HUNTING & FISHING MONTANA
August 2018
ELK TALK-PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Archery Elk Hunting Primer Working The Glass To Locate More Animals Region 6 Deer Survey
4 Tips for Fishing the Madison in August Missoula’s Clark Fork - Urban Angling At Its Best
Fly Fishing Gear List For South Fork of the Flathead The Key To Successful Shooting... HSM Ammunition Made in Stevensville MT. Available at your local retailer.
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Missoula’s Clark Fork
Urban Angling At Its Best By Randy Kadish
Turah Pool Photo by Brian Olle
I
grew up in a big city, New York to be exact. So, when I was a kid I never thought I’d grow up and become an angler, but an angler I became. I fished for crappie and largemouth bass in the city’s parks. I fished for striped bass in the East and Hudson rivers. But my favorite species to fish for was, and is, trout. I love the challenge of learning and trying to perfect so many techniques for fishing different kind of flies: dries, nymphs, streamers, and soft hackles. So, I had a problem. A big problem. To fish New York’s famous Beaverkill river I had to drive almost three hours. To fish Westchester’s not-so-famous but beautiful West Branch of the Croton I had to travel almost two hours by train and foot.
Despite my problem, I loved city life and decided that when I retired I’d move to a city that had good trout fishing close by, very close by. I moved to Missoula, Montana where the Clark Fork river was almost at my doorstep. A half hour’s drive east or west gave me access to miles and miles of trout fishing. Yes, the river has a long, dark history of being polluted with toxic mining waste. Over a hundred years ago a great flood washed away bridges, rushed through mines, and then buried toxins deep in the Clark Fork’s riverbed. More recently, thanks to the efforts of coalitions, private citizens and government agencies, the river is being brought back to health. True, the river’s recovery has a while to go, but though the Clark Fork averages only 500 trout per river mile, it has the same catch rate as the Montana’s famed Madison River which averages 2,000 trout per river mile. The reason: the Clark Fork has so many access points for the wade and drift-boat angler that the fishing pressure is spread out. When I wade fish I almost always have a picture-postcard beautiful pool to myself.
FISHING THE RIVER IN AND NEAR MISSOULA
Between Turah and Petty Creek the river is 60 to 90 feet wide and a sequence of riffles, fast runs, and deep pools. The trout tend to hold in big pods, so fishing can be hit-or-miss. Depending on the weather and the amount of snowpack, runoff can run from late April to late June. During July and August, cool nights, snowmelt and an infusion of ground water usually keep the river’s temperature below 68 degrees until about 1 p.m. (continued on page 12)
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Deer Hunters: Don’t Give Away Your Power By Josh Lantz
lite deer hunters employ a carefully planned scent-control E regimen to maintain an advantage over a whitetail’s incredible nose. When properly executed, the rewards
include closer shots and more opportunities. Today’s scent-controlling carbon hunting apparel really is a technological marvel, and forms the foundation for almost every successful overall scent-control strategy. But carbon clothing is only as effective as the hunter who wears it. A variety of considerations must be made to maximize its performance and results. Leave out a single step, and you are giving away your power and, ultimately, opportunities. If you’ve experienced inconsistent results with scent-control clothing, you’re doing something wrong. So stop blaming your carbon apparel and start giving it the chance to accomplish what it was designed to do. Follow these ten steps for maximum success. 1. Clean your body An effective scent-control regimen starts at home before the hunt ever begins. Wash your hair and skin thoroughly with fragrance-free hygiene products. This is the first step in combatting the odor-causing bacteria your body produces on a daily basis. These alarming body odors are easily detectable by whitetail deer and other big game, so start each hunt with a “clean slate”. 2. Store carbon clothing properly Carbon clothing is constantly adsorbing odors from its surroundings. To prevent contamination and reserve capacity between hunts, carbon clothing should be stored and transported in an airtight container or ozone storage bag. 3. Wash and spray your hunting packs regularly and store them properly Hunting packs quickly turn into human scent bombs, and are a common culprit in blown hunts. Wash packs frequently in odorless detergent, and store and transport them inside an airtight container. Better yet, destroy odors on your hunting packs by keeping them in an ozone-generating container. Touch-up your hunting pack with Field Spray every time it comes into contact with bare skin or is exposed to ambient odors. 4. Care for your carbon clothing properly Common mistakes relative to the care of carbon hunting apparel include over washing, which can weaken seams and reduce capacity over time, as well as not reactivating garments properly or with enough frequency. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for best results. ScentLok recommends washing their apparel only to remove “mud or blood”. While occasional time in the washing machine on a gentle cycle is okay, it’s best to spot wash carbon apparel by hand. This preserves the life of the fabric, the seams that hold the carbon material in place, and the carbon itself. Reactivating carbon clothing involves the use of heat and agitation to remove trapped odor molecules from the pores of the carbon material, and is critical for maximum odor adsorption. ScentLok recommends reactivating their garments in a household dryer at least once for every 40 hours of field use. For example, if you hunt for four hours a day and return your clothing to airtight storage after each hunt, you won’t need to reactivate for 10 days of hunting. Reactivation is accomplished by cycling carbon clothing in a household dryer on high heat for 40 minutes. Reactivation can also be achieved through the use of an ozone storage bag or tote. However you reactivate, be sure to shake out your clothing after it comes out of the dryer or ozone storage.
Photo Josh Lantz Traditions Media
5. Dress for your hunt in the field, away from your vehicle As stated earlier, carbon clothing is constantly adsorbing odors from its surroundings. To reduce the possibility of contamination by ambient odors, and to reserve the scent-adsorbing capacity of your garments for the hunt, dress in the field and away from your vehicle. 6. Wear tall, rubber or neoprene boots Everyone knows that feet produce a lot of odor, so make sure your boots aren’t letting you down by giving you up. Boots made from leather, Cordura, nylon and other porous materials breathe, meaning they let air and moisture in and out. If air or moisture are escaping, so are odors. Rubber or neoprene boots are non-porous and do a better job of keeping odors contained inside. Hunting socks that help prevent foot odor are another form of “cheap insurance.” 7. Wear your carbon pants over your boots Hunters who tuck their pant legs into their boots—even rubber boots—allow air and odors to escape through the top with every step. Pants should be worn over the boots. This provides 6-10-inches of activated carbon material to adsorb odors that escape from the tops of the boots. 8. Spray the exterior of your boots and hunting accessories with Field Spray before entering the field Hunting boots can pick up and retain ambient odors that are foreign and potentially alarming to deer. The same goes for release aids, rangefinder, binoculars, packs, calls and other hunting accessories. Spray these items down before the hunt and touch them up in the field with Field Spray or Field Wipes. 9. Wear carbon gloves Think about everything you touch from the time you leave your vehicle to hunt to the time you return. Wearing scent-adsorbing carbon gloves is a no-brainer. 10. Wear a carbon head cover with an attached facemask that covers your hair, mouth and nose. Your head is a literal scent bomb of human odor, primarily due to normal respiration and the concentration of oils produced by your hair and skin. You breathe from your mouth or nose, so it’s important to cover those areas with scent-adsorbing material. Full-coverage models that cover the mouth, nose and hair are the best option. If your carbon facemask or head cover does not completely cover your hair, also wear a scent-adsorbing cap.
Hunting & Fishing News | 5
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3 MISTAKES TO AVOID THIS SUMMER
By Alex Comstock Founder of www.whitetaildna.com
s summer starts to get rolling, more and more of you A will be doing whitetail related activities in preparation for the 2018 season, as will I. Depending on your hunting style, summer can be a crucial time of the year, and the outcome of your season could hinge on what you accomplish, and what you don’t screw up. There are ways you can hurt yourself for fall, and it’s important you don’t make these following mistakes. The more you can accomplish and the less mistakes you make, will in turn create more optimal hunting for you in a few months.
1. DON’T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON EARLY SEASON SPOTS Odds are you know where you’ll be
hunting come early season. Early season for some (like myself) is early September, and for some of you, you may hunt a state that doesn’t open until October 1st. Either way, the same thought process will still apply. The more you walk around an area this summer, the more pressure you are going to put on a deer. This is why I’m much less hesitant to hang a stand and go to town cutting lanes in a spot I’m figuring to hunt in November for the rut than I am in an area I think I’ll be hunting the first week of season. In my early season spots, I like to make as minimal amount of trips in there as possible. I’ll probably hang a trail camera in July and then come back and check it and hang a stand in one visit in early August. After that, I’m out until opening day. By checking a camera multiple times, then hanging a stand and cutting shooting lanes, and checking the camera again, you’ll only be educating the deer in the area, and making your life harder come opening day.
If you have a spot you know you’ll be hunting a lot come early season, don’t screw it up before season even starts.
2. WAITING UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT TO GET ALL PREP WORK DONE If you’re not careful, this
is quite the easy mistake to make. There’s a lot that needs to be done in the summer before you even enter the deer woods. I know for me, there’s a solid couple days of work to just go through all of my equipment, organizing it, figuring out what I need for the upcoming season, what I need to replace, and the list could just go on. And then there’s the actual prep work of hanging stands, clearing lanes, hanging trail cameras, etc. and that’s not even including scouting (which we’ll touch on next). The worst thing you can do is wait until the last possible minute to start getting all of this done. This summer, try and get ahead of the game. In the next week or so, I’ll try and pick one or two evenings that I dedicate to all the stuff I need to do at home. This way, when I start hanging cameras, stands, or clearing lanes and trails, I’ll know what I have, what I need, and be ready to get work done. 3. NOT SCOUTING ENOUGH To me, scouting is a year round event. Not just in the winter. Not just in the spring. Not just in the summer or fall. See where I’m going with this? Scouting goals can change throughout the year, but the rule of thumb is you always should be scouting more than you hunt. In the summer, I’m scouting for different things than I am in the spring. In the spring, I was scouting for areas I’ll be hunting in the rut. Locating travel corridors, buck bedding areas, and places I think I’ll be finding myself come late October or November. When it comes to summer scouting, I’m looking to locate food sources. Whether that be in the form of ag, hard mast, or anything else, knowing where the food is will help direct where I hunt the first few weeks of the season. During the summer, I’m also spending a lot of time digitally scouting, and locating a slew of properties to ask permission to hunt. I’m always trying to grow my hunting land portfolio if you will...The next few weeks will consist of me picking multiple properties on a map using OnX Maps and then going out and trying to get permission on those. If I succeed, I’ll then do a walk about on the property, and try to establish food, bedding, potential trail camera/stand sites, and try to get an idea if it will be a early season, rut, or late season property, or even a combination. Put simply, not scouting very much this summer will not help you be successful this fall. CONCLUSION Like I said at the very beginning of this..., summer can be a very important time of the year. Don’t waste any valuable time you do have, and make the most out of the days you are able to prep for fall and get out in the field. September or October will be here before you know it, and the more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be.
When it comes to summer scouting, I’m looking to locate food sources. Whether that be in the form of ag, hard mast, or anything else, knowing where the food is will help direct where I hunt the first few weeks of the season.
