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MEETING NOTICE TUESDAY September 19, 2023 5:00 PM AGENDA: Call to order Approval of Minutes from 08-15-2023 meeting Public Comment Approval of Warrants Public Comment Old Business Discuss/recommend policy for billing MVA’s for out of district drivers. Discuss/recommend disposition of surplus equipment Public Comment New Business Public Comment Chiefs Report Public Comment Public comment on subjects under the jurisdiction of Beaverhead Fire District #2 that is not on the agenda. Adjournment

A hunter shot and wounded a grizzly bear on Tuesday near Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area near Fairfield. The surprise encounter happened on the morning of Sept. 12. The hunter was walking along a shelter belt hunting for upland birds on private land when he was charged by the bear, which based on evidence of the animal found at the scene is believed to be an adult male. The hunter fired twice with his shotgun at less than 15 feet, hitting the bear at least once and causing it to run off. The hunter was not injured in the encounter, which is still under investigation. FWP bear management and law enforcement staff searched for the bear on foot and using drones on Tuesday and continued their search today with a helicopter, thoroughly covering more than 4 square miles. Although they found evidence that it was wounded, they have been unable to locate the bear and believe that it is likely it has left the immediate area. Hunters and nearby residents are still advised to be cautious as the bear is likely to seek hiding cover in and around abandoned buildings and in areas of thick brush and heavy cover. FWP is also placing signs around the area advising hunters of the incident and to be vigilant for bears. With pheasant hunting season approaching and other upland bird seasons already open, FWP reminds all hunters to be extra cautious when afield.

Montana game wardens from around the state, including Kalispell, Billings and Miles City, recently traveled to Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Kentucky to follow up on long-term investigations of violations committed in Montana. Violations included license fraud, hunting without licenses, hunting during a closed season, over-limits of game animals, waste of game animals, tag transfer and unlawful possession of game animals. “These cases involve complex, long-term investigations of the most serious type of violations of hunting laws in Montana,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Chief of Law Enforcement Ron Howell. With the assistance of game wardens in the other states, Montana wardens seized seven elk, six mule deer, three white tail deer and two antelope. Charges are pending on all cases. “Without the assistance of officers from the states involved, these cases would likely not be successfully investigated and prosecuted,” Howell said. “These investigations highlight the hard work and tenacity of our wardens to ensure that serious violations are investigated, and suspects are held accountable for those violations.”

The University of Montana Western's TRIO Student Support Services Program provides UMW students who are first generation, have a disability, or fall below a certain income level with a framework of support to be able to achieve their goals in higher education and completing their degrees. Rob Micken has announced he will step down from the TRIO Director position at the University of Montana Western on October 3, 2023. After more than 11 years, he has decided to relocate to Helena, Montana, to be with his wife, Sandra. “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Rob, and we wish him and his family the very best in their next endeavors. His work as Director of the UMW TRIO program has been exemplary, and we will miss seeing him on campus,” said Montana Western Director of Student Success, Randy Johnson. The University has also announced that Dr. Michael Bartch has been named Interim Director of the UMW TRIO Program and will begin his new duties on October 4, 2023. “While we are sad to see Rob leave UMW, we are fortunate to have someone so experienced on the TRIO team to serve as Interim Director. Michael’s dedication to supporting students in the program at Montana Western is inspiring, and we are excited to welcome him to this new role,” said Johnson.

Bear specialists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks have concluded a field investigation into a grizzly bear encounter that injured a man south of Big Sky last week. The attack happened Friday, Sept. 8, in the Yellow Mule area of the Madison Range. During the encounter, one of the victim’s companions fired a pistol at the bear before the bear left. The victim suffered serious injuries from the bear and was flown to a hospital. FWP staff flew over the area Saturday to look for a bear that may have been wounded. No bears were found during the aerial search, and no collared bears were nearby. The Custer Gallatin National Forest implemented an emergency area closure for public safety following the incident and ensured that recreationists there were able to leave safely. The closure remains in effect. FWP grizzly bear specialists and game wardens, as well deputies from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, revisited the attack site Tuesday. They searched the area near the attack site from the ground and with an infrared drone and didn’t locate a dead or wounded bear. However, they found signs of high bear activity, including the remains of a cached animal carcass, whitebark pine middens and bear scat. This evidence indicates the bear attacked defensively in a surprise, close encounter with the victim. No further management action is planned. Be bear aware Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year. This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they consume more food in preparation for hibernation. This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with such conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters: Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately. Make noise to alert bears to your presence and travel in groups. Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears. Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency. Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas. Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana. People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions: Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately. Watch for and be extra cautious around bear sign, creeks and areas with limited visibility. Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence. Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears. Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible. If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards. Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. Make noise while approaching the meat. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP. Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee . For more information, resources and education events on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware .

The University of Montana Western School of Outreach is excited to offer "Introduction to Sports Officiating: Basketball" starting in November. This course is available to anyone ages 16 and up interested in becoming a basketball official. Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m November 1 to December 8, 2023, and can be attended in person or remotely through Zoom. This course will teach the basics of officiating through weekly sessions with the opportunity to learn from Montana Officials Association (MOA) staff during a Referee Clinic on Saturday, December 2, on the UMW campus. During this clinic, students will officiate live action games while being mentored by MOA officials. Course instructor, Kevin Engellant, is a former Montana Western basketball player and coach, current UMW faculty member, and an MOA basketball and football official. “Kevin gives back to his community through his passion for athletics by serving as a referee at countless games throughout the state of Montana and we are grateful that he will be sharing his knowledge during this course,” said UMW School of Outreach Program Coordinator, Ryann Gibson. Montana Western’s School of Outreach is invested in their students, of all ages, and provides them with content that is practical and useful for real world situations with a focus on continuing education and lifelong learning. To register, please contact the School of Outreach at 406-683-7537 no later than October 25. All community members and UMW students are welcome to register. The cost for UMW students is $130 and all participants are charged a course fee of $60 that includes a referee whistle. For more information about this course and all of the courses offered by the School of Outreach, please contact Ryann Gibson at ryann.gibson@umwestern.edu or visit https://www.umwestern.edu/outreach .

The Beaverhead County High School rodeo will kick off September 22nd at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds and will run through the 24th. They will also have a gun raffle and shooting event, see the press release below for more information.

With summer events and weather wrapping up one tends to wonder what is there to do in the fall. Never fear the Frontier Events Center has a full lineup of fall and winter events to keep one busy. Here are the events that they already have scheduled. Frontier Boxing September 23rd Ducks Unlimited Banquet September 30 Beaverhead Ski Swap and Trade Show October 5 & 6 Women's Resource Banquet October 11 Western Regional Gun Show October 13,14,15 Regional Pool Tournament October 19,20,21 Shadow Spook October 28 Cowboy Christmas Tradeshow November 17,18 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet December 1,2 Senior Citizens Grant Awards Banquet December 8 Christmas Music and Dance Show December 16

So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected more than 86,000 watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Of those, 45 were mussel-fouled and more than 400 were found with aquatic weeds. FWP and partner agencies, which include tribes, counties and conservation districts, operate more than 17 road-side watercraft inspection stations across the state. To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440. In the last few weeks, the following was detected: A ski boat recently purchased in Minnesota was intercepted with mussels at the Wibaux watercraft inspection station (operated by Garfield Conservation District). The boat was decontaminated, locked to the trailer and released to its final destination in Pend Oreille, Idaho. Idaho was notified to allow for follow-up. The Wibaux station intercepted a wakeboard boat that was recently purchased in Minnesota with mussels in the sea strainer. The boat was decontaminated, locked to the trailer and authorities at Lake Tahoe, its destination, were notified for follow-up. The Broadus inspection station (managed by the Powder River Conservation District) intercepted a recently purchased mussel fouled ski boat from Minnesota heading for Big Sky. Staff decontaminated the boat, locked it to the trailer and FWP staff followed up with the owner for a full decontamination. No Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) has been found in Beaver Lake near Whitefish this season following three comprehensive surveys. Another follow-up survey will be conducted in October. As the boating season winds down, inspection stations will be closing. The St. Xavier and Sula stations are now closed. Other stations will be closing in the coming weeks.

