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Sounds
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Five Reasons To Take A Cow Elk RMEF
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our crosshairs shift undecidedly between a raghorn bull and a big cow, both standing broadside at 60 yards. The elk tag in your pocket makes both animals legal. Which one do you shoot? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offers 5 reasons to consider taking the cow:
Flu-prone Elk Hunters: It May Be Altitude Sickness
RMEF
Flu is on everyone’s mind this autumn. So for hunters who start feeling lousy upon arrival in elk camp, the diagnosis may seem obvious. But, like skiers and mountain climbers, elk hunters at high elevations also are prone to altitude sickness with symptoms that look and feel like the flu—headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath and trouble sleeping. Ways to prevent the flu are well publicized, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is offering the following tips for avoiding altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by thin air at high elevations. Your body must work harder to maintain normal oxygen levels in the blood. Breathing and pulse rates increase. Still, the lack of oxygen can knock a hunter down especially if they go too hard too soon. “Most of us live at a much lower elevation than elk do. That alone puts many hunters at a disadvantage even before they begin their first stalk,” said Cameron Hanes, a fitness and bowhunting authority as well as TV show host and columnist for RMEF. Hanes says most sufferers adapt to high altitude by the fourth day. The following tips can help you make better use of your first three days in elk country. ·When you arrive in high country, avoid physical exertion for the first 24 hours. This can be tough when you’ve been looking forward to the hunt all year, so if you can’t or won’t take a full day to adjust, be smart. Don’t go full bore right out of the gate. Hunt high, sleep low. At elevations above 5,000 feet, try to gain no more than 2,000
feet per day. You can hunt higher as long as you go back down 2,000 feet to sleep. Ascend very slowly past 8,000 feet. Acclimatize yourself. Acclimatization helps cells get along on a smaller oxygen budget. By gaining altitude slowly, your body will adjust gradually with few if any symptoms of altitude sickness. If traveling by air to a hunt above 8,000 feet, try to incorporate a layover of one to two days at an intermediate altitude. Drink water copiously and constantly avoid alcohol for the first few days. Alcohol dehydrates you and drinking at high altitudes amplifies its affect. Consume a high-carbohydrate diet. Lots of granola bars, trail mix, etc. The prescription drug acetazolamide (Diamox) can be helpful as a preventive treatment but always consult with your doctor first. Fitness at sea level doesn’t guarantee an easier time when you’re at 10,000 feet, but being in good shape makes it more likely that your lungs can cope with the challenges of the high life. If these tips don’t work, and if your symptoms persist even at lower altitudes, you may indeed have the flu. Hanes serves RMEF as host of “Elk Chronicles” on Outdoor Channel and as a columnist for “Bugle” magazine. His second book, “Backcountry Bowhunting, A Guide to the Wild Side,” is currently in its fifth printing and is available at www. cameronhanes.com.
1. Reducing a herd to fit the carrying capacity of its winter range is a form of habitat conservation. Culling a calf-producer is more effective population control. Wildlife agencies issue either-sex tags specifically to encourage hunter harvest of cows. 2. Letting young bulls walk improves your odds for a big, mature bull next year. 3. A more abundant bull population tends to be older which can improve efficiency of the rut. Result: more bulls surviving winter, higher pregnancy rates in cows, fewer late calves and better overall herd health. 4. A less abundant cow population tends to be younger, more vigorous and resistant to diseases. 5. As table fare, cows and calves are generally better.
Hunting remains the primary wildlife management tool today, vital for balancing elk populations within biological and cultural tolerances, says David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Habitat conservation, sound management, good hunting, healthy wildlife—they’re all tied together. And, more and more, adequate harvest of cow elk is becoming a factor. If you have an either-sex elk tag this fall, consider letting young bulls go and filling your freezer with a fat cow,” he said. RMEF this summer passed the 5.6 million acre mark in habitat conserved or enhanced. ABOUT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION: Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
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lthough still a young company, Cooper Firearms of Montana Inc has firmly placed its mark in the history of American shooting sports. Having set a standard of quality formerly reserved to custom gunmakers has made these rifles stand out in the field and draw crowds at local shooting ranges. The Custom Classic is a Custom version of their Classic style. Available with many custom shop options, the Custom Classic stock style features AAA Claro walnut, genuine ebony tip, steel grip cap, Pachmayr pad, and shadow-line cheek piece. We use Len Brownel’s western flure checkering pattern that is carefully executed by hand. All the metal is hand polished to a fine gloss and hot blued. Also available left handed. There are many custom options available with a Cooper Firearm and Cooper Firearms is lucky to have certified engraver, Jeff Spicer on board. Having learned his craft under such renowned teachers as Berry Lee Hands and Jack Jones Jr., Jeff honed his skills with Ithaca Classic Doubles. His skills as an artist offer an almost endless list of possibilities from simple engraving and wire bands to Bulino-style game scenes in flush or sculpted gold. With a team of devoted craftsmen, a skilled design crew and a dedication to quality and customer service, the future of Cooper Firearms of Montana Inc is guaranteed to continue at a level well above the competition. To learn more contact: Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc., PO Box 114 • Stevensville, Montana 59870 Phone: (406) 777.0373 or visit www.CooperFirearms.com.
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Contents
6. 5 Mistakes Elk Hunters Make 7. 2009 Elk Hunting Outlook 8. Sounds Of The Rut 9. Economics Of Hunting In SW Montana 11. Avoid Common Hunting Mistakes 12. Fly Tying Corner 13. Public Comment Sought On Blackfoot River 14. Montana Fishing Report 16. Calendar Of Events 18. Give Deer Calls A Try 20. Getting Your Vehicle Ready For The Hunt 22. Photo Page 23. 2009 Pheasant Season Outlook 24. Hunting & Conservation News 26. Gutless Field Dressing 27. Elk Hunters Love To Talk 28. News From Rocky Mountain States 30. No Name Outdoors.com 31. Public Land Mule Deer 32. Photographing Your Big Game Trophies 33. Sagebrush News: How To Build A Fire 35. Tips To Get Prepared For This Year’s Rifle Buck Deer Hunt 36. Boone And Crockett Club Announces Mule Deer, Elk Books 38. 2009 Deer Hunting Outlook Cover photo: Face forward buck mule deer on the South Book Cliffs of eastern Utah. By Brent Stettler, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on 12-6-08. THE YAMAHA PROMOTION HAS BEEN MOVED TO SPRING 2010. READ UPCOMING ISSUES FOR MORE DETAILS.
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NOVEMBER 2009
5 Mistakes Elk Hunters Make BY BRODIE SWISHER
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t’s a fact of elk hunting life that most days spent in the field will not result in a shot opportunity. It seems that the days when everything comes together for success are few and far between. I’ve had guys tell me they may have one or two good opportunities throughout the season to make good on killing their bull. Still there are others that may go years without the opportunity to score on their trophy. There are common mistakes that continue to plague many hunters year after year. They are shot-breakers that tip the odds in the bulls favor every time. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with friend and avid elk hunter, Troy Ruiz, formerly of Mossy Oak and Primos Hunting Calls. Over the years Troy has gained first hand experience as to why guys succeed and fail when in pursuit of elk. Here are a few of what he and I discussed as the Top 5 Mistakes Elk Hunters Make. 1) NOT BEING PATIENT - Spend the first day or two just listening to what the elk are doing before you move in slowly to the herd. Two days of long distance scouting could make for a 3rd day success. 2) RUSHING THE HERD - Don’t rush into the herd simply because they are getting up the mountain ahead of you. You bump one cow and the game is over. I’ve learned this the hard way. Elk, if not pressured, will generally go to and from their bedding area the same way each day. So be patient and learn their route, wait on the wind and move in slowly. Try and move with the herd staying level or slightly above depending on the wind. Eventually the herd will bed for the day. I have seen many hunters give up on bedded elk, but if you stay with the herd, you can call a bull out of his bed to
Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, and seminar speaker. Check out his website a www.BroOutdoors.com
come and retrieve the lost cow (you). A bull hates nothing more than a cow that can’t keep up. If this doesn’t work, imitate a young bull with high pitched squeals and bugles, tree raking, and rock rolling. Make it as realistic as possible. If you have confidence in what you’re doing you will be amazed at how effective you can be. But most of all be patient! 3) TAKING POOR SHOT ANGLES - A bull elk is a large animal, but can be put down in a short time, humanely and quickly. I personally like the bull to be quartering away slightly, or completely broadside. One thing many hunters don’t consider is that a bull elk, like most African game carry their vitals a little higher than deer. So aim a 3rd of the way up on a big bull holding tight to the crease of the shoulder. I had an experience with a bull in Wyoming once at 6 yards, the bull knew I was there so I held low anticipating him to drop. The bull never flinched until the arrow hit him. I felt like it was the perfect heart shot. But three days later and after several times looking at the footage we determined that the shot went under the heart. If you’re not sure, aim dead center of a broadside bull staying in-line with the crease of the shoulder and you will watch your bull crash! 4) FAILURE TO WATCH THE THERMALS - Thermals play a major part in determining what the elk will do at any given time. I have personally witnessed on many occasions elk hanging back or staying low in the meadows and valleys waiting for the wind thermals to change before starting their trek up the mountain in the mornings, and I have seen them come rushing down at the last glimmer of light in the evening while waiting for the thermals to (continued)
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5 Mistakes Elk Hunters Make drift. Let the elk do their normal routine, they will tell you when the thermals change by when they head up the mountain. Thermals can be a hunters best friend if used in your favor, thus like we talked earlier, instead of trying to beat the herd to the top, follow them are stay even with them is the key. If you play your cards and the wind right, you will be amazed as to how close you can get to the herd while moving with them. Remember, thermals come down in the morning. And rise in the afternoon. 5) CHANGING THEIR WORLD - You as a hunter cannot make a bull come to an area that he is not comfortable with. Just like turkeys, elk, especially when called to, don’t like being out of their comfort zone. Try setting up in an area that elk frequent such as wallows, rubs, trails and open ridge tops. Remember, elk live there 365 days a year. We are just a visitor. Do your best to go undetected. Usually the first time in after you have done your long distance scouting is the time that can be the best, make it count. If the scenario isn’t right, back out and try again tomorrow. Don’t push it, if you have time to be patient. Avoid the common mistakes that could result in another season with an empty meat freezer. Commit to slowing down, proper shot angles, watching the winds, and low-pressure hunting tactics on the herd and you may find yourself punching your tag this season.
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2009 Elk Hunting Outlook Montana has more than 135,000 elk and thousands of hopeful hunters making plans for an elk hunt. This could be an exceptional year for elk hunting if the precipitation the state has seen this summer continues in the form of snow. Montana’s general elk hunting season opened October 25. “Hunters are going to see very healthy populations of elk and liberal hunting opportunities. If the weather works in hunters’ favor, and they do some advance work to gain access where it’s needed, plenty of elk are potentially available for harvest,” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management section chief. As in the past couple of years, all eyes will be on the weather. Montana’s mild winters and late snows the past several years have contributed to lower elk harvests in some areas of the state, despite additional elk-hunting permits and more liberal seasons. “This has been an unusually good year for precipitation in much of the state,” Kujala said. “We’re all hoping it leans toward snow and in the hunters’ favor this fall.” Hunters may obtain a free Hunting Access guide from the FWP region where they plan to hunt and access
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MFWP
FWP’s hunter tool kit on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov , on the hunter access page. Here is an overview of 2009 elk hunting opportunities in the state. REGIONS 1 & 2—WESTERN MONTANA In FWP Region 1, near Kalispell, elk populations are stable to declining in some areas. Spring surveys revealed the regional cow/calf ratio is down from last year in part due to winter conditions. Over 2,300 elk were surveyed this spring. Hot spots for elk in northwestern Montana include the mountainous areas of the lower Clark Fork Valley , Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge area of the Purcell Mountains and the North Fork of the Flathead River. In FWP Region 2, biologists observed healthy elk numbers in the eastern half of the region. Elk numbers were lower than expected south and west of Missoula. A cold, snowy fall should help hunters to a good harvest of bulls, while permits for antlerless elk have been reduced overall. REGIONS 3—SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA Elk hunting in all of FWP Region 3 in the Bozeman area should be good,
with two exceptions: hunter success may be low in Hunting District 310 in the Upper Gallatin and Hunting District 313 in the Gardiner area. Elk populations in those two districts have declined in recent years. In many other FWP Region 3 districts, hunting opportunities are liberal with five weeks of brow-tined and antlerless hunting, as well as A9 licenses available. Hunters should have good success in the Gravelly and Tobacco Root mountains, the Yellowstone area, and Shields Valley. REGION 4—CENTRAL MONTANA Elk populations in FWP Region 4, in north central Montana near Great Falls, remain strong throughout the region. There is also a good distribution of older age animals. As always, FWP urges hunters to make their access arrangements well before they plan to hunt. REGION 5—SOUTH-CENTRAL MONTANA In FWP Region 5, in the Billings area, spring population surveys indicated that elk numbers are near to well above population objectives. Where public access is readily available, elk numbers are at or below population objectives. A hunter’s biggest challenge in some cases will be to obtain access to hunt on private land. Hunters are strongly urged to plan ahead to (continued on page 19)
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Sounds Of The Rut The sun had just begun to peek its brilliant orange face through the timber when I succumbed to the urge to tickle the rattling antlers. With nervous excitement, I dug into my backpack to retrieve the small pair of shed antlers. I always seem to experience a surge of adrenaline prior to producing the sounds of a rutting whitetail. I guess it’s because I know what is about to take place…and what the outcome just might be. The rut was about to break loose and frisky bucks had shredded trees and raked scrapes throughout the bottom in which I sat. My first calling efforts brought in a respectable buck to survey the situation. Knowing that bigger bucks hung out in the river bottoms, I decided to let the buck walk. I gave the buck time to wander out of range before I again brought the antlers together imitating the whitetail’s ultimate fighting challenge. I had just hung the antlers back on the limb when I noticed another buck making his way to the fight. He too was one to let walk and so I did. Over the course of the next hour, I rattled up five bucks! Talk about an exciting way to spend an hour or two before heading to the office! For the deer hunter, few things are as exciting as calling bucks to your stand when the rut is about to break loose.
