Montana Outdoor Podcast

Send us Fan MailSomething unusual happened at Fort Peck Reservoir this year. King salmon anglers weren't catching nearly as many fish as they were accustomed to, but when they did hook one, it was often a monster! So, what was going on beneath the surface?That's exactly what Downrigger Dale sets out to discover in this week's Montana Outdoor Podcast, with two men who know Fort Peck's king salmon fishery better than just about anyone: fisheries biologist Heath Headley and Fort Peck Fish Hatchery Manager Wade Geraets.And boy, do they have some fascinating answers!One of the biggest questions anglers have been asking concerns the annual Chinook salmon egg collection. Because Fort Peck's landlocked king salmon don't successfully reproduce naturally in the reservoir, the future of this remarkable fishery depends on the dedicated fisheries crews who collect adult salmon each fall and help produce the next generation.So how did the 2026 egg collection turn out? Wade reveals the numbers, explains what happens to those eggs inside the hatchery, and takes viewers behind the scenes to see how the process works.Meanwhile, Heath tackles the mystery of the giant salmon. Just how big were this year's fish? Well, one salmon collected by the fisheries crew weighed an astonishing 36.3 pounds—a fish that would have beaten Montana's state record had it been caught legally by an angler!But why were so many salmon growing to such incredible sizes while anglers struggled to catch them? The answer involves something that might surprise even experienced Fort Peck fishermen.And perhaps the biggest question of all: What does this mean for king salmon fishing in 2027 and beyond?When you watch or listen you will hear Rigger talk with his guests about the tremendous popularity of Fort Peck's first Tournament of Kings salmon derby and what its success says about the growing enthusiasm for this extraordinary fishery.If you fish Fort Peck, dream of catching a 30-pound king salmon, or simply love learning what makes Montana's fisheries tick, this is one episode you won't want to miss.Watch or listen to this week's Montana Outdoor Podcast and discover what's really happening with Fort Peck's mighty king salmon!Links:Fort Peck Fish Hatchery — Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParkFort Peck Reservoir — Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParksFort Peck Salmon Tournament of Kings — Facebook GroupFort Peck Tournament of Kings Salmon Derby — Glasgow Area Chamber of CommerceMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks CONTACT THE GUESTS: JUST CLICK THEIR NAMES TO EMAIL THEMHeath Headley — Fort Peck Fisheries BiologistWade Geraets — Fort Peck Fish Hatchery ManagerQuestions for Downrigger Dale? Click here to email him.THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!Superior Hardwoods of Montana — Let them guide you through the woods!Rocky Mountain Truck & Trailer — Your work-hard, play-hard headquarters!Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailAre some of Montana's most historic places still occupied by people who died there long ago?Well…it's Halloween. So, let's find out!This week the Montana Outdoor Podcast turns out the lights and heads into some of the eeriest corners of Montana with Megan Buecking, Executive Director of the Montana State Parks Foundation, and Spencer Morris, Park Ranger at Rosebud Battlefield State Park.Spencer starts by taking us back 150 years to the Battle of the Rosebud, one of the largest battles of the American Indian Wars and a place that today looks remarkably similar to the landscape soldiers and Native American warriors saw in 1876.But when you watch or listen you’ll find out that when the visitors leave and darkness settles over Rosebud Battlefield…well, apparently not everyone leaves.Spencer shares firsthand stories of some very strange things that have happened around the historic homestead at the park. We'll just say this: if someone—or something—sits down on the edge of your bed in the middle of the night, you might want to keep the covers pulled up!Then our resident “Good Witch,” Megan, takes us to Montana's ghost towns and one of the most famously haunted places in America: Bannack.When you watch or listen you'll hear the incredible story of Sheriff Henry Plummer, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his life and hanging, and why some visitors believe he's still patrolling Bannack's main street.And Henry apparently isn't alone.There are tales of a young girl who may still appear around the old Hotel Meade, mysterious photographs, paranormal investigators who may have picked up evidence of an extra person walking with them, and plenty more.Along the way, you'll also discover the important work the Montana State Parks