safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. These hazards include unstable soils that allow rocks to dislodge and roll down steep hillsides; fire-weakened trees and snags that can fall over or large limbs breaking away in windy conditions; and stump holes where fire has burned through a tree root system and created cavities that can collapse under your feet. Always remember to be aware of your surroundings and aware of the hazards in a burned area. CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fire along the Pettengill Road and Pettengill Creek trail. Crews will continue cleanup and log trucks will continue hauling logs from the shaded fuel breaks along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR It will be slightly cooler with temperatures ranging from the low 60s to mid 70s. Southwest winds will be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. There’s a 30 percent chance for thunderstorms that could bring wind gusts up to 40 mph. CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../mtbdf-grouse . A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within three feet of the device.

WISE RIVER – Conditions in some areas of the Big Hole River have improved, allowing hoot-owl fishing restrictions to be lifted in a section of the river. Hoot-owl restrictions have been in place for the river between the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River and the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Maiden Rock Fishing Access Site. These restrictions will be lifted Friday. The following restrictions will remain in effect for the Big Hole River: A full fishing closure from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. A hoot-owl restriction from FWP’s Maidenrock Fishing Access Site to Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site, commonly known as Notch Bottom. A full fishing closure from Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Jefferson River. All fishing is prohibited during full fishing closures. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight daily. These closures and restrictions come in response to low river flows in accordance with the Big Hole River’s drought management plan and will remain in effect until conditions improve. Fishing restrictions and closures like these are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when low flows and high water temperatures combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing. Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river. Along with monitoring stream temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also monitors stream flows, and in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click here . For a list of current fishing restrictions and closures in Montana, click here .

Starting August 15, eligible Montana homeowners can claim a property tax rebate of up to $675.  Montana taxpayers who have paid property taxes on their principal residence can apply through the online portal at getmyrebate.mt.gov . The deadline for filing claims is October 1, 2024. To qualify for the rebate, you must meet the following criteria: Owned a Montana residence for at least seven months in 2023. Lived in this Montana residence for at least seven months in 2023. Were billed for property taxes, including special assessments and other fees, on this residence. Paid property taxes on this residence. How to Claim Your Rebate You can apply for the rebate either online at getmyrebate.mt.gov or by paper form. The application requires the following information: Property’s physical address and geocode*. Amount of property taxes paid, as shown on the property tax bill. Names and social security numbers of the taxpayer and any spouse or dependents.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. — Reserved single game tickets for the 2024 Bulldog football season will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, August 20. Reserved tickets are priced at $20 each and can be secured online through the Friday before each home game at 10 a.m. Reserved tickets will also be available for purchase on game days. For those opting for general admission or Dillon Jaycee Berm seating, tickets will be sold exclusively at the game. All tickets on game day will be sold at the Anderson & Platt Ticket Booth. General admission tickets will be $15 for adult and $12 for seniors and K-12 students. Don't miss out on the action and the chance to cheer on the Montana Western Bulldogs as they defend their Frontier Conference title.

The University of Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery is honored to present “Where the Deer and Antelope Played,” a solo exhibition by artist Danielle O’Malley. The gallery will host an opening reception on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery located in Main Hall. For years, O’Malley’s artwork has been rooted in an environmental consciousness derived from her concern for the Earth’s rapidly declining health. O’Malley’s forms are influenced by objects she encounters in her daily activities, representing warnings, the imbalance of our ecosystems, and the means for sustainable living. “Where the Deer and the Antelope Played” highlights iconography found within the western landscape. Fences, property markers, and scars on the land (from extraction processes) are as integrated into the western landscape as flora and fauna. They act as boundaries and barriers that protect, block, identify, guide, and contain. They are also representative of colonization and the devastation that colonialist values bring to the land. According to Canadian researcher Max Liboiron, “pollution is not a manifestation or side effect of colonialism but is rather an enactment of ongoing colonial relations to land.” O’Malley’s work is a call for an anti-colonialist approach to the present-day eco-emergency. Her exhibit suggests that healthy boundaries with the natural world must be implemented so the Earth can heal from the misuse and abuse humanity inflicts upon it. Danielle O’Malley is a multi-media, large-scale, site-specific installation, and ceramic artist residing in Helena, Montana. O’Malley received her MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Her work is rooted in an environmental consciousness that derives from concern for the Earth’s rapidly declining health. In addition to maintaining an active studio practice, O’Malley teaches, exhibits nationally, and serves her community as Executive Director for the Art Mobile of Montana and Director of Montana Clay. Most recently, O’Malley has been interviewed on the “ Tales of a Red Clay Rambler”  podcast; recognized and chosen for publication by  “Ceramics Monthly”, “Surface Design Association Quarterly Journal,”   “NCECA Annual Journal,”  and  “Studio Potter Journal”.  She has been a demonstrating artist at NCECA, a recipient of multiple local, state, and national grants, and an American Craft Council Emerging Artist finalist. O’Malley’s work is in permanent collections at the Northwest Art Gallery, the Taoxichuan Art Center, and numerous private collections. O’Malley will be a visiting artist and Adjunct Instructor of Ceramics this fall at the University of Montana Western. It will be an honor to view her work in person as part of the gallery’s educational mission to engage students in gallery activities. Please join us! The reception is free and open to all and will feature light refreshments. The “Where the Deer and Antelope Played” exhibition will be open for viewing from September 5 to October 8, 2024. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator, Jennifer Boysen, at  jennifer.boysen@umwestern.edu .

