Big SKy Outdoor News & Adventure - May 2011 by Western Hunting & Fishing News

BIG SKYOUTDOOR MAY 2011

NEWS www.bigskyoutdoornews.net

FISH On! Spring Means HOT Fishing!

7 Habits Of Highly Effective Bear Hunting

BOWHUNTING TIPS

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MAY 2011

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MAY 2011

The Desirable

Brookie

BY DAVE PRICE

F ew people know that the lake trout and brook trout are not actually

members of the trout family at all. They are both members of the char family. With both the lake trout and the brook trout the interior portion of their mouths are dark, and brook trout found in the wild will have pink flesh nearly as dark as a salmon whereas a rainbow trout caught in the same water will have much lighter flesh. Trout that feed on crustaceans such as shrimp and crawfish will develop flesh with a pink color as well. Fishing for brook trout is very popular in the small streams and lakes where the water is cold and free flowing. Cold water retains more oxygen so when water temperatures increase during the summer brook trout travel up and down stream looking for better water conditions. They are able to follow a life cycle like a salmon and spawn in the fall in the streams then move down stream to a lake or the ocean and return one year later to the same spawning location in gravel beds. One major difference between the salmon and the brook trout is that brook trout don’t die after they spawn. They can hatch and live in the same body of water all of their lives. Many small streams throughout the Appalachian Mountains contain brook trout that don’t migrate downstream to a large body of water. These brook trout live out their lives in the small plunge pools in clear mountain streams from southern Canada to Georgia and rarely migrate out of an area larger than the neighborhoods where we live. They seldom grow to exceed ten inches in length whereas their “sea run” cousins, called “coasters,” can mature into fish weighing five to eight pounds, all as a result of the differences in their habitat and where they live. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 27)

MAY 2011

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My Grandson’s TROPHY BULL BY LEROY LEE

n 2008, Connor Lee was 12 years old and had already developed a love of hunting with his Dad and Grandfather. Now he had his license, a 30-06 his grandfather had given him, and was full of confidence. With his gun in hand, he was going on his first whitetail hunt in Whitehall with his dad, Rob. He felt he had the ability and knew the strategies from observing his dad. His dad set Connor on a small hill which overlooked the meadow, with the wind in his face. His dad went around and started working the thicket. Sure enough, two does and a small buck came out of the thicket about a hundred yards away. Connor put the rifle to his shoulder and then changed his mind, hoping for a bigger buck. As he sat there watching, a big 4x5 buck came out of the brush. Connor quickly brought the rifle up, rested his elbow on his knee, and put the crosshairs on the big buck’s shoulders, and squeezed the trigger just as he had done many times at a target. The buck jumped and Connor knew he had his first deer.

With only a week left of hunting, his dad took Connor elk hunting. Because he was 12, Connor could shoot a cow elk if he didn’t see a bull. The snow was falling and they spotted some elk on a hill over 300 yards away moving towards the safety of the trees. Connor’s dad gave him his gun, because it was bigger. Again, Connor put this crosshairs on the shoulder of the elk and down it went. In relating the tale to his grandfather, Connor said he now had the experience of the hunt. His grandfather told him he didn’t do too badly for his first year with a rifle- got his deer and his elk. He didn’t have much time to hunt, because he was in football. The next year, 2009, Connor was 13. He still couldn’t devote much time to hunting as he was playing football again. His dad was going to the Missouri Breaks to hunt the big bucks and because of football, Connor was not able

to go with him. His grandfather told Connor the first day he had free, he would take him hunting. Connor didn’t care who he went with as long as he could go hunting. Connor and his grandpa went to Elk Park, just north of Butte to hunt elk. As they were hunting back toward the truck, they crossed into some willows and up jumped a big buck through the opening in the willows. His grandpa told Connor the buck was heading for them, to be ready to shoot it. As the buck emerged from the willows, his grandpa kept shouting, “Shoot! Shoot it!” When no shots sounded, his grandpa asked why he didn’t shoot. Connor replied, “I forgot to take off the safety.” Connor put the gun up to his shoulders and shot. We thought he would never see the buck again. Just then we saw the giant buck laying there. Connor was so excited all he could say was, “I got him! I got him!” Connor gave me a victory high five. We couldn’t believe the shot he made. It was unbelievable, the size of the buck! It was only a 3 point, but it was as big as a spike bull elk. His dad had a hard time believing it when he saw it too. In 2010, Connor was 14 and playing football again, so he couldn’t devote much time to hunting. This year hunting opened a day early for young hunters. Connor’s dad took him out for whitetail without much luck. For Christmas, his dad gave him a 270 short mag rifle. He couldn’t wait to get out hunting. Again he came back with a 4x5 whitetail deer. His dad took his yearly trip to the Missouri Breaks (CONTINUED PAGE 36)

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Quick and Easy Food Plots

Science

and the world know about food plots for whitetail but when you mention Mule Deer, the room goes silent. Information from research was non-existent and it was like mule deer didn’t exist. An acre plot in the mountains and another in the foot hills, with 1 year of growing answered all the questions. I planted 12 different types of seed at each location. The underlying attractant is to have something that is green when everything goes dry. If you have the ability of at least temporary water to start the seeds it is very helpful. If you can spray the area after planting with Vitamin B that you can get at any discount house or nursery it promotes root growth and makes the plants more drought tolerant. You don’t need to feed the deer in the spring and summer, use that time to grow and let them eat wild greenery. August, September, October, November are when they are looking at greenery. In the spring plant Rafe, a turnip like plant, also plant turnips. The green leave will be very inviting when everything else is brown and dead. The turnip root itself they won’t eat when they eat the tops. They will wait until after it freezes and the starch turns to sugar. Also plant some ranger or dry land Alfalfa, along with Sen-Fen it is a very drought tolerant alfalfa like plant from India. In a fall planting it is difficult to beat regular old winter wheat planted in August before the rains come. Research the weather history of your area and plant just before the rains.

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Is it hard to do, No. Will you win, it is just like playing football and your are the only player… on either side. You have no competition, so you can’t lose, you will have deer coming from everywhere. Every year you do it the better your following because the word gets around. Currently in the rocky mountains food plat at 7,500 feet I have deer, elk and moose calling my food plot their home. Below is some more detail of the ease of Plotting. Food plots are the rage in any quality deer management program, but they don’t need to run your life! Depending on where you live and the length of your local growing season you can plant food plots during the spring or as late as the summer. Food plots planted in mid to late summer are healthy and green when hunting season rolls around while natural browse is starting to turn brown

By Dave Price and dry. There’s no guarantee that planting food plots will keep deer on your property all year, but it does provide local deer with a nutritional incentive to visit your farm and stay for an extended period of time. In order to plant an effective food plot you need to plant it at least four weeks before hunting season begins. I recommend planting small plots close to cover, and follow the curvature of the terrain for increased effectiveness. If you have a tractor with plowing implements attached then use it, but a simple rake can be just as effective for making a small food plot. Rake the area, broadcast the seed then rake dirt over the seed to cover it up. Make sure the seeds aren’t too deep so that they have a chance to sprout. Deer will find each patch so plant the food plots where you want the deer to travel. Be sure to maintain some cover around the plot where you can watch deer, but the deer will feel safe to feed. Plant food plots in areas that receive good sunlight, and make your plots within reasonable shooting distances for the type of hunting to be done (archery, muzzle loader or rifle). Fertilize your plots by broadcasting fertilizer or cattle manure on the field before preparing the seed bed and broadcasting your seeds. I recommend planting low cost seeds such as winter wheat, oats, peas or other seeds that will germinate on top of the soil. The objective is to produce a crop quickly after the first rain and get the deer accustomed to feeding on the plot. Food plots don’t have to be expensive – for what we’ve laid out including fertilizer and seed you’ll have less than $50 and an hour of sweat equity invested in each plot. If you hunt each plot once or twice per season then you’ll have a good chance of taking a nice deer there. While everyone else hunts major agricultural fields in hopes of finding an older buck you can hunt your small, hidden plots. Use an aerial photograph or Google Earth picture of your land before deciding where to plant your food plots. Look for meadows, swampy areas and pine groves with third-row thinning. These are good areas for food plots. Pick out stand locations where you can set up ground blinds or tree stands, determine the direction of the prevailing winds and scout for thick bedding cover. After you’ve done your basic research plant the food plots, and enjoy the fruits of your labors when hunting season arrives.

MAY 2011

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Volunteer Labor For RMEF Tops 7 Habits of Highly Effective $17 Million In Value Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Bear Hunters BY BRODIE SWISHER A For the first time in Rocky volunteers,” said David Allen, RMEF Mountain Elk Foundation history, annual president and CEO. labor donated by RMEF volunteers has exceeded $17 million in total value. This voluntary workforce of devoted elk hunters and other conservationists is providing much of the horsepower for RMEF initiatives in 2011—habitat conservation and enhancement, elk restoration, hunting heritage and youth education programs, and more. The labor figures were released by RMEF in conjunction with National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 10-16, 2011. President Nixon designated the annual commemoration in 1974 to celebrate America’s spirit of volunteerism for good causes. U.S. Presidents still issue formal proclamations to help keep volunteerism going strong. “Volunteer labor doesn’t show up on financial statements. Neither bankers nor the IRS even consider it a true asset. But this year the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will reach its 6 millionth acre of habitat conservation, we’re helping to restore elk herds in Missouri and Virginia, and we’re influencing millions of people with positive messages about hunting and wildlife. And I can promise you that almost none of that would happen if not for our

“Conservation today depends on volunteers,” he added, saying, “and I hope all who love the outdoors will join RMEF in thanking not only those whose volunteerism is inspired by elk, but everyone who gives of their time and talents for wildlife and wild places.” For tips on how to get started as a volunteer for conservation, visit the link: http://www.rmef.org/NewsandMedia/ NewsReleases/2009/Volunteer.htm Nationwide, RMEF boasts 10,000 volunteers who conservatively average 80 hours of donated labor annually, for a total of 800,000 hours. The 2010 national average value for an hour of volunteer labor is $21.36, according to the nonprofit Independent Sector using U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics plus estimates for saved employee benefits. RMEF volunteers coordinate and host banquets and other fundraisers, assist wildlife and land managers by building wildlife watering devices, conducting elk research, removing unneeded fencing and countless other jobs.

fter another long lingering winter, the arrival of spring hunting seasons are a welcomed time. And nothing seems to help dust off the off-season blues like hunting for spring black bear. The spring season brings a time of growth, new life, and an abundance of encounters with wildlife when we step out into God’s country. There’s no doubt a spring black bear hunt can provide some of the most exciting memories of the season. However, the same hunts can also be some of the most frustrating moments in the backcountry as we experience the highs and lows of successful black bear hunting. How can we tip the odds for success on bears in our favor? The answer just might be to develop the habits that will ensure more effectiveness each time we step into bear country. For many hunters black bear hunting consists of sitting over a bait site that is being frequented by local bears. Such hunting draws folks from around the country to places like Idaho, where baiting for bears is king. However, in states like Montana, where baiting for bears is illegal, spot-n-stalk hunting methods are the norm. While baiting for bears is no easy task, and weeks of grueling work is involved to make it happen, I have to tip my hat to the hunter that effectively gets the job done on black bears at eye level… one on one…spot-n-stalk style.

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Several guys come to mind when thinking about passionate bear hunters. One is Jason Matzinger. I was immediately impressed when I witnessed Jason Matzinger’s passion for hunting spring black bear in Montana several years ago. Jason is the host of “Into the High Country with Jason Matzinger” airing on the Sportsman Channel. Jason admits that spot-n-stalk hunting for spring black bear ranks at the top of his list. Jason displays the habits of a highly effective bear hunter. His methods and technique allow him to consistently be successful on black bear hunts each spring. The guys at Trophy Taker in Plains, MT also know what it takes to get the job done on bears in the spring. Zach Butcher of Trophy Taker hunts some of the toughest country each year in search of big black bears. Zach and Jason are both quick to share a few of their habits that have led to more effective black bear hunting. Finding the Food: Like many of the animals we pursue, bears will live and die by their drive to fill their stomachs. Finding the preferred food source is critical. And not just finding the kind of food source that bears typically feed on…but finding the exact food source that bears are feeding on right now. “In the early spring, focus on the south facing slopes first,” says Matzinger. “These are the first areas to be free of snow and will green up the (CONTINUED ON PAGE 30)

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Affordable fishing! Bass trips on the mighty Snake river

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May 21-22 Fresno Challenge Dual Dandy Anglers - combined weight between Fresno and Tiber, $10.00 per angler, must sign up before Fresno rules meeting to be in the race. June 11-12 Tiber Tournament June 25-26 Canyon Ferry Festival August 6-7 Fall Classic Fall Super Slam - combined weight between Fall Classic and Fall Finale, $10.00 per angler, must sign up before Fall Classic rules meeting to be in the race. August 20-21 Fall Finale For applications to these tournaments or additional information visit the Walleyes Unlimited of Montana website at www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net/tournaments.htm or e-mail Dale Gilbert at dgilbert.montanawalleye@gmx.com

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he 11th Annual Pikemasters Public Tournament at Fort Peck, Rock Creek Marina will be held June 25th - 26th. Sponsored by the Billings Chapter of Montana Pikemasters, the tournament has up to a $7,500 total purse. There is no limit on the number of anglers per boat, and the entry fee is $100.00 per boat. There is a maximum of 75 boats allowed. Tournament hours are 7:30am - 5:00pm, Saturday, June 25th, and 7:30am - 1:00pm Sunday, June 26th. There will be a fish fry Saturday evening on June 25th at Rock Creek Marina. For more information contact Bob Rausch at 406-671-4782, Bob Dolly at 406-690-7169 or Joe Stenglein at 406-690-4404.

