Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure - October 2009

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Make Your Archery Elk Season A Success H

earing a bugle in the first minutes of sunrise on a crisp fall morning can be one of the most awesome experiences in the world! Here in Western Montana we are very lucky to be, sometimes within minutes from home and get a bull screaming. I talk to people all the time where I work and hear the same stories over and over, they spotted or heard a bull a mile away, get all excited and start bugling. I think that’s a mistake. The chances are that a herd bull isn’t going to leave his cows and come across a drainage to fight. More likely the lead cow that he is “herding” will decide what goes on in the herd. If she hears you calling from too far away, she is liable to take the herd, including that big bull, the opposite way.

Locating a bull is probably the easiest part of the game, but getting in position to make a set up work is without a doubt one of the hardest things to get right.

The key is to close the distance BEFORE you call to a bull. You can’t always do that, but try. If you watch or listen to a bull as he bugles and sneak in as close as you can, you will definitely get more close encounters. Move down or up above the bull, take a wide circle around, come over the back of a ridge, whatever you can to get position. Play the wind and watch for cows so you don’t get busted.

The best case scenario is slip within

150 yards or so of a bull before making your first call.

And then it comes down to which call to make? Do you challenge him with a bugle that sounds huge or do you sound like a small satellite bull that is trying to steal a cow or two? Or do you imitate a hot cow that has been separated from the heard? If you were really listening to the bull and his cows as you made your approach, you should have a good idea what he wants to hear, as you have been hearing it all the way in!

Another way to go is the “Chuck Adams” approach, don’t call at all, move to the bull as quietly and as quickly as you are able. Don’t push too hard and spook the herd, keep the wind in your favor and back out if you have to. Get in his path and wait for him to walk by and get your shot. You can’t fault the simpleness of his system, he does get great bulls just about everywhere he hunts. Aggressive hunters, knowing when to move in on a bull without tipping him off get more shots than the best sounding callers. Team up aggressive moves with well timed calling and your back is going to be soar and your freezer full.

Knowing where elk are going to be and when makes them the hardest animal to harvest with archery equipment.

Learning to read Topo maps, looking at aerial photos of your hunting area and

and covering the miles of ground both before and during the season are another piece of the puzzle. Glassing valley meadows and agricultural fields at daylight and dark can give you an idea of where those elk are going to bed for the day. Most times elk won’t enter a field until it is almost too late to see them in the evening, but take their time the next morning as the make their way back up to bed. And they may bed down in one spot for an hour or so then move to a cooler spot as the day warms. Also staying up a little later and listening to Night time Buglers can keep you on the right trail once the sun comes up.

All animals need to drink, so any fresh water source is a good place to set up a mid day ambush. Wallows can work the same way if it is really hot or the mosquitoes and flies are real bad.. These are good mid day resting areas for you to take a break and plan your afternoon moves. And if a bull comes in to cool off while you are there, well sometimes luck does trump skill!!

GEAR FOR THE HUNT Elk are huge animals. Most hunters don’t realize just how big they are until they see them live for the first time at close range. They look even bigger after you get one and realize just how far from the truck you are! Since elk are so big,

BY NEAL COTE you need a bow that packs a considerable punch, and you need to practice long hours to develop the skill needed to make a good enough shot to kill them. The heaviest weight that you can set your bow to and not have to struggle to draw it is where you want to be set at.

Good, sharp broadheads teamed up with a medium to heavy arrow will get you more penetration. Also try to practice shots from 5 to 50 yards or further if you can.

I know that some people will hack on me for saying that last bit, but if you can take the first 100 percent shot that a bull gives you, there is less of a chance that the wind will swirl and the bull spooking. Shoot when you get your shot, don’t wait , pick a spot and squeeze the trigger. If you feel really rushed, and just can’t get drawn, well if this was easy then everyone would be doing it right?

When practicing to shoot an elk, make sure you are wearing the same gear you’ll be wearing when you’re in the field.

Shooting a bow clad in heavy coats and camouflage is a whole lot different than firing while wearing a T-shirt or with you pack off. Do you shoot with the quiver on your bow or do you take it off? Just this small difference could mean the difference between a successful shot and a failed one. (continued on page 17)

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Contents

6. Fine Tuning For Big Game Success 7. Plenty Of Bull Elk In Utah 8. Can Hunting Be Good For Your Health?

9. Traveler’s Corner 10. Photo Page 11. Opening-Week Elk 12. Fishing For Inland Steelhead 13. Upper Missouri River Fish Mgmt.

Discussions Set 14. Fishing Report 16. ‘09 Antelope Season Update 18. Tips For The First-Time Canada Goose Hunter 20. Fishing With Mark Ward 22. Recommended Gear 24. Hunting & Conservation News 26. Cow Elk Or Bull?

28. News From Rocky Mountain States 30. Gear Review 31. Hunt Field Edges 32. First Week Waterfowl Tactics 33. Duck And Goose Hunting Outlook 34. Calendar Of Events 35. Handling The Moments Of Truth 36. Is Bear Spray Effective?

37. America’s Top 20 Trophy Elk Counties 38. Deer Doubles - Muley & Whitetails COVER PHOTO: KIRK GARDNER inset photo: Brad A. Bartlett, courtesy B&C Correction to September article “The Hunting Shack A Closer Look” Bitterroot Valley Ammunition has been the master OEM distributor for CCI / Speer Law Enforcement Ammo for the last 2 years. We apologize to BVAC for the error.

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The entire contents is © 2009, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without prior consent. The material and information printed is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure. Nor does the printed material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure.

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Sagebrush News: Fine Tuning For Big Game Success

BY CHUCK ROBBINS · Never use lightly constructed bullets for heavy bone, thick skin game such as elk and moose. The ideal is a perfect mushroom shape after having penetrated deep into the animal’s vitals. A bullet’s sectional density is a good guide: For deer and antelope a sectional density of about .225 is about right. For bear, elk and moose a sectional density of about .260 will get the job done right.

PHOTO COURTESY CHUCK ROBBINS

T

oday’s rifles, ammunition and optics might be better than ever but it is still the hunter who must make the shot.

Here’s how to help make it happen. ·The most accurate rifle/bullet/optics system is worthless if the bullet doesn’t pack sufficient downrange punch to get the job done, e.g., a 30-30 might get it done at 100 yards but 400 yards? Bad idea. ·Accuracy is paramount and most rifles perform best with a single (or limited number) bullet/powder combination.

· These days there are many bullets out there designed specifically to perform well on whatever big game animal in the sights: Barnes, Federal, Norma, Nosler, Hornady, Speer, Remington and Winchester to name several which I am familiar. · Once satisfied the load is right test fire under hunting conditions at many different yardages to check performance and your maximum comfort range. · It should go without saying but unsteady sight pictures, poor light, heavy crosswinds and moving game all play a negative role. · Lousy triggers make for lousy shots. For most of us a crisp, clean trigger pull of about 2.0 pounds is best.

· Bargain scopes might look good and clear but often fail miserably when it comes to maintaining accurate adjustments and zero round after round.

Good glass is priceless. · Since most of us zero our rifles around 275 yards or so judging distances up to that is no big deal...get a solid rest, place crosshair on chest cavity, breathe deep, squeeze trigger, case closed. Beyond that an error of 50 yards usually means a miss or, worse, a bad hit. Solution: Use a reliable laser range finder. · Travel knocks, elevation and atmospheric changes can and do influence a rifle’s zero. When traveling, upon arriving, always check your rifle’s zero and make the necessary adjustments BEFORE the hunt begins. · Accurate long-range shooting, say 400-500 yards, requires skillful doping of the wind. Mastering involves a steep learning curve and one too few of us take the time to master.

· Short or long range, a half-century plus of hunting big game has convinced me nothing tops a good solid rest, Tripod rests are popular for a reason...they work. But a pack on a log or rock works also, e.g., any rest is better than no rest. · Practice and learn to shoot properly from the sitting, kneeling and prone positions and consider off-hand shots only as a last resort. · For most of us blazing away at running game is not only a waste of ammunition but the very best way I know to wound.

Ethically and morally it is always best to pass up a shot rather than take even a slight risk at wounding or (gasp!) losing an animal.

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.

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Plenty Of Bull Elk In Utah UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

T

he rifle hunts starts Oct. 3 — a few permits are still left.

If you’re new to elk hunting, the big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources has some advice for you.

“The chance you’ll take an elk while driving down a road is pretty small,” says Anis Aoude. “As soon as the first shots are fired, the elk head away from the roads and into the thickest cover they can find.

“If you want to be a successful elk hunter, you need to get into that cover too.”

Utah’s 2009 general rifle bull elk hunt kicks off Oct. 3. And permits for the hunt are almost gone.

On Sept. 17, about 1,600 permits to hunt on any bull elk units were still available.

Permits to hunt on spike-only units sold out on Aug. 28.

You can buy an any-bull permit on the Utah DWR Web site.

“The weather over the past six years has been excellent for elk,” Aoude says.

“Most of the state’s herds are doing great.”

Based on surveys this past winter, DWR biologists estimate the state has more than 67,000 elk. That’s only about 1,800 animals shy of a statewide goal of 68,750 elk.

Aoude says some of the largest elk herds are found on the Central Mountains (Manti) and Wasatch Mountains units in central Utah; the South Slope, Yellowstone unit in northeastern Utah; and the Plateau, Fish Lake/Thousand Lakes unit in south-central Utah.

He says there’s also plenty of elk on the Morgan, South Rich unit in northern Utah. But this unit is almost entirely private land. You must obtain written permission from a landowner before hunting on it.

Most of Utah’s elk hunting takes place on units that are called spike-only units. Spike bulls are the only bulls you may take on these units. Plenty of spike bulls are available on these units, but once the hunt starts, the animals can be tough to find.

“The success rate on spike-only units averages about 16 percent,” Aoude says. “Fortunately, you can do several things to increase the chance you take an elk.”

Unless it gets cold and snowy before the hunt, Aoude says elk will be scattered at higher elevations when the season opens Oct. 3. He says the key to finding them is to get off the roads and into the backcountry.

“Elk are smart and wary animals, and they’re sensitive to hunting pressure,” Aoude says. “As soon as the shooting starts, they head into the thickest cover they can find. To find success, you have to head into the backcountry and find them.”

The rut (breeding period), which occurs right before the general rifle hunt starts, can also make it challenging to find spike bulls. (continued on page 36)

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OCTOBER 2009

Can Hunting Be Good For Your Health?

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unting can be a healthy workout for the physically fit, but couch potatoes who set out Oct. 25 for the general hunting season with a rifle and an elk license may risk cardiovascular and other health-related issues, say the managers of Montana’s state employee benefits program. And they are doing something about the situation.

“A couple of years ago we noticed a spike in cardiovascular problems among state employees that seemed to coincide with hunting season each year,” said Kim Pullman, RD, LN, Wellness Coordinator for the State of Montana’s Benefits Program. This observation led to today’s “Hunter Fitness Challenge” program. The Hunter Challenge encourages archers and rifle hunters to participate in a 35-day pre-hunt fitness program.

Participants commit to a light, moderate or intense workout goal depending on their individual fitness. At the end of the program those who return their completed form are eligible to enter a drawing for a $100 gift certificate and other prizes.

Montana’s state employee benefit program isn’t the only state-sponsored hunter-health program. South Dakota’s Department of Health created a Web site just for hunters with tips on pre-season training, eating for the hunt and even recipes at www.healthysd.gov/HealthyHunter .

“Four or five years ago it became clear that one segment of the population we weren’t reaching but really needed to reach was rural men in South Dakota,” said Kristin Biskeborn who works for the South Dakota agency. “Hunting fitness was the answer because hunting is something the men have in common and that would motivate them.”

It turned out they were right.

“They requested a more ’in your face’ regime that they could follow to help them achieve their weight and fitness goals, and that is what we tried to provide for them,” she said.

“We like what South Dakota has done and we also try to provide other links on our site that hunters will appreciate,” Pullman said. “The biggest benefit of this program is that hunters compete with themselves to improve their fitness and while enjoying the company of others who are looking forward to Montana’s hunting season. That seems to be very motivating.”

EDITORS NOTE: Only State of Montana employees, retirees and/or their dependents are eligible to participate in the State’s Hunter Fitness Challenge program but all hunters can access and use the information available on the Web at “Hunter Fitness Challenge.”

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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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Opening-Week Elk

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 11

BY ANDREW MCKEAN

To tag an opening-week elk, find edges and escape routes

T

here are two kinds of elk hunts: easy and torturous. And the only easy elk hunts are at the very beginning and the very end of the season.

The reason is that elk are so sensitive to hunting pressure that after the first public-land volleys early in the rifle season, they tend to shy away from those areas frequented by hunters. Only harsh weather toward the end of November kegs them up in accessible areas.

That’s why most of us plan on torturous elk hunts, then happily accept the easier alternative when it’s available.

With that preface, here are a few cues to turn a potentially torturous, unsuccessful elk opener into tenderloins and elk steaks: 1. Hunt the Edges: It’s an old rule in hunting that wildlife love edges, but elk personify the adage. You’ll find herds on the margins of dark timber, where they can disappear when they spot danger.

You’ll find them on the noses of steep ridges, where one jump puts them out of sight from a hunter. Learn these places: borders of mid-elevation parks, edges of steep Forest Service roads, fencelines separating private agricultural ground from public forest.