Photo: EEI_Tony|depositphotos.com
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into the backcountry with my llamas to chase Ielk,lovebutpacking I also enjoy the year-round planning, scouting, and
preparations that go into elk hunting. I’ve been chasing elk for over 25 years and, each year, the excitement and anticipation never seems to dull. Most of us are busy scratching on calendars, chatting up our wives or significant others, and arranging our work schedules to accommodate for that precious and anticipated time in the mountains. As we work through the process of obtaining elk tags, it’s important to evaluate potential hunt dates. This is especially the case when applying for—and trying to juggle—multiple species in multiple states. The equinox and moon phases both play fundamental parts in the planning of my annual archery elk hunts. As you read this article, keep in mind that there are always exceptions. For me, it is pretty simple. I approach bowhunting for elk as an odds game. My goal is to stack as many odds in my favor as possible. Odds, not only as they relate to the state, harvest and unit statistics, but also the odds of how bull elk might respond to the calling tactics I use during the rut and archery season. I feel if you place yourself among the elk at the right time, you dramatically increase your odds of success.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME? September Elk Hunting Timeline Moon Phase & Equinox
HOW TO CONTACT US: email: huntingfishingnews@yahoo.com or phone
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The entire contents is © 2018, 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, Inc. Nor does this material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. All photo & editorial submissions become the property of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. to use or not use at their discretion. Volume 15 Issue 2 Cover Photo: © Mikael Males | dreamstime.com
Dark New Moon Ideal “vacation” days for an elk hunt
First Quarter Moon Sept 22 Fall Equinox
Full Moon In summary, during the dates of Sept. 10-19, you could easily have the best elk hunting experience of your life!
8 | Hunting & Fishing News
I live in the big sky and big bull state of Montana. This fact equates to a very liberal and long archery season. I’m also incredibly blessed to now have both the time to spend and an understanding wife. This extraordinary combination allows me to chase rutting bulls with my bow in multiple states during the entire month of September and several weeks into October. This was not always the case. Before we moved west to Montana, like most elk hunters, I had a finite number of days I could spend in the mountains. Planning my hunts around the equinox and moon phases allowed me to maximize those precious days and increase the odds. Most experts today agree that cow elk enter their first estrus cycle right around the fall equinox. Thus, the peak of the breeding cycle usually falls within five to 10 days of the fall equinox. In 2018, the fall equinox is on Sept. 22. If you want to get specific, it is at 7:54 p.m. MST. This is a special day in the world of archery elk hunting. Only on that day does the sun rise due east and set exactly due west. The great news about the equinox is that it does not change much from year to year. You can count on it falling on either Sept. 21 or 22 for most of your hunting life. With that date in mind, the best time to insert yourself among the elk is heavily weighted towards the 10 days leading up to the fall equinox—not on the equinox itself. This certainly does not mean there is not good rutting, bugling or even hunting before or after those days. It simply means this is the timeframe when bulls are generally the most vulnerable. Remember that we are playing the odds game!
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goHUNT Contributor, Dave Barnett packing out a Montana bull elk. Photo credit: Josh Volinkaty
1. Very early season Very early in September, possibly even August in some areas, bulls begin to advertise and locate other bulls to establish their dominance. They sense the rut is coming and they are sounding off to let other bulls and cows know they are in the area. In the early days of September, bulls may respond to calls and be quite interested; however, at this time, you often need to be pretty darn close to get a real strong reaction out of them. We had this exact scenario happen on the opening day in Montana. My hunting partner and I hiked several miles and tried locating bugles for most of the day. No response! I know those bulls could hear us bugling, long before we got close, but they remained silent. Late that afternoon, we finally stumbled a little too close for comfort and the game was on. Within just a few minutes, we had multiple bulls bugling and two shot opportunities. Two bulls responded and approached quickly with reckless abandon, but we heard nothing from those bulls until we were right on top of them! In those early rut days, the bulls seem to be interested in who is in the area, but less keen—even resistant—to responding or coming in from longer distances. The other problem during the early days is that younger, less mature bulls often come in silent, making them harder to anticipate. (continued on page 32)
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5 THINGS THAT SCREW UP AN ANTELOPE STALK By CJ Davis Montana Decoy www.montanadecoy.com
Photo: Twildlife| depositphotos.com
W successfully stalking a rutting antelope with a decoy looks easy.
hen you watch the first video below, (for digital readers)
https://www.montanadecoy.com/news/5-things-that-screw-up-an-antelope-stalk
However, what that clip doesn’t show is the previous attempts that resulted in utter failure. The likely pitfalls that will spoil an antelope stalk are sometimes not so apparent, but through trial and tribulation we can at least try to overcome them. Whistleblowing Does When an antelope buck is surrounded by a bunch of does, getting close becomes infinitely harder. There are simply too many eyeballs to fool. Your goal is to successfully stalk between the herd buck and his harem without being busted. This may take some patience and practice. https://www.montanadecoy.com/news/5-things-that-screw-up-an-antelope-stalk
In the clip above, (for digital readers) the terrain was not suited to monitor the antelope herd. But if you can get to a good vantage point, observe the buck’s behavior as you come up with a plan. Is the dominant buck chasing inferiors away? Is he trying to keep the does together? A bowhunter’s best opportunity to get into position will be when the buck temporarily leaves the does. If he travels out of sight, get your bow and decoy ready, then set up on the path you assume he will walk back on. Swirling Winds It’s a myth that you only have to beat an antelope’s eyes. While they may not use their noses like a deer or elk, the whole herd will be gone in a flash if they smell you. Keep the wind in your face when stalking. That’s a given, but winds swirl in goat country. Practicing methodical scent control with the proper clothing and scent-killing sprays while also using a cover scent may only momentarily confuse a buck rather than send him into alarm if the wind hits your back. No Cover Sometimes there is just no way to sneak in close when the landscape is so open. The Big Red Moo Cow decoy serves as a fantastic piece of cover to get close if you are hunting near cattle. That said, don’t force a stalk if there’s no chance. You are better off moving to greener pastures for another opportunity. Using the Wrong Decoy Hindsight is 20/20, but we bet if Montana Decoy founder Jerry McPherson had that stalk in https://www.montanadecoy.com/news/5-things-that-screw-up-an-antelope-stalk
the video above (for digital readers) to do over, he would opt to use a doe decoy. As luck would have it, the doe decoy was in the truck. The rule-of-thumb is to use a buck decoy on a dominant herd buck and a doe decoy on satellite bucks. Montana decoys are so packable and light, there’s no reason not to have one with you at all times. Flashing the Decoy at the Wrong Time We’ve seen Montana Decoy antelope decoys attract bucks from over 400 yards. However, try to get within 100 yards to bring out the dominant traits in an old buck. Also, make sure you’re ready to take a shot. Nock an arrow, range any landmarks so you can choose the right pin and then flash the decoy. When a buck is barreling your way at 55 mph, you’ll be glad you did. There are a lot of obstacles and challenges to overcome during an antelope hunt...When you do everything right and get into bow range of an antelope buck, the frustration fades and you know it was worth the trials.
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Missoula’s Clark Fork
Urban Angling At Its Best (continued from page 4)
The largest population of trout are Browns, followed by Rainbows, then Cutthroats and, finally, the endangered Bulls. The river also has a large population of Whitefish.
Check Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks website for the annual fishing regulations. FISHING ACCESS FROM EAST TO WEST
Turah: A moderately fast pool. From Interstate 90, take the Turah exit, and follow the signs to the fishing access. Downstream of the parking area, along the south bank, is a deep, trout-holding pool. Unless the water level is high, the best way to fish this pool is from the north bank. Sha Ron: A wide, slow pool. From Interstate 90, take the East Missoula exit and follow route 200 to the access. I prefer to fish the river from the north bank: to do this, park along Deer Creek Road, walk back to the bridge, and follow the short path to the river. Easy Street: A wide, slow pool. From East Broadway, turn right onto Easy Street and park. Walk down the wooden steps to the river. Additional access is further east on Easy Street. The Kim Williams Trail: A shallow, gently riffled pool. Walk about a ¼ mile east of the football stadium and follow the path to the river. During the week, park on East Front Street and walk over the Van Buren Street pedestrian bridge. On weekends and after 5 p.m., park in the university parking lot.
Jacobs Riis Park: A shallow, gently riffled pool. Some anglers prefer to fish the faster water near the east end of the park. Parking is the same as it is for the Kim Williams Trail. The Double Tree Hotel: A fast, deep pool. Park on East Front Street, then walk to the front of the hotel. This is probably the most popular nymphing pool in or near Missoula. The Downtown Holiday Inn: A slow, wide pool. Park on Pattee Street. Behind the Osprey Baseball Stadium: A moderately fast pool. Park in the parking area near Wyoming Street. Mullan Heights: A deep, moderately-fast pool that slows into a long, riffled run. Drive to the wide driveway at 2025 Mullan Road (just west of the funeral home). Park on the right side of the driveway. Alongside the bank is a short path to the head of the pool. This pool, unattractive by Montana standards, holds a lot of fish and gets very little pressure. Spurgin Road: A fast, deep pool. From Spurgin Road turn into the parking area. Wade across the small slew and walk upstream along the bank. This pool looks better than it fishes, but I love its ease of access. Kelly Island: Several long fast and slow channels. Follow the signs from Mullan Road. The last stretch of the road is full of big holes, so a 4x4 is recommended. Walk across the small footbridge, then the slew, and you will find yourself on a footpath. To fish faster water, follow the path to the left. To fish slower, dry-fly water, follow the path straight ahead. (Note: You cannot float a drift boat through the channels of Kelly Island.) Kona Bridge: A wide, slow pool. From Mullan Road turn onto Kona Branch Road. Cross the bridge and turn into the parking area. This side of the river is very deep, so you will be limited to casting from or near the bank. The north side of the river is very shallow, so I like to park on the north side of the bridge, walk down the bank, and then wade far out. Harper’s Bridge: A deep, moderately fast pool that slows down into a long, shallow run. Follow the signs from Mullan Road. If the river isn’t too high, I like to hike downstream, past the bend. Petty Creek: A wide, slow pool. From Interstate 90 take the Petty Creek exit and follow the signs. Walk across the small tributary and head downstream. Just Upstream of Petty Creek: A fast, wide pool that funnels into a fast, riffled run. Take the Petty Creek exit, make the first left turn, and drive a few hundred yards to a small parking area.
Clark Fork Mullan Heights Pool
Photo courtesy Randy Kadish
12 | Hunting & Fishing News
WHAT TO BRING: A 9-foot,
fast-action 5- or 6-weight fly rod and/or a switch or long spey rod. Montana is known for sudden weather changes. During spring and autumn days the temperature can go from the mid-forties to the high seventies. I recommend bringing insulated base layers, a packable rain jacket, and sunscreen. Felt soles and wet Photo courtesy Randy Kadish wading are permitted. A WORD OF CAUTION: Water flows on western rivers can be faster than they look. Wading upstream in shallow water can be extremely difficult; so, before I wade into an unfamiliar pool I always check for an easy exit point, and I always take a wading stick.
