Montana

Pair of wildlife diseases detected in Montana birds

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

Pair of wildlife diseases detected in Montana birds

Eurasian collared doves and mourning doves, like this pictured here incubating eggs, are susceptible to the disease pigeon paramyxovirus, or PPMV, which killed as many as 70 wild doves near Belgrade, Montana, in the last two months of 2023. Photo by Evan Davis/NPS

by Julia Barton

Multiple groups of up to 70 wild doves were found dead
near Belgrade, Montana, in the final two months of 2023. The culprit: pigeon
paramyxovirus, often referred to as PPMV. It’s one of two avian diseases recently
recorded in the state, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

FWP responded to reports by residents where groups of
doves were found dead, and disease testing revealed positive results for PPMV,
FWP’s Morgan Jacobsen told Mountain
Journal. PPMV typically impacts doves and pigeons alone, and the strain
detected in Montana rarely infects mammals, according to a January 8 FWP press release.
Additionally, there have been no recorded cases of the strain causing diseases
in U.S. poultry.

“Monitoring these diseases helps keep track of prevalence
and distribution,” Jacobsen said, explaining that FWP monitors for a variety of
wildlife diseases year round, including chronic wasting disease in ungulates. “[Monitoring] can help us better
understand how wildlife can be affected over time and space.”

The other avian disease found in the state since
2022—highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI—is extremely infectious and
fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds. Although cases are currently
low in Montana, the spread is cyclical and often spikes during spring and fall
migration, Jacobsen explained.

While cases in Montana are currently low, avian influenza, or HPAI—is highly infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds.

“With avian flu, there are fairly broad impacts because
it affects multiple species,” Jacobsen said. “In terms of population-level
impacts, I think the long-term prognosis is unclear. We haven’t seen any
significant die-offs, but that’s something that we’re watching closely when we get
these surges of cases.”

Among the impacted species are various iconic wild birds of
the region, including the bald eagle, great horned owl, great blue heron and trumpeter
swan. Three grizzly bears, a handful of skunks and a single mountain lion are
among the mammals that have been infected in the state with HPAI since it was
first documented in 2022, according to a Dec. 11 FWP dataset.

The diseases are not isolated to Montana and many other
U.S. states are experiencing the spread of both HPAI and PPMV. Jacobsen said
Montana is “in the loop” with monitoring and research efforts occurring in
other areas of the country to help guide state action.

The risk of transmission to humans for both diseases is
low, however FWP recommends taking precautions when handling birds that may
appear to be sick or have already died. Hunters are advised to avoid harvesting
birds that appear ill in order to avoid unnecessary risk.

“If a bird has trouble moving, that’s an indicator that
the bird may be sick or injured,” Jacobsen said, noting that lack of mobility
and lethargy are the telltale signs of illness. While transmission probability
to pets is low, Jacobsen said owners can protect their pets by limiting their exposure
to both wild birds and domestic poultry.

State officials will determine where disease testing is
warranted to continue monitoring the spread of HPAI and PPMV. Jacobsen
encouraged Montanans to call
their local FWP office if they come across sick or dead birds, and to
notify the Montana
Department of Livestock at (406) 444-2976 if they suspect an outbreak of HPAI
in domestic animals or poultry.

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Mountain Journal is the only nonprofit, public-interest journalism organization of its kind dedicated to covering the wildlife and wild lands of Greater Yellowstone. We take pride in our work, yet to keep bold, independent journalism free, we need your support. Please donate here. Thank you.

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Montana

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

7 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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