BY BRODIE SWISHER
TALK WILD What are the sounds of the rut, or pre-rut? There are three basic calls I rely on and never leave home without. And there’s a fourth one that I’ll throw in when I really want to spice things up. The three main calls are a grunt call, rattling antlers/ bag, and a can-style call. There are a ton of grunt calls on the market today, many of them sounding alike. In fact, there is very little difference in many of the grunt calls you pull off the shelf. They are easy to use and with little (or no) practice you can call deer. I’ve used a variety of grunt calls throughout my years of deer hunting but in recent years I’ve settled in on a grunt call that can produce a medley of buck – and even doe – sounds. Calls like the True Talker Grunt Call from Hunter’s Specialties (hunterspec.com), the Rubberneck and Buck Roar calls from Primos Hunting Calls (primos.com), and the new Buck Collector from Flextone (flextonegamecalls.com) are a few of the “ATV’s” of game calls. These particular calls…and there are many others…allow you to make a variety of sounds from one single call. Young buck, old buck, aggressive buck, and even doe and fawn sounds can be made from these multipurpose grunt calls. I like a call that not only allows me to vary my pitch, tone, and duration, but also gives me the ability
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to manipulate the intensity, cadence, and inflection of the call, enabling me to produce the most realistic sounds possible. As for rattling, either real antlers, or a rattle bag can bring bucks to your stand. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. The rattle bag easily fits in your pocket or pack. Real antlers, whether they are sheds, or antlers cut off a previous kill, offers as-real-as-it-gets sounds quality. Real antlers tend to produce a more natural sound when clashed together. What’s more important is the realism displayed with whatever “instrument” the hunter chooses. Remember, you are imitating the sound of two 150-pound beasts fighting. You should be making solid sounds, not light, hollow sounds. Keep in mind that when bucks lock antlers together in a fight, there is somewhat of a silence from the clashing of headgear. Your imitation should do the same, as opposed to a non-stop chorus of antler clash. The can-style call is one that has become very popular in recent years. Hunters everywhere are learning the effect the little cylinders are having on deer. The call is primarily an estrous doe call. It is a whiny, pleading sound of a doe-in-need. I’ve been amazed at how the call will turn bucks around and bring them straight to you stand. The call is very easy to use, and with the twist of a wrist, you can produce life-like bleats. Big bucks and little bucks alike find this estrous sound irresistible. REALISM FOR RESULTS A few years back, I flew out to Reno, Nevada to enter the National Rifle Association’s Great American Game Calling Challenge World Championships. It was the only contest of its kind. Contestants were required to call seven different species of animals, the whitetail deer being one of them. Judges made decisions based on realism and on their experiences of hearing those sounds in the wild. It wasn’t competition style calling, it was “meat calling”. The calling routines were performed much the same as would be displayed in the wild. I learned from this contest the need to use realism when calling wild game. So often we get into the routine of blowing a simple note into the grunt call, or maintaining the same rhythm when rattling antlers. The key is to add
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realism to your calling routine. Close your eyes and envision two bucks that have grunted their way towards each other. There’s a hot doe watching nearby that offers seductive bleats to the winner of the throw-down. As the bucks come together there is an initial clash. Horns thrash as they vie for position. As antlers lock up, all that is heard is a soft grinding of horns and shuffling of leaves. Hooves stomping and aggressive grunts belched are the sounds of two bucks locked in battle. Their antlers periodically come free, and there is another series of clashing antlers before they again lock up in a shoving match. The loser of the battle makes a hasty retreat with the dominant buck hot on his trail grunting with each step. A soft estrous bleat reminds the buck what the fuss was about, and the sequence ends with a series of bleats and grunts. This is the routine that has worked for me and will work for you too, if you’ll add realism to your calling. One call I mentioned earlier that I often throw in to my calling routine is the snort-wheeze. This is a sound that few hunters have ever heard a deer make. It was once thought to be the sound of a dominant buck. It very well may be a sound dominant bucks make, but it’s not limited to the dominant bucks. In fact, I’ve seen and heard young bucks, even a spike, make this sound. The sound appears to be an aggravated sound. Whether made towards other bucks, or to a doe playing hard to get. It is basically a wheezy, fffft-fffft-ffffffffffff sound. It can be the trump card to throw out when nothing else works. It’ll likely be a sound that few other hunters have tried in your area. The good thing about deer calling is that it’s simple. Hunters young and old can produce the sounds of the rut. Deer calling consists of two elements. Love and hate. From lovesick bucks to battling behemoths, the sounds of the rut are some of the most exciting sounds I know. Throw a few deer calls into your bag of tricks this season and you’ll likely have a front row seat to some of the most exciting whitetail action you’ve ever experienced. Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, and seminar speaker. Check out his website at www.BroOutdoors.com.
NOVEMBER 2009
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Economics Of Hunting In Southeastern Montana MFWP
E
conomic opportunities come to communities in different ways and during different times of the year. Most towns in southeastern Montana have annual events that occur year after year and bring an infusion of dollars into the community. Hunting season in the spring and the fall brings a consistent economic gain to most towns in southeastern Montana. Many small businesses across eastern Montana understand the importance of the hunter’s dollar each fall and they depend on that consistent income. Those of us who hunt, fish, camp, watch wildlife, hike and generally enjoy spending our time outdoors realize that it’s costly to do these things. The dollars recreationists spend are an important source of annual income to our communities in southeastern Montana and add to the strength of the local economy. According MFWP’s Responsive Management Unit, hunters spend millions of dollars each year in support of their outdoor passions. Each year the responsive management unit computes the average amount of money per day that residents and non-residents spend hunting in Montana. FWP Research and Technical Services Section produces a Harvest Survey that shows the hunter days that residents and non-residents devoted to hunting different species in each of the seven FWP regions. The data recovered from the 2008 deer, elk, antelope and upland game bird hunting season indicated that hunters spent over $23 million dollars in southeastern Montana during the fall of 2008. That’s a lot of money in a short period of time. In southeastern Montana, deer hunters expended the largest amount at $11.3M. Next came the antelope hunters at $4.7M. Upland game bird hunters spent $4.6M and elk hunters $2.4M. The costs for licenses are not included in these expenditures. The Block Management Program provided $1,113,168 paid to 343 cooperators enrolled in the program for the 2008 hunting season. This included $53,008 in direct payments for weed control. Hunters used the program to find places to hunt, amounting to 85,723 hunter days. The compensation landowners receive for hunter impacts assists with operational expenses on the ranch/farm and frequently those dollars are spent in local communities. Local business experience a healthy increase in patronage associated with the fall hunting season. Most of those businesses are heavily dependant on the customer base associated with outdoor recreation throughout the year. Hunters arrive in the fall, after the summer tourist season is winding down. The expenditure hunter’s make are important for the local economy and provide a steady and consistent income source each fall.
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NOVEMBER 2009
Traveler’s Corner: Brite Box Improves Output & Coverage Of Vehicle Headlights W
ith the days getting shorter and the nights longer and hunting season upon us, you want vehicle lighting you can depend on. The BRITE BOX™ is a self contained device that greatly contributes to driving safety on dark roads by improving both the output and coverage of standard vehicle headlights.
Enter the BRITE BOX™. Brite Box illuminates the low beams (and fog lights with Fog Light Control models) when the high beams are activated which allows 100% of the lighting potential of the vehicle to be utilized. Brite Box provides an even carpet of light that stretches from near to far. Safety and comfort are improved because the driver can now see a larger portion of the road. The safety Low beams / fog lights shut OFF benefits and circuitry of Brite Box when high beams are on. Note poor has been proven in millions of illumination directly in front of and miles of over the road testing, and to sides of vehicle. is used by law enforcement and transportation companies. Brite Box features easy plug in installation (in most All vehicle headlights vehicles) and can usually be have two distinct beam patterns: installed in 30 minutes or less. low beam for close range There are Brite Box models illumination, and high beam for available to fit most domestic cars, long range illumination. In most light trucks, and sport utility vehicles, when the high beams vehicles (SUV’s) manufactured are activated, the low beams shut from 1976 - 2008. off. The resulting choice of “near” vs. “far” illumination compromises safety and comfort because at a maximum, only 54% of the vehicle’s lighting potential is being used at any given time. Installing brighter headlight bulbs does little to help because the coverage of the AFTER BRITE BOX: Low beams / headlights is still compromised. fog lights stay ON when high beams Additionally, if your vehicle has are on. Note increase in both factory installed fog lights, they Available at Gomer’s-USDIESELPARTS too shut off when high beams are 2400 Palmer Missoula, MT. 59808 engaged. How does one solve this (406) 728-7620 or 1-800-823-4444. problem?
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 11
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Avoid Common Hunting Mistakes B
efore heading to the field for Montana’s big game general rifle season Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials ask that hunters avoid common violations by remembering these tips: 1. Secure permission before entering private land. In Montana, private land does not have to be posted for a hunter to be guilty of trespassing. Hunters must ask first before hunting or retrieving an animal on private land. 2. Do not shoot from the road or right of way . State law makes it illegal for anyone to shoot on, from, or across a road or right of way. The right of way generally lies between the fences on either side of the road. 3. Leave evidence of sex attached. When transporting a big game animal, evidence of the animal’s sex must remain attached to the carcass. This is especially important early in the season when the heat of the day may lead a hunter to remove the hide from an animal’s carcass. 4. Make sure of sunrise and sunset times. Big game season runs from one half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Use only the sunrise-sunset tables
supplied by FWP, not the times in the local newspaper or on television. 5. Properly validate your tag. Proper validation means completely cutting out the date and month on the tag immediately after taking an animal. 6. Use your own tag. Transferring licenses between spouses or using a friend or family member’s tag is illegal. 7. Drive only on established roads. On public land, stay on the road. On private land, drive only where the landowner tells you. 8. Stop at check stations. Hunters and anglers are required to stop at all check stations, going to or coming from the field, with or without game. 9. Don’t shoot from a vehicle. Only individuals with a disability may qualify for a special permit, issued by FWP, to hunt from a vehicle. 10. Wear hunter orange. Big game hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange above the waist, and it must be visible from all sides.
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12 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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OUTDOOR NEWS
Fly Tying Corner: The Wonder Fly Humpy, Goofus Bug Or Horner’s Deer Hair
COMMENTS BY JIM ABBS - FROM FLYOFTHEMONTH@FEDFLYFISHERS.ORG
Q
uite a while back---about 60 years ago claimed the legendary Charlie Brooks---some California trout anglers ran out of their favorite clipped deer hair fly, the rat-faced McDougall while fishing California’s Hat Creek-Rising River area. As many know, the Rat-faced McDougall has a body of clipped deer hair and it floats like a cork in big western water. These particular California anglers were described as having limited fly tying skill and were unable to duplicate the clipped deer hair body of the store-bought McDougalls. To get the desired floatabilty, they devised a way of folding the buoyant deer hair over the hook---fore to aft---creating what has now become called the Humpy. Actually at one time or another, this fly was called the Goofus Bug by Dan Bailey of Livingston Montana and the Horner Deer Hair Fly in California---after famous California tier Jack Horner. This fly apparently was first called a Humpy---or Wonder Fly--- in the waters around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Speaking from experience, the Humpy is simply is deadly on big western waters, seemingly due to its high profile and because it is virtually unsinkable. Anyone visiting fly shops in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho will find the Humpy available in many colors and sizes, from #10 down to #18. Its effectiveness also is demonstrated by the fact that it is given high marks in many serious books on western trout fishing, by Brooks, by Dennis, by Matthews, by Fong and others, and because there are a number of variations on the basic humpy theme, including Royal Humpy, Yellow Humpy, a Black Humpy, Humpy Trude, Poly Humpy, etc. In addition, this fly is not limited in its use for big western trout, but also works well on both bass and panfish. Dave Whitlock in his book on Fly Fishing for Bass, specifically includes the Humpy in his fly box selection. MATERIALS: Hook: Standard dry fly hook-Mustad 94840 (some suggest a heavier hook for bigger flies like the Mustad 7957B. Thread: Monocord, in red, yellow or green Tail: Natural deer hair, although a western version of the fly by Dennis uses elk leg or moose body hair Body: Deer hair or elk hair Wing: The tips of the hair used for the body are tied forward and back for the wing Hackle: Brown and grizzly mixed. TYING INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Lay a base of thread on the hook shank. Tie in the deer hair or moose body fibers for the tail, with the butt of the fibers extending to the mid-point from the eye to the hook bend and a tail length the same as the hook shank. End with your thread at the middle of the hook shank. 2. Select a clump of deer hair with a cross-sectional thickness of a wooden matchstick (for a # 12 fly) and line up the tips with a hair stacker. The deer hair should be long enough to extend from the middle of the hook shank beyond the tail (remember that this clump of hair is both the body and the wings when folded back). 3. Trim the butts of the deer hair clump to make sure they are exactly at the center of the hook shank and tie them with increasing tension back and forth from the middle of the shank to the bend of the hook. Continue this back and forth wrapping until there is no remaining deer hair showing. End with your thread at the middle of the hook shank. 4. Grab the tips of the deer hair clump and bring it forward, yielding the hump of the humpy. Twist the clump of hair slightly to bring the fibers together and tie them down just beyond the point where the butts are secured. Take 2-3 turns to secure the hair well. 5. Fold the tips of the deer hair backward to a vertical position and wrap thread in front to keep them upright. 6. Using a figure eight criss-cross pattern with your tying thread, divide the hair tip wings. 7. Tie in two hackles, a brown and a grizzly of appropriate size and wrap them both in back of and in front of the wing. Tie off, cement and head toward some big water.