Foundation is doing to protect and preserve these incredible places for future generations.Turn down the lights, grab some Halloween candy and join Downrigger Dale for our annual journey into Haunted Montana! Watch or Listen now IF YOU DARE!!Links:Montana State Parks FoundationRosebud Battlefield State ParkBannack State ParkElkhorn State ParkGranite Ghost Town State ParkLewis & Clark Caverns State ParkMontana State ParksBANNACK GHOST WALK & MORE INFORMATIONBannack AssociationBannack's popular nighttime Ghost Walk typically sells out quickly, so if you'd like to attend a future Ghost Walk, check the Bannack Association and Bannack State Park for current event and reservation information.SUPPORT MONTANA'S STATE PARKSLearn more about the Montana State Parks Foundation, its projects and ways you can help support Montana's 56 State Parks: CONTACT DOWNRIGGER DALE, Megan Buecking or Spencer MorrisHave a Montana ghost story of your own? We'd love to hear it! Click here to email Downrigger DaleTo email Megan Buecking click hereClick Here to email Park Ranger Spencer Morris at Rosebud Battlefield State Park THANKS TO OUR SPONSORSSuperior Hardwoods of MontanaRocky Mountain Truck & TrailerHappy Halloween from the Montana Outdoor Podcast—and remember: if you're walking down the main street in Bannack and hear footsteps behind you…Maybe don't turn around. 👻Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailWe've searched for a better hunt across all seven Montana hunting regions. Now we've reached our final stop—and we may have saved one of the most interesting for last!This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale heads into Montana FWP Region 3, covering a huge chunk of southwest Montana, with FWP Wildlife Manager Warren Hansen and Communication and Education Program Manager Morgan Jacobsen.And elk hunters, you might want to sit down when you watch or listen to this one.When Warren added up the minimum elk counts from FWP surveys across Region 3, the number was around 60,000 elk! But before you start loading the truck, there's an important question: How many of those elk can hunters actually get to?Warren has some interesting thoughts about what happened to elk last year—and why it could affect where hunters find them this season.Mule deer hunters also get some encouraging news, although there's one area where the story is very different. Antelope numbers are showing movement in the right direction, too.Then there are the bears.Region 3 experienced what Warren calls an exceptionally high bear-conflict year. Just how unusual was it? Wait until you hear the numbers—and what FWP believes may be contributing to it.Rigger, Warren and Morgan also cover whitetails, CWD, wolves, upland birds, turkeys, Block Management, private-land access, bear safety and some hunting opportunities you may not have considered.After seven regions and thousands of miles across Montana, The Search for a Better Hunt ends in one heck of a place.Watch or listen to this week's Montana Outdoor Podcast and come INSIDE REGION 3!Links:Montana FWP Hunting RegulationsMontana FWP Hunt PlannerMontana FWP Hunting SeasonsMontana FWP Region 3Hunter Access ProgramsBlock ManagementOther Private-Land Hunting OpportunitiesPublic-Land Hunting Opportunities and AccessMontana Upland Game Bird Hunting ForecastMontana FWP Bear Information / Be Bear AwareMontana FWP YouTube ChannelMontana Hunter EducationQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Click any of the names below to send them an email!Downrigger DaleWarren HansenMorgan JacobsenTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Superior Hardwoods of MontanaRocky Mountain Truck & Trailer MPORTANT: Hunting regulations, quotas, access rules, closures and other information can change. Always check the current official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations and information before heading into the field.Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailThere are plenty of elk in Montana’s Region 5. So why can they be so darn hard to hunt?That is just one of the surprises Downrigger Dale uncovers in the latest stop in the Montana Outdoor Podcast’s Search for a Better Hunt: 2026 Montana Regional Hunting Forecast.This week Rigger heads to south-central Montana and sits down with longtime Montana FWP Wildlife Biologist Shawn Stewart. And when we say longtime, we mean it. Shawn has been studying wildlife in the Red Lodge and Beartooth area for decades, giving him a remarkable perspective on just how much things have changed.If you hunt mule deer or whitetails, you'll want to hear what Shawn says about where deer numbers are doing well—and where they're struggling. He also explains why simply finding animals may not be the biggest challenge facing hunters in Region 5.Then