UMW Sports Press Release VALLEY CITY, N.D. — The Bulldogs were back in action today as they took on Dickinson State (N.D.) and the University of Winnipeg (MB) in Valley City, N.D. The Bulldogs were able to remain undefeated as they downed both opponents, finishing off the University of Winnipeg (MB) in a five-set match to cap off the day. “Our team chemistry is great so far. It feels very supportive and very together and I think we are doing an amazing job at sticking to our goal of unity,” junior outside hitter Jazi Smith said. “We are so excited for this conference preseason tournament and I feel confident in every one of my teammates to continue to bring the heat. It is very apparent that we have confidence in each other and the drive within ourselves.” Redshirt junior Danyel Martin and junior Smith each hit career milestones this weekend. Martin reached 200 blocks and Smith reached her 500th career kill. “We always like to keep things interesting and today was no exception. They again showed perseverance and grit when it mattered most,” Head Coach Katie Lovett said. “We had a lot of benchmark moments today with Jazi getting her 500th kill and Danyel getting her 200th block that were awesome to celebrate after a good win. We are looking forward to next week and playing in our home gym.” How It Happened vs. Dickinson State (N.D.) UMW took control of the game early on in the first set, jumping to a quick 11-3 lead. The Bulldogs continued to keep their foot on the pedal through the entire set, racking up a combined 14 kills. The Bulldogs continued to show their might in the second set, grabbing an 11-2 lead behind the powerful Bulldog front that posted seven early kills. The Blue Hawks worked to climb back into the game and brought the score within three points at 18-15. Martin answered with a kill that sparked a 5-0 UMW run. A solo block from Peyton Vogl ended the set at 25-16. UMW posted just two hitting errors in the entire set and hit an impressive .444 in the frame. In similar fashion to the first two sets, the Bulldogs continued to overpower Dickinson State (N.D.). Rylee Nickodemus and Taylor Petersen each posted aces early in the set and UMW took a 12-4 lead. Consecutive kills from Smith boosted UMW to a lead of 18-10. The Bulldogs would go on to outscore DSU 7-2 down the stretch and finish the set on top at 25-12. How It Happened vs. University of Winnipeg (MB) After a combined block from Vogl and Kaitlyn Van Well, the Bulldogs took a 12-7 lead in the first frame. The Wesmen made a push that brought the game within four at 18-13, but the Bulldogs capitalized on a serving error paired with a kill from KayLee Kopp. UMW took the first set 25-17. Despite the hot UMW start in the second frame, the Wesman were able to grab their first lead of the set at 9-8. Jordan Olson led the Bulldogs back with a quick 4-0 run, but the Wesman continued to add to their lead by adding another four straight points. Winnipeg went on to win the set 25-13 after UMW struggled behind nine hitting errors. The Bulldogs held the edge over the Wesmen for much of the third set. Despite the 22-19 lead, UMW allowed Winnipeg to get back in the game as they went on a 6-0 run to top UMW 25-22. Down two sets to one, the Bulldogs came back out with a vengeance. UMW claimed a 5-1 lead at the jump. Winnipeg fought back into the game, but a kill from Martin helped keep the Bulldogs on top at 11-8. Kills by UMW kept the team in front but late kills kept Winnipeg alive for a short while. UMW held off the Wesmen’s comeback attempts for a set four victory at 25- 19. The Bulldogs’ win in the fourth set was the momentum builder for a strong start in the final frame. UMW jumped ahead 6-1 on the Wesmen to stay in the driver seat. An ace from Morgyn Harrison paired with kills from Van Well and Olson finalized the Bulldog victory at 15-4. Notables • Montana Western’s 10-0-win streak remains the third longest in school history. The record is held by the UMW volleyball team from 1998 when they won 15 games in a row. • In the first matchup of the day, UMW outhit the Blue Hawks .320 to just .050 in the match. • Smith was a powerhouse today, notching a season high 15 kills against the Blue Hawks and 12 kills against the Wesmen. Smith also had a double-double with 15 digs in the match against Winnipeg. • Kaylee Fritz had a season high of 30 assists in the matchup against the University of Winnipeg. • Kelsey Goddard continued to lead from the back row with a combined 29 digs in the two games. Up Next Montana Western heads back home for the Frontier Preseason Tournament this upcoming week. The tournament will be held in the Straugh Gymnasium from Sept. 14th through the 16th. Click here to view the full tournament page with game information.

