Montana's Outdoor Legacy Foundation

01/28/2026

As covered in Bozeman Magazine, "MOLF’s contribution provides stipends of $1,500 per hazer, helping ensure qualified, local riders remain available from March through May — a period when brucellosis transmission risk is highest. The stipend provides hazers, who must be hired in advance, a guaranteed income level before the winter's hazing requirements are known.

“With consistent support from Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, elk hazing has become one of our most effective tools for keeping elk and cattle separated and reducing the risk of brucellosis—especially during the critical calving period into May,” said Druska Kinkie, a Paradise Valley rancher.

Paradise Valley, Mont. — Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation (MOLF) has awarded a $3,000 grant to support an elk hazing program in Paradise Valley, helping ranchers and wildlife managers reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission by keeping cattle and elk separated during the calving

01/26/2026

“This is a great example of how modest investments can make a real difference,” MOLF Executive Director Mitch King said. “By helping retain experienced local hazers, we’re supporting ranchers, reducing disease risk, and strengthening a partnership that has proven successful year after year.”

$3,000 grant helps retain experienced local riders during critical calving season.

01/26/2026

Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation has awarded a $3,000 grant to support an elk hazing program in Paradise Valley, helping ranchers and wildlife managers reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission by keeping cattle and elk separated during the calving season.

“With consistent support from Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, elk hazing has become one of our most effective tools for keeping elk and cattle separated and reducing the risk of brucellosis—especially during the critical calving period into May,” said Druska Kinkie, a Paradise Valley rancher. “That time of year can be challenging due to weather, green-up, and predator activity, but this support makes it possible to move elk successfully while continuing to coexist with large herds.”

$3,000 grant helps retain experienced local riders during critical calving season.

01/22/2026

Do you know what Montana’s grizzly bears actually eat? (Hint: not human food.)

Most of a grizzly’s diet is natural, wild foods, and it changes with the seasons:

🌿 Plants & roots like grasses and tubers
🫐 Berries—especially critical in late summer and fall
🐜 Insects like ants and grubs (small, but high-energy!)
🐟 Fish, plus carrion from winter-killed animals when available

Grizzlies are adaptable omnivores, but plants make up the majority of their diet—often 80–90% over the year.

Great info from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminding us why keeping wild food sources healthy—and human food secured—matters for bears and people alike. 🐻

https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/bears/grizzly-bear-diet-reference-guide-september-10-2024.pdf

01/12/2026

A tragic, but expected ending. If you feed bears and habituate them to humans, bad things happen.

In this case, game wardens tranquilized seven bears. Three cubs were taken to Montana Wild - FWP for possible zoo placements. The four remaining female adult bears were euthanized because they were habituated to humans.

Game wardens captured eight black bears on the property, including five adults that had to be euthanized for human habituation and three cubs taken for possible zoo placements.

11/06/2025

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark joined Mitch King, Executive Director of Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, and partners at Montana WILD to officially break ground on the new Avian Center — a project years in the making.

The 3,600-square-foot, $838,000 facility will provide improved housing and public viewing for the ambassador raptors that live at the Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. These birds, permanently injured and unable to return to the wild, play a vital role in education and conservation outreach — reaching more than 10,000 visitors and 8,000 students each year.

This new space represents a major step forward in inspiring Montanans of all ages to understand and protect our state’s incredible wildlife heritage.

MOLF board members Mike Talia, Aimee Grmoljez, Jeff Hagener and Lyndsey Medsker attended today’s event and celebrate this exciting milestone alongside FWP and our partners.

Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters who made this possible:

Jean Smith; Montana Department of Commerce Sue Jackson; Partners 4 Wildlife; Laura Heit; Parks Recreation Trails Grant; Treacy Foundation; FFA Matching Grant; BNSF Railway; MPG Ranch; Last Chance Audubon; Cadeau Foundation; Joan Poston; Helena Motors; Karen Ferris.

10/22/2025

At Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, we proudly serve as a vehicle for those who cherish Montana to support fish and wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and public access to the landscapes we all treasure.

As the primary nonprofit partner of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), we ensure that every project we support is science-based and aligned with Montana’s highest conservation priorities.

Through our management of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, we’ve grown assets from $14.9 million to more than $30 million, distributing about $1 million each year to expand access and preserve Montana’s outdoor legacy.

Read our latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/mtoutdoorlegacy/fall-2025-newsletter?e=c07a5989a3

10/14/2025

A new study from University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks shows that in 2024 more than 450,000 resident and nonresident anglers spent a combined $1.27 billion on fishing trips in Montana--supporting more than 15,000 jobs and countless local businesses.

At the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation, we know that investing in healthy rivers and public access isn’t just good for fish and wildlife—it’s good for Montana communities and our outdoor way of life.

Montana is famous around the world for its rivers and lakes, and it turns out that angling in the Big Sky state has a sizable economic impact.

10/14/2025

"A lone hunter reportedly encountered a grizzly bear at close range. The bear charged, and the hunter deployed bear spray, which stopped the charge. The hunter left the area and reported the incident to FWP."

A reminder: Fall hunting seasons overlap with when bears are actively preparing for hibernation. Some areas with dense concentrations of grizzly bears are very accessible to hunters, especially during the archery season. Bears will continue to be active during other hunting seasons this fall.

Three archery hunters are uninjured after a pair of recent encounters with grizzly bears in the Taylor Fork, south of Big Sky.

10/07/2025

Montana's Outdoor Legacy Foundation was proud to play an important role in this project. We appreciate the support of all who contributed!

Exciting news from Montana WILD! This fall, we’re breaking ground on a new avian building that will enhance care for our ambassador raptors and offer amazing educational experiences for visitors. Thanks to the support of Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation and generous donors!

Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to meet our raptors in person!

Learn more here: https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2025/sept/0924-bird-building

09/26/2025

We’re excited to share some big news from our partners at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks!

This fall, construction begins on a new avian education facility at Montana Wild - FWP. The building will modernize care for FWP’s ambassador raptors—owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles—and expand opportunities for the public to learn about these incredible birds.

Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation is proud to have led the fundraising effort that made this project possible, thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations like the Foundation for Animals here in Helena.

Once complete, the facility will connect the Education Center and Wildlife Center, providing visitors year-round opportunities to see ambassador raptors up close, with interpretive signage and improved housing for the birds.

We look forward to sharing updates as the project moves forward—and to welcoming more Montanans to experience the wonder of raptors at Montana WILD.

🦉🦅



This fall, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will break ground at Montana WILD on a new avian building that will modernize the care for FWP’s ambassador raptors and provide more educational opportunities for the public.

09/17/2025

Yes, bear spray saves lives.

Of note, "The hiker began to deploy bear spray when the bear made contact, and he sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm. National Park Service medics responded to the incident and walked out with the hiker."

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