HFNMay16 by Western Hunting & Fishing News

HUNTING & FISHING Montana

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May 2016

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4 - Hunting & Fishing News

A Case for

Big Pike By Jason Mitchell Jason Mitchell Outdoors www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com

N orthern pike are such an incredible predator. Smooth and sleek with the curves of the most expensive sport car. Rows of teeth that resemble

tooth picks. Amazing acceleration. Pike are cool and really big pike are simply awesome. Consider this little tidbit of information. Northern pike are found throughout the northern hemisphere across the upper third of North America from New York to Alaska. These fish are also found across northern Europe and Asia. A northern pike caught in the Balkens is almost identical to the same fish caught on Lake of the Woods. The North American Continent spreads further apart from the European Continent at a rate of three inches per year. Now imagine how many years it took for the North American continent to separate from Europe. In all of those millions of years, the pike never changed. No room to change perfection. Right now in the fishing world, particularly in Minnesota where musky stocking has become controversial on some bodies of water, there has been a stigma associated with esox because these fish are such perfect predators. While big northern pike and musky capture the imagination of anglers, they obviously eat other fish. My own perspective on these big predators is that big predators whether they be big largemouth bass, musky or big pike almost always point to a good fishing lake. The best panfish lakes, many of the best walleye lakes… good healthy fisheries almost always see predators that get to a top end size. I think the argument that isn’t getting discussed nearly enough is that you are probably going to have northern pike or musky of some capacity on just about any lake in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Would you rather have one forty inch pike patrolling a weed bed of fifty 12-inch hammer handle pike in the same vicinity? I can tell you which option is worst for a fishery. The smaller inland lakes of Minnesota used to have a lot of big pike and on so many of these lakes, the big pike were simply caught and kept by anglers. On much of this water, musky have replaced pike as that large alpha predator and now serve that role to balance that particular ecosystem. In some ways, musky are better suited to serve that role because by nature, musky are much more temperamental with short intense feeding windows and now with the protected slot limits, these fish can grow to a size to be useful for a fishery. Pike are programmed much differently in that they are much easier to trigger and have much larger feeding windows. Big pike are going to get caught fairly quickly so the only way you will see big pike is either on large water where the size of the lake can diffuse fishing pressure or if a lake is remote or has little fishing pressure. When the big predators are gone, the pike population in particular seems to explode with extremely high populations of hammer handle pike. The high densities of hammer handle pike that never seem to get past 24 inches are what you have to worry about and recent studies from the Minnesota DNR confirm that. Over the past twenty years, opportunities across the board to catch really big musky have gotten much better while the opportunity to catch really big pike is becoming tougher. In the lower 48, a northern pike over forty three inches is a rarer trophy than a forty eight inch musky, a twenty inch largemouth bass, a nineteen inch smallmouth bass, a twenty seven inch walleye or a ten inch bluegill. Good catch and release practices are crucial for conserving big pike populations on most water because of the fishing pressure we see today… just as those same practices are crucial

for conserving big musky. If you think these big predators are the devil and want to kill them, fine have your hammer handles. Low population densities of esox are good, high population densities are bad. There are still opportunities however to target big pike and these predators provide an incredible angling experience. Obviously, Canada reigns king for numbers of massive pike. Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan have so much big pike water. If you draw a line from the Pas to Thompson Manitoba, the region to the north is staggering for big pike water. We traveled to Wolverine Lodge near Lynn Lake, Manitoba last summer to film and the quality of pike was top notch. There are also pockets of big pike scattered throughout northwest Ontario. In the states, I don’t know if you can beat the Missouri River Reservoirs right now for numbers of quality pike. Fort Peck in Montana is incredible. Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota and Lake Oahe are both really good right now with good opportunities for fish over forty inches. My home water of North Dakota’s Devils Lake produces some really nice pike. Minnesota’s Red Lake, Lake of the Woods and Mille Lacs all have quality pike fishing opportunities for big fish. There are more under the radar lakes and flowages across Minnesota and Wisconsin that still hold big pike. Big pike are such an amazing fish in my mind. Funny how when I take my eight-year old daughter and seven-year old son out fishing, their favorite fish are pike. I was somewhat surprised as to why they liked pike so much… after all the rest of the world seems to be consumed with walleye. The answers were pretty straightforward. Pike are longer, splash more and they have cool teeth. I couldn’t help but smile at these matter of fact answers that are coated with such simple honesty all young children seem to possess. I can’t disagree. May 2016

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eservoir systems are hotbeds of walleye activity throughout the year. But spring in particular offers a variety of options for racking up big numbers of hungry ’eyes—provided you’re in tune with their early season migrations. “In the spring of the year, a walleye’s travels are ruled by the spawn,” said veteran High Plains fishing guide Jason Feldner, of Perch-Eyes Guide Service.

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Though Feldner’s home base is centered on the walleye wonderland of legendary Devils Lake, North Dakota, he’s also an old hand at tracking down wandering ’eyes on the mighty Missouri River system, which includes a succession of A-list impoundments including lakes Oahe and Francis Case. On reservoirs across the Walleye Belt, early spring movements center on pilgrimages to spawning grounds including major tributaries.

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“On the Missouri system, many fish move toward the head of the lakes and stack up below the first dam upstream,” Feldner noted. In other impoundments, like Stockton Lake in Missouri and Nebraska’s Lake McConaughy, much spawning activity focuses on the dam, making for fast and furious fishing that borders on a mob scene. Prespawn tactics hinge on fish location. As water temperatures climb through the 30s, key main-lake areas can include depths of 20 to 50 feet outside of spawning coves or offshore from the dam. Here, slow-trolling Lindy Spinner Rigs behind bottom bouncers or River Rockers on leadcore can be deadly, as can vertical jigging and Lindy Rigging. On free-flowing sections of the Missouri River above Lake Oahe, Feldner looks for shallow sandbars. “Prespawn walleyes school in 3 to 8 feet of water in the current breaks below these areas, and move up on top of them to spawn when the water temperature reaches the mid-40s to 50 degrees,” he said. To catch them, Feldner uses his trolling motor to ease his boat into the slack water below a sandbar, then casts a jig tipped with a minnow or soft plastic toward the bar and works it back to the boat along bottom. “Even though the main river current is pretty strong, flowing from 3½ to 5 mph, there’s little or no flow below these sandbars, so you can get by with a light jig,” he said. (continued on page 12)

Photo courtesy Montana Angler

FISHING IN MONTANA AFTER RUNOFF By Brian McGeehan

Montana Angler www.montanaangler.com

ome of the best fishing of the year occurs just after runoff subsides. Post runoff fishing can be very good for a variety of different reasons. First, trout have not been fished to in several weeks; it is hard to fish when you are dodging floating debris! Second, water temperatures are hitting the mid 50s (F) and both the aquatic insects and trout are becoming much more active. Third, strong mid river currents push trout close to banks where, effectively concentrating all of the fish in the river into a small zone along the edge of the river. Fourth, several of the best aquatic insect hatches occur just after runoff including the monstrous salmon fly that can entice even the largest fish to the surface. Finally, several smaller rivers are only floatable during the short season after runoff, thus increasing the opportunities for float fishing. Fishing after runoff requires some specialized strategies and techniques. Although there are some wade fishing opportunities during this time, float fishing is the desired method. The rivers are brisk and still swollen and it is very difficult to wade the dangerously swift rivers. Furthermore, since the fish are stacked on the banks, it is difficult to make a presentation, even when you are wading. Wade fishing does have some application during high water. Fish are basically in any “soft” water that they can find. The banks are prime targets, but so are eddies behind rocks, behind points off of the bank, and behind islands. The best strategy during high flows is to cast at the banks from the boat, then stop at the soft water locations for short wading excursions. While casting at the banks, it is important to get the flies presented under the willows. Use stout 1-3X tippet and plan on loosing a lot of flies. All methods of presentation can be productive. When nymph fishing, place some weighted flies under an indicator but be careful to have the indicator no more than three feet above the flies. The fish aren’t necessarily in deep water, in fact they are often in less than two feet of water. They are, however, right up against the bank and if you have too much leader below your indicator, the flies will swing off the bank and out of the productive zone. Make sure that you have at least one large fly, either a streamer like a wooly bugger or a large nymphs such as a girdle bug that will entice large fish off of the bank when nymphing (yes, you can dead drift streamers!). During the salmon fly hatch, dry dropper rigs can be very successful. The large size 4 dry flies have so much buoyancy, that they can often support large nymphs. One of the favorite combos of many Montana fly fishing guides is a large foam salmon fly dry with a weightless girdle bug tied on about 18” of tippet connected to the dry. Each river has a two or three week window where the water has cleared and is “compressing” as it drops after runoff. This window is different from river to river, but the sequence of when rivers clear is usually the same from year to year. For example, in Southwestern Montana, the first rivers to clear are often the mountain creeks, followed by the East Gallatin, then the Gallatin and Madison and finally the Yellowstone River. This sequence of clearing water and compressing flows lasts for over a month if a savvy angler moves from river to river to follow the pattern and the important salmon fly and golden stonefly hatches. The exact timing of the post runoff fishing window depends on the snow-pack and spring weather, but generally the window begins in the middle of June and extends into mid July. Not all rivers in Montana experience runoff. The state is famous for several spring creeks and dam protected tail-waters such as the Bighorn and Missouri that offer great fishing even when other rivers are dirty from snowmelt.- See more at: http://www.montanaangler.com/montana-fishing-guides/fishing-in-Montana-after-runoff#sthash.j9MIZnDc.dpuf May 2016

230â&#x20AC;? Wyoming Mule Deer Buck Poached By Brady Miller Originally published at

www.gohunt.com

f you were at the 2016 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunt Expo) earlier this year, you might have noticed a very large 230â&#x20AC;? gross score Wyoming nontypical mule deer on display. The buck was shot by Nate Strong of Wyoming. Shortly after the 2016 Hunt Expo we covered a possible poaching case that involved this buck and I have been following it very closely. Wyoming mule deer buck poached by Nate Strong. Photo : Jason Radakovich

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE BUCK The investigation began after an undisclosed person reported that they had concerns that the large and easily recognizable buck was taken illegally and out of season because the locals had photos of the deer after the season closed. This buck was well known by locals and was photographed many times from 2012 to 2015. The locals even contacted a Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) Game Warden Adam Hymas just in case something would ever happen to the buck. In late 2014 local residents noticed the buck had a bullet hole in his ear. Somebody had tried to take this buck on the winter range. Concerns grew in among the local ranchers that someone on the outside knew about this giant buck. The buck was observed all summer and fall of 2015. A group of locals last saw the buck on November 7, 2015 when they closed their cabin for the winter. At this point mule deer season had been closed since October 7. AN INVESTIGATION BUILDS On February 13, 2016, Wyoming Game Warden Adam Hymas contacted Jim Gregory, a Wyoming Wildlife Investigator for the WGFD, about an alleged illegal taking of a very large nontypical mule deer during a closed season that was brought to his attention by an undisclosed person. The game warden was notified that the nontypical buck was on display at the 2016 Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. The reason this case was very interesting from the start, was the large nontypical buck was photographed by the undisclosed person after the 2015 Wyoming general deer season had closed. Conservation Officer Rick Olson was then contacted to locate the buck at the Hunt Expo and met with the owner of Monarch Mountain Taxidermy who mounted the buck. The owner of Monarch Mountain Taxidermy voluntarily provided WGFD officers the work order that was for a mule deer buck taken by Nate Strong and an affidavit that is required to do business with a taxidermist. Nate had brought the antler and cape to Monarch Mountain Taxidermy on November 27, 2015 to be mounted. 8 - Hunting & Fishing News