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Bitterroot Pike

pring is here and Bitterroot Pike are awake, hungry, and perhaps more gullible than at any other time of the year. As water temperatures rise, these toothy predators quickly begin to realize their winter feeding habits have left them in serious need of an easy meal making them an easy target for the spring angler. Armed with a stout rod, steel leader, a couple of “action packed” lures, as well as a basic understanding of spring movements for these fish, and success is about as guaranteed as it gets in the angling world this side of bluegill fishing. The rod and the leaders are pretty self-explanatory so will start with lure selection. You can’t go wrong with anything that resembles the three primary forage bases for Northern Pike, fish, fish and yep you guessed it, fish. Soft plastics, spinners, spinner-baits, Rapalas, spoons, to top water plugs and buzz-baits you just about can’t go wrong. One of my go-to lures for gear fishing this species in the spring is a Cyclops spoon. They have a unique design that allows them to be retrieved in a lot of different ways, slow, erratic, stop and flutter, etc. I also have confidence in them and have managed to convince myself that there is probably a pike following it every time I bring it home whether I see him or not, which is probably the biggest reason for my success with this shiny hunk of bent metal. Lures do not have to be huge to catch huge fish this time of year. In fact the opposite will be true a lot of days in the spring. Spring movements for these fish can seem like a season within a season, there is a lot going on. At first as water warms most if not all of these guys are going to be in sunny,

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slow moving, weedy spots warming up and prepping for the spawn. As water temps warm, bigger fish will gradually move to seams closer to main currents where it is a bit cooler and they have more opportunities to ambush higher quality food items much like river Smallmouths and large Brown Trout. The great part of river fishing pike is that this entire range of back water to seam and main current can often be covered effectively in a cast or two. This makes the hunt for “biters” a fast paced stick and move activity. Remember if you get a follow from a big fish treat it like a musky and do a figure eight at the boat or simply change direction and extend your retrieve in a different direction. I know every piece of literature says this, but failing to do this could cost you your only chance at the biggest fish in the river! Just can’t stress it enough, ask anyone who is proficient at chasing these critters and they will say the same thing. The reason most folks will tell you this is because we have seen instances where it could have made the difference. I promise that failure to do this will, at some point, cause the dreaded “one that got away” syndrome. Learn to do a figure eight! Another seasonal change worth noting is that as water temps climb I begin to go up gradually in bait size depending, of course, on reaction from and size of pike duped. Good luck and whatever you do enjoy your spring; it has been a long winter. Perhaps the only hard thing about this time of year for Montana outdoorsmen is actually choosing an activity from a seemingly endless list of great stuff to do. What a great problem to have!

MAY 2011

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FWP Seeks Comments On EA To Remove Northern Pike In The Missouri River MFWP

MFWPs is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment to remove northern pike in the Missouri River to reduce threats to wild trout populations and reservoir fisheries. FWP proposes to remove northern pike from the Missouri River basin from Holter Dam upstream to the Missouri headwaters and the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson River basins. Northern pike would be captured during regular sampling efforts in Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter Reservoirs and actively pursued in the Missouri River upstream of Canyon Ferry Reservoir into the lower Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson Rivers. All northern pike that are salvageable and of suitable size for consumption would be field dressed and donated to food banks or other facilities. The draft environmental assessment is available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov under Recent Public Notices. Comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 6, 2011, and may be emailed to thorton@mt.gov or mailed to: MFWPs - Fisheries Manager Travis Horton 1400 S. 19th Avenue,Bozeman, MT 59718 For more information, contact Regional Fisheries Manager Travis Horton at thorton@mt.gov or 406-994-3155.

FWP Seeks Public Comment on EA to Introduce Burbot to Van Houten Lake to Improve Brook Trout Fishery MFWP Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on an environmental \assessment to introduce burbot to Van Houten Lake southwest of Jackson, Montana. FWP proposes to capture burbot in Twin Lakes, 15 miles northwest of Van Houten Lake, and introduce the fish into Van Houten Lake in an attempt to reduce the numbers of longnose and white suckers in the lake and improve the recreational brook trout fishery. Burbot are native to the Big Hole River and common throughout the river system. The draft environmental assessment is available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov under Recent Public Notices. Comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 9, 2011, and may be emailed or mailed to: MFWP - Van Houten Lake EA 1820 Meadowlark Lane, Butte, MT 59701 jimolsen@mt.gov For more information, contact fisheries biologist Jim Olsen at jimolsen@mt.gov or 406-533-8451.

6 Year Old Manhattan Montana Boy Bugles At RMEF-Leupold World Elk Calling Championships

6 year old Manhattan Montana boy, Cody Hager recently recently returned from competing in the RMEF-Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Cody began calling at a very young age, and entered his first elk calling contest at the age of 3.

He got his first bull to answer him at the age of 4. In September, of 2010 he teamed up with his sister and called in a 6 point bull to 35 yards. Cody bugled while Heidi cow called and used a rattle bag. After Cody won a local RMEF calling contest and qualified to compete in Reno at the RMEF-Leupold World calling event, his parents said he could go, but had to get enough sponsors. His mom, Julie contacted us because they wanted to thank Cody’s sponsors. “Without the amazing support and encouragement of our sponsors, the trip would not have been possible,” she states. “We would like to thank the following sponsors. Montana Hunting Company, Thomas Pawlacyk (a Montana Hunting Company client), Schnee’s, Scenic City Trucking and Trailer Sales, Jim Doran Hunting, Danhof Chevrolet, and Rocky Mountain Tech.” Julie also said “Rob Arnaud, Jim Doran and the Montana Hunting Company went above and beyond the call of duty as sponsors.” Cody bugled in the Pee-wee (10 and under) division. In the Pee-Wee division, callers are given 30 seconds to make their best cow-calf sounds and another 30 seconds for their best bull sounds.

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MAY 2011

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MAY 2011

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OUTDOOR NEWS

Fly Tying Corner: The Mess By Jim Abbs, fedflyfishers.org

his fly, developed by Gary LaFontaine is not only very effective, it is strong endorsement of the need to recognize how different a trout’s evaluation of a fly is totally than that of most humans. MATERIALS: Hook: 6-12, 2X long shank (1X fine wire also is recommended) Tail: Four hackle fibers Back: Strip of foam (colored with a felt tip marker) Body: Synthetic seal fur (dubbed) Hackle: Rooster and mallard TYING STEPS: 1. Tie in tail ( with two on each side) 2. Tie in srip of closed cell foam (with color to match the may fly species, medium gray, slate, or cream) 3. Dub a body of synthetic seal’s fur (in a color to match various mayfly species Medium gray, slate or cream) 4. Pull the foam forward and tie down over the dubbed body 5. Wrap the double hackle with the rooster to the rear and the mallard toward the eye. 6. Force the hackle fibers forward as shown in the illustration, by wrapping behind them. 7. Dub a bit more body material behind the hackles (over the tying thread). 8. Whip finish the fly and go catch fish during those big mayfly hatches - Hexagenia, Gray Drake, or Green Drake.

START ON PAPER: Bathometric maps can be a great place to start your planning even when the snow is still flying. They are great for helping you eliminate water that is not as productive, plan for travel times from the boat launch to where you want to fish, hazards that might cause a costly boat repair and much more. Look for the structures that hold your chosen target species. Points with bigger rocks that crayfish and minnows can hide in that will in turn attract Walleye, Smallmouth, Larger trout and Pike. Flats adjacent to deep water where Kokanee and trout can suspend as the water warms. Steep drop offs that allow the larger fish a

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bit of shade and a great ambush location on a hot day. You can quickly pick four or five likely locations without even being there! Not all of your choices will be the right ones, but if only one of the five is right, then you are on the way to a productive day on the water! THE INTERNET IS AWESOME: Once you have some spots picked out, you can get on-line to several web sights like Google Earth, Terra Server and many more. Look at satellite photos to get even more familiar with the body of water. Shallow water weed beds, fallen trees and sandbars are just a few of the features that I have found just by looking at these. The perspective you gain from combining satellite views and bathometric maps can be invaluable for “seeing” your lake and letting you get familiar with it without even being there. Keep in mind though that the photos you are looking at might not be the same time of year that you are going, those weed beds might not be up as well, (CONTINUED PAGE 17)

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Commission adopted spring Chinook seasons as proposed by Fish and Game managers. Chinook will open in the Clearwater River, Snake River, Little Salmon and part of the lower Salmon River - except in the lower Salmon River from Short’s Creek upstream to Vinegar Creek, where the season opens June 18. The season is based on forecasts that about 20,500 fish would return to Idaho hatcheries in the Clearwater, lower Salmon and lower Snake drainages. Hatchery-specific forecasts estimate 2,000 Chinook would be available for nontribal recreational anglers in the Clearwater; 4,200 in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon; and about 800 in the Snake River below the Hells Canyon dams. In the Clearwater River drainage the daily limit would be three Chinook; only one may be an adult (24 or more inches long). The possession limit would be nine; only three may be adults. In the Snake River from Dug Bar to Hells Canyon Dam, the lower Salmon and the Little Salmon rivers, the daily limit would be four Chinook; only two may be adults. The possession limit would be 12; only six may be adults. The statewide annual limit would be 20 adult Chinook in the 2011 seasons closing before September 1. Daylight fishing hours will be published in the season brochure. Waters that opened April 23 are: Clearwater River, main stem: Lower - from the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston upstream to the Cherrylane Bridge. Middle - from the Cherrylane Bridge upstream to the Orofino Bridge, excluding the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery at Ahsahka, and excluding the ladder to the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery as marked by posted boundaries about

100 yards upstream and downstream of the ladder and extending into the river about 50 yards.

Upper - from the Orofino Bridge upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River. North Fork Clearwater: From the mouth to the Dworshak Dam, excluding the perimeter of the Dworshak National Hatchery at Ahsahka. South Fork Clearwater: From its mouth to the confluence of the American and Red rivers. Middle Fork Clearwater: From the South Fork upstream to the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway rivers. Lochsa River: From its mouth to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creeks. Lower Salmon River: Pine Bar - From the Rice Creek Bridge upstream to the posted boundary about 200 yards downstream of the Hammer Creek boat ramp. Hammer Creek - From a posted boundary about 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge. Park Hole - From the Time Zone Bridge upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of Short’s Creek, about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River. Little Salmon: Lower - From the mouth to a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of the Rapid River. Upper - from the posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the Rapid River upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road. Snake River: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.

All these waters would remain open until further notice. All salmon anglers 14 years old and older must have a 2011 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit.

MAY 2011

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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High Snow Pack = High Rivers For SUMMER FLOATING!

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Jigs And Minnows Or Spinners And Worms? By S. L. Merriam Blade baits, equipped with treble hooks, A good day catching walleyes can or stinger treble hooks piggybacked be even more exciting than a long kiss. onto jigs work well but check the Jigging in the spring with a feather or deer hair jig and a minnow puts fish in the boat. To be successful you must find the fish; the time that has elapsed since ice out and water temperature will determine where to look.

Yesterday was my day off and I was out jigging for walleyes. If you enjoy fishing, as much as I do and fish as often, in time you will learn what works under certain conditions and how each lure should be fished. Once you compile and use the important information you will consistently bring fish home, which means there are no more days of getting skunked. The first step is to locate the fish. Starting in April and May, just after the ice goes out, the fish move into streams and protected bays to spawn. The periods before and after spawning can become a feeding frenzy and this is when some of the largest walleye of the year are taken. To find the fish remember walleyes will usually hang around different types of structure depending on water temperature and sunlight. My rig of choice has always been a heavy jig in the 5/8 to 3/4-ounce range. A favored style is the hair-tailed jig dressed with a minnow, preferably an emerald shiner when they are available locally. I find the best jig colors are blue, blue/chartreuse, blue/white, or purple. Sometimes you can catch fish without the minnow, using just a plastic wiggling tail. A few anglers are also using blade baits, which can be jigged or snapped. I don’t mind sacrificing an emerald shiner for a walleye, as my theory is the more enticement - the better.

regulations for the area you are fishing. Some places have found they work so well that using them is now illegal. There was a time when using a minnow on a jig was like stringing a night crawler on a dry fly for trout. It was deemed unorthodox by folks with an overdose of righteous indignation - and the practice was looked on with disdain. Today, live bait doesn’t seem quite so out of place, especially to fishermen with empty buckets. When they ask, “What did you catch them on?” I answer, “This jig.” I never say anything about using a shiner. Many anglers fish with a bare jig but none do as well as I can with the addition of that shiner! The minnow also gives the jig a natural smell and flavor. In truth, jig and minnow fishing in early spring was a well-kept secret for many years among the old-timers, but during the last 10 to 15 years the word must have slipped out. When rigging, the jig’s weight should be heavy enough to allow it to really thump the bottom as a resounding thump draws attention and the noise will carry farther than a walleye can see. In May, after the spawn, as lake waters warm, walleyes seem to switch preference to weight-forward spinners tipped with fat nightcrawlers. That might be an angler preference rather than a fish requirement but this set-up has become my rig of choice. During the transition time in early to midMay, if one rig doesn’t work, try the other. The fish haven’t read any articles to know that they must change their preference for lures at midnight May 1.

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MAY 2011

Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month Fishing reports courtesy Montana Wholesale Sports

All Montana Rivers & Streams Open For Fishing better of the two. Both get salmon flies and you can see some green drakes on the West Fork. The water will still be high but it will at least be clear on the West Fork due to Painted Rocks Dam controlling the flows.

FLATHEAD LAKE On Flathead Lake, perch fishing should PHOTO TRAVIS DEBOER

CLARK FORK

ROCK CREEK

f the cool weather of April has held, the beginning of May could be fair fishing on the Clark Fork. Remnants of the Skwala hatch could still be out along with some baetis and caddis flies will be making their first appearance of the year. If we get a good warm up the snow pack, that has been holding and even increasing during the month of April, will come down and ruin most river fishing opportunities. The creeks that flow into the Clark Fork open on the 21st of May this year and offer a good diversion from the big river. Like the Clark Fork itself, high water will be an issue on any of the tributary streams. If you can find a slow section to the flows this will be the place to look for fish.

BLACK FOOT RIVER The Blackfoot will be one of the more

difficult rivers to find good fishing on in May. The water will be raging once we get a warm up and run off begins. Salmon flies should start to hatch at the end of the month fishing the hatch will be a tough proposition this year. Nymphing with a big stonefly nymph or chucking a big streamer may get the attention of some hungry trout. If the river is a non option, diverting to one of the area lakes such as Browns, Harpers or Salmon can give you a better chance of putting a bend in your rod.

his is the month fishing usually starts hopping on the creek. Salmon flies are the most popular hatch and people make yearly migrations trying to be there at the right moment to experience angling nirvana. Unfortunately the hatch happens during run-off and this year is going to be a good one. The fish will be there and the bugs will be there but it will be tough fishing. Floating will be difficult and even dangerous for even experienced oarsmen. That being said there will be some days where some good fishing can be had. Nymphing big stonefly nymphs in the softer water along the edges and cast dries under the willows can pick up some fish. You just have to try to convince the guy on the oars to back row harder.

BITTERROOT RIVER As with the other local rivers the

Bitterroot is not going to present its best fishing during May. When high water hits your best options are going to be the side channels and even those will be ripping. Accessing the side channels will be difficult. Floating will be extremely dangerous and can turn a trip into a disaster in a hurry. Green Drakes start appearing towards the end of the month but will more than likely be unfishable. Better options will be the East and West Forks and the West Fork will be the

heat up this month, and the Mac bite has been going strong all spring with loads of fish being checked in during Mac Days. Trolling plugs, Hoochies or Flatfish on the north end of the lake usually produces the biggest Macks, while jigging spoons with cutbait around Wild horse Island, Painted Rocks and points around the bays should produce plenty of keepers for the grill. Perch will take maggots on glo hooks, a piece of night crawler on a jig head or a small tube jig fished around the weed beds in any of the bays.

MISSOURI RIVER F

ish the Missouri in May before the weather heats and the river gets out of shape. Hit or miss in May, but can produce some fantastic days if you hit it right.

UPPER MADISON T

hroughout the first part of the month look to the MacAtee to Burnt Tree accesses for most of your action. Excellent nymphing with Stones, San Juans, Beatis nymphs, caddis pupae, and midge pupae will have the fish dipping your indicators regularly. Keep an eye on the side channels as you may find some risers sipping Blue Winged Olives. Streamer fishing should be great as well. Large articulated patterns such as Sex Dungeons or Delektable Screamers would be excellent choices. Zonkers, Sculpin imitations, and good old Wooly Buggers will also do the trick nicely. After the general opener depending on water conditions look for emergences of Blue Winged Olives and March Browns in the wade section from Quake to Lyons Bridge.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER Early spring is the time for a trophy on

the Yellowstone. If you can hit it before runoff the streamer fishing here can be epic. Go big, go small or anywhere in between. Just get it in front of them and you may hook the Brown trout of your dreams. There is no better time of year to get a trophy out of the ‘Stone than right now stripping some bunny fur. And of course there is the Mothers Day Caddis Hatch that will hopefully sneak in just before the river blows out. An epic emergence of Brachycentrus Caddis. Size #14 - #16 olive caddis patterns will keep you very busy .

YELLOWSTONE PARK A

t the end of the month in Yellowstone after the opener on May 28th. Be prepared for some high water conditions. However the last two seasons even with high water there has been dry fly fishing available from the start on the Madison and Firehole. On the Firehole be prepared with PMD’s, BWO’s, and Caddis. Same will hold true with the Madison as well as Salmonflies, and Golden Stones out for the first 1 ½ to 2 weeks of the season. Swinging soft hackles and streamer fishing should also be good options.

CANYON FERRY N

ow that the ice is gone, its time for the fair weather fisherman in us all to go out and have some fun in the boat. The Rainbow spawn is coming to an end and the Walleye should be in the middle of theirs. Remember Walleye like to spawn in shallow water with a nice gravel bottom in water temps in the 40 to 50 degree range. Set up a dead stick with a Lindy Rig and worm and with your active rod do some jigging with a grub or minnow. You can jig vertical or cast out and jig back to the boat.

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MAY 2011

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HEBGEN LAKE Most season we see Hebgen become

fishable around the second to third week of May. And shortly after the annual midge emergence begins. And these aren’t river midges. Big boys up to size #12 and #14. Trout will be cruising the shallows picking off Chironomid pupae sub surface and adults on top. Using an intermediate line and stripping Zonkers and Leech imitations can be deadly as well. This wonderful body of water is not crowded at all early on and a pure joy to fish.

HAUSER LAKE York bridge area has been fishing very

well for Rainbows. The Causeway still seams to be producing more Rainbows than anything, but by the time you read this the Walleye may have moved into this area with better numbers. Hit the Walleye bite early or late evening. Crank baits or floating jigs tipped with a crawler or leech should produce a few. Mid-day, you might want to find deeper water and jig for them if the shallows aren’t being productive. As the month comes to an end, they should be moving in to more shallow water. Look for points that dive off into deeper water and fish either side. You may also find them in a deep river

channel where the river went through before the lakes were formed. These are all good places for fish to hold up. Water temperatures are a deciding factor on where the fish will be sitting and how active they are.

HOLTER LAKE

Locate and fish areas where structure

has some variance. Look for rock piles or slides that conjoin to a sandy flat or a point. These transition lines create great cover for fish to forage for food. Holter has many of these types of structure up through the Gates that always hold fish. I was reading an article that stated Walleye love to hang around grapefruit size rocks. They get down current of these and hide behind them with there noses nestled up against these small rocks. Going further, this may be one reason why they have those big bug eyes, for peering around these small rocks awaiting bait. Also look for stair steps (using sonar of course) that parallel the shoreline. These are all great highways Walleye, and any fish for that matter, use when cruising for food.

FORT PECK Look for the Walleye bite to start heating up on Ft. Peck this month. It could be the best time of the year to hook a giant!

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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16 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ast month I had the opportunity to go fishing for catfish. Over the years I have enjoyed fishing for a lot of different species of fish in Montana, but I have never gone fishing specifically to catch catfish. I have, however, caught catfish by mistake while I fished for northern pike or walleye on the Missouri River and on Fort Peck Reservoir. Maybe one of the reasons I haven’t fished for catfish is that some of the best catfish fishing is over in eastern Montana. It is for this reason that the phone conversation I had with Steve Knudson of Billings a few weeks ago came at just the right time. I was scheduled to be in Glasgow about that time for their local walleye banquet. Since the banquet was on Saturday, Knudson and I arranged to get together the following Monday and go fishing. All I had to do is make a little detour and go through Billings on my way back to Missoula. The plan was to take off at 8:30am Monday from Knudson’s house in Billings and head 50 miles east to fish on the Yellowstone River. The guest list for the catfish fishing trip included Rod Dietz from Missoula, Michael Gottlieb from St Louis, Missouri, and Joe Monteon from Billings. After loading up at Knudson’s the five of us arrived at the boat ramp at 9:30am and took off for our 10 minute boat ride to Knudson’s catfish hole on the Yellowstone River. Once there Knudson showed us how he recommended rigging up our fishing rods. “I like using a three way swivel with about an ounce bell sinker on 24 inches of line and a single hook attached to a 18 inch leader”, added Knudson, “ I then put a piece of meat from a minnow on the hook”. Each of us used two rods. Monteon, who has fished catfish a few times before, actually separated two hooks 12 inches in-line and then had an

ounce weight at the end of his line. Once we got our catfish set-ups tied on we cast as far as we could from the banks of the Yellowstone River. Then we simply put our rods in holders that we secured in the bank of the river and waited for the catfish to bite. It didn’t take long. One of Knudson’s rods bent over first. It was about a five pound catfish, the perfect size for eating, according to Knudson. From that point on, it seemed that fishing was pretty steady for most of the day. The weather was nicer for a change with sunshine, but a little bit windy. All together we landed 20 catfish with the biggest one weighing in at 11 pounds 4 ounces. Most of the fish were in the 5 to 6 pound range. We released 5 big females and kept the rest for eating. It was definitely a good day of fishing with good company and was sure a great way to spend a Monday. In fact there is a catfish tourney scheduled for May 7th on the Yellowstone River called the Yellowstone Challenge Catfish Tournament. For more information or to enter contact Tyler George at 406-544-9961. Entry fee is $50. You may also view the video of our catfish fishing trip on montanaoutdoor.com

Mark Ward is known as the Captain of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show heard statewide every Saturday from 6am - 8am. Log onto:www.montanaoutdoor.com to find a radio station in your area. You can also read his weekly column in the Thursday Missoulian Outdoor section.

MAY 2011

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DVENTURES ON THE WATER

quatic Invasive Species and YOU BY MARK RELLER Greetings fisherman and hunters

from Mark at MarksLakeMaps.com. We are now in a great time of the year, early spring. Although it can be that time of year when the toughest choices have to made, such as that choice between, to work, or to fish. As we take to the field any time of year a spotlight is being shined on us as sportsman that seems to get brighter and brighter each year. That light is illuminating our responsibility to be “clean” hunters and fisherman. I am not at this point talking about our ethics responsibility, that has been well covered in great books like “Fair Chase?”. Rather I am concerned about spreading non native species across our treasured water and landscapes. What choices are you making? Last summer I traveled to Washington State to map a couple of popular fishing lakes. My boat was inspected at a road side station for the presence of invasive aquatic species. That happened in the Idaho Panhandle and I have also had it happen a few times now here in Montana. The good news is my boat was clean. The bad news is that in conversations with the inspectors, some folks have been resistant and even hostile to these inspections. When Senator Verdell Jackson introduced his aquatic nuisance species bill, Senate Bill 343 last legislative session and modified it this most recent session, I took the time to go to committee hearings and testify in favor of the bill. I have also worked with Flathead Basin Commission as they have moved forward to craft, with others in the area, a local plan to help resist the importation of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) into the Flathead watershed. I applaud these efforts and encourage every sportsman to engage at some level in prevention efforts. How to engage? I believe folks time and talents all vary. If you have the skills to organize and manage, help develop an ANS plan in your area. If you have the time read up on ANS issues, do so and educate yourself, your friends and family on how to prevent the introduction of these

ecosystem changing organisms into Montana. If you are more the silent type there is still a very important role for you to undertake. That role is the same for all of us. We must be “clean”. It is easy to dismiss this responsibility, to say “I wasn’t out of state, my boat, my truck, my gear, my dog aren’t contaminated”. If you are tempted to fall into that camp I have to ask, really? REALLY? We are all aware of knapweed, spurge, and toadflax and what that has done already in Montana. Already Montana has milfoil, and ditimo (better known as rock snot), and milfoil has spread from Noxon in the west to the Missouri drainage in the east. We have whirling disease. All of us are potential vectors for moving these organisms if we are not “clean”. Zebra or Quaga mussels were recently found in North Dakota and are thriving a days drive to the south of us. For a few months last fall testing suggested these mussels might be in Flathead Lake. We got lucky and there was a misidentification in the testing. They could already be in Montana and as yet undetected. So when I ask “really?”? I am challenging you to ask yourself, “do I want to be the one who moves any of these species to a new water? Do I want to be the one to blame for degrading some of the best fishing and hunting areas in the nation?” All it takes is some simple hygiene. At the take out, while draining all water out of your boat, give your boat, trailer and gear a quick visual inspection. Pluck off that chunk of green stuff here and there, brush off that anchor mud, and rinse off your boots. Toss that unwanted bait into the dumpster. Along the way home, or next time on the way out, spend the 5 minutes and 8 quarters and pressure wash your boat, boots, gear and truck. Dry everything, for as long as you can between trips, some recommend 5 days to kill hitchhiking organisms. If you see something suspicious and out of the ordinary, have it checked out by Fish, Wildlife and Parks and clean where you found it with a chlorine solution. Good fishing.

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Tips To Knock Aquatic Invasive Species Down: Keep a kitchen brush or hand brush in your boat, that and sturdy sponge and bucket and you can give your boat a quick once over and keep things tidy and clean. Anchors need special attention. Anchors and their lines bring mud and sediment into the boat and thus may bring aquatic hitchhikers with them. Here again that brush and bucket can be handy to make sure they get clean as soon as possible, preferably before they leak contaminated materials to the bilge area, which is much harder to clean. Transducers need special attention. I have three on my mapping boat and it seems inevitable that they grab green stuff. Look close around the cabling and speed wheels as these tend to hold material. Trailers need special attention. It is tempting to park after launching the boat and get fishing as soon a possible. Take a moment while the boat is off the trailer and look at the bunks, axles and around the springs for green stuff or mud. Remove what you can, but more important if you got contaminated launching you likely will again when you trailer up the boat. Let that serve as warning that you need to a trip to the car wash sooner rather than later. Dogs need special attention. Yes they can be a vector too. Mud, seeds, and plant matter can all be spread by dogs. Bring them with you by all means, but keep them out of potentially infested areas, like milfoil beds, and keep them clean. Finally, it is not an ANS tip, but I sure find a hundred and one uses for them. Next time at the hardware store grab several large pinch clamps. Think of those oversized cloths pins made of metal, usually with rubber scratch guards on the tips. You can hang wet cloths, pinch gear to the boat so it does not blow out, and most importantly secure your Lake Maps on the dash or seat! Trust me you will find more uses than that. Get a couple extra (clamps and maps) and share them with a buddy.

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Putting Your Fishing Trips Together (from page 11) but keep the location in your head. I find that last years thickest weed beds attract Bass, Walleye, and Pike just after ice off the following year. There will still be cover in the dead weeds, and can be dynamite! Combine your knowledge with a good fishing log that gives you a history of fish you have caught, weather, location, and water temperatures. Now, you can also add to this any tips and information that you have gleaned from other anglers and articles to construct a good mental picture that will allow you to spend your time on the water much more efficiently and allow you to make educated decisions that you will feel a ton more confident in. KEEPING YOUR TRIPS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET: Don’t forget to do some on-line research about campgrounds, hotels, tackle stores, restaurants etc. I really search for good places to stay that have just what I need, close to the water and of course will let me park my boat!! Reserve your campsite early! State campgrounds now can be reserved on-line at least a year in advance. If you are lucky, you might have friends or relatives that live near your destination!!! Who says you can’t visit and do a little fishing? It works out even better if the person your staying with loves fishing as much as you do. Nothing like having a local scout that has fished the water before and knows some of the hotspots in advance. LEARN ABOUT YOUR QUARRY: What is the best time to catch Walleye, what water temps do they prefer? How about the best month to hit the peak of the Smallmouth bite at Noxon? The more you learn about the fish you want to catch, the better! I have spent hours in the library, on the internet, and on the water trying to get a good picture in my mind of the fish I want to catch. To catch them consistently, you have to know a little more than trying the old stand by lure or bait in the same spot hoping to get a bite. Knowing when and at what water temperature that Walleye will spawn can put you a lot closer to a great day on the water.

18 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

A Correctly Sighted Riﬂe Is As Important As A Well-placed Bullet S. L. Merriam You can’t shoot well when blind and sore. Sighting in accuracy will make the difference between eating venison or crow.

hen shooting the 06 before deer season, the order of the day was to sight in and make certain the point of impact had not changed since last hunting season. This ritual included a ground cloth for me, and a gun rest made from a blanket draped over a small cardboard box. The target used had 1-inch squares advising how many inches high, low, right or left was required to get the gun shooting dead on at 100 yards. We could then adjust the scope up four clicks so it would be dead on at 200 yards. The backstop was a plateau wall about 50 feet tall that stood behind the old Burlington Cemetery and I don’t think we ever woke the dead. The inherent problem in the process was that my uncle would shoot just a single three-shot group and he was done. Being 16-years old, the lack of skill, strength, and ability to absorb recoil from the 180-grain silvertip bullet, left me bone bruised, sore, and, if that area had any blood, bloody. The rifle might have been accurate, but when the shooter was dodging recoil and flinching with both eyes closed, the sight in day beatings would haunt my rifle shooting for years to come. There was no way to say the gun was, “right on” because I was not and deer season provided a few days of walking and maybe a shot, but I never needed a knife.

Luckily, things improved with both age and technology. Adding a little technology to my problem I finally found salvation in a device called the Bench Master. A simple mechanical rest placed on the shooting bench, truck hood, or bed of a truck while lying down and even the ground provided a solid rest - and recoil absorption. The latter was what I desperately needed! I could finally separate the accuracy of the rifle from my poor shooting skills. The device allowed me to easily adjust rifle height to any level and I was no longer getting pounded on my bony shoulder. The rifle became both easy and painless to sight in and the finished product was a 30.06 that put the bullets where they were supposed to go. Thirty years later after having tried many mechanical devices, some heavy, some light, and some designed to do everything but make your breakfast I purchased the Benchmaster for around $130 and used it for 20 years. The unit took many, many trips to the range and now is used in the 600-yard competition. When my wife raised my allowance and called it stimulus money I bought the newest model for a little over $140 and was delighted with the improvement to the height adjustment wheel, nylon rest bags, rubber leg

protectors and the option of using the sharp, pointed legs while shooting prone. Before you old timers, a group I will soon join, step up and say it isn’t good for hunting, I learned you have to be able to shoot the rifle first so I disagree with that part of your thinking. If the rifle is not sighted in correctly and hits dead on, it doesn’t matter if my shooting is perfect – the gun won’t hit the deer. When the rifle is correctly sighted in, and I miss, it is my error. When I do connect, it is because the rifle is sighted in to hit where I aim and that is what it takes for successful deer hunting. There are numerous mechanical gun rests on the market today, each with positive and negative features. They cost any where

from $75 to $300 depending on design. The Benchmaster, at $149, is lightweight and dependable. If I can use this one for the next 20 years, as I did the first one, it won’t owe me a cent.

For anyone sighting in a rifle, I highly recommend some type of shooting vise so that when a big buck steps out, all you need to do is shoot well, the rifle’s variables have been taken care of.

It is extremely important to have a good rifle rest when sighting in a rifle. This is the time you will be removing as much human error and as much rifle inaccuracy as possible out of the picture. The goal is to leave the range with the rifle or shotgun shooting dead on. Later when shooting game, if you miss it, it’s the trigger mans error, not your rifle or shotguns error that missed the buck.

MAY 2011

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• 21

Why Bowhunters Miss By Bob Humphrey, Yamaha Outdoors Tip of the Week

There are many reasons why

Bowhunters miss deer.

THE MOST COMMON IS The sound of your shot will reach the animal before the arrow. SIMPLY MISJUDGING An alarmed deer will crouch down, DISTANCE. essentially loading its spring-like That one’s relatively easy to remedy. Use a rangefinder. You should also spend idle time on stand practicing your range estimation. Pick a spot, estimate the range, then check yourself with the rangefinder. The more you practice, the better you get.

legs, before it leaps away. If it’s quick enough, it can actually duck under the arrow - called jumping the string. Here again, aim low - at the animal’s heart. If the animal doesn’t move, you hit it in the heart. If it does crouch, you still hit it in the lungs. Another solution is to use a The next most common reason, pendulum sight, designed to which results in over-shooting, is compensate for up or down angles failure to compensate for the steep by moving as you tilt your bow. Continuing down the list, we downward angle when shooting come to a group of maladies that can from an elevated platform. largely be grouped under negligence. According to Newton’s Law, the This includes inadequate practice force of gravity is greatest on an and failure to properly maintain your object traveling parallel to the equipment. Shoot, shoot often and ground. simulate hunting situations when It is less on an object practicing. Check and maintain your traveling at a steep downward or equipment on a regular basis. upward angle. Shooting at steep Just as you wouldn’t go on a long angles may result in hitting (or off-road trek without first checking missing) above your point of aim. your ATV’s fluids, air and moving Simple solution: aim low. parts, you shouldn’t head afield on That remedy also applies to a hunt without making sure all your our next excuse - string jumping. No matter how fast your bow shoots, archery equipment is in shape. Take the arrow still travels slower than the good care of it and it will take care of you. speed of sound.

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22 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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his park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. Game fish opportunities on the Madison river include: brown trout, mountain whitefish, and rainbow trout. An easy three-mile drive off Interstate 90 at Three Forks, this park provides outdoor interpretive signs, picnic spots, short hiking trails, a small campground, and a rental tipi. The Saturday night speaker series showcases top notch presenters for your learning enjoyment. Open: January 1—December 31 Size: 532 acres Elevation: 4045 ft. Nearest Town: Three Forks Stay Limit: Maximum stay of 7 days Vehicle Length: Combined Length - 35 ft.. Activities: Boating - The next takeout is at Fairweather FAS approximately 8 miles downstream. Fishing Camping Picnicking Bicycling Group Use Hiking Interpretive Programs - Saturday Speaker Series: A series of programs that are presented each Saturday evening, June through August, on topics ranging from Native American culture, Lewis & Clark, and Montana history. Programs are held at the picnic area of the park starting at 7 pm. Photography Hiking Trail - Approximately 4 miles of walking trails that lead visitors through open meadows, along rivers and onto vista points. Interpretive Trail

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MAY 2011

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Make Contact NOW For Access to Privately Owned Hunting Lands By Rick Haggerty

he Big Game hunting seasons will be here sooner than you know. As you have probably experienced, getting permission when “you just happen to be in the area,” normally does not work. It’s kind a like someone knocking on your door unannounced and asking you to buy something from them. Most times you are going to get a “no” answer, unless you are willing to pay a trespass fee. Now days, most private lands in Montana are leased before the season, or the land owner just is not willing to let folks on their property. Of course, there are ways to develop a positive relationship with someone who has property that holds a lot of deer and elk. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get there: Contact: Try and get the landowner’s name and telephone number to ask if you may stop by to talk to them. Many times their phone number may be on the “no trespassing” sign you read posted to their fence. If you can’t figure out who owns the land, check with the local post office or convenience store and explain what you are trying to accomplish. Normally, you can find out the scoop, especially in small, rural communities. A lot of times, they will offer up information to help you when you talk to the person in charge. Also, if you see a ranch hand working, stop and talk to them and see what the situation is on that property. They can be helpful, but sometimes not. Just depends on the ranch hand. Image is everything: Once you have secured a meeting with the decision maker, it’s important to make a good first impression. Clean clothes, a big smile and enthusiastic attitude can go a long way when you first meet.

What are your intentions?: If the landowner has opened up to a meeting, chances are they are willing to let people hunt on their property. Let them know what your intentions are, whether it be bowhunting or rifle hunting, or both, where you would like to hunt on their property, and who, if anyone you’ll be bringing and make sure that is okay with them. Write it down: Most times property owners will have set areas aside for you to hunt, established rules for you while you are on the land and areas where they don’t want you to go. Make sure you write these things down while you are talking to them. This lets them know that you are serious about the opportunity they are giving you. This will also help you 3 or 4 months down the road, in case you forget what you discussed. Get it in writing: Once you have established that you have permission to hunt, make sure you get it in writing from the landowner. Often, the landowner is asked by many people for access to hunt their land. You need to have the permission in writing, in case the landowner forgets who you are, or if a ranch hand checks you out. The good old days of a handshake are gone, in most cases. So try and get the plan on paper. Pay if need be: In this day and age, an access fee may be required. If you feel like the hunting privilege is good and the hunting quality is there, why not? Some hunters routinely pay access fees. It could be a weekly, monthly, or annual fee. You and your hunting partner may have to get creative and if it’s worth it, and if cost isn’t an issue, “go for it!” (CONTINUED on page 35)

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24 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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A Win Is A Win…or So They Say A s I pen this column today, the Senate and the House have both just passed the CR (continuing resolution) that had Wolf language inserted as a rider to delisting, ID, MT, and portions of OR, WA, and UT. It even appears that Wyoming will now have a viable wolf management plan as Judge Johnson sided with Sportsmen and Ranchers in that state over a month ago. With a little luck they’ll be able to control predators this year as well. So is a win a win? I guess we’ll see when FWP proposes the new quota and season dates.. Now is the time to light a fire under our elected state officials and Wildlife managers. Wolf management right now is simply not enough. People should get familiar with the term “Wolf Control”. And waiting until Fall to do this after this year’s litter of pups hits the ground is going to further compound and already spiraling problem. I propose a limited hunt this spring of around say, 150 wolves to start. We can then have a regular hunt again in the fall. I’d be surprised if sportsmen met the first quota in the spring. Wolves have become far too smart and adaptive at this point in the ball game. Kudos to Tester doing something on this issue after watching complete lunacy prevail for the last few years on this issue. His turning over a “new leaf” made the

Simpson Rider a foregone conclusion… However, I’ve found it interesting at all the groups that come out and claim victory on this issue. How it was them and Jon Tester that “Got it done” and how they are saving Montana. I chuckle at the notion. Anyone who wants to know how this happened and when and where wolf de-listing and this whole fight started and how massive political pressure was applied to Congress can go to www.biggameforever.org Denny Rehberg’s bill in the House had numerous co-sponsors and bi-partisan support across 25+ U.S. States. Simpson’s rider had none that I know of, yet he broke ranks from national de-listing groups such as ours and “carried the water” for Tester. But it was the aggressive legislation of Rehberg and Hatch (the Senate version of Rehberg’s bill) that was the “fire” needed to get this thing in the forefront. It had the Eco-Nazi’s scrambling to cut back room deals with FWS, only to get smothered in the end by their ally Don Molloy. Even Barbara Boxer –D – CA. knew she’d not be able to stall wolf delisting forever and took the “gentlest” approach and let the Tester Rider fly. So with the massive support of the Rehberg/Matheson Bill, the cat was out of the bag, however the ruling Democratic