2. Learn Escape Routes: One way to turn the tendency of elk to flee pressure into your advantage is to learn the routes that they take. You can anticipate many of the pinch points where they will encounter hunters: near trailheads and backcountry roads. Scout a couple of days prior to the season for these corridors, steep draws and the shady side of secondary canyons and drainages, dense timber, even dry streambeds, and be ready to intercept elk that spook at all the orange vests on the opener, which this year is Sunday, Oct. 25.

3. Hunt Downhill: You can minimize the torture factor if you start your hunt high and use gravity to your advantage. Plan to camp high in the mountains the night before your hunt, then work slowly down ridges and slopes, expecting to intercept low-country elk that are spooked uphill by opening-morning hunting pressure.

4. Go Light and Deep: Sometimes pressure pushes elk even farther back than you can drive or comfortably hike in a day. In areas with vast, elk-rich habitats, you can tag early-season elk by going to them, making the task

easier by anticipating the work. Pack lightweight gear and enough meat-freighting material that you can make short work of a successful hunt.

This ethos follows Eberle Pack’s motto of 3 going in light, coming out heavy. 2 Just don’t go too far in.

5. Don’t Obsess with Antlers: Any public-land elk is a good one, even if it’s a cow or a calf. Be sure of harvest regulations in your hunting district, but I have turned down plenty of opening-day cows that I would have given anything to shoot the final week of the season. A freezer full of wapiti is one of the great benchmarks of success for a Montana hunter.

6. Befriend a Rancher: After that opening-week barrage, elk tend to gravitate to private land where they won’t be harassed. Block Management has been good for making these private-land animals accessible, but for the best success spend some time finding landowners who have little tolerance for elk, but less tolerance for other hunters, except for you. These places exist, but

you may have to offer to help with fencing, or with feeding cows or some ranch task to prove that you’re not interested only in free access.

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Washington waters. Counts can be viewed at the following web address- http://fishandgame.idaho.

Washington in recent years has been gov/cms/fish/steelhead/dam_count.cfm nothing short of amazing. The Fish It has been reported that the Grande Ronde River which lies near counts have been high and the runs Lewiston Idaho in Washington’s far have been dependable. Every year southeast corner is expected to see somebody says “It’s supposed to be a great year for steelhead” and as cliché 250 percent of the desired amounts of retuning hatchery steelhead and that as it has come to sound it has been true. Just when things seemed to be as this high number of fish may provide good as one would think they could be too much competition for the native with regards to these fisheries they go fish. The State,who’s Biologist job I do not envy, is considering doing and get better. Way better! The old some interesting things to combat Records are being destroyed by the this in the future that have this rivers current numbers of returning Steelhead, with so many hatchery fish guides and resident anglers a little returning to some inland river systems nervous. For now however the half full part of the glass is easy to see and that it is actually a possible that will be the world class fishing on endangered species conflict. this amazing river for keeper steelies.

The fish counts over With the numbers of returning fish we Bonneville and Lower Granite damns are seeing this is sure to be the case on are astounding to say the least. For the all of the far inland fisheries including last Five years Bonneville has counted the Clearwater, Salmon, and Snake an average of 265,744 returning River systems. Many sections of these steelhead for the entire counting rivers are already fishing fantastic season which runs from July 1st until and are only going to get better as the Dec 2nd. This year the numbers dwarf season progresses. the average ringing in at 540,955 So if you haven’t already returned fish and counting as of heard I am very happy to tell you Sept 19th. For the fish counts over “It’s supposed to be a great year Lower Granite it is a similar situation. for steelhead”. Let me also say that it would be very advisable for The recent five year average at this my Montana brothers and sisters damn has been 26,238 and as of that enjoy capturing these majestic Sept 19th there has been a staggering animals, to fill there various hunting 86,825 returning steelhead to already pass it by. These numbers are of the up tags in a timely and effective manner this year so that you can get over here most importance to Montana Steelheaders because these are the fish and participate in what is already fast that are destined for Idaho and eastern becoming the best steelhead season in recent, if not written, history.

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Fly Tying Corner:

October Caddis

Brought To You By The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop

BY RUSSELL PARKS

W

ith our late fall finally moving in, the technical mayfly fishing is only going to get better. This is the time of year to test your skills with small flies, light tippet, and long casts to rising pods of fish. Factor in the fall temperatures, beautiful colors reflecting off of the water, and lack summer crowds, it is our favorite time of year to be out. So, after a full day of straining your eyes with the tiny mayflies, try this particular pattern – it can be exciting to fish. The October Caddis is a bug beginner anglers often overlook due to the lack of a prolific hatch in some areas. Leroy Hyatt of Idaho tied the one in the picture above; he is the master of the Goddard style caddis. Do yourself a favor, tie some up and keep them in your box. Next time you are out, beef up your tippet, tie this on and skate it across the surface.

Materials: Hook: Standard Dry Fly Size 8-12 Thread: 210 Flymaster or 3/0 Uni Thread Body: Orange Deer Body Hackle: Brown (one or two) Antennae: Stripped Hackle Stem Step 1: Start thread at rear of hook, about 4-5 wraps. Throw whip finish to lock thread.

Step 2: Clean and stack deer body hair. A good rule is about a pencil thickness.

Step 3: Spinning hair 101- use a bare hook shank, make one or two loose wraps of thread while holding onto the hair, then release hair as you make the next wrap tight. Let the hair spin around as you make 3-4 more tight wraps of thread.

Step 4: Spin and stack about three of these, ending up at about ¾ length of hook shank mark.

Step 5: Trim profile of bug with a good pair of scissors or razor blade.

Step 6: Tie in hackle and Antennae, wind thread forward.

Step 7: Palmer hackle over antennae toward eye of the hook. Tie off, whip finish, and away you go.

Upper Missouri River Fish Management Discussions Set MFWP

M

ontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a draft management plan and environmental assessment for three popular Upper Missouri River reservoirs.

The draft plan is the product of a citizen workgroup that led an eight-month effort to identify, define, and recommend fish management and regulation approaches on Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs and on associated stretches of the Missouri River. The workgroup, whose 18 members represent an array of angling, reservoir and river systems interests, helped to develop management alternatives and recommendations aimed at updating a plan that guided the reservoirs’ fisheries management since 2000.

“Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs account for more than 200,000 days of fishing each year,” said FWP’s Eric Roberts in Helena. “These waters are among the most popular fishing destinations in Montana. The draft plan establishes a management vision for the next 10 years.”

Roberts noted that the accompanying environmental assessment evaluates management alternatives, including making no changes, while analyzing predicted impacts on biological, physical, social, economic, cultural, and other factors.

The draft fish-management plan addresses several key issues identified by the workgroup, FWP staff and the public.

The primary issues include walleye management and catch limits, maintaining quality rainbow fisheries, maintaining

perch as an important sport fish as well as a forage species, improving angler access and opportunity, and improving or supplementing the fish-forage base in the reservoirs.

Roberts said the draft plan seeks to lower the walleye catch limit on Canyon Ferry; raise walleye limits on Hauser and Holter; lower perch limits on Hauser and Holter; explore options for kokanee in Hauser; and maintain a low-level kokanee population in Holter.

FWP will host a series of community open houses to discuss the draft plan and EA. The public is invited to show up any time between 5-8 p.m. at the following locations: Oct. 1 Helena Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 98 W. Custer Ave. Oct. 5 Townsend Broadwater High School Multipurpose Room, 201 N . Spruce St. Oct. 7 Great Falls Mansfield Center; Gibson Room, 2 Park Dr. S. Oct. 8 Billings Billings Hotel & Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln. The public can review and comment on the draft plan and EA through Oct. 23. Copies of the plan and EA are available online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “ Upper Missouri River Management Plan .” For information call Beth Giddings at 406-444-7815.

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14 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Montana Fishing Report FLATHEAD LAKE: October is the month that lake trout will start to move into shallower flats looking to spawn, and they can be readily caught on Country Miles, Krocodiles or other heavy spoons from shore or boat, or vertical jig fishing with Bucktail jigs, Lead-a-gators or Crippled Herring. By the end of the month, Lake Whitefish should start to gather in Polson Bay, where they can be taken jigging Rattle D’Zastors, Buckshot Spoons, Kastmasters and Ready-to-Go whitefish rigs.

CHRIS MADSEN

Western Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Missoula

BY CHRIS MADSEN, (406) 523-9000 e-mail: fishing-115@live.com

T

he air is crisp in the morning, the leaves are falling and as I write this the forecast is actually calling for cooler than normal temps in the coming week. Even though I’m still harvesting produce from my garden fall might have finally arrived in the Missoula area, knock on wood. This is always the time of year it gets harder to not play hooky from work and head to the river. I suppose if I can manage to stay employed until November I’ll consider it a victory. I know that many of you will be too preoccupied with the bow, shotgun or rifle to get much fishing in, but that will just leave more great fishing for the rest of us. Expect most of Montana’s rivers and lakes to fish very well in October, but here are a few that you should be able to count on to put a bend in your rod.

BLACKFOOT RIVER: The Blackfoot comes into its own in the fall. The autumn scenery is unmatched and the bugling of elk in the valley almost makes you wish you had a bow in your hand. When the days shorten and the weather cools it’s big streamer time on the Blackfoot. As spawning time nears the rivers population of browns get territorial and aggressive, making them susceptible to the nastiest flies your mind can come up with at the vise. Along with browns, the chances of catching a trophy rainbow, cutthroat or bull trout are high also. Remember that the bull trout is a protected species so if you are lucky enough to hook into one of these monsters play them quickly and let them go immediately.

BITTERROOT RIVER: The ‘Root is a great choice for Missoula area anglers in October. In addition to good dependable hatches of BWO’s, Mahogany Duns and Hecubas, the streamer fishing can be dynamite on overcast, nasty days. Strip double bunnies and big lead eyed leeches back in the logjams and hang on tight. If you aren’t above putting a strike indicator and a split shot on your leader this is a good month to start nymphing with glow bugs. These colorful balls of yarn can produce trout through out the winter and into spring.

ROCK CREEK: Not to be over looked Rock Creek offers up some excellent fall fishing and is a good place for a day trip cast and blast. October Caddis, Blue Winged Olives and Mahoganies are present and can offer some excellent dry fly fishing. The river also gets a run of spawning browns from the Clark Fork.

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Nymphing or fishing streamers are both effective tactics for catching these migrating fish. A San Juan worm and an egg pattern is a good combination under your strike indicator in the fall and browns, yellows and gingers are good colors for streamers.

BEAVERHEAD: If you’re into castand-blasts, a weekend in the Dillon area is a trip worth taking for both the casting and the blasting. The Beaverhead will see excellent BWO hatches all month, and this river is also known for its population of big brown trout, and in October big brown trout and big yellow streamers are synonymous. While you’re in the area take a side trip to the Big hole. It also has good fall hatches and feisty resident browns that love to chow on streamers.

Both rivers are in low flow and will wade fish very well this time of year.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: If you love to fly fish, October is the month to be in the park. I say “love” because the weather in Yellowstone during the fall is usually enough to keep those who only “like” to fly fish sitting at home or fishing rivers closer to home where they can call it a day if the weather gets bad. Cold toes, iced guides and frozen reels are all part of the package when you fish here in October. The reward for all this suffering are browns you can measure by the pound instead of the inch and hot rainbows that peel line from your reel and leave your knuckles sore. By October, the Madison will have fish all the way to the junction pool, and they are commonly taken either swinging soft hackles or streamers, or nymphing with bead headed nymphs and egg patterns.

Don’t overlook the upper Firehole either, where resident trout sip BWO duns predictably every afternoon. The fishing is often challenging, and most of the good water is crowded by other anglers making the pilgrimage, but fishing in Yellowstone can’t be judged by numbers or size of the fish caught, but by the whole of the experience. By these standards, every trip is a great one.

Editor’s Note: We would like to congratulate Chris on the birth of his son.

SEND US YOUR PHOTO AND YOU COULD BE ON OUR LABEL.

RYAN ONGLEY

Southwest Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Bozeman

BY RYAN ONGLEY (406) 586-0100 e-mail: fishing_144@yahoo.com Cool Days and Big Browns

T

he nights are cold and the days are cooler. It’s fall in SW Montana. Now is the time for a chance at that trophy trout of a lifetime. The annual spawning runs of Brown Trout are on in our area streams.

And don’t forget about those large Rainbows. Some for spawning and some just to clean up the drifting eggs following the Browns upstream. Fall tactics call for getting to the stream early, layering up with some warm clothes. Streamers, soft hackles, traditional nymphing, and dry fly tactics are all possibilities for hooking up.

Fall Baetis will be in full swing and yes very large trout will eat these tiny nymphs and adults. Be sure to match the hatch though. As trout on their spawning

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OCTOBER 2009

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runs are very wary and require precise presentations. Fall Baetis generally run smaller than their fall counterparts and it may be required to size down to #20 or #22. Pheasant Tail nymphs and other Baetis specific patterns will do the trick sub surface. I usually will carry about a half dozen Baetis nymphal patterns as well as Copper Johns in #14 - #18 in various colors. For streamers in the fall I prefer larger articulated patterns such as Galloup’s Sex Dungeon and Zoo Cougars.

But carry a good selection of Buggers, Zonkers, Minnow, and Sculpin imitations as well. Soft hackles will vary greatly in size and style. From smaller mayfly imitations up to bright larger patterns. I’ve had great success even swinging steelhead patterns for these fall fish.

Yellowstone National Park: Action gradually builds from late September all the way through October. The Madison River will be full of large browns and rainbows by the end of the month. It can be crowded but a mile or two hike from any of the popular holes will give you solitude and peace. The Yellowstone and Gardiner Rivers in the Northeast corner will also give you a great shot at a large fall brown. And the Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek will be fishing well

ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM • with emergences of fall baetis and Drakes Yellowstone River: This river is full of huge fish that love to chase streamers. Pick your spot. You’ll have great opportunities with dries, nymphs, streamers, or soft hackles throughout the river. If you don’t mind less fish but truly want to hog hunt go low below Livingston.

Upper Madison River: Your best bet for toads here is usually up high between the lakes or in the braids above Ennis Lake.

Although your chances for dry fly action increase up higher in the Wade section or between the lakes. Baetis and midges will be on the water. The Baetis activity can be insane on a wet cool day.

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Lower Madison River: Great opportunities abound here, as the water is just coming back into shape temperature wise. Large fish are very possible throughout Beartrap and all the way downstream to the convergence with the Mo. Extremely large fish are always caught each year down low. Again be prepared with midges and Baetis as well.

tool that everyone should have in their boat. A drift sock simply creates drag slowing boat speed down while drifting.

Jigs with grub bodies are also just as affective in bays and drop-offs. As we are done selling live leeches for the year, you might want to go with Berkley’s 3” and 5” leeches instead.

JESSE FLYNN

North Central Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Helena

BY JESSE FLYNN (406) 457-7200 e-mail: fishing167helena@yahoo.com CANYON FERRY: Trolling deep diving cranks such as the Deep Tail Dancers

by Rapala will prove to be affective in October. Try dead drifting a worm attached to Mustad’s Slow Death Hooks.

This rig requires a swivel and leader because of the intense helicopter motion the hook creates. Trout and walleye love this rig. A drift sock is a very handy

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 15

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HAUSER LAKE: Word on the street is the walleye limit is being raised to twenty fish per day. I am not exactly sure what date these changes will take place but it is sure to occur. We will keep you posted. I believe biologists and their studies have concluded that numbers are too high thus inhibiting mature growth. Thinning out the population will help maintain healthy populations for all species. Try dropshotting minnow imitations along weed lines to pull fish from their cover. Crawdad scent is another little secret that will improve limits this time of year.

HOLTER LAKE: Limits on walleye will increase to twenty fish a day; same as Hauser Lake. Rainbow fishing should continue to be good while trolling cowbells tipped with a crawler around Split Rock and just above the dam.

Rainbow fishing will more than likely be best early mornings in and around 25 to 30 feet of water. You walleye fisherman should concentrate your efforts around Cottonwood Creek, Split Rock and shallow bays. The best bet is using chartreuse jigs or bottom bouncers in 15 feet of water in the late evenings or at night. Once again this is the time of year to be drop-shotting and or fishing with minnow patterns.

REGULATING RESERVOIR: Open to snagging Kokanee until October 31.

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16 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Hey all. Just dropped my antelope off at the taxidermist. He scored it and it scored 82-6/8. That means that it not only makes the Pope and Young record book. But it also makes Boone and Crockett! In fact as of today, it is the number #1 green scored archery antelope in the state of Montana! Kinda cool. Probably won’t hold up through the season. But pretty cool that it at least is number one for a day!! or two????? I watched him for 2 weeks while I was guiding in Eastern Montana. First day off I had him at 61 yards. after a long stalk. But he didn’t give me a good shot at him. 5 days later. Another day off and found him again about 1/2 mile from previous spot.......

60 yard shot.....4 hour stalk....lower back pain...wind and sunburn...bug bites....cactus in knees and elbows and we cant forget those wonderful Rattlesnakes!

Richie Winters

‘09 Antelope Season Update W

hile numbers remain robust in much of northeastern and eastern Montana— FWP Regions 6 and 7— the hard winter of 2008-09 clearly took a toll on animals in some areas. Consequently, antelope numbers statewide are largely at or below those seen over past few years.

“Antelope hunting will be something less than what we’ve been used to in some areas,” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management section supervisor. “Numbers are still strong in much of eastern Montana and have in fact increased in specific portions of southwest Montana, but hunters will likely see decreased numbers in a large portion of central Montana—portions of FWP’s Region 4 and 5.

In FWP Region 5 in the Billings area, no new instances of viral blue tongue infection have been found as they were in 2007, but in hunting districts 513, 530, 540 and 550, fawn recruitment and total numbers have yet to rebound. In other areas of FWP Region 5 antelope numbers have increased and the hunting outlook is good.

In FWP Region 4 hunters can expect very good hunting opportunities to the north, but region wide not the exceptional circumstances in recent years. Antelope numbers are returning to average in contrast to the very high numbers seen in recent years.

Kujala said many archery antelope hunters are already afield with a 900 series license to archery hunt antelope in any hunting district starting with a 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The 900-series season runs until Nov. 9 .

Montana’s antelope archery season is Sept. 5—Oct. 10 and the general rifle season for antelope is Oct. 11—Nov. 8.

Antelope hunters must apply in advance for licenses.

Here’s a rundown on what hunters can expect to see out there this season: Region 6 & 7—Eastern Montana near Glasgow, Glendive and Miles City In the northern portions of Valley, Phillips, Blaine and Hill counties, numbers are down by more than 20 percent, but appear to be stable in the southern portions of these counties.

In Richland and McCone counties, in the southeast portion of FWP Region 6

MFWP

near Glasgow, pronghorn numbers may have increased as much as 50 percent over last year’s estimates. One of the brightest spots in the region is hunting district 650, where it should be relatively easy to find animals.

In southeastern Montana, antelope numbers are slightly below the long-term average due to a difficult winter.

Hunters should find antelope scattered across the region.

Region 5-South Central Montana near Billings Overall, antelope populations in portions of south central Montana have increased since last year, especially in the western portion of the region. Biologists are seeing some nice bucks and good horn growth.

In the eastern portion of FWP Region 5, the effects of the 2007 viral blue tongue infection are still evident and in hunting districts 513, 530, 540 and 550, fawn recruitment and total numbers have yet to rebound. Hunters in FWP Region 5 should seek public hunting access on Block Management areas or act early in requesting access to private lands.

Region 4-North Central Montana near Great Falls With the exception of the northern part of Region 4, antelope numbers are down this year. Up north, in the Conrad area, antelope numbers are good. Elsewhere, antelope numbers are closer to long-term objectives, but down compared to the last three or four years. Hunters should inquire about surplus antelope doe/fawn licenses at the FWP Region 4 office in Great Falls.

Regions 2 & 3—Western and Southwestern Montana near Missoula, Butte, and Bozeman Antelope productivity is good across FWP Region 3 and hunters should expect a good season in southwest Montana.

FWP Region 2’s lone antelope population, located in the Deer Lodge Valley, is increasing in size and distribution, with more than 200 head of antelope and the newest hunting district—HD 291. While once concentrated on the east side of the Deer Lodge Valley, antelope are expanding north of Highway 12 between Drummond and Avon.

OCTOBER 2009

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Make Your Archery Elk Season A Success (continued from page 4) Modern camouflage patterns have come a long way in helping to fool the eyes of unsuspecting elk, but the best camouflage pattern out there is useless if the game you are after smells you. Get serious about your scent control and you will see results. Use scent killing soap and shower before you head out. There are many good scent killing laundry detergents for washing your clothes in, use them. Store your clothes in scent free bags or storage totes and put them on once you are at you starting point. The more things you can do to keep from smelling like a human the better. Elk are VERY sensitive to human presence. They will just vanish if you push them. Pay very close attention to wind direction.

Many times you should never move in on a bull unless the wind is perfect. As important to your hunting clothing and scent control routine, is the fact that the wind can be your friend or your worst nightmare. It can be the single most important factor in making your hunt a success or a failure. When setting up, pay special attention to the prevailing wind direction. I often check the weather channel or local forecast prior to my hunt to determine wind direction and have even gone as far as changing positions after settling up should the wind take a turn for the worst.

GETTING YOUR MEAT TO THE HOUSE October can be hot one minute and cold the next. Getting a bull cooled off as quick as possible can be the most important step in taking care of the meat.

You will need these items: Knife: Very important is a sharp, stout knife with a strong blade. I don’t mean a Bowie knife with an 8-inch blade; a good lockback hunting knife with a 3-1/2” blade will do. Better yet, carry two of them.

Sharpener: Make sure you can sharpen your knives in the field. They’ll dull quickly on a large elk by the time you get it skinned and quartered.

Saw: You’ll need a folding saw with a small-toothed bone blade.

Rope or cord: A good hank of strong 1/4” nylon cord is very handy.

Game bags: The Alaska brand bags are over $20 for a set of four, but they’re worth it.

Tarp: When skinning your animal, it’s nice to have a six-foot-square tarp to keep your meat clean.

Garbage bag: A clean kitchen garbage bag to carry the heart and liver.

Surgical gloves: Duh to keep your hands clean.

If you’re on a sidehill or steep slope, take a length of rope and tie a leg off to a tree or rock to stabilize the animal.

I’ve been on field-dressing projects where the animal ended up sliding downhill 150 feet by the time we were finished. If you’re alone, tie off a foot so that the elk remains “belly up.” If you’ve got help, have your helper grab a leg and lever the animal on its back. The size of an elk has a great amount of mass, and therefore body heat. skin and quarter the animal immediately.

It is extremely important to make sure to dissipate as much of that heat as possible.

It’s very important to cool the shoulder and hindquarter regions as quickly as possible.

Start by skinning the animal. This is where the tarp comes in handy. Lay the tarp down to give yourself a clean surface, and start by slicing up the forearm of the animal. Skin one side of the animal, then the other. The cleaner you can keep the carcass, the better. If you don’t have a tarp available, keep the raw side of the hide clean and use it to protect the meat. Skin it out all the way up to the head. If you want to save the hide for tanning, be careful not to slice the hide. When you come to the testicles, don’t cut them off. Remember to skin out the testicles and leave one on each hindquarter if you are quartering the animal. The same goes for mammary glands if you shoot a cow. In Montana and

many other states, you must leave evidence of sex on the carcass. If you’re working with a crew of people with backpacks, I recommend boning out your kill. There’s simply no point in packing out a skeleton’s worth of heavy bones. If you’ve got packhorses, quarter the animal, leaving the rib cage behind.

Once you get your meat cut up for transport, then it’s time to make sure your tag is still attached to the meat. Notice that I said “tag your meat,” not “tag your antlers”. Game wardens, meat processors, and other professionals aren’t interested in seeing tagged antlers. The tag belongs with the meat, so wrap it on a hindquarter and make sure it’s securely attached. If your taxidermist find the tag attached to the horn, he simply might cut it off and throw it away, but your meat processor might not wrap your meat without it. The tag has to be with the largest portion of meat period.

If you have to leave your kill to go back to get help and gear, you do have to be concerned with predators visiting the kill site. If a bear gets into your kill, chances are he’ll eat a lot of it, and no manner of propping or positioning the carcass will make any difference. Not to mention putting yourself and others at risk of getting attacked by a bear protecting its new meat cache. (continued on page 31)

18 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM

Reloaders have long known about the hunting performance of Berger bullets and now, these superbly accurate and hard-hitting bullets are available in loaded premium ammunition. VLD bullets allow for higher velocities at longer ranges resulting in greater energy at the target, in this case, that trophy you’ve been stalking for days!

OCTOBER 2009

Suitable for both classic and modern shotguns, (not Damascus or twist steel), Bismuth shotgun shells are the perfect alternative to lead shot. With greater density than steel and fuller patterns than tungsten, bismuth will ensure maximum energy on target for greater game recovery. The only real non-toxic choice for sub-gauge shotguns, Bismuth shotgun shells are available in .410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 gauge.

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Tips For The First-Time Canada Goose Hunter

BY TREVOR SELCH, MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS FISHERIES POLLUTION CONTROL BIOLOGIST AND AVID CANADA GOOSE HUNTER

I

f you feel the urge to make this your first year to hunt the Canada goose, it is not too late to make that fantasy reality.

There are a few basics a beginning goose hunter will want to keep in mind.

My first time out illustrates this point.

A friend drove about 300 miles one fall evening to finally find a great field loaded with honkers to hunt. We were able to get permission from the landowner and all of us were excited about the prospect of the hunt.

But something came up and my friend couldn’t join us. No problem, a group of six very experienced goose hunters, with all the decoys and blinds we would need, were ready to initiate me the next morning.

We left town about three hours before shooting light for the 45-minute drive to the field to set up the decoys and settle in our layout blinds.

The sun finally crested the horizon, and we waited quietly for the geese to leave their roost on a nearby lake and head toward our cornfield. Eight o’clock came and went, then nine o’clock, then ten. Still no geese.

In disbelief, and unwilling to be stood up, we stuck around until well after

noon. Not a goose appeared on the horizon.

As inconceivable as it seemed, we began thinking our “friend” might have sent us on a real “wild goose chase.”

When we finally met up with him later that day he had a good laugh but assured us the field was loaded with geese the night before.

The moral of the story is: there is no sure thing when goose hunting, even for the experienced hunter.

Here are some other thoughts that may help a first timer.

