Western Hunting & Fishing News December 2021 Issue

HUNTING & F ISHING WESTERN

NEWS

DECEMBER 2021

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“It’s a fantastic bait for early-ice, but also when fish are really aggressive throughout the season in the day-time hours,” Roach says. “During bright, day-time hours, I’ll go to more natural colors – your Blue Chrome, Silver and Perch,” he adds. “In stained water, I will use UV colors.”Jigging Raps come in five sizes, from the 1 ¼-inch W2 (great for perch and crappies), to the 3 ½-inch W9 (a meal for walleyes, pike and lake trout). They are available in 26 color patterns, three of which are UV (Green Tiger UV, Orange Tiger UV, Pink Tiger UV).To prevent line twist, tie a Jigging Rap to a leader line attached to your main line by barrel swivel.

Three feet is a good leader length.

Photo courtesy Rapala - Ice Force Blog www.rapala.com/ice-force-ice-fishing/

Roach Reports On Which ‘Raps’ To Fish When This Winter Rapala www.rapala.com

apala Jigging Raps, Rippin’ Raps and Slab Raps R will all draw fish from far under the ice and into the strike zone below your hole. Knowing which one to tie on

when will help you catch more and bigger fish this winter.

“All of them can be deadly any time of year, but as a rule of thumb, I’ll rely on different ones at different times as my go-to ‘search’ bait,” says in-demand... fishing guide Tony Roach, an ICE FORCE® pro.

Roach’s rule-of-thumb search-bait schedule is this:

Jigging Rap®s for early ice Rippin’

Rap®s in mid-winter

Slab Rap®s later in the season

Of course, there’s always exceptions to the rule.

Following is an in-depth look at when and why Roach uses each bait to put more fish on the ice.

Jigging Raps are Roach’s “go-to baits” for early ice,” he says, because they fall with an erratic swimming motion that matches the mortal struggle of minnows that won’t survive ‘til spring.

“Early ice in particular, you get a fair amount of young-ofthe-year die-off, so those fish will really be keying in on Jigging Raps then,” Roach explains.

Weighted and balanced to perfection, Jigging Raps simulate the erratic characteristics of a wounded baitfish better than any other lure under the ice, swimming in tantalizing circles on the fall.

Rippin’ Rap Featuring flat, skinny sides and a deep-belly profile designed to dive and rip, Rippin’ Raps flutter on the drop with a hard-vibrating action accented by a loud, distinctive BB rattle system. Textured scales and gills with deep-set 3D holographic eyes complete the illusion of life.“A little bit wider profile bait, it’s great for bigger fish, especially walleyes,” Roach says. Roach’s Rippin’ Rap bite will often overlap with his Jigging Rap bite, with one being better than the other based on light and water clarity. While Jigging Raps are best in daylight, Rippin’ Raps often draw more bites at dawn and dusk, or in really stained water.“In those situations, I like Rippin’ Raps, because they’ve got a rattle that can help those fish hone in on your bait,” Roach says. “And this is when your UV colors are key.

That UV, it’s like a beacon in the night.”Ultra Light Rippin’ Raps (size 04) are available in Green Tiger UV, Pink Tiger UV, Orange Tiger UV, six natural color patterns and five Glow patterns. Size 05, 06 and 07 Rippin’ Raps are available in Green Tiger UV and 14 other color patterns.

Rippin’ Raps will transition from complementary baits to go-to producers later in the winter as fish become much more selective feeders and strike zones shrink, Roach says. “When they’re really not willing to go outside their strike zone to hit something, that’s where I like to fish more up-and-down presentations like the Rippin’ Rap,” he says. Roach’s winter Rippin’ Rap bite really heats up “when we’re fishing a little bit deeper and the fish are somewhat suspended,” he says. “I’ll fish a Rippin’ Rap a lot higher in the water column than I would a Jigging Rap.” Because fish feed shallower at dawn or dusk, this bite is generally best during the day, so tie on Rippin’ Raps in natural colors, rather than the UV patterns.

“Even when you drop it on a slack line, it’s going to kind of pendulum out, swimming outside your sonar cone and darting back,” Roach explains. “It gives you a wider jigging action than any other bait out there. It gives you horizontal coverage with a vertical presentation better than any other bait. It also gives a cat-and-mouse kind of feel. The fish are apt to chase it.

With single reversed hooks on the nose and posterior, and a center treble hook hung from a belly eyelet, Jigging Raps don’t allow for misses — regardless of how a fish attacks, its running smack dab into a hook. They fall faster than Rippin’ Raps and Slab Raps.

4 | Hunting & Fishing News

(continued on page 30)

Hunting & Fishing News | 5

6 | Hunting & Fishing News

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Is A Carbon Bow Worth It?

By Josh Kirchner Originally published at

www.goHUNT.com

e slipped into our treestands early one December W morning. The night before, my dad and I witnessed a nice buck chasing does every which way. With any luck,

he’d come strolling back by for love and we would be waiting with our bows. I remember a nuisance of a squirrel that kept trying to jump up into my stand. Life in a tree I guess. As I sat there and the hours snuck by, my left hand got colder and colder. It was my bow hand. After taking my hand off of that freezing cold aluminum bow, I saw ice on my grip.

That memory right there is what first drove me to get a carbon bow later in life. The thought of a freezing cold bow just wasn’t something that sat well with me. I didn’t want to dread holding the darn thing. Many other hunters did the same thing and ponied up the extra cash for the magical carbon bows on the market. But is the hefty price tag really worth it for carbon?

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Advantages of a carbon bow

Carbon has many advantages that would lend to any bowhunter’s arsenal. One of them, we briefly covered above.

Carbon doesn’t get cold. This means that when you’re sitting there for hours waiting for that hunk of a buck to walk by, your bow won’t turn into an icebox and act like it doesn’t want to be touched. I really enjoyed this about owning a carbon bow. Not once did the temperature of the riser ever bother me. Another shiny advantage is the weight saving.

Carbon is more lightweight than aluminum. It isn’t a ton of weight, but if you’re an ounce counting backpack hunter, it may be worth it. We’re talking about .4 to .5 pound of a difference from aluminum on average. Strength is another area where carbon comes out on top. Carbon is actually around 10 times stronger than aluminum. I’m sure that some of you have seen videos online of folks running over carbon risers or carbon backpack frames. It’s impressive stuff no doubt. For someone that is hard on their gear, that is definitely something to think about since carbon can pretty much handle anything you throw at it. With those killer advantages, though, of course, there are some disadvantages we need to look at.

Disadvantages of a carbon bow

First and foremost, the number one thing that keeps someone from buying a carbon bow is the price tag. These bad boys are gonna set you back in the ballpark of $1,600 for a current flagship model. That’s $500 to $600 more than a top-of-the-line aluminum bow. Something else to think about is strength. Now, I know we established above that carbon is much stronger than aluminum; however, carbon also has a failing point, meaning it can just flat out snap.

I’ve seen it happen — whether we’re talking arrows, trekking poles, backpack frames or bows. It may be stronger, but it’ll totally give up at some point. Aluminum might bend a bit, but it won’t quit. (continued on page 36)

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Hunting & Fishing News | 7

Speaking of hunting camps, nothing is more important during your hunt than a good night’s rest. We offer elk hunts from three different locations. Our archery elk hunts take place in September along the Greys River from a very comfortable wall tent camp. This high end camp features heated tents on wood platforms, furnishings, linens and all the amenities like a hot shower and home cooked meals in our large dining tent.

All photos courtesy SNS Outfitter & Guides www.huntwyo.com

Our rifle elk hunts are conducted from two additional locations. The first; out of the Box Y Lodge from October 15th-25th. This area is in the heart of Greys River territory, surrounded by towering peaks and deep dark timber; fantastic elk habitat!

Be conditioned for intense, long days and a sense of pride when you fill this coveted tag.

Wyoming Elk Country SNS Outfitter & Guides www.huntwyo.com

early every hunter dreams of experiencing a N western elk hunt. The size of a bull elk rack along with time spent in majestic mountainous country conjures up dreams of pursuing these icons of the West.

Wyoming is home to over 110,000 elk and in the last 40 years, we have seen our statewide population double.

Elk can be found in virtually every area of this equality state from the barren desert to Wyoming’s abundant mountain peaks.

SNS Outfitters has been in operation since 1977.

During that time we have guided over 1,100 elk hunts.

Our lifetime success on these hunts is very high; 77% on elk hunts.

Settle in with the SNS team at the Box Y Lodge

The second rifle elk hunt is on private land along the southern end of the Big Horn Mountains. SNS Outfitters has leased this sprawling 100,000 acre working cattle ranch for over 36 years. Our camp for the October bull elk and cow elk hunts is located in the center of the ranches best elk habitat. Each day you will ride right from camp to spend the entire day in pursuit of elk.

Our Late Season Cow Elk Hunts are conducted from this two-story ranch house.

All of our hunts are conducted using good old horse power. Each day you will spend several hours on horseback, immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of elk country. Horses allow these hunts to get deep into elk habitat, but they really earn their keep once an elk is put down. Our guides are professionals at taking care of your elk meat and loading your trophy head and horns onto a sturdy pack saddle for transport back to camp.

8 | Hunting & Fishing News

In November, we move to the lower end of the ranch to a two story ranch house. This location is closer to where the elk move to for their wintering grounds. ...Please call the SNS Office at 307-266-4229 or email Ambrosia (ambrosia@huntwyo.com) for assistance to book your Wyoming hunt with SNS Outfitter & Guides.

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Fish And Wildlife Commission Adopts Clarification To Muzzleloader Heritage Season Regulations Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Season Dec. 11 to 19, 2021

NORTH MONTANA 3030 North Montana Avenue H.O.M.E. / REAL ESTATE 3171 North Montana Avenue EAST HELENA 101 South Lane Avenue EASTSIDE 1900 9th Avenue WESTSIDE 306 Euclid Avenue

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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 18 Issue 8 Cover Photo: Paul Knowles | shutterstock.com

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T

he Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a clarification to the muzzleloader heritage hunting season for deer and elk. The commission approved the regulations for the season at its meeting on Aug. 20.