A search through the WGFD license database confirmed that Nate also applied for and was successful in drawing a 2015 HA138 Type 3 Deer License. The license was for a specific hunt area in Sublette County and for a whitetailed deer only. Nate was allowed to take a second buck during the 2015 season, but the second deer had to be a whitetail deer. Nate had several conversations in November with Game Warden Adam Hymas about locations where he could hunt whitetails in the Sublette County. He also mentioned to Hymas about the large number of big mule deer bucks he was seeing while he was hunting for his whitetail buck. On February 16, 2016 a few days after the Hunt Expo ended, Jim Gregory got a search warrant and seizure request for Nate Strong’s mule deer buck. That same day, Nate admitted that he had killed the nontypical buck and placed his whitetail deer license on the mule deer. There are reports from locals that Nate claimed that the buck was a whitetail/mule deer hybrid, and they think Nate was using this angle so he wouldn’t be charged with poaching. The information sheet before the poaching accusation clearly shows that Nate was originally claiming this to be a mule deer. On February 24, 2016 the mounted nontypical mule deer buck was delivered to the WGFD Forensic Laboratory for species and gender identification due to the claims it was a whitetail/mule deer hybrid. A month later on March 18, 2016 the forensic laboratory confirmed the deer was a mule deer. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW Nate admitted that he shot the buck illegally. The conditions of the ruling have yet to be released, but fines and possible hunting license suspensions are sure to follow. The hearing for this case is scheduled for April 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Circuit Court in Sublette County. It currently looks like Nate is facing misdemeanor charges. Hunters are also calling for a violation of the Lacy Act and claim that by taking the buck to Utah to get mounted, he would have a better chance of getting it mounted without someone questioning the buck. The illegal killing of this buck has affected local residents who have watched this buck for years and they hope for stiff fines and a suspension of his Wyoming hunting rights. They don’t want the typical “slap on the wrist” type fines either. Nate Strong killed two trophy mule deer in 2015, one legally and one illegally. With the amount of technology available today, it was the work of local residents of Wyoming that helped bring this case to a close. Otherwise this was just another poacher trying to get “hunting famous.” Not only did this person take the life of a trophy deer, he took the buck from all law abiding citizens of Wyoming, sportsmen, outdoorsmen, hunters, and trophy deer admirers across the west. Poaching is never tolerated. Law abiding hunters are the biggest asset to Game Wardens across the west. It is hunters who put forth large amount of dollars to help conserve wildlife and when it comes down to it, it is hunters that are always willing to lend a helpful hand to help expose poachers that steal wildlife because poachers are not hunters. UPDATES April 11, 2016 — Arraignment hearing • 11:00 a.m. — Arraignment hearing was held for Nate Strong at the Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District in Sublette County. • 11:24 a.m. — Nate Strong pleads not guilty in the arraignment hearing and the case is now going to trial. • Pre-trial is set for July 25, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. and if needed, the jury trial is set for August 23 at 9:30 a.m. We will continue to follow and provide updates on this story Visit www.goHUNT.com for more information and to join INSIDER www.go.HUNT.com/INSIDER is the industry leader for everything Western hunting Filtering 2.0: This changes everything Draw Odds: Western hunting’s most accurate Complete coverage: 4,200+ units & seasons Strategy Articles: Premium content & data analysis

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 2016 NTA 15th Annual  Western Convention & Outdoor Expo PUBLIC WELCOME!

Hosted by Montana Trappers Association

May 20-21, 2016 Missoula County Fairgrounds 1101 South Avenue West Missoula, MT.

2016 NTA WESTERN DEMONSTRATION LIST FRIDAY - MAY 20, 2016 TIME NAME SUBJECT

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North American Trap Collectors Association will be available to appraise antique traps or trapping related items. Admission: $10/entire weekend - 12 & under Free

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Years ago Steve Pennaz fished a “jerkbaits only” tournament...,an experience that taught him numerous lessons. These days, he keeps a jerkbait rod rigged and ready at all times.

Early-Season Jerkbait Bass I

By Steve Pennaz

met Elite BASS Pro Chad Grigsby at a just-opened Perkins to outline our plans for taping an episode of “Lake Commandos.”... The Commando format is simple: Each angler picks a pattern before getting on the water, and then we see who catches the most fish. For this particular show Chad picked a great year ‘round smallmouth pattern: 3.5-inch Berkley Power Tubes while I picked jerkbaits, specifically the new Cutter 110+. For the next three hours we struggled to put a fish in the boat. I had one fish hooked on the tube, but lost it, and after we switched to jerkbaits it was clear we were doing something wrong. A series of tweaks fixed that.

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Berkley’s new Cutter 90+ in Chameleon Vapor pattern. The 3.5-in., 3/8 oz. bait is the smallest in the three-model jerkbait family. Our first move was to downsize from the Cutter 110+ to the 90+. Secondly, we dropped anchor so we could slow our retrieves. The final tweak was the final puzzle piece: we cast downstream or quartering and slowed our retrieves to a crawl. And we started to catch smallmouths…a lot of smallmouths. But the funny thing was, I was catching small fish and Chad was catching big fish. What Chad had figured out was key: cast directly downstream and allow the current to work the bait. He’d jerk it two or three times to move the bait forward and then he’d let the current wash it back on a semi-slack line. As a result, he was getting the big fish – 3s, 4s and 5s – while I was getting the 15 and 16 inchers. The big fish simply weren’t going to chase a faster retrieve.

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At one point, Chad put his rod down to net a fish for me, leaving his bait to essentially wash in the current a bit. When he went back to pick up the rod, there was a fish on it! This should have been a lesson for me to slow down, but at that point it was too late in the day, and we wrapped the show. I caught more fish, but Chad whipped me in total weight. Another lesson learned: There are times when you can fish a bait wrong by fishing it too fast – especially jerkbaits. (continued on page 44)

May 2016 11

2016 SPRING MACK DAYS LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT On FLATHEAD LAKE

Fish The Entire Lake

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Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Competitive Mack Days -lottery, prizes, tagged fish and bonuses Pick your 18/27 best days Friday-Sunday to count for top ten angler prizes Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: bonus days and tagged fish only (51 days total)

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BONUSES: ALL ANGLERS WHO ENTER 11 OR MORE LAKE TROUT WIN. The higher your total is at the end of the event-the higher your bonus- (every day Tues-Sun (51) counts) Fish Fry for participants & families-May 15th at Blue Bay 3:00pm Awards Ceremony at 4:00pm

Entry forms will not be mailed out.

Enter online at www.mackdays.com

or pick up entries at local sporting good stores - or you can even enter when you check in your fish at the check in stations during Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins. Phone 406-883-2888 Ex. 7294 We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $13 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.

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SPRING RESERVOIR WALLEYE HOTSPOTS (continued from page 6)

“A 1/8-ounce Lindy Jig tipped with a fathead is my go-to, although you can experiment with various soft-plastic trailers like Lindy Watsits and YUM Walleye Grubs,” he said. Minnows are rigged to stay on the jig. Feldner threads the hook into the minnow’s mouth and out a gill, then brings the point up through the belly and out of the top of the back. This securely holds the minnow and allows it to “swim” naturally as you retrieve it. Feldner favors a spinning outfit spooled with 8-lb monofilament. Mono is thicker than superlines so it slows down the jig’s fall rate just enough to trigger cold-water walleyes. In fact, Feldner’s entire presentation is a slow-moving affair. “Cast, let the jig land, and raise your rodtip high enough to lift the jig 6 to 8 inches off bottom,” he said. “Hold the tip up while the jig glides back down. Don’t drop the tip or try to rip the jig, the fish don’t want that much movement right now.” Strikes can be light, and often occur on the fall. Feldner says that a lot of times walleyes creep in underneath the jig and inhale it while it’s swinging back to bottom. “High-vis line is a big plus in strike detection. When the line jumps as the jig is falling, set the hook.” If nothing hits on the fall, Feldner reels down while lowering the rodtip and repeats the process. Along with pitching jigs, Feldner also trolls 2 3/8- and 3 1/8-inch Lindy River Rockers in 8 to 12 feet of water along inside bends, which often funnel walleye movements. He trolls upstream at 1.5 mph, with 35 to 45 feet of leadcore line between rod and bait. “Adjust letback so the lure occasionally ticks bottom,” he said, noting that stickbaits such as Bomber Long A’s and Smithwick Rogues make fine additions to a River Rocker spread. “Putting one of these stickbaits 80 feet behind a planer board and running it along shore in 2 feet of water is a great way to pick up big walleyes that slide up into shallow water,” he said. Postspawn walleyes may linger a few days near spawning shoals, but shortly thereafter they begin drifting downriver. “On the Missouri, one of the first areas I target is at the head of Lake Oahe, where the current tapers off,” he said. “Walleyes move up shallow and feed up after the rigors of the spawn.” Slow-tapering rock and gravel shorelines are ideal, he said, because they offer walleyes a place to slip into warm, shallow water and digest smelt and other baitfish they’ve eaten in deeper water. The same jig pitching and crankbait trolling tactics that produced prior to the spawn still hold water. Within two to three weeks of the spawn, this shallow pattern simmers down as fish gravitate toward steeper hard-bottom breaks. “I look for shelves lying in 12 to 14 feet of water that drop sharply into 30 feet or more,” he said. “You can jig or Lindy Rig the shelves. Or, use sonar to locate baitfish suspended over deeper water nearby and troll River Rockers or spinner rigs like a Lindy Crawler Harness.” Feldner’s shelf pattern holds up well into summer. When August hits he sees more success trolling deep water. It’s worth noting that on Lake Oahe and other impoundments, walleyes also favor flooded timber. Biologists on Indiana’s Lake Monroe, for example, found that scores of postspawn ’eyes move deep into shallow brush and trees and stay there into early July. Tactical options in timber include pinpoint jig and casting routines and trolling treetops with River Rockers, spinner rigs and spinnerbaits.

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A Double-Barreled Approach for Spring River Walleyes By Dr. Jason Halfen www.technologicalangler.com

iver anglers are renowned for developing unique rigs and bait presentation methods to help them tackle their ever-changing, current-driven environment. Many of these rigs have unique names that refer to their developer or place of origin, like the venerable “Wolf River Rig” that has put so many walleyes and white bass in anglers’ nets over the decades. One of my favorite river rigs for both early- and late-season walleye fishing, when the water is generally running high, fast and dirty, is one that simultaneously offers two opportunities to catch walleyes and sauger within the lowest portions of the water column. That exceptionally versatile, double-barreled rig for targeting river whitetips is the Dubuque Rig.

The Dubuque Rig is designed for trolling, generally upstream (although downstream is possible when flows are low), and is centered around a standard 3-way swivel. Attach your main line to one of the swivel eyes. To a second and third eyes, attach mono leaders with two different lengths: a “short” leader that is about a foot in length, and a “long” leader that is 24-30” in length. We will use these mono leaders to connect two baits to the rig. I tie a heavy jig (1/2-3/4 oz) to the long leader, and dress that jig with a bulky soft plastic like a 4” ringworm or a Pulse-R Paddletail from B-Fish-N Tackle. I prefer to tie a light jig (1/16 oz) to the short leader, and dress that jig with a low-profile soft plastic like a shortened ringworm or a small fluke-style bait. These two baits, presented at two different depths, provide the angler with the opportunity to target walleyes The versatile, double-barreled Dubuque Rig targets river walleye feeding close to the bottom, as well as those that might be tempted to rise several feet and sauger in the lowest portions of the water column. off the bottom to strike. 14 - Hunting & Fishing News

The Dubuque Rig can be dressed with a wide variety of live and artificial baits, although soft plastic offerings from B-Fish-N tackle are mainstays in most instances. The Dubuque Rig is designed to be presented from a moving boat. Position your boat downstream of your intended fishing area, and start moving upstream at a speed of 0.5-0.8 mph. I rely on my Minn Kota Ulterra 112 to provide me with quiet, consistent power throughout a long day of targeting spring walleye in heavy current. With the boat moving, lower the rig into the water, allowing the heavier jig to contact the bottom. Present the rig with a series of lifts and drops, releasing enough line to allow the heavy jig to remain in contact with the bottom during the drop. It is important, however, to resist the temptation to simply drag the lower jig across the bottom, as this is a sure-fire way to donate tackle to the river gods. In high-flow areas, you will likely notice that most of your bites occur on the bottom jig, while the top bait, fluttering off the bottom, will be a key producer under low-flow conditions and in cleaner water. As such, this double-barreled approach excels under a wide variety of river flow and clarity conditions that anglers encounter throughout the year.