1) Try and find a friend with goose hunting experience in your area. Experience is priceless and will save you a lot of time.

2) Scout, scout, scout! Finding where geese roost and feed is 90 percent of the game! Geese roost overnight on water and may feed twice a day. They tend to leave the roost mid morning and head for a field to feed, return to roost mid-day, and then back to the field before dusk. On a very cold day they may not fly out to feed until early afternoon.

3) Find out who owns the land. The majority of fields will be on private land, so be certain you ask for permission to hunt. If you plan to hunt on water, find the closest public access points.

4) Obtain at least a dozen decoys. Decoys can vary from full-body, to shells, or even silhouettes. If the geese are naïve, you won’t need a lot of fancy decoys. By combining decoys with a couple of friends, you can put out a respectable spread without spending a huge amount of money.

5) BB or BBB steel shot work well.

A 12 gauge (or even 10 gauge) is ideal.

You need to hit the front half of the body or the head and neck. Try to not shoot at geese at over 40 yards.

6) Find out where the wind is coming from.

Geese will approach your spread into the wind. Pattern decoys the widest at the front of the spread where the geese will approach and narrow it behind, where you want them to land. Position yourself with the wind at your back.

7) Camouflage yourself in the decoy spread. If you do not have a layout blind for goose hunting, wear camouflage that matches the field you are in, or buy an inexpensive piece of burlap to cover yourself. If you are hunting over water, find good shoreline vegetation to hide in.

8) Buy a goose call and learn how to use it.

An instructional tape is often included or can be purchased separately.

Practice, practice, practice!

If you don’t own decoys or blinds, the most inexpensive way to hunt geese is to find a location between their roosting and feeding areas where they will be flying low enough to the ground for you to shoot as they pass.

Lastly, be respectful of your fellow hunters. Avoid shooting at geese that are heading toward another hunter’s decoy spread. Shooting at geese out of range will “educate” them and make hunting more difficult for you and for others.

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 19

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20 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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OCTOBER 2009

Fishing With The Captain Mark Ward and a wedding ring tipped with a nightcrawler.

We both guessed that the fish he was catching were in the five to eight foot depth. He told me that this method of fishing worked very well for him for the two days that he had fished Hauser.

I have never been a big fan of using cowbells as an attractor, because for me, the cowbells take away the ctober is the month that is feel of the fish after it is hooked. known throughout Montana as THE However at the time, we were not MONTH for hunters. There is good hooking any fish, so I came up with a reason for this, but don’t put your compromise. fishing poles away just yet. October I dug into one of my tackle offers many great fishing opportunities boxes and found two cowbells and decided to attach them to the 10both on the rivers and lakes. It is the pound balls on my downriggers. I time of the year that anglers get a then attached the line releases to the little elbow room on their favorite body of water. As long as the weather cowbells and put my fishing lines in the release. By employing cowbells stays nice with comfortable daytime this way I had the best of both worlds. temperatures than at least plan on I was using the cowbells to making one or two fishing trips if you attract the fish to my lure and once can fit them in between hunts. It might the trout hit my lure I wouldn’t have also be a time for you to experiment to contend with the cowbells, while with some new techniques as well.

I reeled the fish in. I lowered the Trout fishing on the lakes is always downriggers to an 8 foot depth and good and this year is no exception. began trolling the new set-up behind Last month, I was fishing on Hauser the boat at two miles per hour. The and the trout fishing had started to results were immediate. slow down on that lake after a great Within five minutes I had day on Holter Reservoir the previous a fish on and pulled in a nice three day. pound trout.

My girlfriend and I were Fishing for me is always fun trolling with four rods; two in and at the end of this day on the water downriggers at a depth of 14 feet, I was excited that I had found one another one long- lined out about 100 more way to catch fish, this time by feet and the final fishing rod equipped using my new downrigger-cowbell set-up. with leaded line about one and half colors behind the boat.

All the lines were pulling a different type of Rapala lure. The lures ranged in colors from orange/white to brown trout patterns and they were either countdowns or jointed and all in the J-7 size. As I have learned over the Mark Ward is known as the Captain of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show heard years, when fishing is slow, it is time statewide every Saturday from 6am - 8am. to try another technique.

I noticed that some of the other boats that had been catching fish Log onto www.montanaoutdoor.com to find a radio on Hauser the day before were using station in your area. You can also read his cowbells. One of those anglers was Jim Ault from Missoula. Ault told me weekly column in the Thursday Missoulian Outdoor section. that he was long lining monofilament line behind his boat pulling cowbells

O

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 21

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22 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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‘09 HUNTING SEASON DATES MFWP

BIG GAME

Antelope 900 series.............................. Aug. 15 - Nov. 8 Antelope archery.................................. Sept. 5 - Oct. 10 Antelope general.................................. Oct. 11 - Nov. 8 Bighorn Sheep archery........................ Sept. 5 - Sept. 14 Bighorn Sheep....................................... Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Bison....................................................... Nov. 15 - Feb. 15, 2010 Black Bear - Spring.............................. Apr. 15 - May 31 Black Bear - Fall................................... Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Deer & Elk archery............................... Sept. 5 - Oct. 18 Deer & Elk backcountry...................... Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 HD’s 150, 151, 280 & 316 Deer & Elk general............................... Oct. 25 - Nov. 29 Moose..................................................... Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Mountain Goat...................................... Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Mountain Lion - Fall............................ Oct. 25 - Nov. 29 Mountain Lion - Winter...................... Dec. 1 - Apr. 14, 2010

UPLAND GAME BIRDS

Sage Grouse........................................... Sept. 1 - Nov. 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse............................. Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, 2010 Mountain Grouse.................................. Sept. 1 - Dec. 15 Partridge................................................ Sept. 1 - Jan 1, 2010 Pheasant................................................ Oct. 10 - Jan. 1, 2010 Turkey - Spring..................................... Apr. 11 - May 17 Turkey - Fall.......................................... Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, 2010

OCTOBER 2009

Recommended Buys NIKON EDG 10X42 BINOCULARS

N

ikon’s exclusive ED glass was developed to push the limits of optical performance by eliminating chromatic aberration, or the dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. Nikon ED glass produces brilliant, high resolution images that are extremely bright, razor sharp and free of flare for unparalleled viewing.

Nikon’s dielectric coated prisms deliver sharper and brighter views. Multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds on the glass surface make for bright and vivid sight pictures. The sophisticated quadrangle construction with an open bridge style is ergonomic and balances perfectly in the hand for extended hunts. A multi-function, central focusing knob provides precise focusing as well as diopter adjustments for unparalleled speed and convenience. The ergonomically contoured horn-shaped detachable eyecups block out peripheral light for a clear field of view. The EDG has long eye relief (8X32-18.5mm, 10X32-17.3mm, 7X42-22.1mm, 8X42-19.3mm and 10X42-18mm) that provides optimum view with our without eyewear.

NIKON MONARCH 2.5-10X42 RIFLE SCOPE

N

ikon designed the Monarch around a new optical system created to give shooters increased versatility and superlative performance with virtually any type of rifle, in any caliber and in any imaginable hunting situation. Nikon engineers developed the new Monarch series to not only provide the shooter with a big, bright, sharp sight picture, but at the same time minimize the overall length of the riflescope—and maximize the mount ring spacing capability.

All new Monarch riflescope models utilize Nikon’s precise, repeatable, hand turn reticle adjustments. Models with magnifications exceeding 10-power also feature a locking side focus knob on the left side of the adjustment turret. This ergonomically-positioned control allows for precise parallax adjustment maintenance at virtually any range from 50 yards to infinity.

Nikon mates its patented BDC reticle to every new Monarch riflescope model to allow hunters to hold “dead-on” at ranges exceeding those previously thought possible. The BDC’s unique see-through ballistic circles offer an incredible advantage for long range shooting—yet allow a normal sight picture for shorter-range shots where the crosshair itself is the aiming point.

HSM TROPHY GOLD BULLETS For all of you planning to purchase ammo for the hunt this fall, check out HSM Trophy Gold Extended Range Ammunition with Berger ULD Bullets. This bullet is extremely accurate and is available in most of the popular cartridges for big game and small game hunting.

After a day of target shooting with HSM, I know it’s what I will be using on opening day of hunting season.

Available at sporting goods stores in your area or on-line at www.thehuntingshack.com. Trophy Gold is manufactured at the Hunting Shack in Stevensville, MT.

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 23

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24 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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OCTOBER 2009

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A New Law Encourages Nonresident College Students To Hunt In Montana MFWP A

new law encourages nonresident college students to hunt in Montana.

Senate bill 185, passed by the 2009 Montana Legislature, makes nonresident full-time college students eligible for a discounted big game combination license.

Qualifying students may purchase the $70 big game combination license at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office or the Helena headquarters office.

The big game combination license includes conservation, fishing, upland game bird, deer and elk licenses. A $10 hunting access enhancement fee—and proof they have passed hunter education instruction in Montana or another state—are also required.

For more information on this license and the eligibility requirements, call: 406-444-2950.

For general information on hunting in Montana, go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp. mt.gov and click on Hunting.

FWP Provides FWP Block Hunter Access Management Region Contacts Tools MFWP To help hunters determine who MFWP owns the land where they are thinking of H

unters interested in obtaining access to more than eight million acres of private lands enrolled in FWP’s Block Management Program may contact the regional FWP office in the area where they plan to hunt, or check the “Hunting” pages on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov .

To contact FWP regional offices for more information on regional hunting opportunities on BMAs call: Northwest— FWP Region 1 in Kalispell: 406-752-5501 West-central—FWP Region 2 in Missoula: 406-542-5530 South-central—FWP Region 3 in Bozeman: 406-994-3288 Central—FWP Region 4 in Great Falls: 406-454-5862 East-central—FWP Region 5 in Billings: 406-247-2974 Northeast—FWP Region 6 in Glasgow: 406-228-3700 Southeast—FWP Region 7 in Miles City: 406-234-0930

hunting, FWP has developed a Directory of Montana Maps for both public and private land ownership.

“Identifying land ownership is an essential part of preparing for the hunt in Montana nowadays,” says Alan Charles, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks coordinator of landowner/sportsman relations.

“Hunters have to do their homework, know where they are, and confirm ownership and property boundaries with local people.”

Hunters are required by law to obtain landowner permission before hunting on private land.

The Montana Access Guide to State and Federal Lands is available at FWP offices, and can be found through the Hunter Tool Kit link on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under Hunter Access. The hunter’s online “toolkit” includes links to federal, tribal, state agency and local government sites with access-related information, and a link to the Montana FWP Hunt Planner.

For immediate access to Montana landownership maps, go to the Hunt Planner and select Montana Land Ownership Maps under the Resources list.

Access Courtesy Cards help hunters communicate with private landowners. The pocket-sized booklets of eight cards provide hunters with a handy means of exchanging information with landowners who provide access. Hunters retain their portion of the card as proof of permission and a convenient record for sending thank-you cards after the hunting trip.

Access Courtesy Cards are available at all FWP regional offices and the Helena headquarters office, or call FWP: 406-444-2602.

Check Web For Montana Wolf-Hunt Status MFWP Montana Fish, Wildlife

& Park’s has created a Web page to track the harvest status of the state’s first-ever, fair-chase wolf hunting season, which opened today in some backcountry hunting districts. The general wolf season opener, is set for Oct. 25.

The Wolf Hunting Season Status Web page tracks Montana’s statewide harvest quota of 75 wolves across three specifically defined wolf management units, each with its own harvest quota. The site will be updated each weekday at 1 p.m. For weekend updates hunters can call 1-800-385-7826 for the latest wolf harvest status and closure information.

Hunters have strict reporting requirements. Upon the harvest of a wolf, hunters must call 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) within 12 hours to file a report. When a wolf management unit reaches its quota, FWP will close the season there upon 24-hour’s notice.

To find the Wolf Hunting Season Status Web page, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “ Montana Wolf Hunt ,” then click “Wolf Status.”

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 25

Hunting And Conservation News New Law Adds Opportunity for Antlerless Elk Permit Holder In Some Hunting Districts MFWP H

unters with an antlerless elk permit for a hunting district where a 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 the general license regulations for elk in those districts while the quota remains 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.

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week October 11-17 USFWS

W

hat’s the most natural place to marvel at autumn’s show? A National Wildlife Refuge is hard to beat — and you can see for yourself during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 11-17.

Whether you prefer to admire the fall colors, thrill to a skyful of migratory birds, explore a mountain trail or learn about the cultural resources that are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation mission, you can find what you like at a National Wildlife Refuge. National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrates the richness of the 550 units that make up America’s National Wildlife Refuge System. And it’s a great opportunity to find an outdoor family event near where you live.

“President Teddy Roosevelt established tiny Pelican Island in Florida in 1903 as the first National Wildlife Refuge.

Roosevelt’s mission was clear: protect Pelican Island’s birds from poachers and plume hunters,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “And with that simple promise of wildlife protection, the National Wildlife Refuge System was born. It is my hope that citizens across the country will take advantage of this weeklong celebration to experience wildlife in their natural habitats and play a firsthand role in conservation by participating in special events and programs, or simply observing and enjoying the great outdoors at a local refuge.”

National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. They also offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation — from fishing, boating, hunting and hiking — to wildlife observation and photography, nature interpretation and environmental education. The Refuge System includes more than 2,500 miles of land and water trails. There is at least one National Wildlife Refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities.