The clarification states that any unused license-permit valid on the last day of the general season (i.e., Nov. 28, 2021) would be valid during the muzzleloader heritage season (Dec. 11 to 19, 2021).

The nine-day season was established when House Bill 242 was passed in the 2021 Legislative Session.

The season begins on the second Saturday following the end of the regular season. At its Aug. 20 meeting, the commission adopted the following regulations, most of which are based on language from the statute: A person may take a deer or elk with a license or permit that is valid on the last day of the general hunting season.

Hunters can use plain lead projectiles and a muzzleloading rifle that is charged with loose black powder, loose pyrodex or an equivalent loose black powder substitute and ignited by a flintlock, wheel lock, matchlock or percussion mechanism using a percussion or musket cap.

The muzzleloading rifle must be a minimum of .45 caliber and may not have more than two barrels.

During the muzzleloader heritage season, hunters may not use a muzzleloading rifle that requires insertion of a cap or primer into the open breech of the barrel (inline), is capable of being loaded from the breech, or is mounted with an optical magnification device.

Use of preprepared paper or metallic cartridges, sabots, gas checks or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm is also prohibited.

For more information on hunting in Montana, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt.

10 | Hunting & Fishing News

Increased Accuracy From An Open Sight Muzzleloader

By Brandon Evans Originally published at

www.goHUNT.com If you move it back a few yards where you would need to hold it on the top of the back of an animal, everything disappears behind the sights. I wasn’t comfortable with this setup.

Photos courtesy Brandon Evans and www.goHUNT.com

hen it comes to muzzleloaders or other primitive weapons, W a lot of people get intimidated. Because of this, permits reserved for those weapons are typically easier to draw or require less points than rifle hunts in the same area.

Last year when I had to resort to a last minute muzzleloader landowner tag after not drawing anything in the state draws, I was one of those people. Being primarily a bowhunter, it was not so much being intimidated as it was being completely unfamiliar with muzzleloaders. After talking with a few people and my good friend and fellow employee here at goHUNT, Dave Loescher, I felt that I was ready to tackle the smokepole hunt. My equipment did not let me down, I took a great buck after a hard hunt...

After talking with Dave, he introduced me to a sight system that muzzleloader target shooters have been using for years.

This is a rear peep and front globe sight system. A lot of muzzleloader guys will switch the rear sight out for a peep, but still leave the big front sight on. In my opinion, the front globe is where the magic is found in this sight system.

It allows the use of a ultra fine crosshair and allows the shooter a full view of the target. Below I will walk you through each step I took in changing over a modern muzzleloader to an accurate “open sight” shooter.

PARTS FOR CUSTOM MUZZLELOADER SETUP The first step is finding the right components for your gun...

Item number one is the rear sight. For the Thompson/Center FX that I set up, I ordered the Williams Gun Sight, part #63304.

For the front, I needed a couple different pieces to make it work. With whatever gun you have, try and get the lowest or shortest option out there. I needed a front ramp, a Marble dovetail, part #072312. For the globe sight, I ordered the Lyman Target Globe, part #3171076. To get the ultra fine crosshair, the Lee Shaver Globe Sight Insert part #LS001, is the best I have found.

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$35.99 $11.99 $39.99 $21.95 $109.92

Once you have all of the parts, it is relatively simple to assemble. The trick to an accurate open sight system is to get the front and rear sights as far apart as you can.

Here are a few things that I learned to help shoot my muzzleloader with more accuracy. Please note that I was hunting in Colorado where it is required that you use “open” or “iron” sights. Magnification, scopes or red dots are not allowed. Remember that muzzleloader laws vary by state.

Here is how to improve your sights and still stay legal in the West.

WHY GO WITH A CUSTOM SIGHT SETUP? The original sights that came on the rifle are decent and include fiber optics, but are made of a mix of metal and plastic, which is a relatively tough setup to shoot with.

My main complaint is that at 100 yards, lining up the front and rear sights only allow you to see half of your target and allowed for a bright sight picture good for 50 to 100 yards.

Step 1.

I started by taking off all of the old sights.

(continued next page)

Hunting & Fishing News | 11

Increased Accuracy From An Open Sight Muzzleloader (continued from page 11)

The dovetail on the globe will slide into the groove on top of the ramp. They typically are a pretty tight fit and some will only go in from one side, getting tighter the further you slide them in. Install the globe as close to the center of the barrel as you can.

Step 6.

Step 2.

I pulled out the plugs that are in the barrel on the breech end and I put them back in where I removed the original rear sight. I like to keep the clean look and it helps keep moisture and debris out of the unused mounting holes.

Step 3.

With it all assembled you can interchange the inserts in the globe to the desired one. Break it out, taking care not to damage it. Remember that these can have sharp edges and corners; be careful not to cut yourself.

I personally like the fine crosshair that is included on the Lee Shaver card.

Step 7.

Install the rear peep with the supplied screws.

I also like to add a little loctite for security.

Step 4.

After everything is installed I like to hit all non-adjusting parts with some super glue or JB Weld to keep if from coming loose.

There you have it, for a little over $100 you can have a more accurate shooting open sight muzzleloader.

Next, install the front ramp with the supplied or the original screw. Make sure that it seats flush so that the dovetail can slide in. Remove screw and add a little loctite and reinstall.

Step 5.

12 | Hunting & Fishing News

For me, this helped give me confidence that I could hold more accurately on target, see the entire target and not cover anything up. Remember that this is only part of getting a muzzleloader to shoot good. You will still need to find a primer, bullet and powder combination that works good in your gun. Diving in and becoming efficient with these primitive weapons opens up new hunting opportunities throughout the West. Good luck with your muzzleloader adventures...

Ever Hunted A Montana WMA?

By Tom Cooper

All photos credit Tom Cooper

ll hunting lands are not the same. All private and public A lands are not the same. All state and federal lands are not the same. All wildlife management areas are not the

There are a number of large and small open meadows (many acres to just a few square yards), covered mostly with native grasses. If your interest is waterfowl, there are dikes along the lake shore which create large ponds between the dike and the old shoreline. You won’t find any established or maintained trails. Of course there are game trails seemingly in every direction. By following game trails, you quickly understand Whitetail deer can stroll through openings the size of a bread box, but you can’t. Roads (non-motorized use only) along irrigation canals and the dikes, can be used for hiking. If you want to experience hundreds of pelicans at one time, walk the dikes in the Spring. And the dike roads are really flat!

There are several Missouri River islands along this stretch of the river just before the river enters the lake. Not all islands are accessible on foot, because they are surrounded by primary channels of the Missouri River. Secondary channels, which are usually almost dry during the Summer and Fall, allow easy access to a number of islands, large and small. Winter hiking requires more caution because high water resulting from ice jams in primary river channels can flood secondary channels, which in turn freeze on the surface. When the ice jams deteriorate, water in the secondary channels disappears, leaving as much as four feet of empty space between the ice and channel floor.

From first hand experience, I can assure you falling through the ice in these channels can be extremely dangerous.

Did I mention the islands are flat too?

Hunting Opportunities Abound

same. Don’t assume from this introduction that I’m going to discuss the entire world of “not the same”. My plan is to address one topic from the likely hundreds or so I suggested as possible: Montana Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).

Although I’ve hunted and hiked several WMAs, I am most familiar with the Canyon Ferry WMA, located around the south shores (dikes included) of Canyon Ferry Lake, and a bit north of Townsend (both sides of the river). I’ll use Canyon Ferry WMA for my examples of what you might experience in any of Montana’s WMAs. I want one aspect relating to this WMA on the record right up front. One of my personal hunting traditions is to name harvested animals, usually tying the name to local landmarks, including any nearby community, ie., Townsend.

I recall two Whitetail bucks named Timothy and Toliver, and a doe called Teresa. Don’t you agree “T” names just sound good with Townsend? Now here’s the rub, some claim Teresa was named after my son’s mother-in-law (Teresa) and the mother (Terry) of my daughter’s long-time boyfriend. For the record, I don’t name dead animals after family members. “Teresa” was merely a coincidence.

Ok, that’s settled, let’s move along.

6,000 Acres and Flat First, this WMA covers almost 6,000 acres. More importantly, the terrain is generally flat. To an old elk hunter, flat is a factor I find myself considering more often as seasons come and go. A combination of Cottonwood and Russian Olive trees grow along this portion of the Missouri River.

In addition, expect to encounter Willows, a few Juniper trees, and an occasional Aspen. Along with these mature trees, expect thick and frequently very thorny brush. Thorns from one to three inches are not unusual. Some are “sooo” sharp, just innocently strolling by, say within a foot or so, will result in assorted punctures and scratches. I’m serious, it’s extremely unusual for me to return from a Canyon Ferry WMA hike without my wife commenting about scratches and blood on my face, hands, or arms.

Hunting opportunities include deer and moose (if lucky enough to draw a tag), ducks and geese, and pheasants and possibly turkeys. So, on any given hunting season day, the hunting community at this WMA probably includes Whitetail deer hunters, duck and goose hunters, maybe a pheasant hunter with a dog, and possibly a moose hunter.

And you might encounter a few folks just out walking their dog, although that doesn’t happen much at sunrise.

The size and diversity of the property usually handles this level of activity, although there are exceptions I’ll address later. My hunting focus has always been Whitetails.

In terms of numbers, I’ve enjoyed days when counting over 40 whitetails was pretty darned easy; like most hunting areas, I’ve also experienced days when I did not see a deer.

However, a couple years ago, I continued to hunt during a snowstorm that dumped a quick three inches of snow. I did not see an animal during the storm. As soon as the snow stopped, a doe and fawn appeared almost immediately.

Within 45 minutes it was impossible to follow a fresh track because of the total number of deer tracks criss-crossing the new snow in every possible direction.

