Montana
UNTING &
June 2015
Are You Ready For The Hunt? You, Elk & The Elements Walleye: Top Water, Top Gear The Key to Successful Shooting...HSM Ammunition Made in Stevensville Montana. Available at your local retailer.
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A Montana Tradition for 98 Years Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors Current President Chad Ward
and still family owned and operated by the Wards. Missoula location
Gear Up for your next outdoor adventure with the folks that know Montana, from city street to mountain stream.
In 1917 - The year we started...
-US President Wilson asks Congress to declare war against Germany -US passes Selective Service act -US Supreme Court upheld 8-hr work day for railroad employees -Jeannette Rankin (Rep-R-Mont) begins her term as 1st woman member of US House of Reps -US pays Denmark $25 million for Virgin Islands -20,000 women march in a suffrage parade in New York, US -Babe Ruth beats NY Yanks, pitching 3-hit 10-3 win for Red Sox -1st exclusively women’s bowling tournament begins in St Louis -1st NHL game played on artificial ice (Toronto)
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4 - Hunting & Fishing News
a a OFF THE WALL WALLEYES www.lindyfishingtackle.com
T raditional summertime tactics catch plenty of big ‘eyes, or else they wouldn’t have become such strong traditions. Lindy Rigging, pulling spinners and suspending live bait account for countless catches.
But sometimes, thinking outside the box is an even better way to put more, bigger walleyes in the box. Just ask Jon Thelen. The longtime guide and sage of all things walleye often flips the tactical textbook upside down when conditions—or the fish themselves—dictate an unorthodox approach. As a result, he keeps his clients’ lines stretching while other anglers are struggling. Following are three of his top tricks for turning the tables on ever-elusive summertime ’eyes.
No. 1 Lil’ Guy For Big Fish “A classic time for offbeat tactics is during the ‘in-between’ period of early summer, when walleyes bite both spinner rigs and crankbaits fairly well—but neither one like gangbusters,” Thelen said. With water temperatures in the middle of the road, climbing through the high 50s into the 60s, and neither cranks nor blades are exactly on fire, it can simply result in slow fishing. In this situation, Thelen suggests turning to hybrid cranking. Rigs like Lindy’s Lil’ Guy are dynamite for blending the best of both presentations into one technique. A relative newcomer on the walleye scene, the Lil’ Guy is basically a two-hook nightcrawler harness with a small, hard body in front of it. “The body creates vibration and side-to-side movements, while the ’crawler adds the motion of a minnow swimming along,” he explains. “Plus, you have scent and meat. And in this respect, the Lil’ Guy offers the attraction of a third technique—Lindy Rigging—to the mix as well.” To further boost his odds of success, Thelen plays the hybrid rig card in areas many anglers overlook during the in-between phase of the post-spawn migration. Most folks leap-frog from shorelines that hold fish early in the season out to deep offshore structure, he says. “In doing so, they blow right past prime breaklines in 15 to 23 feet of water. Walleyes don’t skip these spots, which means I often have the fish all to myself.” Along with nightcrawlers, Thelen deploys other live bait. The rig comes with two hooks. To fish minnows or leeches, Thelen just clips off the rear hook. While the Lil’ Guy is built to run at speeds of .3 to 2.5 mph, Thelen keeps the pace between 1.3 and 1.8 mph. “Faster than a spinner, slower than a crankbait,” he says. At such speeds, a 1½-ounce bottom bouncer is perfect for keeping the rig in the strike zone. When the sinker’s occasionally ticking bottom and the line is at a 45-degree angle to the surface, you’re in business. Be forewarned, strikes can be savage, so hang onto your rod. When an ’eye attacks, an immediate response is in order. Don’t drop the rodtip or feed the fish line, just set and start reeling.
No. 2 Pitch To The Inflow “Pitching jigs and crankbaits to inflowing water is another offbeat summer tactic,” Thelen says. “People key on it early in the year, then forget about it and focus on deeper areas farther from the shoreline, but inflows hold walleyes as long as there’s food around.” Storm sewers, culverts and creeks are prime examples of potentially productive inflows. A constant supply of fresh water from nearby roadbeds, ditches and other sources often carries nutrients that attract baitfish. It can also bring in water that’s clearer than the main lake, especially when the lake has been roiled up by several days of strong winds. Water temperature can also be a factor. “Inflows carrying cool water from cold rains, springs or shaded sections of the tributary can be magnets for minnows and walleyes in the heat of summer.” Before wetting a line, Thelen first identifies likely inflows on a detailed lake map. He approaches each with caution, keeping commotion to a minimum. Walleyes are spooky in shallow water, so ease in quietly. “I always fish my way toward the mouth of the inflow, making my first casts before I can even reach the bank.” Pet presentations include pitching light jigs tipped with live bait, and fancasting small crankbaits. A 3/16- to 1/8-ounce Lindy Jig tipped with a spottail shiner or soft-plastic trailer is deadly. “There are a lot of different things you can do with it—bounce bottom, drag it, swim it just off bottom. Experiment to see what the fish are in the mood for at the moment.” Small crankbaits like the size 3 Lindy River Rocker also excel around inflows. With both cranks and jigs, Thelen works 50 yards to either side of the inflow first, then the actual tributary. “When they’re not feeding, walleyes often rest close to the inflow, but are still catchable.”
No. 3 Troll Shallow with Cranks While crankbaits aren’t often considered early to mid-season options, Thelen works them into the mix well ahead of the crowd. “Cranks catch cool-water walleyes in the shallows during low-light feeding periods and in 8 to 10 feet of water along the first break during the day,” he said. Here, too, small lures like the River Rocker work wonders. Thelen prefers natural patterns such as perch, shiner, metallic silver and metallic gold. “Speeds of 1.5 to 2 mph are best until the water warms up in mid to late June,” he says. Given the relatively shallow water, he either runs the bait behind a planer board or long-lines it well behind the boat, ensuring the fish aren’t spooked before getting a chance to appreciate—and engulf—his cool-water cranking tactics. - See more at: www.lindyfishingtackle.com/lindy-land/off-the-wall-walleyes#sthash.y5NKOS4r.dpuf June 2015
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Proud participant with Sports Afield Trophy Properties 6 - Hunting & Fishing News
Make A New Hunter This Year A
By Mark Kayser
n increasingly urbanized society, single-parent homes, electronic diversions galore, a flood of extracurricular activities and career demands are but a few of the reasons children have fewer, and fewer opportunities to build a pathway to outdoor interests and pastimes. Don’t let these obstacles crush your hunting heritage. It’s up to you to make new hunters and you can do it with community help, or with the assistance of a mentor program. If you want help putting your child or another’s on the outdoor pathway then consider the following helpful tips. CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS First, look deeper into the organization you’re supporting through annual memberships. The National Wild Turkey Federation realizes the importance of youth involvement, education and recruitment, and has created several programs to propagate youth and family participation in outdoor activities. Two programs tackle this objective and include the NWTF JAKES and advocacy through the Families Afield program. The JAKES acronym stands for juniors acquiring knowledge, education, and sportsmanship. It involves youth 13 years and younger, and introduces them to wildlife, land stewardship and conservation ethics. Older youth, 13 to17, can become members of Xtreme JAKES. This segment of the program focuses on creating responsible outdoor enthusiasts for the future and tackles activities matched to their age. The JAKES Takes Aim program introduces and educates youth 17 and younger in shooting sports that are oftentimes hosted in conjunction with local shooting facilities. NWTF state chapters have at their disposal a trailer containing all needed equipment to set up air gun ranges, indoor or outdoor, plus competitive events even receive targets and ammunition provided by the NWTF. Families Afield is an activism and political arm of the NWTF. It was formed to break down the barriers that limit youth hunting by lobbying state wildlife agencies to allow more youth hunting opportunities through mentoring and reducing age restrictions. But the NWTF isn’t the only community organization to aid in getting youth involved in hunting and shooting sports. Look to the following as additional resources to help get youth on an outdoor path. The Montana-based Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation inspires youth in several ways. The RMEF advocates youth interaction by providing kids a social site to read about youth outdoor activities and share their own adventures. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and a youth RMEF blog is available for them to connect. This youth membership initiative was created for girls and boys age 17, and under. Youngsters receive six digital issues of Bugle magazine, e-newsletters, a RMEF logo hat, decals, contests and gear discounts in addition to the social media interaction.
Another conservation organization that addresses youth involvement is the Mule Deer Foundation. A focused MDF initiate is the M.U.L.E.Y Program that stands for mindful, understanding, legal and ethical youth. Started in 2007, these day camps work as a gateway program to inspire, educate and inform youth on firearm instruction, hunting, conservation, and ethics. Youth are also introduced to the basic biology of the mule and black-tailed deer. By understanding the habitat needs of the species youth begin to see why conservation and habitat efforts are important in wildlife management. BOY SCOUTS Boy Scouts of America is synonymous with the outdoors and touches the lives of more than 2.7 million youth annually. This organization has roots that go back more than a century with more than one million volunteers aiding in service projects that help build stronger youth and ultimately a better society. Although the BSA don’t have a specific program or merit badge specifically dealing with hunting, they offer a variety of programs and badges to put young men on the right outdoor path. Weekly meetings and camps focus on skills such as camping, hiking, canoeing and even outdoor cooking. Older scouts working on merit badges toward their Eagle Scout designation have dozens of outdoor skills to master to receive that award. Disciplines include rifle shooting, shotgun shooting, archery, birding, nature and wilderness survival among dozens of others. Few community-based programs offer such an encompassing program that stays with a child from grade school through high school with the lofty goal of an Eagle Scout award. 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS The 4-H Shooting Sports program provides firearm safety and instruction in a supervised setting that offers scheduled practice with the chance for competitive challenges. Youth 8 to 18 take mandatory firearm safety instruction and then are introduced to shooting disciplines including air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, muzzleloader, shotgun sports and archery. County and state competitions allow qualified shooters to advance to national shooting matches. In addition to competition 4-H Shooting Sports members learn about hunting principles, archery strategies and conservation ethics. This education creates self-worth and satisfaction by achieving marksmanship goals. SCHOLASTIC CLAY TARGET PROGRAM Elementary through high school students have the opportunity to participate in the Scholastic Clay Target Program which teams boys and girls with trained adult coaches focusing on firearm safety and ultimately to the enjoyment of shotgun sports. Participants learn about trap, skeet and sporting clays. The Junior U.S. Open allows these youth to compete against each other, plus it welcomes all youth shooting organizations to compete. BE A MENTOR Community-based organizations can help you in a pinch for time, but what about those kids that don’t have hunting family members? Then it’s up to you to volunteer your time. You can do it solo and just ask permission to take an interested youth hunting or tag team with an organization that has a program in place. Be sure to peruse the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s website (http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/youthOpportunities.html) for special youth licenses and seasons. And inquire with local and state hunting organizations. You may find a notable youth program. Nearby states like South Dakota and Wyoming are providing successful examples. South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures may not have a national presence, but it is doing big things for kids that may never get a taste of hunting. Working together with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Black Hills, its sole purpose is to start kids down the road to hunting with firearm safety, education and eventually a hunt that hopefully ends with a protein prize. All of this is completed in a mentored environment and the mentors receive as much training as the mentees. Another example is the Paintrock Hunter Mentor Program that takes place near my home in Wyoming. Held at a local state park, the program gives youth a chance to experience a variety of outdoor activities including archery, firearm shooting, fly tying, gold panning, trapping and too many more to list. If your search has hit a roadblock you need to reach out to national organizations. The National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation both provide links to youth shooting programs, information, funding and assistance. They realize that without new hunters the tradition of hunting could become just another memory of days gone by. Make a commitment to mold a kid into a new hunter. With your help you’ll also mold that youth into a responsible adult.