“If we’re serious about wanting to save the environment and the many wild things dependent on wild places, we can’t afford to have children growing up disconnected from nature,” said Sam Hamilton, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Teaching children ways to enjoy the outdoors while respecting the chain of life that sustains the natural world is what National Wildlife Refuge Week is all about.”

‘09 Trapper Education Course Set For Saturday, October 17 MFWP R

egistration is now open for the annual Trapper Education Course in northwest Montana, which will be held Saturday, October 17, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lawrence Park in Kalispell. This course is offered earlier in the fall so outdoor education stations can be incorporated into the course, and so that trappers can prepare for the November 1 opening of trapping season.

This will be the only trapper education course offered this year in northwest Montana, so all interested persons are urged to attend.

To register for the course, stop by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) on North Meridian Road in Kalispell.

Registrants will receive pre-course materials and the course schedule.

In the course, Montana Trapper Association (MTA) instructors will emphasize trapper ethics, regulations, trapping heritage, and trap sets. Instructors will show actual trap sets and techniques.

The course is a cooperative effort between FWP and the MTA. People of all ages are invited to attend. Youngsters who attend will receive door prizes. Students who complete the course receive a certification. The course is not mandatory for trappers but it is strongly recommended.

For more information, call FWP at 752-5501, or David Pemble of the Montana Trappers Association at 871-5202.

TIP-MONT Works For Montana By Reducing The Most Common Violations MFWP Montana hunters have the opportunity to take part in some of the finest hunting found anywhere.

Yet, each autumn, some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate the state’s game laws. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials urge hunters take the time to review Montana’s hunting rules and regulations.

Any violation afield can be reported to TIP-MONT on 1-800-TIP-MONT, 1-800-847-6668.

Some common game violations are: •failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property, •wasting any part of a game animal suitable for food, •failure to properly validate a license/tag or to securely fasten the tag in a visible manner to a game animal immediately after it is taken and before it is moved or transported from the kill site.

Hunters can call TIP-MONT to report witnessed or suspected property vandalism, trespass or wildlife violations, violations in Montana State Parks, and on USFS, BLM and other lands. Callers are eligible for cash rewards and can ask to remain anonymous.

26 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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OCTOBER 2009

Cow Elk Or Bull?

BY DAVID ROWELL

D

eciding whether you must hunt for a record bull elk, or if a nice tasty cow elk will do, will influence your list of places to hunt. Any legally killed elk in wild elk habitat is an accomplishment to be respected. We cherish the memories of both kinds of successful hunts.

In many areas it is important to take some cows out to benefit the herd. If more hunters would be willing to kill some cows in those areas, the herds would be healthier and the numbers of bulls would actually increase. When cows are culled as needed, it is a win-win-win situation.

Hunter success increases. Herd health improves. Ranchers are happy to lose less hay to the elk that is needed for their cattle.

Antlerless Permit Increases Success: One year I ended up hunting from archery season the first of September straight through to the end of a late rifle season in December and was absolutely thrilled to finish the season, at last, with a nice big cow piled up in the deep snow.

With only a few hours left of elk season, my meat was on the ground. While I was field dressing my elk, another elk hunter walked up and admitted he was tracking the same herd that I had just sent running. He asked me which way the herd went. I pointed toward a hopelessly arduous drainage. The downcast hunter put his feet in the tracks of the long-gone herd and set out with slumping shoulders, ready to stomp deep snow for the rest of the day, if necessary.

I felt sorry for him, then asked him, “Do you have an either sex permit?” He said that he did. I pointed in another direction and said, “Then follow this single set of elk tracks and you’ll soon find a nice sized yearling.”

He thanked me and immediately started following that lone set of tracks.

In about ten minutes I heard him shoot. His harvest was not huge, though over twice as big as a deer, and it would be very tender. We were both thrilled to have finally harvested our annual elk meat. We crossed paths the rest of the day doing the hard work of packing meat in deep snow. It was the kind of demanding work that feels good on a man’s legs and back.

Most of us have visions of huge antlers and massive elk quarters

in the early part of the season. Being willing to adjust our goals, allows success to be re-defined as well.

Having an antlerless permit is not a guarantee, but it increases your chances of elk hunting success.

Cow Elk Hunting Takes Skill, Too: A cow elk provides lots of delicious meat (120 to 180 pounds or more), as well as collectable “ivories”. Successfully finding, killing and retrieving a cow elk is much harder than shooting an antlerless deer. (We shoot those, too.)

Successful cow elk hunting is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

They have incredibly keen eyes, ears and noses. They don’t do “stupid” things when the rut is on, like a bull will sometimes do when he has one thing on his mind. It takes hunting skill to kill a cow elk.

In Montana I usually apply for a district limited cow elk hunting permit for “insurance”, in case I’m still empty handed come the end of rifle season. I can’t hunt both cows and bulls in that specific hunting district. I have hunted many times during archery season in that permit area, and have come face to face more than once with a nice bull that I could only “share the moment” with. (That’s a great thrill, none the less!)

It’s an awesome accomplishment to kill a nice bull elk, especially with a bow and arrow, but many elk hunters are very glad to kill a cow.

Can You Keep Both Options Open?

If you can, leave your options open. Study the regulations and see if you can set yourself up with an either sex opportunity. In Montana, most of the regions during archery season allow “either sex elk” to be killed.

Once rifle season starts, it becomes mostly “bull only”. With a special permit, I can kill bulls on one side of the highway and a cow on the other side.

Take your decisions about cow or bull elk into consideration as you plan where to hunt. You may have to get in there to determine where the elk will be during the different times of year. Then, when you think you have it figured out, they will change the “rules” on you anyway! That’s what makes it hunting instead of shooting.

David Rowell writes from Garrison , Montana and writes for the website: www.elk-hunting-tips.net

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 27

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28 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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OCTOBER 2009

Rocky Mountain States Important Reminders For Colorado Big Game Hunters F&G Commission Authorizes Wolf Tag Auctions for Fish and Wildlife on The Idaho Fish and Game Sportsmen October 1 in an online auction.

Commission Wednesday, September 16,

C

olorado’s big game hunting season is almost here. As hunters prepare during the weeks ahead, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds hunters to be aware of the following items before entering the field this season: CWD Testing Beginning this year, chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is now $25 at all DOW submission sites. The DOW has increased hunter testing fees to help cover a larger share of the costs associated with the CWD testing program. Currently, it costs the DOW nearly $100 for processing, testing, head disposal and reporting for each submission.

Testing is voluntary for elk and deer in all Game Management Units for the 2009-10 seasons. Moose testing for CWD is mandatory statewide and is free at all DOW submission sites.

For further information on CWD and the Division’s testing program, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ BigGame/CWD/ Leftover Licenses Big game licenses are still available for the upcoming seasons.

Leftover and general over-the-counter licenses, as well as over-the-counter bear licenses and turkey licenses (with caps), are available for purchase online (www.wildlife.state.co.us), by telephone (1-800-244-5613) and at statewide license agents and Division of Wildlife offices.

A list of all available leftover licenses is available at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ Hunting/BigGame/Leftovers/ .

Shooting Ranges Hunters are encouraged to sight-in rifles prior to entering the field. Hunters familiar with their equipment make hunting safer for everyone, and practice improves

marksmanship and builds confidence.

Sighting-in of firearms is especially important for nonresident hunters. Scopes and equipment may get knocked out of alignment during transit, and practicing at a range close to the hunting destination provides a last-minute equipment check.

Colorado offers convenient and diverse public shooting ranges that are open year-round. A large number of private ranges also offer public “sight-in” days prior to the major hunting seasons.

For a listing of shooting ranges by region, please visit: http://wildlife.state. co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/ Hunter Education ‘Crash’ Courses All hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949 must complete an approved hunter education course prior to hunting in Colorado. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers one-day “crash” hunter education courses intended, primarily, for non-resident hunters who wish to hunt in Colorado but do not have a valid hunter education certificate/card from their state of residence.

Crash courses are taught during one, eight-hour day of intensive instruction, within one week of the opening of a regular big game rifle season. This compressed instruction and scheduling enables nonresident hunters to come to Colorado, take and pass the hunter education course and hunt—all in concert with their trip.

For a schedule and listing of available crash courses, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterEducation/CRASH+Courses/HECrash.htm For further information about Colorado’s big game hunting seasons, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/

authorized Fish and Game to offer hunters a chance to own a piece of Idaho hunting history along with a chance to harvest a wolf.

Idaho Fish and Game, through six nonprofit groups, will offer Idaho Wolf Conservation Tags from No.1 through No. 10, commemorating the first public wolf hunt in state history. The commemorative tags are being offered to help promote gray wolf conservation and management.

Auction or lottery sales would be handled by six nonprofit organizations dedicated to hunting and wildlife conservation: Tag No. 1 will be sold by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation on October 14 in a live auction at the Wine, Wheels and Wildlife event in Lexington, North Carolina.

Tags No. 2 and 7 will be sold by the Safari Club International, Treasure Valley Chapter, November 15 on eBay. Tags No. 3 and 8 will be sold by the Mule Deer Foundation on September 30 through sealed Internet bids.

Tags No. 4 and 10 will by sold by

Tags No. 5 and 9 will be sold by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on October 3 in a live auction in Mackay.

Tag No. 6 will be sold by the Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council on October 29 in a live auction at a National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses event in McCall.

Proceeds would pay for wolf conservation and management activities, including wolf population monitoring, harvest surveys, law enforcement, public education, and enhanced deer, elk and moose monitoring.

The six organizations would be allowed to keep up to 5 percent of the proceeds to cover their costs.

Buyers of the commemorative tags will get one tag suitable for display and a duplicate to use in a wolf hunt.

State rules allow only one wolf tag per person per calendar year.

Successful bidders may exchange their unused wolf tag for a Wolf Conservation Tag if they already purchased a tag.

All wolf seasons, rules and bag limits apply. Winners must have a 2009 Idaho hunting license to claim their tags.

Wolf Poaching Citations Issued A

n Eagle man has been cited by Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers Tuesday, September 8, in connection with a poached wolf.

Two citations were issued: shooting a wolf in a closed season and shooting from a public road. Witnesses told officers he shot the wolf while standing in the road at the back of his pickup truck.

The wolf was shot about 6 p.m.

Sunday, September 6 in the McCall-Weiser wolf zone, which was closed to wolf hunting.

He called the 24-hour wolf harvest reporting line Tuesday morning and reported the wolf killed in the Sawtooth wolf zone.

Later that day he checked in the wolf at the Fish and Game office in the Nampa. He later told officers he thought he was in the Sawtooth wolf zone until he looked at a map back in camp Sunday evening.

An illegal take would be charged to the harvest limit of the zone in which it occurred. In this case, the wolf will be taken out of the McCall-Weiser wolf zone harvest limit.

The wolf is a small female, still a pup. Officers seized the wolf hide and skull, a rifle, camera and tag.

The investigation is ongoing and the charges have not been filed with the court.

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 29

Rocky Mountain States T

Chukar Forecast Brings Good News Man Charged In Deer To Hunters Poaching Officers say he poached seven deer

he 2009 Chukar Forecast holds good news for those who like to hunt Nevada’s favored upland game species.

This season will be better than the previous two years and will provide sportsmen with ample numbers of young birds. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) recently posted the full forecast at ndow.org.

The report references aerial surveys, which point to a 2009-10 chukar hunting season that should be good for most of Nevada with some areas providing excellent hunting. Coveys comprised mostly of young birds will allow the hunter to approach within shotgun range for at least the first half of the season. Hunters across the state should enjoy good success early if conditions remain dry through October. As the season progresses, hunters will still have to spend a fair amount of time on foot pursuing the species.

Look for great hunting in northwestern Humboldt County (Pine Forest and Black Rock Ranges) and portions of Washoe and Pershing Counties. Expect good hunting in most of Lander, northern Eureka and western Elko Counties. Additionally, some areas in southern Nevada should have fair to good numbers of birds as a result of improved production.

“The issue with many of these areas is crowding on opening weekend, especially in the Pine Forest Range,” said Shawn Espinosa, biologist with NDOW. “Even though it will be good hunting in this area, there are plenty of other spots that will be productive and we recommend seeking these out during the early portion of the season. The Jackson Mountains showed much improvement from 2008 and there are some remote portions of the Black Rock and Bilk Creek Ranges that will be good with fewer people.”

Although counts appear down in Washoe County, the very hot and dry survey conditions could have altered the sample as a number of birds were observed running on the ground, reluctant to leave the shade and water sources. In central and southern Nevada, brood surveys conducted from the ground as well as general observations indicate good production levels which should lead to fair to good hunting in this region of the state.

Higher populations can be attributed in part to the late spring rains this year, which came with mild temperatures that were ultimately conducive to chick production. Native bunchgrasses and forbs

is responded well to the ample moisture and provided birds with incredible food resources and nesting cover. This plant growth also produces diverse and increased insect populations, an important food source for newborn chicks.

Wildfires have not adversely impacted additional chukar habitats to date in 2009. However, many traditional chukar hunting areas are still suffering the effects of almost a decade of the worst fire events ever to occur in Nevada. During the period from 1999-2007, approximately 6 million acres of various habitat types burned in Nevada resulting in the establishment of cheatgrass and other invasive non-native weed species across the low to mid-elevations. This has been detrimental to many chukar populations because of the lack of native shrubs that are important for cover, nesting and forage purposes.