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING August 19th , 2024 9:00 A.M. ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Review Budget 2. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction of The City 3. Adjournment Committee Members: Russ Schwandt, Chairperson Anneliese Ripley Diane Armstrong

Beaverhead County Search and Rescue News Submitted by: Mel Rice, Public Relations Officer   The Beaverhead Search and Rescue was called out for a recue on the 6th August.   Two females traveling along the top of the Blacktail range got themselves in a precarious position of the edge of Monument Mountain and rolled their UTV sustaining injuries to both individuals.  One of the ladies was able to make a 911 call for assistance from the crash site.  Life Flight was requested immediately and at 12:01 AM on the 7th two hasty teams were deployed to the incident location.   The hasty teams arrived at the scene around 2:00 AM.  Two Life Flight helicopters had already landed on top of the ridge.   However, the victims had to be packaged and transported to the top of the ridge using the units E-Mule. Once on top of the ridge each victim was then turned over to Life Flight medical team and the helicopters transported the ladies to a medical facility.  It took approximately 45 minutes per victim to get them to the Life Flight personnel.  Once both victims were in Life Flight care and on their way to a hospital, S&R members returned to Dillon, arriving back at the building at 8:00 AM. The total incident took approximately 90 man hours to complete.  Once again the E-Mule proved to be a very valuable tool in getting injured victims out of the back county.  Members of the Beaverhead SAR unit participating in this rescue were: Jack Bazemore, Chuck Maddox, David Broadhead, James Mathews, Kolby Malesich, Smittie Smith , and Steve Mock.  Other members who participated as the IC team were Trevor Hyland, Cody Schnee, and Brad Wagner.   Thanks for your dedication.  We want to give a special thank you to Alan Conover. He saved the hasty teams critical hours of travel by allowing the them to cross his private land.   His knowledge of the area proved to be invaluable in knowing how to reach the victims in the shortest time.   “In the Business of Saving Lives” your Beaverhead Search and Rescue.

Key Messages: Firefighters successfully contained the Grouse Fire along the south edge and prevented it from spreading into homes and properties in the Pettengill area. Structure protection crews put in place point protection infrastructure; pumps, hoses, and sprinklers to protect structures and other identified values at risk. Once the point protection was no longer needed, they removed the equipment in sections, packaged it up on pallets, and labeled each with layout instructions for easy redeployment. They assessed structures in the Pettengill area and moved north to assess structures along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, Wise River, and along the Hwy 43 corridor. They took the data from their assessments and created a structure protection package for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, Beaverhead County Department of Emergency Services, and the local fire chief. Firefighters created fuel breaks along the Pettengill Creek and Reservoir Creek trails, and shaded fuel breaks along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. All are indirect firelines that provide firefighters a defensible line that is accessible and has the highest probability of success to stop fire spread. Current/ Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fire along the Pettengill Road and Pettengill Creek trail. Crews will continue cleanup and log trucks will continue hauling logs from the shaded fuel breaks along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. Weather/ Fire Behavior: Temperatures today will range from the high 60s to high 70s. Southwest winds at 8-12 mph with gusts up to 16 mph. There is a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms between 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Closures : The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse .

INDIANAPOLIS ( August 9, 2024/National FFA Organization ) – The Beaverhead FFA chapter of Dillon, Montana, has once again been recognized as one of the top FFA chapters in the nation for 2024 through the National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.   The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences that benefit the entire membership, their community, and the agricultural industry.   Only the top ten percent of chapters from each state may apply to be ranked nationally, where they will receive a rating of one, two, or three stars. The Beaverhead FFA has received the highest three-star national rating for the last six years in a row, and will be recognized on stage at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, October 23-26, 2024.   Additionally, the Beaverhead FFA was selected as one of ten national finalists in the category of Strengthening Agriculture to recognize the 2023 collaboration between Beaverhead FFA and the American Exchange Project (AEP). Beaverhead FFA members will present to a panel of judges later this fall to potentially advance to the top 3 chapters in this category.   This is the second consecutive year that the Beaverhead FFA chapter has been selected as a National Chapter Award Area Finalist. Full award results will be announced this fall at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, October 23-26, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN.   All-star-rated FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsor John Deere and New Holland. “New Holland is proud to recognize and celebrate the exemplary FFA chapters that are part of the National Chapter Award Program,” said Mark Lowery, Director of Network Development at New Holland. “They are successfully enriching their communities and preparing FFA members to be the future leaders of our company and industry, which is important work that we are honored to support.”   The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the results of the preseason NAIA Volleyball Coaches Top 25 Poll. Montana Western Volleyball checks in at No. 15 on the season's initial poll. The Bulldogs enter the 2024 season as the reigning Frontier Conference tournament champions after they capped off the historic 2023 campaign with an overall 22-8 record. The Bulldogs posted their highest win percentage since the 1996 season and made their first ever appearance in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament and went 1-2 overall. UMW was also recently picked to finish first in the Frontier Conference in the preseason polls. UMW will take on a tough slate this weekend at the College of Idaho Preseason Tournament. They are set to take on four ranked or receiving votes teams within the span of two days, while facing two top five ranked teams in Viterbo (Wis.) and Eastern Oregon. They will open the season Friday morning at 9 a.m. with no. 5 ranked Viterbo (Wis.) in Caldwell, Idaho. FRONTIER IN THE TOP 25 No. 15 Montana Western Bulldogs No. 21 Montana Tech Orediggers No. 23 University of Providence Argos OUTSIDE THE POLL RV Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

HELENA  – After recent rain and cooler temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will lift fishing restrictions on several rivers around the state effective at midnight tonight. Water temperatures have cooled enough in some areas to meet the criteria to lift fishing restrictions. In southwest Montana, hoot owl restrictions will be lifted on the following rivers and river sections:  Gallatin River  East Gallatin River  Shields River  Madison River between the town of Ennis and Ennis Reservoir  The restrictions above Hebgen Reservoir and below Ennis Reservoir will remain  In west-central Montana, hoot owl restrictions will be lifted on the following river sections:  Clark Fork River from the Flathead River to Rock Creek  Mouth closures on Clark Fork River at St. Regis River, Fish Creek and Rattlesnake Creek  St. Regis River from the mouth to Twelvemile Creek  Upper Bitterroot River from Veteran’s Bridge in Hamilton to the confluence of East and West   Rock Creek from Stoney Creek to the confluence of West and Middle Forks of Rock Creek  Blackfoot River from the mouth to Cedar Meadow Fishing Access site  The following hoot owl restrictions in west-central Montana remain:  Bitterroot River from the mouth to Veteran’s Bridge in Hamilton  Clark Fork River above Rock Creek from the mouth of Rock Creek to its origin at the mouth of Warm Springs Creek  Silver Bow Creek  Hoot owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day and are designed to protect fish, specifically trout, that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors. These restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.   Along with monitoring stream temperatures, FWP also monitors stream flows and in some streams holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click  here .  Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish:    Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.    Land the fish quickly.    Wet your hands before handling the fish.     Keep the fish in water as much as possible.     Remove the hook gently.  Consider fishing areas with less stressful temperatures and conditions, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies.   Multiple rivers in Montana have fishing restrictions and closures currently in place. For the latest information on waterbody restrictions, visit:  fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures