Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department
The Blackfeet Tribe established a fish and wildlife program in 1978 that has grown and expanded over the years. During the early years of the program, hunting seasons were established and key wildlife habitat was set aside to protect elk, moose, and other big game species. Providing big game subsistence hunting opportunities for tribal members has always been an important goal of the program.
Blackfeet Indian reservation fisheries are well-known and produce a significant amount of our fish and wildlife revenue. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stocks reservation streams, lakes and reservoirs and works closely with the Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife Department on bull trout studies and other important fisheries-related work. Many of our lakes and reservoir produce trophy rainbow trout in the 10 to 15 pound range. Blackfeet outfitters and guides know the reservation fisheries and can make the difference between success and failure.
In more recent years, the addition of limited non-member big game hunting opportunities has augmented our revenue stream. The Blackfeet Tribe either sells or auctions hunting permits for Rocky Mountain elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, and mountain lion. In addition, non-members interested in shooting ground squirrels can buy a small game permit.
The Blackfeet Reservation is located in northwestern Montana. The reservation includes approximately 1,525,000 acres situated immediately south of Alberta, Canada and shares its western border with Glacier National Park. The Blackfeet people ceded what is now Glacier National Park to the Federal government under the Agreement of 1895, wherein the Blackfeet retained hunting, fishing, wood gathering, and grazing rights to Lewis & Clark National Forest (often referred to as the Ceded Strip).
Blackfeet Country supports an extraordinary richness and diversity of natural resources. The Reservation supports grizzly bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, black bears, elk, moose, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and antelope. The reservation supports good populations of upland birds and hundreds of pothole lakes support migrating waterfowl, which provide excellent bird hunting opportunities.
Visitors interested in Blackfeet culture should make it a point to attend North American Indian Days, which is held annually the second weekend in July. Traditional Blackfeet dances, rodeos, Indian relay races, fun runs, a parade, Indian stick games, and other events are held Thursday through Sunday.
The Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department invites you to enjoy our beautiful country and hopes that you will have a safe and happy journey.