Sportsmen can thank the Nevada Chukar Foundation and other sportsmen’s groups for funding aerial surveys, water developments, and habitat improvements aimed at increasing populations of the tough-to-hunt quarry.

Chukar season opens Oct. 10 and runs through Feb. 7. Start planning online, where you’ll find the complete Chukar Forecast, distribution map, seasons and regulations and more at www.ndow. org/hunt/resources/Wildlife_Heritage/upland_game/.

“During the early portion of the season, we really stress getting out and walking and not simply driving up and down canyon bottoms along water sources,” Espinosa said. “If conditions are hot and dry during the early portion of the season, chukar will rely heavily on these water sources and young birds especially will be at a disadvantage. Walking rather than jump shooting birds from the pick-up is much more sporting and can provide birds with at least some access to water.”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear.

Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license.

For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

O

n Aug. 18, Hurricane resident Mathew Steven Spendlove was charged with four Class A misdemeanors and three Class B misdemeanors in 5th District Court in St. George.

The charges stem from the poaching of seven buck deer in Washington County. If Spendlove is found guilty, he could spend the next five years in jail, pay $13,000 in fines and pay $2,800 in restitution for the animals he took.

He could also lose his hunting privileges in 31 states, including Utah, for the next several years. All of these states are involved in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

DOWR officers investigated and eventually served a search warrant on a home in Hurricane. In the home, the officers found seven sets of deer antlers. They also found photos from a cell phone, a camera and a computer. The photos provided the officers with evidence that all seven deer had been taken illegally.

“One of the concerns I have with this case is that all of these deer were taken from a relatively small area,” Schultze says. “[Taking that many bucks from such a small area] can seriously decrease the buck population in the area and even narrow the genetic pool.”

DWR OFFICERS FOUND THESE ANTLERS AFTER SERVING A SEARCH WARRANT ON A HOUSE IN HURRICANE. DOWR PHOTO

Schulze says Spendlove took all seven bucks in one year. He also indicated to the officers that he was going to do it again.

“Imagine the number of deer the people of Utah would have lost if that had happened.

30 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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OCTOBER 2009

gear review

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Com does not guarantee positive reviews to any manufacturer. www.mtBowHuntingreviews.com and www.bowhuntingreviews.net are part of Montana Test.com. Visit www.montanatest.com

Browning AddHeat™ Fleece Vest Highlights: Battery powered heating systems arrive on the outdoor scene periodically with great brouhaha, which abates quickly when forecasts do not match reality; cold weather shows up. We have tested variations of heated outerwear and none have lived up to their claims.

The exception is Browning’s AddHeat™ fleece vest this is the real thing; no gadget, no gimmick, and it works. The heating element is located in the upper back of the vest powered by a small rechargeable Li-ion battery. A MicroCPU controller offers High, Medium and Low temperature all with the touch of a finger.

The Power Pack offers 5.5 hours of continuous heat and shuts off automatically when the vest warms. We have worn on numerous outings and stayed warm, and with a jacket over the vest; you have a great combination for cold days.

Drawback...Addheat Power Pack sold separately. Rating...6 Point...Great Tester: All Suggested Retail: AddHeat™ Vest... $100.00...2XL and 3XL...$114.00 AddHeat™ Power Pack...$85.00 Recommend...Although both AddHeat™ Vest and Power Pack are expensive we recommend. On freezing days your warm body will thank you for it.

Leupold RX-750 TBR Digital Rangefinder Highlights: Leupold’s newest addition to a plethora of Rangefinders for 2009 is the RX-750 TBR Digital Laser. TBR is True Ballistic Range, which is equivalent horizontal distance. The RX-750 has a built-in inclinometer giving you an accurate number for distance at any angle up to 500 yards on big game. The 750 TBR has 6-x magnification, has fully multi-coated lenses, is waterproof, and has a scan mode that continually updates as you move over a hunting area. The knock on Rangefinders is too much information and clicking through an endless menu until you view what you need. This is not the case with the 750 TBR; ease of use is a leading attribute. A quick start menu is included in the carrying case and a lanyard. You have just two push buttons, power, and mode with rifle and bow options for distance. Included is a battery life indicator. Carry extra CR2 batteries.

Drawback...Rangefinder can freeze up in cold weather; keep close to body when not in use.

Rating...6 Point...Great Tester: All Suggested Retail: Black...$279.99...Mossy Oak Break-Up...$299.99 Recommend...All testers like the ease of use of the RX-750 and would recommend.

TenPoint Crossbow Titan HLX Highlights: The TenPoint Titan HLS is equipped with 175-pound HL limbs with Fast Flight™ string and cables. The bowstring pulls back with the ACUdraw 50 a patented automated cocking unit. This is a lifesaver for your arms. It reduces the draw weight by 50 percent. All TenPoint bows have a Dry-Fire Inhibitor automatically setting the bow on safe. The HLS came with an illuminated 3X Pro view scope with three lines calibrated for 20, 30, and 40 yards.

The HLS is incredibly accurate and easy to site in. The Patented Power Touch-10 trigger is the best trigger many will say, in the industry. The speed listed at 305 fps and after numerous shots, we got close with relatively tight groupings. With the Titan HLX, we received the SteaddyEddy telescoping Monopod for steady shots and a quiver.

Drawback...The Titan HLX is loud when the arrow is delivered to the target. The weight is another concern for our testers. With SteaddyEddy, sling and quiver you are hauling a heavy Crossbow. Rating...4 Point...Good Tester: All Suggested Retail: $699.00 Recommend...The Titan is an entry level Crossbow and great for the beginner.

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 31

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inally, fall is upon us and pheasant season is just around the corner! The pheasant opener is a grand tradition in our state which brings together family and friends in both fellowship and the thrill of the flush.

One of the many decisions hunters must make in pursuit of roosters is where to hunt? Pheasants are tied very closely to farms with a high number of good field edges. So, it makes sense to hunt such farms and to hunt those edges.

Edges are the transition zones between different cover types, and the most successful hunters will concentrate their efforts there. Regardless of the

size of a field, most birds will be within 40 feet of its edge.

Biologists often call the pheasant an “edge” bird, because the bird likes to spend much of its time near the edges of farm fields.

A farm can be evaluated as to how good it is for pheasants by determining its number of field edges.

Using aerial photos of the farm draw 5 lines through the farm that intersect at the farm’s center. Now count each time a line crosses from bad-to-good or good-to-good fields.

Do not count from one corn field to another, from farm field to a mowed roadside, or from a farm field to a grazed shelterbelt or to a drained wetland.

Add the edges for all 5 lines, divide by 5, and you have that farm’s “interspersion index.” The higher this index, the more potential you have for a good pheasant population.

To learn more about Pheasants Forever in your area, visit: www.montanapf.org.

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Make Your Archery Elk Season A Success (continued from page 17)

Try to position your kill where you can see it from a distance as you approach to make sure someone or something else hasn’t claimed it.

Some predators are really no problem, such as mountain lions. Lions are efficient enough predators that they like to kill their own meat and generally won’t bother a kill with man scent all around it.

Coyotes, if they do visit your kill site, will generally go for the gut pile first, but if you have to leave the kill for a fairly long time they can become a problem.

Birds and flies are your biggest concern. On one hand, you have to worry about cooling your meat, because if you don’t, it will spoil quickly. On the other hand, if you simply prop the carcass wide open to cool, you may come back the next day to find 10 or 20 pounds of good meat pecked away by birds, or you’ll have blowflies go to town on it. I’ve had more problems with birds and flies than any other animal. Stellar’s jays, crows, magpies, and even eagles have pecked away at my kills.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can sip coffee until noon the next day before you amble on out to pack out your kill. Every hour that you leave your carcass on the mountain is another hour that birds, bears, heat, or flies can ruin your meat. Get up at dawn, get your crew together, and get to work.

Please note that wanton wasting of game meat is a serious offense in Montana, so if you’ve released an arrow and killed an animal, you’ve obligated yourself to packing out all the edible portions of an animal, not just the choicest cuts.

So when you hear that bull start telling the world that he is the biggest kid on the block, make a plan and make your move.

Don’t be disappointed if the first few attempts crash and burn, but enjoy the thrill of the hunt and know that when it happens, you will be richly rewarded.

Good luck this fall to everyone.

32 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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First Week Waterfowl Tactics

O

pening day of duck season is just around the corner and you are chomping at the bit. But do you have a plan for that first morning? What if you get up at 4 am and get to the spot you are thinking of and someone else is already there! Planning is everything and can make or break you opening day and set the tempo for the rest of the season. Here are a few tips to get you birds that first day and for the rest of the season.

WEATHER When heading out on the first day, you may be confronted by one of the worst types of waterfowl weather there is, warm and sunny. Or even worse, the wind is slack, the sky overcast and the temperature muggy. These conditions make the birds really spooky, and they take more

convincing to get them into range, hunters must adjust.

When the wind is up and the sun is bright, you don’t need a feather-perfect decoy spread to pull ducks in. However, on still, cloudy days, the ducks see much better and get a better look at your set-up.

It’s easier for them to circle a spread, because they’re not buffeted by gusts. And the lack of shadows reveals much greater decoy detail to their sharp eyes.

Be prepared for warm conditions and dress accordingly. Nothing sucks more that lugging your decoys and gear with your heavy coat and pants on. Yes they are cool to look at, but no, not when you loose 10 pounds walking out to your blind, Sweat City! Dress in lighter layers and bring plenty of water for both you and your companions, dogs included!

DECOYS There are several things hunters can do to increase a spread’s realism. One is to add movement, as described above.

Real ducks keep a quiet hole of water alive with ripples. Decoys should do likewise. There are many options for making decoys move. Jerk strings, motorized decoys, water shakers and other devices will solve the no-movement dilemma. Waterfowl specialty catalogs feature an array of such products. On slow

OCTOBER 2009

BY NEAL COTE

bird days, they are tickets for action.

Adding realistic motion to your decoy spread is the best way to make your setup look different from the thousands of other motionless spreads put out by other hunters. Jerk cords are probably the most effective (and inexpensive) means of creating motion on the water in your decoys—unless of course you can afford to buy a “Mallard Machine”. Shaker decoys, and quiver magnets also work, but they just don’t move nearly as much water as the jerk cord can.

You should buy the best decoys that you can afford. Super-magnums cost more, but they add a lot more visibility to your spread which will allow ducks to see your decoys from a much further distance.

Mixing up some different brands, and sizes, of decoys helps add realism to your spread. Hunters should also keep their decoys’ paint fresh and bright. A little touch-up during the off-season handles this problem. Another trick is to keep mud washed off decoys so their colors show clearly. An old soft-bristle brush is good for scrubbing mud away.

Sleeper and confidence decoys add realism. I scatter a half dozen sleeper mallards through my spread. Ducks are lazy on warm, still days. I also toss several coot decoys around the outer edge of my spread for a more natural appearance.

Another ruse is to set a line of stand-up field decoys on the shore or on a log at the edge of the spread. Ever notice how real ducks climb up and rest and loaf on logs? Mimic this look and it adds realism to draw those circling birds in. Make sure to attach these decoys’ bases to the log to hold them in place when the wind blows.

CALLS AND CALLING Early season means lazy days for ducks, and this dictates a softer, less-aggressive style of calling than you would use on a blustery November duck day.

First, you need to go out and buy a duck call. I suggest a double reed duck call that does not require a lot of air to blow. Many calls makers have an inexpensive mallard duck call that is very forgiving, and produces a very raspy sound without the need to blow hard into the call. This makes practice and actual calling less fatiguing, so you can focus exclusively on your technique and not on your volume. Becoming a good caller will be just as important to your future duck hunting success as finding good places to hunt and using effective decoy spreads. It has been said that a duck call is one of the best conservation tools out there, in (continued)

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Duck And Goose Hunting Outlook MFWP

M

ontana duck and goose hunters can look forward to some good hunting beginning Oct. 3 in the Central and Pacific flyways.

Seasons and bag limits will be similar to last year’s, with a few changes.

The season on canvasbacks in the Pacific Flyway will reopen with a daily bag limit of one. May population surveys of 10 species, including canvasbacks, showed numbers were up 13 percent compared to the past year, and 25 percent above the long-term average.

The Central Flyway will also have a full season on canvasbacks and pintails, rather than the partial season of recent years. The pintail daily bag limit will increase in the Pacific Flyway from one to two birds.

Pintails and lesser scaup estimates were both up, but remained below the long-term average.

Mallard numbers were up 10 percent from last year and 13 percent above the long-term average. For some other species of interest to Montana hunters, gadwalls were 73 percent above the long-term average, and blue-winged teal were 60 percent above the long-term average.

Ponds identified in the May

survey for Prairie Canada and the U.S. breeding areas increased by 45 percent over last year. The number of ponds was 31 percent above the long-term average.

Some of the drier areas were in parts of Alberta and western Saskatchewan.

Ducks returning to Montana this spring found generally improved wetland conditions, especially in the northeastern and eastern parts of the state. Some areas had the best spring water conditions in years.

Canada geese continue to do well, especially with the improved water conditions in much of Montana. For “light geese” (snow and Ross’s), in the Pacific Flyway in Montana, overall production and the fall flight should be about average.

For details, go to a new Web site, http://www.flyways.us to find the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2009 Waterfowl Status Report, as well as a status video and other reports.