Remember, this is a high use hunting area, so in the mid-day you may not observe many deer because these deer have learned to be as cautious, and sometimes as downright sneaky, as any in the state. (continued on page 30)

Hunting & Fishing News | 13

Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By

Republic Services of Montana

Pheasants Forever Helping To Unlock Montana Properties For New Public Access

By Casey Sill, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s PR Specialist, Pheasants Forever www.pheasantsforever.org heasants Forever and Quail Forever are in the process P of filling two Montana-based survey and public access specialist positions that will serve a dual function in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other conservation organizations.

The first priority of these positions will be to build a relationship with landowners regarding public access challenges and opportunities in the area. The desired outcome of those relationships will be opening up land-locked pieces of public property. They’ll also conduct avian and ecological surveys, focusing on sage grouse and sagebrush habitat in the region.

Sagebrush habitat, like so many other types of grasslands, is in decline nationwide. Sagebrush ecosystems once encompassed up to 150 million acres — nearly half of the American West. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever western regional director Al Eiden said the surveys will help paint a clear picture of how healthy the remaining habitat is.

“They’ll collect information to monitor wildlife population trends and range and habitat conditions which will help our partners make informed decisions related to any future management, of sage grouse primarily,” he said. “But also, all sagebrush dependent species.”

The surveys will be conducted primarily on BLM land and the data collected will be sent directly to BLM, who will make it available to other partner agencies that might need it.

Projected habitat loss puts over 350 species of plants and animals at risk in sagebrush ecosystems, including the greater sage grouse.

Sage grouse populations have declined over 80 percent since the mid 1960s, and over 40 percent since 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Service. Protecting remaining sage grouse habitat is a focus of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s national “Call of the Uplands” campaign, which hopes to preserve, restore or enhance 9 million acres of upland habitat nationwide — including 2.4 million acres in western landscapes.

14 | Hunting & Fishing News

Photo courtesy Pheasants Forever www.pheasantsforever.org

“Call of the Uplands” will lean heavily on a partnership with private landowners to help protect critical habitat.

These new positions will function in much the same way, building relationships with ranchers and other landowners to help open pieces of public property that aren’t currently accessible.

“The primary role (of these positions), whether it’s for surveying or securing recreational access, is getting to know private landowners who own properties adjacent to BLM land or other state or public lands,” Eiden said.

“Once they foster that relationship, gaining access to those lands to conduct biological surveys or beginning discussions about opportunities for future access into land-locked public property is a critical step.”

OnX Hunt and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership have combined on a project to discover land-locked public property nationwide and have identified over 16 million acres across the U.S. that are currently inaccessible.

In Montana alone, there are 1.56 million land-locked acres owned by state agencies, and 1.52 million federally owned acres.

There are numerous programs available to assist landowners in opening up this land.

“Once our staff is engrained in the community and with the landowners and lessees, the people in these positions will be looking at all of the available options to get the landowner enrolled in some kind of program,” Eiden said. “It could be a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks initiative, a BLM program, partnering with other conservation organizations, the purchase of a property or an easement that allows people to cross private land. Whatever it is, they’re going to work with that landowner to get them in the appropriate place to help them manage the recreational use of their property.”

Local Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters can also help assist in maintaining these relationships and conserving sagebrush habitat. “Our chapters believe public access is important, so our staff will work with our local members to get some volunteer efforts in place to help out landowners, or potentially develop our own Pheasants Forever programs, possibly an adopt-a-ranch type agreement,” Eiden said. “Ultimately, the responsibility of these staff members will be to know what programs are available and which other partners are interested in securing public access.”

Rifle Recommendation: Best of the West 6.5 PRC

By Ryan McSparran LOH Outfitters www.lohoutfitters.com

Private Hunting Retreat tbd X-L Heights Road, Butte, MT

Photo courtesy LOH Outfitters www.lohoutfitters.com

unters often ask us for a rifle recommendation when H planning a New Mexico hunt. What’s the best rifle for a pronghorn hunt? What’s the best rifle for an elk hunt?

Our recommendation is simple. Have one rifle that you know extremely well and use it for everything.

This property, totaling 428 +/- acres, has the opportunity to remain a private hunting retreat, and also offers development potential as it is a collection of several parcels. Power and fiber optic are to the property.

It is on the North end of the East Ridge just minutes from Butte, and accessed from a public road. This bare land includes marketable timber as well as large aspen stands for outstanding wildlife habitat that holds elk, deer, and moose population, among others. Meadows and open bottom land with water features (seasonal creek) are also spread through the property making it a hunting paradise. It would be an ideal location for a home or cabin with plenty of building sites to choose from.

MLS 352838 $685,000

Here’s what LOH Outfitters owner, Jerry Blake, has to say about it: “When I was raised, I thought it was best to have 15 or 20 different guns in different calibers and for different animals,” Jerry said. “And it took me until recently when I met the folks at Best of the West to realize that when I open up my gun safe, I don’t want to pick from all those guns, all with different bullets and different scopes.

“Instead, I want to open my gun safe and pull out one gun,” he continued. “When I put that in my hand and go on my hunt, I can be confident knowing it’s going to do exactly what it did last time.”

So instead of trying to sight in and maintain a grip of different rifles, we’d recommend buying one, extremely high quality rifle. This will help you have the utmost confidence and success on your big game hunts.

If you’re looking for a new rifle, one that we would highly recommend is the Best of the West 6.5 PRC. It’s a lightweight, reliable package that has been tested to 1,200 yards.

When you think of all that you invest –time, money and resources – into your hunting adventures, consider the fact that your weapon is the most important thing you carry with you. Confidence in your weapon is irreplaceable. When that shot opportunity presents itself, can you make it count?

Learn more and watch a video with Jared Peterson from Best of the West here: https://youtu.be/brQZTujYyqc Contact Us With Questions.

If you’d like to know more about our guided hunts in New Mexico, please take a few minutes to explore our website at www.lohoutfitters.com as we provide a great deal of information. If you’d like to know specific availability or other details, please feel free to call Jerry directly at 315-374-8209 or email info@lohoutfitters.com

493 Threadgrass Road, Melrose, MT This immaculate custom home sits near the banks of the Big Hole River.

The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home on two acres is surrounded by a private ranch under a conservation easement, so ultimate privacy will remain in place. The only other neighbors include moose, whitetail deer, turkeys, antelope, waterfowl, and other wildlife. Post and beam style with huge vaulted ceilings a large gas fireplace, a hutch with a wine and beverage cooler, wine glass storage, and audio system. The kitchen features a gorgeous, custom range hood, built-in espresso machine, and the finest appliances.

MLS 22112009 $2,750,000

LET ME HELP YOU FIND YOUR DREAM PROPERTY.

Nick grew up hunting and fishing Montana’s mountains and streams, and he aims to use his honesty and knowledge of Montana’s recreational opportunities while assisting clients in finding their dream Montana property. He specializes in farm, ranch, and recreational properties.

NICK DODGE REALTOR®

3799 Montana Highway 1 Philipsburg, Montana 59858 Email: Nick@CMPMontana.com Website: CMPMontana.com Office: 406.859.5263 Mobile: 406.593.2666

Hunting & Fishing News | 15

Sneeze

Photo courtesy Northland Fishing Tackle www.northlandtackle.com

Ignite Your Hardwater Season

Northland Fishing Tackle www.northlandtackle.com i th slender bodies, prominent eyes, and sticky hooks, Northland’s New Bro Bug Spoons light-up everything from jumbo perch and slab bluegills to finicky trout and tasty walleyes.

W

Amazingly versatile, Northland Tackle’s new Bro Bug Spoon is the catch-all solution you’ve been looking for as hardwater season approaches. Designed to match the hatch, its slender body resembles young-of-the-year baitfish or freshwater bloodworms, favorite wintertime targets of perch, bluegills, crappies and walleyes, among other ice-fishing targets.

“This spoon is super effective in a variety of ice-fishing situations,” said Northland pro-staffer and veteran multi-species fishing guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl.

“It’s long and thin, making it easy for predator species to spot and mistake for winter fodder, yet it drops fast and then shimmies and shakes with the slightest twitch of the rod thanks to its flat sides. The Bro Bug Spoon catches just about anything on the hardwater menu, but I especially love to break it out when speed fishing for jumbo perch and targeting big walleyes.

Wonderbread

Purple Wonder

UV Firetiger Unlike other spoons, the Bro Bug Spoon features 3D bulging lifelike eyes that show up exceptionally well on your electronics and draw attention from predator species even when the lure is momentarily held still. Additionally, the tapered body shape ensures solid hook sets as it provides a wide gap between the lure body and hook points.

Tipped with a couple of waxworms or your favorite soft plastic, this lure is simply irresistible to nearly any species you can catch through the ice.

“All you have to do is get it down, give it a wiggle or slight hop, and set the hook with a light flick of the wrist,” assures Brosdahl. “I’ve been excited about the potential of a design like this for a long time and this new lure has proven itself to be well worth the wait, and I’ve had especially good luck so far using the Wonderbread color pattern, so be sure to check it out.”

Available in stores, or online at www.northlandtackle.com, Bro Bug Spoons are packaged individually ($4.99) or as a three-pack ($11.99). With their buggy profile, responsive action, bulging eyes, sticky hooks, plus 12 color patterns and three sizes (1/16-, 1/8- and ¼-oz.), they’re sure to be a big hit this winter, so don’t miss out.

• Multi-species lure scores with jumbo perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye and more.

• Slender taper profile for quick fall and great action.

• Lifelike 3D eyes show the lure better on electronics.

• Tapered body for more hook gap and secure hooksets.

• 1/16-, 1/8- and ¼-oz. sizes ensure exceptional versatility.

• Packaged individually or 3/card.

• Twelve snazzy colors including Silver Shiner, Gold Shiner, UV Firetiger, Super Glow Chub, UV Pink Tiger, UV Electric Perch, Super Glo Redfish, Bubblegum Tiger, Wonderbread, UV Glo Perch, Purple Wonder, and Sneeze.