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June 2015
7
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8 - Hunting & Fishing News
Russ Evans with 13.8 pound walleye Photo courtesy Montana Walleyes Unlimited www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net
I
t sure has been an interesting spring here in Montana this year. It is the earliest I can ever remember that I have been able to get out on open water – most places in the State in mid-March. Some really nice pre-spawn fish have been caught where people were able to get out. Normally there would have still been ice. Hopefully our snowpack will be adequate and we will have good water – although the most recent information as of today March 24th is that the snowpack is a fair amount below average for most of the drainages. I have spent a fair amount of time this spring re-stocking and re-organizing some of my fishing tackle. Actually, it probably would have been cheaper if I had just gone fishing every day vs. checking out what was new with Berkley, Mack’s Lures, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Navionics, and Fin-tech, etc. because after seeing some of what is new this year, I couldn’t resist adding a few new items to my assortment of tackle and gear. I went onto the Berkley website to look at what I might do this year for new line because spooling up some new line is always a good thing to do at least once a year and I had deferred doing it last year on some reels because my favorite line had been discontinued in 2014. Well, one on the really great things I saw this year, was that Berkley re-introduced the Berkley Fireline Tracer line in the 6# and 10# test that is my favorite. The 6# test – 1.5# diameter line is what I use for all my jigging and the 10# -3# diameter is what I use for long line trolling. The line has alternating 5’ hi-vis Flame Green/5’ low-vis Smoke coloration to easily measure your line and also, track your line and detect line movement. I typically put 100-125 yards over some backing on each of my reels and make sure they are all spooled up to the same level – especially on the Abu Garcia 5500 LC line counters I use for trolling. (continued next page)
Then I got to looking at some of the Berkley Gulp products and again I saw some newer products that are going to do very well for me this year. One of those was a 3” Gulp Alive Double Tail minnow grub in a watermelon pearl color.
3” Gulp Alive Double Tail minnow grub Watermelon Pearl Color
Also, there are several new colors for the Berkley Powerbait Ripple Shad – and some new sizes. This 3” smelt has been a favorite for years. Now they have a Blue Silver, Racy Shad, Uncle Rico, and a Fire Perch that look awesome – in 2”, 3”, 3 ½” and 4” sizes. The Ripple Shad has a paddle tail that gives the bait a lot of added attraction/vibration when snap jigged and can be very good at times.
One of the other new things I noticed was a Mini Schooling Rig Kit – that looks like it might work really well and be legal here in Montana. (www.berkley-fishing.com)
Smile Blade® Spindrift® Walleye from Mack’s Lures
Another new item in my tackle box this year is the Mack’s Lures Smile Blade Spindrift Walleye rig. This rig is almost identical to what has been my favorite rig for years. It has a VMC spindrift hook vs. the slow death hooks I have used, but I got to believe this is going to be a definite winner this year. (www.Mackslures.com).
Lowrance also just released a new Lake Insight HD West V 15 mapping card that for Montana has about 10 pages of lakes, including a new HD definition map for Canyon Ferry. It can be purchased for $159 and includes a one year subscription to the Lowrance Insight Genesis Program where you can create and download your own maps. For the walleye fisherman, it has Fresno, Tiber, Bighorn plus the HD for Canyon Ferry. Although if you end up with the Insight Genesis program you will want to check out Tiber where in a new “social layer” they are doing it will have 3’ contours. (www.Lowrance.com) There are some significant changes in the new Navionics mapping coverage. Fresno and Tiber both now have HD 1’ contours. They have also added Tongue River Reservoir. My favorite is the Navionics + map card that allows you to download the areas of the country that you want on a blank Navionics card. (www.navionics.com). If you have a new card – less than a year old, you have free updates for one year and it would be worth going to their website and updating your card. New last summer was the Fort Peck Doctor Sonar Lake Map – with satellite imagery and 10’ contours from the original USGS Geological survey data. This map works in the Lowrance HDS and Elite series as long as you have the most current software updates. (http://doctorsonar.com/collections/doctor-sonar-maps/products/ft-pecklake-map). cost is $100 and they have them at Scheels or on line. And last but not least is the new Gateway Connect kit from MotorGuide that interfaces the Lowrance Gen 2 and Gen 3 HDS units with their MotorGuide Xi5 bow mount trolling motor. What I have found is that it takes me about 30 seconds to set up a route that I want to troll. The routes can be created from an existing trail, recording a new trail, from viewing the contours on a map, or from the Lowrance StructureScan overlay on the chart – and those routes can be based on the structure you see is really there – weeds, trees, rocks, etc. It is pretty amazing. (www.motorguide.com/pinpoint-lowrance-gateway) Dale Gilbert and MontanaWalleye.com have teamed up with Captain and guide Jim Muzynoski of Bozeman, MT to offer the opportunity to fish with some of the best walleye guides in the state. To book a fishing trip visit: www.montanawalleye.com or call Dale at 406-788-3824.
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10 - Hunting & Fishing News
Hunting with a Mountain Bike
By H&F News Pro Staff
B
ack in the early 1990’s as I first started to really get into deer and elk hunting the normal method of hunting for deer or elk was to drive the logging roads that were open, get out, walk to the landing, and search for any game that might be cruising the edges of the timber lines feeding early at first light, or later towards dusk, looking at our favorite spots before dark. As the landscape started to change, more and more of these roads began to get gated off to drive-in hunting. Access was becoming increasingly harder to find. Meaning, either you had to walk to hunt, or ride a non-motorized vehicle in. So, the group of guys that I hunted with all invested in mountain bikes for hunting. One way to cover a lot of ground in a hurry is a mountain bike. They may not be standard hunting equipment for most hunters, but many people are finding out just how useful they can be. Mountain bikes are an incredible (but underutilized) tool for hunters. Aside from the obvious of covering way more miles “pedaling and gunning”, you are also able to get to your stand or location before first light without making a bunch of noise getting there.
Photo: dreamstime
A mountain bike properly equipped, can carry your water and food, your weapon, a tent or sleeping bag, and even the game you bag. It doesn’t have to be fancy and cost thousands of dollars. You can find a solid, dependable bike for a few hundred dollars. It does have to have the accessories or add-ons you’ll need to be successful. The first thing you need is a way to carry your bow, shotgun or rifle. Racks can be mounted to your handlebars or a Montana Scabbard (www.montanascabbards.com) can be mounted in a more secure position towards the rear of the bike. This unit attaches quickly and can hold a gun, bow or fishing rod. Next in the order of importance is a way to carry extra gear. Montana Scabbard Rack A rack mounted behind the seat is a handy place to carry game bags, rope and lunch. Water - A water bottle holder mounted to the frame can be a lifesaver on those hot days in September. Lights - Be sure you also have a battery powered LED light, either mounted to the handlebars, or wear it as a headlamp, or both. It doesn’t hurt to have back-up on lights. This will light your way in, early in the morning before the sun comes up, and late in the evening, if you have to ride out after it gets dark. Bedrock Handlebar Bag - (www.bedrockbags.com) The perfect way for hauling extra clothes in the main, waterproof compartment and small items like a rangefinder or GPS in the pocket panel. These little,extra storage compartments become very useful when hunting off a bike. Burley Trailer - (www.burley.com) Being able to take a camp into the backcountry and haul meat out is a game changer for bike-bound hunters. The Burley flatbed trailer works like a charm for these applications. Bedrock Bags The 16 inch tires and 14 pound flatbed rolls over most trail obstructions, and is rated to carry 100 pounds of cargo, making short order of a boned-out mule deer. It easily detaches with one pin, so you can leave it back in camp. A trailer is not necessary on your day hunts, but will come in handy when you’ve got a big elk on the ground. All of these add-ons distributed around the bike will help you hunt more efficiently off the bike. At first glance, a closed road is an inconvenience, and can be frustrating. It may mean that you need to find a new place to hunt. On the positive side, deer and elk are less harried, and way less hunters will be back in the area you are hunting.
The more distance a hunter can put between himself and a traveled road, the more game he or she is likely to see. A closed road is simply a new challenge, a new opportunity. The mountain bike is a way to travel farther and faster than your boot-sore brethren. Properly outfitted, your bike can carry you far from well-traveled roads and the blaze orange horde, into the high-country meadows and thickets where deer and elk are less pressured. The hunting opportunities can be fantastic.
Burley Flatbed Trailer
June 2015 11
World-Record Hanson Buck: 20 Years Later
By Mike Hanback
www.mikehanback.com
I
saw this great picture yesterday and it reminded me of the visit I made to Milo’s house in Saskatchewan one day in November 2013. It had always been a goal of mine to see the world-record typical buck in person, and hear the story from Milo himself. Here are excerpts and snippets of what he told me; my entire interview with Milo aired on BIG DEER TV last fall: It was 1993, and the big buck had been seen several times, “he was known around town.” On Monday night it snowed, and the next day a guy saw the buck go into a patch of willows. He got Milo and a small group of hunters, and “we devised a plan to push him out.”
With one guy pushing the bush and the others flanking and posting, they jumped the buck and Milo got a glimpse of him. “He looked like an elk, to this day I still have that image in my mind.” The buck got away, and they kept pushing in the new snow. They jumped him again, and, “I was just lucky that he came out on my side.” Milo fired and hit the buck high in the back. “He staggered and ran into a patch of brush; I ran up there and shot him again.” Milo walked up to the new world record and, “I just couldn’t believe it.” His buddies came over to see the deer–“none of us could believe the size of it.”... They hauled the great buck back to Milo’s shop. It didn’t take long for the word to get out. “Cars and trucks came from all over and people lined up to see the buck. A DNR guy came out and said, ‘You know, that buck might be a record, you’d better lock it up.’ We are country folks, and we had never heard of such. We’d never locked our doors or the shop. But then we started getting paranoid, so I hid the rack in barley piles and behind bales, and kept moving it around.” In the years that followed, many outdoor shows and conventions down in the U.S. paid for Milo to come down to their events in late winter, display a replica of the buck and talk with hunters as they came by to see the record rack. “My wife and I got to see a lot of the U.S. that we never would have seen, and we really enjoyed that.” The hoopla of the Hanson buck has died down, but hard-core deer hunters like you and me are still interested. “We’ve had people from all over the U.S. and Canada stop by and want to see the buck; not so much now, but pretty regularly for years.” Milo always obliged, and still does. “We enjoy it.” He paused in thought and gazed again at the stunning rack that hangs on his basement wall, like he has done millions of times since that cold, snowy day in 1993. “You know, I still can’t believe it. And I sure can’t believe it’s been 20 years ago.”
12 - Hunting & Fishing News
Last Chance For Spring Black Bears By H&F News Pro Staff
© Paul W Sharpe | Dreamstime.com
A mother bear with cubs is off limits to shoot.
The spring black bear hunt continues
through June 15 in some hunting districts in Montana. It’s your last chance to hunt for a bear until the fall season hits. These are the units that will be open until the 15th of June. BMU - 200 - Middle Clark Fork BMU - 216 - Sapphire - Flint Creek BMU - 240 - W. Bitterroot BMU - 280 - Upper Blackfoot BMU - 290 - Lower Blackfoot - Garnet BMU - 316 - Big Hole BMU - 317 - Ruby - Centennial BMU - 341 - Madison - Yellowstone Gallatin
Spring Black Bear Hunters Reminded of Key Regulations
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ... --Hunters should take some time reviewing the identifying characteristics of black and grizzly bears; all black bear hunters must have passed the “Black Bear Identification Test” found on the FWP website in order to purchase a black bear license. --It is illegal to harvest black bear cubs (bears less than one year old). It is illegal to harvest a female black bear with cubs. Hunters are advised to observe a bear carefully to be sure it is not a female with cubs. Bears in northwest Montana went into dens in good condition, which may result in a high number of cubs coming out of dens this year. Hunters are asked to be extra vigilant this season to reduce the chance of harvesting a female with cubs. --Hunter orange requirements: Black bear hunters must wear 400 square inches of hunter orange above the waist when hunting during the black bear rifle season. --Reporting requirements: within five (5) days of harvesting a black bear (or within five days of arriving at a trailhead in backcountry areas) the successful hunter must present to a FWP official the complete bear hide with proof of sex attached and skull for inspection and aging purposes. Hunters should pick up a copy of the 2015 black bear hunting regulations and review them carefully before heading out to the field. June 2015 13
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Top Montana Walleye Waters & Top Gear By H&F News Pro Staff
Here are a few tips to get you started and lakes you might target this season. - Baits and Tactics -
Photo: Walleye/Trout Hunter Outfitters
www.walleyehunteroufitters.com
If you’ve never fished for walleye before and want
to give it a try, now is an excellent time to go. The month of June is prime time for these fish with the post-spawn bite now here. Warming weather will kick-off the bite, as aggressive fish all over will be ready and willing to pounce on baits from fishermen and women all over the state of Montana.
14 - Hunting & Fishing News
1.) There are three basic techniques that fishermen use to catch hungry walleye. You can jig a hook with a leadhead, tipped with a minnow, leech or night crawler. Cast and retrieve near the bottom, or fish vertically over the side of the boat, just off the bottom. 2.) You can fish with a spinner and night crawler harness. Colored spinner blade tipped with bait, behind a bottom bouncer sinker. Troll just fast enough so that the sinker is near the bottom. 3.) Fishing with crankbaits. Here you have many options for the lures you can use. Minnow shaped and colored lures cast towards the shorelines or by trolling them behind a boat will work to pick up walleye. Fish with jigs when the water temperature is low and the fish are sluggish. This is the time to vertical jig using Gulp bait or a night crawler. As the water warms, spinner and crankbaits become the preferred method of fishing. The best colors for spinner blades and crankbaits are chartreuse, perch finish and a blue and silver combo. A bank angler wishing to catch a few walleye, can often do best casting a Rapala Husky Jerk during the last 1/2 hour or so of daylight. The size 10 in Glass Perch or Yellow Perch are good lures to start with.
- Recommended Tackle
• Perch Shad Rap - Rapala • Purple Tiger Flicker Shad - Rapala • Gulp Minnow, pumpkin or chartreuse colors - Berkley • Lindy Rigs • Live minnows or leech • Night crawlers • Jig and twistertail • Original Floating Rapala
- Walleye Fishing Spots Here are a few lakes and reservoirs to target as well as the fish, besides walleye, you can expect to catch.
Cooney Reservoir: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stocks walleye as well as rainbow trout in this Carbon County water located west of Boyd. Some grow very big. Bighorn Lake: Always a place that holds a few huge walleye. This lake straddles the Montana/Wyoming border and has come on strong with big walleye lately.
Holter Lake Photo courtesy of Big Sky Fishing.com www.bigskyfishing.com
Yellowstone River: From the Hysham area downstream there is good fishing. The fishing here will pick up later in June and into the summer.
Fresno Reservoir: Near Havre on the Milk River, you’ll find plenty of walleye to keep you busy this month. Expect a good northern pike bite this season too. Carry some steel leader for this lake.
Missouri River: Anglers fish above and below Ft. Peck Reservoir. Above the lake it’s a good Fall fishery before ice-up. Below is best fished in the spring and into summer.
Fort Peck Reservoir: Undoubtedly the best walleye water in Montana. It’s big with endless bays to fish. The reservoirs upper reaches and the Big Dry Arm in June will be your best time to target walleye. As summer progresses, the middle reaches and the dam area of the lake are best. Nelson Reservoir: June is typically the best month to fish for walleye. The Sunken Humps along the northern shoreline hold big fish. Walleye, perch and northern pike will all fish good this month.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir: June is walleye month on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Plenty of walleye running 16 to 22 inches average. Just look for the crowds of boats on the south end of the lake. Tongue River Reservoir: Some very good walleye are caught now out of this Bighorn County water. Better known for it’s crappie and smallmouth bass numbers, it produces plenty of walleye as well. Holter Lake: Fish the “Gates” area up along shallow banks for walleye now, as the fishing will begin to pick up as water warms. Big brown trout and a fabulous rainbow trout fishery, for sure. Tiber Reservoir: This reservoir produces many walleye in various sizes, and is still home to the current State Record walleye. June 2015 15
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for the Columbia River. The 2015 fall salmon seasons Roger Smith and son are based on strong projected returns of 925,000 fall with chinook - ODFW Chinook and 540,000 coho salmon, and include a Buoy 10 fishery projected through Labor Day and increased bag limits in some upriver areas. Highlights of the upcoming seasons include: Buoy 10 – Retention of adult Chinook (fin-clipped or not) is expected to remain open Aug. 1 through Sept. 7 (Labor Day objective). Warrior Rock upstream to Steamboat Landing Park/Marker #50 - the daily bag limit may include two fall Chinook (fin-clipped or not). Steamboat Landing Park/Marker #50 upstream to the OR/WA border (above McNary Dam) - the daily bag limit may include three fall Chinook (fin-clipped or not). As in to 2014, the “boat limit” rule will be in place from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA border. Anglers fishing from the same boat may continue fishing for salmon until all licensed anglers have reached their daily limits. According to Chris Kern, ODFW deputy administrator for Columbia and Marine programs, the major constraint for fall lower Columbia River fisheries is still the allowable harvest rate of ESA-listed wild tule Chinook. “This year, we had a little more room on allowable impact for wild tules,” Kern said. “As a result, we estimate there will be six additional days of Chinook fishing at Buoy 10 compared to 2014, extending the season through Labor Day. We also expect to meet all of our policy objectives and have Chinook retention on the middle river through September 14.” Kern also noted that given continued strong runs of upriver stocks, the three Chinook bag limit in upriver areas first implemented in 2014 will continue for the 2015 season. “This will allow anglers to take advantage of the large Chinook returns with little impact on wild tules,” he said. Anglers should be alert for potential in-season modifications to Chinook retention rules, especially in the Buoy 10 and middle river areas. Here are the details of the 2015 Columbia River summer and fall salmon and steelhead seasons: Summer Seasons* Summer Chinook and Sockeye Retention of sockeye and adipose fin-clipped adult summer Chinook will be allowed: June 16 – July 6 from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam. Staff will monitor the fishery in-season and potentially modify the July portion of the fishery (which may include extending the season or allowing retention of any adult Chinook). June 16 – July 31 from Bonneville Dam upstream to the OR/WA border. Retention of adipose fin-clipped jack summer Chinook (between 12 and 24-inches long) and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed. June 16 – July 31 from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the OR/WA border. The daily bag limit is two adult salmonids and five jacks. All sockeye are considered adults in the daily limit and must be recorded as adults on the combined angling tag. All other permanent rules apply. (continued next page)
16 - Hunting & Fishing News
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Fall Seasons*... Lower Columbia – Warrior Rock/Bachelor Isl. upstream to Steamboat Landing Park/Marker #50 Area definition: From a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore through red buoy #4 to a marker on the lower end of Bachelor Island upstream to a line projected from the most downstream point on the Steamboat Landing Park (100 S. Washougal River Road) dock on the Washington shore through navigation light #50 to the Oregon shore. Angling from the Steamboat Landing Park dock is not included in this fishing area. August 1 – December 31: Retention of adult Chinook (fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped adult coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed. Leroy Long and son Matt Bennett The daily bag limit is two adult salmonids. The daily bag limit for jack salmon in Oregon is five fish. with a limit of Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon. for all anglers aboard has been achieved. Photo: Steve’s Guided Adventures All other permanent rules apply. 360-609-1902 Lower Columbia - Steamboat Landing Park/Marker #50 upstream to Bonneville Dam Area definition: From a line projected from the most downstream point on the Steamboat Landing Park (100 S. Washougal River Road) dock on the Washington shore through navigation light #50 to the Oregon shore upstream to Bonneville Dam. Angling from the Steamboat Landing Park dock is included in this fishing area. August 1 – December 31: Retention of adult Chinook (fin-clipped or not), adipose fin-clipped adult coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed. The daily bag limit is three adult salmonids, of which no more than two may be adipose fin-clipped coho or adipose fin-clipped steelhead (in any combination). The daily bag limit for jack salmon in Oregon is five fish. Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. All other permanent rules apply. Bonneville Dam upstream to the OR/WA border (upstream of McNary Dam) August 1 – December 31: Retention of adult Chinook (fin-clipped or not), adult coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed. The daily bag limit is three adult salmonids, of which no more than two may be coho or adipose fin-clipped steelhead (in any combination). The daily bag limit for jack salmon in Oregon is five fish. All coho (adults and jacks) retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be adipose fin-clipped. Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. All other permanent rules apply. * Seasons may be subject to in-season modification. June 2015 17
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By Babe Winkelman www.winkelman.com
Before I dive into this subject, I should probably define what a “weedline” is first. A weedline is the edge of a weed bed where the vegetation stops and open water begins. It’s no secret that largemouth bass relate to these weedlines. The reason is simple. Weedlines provide bass with protective cover and they serve as excellent ambush points when bass are feeding. Most bass anglers spend the majority of their weedline time with the boat in deeper water while pitching to the outside weedline. That’s perfectly fine. The bass are routinely there. But what many anglers fail to appreciate is that a weed bed typically has two weedlines. One on the deep side and one on the shallow side. Sure, some weed beds go all the way up to shore – in which case there is no inside line. But more often, there’s a stretch of sandy, gravely or rocky bottom between shore and where the vegetation starts growing. This “inside weedline” can be pure dynamite, so don’t overlook it. When I hit the water for weedline bassing, I like to start by focusing on these inside lines. It’s often where the most aggressive fish are, and the bigger fish too. Because water depths here are shallow, I use lures that run up high and cover water fast. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, weedless spoons lipless or shallow-diving cranks and “dog-walking” topwater plugs are great search baits for the task. Long casts, particularly in clear water lakes, are essential since boat presence in that shallow water can sometimes turn a fish off. If you tag a fish on one of these long casts, make a mental note of where the strike happened in the retrieve. It’s likely that the bass had some pals with him, so there’s a good chance of pulling two or three from that general area. To help boost your chances of this happening, set the search bait rod down and pick up your soft plastic rod. Use a Texas-rig worm, creature bait, Senko or whatever your favorite presentation is. Get a good cast’s length from where that first fish bit and cast to that spot. Allow the bait to settle straight to the bottom and let it sit for 10-20 seconds. If a bass spotted the bait dropping from a distance, letting it sit gives him time to move in on it. And bass don’t mind hitting a soft plastic that’s just lying there. If no strike happens during this time, give the bait a subtle twitch or even a slow drag. Then let it sit, and repeat the presentation. No fish after a few casts? Keep moving and go back to that search bait rod. As you move, pay close attention to the curvature of the weedline and focus most of your attention on areas where the weedline makes inside turns or juts out in little points. Bass like these irregularities. Also key in on spots where the weeds are the thickest. Generally speaking, the thicker the cover the better. If the inside weedline is a bust, then it’s time to give the outside weedline a try. Approach the deeper vegetation the same way you did in the shallows, ripping search baits to locate active fish. To do this, you’ll position your boat so you can cast nearly parallel to the weedline. Again, if you pop a fish, hope there’s a school there and switch to your slow-presentation soft plastic rig. Move the boat out into deeper water and pitch into the weed edge perpendicularly. I think a lot of these weedline bass like to feed on small bluegills, so I like bait colors that seem to emulate sunfish. Green and pumpkin brown plastics are proven performers. And for whatever reason, blue and purple colors work great too. Sometimes the vegetation species vary between what’s growing on the shallow side and what’s out deeper. Certain plant species seem to be better bass magnets than others. Cabbage is my personal favorite. But reeds, coontail, milfoil and wild rice all attract largemouth too. Regardless of what types of plants are growing in your lake, keep an eye out for the plant color. Healthy, bright green plants will almost always outproduce drab, wilty, browning vegetation. Weedline bass fishing has always been one of my favorite things to do. If you haven’t done it yet, give it a try and I promise you’ll love it too. I hope some of the tips I’ve laid out here help you catch more fish. And if you have any tips you’d like to share with the rest of us, feel free to post them on the Babe Winkelman Facebook page at www.facebook.com/babewinkelman Good Fishing!
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Artificial softbaits are hassle-free, fish-catching alternatives
Live bait has long been a fixture of the fishing scene. Since the sport’s Dark Ages, countless fish have fallen for the inherent attraction of minnows, worms, crickets and other appealing creatures. But live bait has its downsides. “From the initial procurement to care and presentation, natural baits are a hassle,” says Berkley chemist and fish expert John Prochnow. He notes that such inconveniences would be worth the trouble, were it not for easy-to-use, fish-catching artificial options such as Berkley Gulp! and Gulp! Alive! softbaits.” “They eliminate the hassle factor,” he continues. “Artificial baits are always ready to go. You don’t have to drive miles out of your way to find a bait shop or spend time digging worms before heading for the lake. Gulp! baits travel well, with no risk of spreading diseases, exotic species or running afoul of bait-transport restrictions. And in between trips, they’re easy to store. Gulp! never goes belly up, gets fuzzy or stinks up your refrigerator.” Most importantly, Gulp! catches fish. “Whether you’re after bass, bluegills, walleyes or redfish, Gulp! consistently outperforms live bait in most conditions for a variety of reasons,” Prochnow explains. Its powers of attraction are a huge draw. Made of sponge-like, water-based resins that flood the surrounding area with scientifically proven, water-soluble scents, Gulp! products call fish from a distance and trigger instinctive strikes. “Plus, live bait just doesn’t have the durability,” Prochnow adds. “Gulp! stays on the hook better, there are more ways to rig it, and you can choose from far more variations in color, shape and action.” Not surprisingly, many professional anglers rely on such baits when their livelihood is on the line. For example, top touring walleye pro Keith Kavajecz works a variety of Gulp! and Gulp! Alive! baits into the mix when competing at events all season. On Lake Michigan’s legendary Green Bay, for example, he often forgoes traditional live-bait trolling techniques, opting instead to ply fish-holding structure with 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with 4-inch Gulp! Alive! Minnows. “I like casting to 15 to 30 feet of water along the edges of reefs, shoreline points and other breaklines,” he says. “Popping the jig off bottom and letting it glide back to you is a great way to catch big numbers of walleyes in the 18- to 24-inch range, with a decent shot at trophies topping 28 to 30 inches.” When trolling, Kavajecz often runs a Slow Death-style rig tipped with a Gulp! Fry or Killer Crawler. He says these artificial baits excel at triggering strikes, yet don’t fall apart when pecked by yellow perch or panfish. On the bass front, live bait is banned from many competitive events. But recreational bass fans still use leeches, shiners and other natural offerings for a number of presentations. Touring bass pro Brandon Palaniuk says even in these instances, live baits have a dark side. “Live bait is messy,” he says. “Dirt and bait gets smashed in your boat carpet. You have to worry about keeping your bait alive, and it’s more expensive than artificial options in the long run, because you’re lucky to get one fish per natural bait, while Gulp! stands up to the abuse of multiple catches.” Palaniuk fishes Gulp! and Gulp! Alive! baits in a number of circumstances. “The 3- and 4-inch Minnow and the 3-inch Leech are great for dropshotting both large- and smallmouth bass,” he says. “I also rig the Minnows on a 1/8- to 3/8-ounce jig head and pop them along the bottom.” Like Palaniuk, longtime panfish fanatic Terry Tuma sings the praises of artificials as replacements for live bait. “I’m a firm believer that scent is a big factor in catching all species of fish, including panfish,” he begins. “Gulp! and Gulp! Alive! baits are oozing with attractants that bring fish in and help cover up negative scents, which can mean the difference between catching fish and getting skunked.” When chasing crappies, Tuma often rigs a 1½-inch Gulp! Jigging Grub or 2½-inch Gulp! Minnow on a light jig, no heavier than 1/16 ounce. “Depending on whether you’re positioned over a school of crappies or targeting fish spread out along a weed edge or breakline, you can either fish this combo vertically or cast and retrieve it,” he says. Tuma adds that when supersized crappies roam close to bottom on main-lake basins in summer, he rigs a 2½-inch Gulp! Minnow on a three-way rig to search for scattered slabs. “Slow-trolling .8 to 1 mph is a great way to contact fish,” he says. “Use a bell sinker heavy enough to maintain occasional bottom contact, while keeping your line at a 45-degree angle. When you feel a tick, set the hook.” In the end, softbaits are stellar options year-round for a wide variety of gamefish. Our four experts agree that these modern marvels are just the ticket to help anglers everywhere catch more fish on every trip, while avoiding the hassles of live bait. June 2015 19
Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month Brought to you by
along it. To follow the hatch, start with the Big Hole, fishing large size 2 or larger Stimulators.
L
akes that hold walleye, bass, northern pike and trout will be primed for excellent fishing now. Like clockwork every year, warm temperatures create a buzz in the air. This buzz is a mass influx of flying insects that hover over water, turning on the fish that inhabit these waters. As a result, area anglers will have the best opportunity of the entire year to catch a trophy fish. What a magnificent time of the year to set up camp near a lake or stream, and spend some quality time outdoors. You can’t miss on finding fish this time of the year, as perfect conditions take hold. It’s time to go fishing before the weather gets too hot. Here are a few choice waters for you to consider.
NORTHWEST MONTANA: FLATHEAD VALLEY LAKES:
The bass fishing in Montana will be exceptional in June. Echo Lake near Big Fork, Lake Mary Ronan, Blanchard Lake near Whitefish, the Thompson Lake Chains or Smith Lake will all be primed for fun on the water now. Spinnerbaits, tubebaits, or jigs tipped with worms will collect these fish. Cast to the shorelines or weeded edges and look for the water to explode with a flurry. You can expect to hit on northern pike or a few yellow perch in these waters as well. Check your MFWP fishing regulations on catch limits on these lakes. You’ll find that trout fishing and Kokanee salmon fishing are a good choice now. A red glow jig head or forage minnow tipped with corn
Madison River: Expect to hear that the salmonflies are in Ennis by mid-June, and popping up-river on a pace of about 5 miles per day. The Varney Bridge area of the Madison is a good area to start. Dredge large nymphs through runs that appeal to the trout for good action. The Three Dollar Bridge or the BLM boat access at West Fork offers up some classic nymphing water in the morning hours, and good dry fly action in the afternoon.
Photo: JDR Specialty Tackle http://jdrspecialtytackle.weebly.com or a maggot will excel at catching the fish. Camping is available on most all of the lakes mentioned.
LAKE KOOCANUSA:
Anglers in Northwest Montana are heading for massive Lake Kookanusa for some of the best rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon fishing of the year. Where - Most anglers put in at the Lake Koocanusa Marina, then head back towards the dam for kokanee. Popular boat ramps at the dam end of this 90 mile impoundment on the Kootenai River are McGillivray or Barron Creek ramp. Anglers coming in from Eureka are using the ramps at Rexford Bench and Tobacco Plains. Kokanee Tips - To catch daily limits of kokanee, you’ll need to locate a school of fish, anchor, then vertically jig a Swedish Pimple sweetened with maggots or white shoepeg corn. Hanging a Glo-hook about 8 inches off the Swedish Pimple also fools the Koks.
Kamloops-strain Rainbow Trout For big rainbows concentrate your efforts around creek mouths and over shallow flats where the water is warmest, trolling Flatfish or Rapalas. Shorebound anglers should try flies and small lures below a big bobber. Big bull trout also live in these waters. Catch and release only. A Lake Koocanusa bull trout catch card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout.
SOUTHWEST MONTANA:
It’s the annual appearance of Salmon Flies that will help area rivers come alive with big rainbow and brown trout now. Veteran anglers know that June is the season of change on these rivers, and that these insects will create a mass of great fishing throughout the month. Where to Start Big Hole River: This classic Montana river is synonymous with the Salmonfly hatch and has many official fishing assess sites that run
Beaverhead River: The marque rivers like Rock Creek, the Big Hole, and the Madison can get run over with trout bums who have waited all year for the salmonfly hatch, but the Beav’ offers relative solitude if you want to avoid the crowd. Once you’ve heard that the hatch has started on the lower Big Hole, around Glen - hustle to the Beaverhead and fish around Twin Bridges up to Dillon for some outstanding nymph action. Bring a selection of mid-sized dries - Elk Hair Caddis or Golden Stones and a variety of Stimulators to appeal to trout that are on a big-bug binge. The great thing about this area is all of the places you can fish and camp, and if you don’t mind bouncing around, you can find big trout on big flies all through the month. Clark Canyon Reservoir:
If it’s lake fishing that suits you better, look no further than Clark Canyon Reservoir. Generous stockings of rainbow trout on this 5,000 acre lake located near Dillon, makes this one of the best places in the state for fishing. Trollers can catch plenty of trout, (rainbows and browns). Rainbow patterned lures
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or brown trout colors will be magical now on the lake. Spin-fishers will also find that jigging will be successful until the weeds take over the shoreline. Large streamers will work if you’re fly fishing.
CENTRAL MONTANA:
Marias River: June is the time to fish this warm water destination, which can produce a varied bag walleye, sturgeon, catfish, smallmouth bass, sauger, and even northern pike can be caught here. Where to Start Make the trip to Loma, located along Highway 87 between Havre and Great Falls. Typically, night crawlers fished with enough weight to keep them on the bottom are the best to catch these fish. Check fishing regulations, as some of these are catch and release only. Big Spring Creek: Located south of Lewistown, you’ll find good trout fishing here on the Big Spring Creek. You can start about 8 miles south of town. Brown trout and rainbows can be caught on flies like Yellow Sallies and Elk Hair Caddis, sizes 16 to 18. Copper Johns will catch their fair share as well.
EASTERN MONTANA:
Deadman’s Basin Reservoir:
Shore anglers are getting into both browns and rainbows at Deadman’s Basin Reservoir, located near Harlowtown. Standard gear like scented marshmallows, salmon eggs, and night crawlers will hook into fish. You can also try your luck on landing a bruiser tiger muskie here. They’ll be hunkered down close to the weeded edges ready to bust your offering now. You’ll have a chance to land big brown trout if fishing west of Harlowtown on the Mussellshell River. Toss streamers and nymphs, or float hopper patterns near shady areas and anywhere there is cover. The Two Dot or Selkirk fishing access sites are good places to start out. Browns in this section of the river
Box 949, Helena, MT 59624
can average 16 to 24 inches and will give you a great fight. Fort Peck Reservoir: The fishing will be exceptional anywhere you look on this great fishery located in Eastern Montana. Bring your boat or if you haven’t fished Fort Peck before, hire a guide to take you out. It’s probably the best time, and the best lake to fish if you’re after northern pike, walleye or smallmouth bass. Hell Creek near Jordan, or up the Lake at Rock Creek is a favorite for most sport anglers. Casting crankbaits, spoons, spinnerbaits and Rapala lures in colors that replicate a cisco will do well. A silver and blue colored Mepps Cyclops lure or Blue Fox Spoons both work well now. Other well known lures include the Shad Rap SR-9 in crawdad, a Rapala J-13 in orange and white, Reefrunner in blue-silver or wallydivers. Use spoons for casting to the shorelines near weeds and lures for trolling in about 20 feet of water down to 8 feet. Firetiger and perch patterns match a pike’s favorite food - perch. Exceptional smallmouth bass fishing will round our your fishing trip. Call Rock Creek Marina and talk to Bill at 406-485-2560 for the latest conditions, help locating a guide or information for what you’ll need for a Fort Peck fishing trip. Once you go and fish Fort Peck, you’ll be hooked, just like I am. Enjoy the season!