UMW Sports Press Release CALDWELL, Idaho — The (RV) Montana Western football team lost a heartbreaker this afternoon to the No. 12 ranked College of Idaho 37-35. “Proud of the week’s preparation and the effort all game. We did not execute well on either side of the ball and we were still there to win it at the end,” Head Coach Ryan Nourse said. “We are going to learn from a tough loss and get back to work on the details on Monday.” How It Happened The Bulldogs were the first to strike, capping off a 76-yard drive with a 31-yard touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore Michael Palandri to freshman Eli Nourse. The Yotes answered with an explosive scoring drive that saw them go 75 yards in just under three minutes, tying the game seven. The Bulldog defense forced the Yotes to a quick three and out on their next drive and the Bulldog offense wasted no time again. Palandri connected with redshirt junior Isaiah Thomas for a 40-yard pass to the COI six-yard line. Palandri then rushed it in for a touchdown, putting the Bulldogs back on top at 14-7. College of Idaho wasted no time at the start of the second quarter, riding behind multiple big plays on a drive that ended in a two-yard John Schofield touchdown rush and tying the game at 14. Following a UMW punt, the Bulldog defense forced the COI offense to their second three and out of the game. On the following possession, redshirt freshman Raef Newbrough caught a 37-yard pass from Palandri for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs back up at 21-14. College of Idaho scored again on a rushing touchdown with just a minute remaining in the half. The two teams would remain deadlocked at 21 heading into the second half. The third quarter started out strong for the Bulldog defense as redshirt senior Braden Smith recorded a key tackle for loss on third down to force the Yotes to punt. Despite some defensive success early in the third, the Bulldog offense failed to match the defensive level of play. The Yotes went on to add a field goal and a touchdown to take a 31-21 lead into the final frame. The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter with a DJ Kirven touchdown rush that was set up with a 13 play, 82-yard possession that started late in the third quarter. With 13:37 left in the game, the Yotes ran off more than six minutes off the clock on the next drive. Despite their best efforts to find the end zone, the Yotes settled on a 43-yard field goal attempt that was missed. The two teams traded three and outs, leaving the Bulldogs to take control of the ball with 5:33 left in the game. The Bulldog offense kicked it into gear and drove down the field for another Nourse touchdown reception, leaving College of Idaho with just :57 in the game and trailing 35-31. College of Idaho made the most of their limited time, ending the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Schofield to win 37-35. Notables • Montana Western’s offense pieced together 425 total offensive yards, including 173 rushing yards. Palandri threw for 244 passing yards and three touchdowns. • Nourse led the Bulldog receiving corps with six receptions for a total of 93 yards and two touchdowns. • Hirkley Latu added seven tackles for the Bulldog defense. Smith had six with 1.5 tackles for loss. • Bulldog kicker John Mears was a perfect 5-5 on PATs for the second week in a row. Up Next Montana Western (1-1) returns to Dillon for their home opener as they host the Lewis & Clark (Ore.) Pioneers. The Pioneers enter the matchup with an overall record of 1-1. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Vigilante Field.

UMW Sports Press Release CODY, Wyo. — The Montana Western rodeo team started the 2023 fall season at the Trapper Stampede in Cody, Wyo. Trevor Kay took the top spot both nights in bareback riding. Newcomer Coby King finished on top in steer wrestling in tonight’s rodeo. Top Performers Rodeo #1 Trevor Kay took the first-place spot in bareback riding with a 73-point ride. Cooper Pavkov and Luke Murphy combined for an 8.3 in team roping and finished in second. Jake Deveraux and Teegan Leno placed third in team roping with an 8.4. Cade Costello recorded a 67 in saddle bronc riding and finished in third. Carson Daniels and Matthew Gunter finished fourth in team roping with an 8.6. Carson Klingler had a 56-point ride in saddle bronc riding and finished fourth. Tynell Mclnenly finished in fourth in breakaway roping with a 3.2. Jhet Murphy placed fifth in steer wrestling with a 6.8. Laura Haight had a 17.95 in barrel racing and placed sixth. Talyn Neville took sixth in breakaway roping after she posted a 3.4. Madalyn Foster and Jackie Sceirine placed seventh in team toping with a 9.2. Cole Trexler recorded 40 points and placed seventh in saddle bronc riding. Coby King came in eighth in tie down roping after a 15.3. Top Performers Rodeo #2 Kay took first in bareback riding with a 77-point ride. King came in first in steer wrestling after he recorded a 4.9. Murphy finished in second in tie down roping with a 11.1. Neville placed third in breakaway roping with a 3.1. Tynell Mclnenly placed fourth in goat tying with a 7.8. Mauler and Costello finished fourth in team roping with a 9.0. Waylon White and Klingler placed fifth with a 9.4 in team roping. Brooke Richey finished fifth in breakaway roping with a 3.2. Pavkov came in fifth in tie down roping with a 12.6. Krista Marchand finished sixth in barrel racing after she recorded a time of 17.78. Racin Allen finished with a 14.4 in tie down roping to place eighth. Racin Allen and Rance Allen finished in eighth in team roping with a 10.5. Garret Yeager placed eighth in steer wrestling with an 11.8. Up Next The Bulldogs have a weekend off next week before heading to Havre, Mont. for the four-day MSU-Northern Rodeo that will be held Sept. 21 through the 24th.