Migratory bird hunting regulations, including season dates and bag limits, are available on FWP’s Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under Regulations. Print copies are available at FWP offices and license providers.

Migratory Bird Hunters Get Hip Again This Season Everyone who hunts doves, cranes, doves and coots or snipe they ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, snipe, or bagged last season. Broad ranges coots in Montana must be “HIP” certified for the upcoming hunting seasons. HIP stands for Harvest Information Program.

To get HIP certified, Montana migratory bird hunters are simply asked, in general, how many ducks, geese,

are given for each group of birds.

The answers are entered into Montana’s new Automated Licensing System to help with the management of migratory birds.

First Week Waterfowl Tactics experienced hands it will draw birds right up close for clean killing shots, and in the wrong hands it will scare more birds out of the county.

Practice as much as you can. I keep my calls in my truck and practice while driving to and from work. If you have a calling instructional CD, pop it in and as you drive in to work you will kill two birds with one stone!

GOOD CAMOUFLAGE Good camouflage is a necessity, and not just on slow days.

When it’s overcast, there are no shadows so low-flying birds can see down into blinds, boats, brush, etc. It’s easy for them to pick up a face looking up or a hand reaching for a shotgun. Keep your blind well brushed throughout the season. As the season progresses and cover is beaten down or blown off a blind, add more periodically to keep hunters hidden. If you are using lay down or portable blinds, make sure to get material from where you are to brush them in.

Pay attention to any natural contour or natural plant growth in your spot. You should be able to put yourself in a naturally hidden spot and be able to keep those birds from seeing you until it is too late. Fencelines, flood irrigation trenches, and grass bunches on open edges all help

you to keep out of sight. Make sure hunters’ clothing blends into the natural surroundings – no bright colors. Also, a face mask is a good idea to hide hunters’ shiny faces.

PLACES TO GO You’d be surprised how often I find hunters forget the simple fact that if they limit their hunting spots, they lessen their chances of bagging ducks. You need not stay on the water for every duck hunt, branch out and you’ll find that crop fields, and not always the water, offer many shooting opportunities as well. You also do not have to be on the biggest pond in your area to get some great shooting.

Walk a spot before opening day and look for little hidden ponds that are shallow and away from more attractive bodies of water. Remember there is lots of pressure put on those more popular ponds on opening day and after the first volley of fire in the morning, they slow way down. If you set up in one of these smaller ponds away from all those other guys, they will move those birds right to you! And you won’t need such a large spread to effectively decoy those birds right into your face.

If you are looking for a place to go, check out areas on state and BLM lands.

It looks like this year is going to be really good for waterfowl. Good luck.

34 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Tamarack Time! is an old fashioned celebration of the harvest! Since the tamarack, or western larch, attains its greatest size and abundance in western Montana, it is particularly appropriate that the time of spectacular color change be the occasion for the Flathead’s autumn celebration.

Held on Electric Avenue (Main Street).

Phone 406-837-4400

DEER LODGE Pumpkin Sunday: October 18

This is an excellent afternoon family outing.

There will be children’s activities in the dairy barn and refreshments will be offered. There will be a children’s carnival, warm up at the bonfire.

The kids can come out and pick their own pumpkin and paint it and take it home with them.

Hay rides are available and a variety of crafts for children. Admission is free year round.

Held at the Grant-Kohrs Historic Ranch.

Phone: 406-846-2070 ext 224

ENNIS Hunters Feed And Wild Game Cook-off: October 23

Hunters Feed and Wild Game Cook Off is a very popular event for locals, neighbors and visiting hunters. Started as a way to clean out the freezer of last years game before hunting season.

Merchants on Main Street cook up exotic wild game dishes and serve their culinary delights in front of their shops. Dishes such as wild pheasant with dill sauce, deer fudge, moose meatballs and elk chili delight diners. Visitors vote for the best dish and judges select other category winners. A great kick-off to hunting season in the Madison Valley. This event is always held on the Friday afternoon prior to opening day of big game rifle hunting season. Phone: 406-682-4388 or visit www.ennischamber.com

HAMILTON 30th Annual Mcintosh Apple Day: October 10

Billed as the biggest bake sale under the Big Sky, McIntosh Apple Day has apple butter bubbling over an open fire, apple juice being squeezed, a giant Farmers Market with arts and crafts, kids games galore, live music all day, a mega-raffle, fall vegetables and fruits and lots of specialty food items. Last year’s attendance was 12,000.

Held at the Ravalli County Museum.

Phone: 406-363-3338

SEELEY LAKE Tamarack Festival: October 3 - 4

Come to Seeley Lake for this spectacular two-day event to celebrate the arts and the alpine splendor of the turning tamaracks. The Western Larch trees, commonly known as Tamaracks, is the only species of coniferous trees that actually lose their needles annually to return in the spring. Enjoy an Arts and Crafts show, Tour of the Arts, historical society event and various other activities. Maps available to walk, hike, bike or drive to see the best trees. Phone: 406-677-2880 or visit www.seeleylakechamber.com E-mail: slchamber@blackfoot.net

TOWNSEND Townsend Fall Fest: October 3 - 4

There’s something for every taste, age, and interest with a Military Parade, 70 Craft Vendors, Numerous Food Vendors including Rotary’s Famous Brats & Beer, Music-Music-Music (German, Polka, Country Western & Old Time Fiddle) Kids Games, Variety Show, Military Displays & Beer Garden.

Phone: 406-266-4101 or visit www. townsendvalley.com

EVENTS TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE DUCKS UNLIMITED

October 16, 2009 (5:30) Medicine Lake Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet Medicine Lake Fire Hall Contact: Layne Krumwiede (406)350-0154

PHEASANTS FOREVER October 21, 2009 Crowing Hour: 5:00 pm, Dinner 7:00pm Five Valley’s Chapter Annual Fall Banquet Hilton Garden Inn, Missoula Contact: Jon Lee (406) 721-9919 or Jim Seel (406) 327-1009

RMEF EVENTS

LEWISTOWN Lewistown Gun Show: October 16 - 18 10/03/09 Lewistown Gun Show is sponsored by Weapons Helena Big Game Banquet Collectors Society of Montana. Food concessions Contact: Rick Donaldson (406) 439-4905 will be by the Snowy Mountain Muzzleloaders.

Each paid admission entitles you to one chance on a new rifle. All State and Federal laws will be observed. Admission price of $5 entitles you to all three days. Children under 12 free when accompanied by a guardian.

Phone: 406-538-5394

10/17/09 Dillon Beaverhead Big Game Banquet Contact: Lisa Rakich (406) 683-6283 10/17/09 Libby Lincoln County Big Game Banquet Contact: Toni Kinden (406) 334-0134

OCTOBER 2009

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Handling The Moment Of Truth

BY BRODIE SWISHER

Kicked back in my recliner the other evening, watching a hunting

video, I said to my wife, “I’m gonna kill a big’un this year…I can feel it! This is my year!” The longer I sat there and pondered the situation, it came to my mind that last year should’ve been my year, but I shot a tree branch instead of a buck. The year before should’ve been my year too, but I duffed a chip shot at a dandy buck as he stood broadside. I quickly realized that my trophy wall would have taken on a much different look had I been able to handle the moment of truth.

The moment of truth affects each of us in different ways, but if you’ve got hunting in your blood, the moment of truth is sure to cause your nerves to go nuts. It’ll cause your heart to beat so fast you can hear it. As hunters we must come to grips with being able to make the shot when deer are within bow or rifle range.

You dream of the moment all summer. You’ve spent countless hours on the range honing your skills and perfecting your shot. But what about those few seconds when it all comes together?

How do you prepare for that moment when a critter walks within range and is oblivious to your whereabouts? Unfortunately, there is not much we can do to simulate the scenario of staying cool with live game near our stand. However there are a few simple practices that may help you cope with a tense moment at go-time.

I’ve heard people suggest to get out and spend time around deer at a park or the zoo in order to avoid being mesmerized by their presence when hunting. Well that sounds good, but if you haven’t already,

you’ll soon discover that there is a world of difference in your adrenaline when simply looking at an animal and preparing to take one’s life.

There is something sacred about the kill that causes my body to do crazy things. My knees shake violently, my heart pounds, and I break out in a sweat. Aside from the day I asked my wife to marry me, there have been few things that even come close. Try as we may nothing truly comes close to the actual moment of truth. So, how do we prepare for those fleeting moments when we have the opportunity to draw on a deer?

We can increase our heart rate prior to a practice round to give us the effect of making a shot with a pounding heart. I discovered this when shooting my bow from an elevated deck. As I retrieved my arrows and ran back up the steps, my heart kicked it up a notch. Instead of resting a second to slow down, I shot under “pressure.”

It also helps to shoot from uncomfortable positions. Don’t always practice in a perfect scenario. Twist your body, shoot from your knees, rump, sitting, and squatting. Shoot in the rain and wind and when the ‘skeeters are biting on your neck. Know how your equipment performs under various conditions. Build your confidence in making the shot under any circumstance, and you’ll be better prepared when game walks past your stand.

I recently talked with Larry D. Jones of Bowhunter Magazine & Bowhunter Magazine TV. Larry is a veteran big game hunter having taken numerous big game animals throughout the US and across the globe. I asked Larry

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16490 Old Hwy. 93 South, Lolo, MT. 59847 (406) 273-3555 how he stays calm when the moment of truth arrives. He quickly replied, “Who says I stay calm!” “Forget trying to stay calm, it’s more a matter of trying to keep the excitement under control enough to make a clean, killing shot.”

I asked Larry how one should go about taming this excitement. “I try to occupy my mind with other things.” Jones says, “I’m concentrating on the spot I’m going to shoot. I like to keep my eyes on the spot and follow it as the animal moves to my stand. This often helps me to avoid looking at antlers and body size. Keeping your mind on other things such as when the shot opportunity will occur, shot placement, and your surroundings will also help calm your nerves a little.”

Jones also says that concentrating on making the shot can help take some of the bite out of a case of buck fever. “My mind is focused on shooting one arrow and making one killing shot on that animal,” says Jones.

All the practice and preparation for the upcoming season will be in vain if you can’t learn to handle the moment of truth. Put shooting under pressure into your practice routine this summer; but know that handling the moment of truth is largely a mind game. If you can keep your wits under control when the moment of truth arrives, you’ll be on your way to more big game success this season.

Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, and seminar speaker. Check out his website at www.BroOutdoors.com.

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Is Bear Spray Effective?

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T

he effectiveness of bear spray as a defense in an aggressive bear encounter has long been questioned by hunters. Many hunters feel much more comfortable knowing that their firearm is a weapon that they know is capable of stopping an aggressive bear - if it is hit in a vital area.

Tom Smith, Bear Researcher, Brigham Young University, has studied human-bear conflicts for seventeen years.

He recently reviewed over 300 incidents in Alaska where people carried and used firearms against aggressive bears. An analysis of those incidents showed that 40 percent were injured or killed, including 23 fatalities and 16 severely injured people. Another 48 people suffered lesser injuries.

In an article written by Smith called Firearms, Bears and Bear Spray, Smith states that “In my research, hunters were generally unable to fire a shot before the bear slammed into them. Some hunters couldn’t get the safety off, others short-stroked the bolt and jammed the cartridge, yet others, out of habit, tried to ‘scope’ the bear, losing critical seconds while failing to zero in.”

According to his article, Smith states that “With a can of bear spray on one’s hip or pack strap, it is simply a matter of pointing and shooting. In areas of poor visibility I always have a can of spray in my hand. It is easily carried over a finger and isn’t as clumsy as a firearm is in the field-ready position. All that is required is pointing the nozzle in the general direction and pushing a button.

Accuracy is not nearly as critical as it is with a firearm. You can’t ‘wound’ a bear with bear spray. It also eliminates problems with sticking bolt actions, jamming shells, and hard-to-find safety mechanisms.”

In another study conducted by bear researchers in Alaska and Canada, 83 bear incidents where bear spray was used were analyzed. Of all persons carrying sprays, 98 percent were uninjured by bears in close range encounters. The results of this peer reviewed research was published in the Journal of Wildlife Management (Journal of Wildlife Management 72(3);640-645; 2008) the article is titled Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska.

Tips For Hunters Using OHV’s In The Hunt MFWP

H

ere are some tips for hunters to help reduce the impact of OHVs during hunting season.

•Know the vehicle use regulations for the area you are in.

•Stay on designated public roads or trails.

It is the law.

•Access your hunting area before shooting hours and then hunt on foot.

•Retrieve harvested big game from the nearest designated road or trail.

•Respect other hunters and recreationists by slowing down or stopping as you approach them on the trail.

•Avoid wet areas.

•Reduce emissions and sound.

•Pass in a safe and courteous manner when overtaking others.

•Limit OHV use in and near campgrounds.

•Report violations to TIP-MONT at 1-800-847-6668.

ROBERT M. DOWNEY ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT 48-6/8 B&C JUDITH BASIN, MT. 2005

Plenty Of Bull Elk In Utah (continued from page 7)

PHOTO PHIL DOUGLASS COURTESY UDW During the rut, mature bulls gather groups of cow elk to breed. If one of these large bulls sees a spike bull, he’ll chase the spike bull off.

Being chased into cover by the bigger bulls makes the spike bulls, which are already nervous, more apt to head back into the cover once the bullets start to fly.