BY BILL MERRILL, PRESIDENT MONTANA SPORTSMEN FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE

Party in the Senate had all the cards when it came to how aggressive they were willing to let de-listing of the Gray Wolf be. Tester needed a win as early poles already show him neck and neck with Rehberg. If you’re a “common sense” individual who reads this column monthly or visits our website, then you know it was probably anything but a win for Senator Tester. He effectively lost the support of most sportsmen and real conservationists by taking this 2-state “half-hearted” approach while still trying to punish Wyoming for standing up for their god given rights. He then effectively alienated his liberal base and some very large donors from the NGO’s. Kieran Suckling (King of the Psychotic Green) of the Center for Bio Diversity is already writing Senator Tester’s Political Obituary from the other side of the line because his name was on the Wolf rider. Well I say, Senator Tester, It’s a start and you may as well come all the way back to us in Montana and help us finish this for the rest of the Upper Great Lakes states (that have been infested with Wolves since 1973) and help the folks in AZ and NM who are watching this debacle transpire down there, wondering what is going to happen with the ever expanding Red Wolf population in that area and what it means to their prize Elk herds. I know

your opponent Congressman Rehberg has pledged to keep fighting along side sportsmen and ranchers NATIONWIDE to help liberate other states from heavy-handed federal overreach on the wolf issue. I challenge you to take the next step Senator Tester. You can’t play it both ways is the message we are all seeing now. And that is why I belong to SFW and choose to volunteer my time to this organization and merely write a check to some others. As my good friend Ryan Benson says “I want to be part of group that can take a punch and not turn tail”. And that is what SFW has been doing for 15 years in this wolf war amongst other Pro-Sportsmen issues, despite being ripped on some chat boards and blogs by folks who stay up until midnight cussing the efforts of others, when they’ve done nothing themselves for conservation. The next stop is to turn our attention to how we manage our wildlife (including the wolf) in Montana. And we’re making some in-roads with state legislators who have adopted a “common sense” approach to land and wildlife issue. So I won’t take credit for Wolf de-listing for MT SFW though I feel we played a major role in highlighting this issue in Montana. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 34)

MAY 2011

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• 25

It’s Guiding Time Again

Yamaha Outdoors Tip Of The Week By Steve Hickoff

pring turkey seasons have kicked off around the country. Now’s a good time to talk about hunters and the guides we sometimes ask to put us into gobblers. Let’s look at the pros and cons of hiring somebody to help find spring birds.

GOOD AND BAD: BAD A good guide often knows the land, the game animals and birds on it, better than anyone, including you. Let them do their job. A bad guide says they have permission to take hunters on land they don’t. That’s when you need to shut it down. Fortunately this kind of guide is rare in my experience. EXPERIENCE RULES: RULES Day in, day out, hard-working guides deal with a variety of hunters, from the absolutely inexperienced to veteran gunners, but often the former rather than the latter. Keep this in mind. CHECK YOUR EGO: EGO If you’re like me, half your spring will include distant trips where you’ll hunt with somebody who knows the land and turkeys on it better than almost anyone on the planet. The other half of the time will include you hunting on your own, with or without buddies, in self-guided, road-trip mode. Here’s where ego can get in the way. If you hunt with and hire out professional guides, trust their judgment—within reason, of course. In the end though, you pull the trigger. Try to see how, why and where you’re hunting birds a certain way, and maybe you’ll learn something new, even after years of chasing gobblers. ALL EARS: EARS Listen to your guide. Some outfits conduct pre-hunt lodge discussions the night before clients and guides go out. If the camp you’re visiting doesn’t allow time to exchange ideas in this setting, suggest it at the supper table, or some other comfortable situation. If possible, meet with the guide before going afield, and discuss your preferences for the hunt. Also share how long you’ve been chasing turkeys and your preferred style of hunting, be it run-and-gun or blind sitting. If the hunt prohibits covering a lot of ground due to limited property, and you prefer that sort of deal, well then, you didn’t do your homework. Communicate before, during and after the hunt. KNOW LIMITS LIMITS: Ideally your hunting guide should also know your gun or bow’s limitations, the ammo or archery tackle you’re using, and most of all, your experience level. It sounds simple, but don’t take anything for granted. CHILL OUT: OUT Mostly relax, but not too much. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. Pressing too hard has a way of translating into a lack of hunting success—both shooting, and otherwise. Both turkey fever—the sudden, undeniable racing of your heart and failure to stay calm when you need to react—along with the opposite exaggerated nonchalance of not being fully prepared, will make you miss shots, and fail to close the deal. Bear down at the moment of truth. You’ve worked too hard—you and your guide—to arrive at that opportunity to blow it.

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26 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

New Online Store Offers Unique Gear A new online store has opened overlandingTheirproducts. products include the for the outdoor enthusiast. Overland Adventure Outfitters carries supplies to make any vehicle a mobile basecamp: automated tents with high density foam mattresses, 12 volt refrigerators, dual battery systems with intelligent monitoring, camp cooking supplies, heating and water management systems and more. In 2006, Overland Adventure Outfitters’ owner, Wade Kellog, purchased his first adventure vehicle, a Rubicon edition Jeep LJ. The vehicle became a base for his explorations. In 2008, a roof-top tent was added. Soon to follow were an awning, dual battery system and storage system. As Wade, his wife, and their two canine companions continued their explorations throughout the western US, they couldn’t help but notice the attention their unique set-up would capture. The couple found that almost everyone who took the time to come up and talk would end up asking the same question, “Where do I get equipment like this?” And so the idea of Overland Adventure Outfitters was born. The company would be a source for high quality overlanding and expedition gear with an emphasis on customer service and shared knowledge from past explorations. It would provide easy access to a wide selection of

Eezi-Awn Roof Top Tents. These tents provide comfortable sleeping room for up to 4 adults and allow you to hit the backcountry on your 4x4. No more sleeping on the hard ground. Roof top tents can be mounted on the roof of any vehicle from a full size 1 ton pickup to a Subaru. These amazing tents are also 4 season tents, and can stand up to gale force winds, snow, rain, and ice and make are perfect for hunting camp. With Overland Adventure Outfitters dual battery system with intelligent monitoring, you can extend your range and stay in the backcountry for weeks at a time without worrying about your food spoiling or your truck batter dying. Wade and his wife make their home in Helena, and are happy to answer any questions you might have about their products. They are continuing to expand their product line, so visit their website often to see their new additions at www.overlandadventureoutfitters.com or phone them at 406-202-4607 with questions. Look for Overland Angler coming soon!

2011 Paddlefish Seasons Set To Open MFWP All paddlefish anglers should obtain a copy

immediately at Intake Fishing Access Site when it is estimated the harvest target has been reached. Catch-and- release snagging for paddlefish in the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam is only allowed at Intake Fishing Access On the upper Missouri River section Site. Catch-and-release days at Intake are (upstream from Fort Peck Dam to Fort Benton) Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Following the the season opens May 1. The fishery will paddlefish harvest closure catch-and-release again be managed with a 500-fish harvest snagging will continue only at Intake Fishing quota, and the harvest season will close on Access site for 10 consecutive days following a 24-hour notice. Once the quota is reached, the closure date or through June 30, catch-and-release fishing will continue until whichever comes first. A yellow paddlefish tag June 15. Specific fishing hours apply (6 a.m. is required for this stretch of river and must be – 9 p.m., MST), and there is no night snagproperly placed on the first paddlefish caught ging allowed. Anglers should call the Missouri on a harvest day. Anglers can access the River Hotline at 406-464-2169 for current Glendive Chamber of Commerce Web site at information on harvest status. A white paddle- http://www.glendivechamber.com or call the fish tag is required for this stretch of river and FWP Region 7 office in Miles City at all paddlefish captured must be either tagged 406-234-0900 to find the current number of and kept or immediately released. harvested paddlefish at Intake FAS. Catch-and-release snagging is open May 1 to June 15. Anglers are reminded that all In the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts area catch-and-release paddlefish must be downstream from Fort Peck Dam, a special released immediately and may not be gaffed archery season for paddlefish will be open or lifted out of the water. from July 1 through Aug. 31. A blue paddlefish tag is required for this location. The paddlefish season on the Yellowstone River and Missouri River downstream of Fort For more on the paddlefish seasons, see the Peck Dam begins May 15. The daily fishing FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov under “Fishing” hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (MST). Harvest and “Regulations” and “Eastern District” days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and than click on “Paddlefish Regulations” for a Saturday. The harvest season will close pdf file or pick up a copy of the 2011 within 24 hours notice if it appears that the paddlefish pamphlet with all the current harvest quota of 1,000 fish may be reached paddlefish regulations at FWP offices or other or exceeded. The harvest season will close license providers. of the Montana 2011 paddlefish regulations, which include specific rules for each of the different seasons and river stretches. Some of the regulation highlights are:

MAY 2011

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The Desirable Brookie Brook trout

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4)

Fishing Techniques Fly fishing is the classic method of are opportunistic feeders and fishing for brook trout and artificial flies have been used effectively since will eat almost anything that the early days of American fishing. I dwells in their habitat. As tiny recommend using a balanced outfit such fry they feed mainly on microscopic as a two, three or four weight rod with crustaceans and then on small insect a matched floating line and a seven to larvae. As they mature they graduate nine foot leader depending on the body to medium-sized insect larvae such as mayfly or caddis fly larvae. As juveniles of water you’re fishing. When fishing for brook trout on small mountain they begin to include larger insect streams the classic casting stroke is larvae, and as young adults they begin virtually unusable unless you want to to feed on small fish. Larger adults spend time pulling your leader and line feed mainly on fish such as chubs and minnows, and even eat their own young out of the trees after your back cast. Learn to use a roll cast to get your fry. Competition for food, particularly in the small mountain streams is intense fly under the brushy over hanging trees and on target where the fish are which is why brook trout that live in waiting. Dry fly fishing is the name these mountain streams are so small. of the game – any bushy dry fly will The larger “sea run” brookies don’t work, but my personal favorites include suffer that limitation. This makes it much easier to understand why a large the Adams parachute, elk hair caddis, brook trout will eat a fly on the water Renegade, March brown and the Royal Wulff (size 18). Nymphing for brook - he has done it all of his life as trout is effective particularly on larger matter of survival. water - my favorite nymphs include the Brook trout hunt for food visually and gold ribbed hare’s ear and the Prince are sight predators. They generally feed nymph. Terrestrial patterns such as during the day time, especially during foam ants and small hoppers also work early morning and late afternoon, when well. it’s easier to acquire their prey visually. On nights when the moon is bright Fly presentation is the key when fly they may feed at night. fishing for brook trout. Prospect the plunge pools and riffles to find the Locating Brook Trout trout then be stealthy and figure out Brook trout that live in creeks and a way to present your fly delicately so streams usually live in shallow water that you don’t scare the fish. Your cast that offers them good security and doesn’t have to be pretty – you just feeding cover. They prefer shaded have to put your fly in front of the fish areas and generally seek security so that he thinks it’s the real thing. behind rocks in deep holes and at Avoid wading into the plunge pool or the base of a waterfall or plunge you’ll send any brook trout in residence pool where the current carries food scurrying for cover – if that happens downstream. They can easily dart you might as well walk to the next from behind their security cover and pool and start over. strike at food as it passes by. Moving water provides gravel beds the brook Fishing for brook trout using trout need for spawning and slow conventional tackle is similar to river water allows silt to cover them while fishing for rainbow trout. Brook trout they spawn so you may find them in seem to be drawn to brightly colored different locations during the spawn. Brook trout will grow to match the size lures (red, chartreuse and silver) so keep that in mind when making your of their environment according to the amount of food available. As mentioned lure selection. The size and the weight of all of these lures need to be scaled earlier, brook trout that live in small to match the size and the flow of streams may grow to a length of ten the water you’re fishing. Lures such inches during a ten year life span. That small spinners (Mepps, Blue Fox and ten inch brook trout is just as much Kastmasters) work well. a trophy fish as the large rainbow or brown trout that lives where food is Bait: They will also hit worms, night more plentiful. It’s all a function of crawlers and natural bugs. There are available food in the stream. In the a number of artificial baits that use spring, they move upstream in search a scent attractant, such as Berkley’s of available food, and fresh chub and Floating Trout Bait or Power Bait, sucker eggs are on their menu. When covering a small egg hook that are you’re prospecting a stream looking extremely effective. I recommend for brook trout don’t be afraid to hike using four or six pound test line with up or downstream to find their food small egg hooks. When you need to sources. fish in deeper water add a small piece of split shot to get the bait down to Finding fish may mean deep water in the heat of the summer or downstream where the fish are swimming. To keep the bait suspended off the bottom you from where you found them in the can rig a modified Carolina rig to keep spring. Sunlight warms the surface the bait in the fish’s line of sight. In water in the shallow pools and on the larger bodies of water you may want surface of lakes and rivers. Colder to add a float or bobber to you rig. water generated by snow melt and springs is their favored habitat. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 33)

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MAY 2011

Rocky Mountain States Silver State Hunt Of A Lifetime Commission Sets Fall Big Game Seasons And Limits In response to changes in elk populations, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved big game hunting seasons that reduce or eliminate antlerless elk tags in some areas. Meanwhile, big game hunting seasons for 2011 also include increased tag numbers and new hunts in areas with chronic depredation problems. Among the changes, the 2011 season for white-tailed deer in the Panhandle will return to normal, extending 22 days over what it’s been in the past couple of years. The number of antlerless deer tags also has been reduced in poorly performing units and where winter mortality is expected to be high. But 200 new extra antlerless white-tailed deer controlled hunt tags were established to address chronic nuisance and depredation problems. New elk seasons reduce or eliminate antlerless elk harvest in zones in decline or below objective, especially where wolf densities are moderate to high. Antlerless elk harvest in units 7 and 9 has been eliminated. And all remaining antlerless hunting in Middle Fork has been eliminated. Antlerless controlled hunt tags have been reduced by 465 in response to aerial surveys and zone objectives. In addition, 2011 is the third and final year of the phased in reduction of Sawtooth zone A and B tags. The total Sawtooth A tags this year is 566 tags - 387 fewer than last year. Sawtooth B tags have been reduced to 1,526 tags - 428 fewer than last year. But 785 tags have been added for antlerless hunts and Extra tag hunts to address chronic depredation conflicts. The outlook for mule deer survival may affect the fall hunts. Of 193 radio-collared fawns and does, 47 percent of the fawns, and 93 percent of the does, survived through the end of March. That may be lowest winter survival since Fish and Game started its monitoring program in 1998. Changes in hunting seasons in response to surveys and predicted low fawn and adult survival include a decrease of 1,075 any-weapon controlled hunt antlerless tags. Mule deer buck controlled hunt tags were reduced by 150.