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Public Comment Sought On Draft Blackfoot River Recreation Management Plan MFWP and public input. The primary Montana Fish, Wildlife & staff proposals include continuing to manage Parks is seeking public comment on a draft recreation management plan and environmental assessment for the Blackfoot River, one of the state’s most popular rivers among anglers, floaters and other recreationists. “The Blackfoot is revered for its outstanding resources and recreational opportunities,” says Lee Bastian, FWP’s Region 2 State Parks Supervisor in Missoula. “There is also a long and successful history of cooperation between the recreating pubic, landowners, and the government agencies, an approach that is embraced by this plan and critical for the future protection of this amazing river.” The draft management plan, which builds upon work established in the 9-year old Blackfoot River Recreation Management Direction, is based in part on the recommendations of the River Recreation Advisory for Tomorrow (DRAFT) citizen advisory committee. The 25-member committee was appointed to represent the interests of private floaters and anglers, the outfitting industry, private landowners, and the various agencies that play a role in managing recreation. The public is invited to review and comment on the 59-page draft plan and EA through November 16, 2009. Copies of the plan and EA are available online at fwp.mt.gov . Click “Blackfoot River Plan.” Copies of the Blackfoot River management plan and EA are also available from the Missoula and Helena FWP offices, or by calling 406-542-5562. The draft Blackfoot River management plan and EA address several key issues identified by the advisory committee, FWP
for high volume summer use downstream from Whitaker Bridge; management actions to address congestion on the water in the upper sections of the river; restricting camping to designated locations in high-use reaches of the river and exploring opportunities for overnight float trips; and a permit allocation system that could be used in the future if conditions become undesirable on certain stretches of the river. FWP will host two open houses this fall to discuss the draft plan and EA. The public is invited to show up any time between 6 and 8 p.m. at the following locations: October 19 Ovando Ovando School Gymnasium
November 5 Missoula Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown at the Park, 200 S. Pattee “The advisory committee was extremely helpful in developing this draft plan” says Bastian. “It is now up to the public to provide feedback on the committee’s work.” The final plan will be based on public comments, the committee’s recommendations, the results of the EA, and input from staff. The deadline to comment is Nov. 16, 2009. Comments may be submitted in writing at the open houses, via e-mail to blackfootcomments @mt.gov , or online at fwp.mt.gov —click “Blackfoot River Plan.” Mail written comments to: Blackfoot River Plan; Montana FWP, 3201 Spurgin Road; Missoula, MT 59804.
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14 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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Montana Fishing Report
CHRIS MADSEN
Western Montana Fishing Report
Brought To You By Missoula
BY CHRIS MADSEN, (406) 523-9000 e-mail: fishing-115@live.com
A
s the last warm, bluebird days of October quickly fade into distant memory, winter seems more like a certainty than a suggestion, and it’s easy to find ones self caught in an angler’s limbo. I always have to resist the urge to stew around the house, reliving fishing memories of the season past, while waiting impatiently for true winter and the start of ice fishing season. With the general rifle season open, and the deer and elk running for their lives, November always seems to be a sort of fishing no-man’s land, but don’t be fooled. Bait can be used on the rivers through the end of the month and the trout will be susceptible to a drifted crawler or “plunking” some garden hackle in the bottom of your secret hole. Fly
fishing should be excellent until another arctic front moves in and locks the rivers up in ice. Although the number of great fishing options might be fewer, there is still some excellent fishing to be had this month, if you know where to look. FLATHEAD LAKE: Flathead offers up some of the best fishing of the year for Macs and whitefish in November. Lake Trout are now routinely patrolling shallow water haunts, along shorelines with deep drop-offs. Casting heavy spoons like Country Miles and Slab Spoons from the boat towards the shore is a great way to fill the cooler with some tasty trout. Trolling with KwikFish, Flatfish and Hoochies is still a very productive method and will generally catch the bigger sized fish. If you get into a school of lake trout, parking the boat over the top of them and dropping down a large jigging spoon tipped with cut bait will bring good numbers of fish to the boat. While the whitefish never really came into the bays to crush perch fry, they should start to school up at the river inlet and outlet to prepare for spawning. Fishing can be red hot, especially in Polson Bay. This is similar to the summer whitefish season, except most of the fish are in shallower water now. Jigging small spoons, grubs, and whitefish fly rigs with maggots will produce some hefty stringers. GEORGETOWN LAKE: Georgetown is another good choice before the ice starts to form. The weeds that plagued our best efforts all summer have started to recede, and fishing is excellent. Trolling Wedding Rings, Triple Teasers and Rapalas will work fine for both salmon and trout. Fishing a night crawler just over the tops of the weeds that are left is a great way to fill a stringer full of fat rainbows. Fly anglers should strip leech and bugger patterns around the pump house, where big trout are often found this time of year dining on eggs. Your chances of catching a trophy brook trout fully dressed in their brightly colored spawning regalia is also good. Georgetown is pretty high in the hills, so keep an eye on the weather, as storms can shut things down pretty quick up there. If the weather in October was any indication of what’s to come we may be ice fishing up here sooner than later. BITTERROOT RIVER: The Bitterroot often fishes very well in November, especially for a freestone stream. Most of
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the Western Montana crowds are busy with big game hunting by now, and the ‘Root is mercifully people free. Good hatches of Mahogany Duns and BWO’s will persist until the weather really turns cold, and will often provide some epic dry-fly fishing. Nymphing the dreaded Bacon and Eggs (San Juan Worm and Glo Bug) combo is a good way to target fish feeding on brown trout eggs, and the aforementioned brown trout are sometimes remarkably susceptible to brown and yellow or ginger colored streamers. Gear fishing will be productive with rapalas and slowing worked spinners and spoons until the water gets too cold and the fish don’t want to chase them down anymore. ROCK CREEK: Although the traffic can be heavy during November on Rock Creek road most of that traffic is the road hunters looking for meat to fill the freezer. You’ll never have the river to yourself but the chances of having to share your favorite runs is slim. Browns are in full spawn mode right now and the rivers resident fish are highly susceptible to an orange egg drifted through their feeding window. Dropping your egg beneath a small stonefly nymph or San Juan worm should keep you busy. Gear fishers can pick up fish using lures colored with golds, yellows and oranges. Here again a slower retrieve will work better in the colder water temperatures. IDAHO STEELHEAD: Buying an out-of-state fishing license is borderline sacrilege for most native Montanans, but with steelhead pouring over the dams at a near record pace it might be time to reconsider. November is generally the peak month of the fall season, and this is really shaping up as a banner year. Most of the fish look to be “A” runs heading up the Snake River system at this time but the Clearwater should still have an average season. And with the Salmon River running through a colder drainage, it is likely to lock up with ice at the end of November or the beginning of December, leaving more fishing opportunities on the Clearwater. A variety of techniques will work on both systems: pulling plugs from a boat, drifting corkies and roe, or bobber and jig fishing are the most popular techniques. Fly anglers should swing traditional wets or leeches, utilizing sink-tips as the weather gets colder
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RYAN ONGLEY
Southwest Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Bozeman
BY RYAN ONGLEY (406) 586-0100 e-mail: fishing_144@yahoo.com
Time Flys!
W
ow! Where has 2009 gone. It’s amazing to think that another season of fishing is coming to an end. It’s been a spectacular year though and all our area rivers in SW Montana benefited from a great year water wise. The trout were hungry, healthy, and full of fight. As we begin to enter our colder months we can only hope for another great snowpack to refill the lakes and reservoirs. With the good water the fall fishing has been great so far. Our one cold snap slowed the action a bit in early October but the action has been great. Large fish have been coming to streamers and soft hackles as expected. And the Baetis activity has been really good on those nasty wet days.
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As we move through November look for the Baetis activity to slow as we reach mid month. At that point it will be midge activity from here on out until the Baetis come back in spring for the dry fly enthusiasts. And as I always say don’t be afraid to fish midges. Although they are tiny there is nothing better than bringing in a 20” trout sipping midges off the surface. Drifting nymph rigs as well as streamer and sculpin patterns should remain strong tactics. When the clouds roll in or on nastier days get those streamers going with some action stripping and jerking for some of the most fun you can ever have. The trout should remain on the feed until water temps dip consistently when they will then begin slowly seeking out deeper, slower winter holds. You’ll also want to be sure to have some egg patterns as well as san juan worms stocked in your fly boxes as we get into November as well. Let’s look at some of the area waters for November. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: The fall fishing here has been some of the best I’ve had here in recent memory. I believe the 1st of November is your last opportunity before the season closes. If
ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM • you haven’t fished it yet get down there for one last opportunity. Large trout have been coming up to Baetis, and nymphing and streamer action has been strong.
North Central Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Helena
BY JESSE FLYNN (406) 457-7200 e-mail: fishing167helena@yahoo.com CANYON FERRY: Bank fisherman, get below the dam, use crank baits or jigs. Might even throw a spoon or two into the mix as well. This is the time of year when fishing around these parts gets good. Ling, walleye, and trout fishing should be tough to beat this month. Fish will heavily feed during these months in preparation for the winter months ahead. And look at the bright side, you are more
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YELLOWSTONE RIVER: As it does every October and November the Yellowstone always brings smiles to anyone who fishes it. The scenery can’t be beat and there are some absolute tankers that are just waiting to gulp down a large streamer swimming by. The entire stretch from Yankee Jim all the way down to Big Timber offers you the chance at the trout of a lifetime.
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UPPER MADISON: Take advantage of this for sure. Between the lakes or from Slide down to Ennis. Most days there will be very few anglers out. Some great late season Baetis and midge activity is available to you near Reynolds and $3 bridge. And these fish love chasing streamers. Then Varney down to Ennis Lake is another opportunity for some toads. The ice will be here soon. So enjoy this while we’ve got it. Tight Lines!
than likely going to be the only one out there… hunting season! For the die hard fisherman this is absolutely the best time of year to be fishing due to these two factors. What else does a man need: a lake to himself and peace and quiet? Of course you know that isn’t true because there is always your buddy in the background being extra special that particular day! JESSE FLYNN
BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 15
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HAUSER LAKE: Trolling a wedding ring tipped with a worm behind a set of cowbells has been picking up nice tout. The rainbows have moved into and around the Causeway creating excellent fishing. Trolling cranks or drifting lindy rig set ups will produce good numbers of walleye. Don’t anticipate large walleye out of Hauser Lake it’s just not that fishery yet. Though there are big fish here, but the smaller fish just dominate this lake. Ling will begin to move in a little shallower making for some fun nights. Find a deep hole from the bank and sit and wait. A cut up smelt on a circle hook is a great rig; I would also highly recommend putting some type of smell good on your bait. Just spices things up a bit. HOLTER LAKE: I have been seeing pictures of perch caught out of Holter that are bigger than most of the walleye. Locate them anchor off and jig fish these perch. Small jigs twister tails are an excellent go to bait this time of year, anytime for that matter. Another great bait to have in the arsenal is two and three inch minnow patterns. You can put them on a jig head or drop-shot these soft plastic baits. The head water of Holter has some of the best brown trout water in the state this time of year.
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16 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
ANACONDA CHRISTMAS STROLL: November 27 The evening begins with Anaconda’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The tree is lit by Santa at 6:00pm with a drawing for Anaconda Bucks, followed by a stroll downtown to special sales, mannequins in store windows, food vendors, and caroling. Santa leads the parade to the visitors center in downtown Anaconda where the children receive free candy. Phone: 406-563-2400 or visit www.anacondamt.org E-mail: anacondachamber@rfwave.net
BIG SKY RAILS UNDER THE STARS: December 19
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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM
NOVEMBER 2009
Calendar Of Events
BOZEMAN GUN AND HUNTING TROPHY SHOW: December 11 - 13
The Gun and Hunting Trophy Show offers hunting firearms, western collectibles, antiques, and western and wildlife art for sale or trade. Big game trophy displays and Boone and Crockett scoring by Fish, Wildlife and Parks are part of the show, which features 300 booths with collectors from across the United States. Held at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Phone: 406-580-5458
DEER LODGE VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT GRANT-KOHRS RANCH: December 6
GREAT FALLS ANNUAL DROP AND SHOP FOR KIDS: December 12 - 12
RED LODGE CHRISTMAS STROLL: December 4 -5
The Christmas Stroll features free wagon rides, Santa The Annual Drop and Shop for Kids is at the Lewis and Claus, candy for kids, music and refreshments such as Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. While hot cider and roasted chestnuts provided by downtown business. Many specials offered by Red Lodge parents are busy preparing for the holidays, children in businesses. Phone: 406-446-1718 or Grades K-5 enjoy three hours of activities and learning visit www.redlodgechamber.org about aspects of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The E-mail: rlacc59068@gmail.com cost is $10.00 per child and $8.00 for each additional child in the same family which applies to the regular admission fee to the Interpretive Center. WEST YELLOWSTONE Phone: 406-727-8733 or visit YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL: www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/lcic November 24 - 28 E-mail: mailroom_r1_lewis_and_clark@fs.fed.us During November, West Yellowstone comes alive in color. The early snow brings cross-country skiers from HELENA around the world to learn and train on the Rendezvous FESTIVAL OF TREES: December 2 - 6 Trail System, in fact seven international teams used the Stroll through Intermountain’s Festival of Trees, which Rendezvous to prepare themselves for the Olympics. includes beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, dolls, Thanksgiving week will feature the Fall Camp Nordic raffles and more. You’ll find an assortment of children’s Ski, manufacturer’s exhibits, motivational talks, wax activities and games in ‘Funland’ and continuous live clinics, racing events and an overall warm feeling of entertainment for people of all ages. camaraderie. The clinics are of varying lengths and Wednesday: Tea in the Trees, call for more information. fees. Phone: 406-599-4465 or visit Thursday: Music of Christmas Concert - 7:30pm - 9:30pm, www.yellowstoneskifestival.com doors open at 7:00 with complimentary champagne and dessert served among the trees at 9:00pm. WEST YELLOWSTONE Saturday: Jingle Bell Jam Dance - Semi-formal, WEST YELLOWSTONE SLED DOG complimentary hors d’oeuvres, no host bar, RACES: December 10 - 12 7:00pm - Midnight, music begins at 8:00pm. West Yellowstone Sled Dog Races is a two-day sled Saturday and Sunday: Family Fun Days - General dog race in West Yellowstone. This race attracts entrants audience, continuous live entertainment, Santa Funland ranging from novices to Iditarod veterans. Meet the for children. 10:00am - 4:00pm. $3.00 per person, mushers on Thursday. Races start at 9:00am Friday and children under 10 admitted free. Saturday. Spectators can watch the race at the starting line in town or at any designated checkpoints along the LEWISTOWN trail. Phone: 406-646-4988 or visit POLAR RUN: December 5, 11, 18, 19 http://westyellowstonesleddograces.com Ride to the North Pole with Santa. Polar Runs departure E-mail: rodeosconcrete@msn.com 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Train boards one hour before departure. The Charlie Russell Chew-Choo boarding site is located 10 miles northwest of Lewistown just past the Spring Creek Trestle. Drive north on Highway 191 for 2 miles, turn left on the Highway 426 for 8 miles. Phone: 406-535-5436 or visit www.montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com E-mail: lewchamb@midrivers.com