SOME MAJOR HATCHES:
February to December, Midges #18-20. February through April, Little Brown Stonefly #14-18 and Skwala #8-12. March to May and August to November, Blue-Winged Olive #16-20. Mid-May to Mid-July, Western March Brown #12-14. March through May, Mother’s Day Caddis #12-16. Mid-April to mid-June, Spotted Sedge #12. May to August, Salmon Fly #4-8. June through September, Pale Morning Dun #14-18. Mid-June to mid-July, Yellow Sally #14-18. Late-August to September, Western Green Drake #8-12. June to September, Golden Stonefly #6-12. August to September, Brown Sedge #12-16. September through October, Mahogany Dun #14-18, and Trico #18-20. September to late-November, October Caddis #6-10...
RECIPE CORNER Grilled Orange and Herb Trout a 12 gauge girl Lindsey Bartosh www.huntingandcooking.com
Ingredients: 8 trout fillets 2 oranges 8 springs tarragon 8 springs dill 8 springs parsley salt and pepper Instructions: Photo a 12 Gauge Girl Lindsey Bartosh
After cleaning trout fillets, salt and pepper to taste. Thinly slice oranges and place in single layer on one fish fillet. Top orange slices with sprigs of parsley, tarragon, and dill. Top with second fish fillet and tie with kitchen twine. Place fillets in grill basket and set on pre-heated medium high grill. Close grill lid and allow fish to cook for seven minutes. Flip basket and let fish cook additional seven minutes. Serve with extra slices of orange and enjoy!
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Hunting & Fishing News | 13
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August wade fishing on the Upper Madison. Photo Montana Angler
4 TIPS FOR FISHING THE MADISON RIVER IN AUGUST By Montana Angler
For a guided fly fishing trip call 406-522-9854 or www.montanaangler.com ugust is an extremely popular time to visit and flyfish the Madison River. The Madison can fish well during all 12 months of the year, and each month sees a different set of challenges for fishermen to solve. During August, those challenges can include warm, sunny weather, fishing pressure, and in years of lean snowpack, low water. Fortunately, these are all things that anglers can overcome and have some great days out on the river. One of the things that I enjoy most about fishing the Madison, as well as fishing in general, is the dynamic nature of the sport. You can’t fish the same way in January as you did in June and expect optimal results. The ever changing conditions on the river and chess match between angler and trout is what keeps me coming back to the river day after day, year after year. Let’s take a look at some things that you can do to maximize your success on the Madison during August.
A
14 | Hunting & Fishing News
Tip #1: Get On The Water Early As a guide, one of the challenges I face during late summer is convincing my guests that it is in fact worth it to wake up at 5 AM on their vacation in order to be the first boat on the water. While this is a bit of an exaggeration, it is very important to try and get out on the water early in the day during August for two reasons: Water temperature and fishing pressure. As cold blooded creatures, a trout’s metabolism Float fishing at Ruby Rocks is directly tied to water Photo Montana Angler temperatures. Their metabolism is thought to be at its peak somewhere in the mid 50 degree range. On many days during the year, the water temperature is never in the mid 50’s, so trout tend to feed most actively during the time of day when water temps are closest to the optimal range. During winter and spring, this occurs during the heat of the day when water temps creep up into the 40’s. During late summer, this will be in the morning when water temperatures are at their lowest point, usually around 60 degrees on the Madison River. This isn’t to say that you can’t catch fish in the afternoon, but morning fishing is almost always more productive. I usually suggest to my guests that we try to hit the water early and eat a late lunch, ensuring that we have our flies in the water when feeding is at its peak. The other reason to get up early is tied to fishing pressure on the river. The Madison is a world renowned fishery, and can get pretty busy in August. It is, however, what many refer to as “Montana Crowded”, meaning that it is still nowhere near as crowded as many streams on the East Coast or close to major metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to be the first to fish a particular stretch of water. The simple fact is that the more flies a fish sees and the more boats that pass overhead, the more wary that fish is likely to be. Wary doesn’t mean impossible to catch, but I like to tilt the odds in my favor as much as possible. Tip #2: Fish Streamers When most anglers think of streamer fishing, they think of the gray, drizzly days of fall or the “Green is Good” conditions of spring. However, late summer presents a great opportunity to fish streamers on the Madison. The reason for this is that the aquatic insect population available for fish to feed on is at a very low level, so trout turn to other sources for food. During June and July, there are a tremendous amount of Stoneflies, Caddis, and Mayflies hatching and present in the river. The trout are able to gorge on an endless buffet of nymphs underwater, so there is little need or urgency to chase small fish around for a meal. While there are Caddis and Stonefly nymphs in the river year round, they are much fewer in number and less accessible during August, so fish are forced to look for other sources of food. One such source is terrestrial insects, and many anglers enjoy casting hoppers and ants during this time period. The other obvious choice is small fish, and here is where streamers come into play. As the hatches of early summer wane, streamers become one of my go to strategies. While I thoroughly enjoy stripping streamers on a sinking line, I typically fish streamers on the Madison as part of a standard nymphing rig. The current on the Madison is fast
and turbulent enough to impart plenty of action on your fly when presented in a dead-drift manner. I use a strike indicator and the same leader I would when nymphing. I will also drop a small beadhead nymph as a dropper off my streamer in the same manner that you would set up a double nymph rig. The entire presentation is exactly the same as when nymphing, I’m simply letting the current and fly do all the work instead of actively imparting action onto the fly. Because of this, I like to choose fly patterns with a bunny fur tail that has plenty of undulation in the water. The Madison has a robust population of Sculpins, so I usually choose patterns that mimic these small fish. As members of the Darter family, sculpins have wide, flat heads with very prominent pectoral fins, so look for patterns with a bulky profile up front that will push around a lot of water. Tip #3: Downsize Your Tackle One of the interesting aspects of the Madison is that although it looks like a freestone stream, it is actually a tailwater. It is a sort of a hybrid fishery in that it retains some characteristics of both types of fisheries. It’s large stonefly population resembles a freestone, as you are not going to be throwing a big #4 Girdle Bug out on the Missouri or Bighorn. It also lacks the scud and sowbug population found in many tailwaters. It does, however, have very clear water, abundant small aquatic life, and at times, picky fish. I feel that often times anglers ignore the tailwater factor on the Madison and do not employ the light tippets and small flies common on other Montana tailwaters. While this isn’t a big deal in June or July, as fishing pressure increases, water levels drop, and hatches wane during late summer, it becomes important. During August, I often employ 4x and 5x tippet and choose nymphs in the #16 to #20 range. My nymphing rig this time of year epitomizes the hybrid nature of the river, as it is often a big #4 Sculpin trailed by a tiny #18 Lightning Bug or other midge/mayfly imitation.
The one caveat to understand about this concept is that the further upstream you go towards Quake Lake, the more the river behaves as a tailwater and vice versa. Up around the Slide and Lyons Bridge, the river demands finer tippet and smaller flies. The river here has a higher fish population, more pressure, and a greater food base. Downstream towards Varney Bridge and Ennis, the river changes character with frequent braids, islands, and willow lined banks. Here the river fishes more like a freestone, and you can usually get away with heavier tippet and larger flies than you would fish upstream. However, it’s still a good idea to dial things back a bit in August after the fish have seen so many flies throughout the summer. (continued on page 23)
August Rainbow taken on an Ant pattern Photo Montana Angler
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Hunting & Fishing News | 15
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Trolling crankbaits using the bow mount trolling motor in conjunction with heavy four to five ounce snap weights is a deadly tactic for incredible boat control while trolling deep structure.
istorically, trolling structure come mid-summer was H “big picture thinking” in that we chose long contours and consistent break lines where we could put lures behind
the boat and go. Because of the amount of line behind the boat, we needed room to work for trolling to be effective. Large flats and or a long consistent contour line was a perfect candidate for trolling crankbaits. Big spots were perfect for trolling along with situations whenever fish were scattered or suspended. Over the past few years however, I find myself trolling small tight locations that I would never have dared before by using the bow mount trolling motor in conjunction with heavy snap weights that fish below the boat down into water as deep as forty feet. Don’t have a name for it… Don’t know what other people are calling it but I can tell you that this trolling system is deadly effective and is changing the way I fish deep structure come mid-summer. Trolling strategies come midsummer continue to evolve in part because of the advancements in GPS mapping. Better contour maps and faster processors enable more precise boat control. I started running the Garmin GPS Map 7410 this season which has an incredibly fast plotter. Regardless of what unit you run, a nice feature for fishing a specific feature on a piece of structure is the color option that allows you to highlight a specific depth range. This in conjunction with using the bow mount trolling motor to pull the boat versus pushing from the rear with a kicker motor allows the boat to turn sharper where all you essentially have to do is trace the contour by watching your plotter. Pulling the boat versus pushing the boat allows you to turn the boat sharp and follow extremely tight contours at faster speeds. Regardless of how good of boat control you have however, if there is a lot of line behind the boat whether you are long lining deep diving crankbaits or using lead core, the lures are way behind the boat and don’t necessarily take the same path that the boat takes. The heavy snap weight system allows you to put the lures right below the boat so that the lures stick right to the contour as you trace it. The key for this system to work extremely well is to use enough weight. I will often use five to six-ounce snap weights. The whole system is fast in that I can get a couple of rods out into twenty-five feet of water as an example in a mere handful of seconds whereas letting out lead core would take several seconds.
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On most inland water where there aren’t any zebra mussels, the lead between the lure and the snap weight only needs to be a rod length which speeds up the set-up time even more dramatically. When you can get away with the shorter lead, a simple fixed option like a three-way swivel can be used in conjunction with a large crank bait snap where one end of the snap is attached to the weight and the other end is attached to the three-way swivel. (continued on page 22)
Montana 2018-19 Waterfowl And ‘Webless’ Migratory Bird Regulations Released MFWP
Waterfowl and webless migratory bird regulations are already complete for the 2018-19 hunting seasons. With all of the water and ducks across Montana this summer, there are signs that it could be an interesting and productive waterfowl season for Montana hunters. Montana’s migratory bird regulations, set within the federal frameworks, will be very similar to last year. The regulations are online at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations... Sandhill Crane, Mourning Dove and Snipe (webless migratory bird) regulations Mourning dove season dates will be unchanged, Sept. 1 - Oct. 30, with the same bag limits as last year, while snipe season will be Sept. 1 - Dec. 16. For sandhill cranes, the over-the-counter permit season in the Central Flyway (CF) will be Sept. 29 – Nov. 25. For crane seasons regulated under special drawing permits, season dates in these six hunting areas will be Sept. 1 – Oct. 28, with the season a few days earlier and also longer than last year. The application deadline for the special crane hunting permits was July 26... Waterfowl regulations The hunting seasons for ducks, geese, swans, and coots have been set as well, for both the Pacific Flyway (PF) portion of the state (roughly the western half) and the CF portion (the eastern half). Regulations will be similar to last year, but one important change is that the daily pintail bag will be increased from 1 to 2. Two CF zones for ducks and geese will provide a variety of hunting opportunities. In the PF a split season for both ducks and geese, with dates of Sept. 29 - January 6 and January 12-16, will allow an additional weekend of hunting. (Note that scaup season ends earlier.) PF swan season dates, for those areas open to swan hunting, will be Oct. 6 – Dec. 1. In the CF, for Zone 2 (Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure, and Yellowstone Counties), duck season dates will be Sept. 29 - Oct. 7 and Oct. 20 – Jan. 15, with goose season dates Sept. 29 – Oct. 7 and Oct. 20 – Jan. 23. Zone 1 (the remainder of the CF) will have a duck season Sept. 29 – Jan. 3 and goose season dates of Sept. 29 - Jan. 6 and Jan. 12-16. The CF tundra swan season will be Sept. 29 – Jan. 3. Other than the increased pintail daily bag, duck and goose bag limits in both the PF and CF will be identical to last season, with restrictions on some species and sexes, and with a possession limit of three times the daily bag. In the CF, a “bonus teal” bag will allow two additional blue-winged teal in the daily bag for the first nine days of the season, Sept. 29 – Oct. 7. The application deadline for a swan permit for both the CF and PF is Aug. 30. Check the regulations for application details. Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt Youth 10 to 15 years old may participate in a special statewide two-day early hunt for waterfowl September 22-23. This is a great time to get the kids out, when they’re the only ones who can shoot, as well as giving your retriever a tune-up prior to the regular season. Consult the regulations for details. Waterfowl Outlook Record or near-record duck numbers the last two years meant that a lot of ducks returned to breed this spring. Some major duck production areas in southern Alberta have excellent water conditions this spring, while Saskatchewan is more variable, with some areas good, and others fairly dry. Ducks found excellent water conditions in Montana this spring, the best in several years, and there will be a lot of ducks produced in Montana this year...
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HORSEBACK HUNT Photo Lazy J Bar O Outfitters
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unting from horseback presents a unique footwear challenge. You require a quality riding boot to sit in the stirrups but H also need something comfortable for hard hikes. The best option depends on your hunt, needs and comfort level in the boots themselves.
Here are a few things to consider for your next horseback hunt.
Hunting In Riding Boots Some cowboys live in their boots and have no problem hunting in them as well. Personally, I can’t stand walking around in cowboy boots. The heels and slick bottoms are less than ideal for traction and comfort on the ground. Riding boots are essential for safety as the heels catch the stirrups and the slick bottoms pull away from the Kenetrek Cowboy Pac stirrups easily. That said, most hunting boots will work fine in the stirrups and are much more useful on the ground. In most situations, don’t plan on hunting in riding boots. Advantages and Disadvantages of Crossover Boots There are a few crossover boot models that work well. The Kenetrek Cowboy Pac is a popular choice for bridging the riding/hiking divide. The boot has recessed traction so it slips from stirrups but also grips the ground. The Cowboy Pac and most crossover boots have some sacrifice on both ends. The grip is nothing compared to hunting boots designed for aggressive hiking. The boots are also heavy and better suited to shorter hikes. High supports reach well above the ankle and provide great support but very little ankle flexibility. If your hunts involve walking less than a mile or two each day, crossovers are a good option. Any rigorous hiking is typically hindered by these boots unless you are very accustomed to wearing them in an active state. When Two Pair of Boots Makes Sense If you’re getting in the saddle every day of a hunt, there’s no sense in bringing a separate pair of riding boots. It would be crazy to change boots every time you hop off the horse. However, bringing two pair of boots might make sense if you have a long ride into a base camp, and then plan to hunt from there. You could wear a dedicated riding boot into base camp, and then wear your hunting boots for the duration of the hunt. In summary, most hunters will be comfortable wearing their hunting boots throughout a horseback hunt. Hunting boots may not be perfect when you’re in the stirrups, but they will be much more useful on the ground. For information on fishing or hunting with Lazy J Bar O Outfitters call 406-932-5687 or 406-350-1880 or visit www.lazyjbaro.com
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Hunting & Fishing News | 19
Say Hello To Success: Where to Chase the Fish This Month Brought to you by
© Haveseen | Dreamstime.com
s we roll into the heart of the summer fishing season, A you can expect the rivers and streams in Montana to calm way down after a lot of water flowing through river
channels this year and blowing out most of the rivers here. These same rivers should be primed now for some excellent top of the water fishing. Summertime fishing offers up anglers a chance to fish for some of Montana’s biggest fish. Deep running walleye, weed-seeking northern pike, big bruiser brown trout and feisty smallmouth bass will all be fishing well as we close out the summer. You will want to get out early and stay out as late as you can on the water for the best fishing hours now. Camping and fishing is a fun way to spend quality time outdoors, and it gets no better than here in Montana. Here are a few of our favorite spots where you can set up camp for a few days and enjoy some exceptional fishing. Little Blackfoot River: You can fish all day with hatch-matching mayflies or caddisflies, but if you want to target larger brown trout in the Upper Clark Fork River and it’s productive tributary, the Little Blackfoot River, tie on a grasshopper imitation and pound the banks. Fishing tactics: Find seams that are deep enough to hold quality trout that run along grassy sections of shoreline and undercut banks. A drag-free drift is essential, especially on windy days. You can often coax a strike by skipping your pattern across the surface. A parachute hopper can be most effective on these warmer, windy days. Small spinners will also pick up trout in rainbow and brown trout colors. Try fishing Mepp’s or Rapalas in the deeper holes right at dusk. The lower part of the river holds browns, some of which can go 16 to 18 inches. The Little Blackfoot is productive all the way upstream past Elliston, where it enters the Helena National Forest. Seeley and Salmon Lakes: While these lakes are definitely not at their prime during the heat of summer, they shouldn’t be overlooked. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are still here and they still need to eat. Early morning is the best chance to catch good numbers of fish. Get on the water before the sun has a chance to warm things up in their shallow water haunts while they are trying to ambush baitfish. Fishing tactics: The standards such as Husky Jerks, spinnerbaits, and weedless spoons are all good choices.
Madison River near West Yellowstone
Fish the shallow water along weeded shorelines early or late in the evening. A fly rod can be effective here with a sink tip line and a big, ugly fly. Kootenai River: The Kootenai is a fishery that is worth fishing as the summer heats up. Wading and floating are both good options on the river. Fishing tactics: August is a good time to throw hoppers on this river for hard fighting resident rainbows. These larger than average meals bring some of the rivers biggest residents out of hiding. A bullet head hopper with a nymph dropper is a good combo along with caddis and mayfly patterns. Small spinning gear in the slower moving water holes will pick up big fish as well. MONTANA PRE-SPAWN BROWN TROUT RIVERS: Trout anglers have a lot to look forward to in August. The Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, and the Marias Rivers will all start to see plenty of hard-hitting action for pre-spawn brown trout here in Montana. Madison River: The upper Madison from McAtee to Varney on Hwy. 287 will be fishing well as long as the water temps stay down. Hopper fishing and nymphs will catch big browns holing up on the banks or hanging behind the normal eddies. Bighorn River: For the best fishing right now on the Bighorn, fish early morning and late evening from the FAS at Two Leggins, located 6.5 miles south of Hardin to Yellowtail Dam Afterbay. Fishing tactics: Floating a nymph below a strike indicator, twitching a muted-pattern Rapala for big fish, and spoons and spinners in deeper runs or when you fish the Bighorn at night for both rainbows and big brown trout. Marias River: The best trout fishing will be found in the first 10 miles or so below Tiber Dam. Below the dam, large brown trout can be found in fair numbers, averaging over 3 pounds and with some fish approaching 10 pounds. Flies of choice include: Minnow imitations and not surprisingly, the river runs through prime hopper country, especially now in mid-summer. Panther Martins can also pick up large browns in the deeper pools of the river. The Marias turns into a warm water fishery about 12 miles below Tiber Dam. While some large brown trout can still
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be found, anglers will start catching walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and even a catfish or shovelnose sturgeon in these stretches of the river. The best access is at the Loma Bridge FAS, 10 miles north of Fort Benton off of Hwy. 87.
3 Hopper Tips for Summer and Early Fall Trout
Grasshopper imitations draw exciting action and provide excellent opportunities to catch big brown trout from Rocky Mountain streams during the fall. Here’s how to ignite the best bites with hopper flies. Twitch and pause - Don’t just dead drift a grasshopper fly. Dance it on top with short, sharp strips to imitate a disoriented insect and then let the fly drift. Read the bank - Trout learn the areas where terrestrial insects tend to find themselves afloat. Search for high grass on the bank and consider wind direction and current lanes to figure out where the trout are apt to be lined up to watch for a floating buffet. Trail an ant - Double up your offerings and appeal to fish that aren’t necessarily looking up by trailing a buoy-ant hopper with a small wet ant pattern, and watch your hopper like a strike indicator for any unusual bobs or weaves.
Eastern Montana
Fresno Reservoir: Walleye
The whole lake will be fishing good for walleye as we head into the heat of summer. Most fish will come from 20 to 25 feet of water. The key is to find schools of bait fish. Fishing tactics: Bottom-bouncing a spinner and crawler combo during the early part of the day or running crankbaits in the evenings has proven most effective, as area anglers have yielded walleye mostly in the 1-1/2 to 5 lb. range. Vertical jigging in weedy areas is not a bad bet either.
Nelson Reservoir: Walleye
The mosquitoes are out in force, but so are the walleye right now on Nelson. Fishing tactics: Crankbaiting silver/black and silver Rapalas trolled in around 10 to 15 feet of water around the lake shore should prove effective. Your number two option should be bottom-bouncing with a worm harness.
Lower Yellowstone River
Look for good smallmouth bass fishing on the Lower Yellowstone River. Most of the smallmouth bass here are caught where the mouth of the Tongue River goes into the Yellowstone west of Miles City. Fishing tactics: Jigs and minnows, Rapalas or a fly rod will take smallmouth bass during the summer. Focus your fishing near rocky structures for bass trying to stay cool during the summer heat. Fishing after dark or early in the morning is key. Topwater buzz-baits can also be effective on the bass right now.
CLEARWATER IDAHO
Steelhead runs - The early season A-run steelhead from the Clearwater River are joined by the Grand Ronde, Snake and Salmon runs. Most of the action will be the first 2 or 3 miles of the Clearwater near Lewiston. Access to the river is easy for shore anglers. Fishing tactics: Bright colors on dark days and dark colors on sunny, bright days. One of the best rigs is a 10 lb. test with 8 lb. test leader, 5 feet long, 3/16 solid core lead (1-1/2 to 2 inches), to a size 12 or 14 chartreuse or red Corky above a No. 2 barbless hook. As the summer days shift into fall the bigger fish will start to set in on these systems.