“The larger bulls scare the spike bulls as much as the hunters do,” Aoude says. “Unless you get into the backcountry areas where the spikes are hiding, you’re probably not going to see many.

“The good news is, if you do get into the backcountry, there’s a good chance you’ll be among the 16 percent who take a spike bull this year.”

Hunters Take Care To Avoid Bears MFWP This time of year hunters throughout Montana need to be alert for grizzly bears.

FWP recommends that hunters, especially archers, carry bear spray instead of a sidearm in bear country.

“Statistically, bear spray is the most effective tool for personal protection in bear country,” said Ron Aasheim, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks spokesman.

FWP offers these additional tips for hunters in grizzly country: •Avoid hunting alone.

•Learn to recognize signs of bear activity.

•After killing a deer or elk, immediately separate the carcass from the gut pile.

•If you have to leave the carcass hang it out of reach of a bear.

•When returning to a carcass, observe the area from a distance for bear activity.

•Signs of bear activity include a moved or partially buried carcass. If a bear has claimed the carcass leave it alone and contact FWP immediately.

OCTOBER 2009

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America’s Top 20 Trophy Elk Counties RMEF

America’s top 20 trophy elk counties have produced a combined

602 record-book bulls, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has invested millions to keep habitat in those counties in top condition.

Elk Foundation projects in trophy counties have included numerous projects ”all funded primarily through our network of volunteers and system of fundraising events,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. Of course, RMEF funds identical projects all across elk country, not just top trophy counties. The effort has helped U.S. elk populations grow by over 40 percent since 1984.

Trophy statistics below were compiled from Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) records. The club recognizes four categories of elk records.

Here are America’s top 20 trophy elk counties with RMEF conservation activities*: 1. Coconino County, Ariz.—61 bulls in B&C records including 44 typical and 17 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1987, RMEF has spent $1,741,848 on 158 projects that conserved or enhanced 126,393 acres of habitat in and around Coconino County.

2. Apache County, Ariz.—59 bulls in B&C records including 37 typical and 22 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1987, RMEF has spent $766,703 on 65 projects that conserved or enhanced 87,505 acres of habitat in and around Apache County.

3. Clatsop County, Ore.—40 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1991, RMEF has spent $47,177 on 11 projects that conserved or enhanced 693 acres of habitat in and around Clatsop County.

4. Navajo County, Ariz.—39 bulls in B&C records including 23 typical and 16 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1987, RMEF has spent $532,902 on 55 projects that conserved or enhanced 59,153 acres of habitat in and around Navajo County.

5. White Pine County, Nev.—36 bulls in B&C records including 26 typical and 10 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1988, RMEF has spent $1,570,832 on 62 projects that conserved or enhanced 109,260 acres of habitat in and around White Pine County.

6. Columbia County, Ore.—31 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. RMEF has not yet launched a project in Columbia County.

7. Humboldt County, Calif.—30 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1995, RMEF has spent $148,945 on 13 projects focused on habitat inventories and elk population surveys in and around Humboldt County.

8. Catron County, N.M.—29 bulls in B&C records including 22 typical and 7 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1988, RMEF has spent $331,188 on 51 projects that conserved or enhanced 200,808 acres of habitat in and around Catron County.

9. Clallam County, Wash.—28 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1993, RMEF has spent $101,728 on 13 projects that conserved or enhanced 577 acres of habitat in and around Clallam County.

10. Garfield County, Utah—27 bulls in B&C records including 20 typical and 7 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1988, RMEF has spent $284,158 on 36 projects that conserved or enhanced 73,023 acres of habitat in and around Garfield County.

11. Jefferson County, Wash.—26 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1989, RMEF has spent $141,961 on 16 projects that conserved or enhanced 6,323 acres of habitat in and around Jefferson County.

12. Park County, Wyo.—26 bulls in B&C records, all typical American elk. Since 1988, RMEF has spent $939,328 on 39 projects that conserved or enhanced 68,450 acres of habitat in and around Park County.

13. Gila County, Ariz.—25 bulls in B&C records including 16 typical and 9 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1987, RMEF has spent $182,398 on 29 projects that conserved or enhanced 37,502 acres of habitat in and around Gila County.

14. Coos County, Ore.—23 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1989, RMEF has spent $75,794 on 8 projects that conserved or enhanced 6,423 acres of habitat in and around Coos County.

15. Tillamook County, Ore.—23 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1992, RMEF has spent $70,911 on 25 projects that conserved or enhanced 2,874 acres of habitat in and around Tillamook County.

16. Del Norte County, Calif.—21 bulls in B&C records, all Roosevelt’s elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1995, RMEF has spent $161,023 on 11 projects focused on elk habitat inventories and research in and around Del Norte County.

17. Park County, Mont.—21 bulls in B&C records including 18 typical and 3 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1985, RMEF has spent $136,550 on 51 projects that conserved or enhanced 103,679 acres of habitat in and around Park County.

18. Elko County, Nev.—19 bulls in B&C records including 16 typical and 3 non-typical entries for American elk. Since 1991, RMEF has spent $594,314 on 41 projects that conserved or enhanced 37,654 acres of habitat in and around Elko County.

19. Millard County, Utah—19 bulls in B&C records, all typical American elk. Since 1988, RMEF has spent $75,359 on 11 projects that conserved or enhanced 34,130 acres in and around Millard County.

20. Solano County, Calif.—19 bulls in B&C records, all tule elk. Typical versus non-typical records not kept. Since 1998, RMEF has spent $27,088 on 6 projects that conserved or enhanced 450 acres of habitat in and around Solano County. *Note: Many habitat conservation projects, such as prescribed burns in national forests, straddle county lines. In these cases, the project, affected acres and costs are attributed to both counties. Thus, RMEF data above cannot be used to calculate cumulative totals.

For more about Boone and Crockett Club, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 37

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hunters assume they’ll be drawing a string or

Deer Doubles

P

eruse the literature of wildlife biology or hunting regulations and you’ll find much written regarding the differences between mule and whitetail deer. Where wildlife managers have different regional quotas for mule or whitetail deer, or the season is restricted to one of the species, it’s essential that hunters are capable of distinguishing between the two. Thus, both the Montana hunting regulations and the Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks website are replete with illustrated information outlining the visual differences between whitetail and mule deer.

Such information would be much less useful if it weren’t for the fact that muleys and whiteys often share the same habitat.

Most hunters think of whitetails as the deer of

BY JACK BALLARD the riverbottoms, prairies and farm fields, but mule deer are often found in those habitats as well. By contrast, mule deer are commonly conceived as the deer of the mountains.

However, whitetails sometimes occupy some surprisingly lofty regions of the landscape.

Once, while hiking on the spine of the divide between Montana and Idaho west of Missoula, I jumped a whitetail doe above treeline that went bounding away toward the Gem State. Another time, while photographing elk in Yellowstone National Park, I heard a familiar snort and hoof stomp, sure indications that a whitetail had spotted my form. Some thirty yards behind me, in a basin whose elevation marked nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, a young four-point whitetail buck stared suspiciously in my direction.

On other occasions, I’ve witnessed mule deer in habitat that’s dominated by whitetails. While researching an article on Montana’s Block Management program, I once interviewed a rancher whose operation centered on the Yellowstone River bottom east of Billings. Whitetails dominated hunters’ attention and harvest on his property.

As we chatted, he reached for a photo album on the table.

Here’s something that might surprise you,” he said with a grin. His calloused hands thumbed through the pages, at last flipping the album open to a page sporting an image of an incredible, non-typical mule deer buck. A bowhunter had arrowed the animal from a stand in a cottonwood near the river, an area where

leveling the crosshairs on a whitetail.

Though I grew up hunting mule deer exclusively, in adult life I’ve come to value their short-eared cousins as big-game quarry just as much. Over the past decade, my seasons seem to alternate between mule and whitetail deer, with one year dedicated to the pursuit of one species, the following season devoted to the other.

In the process I’ve discovered some areas where it’s possible to pursue both on a single hunt. Two years ago, my boys and I wandered among a region of ponderosa pines in eastern Montana, our thoughts focused on mule deer. But whitetails obviously found the hills to their liking as well, frequently cropping up along the moist draws and chokecherry thickets that created a patchwork among the pines. The first whitey we spotted was a fine five-point buck. Unfortunately, I was so fixated on the idea of a mule deer that by the time I came to appreciate the exceptional opportunity before us, the buck bolted from the edge of a chokecherry patch into a dense stand of ponderosas.

Hunting with a partner or in a group, it’s possible to tag both of the Treasure State’s deer species on a single hunt. Here are a couple areas where it’s possible to encounter both whitetail and mule deer on the same hunt.

Cabinet Mountains - Neither mule nor whitetail deer roam these rugged, heavily forested mountains in western Montana in high numbers. But if you’re a trophy hunter who views Las Vegas as a sister city to Helena, this Rocky Mountain outback holds definite appeal. This is a place to focus upon during the rut, from midNovember until the end of the big game season. Late season is the time when snow is most likely to blanket the evergreens, a plus for spotting deer in cover. A fresh snow also facilitates locating and following an out-sized deer track. If your tracking and stalking skills are better than average, you might find a legitimate trophy buck. But don’t expect to know which species your following until you overtake him. A few seasons ago, the 18 year-old daughter of a friend in Missoula was hunting the Cabinets for whitetails in November with her boyfriend. When they returned to town she was smiling all over. They didn’t find a whitetail, but she dropped a heavy-horned mule deer buck

OCTOBER 2009

on a ridgetop Long Pines - The Long Pines Unit of the Custer National Forest lies in the furthest reach of eastern Montana, right on the South Dakota border. It’s an area of low-lying mountains -- some would say just high hills -- dominated by ponderosa pines, but also home to whispering groves of pale-trunked aspens and rough-barked green ash trees in the draws at lower elevations. Nonresident hunters from the Midwest search for deer in the Long Pines in significant numbers, but it receives modest hunting pressure from residents, due to the fact that it’s just a long way from anywhere.

Over the past couple decades, monster fires have seared portions of the Long Pines, burning thousands of acres of mature ponderosa pines, then returning around a decade later to scorch the regrowth. Thus, some very large sections of largely treeless habitat are interspersed with the areas of forest.

Both mule and whitetail deer roam the Long Pines. The muleys can be found nearly anywhere, especially in the central portion of the hills. Look for whitetails more along the fringes, in the draws on the eastern side that run down toward private land and other niches that have deciduous cover interspersed with the long-needled evergreens that dominate the area. If you hunt the Long Pines, respect private property boundaries and road closures. One fall a few years back, I took a nice mule deer buck from the Long Pines in an area closed to motorized travel.

When I backpacked the meat back to my pickup, I noticed where an OHV had skirted a closed gate and driven up the road. Seasonal road closures are designed to protect deer in areas that could easily be over-hunted due to the open character of the landscape as a result of fires. If you’re looking for off-road vehicle trails, steer your outfit elsewhere.

From the Cabinet Mountains to the Long Pines, there are literally tens of thousands of acres of public and private land on which you can hunt mule and whitetail deer on the same outing. Hunting with a partner, perhaps this is the season that you take the Montana deer double on a single hunt. Even if you don’t isn’t it great to live in a state where you have that option!

OCTOBER 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 39

THE NIKON BDC RETICLE

The patented Nikon BDC reticle has taken the hunting world by storm, offering an incredible advantage for long range shooting. Engineered to allow you to effectively hole “dead-on” at ranges exceeding those previously thought possible, the BDC’s unique ballistic circles take the guesswork out of holdover at longer ranges.

BECAUSE YOU WANT A RETICLE THAT RISES TO THE CHALLENGE. 6320 3-9x40 ProStaff Matte BDC

•Waterproof/Fogproof •Nikon Lifetime Full Warranty •Multicoated optics for up to 90% light transmission •Nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed •Nikon anti-reflective multicoating •Precise, repeatable, 1/4 MOA reticle adjustments

MSR $169.95

6453 4.5-14x40 SF Buckmasters Matte BDC

•Brightvue™ multicoating for up to 92% light transmission •Exceptional scope, incredible price •Guaranteed waterproof, fogproof and shockproof •Hand-turn 1/4-MOA reticle adjustments •Side focus adjustment on long range models •Sunshade adaptable

8411 Monarch 2.5-10x42 Matte BDC •Nikonʼs Patented BDC Reticle •Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof •Ultra ClearCoat® Optical System •Monarch Eye Box Technology •Smooth Zoom Control •Enhanced Mount Ring Spacing •Interchangeable Turret Technology •One-Piece Main Body Tubes •Sunshade Adaptable

MSR $309.95

SPORTING GOODS MONTANA STYLE

MSR $399.95 SHOP ONLINE

Missoula

Bozeman

3015 Paxson St.

3011 Max Ave.

Helena

Butte

Hamilton

3323 Dredge Dr. 1925 Dewey Blvd. 1120 North 1st St.

(406) 728-3220 (406) 586-4381 (406) 443-2138 (406) 494-4452 (406) 363-6204 The trusted name in optics.™

40 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM

OCTOBER 2009

Pheasants Forever

2-GUNS-A-WEEK RAFFLE Brought to you by the Montana Habitat Fund

Total Value Of Prizes ~$70,000

1 GUN FOR EVERY 29 TICKETS! 104 guns in 52 weeks!

Your raffle ticket costs just 48¢ per drawing!

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.

www.montanapf.org

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!