FWP announces 414-acre addition to Isaac Homestead WMA along Yellowstone River

HYSHAM – On Thursday, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced a 414-acre addition to the Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management area bringing the WMA to approximately 1,532 acres of native wildlife habitat and cultivated farm ground.

“We are grateful for our relationships with our agricultural families who have been our partners in the Hysham area for many years,” FWP Region 7 Supervisor Brad Schmitz said. “Their willingness to work with FWP, not only on this purchase but with habitat renovations and farming practices on the WMA over the past decades have helped the department with our conservation mission, while also keeping us viable in the local agricultural community.”

Located west of Hysham, the WMA originally comprised two separate units. The west unit is accessible by county road and the east unit can only be accessed by the public via the Yellowstone River. This purchase restores access to what was lost between the two parcels of land more than two decades ago during a large flood and erosion event on the Yellowstone River establishing one contiguous WMA.

In addition to establishing one contiguous WMA, this acquisition:
1) Conserves Yellowstone riparian, wetland and sagebrush-steppe habitats

 
 

2) Expands public recreational opportunities along the Yellowstone River

 

3)  Enhances opportunity for a cooperative farming lease in partnership with local ag producers.

 

“This new acquisition has some great prairie grassland and seasonal wetland habitat along with some wintering range for our bigger game, which produces even greater hunting opportunities for hunters across the state,” FWP Wildlife Biologist Steve Atwood said.

FWP's stated management goal of this property is to “protect existing riparian habitat and maintain a mosaic of native and cropland habitat for the benefit of white-tailed deer, pheasants and turkeys. Thereby providing recreational opportunity for sportspersons.”

At the announcement on Thursday, Governor Greg Gianforte took advantage of his time at the Isaac Homestead’s new addition, taking some time to enjoy the upland bird habitat the new acreage has to offer.
“As we work to increase public access across the state, we enhance and protect our Montana way of life,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to expand public access to our public lands for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy for generations to come.”
 

Caption 3: Governor Gianforte and Region 7 Supervisor Brad Schmitz upland bird hunting on the Isaac Homestead WMA.

The Isaac Homestead WMA was purchased in 1969, by what was then known as the Montana Fish and Game Department using hunting license dollars and Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds. Subsequent additions to the WMA occurred in 1970, 1973, 1982 and 1983. The Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation purchased this parcel through the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust to help bridge the acquisition for the department.