2018 FALL MACK DAYS
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Tuesday through Sunday: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are for the contests, bonus amounts, and tagged fish. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be for bonus amounts and tagged fish only. (1)-$10,000 & (3) $5,000 & (5) $1000 + over 6,000 $100 to $500 tagged lake trout Top ten angler prizes - pick your best 15/24-days count on Friday through Sunday Captains $250-(4 prizes) Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes) Largest lake trout $500 Top lady anglers $300, $200, $100-$100-totals used Youth anglers (17-13) 1st-$200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 Fri - Sat Weekend Prize 5@$100 per weekend Golden Angler Award (70 & older) $200 & $100-totals used Bucket Days (3 days of single/team heaviest 4 fish 10/5 Friday, 10/20 Saturday, 11/4 Sunday) Last Day $200, $150, $100 PLUS heaviest Mack under 30” - 1st $200, 2nd $100 All anglers who enter 11 or more Lake Trout qualify for bonuses. The higher your total, the higher your bonus category. Every day counts: Tues-Sun (45 total days). See www.mackdays.com for complete rules For boat inspection rules visit www.mackdays.com
Fish Fry for participants & families November 11th at Blue Bay 3:00 Awards Ceremony at 4:00 Entry forms will not be mailed out.
Enter online at www.mackdays.com
or pick up entries at local sporting good stores or you can enter when you check in your fish at the check in stations during Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins. We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $13 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.
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STRUCTURE TROLLING REFINED (continued from page 16)
When the water is extremely clear or where there are zebra mussels, it seems like the fish dictate that you have a longer lead and mono-filament is often necessary.
Photo Jason Mitchell
Mille Lacs is an interesting case study in that I used to run a braided leader behind my lead core but now I catch more fish by running a longer mono leader.
The entire snap weight structure program is simple. Drop down until you hit the bottom and crank up line until you can feel the crankbait vibrating. If you are marking fish higher off the bottom, simply crank up the weight higher off the bottom. The lure essentially runs about the same depth as the snap weight when using the shorter lead. The advantage of this system is that you can fish through locations fast and turn around faster after you find fish.
We often find ourselves just doing a figure 8 over a school of fish where we can go over the fish and immediately turn back around to go through them again. Irregular contours can be followed extremely effectively and because the setup time is so fast, anglers can troll much smaller and tighter locations. Whereas a traditional trolling speed might range around two miles per hour, what I find with the snap weights is that a slightly slower trolling speed can be extremely effective where I often move at about a mile and a half an hour but what happens is that the lures speed up and stall with every turn. Because you don’t have a prop turning at the back of the boat and because of the sharp angle the line takes below the boat, we can run rods off the bow of the boat and out the back of the boat when we run four lines, much like how you would run bottom bouncers and spinners when trolling with the bow mount. If you do have to troll against the waves or across the waves where the bow mount struggles to hold, you can also use the kicker motor for forward propulsion and simply steer with the bow mount but I often find that under most conditions, I can pull the boat for a long amount of time at a mile and a half an hour with most twenty-four and thirty-six volt trolling motors. Where this system has been productive for me is deep rock structure when the fish will tightly hold on one specific ledge or depth range. Following the sharp edges of reefs or deep primary points is simple and fast. Equally effective on both reservoirs and natural lakes, the simplicity and efficiency of this trolling system can enable you to catch more walleye this season.
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August in the Madison Valley. Photo Montana Angler
4 TIPS FOR FISHING THE MADISON RIVER IN AUGUST (continued from page 15)
Tip #4: Revamp Your Fly Selection As discussed above in the Streamers section, the aquatic food base available to the trout diminishes significantly during late summer. While fishing with streamers is one specific response to this occurrence, it should dictate your overall fly selection strategy as well. For the dry fly angler, terrestrial insects should be your go to. When most fly anglers hear “terrestrials” they immediately think of hoppers, and indeed you can have some good hopper fishing on the Madison at times. However, fishing with smaller terrestrials, especially ants, can often be more productive. The trout see an enormous amount of hopper imitations each season, so they tend to be a bit more suspicious. Hatches of flying ants can also occur during August, and the fish can get really keyed in on these bugs. I will often employ a double dry rig with a hopper as my lead fly and an ant as the dropper. The larger hopper pattern acts as an indicator of sorts as it helps you to see your ant, and you just never know when a big brown will appear out of the depths and crush your hopper. A sleeper terrestrial hatch to look for in early August is the spruce moth. Look for the moths to hatch in the mornings up around Lyons Bridge where the river is lined with evergreen trees. You can match this hatch with a caddis pattern, but I prefer a more specific spruce moth pattern and there are many variations available at local fly shops. For the nymph fisherman, there are two ways to look at things during August. One strategy is to choose small, bright, attractor style nymphs that don’t imitate one specific bug but are designed to get the fish’s attention. Examples of this would be a Lightning Bug, Copper John, or Rainbow Warrior. The other strategy is to imitate the food that is in the river year round. Due to the life cycles of the species, there are always caddis larva and stonefly nymphs in the river. While trout will not be keyed in on either bug the way they are when the big hatches are going off, they are accustomed to feeding on caddis and stoneflies throughout the year. Every day can be different, so my normal nymphing program during August will include a variety of flies in each category in order to figure out what is working best on that particular stretch of river.
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In addition to providing ďŹ nancial support to habitat projects in Montana, the Mule Deer Foundation provides volunteer support for habitat work around the state. Most recently, MDF volunteers from around SW Montana converged on the Robb Ledford Wildlife Management Area to help remove conifers that were encroaching on sagebrush
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grassland areas that provide important year-round forage for mule deer, elk, and antelope. If you would like to get your hands dirty and help MDF protect and enhance important wildlife habitat in Montana, please email MDF Regional Director, Chad Klinkenborg, at chad@muledeer.org.
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By Zach Lazzari
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A re you shooting your bow, sighting in rifles, hitting the trails and doing pre-season scouting trips for elk season?
What about practicing your calls? Jumping into a heated call situation while being rusty is frustrating. Put some time in at home to work through cadence and elk calling scenarios before the season opens and the rut takes hold. Calling Resources Everyone has some style difference and preferences for calling. Take advantage of any video and audio resource and study until you find what really works best for you. Many folks prefer aggressive calling while others stick to the cow calls with very little bugling. Study the pros and develop a plan of attack. Testing different styles will help you gain confidence as you practice the cadences and calls at home. Know Your Area Your calling style is often dependent on the hunt area. High-pressure areas have call shy bulls and you should
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shift the focus from bugling to cow calls and making a quiet approach. Even consider hunting away from the noise in these areas. Lightly pressured areas have more opportunity to bugle and talk to elk rather than other hunters. Do some statistical research on herd sizes and the number of tags allotted to your hunt area. Play the Geography The landscape should play a major role in your calling strategy. Pay attention to areas of opportunity during your pre-season scouting efforts. The rut is taxing so look for water sources and wallows that offer a place to cool down and eat. You can call bulls into the water sources with bull or cow calls. Calling in thick timber on north facing slopes is also a good approach. Hike out the slopes and look for ambush points and hidden funnels. Sometimes you have to simply walk these slopes to find the position. Mark the area, sneak back in during the rut and call from a solid shooting position. Plan Locator Bugles Do the actual call practice at home but do your map work and scouting to strategically use locate bugles. Look for ridges and divides that can dump you into multiple drainages. Use the calls from the high ground and wait for responses to dictate the direction you will travel. Having a strong locator and a good sense of direction will make a huge difference on your next elk hunt. At Lazy J Bar O Outfitters, they offer high-adventure and high-success guided elk hunts in some of Montana’s most remote and rugged country. They hunt bull elk in the rut during archery season in Southwest Montanta. And they offer trips into the famed Bob Marshall Wilderness to hunt rutting elk in September with a rifle. For details and availability, contact them online at www.lazyjbaro.com or call 406-932-5687.
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FLY FISHING GEAR LIST FOR SOUTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD By Zach Lazzari www.lazyjbaro.com
ear is limited on wilderness fly fishing G trips, regardless of how you reach the river. Horses, planes and backpacks all
come with limitations on weight and size. The South Fork is especially difficult if Photo Lazy J Bar O you’re packing a boat for a drop float. You must pack wisely to ensure you have essential items without overpacking. On a trip to any remote destination, wranglers and pilots will enforce limits. Avoid having to sort out gear at the trailhead. Weigh everything in advance to ensure you are underweight and ready to roll. Raft and Frame Selection ...Breakdown frames, breakdown oars and light rafts that can still handle whitewater are your best bet. The raft must be capable of carrying all of your gear and anglers as well. Two people plus gear is a good rule of thumb. Many rafts are made with fishing specific configurations but packing the extra seats and anchor systems is a luxury best left behind. A cooler that acts as a front seat is suitable for fishing from the boat. You can also stand and lean your legs against the tubes while casting. A good chunk of the fishing will happen on your feet while the boat is parked anyway. Rod Selection Keep it simple and pack a spare. Take along a single trout rod, a spare trout rod and a bigger bull trout rod. 4-piece rods pack down easily and store nicely on backpacks. Most rod tubes have space to cram in two rods, especially the kit tubes with a reel slot as well. For the trout rod, a 5-6 weight is more than ample. A 5-weight is perfect for cutthroats but the 6-weight can handle transitional duties for bull trout if needed. Use a 7-8 weight as a dedicated bull trout rod. The bigger rod will sling your heaviest streamers along with sink tips when you locate bull trout holding in deep pools. Multiple Line Options A floating line is all you need on the trout rod. Go with a good weight forward model that matches the rod weight. The weight forward is ideal for casting big foam dry flies each day. It can also turn over streamer patterns. One reel is all you need for the main and backup trout rods. Make sure it has a good drag and functions normally before the trip. Go with a type 1-3 sink tip on the bull trout rod. You will only use this rod with large streamers and a slow to moderate sink rate will cover most of the water. Add a separate sinking leader/tip if you need to get deeper. Carrying flies ranging from very heavy to unweighted will also help with depth control. Favorite Flies A single fly box will save weight. You could even use plastic sandwich bags instead of boxes as you typically don’t need to change flies often. Foam dry flies in pink, purple, olive and tan cover the surface action. A handful of Parachute Adams will pickup fish in the rare event they get picky. Prince nymphs and pheasant tails are ample for nymphs. Small streamer patterns like a Slump Buster or Zonker are fun for the cutthroats. Take a couple dozen of your biggest streamer patterns for bull trout. Double Bunnies, Buggers and articulated baitfish patterns will pack in a baggie as well. Accessories Nippers, forceps, floatant, good sunglasses and tippet. You could bring along strike indicators but they are not really needed on the South Fork. Bring 0X tippet for the bull trout flies and 3X-4X for everything else. A collapsible net is also useful for landing and safely releasing bigger fish. Keep it all organized There are two ways to go about this. Traditionally, I have used a small waist pack on trips where limited equipment is used. Having the pack is nice when you take off on foot and go explore. Currently I am using a large backpack style dry bag with an exterior pocket. All the flies and accessories go into the exterior pocket while clothing and sleeping gear go in the main compartment. I will setup the tent and unload at camp then head out with the bag. You could go either way on this one. For information on fishing or hunting with Lazy J Bar O Outfitters call 406-932-5687 or 406-350-1880 or visit www.lazyjbaro.com
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FWP Region 6 Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer Aerial Survey Findings Released MFWP ontana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 6 biologists have This same trend was seen in the deer fawn-to-adult ratios M completed their 2018 winter and spring aerial surveys that are also calculated from the spring survey. Region wide, of deer populations across northeastern Montana, which the fawn numbers continue to do quite well and remain are used to help determine management recommendations. The surveys indicate above average numbers for mule deer, and mostly stable populations of whitetail deer across the region. “Data collected during deer surveys are only one factor in deer management recommendations,” FWP Outlook-area biologist Ryan Williamson (and Region 6 deer specialist) explained. “The prior year’s harvest, weather, and habitat factors, as well as additional input gathered from landowners, hunters, the public and other agencies are all considered by the Fish and Wildlife Commission for season and quota setting decisions.”
above average. “Fawn to adult ratio is an indicator of over-winter survival as well as new recruitment into the population,” Williamson said. “The 2018 survey showed 57 fawns to 100 adults across the region, which is slightly above the average of 53 fawns to 100 adults. These numbers were also similar to the 2017 survey.”