The outlook for mule deer survival may affect the fall hunts. Still, all mule deer population management units are above the 15 bucks per 100 does objective. And 200 tags were added for antlerless hunts and extra tag hunts to address chronic depredation conflicts. Fish and Game biologists will continue to monitor survival, and managers may recommend further reductions in controlled hunt tags at the May commission meeting. Only minor adjustments were made to pronghorn tag numbers. Changes include 25 fewer pronghorn controlled hunt tags in Area 40; 15 more tags in either-sex, any-weapon hunts; an increase of 10 doe-fawn, any-weapon tags in area 44; and 5 tags in a new hunt in area 76. Fall controlled hunt tags for black bears were increased and the season length in eastern Idaho was increased by a week in six units. The only change to mountain lion seasons is an increase in the “dogs prohibited” seasons in the Clearwater region to account for changes to deer and elk seasons in past years.

ome sportsmen and women are already calling it the hunt opportunity of a lifetime, but what really has people talking is the fact that Nevada’s new Silver State Tag is available to the average sportsman at a price that won’t break the bank. The Silver State Tag is similar to the state’s Heritage Tags, sometimes called governors tags or bid tags, and will provide lucky recipients with the opportunity to hunt a specific big game animal statewide in those hunt units where there is an established season for the species specified on the tag. But unlike the Heritage Tags which generally sell at auction for thousands, Silver State Tags will be available through Nevada’s normal tag application process at a far lesser price. For 2011, Silver State Tags are available for mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk and pronghorn antelope. Tag applicants can expect to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $20 plus the $3 predator control and $2 online convenience fee, which bring the total to $25 for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. An additional $5 is required for the elk application. Tag recipients will be charged the current fees established for the tag received. Applications may only be submitted electronically at www.huntnevada.com. In addition to expanded choice of hunt location, tag holders also will have an extended season in which to harvest their game animal. Silver State Tag bearers can begin hunting the Saturday prior to the opening of the earliest season for the species noted on their tag and continue hunting until they fill their tag or the season ends, whichever comes first. Silver State seasons for mule deer and elk will end Dec. 31 and pronghorn antelope Oct. 31. Tag holders also can use their legal firearm of choice throughout the season’s duration – bow, muzzleloader or rifle.

WEB NOW & ON THE

@bigskyoutdoornews.net

SHANE HAYCOCK WITH HIS NEVADA MUZZLE LOADER DEER. BRIAN SMITH

The Silver State Tag draw is open to both resident and nonresident hunters who are eligible to hunt big game, even those who are fulfilling waiting period requirements for the species available. However, if an applicant is in a waiting period he is only eligible to apply for the Silver State Tag for that species. If he is not in a waiting period, an applicant could apply for a Silver State Tag, a regular big game tag and a Partnership in Wildlife tag all in the same year. But once an applicant is awarded a tag his application will not be considered in subsequent drawings for the same species in that year. With the exception of tags for certain depredation hunts, a hunter may obtain only one tag per species per year. As for bonus points, they are not considered nor awarded in the Silver State Tag draw. Applicants who receive a Silver State Tag will retain their bonus points for that species. Like the money generated through the sell of Heritage Tags, Nevada law requires that Silver State tag application fees be deposited in the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account. Funds from this account must be used for the protection, propagation, restoration, transplantation introduction and management of Nevada’s game species and fur-bearing mammals as well as management of predatory wildlife.

Complete issues & back issues, hunting and fishing photos, fishing hot spots and more!

MAY 2011

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

Rocky Mountain States RACs To Discuss Big Game Permits Offering more spike bull elk the cuts Rather than hit hunters with hunting permits, a few more all at once, Aoude says

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biologists would like to start cutting permits now. “If we start cutting permits now,” Aoude says, “the final cuts won’t have to be as severe in 2012.” The changes will happen in 2012 because the minimum number of bucks per 100 does has been increased in Utah’s deer management plan. Instead of managing Utah’s hunts so a minimum of 15 bucks per 100 does are found after the hunts are over in the fall, biologists will manage the 2012 hunts with a goal of finding at least 18 bucks per 100 does after the hunts are over. The Utah Wildlife Board won’t set permit numbers for 2012 until next year. But biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources know the number of hunters will have to be reduced to reach the new 18 bucks per 100 does objective. All of the DWR’s big game permit recommendations for this fall—including cow elk, doe deer, doe pronghorn and cow moose proposals—are available at wildlife. utah.gov/public_meetings. After you’ve reviewed the ideas, you can let the Regional Advisory Council members know your thoughts by sending an email to them. Email addresses for RAC members are available at wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.

THE FOLLOWING CHART SHOWS THE NUMBER OF GENERAL RIFLE AND MUZZLELOADER PERMITS THAT WERE AVAILABLE IN 2010 AND THE NUMBER THE DWR IS RECOMMENDING—BY REGION—FOR 2011: Region Northern Central Northeastern Southeastern Southern Total

2010 permits 21,000 13,000 13,000 13,000 18,000 78,000

2011 permits 21,000 13,000 11,000 12,000 16,000 73,000

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hard-to-draw mountain goat permits and fewer buck deer permits are among ideas Division of Wildlife Resources biologists will share at upcoming public meetings. If you enjoy hunting spike bull elk or mountain goats, you’ll probably like permit changes DWR biologists are recommending for 2011. Biologists are recommending that the number of general spike bull elk permits increase from 13,750 to 15,000 for this fall’s hunts. And mountain goat permits, which are once-ina-lifetime permits that are difficult to draw, might increase from 111 to 133. “Overall, Utah’s big game animals are doing well,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR. “There are plenty of opportunities to hunt big game in Utah.” While biologists estimate the total number of deer in Utah at more than 290,000, they’re concerned about the number of fawns per 100 does, and the number of bucks per 100 does, they’ve seen in certain areas of the state. Also, they want to help hunters transition to deer hunting changes that will happen in Utah in 2012. “We don’t know for sure yet,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR, “but the board may decide to cut general season buck deer permits by as many as 13,000 by 2012.”

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30 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

7 Habits of Highly Effective Bear Hunters (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)

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Training to

HUNT: Unfortunately we can seemingly do all

Good habits…bad habits… we’ve all got a few. 7 basic habits continue to put guys like Jason and Zach in the right spot at the right time when spring bear season rolls around each year. And they can do the same for you. Are you willing to develop some new habits to tip the odds for success in your favor this season?

the right things in our pursuit of bears and still come up short. Often times we neglect the pre-hunt routine that can ultimately be a deal breaker when the actual hunt finally arrives. Failure to train and prepare for the hunt can sabotage your opportunity for success as quick as any other factor. Far too many hunters have had to wave the white flag of defeat in the midst of a hunt because they were physically unable to get where the bears were. You can glass all you want, but if you haven’t physically prepared yourself to hoof it in the backcountry for miles on end, then you just might have overlooked one of the most important habits leading to your success…or failure. And hunters should never underestimate the need for pre-hunt training with their equipment. Nothing stings worse than when you have done everything right, you did finally sneak to within range of bear…and then you choke on the shot. The shot was too far...too close…too steep…and the list goes on. The fact is, a lack of pre-hunt training can quickly leave you unprepared when the moment of truth arrives. Don’t overlook the need to take the time to train to hunt.

fastest, concentrating the bears into smaller areas. This makes for one of the best times to locate and ultimately kill that bear, because they will stick close to that food source. As the season progresses and temperatures begin to warm up, more and more fresh grass is exposed from the winter snow. Bears are like any other animal that grazes…they want the freshest, greenest grass chutes they can find. So concentrate your efforts at snow line as the snow works its way back up the mountains. Zach Butcher of Trophy Taker in Plains, MT also places a big emphasis on hunting adequate food sources for bears. Particularly the freshest food available. “Find areas that have good grass, like logging roads and old clear cuts,” says Butcher. “Some of the hotspots may include a spring that has good cover around it, but is open enough to glass from a distance. I also look for deep, dark draws with old growth timber close to open hill sides or clear cuts. Bears like the security of the dark draws, but stay close to the open hill sides for the green grass.” Being Patient: You’ve heard it said before, “Patience is a virtue.” And nothing could be truer for the hunter…particularly the bear hunter! Matzinger recommends being patient and spending lots of time behind high quality optics. “I will literally spend 4-5 hours spotting and glassing one hillside with my binoculars before moving to a new vantage point. I will make a grid system, starting at one point and working my way across the hillside in a methodical pattern making sure to cover all the areas. As soon as I get done, I start all over again. So be patient!” Hunting Low-Pressure Areas: “Go where people aren’t,” says Matzinger. “This sounds pretty standard but it really took me years to get past this one. One evening after work me and my camera guy, Jeff, decided to go and try one of the popular bear areas around Bozeman. When we arrived at the trailhead there were 7 other trucks already there. I was so discouraged at this that I decided that for the rest of the year I was going to just go where I knew there was no people around. That’s when I found my best bear spots!” The bottom line is, hunting pressure on the bear population is a deal breaker. Like other game animals, bears simply won’t tolerate the pressure from people…particularly during hunting hours. Get away from the crowds and you just might find yourself in an overlooked hotspot for your next bear. Staying Committed: A commitment to the relentless pursuit of black bear success just might be one of the deadliest habits one can develop. “Be committed,” says Butcher. “If you find an area that has

good bear sign in it, don’t give up on it just because you may not see any bears there on your first sit. I have often been skunked several evenings in a row and left wondering if I should look in a different area. Then, somehow I convince myself to go back for one more evening and end up seeing 3 or 4 bears.” Commitment is the key. Plan your hunt…and hunt your plan. If you’ve done your homework, and know that there are bears in the area…stick with it. Your commitment will pay off. Glassing…Glassing…and More Glassing: Developing the habit of patiently sitting behind a pair of quality optics for hours on end may seem brutal. However, it is one of the single greatest habits a successful bear hunter can exhibit in his or her quest for locating their next trophy. “I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled up and there will be a discouraged hunter heading out with his head hanging low because he had spent all day glassing and turned up nothing,” says Matzinger. “However, within minutes of setting up my Leica spotting scope I will see bears right where that hunter had been looking all day! I cannot stress the importance of high quality optics enough when it comes to spring bear spot-n-stalk hunting. Not only will they help you pick out those hard to see bears, but they will save wear and tear on your body being able to size the bears up from long distances and knowing whether it is a bear worth going after or not.” Zach Butch also says glassing is a must. “A wise hunter will spend lots of time glassing in the evenings. I see more bears by glassing in the evenings than at any other time.” Planning Your Stalk: So you’ve put your time in behind the binoculars or spotting scope. You find a bear worthy of the pursuit. Everything seems textbook up to this point. But it’s often what you do in the next few moments that can make or break the whole deal. “Choose your stalks wisely,” says Butcher. “If you find a bear in a difficult stalking position, before you press the issue, take a look at the situation. Is the bear moving through the area or is it simply out feeding, doing its normal routine? If it looks like the bear is moving through the area, by all means attempt a stalk. If not, kick back and watch it for a while and observe what it does and where it goes. By watching the bear’s behavior and its pattern, you can typically put together an adequate plan to effectively stalk that bear. I will often watch a bear for a couple evenings before attempting a stalk. And when you do start your stalk, don’t give up on it just because you see the bear disappear into the timber. Bears are curious animals and will often wander off into the timber or brush to investigate something and come back out in a few minutes. Instead of being disappointed and giving up, take this time as an opportunity to close the distance. Be patient and wait for the bear to return.”

