Montana Hunting & Fishing News - November 2015 by Western Hunting & Fishing News

HUNTING & F Montana

November 2015

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2015 Elk Hunting Outlook

MFWP

T hese are good times for elk hunters as Montana elk populations continue to be strong across most of the state.

In some areas of western Montana, where populations have declined, wildlife biologists have recently observed increased recruitment of calves. In many hunting districts, however, access to private lands can be difficult, which can affect hunting success given landownership patterns and distribution of elk. ...The general, five-week long, elk-hunting season runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 29. Even if you didn’t draw a special permit this year, remember Montana offers numerous opportunities to hunt for elk with just a general hunting license. Depending on the hunting district regulations hunters can pursue brow-tined bull elk, spike bull elk, either-sex elk, or antlerless elk. For more information on elk hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov, click “Hunting” then click Plan Your Hunt. FWP wildlife biologists and game wardens will be operating hunter check-stations throughout the state to collect biological information and ensure regulations are followed. All hunters are required to stop at check stations. Here’s a regional rundown on what elk hunters can expect this season.

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Region 1—Northwestern Montana

Several mild winters have helped with elk calf survival and recruitment. Elk populations in many areas in northwestern Montana, where steep terrain and heavy forest cover pose considerable challenges to hunters, are stable to increasing. Elk numbers in “backcountry” hunting districts 150 and 151 appear to be holding steady. Elk numbers in the lower Clark Fork area, the region’s best elk producer, continue recent favorable trends with good calf numbers recorded during spring surveys and should provide good hunting opportunities for the 2015 season.

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Region 2—Western Montana

Elk numbers are generally above the long-term average, with notably lower levels on public lands located west of Missoula and south through the Bitterroot Mountains. A special permit is required to hunt bull elk in hunting districts 250 and 270, the Upper Bitterroot, to allow bull numbers to rebound, and in the northwest quarter of hunting district 212 to help encourage elk to redistribute from private ranches to public land. The boundaries between hunting districts 240, 250 and 270 were changed in 2014 to reﬂect elk movement patterns documented in the Bitterroot Elk Study. (continued next page)

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2015 Elk Hunting Outlook

(continued from page 5)

Region 3—Southwestern Montana

Hunting opportunities are good for those interested in hunting away from open roads with better opportunities in the Gravelly Elk Management Unit (hunting districts 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 330) versus the Tobacco Root EMU (hunting districts 320 and 333). In those areas, hunting near roads will produce hit and miss harvest opportunities and hunter congestion, especially during the first two full weeks of the general riﬂe season, should be expected. This will undoubtedly be the case in the upper Ruby and Blacktail portions of the Gravelly EMU. Both elk management units experienced a 30-percent gain in hunter-participation during the 2014 seasons relative to 2009-2013. Snowfall will play a significant role in harvest success. Meanwhile, elk populations are stable in the Helena area with higher elk counts reported for some areas this past winter. In the Highlands, Whitetail and Bull mountains, elk are slightly above the population average, hence the nine-day cow season. In the Dillon area, populations are increasing following two mild winters and good summer growing conditions. Hunters should anticipate high hunting pressure during the first two weeks of the season. Elk are above objective in the Bridgers, and within objective in the upper Madison, Spanish Peaks, and lower Gallatin. Elk numbers are below objective in the upper Gallatin Canyon and portions of the Madison. Elk numbers are mixed in the Shields (hunting district 393), and the district is almost entirely private land and it can be difficult to obtain access. Hunters need to be grizzly bear aware across all of southwestern Montana.

Region 4—Central Montana

Elk populations are in fine shape. The challenge for hunters in areas along the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or in the Missouri River Breaks will be obtaining access.

Region 5 — South Central Montana

Elk numbers along the Beartooth Face and in the Crazy Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Bull Mountains and southeastern Belt Mountains remain near all-time highs. Surveys show a trend toward more elk and a higher ratio of bulls in half of the areas counted this spring. Most elk in south central Montana are restricted to private land where access is difficult. Hunters throughout much of the region continue to enjoy liberal elk hunting regulations, which likely will mean a harvest similar to last year’s record numbers.

Region 6—Northeastern Montana

Elk numbers remain at or above management objectives in most hunting districts. All elk hunting in the Bears Paw Mountains and the Missouri River Breaks is by special permits awarded via the annual drawing. Elk in these areas are most often found in core-habitat areas a mile or more from active roads and other human activity. Elk densities are lower in the general-season hunting area north of U.S. Highway 2.

Region 7—Southeastern Montana

When hunters think of classic elk hunting country, the plains of southeastern Montana seldom come to mind. And yet there is the region’s storied Missouri Breaks, where elk numbers continue to increase beyond FWP’s management objectives in all hunting districts. Outside of the Missouri Breaks and the Custer National Forest, elk are primarily found on private land where public hunting access is limited. While special-permit only opportunities can be found in hunting district 700 for either-sex and antlerless elk, there is general license hunting for either-sex elk in hunting districts 701 and 703. Also, in hunting districts 702, 704 and 705, there are either-sex opportunities by special permit and antlerless hunting within the Custer National Forest boundaries by special permit only. Outside forest boundaries antlerless elk can be hunted on a general license. 6 - Hunting & Fishing News

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huntingfishingnews@yahoo.com www.huntingfishingnews.net The entire contents is © 2015, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without prior consent. The material and information printed is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. Nor does the printed material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. All photo & editorial submissions become the property of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. to use or not use at their discretion. Volume 12 Issue 9 cover photo: ©Twildlife|dreamstime.com