A Victorian Christmas at Grant-Kohrs National Historic RUST is a nighttime rail event that features local and Site. This is an excellent afternoon family outing. Music egional skiers and snowboarders who entertain the in the ranch house, children’s activities in the dairy barn crowd, showing off their newest tricks on the rails and and special demonstrations will be offered. The ranch is a funboxes that are illuminated in the base area. After the perfect setting for family holiday photographs. White and fireworks show the crowd can visit parties held in the red buildings, from rough log to Victorian gingerbread style Mountain Mall. Big Sky Resort is located 45 miles south make an excellent backdrop. Camera shy children forget the of Bozeman on Hwy. 191 and 9 miles west on Hwy. 64. camera when wrapped up in roping ‘Woody’, the wooden Phone: 406-995-5765 or visit www.bigskyresort.com calf, or while petting a huge draft horse. The first floor of E-mail: chadjones@bigskyresort.com the 23 room mansion will be decorated for the entire month. Take a sleigh or wagon ride with the draft horse team around the ranch and warm up by the fire in the dairy barn with BIG TIMBER some hot cider or hot chocolate. The kids can make home CRAZY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS: made crafts. Take a ranger led tour through the 23 room November 27 mansion. Free admission year round. Ring in the holiday season at Crazy Mountain Christmas Phone: 406-846-2070 ext 0 in Big Timber! Take a ride in a horse drawn wagon, get a or visit www.nps.gov/grko picture with Santa, and enjoy refreshments, caroling and hometown hospitality! Held all around downtown Big ENNIS Timber. Phone: 406-932-5131 or visit SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: December 5 www.bigtimber.com Come experience Ennis during an old fashioned Christmas E-mail: info@bigtimber.com stroll! Merchants will be open late, featuring Christmas treats for all. Pictures with Santa, Christmas stories for BILLINGS children, roasted chestnuts, live music, special gallery events ANNUAL CHASE HAWKS and more! The Lions Club Park by the Madison River MEMORIAL COWBOY GATHERIN’ will be lit for the holiday season. Something for the whole DINNER, DANCE AND ROUGH STOCK family. Spirit of Christmas will be celebrated in beautiful RODEO: December 18 - 19 downtown Ennis. Phone: 406-682-4388 or visit Chase Hawks Memorial Cowboy Gatherin’ features: www.ennischamber.com Live Calcutta Auction, World Champion Cowboys, and E-mail: info@ennischamber.com dancing and dancing to a live band. Doors open @ 4:30, dinner @ 6:30, Calcutta @ 7:30pm, and dancing ESSEX @ 9:00pm. Annual Rough Stock Rodeo on Saturday MISSOULA KICK-OUT-THE-KINKS BENEFIT SKI @ 7:30pm! Held at the Billings Hotel and Convention MEET ME IN MISSOULA: RACE: December 20 Center. Rough Stock Rodeo will be held at Metra Park. December 4 - 6 Compete in the 5K or 10K ski race benefit. Registration Phone: 406-248-9295 or visit www.chasehawks.com Come experience a wealth of holiday cheer, local is from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Race starts at 1:00pm. E-mail: info@chasehawks.com culture and creative expression in Missoula. Friday, Race entry fee is $10 per person. All proceeds go to the December 4 Middlefork Quick Response Unit. Special room rates are BOZEMAN * First Friday Gallery Night available at the Izaak Walton Inn. Phone: 406-888-5700 HUFFING FOR STUFFING or visit http://izaakwaltoninn.com THANKSGIVING DAY RUN: November 26 Saturday, December 5 E-mail: stay@izaakwaltoninn.com Hungry to run on Thanksgiving Day? Come see what * Missoula Downtown Association Parade of Lights all the Huff is about and join the 3rd annual fundraiser GREAT FALLS event. 5K & 10K courses start & finish at Museum of Sunday, December 6 the Rockies. Also: Kids’ Run with prizes! Don’t miss CHRISTMAS STROLL AND PARADE OF * Missoula Art Museum exhibits, concerts and LIGHTS: December 4 the costumed dinosaur chase the turkey runners. Why creativity station Live entertainment, food vendors and a special Santa’s not wear your costume, too? Prizes for all runners who Village will highlight this year’s event. Buy a Christmas “Smoke the Turkey” in the 5K! All participants and For more information, event details, hotel discounts and Stroll button and be eligible for prizes from downtown volunteers receive a technical race shirt and cornucopia other valuable links, businesses. Phone: 406-453-6151 or visit of fun! Kids’ Run starts at 8:10am, 10K at 9:00am, visit: www.downtowngreatfalls.net 5K at 9:15am. Phone: 406-599-6283 or visit www.missoulacultural.org/mmim E-mail: suefdowntowngreatfalls@yahoo.com www.huffingforstuffing.com E-mail: huffingforstuffing@yahoo.com
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 17
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18 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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Give Deer Calls A Try To Get Some Bonus Opportunities BY NEAL COTE
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BRAD A. STOCKMAN AMERICAN ELK TYPICAL 360-3/8 B&C NATRONA COUNTY,WY 2008
t best, deer calling can make all the difference between success and an empty tag. It can get you a bonus doe on a day when you watch deer walk by just out of range. On the other hand, used in the wrong places at the wrong times, calling can hurt your chances and spook those deer that you have spent days to get close to. There are two different strategies to deer calling, each has its pluses and minuses. The method you choose on a given day should be based entirely upon the conditions of the day in which you hunt. HOW TO MAKE THE CALLS Actual calling techniques that will produce action are very broad. For example, you can rattle in just about any sequence you desire and still produce good results. The same goes for grunting. I am pretty aggressive but almost always start with the same grunt series. It is softer for does and is louder for bucks. I believe that if a buck isn’t responding to the basic contact grunt, he’s not going to come to anything else you throw at him. You will get more from your deer calling by first taking into account your hunting conditions. When the conditions give the green light, calling can produce excellent results. But, there are also times when silence is key. Learn to recognize the difference and become a better deer hunter. Research has shown that bucks have more extensive home ranges than does, and that during the rut bucks will move great distances to find a hot doe. Now, if you are after a particular buck, your chances of success are probably greater during the pre-rut when that deer is daily feeding and bedding schedule is more predictable. Once the breeding season gets underway, a mature buck could be miles away for days on end.
The key is food. During the lazy days of summer, herds of deer can often be found feeding in alfalfa fields and wide open parks. By early fall deer often leave the fields and turn to other food sources, such apples and winter wheat fields. The trick is to find these new preferred food sources before the deer do. Get a pair of binoculars and think outside the box. Apple trees blossom in the spring, a time when you can easily locate these fruit- laden trees simply by glassing hedgerows, old farmsteads and abandoned orchards for their distinctive pink and white blossoms. Binoculars can likewise be used to keep track of the local crops as well. The more time you spend watching deer, the more you learn about them. And, you have to respect a deer’s nose, it is after all his best line of defense. BLIND CALLING Blind calling simply means calling periodically to deer that you don’t see, but hope are within earshot. The majority of deer hunters practice blind calling because it would seem to attract the maximum number of deer. In some cases, however, calling blind is not the best approach. For example, let’s assume you’re hunting a good sized area and have seen a particularly nice buck. Every 15 minutes on stand you blow your grunt call and rattle your antlers together. Certainly, he must hear your calling, and no doubt he does. But, how is he going to respond to it on a particular day is the question. For every smart buck that runs right in, stiff-legged with the wind at his back and ready to rumble, several others will slip into position downwind to first check things out with their nose from a safe vantage point unseen. Or they may sneak in using cover to conceal them until they see you move on stand. Your odds (continued next page)
NOVEMBER 2009
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 19
2009 Elk Hunting Give Deer Calls Outlook (continued from page 7) A Try (continued from page 18) make access arrangements well before the season begins. REGIONS 6—NORTHEASTERN MONTANA In some areas of the Missouri River Breaks and Bears Paw Mountains, in FWP Region 6, elk numbers remain at or above the management objectives set in the statewide elk management plan. All elk hunting is by special permits, but those hunters who drew permits should find abundant elk in core habitats. In the general-season elk hunting area north of U.S. Highway 2 in FWP Region 6, elk densities are very low. REGIONS 7—SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA Elk populations are building in the Missouri Breaks and the southern portions of FWP Region 7. Winter conditions were difficult for some species, but elk seemed to have a good winter survival rate. In a 2008 winter post-season survey, the Missouri Breaks found 36 bulls for every 100 cows. Of the bulls, 42 percent were yearling and 58 percent of the remaining bulls were six point or better. A late winter elk survey in the Custer National Forest, in the Ashland Ranger District, found 325 elk with 30 bulls to 100 cows and 36 calves to 100 cows. Access to private land should be arranged well in advance of the hunt and permission may be difficult to obtain. Montana’s elk season closes November 29. For details on the season, see the 2009 Montana deer and elk regualtions available on the FWP web site under Hunting, Hunting Regulations , and at FWP offices and license providers.
of calling that big buck straight to your stand are fairly low. Unfortunately, your odds of having him detect your presence before ever revealing himself are a lot better. Once he senses that you are hunting him, it will become virtually impossible to see him in that area while you are there. Blind calling can also work against you when hunting on small tracts of land. If you have permission on only a small area, you must hunt it as carefully as you possibly can. Don’t draw attention to yourself, because every deer you educate in that little area will be very difficult to get close to, even days or weeks later. Deer know when they’re being hunted. A lot of calling under these conditions and you can kiss the deer good bye. There are times and places where blind calling makes a lot of sense, however. If you set up in a location where the wind is blowing your scent out into an open area where deer are not likely to circle, you can make it work. THE WIND WILL KILL YOU! Anytime the wind encounters protected air it will swirl, just like the eddies of current in a river. And like the river, the swirling gets more violent and unpredictable as the wind speed increases and gusts. Low spots and draws funnel wind and change its direction. The most severe case occurs when the wind flows 90 degrees to a ravine. Because of the way the wind hits the downwind side of the ravine, and how it swirls over the upwind edge, it will usually be flowing in the opposite direction at the bottom of the ravine. This can be a little unsettling. A more predictable situation occurs when the wind is quartering to the direction of the ravine, or actually blowing in the same direction that the ravine lies. In these cases the wind will be funneled to follow the topography. To overcome the affects of swirling either hunt near ridge tops where the flow is unbroken and consistent, or sparingly in wide draws where swirling is kept to a minimum. If you take nothing else from this article, remember that getting the wind right is one of the greatest challenges you face. LAST RESORT CALLING The second method of calling is to try to entice only deer that you have already seen and know will otherwise pass out of range. When you see a deer you want, try to do everything in your power to get it in range right now. You may never see it again. Your best chance for calling any animal is when you can watch its progress. Visually you can tell when it has heard your call and whether or not it is interested, and you will be able to follow its progress as it tries to slip in on you. If the deer is not interested, you can try another type of call, or change the cadence
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“We Smoke Fish - All Types - Vac. Seal - $1.85# and rhythm. Last resort calling is my personal “first resort” deer calling strategy. I don’t like to carry rattling antlers so I rely on grunt calls to get the job done. If a good buck that I would like to shoot appears to be passing out of range I call, otherwise I remain silent and wait and watch. Some bowhunters prefer rattling in this situation because it is louder and carries farther on windy days. Turkey hunters know that sometimes one call will trigger a response when others won’t. If grunting doesn’t work, try rattling. You’ve got nothing to lose. When employing last resort calling try to determine as quickly as possible whether a deer is going to come your way or not. Once a deer is well past your post it is tough to call him back. However, if all you are asking him to do is to make a slight detour your way, the odds become much better. On the other hand, if the deer is headed your way anyway, remain silent. A deer responding to a call comes in on red alert, intently searching for the source of the sound. Remember, you are the source. You really don’t want a deer to come in looking for you unless absolutely necessary. So if you want to add another trick to your bag, give calling a try. It works on both bucks and does and can help you fill a tag when you might not otherwise have had a chance!
FWP Looking For Information On Elk Poaching Case MFWP FWP Wardens are looking for information regarding a 6-point bull elk that was shot and left to waste in the Blankenship Bridge area North of Columbia Falls in early October. An archery hunter discovered the carcass and called Game Warden Perry Brown. The elk was not salvageable. “This inexcusable action resulted in a loss for all citizens of Montana,” said Warden Captain Lee Anderson. “This wasn’t subsistence hunting or an accident, it was poaching. I encourage anyone with information about this matter to contact FWP.” Anyone with information on this incident may dial 1-800-TIPMONT or contact Game Warden Perry Brown directly at 892-3996. Persons can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if they provide information leading to a conviction.
20 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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Getting Your Vehicle Ready For The Hunt
Let me GUIDE YOU
on your HUNT FOR
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Mark Ward
TODAY by
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OSTERMAN -Financial Advisor
1500 10TH AVE SOUTH - GREAT FALLS, MT 59405
406-761-8888
csosterman@wradvisors.com•www.waddell.com
MEMBER SIPC
New Law Adds Opportunity For Antlerless Elk Permit Holders In Some Hunting Districts MFWP Hunters with an antlerless elk the general license regulations for elk in permit for a hunting district where a those districts while the quota remains general license holder can also hunt antlerless elk during all or part of the season will have additional opportunity this year. This means that in western Montana Hunting Districts (HDs) 210, 212, 213, 215, 216, 281, 283, 285, 291, 292, & 293, where a general license holder can hunt for antlerless elk and brow-tined bulls during the big game general rifle season’s third week (Nov. 9-15), antlerless permit holders now have the same privileges during the same time period. During the other weeks of the rifle season these hunting districts are open only to brow-tined bulls with a general license and only to antlerless elk for the permit holders in the district, or portion of the district, for which the permit is valid. Elk hunters holding antlerless permits in districts that allow general license holders to pursue antlerless elk until a quota is reached can also follow
open. Districts affected by this are: 204, 261 & 270, from Nov. 9 until the quota is reached or the season ends. For archery hunters with antlerless elk permits in districts where general license holders can also harvest antlerless elk during the archery-only season, anterlerless permit holders can use archery equipment to harvest any elk that is legal under the general license during the archery-only part of the season. This applies to many hunting districts throughout the state. Check the hunting regulations for specifics. This change in regulation is the result of legislation passed this year (Senate Bill 188) and is not reflected in the Hunting Regulations because they were printed before the law was passed. For questions, call your nearest FWP regional office.