there are the bears.You've probably heard some of the stories coming out of the Red Lodge area this year. Shawn has spent more than 40 years involved in bear management and research, and he says some of the behavior they're seeing now is very different and VERY CONCERNING from what they've ever experienced in the past. Why? His answer is something everyone who lives, hunts, camps or recreates in bear country needs to hear.And wait until you watch this Podcast and find out what has happened to elk numbers since Shawn conducted his first survey back in the 1970s. The change is astounding—but there's a catch for hunters.Dale and Shawn also cover antelope, pheasants, Hungarian partridge, chukars, turkeys, waterfowl, wolves and even a very unique bighorn sheep opportunity.Region 5 may hold more surprises than any stop we've made so far. You just got to watch this Podcast!Watch or listen to this week's Montana Outdoor Podcast and continue The Search for a Better Hunt!Links:PLAN YOUR REGION 5 HUNTMontana FWP Hunting RegulationsMontana FWP Hunt PlannerHunting SeasonsMontana FWP Region 5Hunter Access ProgramsBlock ManagementPublic-Land Hunting Opportunities and AccessBe Bear AwareBefore hunting black bears, check the current regulations and quota status directly with Montana FWP. As Shawn explains in the podcast, quota status can determine whether hunting remains open in specific areasQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Click the names below to send them an email!Downrigger DaleMontana FWP Wildlife Biologist - Shawn StewartTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORSSuperior Hardwoods of MontanaRocky Mountain Truck & TrailerIMPORTANT: Regulations, quotas, access rules, closures and other hunting information can change. Always check the current official Montana FWP regulations and information before heading into the field.Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailMore elk on the landscape doesn’t automatically mean more elk in the freezer. So what makes the difference? This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale welcomes FWP Region 2 Access Manager Trenton Heisel for the next stop in **The Search for a Better Hunt**. They explore central-western Montana’s elk country, deer outlook, black bear, mountain grouse opportunities, and the details hunters should check before heading out.Why does the Upper Clark Fork keep coming up in the elk conversation? What should mule deer hunters watch for in their district’s season dates? And how could this year’s berry shortage change what you encounter in bear country? Watch or listen and get the answers! Then Trenton puts Dale behind the controls of the Montana Hunt Planner—and the conversation becomes a practical lesson in finding a place to hunt. From Block Management maps to access corridors and lesser-known private-land opportunities, they uncover tools that deserve a closer look before your next trip. You’ll also hear why a simple thank-you can help keep a gate open for the next hunter. **Watch or listen this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast before you plan your Region 2 hunt. The opportunity you’re looking for might begin with a map layer you’ve never switched on.**Links:2026 Region 2 Big-Game Forecast2026 Upland Game Bird ForecastFWP Hunting Regulations and CorrectionsMontana Hunt PlannerHunter Access ProgramsRegion 1 & 2 Block Management Maps, Rules and ContactsOther Private-Land Opportunities, Maps and Rules Public-Land Opportunities and Access CorridorsUpland Game Bird Enhancement Program Access  2026 Region 2 State of the Elk ReportRegion 2 Wildlife Annual Reports and UpdatesHunter-Landowner Stewardship ProgramRigger’s Conversation with Greg Lemon: “It Really is Up to Us! Protect the Hunt QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?Downrigger Dale [email protected] Heisel [email protected] TO OUR SPONSORSSuperior Hardwoods of MontanaRocky Mountain Truck & TrailerCheck current regulations, quota status, property rules and closures before heading out. The episode’s discussion is a planning resource; the current official rules govern your hunt.Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailWhen many Montana hunters think about Region 7, they simply think "southeast Montana." But according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7 Wildlife Manager Brett Dorak, that huge region may offer more opportunity this fall than many hunters realize. In this week's Montana Outdoor Podcast, Brett joins your host Downrigger Dale and breaks down where hunters are seeing encouraging population trends, which species are doing especially well, and what regulation changes every hunter should know before heading into the field. And best of all ol’ Rigger pulls out his trusty  Region 7 Hunting District maps and has Brett point the way to where you can find the game you are looking for!You'll hear why Region 7 remains one of Montana's premier destinations for mule deer and pronghorn hunters, what elk hunters can expect this year, and why one game animal may actually surprise you.Brett also shares some valuable tips for gaining hunting access, using Montana's Hunt Planner and Block Management Program more effectively, and where hunters should focus their efforts depending on the species they're after. He also tell us about another Great Lakes wolf that made the long trek to Montana only to find out the grass wasn’t exactly greener on the other side.Whether you're planning your first trip to southeastern Montana or you've hunted Region 7 for years, there are several important updates you won't want to miss and if you click here to watch or here to listen you won’t miss a thing!Links:Questions for Region 7 Wildlife Manager? Just Click Here to send him an email.Questions or ideas for a podcast topic? Your buddy Downrigger Dale would love to hear from you! Click here to send him and email!Montana FWP Hunt Plannerhttps://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/plannerMontana Hunting Regulationshttps://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulationsMontana Hunt Planner Maphttps://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/planner/mapBlock Management Programhttps://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/block-managementHabitat Conservation Lease Programhttps://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/habitat-conservation-leaseRegion 7 Informationhttps://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/regions/region7MyFWPhttps://myfwp.mt.gov Please Support Our SponsorsRocky Mountain Truck & Trailer -  https://rmtte.comSuperior Hardwoods of Montana - https://superior-hardwoods.comSupport the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailWhat if we told you there are places in Montana's Region 4 where hunters may be looking at 1,000 to 2,000 elk?Yeah…that got our attention too.This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale continues The Search for a Better Hunt with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 4 Wildlife Manager Cory Loecker. And if you're planning to hunt north-central Montana this fall, this is one conversation you'll want to hear before you head out.Region 4 may be one of the most diverse hunting regions in the state. It stretches from the Rocky Mountain Front and Bob Marshall country all the way east toward the Missouri Breaks, with just about every kind of terrain — and game animal — you can imagine.Cory gives us the latest on mule deer, whitetails, pronghorn, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, upland birds and, of course, elk.And that's where things get especially interesting.There are areas where elk numbers are well above management objectives. There are new shoulder-season opportunities. And Cory points to a couple of places where the number of elk may make you seriously reconsider where you're planning to hunt this year.Where are those elk? Just click here to watch or here to listen to find out!You'll also hear about some important mule deer regulation changes, what hunters should know about access, where bird hunting may be especially good, and why a little homework before your hunt could make a very big difference.If Region 4 is anywhere on your hunting radar this fall, click below and hear what the guy who manages the wildlife there has to say before you go.And if you know another hunter headed to Region 4 this season, share this podcast with them. They may owe you one after opening day. Now, time to watch or listen to this great podcast!Links:Questions? Feel free to email this week’s guest, Region 4 Wildlife Manager Cory Loecker Just click here to send him a message.Your Host Downrigger Dale always loves to hear from you. Click here to shoot him and email.FWP's Region 4 hunt Forecast. FWP Statewide Upland Game Bird Season OutlookMontana FWP Hunting RegulationsRegion 4 Hunting InformationBlock Management Program MyFWPHunt Planner Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailBig timber, rugged mountains and a whitetail buck slipping through the trees. If that sounds like your kind of hunting, this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast is for you.The Search for a Better Hunt continues as Downrigger Dale welcomes Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 Wildlife Manager Neil Anderson for a look at hunting opportunities in Montana’s northwest corner. From deer and elk to black bears, mountain grouse and waterfowl, Neil explains what hunters can expect—and what deserves some extra homework before heading out.Rigger once called this