- Mule deer -
For mule deer, 11 trend areas in Region 6 are typically examined each year from the air. The winter “post-season survey” was completed in January, and the “spring survey” was conducted in late April and May. While total deer counts tend to be variable, the 2018 surveys indicate mule deer are doing quite well. “Mule deer trends remain stable and well above average across most of the region,” Williamson said. The 2018 post-hunting-season surveys showed the region-wide mule deer population at 74 percent above average, but 15 percent below the 2017 survey. The 2018 spring surveys showed region-wide populations at 46 percent above average and remain the same as the last year’s spring survey. While regional numbers indicate above average mule deer levels overall, differences are seen across the region and in isolated areas as well. According to Williamson, mule deer from the 11 deer trend areas range from slightly below average to well above the average.
28 | Hunting & Fishing News
Photo: Twildlife|dreamstime.com
Winter mortality was variable across the region during the 2017-2018 winter with the highest impacts seen in localized areas around Malta and Havre. “Winter mortality was observed in western areas,” Williamson noted, “with mostly fawns succumbing to the winter weather.” Although a long, tough winter was observed throughout the region, the eastern portion did not experience near the snow accumulation as seen throughout the western portion of the region in areas where near record snow depths and extreme cold temperatures were observed. “The region experienced a wide range of abnormal weather in the last year. Much of the region experienced a significant drought in 2017, particularly the eastern portion, which had significant impact on habitat conditions,” says Williamson. “Fawns likely went into the harsh, long winter in poorer condition than normal which likely impacted overall winter survival.” The mule deer appeared to have overwintered well. FWP Malta-area biologist Brett Dorak in Malta adds, “We understand there will be a variation in survival across the region, but overall things are looking great coming out of a bad winter.” Another pressing factor in managing deer populations is the threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD) that was discovered last year in wild herds in Montana, both in Region 5 and Region 4. CWD has not yet been found in Region 6, but has been detected just across the Montana border in Alberta and Saskatchewan. “It is just a matter of when and where CWD will be detected in Region 6,” says Williamson. “Higher deer densities tend to influence the spread of the disease, so we take that into consideration when developing hunting season regulations and the number of antlerless deer B-licenses available.” For 2018, most of the hunting districts will be managed under the liberal regulations for mule deer, which includes either-sex for a general deer license (A-tag), as well as additional antlerless B-licenses. “The liberal regulation package is expected in hunting districts, specifically along the Canadian border. As normal, hunting district 652 continues to be a limited permit district and will have a limited number of B-licenses available,” Williamson said. “All hunting districts will have a varying number of mule deer B-licenses available this year,...(continued on page 40)
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Pheasant Hunting Public Land Tactics That Work By Anthony Ferro
Project Upland www.projectupland.com Here are 4 Tactics to Increase Public Land Pheasant Hunting Success or some, public lands are the only chance to harvest the elusive and witty cock pheasant. For others, public lands provide a nice change of pace from privately owned honeyholes or game preserves. When it comes to pheasant hunting on public land, a few preemptive steps ought to be taken. First, check the weather forecast. Research and confirm bird populations in the area. And don’t forget to add the next four tactics into your already impressive bag of tricks.
F
Qualifying the Proper Pheasant Hunting Fields
Pheasants are creatures of habitat. What they need is where you’ll find them: food, water, and cover from predators. It’s really that simple. Focus on areas with heavy grass cover like switch grass, or Panicum virgatum. There is the more commonly known and heavily hunted CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) fields. A little known fact is that these mixes of native grass assists in enhancing water quality as well as recharges ground water and ground water tables. Not only do these areas provide safe cover and an evening roost, they also hold plenty of bugs, seeds, vegetation, and water required to maintain a healthy wild cock population. Healthy grass cover alone does not deem a field hunt worthy, but it does lay the foundational habitat for wild cackles on the flush and the sweet smell of gun powder in the morning. Pheasants don’t travel long distances or many miles, largely because they travel on foot. You should locate a food source (corn, milo, sorghum) adjacent to the grass cover, but adjacent can mean within a quarter mile or so. In addition, there should always be a little something to wet the beak nearby. Roosters and hunting dogs favor ponds and cattails. Ponds provide the nectar of life and cattails provide cover from predators. Who doesn’t love watching ring-necks pour out of tall cattails?
Timing Creatures of Habit in Habitat
Now that you’ve scouted out the best-looking public grounds for pheasant hunting and drawn circles on that crinkled, ketchup-stained public hunting map, it’s time to get down to business. You must choose what cover to walk and what time of day to hunt it. There are many weather variables that can skew this method, of course. Yet overall, it’s a great rule of thumb in patterning and locating birds. Pheasants are creatures of habit, too. Knowing that ring-necks roost in tall cover makes choosing what grounds to hunt at daybreak a no-brainer. Get into those big, full mile sections of CRP with some nearby corn or milo and hunt it hard! Since this is also where they roost in the evening, you can hunt the same sections at dusk into the end of the shooting light. Where do pheasants go after they wake up and stretch their wings? After the sun crests the horizon, often times they sunbathe in winter wheat fields and jockey for the next hen’s love. Many know that chasing women can be exhausting and a man can get pretty hungry from all that running and denial. Around eight o’clock in the morning, give or take, it’s time to switch gears to those heavy grain and feed areas. Focus on working all types of feed until you’ve located the desired grain of the day. Focusing on feed fields mid-morning and late afternoons will guarantee a man and his dog a few more opportunities to create moments to share as campfire stories. (continued on page 36)
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HOW TO USE THE EQUINOX AND MOON PHASE TO TIME YOUR ARCHERY ELK HUNT (continued from page 9)
2. The magic days As elk enter those magic 10 days preceding the equinox, the bulls begin to find and smell more cows entering estrus. It does not take many cows coming into estrus to get the whole area on fire. Elk act plain dopey when there are receptive cows around. This is the perfect time to take advantage of that weakness. As the equinox approaches, the bulls are also becoming more aggressive and anxious. They are working hard to show dominance and draw cows to them, but are just beginning to establish and build harems. During this time, bulls announce and proclaim their presence to attract more and more cows. Cows are looking to hook up with bulls with the biggest antlers and, perhaps, the most enticing bugles. As more cows continue to enter estrus, mature bulls will take more chances in an attempt to gather more cows. This can make them more susceptible to calling tactics—both cow calls and challenge bugles. Five days out from the equinox is a great day to be among the elk. 3. They are less “educated” During the 10 days preceding the equinox, hunting pressure and hunter calling is certainly escalating. Even so, I’m still able to find more bulls that are willing to respond. Bulls can quickly become call and encounter “educated” later in the season. This is especially true after the equinox. If you are able to hunt more remote areas, you may find more bulls willing to play the game for longer periods of time because they have not been exposed to as many hunters. If you hunt less remote and more pressured areas, it may be more advantageous to hunt the earlier part of the 10-day period. 4. Herds become established The closer you get to the actual equinox and the days following, the more established the elk herds and harems become. This is when herd bulls become much more difficult to entice. They are still interested in breeding and can be quite vocal, but they can many times be much harder to persuade with calls. At this point in the season, they have faced hunter contact, all sorts of crazy calling, weather conditions and, certainly, each other. Once a herd bull has established his harem, they are far less likely to leave their cows for a distant challenging bugle or even a cow call. It’s the bird-in-hand scenario. Sure, you might see and hear a lot of bugling, but getting an actual shot with stick and string might prove to be arduous. It can be a fun and exciting time, but it can also be quite frustrating. When herd bulls become more onerous so do your odds. It’s simple encounter math. Again, there are exceptions to every rule and those times make for amazing stories. In the end, however, success in elk hunting is a game of odds. The best elk hunters do everything they can to increase their odds. 5. The first estrus cycle is key In most areas, the majority of cows become pregnant during the first estrus cycle. Cows are only receptive to breeding for about 24 hours. In cases where cows don’t get bred during their first cycle, there is a second, third and, even, a fourth estrus cycle. Typically, a cow that has not been bred will return to a second estrus cycle in about 20 days. There can be some rutting activity during the other cycles, but we are back again to evaluating the odds game. There certainly won’t be as much.
COMBINING THE EQUINOX WITH THE MOON PHASE Now we put the moon phase into the equation (take a look at the graphic on page 8 for a refresher). How does it apply
32 | Hunting & Fishing News
to our hunt planning? Unlike some people, I don’t believe the moon phase changes the actual dates of the elk rut. I’m convinced that when cows come into estrus, it is game on, no matter what the moon is doing. The equinox is the key factor in determining the estrus cycle. The moon has little, if anything, to do with it. However, you can’t ignore the moon phase. It may not change the estrus cycle, but it can dramatically affect your hunting success and especially your tactics.
Moon phase calendars are provided to INSIDER members inside each Unit Profile. You can start to access this data by using Filtering 2.0.
Hunting elk during a full moon can be especially challenging. Even so, I believe you must balance those special days running up to the equinox with the corresponding moon phases. A slight adjustment of only a few days can make a huge difference in your encounters and opportunities for a shot. The more full the moon, the more likely the bulls will be active and rutting at night versus the day. This does not mean they can’t and won’t be active during the daylight hours. A lot can depend on rut timing, the number of cows in estrus, hunting pressure and weather, but you may have to adjust your tactics and timing. I’ve found that during a full moon and the days immediately following it, the hunting can be good during the mid-day. The bulls have been in their beds since early that morning and seem to get restless about mid-day. Many times they will sound off or even respond to a bugle in the middle of the day. Too many hunters miss those times because they did not adjust to the elk’s patterns and are, consequently, not in a position to experience it. Very early mornings during a full moon can also be good. If you can get out very early, locate bulls with bugling during the night and then place yourself in a very close position at first light you can often get to them before they bed down. You may not have much time, however, as elk tend to retreat to bed more quickly on full moon mornings. So be ready. Another moon pattern I have noticed is that elk tend to be more active during daylight hours on the days leading up to a full moon as compared to the days following the full moon. It seems once they get used to running at night during the full moon, it takes them a bit to get out of that pattern. Before the full moon, they are still used to moving during the day. Elk hunting is never a sure thing no matter what you do. You just never know and you can’t predict when success is going to happen. But one thing I do know is that you can stack the odds in your favor.