NOVEMBER 2009
n the years past I have with the help of my radio listeners and newspaper readers compiled HUNTERS CHECKLIST. This checklist has aided hunters in gathering their hunting gear and saved them time in doing so. You may view this checklist by logging onto www.montanaoutdoor.com. Feel free to print it out, after viewing it if you feel you might want to add to the list please e-mail your item. Also this year with the help from my good friend Bob Culp from Frenchtown I have put together another checklist, this one is for getting your hunting vehicle ready. -Service your vehicle: Change oil, check antifreeze level,(strength of the antifreeze should be 30 degrees below zero or better), battery fluid levels, transmission-tranfer case levels -Inspect serpentine belt (fan-belt) replace if worn or cracked (save your old one for a spare. -Inspect your tires and check tire pressure, including your spare tire. -Tire chains-make sure they fit and are in good condition. -Two vehicle ramps. (It makes putting tire chains an easier task) -Flashlight with extra batteries for your map-GPS-compass. -Tool box (Make sure all your tools are in order) -Jumper cables or Jump Start Power Pack
-Assorted nuts-bolts-washersmechanics wire-duct tape-electrical tape-wire ties. -Extra oil-antifreeze-Automatic Transmission. Fluid-Radiator Stop Leak. -High lift jack or come-a-long -Tow straps or tow chains-Heavy Rope. -Snow shovel, ax-bucket-tarp. -2x6 that is 1 to 4 feet long (Might help to put under tires if you are high centered) -Old carpet to lie on if you have to get under your vehicle -Ice chest with freshwater and food like jerky-dehydrated fruit-energy bars. -Old sleeping bag-blanketsfirewood. If you get stuck or break down stay with your rig. You are more likely to be found in your rig and with the right emergency supplies you will be safer. When packing your rig try and put the items you would use only for an emergency in first and the items that you will more than likely use in last. If you have anything to Add to the HUNTERS VEHICLE CHECKLIST please e-mail to captain@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.
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 21
Pheasants Forever
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Prizes announced weekly include 2 of each: 1. Browning X-Bolt N/S 30-06 2. Tikka Wood/Blue 223 3. Remington 770 30-06 4. Beretta Xtrema 2 12/28 5. Remington 870 Express 12/26 3.5” 6. Stevens 200 25-06 7. Browning Silver Hunter 20/26 8. Sako A7 25-06 9. Savage 93R17BV 10. Browning X-Bolt N/S 270 11. NEF Pardner Pump 12 Gauge 12. Marlin XL-7 Blue/SYN 25-06 13. Beretta Urika 12/26 14. Tikka Wood/Blue 270 15. Remington 700 SPS 30-06 16. 10/22 RB 22 LR 17. Browning Silver Hunter 12/28 18. Sako A7 270 19. Remington 770 Youth 243 20. CZ-USA Ringneck 16/28 21. Savage 93R17 Camo Package 22. Weatherby Vanguard B/S 300 WSM 23. NEF Pardner Pump 12 Gauge 24. Remington 770 Youth 243 25 Sako A7 270 WSM 26. Browning Silver Hunter 20/26 27. Marlin XL-7 Blue/SYN 270 28. Beretta Xtrema 2 12/26 29. Stevens 200 243 30. Remington 700 SPS 223 31. CZ-USA Mallard 20 Gauge 32. Browning BPS 28/26 33. Ruger M-77 257 Roberts 34. Savage 93R17 Classic 35. Browning X-Bolt N/S 7-08 36. Remington 700 SPS 243 37. Sako A7 300 WSM 38. Weatherby Vanguard B/S 22-250 39. NEF Pardner Pump 12 Gauge 40. Tikka Wood/Blue 25-06 41. Remington 870 Express 12/26 3.5” 42. Browning BPS 12/28 43. Beretta Urika 12/28 44. Savage 25 LW 204 Ruger 45. Remington 770 30-06 46. Stevens 200 22-250 47. Browning Silver Hunter 12/28 48. Tikka Wood/Blue 300 WIN MAG 49. Browning X-Bolt N/S 243 50. Sako A7 243 51. CZ-USA Woodcock 12/26 52. Browning X-Bolt N/S 300 WIN
100% of funds genera generated ted from the raffle will remain in Montana to be used to support the Pheasants Forever mission (public land acquisitions, habitat development, youth education, etc etc). ). GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets Available from your local PF BEFORE THEY chapter or by sending $50 per ticket SELL OUT! (payable to Pheasants Forever) to P.O. Box 2157 Missoula MT 59806. Visit www.montanapf.org for mail-in form. Phone Jon at (406) 721-9919 for more details.
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Every raffle ticket sold will be included. 104 separate drawings for the listed firearms (2 of each on the list). Each week starting 1/4/2010 there will be 2 drawings. Maximum of 3,000 tickets to be sold. You could win several guns on a single ticket!
22 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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NOVEMBER 2009
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2009 Pheasant Season Outlook P
heasant hunting opportunities will vary again this year across the state MFWPs officials say. The general season ends Jan. 1, 2010. “Statewide pheasant numbers are expected to be average or below in most areas and above average in some portions of southeastern and south central Montana,” said Rick Northrup, FWP game bird coordinator. The series of moist cold fronts that moved through the state in late May through late June were the type of weather that results in poor chick survival among early pheasant hatches and late renesting attempts by hens still laying or incubating. Unusually heavy precipitation through most of the summer promoted exceptional grass cover across much of the state and good insect production. Northrup also reminded bird hunters to arrange for hunting access to private lands well in advance of their hunt, and if possible to bring along a well-trained hunting dog. He also noted that hunters need to be cautious of shooting hens that resemble young roosters with limited coloration particularly during the early part of the general season. Here is a look at how pheasant populations are doing across the state.
FWP REGION 7—SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA Pheasant populations have moved into marginal habitat suggesting above average populations in several areas. Dense spring vegetative growth made it difficult to observe spring pheasant broods but this year’s wet, cool spring may have impacted nesting and brood rearing success in areas that bore the brunt of this weather. Vegetative cover is excellent and insects were abundant. FWP REGION 6—NORTHEASTERN MONTANA Generally pheasant populations are below average in the eastern portion of FWP Region 6. Harsh winter conditions resulted in the loss of birds as did a spring storm that impacted pheasant nesting. Portions of Sheridan, Richland, and Roosevelt counties received a good deal of moisture this summer, but pheasant abundance is still expected to be below average in many areas. Pheasant numbers in the western portion of FWP Region 6 are expected to be closer to average with a mix of brood sizes and ages.
BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 23
MFWP
FWP REGION 5 —SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA Cool, damp weather this spring and summer produced good cover and insects for birds. But the number of pheasants counted during spring bird surveys was down 15 percent from last year—though that is still more than 37 percent above the long-term average. Pheasant harvest in 2009 is expected to be lower than in the past five years, but above the long-term average. FWP REGION 4—NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA Overall in the region, pheasant hunting should be average to below average. The northern part of the region appears to have faired slightly better in some places, but pheasant numbers in the Conrad area are expected to be down. Hunters should be alert for grizzly bears in prairie coulees and riparian areas. FWP REGION 3—SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA A cool, wet spring may have impacted pheasants and other upland game birds by reducing brood survival of recently hatched chicks. In general, access to good pheasant hunting sites is challenging in this part of the state.
FWP REGION 2—WESTERN MONTANA The spring hatch appeared to be affected by cold moist weather. Anticipate pheasant numbers comparable to last year. The best pheasant habitat in western Montana is often on private lands where access may be limited. Hunters are encouraged to secure permission from landowners before heading out to pheasant hunt. FWP REGION 1—NORTHWESTERN MONTANA Kalispell, and the surrounding area, has experienced generally lower than average pheasant numbers in the past few years. At Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area hatching success and brood survival were good this summer, though last year’s poor conditions reduced the number of hens nesting this year. Hunting is expected to be somewhat better this season than the past one. For more information about pheasant hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s Upland Game Bird Hunting Guide on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page.
24 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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NOVEMBER 2009
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Hunters—Don’t More Deer Hunters Sought In Northeastern Montana RON SELDEN Forget A Map 14, these include: 767 licenses for dropped about 39 percent during the severe Resident and non-resident Oct. MFWP mule deer in Hunting District 670; 209 winter of 2008-09, they are still above hunters heading to northeastern Montana A
t one time a hunting map was a many-creased affair with coffee stains and blurry pencil marks, dog-eared and soft from use. Today it is as likely to be a digital map downloaded from the Internet. The maps available on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page are of the digital variety. FWP’s Hunt Planner features an interactive hunting map that can be a lot of fun to play with but requires some computing power to operate. On the Hunting page go to the Hunt Planner and select the region and a species you are interested in and click for the map. You can choose to display species distribution, county boundaries, roads, cities and more and zoom in and out on the map. Another map option is to go to the Hunt Planner page and select the Montana Land Ownership Maps under the Resource column for maps showing public and private land ownership. Both the public and the private land ownership maps are updated annually and are available in Adobe PDF formats that can be printed on a large format printer by one of the print shops listed at the bottom of the Web page.
during the 2009 big game season will again have many extra opportunities to harvest deer. In addition to excellent hunting expected during the general rifle season -which goes to November 29 -- the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks will concurrently run two special management seasons in Region 6 for antlerless white-tailed deer and mule deer during the period. Non-residents participating in the special management hunts, which are taking place in a limited number of hunting districts, can purchase the licenses at reduced prices. The licenses are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Only those hunters holding a 699-00 or a 640-00 prerequisite license are eligible to participate in the special management seasons. The management season licenses cost $10 apiece for Montana residents. Non-resident hunters will need to buy a $75 prerequisite license to be eligible to purchase management season licenses for $20 each. As of Oct. 14, there were 2,602 of the prerequisite 699-00 licenses left. In Hunting Districts 630, 640, 641, 650, 651 and 670, a total of 2,000 additional 699-01 “B” licenses for antlerless white-tailed deer were authorized this year. As of Oct. 14, there were 1,430 of these licenses remaining. Also in Hunting District 640, which encompasses the far northeastern corner of the state, 200 additional 640-01 “B” licenses for antlerless mule deer were authorized. As of Oct. 14, there were still 141 of these 640-01 licenses and 153 of the prerequisite 640-00 licenses left. In addition, there are other antlerless, general season, “Deer B” licenses still available in Region 6. As of
licenses for mule deer in Hunting District 611; 649 licenses for mule deer and 44 either species archery-only licenses in Hunting District 630; 65 licenses for mule deer in Hunting District 641; and 69 licenses for mule deer in Hunting District 652. There is also an unlimited number of 006-10 antlerless “Deer B” licenses for white-tailed deer, valid in all Region 6 districts, available for sale to Montana residents only. For the general 2009 big game season, each hunter may possess up to seven “Deer B” licenses in any combination via drawing, over-the-counter, or surplus purchase. Because the special Region 6 management seasons are administratively separate from the general season, hunters may purchase up to four more of the 699-01 or 640-01 licenses -- or a combination of these two license types -- apiece. This expanded license possession limit is in addition to the “Deer A” license, which can be used for harvesting a buck deer or either-sex deer in many Montana hunting districts. In past years deer management seasons -- used to control populations of big game animals that are over objectives -- typically took place after the general hunting season was over. But a continuing trend of high deer populations in these Region 6 districts – and a desire to get deer harvested during the general season to take advantage of existing hunters and lessen impacts on private landowners -- prompted the action earlier this year. In Hunting District 640, surveys show that mule deer numbers have increased steadily over the past five years. While biologists say mule deer numbers
10-year averages. There is very limited winter cover or forage in the district, and agricultural damage has been increasing. Regarding whitetails, deer numbers in Hunting Districts 630, 640, 641, 650, 651 and 670 have been above long-term averages since 2002. In Hunting Districts 630, 650 and 651, and 670 west of Highway 24, state biologists say whitetail numbers have increased up to 54 % above long-term averages. Rapidly increasing whitetail numbers brought a corresponding increase in depredation on private land, and many hunters and landowners have expressed concern to FWP about extremely high whitetail numbers and associated agricultural damages, especially in the Milk and Missouri river corridors. Any of the licenses can be purchased online at the department’s website (fwp.mt.gov) or through any Montana license provider. Status of license availability also can be checked online. Updates are provided daily. Inquiries about areas to hunt, maps, and landowner contact information can be directed to FWP Region 6 officials at (406) 228-3700 during normal business hours.
NOVEMBER 2009
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 25
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Hunters Reminded Of Hunting Regulations On State Land MFWP When planning a hunting trip this fall, hunters need to be mindful of the regulations associated with using State School Trust Land. A $2 state lands access fee is now included in the price of the FWP conservation license, however hunters must still know the boundaries of state lands they use and abide by the land use rules. Know where you are: maps of designated state land tracts and road status are posted at Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Services offices statewide. Don’t trespass: state lands are legally accessible if they can be reached from adjacent public lands or public roads. However, if you have to cross private property to reach them, you must have landowner permission. Also, not all tracts of State School Trust Land are open for recreational use. Watch where you drive: the only roads open for vehicle use are public roads, such as county roads and state highways, and a few roads designated as open by DNRC. Off-road use is prohibited. For details on these and other land-use regulations, ask for the “Guide to Recreational Use of State Land,” available from FWP license providers, at DNRC offices, FWP regional offices, or by calling DNRC at: 406-444-1868.
What Is The Word On Montana’s Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program? MFWP
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FWPs wants to hear from upland game bird hunters who have used Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program or block management lands to hunt game birds this fall. “A self addressed, stamped postcard is bound in each copy of the 2009 Upland Game Bird Program Access Guide and we hope hunters will use it to report where they hunted, for how many days, the species of birds they hunted and their overall experience with the program,” said Debbie Hohler, FWP’s Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program biologist. Hohler said the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program’s goals are to enhance the quality of habitat and increase the number of upland game birds and upland game bird hunting opportunities in the state. Hunters’ comments will help FWP assess program management and planning. With over 30 active contracts, Montana landowners are conserving and enhancing almost 300,000 acres of upland game bird habitat and providing nearly one million acres of private land for public game bird hunting. Additional upland game bird hunting opportunities are available on more than 32 million acres of federal, tribal and state lands in Montana. The 2009 Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Projects Access Guide is available in print form in FWP region offices and the headquarters office in Helena. An electronic copy of the guide is on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov.
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Game Check Hunter Education Stations Play An Manual A Important Role Useful Guide MFWP MFWP
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unters should remember that state law requires them to stop at all game check stations on their routes of travel to and from hunting areas, whether they have harvested an animal or not. Failure to stop at a check station when personnel are on duty is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. In addition to gathering biological information, FWP game wardens and other department personnel can provide hunters with useful information and updates on the hunting season. They will also check to make sure that any animals taken are properly tagged and that all other laws and regulations governing the taking of that animal were observed. This fall, thousands of hunters will provide useful information during the annual game checks, helping FWP to manage game animal populations and future hunting opportunities.