LOLO– Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on an elk that was shot south of Lolo, in the northern Bitterroot Valley, late last week. The incident occurred on a ranch just west of Trader Brothers, near McClain Creek between the communities of Lolo and Florence, sometime between late Friday, Sept. 1 and early Saturday, Sept. 2. The elk was shot with a rifle and left to waste. FWP game wardens say that wildlife crimes like this one are often solved because of leads from the public and encourage anyone with information to make a report. To provide information about this case or other crimes involving fish, wildlife, or park regulations, visit myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont or call the FWP violation reporting hotline at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

UMW Sports Press Release GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Montana Western Cross Country teams got the 2023 season underway this morning at the Frontier Conference Preview Meet. Two Bulldog women competed in the women’s 6k race. Freshman Olivia Heiner had a great race with an 8th place finish. She recorded a time of 24:02.0. Freshman Maddie Yakos also competed in the women’s race and finished in 20th with a time of 25:12.50. “We just had two women run today and they both finished right around where I thought they would. They both had great races for themselves,” Head Coach Taylor Grove said. “Olivia was able to finish 8th overall, which is great for being a freshman and running a 6k for the first time. I think all of our ladies will continue to improve as we progress through the season and have more opportunities to race.” In the men's 8k race, sophomore Brant Heiner led the Bulldogs placing 13th overall with a time of 26:21.20. Landon Hayes came in next at 28th overall with a time of 28:42.30. Freshman Brody Henry followed in 32nd with a time of 29:29.70. Carlin Onstad (31:47.50, 41st) and Jesse McMurtrey (37:26.20, 48th) rounded out the scoring five. "The men’s team ran well. We had Brant place in the top 15 which is a great start to the year,” Grove continued. “It was great to get a look at how we competed against other runners in the conference as we will be racing them a lot throughout the season. Hopefully we can just continue to improve upon our results from today during the rest of the season.”

"Tom Welch, is a member of the Montana House of Representatives , will be the guest speaker at the Dillon Rotary meeting on Wednesday, September 13that noon. Tom will be presenting brief highlights from our most recent Montana legislative session. Visitors are welcome to attend, and anyone interested in learning more about the Rotary organization is invited to be a guest for lunch. The Rotary Club meets in the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, located at 203 East Glendale Street. For more information about the Rotary Club, contact Gary Lorenzen, 406-683-2552."

A grizzly bear with a history of conflict with people was euthanized Saturday after breaking into a house near West Yellowstone. Early Saturday morning, a homeowner reported a bear with a cub broke through a kitchen window of an occupied home and removed a container of dog food from inside the house. Later that evening, staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and local law enforcement captured the cub, and, with authorization from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, shot the adult grizzly due to an immediate public safety threat from the bear’s food-conditioned behavior. The adult grizzly was a 10-year-old female that had been captured in 2017 for research purposes. Through genetic analysis and other identifying factors, the bear was confirmed to be involved in a fatal attack on a woman near West Yellowstone in July . The bear was also involved in an encounter in Idaho that injured a person near Henrys Lake State Park in 2020. While both incidents were assessed to be defensive responses by the bear, multiple efforts to trap and remove the bear were made after the fatal attack in July due to the incident’s proximity to residences, campgrounds and a high-use OHV trail system. These efforts were unsuccessful. The cub, a 46-pound male, is being held at FWP’s wildlife rehabilitation center in Helena while arrangements are made to transfer the cub to a zoo in the coming weeks. Be bear aware Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year. This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they consume more food in preparation for hibernation. This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with such conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters: Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately. Make noise to alert bears to your presence and travel in groups. Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears. Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency. Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas. Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana. People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions: Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately. Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility. Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence. Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears. Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible. If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards. Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. Make noise while approaching the meat. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP. Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee . For more information, resources and education events on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware .

This Labor Day weekend was a busy one. Many people who have lived here for some time say this was reminiscent of Labor Day weekends from the 80's and 90's. With huge crowds sold out shows and standing room only at the Dillon Jaycees rodeo. With such a huge showing it also kept our local law enforcement busy as well. Thank you to Chief Alvarez for providing us with this weekend's call log.