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Forecast Looks Promising For Perch Fishery In Lake Cascade

By Connor Liess, Public Information Specialist, IDFG

“Anglers should look forward to another great year of fishing on Lake Cascade in 2022. In our recent gill netting survey, nearly one out of every four perch caught exceeded 13 inches – which is similar to last year. Although we continue to see a gradual decline in overall numbers of ‘jumbo’ perch, we are starting to see an uptick in numbers of 10 – 12 inch perch, which hasn’t occurred since 2013,” said Regional Fisheries Biologist, Mike Thomas.

“Combined with recent age and growth studies, the data suggests that for each yellow perch harvested by an angler, two are dying of natural causes in Lake Cascade,” Thomas said.

Biologists are continuing surveys.

Happy anglers posing with jumbo yellow perch at Lake Cascade. Photo courtesy IDFG.

take a hard look at perch numbers, and not just Biologists the ones hitting the record books.

With Idaho Fish and Game biologists wrapping up their annual Lake Cascade gillnetting survey, the question on everyone’s mind is: What does the forecast look like for anglers going after record-breaking perch in 2022? Initial reports look good for another year of perch fishing on Cascade based on gillnet surveys, and despite decreases in the number of jumbo perch, overall population is still showing plenty of fish in the 10-12 inch range.

Yellow perch have put Cascade on the map as a destination fishery, sometimes weighing in at over 2 pounds and living as old as 15 years. The reservoir attracts thousands of anglers from all across the world, from backyard fish fryers to sportfish trophy hunters, each contending for a chance to haul in one of Idaho’s most sought-after game fish species.

Still setting records In March 2021, Wisconsin angler Adam Mann broke the state certified weight record for yellow perch with a whopping 3.22-pound perch that was 16.25-inches long. More recently, Meridian angler Phil Agnew narrowly missed setting the state catch-and-release credit Adam Mann record on Oct. 3, when he Photo Courtesy IDFG hauled in a 16.5-inch perch while fishing the open water with three friends.

The near-record perch was among 33 that Agnew’s group caught that day, which included several fish in the “jumbo” class that measured over 14”.

Phil Agnew Photo credit IDFG

Fish and Game biologists have been working throughout the year, actively monitoring perch harvest numbers via several methods of evaluation.

“If you’ve been out on the lake this summer, you’ve probably been stopped and asked a few questions about your fishing experience,” said Mike Thomas. “We will continue to conduct these surveys throughout the ice fishing season in 2022.”

Anglers can also expect to see a lot of orange “IDFG” buoys on the lake next year, as a new graduate study kicks off with the University of Idaho that will look at interactions between perch, pikeminnow, and bass to evaluate factors limiting survival of juvenile perch.

The information gathered provides managers with important knowledge about Lake Cascade’s sport fishery, such as predation, disease, changes in habitat, angler harvest, and mortality from other natural causes.

Biologists are continuing to tag fish, roughly a thousand a year, to monitor how many are being hauled in by anglers.

The surveys suggest that Lake Cascade will remain one of the finest perch fisheries in the world, with size structure that is unparalleled.

Anglers will also be able to enjoy ice fishing access this season thanks to several access sites around the lake.

In addition to this outstanding perch fishery, ice anglers can also expect some large rainbow trout, and next spring and summer, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass.

For further information about Lake Cascade and other fisheries in the McCall area, contact the McCall Fish and Game office at (208) 634-8137 or email: jordan.messner@idfg.idaho.gov.

Here’s more about perch fishing on Lake Cascade. https://youtu.be/_E7qiHvOuAU

Anglers take less than 10 percent annually Previous surveys have shown that roughly 25 percent of the lake’s perch die annually, with less than 10 percent of that attributed to angler harvest. In addition to routine tagging studies and population monitoring, Fish and Game biologists are closely evaluating angler preferences, effort, and harvest in Lake Cascade.

Hunting & Fishing News | 17

Over time, we realize these shallow fish are not accident and there are situations where we better look for fish in less than five feet of water.

Shallow walleye are often aggressive but marking fish in such shallow water can sometimes be difficult. Keep your transducer as high as possible and learn to look for water displacement when fish turn on the lure.

Photo courtesy Jason Mitchell www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com.

Shallow Walleye At Early Ice

By Jason Mitchell Jason Mitchell Outdoors www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com

hallow is relative. Ten feet might be shallow on some S bodies of water where there are other fisheries where the basin or deepest water available might only be ten feet of water. We often catch walleye at early ice in shallow water but how shallow? A mistake I have made over and over in my own life is sometimes not fishing shallow enough.

Can’t tell you how many times in my life where I tried to drill holes in say ten to six feet of water but a few holes were drilled even shallower by accident… a mistake.

Can’t tell you how many times when we caught fish out of these shallowest of holes, sometimes in two or three feet of water. The fish felt like an accident. Sometimes we make up our minds as anglers where fish are supposed to be and we get lucky enough to stumble onto fish what feels like accident.

In both North and South Dakota, we have many shallow natural lakes with big walleye populations. These slough fish are notorious for running shallow, less than five feet of water. What we also see happen is skinny water patterns develop through the winter where we might be in six or seven feet of water but since we have four feet of ice, the amount of water below the ice might only be two or three feet.

Have also seen walleye in less than five feet of water on many natural lakes in Minnesota. Leech Lake immediately comes to mind where we often find walleye roaming shallow sand flats. Flowages and river systems can also produce shallow walleye patterns.

As a rule of thumb, every ecosystem is going to have different forage, different personalities. Each system will fish slightly different but if you see extremely shallow patterns unfold on a fishery during the open water period, you better anticipate some of the same skinny water patterns under the ice.

These shallow fish can be spooky. How spooky can depend on a lot of factors. There are other situations however where the fish will let you get away with a surprising amount of commotion. The amount of ice can really seem to influence how much you can get away with. When you are in three feet of water on top of four inches of ice, you won’t get away with as much noise as when you are in six feet of water on top of three feet of ice.

The toughest conditions seem to line up with a little bit of clear ice in clear water. These fish seem to be the most sensitive. Catching fish in shallow water during these conditions is often a low light affair and you must make a conscience effort to be quiet.

Drill your holes ahead of time and keep your lights limited to head lamps that you can turn on and off.

Take your ice cleats off and try not to make a lot of noise, settle down into an area and let the fish come to you. Tip ups and extra lines set remotely can be important. The bite will often occur in the dark.

Stained water, cloudy ice and simply more ice however can make these fish much more tolerant of noise and what you can get away with. Not all shallow walleye patterns require stealth mode but universally, a lot of big vehicle traffic seems to shut down every shallow walleye bite we have ever seen. Therefore it is so important to be the angler that finds the fish first. With shallow walleye, you won’t get there in time if you are waiting for reports.

Besides being productive, what makes these skinny water patterns so fun is that these fish are often simply aggressive. You are not working with much water so when these fish come in and punch a spoon or glide bait three feet from the end of your rod, the hits feel electric.

The fish fight hard and are still full of energy when you bring them topside.

A challenge when fishing for walleye in such shallow water is simply dumping fish at the bottom of the hole when they hit the ice. Can also be a challenge navigating big fish up a hole when dealing with less than six inches of ice.

These fish can back up and leverage their tails against the bottom of the ice. Almost must just plan to get your hands wet for big fish where you reach down below the ice and simply pin them to the side of the hole or get ahold of the gill plate.

18 | Hunting & Fishing News

Across the board, when fishing in really shallow water… upsize those treble hooks on your lures.

Take about any spoon or glide bait and double the treble hook size. Seems like overkill but that larger hook and wider gap will keep fish pinned up much better when they hit the bottom of the ice.

When dealing with a few feet of water, these fish will often hit the bottom of the ice basically when you set the hook. This isn’t a situation necessarily for finesse unless you are using live minnows below tip ups and are simply letting the fish swallow the minnow.

Because these fish are often so aggressive, match your presentation and cadence to the attitude of the fish.

Ring the dinner bell.

Pound the lure with hard cadences. These fish are looking for a meal, they are looking for you so make sure fish can find you. My favorite shallow water walleye lures include flutter spoons like the larger Clam Pro Tackle Leech Flutter Spoons, the Super Leech Flutter Spoons and glide baits like the Tikka Minos. Use a rod with plenty of backbone just so you can get the right pound on the lure and drive the bigger hooks into fish.

In such skinny water, my best cadence is often just a hard six-inch knock where the lure bounces hard in a tight area.

Marking shallow fish with electronics can be tricky and some of these fish will just blow you up and surprise you where you don’t see them until they hit. Get your transducer as high as possible and learn to look for water displacement. Sometimes (especially with bigger fish) fish will dart in and out and as they move water and stir up sediment on the bottom, that commotion can show up on your Vexilar as thin, choppy lines. Get ready. Even in three feet of water however, you are still going to have about a foot of cone angle so get your transducer high, use the lowest power setting and you will be able to mark many of the fish.

A cool sidebar we have noticed at times with shallow water walleye, especially in stained water… is how much fish can be attracted to the auger. Not sure if the current from drilling a hole moves water around and creates a commotion that attracts fish or stains the water that the fish like. Might even be some flash and reflection from the blades turning but we have seen situations where the auger seemed like a fish magnet.

Something else we notice a lot is that if the fishing does slow down, simply drilling a bunch of holes seems to stir things up and moves fish around where they become active again.

So there are times when you have to be in complete stealth mode and drill your holes ahead of time but there are other situations in stained water where drilling holes seems to attract fish or turn them on.

At early ice, we are often targeting shallow fish along shoreline structure. Sand with some type of rock, gravel or wood is often a magnet, especially if you have quick access to deeper water. If there is a mistake, I have made many times myself or a simple lesson I must relearn from time to time, that mistake would be simply not getting shallow enough at early ice. Some of the most fun, most aggressive bites that happen each winter for walleye often occur in less than five feet of water on less than six inches of ice.