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ontana’s hunter education manual, combined with the teaching skills of 1,200 hunter education instructors, is at the core of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Hunter Education Program. The program annually trains thousands of prospective new hunters. Here are the four basic firearm safety rules that the manual states must be followed at all times: 1). Always point the muzzle of a firearm in a safe direction. 2). Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 3). Always be certain of your target and beyond. 4). Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
26 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
Gutless Field Dressing You Don’t Have to Be Nasty About It!
The gutless field dressing method can be used if you can get your big game quartered quickly. The goal is to get the meat away from the hot visceral insides as soon as possible. If you want to haul an elk out whole, gut it right away. When performing the gutless field dressing method, most people will start the skinning process by making the long, “lengthwise” body cut on top of the spine, from base of the head to the tail. Then they will cut around the elk’s chest behind the shoulders and skin the front legs from there. If you don’t need to take the hide home, you can start at the top and leave some hide intact on parts that you don’t cut into. It’s a little harder to keep hair off the meat, when you make an extra hide cut around the chest. Getting hair on the meat can taint the flavor. If you are concerned about that, you can skin the animal the ordinary way before doing the gutless field dressing method. A hide in one piece can help to keep the meat off the ground, as well.
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BY DAVID
NOVEMBER 2009
ROWELL
Front Leg If feasible, point all legs downhill before starting the gutless field dressing. Once the front shoulder is skinned, lift the leg up away from the elk. Start cutting the connective tissue beneath the leg. Keep pulling it back over and away from the spine while cutting the tissue. You will eventually see a large, round cartilage at the top of the shoulder. Cut wide around that arc of cartilage. The front leg will come free with a few cuts through some thin muscle on top. You can hang it in a game bag to cool or put it down on a clean tarp or plastic table cloth on the ground.
Back Leg
Once the back leg on that side is skinned, notice where the back leg pivots when the leg is moved around. The ball and socket joint is what creates that pivot point. From the pelvis, cut toward the joint until you reach the joint with your knife. Cut muscle and cartilage away from the joint and the “socket” will eventually separate from the “ball”. Cut the meat still holding the leg to the pelvis and bag it. Or, remove the meat from the leg bone and bag it. Hang it, to cool, or set it aside on the table cloth or tarp.
Neck and Spine Cut away as much meat from the neck as you can from that side. (Good for chili and stew.) Cut down along the top of the spine. You will find a nice long strip of meat there that goes all the way down the spine on each side (back strap). Separate the meat from the spine as you move all the way down from shoulder to the elk’s “waist” area. Cut off anything that looks edible remaining above the ribs and neck area.
Filets Between the last rib and pelvis, make a slice below the spine without cutting into entrails. Reach up under the spine and find the filets on each side of the underside of the spine. They may be covered with waxy fat and tissue. You might have to cut the ends to pull them free, but they are nice and tender and easily pulled out. Unless you have seen these and removed them with the regular gutting method, you might have trouble with this. You kind of have to know where they are to get them out without gutting the elk or deer. Most people think the filets are the best cut of meat on the animal. Bag and hang these smaller pieces
with the back strap, or set aside in a clean place, if it won’t be long before packing it out.
Ribs There’s not a lot of meat on the riibs and they don’t taste like good, fatty beef ribs. Some people cut the meat out between the bones and the “skirting” below the ribs, as well.
Flip Over and Repeat Flip the carcass over and repeat on the other side. You’re now ready to cut the meat off the leg bones, or haul it out as is. When you use the gutless field dressing method, the innards are still intact and have not had a chance to soil your healthy meat. If you’re going to do it, get it done soon and quickly. For more information about field dressing and de-boning big game see http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/fielddressing.html. David Rowell writes from Garrison , Montana and writes for the website: www.elk-hunting-tips.net.
NOVEMBER 2009
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Elk Hunters Love To Talk About Elk This Time Of Year
BY DIANE TIPTON, MFWPs STATEWIDE INFORMATION OFFICER
are also experienced storytellers, which makes them interesting company too. Here are some of Vashro’s deceivingly simple hunting habits. •Hike at least a mile from the trailhead or road before you start to hunt. One year Vashro and his hunting partner met some out-of-state hunters who had camped at a trailhead for a week and not seen one elk because they never hiked more than a mile in. A three-mile hike from the trailhead put Vashro and his partner into the elk most of the day. JIM VASHRO, LONG TIME FWP EMPLOYEE AND VETERAN HUNTER WITH A DEER HE HARVESTED
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t is easy to identify Montana’s elk hunters this time of year—they are the ones talking about elk—elk they harvested, elk they just missed harvesting, or the elk they hope “to get into” this hunting season. Montana’s general big game season began October 25th. Most hunters also enjoy talking technique and comparing results. One of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks newest recruits, Broadus warden Troy Hinck, is an avid elk hunter who is happy to share what he’s learned in the field. “One of my favorite set-ups involves using the elk’s desire to get downwind of you,” he said. “If you are trying to call in elk, set up with the wind in your face or even at a 90 degree angle from it. The elk will often try to circle around the caller.” Have your hunting partner set up where the elk is most likely to pass while circling to get downwind of the caller. “If it turns out to be the wrong position as the elk circles, your hunting partner can angle into a better position as long as the elk is moving toward him and he avoids moving toward it,” Hinck said. New hunters should be aware that, as in any activity, there are some who talk more than they hunt. If you hear complex, hard to follow theories on how to identify the best hunting spot or details on the many features of the latest, most expensive gear, for example, you can be pretty sure you are not talking to an experienced hunter. That is why many newcomers seek those crusty individuals long on humility and short on theory. Veteran elk hunters, including Jim Vashro, 58, in FWP’s Kalispell office, know how to “get into the elk” because that is what they do year after year. By this point in their hunting careers they
•Vashro is in the woods before daylight and out after dark, and often doesn’t see his camp in the daylight except on the pack in and back out. •A well-stocked daypack gives him the confidence to hike in the dark and into rugged areas. He recommends high-energy foods and snacks and lots of water to keep alert and going all day. •His hunting success rate improved when he started camping out three to four days in a row in order to home-in on the best spots. •Vashro moves pretty fast and covers a lot of ground until he hits an “elky” spot. Then he slows down, maybe covering only a quarter of a mile in an hour in heavy or noisy cover. He takes only one or two steps, scans the area thoroughly before he moves again. •Game carts are a godsend to old creaky backs. Vashro claims to have brought a bull moose out of the woods in the dark by himself using a game cart in a single five-mile, one hour and 40 minute trip in the dark. •Vashro said he long ago lost his fascination with packing out whole critters. He at least quarters them and usually bones out everything for packing. “I’ve taken two dozen or so elk in the past 30 years, so I’m a step beyond dumb luck—although I’ll take that any time it comes along,” Vashro said. “Of the elk I’ve harvested, only three came out whole and two of the three were dragged over a mile.”
BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 27
28 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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NOVEMBER 2009
Rocky Mountain States DOW Video: ‘Hunt Decoys Used To F&G Commission Raises Colorado’ Explores Catch Illegal Hunters Steelhead Limits SHACKELFORD - IDF&G Colorado’s Diverse BY CLARK Wildlife decoys were first Commission ThehasIdaho Fish and Game Whitebird Creek to Little Salmon River. used by game wardens in Wisconsin in raised the bag, Game Species the 1940s and by other wildlife agencies possession and season limit for the fall Little Salmon River to Vinegar Creek.
across North America ever since. They have been readily accepted by the courts as a legitimate tool for use ariety, they say, is the spice of life. And for hunters, no other by wildlife law enforcement officers to deter illegal behavior. All across Idaho state offers as much “spice” as they are used throughout the year, in a Colorado. From upland birds and wide variety of situations. waterfowl to majestic big game The use of decoys has many benefits, but most important is that they animals like elk and bighorn sheep, hopefully reduce the number of live Colorado’s wild game species are as animals lost to illegal activities. Instead of diverse as the Rocky Mountain a live elk standing at the edge of the landscape. timber grazing after sundown, officers Colorado’s varied and place a decoy in the area where illegal activities are suspected to see if poachers distinctive hunting opportunities are appear. now featured in “Hunt Colorado,” a Decoys can be adapted to protect new online video from the Colorado a specific segment of a population, such Division of Wildlife. as large antlered deer, from being killed Filmed in high-definition after the season is closed. High poaching activity can limit population growth in a video and recorded in digital audio, certain area, risk human safety, or result in “Hunt Colorado” takes viewers on an area being closed. an entertaining and concise tour of In Idaho, hunting hours each day Colorado’s game species. Featured in begin one-half hour before sunrise and the seven-minute video are: turkey, end one- half hour after sundown. It is quail, grouse, pheasants, ducks, geese, illegal to use artificial light, such as shining headlights on an elk and killing it. squirrels, rabbits, moose, bighorn Hence the rules for daylight hunting only, sheep, mountain goats, elk and deer. no hunting with artificial light, and no “’Hunt Colorado’ provides a shooting from or across a public road. great overview of some of Colorado’s These and other rules are printed in all Idaho Fish and Game hunting well-known and not so well-known booklets, available free of charge or online hunts,” said Debbie Lininger, DOW at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. marketing director. “Colorado is Farm and ranch owners famous for its exceptional elk hunting, frequently request assistance from Fish but I don’t think people realize just and Game officers about shot cattle and horses, vandalism, or vehicle or hunter how many other amazing trespass on cultivated ground. Officers opportunities exist right here in our hear the frustration and anger in the voice own backyard.” of many farmers and ranchers about To play “Hunt Colorado” and damage on their land. Placing a decoy in other DOW online videos, viewers the area will help protect the landowners’ need a high-speed Internet connection property. It is important for all and the latest version of Adobe Flash hunters to know exactly who owns the installed on their computer. land that they plan to hunt on. In Idaho, Videos may be accessed if the land is cultivated then trespassing directly on the Division’s Web site at: signs are not required. Driving a vehicle http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/ off-road onto private ground is trespassing. Most landowners who give Videos/ permission to hunt do not give permission for motorized game retrieval, so ask before hunting the land.
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2009 and spring 2010 steelhead seasons in the Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. The daily limits, effective October 2 until further notice, for steelhead trout is five, of which no more than three may be 32 or more inches in total length. The possession limit is 15, no more than nine may be 32 or more inches long. The statewide limits in the fall and spring seasons is 40 steelhead in each, but no more than 20 of those may be caught in the Clearwater River drainage in each season. Anglers who have a permit with reported harvest from the spring 2009 season may purchase a second permit to catch their fall season limit of 40 fish. Fishery managers estimate the return of steelhead over Lower Granite Dam this fall will be considerably larger than the previous high return of about 250,000 fish in 2001. More than 155,000 fish in this large return will return are A-run hatchery fish destined for the Snake River, the Little Salmon River and in the Upper Salmon River.
AFFECTED WATERS ARE: Snake River Washington-Idaho border to the Salmon River. Salmon River to Hells Canyon Dam. Salmon River Downstream from Whitebird Creek.
Vinegar Creek to South Fork Salmon River. South Fork Salmon River to Middle Fork Salmon River. Middle Fork Salmon River to North Fork Salmon River. North Fork Salmon River to Lemhi River. Lemhi River to Pahsimeroi River. Pahsimeroi River to East Fork Salmon River. East Fork Salmon to Sawtooth Weir. Little Salmon River In contrast to the abundant A-run returns, B-run steelhead returns to Idaho are lower than forecasted. Most of the harvestable hatchery B-run fish are destined for the Clearwater River drainage. The fall season limit in the Clearwater drainage will remain at 20 fish. The daily bag limit is two fish and the possession limit six. All anglers must have a valid 2009 Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. Steelhead anglers may use only barbless hooks, and may keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar. All other steelhead must be released unharmed immediately. Anglers should check the 2008-2009 fishing rules book for details on steelhead fishing. For more information on steelhead fishing in Idaho, check the Fish and Game Website http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.
NOVEMBER 2009
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 29
Rocky Mountain States Bighorn Sheep Huntng In New Mexico The bighorn sheep hunting experience in New Mexico can be quite varied, depending on the location of the hunt. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunting in the alpine differs greatly from the low-elevation river canyon hunts, and the rugged desert bighorn sheep hunts.
ALPINE HUNTS Alpine hunts in the Pecos and Wheeler Peak Wilderness take place at 12,000 ft to 13,000 ft. Access to these areas is often best achieved via horseback, as most groups of bighorn live far from trailheads. The climate can be very fickle in late summer and early autumn, and hunters need to be prepared for sunny warm days, as well as clouds, rain, and sleet, for days as a time. Care must be taken to not be trapped above timberline if a lightning storm should arrive. The high altitude provides an additional challenge as the shortage of oxygen can limit the hiking plans of even the most physically fit. The sweeping expanses of wilderness with jagged peaks and tundra plains are one of the highlights of hunting in the Pecos and Wheeler Peak herds.
LOW-ELEVATION HUNTS Low-elevation Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts in Turkey Creek and the San Francisco River in the Gila National Forest provide a very different experience. The edges of bighorn habitat are accessible by vehicle, however moving within the habitat can be very challenging. Steep canyon wall and large rock outcroppings can prevent travel, or cause long detours. This topography precludes use of horses over much of the terrain. Beautiful rock formations, and transitional vegetation between juniper grasslands and Chihuahuan desert scrub provide a rich ecosystem to explore while on these hunts.
DESERT HUNTS The desert bighorn sheep hunt in the Peloncillo Mountains, located in the far southwest corner of New Mexico, offers more rocks, and more hot days, than elsewhere in the state. Bighorn in this herd are very skittish and weary of people, making finding and shooting a ram very challenging. As in the low-elevation herds, the edges of bighorn habitat is accessible by vehicle, but the very steep, very rocky slopes make traveling through the habitat difficult.