country home, so this conversation comes with a little extra enthusiasm. But there’s plenty here for anyone discovering Region 1 for the first time, too.Whitetails lead the wayOne of the most encouraging parts of the conversation is Neil’s outlook for white-tailed deer. Several mild winters and good recruitment have him optimistic! Hmm rumor has it hunters just might start seeing more mature bucks! Watch or listen for the details!Mule deer offer a different experience. Neil describes populations as steady to slightly increasing, with deer concentrated in pockets of suitable habitat. He gives some great suggestions on where to find them!Black bears and a patchy berry cropRegion 1 is also known for its black bears, but this year’s food supply could affect where hunters find them.Neil describes the huckleberry crop as spotty, with other berry crops struggling in some places as well. Productive berry patches may concentrate bears, while wetter areas near streams and other water sources can become increasingly important. Neil tells you where you’ll find those areas…Odds increased? Check! The discussion also turns to grizzlies and the importance of preparing for bear encounters. Rigger and Neil cover accessible bear spray, expiration dates, food storage and handling harvested game. Review the FWP bear-safety resources with the link below.Encouraging elk trends—and details worth checkingNeil reports encouraging elk calf recruitment in areas where surveys are possible. He also discusses research around Thompson Falls and Noxon indicating gradual population growth over time. Plus he’ll give you the hunting districts that should be the places to start!Bring your bird-hunting plans, tooNeil’s gives a great report on mountain grouse from Ruffed, Spruce and Dusky grouse you will get some useful info to help you plan a great grouse hunt.Turkeys provide another opportunity, with Neil describing a growing population and places to look.The conversation also covers pheasants, Hungarian partridge, ducks and geese, including opportunities around Ninepipe, the north shore of Flathead Lake and more!Access, preparation and the people behind the wildlifeNeil describes a region with substantial public land, extensive Block Management opportunities and conservation easements helping protect access for future generations. As well as solid info on how to prepare if Region 1 is new to you.There’s more in this episode, including mountain lions, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep and wildlife research. Neil also explains why hunters’ observations matter, particularly in heavily forested country where counting animals from the air can be difficult.And before the conversation ends, there’s an unexpected wildlife story: a coordinated effort to vaccinate hundreds of bats against white-nose syndrome. Oh and he tells a very funny story about some Canadian Monties that were about to site some hunters big time for wandering across the border and hunting in the wrong country, that is until the hunters told Monties that THEY were actually in the wrong country! Oh Canada!!Watch or listen to this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast for the full Region 1 hunting preview. Come for the hunting information, stay for the stories, and get ready to explore one of Montana’s most beautiful corners.Our thanks to Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer and Superior Hardwoods of Montana for supporting the Montana Outdoor Podcast. LINKS:FWP Hunt Planner: Open the interactive hunting mapRegion 1 information and wildlife reports: Visit FWP Region 1Region 1 and 2 Block Management information and maps: Find access information and BMA mapsCurrent hunting regulations: Find regulations by speciesFWP Region 1 Big Game Hunting Forecast: Read the hunting forecastBear-safety video—How to Use Bear Spray: Watch the video linked by FWPBear-safety video—Montana Hunter Safety in Bear Country: Watch the video linked by FWPMore bear-safety information: FWP Bear Aware resourcesChronic wasting disease information and testing: Visit FWP’s CWD resource pageQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?Click here to contact Neil Anderson! To contact your buddy Downrigger Dale, click here! Check current regulations, district boundaries, access requirements and closures before hunting. This interview is a seasonal preview; the current regulations govern your hunt.Please subscribe, like and share the Montana Outdoor Podcast. Your support helps us keep bringing you these conversations from across Montana. Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailThere are fishing tournaments……and then there's Mack Days.Twice each year, anglers from across Montana—and increasingly from around the country—head to legendary Flathead Lake for one of the most unique fishing tournaments you'll find anywhere. Why? Because Mack Days isn't just about catching fish. It's about helping protect one of Montana's most treasured fisheries while having the chance to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.In this special Fall Mack Days edition of the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale sits down with new Mack Days Tournament Director Joe Santos to explain everything you need to know before the tournament begins.Whether you've fished Mack Days for years or you're thinking about entering for the very first time, when you watch or listen to this episode, you’ll find answers to just about every question you can imagine.You'll learn:Why Mack Days exists and how anglers are helping native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.How to register—even after the tournament has started.The many different ways to win cash and prizes.How tagged fish work—including the famous $10,000 fish.The best places to launch your boat.Where to camp during the tournament.How to identify lake trout versus protected bull trout.Tips for staying safe on Flathead Lake during changing fall weather.Where to find fishing maps, instructional videos, and tournament resources.Whether you're hoping to win big, spend time with family on one of the most beautiful lakes in America, or simply enjoy helping conserve one of Montana's most iconic fisheries, Fall Mack Days offers something for everyone.Watch or Listen to the podcast, gather your gear, and we'll see you on Flathead Lake September 10th through November 8th! Links:Click the links below to get info on most everything Rigger and Joe talked about:Main Webpage for Fall Mack DaysTournament Entry FormRulesEvent PosterPrizesBonus ChartPhoto GalleryFish IdentificationMoviesMapsFishing TipsWeather ResourcesAIS inspection informationState Parks on Flathead LakeBlue Bay CampgroundTo email Joe Santos click here or call him: Cell: (406) 274-0613Office: (406) 883-2888 Ext: 7290Of course, just click here to email your buddy Downrigger DaleSupport the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Send us Fan MailPlanning a hunt in northeast Montana this fall? Before you decide where to spend your valuable hunting days, hear directly from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife manager responsible for Region 6.In the first episode of our annual Montana Outdoor Podcast’s Montana Hunting Preview Series, Downrigger Dale sits down with Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson to discuss what hunters can expect for the 2026 season.Topics include:• Mule deer numbers continue improving after several difficult years.• Whitetail deer remain below average following EHD outbreaks.• Pronghorn populations are well above average in many districts.• Elk numbers are mixed, with the Bear Paw Mountains remaining one of the brighter spots.• Upland bird hunting looks fair to good, with encouraging signs for pheasants and Hungarian partridge.• Waterfowl success will depend heavily on migration timing and weather.Best of all Scott gives some great recommendations of where you can find all those critters we just listed above. Scott also discusses public access, Block Management, hunter ethics, chronic wasting disease, and why respecting private landowners is more important than ever. Whether you're a lifelong Montana hunter or planning your first trip, this annual series provides some of the most valuable preseason information available directly from the professionals managing Montana's wildlife. So, what are you waiting for click here to watch or here to listen and get to planning your hunt! Don’t forget This is Episode 1 of our seven-part Montana Hunting Preview Series. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the remaining six regions over the coming weeks.Links:To learn more about Region 6 click here.Click here to read the Northeast Montana Big Game Forecast.For the Upland Game Bird Forecast click here.Click here for interactive map of Region 6 hunting districts.For info about Block Management access in Region 6 click here.Click here to go to the interactive hunt planner map. For Montana Deer, Elk and Antelope (Pronghorn) Regulations click here.Click here for Montana Upland Game Bird Hunting Regulations.For Montana Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations click here.Click Here to learn about the FWP Protect the Hunt Respect Access Program.To watch the Podcast Rigger did with Greg Lemon about that program, click here.Questions for Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson? Click here to send Scott an email.Questions, comments or suggestions for Downrigger Dale? Click here to email him.Support the showRemember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.