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Fishing Slower Often Produces Larger Bass
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he prime spring spawning season for catching big bass may be over, but that doesn’t mean Mark Davis stops fishing for them. If anything, the Yamaha Pro and former Bassmaster Classic® champion concentrates that much harder on putting a heavyweight into the livewell. “It will probably surprise a lot of anglers, but right now is one of my favorite times to go after a really big fish,” notes Davis, who caught his heaviest largemouth ever, a 12-6 giant, in the month of June several years ago. “On many lakes, the bass are still in a type of transition and haven’t completed their move to deep summer structure. On some lakes, a few fish may even still be spawning, so some of them are in relatively shallow water where they’re much more accessible.” The real key to catching big bass anytime of year, however, emphasizes Davis, is fishing extremely slowly, which takes not only patience but also confidence. In fact, when Davis is really looking for a trophy bass, he fishes slower than he does during the winter months when bass tend to be more lethargic. “Big bass will never be far from deep water, even in the spring when they’re coming to shallow flats to spawn,” continues the Yamaha Pro, “so that’s the first thing I look for. I like to find creek channels or ditches leading from deep water into the shallows, or points and ledges that have steep drops into deeper water. “Then I look for cover like logs, stumps, bushes, or vegetation around those depth changes, because these are objects that bass use, and if they’re present, the fish will stay longer in that area.” Davis prefers fishing soft plastic lures like creature baits, big worms, and stick baits on a Carolina rig when he’s hunting big fish. The reason is because these types of plastic lures are still extremely effective when fished slowly. He rigs them Texas-style, with the hook imbedded to make them weedless. “When I feel my Carolina rig weight hit a piece of cover as I make my retrieve, I stop and let the lure sit there from 10 to perhaps 30 seconds,” he says, “because I want to keep the lure in that area as long as possible. Even if I’m fishing vegetation and feel the sinker hit it, I’ll still let the lure sit there a long time. “I may be fishing with a leader as long as six feet, so I’ll shake my rod a time or two, let the lure sit there again, then crawl it into the vegetation. I know the bass know my lure is down there, and I want it to look as tempting to them as I possibly can.” Depending on the type of lake and the water clarity where he’s fishing, Davis gradually works deeper water as the summer progresses. Instead of concentrating in eight to 12 foot depths like he might in May, for example, in June he works his way out to about 15 feet. The more off-colored the water, the shallower bass will be. Davis tries to time his big fish hunts during the three days immediately preceding a full moon, regardless of the time of year. He doesn’t know why bass seem to bite better during that time, but his years of experience as both a tournament pro and a guide on Lake Ouachita near his home have proven it is the most reliable time to catch a big fish. He really likes to be on the water when the sun and moon are visible at the same time. “Overall,” concludes the Yamaha Pro, “catching a big bass now is all about finding cover close to deep water, and then fishing that cover extremely slowly. Don’t worry about leaving your lure motionless on the bottom for up to half a minute, because the bass definitely know it’s there, and they’re probably watching it. “The less obtrusive and aggressive you can make it look, the better your chances for catching one of them.” June 2015 23
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Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. Not all dealers carry all products. Consult your local Yellow Pages. © 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. www.powerequipment.honda.com 24 - Hunting & Fishing News
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Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. Not all dealers carry all products. Consult your local Yellow Pages. © 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. www.powerequipment.honda.com June 2015 25
Fishing And Camping In The Jewel Basin www.visitmt.com
Looking for someplace new to fish,
camp, and explore in Montana? Consider the Jewel Basin area. The Jewel Basin is located east of Kalispell and west of the Hungry Horse Reservoir at the north end of the Swan Mountain Range. The Basin is 15,349 acres including 27 lakes and Picnic lakes and the 35 miles of trails. The Jewel Basin is half of Jewel Basin. specially designated for hiking only, with northern Photo courtesy of Big Sky Fishing.Com motorized vehicles and horses restricted. . www.bigskyfishing.com
Peak season is generally in July and August during the weekends. High lakes may still carry ice and trails can be snow covered any earlier than July. During the winter, use of the Jewel Basin is limited. For more information about Jewel Basin Trails please see the Flathead National Forest web site: www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead
High Mountain Lake fishing is synonymous with the Jewel Basin Hiking Area. Over 20 lakes provide fishing opportunities to satisfy any type of angler or backpacker. Try “bushwhacking” into some of the more remote lakes or simply take a leisurely hike to Birch Lake. Lakes in the Jewel Basin are stocked on a three year rotation with westslope cutthroat trout. Hybrid populations of rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout exist in numerous lakes; a result of early plants from the 1930’s that have been self-sustaining. Stocking of westslope cutthroat trout to remove or dilute the genetic material from these non-native trout has not been successful. A management plan has been initiated to replace these hybrid populations with pure westslope cutthroat trout to reduce the risk of hybridization with native westslope cutthroat trout in downstream tributary streams. Hybridization has been shown to dilute the genetics of pure fish, eventually resulting in the loss of native fish such as westslope cutthroat trout. This management plan will be integral to maintaining the native fish assemblage that is found in the South Fork Flathead River. It is rare to find a large river basin across the West that is relatively devoid of exotic fish. The Jewel Basin and the South Fork Flathead are true jewels!... Access: The primary access is from Camp Misery that can be reached from FS Road 5392 just east of Echo Lake. The Jewel Basin can also be reached from taking the Westside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road #895 and driving to trailheads in Wounded Buck, Clayton, Graves, or Wheeler Creeks. A map is highly recommended and can be purchased at the District Office. A permit is not needed to camp within the Jewel Basin. When choosing a campsite find one away from trails, meadows, lakes and streams to reduce your impact on fragile areas. Campfires are permitted in the Jewel Basin but it is asked that you use a lightweight camp stove. No open campfires are allowed within 500 feet of Birch, Crater, Twin and Picnic Lakes, to prevent further damage around the lake shores. All visitors are required to keep food and trash away from bears to help ensure your safety as well as the bears. Hang all food or store in a bear resistant container.
Twin Lakes in the Jewel Basin Photo courtesy of Big Sky Fishing.Com www.bigskyfishing.com 26 - Hunting & Fishing News
For more information call: Jewel Basin Hiking Area Bigfork 406-387-3800
June 2015 27
Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By
HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS
Republic Services of Montana
NSSF Urges Target Shooters RMEF Celebrates 31 and Hunters to Help Years of Conservation, Prevent Wildfires Salutes Volunteers National Shooting Sports Foundation
T
hroughout the parched American West, the potential for wildfires is high. Summer has yet to arrive and already fire restrictions have been issued for some national forests and other public lands. The cost for fighting wildfires this year could exceed $1 billion—a staggering amount that does not include tolls on property, wildlife, habitat and humans. The National Shooting Sports Foundation encourages target shooters and hunters to do their part to help prevent wildfires. NSSF offers a poster and audio public service announcement containing prevention guidelines for use throughout this fire season. The poster encourages firearms owners to know the rules, regulations and fire-danger levels before going target shooting or hunting in fire-prone areas; to minimize the risk of starting a fire by not using ammunition that is steel-jacketed or contains steel-core components; to not use tracer rounds or exploding targets; to remember that a vehicle or ATV’s hot exhaust pipes could ignite a fire; and to properly extinguish campfires, among other fire-prevention measures. The poster is available in two sizes —the standard 8.5 x 11 inches and a larger 11 x 17 size—and is suitable for displaying at shooting ranges, firearms retail shops and outdoor-equipment stores, as well as sharing on websites, blogs and social media sites. For more information, visit www.nssf.org/education/PreventWildfires.cfm. 28 - Hunting & Fishing News
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
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he Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation honors and reveres its volunteers and members while celebrating its 31st anniversary of land and wildlife conservation work. “Entering our fourth decade of conservation successes, we fully recognize that the organization would not be anywhere close to where it is today without the tireless and passionate dedication of our hard-working volunteers and the staunch support of our membership,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “They selflessly give of their time and talents in helping the RMEF carry out its mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.” Officially established by four hunters in northwest Montana on May 14, 1984, the RMEF founders created a vision to safeguard elk, elk hunting and the habitat they need to thrive. At that time, there were approximately 550,000 elk in North America. Today, there are well over one million. RMEF has a membership of more than 205,000, including an army of 11,000 volunteers in 500-plus chapters around the nation. To date, those volunteers helped the RMEF carry out 9,336 projects to protect or enhance more than 6.6 million acres of prime habitat for elk and other wildlife while also opening or securing nearly 770,000 acres of land for hunters and others to enjoy. RMEF also helped restore elk to their native range in six states and one Canadian province. For complete article go to: http://www.rmef.org/NewsandMedia/ PressRoom/NewsReleases/RMEFCelebrates31Years.aspx
Photo: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Hunters, Anglers Fund America’s Conservation Efforts Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
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ew statistics recently released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) show hunters and anglers generated $1.1 billion in 2014. That funding will be distributed to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to support America’s conservation and recreation projects.
“’Hunting Is Conservation’ is not just a motto or a theme or a mantra. It’s truth,” said David Allen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Sportsmen and women who hunt and fish are the people who generate the funds for on-the-ground conservation and wildlife management efforts from coast to coast.” The funding is raised through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs which place excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, electric boat motors, and from taxes on the purchase of motorboat fuel. “These funds are the cornerstone of state-based efforts that are critical to the preservation of America’s wildlife and natural resources,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “But they are also the fuel for a massive financial engine that benefits outdoor recreationists, hunters, boaters and anglers, equipment manufacturers and retailers, and local and regional economies. Their value cannot be overstated in providing opportunities for the next generation of Americans to get outdoors, experience our wild places and learn the importance of conserving our natural heritage.” “It is thanks to this significant financial investment made by America’s sportsmen and women and the hunting, shooting sports, angling and boating industries that state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies can deliver science-based conservation on the ground,” said Larry Voyles, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies president and Arizona Game and Fish Department director. “The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has made the difference between the survival and abundance of some species and it helps agencies, like mine, manage a vast estate of lands and waters and connect more people to wildlife-related recreation.” Funding generated by RMEF’s volunteers and members in 2014 furthered the Elk Foundation’s conservation mission by helping complete 253 land and habitat stewardship projects that protected or enhanced 160,180 acres of elk habitat and opened or secured public access to 61,817 acres. “We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers and members, as well as sportsmen and women around the country for their passion for land and wildlife conservation,” added Allen. Go here (http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ID=01127602B8CC-2A35-DD249638905B977D) to see a state-by-state breakdown of the funding distribution.
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Governor’s Tags: Ethics vs. Conservation Funding The Boone and Crockett Club
E
ver more controversial, Governor’s Tags have a new official endorsement - as well as a caution - from the Boone and Crockett Club. In a new position statement, the organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt supports the modern concept of exclusive big game hunting permits sold at auctions to help fund conservation. The inordinate amount of money these permits bring is an acceptable buoy for state, provincial and tribal wildlife agencies’ inadequate budgets, the Club says. But Boone and Crockett also expressed concern about the relaxed ethical standards and “anything goes” perceptions that seem to follow some of the actual hunts.
“Every year, we hear from more and more hunters who are disheartened by tag hunts. And, frankly, some of their criticisms are justified,” said Boone and Crockett Club President Morrie Stevens. He added, “The cost usually required to buy a Governor’s Tag is, essentially, an extra conservation tax on the wealthy. But volunteering to pay it shouldn’t come with privileges that allow a person to skip the fair chase standards that made hunting a cherished American tradition. Buyers and their guides still have a duty, like everyone else, to keep our sporting lifestyle acceptable in the eyes of the public.” Boone and Crockett will continue to accept Governor’s Tag trophies into its records program as long as the hunt was conducted under legal, ethical tenets. After all, the animals taken are part of the success story of modern habitat and game management programs, and tracking that success is why the Club keeps records in the first place.
But the Club also understands that paying for conservation isn’t getting cheaper, and Governor’s Tags allow an agency to usually collect in the range of $10,000 to $400,000 for the opportunity to hunt a single animal. Those revenues translate to benefits for all species and citizens. Better communication and more transparency from participating agencies, the highest ethical conduct from Governor’s Tag hunters and outfitters, and a deeper understanding from critics about today’s urgent conservation needs, would improve the effectiveness and sustainability of these programs, the Club says.
Taking Cover Seriously By Barbara Baird
National Wild Turkey Federation www.nwtf.org
W
hen biologists talk about cover, they are referring to more than just a place for animals to hide. “Cover is three-dimensional and related to the functional needs of animals,” said Collin Smith, NWTF regional biologist for Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Cover provides shelter in adverse weather conditions; allows for breeding, nesting and rearing young; and provides an obstruction between an animal and a possible predator. Those of us who hunt have witnessed the effects of good cover and its benefits. Cover is an integral part of any wildlife enhancement program. The NWTF is working on two new projects in South Dakota and Wyoming that will help to enhance wildlife cover. Located near Sturgis, South Dakota, one 153-acre project involves commercial thinning on the Fort Meade Recreation Area. The goal is to create a “multi-structured, uneven-aged stand of Ponderosa pines that will be more resistant to fire and bug infestations.” The NWTF partnered with the Bureau of Land Management for this project. Since it is a stewardship project, the contractor will sell timber, and the funds will be returned to the project and applied to wildlife enhancement activities. The main benefit to wild turkeys comes from removing Ponderosa pine that has encroached into bur oak stands in the area. A light-intensity prescribed burn will be applied to the oak stands after the pine is removed. This action will assist in generating new oak trees. All these activities will diversify the cover types present on the landscape. In Wyoming the NWTF is partnering with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and many other organizations on a larger project that directly affects 581 acres in the upper Stockade Beaver Creek area. The project began this winter and reduces juniper growth. The project will increase forage and reduce fuel loads in an area that is a wintering place for wild turkeys. The grass and shrubs stimulated by introducing sunlight to the ground, where thick juniper once existed, will provide two additional layers of wildlife cover. June 2015 29
REGIONAL NEWS
Help on the Way for Elk Habitat, Research in Washington Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
F rom prescribed burning and noxious weed treatments to forest restoration, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded grants
More Deer Hunting Permits Nearly 2,000 additional hunters will have a chance to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall...