You Might See A Few More Deer You might see a few more deer says. “That rain provided doe deer with a when Utah’s rifle buck deer hunt starts. lot of good, nutritious vegetation. Aoude The weather this past spring and winter was almost ideal for mule deer. More than 70,000 hunters, plus their family and friends, are expected afield for Utah’s most popular hunt. “The weather this past spring and winter was excellent for mule deer,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “Last winter was really mild—the snow stayed up high, and the valleys and the winter ranges were warm,” Aoude says. “It’s difficult to determine exactly how many deer die each winter. But because this past winter was so mild, we think far fewer deer were lost than would have been lost during a normal winter.” Aoude says the mild winter was followed by a long, wet spring. “The state received plenty of rain clear into June,” he says.
says nutritious vegetation also helps bucks grow bigger antlers. “When bucks have good vegetation to eat, even two- to three-year-old bucks can grow some nice antlers.” The Northern Region is the region where hunters could notice the biggest difference in the number of deer they see. A harsh winter in 2008 killed many of the fawns that were born in 2007. As a result, many hunters noticed a big drop in the number of one-year-old bucks they saw in the region last fall. “The herds in the Northern Region still have a long way to go. But thanks to the mild winter we had this year, hunters should see a few more deer. And many of those deer will be yearling bucks,” Aoude says.
Hunters: Follow Up Your Shots Successful hunters know that wardens have According to Hammer, game a well-placed shot ensures quality game observed numerous meat and makes big game recovery faster and often easier. However, some hunters take shots well beyond their ability to successfully hit the vital area of some big game species - most notably elk. “As the hunting season progresses, elk naturally tend to ‘bunch up’ making it difficult for hunters to get close. This is when it is most tempting to take a long-range shot,” said Dennie Hammer, Cody education specialist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and hunter education instructor. “If you take a long-range shot and the animal moves off, it may still have been hit. Hunters should follow that shot up by walking to the spot where the animal was standing.”
instances where hunters shoot at distances of 400-600 yards or more and never follow up their shot. “An animal must be hit in a vital area to die quickly. A poorly placed shot outside the vital area may cripple an animal, which will ultimately die at a later time,” Hammer said. “Hunters have an ethical obligation to follow up their shots.” Knowing your effective shooting range comes with practice. Spending time target shooting and using a rangefinder to estimate distance is a good way to determine if a game animal is beyond effective shooting range. “Marksmanship is a skill that is developed through practice. It is always best to know your effective shooting range and stay within it,” Hammer said.
Artificial Lighting Law Explained For a number of years, Wyoming has had a law that prohibits the use of artificial light for hunting and fishing. But, the continuing development of lighted hunting and fishing equipment has given rise to numerous questions concerning Wyoming law and the use of lighted devices. To help answer these questions, the Game and Fish has produced a pamphlet to help clarify questions about the legality of various devices now on the market. Wyoming law states that “No person shall take any wildlife with the aid of or by using any artificial lighting device.” Following that law the Game and Fish Commission has established regulation to give clarification as to what is and isn’t legal for taking wildlife. For hunting, Commission regulation states that “Artificial light means any man made light or lighting device which projects a light visible to the unaided eye outside of the device, or any battery powered device that provides an enhanced ability to see in the dark.”
Under this definition, devices that are allowed for hunting include the following: • fiber-optic and light gathering sights, •scopes with built in rangefinders, •battery powered scopes that use a lighted reticle or dot projected only within the scope •sights emitting natural light •battery powered bow pins •lighted arrow nocks Devices that are prohibited for hunting include: •spotlights/handlights • laser sights emitting visible light •night vision devices •infrared scopes For fishing, Commission Regulation states: “No person shall use an artificial light with the sole purpose of aiding or attracting fish. No person shall use any device to physically extend an artificial light over the water to attract fish. . . . . .It is illegal to use artificial lighted hooked devices.
30 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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NOVEMBER 2009
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Turnout, Harvest Light For Opening Day Of General Season Region 5 MFWP Though Sunday’s weather The number of mule deer checked was relatively warm and dry, hunter harvest for the first day of general deer and elk season was lower than usual in south central Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks operated four check stations in the south central region Sunday at Laurel, Columbus, Lavina and Big Timber. Hunters are required to stop at any check station they pass during the season. At the Lavina check station, FWP biologist Jay Newell reported that the number of hunters was 3.5 percent below the long-term average. And the number of hunters with harvested animals was only 17.3 percent – the lowest on record for opening day at Lavina. The number of antelope checked was 78.6 percent lower than average. The mule deer harvest was 44.8 percent lower than usual and white-tailed deer numbers were down 36.5 percent. Eighty percent of the white-tailed deer and 38 percent of mule deer were antlerless. At Laurel, the number of hunters was 11 percent below the 10-year average for opening day. FWP wildlife research specialist Jay Watson reported that, while only 32 percent of hunters harvested game, most hunters said they were satisfied with the number of animals they saw in the field. The 14 white-tailed deer checked at Laurel were 42 percent below average and the lowest since 2001.
was 12 percent below the 10-year average. The number of hunters who stopped at the Columbus check station was average for opening day, but 21 percent below 2008. FWP biologist Shawn Stewart said this was only the fourth time in 10 years at the number of hunters with game fell below 40 percent. The number of mule deer checked was 44 percent lower than last year and 30 percent below the 10-year average. Ninety percent of the mule deer checked at Columbus were at least two years old and the majority were three years old or older. Big Timber was the relative bright spot for the region with the harvest of deer and elk both near the long-term average. The antelope harvest was half of last year and only a third of normal, however. FWP biologist Justin Paugh said hunters reported that game animals were staying close to cover because of strong winds in the region. One wolf, harvested in the Boulder River valley, was checked into the Big Timber check station and another wolf kill from the same area was reported to biologists. Because the quota of 12 wolves for southern Montana had been met, the season closed at sunset Monday.
BLAINE & DEVON COX WITH FRIEND FRANK ROLLINS
NoNameOutdoors.com, The Online Brag Board BY DEVON COX M
y dad Ray and I crossed the river in our John boat as my brother, Blaine and family friend, Frank Rollins started the day about 8 miles up the rocky ridge at the top of No Name Mountain. There was snow on the ground as my dad and I began our ascent toward the first large clearing where we had frequently run into game before. We moved quietly along the game trail that wrapped around the front of the knob that blocked the view of the clearing. As we rounded the corner we could see there were a few deer about 250 yards uphill, two does, a nice whitetail and a smaller muley. My dad conceded the shot to me. I had just had surgery the week before on my right hand to repair a broken thumb so I felt awkward as I shouldered my rifle and locked in on the buck. The cast on my hand forced me to push the trigger, leveraging my whole arm. I had made a good shot and by 8:30 AM the buck was ready to move. As it rarely does, the scenario I had seen in my mind that morning had played out to specifications. We took my buck down to the river edge with minimal effort, which was good news. I don’t think the hand surgeon would have approved of the day’s activities, so an easy drag to the river was confirmation I had made the right choice by coming out. Now we could take it easy and wait for Frank and Blaine. About that time we received notification that they had put down a mule deer near the top of the ridge. We decided to start climbing up the drainage that would lead to where
they were to offer our help. Rough terrain, slick snow and fear of falling on my broken hand made it slow going. A big buck on the ground and the same conditions made it even more difficult for them. By the time we got both deer across the river and to the trucks, headlights were necessary to take photos. These memories and experiences are what galvanize the relationships between outdoorsmen and their friends and families. The sharing of these stories, experiences and accomplishments has long been part of hunting. Advancements in technology and communication now allow us to easily share these experiences with more people. No Name Outdoors co-founder Zachary Pitts stated, “We started NoNameOutdoors.com to allow the ‘Average Joe’ hunter a free place to network and share hunting, fishing, and outdoor photos with friends, family and other like-minded individuals. Oftentimes ‘true’ hunting experiences are overshadowed by high dollar, unattainable hunts that are a product of pocketbook and not perseverance.” If you have hunting, fishing, or outdoor photos and experiences you would like to share visit www.NoNameOutdoors.com and setup a free account. Born in Western Montana, No Name Outdoors is becoming the destination to see and share great adventures and connect with outdoorsmen across the country.
NOVEMBER 2009
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Public Land Mule Deer BY ANDREW MCKEAN
N
o big-game animal is more synonymous with Montana’s public land than mule deer. But while you might see plenty of deer in the best habitat, consistently tagging a mature buck takes a little more than just drive-by hunting. Even during November’s rut, the best bucks are often just cagey enough to survive the season. If you’re interested in finding these wise old mule deer, here are some points to keep in mind: • HUNT ON FOOT – This sounds
almost too simple, but if you’re hunting a savvy old buck, you’re going to have to get out of your pickup. In Montana, I’d wager more mule deer are shot in sight of a road than not, and while trolling roads is a great way to locate public-land deer, old bucks associate vehicles with danger. You don’t have to walk far; often great bucks are just on the other side of a gentle hill. • SPEND TIME GLASSING – Mule deer are so well camouflaged that many hunters miss seeing them. Plan
BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 31
enough time to set up on a vantage point and glass—really glass—the landscape. A friend of mine who guides deer hunters in the Missouri Breaks says he’ll invest hours picking apart the landscape. He gets comfortable, leans his back against a tire of his pickup, and starts systematically studying every draw, grove of trees and gumbo knob through his spotting scope. Often he’ll see a great buck that other hunters drove right past. •STUDY SLOPES – Early in November, old bucks are resting up for the rut, and they’ll spend plenty of time in day beds. On cold days, look for bedding bucks on south-facing slopes, where they can soak up the rays and see danger coming. The most consistent place to find these bedded deer is on the upper third of a slope, often near the crest or nose, so one or two jumps will get them away from danger. •HUNT EARLY AND LATE – Every hunter worth his salt knows that animals are active just after sunrise and just before sunset. Mule deer absolutely define that trend, and give hunters another edge: their white rumps really glow in low light, and many twilight
hunters have found great bucks by their bright bums. •FIND DOES – As the rut gets cranking by the third week of the month, bucks will be aggressively attending harems of does. So it’s a good strategy to find the girls if you want to find the boys. But once you find a group of does, start looking around them for a bedded buck. Often the rutting buck will tend his harem from a distance, watching for danger from a high point. • FIND MIGRATION CORRIDORS – Even on public land, mule deer will often move long distances during the course of a hunting season. In the mountains, find places where deer will travel from high elevations to foothills. On the prairie, find places where deer will move from dry prairies to hay fields and cropland. These are places to find great bucks that haven’t been hounded by other hunters and may be your roadmaps to your best public-land buck yet. We would like to thank Andrew for his 6 years of outstanding editorial commitment to Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure. Read his work in Outdoor Life Magazine.
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Photographing Your Big Game Trophies BY GEORGE BETTAS, COURTESY THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB THE CAMERA The first thing one needs to take good field photographs of trophy animals is a camera at the scene of the kill. Today’s cameras are technological wonders and there is a wide variety of light, compact cameras that will do the job. My favorite camera is an Olympus XA. This little camera fits into my shirt pocket and literally goes everywhere I go while hunting. It has been with me on backpack hunts from the peaks of the Alaska range and the tundra of the Alaska Peninsula to the mountains of Wyoming and the breaks of the Snake River in Idaho’s Hell’s Canyon. Through the years it has performed flawlessly. What makes it so great? It is lightweight, has an excellent glass lens, is mechanically reliable and has a foolproof self-timer, which is especially important if you take an animal and your partner is on the opposite ridge. Some of my very best photos of trophy animals are those I have taken with a self-timer. Since big game animal are most attractive early in the morning and later in the afternoon, light is a consideration when taking photographs. The best photos are
generally taken in bright, warm sunlight. Most modern films work fine under these circumstances. When you are photographing early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you need a film with an ASA that will do the job for you. I like to use 100 ASA color slide or print film since it is fast enough for most light conditions and has a fine enough grain to be enlarged up to and including 20 x 24 inch poster prints. The issue of color slides or prints is one we could argue for some time. I take both kinds of color film. I use the slides for recording the hunting trip and shoot both slides and color prints when taking trophy photographs. I also carry one roll of high-speed black and white film just in case I need it for marginal light conditions or special effects. When one considers the cost of the hunt, the cost of a few extra rolls of film is negligible. I always take several extra rolls of film and take lots of pictures, especially when taking field photographs. I use different camera angles and light settings looking for that one perfect photo.
COMPOSING THE PHOTO The first thing I do when taking a trophy photo is to look over the area where I have taken the animal and mentally compose the photograph. Consider the background and make use of the natural beauty of the area whenever possible. Then situate the animal so you can take advantage of the natural background to the greatest extent possible. Sometimes you will not be able to move the animal due to its size or the terrain. In such cases, you will have to do your best and go with what you have. Set the animal up so it is presented in a respectful way. Tongues hanging out, blood on the animal or the ground, bullet holes showing in the body and legs askew detract from the photograph and contribute to distasteful photographs. Place the animals’ legs up under the body and set it up so it looks as natural as possible. Wipe off any blood that may be present. I always carry five or six squares of paper towel in my hunting pack for this purpose. Check to be sure your rifle or bow is pointed in a safe direction if it is to be included in the picture. Be sure that hunting gear such as ropes, knives and lunch sacks that will detract from the photo are not in the photo. If you are unable to take the photo while in the field check to be sure that the area where you are taking the photo is as natural as possible and does not include items that will detract from the overall quality of the photo or the animal being photographed. Get up as close as possible and look the situation over through your viewfinder. The closer you get, the better the animal will
look. Look for anything distracting around the edges. Remove limbs, brush, or grass that are in the way. Check the sun angle and the need to compensate for back lighting. Frame the scene and check all four edges of the photo so that you do not cut anything out. Finally focus the camera and shoot. It is a good idea to take several photographs from several angles and use different parts of the scene as the point of focus. If you have an autofocus camera, be mindful of what the camera is focusing on. If your depth of field is short and you focus on the nose of an animal, such as an elk, the hunter may be out of focus. If you focus on the hunter, the animal may be out of focus. When in doubt take lots of photos. I like to take trophy photographs from a very low angle and use the sky or the background to frame the photograph. The animal will show up better when you do this. When I’m alone I use a small, lightweight tripod and set the camera on the tripod on the ground. My favorite tripod is one sold by Recreational Equipment Company in Seattle. It is made of high-impact plastic, weighs a few ounces, folds up nicely and has a velcro strip for attaching the tripod to a limb, bush, or backpack. This tripod will double as a support for a spotting scope. If I do not have a tripod, I set the camera on a rock, piece of wood, or whatever is handy. The final point in taking a good trophy photograph is to not hurry. Take your time and attend to every detail. This is your best, and sometimes only, opportunity to take a great photograph and record a special moment. BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB ASSOCIATE PAT SINCLAIR’S TYPICAL MULE DEER B&C SCORE 195-2/8
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 33
Sagebrush News: How To Build A Fire In The Woods With Just A Few Tools BY CHUCK ROBBINS
Y
es, Jack London’s classic short story dealt with a life or death situation; thankfully the sort few of us will ever experience but...Spend much time stumbling about the outdoors and odds are good you will experience the need for the comfort and warmth of a hastily built fire. The good news is no matter what the conditions—rain, snow, wind, whatever—building a fire is easy...that is if you go prepared. Here’s how: Into a large zip-lock bag place some sort of fire starter. You can make your own (Google: fire starter) but commercial concoctions, such as Fire Paste, are handier and readily available in many Montana outlets. Into the bag go strike-almost-anywhere waterproof matches (and material to strike on) in a waterproof container—commercial match case, plastic film container, etc. A reliable windproof lighter is another option but be sure to check it out before leaving home and better take the matches too...you know, just in case. Insert also a smaller zip-lock bag containing generous amount (handful) dry tinder—wood or magnesium shavings, shredded birch bark (great stuff), etc. Small twigs, pine needles, dry grass, paper and such work too though not as well. And yes, you can gather your own when the time comes but, say, it’s pouring rain and, well, I rest my case. Notice how nicely the above fits in a vest, pack or coat pocket, in a dry bag or coffee can beneath the boat seat...which is to say then, no excuse for not being prepared, eh?
