People spend a lot of time outdoors in Montana's state parks and fishing access sites. These areas are considered "front country" recreation sites, because they are reachable by car. Beyond the established rules and regulations that ensure the protection of people and places, most outdoor activities have their own set of ethics. These standards of behavior will help you:
Please familiarize yourself with these ethics before playing in the outdoors.
Leave No Trace is a national education program that teaches outdoor enthusiasts how to protect the places they love. [Learn more]
Montana's state parks contain buffalo jumps, tipi rings, ancient paintings and carvings, homesteads, and ghost towns. Special care must be taken to protect these fragile sites. [Learn more]
Montana has 2,294 public trails, totaling more than 14,633 miles. Hikers, bikers, horsemen, snowmobilers, OHV riders, cross-country skiers, dog mushers and others use these trails. Respect for the land and consideration for other users will ensure a quality experience for everyone on the trails. [Learn more]
Montana's waterways are used by many recreationists, including canoeists, rafters, kayakers, motorized boaters, anglers and commercial outfitters. In order to minimize conflicts, a set of etiquette and ethical practices has been established. [Learn more]
From ground squirrels to bald eagles, Montana is filled with a vast array of wildlife. To avoid disturbing wildlife and their habitat, special care should be taken while photographing them. [Learn more]
To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation and photography. [Learn more]
Leave No Trace is an educational message that helps public land visitors understand and practice their own minimum impact ethic. The message is useful for all recreationists, regardless of whether they are on a day hike or a month-long mountaineering expedition. This is valuable information for visitors to Sluice Boxes and Smith River state parks. [Learn more]
Being a responsible OHV rider means learning to share the trails with other users, as well as learning to minimize outdoor impacts when recreating. [Learn more]
With over 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, Montana is a great place to play in the powder! Follow the laws and practice courtesy and safety, so that everyone can have the best experience possible. [Learn more]
Sportsmanship and ethics are as important in hunting as they are in any sport. If hunters keep a few simple thoughts in mind, they can hunt safely and set a good example for other hunters. [Learn more]