MAY 2011

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MAY 2011

Big Hole River Foundation

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To Order Tickets Please Contact: BIG HOLE RIVER FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 3894, Butte, MT. 59702~ 866-533-2473 ~ bhrf@bhrf.org or Order Online at www.bhrf.org The Big Hole River Foundation’s mission is to conserve, enhance and protect the free-flowing character of the Big Hole River, it’s unique culture, fish and wildlife.

Outdoor Calendar FORT BENTON FORT BENTON SPRING CLASSIC FISHING DERBY: 5/20 - 5/22

MISSOULA ELK CALLING CONTEST: 5/21

HAVRE BLACK POWDER SHOOT: 5/27 - 5/30

Events To Support WILDLIFE

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is hosting an elk calling contest. Men’s, Women’s & Youth Categories for both adults and children. Filled with prizes and cash. Mandatory meeting at 5:30pm Friday. divisions. Registration starts at 10 am. Contest begins at 10:30. Safe shooting, archery shooting and more! Must have 2011 Fishing License to sign-up. Starts Don’t miss this family fun event. Friday 5:30pm, fish all night until Saturday 5:00pm. Phone 800-CALL ELK Phone: 406-621-5592

Shooters of all ages compete in numerous match events. Tomahawk and knife throwing competitions and a pancake race are part of the fun. Primitive dress is encouraged, but not required and camping is available. Muzzleloaders and black powder cartridge guns are encouraged (cartridge rifle only). Handguns, cap and ball or muzzleloaders. Phone: 406-265-2483

LIBBY KOOCANUSA RESORT SALMON & TROUT DERBY: 5/14 - 5/15

Fishermen and women come from all over to partake in this event of catching the big one. Register early, grab your fishing pole and gear. Held at Koocanusa Resort & Marina. Phone: 406-293-7474

LIBBY STOKR - SCENIC TOUR OF THE KOOTENAI RIVER: 5/14 - 5/15

2-day bicycle tour that benefits Habitat for Humanity. Riders choose between a 45 mile or 98 mile ride for the first day. Day 2 is a 38 mile loop. Phone: 406-293-2441

MISSOULA OUTDOORSFEST: 5/15

Shoot archery range and 3-D course, air rifle range, fly-casting, learn to tie flies and watch the kids catch live trout. Join in on paintball, outdoor skills and seminars, while the kids enjoy face painting, bouncers and more. Phone: 406-626-4168 www.outdoorsmenchurch.com

MISSOULA MT-SFW BANQUET: 5/21

Silent auction, vendor booths, and mini-trade show, dinner at 6pm with keynote speaker, Ryan Benson, National Director of Big Game Forever, live auction, Shane Clouse & Stomping Ground. Held at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Phone 406-370-1368

MULE DEER FOUNDATION 6/16-19/2011 Townsend BSA Camporee RD Marshall Johnson marshall@muledeer.org 7/16/2011 Missoula Western Montana Chapter Gene Foster 406-218-9883 hirescue@aol.com NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FED. 7/16/2011 Helena Last Chance Gobblers George Carella 406-458-8677 lastchancegobblers@yahoo.com 7/29/2011 Kalispell NW Montana Longbeards Frank Brisendine 406-857-3711 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION 05/07/11 Missoula Five Valleys Big Game Banquet Mark Sommer 406-721-9361 05/21/11 Bozeman Gallatin Big Game Banquet Deniece Cade 05/21/11 Plains Sanders County Big Game Banquet Linda Wilson 406-826-8651 06/11/11 West Yellowstone Yellowstone Taylor Fork Big Game Banquet

Kelli Delzer 406-995-389 WALLEYES UNLIMITED 05/07/11 Helena Upper Missouri River Annual Banquet

Bowﬁ shing I

BY CHRIS MORGAN

t’s about that time of year for Helena area anglers to experience some of the best ﬁshing action in the area.

I’m not talking about monster Trout in the Missouri, Walleye in the lakes, or Brookies in small streams. You don’t need much tackle and don’t have to sit around waiting for the bite to turn on. If you prefer to eat the fish you catch, this type of fishing may not be quite as appealing to you; however it sure is a blast. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about bowfishing. In this state you are legally allowed to harvest any non-game fish, but the most targeted species in the area is Common Carp. Before heading out to the water, be sure to pick up your Montana Fishing License and regulations. Between May and August, Carp can be found in good numbers in shallow areas on all of the lakes on the Missouri. As the weather gets warmer the action usually gets better as Carp begin spawning when the water temps reach just above sixty degrees. Carp can be taken during the day or by night. If you own a boat and a generator, buy some halogen lights at your local hardware store. The fish are far less spooky at night as they cannot see you, and do not recognize the light as danger. If you do not own a boat a bright LED flashlight strapped to your bow works equally well. For those just starting out, gear is pretty simple. You can use any bow as long as you are comfortable drawing it several dozen times. The arrows you will need are made specifically for bowfishing.

They are constructed of fiberglass, have numerous head configurations, and come in a “one size fits all” length. Aside from a bow and an arrow you will need a reel. In my opinion, the reel is the most important part of the setup. You can get by with a spool of heavy line but the reels specifically designed for bow fishing make the experience more fun and hassle free. Two options in this area could be a Zebco 808 spooled with heavy braided line or retriever pro reel designed by AMS Bowfishing. Aside from gear all you need to complete the equation is carp to shoot at. Look for them in shallow weedy bays. They make quite a disturbance to the surface while spawning so they won’t be hard to find. Give bowfishing a try and you soon might find that you have a new favorite summer hobby! You can find all of the bowfishing gear you need at your local Wholesale Sports. Bowfishing seminars will be held at Wholesale Sports in Helena on May 7th and June 4th from 12pm to 1pm. There will also be the Annual Carp Safari put on by Montana Bowhunters Association at Hellgate Campground on June 11th; information can be found at http://mtba.org/montana-resources/ carpfest.

MAY 2011

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

Jamaican Jerk-smoked Chicken With Plum Chutney And Plums Pizza www.overlandadventureoutfitters.com OVERLAND ADVENTURE OUTFITTERS

Ingredients

Preparation: at the campsite 1. Grill chicken over a bed of coals until completely cooked and dice into bite-size pieces. 2. Roll out pizza dough onto a sheet of heavy-duty, non-stick foil* and place on a grate over the coals for 4-5 minutes or until just browned. 3. Flip the dough sheet over and spread the tomato basil sauce evenly over the browned surface of the dough 4. Evenly sprinkle the chicken over the crust followed by the chopped plums 5. Drizzle the Plum Chutney over the surface of the pizza. 6. Sprinkle parmesan cheese 7. Layer the cheese strips on top of the other ingredients. 8. Place the pizza carefully over the coals and cover with a foil tent. Cook until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted. You may need to place coals on top of the foil to completely melt the cheese without burning the crust.

The Desirable

Brookie (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27)

PLUM CHUTNEY (taken directly from Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas by Priebe and Jacob) 1⁄2 cup prune juice 2 tbs. brown sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon dried ground ginger 1/4 cup dark raisins 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon chili ﬂakes TOMATO BASIL SAUCE 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup tomatoes, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste (canned or fresh) 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper 2 basil leaves, minced 1⁄4 teaspoon sugar 1/4 tsp. kosher salt SMOKED CHICKEN 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs 1 tsp. liquid smoke 1 tbs. jerk-spice dry rub 1 premade, refrigerated pizza crust 2 small plums peeled and chopped 4-5 slices of your favorite cheese (we prefer pepper jack) cut into 1⁄2” slices 2 tablespoons grated parmesan

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Preparation: at home: 1. Mix all ingredients for the plum chutney in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. The sauce will be thick, spicy, and sweet. Allow to cool and place in a reusable container with a lid. Refrigerate. 2. Mix all ingredients for the tomato basil sauce in a reusable container with a lid. Refrigerate. 3. Rub the chicken with liquid smoke followed by the dry rub. Place in a plastic bag or reusable container with a lid. Refrigerate. Slice and enjoy!

The Approach Brook trout in small streams are very spooky so fish them like you were on a spot-and-stalk bow hunt. Use a stealthy approach to any hole or plunge pool then delicately drop a fly or lure onto the water to sample the water. Approach the hole slowly from downstream – most fish will be looking upstream waiting for food to flow downstream. Cast up stream of the area you want to fish and let your fly or lure float over the area that you’ve selected. Make several casts and if they don’t produce fish then move on to the next hole upstream. Catch and Release or Catch and Cook Brook trout make excellent table fare. With that being said, I haven’t kept a trout that I’ve caught in over twenty years. Brook trout, particularly mountain brook trout, are being hammered by rapid pollution and degradation of their native habitat and from over harvest by fishermen. Let your conscience be your guide, have a memorable day fishing, harvest what you need then release the rest so that someone else can enjoy fishing for brook trout on that same mountain stream.

34 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

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A Win Is A Win….or Bighorn Back In So They Say Nine years ago, the largest fire in Colorado’s (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24) recorded history seared a giant burn into the Nor do I care how it got done in the end. What’s important is that it’s a start. You can do 15 minutes of research online and look at the paper trail and see who and what made it happen. It was no single entity that did it all, but an organized coalition of Sportsmen and Ag groups. But some men and women were the first on the beach head and then there were some who rode in on the white horse and shot the last wounded enemy soldier proclaiming “Victory!” I don’t care. I look forward to time afield with my children and good friends or time on the water with a limber fly-rod in hand. It beats penning columns that are 10 years over due on the fore mentioned topic. So now it’s a time for a Sportsmen’s spring break! One last reminder the MT SFW 2nd Annual BBQ and Live Auction fundraising event will be held at the Western Montana Fair Grounds in Missoula, MT. The gate will open at 4 p.m. for cocktails and the silent auction. Dinner and a live auction will follow. The evening will be rounded out by Mr. Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground, one of the finest local country artists and groups in the last decade. We expect attendance to nearly double this year! Make your plans now. Additional information can be found at the MT SFW website, under the fundraiser tab and tickets can be purchased early from any Board Member. SFW is committed to sovereign state rights to hunt, fish and trap on our public lands in Montana as well as protect our sheep, cattle and domestic pets from predation. I encourage you to become a member of Montana SFW through the above membership card or our website at www.mt-sfw.org.

rugged landscape. By scouring trees off of the area’s granite outcrops and knobs, the Hayman fire restored historic habitat for Colorado’s state animal, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

CDW PHOTO

Biologists from the Colorado Division of Wildlife released a band of 12 young bighorn back onto Thunder Butte near the Four Mile State Wildlife Area on the eastern side of the canyon during the second year of a three-year restoration project. Biologists anticipate that most of the nine females, or ewes, are pregnant and hope that the new band will increase in numbers in the coming years. “Bighorn sheep are one of our most prized wildlife species and this was historically bighorn range,” said Janet George, a senior terrestrial biologist with the Division’s Northeast Region. “It is gratifying to be able to do something good by bringing them back to a place like this.” This year’s release follows a similar operation in early 2010, when three rams and nine ewes, also from the Rampart Range herd, were released across the canyon near an outcrop known as Sheep Rock.

Hayman Burn CDW PF Names Montanan Researchers documented that three of those sheep were lost to predators, but two lambs born last year survived to become new members of the young band of bighorn.

To New Post

PHEASANTS FOREVER

Pheasants Forever has named Sam Lawry of Hamilton to its new position of Western Farm Bill Biologist In Colorado, bighorn typically favor Coordinator. Lawry joins Pheasants exposed, steep or broken landscapes dominated by grass, low shrubs and rocky Forever after five years as the Director of terrain for escape. With the exclusion of fire, Conservation Programs at The Teller. the forest that gradually overran the meadows Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill and knobs of the Hayman country eliminated Biologist program is designed to the grassy, open landscape that bighorn, deer provide technical assistance to farmers and elk favor. As a result, wild sheep have and ranchers – through one-on-one been absent from much of the area for the consulting – regarding the benefits of past 50 years. federal Farm Bill conservation programs (such as the Conservation Reserve In 2006, DOW biologists, working with Program, or CRP). It also serves to assist additional funds from the Rocky Mountain farmers and ranchers through the Bighorn Society, began studying the site for implementation of various programs and reintroduction. GIS mapping analysis and practices. Pheasants Forever has more site visits confirmed that conditions were than 60 Farm Bill Biologists. Lawry will ripe for the return of the bighorns. Within work to expand Pheasants Forever’s Farm the 138,000-acre Hayman Burn, 97,606 Bill Biologist program in western states to acres or 70 percent of the fire’s footprint is improve habitat not only for pheasants and now suitable bighorn habitat. western quail, but sage grouse, prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse and mule deer. Since this year’s release in mid-February, Lawry says replicating Pheasants biologist Heather Halbritter has been Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program tracking the movements of the two bands success - 44,000 landowner contacts of sheep using radio-telemetry gear. Signals affecting more than 1.6 million acres from the sheeps’ radio collars confirm that so far – will happen in western states. all of the Thunder Butte bighorn are alive “Conservation programs and funding are and exploring the terrain in their new home. in place, but the lacking element has been Across the canyon, the Sheep Rock band is people initiating landowner contacts, also intact and established in new habitat. building trust and following through with Both bands of bighorn sheep will continue to be monitored for the next several years, as delivery, “Now I get to ‘walk the walk.’” Prior to working at The Teller, DOW studies the success of the transplant. Lawry served for three years as the In addition to bighorn, large numbers of elk Coordinator of the Intermountain West and mule deer have recolonized the area on Joint Venture, and also had a 20 year their own, thriving on the grasses and forbs career with the Arizona Game and Fish that now grow among snags blackened by Department. Lawry will be working from fire. his home in Hamilton , Montana , where he resides with his wife and four For more information on bighorn sheep in daughters. He can be contacted at Colorado, go to: 406-552-5052 or email http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/ SLawry@pheasantsforever.org. Profiles/Mammals/BighornSheep.

