Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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Warren Illi: Flathead Outdoors

Explore Warren Illi’s Flathead Outdoors column, offering seasoned insight into Northwest Montana’s wildlife, hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions. His writing highlights local ecosystems, regulations, seasonal activities, and decades of field experience across Northwest Montana.

Updated 1 year, 3 months ago

A modern arsenal for ice fishing

The recent cold weather has been very welcome for those of us that like to ice fish.

Updated 10 years, 3 months ago
COLUMN: Elk lovers banding together for conservation

Hunting is Conservation!

Updated 10 years, 4 months ago
COLUMN: New approach may be needed for bucket biology

Bucket biology. That term strikes fear into the heart of local fish managers.

Updated 10 years, 4 months ago
COLUMN: Big hunting meeting coming up on Jan. 9

If you are a hunter, mark Jan. 9 on your 2016 calendar.

Updated 10 years, 5 months ago
COLUMN: Ice tradition returns to Smith Lake Dec. 26

Northwest Montana citizens love to fish and love friendly sports competition, so it’s a natural to combine both of these loves into fishing contests.

Updated 10 years, 6 months ago
COLUMN: Next 10 days the best time for hunters here

For hunters, the remaining 10 days is our dream season. Ten days of Super Bowl hunting!

Updated 10 years, 6 months ago
COLUMN: Take care to keep your barrel dry

If you hunted deer or elk last weekend, you probably hunted in rain or snow.

Updated 10 years, 7 months ago
COLUMN: Food-storage rules tightened for broader area

Most hunters do their best to follow the increasingly complex rules associated with hunting. But I’ll bet that most hunters who camp out, either in a tent or RV, will unknowingly violate the law this fall.

Updated 10 years, 8 months ago
COLUMN: Fire situation might affect fall hunting

Normally at this time of the year, many of us will start storing our fishing gear and boats and dust off our hunting equipment.

Updated 10 years, 10 months ago
Manitoba lake teems with big northern pike, walleyes

 Last week, JoAnn and I returned from three weeks of fishing and vacationing with family and friends in Minnesota and Canada.

Updated 11 years ago
After session, changes ahead for hunters, anglers

The 2015 legislative session is over. Our legislators passed and modified a wide range of hunting and fishing laws that will affect every person in Montana who hunts and fishes.

Updated 11 years ago
Deadline's at hand for special hunting permits

Welcome to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks annual million-dollar license raffle.

Updated 11 years, 3 months ago
Hunting-tag change zooming through Legislature

Updated 11 years, 3 months ago
When does 'immediately' become a violation?

Recently, a friend of mine gave me a front-page news article from the Duluth News Tribune titled, “Ticket Ticks Off Hunter.”

Updated 11 years, 3 months ago
Smith Lake a great winter fishing spot