So now you’ve done it, stepped through thin ice, caught in a nasty, cold rain or heaven help you a full blown blizzard; or maybe you just crave a coffee or a hot lunch. Whatever the crisis you need a fire and you need it fast. Find a suitable sheltered spot: the lee of a big rock or tree, beneath a blow down, anywhere you can foil the weather gods long enough to get a blaze going. Gather dry sticks; match- to finger-size and up depending. The dead lower limbs of live conifers and blow-downs, dead willow and alder, etc. The more brittle the better and if possible avoid those littering the ground. In all but the direst circumstances a small fire is sufficient. And it should go without saying but the sort of conflagrations that can and too often do get out of hand and sometimes burn entire forests are a no-no. In deep snow or really wet conditions put down a platform of parallel green sticks first then lay the fire on top. Taking care to keep the tinder dry, place it atop the fire-starter. Build a teepee starting with match-size sticks, then a layer of finger-size and so forth. The teepee complete, light the fire starter and Voila! Fire! Most urgent, before you leave make darn sure the fire is dead out.
ENTER YOUR PHOTO IN THE 2009 PHOTO CONTEST You Could Win Great Prizes From
Photos accepted thru Dec. 15th Robert Montgomery - 2008 1st place winner
Chuck is a freelance writer, photographer and fly-fishing guide. To check out his articles, books, blogs, photos and more go to www.chuckngalerobbins.com.
e-mail to: bigskyoutdoornews@yahoo.com or mail to: Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure 8591 Capri Drive, Helena, Mt. 59602 photos submitted become the property of BSONA
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 35
Tips To Get Prepared For This Year’s Rifle Buck Deer Hunt UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
If you’re one of the lucky hunters who obtained a permit for the hunt, getting prepared now—by gathering materials and gaining knowledge—are the key to a safe and successful hunt. And while taking a deer is usually the highlight of any deer hunt, make sure you take advantage of all the experiences deer hunting offers. “Don’t be so focused on taking a deer that you miss out on everything deer hunting has to offer,” says Gary Cook, hunter education coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “Camping with your family and friends and enjoying wildlife and the beautiful state we live in are all things you can enjoy during your time afield.” Cook provides the following tips for an enjoyable and safe hunt: PERSONAL PREPARATION: Be familiar with the area you’re going to hunt. If possible, scout the area before the hunt. “Knowing the area and the habits and patterns of the deer that live in the area is vital for success,” Cook says. Put a survival kit together. The kit should include: 1) A small first aid kit; 2) Three ways to make a fire (e.g. matches, a cigarette lighter, fire starters); 3) Quick-energy snack foods; 4) A cord or rope; 5) A compass; 6) A flashlight; 7) An extra knife and; 8) A small pad of paper and a pencil (so if you become lost, you can leave information at your last location about yourself and the direction you’re traveling). PREPARING YOUR FIREARM: Be as familiar as possible with your firearm—know how to load and unload it, and where the safety is and how to operate it. •Make sure the barrel of your firearm doesn’t have any obstructions in it. •Make sure you have the correct ammunition for your firearm. •Sight-in your firearm before the hunt. FIREARM SAFETY: Controlling your firearm’s muzzle is the most important part of firearm safety. Never let the muzzle of your firearm point at anything you do not intend to shoot. That includes not pointing the muzzle at yourself. •Never carry a loaded firearm in your vehicle. •Don’t put your finger on the trigger until your firearm’s sights are on the target. •Before shooting, make sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
VEHICLE PREPARATION: •Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition. •Make sure you have a shovel, an ax, tire chains, jumper cables and a tow chain in your vehicle. •If you experience mechanical problems with your vehicle or become snowed in, stay with your vehicle—don’t leave it. BEFORE LEAVING ON YOUR TRIP: •Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. WHILE IN THE FIELD: •Never hunt alone. •Wear proper safety clothing: 400 square inches of hunter orange on your back, chest and head. FIELD DRESSING YOUR ANIMAL: •Use a sharp knife. A sharp knife does a better job of cutting than a dull knife does and is safer to use. •Cut away from you—never bring a knife blade towards you while cutting. YOUR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING: •Know your physical limitations, and don’t exceed them. •Prepare yourself for weather changes by dressing in layers. Dressing in layers allows you to regulate your body temperature by adding or removing clothes as needed. •Drink plenty of water, no matter how cold it is. “You can become dehydrated, even in cold weather,” Cook says. •Hypothermia (the loss of body temperature) can occur in temperatures as warm as 50 degrees. Be aware of the signs of hypothermia. Some of the first signs are violent shivering, stumbling or becoming disoriented. “When you notice these signs, sit down immediately and build a fire,” Cook says. “Get yourself warm and dry.” •Frostbite. If you’re hunting in cold weather, watch for signs that you’re getting frostbite. White spots on your skin are the first sign. Check your face, feet and hands regularly. You’ll notice the first signs of frostbite on your face sooner if you’re hunting with a companion who can alert you. IF YOU GET LOST: Don’t panic. Sit down and build a fire, even if it isn’t cold. “A fire is soothing. Building a fire will help you relax and think clearly,” Cook says. After calming down, try to get your bearings and think your way out of the situation. If you think you know which direction you need to travel, get the pad of paper and pencil out of your survival kit and leave a note at your location. Indicate on the note who you are and the direction you’re traveling. If you find other
hunters, don’t be embarrassed to ask them for directions and help. If you don’t know which direction you should travel, stay at your camp and build a shelter several hours before sundown, if possible. Build a smoky fire (this type of fire can be spotted
from the air) or build three fires (a distress signal that can also be spotted from the air). Remaining at your camp is usually a good option. “If you have to, you can live without food and water for several days,” Cook says.
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A Tried And Pheasant True Pheasant Facts Recipe MFWP MFWP •Average hen weight: 2-2.5 pounds M ontana’s pheasant hunting season is open until the end of the year, so •Average rooster weight: 3.5-4 there is time to bag some pheasants. This recipe is recommended by Liz Lodman, MFWPs Becoming An Outdoors Woman Coordinator. PHEASANT PIERRE Preheat Oven to 325 degrees Ingredients: 2 pheasants—legs and fillet breasts 1⁄2 cup flour salt & pepper 1⁄2 cup olive oil 1⁄2 cup butter 1 clove garlicsplit 1⁄4 tsp basil 2 shallots-minced 1 cup button mushrooms-sliced 1 large tomatoskinned and sliced 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup red wine 1 cup sour cream Prep: Place flour, salt and pepper in bag. Drop in pheasant pieces and coat. Heat olive oil and butter in skillet. Drop in garlic. Remove garlic when brown. Place pheasant in the skillet and brown. Remove from skillet and drain. Place 4 tbs. of olive oil and butter from skillet into casserole dish. Put pheasant in dish. Sprinkle with basil, onion, tomato, mushroom, salt & pepper. Add wines. Cover and bake for 1.5 hours. Then remove cover and bake for 20 minutes. Take pheasant out of dish. Add sour cream to dish and stir. Replace pheasant and bake five more minutes.
pounds •Flight speed: 38-48 mph •Favorite foods: grain, seeds, insects •Preferred habitat: undisturbed grass adjacent to domestic cropland and tall brushy winter cover •Start of egg-laying: early May •Average incubation start: late May •Length of incubation: 23 days •Average first hatch: mid-June •Average first clutch size: 10 eggs •Number of broods per year: one •Number of renest attempts: two to four •Major predators while nesting: fox, raccoon, and skunk •Major predators of adult pheasants: man, fox, hawk, and owl
n just the past 13 years, modern conservation efforts have produced an amazing 62 new state and provincial records—plus over 3,500 other Boone and Crockett-class trophies—for mule deer and elk alone. These special efforts and animals are profiled in two new books from the Boone and Crockett Club. Records of North American Mule Deer and Records of North American Elk are the first records books dedicated solely to these two species. Previously, mule deer and elk were combined into a single Boone and Crockett volume last printed in 1996. Since then, unprecedented growth in records listings dictated separate editions. Julie Houk, Director of Publications for the Club, said, “The Boone and Crockett scoring system was originally developed to record details of big game species that were thought to be vanishing. Of course, hunters led historic restoration and habitat initiatives to ensure that didn’t happen. Today, this ongoing conservation success can be measured in many ways—including the page counts of these new books.” Records of North American Mule Deer is 490 pages containing over 4,500 listings for Boone and Crockett-class mule deer, Columbia blacktail and sitka blacktail. Twenty-nine state and provincial records have been set in these categories since Boone and Crockett’s previous records book in 1996. Records of North American Elk is 298 pages containing nearly 1,600 listings for Boone and Crockett-class American elk, Roosevelt’s elk and tule
elk. The book includes 33 new state and provincial records in these categories. Both books include all-time and award-class listings from the late 1800s through Jan. 31, 2009. Also included are geographic analyses of kill locations, maps, photos, tables and informative chapters from top outdoor writers such as Jim Zumbo and Bob Robb, as well as partner organizations Mule Deer Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The books are $24.95 each, or save 10 percent by purchasing the books as a set. Cost for the set is $44.95. Boone and Crockett Club members receive a discount. Order at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868. ABOUT THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the National Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.booneandcrockettclub.com.
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 37
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NOVEMBER 2009
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Dermisted Beetles leave the skull superior in whiteness and the skull stays intact, where boiling the fats and pigments out tend to stain the skull and loosen many of the smaller bones.
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REGION 4—CENTRAL MONTANA Hunters in the Great Falls area will find ample white-tailed and mule deer hunting opportunities, particularly to the north. Mule deer populations are down from peak populations three and four years ago, but close to the long-term objectives. White-tailed deer populations remain very good. White-tailed deer and mule deer are present on both private and public lands.
2009 Deer Hunting Outlook MFWP
Deer hunters in Montana will find some good hunting opportunities across the state when the general deer season opens. “Conditions have generally been favorable the past several years and deer have responded with good winter survival and good fawn production in many areas. That said, there are other areas that have suffered from low production this past year” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management section chief. “In areas with strong mule deer or white-tailed deer numbers, we are hoping to see cold weather this fall and some good snow to move deer into the more accessible, lower elevations. That’s is what we need for a good harvest,” Kujala said. The general rifle season for deer closes November 29. Please check the 2009 deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations for details. Here is a regional look at Montana’s deer populations: FWP REGION 1—NORTHWESTERN MONTANA Near Kalispell and the surrounding area, white-tailed deer herds are currently
declining. Fawn recruitment has been poor for two consecutive years due to severe winters the past two years. Hunting access is good region wide but involves stalking game in heavy coniferous habitats. Mule deer populations are stable with average fawn production. Hot spots for mule deer include the Cabinet and West Cabinet mountains, the high country of the lower Clark Fork, the Whitefish Range and the subalpine areas of the Mission and Swan mountain ranges. Mule deer hunters typically are more successful at higher altitudes. REGION 2—WESTERN MONTANA Near Missoula and the surrounding area, mule deer numbers are steady, while white-tailed deer numbers are below objective on the more accessible public lands. Licenses for antlerless whitetails will not be available to purchase over the counter this year, but if the weather cooperates, the buck harvest has the potential to be very good. REGION 3—SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA Mule deer recruitment across the Bozeman area in general was moderate. Numbers are healthy, but remain below historic highs.
REGION 5—SOUTH-CENTRAL MONTANA Mule deer numbers in areas near Billings are at or below what they were last year. In areas closest to the mountains, deer experienced a harsh winter. March and April snows and a late greenup this spring resulted in poor fawn survival, though buck/doe ratios remain good. White-tailed deer populations are at or above average throughout most of the region. South of the Yellowstone River, deer numbers and harvest opportunities continue to grow. North of the Yellowstone River, fewer white-tailed deer are being reported in upland prairie habitats, while those in major river bottoms are as much as 10 percent above the long-term average. REGION 6—NORTHEASTERN MONTANA Despite a severe winter and a good deer harvest in 2008, mule deer and white-tailed deer numbers remain high in
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the Glasgow area, especially in the Milk and Missouri river corridors. Although the impact of harsh winter weather is apparent in the northeastern corner of the region, mule deer populations recovered from what they were earlier in the decade and are exceeding population objectives in some hunting districts. While winterkill reduced whitetail numbers by about 35 percent in the far northeastern portion of the state, the population there is still above the 10-year average, calling for a good deer harvest this season. REGION 7—SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA In Miles City and the surrounding area, both species of deer wintered well and benefitted from abundant spring forage. White-tail deer populations along the Yellowstone River, between Glendive and Sidney, are 70-75 percent above the long-term average. The ratio of white-tailed deer bucks to does is 30-40 bucks per 100 does. Mule deer populations are about 18 percent above the long-term average, with a good percentage of mature adults. Hunters should find ample opportunity to harvest mule deer. For more information about mule deer hunting in Montana, visit the 2009 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Guide , the Interactive Hunt Planner and the mule deer section of FWP’s Animal Field Guide.
NOVEMBER 2009
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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 39
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40 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM
NOVEMBER 2009
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