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The Dubuque Rig is quite versatile. Common modifications include using a much longer leader for the “upper” bait, and connecting that leader to a long-shank live bait hook dressed with a minnow, leech, or the front half of a nightcrawler. In some parts of the walleye belt, a trolling fly will take the place of the bare hook. Another variation is to attach a small floating crankbait to this elongated leader, allowing the heavy jig and the bottom of the rig to pull this crankbait down to depth. Likewise, some anglers will cast a Dubuque Rig to fish the front faces of wingdams from fixed position, maintained by using the Spot Lock feature of the Minn-Kota i-Pilot Link system. Day in and day out, however, I use the Dubuque Rig as described above, with two jigs each dressed with a soft plastic, presented from a moving boat. When you fish the Dubuque Rig, you’ll be presenting relatively heavy baits in moving water, and as such, this is no place for a wimpy walleye rod. Two rods are particularly well-suited for presenting the Dubuque Rig. On the spinning side of the family, I like a St. Croix 6’8” MXF rod, which you can find in series ranging from the Eyecon all the way to the Legend Xtreme. I like the same length and action in the Avid X casting series; look for the AXC68MXF to find a rod that can pull double duty for chasing walleyes and summer bass. When paired with a casting reel that features a flippin’ switch, presenting the Dubuque Rig with casting gear can be accomplished with a minimum of angler effort. When fishing either rod style, spool up with 20 lb test braid, and you’re ready to hit the river.

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May 2016 15

“

” in as Ch Bait By Eddie White

Eddie White owns and operates The Minnow Bucket in Huntley Montana, also a writer, seminar speaker and tournament angler. Contact Eddie at: montanaminnowbucket@yahoo.com www.Facebook.com/TheMinnowBucket or 406.696.1281

T he month of May tends to bring one of the easiest times for the DIY bait chaser to have full traps. The tributaries to any major river system in Montana should be making an attempt to rise and muddy up. Which in turn (depending on your forage fish area) causes the senses of most bait fish to run tributaries for their annual spawn. There are a number of ways to go about getting some bait for your tank or freezer. I will cover a few here that I do annually.

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TRAPS. One of the easiest ways to rally up some bait while you’re at work, or working on the yard for the weekend, is to run a trapline. Almost every outdoors store, or store with an outdoors section, will have a fishing section that should include minnow traps. Depending on who you talk to, the stainless can be better than the coated. Myself, I prefer the good ol’ coated Frabill traps. Bread or dog food is all you will need for a food source. The easy way is to just throw some in and drop your trap. The hard way is to get some nylons, tie off each end (but not before you include your desired food source) and a nut, bolt, sinker, or anything else that will cause this to sink to the bottom of the trap. When you do it in the nylon fashion, you are forcing the fish to go into the trap to eat. SEINE. This is by far my least favorite. Dredging through mud, tripping over debris, and filling your waders with water, is always going to happen. They make one man seines, I prefer a two man, so better start calling some friends. With one guy on each end, you make your way through the creek and if you have not located fish, hope to congregate them at the shallow end of a hole. Typically when you chase them into shallow water they tend to turn, and that’s when you lift the seine. It can and will be frustrating at first, but it’s a great way to get a lot of bait in a hurry. FISHING. When the bait is running, this is a great time to take the kids, keep them interested, and have some good fun action. Light gear and tackle make fishing bait an even more of a good time. When you find the right creek, or pocket in the river, it can be hours of entertainment. A good ol hook and worm is all that is needed, for anything from chubs to big suckers. What to do with all of this bait you have acquired? Check the regs to be sure you are allowed to possess live bait in your area as well as how many. If so, it’s as simple as having a holding tank and making sure they have sufficient oxygen. For those of you that freeze bait, here is the best option to keep it as fresh as possible. I will take the bait, while still alive and food save them. Food saving takes all of the air out so you don’t get freezer burn. I keep the package(s) to a day’s use. Now, for all that hard work to pay off. Grab yourself some live or frozen bait and hit the water! Like anything else, the moment you set the hook, all of your hard work pays off. The sense of pride one can feel from being successful is like no other.

16 - Hunting & Fishing News

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Managing Chinook Seasons Is A Constant Work In Progress By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist

pring Chinook fishing opened April 23, and anglers often wonder how many salmon there will be and how long the season will last. It’s a challenging question to answer because unlike most Idaho fisheries, salmon seasons are dependent on how many fish return from the ocean each year. That number varies wildly from year to year, and Fish and Game must balance the wants of anglers with ensuring enough Chinook are available to keep hatcheries operating, protect wild fish listed under the Endangered Species Act, and abide by agreements with other states and tribes to share the harvest of hatchery Chinook. It’s a tricky mix of management that can complicate the answer for folks who just want to know how long salmon season will last. The good news Idaho has had an unprecedented run of chinook fishing seasons. This year will be the 16th straight year Fish and Game has provided a season, which is the longest unbroken streak dating back to 1954. Before then, salmon fishing was largely unregulated. Chinook fishing kicks off with the spring run, and there’s fishing in the Snake River, Clearwater River and Salmon River and several tributaries. Over the last 20 years, spring chinook runs have averaged 54,160 fish annually. The previous 20 years (1976-95), the spring runs averaged 17,646, and fishing seasons were sporadic and often short-lived. Last year, about 95,300 hatchery chinook crossed Lower Granite Dam about 25 miles downstream from Lewiston. Non-tribal anglers in Idaho harvested 22,075 of them during the spring and summer seasons. The forecast for this year is 66,100 hatchery fish to cross Lower Granite, which means about 24,000 will be available for sport anglers to harvest. But biologists won’t know exactly how many can be harvested until fish start reaching Idaho, and the run has just started. Forecasting the season Each winter, Fish and Game biologists predict the upcoming run based on the return of jacks from the previous year. Young salmon, known as smolts, migrate to the ocean each spring at about two years old. Those smolts grow in the ocean and return over the next three years. Some chinook return to rivers after spending only a year in the ocean. They’re known as “jacks” because they’re almost all males, and younger than most other salmon returning. Most chinook that return to Idaho spend two years in the ocean, so the number of jacks is an indicator of how many “two-ocean” chinook will return the following year. Finally, a small percentage returns after three years in the ocean, and on rare occasions, four years. Biologists use last year’s jack salmon return to forecast the size of this year’s run, and that information allows Fish and Game to set a salmon season before the first Chinook arrives in Idaho. Biologists also monitor the run as fish move past fish counters at the dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, and they use fish embedded with tiny electronic tags known as PIT tags to determine where the fish are headed. “We’re able to make the forecast of fish returning to each hatchery or river section based on PIT-tagged fish,” Fish and Game’s anadromous fish manager Pete Hassemer said. 18 - Hunting & Fishing News

Chinook start crossing Lower Granite Dam in April, but the peak usually hits in May. That’s when Fish and Game closely watches the number of fish arriving in Idaho, where they’re heading, and how many fish anglers are catching. Since the seasons and limits were based on a forecast, it’s important to track the actual return and harvest by anglers. Small daily bag limits help keep the harvest within quotas and spread the fishery over a larger area and ensure enough fish are available for anglers farther upstream. “We’re catching fish in the early part of the run without knowing exactly how many fish are coming back,” Hassemer said. “Fishing can be really good, and there’s a limited number of fish available to anglers, so they can catch those fairly quickly.” How’s fishing? It’s more than a curious question - it’s how Fish and Game determines how many fish are caught each day and how long the season lasts. Fish and Game personnel count anglers and interview them throughout the fishery to see how many fish they’re catching. “Our creel program has been designed to ensure we conduct enough angler counts and interview enough anglers to have a good understanding of how many fish are caught each day,” Hassemer said. Fish and Game communicates weekly with the other states, tribes and federal agencies during the season to share information. By Tuesday of each week, biologists have a good idea if there are enough fish remaining to sustain fishing through the following weekend. Fish and Game posts updated information on its web page so anglers can see how many have been caught. They can find that information at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ by looking under “Chinook Salmon” under the Fishing tab. The goal is to provide good information for anglers so they have a better understanding where fish are being caught, how good the fishing is, and when closures might occur... Snowpack and spring run-off influence the timing of the runs. Spring chinook tend to follow peak spring run-off, so when the Salmon River starts receding, usually in late May, early June, it’s time to go salmon fishing... May 2016 19

Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month Brought to you by

FRESNO RESERVOIR: West of Havre, this Milk River impoundment can produce some very good walleye fishing through the spring. Launch at the Dam and work rocky points up to Kremlin Bay with a worm-tipped crawler harness. It’s definitely a troller’s bite, with anglers covering plenty of water with a variety of bottom-bounced baits and crankbaits.

f you want trout action, you’ve got a lot of options right now here in the West, as Montana is loaded with exceptional fishing and recreational hot spots to target in May. It’s an exciting time of the year and the anticipation is high for western anglers of any caliber to target their favorite fish species. The fish action will pick up for walleye hunters as well, as the days click off towards June. Northern pike anglers can gear up for another season of fighting one of the most fun fish there is to catch. Big bass and perch can also be great target fish here this month, and when the water hits above the 50o mark, look out, and look everywhere as smallies will be spawning, and the male fish guarding the spawning areas will get very aggressive now. As we head toward the end of May and around Memorial week, fishing conditions should be around perfect and catch rates will be very high. Thanks to a very warm spring, you can expect an early run-off and the river flows will start to increase as we get warmer air conditions throughout the month. Here are a few attractive areas to fish and maybe camp out in May. UPPER MISSOURI SYSTEM: The Missouri River will be stacked with trout now and any angler fishing from the bank has the opportunity for some of the best trout fishing around. Top rigs include a marabou jig - Kit’s Tackle egg sucking leech or a jig/worm combo. Crankbaits like the Rapala Countdown in rainbow trout or perch colors will bring

Forrest Fawthrop, owner of Walleye Hunter Outfitters Book your next fishing trip with Forrest 406.459.5352 www.walleyehunteroutfitters.com attention from rainbow and brown trout. Spinning gear will get the job done as well - a Panther Martin in a holographic rainbow pattern, a Thomas Colorado minnow spoon and a Mepps Aglia #2 in gold is also a good bet from the bank. Fly fishermen/women can hook up with big trout using a variety of egg patterns or flies drifted on top of the water. Both boat anglers or bank fishermen will see plenty of action now on the Missouri River. It’s also a perfect time of the year to hook up with a good fishing guide. They can put you on the fish, show you a great time, and do most of the work. All you have to do is catch the fish. Walleye Hunter Outfitters and Kit’s Tackle are two that we trust.