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Photo by Lynn Chamberlain
ach fall, after the deer hunts are over, DWR biologists survey deer on their winter ranges to determine how many bucks, does and fawns are in the herds. What the biologists found during their most recent surveys should be encouraging news for hunters and wildlife watchers alike: After the hunts were over last fall, biologists saw an average of 21 bucks for every 100 does. And that’s on general-season units that are comprised mostly of public land. Shannon says the higher buck-to-doe ratio is good news for hunters — it means more bucks, and older bucks, will be available this fall.... “So, to be at a statewide average of 21 bucks per 100 does is great news for Utah’s hunters,” Shannon says. “It means the herds have plenty of bucks in them.” Based on surveys after last fall’s hunts, biologists estimate the total number of deer in Utah at 355,600. That’s up more than 22,000 deer from the 332,900 estimated in the state after the 2013 hunts. Deer monitoring studies are also providing encouraging news. Over the past five years, biologists have placed radio collars on hundreds of deer across Utah...Based on data gathered through the survey, biologists estimate 84 percent of the doe deer in Utah, and 82 percent of the fawns, made it through 2014. 30 - Hunting & Fishing News
that will fund 15 conservation projects benefitting 8,760 acres of vital elk habitat in Washington. The grants total $212,692 and directly impact 8,760 acres across Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Cowlitz, Garfield, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens and Yakima Counties. “These projects will help improve elk habitat in areas where encroaching weeds and forest overgrowth have a detrimental effect on wildlife,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We are also providing funds for research regarding forage availability for elk and other wildlife near Mount St. Helens.” Allen thanked RMEF volunteers for their hard work and dedication in raising funds for projects in Washington. He also thanked volunteers around the country for seeking to further RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk and elk country. Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 551 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Washington with a combined value of more than $112.3 million. These projects have protected or enhanced 453,854 acres of habitat and have opened or secured public access to 118,756 acres. Here is a sampling of Washington’s 2015 projects, listed by county: Garfield County—Burn 2,685 acres within the broader Asotin Creek Prescribed Fire Project area to restore native grasslands and improve wildlife forage. To ensure the establishment of native grasses, 435 acres will be aerially seeded after the burn on a landscape that is a summer, winter and calving area for elk as well as bighorn sheep range. Skamania County—Provide funding for continuing research to address the interaction of forage availability and nutritional quality on the elk population within the Mt. St. Helens eruption blast zone on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest compared to state and federal land outside the zone. The results provide a foundation for evaluating forest management, predicting future habitat condition trends and a basis for elk population management in the area. Yakima County—Seed 820 acres with grasses, forbes and sagebrush to restore habitat for elk and other wildlife within the Cottonwood 2 Wildfire area that burned nearly 9,000 acres of winter range in 2014 (also affects Kittitas County). For a complete list of Washington’s projects, go here to: http://rmefblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/help-on-way-for-elk-habitat-research-in.html Partners for the Washington projects include the Colville, Gifford Pinchot and Umatilla National Forests, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, private landowners and various sportsmen, wildlife, civic, and government organizations.
REGIONAL NEWS
2015 Ocean Salmon-Fishing Season Washington State
Ocean recreational salmon season - Washington State Effective dates and Locations: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) May 30 through June 12 - Open seven days per week, 2 salmon daily limit. Release wild chinook and all coho. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches. June 13 until further notice: Daily limit of 2 salmon, of which not more than one may be a chinook salmon, release wild coho. Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) May 30 through June 12 - Open seven days per week, 2 salmon daily limit. Release wild chinook and all coho. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches. June 13 until further notice: Daily limit of 2 salmon, of which not more than one may be a chinook salmon, release wild coho. Marine Area 2-1 (Willapa Bay) Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply. Marine Area 2-2, west of the Buoy 13 line, (Grays Harbor) Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply. Marine Areas 3 (LaPush) and 4 (Neah Bay) ...May 30 through June 12 - Open seven days per week, 2 salmon daily limit plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release wild chinook and all coho. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches. In Area 4, Closed east of a true north/south line running through Sail Rock. Closed to salmon angling inside the area bounded by a line from Kydaka Point to Shipwreck Point. June 13 until further notice: daily limit of 2 salmon, release wild coho. Species affected: Salmon Reason for action: Opens ocean recreational salmon seasons that were previously announced following the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings in April. Information Contact: Doug Milward 360-902-2739
Fish And Game Monitors Panhandle Northern Pike Populations N
orthern pike are a popular sport fish for Northern Idaho anglers. But pike are also a voracious predator that potentially could impact other fish species, if not kept in check. That is why Idaho Fish and Game biologists keep regular tabs on northern pike populations in various Panhandle Region lakes. A new video posted on the Fish and Game website shows how anglers help with northern pike population surveys through Fish and Game’s “Tag You’re It” program. The video also includes a demonstration on how to fillet a pike, which makes excellent table fare. The video is available at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/ pike-video
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Chinook Salmon Stream Into Idaho May and June
means salmon fishing to many and it appears to be shaping up to be a season to remember.
Approximately 59,000 Chinook salmon have crossed Lower Granite Dam and the run continues to build with IDF&G Photo 34,721 adult being counted since May 4 at the last Snake River dam before the fish enter Idaho. With the low snowpack and runoff this year fish are rapidly migrating upstream after they cross Lower Granite Dam. Idaho’s rivers are in good fishing condition now and catch rates have been high for this time of year. Anglers can stay up to date with in-season fish counts at Bonneville and Lower Granite Dams, harvest information, hatchery returns, and interactive season maps by checking Idaho Fish and Game’s website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=140 June 2015 31
Don’t Miss the
FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB
Annual Bear Shoot June 20 & 21
Two days of nothing but shooting your bow.
This will be the BIGGEST ARCHERY EVENT OF THE YEAR. Come have fun with friends, family, and other Bowhunters.
FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB BEAR SHOOT 2015 JUNE 20th & 21st
37th ANNUAL FAMILY FUN SHOOT
80 3-D TARGETS: 40 each day. Four separate loops of 20 targets. Shoot two different loops of 20 targets each day. These two shoots are at the same location for a weekend full of archery fun. Saturday afternoon - additional fun shoots to be announced on site. Trophies awarded to top 3 places in each flight on Sunday afternoon. Participation awards for all Cubs. You must shoot both days and be flighted on Sunday to be eligible for trophies. Shoot all of Green Course one day and all of Orange Course the other day to be eligible for trophies. Saturday’s top shooters in each division will be flighted and groups will leave at 8:00am on Sunday.
Primitive camping available on site. Bring your own firewood. Bear proof gear required. Contact: Paul Roush at FVAC@Live.com or visit Five Valleys Archery Club on Facebook Held at The Clearwater Junction, 45 miles East of Missoula on Hwy. 200. Concessions by Pards Tummy Teasers 32 - Hunting & Fishing News
Scent control gear is a big investment. It is very important to care for it in the off season as well.
Off Season to On Season
By: Aaron Zimmerman Reprinted with permission from bowhunting.net Sponsored by Robinson Outdoors, Tree Spider & ScentBlocker Products
for more visit www.outdooroverload.com or on at https://www.facebook.com/BowhuntingOnline
My ScentBlocker gear has been washed, stored in scent-proof bags,
and stored for the summer. Most folks would say storing their hunting clothes is a sign of the end of hunting season, but they would be wrong ...Once the hunting portion of our season is over the most important success factor for future seasons is what we do between February and July... We’ve all read the many hunting magazines out there that will provide you with a master’s degree in the amazing benefits of scent control gear, whitetail nutrition, mineral supplements, food plot planting, and the next greatest item you just have to have that will ensure a slam dunk Michael Jordan would be proud of. I’m no different than the next obsessed guy or gal and have read with great interest all the articles. I am amazed by the advancements the industry leaders have made especially in scent control with the release of ScentBlocker’s Trinity technology. Their efforts undoubtedly make my job easier than it’s ever been. Although I take this part of the hunting process seriously it’s not the preparation I’m talking about. Over time I’ve identified 5 areas of focus for my personal success that work for me. Like most “industry secrets” it’s not a one-size-fits-all type of solution, which is why I’ve had to revise my 5 step process almost annually. Like the game we hunt, we too have to be flexible in our approach... Getting a lot of the legwork out of the way online is a great way to cure cabin fever and get a jump on the season 1. What Worked / What Didn’t Work – One of the most essential tools in this planning process is keeping very detailed accounts of each and every hunt during the past season. I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to hunt quite a few properties so I keep a notebook for each property. In these notebooks I have recorded every important detail including: date, wind direction, temp, pressure, time, deer sightings, stand locations and the list continues. It’s this detail that becomes my cheat sheet for the next season. From this information I start to develop a plan for each property...Typical changes I make from this information are: -Tree stands being removed, added, replaced (due to noise they make) or moved -Changes to which stands I can hunt based on wind direction -Which stands I spend my time on during morning vs. evening hunts -Which properties are best in early season or late season -Approach taken to stands re-looked at -Pressure on surrounding properties and how it affects my property -Does it make sense to continue hunting this property? 2. Property Search – That last question is probably the most critical in the success of my plan. Finding property to hunt is so hard any more that we as hunters tend to become property hoarders once we get that coveted permission slip signed. You may find that it is not a property conducive for your ultimate goal so why hold on to it? It may cause separation anxiety at first but trust me when I tell you it gets easier. This is the time to shed the unproductive properties and start to pursue that next property that fits your definition of a potential deer hunting paradise. The search phase is not something that starts after season but is a year round constant search. Tools I need and carry with me in my truck year round are a road map and notebook. In my free time or with a few
moments to spare I will intentionally take a “wrong turn” and drive down those back roads I’ve passed a million times and never taken the time to explore. When I find a property that looks good I will write down the address if one is present and if not I will make detailed notes in my map so I can reference later. Once home I use Google Earth to look at aerial views of the property I found. If I’m still interested I will highlight the property for reference during the permission stage. 3. Gaining Permission – ...I will pour over those property notes and start to research for landowner names, addresses and phone numbers. From your local auditors webpage you will be able to find all of this information...Each year I am researching and pursuing at a minimum of 50 new properties and normally will top out around 80. From this, I will usually gain access to 5-7 new properties. Once I have the contact information I need, I move forward with requesting permission. From many conversations with landowners where I was successful in gaining permission I’ve learned one primary thing, do not just stop in and knock on their door. Doing this shows them that you are willing to inconvenience them during their time at home and doesn’t make a great first impression. I have taken the approach of putting together a form letter that I will sign and mail to them. Granted, it will cost you the price of a stamp or 80 but it’s well worth the investment. My letters are professional and give me the chance to explain who I am and why I am asking for permission to hunt. Included in these letters are an invite to call me any time they need assistance on the farm, during bailing season, etc. Just being willing to earn the right to hunt speaks volumes. Undoubtedly a hand addressed envelope will be read and seldom thrown in the trash before read to its entirety. Each letter has my phone number and e-mail address included so they can contact me if they are open to my request. If I don’t hear back in 1-2 weeks I will reach out to them over the phone. ... At this time I’m officially done with the preparation that can be done while on the road. I can finally hit the woods and start visiting each of the new properties, building those vital relationships with property owners, and getting those permission slips signed. I will caution you here before you fall into the same mistake I’ve made many times which brings me to the 4th phase of my game plan. 4. Should You Choose to Accept the Challenge – This next step will potentially blow your mind and leave you staggering in a crazed stupor. Just because I gained permission doesn’t mean I’m going to hunt the property and will potentially walk away after I’ve done my homework. We all know that in order to shoot a big deer, key factors must be in place on the property. I will know without a shadow of a doubt of what I’m dealing with before sinking valuable prep time and money into a piece of ground. During my first walk on the property I will normally take several of my trail cameras to start gathering herd data immediately. I will then collect data and trail camera photos until mid-June when the final decision will be made on whether I will or will not be spending any time during the next season on the property. More often than not, I will hang at least one stand on the property but there has been a good number of properties I’ve walked away from... The last step to my madness connects all the phases together and will bring us back to where we started at step 1 when once again I’m packing up all of my ScentBlocker gear for the summer. At this point I have reviewed in great detail last season’s notes, identified and targeted new properties, gained access to new properties, and narrowed down those that I will be hunting next season. So what is the last step that will complete the cycle? 5. Strategic Stand Placement – I would say that most hunters place their stands on a new property with the expectation of scoring on a buck that first year. My way is a bit unorthodox because I’m hunting for next year on a new property, not for this year. In mid-June I will set-up my stands in extremely non-evasive locations that provide an invisible approach to and from the stands. I don’t want to pressure, push, or risk taking the chance on cluing in a good buck on my presence that first year. While in stand I will have a notebook in my hand more than my bow because I’m gathering the data that I will need in February when I start the cycle all over again. Once I have a solid foundation of deer movement on the property, I will start to note where I will need to move that stand the following year in order to capitalize on the property the following year. Like I said early on, this is not a one-size-fits-all plan but it’s been proven to work for me.