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The average hunter can typically spend seven to 10 days chasing elk with a bow. If I had limited time to hunt elk in 2018, my first choice would be Sept. 10 to 19. The moon is new and dark on the 9. As the dark moon builds towards the full moon on Sept. 24 and the equinox occurring on Sept. 22, so will the rutting cycle. This date range includes several low moon nights and three of the five days preceding the equinox. These factors could be a great combination. I plan on being packed in somewhere hunting elk most days in September, but I absolutely will focus my hunts around those special days.
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Unfortunately, that date range may not fall on the best dates for work scheduling and maximizing weekends. If that’s the case, starting the hunt on the weekend of Sept. 13 would be my second choice. Yes, the moon is stronger and still building towards full, but this range includes all five days before the equinox. My third choice would be the weekend of Sept. 6. During this range, you will need to keep in mind that it is still the early stages of the rut cycle and the bulls might not be quite as aggressive. They will still respond, but many may come in silent. The good news is that the moon will be dark for most of this hunt and the elk will be more active during the day.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 33
Working the Glass 4 Tips to Locate More Animals By Zach Lazzari www.kawdyoutfitters.com
Photo Kawdy Outfitters
kills behind the binoculars are critical for an effective S mountain hunt. You may occasionally run into animals while you’re on the move. But the best approach to locating game
is by using binoculars and a spotting scope to your advantage. Buy the best glass you can afford (it’s not cheap) and put in a serious effort to make it swing the hunting season in your favor. Here are four tips to help improve your glassing this season: 1. Keep it Clean There is nothing worse than dirty glass. Fog, smudges and dirt will obstruct your vision and render the best glass all but useless in some cases. Carry your binoculars and spotting scope in high quality protective cases that keep them clean and safe in the field. Also keep a cleaning kit with a microfiber cloth and a small bottle of cleaning solution. Clean lenses make spotting easier and they also put less strain on your eyes. 2. Timing Your Efforts Focus your glassing efforts on those times when animals are most likely to be on their feet. Of course this is highly dependent on weather and the time of year. But in many mountain hunting situations, this is the first and last couple hours of each day. Moose and mountain goats often leave more wiggle room for spotting during mid-day. This is especially true for moose during the rut, when you can take advantage of calling. If you are using calls and animals are moving during the day, then adjust your schedule to match their most active hours. Otherwise, plan to spend those early and late hours behind the glass. 3. Play the Wind and Sun The wind will alert game to your presence from a surprising distance. Make sure you use natural shelters and focus your direction on areas where wind will not give you away. In situations where you are viewing drainages and areas at long distances, wind becomes slightly less important but anything under a thousand yards means wind is a major factor. The sun also plays into the equation. When you find an area worth glassing, consider where the sun will sit in the morning and evening. You can’t glass effectively with the sun directly in your eyes. Choose your vantage point based on where the sun will hit during glassing sessions. 4. Get Comfortable Comfort is important here because you can last longer and keep eyes on the terrain without constantly shifting and resetting your position. Take the time to setup a comfortable sitting position with ample padding and a good angle on your neck. Laying down on a slight slope is nice for long periods of glassing. Using a tripod to keep your binoculars stable makes it possible to pick apart a landscape without shaking or moving. If you’ve never used your binoculars on a tripod, you don’t know what you’re missing. For information on hunting in British Columbia with Kawdy Outfitters, visit www.kawdyoutfitters.com or call 1-250-306-8624 (Oct. 15-July 1) or 1-604-629-9582 (July 1-Oct. 15).
34 | Hunting & Fishing News
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Pheasant Hunting Public Land Tactics That Work (continued from page 31) Hunt with Hunting Pressure in Mind
Field management is a favorite strategy of mine. Public lands in the Midwest with “WIHA” (Walk-In Hunting Access) have designated parking or an opening in the fence for one to walk through. Don’t start your hunt at that gate. Do not do it! These birds are wild for a reason and are as resilient as they come. The previous 56 trucks and 113 dogs entered that field at the same place. Instead, cut the field in half and make an entry over the fence. These birds are as educated as Oxford scholars and run to the middle fields whenever they hear the truck door shut and the dog box doors open. Cutting the field in half allows for a couple of single rooster freebies. They don’t expect your presence coming from the entry gate. As the first pass is completed, those birds will flush either right or left of you. At that point, what direction to turn after the first pass becomes an easy decision.
Pheasant Hunting Formations that Work
There is a second rule of field management that also helps determine how to go about tackling a field. If it’s a solo hunt, there is really only one rule of thumb: keep the wind in the dog’s face and follow the dog. With 5 to 7 hunters, however, try walking in a “U” or horseshoe pattern instead of the straight firing line for pheasant hunting. Roosters are notorious for running like hell and sending the dogs on a mad chase. The horseshoe approach cuts down on the number of escapees. Many times, the ring-neck will run 60-70 yards straight ahead and then make a hard 90-degree turn.
Photo Project Upland How many times has an upland hunter and his hound been on a hot trail of some running rooster, only to make their way to the edge of the field without a flush? Creating a “U” formation for 5 or 7 guys with no blockers allows a group to set the edge. Yes, it closes some shooting lanes for the interior hunters, but it’s more about the success of the group. For groups over 8, it’s all about covering much ground with little effort. Gents often want to walk too close together. It makes for great conversation, but it leads to tired dogs and less birds. Spread out 50-60 yards apart and let the dogs run the line. They will fill in the gaps and allow for some great firing squad opportunities. Save a few good ol’ boys as blockers and no bird will stand a chance.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 39 hfn-aug18.indd 1
3/14/2018 1:04:57 PM
FWP Region 6 Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer Aerial Survey Findings Released (continued from page 28)
- Whitetail deer -
Whitetail deer populations continue to recover across the region as well. Due to more uniform habitat, the whitetail surveys tend to look at deer density, as opposed to total numbers, for trends. The 2018 year’s survey show whitetail deer density is at an average of 9.6 deer per square mile across the trend areas, which is approximately 10 percent below the long-term average of 10.7 deer per square mile. The 2017 surveys showed whitetails right at long term average. “Whitetail deer densities continue to recover in the eastern part of the region, but are still four percent below average, while the densities are still 33 percent below average along the Milk River near Glasgow,” Williamson said. “A decade ago, whitetail densities were as high as 40-50 deer per square mile in some areas. This was an unsustainable level that was causing problems for landowners and degrading habitat conditions,” Williamson said. “EHD outbreaks and other factors in the following years reduced the whitetail population across Region 6 considerably.” Although no significant EHD outbreaks have been seen since 2014, areas with higher deer densities along the Missouri River experienced small outbreaks of EHD in recent years. With whitetail numbers increasing across Region 6, and in accordance with Fish and Wildlife Commission season setting, a single-region antlerless whitetail B-licenses will again be available for over the counter purchase starting August 6, 2018. The licenses will be limited to one per hunter...
Photo RMEF
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Pope And Young Club Names World Record Non-Typical Coues’ Deer Wes Ely New World Record Non-Typical Coues’ Deer Photo Pope and Young Club
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non-typical Coues’ deer taken by Wesley Ely of Wilcox, Arizona. The deer was shot in August 2017 in velvet and stripped prior to the official measurement. The final score of 139 2/8 ties the existing P&Y World Record.
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“It all began on a summer scouting trip in 2013 when I noticed a young buck with massive antlers,” stated Wesley. “I continued to scout and occasionally hunt the area while the buck kept getting bigger each year. After an unsuccessful 2017 early hunt, I decided to devote all of my time-off to find the buck’s summer habits. 16 days before opening day, I began to pattern this elusive animal. On opening day in the middle of public land, I couldn’t help but hope that I was the only person chasing this big Coues’ deer. I watched the buck through my binoculars for four hours that morning and waited until he bedded down for the day.
minutes; admiring this intelligent animal and reflecting on what a humbling challenge it had been to take such an incredible buck.”
“It was a pleasure to be part of the special process of recognizing a Pope and Young Club World Record,” said Ed Fanchin, Records Chair for the Pope & Young Club. “This was an unusual set of antlers that challenged the judges, who are some of the most experienced in the Club. This incredible animal is a testament to sound wildlife management across North America. Congratulations to Wes.” At the close of every biennial recording period, numerical awards and honorable mentions are awarded to the most outstanding bow-harvested animals in each species category entered during this two-year recording period. New World’s Records are recognized, and awards are presented to these exceptional animals during the Pope and Young Club’s Biennial Convention and Awards Banquet. Wesley’s Coues’ deer will be on display at the 31st Biennial Convention in Omaha, Nebraska April 10th - 13th, 2019. This is an official Pope and Young Club World Record of the 31st Recording Period and the second using a Special Panel of Judges.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 41
Hunting with a partner can be rewarding on many levels and, in most cases, can greatly increase yours odds of successfully selling a calling sequence to a bull and punching a tag. Understanding some calling tactics and how to play a bull’s demeanor to your advantage can quickly turn stories of missed encounters to stories of success and accomplishment...
ESTABLISHING ROLES
All photo credits: Behind The Tines
EFFECTIVE MULTI-PERSON CALLING STRATEGIES FOR ELK By Dave Barnett Originally published at
www.gohunt.com
The bull had been playing us for hours. He would answer
our challenge bugles with his own and was clearly getting worked up about it, but, try as we might, he wouldn’t break into bow range for me to get a shot. Most likely, a side effect of pressure from other hunters over the previous days. In a last ditch effort, we decided to make a play based upon one constant: He was answering every bugle we threw at him as long as we kept a 100 yard or greater distance from him and his cows. My partner hung back and kept the bull talking while I crept in silently, using the bull’s constant vocalizations as directing beacons. The result? A well placed arrow on an unsuspecting bull at 25 yards and many high fives and sore backs to follow.
As simple as it may be, the biggest downfall to our early elk endeavors was rooted deeply in our established roles as the shooter and the caller. Sure, we knew who was shooting and who was calling, but, when it came to each encounter, one guy would simply call as we both moved in together. At this point, we weren’t any more effective than a solo hunter calling his way into a herd bull and we accounted for twice the noise. We’ve since established a system that works great for use where we switch the shooter and caller role every time an elk is called in or with the start of each day—whichever comes first. Be sure to talk with your partner and devise a plan that works best for you. The most important part of this puzzle is for the caller to remain the caller and consider their only objective in life at this point to be delivering the bull into the shooter’s lap. All the while, the caller must also be prepared in the case that a bull attempts to backdoor the operation and ends up in range for them.