MONTANA WALLEYE DESTINATIONS: Looking for big walleye? This is the month to catch good-eating sized walleye or to hook into a big female on spawning shoals. LAKE FRANCES: This big reservoir west of Valier can be finicky at times, but boaters who cover a lot of water in May, before the weeds get too thick, take some nice fish off the western dike. You can also pick up a few beefy perch when conditions are right. A jig/worm combo can be productive now for walleye hugging the bottom. NELSON RESERVOIR: The sunken humps along the northern shoreline hold some chunky walleye, and some of the biggest come from the shoulders of Pelican Island every May. Walleye anglers also catch a lot of northern pike, plenty of hammer handles in the 6 to 8 pound category are common, as you try to land a walleye here.

FORT PECK LAKE: Troll gravel humps south of Rock Creek in the Big Dry Arm for super-sized walleye. The water temperature is quickly rising, but you will still want to go shallow and slow now. Darker water will still hold sluggish, cold water walleye. There are plenty of northerns in this area as well to help keep you busy as you fish this big body of water. Walleye anglers will also be fishing out of Hell Creek, north of Jordan. Walleye that are kegged up on rocky points in the Crooked Creek Bay, Gilbert Bay and The Pines area are favorite ‘eye destinations on Fort Peck. A live minnow on a spinner rig is a good spring bait, but rattling crankbaits can be very effective now in tainted water. There are camping areas in both locations, but they can fill fast on the weekends, so call ahead for reservations and fishing updates. Rock Creek Marina 406.485.2560 Hell Creek Marina 406.557.2345 If you catch Fort Peck at the right time, it’s a fisherman’s dream come true. Above Fort Peck on the Missouri River you’ll find sauger and walleye. Take along some live minnows and drift through holes for these nice sized fish. You can catch a career fish here in the Fort Peck system.

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CANYON FERRY RESERVOIR: If you’re out for a mess of eating-sized walleye fillets, head to the south end of this big lake near Townsend MT. Plenty of walleye will be hold up on the gravel shoulders of the lake to spawn. Walleye are caught every spring near points around Cemetery Island and off Magpie Bay and along the eastern shoreline from Confederate to Goose Bay. A jig and nightcrawler dropped down or medium diving crankbaits in perch, silver, and rainbow trout colors work great. Boaters who catch the most fish are the ones with the best boat control, keeping their hooks in the strike zone even when the boat is being tossed around by winds whipping off the Elkhorn Mountains. There are plenty of scrappy trout in these waters too, if you head a bit deeper in the channel. Fish larger spoons and wide-running crankbaits for extraordinary action on this lake.

Spring Is Prime Time For Lakes And Reservoirs

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist

... any of Idaho’s low-elevation reservoirs are in peak season during April and May when warm-water fish are feeding actively as they prepare to spawn. That includes bass and panfish, such as crappie and bluegill. Most reservoirs are full in the spring, which makes prime habitat in shallow bays and coves available for anglers. Fish and Game also ramps up its trout stocking program during

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spring and delivers fish to most lakes and reservoirs... Most trout lakes are managed under the “general rules,” and they are open year round. Some spots fall under special rules, so be sure to check the regulations. You can find the details on rules at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/rules/. Choose your quarry... Trout: Trout fishing near shore is best in spring before the shallows get too warm. This usually happens earlier in lower-elevation lakes that warm up faster. Once the shallows warm up, trout move farther offshore. You don’t need specialized tackle to catch trout. Dangling a worm beneath a bobber, or sinking it to the bottom and using a piece of marshmallow to float it above the weeds will usually catch trout, and possibly other species. Casting and retrieving spinners and spoons will also catch trout, and there are dozens of them available at tackle shops and sporting goods stores. Bass: Many Idaho lakes and reservoirs less than 5,000 feet elevation have bass, and as a rule of thumb, the lower in elevation, the more likely you are to find them. Bass move into shallow water in the spring to spawn, and they are an exciting fish to catch. There’s a variety of ways to catch them. You can cast bait, let it sit and wait for a bass to take it, but most anglers prefer to take advantage of bass’ aggressive nature. Try casting and retrieving, lures like spinner baits and crankbaits. Or, try bouncing synthetic worms on a jig head (commonly known as “soft plastics”) along the bottom... Learn more tactics If you’re a novice and want to learn about basic fishing methods, go to Fish and Game’s website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ and look for “Learn to Fish” under the Fishing tab.

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Fish Montanably - The Importance of Catch and Release Editorial and photos by Drew Baker

S ince at least the 1950’s in the United States, the issues surrounding catch and release angling have caused a great deal of controversy between recreational fisherman and

hungry fisherman. If you’re like most Montana angling families, you grew up in a home where trout fillets frequented dinner plates, and the stringer found its home in your grandpa’s old tackle-box. But attitudes towards this issue have started to change dramatically over recent years. What started out as a means of saving on the costs of planting hatchery fish in heavily fished waters is now becoming more and more crucial in conserving prime fisheries nationwide. This is due to growing populations bringing more fishing pressure, modernized angling gear and techniques, as well as habitat degradation. Why catch and release you may ask? Simply put, catch and release practiced correctly allows fish species to remain healthily in the ecosystem to reproduce and benefit the fishery year after year. This allows more fisherman the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of catching more and bigger fish! Lee Wulff’s famous quote hits the nail on the head when it comes to the benefits of catch and release. “The finest gift you can give to any fisherman is to put a good fish back, who knows if the fish that you caught isn’t someone else’s gift to you?” Here are some simple techniques that can be used to make the catch and release experience better for angler, fish and fishery. The use of correct gear can help land a fish in a timely manner without harming or exhausting it too much. Excessively fighting a fish can cause lactic acid to build up in the fish’s system, which can even cause a fish to die days later. This becomes especially crucial in the summer months once water temperatures warm up. Fish don’t fare so well in warmer waters, especially after a long fight. Heavier rods/reels/line, softer ‘catch and release’ styled nets, and barbless hooks all benefit the survival rates of released fish. Once the fish is landed, try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible, and keep your hands wet while handling your catch. This will help preserve their slimy protective coating which helps the fish ward off disease. When handling the fish out of water do so quickly and carefully. After only a short time out of the water, fish have a very slim chance of surviving. Cradle the fish in its belly area without squeezing and keep your fingers out of the gills. Once you’ve snapped a quick pic of your trophy, place the fish in the water facing a slower current and cradle the fish until it regains it’s equilibrium and can swim away on its own. Simple as that! If we don’t take these issues seriously, fishing will be a thing of the past and we will deprive Montanan anglers of the opportunity to share this passion with generations to come. Between habitat degradation and growing fishing pressure, releasing fish correctly is becoming more important in sustaining our rivers’ and lakes’ fish populations. Don’t forget, proper catch and release allows fish to grow bigger, and who doesn’t like catching bigger fish?! 22 - Hunting & Fishing News

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SPRING BEAR HOT ZONES By Mark Kayser

pot and stalk hunting for spring bears is challenging since you won’t have bait or a call to direct a bear’s actions. Nobody will debate that test of your skills. You’ll have to study the area, study bear movement and after spotting a bear, plan a stalk to get within bow, or firearm range. If that sounds next to impossible you may be right, but at least you won’t be bored in a Canadian treestand swatting at mosquitoes. If everything comes together your Spidey senses will tingle during the last yards of a close-encounter stalk. If you think you need to hunt the vast, open slopes of Montana’s mountain ranges, you’re on the right track, but be creative. Some of the best spot and stalk opportunities today can take place along valleys, near mountain agriculture fields and other off-the-wall locations as bears boldly forage across open settings. The big question is with millions of acres of real estate to scour, where do you start? Narrow your search first by pointing to an area on a map you wish to hunt and then contacting a local biologist. You want a firsthand report on bear densities and especially behavior patterns of bears 26 - Hunting & Fishing News

emerging from dens. Inquire when bears traditionally emerge from dens, what they feed on and where they gravitate towards for summer range. Finding where bears will be spending the bulk of their time during season is your number one goal and if you need further locales to scout, consider the following. GOLF COURSE BEARS In the spring bears immediately gravitate to open areas for nutrition. Their first goal is to graze on any green grass. Why? They require the grass to activate their digestive system after hibernation. It’s the Dulcolax choice of bears everywhere. With that in mind look for openings, meadows and south-facing slopes to locate bears, or at least be in a neighborhood they might visit. South-facing slopes green up first and characteristically have more grass openings than north-facing slopes. This burst of solar power spurs growth and vegetation such as clovers and dandelions receive top billing for menu preference. Low-elevation bears may show up in valleys and on agricultural fields such as alfalfa or even winter wheat. If you heard rumors of fall bear sightings down low don’t overlook those clues. A spring bear may re-visit a location it remembered from fall as being nutrition rich. Once bears have the pipes cleaned and the engine running you can expect bears to widen their diet. It’s time to look in another location. DID SOMETHING DIE HERE? The next hotspot to sniff is in and around winter range. Any region that hosts hundreds of wintering big game is a sure bet to attract a bear or two. Why? Inevitably a handful of stressed winter game animals won’t make it. Do the math. An elk or deer dead from winter stress begins rotting when the weather warms. Bears can detect this rancid smell from miles away. Sure coyotes may have already put a dent on a carcass, but in packed wintering areas there can be a significant die-off if severe winter or spring weather occurred. Since winter range typically consists of broad flats, big mesas and numerous south-facing slopes, you need to imagine how the country looked with snow cover. Any area with minimal snow coverage likely hosted the most animals. Now look down. Animals in peril oftentimes are pushed by predators into the bottoms of canyons or retire to thick brush to die. That’s where you’ll find spring bears cruising. Set up to watch over possible areas that may have multiple dead animals in the vicinity and you could spot a bear on the move between feeding sites. WHERE’S THE BABY? As the weather warms and the season draws to a close many big game animals, particularly elk, will be in the beginning stages of calving. These traditional calving grounds also attract hungry bears. Although black bears may seem slow and poky, they can turn on the afterburners when in hot pursuit. It’s an incredible sight to watch a bear stalk its prey like a cat and then run it down with a 6-million-dollar-man burst of speed. Again, look for high areas overlooking these herds to watch for incoming bears. Try not to disturb the herd as they are still in recovery mode from winter, plus they are acting as an attractant for your bear target. If you don’t have elk in your zip code, but have heard rumors of bears snooping around cattle herds, contact a local rancher. They may be more than willing to have you stand guard at the entrance to a large pasture where their livestock are dropping calves. SPOT, STALK AND AMBUSH STRATEGIES High-quality optics are mandatory for any surveillance of spring black bear country. This is especially true if you’re shopping for a trophy or trying to distinguish large males from dainty females. In extreme cases a spotting scope may be warranted. You don’t have to take out a second mortgage on your house. Instead shop for more budget-friendly optics like the Nikon Monarch 7 binocular. They have the same quality glass as the high-ticket EDG series, but if you trash them in a nasty fall you can easily replace them without pawning your wedding ring. Of course lightweight is a must so shop for a small spotting scope and tripod that doesn’t slow you down with additional cargo pounds. My choice has been the Nikon Fieldscope 50mm ED. Once you spot a bear begin calculating a route of interception considering downwind options and terrain features offering concealment avenues. Your binocular can help you map a route and help detect breezes across a canyon by zooming in on swaying vegetation. Also consider if you need to go stocking foot or don a pair of stalking booties such as the fleece slipovers sold by Crooked Horn Outfitters (www.crookedhorn.com). Seeing any black bear in a wild, Montana setting is something to remember. But for a memory that gives you the chills, consider black bear hunting the spot-and-stalk way. When you do finally slip up on a bear and make the shot you’ve really met the challenge of hunting.