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Duck and Goose Pre-Season Makeover By Steve Hickoff Yamaha Outdoors Tips
W
See One Of These Yamaha Dealers Today.
Bozeman
Butte
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Hamilton
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Blitz Motorsports Staack’s Motorsports Steve’s Sports Center 145 Rawhide Ridge Rd. 102 E. Galena St. 4700 9th Ave. South 406-522-7533 406-782-2623 406-727-8607 Al’s Cycle 619 Highway 93N. 406-363-3433
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*0%-10% down payment required. Applies to purchases of new 2011-2015 Motorcycles, Scooters, ATVs & Side x Sides, made on a Yamaha Installment Financing loan account from 2/1/15 to 6/30/15. Offer is subject to credit approval by Synchrony Financial. Maximum contract length is 36 months. Minimum amount financed is $5,000. Fixed APR of 3.99%, 6.99%, 7.99% or 13.99% assigned based on credit approval criteria. Example: Monthly payments per $1,000 financed based on 36-month term are $29.52 at 3.99% rate and $34.17 at 13.99%. Standard down payment requirement is based on credit approval criteria. **Customer Cash offer good on select 2011-2015 models between 2/1/15 to 6/30/15. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dealer remains responsible for complying with all local and state advertising regulations and laws. ATV models shown are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never carry passengers. Never engage in stunt riding. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Avoid excessive speed. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Professional riders depicted on closed courses. Shown with optional accessories. ©2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com 2/15 34 - Hunting & Fishing News
aterfowl hunters love their gear. It’s the off-season and you might be due for a makeover. DECOYS: Haven’t used those half-dozen boxes of snow goose decoys you bought impulsively after watching a TV show on the subject? It happens. No worries. Sell them – somebody else will put the fakes to good use. Classified sections found on internet duck and goose hunting forums are a start. Then of course there’s eBay and other cyberspace sites. Bonus Tip: Have other decoys that have met a similar fate? Donate them to a Ducks Unlimited banquet. The tax-deductible receipt could help you next April. BOATS: Waterfowlers buy and sell boats all the time – big rigs and small ones alike. The best time of the year is summer when other hunters like you are trying to do their own makeover, and anglers are sometimes doing the same thing. As with decoys, advertise online or even simply sell the boat right on your property. Bonus Tip: Looking to duck hunt smaller, calmer backwaters? A kayak is a great way to go, especially during early-season opportunities. Many companies offer cost-slashing deals in summer as the vacation weather hints at fading. Stay tuned for chances to pick one up. Get a feel for using it while fishing now before you duck hunt later. A small ‘yak can slide right into the back of your truck. CALLING: Duck and goose calling instruction is just a few clicks away on your computer keyboard or mobile device. YouTube is full of free tips on pulling in everything from woodies to specklebellies. Bonus Tip: And while you’re at it, why not pick up a new call or two? The time to practice is now. WHEELS: Always wanted to buy a Yamaha ATV or SxS? Don’t wait until later to try one out. Now is the time to get those four wheels under you. They can help with blind building and decoy lugging later on as the season approaches and finally arrives....
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Father’s Day is June 21st
Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors New Gear Review
Make his day Optics
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Solo Monocular Compact, easy-to-carry, with quality viewing. From bowhunters to backpackers the Solo makes a great addition to any gear list.
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36 - Hunting & Fishing News
with the guidance of a local sled dog veterinarian, these canine saddle bags are “dogonomically” correct from Mountainsmith. This highly adjustable pack is sure to fit comfortably for long days on the trail. Features: • 4-point adjustable chest harness with padded sternum strap • Independently adjustable back harness for custom fit • Two zippered pannier pockets • Metal D-ring attachment point for leash • Ergonomically tapered torso shape(veterinarian approved) • Air mesh panels against canine body for increased ventilation • 3M™ reflective trim on front, rear and side panels
Hodgman® H3™ Wading Boot
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June 2015 37
Micro Stands for Coyotes I
By Tim Titus
www.no-off-season.com
like big country. My wife calls my son and I “Desert Rats” and it’s probably appropriate. Don’t get me wrong—I like the forest too but when it comes to coyote hunting, give me an expanse of desert and I’m pretty happy. Big country, big speakers and a big view of in-coming coyotes could keep me content in this game of predator hunting for a long time. But, more and more, I find myself picking out smaller, specific places that harbor the things that hold coyotes— micro stands if you will. These spots may have only one or two stands in them but have what it takes to consistently hold and produce coyotes time after time. These micro stands are often located in the midst of that big country but may also be smaller areas unto themselves that are often overlooked by other callers. A friend, Carl, and I called one such stand on a recent hunt. I had secured permission to hunt this particular land but the owner’s cows and horses required a shotgun-only approach. Part of the horse herd took an active interest in our camo clad figures as we made our way into the field and we settled into the end of a finger of brush. The caller and motion decoy continued to keep our unwanted visitors around us as we began the stand. Even though this stand had everything it needed to hold coyotes, at 20 minutes nothing but a bald eagle had showed and we got up to gather the gear and leave. Having been surprised by more than one late-approaching coyote in the past, I was looking around as I got up to quit the stand and, sure enough, I spotted a coyote to our right. Our unwanted guests (the horses) now provided cover for us to sneak back to our hide but they also seemed to keep the guest we were inviting (the coyote) from continuing to our stand. The coyote moved our way then stopped and sat down at 150 yards. It would have been an easy shot if we would have had rifles but, unfortunately, we could only watch as it eventually made its’ way back into the brush. After several more minutes of coaxing, we determined it wasn’t going to return and again began to stand-up. This time it was Carl who whispers that we have two more coyotes further to our right. I then spot another single coming from the same general direction that the first one left. Coyotes everywhere! The single hangs up in about the same place as the first coyote did, then after a bit, it takes off at a run away from us. A few seconds later two coyotes run across the meadow in the same direction the last one went. I’m thinking, “Darn, they must have winded us.” Less than a minute later a big male busts out of the brush in front of us running for the decoy and Carl rolled him with a face full of Dead Coyote T shot at 30 yards. I was perplexed as to why the coyote would return to the call after getting our wind but Carl, who got to watch the whole show, said the that the coyotes hadn’t gotten our wind--they were chasing the single coyote off! This micro stand had produced somewhere between four and six different coyotes. Not bad. Coyotes need the same things to survive as any other game animal—food, water and cover. This can be had on a grand scale in the wide open plains and deserts or on a smaller scale in woodlots, CRP fields or meadows. If the food source is there and the water is there, the coyote needs only a reasonable amount of cover to hide from the unending number of trucks with rifles in the racks that travel these areas in the course of work and recreation. The type of land and vegetation will determine whether a given environment will provide enough food and cover to maintain coyotes or not. At times, micro stands won’t hold coyotes themselves but provide a place from which a hunter can pull coyotes from bigger country around them which is either not conducive to good set-ups (See Calling Coyotes—The Set-up in the December 2012 issue of LRH) or is inaccessible because of land ownership or hunting laws. Livestock attract coyotes. Even when they aren’t preying on livestock, coyotes will be found in the proximity of the herds. Why? There is always a good source of water regardless of the weather. Coyotes will also find nutrients in the manure of cattle, especially nursing calves. Ruminants also produce specific vitamins in there multi-compartment stomach some of which are passed through the digestive tract to be consumed by the coyote. During calving season, the cow’s afterbirth is full of nutrients and sustains many coyotes that never kill a calf. Cattle may also stir up the occasional rabbit or other rodent providing the opportunistic coyote a chance at a meal. Coyotes love to hang out around cows. Find some cows and you may find a micro stand or two. Another benefit of ranching to the coyote hunter comes from areas of haying activity. Many times hay meadows are cut in somewhat random fashion to avoid higher brushy areas or low sloughs that are too wet to cut. These somewhat random open areas provide places to make micro stands by either giving the hunter a view of the downwind side of the stand or providing shooting lanes in otherwise flat, brushy areas. The combination of brush and grass hold small game, rodents and birds for a coyote smörgåsbord. Stack yards found around meadows provide cover to park a vehicle behind and may also provide an elevated shooting platform. Most of the best areas for micro stands around livestock are located on private property. Make sure you have landowner permission and never take unsafe shots. One bad experience will ruin opportunities for years to come. Using fragile bullets will reduce the chance of ricochets as well. And, be advised that not all cows take kindly to the sounds of a predator tearing up small, defenseless animals. If you can, call from outside the pasture the cows are in. Coyotes can hear a predator call from an amazing distance. As a predator caller, you don’t have to have huge expanses of country to be successful. Creek bottoms, dry lake beds surrounded by brush, a rancher’s dead pit, a winter killed game animal and upland bird preserves can all provide opportunities for micro stands. Following protocol for your Approach (See Calling Coyotes—The Approach October LRH.) and your Set-up is even more important with micro stands. Hide your vehicle, walk in quietly and follow Titus’ Rule…”Make ‘em show themselves if they want the downwind.” Although often ignored, your egress is also important. Slip back out as quietly as you came even if you were unsuccessful. The need for a careful approach was hammered home on the very next stand Carl and I made that morning. After pulling into the property we were to call, we hid the Toyota behind a screen of brush and quietly moved a couple hundred yards to our set-up. We left a narrow strip of hay ground on our downwind side and put the caller and decoy ten yards in front of us. As the caller started some Bunny Blues, it was less than 60 seconds before a coyote was bouncing through the brush in our direction. It pays to be quiet on micro stands and it pays to be ready for action as well! ...look for the overlooked places. Many times the opportunities are closer to home than the big country you’re used to hunting. Go against the flow. “Go big or go home” may work on the football field but the opposite approach might be what you need to put a spark in your predator calling. ...try a micro stand. Good luck and good hunting. God Bless, Tim Titus © Pnwnature | Dreamstime.com
38 - Hunting & Fishing News
June 2015 39
You, Elk And The Elements By Ron Niziolek
Originally published at
www.goHUNT.com
E
lk hunting and the associated difficulties are like fire and fuel -- you cannot have one without the other. Understanding what to expect when chasing elk in the mountains is important. It can be a grueling task and makes you gauge your personal fitness, fears and commitment.
Weather
Author Ron Niziolek with bull elk
Inclement weather can cause significant difficulty while bowhunting for elk. If it is too hot, it may decrease daytime activity. Warm temperatures combined with a full moon can lead to a dramatic decrease in activity. Full moon while elk hunting The dryness can make stalking difficult or impossible, but finding an active water source or wallow with predictable wind can salvage your hunt.
I have taken a couple of good bulls over wallows on hot afternoons. Another tactic is to concentrate your efforts on north facing timbered slopes that are contoured with bedding area benches. Multiple calling setups near bedding areas may be your only effective choice during warm weather. The flipside is too much rain and/or snow. I’m not talking about the typical afternoon thunderstorms that are prevalent in the mountains, but serious storms lasting for a couple of days or more. Prolonged cold and wet conditions will challenge your mental commitment to continue hunting. If hunting from a base camp with a trailer or tent and a wood stove, having the ability to dry gear can be a huge mental boost. When confined to a bivy shelter or backpack tent, drying gear is all but impossible, and unless you are dressed in wool or the wide array of technical clothing available, Elk wallow you will be miserable. The upside is that stalking conditions will be perfect. Since I prefer spotting and stalking, my favorite weather conditions are after a fresh snow has melted.