Jason Mitchell poses with a big walleye that came out of four feet of water. Some of the very best walleye patterns on many different systems...particularly at early ice are happening in less than six feet of water.

Photo courtesy Jason Mitchell www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com.

2022 Lund 1875 Impact Sport XS

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Hunting & Fishing News | 19

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PUBLIC ACCESS For hunters, anglers and others who enjoy experiencing the outdoors first-hand, it means everything. No access means no recreational opportunity.

You cannot hunt if you do not have access to quality habitat. Creating and improving public access is core to the mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners completed 1,120 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Montana with a combined value of more than $200.8 million. These projects protected or enhanced 881,941 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 347,180 acres. How large is 347,180 acres?

That equates to approximately 263,015 football fields (end zones included).

RMEF works with landowners, state and federal agencies, sportsmen and women, and many other partners to acquire private land and convey it to a public agency so it is open to all for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. Public access tools include land acquisitions and exchanges, access agreements and other means.

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Staying On During The Offseason

By Josh Kirchner Originally published at

www.goHUNT.com

hinking back on when I was a young boy, there T was always an offseason. We would go hunting during the month of October here in Arizona for deer, but, after that, the camo would get hung up until next year. Nowadays, I feel like I am always doing something in light of hunting season. It has become a way of life in all honesty. I’d venture to say that many of you feel the same. Granted, it may not be the most important thing out there, but it is important to me nonetheless. Because of that, my offseason is essentially nonexistent. There is always something to do. That begs a question, right? What can we do during the offseason to keep us on?

YEAR-ROUND SCOUTING The more time that you spend out in the hills, the more you are going to learn about those hills. They have a story to tell and if you aren’t there to read it, well, then you just aren’t there. Even taking a morning here and there to go sit on a glassing knob with a hot cup of coffee is pure bliss for me. On top of that, I get to watch animal behavior during these certain times of the year.

I love to understand why they do what they do and why they are where they are. A great example of this is spring bear hunting versus fall bear hunting in Arizona.

The bears are just in different areas due to available food sources throughout the year. Without scouting through the off months, I would not have known this as well as I do. Heck, I’m even scouting for bears during other hunting seasons. During the last archery deer season, I found an area that was loaded with bear scat from the previous fall. You can bet that I notated the whereabouts of that. The same can be done with any species. Keep your eyes open at all times.

STAYING IN SHAPE I feel like being in shape for hunting is merely a byproduct of just being in good shape. Does that make sense?

Let me try to break this down for you.

I notice that when I am staying healthy and fit, I generally feel better overall.

My energy levels are better, I am more motivated to get things done, and I feel accomplished.

Because of that, I don’t do it for hunting; I do it for myself. Why wouldn’t you want to feel better than you do? I want to feel good all of the time—not for only a few months before hunting season.

Because of my philosophy on the matter, I stay in shape year-round. This throws that transition period out the window. You know, the one where you haven’t worked out in eight months, but have an elk tag to prepare for. Getting back in the saddle can be hard, so I say, “Stay in the saddle.” Whether that means hitting the gym or hitting the trail with a loaded pack, it’s only going to benefit you in the long run.

22 | Hunting & Fishing News

All photos courtesy Josh Kirchner and www.goHUNT.com

GEAR TESTING I am going to go out on a limb here and say that most of you who are reading this are gear junkies. Every year, there are some new gadgets that hit the market or ones that we have had our eyes on for a bit. As an avid backpack hunter, I am always trying to find ways of lightening the load of my overall system.

During the offseason, I love to hit the trails with my wife on backpacking adventures to test this gear out.

Gear testing has become somewhat of a passion for me.

I love knowing that when I bring something into the field, I can count on it to get the job done. Playing the wondering game is not a game I like to participate in.

On my hunts, I want to be able to focus on hunting instead of worrying about something like my shelter blowing away or leaking from a thunderstorm.

Finding things like this out on a hunt is just plain inconvenient. The offseason is a perfect time to work out the kinks of a gear list.

ACTUALLY, SHOOT YOUR BOW OR RIFLE Ok, I know that all of you “actually shoot your bow or rifle,” but how much do you shoot it? I know plenty of folks who pick up their bow or head to the rifle range a few weeks before the season.

Forgive me if I sound off-putting, but, if you are doing this, you are asking to miss. I know this very well.

After one too many sour deer hunts, I was done missing.

Since then, I shoot my bow year-round, regardless of how many tags I have in my pocket.

Does this guarantee that I will not miss?

No, but it sure does cut down on the likelihood of it happening.

Whether you are shooting a rifle or a bow, the more that you hit the range, the more muscle memory you are going to create. In a high-stress situation, we are more than likely going to act on instinct. If we can make our shooting second nature, we are going to come in ahead of the curve. Shooting year-round is going to help make your weapon an extension of you.

3D SHOOTS If you are a bowhunter, participating in the various 3D shoots in your area can prove invaluable. This is a great way to up the stakes and practice at aiming at life-size animal targets. Why? Well, when we are out in the field, we don’t have the luxury of the conveniently placed orange dots on the game we pursue. Shooting at 3D targets exercises a common phrase that you have all heard: “Pick a spot.” If you want to up the stakes even more, throw some money down with your buddies. A little stress during shooting is a good thing.

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ENDNOTE So, is there really an offseason? I guess that depends on who you are and your motivations. For me and those who are similar, the answer is probably no.

For others, the answer might be yes and they might not want to see their hunting gear for 11 months.

Whichever it is, there is no right or wrong way to do this stuff. The real point of this piece is this: if you want to get better at something—in this case hunting—you can do that. All you have to do is remain committed to your craft. If you love this stuff as much as I do, you probably don’t even think about this and you just do it.

You do it because it is part of who you are. The option of not doing it is not there. Do you smell that? It’s fall hunting season dancing on the horizon. The question is: are you going to be prepared to dance with it?

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Take care of them and they’ll take care of you. I have a pair of Kenetrek boots that are now six years old and have over 150 days of hunting under their soles.

Keeping them clean and waxed, they are still in great shape.

Start by removing the laces and thoroughly cleaning your hunting boots. I like to use lukewarm tap water and Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel to rinse off all dirt, mud and other grime. Once the boots are totally clean, leave them to dry overnight. When they’re completely dry, I apply Kenetrek Boot Wax, as much as the leather will absorb.

All photos credit Ryan McSparran

Make Your Hunting Gear Last Longer

By Ryan McSparran

Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Company www.caribougear.com

s the big game hunting seasons come to a close, A hopefully you’ve got a pile of dirty, muddy and well-used gear. That’s the sign of a fun year, right?

After letting it soak in for a couple of hours, use a clean rag to wipe off any excess wax. Replace the laces and store them in a cool, dry place where they won’t be in direct sunlight.

If you use a synthetic boot rather than a leather boot, use a waterproofing agent that’s designed for synthetic footwear and follow the instructions.

Revive Your Hunting Apparel

But before you forget about it for the winter, give your hunting gear some attention.

You’ve probably invested a great deal on your clothing, sleep system, footwear, weapons, field dressing equipment, and a myriad of other accessories.

Before you call it quits for the year, take time to clean, dry and winterize your gear. Some effort now will make your hunting gear last for many more years of use.

Get the Blood Out If you harvested an animal this season, start with any items that need a need a good washing. Hopefully you immediately washed your game bags when you got home...

After a long hunting season, your hunting clothes could probably use some attention. If you’ve invested in high quality technical clothing, make sure you get the most longevity out of each piece. That starts with proper washing, treatment and storage.

Get out your hunting knives, kill kit, Hunter’s Tarp and anything else that might have dried blood on it.

Wash them carefully and then make sure they’re totally dry before you put them away for the winter.

Only use detergents that are designed for technical outdoor apparel. I wash all my outerwear in Nikwax Tech Wash. It’s even safe on items with Gore-Tex or a similar waterproof-breathable membrane.

Then, I re-waterproof any items that have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish – that includes rain gear, gaiters, softshell jackets, hunting pants, gloves etc. The re-waterproofing step is something I do every year at the end of the season. Renewing the DWR finish allows water to bead and roll off, just like when the garment was new.

Washing blood from your backpack can be a little more cumbersome, but it’s usually not difficult.

Unless the manufacturer offers other instructions, an hour-long soak in bathtub full of cold water and dish soap, followed by a cold-water rinse is a safe way to clean most packs.

Hang it to dry and you’ll be good to go.

Clean and Wax Your Hunting Boots Next, take good care of your hunting footwear. Quality boots are the foundation for being able to hunt hard and stay comfortable in the field.

24 | Hunting & Fishing News

Next, I wash my base layers and socks using a mild detergent that’s recommended for outdoor gear. Once again, I usually turn to Nikwax. Their Wool Wash for example, is great for all those merino wool socks and base layers.

After washing and re-waterproofing, hang everything to dry. Then, store your gear in a closed container or hang in a plastic wardrobe for the off-season.

Like your boots, keep the clothing in a cool, dry place that’s out of direct sunlight and those items will last a great deal longer.

Inspect Your Rifle or Bow After any trip, make it a habit to carefully clean and inspect your rifle or your bow. Wax the string or run a few patches down the barrel. Generally, make sure it’s dry, clean and ready for storage.

Before you put it away, check that all mounts and screws are tight. If there are any issues, it’s best to discover them now so that you can get it fixed before your next day at the range. Speaking of which - don’t forget to keep up your range practice during the off-season!...

Clean and Carefully Store Your Sleep System Your sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent are critical parts of your hunting gear setup. And they are probably some of the most expensive! So it’s worth making sure these items are clean and dry before putting them away.

After each trip, I like to set up the tent in my yard and hose it down (weather dependent of course).

If it’s snowy or wet outside, you’ll have to do what you can indoors. In either case, do your best to get the tent clean and then totally dry.

Never leave your sleeping bag in a stuff-sack longer than is necessary. After the hunt, lay it out flat for a few days to air out and recover. For storage, hang it up in a closet or keep it in a roomy storage bag where the down feathers won’t be compressed. In fact, our Medium Quarter Game Bag is the perfect size for storing a sleeping bag.