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Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By

HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS

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Rock Springs Hunter Takes Second-Largest Mountain Goat Ever Harvested In Wyoming Wyoming Game & Fish

W ill Russell, a hunter from Rock Springs, Wyoming, and the 2015 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Super Tag mountain goat winner, harvested the second-largest mountain goat ever taken in Wyoming. The mountain goat officially scored 50 2/8 inches, certified by the Boone and Crockett Club.

Mountain goat hunting licenses are one of the most coveted and hard-to-draw hunting licenses in Wyoming. Russell, though, won the opportunity to purchase his license through the Super Tag raffle. Russell bought just one Super Tag mountain goat raffle ticket, and his ticket was selected among the 4,526 tickets sold. By winning a Super Tag, Russell was able to hunt mountain goats in any open area in the state during Wyoming’s two month season. “I’ve been around goats hunting the last three years, but I’ve never had a tag. I’ve only watched them. This is the first time I could shoot one,” said Russell. “I had a goal to hunt in all three areas and to set a state record.” Mountain goats are hunted in two geographic locations in Wyoming: the Beartooth Mountains north of Cody, and the Palisades area south of Jackson, divided into three hunt areas. The Beartooth Mountains encompass some wilderness while the Palisades area is non-wilderness. There are no preference points for mountain goats since Wyoming law limits a hunter to one mountain goat license in a lifetime--unless you draw a Super Tag.

A collared cow elk near Beauchamp Creek in the Missouri River Breaks

Missouri River Breaks Fall Elk Distribution Study Completed www.ammoland.com

M ontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Charles M. Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge recently

partnered on a study to evaluate the effects of public hunting access and other landscape factors on elk distributions during the fall archery and rifle hunting seasons. The study took place in the Missouri River Breaks area north of the Missouri River in hunting districts 621, 622 and 631. In February of 2013, 25 cow elk were captured in the Missouri River Breaks population in hunting district (HD) 621, and 25 cow elk were captured in the Larb Hills population in HD 622 and 631. Elk were radio collared with a global positioning system that recorded hourly locations 24 hours a day for two years.

During the captures, blood samples were taken to determine pregnancy status and to detect antibodies indicating exposure to diseases. None of the sampled elk were positive for exposure to brucellosis. The average pregnancy rate was 77%, which is lower than pregnancy rates from typically observed in other Montana elk populations.

The main objective for this study was to better understand fall elk distribution and availability of elk to hunters.

Russell eventually harvested his record-setting goat after several weeks of backpacking, hiking and scouting

Elk numbers have been above the established elk population objective of 1,700-2,000 animals since 2001.

“I could have easily shot some of the first goats I saw. But, I enjoy backpacking, hiking with my wife, and having a good time in life,” said Russell. “I set the goal for a state record as a joke, at first, between my wife and me. I didn’t realize it was going to be that big of a goat until I checked it in with the Game and Fish biologist.”

Wildlife management generally relies on increasing harvest of adult female elk as the primary management tool for limiting elk population growth and reducing elk populations. However, increased antlerless elk hunting license quotas in this area have not resulted in sufficient harvest to reduce elk population numbers. Additionally, since the number of elk hunting licenses issued was increased in 2007, harvest success rates have declined. Hunter access was thought to be a limiting factor in elk management in this area.

Tentative draw results for 2016 Wyoming mountain goat licenses will be available beginning in early May, and Super Tag raffle tickets are available until July 1. Winners are notified by mid-July. “I’d like to be the first person who congratulates the winner of the mountain goat Super Tag this year. Mountain goats really are the king of the mountain, and you’re in for an outstanding year,” said Russell... 28 - Hunting & Fishing News

HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS

The study area included the Missouri River Breaks in hunting district (HD) 621 and Larb Hills-Iron Stake Ridge areas in HD 622/631 in south Philips County. Landownership included a mixture of privately owned lands (white), and public lands owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM, yellow), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (green), and State of Montana in blue. Researchers categorized hunter access across the study area into three categories: freely accessible to hunters, restricted hunter access, and no public hunter access.

The distributions of the elk were then compared during both archery and rifle season relative to hunter access and other habitat features such as cover, terrain, and distance to roads. Overall, elk tended to be less accessible during the archery season, and more commonly selecting for “no access” areas. Although elk were more accessible during rifle season, they were not always in easy to hunt locations.

In HD 621, 68% of archery season elk locations occurred in areas accessible to hunters, 30% occurred in areas with no hunter access, and 2% occurred in areas with restricted hunter access. During rifle season, 91% of elk locations occurred in areas accessible to hunters, 9% occurred in areas with no hunter access, and <1% occurred in areas with restricted hunter access. “Many of the elk that were inaccessible during the archery season in HD 621 were in the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area, which is closed to hunting,” said Thompson. “During the rifle season, we saw these same elk disperse out into much more publically accessible areas. However, these elk utilized different strategies to avoid hunters, such as using dense cover, riparian areas and areas away from roads for security.”

The research emphasized the need to work cooperatively with landowners to provide adequate hunter access and implement harvest strategies to achieve elk population objectives in this and other areas of the state.

In hunting districts 622 and 631, 50% of archery season elk locations occurred in areas accessible to hunters, 40% occurred in areas with no hunter access, and 10% occurred in areas with restricted hunter access. During rifle season, 66% of rifle season elk locations occurred in areas accessible to hunters, 29% occurred in areas with no hunter access, and 5% occurred in areas with restricted hunter access.

These changes in the elk season are intended to provide additional elk harvest opportunity, specifically focused on the patchwork of private and public lands adjacent to the CMR National Wildlife Refuge.

“In the Larb Hills, elk were relatively less accessible to hunters during the rifle hunting season than in HD 621. These elk more commonly used ‘no access’ areas rather than habitat features for security,” said Thompson.

Elk in HD 621, with the Little Rockies in the background. (Photo courtesy of FWP)

One step in that direction, Thompson said, is the recently adopted “shoulder seasons” and additional antlerless elk permits in the Region 6 Breaks hunting districts in an effort to reduce elk populations.

“The ultimate goal is to maintain distribution of elk across public and private land, respect landowner concerns and rights, and provide equitable availability of wildlife resources for all Montanan’s,” said Thompson. May 2016 29

TOP 10 REASONS TO DO A SPRING BEAR HUNT IN MONTANA By Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters

Originally published at

www.gohunt.com

I see a baaar!” “Where?” “Over thaar!” My wife and her sisters used to run and scream at the thought of seeing a bear; however, the excitement they felt over pretending to see a bear is nothing like the thrill that can be had from a spring bear hunt, especially after a long winter of being cooped up in your house dreaming of the outdoors. But if that’s not enough to convince you to sign up for a spring bear hunt, here are ten reasons to get out of your living room and into the Scapegoat Wilderness of Montana this spring.

TOP 10 REASONS TO DO A SPRING BEAR HUNT IN MONTANA 1. THE MOUNTAINS

There is something about the mountains and the wilderness that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. After a long winter, your first trip into the mountains can feel like a prison door opening, leading to pure freedom.

2. THE PEACEFUL SOLITUDE OF NATURE

Photo credit: Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters 30 - Hunting & Fishing News

Your chances of seeing other people are drastically reduced compared to fall hunting. We have spent weeks this time of year in the mountains without seeing another living soul. (continued on page 43)

REGIONAL NEWS Idaho’s 2015 Whitetail Harvest Sets All-Time Record By Roger Phillips Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist

F ish and Game predicted a banner hunting season for 2015, and hunters delivered with the highest all-time whitetail harvest and increased

deer and elk harvests over 2014. Hunters took an estimated 30,568 whitetails in 2015, topping the 1996 record of 29,800. The combined estimated mule deer and whitetail harvest was 68,764, which exceeded the 2014 harvest of 61,200, and it was the highest deer harvest since 1991. The mule deer harvest was also 5,200 more than in 2014. Clearwater Regional Wildlife Biologist Dave Koehler said he was a little surprised to see a record whitetail harvest considering hunting conditions weren’t ideal due to warm, dry weather in the fall. But he added that trends were pointing in that direction. “Both harvest and hunter participation for whitetails has been on an upward trend since 1973,” Koehler said. He noted that the outbreak of bluetongue last summer hit some localized whitetail herds, but had little effect on the overall population. He also doesn’t think there was an overharvest from the record take of whitetails. “None of the data we have suggests that’s the case,” he said. Overall success rate for deer hunters in 2015, including general seasons and controlled hunts, was a whopping 45 percent. Elk hunters also had a good season by harvesting 24,543 elk and exceeding the 2014 harvest of 20,700. Combined hunter success for general elk seasons and controlled hunts was 27 percent. The 2015 elk harvest was the highest since 1996 and also the fifth-consecutive increased harvest. Big-game harvests have been trending upward thanks in part to several consecutive mild winters and growing hunter numbers, including non-residents. The harvest was bolstered by increases in doe and cow tags, which accounted for 28 percent of the deer harvest and 44 percent of the elk harvest. Further breakdowns of the 2015 harvest showed that hunters took 83 percent of the deer and 61 percent of the elk during general seasons. While controlled hunts accounted for a smaller percentage of the harvest, hunters who drew them had excellent success rates. About 60 percent of deer hunters and 45 percent of elk hunters who drew controlled-hunt tags took an animal. Not surprising, the number of hunters was also up in 2015. Sales of deer and elk tags increased 6 percent in 2015 over 2014, and last year, the 14,000 limit on non-resident deer tags sold out for the first time since 2008. That triggered the release of another 1,500 whitetail tags to accommodate late-season hunters. Hunting statistics also showed a good mix of age classes for deer and elk. The bull elk harvest was about 25 percent spikes, 38 percent between two and five points (on at least one antler), and 36 percent six points or larger. The buck harvest was about 54 percent spikes to three points (on at least one antler), 32 percent four points and 14 percent five points or more. Archery and muzzleloader hunters accounted for 23 percent of the elk harvest and 7 percent of the deer harvest.

Winter big-game monitoring is showing signs that bode well for the 2016 big game seasons.

Based on preliminary data from radio collared deer, 86 percent of fawns had survived through February. Monitoring is showing slightly lower fawn and doe survival than in the last two years, but those years had the highest over-winter survival since 1998 when Fish and Game started intensive monitoring herds. Biologists will continue to closely monitor survival through spring, and March is among the worst months for deer mortality. Elk are less susceptible to winter kill than deer, and through February, 99 percent of radio collared cow elk had survived, and 90 percent of the collared calves. HOW HARVESTS STATISTICS ARE COMPILED Although big-game harvest reports are “mandatory,” about 60 percent of big game hunters fill them out and return them to Fish and Game. The department then calls hunters who drew a deer or elk controlled hunt, but did not file their hunt reports. It also takes a random sample of general season hunters who did not file hunter reports, and combines all that data to come up with the annual harvest estimates. 2015 by the numbers Deer - Deer hunters: 151,799 - Total deer harvest: 68,764 - Overall success: 45 percent - 2014 harvest: 61,200 - 2015 whitetail deer harvest: 30,568 (new all-time record) - 2015 total deer harvest (mule deer and whitetails) was the highest since 1991. Elk - Elk hunters: 90,206 - Total elk harvest: 24,543 - Success rate: 27 percent - 2014 harvest: 20,700 - 2015 elk harvest was the highest harvest since 1996 May 2016 31

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Turkey Hunting: The Art of Attraction and Distraction By Sammy Bruce

Fast target engagement – especially from non-standard shooting positions

An effective turkey decoy setup helps bring toms into range while diverting attention from the hunter

W ild turkeys have some of the best eyes in the woods. The old adage rings true: “If they could smell like a deer, turkeys would be impossible Terence Williamson photo

to kill.” They’re just that good.