Terrain
Elk hunting terrain varies widely depending on location, but typically ranges in elevations from 5,000 to 13,000 feet. There are areas in places like Arizona that are more flat and may allow you to hike 10 to 20 miles per day. Years ago, I learned that while this is physically easy elk hunting, without a functional GPS unit, I was easily turned around. The alternative elk terrain is the incredibly steep mountainous country found in other western states, with the toughest terrain found in Idaho. Lung searing hikes at high altitudes can cause altitude sickness (AMS), lactic acid buildup and blisters from endless uneven ground. Most problems can be avoided or minimized with proper physical conditioning, nutrition and comfortable boots. You should be aware of the symptoms of AMS so you can recognize if your health is in jeopardy. Headaches are the most common complaint and resting for a few days should improve symptoms.
Predators
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are home to wolves and grizzly bears. These predators can have quite an impact on your selected hunting area so be prepared with Plan B and Plan C. In northwest Wyoming, there are high concentrations of wolves and grizzlies. I have watched elk and wolves together in the same valley — even the same meadow at times — with just a cautious reaction from the elk. I have also seen a pack of wolves completely clear out a valley and the elk do not return for days. Elk recognize the hunting behavior of the wolves and react accordingly. Keep that in mind as you hunt these states. One day may be the best hunting you have ever experienced and the next day you may not see a single elk. Wolves can definitely impact your hunt. Grizzly bears may also cause difficulties. I have had my share of encounters with them. My best advice is to be aware at all times, but do not let the thought of bears prevent you from hunting where you would like. Either carry bear spray or wear a gun on your belt so that you are prepared should you encounter a grizzly. Personally, I carry bear spray since I can flip the safety off quickly and spray right from my hip if needed. I also like the peace of mind that a handgun or shotgun gives me at night when I am alone in my tent.
Pepper Spray
The most significant way a grizzly may impact your hunt is after an elk goes down and you must track it, find it, and break it down to pack it out. Bears find kills quickly, so the faster you can bag the quarters and move them away from the carcass, the better. Try to move them at least a couple hundred yards and, if possible, leave them where you can observe the kill site. On your return trips, you will feel more comfortable if you can glass the carcass for bears rather than run into one while loading your harvest. (continued) 40 - Hunting & Fishing News
Silent elk
Every bowhunter’s nightmare is a week-long vacation without any bugling activity. You cannot change your plans this late, so what do you do? Try to make the best of a bad situation! Yes, it is infinitely more difficult to find and hunt silent elk, but that does not mean it is impossible. The key is to cover ground and look for very fresh sign — possibly even bumping some elk in the process!
Again, dark timbered north facing slopes are important.
Look especially hard where drainages converge for water or wallows. Search out rub trees. If you find a significant number of rubbed trees in close proximity to each other, you are most likely right in the bull’s bedroom. Take advantage and try some cold calling. Try not to give up too soon. Many times bulls will remain quiet and sneak in. I recommend a couple of calling sequences, then sneaking forward 50 yards and staying quiet for 20 minutes or so. You may put yourself within range if a bull comes in and hangs up a distance from your original setup.
Summing it up
Staying positive and remaining persistent will help you overcome elk hunting difficulties. Remain committed for the duration of your planned hunt. Remember that every hour spent in the woods could be the one when it all comes together. When you are holding those antlers, any difficulties you have encountered will become part of the story you tell when you talk about your memorable hunt.
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For the last 2 seasons, I have hunted extensively with the Model 783 from Canada to Texas to Mexico. My observations: The rifle is easy and comfortable to carry. Weight is well distributed, and it feels lighter than 7 pounds. You’ll like it if you hunt in mountains. I’m big on the fit and feel of a hunting rifle–the better the feel of it the better you’ll shoot it. The first time I shot the 783 off a bench, it fit my shoulder and cheek right. I shot it well that day and have shot it well ever since. The design, lines and fit of the 783 also help to minimize recoil of the .30-06 and magnum calibers.
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Deer Rifle Update:
Remington Model 783 By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com
I was one of the first hunters to shoot and test the Model 783 back in 2012. That November John Fink, who works for Remington, shot the first ever buck with the 783 on a hunt with me in Saskatchewan. We filmed that 160-inch giant going down for my show, Big Deer TV On Sportsman Channel.
When I posted my first review on the Model 783 in January 2013, I had shot the rifle (in .30-06 caliber) quite a bit, but I had never killed a deer with it. I have since shot 5 bucks with the 783, 2 with the .30-06 and 3 with one chambered for .270.
A recap of the Model 783’s features and specs: Built in Mayfield, KY, the 783 bolt-action has a cylindrical receiver and a premium contour button-rifled barrel (22 inches and 24 inches for magnums). Designed for strength and rigidity, the barrel is attached to the receiver with a barrel nut system. Rifle is rock-solid, you feel that first time you pick it up. The 783 utilizes a detachable metal magazine. The Crossfire trigger is set at 3½ pounds and adjustable. The rifle is a little rough around the edges, with a no-frills, functional look. Stock is black synthetic, pillar-bedded and designed for a free-floated barrel. The butt-stock has a SuperCell Recoil pad. The 783 weighs in around 7.25. 42 - Hunting & Fishing News
Read any review of the Model 783 written by gun experts in the last 2 years, and the overwhelming theme is the rifle’s impressive accuracy… words like “amazing” or “astounding for a $400 rifle” is how most pundits put it. I’ll leave discussion of the metalwork and craftsmanship of the 783’s button-rifled, contour barrel to those experts who know a lot more about those things than I do. But after 2 years of hard hunting with this rifle, I’ll jump on the bandwagon and go so far as to say the Model 783 is one of the most consistently accurate rifles I’ve ever hunted with. In my .30-06 test model, I sighted-in and hunted with 150-grain Remington Premier Core-Lokt and Hypersonic loads. More recently, in my .270 I have sighted and hunted with 3 loads: Barnes 130-grain Vortex copper, 130-grain Remington Bronze Point and 150-grain standard Core-Lokt. With all these loads, 100-yard groups have averaged 1 inch. Largest group with 150-grain .30-06 was 1.2 inches…smallest with 130-grain Bronze point was .6 inches, with several holes cutting. The .270 model (my favorite) is a real tack driver and loves the 130-grainers.
No matter the rifle and load, you can’t achieve consistent accuracy like that without a top-quality scope. All the Model 783s I have tested and hunted with are topped with the Trijicon Accupoint, either 3-9X or 2.5-10X. In the field, knock wood, I have fired 5 shots and killed 5 bucks. But don’t just take my word for it. Many of the bench shots and all the kills are documented with video from my TV show. To me, a hunting rifle is a tool. I take care of my guns, but I use them hard, and don’t baby them. I’ve carried and banged my 783s around in mountains, in the high desert, on ATVs… This rifle is a workhorse, rough around the edges, but a durable performer and a shooter. The Model 783 was originally chambered for .270. .30-06, .308 and 7mm magnum….243 and .300 Win. Mag. have been added. A camo synthetic stock is now available, as is a shorter compact version of the rifle. The biggest news is the soon to come “scoped version” of the Model 783. The rifle will be sold with an “unbranded” 3-9X scope that comes mounted and bore-sighted. It will retail for $399, but you should be able to get it for around $330. If the scope is durable and shoots, this will be the deal of the decade for a deer-hunting rifle.
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Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors Celebrates 98th Anniversary T
o celebrate Bob Ward’s 98th Anniversary the company is having a state wide sale! Bob Ward’s is known for having the best prices and matching prices wherever they’re lower, and this celebration sale is no different! Along with amazing deals Bob Ward’s is giving away a massive pile of prizes worth over $10,000! Come celebrate almost a century of Montana Tradition at Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors with stores in Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Helena and Hamilton. How it All Began With deep roots in Montana, the Ward family continues to own and operate the now 5-store chain and is proud of its heritage and the tale of its founder, Robert “Bob” C. Ward. Bob Ward was born in Minnesota in 1885. In March 1900, at the age of 15, Bob set out on a journey to the Klondike in search of gold. Two states later, in Missoula, Montana, he ran out of money. Eager to continue his journey, Bob looked up an old family friend, John Roland, who owned a Missoula jewelry store. Roland offered Bob a job that the young man was sure would pay the rest of his way to the Klondike. Still in Missoula sixteen years later, Bob was married and on the verge of opening a watch-repair shop. His shop opened in 1917. Over the next decade, he and his wife became the parents of eight children, six of whom were boys. And those six boys followed in Bob’s footsteps, creating a Montana business tradition known today as Bob Ward & Sons. New Adventures Of course, with the passage of time, growth of the company, and a changing world there came a need to reflect on Bob Ward’s as a company. In 2014, after 97 years, Bob Ward’s sons and grandsons had mostly past and it was time to rebrand the company. “Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors” was chosen to pay homage to the founder and patriarch of the Montana Wards, and to more accurately represent the company’s current focus. Keith Ward (grandson) and Chad Ward (great-grandson) remain at the helm of the almost century old company. Now with a fresh image but always with the heritage that makes Bob Ward’s one of Montana’s great companies. Summary It all began, simply, because Robert C. Ward, at the age of fifteen, ran out of money in Missoula, Montana, while on his way to find a fortune. What he found instead was a long, prosperous life in the heart of Big Sky Country; what he left is a proud legacy of service to Montanans and others that the family carries on today. June 2015 43
10 Traits of a Good Bird Dog Trainer Purina and Pheasants Forever Journal
www.pheasantsforever.org
N
ote from Mark Herwig, Pheasants Forever: With new pups on the way, this list is a good reminder for bird dog owners. The list is from Purina’s Sporting Dog Summit publication. I attended the summit last summer at Purina’s wonderful St. Louis, Missouri, headquarters where year-round activities abound for all comers. While the summit and 10 traits were geared toward competition dogs, they are still a good guide for the average guy or gal training a hunting dog. 1. Applies objectivity to his/her training to help a dog achieve performance goals. Flexibility and training a dog as an individual are important for success. 2. Keeps training fun! A dog that enjoys training is more likely to succeed.
Recipe Corner Pheasant Marsala
By Kris Winkelman www.winkelman.com
Ingredients ¼ c flour ½ tsp oregano (dried) Salt and pepper to taste 5 T butter 4 pheasant breasts pounded to ¼ in thick Olive oil 8 oz fresh mushrooms ¼ c cooking sherry ½ c Marsala wine In plastic bag add flour, oregano, salt and pepper and place pheasant in bag. Coat thoroughly. In skillet add oil and butter and melt. Add pheasant and brown on both sides. Add mushrooms, pour sherry and wine over, cover and cook until done. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with long grain rice.
Cherry Caribou Tenderloin
Ingredients 1 caribou tenderloin 3 Tbsp butter (unsalted) ¼ cup shallots (sliced) ½ cup Balsamic vinegar Cherry preserves Season tenderloin with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a skillet and sear meat on both sides until med rare. Let rest. In small skillet add 1tbsp butter and shallots. Sauté 3 minutes, add 1 tsp pepper, salt, vinegar and cherry preserves. Sauté until sauce slightly thickens. Add 2 Tbsp of butter to sauce and stir. Slice your tenderloin thin. Place on a serving dish and pour sauce over it. 44 - Hunting & Fishing News
3. Recognizes the importance of warm-up exercises prior to training or competing. Ten to 15 minutes spent on submaximal activities such as jogging up a hill, trotting, small jumps or figure 8s on an incline help warm up the muscles. Never take a dog from the crate to the performance field. 4. Realizes that overtraining can ruin a gifted young dog. High-volume, high-intensity exercise is a formula for physical and mental burnout. 5. Understands that physiological fatigue increases the risk of injuries. There is nothing worse than an injury that could be prevented. 6. Takes 10 to 15 minutes to cool down a dog after training or competing. Gradually ceasing exercise helps to reduce sore muscles and promote a healthy recovery. 7. Recognizes that dogs need time to recover from bouts of intense, hardworking exercise. Low-volume, less-intense activities during recovery help to improve a dog’s muscle strength, range of motion, cardiovascular health and functioning, plus contribute to less pain and fewer injuries. 8. Seeks veterinary experts who specialize in treating canine performance athletes when a dog shows signs of lameness or a sports injury. These experts understand that lameness is not insignificant and a dog that constantly refuses a training command may have an injury. 9. Realizes there is no off-season! Cross-training activities like hiking, leash walks and open running promote mental health and overall well-being. 10. Takes to heart that he/she has the power to influence a dog’s potential by catching injuries early. You see your dog every day and have the most power to affect the outcome. Mark Herwig is editor of the Pheasants Forever Journal and Quail Forever Journal. Email Mark at mherwig@pheasantsforever.org.
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