It's that time of year: Crisp air, occasional snows, that autumnal scent of dried leaves, and the bugling of elk in the Rockies. And the annual warning from Glacier National Park officials to hunters that they can't hunt in the park or pursue game into the park without the assistance of a ranger.

And since the park's boundaries are not always clearly marked, hunters would be wise to carry GPS units that show the boundaries. As the park says, "It is the hunters’ responsibility to ensure that they are NOT hunting within park boundaries, even if the boundary is not clearly marked or indicated."

Last winter a couple of mountain lion hunters mistakenly found themselves inside the park when they went after their dogs. In the end, a search-and-rescue mission was launched to find the two men, whose troubles included heavy snow that bogged down their snowmobiles and $150 fines.

In any event, here are federal regs pertaining to hunting and Glacier:

Federal Regulations at Title 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 2, Sect. 2.4 (b) strictly prohibit the killing or removal of any animal, living or dead, from inside the park. Taking and removing any animal parts, including shed antlers, is also prohibited.

Hunters may not pursue, dress out, or transport legally wounded or killed animals that end up within park boundaries unless they are accompanied by a park ranger. Hunters should call park headquarters at 406-888-7800 to report such incidents and to arrange for a ranger escort.

Firearms are NOT permitted anywhere in the park’s backcountry. Unloaded weapons may be transported through the park in vehicles when they are rendered temporarily inoperable or are packed, cased, or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use, including having ammunition separated from weapons while in the park.

Violators are investigated and aggressively prosecuted and are subject to penalties including fines, restitution, and the forfeiture of vehicles, equipment and personal property associated with the violations.

Park rangers operate random check stations during hunting season to verify compliance with hunting and firearms regulations. Rangers also combine wildlife research monitoring flights with hunting patrols and other plain-clothes surveillance techniques to prevent poaching within the park.

“The public is also a valuable tool in protecting the park’s wildlife," said Glacier Superintendent Chas Cartwright. "Visitors and area residents who observe illegal or suspicious hunting activity are encouraged to report it.”

If you suspect some illegal behavior, you can call park headquarters at 406-888-7800; after hours, call the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office at 406-758-5610 or 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).

Reporting parties do not have to identify themselves and all reports are kept confidential. “Rewards can be paid for information leading to the arrest and / or conviction of individuals who violate Glacier’s hunting regulations,” according to Superintendent Cartwright.

Additionally, park officials say "the use of bugles, animal/varmint calls, audio attractants, or any artificial or natural means of attracting wildlife (including antler rattling, bugling, or wolf howling imitations) are also prohibited in the park."

And since fall visitors to the park use trails located near the park’s boundaries, hunters are urged to use caution when hunting near those boundaries.

For further information, please call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.