It’s estimated that turkeys see about three times better than humans with 20/20 vision. In addition, there’s no such thing as a “blind spot” in the gobbler’s world. They view a 270-degree field continuously, and a slight turn of the head can show them a full 360. Thankfully, turkey hunters can take steps to maintain the upper hand. Modern camouflage options offer incredible concealment in any terrain. In addition, many turkey hunters now choose lightweight, easy-to-operate ground blinds for the ultimate hiding place. But the best method to fool a wary gobbler by far is to never have him look your way.

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One piece of equipment reigns above all others in successfully keeping the eyes of a turkey off of the hunter: the turkey decoy. In fact, without decoys, our modern turkey hunting methods would be counter-productive. Think about it. We call these extremely keen animals toward us, and then try to hide from them. Just as a duck hunter would never attempt to call ducks into range without the use of decoys, modern turkey hunters now use similar methods. The plan? Attract the birds with seductive calling, bring them in close, and give them something to get excited about once they look around. Terence Williamson is no stranger to the use of decoys when hunting turkeys. A veteran gobbler-chaser for over 25 years, Williamson spends four or more days a week hunting in his home state of Alabama, and often extends his season by pursuing turkeys in several other locales. A State and National calling champ, Williamson is quick to point out the advantages of using decoys. And while most view decoys as tools for attraction, Williamson is quick to advocate for their powers of distraction. “I’ve been guiding for the last eight years, help out frequently in youth hunts, and have been involved in filming Avian-X TV for the last four seasons,” Williamson states. “While guiding and filming, decoys really help to take focus off of kids, clients, and cameras and help make for successful hunts while drawing birds into range.” Williamson’s decoy strategies evolve throughout the season. “I use decoys all spring, and start the season using a hen and a jake together,” says Williamson, who is a strong believer in this particular combo, claiming that the sight of a jake around a hen angers toms. “They become so focused on fighting with the jake, it gives you a chance to get on the bird and make the shot before he can detect you,” our expert says. His point is that attraction is only part of the game when utilizing turkey decoys. Diverting and controlling his attention is often just as important.

Available At Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors 32 - Hunting & Fishing News

Williamson once utilized a breeder hen decoy for this method, but now chooses the Avian-X LCD Laydown Hen. In fact, Williamson was the first hunter to kill a turkey using the new breakthrough decoy while helping develop the prototype.

The Laydown’s relaxed posture perfectly mimics that of a content hen turkey in a receptive breeding position. The sight of this decoy alone is enough to bring a tom running, but pairing her with a jake can trigger his rage and further fix his attention. Like other Avian-X LCD decoys, the new Laydown Hen is made of a Dura-Rubber material that is not only ultra-lifelike, but also collapsible. Such lifelike looks are imperative in turkey decoys, not only in posture, but also in color and detail. Turkeys have six cones in their eyes to detect color, compared to four in ours. In addition, it’s believed turkeys can view color spectrums not seen by humans, including UVA. Remember, these incredible eyes focus on the decoy in the hunting scenario, so perfection is required if you want that old long-beard to believe what he’s seeing. As the turkey season progresses and strutting activity increases, Williamson advises setting up a spread to match the behavior. Here, he chooses the Avian-X LCD Strutter. More incredible attention to detail, an Avian-X trademark, places this decoy above all other gobblers on the market. In addition, the Strutter isn’t overly large. This slight under-sizing is deliberate. Not only is the decoy easier to pack in and out of the field, it tells incoming gobblers it’s a fight they can win. Old wives tales pervade in all forms of hunting, and turkey hunting is no exception. One popular rumor is that turkeys Photo www.planosynergy.com. can’t see in 3-D, thus rendering ultra-realistic decoys overkill. To be truthful, many bird species can’t see in 3-D the way human eyes do. The placement of eyes on the side of the head prevents true binocular vision - observing an object through both eyes at the same time and, thus, creating depth perception. But turkeys overcome this by frequently bobbing and rotating their heads while viewing to give them a different kind of depth perception. Combine this with their supreme visual acuity and advanced color detection, and more than a few turkey hunters should be reconsidering their current decoys… and their camouflage. Williamson feels good about his, but only because he conceals himself head to toe, including gloves and facemask, in Mossy Oak’s best. Then, of course, he uses the best available decoys for distraction. Only then does he feel comfortable trying to fool the sharpest eyes in the woods. When setting up, Williamson tries to pick an area that’s relatively clear, but admits that’s not always possible. Clearings, fields and logging roads are ideal, but Williamson is just as content to place decoys in small openings in the woods. The key, he says, is getting approaching birds to see the decoys while maintaining adequate shooting lanes. “You rarely know where the perfect location is, because unpredictable gobblers are likely to approach the setup from any possible angle, not necessarily the path of least resistance. I just try to make sure that my decoys can be seen from as many angles as possible, and my hunters and I have a clear line of sight to shoot at, and around, the decoy location.’” Sometimes, fooling a turkey can be easy. The right spot combined with a hot bird occasionally leads to a quick hunt. More often, however, wise gobblers must be coaxed into range with the right combination of calling and visual stimulation. Even then, wary toms may close the distance, only to “hang up” out of range. Decoys can help remedy this possibility as well. If a stubborn old tom thinks your hen decoy can see him, his ego may want her to come to him. So when possible, position your decoys facing away from the most likely approach for incoming birds. If you’ve done much turkey hunting, you already know that nothing seals the deal like a decoy. But are your decoys really helping you as much as they could be? This spring, take the advice of our expert, and start thinking about turkey decoys as distractors as much or more than they are attractors. After all, it’s you against them, and they’ve got some really formidable tools. Up the reality factor of your decoys, and start tipping the odds in your favor. May 2016 33

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e’s out there but could care less about your sweet hen yelps. What now? Do nothing. True, that gobbler might never come. Or another hunter may have also heard that turkey you’ve fired up with your calling. They might move on it and start working the bird, maybe not even realizing you’d been. In other words, you located the gobbler for them. And now you’ve gone quiet only to hear a shot in the general vicinity of “your” bird. Relax. That means you can hunt some more. Play hard to get. You’re the yelping hen. That gobbler wants you to come to the strut zone. Call in one location then walk away. If the gobbler comes closer but not the full distance, slip back in that direction—or wander to one side or the other. That strutter wants action. Acting like you don’t might just make him break strut and come to you. Another trick is to have one buddy do this as you stay in the original spot. What’s the downside of all this movement? The gobbler might bust you as you move, or work in your buddy’s calling direction (s/he should have a gun). Go get something to eat. That’s right: order some eggs, grits, bacon—or whatever. If a spring gobbler doesn’t want to play, leave. Sometimes this tactic—playing it cool but with confidence—makes the difference. You might go back to the same location and kill that tough spring gobbler. Think it out. Don’t know where the turkey roosts? Watch and listen for the gobbler going to roost at fly-up time or use locator calls to pull a shock gobble from it before fly-down. If that gobbler has hung up all day, strutting but not coming, think hard about the strut zone the bird has favored. If you know the land well, and especially where the turkey roosts, be there the next morning, right on the edge of it. Chances are it’s an open area, say a wooded clear-cut or pasture corner. Give up. Putting your energy into one tough turkey can burn up your season. Sometimes it might be best to find a fresh gobbler to work.

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Some Region 6 Block Management Areas Open For 2016 Spring Turkey Season MFWP

M ontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and participating land owners will open some Block Management Areas (BMAs) for spring turkey hunting along

the Milk River and also one area south of Zortman. Up to 11 BMAs could be open for the spring turkey season, beginning April 9, and running through May 15. Most of the properties are located along the Milk River between Hinsdale and Nashua. One additional property is located just south of Zortman in Goslin Flats, which is a portion of the Square Butte BMA. “The BMA spring turkey hunt worked well for both landowners and hunters last year, and landowners are looking forward to opening their property again this spring,” said Tim Potter, Jr., Region 6 FWP Hunting Access Coordinator. “We are very pleased that we are able to provide this opportunity again. Just remember that many of these properties are in the middle of calving and other farming activities during the spring. Please be cautious and respectful around these properties as well with other landowners not in the program.” Last year, there were 223 hunter days recorded on the nine participating BMAs. Normally, the BMA season runs from the beginning of September (opening of upland bird and archery) until January 1 (the closing of upland birds). BMA access will be granted through a traditional sign-in box on the properties, and will be advertised by a green sign titled “2016 Spring Turkey.” Signing in will allow hunters access only for turkey hunting. Other activities such as shed hunting, fishing, or small game hunting are not allowed. Permission for such activities must be separately allowed by the landowner. All BMA rules and expectations in place during the general season will still apply. These include, but are not limited to, leaving gates as they are found, areas of walk-in hunting only, parking in designated parking areas, using caution around livestock, taking care not to drive on muddy roads, and more. Hunters should refer to the individual rules associated with each BMA, found on the back of the BMA maps. Property boundaries may not be well marked, so hunters need to be aware of their location. “For this opportunity to continue to move forward, we need hunters to respect both the landowner’s wishes and their property,” said Potter. As a reminder, prospective turkey hunters can also hunt on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), such as the Hinsdale and Vandalia WMAs, other public land, and on other private land with permission. Hunters must also be aware that there are several BMAs that are not participating in this spring hunting opportunity, and permission would be needed to hunt on these properties. A list of participating landowners and properties is available from FWP’s Region 6 headquarters in Glasgow, by calling the office at 406-228-3700, or by going to our regional webpage at fwp.mt.gov/regions/r6/. 36 - Hunting & Fishing News

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5th ANNUAL BABES N BULLETS WOMEN ONLY SHOOTING EVENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK OF MONTANA Bob Ward’s is proud to present the 5th Annual Babes N Bullets shooting event,

a for women only event to be held June 4th at the Deer Creek Range in Missoula. Proceeds from the shooting event will again benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Montana. Bob Ward’s has teamed up with the Hilton Garden Inn, Culligan Water, Jaker’s, and several hunting and shooting sport brands to raise funds supporting breast cancer awareness. (http://www.toughpinkmontana.org/) The shoot will be held Saturday, June 4th at the Missoula Deer Creek Shooting Center. Sign in begins at 8:00am with the full day of fun from 9am – 4pm. Registration is open at Bob Ward’s in Missoula and online at www.bobwards.com. There is a $125.00 registration fee which includes: • All day shooting clinic • Snacks water/soda and lunch • A goody bag with lots of fun items • After party at Hilton Garden Inn including appetizers, drinks, raffle, and auction (4:30pm – 7pm) Babes N Bullets is an opportunity for women of all skill levels to try their hand at shooting handguns, rifles, shotguns, archery, and pepper spray. Safety, proper technique, and fun are the main focus of this event. Here is a recap of past events from Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Montana’s website: “Many of the women had never held a gun, and some were pretty savvy with the hardware! The instructors were terrific - the perfect mix of experience, patience, and humor. The highlight of the day was shooting the .50 cal pistol. Who knows what the good folks at Bob Ward’s might bring this year.” Registration for the event is open now, and if last year is any indication, it will fill up fast. You can register in the Missoula Bob Ward’s store or online at www.bobwards.com. The $125 registration includes: Babes n’ Bullets shirt, shooting safety equipment, lunch, a full day of shooting, transportation to and from the range, and an after party. The after party is your opportunity to drink, nibble, win raffles, bid on auction items, swap stories, and pick out the gun you want to buy. Bob Ward’s experienced staff, vendors, and volunteers will assist everyone both at the shoot and the after party. Invite a guest to the after party for only $25 more. The guest does not have to be female. Bob Ward’s is Montana’s oldest and largest sporting goods retailer with stores in Missoula, Butte, Helena, Hamilton and Bozeman, and online at www.bobwards.com. In June, the company will celebrate its 99th anniversary. For more information, contact Ryan Corwin, Bob Ward’s Advertising Manager at rcorwin@bobwards.com or via phone at 406.728.3220.