Does your sleeping bag need a wash? While it is possible to wash high quality down sleeping bags at home, a professional gear repair/cleaning service is recommended to help get the longest life and best performance out of your bag. You can expect about $30-$40 for a professional sleeping bag cleaning - and you might be surprised how much loft is restored!

Miscellaneous Items As you put away gear for the winter, check for anything else that might have dirt, mud or blood that needs to be taken care of. Dirty gear will corrode if left unattended. Wipe down your optics. Take the batteries out of your headlamps to avoid corrosion.

As you put each item away, give it a quick inspection and make note of anything that needs to be replaced.

The off-season is a great time to make sure everything is in good shape and working order before the next adventure. If you’ve invested in great hunting gear, you want to get the most out of it! High quality gear isn’t cheap. But when treated right, it can perform at a high level and last for many years.

If you have specific questions about our Caribou Gear products or how to take care of them, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to help you get ready for your best season yet. Give us a call at 303-798-5824.

Hunting & Fishing News | 25

Photo credit Ryan McSparran

Off Season Rifle Shooting Tips

By Zach Lazzari Kawdy Outfitters www.kawdyoutfitters.com

he snow is piled high and big game seasons for T most of North America are on hold. Your gear is likely stored away and your desk is littered with notes on different hunts, outfitters, license applications and other planning essentials.

Those hunts in the future will approach incredibly fast.

Maintaining a regular shooting practice schedule throughout the winter will elevate your skills and have you prepared well ahead of the hunting seasons.

Practicing in the off season is about much more than sighting in a rifle. You are building critical confidence, extending your range and training to really be a shooter. This means you will instinctively drop in position and know exactly where your shot will land when it counts. There is no better feeling than approaching a shot with the experience that removes any second guessing or uncertainty.

Monthly Minimum Range Visit At a minimum, a monthly visit to the range will keep you centered and on target. Increasing the frequency of your shooting trips will however really stand to improve your game. Take the time to really become intimate with your rifle and how it handles. Find the best rounds through practice and get yourself dialed on extremely tight groupings at the outer edge of your comfortable range.

After you have that normal shooting range producing consistent groupings, jump out to longer range shots just for fun. You may not need to use this skill while hunting, but knowing where you can place a shot at long distances is comforting. A shooting school is well worth the investment for developing long range skills as well.

26 | Hunting & Fishing News

Dry Firing Rifles Making regular range visits is not always possible, but you can build some serious confidence through visualization and dry practice. The process involves shooting without any ammunition.

Before you begin a session of dry practice, check, double check and triple check that your rifle is not loaded.

Even so, always aim into a safe setting as a safety measure. Dry practice against a real target like a decoy is ideal. You can also simply hang a photo of a big game animal to help with the visualization and shot placement.

Focus on your shooting positions and setup just like you would in the field. Pay close attention to breathing and shot placement. Pull the trigger normally and visualize the shot being on target. You should be thinking about recoil and working through flinch patterns as well.

Spend twenty minutes visualizing shot scenarios while getting yourself positioned and setup on a target.

Do this once or twice a week and you will really develop and build confidence for the field. The practice also works well for bird hunters and shotguns.

Kawdy Outfitters offers remote hunts in northern British Columbia for moose, mountain caribou, mountain goat and stone sheep.

To learn more, please explore the rest of our website at www.kawdyoutfitters.com. For details please call 1-250-306-8624 or 1-250-540-1179 (Oct 15 – July1) and 1-250-651-1189 (July 1 – Oct 15).

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See these and other fine products at one of the 5 Montana Bob Ward’s stores in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Hamilton and Butte or shop 24/7 at www.bobwards.com. Free shipping on $49.00 or more with some exclusions.

Under Armour Men’s Rut Fleece Hoodie

Sitka Gear Men’s & Women’s Mountain Jacket

A technical hoodie that

doesn’t skimp on style, Under Armour’s Rut Fleece is at home whether relaxing in camp after a long stalk or trading stories about the one that got away at your local watering hole.

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Features: -Fuller cut for complete comfort -UA Storm technology repels water without sacrificing breathability -Rugged twill fleece fabric is durable, incredibly warm and insanely comfortable -Heavily articulated moto elbows provide enhanced mobility and zero-rise in the sleeve cuffs -Front kangaroo pocket -Henley placket construction to dump excess heat

Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM Rangefinder The revolutionary new Leica

Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM is the first dedicated compact laser rangefinder capable of precise distance measurements up to 2,800 yards/2,600 meters and benefits from easy smartphone programming via Bluetooth and the new Leica Hunting App. Style 40506 This means Leica ABC® Ballistics can be customized directly through a smartphone as well as a Kestrel Elite weather meter.

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM offers hunters and long-range shooters three ballistic outputs in addition to the measured distance. Depending on the ballistic data required, when using Leica’s ballistic program, the CRF 2800.COM provides either hold over value in inches, centimeters or comeups in MOA or MILs to 1,000 yards, or equivalent horizontal range (EHR) to 1,200 yards/1,100 meters. When connected with the Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics, the CRF 2800.COM will display both elevation and windage corrections as far as the range finder can read.

Data is shown on the integrated LED display, which automatically adjusts to ambient lighting conditions.

The scan mode measures environmental conditions and target distance every 0.3 seconds. Between 10 and 200 yards, the CRF2800.COM displays distance to the tenth of a yard, an especially useful feature for archers. Thanks to its compact size and weight, it can easily be carried in a pocket.

28 | Hunting & Fishing News

Men’s shown in Women’s shown in Optifade Open Country Optifade Subalpine Style: 50229 Style: 50238

This all-around mountain workhorse features an updated

two-way stretch and deadly quiet brushed Polyester face over 3-Layer GORE-TEX® INFINIUM™ with WINDSTOPPER® Form Fit Technology. The combo provides an imperceptibly light and extra durable protection on windy days and in light precipitation, making the Mountain Jacket an essential throughout the bulk of the season. The zippered chest pocket provides sanctuary for necessities, and two zippered hand pockets are designed to fit above a backpack’s waist belt without bunching when carrying a heavy pack.

Features: -GORE-TEX® Waterproof/Breathable Technology -WINDSTOPPER® Laminate -Optifade™ Camo -Zippered Mesh Chest and Hand pockets

Styrka S7 Series 10x42 Binocular For a hunter, what you see is what

you get. Styrka’s S7 Series binoculars feature extra-low dispersion (ED) objective lenses that virtually eliminate chromatic aberration and provide prolonged performance in low light, when you need it most.

Style: ST35522 Features: -ED Glass Objective Lenses -SXL-Max Fully Multi-Coated Optics Group -Phase and Dielectric Coated BAK-4 Prisms -100% Waterproof -Nitrogen Purged -Rubber Armor -Twist-Up Eyecups -Tripod Adaptable -Tethered Lens Covers and Rainguard -Deluxe Custom Styrka Carrying Case -Padded Comfort Neck Strap -Genuine Spudz™ Lens Cleaning Cloth

Field Logic GlenDel Buck 3D Archery Target A full mature sized whitetail deer 3-D target

with poly fusion technology to increase target life and offer easy arrow removal, replaceable 4-side core extends shooting time and increases durability and life.

Features: -Stops all field points and broadheads -Body size of a 200 pound live weight whitetail -5 times the insert surface shooting area -Shoulder height of 34” -Open layered poly fusion technology -Replaceable insert Style: G71000 11”x11”x11”

Swiss Army SwissChamp Multi-Tool

Jam-packed with so many tools, you’ll never need to look far for what you need. Two knife blade sizes, wood saw to pliers and scissors, there isn’t much the Champ can’t accomplish.

Tons of features all in a compact 3 1/2 inch body.

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Features: -Large blade -Small blade -Reamer, punch and sewing awl -Can opener -Screwdriver 3 mm -Bottle opener -Wire stripper -Screwdriver 6 mm -Scissors -Pliers -Wire cutters -Wire crimper -Fish scaler -Ruler (inches) -Hook disgorger -Ruler (cm) -Wood saw

-Nail file -Nail cleaner -Metal saw -Metal file -Magnifying glass -Phillips screwdriver 1-2 -Screwdriver 2 mm -Chisel 4 mm -Multipurpose hook -Toothpick -Tweezers -Pressurized ballpoint pen -Pin, stainless steel -Key ring -Mini screwdriver -Corkscrew

Filson Men’s Big Game Upland Hat

Blaze Orange Upland Hat

Simms Guide Classic Wader Stockingfoot Made in Montana with legendary

GORE-TEX waterproof-breathable fabrics, the Guide Classic Stockingfoot is a time honored, durability first, fundamental performer.

Features: -Reach-through hand warmer chest pocket with zippered top stash pocket -Attached sewn-in Tippet Tender™ pocket with retractor docking station & tippet spool sleeves included -Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with built-in gravel guards.

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Bula Women’s Smoke Beanie

There’s no shortage of style or performance

when they don this beanie.

This stylish winter hat will

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Features: -Lamb’s Wool and Nylon Blend -High Loft Polyester Fleece Lining -Removable Fur Pom Style: HBSMO

Arcticshield Heat Echo Shooters Gloves Realtree Edge Heat echo shooters gloves will

keep your hands dry and warm while in the wild doing what you love.

Features: -Retain™ Active breathable heat retention technology -Bonded fabric - polyester shell with fleece interior Style: 526300 -Fleece interior contains bamboo charcoal fibers which offer natural scent minimization and heat reflective qualities -Water resistant, Windproof, Breathable, Lightweight -Synthetic palm and fingers with reinforced palm -Screen touch sensitive thumb and index finger -Neoprene cuff

Manzella Women’s Snow Star Gloves Function and style, the Snow Star gloves

provides high visibility.

Very water-repellent and wind resistant. Lined with warm Mackinaw Wool. 2” bill, vent holes for air circulation, and cotton sweatband.

