R6 FWP urges hunters to check fire status, make safety a priority
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With our region of northeast Montana beginning to dry out and with the increasing threat of wildfires, hunters and other recreationists taking to the field must be aware of local fire restrictions and take precautions.
Montana archery antelope hunters are already hunting with their 900-20 hunting licenses. Montana’s upland game bird season (and mourning doves) open Sept. 1, along with the archery-only hunting season for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, wolf and mountain lion.
Hunters and other recreationists should: Drive only on established roads; Avoid roads with tall vegetation in the middle track; Never park over dry grass and other vegetation; Carry a fire extinguisher—or water-filled weed sprayer—shovel, axe, and, a cell phone for emergency calls; Restrict camping activities to designated camping areas; Build campfires only in established metal fire rings, if allowed (note restrictions); Smoke only inside buildings or vehicles; Check on any fire restrictions in place.
When it comes to site-specific fire restrictions, FWP follows the lead of the county where the site is located.
As of Friday, Aug. 17, counties in Stage 1 Restrictions in Region 6 include Hill, Blaine, Choteau, Phillips and Sheridan counties. Please be aware that these restrictions change weekly, and by the time this article is published there may be more counties in restrictions.
Stage 1 restrictions ban campfires except where specifically exempted, allow cooking fires on propane devices that can be shut off and allow smoking only in vehicles and areas three feet in diameter that are cleared of flammable materials.
Stage 2 restrictions start with regulations delineated by Stage 1 restrictions. In addition, Stage 2 restrictions ban welding, explosives, driving off established roads and use of internal-combustion engines, except for vehicles on established roads, between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. each day. Generators used in enclosed buildings or in an area cleared of vegetation specifically are exempted from Stage 2 restrictions. Currently, there are no counties in Stage 2 in Region 6.