Recipe: Grilled Venison Beer Brats

By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com

S hoot deer. Gut deer. Transport deer to processor and have brats made.

(These jalapeno cheese brats came from the buck I shot in the Crazy Mountains of Montana last November, and were made by H&H Meats in Missoula, though a deer you shoot and gut anywhere will do.)

Perfect for a spring or summer Friday night, these deer brats are amazing. Simmer thawed brats in mixture of half-water, half-beer for 20-25 minutes. Do not boil brats, just a low, slow simmer on medium heat. Roll brats occasionally. As brats simmer, sip remainder of leftover beer. Heat gas grill and chill one more beer. After 25 minutes, remove brats from stove and drain water/beer mix. Reduce grill to medium-low. Add brats and grill, covered, for 6-8 minutes.

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Montana Wolf Numbers Remain Stable in 2015 MFWP W olf numbers in Montana remain healthy and well above federally-mandated minimums as the fifth and final year of federal

Man Cited for Possession of Big Horn Sheep Horns MFWP Lake county resident Michael Filipek recently accepted a plea bargain and pled guilty to FWP violations in Lake County Justice Court stemming from the unlawful possession of big horn sheep horns from Wild Horse Island State Park. In addition, Filepek was cited for an unlawfully killed bobcat and mountain lion (not killed on Wild Horse Island). On March 13, 2015 Sergeant Nathan Reiner and Polson Game Warden Ron Howell were on Wild Horse Island investigating the reported death of a large big horn ram when they ran into Filipek. The wardens interviewed Filipek on the island and were able to determine that Filipek had picked up two big horn ram heads and moved them out of plain view on the island. Filipek was not cited at that time for any violations. Wardens continued their investigation and later, with the help of Regional Investigator Brian Sommers, a search warrant for Filipek’s residence was obtained and a set of big horn sheep horns that Filipek had previously taken from Wild Horse Island were seized. The investigation also showed that Filipek had illegally shot a Bobcat in 2014 and illegally shot a mountain lion in 2013. Filipek pled guilty to the unlawful possession of big horn sheep horns, unlawful possession of a mountain lion, unlawful possession of a bobcat, and hunting without a license. Filipek was sentenced in Lake County Justice Court and ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and restitution, lost his privileges to hunt, fish and trap for three years. Filipek was also banned from Wild Horse Island for three years. Warden Captain Lee Anderson noted that it is illegal to pick up big horn sheep horns anywhere in the state. There is a huge commercial value for big horn sheep horns, especially ones of world class caliber like the Wild Horse Island Sheep. Anderson added that these sheep were likely killed by a mountain lion and not shot... 38 - Hunting & Fishing News

oversight of state wolf management comes to an end in May. Montana’s annual wolf report shows a minimum wolf count of 536 wolves in 2015, which is down from 554 in 2014. Included in this number is a minimum number of breeding pairs of 32, which is down from 34 in 2014. The difference between the overall minimum wolf counts in 2014 and 2015 is 18, well within the variability expected when counting a wide-ranging species that often occupies rough timbered country. “It is important to remember that these are minimum counts, meaning that only wolves FWP could actually document as being on the landscape were included,” said John Vore, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Game Management Bureau Chief. “As wolf numbers have increased there is just no way we can physically count them all. We know there are more wolves out there. According to our best estimates the actual number of wolves is at least 30 percent more than the minimum count.” In both the USFWS delisting rule and Montana state plan, Montana is required to maintain at least 150 wolves, including 15 breeding pairs. Wolves were officially delisted from the Endangered Species Act in Montana in 2011. The delisting required oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for five years to ensure wolves in Montana stayed above population minimums. That oversight period ends in May. “Wolf management in the 21st Century requires us to strike a balance socially and biologically,” said FWP Director Jeff Hagener. “We feel like we are getting closer to that as Montana’s wolf population continues to be stable, healthy and far above recovery goals.” Montana’s approach to wolf management includes hunting, trapping and management removal of problem wolves, which provides opportunities for hunters and trappers and the flexibility to address problems with isolated instances of wolf depredation. In 2015 the number of wolf depredations on livestock increased by 17 over the previous year to 64. This included 41 cattle, 21 sheep and two horses. The total documented wolf mortality in 2015 was 276 wolves, down from 308 in 2014. These numbers include all documented wolf deaths... The recovery of the wolf in the northern Rockies remains one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record... “Although this year marks the end of the 5-year post-delisting oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wolf management will continue as it has, under the guidance of Montana’s Wolf Management Plan,” said Ken McDonald, FWP Wildlife Bureau Chief. “In future years, FWP may be adjusting how it monitors and reports on wolf numbers, but doesn’t anticipate any significant changes in how wolves are managed.” To learn more about Montana’s wolf population and read the FWP 2015 Annual Wolf Report, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click Montana Wolves...

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RECURVES AND LONGBOWS FOR DEER HUNTING By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com

T here is a contingent of modern hunters out there who have shot their share of deer with compound bows, and who now are looking for

a different challenge. “Hunting with a traditional bow is not just different, it’s the ultimate challenge,” says Luke Strommen, who has hunted whitetails with longbows and recurves all his life out on the Milk River in Montana. “You use all your skills to get within ‘wolf range’ of your quarry, mere yards where a doe or buck instinctively senses danger. Then you have to draw your bow and shoot without the animal seeing you. There’s nothing like the rush of it.” Luke, one of the best trad hunters in America, gives these tips to get you started. Gearing Up Strommen suggests a trad bow of 60, 62 or 64 inches. “The longer the bow, the more forgiving it is to shoot and learn with,” he says. “I recommend a bow in the 50- to 55-pound draw range, though you can kill anything in North America with a sub-50-pound bow. Don’t be afraid to buy a 35- to 50-pound bow if that is what you can pull the best. On the other hand, don’t buy a bow with too much weight. It can be tough to draw, and detrimental to your form as you learn to shoot.” You can spend from $200 for a starter bow to $400 for a good production bow to $2,000 for a high-grade custom job. “For your first bow, I suggest a Bear, Ben Pearson, Wing or Shakespeare,” says Strommen. “A used bow will suit you just fine. I actually use Ebay for most of my bow purchases for my collection.” Luke shoots wooden arrows, but he recommends aluminum or heavy carbon shafts for your first recurve or longbow hunts. Be sure the spine of your arrows meets or exceeds your bow’s weight. “It is okay to go five pounds or so over on arrow spine, but not under,” says Luke. “If you buy a 50-pound bow, shoot 50 to 55 spine arrows; with a 55-pound bow, 55 to 60 spine and so on.” A rule of thumb is that your arrow and broadhead should weigh 10% of your bow weight. A 50-pound bow, for example, would need a 500-grain or heavier arrow/broadhead combination. “I shoot bows from 50 to 66 pounds, and I use 650- to 800-grain arrows,” notes Luke. “I suggest only fixed-blade or cut-on impact broadheads, 125 grains or heavier.” Longbow Shooting The beauty of trad is its simplicity. In addition to a wooden bow with a good string and a dozen practice arrows with field points, the only other things you need are a shooting glove, an armguard and a quiver. You can buy a few block targets to shoot at like compound bow shooters do. Or like Strommen, you can tack small targets onto hay bales and practice like trad shooters have done for decades. “Either way, it’s all instinctive shooting with no sights,” says Luke. “Bend at the waist, cant your bow a little, learn the sight picture of your arrow in relation to the target and fire away. The only way to learn is to shoot hundreds and thousands of arrows into the hay from 5 to maybe 20 yards. It’s fun. I enjoy shooting my bows almost as much as I do trying to shoot a deer.”

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FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB BEAR SHOOT 2016 JUNE 18th & 19st

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 class on Sunday afternoon. Participation awards for all Cubs. You must shoot both days to be eligible for trophies. Family shoot/No flighting. Shoot all of Green Course one day and all of Orange Course the other day to be eligible for trophies. Staggered start Saturday, 7am - 11am Shooting starts Sunday 8am

Primitive camping available on site. Bring your own firewood. Bear proof gear required. Contact: April Roush at 406-360-3826 or visit Five Valleys Archery Club on Facebook Held at The Clearwater Junction, 35 miles East of Missoula on Hwy. 200. Concessions by Pards Tummy Teasers May 2016 39

See the NEW Razor® HD AMG Riflescope and redesigned Diamondback® Binoculars See these and other Vortex Optics at the 2016 Montana Vortex Dealer of the Year

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Missoula • Bozeman • Helena • Butte • Hamilton www.bobwards.com THE HISTORY

By Adam Potts—Adam Potts lives in Missoula and is a GIS supervisor (and cartography nerd) at onXmaps. He enjoys vicariously exploring the United States while working on maps at work, and exploring it in person with his lovely wife Stephanie. onXmaps www.huntinggpsmaps.com

n February 19th, the Weyerhaeuser Company announced that their merger with the Plum Creek Timber Company was complete. This means that Weyerhaeuser’s $8.4 billion purchase of their big competitor is finally closed after its November announcement, and the 70-year history of Plum Creek is officially over. Now, sportsmen across the country anxiously await further news from Weyerhaeuser about how the forestry giant plans to manage access on former Plum Creek lands. Southern hunters are wondering if rates will be raised on existing hunting leases. In Montana and other northern states, hunters are afraid that open access areas will move towards a lease or permit system. Weyerhaeuser’s long-term strategy for these lands may not be apparent this hunting season or the next, and significant changes may be years or even decades in the future. For more than a century, Weyerhaeuser has proven itself to be a hugely successful, highly strategic, and traditional forestry company. Whatever action they take on recreational use of their lands, rest assured it will benefit Weyerhaeuser’s bottom line and long-term goals. 40 - Hunting & Fishing News

In onXmaps’ home state of Montana, these concerns are particularly relevant in the northwest, where Plum Creek owned over 888,000 acres. The vast majority of these lands’ recreational use predates its ownership by Plum Creek. In fact, Plum Creek wasn’t even a big name on the map until 1984, when the Burlington Northern Railroad merged its two timber company subsidiaries. These companies were Burlington Northern Timberlands and the Plum Creek Lumber Company. Plum Creek ran several mills in Northwest Montana, but virtually all land assets were in the Burlington Northern name. That all changed in this reorganization, which kept the Plum Creek name and sent it down the path to becoming one of the largest private landowners in the United States. The name gained further prominence in 1989 as the company was spun off as an independent entity from the railroad, and in 1993 the Plum Creek Timber Company purchased nearly all of Champion International’s timberlands, which included vast tracts throughout the eastern U.S. and 865,000 acres in Montana alone. This deal more than doubled its already massive land holdings in the Treasure State, and made it the major private landowner in our state and in many forested states throughout the country. However, Plum Creek’s involvement with Montana does go back further. The original Plum Creek Logging Company was founded in Minnesota in 1944 by D.C. Dunham, known as ‘Dunny’ by his employees. It was one among several forestry companies this dynamic entrepreneur owned, the principle venture being the D.C. Dunham Lumber Company in Bemidji, Minnesota, where his mill was located. Plum Creek was the secondary, logging-focused enterprise, and was named after a creek close to there where they ran their operation.