MAY 2011

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• 35

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RMEF Grants For Montana Conservation Projects

Joe Bauer & Son Max Bauer With Bull Elk

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION

Wolf-related research on elk productivity and survival in the Bitterroot Valley, plus a variety of forest, weed and habitat management efforts, headline a slate of projects selected for 2011 grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The new RMEF grants total $210,705 and affect Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Missoula, Lewis and Clark, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders counties. “We expect the Bitterroot Valley research to help build the body of science needed to effectively manage both wolves and elk in the future. We’re also pleased to providing funding again this year for prescribe burns, weed treatments, forest thinning, fence removal and other habitat projects to benefit elk and other wildlife. These projects could add over 9,400 acres to the 693,373 acres that we’ve already helped to conserve or enhance in Montana,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife. Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s grant coffers, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, a major conservation milestone is within reach.” RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county: Beaverhead County--Remove encroaching conifers from aspen and mountain mahogany stands, and treat noxious weeds such as spotted knapweed, houndstongue and musk thistle, to improve elk habitat in the Rattlesnake Creek and

Little Sheep Creek areas of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Broadwater County--Remove juniper encroaching into native grasslands by prescribe burning 845 acres of elk and bighorn sheep habitat in the Crow Creek/Elkhorn Mountains of Helena National Forest. Deer Lodge County--Improve native grasslands for elk and other wildlife by treating with herbicide 1,429 acres of spotted knapweed in Stucky Ridge area of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Flathead County--Treat weed infestations in elk winter range in the Spotted Bear River, South Fork of the Flathead River and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas of Flathead National Forest (also affects Powell and Lewis and Clark counties); continue ongoing weed management program using aerial and ground herbicide applications, mechanical controls and biocontrols (insects) on 550 acres in Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge. Gallatin County--RMEF volunteers will help remove approximately 20 miles of old barbwire fencing to improve habitat for elk in the Bozeman and Hebgen ranger districts of Gallatin National Forest. Granite County--Prescribe burn 1,800 acres, and spot treat weeds on 100 acres, to improve elk winter range in the Rock Creek/Butte Cabin area of Lolo National Forest. Missoula County--Prescribe burn 540 acres to remove conifers, rejuvenate brush and native grass forage for elk and other wildlife in the Cooney, Rumble and Smith creek areas of the Swan Range in Flathead National Forest. Powder River County--Improve habitat for elk, deer and other species by prescribe burning 1,500 acres of ponderosa pine forest in Ashland Ranger District of the Custer National Forest. Ravalli County--Thin small trees and

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1944 Birch St. Missoula, MT Call for a free estimate (406) 721-0881 visit us on the web at www.mountainstatescollisionrepair.com prescribe burn to enhance forage in important elk winter range in the West Fork of the Bitterroot River/Soda Springs area of Bitterroot National Forest; conduct scientific research on elk productivity, survival and recruitment in areas where wolves are present in the Bitterroot Valley. Sanders County--Improve elk summer range by thinning trees and prescribe burning 302 acres in the Beaver Creek area of Kootenai National Forest. Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities. Partners for 2011 projects in Montana include Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, University of Montana, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, organizations, corporations and landowners. Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 688 different conservation and education projects in Montana with a combined value of more than $124 million.

ELK.

Make Contact NOW For Access to Privately Owned Hunting Lands (continued from page 19)

Don’t wait: If you try to talk your way onto hunting property at the last minute, expect to be denied. Have 3 or 4 properties in mind, and start making contacts now. You may even get to scout the property before the season starts. Wouldn’t that be cool? Give back: Once you establish a good relationship with a landowner, make sure to give back something. Offer to help on the property, take a gift basket, or just ask if there is anything you can offer that may help. If you do all of these things, it should help you get on at least one premium piece of land for the upcoming season and seasons to come. If you are a property owner and would welcome hunters on your land, please contact us. We’ll list your information on our website at www.bigskyoutdoornews.net.

36 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

INTRODUCING ASPEN TRAIL!

MY GRANDSON’S TROPHY BULL (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5) hunting deer. Connor was free that Saturday, and his grandpa asked him if he wanted to go hunting. Connor said he would, but he wanted to hang out with his friends that night instead. Since his grandpa had already gotten his elk, he didn’t push it. Saturday night, Connor called about nine and said he would like to go the next day, Sunday and see if he could get his elk. So 5:30am, they went to Elk Park, hiked up a creek and then up the mountain in the dark. As they got to the top, daylight was approaching and Connor said he was not feeling well. He had worn too many clothes and was overheated. They sat for awhile and then proceeded to an open meadow. They looked at a couple more meadows and decided to drop down to the bottom. Connor was still not feeling well, so he stayed up top while his grandpa dropped down to see what was there. As his grandpa looked in the bottom, he saw an elk coming up the creek, so he ran up and waved at Connor to come down. He told Connor he saw an elk, but didn’t know if it was a bull or not. Connor’s grandpa gave him his shooting sticks and told him to watch the mountainside for any sign of the elk. His grandpa saw something that looked like the back end of an elk and put up the binoculars and was excited when a giant elk came into view. Grandpa called Connor to get over here, because it was a HUGE bull. Connor came over and put his gun over a log

and pointed where the elk was to come into view. As Connor gazed through his scope trying to pick him up, his grandpa knew when he spotted him, because he shouted, “He’s HUGE!” His grandpa could almost hear Connor’s heart pounding, so he told Connor to calm down and take a deep breath. The elk was over 350 yards away. I didn’t know how flat a 270 short mag rifle shot, so I told Connor to shoot over him. Just then the bull turned sideways. I thought how lucky can he get, as he squeezed the trigger. With my binoculars still on the elk, I saw him throw up his head and realized Connor had overshot him. After shouting at him to bring the gun down a bit, he adjusted and put the crosshairs on his front shoulders and fired a second shot. We both watched as the big bull rose on his back legs, turned around to run, and did a nose dive. I was as excited as Connor was. I kept telling him, “Good shot! Good shot!” The smile on Connor’s face went from ear to ear as we started down the hill and over to the other side of the mountain. We looked, but couldn’t find the elk. Then I came across his tracks. He had pulled himself beside a big log and was dead. As Connor was coming up, he said with a sad face, “I must have missed him.” Then I pointed to the place where the elk lay. A big grin once more was on Connor’s face. As we walked up the huge bull, we were in shock when we looked at the giant antlers. Even more shocking was the

fact he was only a 5 point. Of all the bulls I have killed, even my friend’s kills, I never saw a bull with such massive horns for a 5 point. It was unbelievable! It was unbelievable for a 14 year old to kill a trophy bull that big. Most hunters have hunted all of their lives and haven’t come close. It was so big the two of us couldn’t move him. At 14, Connor was 6 ft. tall, weighing 190 lbs. I told Connor we would have to field dress him on his side. I wanted to save the cape, it was so beautiful. It took us a good hour before we were done. When we reached top of the ridge, Connor called his dad thinking he was still in the Missouri Breaks. When he told us he was home, Connor told him he shot a 5 point elk. He asked where we were so he could come up and help us out. Connor told him he had to take me to the hospital first (I had cut my finger to the bone). The phone went dead. My sons didn’t know what to think. Seven stitches later and after we ate, we went to the elk. My son and his friend had looks on their faces that were priceless when they saw Connor’s elk. Rob couldn’t believe the trophy elk his 14 year old had taken. All he could say was it was unbelievable to get a 6 year old bull that close to Butte. When we took the elk to a taxidermist, I asked him

how a 5 point bull could be that large. He said he had only seen a few and the size is in the elk’s genes. The elk would have always been a 5 point. All I know is I have a very proud grandson, and I don’t think he will ever top what he’s done.

Connor 2009 Age 13 with his buck

MAY 2011

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38 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Sporting Goods Montana Style Gear Up For Summer with: -Athletic Footwear -Active Wear & Outdoor Apparel -Camping & Backpacking Gear -Tennis & Golf Equipment Best Selection of Fishing Gear: -Fly Rods & Reels -Spinning/Casting Rods & Reels -Spinning/Casting -Waders & Wading shoes -Fly Tying Equipment -Basic & Premium ﬂ ies -Lures & Baits -Tubes, Pontoons & Rafts

MAY 2011

Bob Ward & Sons New Gear Review Each month we select several products that are brand new to the market and may appeal to our Montana readers and customers.

Expanded Selection From Alpine Archery! The ALL NEW F1 Fireball

Screaming 337 FPS fast, quiet, and one heck of a bargain, that’s what the new F1 Fireball is all about. If you are looking for an extreme parallel limb bow that doesn’t kill the pocketbook and just plain gets it done, the Alpine F1 Fireball is the killer, get it done work horse of the Alpine line. The Fireball is fitted with Alpine’s legendary Velocitec cam with “Dynamic Load Balancing Technology” (patent pending) The new forged riser is finished in the Mossy Oak Break-up Infinity camo with brown hardware, antiqued medallion, and rosewood grip. The new F1 Fireball is as nice to look at as it is to shoot.

& The F2 Liberator This little hummer is light and fast, and at around $400 bucks you can’t go wrong. The short axle to axle length makes it a perfect treestand or ground blind bow.

The Liberator is fitted with Alpine’s legendary Velocitec cam with “Dynamic Load Balancing Technology” (patent pending). The 6061 machined riser is finished in the Mossy Oak Break-up Infinity camo with brown hardware, antiqued medallion, and rosewood grip. The new F2 Liberator is sleek, fast, and fun to shoot. Get one today!

Stop in and let one of our Archery Pros help you with your archery needs. In addition

to the hot new F1 Fireball and F2 Liberator, we’ve added the Alpine Yukon and Ventura in adult bows and the Lil Guff youth bow.

Try the ALL NEW G Loomis Rods from Temple Fork Outfitters Montana’s Largest Selection of Optics For Your Outdoor Adventures

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FISHING

RODS

Freshwater

Almost 3 decades ago, Gary Loomis

founded G.Loomis® and quickly attracted the attention and admiration of the world’s most discerning anglers. Throughout the evolution of carbon fiber rod design, Gary distinguished himself as the Master. Using leading edge technology and engineering, he designed tools that have defined High Performance in rods. Although, Gary is no longer affiliated with G.Loomis®, his desire to “build the best rods available” remains. A new generation of Affordable High Performance rods. Gary is fully committed to increasing the participation in fishing and protecting our natural resources for future generations.

“Working with Temple Fork Outfitters allows me to put high-quality rods in the hands of potential anglers that otherwise would not have access to this kind of gear. It is these new anglers that, through their enjoyment of the sport, will help us protect our threatened fisheries.” Gary Loomis Lightweight rods built with crisp, responsive, and ultra sensitive tips backed up by powerful butts, the Gary Loomis rods are FAST ACTION rods and cover the greatest range of applications. If you are looking for a well-built, exceptionally designed rod, look no further. Voted Best Spinning Rod of 2010 by Field & Stream.

MAY 2011

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MISSOULA BOZEMAN

3015 Paxson St. (406) 728-3220

3011 Max Ave. (406) 586-4381

HELENA

3323 Dredge Dr. (406) 443-2138

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

BUTTE

1925 Dewey Blvd. (406) 494-4452

• 39

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**Helena store does not carry Filson brand. Shop instead at bobwards.com

40 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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MAY 2011

Husqvarna: Professionally proven outdoor equipment. Quality Supply: Professionally trained technicians who know power equipment*. Husqvarna Yard Tractor •42 inch cutting deck & Briggs & Stratton, 22 hp engine. •Well equipped to handle the toughest challenges. •Hydrostatic transmission for smooth control. •Bag or mulch with optional attachments.

•Briggs & Stratton, Endurance Series V-Twin, 22 hp engine. •42 inch fabricated deck. •Heavy-duty chassis. •Bag or mulch with optional attachments.

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Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower •Briggs & Stratton, Endurance 16.5 hp engine. •42 inch cutting width. •Mows 2.2 acres / hour. •Twin, maintenance-free integrated transmission. •Heavy-duty front casters.

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3 Year Homeowner Warranty

$2,399.95

Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower •Kohler Courage V-Twin, 24 hp engine. •54 inch cutting width. •Mows 2.8 acres / hour. •Maintenance-free drive system. •Heavy-duty front casters.

181769

3 Year Homeowner Warranty

$2,999.95

RZ5424

185030

*Factory trained technicians in Missoula, Butte & Hamilton View our Sales Flyers Online at QualitySupply.com

MISSOULA

HAMILTON

2801 W. Broadway 1189 1st Street South 549-2355 363-7644 1-800-823-6666 1-888-406-7644 Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 8-6, Mon.-Sat. 8-7, Sun. 9-5 Sun. 9-5

DILLON

Financing Meeting real needs...for real people Available

Montana 851 N. Montana Owned! 683-6855 1-800-683-6855 Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Sun. 10-4

BUTTE

3939 Harrison Avenue 494-6188 1-888-494-6188 Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 9-5