Made in USA. Style: 11060065

Features: -Water-repellent and wind resistant -2 Inch bill -Vent holes for air circulation -Cotton sweatband -Made in USA

from Manzella feature a toasty warm wool blend with polyester fleece insulation and “snow star” jacquard knit print construction.

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Features: -Wool blend glove for cold day diversity -Shell features a jacquard knit print constructed of a wool blend -Lined in brushed knit wicking fabric -Polyester fleece insulation

These are just a few suggestions. Shop online at www.bobwards.com or at one of the 5 Montana Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors stores in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Hamilton or Butte. For assistance call 1-800-800-5083.

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Hunting & Fishing News | 29

Ever Hunted A Montana WMA?

(continued from page 13) However, one can expect to encounter many other species including: coyotes, beavers, porcupines, muskrats, eagles, hawks, owls, swans, and a wide variety of other birds and waterfowl. Although I haven’t seen a live one at this WMA, I can verify the harvest of one cow elk. Similarly, I’ve observed tracks of adult-size cougars on a couple occasions.

Weapons Restrictions Apply There are several designated parking areas, clearly marked, and as suggested earlier, other than primary WMA entry roads (one on each side of the river), it’s all non-motorized use only.

If you are a big game hunter, your over-the-counter buck deer tag is valid. To harvest a Whitetail doe, tags are available through a drawing. Weapons restrictions apply. During the general gun season, big game hunters wear orange and are limited to muzzleloaders, shotguns, or traditional handguns.

Discharge of rifles is prohibited year-round. During the state’s scheduled archery season, only archery equipment is allowed (except for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting) and camouflaged clothing is acceptable.

Tree stands may be used, but should be removed at the end of each hunting season.

High Use Requires More Caution Over the years, I’ve noted a couple things: use increases significantly on weekends, and the week surrounding Thanksgiving is very, very busy. Avoid both if possible.

I recall a particularly active Thanksgiving week a few years back, my brother and I heard bullets “whirring” through the brush on two occasions. The second time had us on our knees and just a bit concerned. As I said, there is a lot of brush, be sure of not only your target, but also target background, it may be more important. You simply don’t know who or what is on the other side of a wall of brush. Also after a busy hunting season, it is not unusual to find an occasional deer carcass, presumably animals wounded, but not found by hunters. Regardless of these negative aspects, don’t let one positive fact get lost: it is all flat.

WMAs, a Good Choice for Outdoor Recreation Remember Canyon Ferry WMA is not the only such property in Montana. A quick review of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website (fwp.mt.gov) will reveal over 75 WMAs spread across the state. Select a WMA on the FWP map to access topics such as fees, closures, camping and hunting options, and a Map of the WMA. Most topographic maps will tell you if the WMA you selected is flat, or not. And there are other significant differences. For example, some WMAs close in the Winter and Spring. Closed might mean just vehicles, but also might mean vehicles, horses, bicycles, and people. It all depends on the level of animal security established by FWP management. The point for this article is to encourage consideration and use of WMAs whenever you are seeking another place for outdoor recreation.

There are lots of choices; take the time to examine several online, before selecting a couple to look at with boots on the ground. Again, from personal experience, I can tell you all WMAs are not flat.

I enjoy hiking Canyon Ferry WMA during winter because the weather is frequently a little warmer around Townsend and there is usually less snow than in Helena where I live.

Other than waterfowl, which have mostly moved south, the variety of animal species is pretty much the same in winter as in summer. While waterfowl ponds are frozen, dike roads are still very hikable. And don’t forget, this WMA follows the Missouri River year-round into the lake.

Carrying a fishing pole to the primary river channels, winter or summer, is not a bad idea either. This WMA is flat for fishing too!

30 | Hunting & Fishing News

Roach Reports On Which ‘Raps’ To Fish When This Winter (continued from page 4)

Slab Rap The Slab Rap is Roach’s mid-winter finesse search bait. When he sees evidence on his MarCum digital flasher that fish are following in Jigging Raps or Rippin’ Raps, but won’t bite them, that’s a sign to switch to a Slab Rap.“When they’re really keying on Rippin’ Raps or Jigging Raps, but just won’t fully commit, a Slab Rap’s a great alternative,” Roach says.

“It has a real slow, subtle fall, yet it still has enough action to draw fish in,” he says. “It triggers bites with a similar action. Retrieved with quick rod snaps in a lift-drop cadence, the Slab Rap vibrates subtly on the rise, then searches in wide, erratic directions, circling back to center on the fall. Its center line tie and weight-forward design enables a rocking action to further trigger bites from negative fish.“You can add really subtle movements without a lot of action, because of the weight,” Roach says. “So it’s great for panfish and finicky walleyes when the bite’s a little tougher.

It was really eye-opening last winter how many fish I caught on that thing.”Slimmer and narrower than a Rippin’ Rap, the Slab Rap becomes more of a go-to bait in the late-ice season.

“I really like the profile on the Slab Rap for later in the winter, for walleyes and perch in particular,” Roach says.

“It looks exactly like the young-of-the year prey they’re feeding on.”

The 2-inch Slab Rap weighs 1/4 oz. The 1 ½-inch model weighs 1/8 oz. Each comes armed with two No. 12 VMC Black Nickel Round Bend Hooks.

They’re available in 10 color patterns: Chrome, Chrome Blue, Gold Chrome, Glow Hot Perch, Glow Tiger, Green Tiger UV, Glow Yellow Perch, Orange Tiger UV, Pink Clown, Pink Tiger UV.

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*Always tread cautiously.

Hunting & Fishing News | 31

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Shocks, Adventure Pro and Tires listed available on Limited Edition models only. Professional riders and drivers on closed courses. Side-by-Side (SxS) models are recommended for use only by operators 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Avoid excessive speeds and never engage in stunt riding. Always avoid paved surfaces and never ride on public roads. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; it is illegal and dangerous. Models shown with optional accessories. ©2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved • YamahaMotorsports.com

32 | Hunting & Fishing News

Randy King Shares One Of His Favorite Venison Recipes

By Ian Malepeai, Marketing Manager Idaho Department Of Fish & Game

King is a Nampa-based hunter and chef Randy King is a recipe contributor to Idaho Fish & Game and lives in Nampa, Idaho. He is a trained chef, passionate hunter and angler, author of the cookbook “Chef in the Wild,” and has written food articles in numerous national publications.

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Just to the east of downtown Boise is a mountain I shall not name. It is a popular biking, hiking and trail running area for residents of the City of Trees. I have seen deer sign on those trails for years while running them. Seeing game sign on a run immediately makes me wish I was hunting. I lose all interest in my pace, my calories burned and my training “program.” I become a hunter. I look for bedding areas, food sources, trails and high-pressure escape routes.

One draw in particular has always held my attention. I have stared at that area from three separate kitchens wishing I was there hunting it. The draw starts off open and inviting with several trails intersecting at its base. Then it gets steep and narrow, and all trails abandon it for nearly a mile in diameter. The ravine gets so little sun that water is present year-round. It even has a nice riparian area for bedding and forbs.

Basically, I have drooled over this spot for the better part of a decade. I have seen it from every angle on onX Maps and Google Earth. And I finally decided last spring that I was hunting this spot.

A few miles of hiking put me in the ravine that I had obsessed over. An either-sex tag in my pocket. Deer sign began to show up. The worse the terrain and the harder and farther away from the trails I ventured, the more tracks and scat I saw. With a trickle of water flowing in the bottom, I knew I was close.

I sat on a rock to glass a cut into the ravine. Then I heard the telltale sign of mule deer, the bouncing run that they use. They were only about 50 yards up the ravine from me, climbing boulders and glancing over their shoulders at me.

Eventually they stopped and did the classic mule deer look back.

I quickly put my pack in front of me, securing a stable shooting rest. I waited and watched. When a doe stopped and turned broadside at about 130 yards, I took my shot. It was a little more forward than I wanted – neck shot, really.

She dropped. Mission success.

I quickly processed her into manageable chunks and put her into game bags. The roughly 70 pounds of pack wasn’t bad. Walking down the path I ran into a number of hikers and bikers. I received several looks of surprise, a few looks of happiness and one downright scowl. But I knew what I was doing. I was making meat in an area as close to my house as I could. I had the dedication and motivation to hunt where I could see the biggest city in the state of Idaho but still be isolated from other hunters.

My determination had won the day. Time to pick a new draw.

Photo credit Randy King

Sherry Cream and Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe

In this dish, venison steak with sherry cream mushrooms, you get balance from combinations of saltiness, fat from the cream, sweet from the sherry, and then umami from the mushrooms. Stack that on some venison and a “bright” flavored potato (lemon and parsley) and you have a winning combo.

3 tablespoons butter 4 each, 6-ounce venison steaks (sirloin, flatiron or backstrap work best) ½ pound chanterelles (or other wild-ish mushrooms) ½ onion, small, diced 2 cloves of garlic, smashed ½ cup sherry wine ½ cup cream Salt and pepper Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring steaks to room temperature.

Season steaks with salt and pepper. In 10-inch sauté pan add a tablespoon of butter and heat on medium until butter is clear and foaming. Add the two steaks to the pan. Brown on both sides – two to three minutes. Set aside.

Add another tablespoon of butter and melt it. Add the two remaining steaks to the pan and cook until brown, three to four minutes per side.

Place all steaks on a cookie sheet and place in a 350-degree oven and cook until 120 degrees internal temperature, or to your preference.

Add the remaining butter to the pan. Melt and add the onion, garlic and mushrooms. Lower the heat. You don’t want to burn the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. When the mushrooms begin to lose some moisture, add the sherry wine.

This will boil fast and quick. Then, when most moisture is gone, add the cream. Bring to a boil and then simmer for three minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until steaks are done. Serve over mashed potatoes and roasted carrots.