Interestingly, it is the same Plum Creek in Laura Ingalls Wilders’ (the author of Little House on the Prairie) fourth book On the Banks of Plum Creek. Just a few short years later, in 1946 Dunham moved his operations to Columbia Falls, Montana, but kept the Plum Creek name. Of the ten Plum Creeks actually in Montana, none are in Western Montana. The closest is about 30 miles northwest of Lewistown, and is 330 miles from Columbia Falls. The renamed Plum Creek Lumber Company thrived for two decades under Dunham’s leadership, and opened a plywood plant next to their sawmill in the 60’s. After D.C. Dunham’s death in 1966, Plum Creek’s days as a family-owned business were numbered, and the company was sold to the Great Northern Railway in 1968. Interestingly, Plum Creek’s initial landholdings, Champion’s Montana properties, and Weyerhaeuser’s core timberlands in Washington all have the same roots: railroads. Acting under the power of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, the federal government gave the Northern Pacific Railway millions of acres of prime timberland in the northwest and Montana. Plum Creek assumed a huge share of this legacy in 1989, and more of it when it bought Champion International’s lands in 1993. Champion had acquired its Montana timberlands in 1972, which had several previous owners but were originally Northern Pacific grants as well. Well before any of this, in 1900 Frederick Weyerhaeuser made one of the biggest land purchases in U.S. history when he bought 900,000 acres of timberland (at $6 an acre) after an evening’s conversation with his good friend, railroad magnate James J. Hill. The founder of the Great Northern, Hill had recently acquired a controlling interest in the Northern Pacific Railway, which had been his competitor up until that point. With the Weyerhaeuser Company’s more recent purchase of Plum Creek, the Northern Pacific railroad grants are once again largely under the control of a single owner.

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The origins of these lands’ use by sportsmen is unclear, but it would not be a stretch to assume they have had unbroken use by hunters since they were released from the public domain and given to the railroads. Although long-standing, these informal arrangements can be quickly changed with minimal blowback, as Weyerhaeuser has already proved on its Washington and Oregon tree farms, which went almost entirely to lease and permit systems by 2015. This is the main fear for Montana hunters, but there is one big incentive that should factor into their judgment: the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Block Management Program. Although the details behind each agreement are somewhat murky, it has clearly provided a significant benefit for Plum Creek for at least two decades. There is little doubt that Weyerhaeuser will continue its participation in this program in the short term, and would invalidate its benefits if it starting charging additional fees for usage of this land. Montana’s politicians have already begun posturing on the side of sportsmen, and Montana’s hunter conservation groups have also indicated that ending open access will be met with strong resistance. Weyerhaeuser now knows that whatever action they take will be carefully watched by the sportsmen of Montana. The reasons given by Weyerhaeuser’s for ending public access on their tree farms in Washington and Oregon should provide cautionary tale for Montana hunters. As can be expected from Weyerhaeuser, the decision was driven by business: “ if the program is successful, there is potential to generate additional revenue,” said Weyerhaeuser’s public relations manager in 2014. However, illegal trash dumping was the main factor cited for closing the lands. Sadly, Plum Creek lands in Montana are often similarly abused, and piles of shell casings and heaps of trash are an unfortunately common sight when driving around their woods. If the state government and our sportsmen want to demonstrate their seriousness in keeping these lands open, we need to all treat these lands better. This will mean actions above and beyond the call of duty by more responsible members of the community (such as trash cleanups), more law enforcement and funding for that enforcement from the state government, and a commitment by the average hunter to treat these lands with respect. Just because nobody is watching and nobody gets caught, we shouldn’t think that illegal dumping has no consequence. The new owners of this land are watching very closely, and ultimately it is their decision whether this land stays open or gets leased to the highest bidder.

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42 - Hunting & Fishing News

TOP 10 REASONS TO DO A SPRING BEAR HUNT IN MONTANA (continued from page 30)

3. LENGTH OF DAYLIGHT

The days are long. This means plenty of time to hunt for bears and time to take advantage of the exceptional fishing opportunities. Make sure you bring a fly rod or spinning rig.

4. WEATHER

Springtime in Montana is amazing with warm, but not too hot, temperatures, sunny days, and cooler nights.

5. TECHNICAL HUNTING PRACTICE

Glassing and stalking is a big part of bear hunting. You’ll get plenty of opportunity to work on these skills, which are essential for any type of hunting out West.

6. SCOUTING FOR FALL HUNTS

Most hunters are interested in knowing what to expect when it comes to the wilderness outfitting experience. Using an outfitter for a bear hunt is a great way to evaluate them for a future big game hunt. This will help you get the lay of the land plus see the operation and guides before investing in a more expensive elk or deer hunt.

7. COST EFFECTIVENESS

Bear hunts are typically less expensive than fall elk and deer hunts, but you receive the same wilderness experience as your fall counterparts. License fees are also much less than elk or deer.

8. PROSPECTIVE TROPHY SCOUTING

Grizzlies may be taken off the endangered species list soon and a season may soon be open. Hunting for black bears now will give you a chance to lock down an outfitter for future grizzly hunts.

9. THE THRILL OF A TRADITIONAL BEAR HUNT

In Montana, it is illegal to bait bears or run them with dogs. That leaves spot and stalk or calling as the only options for hunting bears. These techniques help sharpen your skills for all other mountain hunting and, in my opinion, are much more rewarding than baiting or running dogs.

10. SWEET KEEPSAKES

Who doesn’t want a nice bear rug? Montana black bears generally have a luxurious coat compared to the black bears found on the eastern side of the U.S. If this list doesn’t convince you to head for the hills, I’m not sure what will. After you book your spring bear hunt, hopefully the phrase, “I see a baaarr!” will leave your lips and bring a smile to your face just like it did to the Williams’ sisters so long ago. One more parting thought to leave you with from a guy who clearly has spent some time in the mountains, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.” I agree with John Muir. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Fully Guided 5 day black bear hunt 2 hunters per guide 4 days of hunting with the last day being a travel day back to the trailhead. Add $500 for 1 hunter per guide Provided by Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters (406) 945-2349 Jake Ingram Jake@scapegoatwildernessoutfitters.com

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May 2016 43

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44 - Hunting & Fishing News

(continued from page 10)

If you want to become a better jerkbait angler, here are some things that will improve your success.

Lesson #1: Down, down, down! Some anglers have the tendency to fish jerkbaits by moving the rod horizontally, even vertically. Actually, its better to fish jerkbaits by moving the rod tip in downward sweeps from roughly the 3:00 o’clock to 5:00 o’clock position. Quick rips at the beginning of your retrieve will help your bait reach your target depth zone sooner, and subsequent strokes and pauses will keep the neutrally-buoyant bait more or less on a horizontal retrieve toward the boat. Lesson #2: Slack is good Introduce slack line between the lure and the rod tip before you start the actual jerk-stroke down and immediately after. The introduction of slack line produces more erratic lure action and allows the bait to glide naturally after the stroke. You want to hear “tsst, tsst, tsst” during each cast. Lesson #3: Cadence I quickly learned that the right cadence and stroke combination is key to jerkbait fishing. During our filming, water was cold and bass did not want the baits fished fast; the pause was key, those moments in the retrieve when the bait would just sit in the water column, neutrally buoyant. Instead of a pop, pop, pop, and pause – or even two pops and a pause – it was a single stroke followed by a pause that got bites. Lesson #4: Painfully long pauses As a general rule of thumb, the colder the water, the slower you should fish a jerkbait. There may be times when you need to pause 10, 20, 30, or even 50 seconds between jerk-strokes. It’s painful to fish that way—and I hate it—but sometimes that’s the only way you’re going to get bit in cold water. Other times, fish may want the bait fished more aggressively. Lesson #5: Apples and oranges The best way to fish a jerkbait can also depend on target species. In this particular tournament we were targeting largemouths, and I mention that because smallmouths and largemouths seem to react differently to how jerkbaits are fished. In some cases it can really be apples and oranges. My experience is smallmouths typically want the bait fished with more aggressive strokes, while largies prefer jerkbaits fished slow. Still, on most days, you’ll need to let the fish tell you what you what they want. Lesson #6: Rod Length I’m 6’ 2” and I fish out of a Ranger 620FS, so I’m a little higher off the water when I’m fishing off the deck. So, depending on your height and your boat, the key is to look for a rod that is long enough that you can fish the bait with a downstroke without the rod tip getting wet. My go-to rod (an Abu Villain) measures 7 feet and features a soft tip. I like a long rod; I can pick up line faster, and it gives me a little more control of the fish during the fight. Lesson #7: Rod power/action For larger jerkbaits, I prefer a medium-power baitcasting rod, which is 90% of the time. But for finesse situations in clear, heavily-pressured waters, I will step down in bait size and use a spinning rod. But no matter which you choose, the rod should have enough backbone to move the jerkbait. I like a 7’ medium-action rod with a softer tip, which allows slower bait movement at the start of each rip (doesn’t seem to spook as many fish). A softer tip is more forgiving with hooked fish; you’ll land more fish. Lesson #8: Line choice I’m usually throwing jerkbaits on 8-, 10- or 12-lb. Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon. First, it’s a little stiffer than mono to prevent the bait from hooking itself on your line. Secondly, because fluorocarbon sinks, that little extra weight can help keep baits down. Lastly, the near-invisibility of fluorocarbon puts the odds in your favor on clear waters. Fish that move 10, 20, 30 feet or more to hit a bait can be line shy. The exception to the rule comes when fishing long pauses. There may be times when heavier fluoro can cause certain baits to nose-dip. In those cases, I may switch to neutrally-buoyant monofilament to keep baits horizontal. Lesson #9: Examine how fish are hooked Which jerkbait hook you catch the fish on can tell you a lot. If you’re catching bass barely hooked via the rear jerkbait hook, chances are fish aren’t in love with what you’re doing. So, you may want to look at your presentation. Are you fishing with the right color? Am I fishing it too fast? Not fast enough? The best bites are those when the front or front and rear hooks end up in the bass’ mouth. I’ll start by trying different colors if I get several fish on the back hook. Lesson #10: Colors In clear water, I like more natural patterns, those translucent finish options in silver or natural forage patterns. But there are times when it seems smallmouths react better to bright baits with chartreuse and oranges. So, start with more natural patterns and see what the fish prefer. Lesson #11: Bait choice There are a lot of great jerkbaits on the market, but I’m most excited about Berkley’s new Cutter Series, designed by David Fritts, and fished by pros like Justin Lucas, Josh Bertrand, Gary Klein and Scott Suggs. Unlike most jerkbaits, the three baits in the Cutter Series feature a coffin-style bill—a complete departure from traditional jerkbait design—for an action all their own. It’s almost like an underwater walk-the-dog with a slight side-to-side roll. And bass crush ‘em. The Cutter 110+ is a beefy, standard-size jerkbait; the Skinny Cutter 110+ has a similar length but thinner profile; and the Cutter 90+ has only two treble hooks -- the perfect jerkbait for finesse situations. Each comes in 12 finishes and features Berkley’s new Fusion 19 hooks, which are sticky sharp. My go-to bait is the 110+ but there are times when downsizing to the 90+ is simply the best way to get bit. Berkley’s new Skinny Cutter 110+ in Gilly pattern (shown) The 4 3/8-in., 7/16 oz. bait is a perfect “in between” size jerkbait for both largemouths and smallies. Parting Thoughts Really, the best way to learn how to fish a jerkbait is to leave the dock with a small sample of jerkbaits – and commit to yourself to fish only those baits for the day. It’s even better to have two anglers in the boat: one fishing fast, the other fishing slow; one fishing natural colors, the other bright colors; one fishing a larger bait, one a smaller bait; and so forth. What will happen is you’ll start figuring out little patterns in the patterns. ...keep in mind that jerkbaits are incredibly versatile. Sure, they’re a great spring, fall and winter bait, but can perform in warm-water situations, too!

May 2016 45

46 - Hunting & Fishing News

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