SAME PAGE THINKING
Along with a clear cut role on who is what for each encounter, it is also important for hunting partners to think and act alike when calling to elk. The best hunting partnership is generally shared between two hunters who always know what the other is thinking. Of course, a lot of this will come with time spent in the woods, but it is also important to talk regularly during the off season to discuss scenarios and game plans. Think back on past experiences that blew up in your faces, what could’ve been done differently? Once eye contact is lost between the shooter and the caller it will
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be extremely important to understand what each partner is working towards in their respective role and act on this accordingly.
SCENARIO 1:PLAY THE SILENT KILLER
Like I mentioned in the opening of the article, sending in the shooter silently can be deadly effective and is one of my favorite plays on a bugling bull. Like most of you, I spend nearly all of my season hunting public land elk—most of which have likely been called to heavily. Because of this, not all of our encounters end up like those on your favorite hunting video or program. When elk are rutting they have an inherent drive to respond to calls; it’s written into their DNA. While this is generally an absolute fact, most situations get messed up by hunters either conveying the wrong message or acting unnatural. Unless a pressured bull is in the right mood, it can be tough to go in swinging and expect a favorable outcome. When a bull is located, I like to first listen to his demeanor and try to get an accurate judge on how worked up he really is. Generally, if a bull is responsive, but stays in one spot or is slowly moving away, he likely has cows and is telling you to “Stay away!” These bulls can be difficult to call in unless you’re right on top of them and past elk and hunter interactions can even make that difficult. If I have any doubt whatsoever that this bull may be difficult to call in we will go at it with the silent approach. Caller’s job Your job is to sell yourself to this bull and create just enough of a distraction to anchor him in a position and put him on edge. You want to push him enough so that he goes into a rage. We don’t want this bull losing interest and taking his cows with him and heading for the next basin before the shooter can get into position. Remember, this bull could be a few hundred yards away at this point and can’t see you. Make some noise by kicking rocks, breaking sticks and otherwise causing a bunch of commotion; this will only add to your realism. If all else fails, simply mimicking every sound the bull makes can be a surefire way to get on his nerves.
Shooter’s job Move quickly and silently! While the caller is keeping the bull occupied you need to move in on the bull as quickly and silently as possible. Remember to keep a close eye on your wind, one small whiff of smell in the bull’s direction can send him packing. Once you close the distance to under 75 yards begin slowing down and keeping a sharp eye out for the bull, satellites and cows. Sometimes the bull may be raking a tree which can provide a great distraction for closing the distance quickly. Generally, the shooter is not making a peep on this approach; however, in some situations, you may need to. Mistakes happen constantly while elk hunting, What happens if you bump into his cows first and spook them? React quickly, throw out a lip bawl bugle and charge the bull! This mimics a new bull that snuck in on the herd and is attempting to steal a cow. Be prepared as the bull is either leaving with his cows or coming absolutely unglued and charging you!
SCENARIO 2:THE SNEAK ATTACK
Going toe to toe with a bull in close proximity is unlike anything else in this world and something all elk hunters dream of. Again, I like to approach every bull as if they’ve been called to a thousand times over and I need to really sell my approach to them to prove that I am indeed a genuine elk (continued on page 44)
EFFECTIVE MULTI-PERSON CALLING STRATEGIES FOR ELK (continued from page 43)
and someone who wants their cows. Each morning, I’ll start off by cruising ridgetops either waiting for a bull to locate or by soliciting a response with a location bugle of my own. Once I get a response I’m going to try to pinpoint the bull to within a small area. Next, I want to sneak in on the bull as close as possible, keep the wind in mind, and get ready for some fast action! With this tactic, I am attempting to draw the bull past the shooter. Caller’s job As the caller, your job is to try to get within 100 yards of the bull’s last known location and setup while the shooter moves ahead another 25 to 30 yards. Think about your setup here. We want to act like an elk and create a realistic scene. Set up where you have plenty of cover and will have the ability to move around if needed. Once the shooter is ready, I like to first let out a few soft cow calls in case the bull is very close. At this point, one of two things is likely going to happen: If the bull responds with a bugle, I want to bugle right over the top of him with a challenge bugle. Basically, I am saying, “That is my cow and you need to stay away!” If the bull does not answer, I’ll wait a few more minutes and then let out a non-threatening social type bugle like the locator. If the bull responds to this, I will now bugle over the top of him again issuing a challenge. At this point, you want to start making some noise and creating a commotion. Respond to any of the bull’s bugles with more of your own; raking a nearby tree with a large branch will display your dominance and further enrage the bull. If the bull abruptly shuts up do not panic; this could mean he is sneaking in to check out his would be challenger. Continue with your raking and issue more threats. Shooter’s job Your role in this situation is fairly straightforward. Move ahead of the caller 25 to 30 yards as quietly as possible and set up in an area where you have good visibility and plenty of shooting lanes. Range some landmarks and prepare for some action. Do not set up behind cover. Instead, rely on your camo and set up in an area that will provide the best opportunity for drawing and shooting. Once you’ve picked your spot, you need to commit to it and stay patient. Unless a situation arises where the bull is obviously moving away you do not want to move and risk being spotted. Depending on the terrain and vegetation, the caller and shooter may not be able to maintain eye contact. Before splitting up it is important to establish a time frame for when the caller will begin his sequence. The above calling situation is solely based upon what happens when things go right. Many things can happen in this situation and it will be important for the caller to react accordingly. Try not to overthink your actions here; imagine you’re actually an elk in this situation and think about the message you are conveying.
SCENARIO 3: TUG OF WAR
Like most things in the elk woods, plans can fall apart in an instant and it will be important for hunters to adapt accordingly if they wish to consistently fill their elk tag. The above situation can be a deadly combo when it comes to herd bulls, but what happens when the bull responds but refuses to move and advance towards the shooter? These are times where thinking outside of the box can quickly turn an encounter into a successfully punched tag. To begin, let’s break down this situation to the basics: We have a herd bull that is likely guarding a hot cow due to the fact that he issuing challenging bugles to us (the intruding bull). At this point, the bull may or may not believe we have cows,
44 | Hunting & Fishing News
but why would he leave the sure thing to find out when he may lose everything if this new bull is bigger and badder? What if a cow just happened to wander between these two bulls? Would he break then?
For the next scenario, we are going to consider that you and your partner have closed the distance and made vocal contact with a hot herd bull. He has answered your challenge bugle, but won’t budge and now the ball is in your court to force a play. With this scenario, the shooter is going to aide the caller with their own calls. Shooter’s job Employing this tactic will largely rest on the shoulders of the shooter. Conditions must be right for this to work and the curiosity of the bull and available cover must be strictly considered. If the bull your caller is working is fired up, but not advancing, it may be time to force an action. Let out a few loud, drawn out and demanding cow calls. If the herd bull responds with a lip bawl or welcoming bugle (normal bugle followed by several chuckles), you can instantly respond to him with several calls in succession and start walking directly at him, though watch your wind! Crash through the brush and keep your head on a swivel. The herd bull thinks he has won you over and may start raking to show dominance for his new cow. Be ready to draw on an instant if necessary. A second and less risky option is to play into your caller with the exact same steps. Move back, toward your caller, and issue rapid cow mews as you go for 20 or so yards. The bull won’t instantly follow, but now he knows he can sneak to your last known location to scent check and see if this new cow is in heat. Quickly turn and sneak back to your last spot—or further if possible—and setup again. Wait patiently as the bull will likely sneak in silently now. Caller’s job Listen to what’s going on in front of you. If you hear your shooter make cow calls, it’s time to spring into action. Let out a huge lip bawl to demand this new “cow” joins your herd. If the shooter begins heading toward the herd bull you need to react quickly and try everything in your power to call “her” back. This will add a bit of realism to the whole scenario and could provide some distraction for the bull and allow the shooter to get a shot. If the shooter heads in your direction, throw out a welcome bugle and begin raking to show dominance. This may bring the bull running, but, nonetheless, it will add realism and increase the chance of him coming to scent check the new cow. As with all of the other scenarios staying mobile and fluid with your calling will be key here. From the first moment you make contact with a bull you are running on a time clock to make something happen before he gets suspicious or bored and moves off. Try your best to read into the mood the bull is in and react in a manner that will swing the odds in your favor.
(continued on page 46)
EFFECTIVE MULTI-PERSON CALLING STRATEGIES FOR ELK (continued from page 44) THE NOSE KNOWS
While all three of these scenarios presented different challenges and actions one thing is always a constant: the wind. It doesn’t matter how careful you are with your scent and what clothing or products you use. If a bull gets down wind of your location, your goose is cooked. Even in scenarios where you think the wind might hold, it likely won’t. In elk country, the wind is constantly swirling and you should never fully trust it. Keep wind checker handy and use it often—that’s just cheap insurance!
CLOSING THOUGHTS
These scenarios are just three of the hundreds you’ll encounter over a lifetime of chasing bugling bulls. They won’t always work; however, I’m sure that anyone reading this article can think of a few encounters in their hunting career where they may have. The biggest thing to remember here is that calling elk isn’t rocket science. If something you are saying to the elk isn’t working then take a moment to regather your thoughts and try a new tactic. Elk make some goofy sounds in the woods and sometimes thinking outside of the box and trying new tactics can work like a charm. Don’t be afraid to get aggressive with your calls and surroundings when the situation arises; elk are large animals and they make a ton of racket when they get excited and start moving. Often times, using aggression and not giving the bull the time to assess the situation can more than make up for not knowing which call scenario to try next.
CARNE ASADA ~PRONGHORN~ a 12 gauge girl Lindsey Bartosh www.huntingandcooking.com
Ingredients: 2 pounds pronghorn steaks 2 oranges, juiced 1 lemon, juiced 2 limes, juiced 1/2 cup coconut aminos... 4 cloves garlic, grated 3 tablespoons chipotle sauce 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon cumin 1 teaspoon oregano 1 tablespoon sweet paprika 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup olive oil Tortillas, corn or flour Shredded cabbage Salsa Sour cream Guacamole Grilled onions Grilled bell peppers Queso fresco Chopped fresh cilantro Sliced jalapeños Instructions: Start your meat marinating 24 hours before you plan on grilling. For the marinade, add orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice to a medium size bowl. Add coconut aminos, grated garlic, chipotle sauce, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, paprika, and oregano. Chop and add cilantro. While whisking, drizzle in the olive oil. Whisk until fully blended. Set aside one cup of the marinade for serving with meat. In a large freezer bag, add the steaks and marinade. Massage gently and place in fridge for 24 hours. Set the meat out about 15 minutes before grilling. Preheat the grill to 550o. Place steaks directly on heat source. Sear meat for 1 minute per side. Move the steaks to an area with less direct heat. Close the lid and allow to cook for seven to ten minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat and how well-done you desire the steaks. Remove the meat from the grill and tent with aluminum foil. Allow to sit for five minutes. Thinly slice steaks and serve with desired toppings on tortillas!
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