Hunting & Fishing News | 33

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Guide Logic: Using Elevation & Electronics For Coyote Hunting

By Kevin Wilson www.guidefitter.com

verlooking a deep ravine lined with evergreens, an open O hillside of patchy willows gave way to a meandering frozen creek. Ideal habitat for rabbits, squirrels, grouse and

other prey species, my confidence soared as we prepared for a calling session. Where there is food, there will be coyotes and from an elevated vantage point, the odds were good that we would not only avoid detection but draw in a curious, if not hungry, wild canine in short order.“There has to be a few coyotes down there,” I thought to myself. Sure, it offered a bird’s eye view and a high point to project sound but with so many trees, shot opportunities would surely be limited.

“This outcropping is perfect,” I whispered to my guests Rick and Matt Day. Staring down the valley, we could see 250 yards in one direction and almost 150 yards straight across to the other side. “This is a textbook scenario.

The wind is light, and the coyotes will be able to travel swiftly on the frozen ice.”

My clients were curious, but not entirely convinced that the set-up could produce an opportunity. Whenever possible, I try hard to choose stand locations that maximize the shooter’s visibility and minimize the chance of being seen or smelled by an incoming coyote. That usually means posting up in an elevated location.

Coyotes are small and can easily disappear in rolling topography. On many occasions I’ve had coyotes slip in to less that 30 yards, simply by using the rolling landscape for concealment. This spot however, had it all. Height, visibility, and the ability to eliminate scent issues by allowing the breeze to carry our odor well above their anticipated line of travel.

To improve our odds, I told Rick and Matt to sit tight while I slipped down to the bottom to place the electronic call.

The hill was steep but the effort would pay out in the end. Tucking my Foxpro call into a shelf near the creek’s edge, I scrambled back up to join the guys.

34 | Hunting & Fishing News

Calling from high ground increased visibility and helps carry your scent away from incoming coyotes. All photo credits Kevin Wilson

With a flick of the switch, I started out with a sequence of scavenging crows and magpies. Coyotes are astute, always listening and watching for scavenging birds. Where these birds linger and congregate, there is often carrion.

A couple minutes in, I switched to the unmistakable squeals of a suffering jackrabbit. First soft, then with a little more volume. I was using an older Prairie Blaster. With a primary horn speaker and two tweeters, the calls would shift, literally throwing the vocalizations around at different volumes.

It was indeed the most realistic e-call I have ever used, and the results proved it. Varying the volume and periodically turning the call off, it was an orchestral masterpiece the likes of which no self-respecting coyote could possibly ignore!

Sure enough, less than five minutes passed and, directly below us, a curious coyote showed skulking through the dense pine trees along the creek.

“There’s one,” I whispered. Rick shifted, to ready for a shot, but the coyote was only 40 yards down the slope and must have heard him move. We were much higher, so it’s doubtful that the wild dog saw us, but in the stillness of the afternoon, you could hear a pin drop. With that, as quickly as the coyote had appeared, it vanished.

By this time, I had turned down the volume on the call.

I suspected the wily coyote was holding tight and hadn’t yet made his exit. And sure enough, every few minutes we would glimpse fur moving about under the trees, never actually holding still in the open long enough for a shot opportunity.

The call continued to play and, after 25 minutes, I switched to a pup in distress call. I knew there were more coyotes in the valley, they just had to show. If there is one vocalization that closes the deal more than others, it’s the KiiYii. With a series of suffering whimpers projecting down the valley, indeed at the 30-minute mark a lone female appears on the creek bottom 200 yards to the south. Steady and intentional, she made her way to the sound. At 70 yards she jumped up on the bank and started making her way through the tangle of shrubbery.

With plenty of time to prepare, Rick had followed this coyote with his sight trained on the prize for several minutes and, at just the right moment, when she was quartered toward and in the open, he squeezed.

A well-placed round from his .243 dropped the coyote in its tracks! Elevation and a medley of natural sounds from the e-call had brought in two different coyotes and allowed us to take one home.

(continued on page 38)

photos from the outdoors

Todd Sullivan - Helena, Mt. 312 yard shot on Montana bull elk.

Robby Humphries - Helena, Mt. 380 Montana bull elk.

Sue Nehls caught this big walleye at Canyon Ferry July 24th jigging in 25’.

Kayden Humphries - Helena, Mt. with his 2021 Montana bull elk.

Brenda Marcum - Townsend, Mt. Riggins, Idaho catch and release steelhead.

Ricky Haggerty with his 2020 Montana mule deer.

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Is A Carbon Bow Worth It? (continued from page 7)

It just has more give to it than carbon. Carbon also has a reputation for having less vibration and being more dead in the hand. That’s not something I’ve experienced and I’m not the only one. If anything, I’ve noticed a bit more noise and vibration from carbon than aluminum. Of course, the model of bow probably has something to do with this as well, but the fact remains. Shooting a carbon bow next to its aluminum sibling is interesting for sure. Lastly, there is the weight. This is the most advertised thing about carbon in bows; how much more lightweight they are.

I actually found myself adding more weight to my bows to battle shooting in the wind and to add stability in general.

The pin moved around quite a bit more from my experience.

In the end, I really don’t think I was saving anything in terms of weight.

At the time, I was happy though and that’s what mattered.

So, the answer is do what feels best for you. That’s what this all comes down to. If that carbon bow just feels better on the shot and better in your hand, then that means it’s probably worth it for you to snag it. If it feels the same though as aluminum, I think you’ve got some thinking to do.

That money that you would save could be put into some killer new accessories for your new bow. Just something to chew on a bit. ...If you do happen to be in the market for a new bow, I hope this has shed some light on some things. When you’re sitting in the dark timber hearing branches snap as a rutted out bull elk heads your way, he isn’t going to care if your bow is aluminum or carbon. At that point, it just matters what’s most comfortable for you to take advantage of that moment.

I can already hear the bugles.

Is it worth it?

So, now the big question. After looking at all of those variables, is buying a carbon bow actually worth it?

It’s a personal choice, really. I’ve talked to loads of folks who absolutely swear by carbon. They say that it hits the nail on the head with everything that is expected of it and they couldn’t be happier. I think that’s awesome and would encourage them to keep doing what they do the way they want to do it.

However, there are definitely some things to think about if you aren’t fixated on the carbon life. For me, it was more of an aesthetic thing years ago. I simply liked how the carbon looked better than the aluminum models.

After dropping a heavy coin on any bow, you better like how it looks...

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Guide Logic: Using Elevation & Electronics For Coyote Hunting (continued from page 34)

Elevation One of the biggest barriers to shot opportunities is lack of visibility. Coyotes are small animals and they can easily elude the hunter by sneaking through tall grass and subtle contours in the landscape. Any time we take a stand, it’s important to choose a place that offers a decent vantage point. Wide-open, flat fields may not be an issue. Coyotes are often easy to spot in this type of habitat, however if you’re overlooking pastureland where wild grasses, clumps of scrub brush or willow stands are prevalent - or simply overlooking hills and valleys, then using a height advantage is paramount. Again, this was one of the most vital contributors to our success during the hunt I just shared.

Not all topography allows for an elevated stand position, but where it does, it is equally important to sit against a tree or other backdrop, or even better yet lie down flat to shoot prone from a position above their line of sight.

Often when we post up in an elevated spot, we risk our silhouette being visible on the skyline. Even from a higher point, we still need to take measures to blend in with the surroundings. One of the reasons we were successful on that hunt, was our ability to see them approaching. Had we been down in the bottom of the valley, we may not have even seen either of them come to the call.

The second thing elevation does is allow the breeze or wind to carry the shooter’s scent away and often over top of any approaching coyotes. Savvy coyote hunters are acutely aware of this wild canine’s sensitive nose.

Incoming coyotes will often work their way downwind to confirm authenticity of the calls. On many occasions I’ve seen them circle downwind to catch scent. Without fail, as soon as they detect a human’s foul odor, it’s like they hit a brick wall and can’t vacate fast enough!

Electronic Calls I have mixed feelings about today’s technological advancements in the world of hunting. So much of it takes the guesswork out of the hunt and, to a great extent, essentially eliminates much of the skill. On the other hand, when it comes to coyote hunting, I fully support the use of high-tech equipment like the electronic call. Given our rising predator populations, I believe it is not only important, but vital that we capitalize on every tool at our disposal to lawfully cull these wild dogs - this is where today’s electronic calls really shine.

With the robust inventory of vocalizations, including a long list of predator and prey species that can be played during any given session, e-calls continue to revolutionize coyote hunting. For those who have learned to use them correctly, it’s akin to playing an instrument - hit the right notes at the right time, and it can be music to a coyote’s ears, bringing them in on a string. Hit the wrong ones, and they will run and hide. Certainly, there are times and places where mouth calls outperform, but e-calls offer unparalleled versatility. For instance, on a recent hunt, I used a cottontail distress call and ran a pup in distress call simultaneously. Within minutes a finely furred female emerged from the woods and eagerly trotted up to the call. Almost impossible to replicate that combination and clarity of these natural distress sounds using mouth calls alone, it’s tough to argue with versatility and results.

E-calls allow us to manipulate the volume, all at the press of a button. Depending on the preferred call, we can load it with scores of different sounds from coyote yips, howls, barks, and KiiYiis, to bird and other small game distress sounds, an assortment of scavenging birds, deer and elk distress sounds, and many more. As a rule, you get what you pay for, but variety is key when different situations call for different sounds.

Plenty of coyotes are sniped by resting a rifle on a fencepost and sending a bullet on its way. Sure enough, this can be an effective way to cull coyotes. If on the other hand, you are interested in really interacting with coyotes and learning to call them in, on your next outing, consider incorporating elevation and electronics into your hunt strategy. Whether you have the opportunity to climb up high on hilltops, river banks, or even utilize tree stands or hides to look down on approaching coyotes, or simply capitalize on moderately higher ground that gives you a modest height advantage, remember that elevation is your friend. Mix in a medley of natural sounds using your e-call, add in a measure of patience and, chances are you’ll bring one or more coyotes in on the run the next time you are out predator hunting.

38 | Hunting & Fishing News

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