Please support the advertisers you see in this publication and let them know you saw their advertisement in the Hunting & Fishing News. Their support allows us to bring you this publication each month. Thank you and thanks for reading the Hunting & Fishing News. 8 - Hunting & Fishing News

SUCCESS IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE SEASON By Mark Kayser

pening day is in the review mirror and even the “objects are closer than they appear” warning won’t help you now. The closing days of the season have definite drawbacks. For starters, there are fewer mature deer in the inventory. You can’t argue with that fact as your buddies share their success images on waves of overwhelming social media feeds. The second drawback is the reality of paranoid bucks. Wouldn’t you be a bit apprehensive to daylight activity after approximately a month of being pursued and possibly even the target of whizzing bullets? Finally, your personal enthusiasm is likely at its lowest. If you’ve been working the weekend warrior angle to get a buck the grind takes its toll. Add in the fact the holidays are fast approaching, including the family favorite of Thanksgiving, and it’s just as easy to skip the last days of the season as opposed to diving in head first. If you plan on skipping that last drumstick on bird day then you’ll need a plan to wrap your tag around a buck before the Christmas shopping season kicks off. Western Montana deer hunters have their work cut out for them, especially public land hunters. The West offers more than enough hideouts. Just study the history of any Old West outlaw gang to verify that statement. To zero in on Western whitetails, determine where they thrive. Most Western whitetails flourish along rivers, creeks and in pine-covered slopes at elevations below 8,000 feet. There are exceptions, but for the most part, locate agricultural beltways through Western real estate and you’ll discover whitetails staking a claim across the West. Now move up to the second floor unless you have permission to hunt deeded properties in the valleys. Even whitetails living in refuge settings on valley floors roam to adjacent public forest lands. You can scout for deer traveling away from private lands to public forests by glassing from county roads down low. You may get a nasty look from time to time as you poke your spotting scope out of the window, but as long as you are just looking and not trespassing, don’t worry. Note preferred travel routes and then circumnavigate the private lands to take a stand above. Be aware of thermals and look for any openings paralleling main travel routes from lowlands to timber security. Western mule deer hunters need to follow weather reports and research past migration routes. Late in November extreme weather has the ability to push deer into your riflescope, but you can’t haphazardly pick any mountain to hunt.

Once you know preferred winter range that attracts dozens or more of mule deer, backtrack up the mountain and look for funnels in the form of narrow canyons, cliffs and south-facing slopes. These areas create chimney trails that push deer into areas where they might expose themselves. Keep the distance rule in mind and push beyond the one-mile mark to get away from the average trailhead user. Hunting in and around recent burns is a bonus to locate a late-season mule deer buck following does to greener pastures. Eastern Montana bucks under pressure have a worthy ally; the Big Sky Country that makes up so much of the state’s central and eastern core. Although you’ll want to scout for rugged badlands, remote BLM parcels and even state lands with legal access that adjoins expansive private holdings, keep an eye on the seemingly open spaces that are easily overlooked. Every prairie critter thrives in this environment and the tall grasses provide sanctuary for tight-sitting, pressured bucks in the waning days of the season. Watch these oceans of grass at sunrise to spot bucks sneaking back to grassland bedrooms and when they bed, mark the spot and pray for wind to cover your stalk. Several years ago I spotted a 140-class whitetail buck sneaking into a grassy valley and I followed along once the buck dropped into a depression. Taking a high perch, I watched the valley for three hours until the buck rose, stretched and proceeded to dog a doe to within 200 yards of my location. My Hornady Superformance load broke the prairie silence for a successful hunt on a buck that was overlooked by every hunter in the area. I’ve played that cat and mouse game more than once. The wait may be long, but the antler dividends make up for the sore butt. A final location you should always check in the closing days is the best food source in the county. Whether you hunt the northwest or southeast, be aware of prime food sources. These will be dead giveaways due to the amount of deer stacking up on them at dusk and dawn. Food lures in late-season bucks for two reasons. First, bucks are at their lowest weight having lost up to 25 percent of their body weight to rutting activities. They know they need to pack on the pounds before the next big blizzard. Bucks also are still thinking of breeding and as more and more does come together, both species of bucks know it’s the place to look for a final love ﬂing. You’ve heard of the phrase “coming out of the woodwork?” This is what mature bucks often do in the late season as hunger and lust force them into making an appearance. One of my finest Montana whitetails was shot on closing weekend. I gave up the gravy and glassed instead. The area was empty of hunters and I couldn’t believe my luck in spotting a brazen buck wandering for a doe at midday. The closing hours of the season didn’t disappoint. ©Twildlife|dreamstime.com

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2015 Deer Hunting Outlook

MFWP

Here’s a regional rundown on what deer hunters can expect this season.

Region 1—Northwestern Montana

H unters who witnessed a drop in mule deer numbers in many areas of Montana a few years ago will see improving

populations this year as favorable weather and habitat conditions kicked in in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, in many areas of the state, fawn recruitment has been excellent and populations are doing well. Even if you didn’t draw a special permit this year, remember Montana offers numerous opportunities to hunt for deer with just a general hunting license. ...The general deer season opens Oct. 24 and ends Nov. 29. FWP wildlife biologists and game wardens will be operating hunter check-stations throughout the state to collect biological information and ensure regulations are followed. All hunters are required to stop at check stations. For more information on Montana’s five-week long general deer hunting season, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov, click “Hunting” then click Plan Your Hunt. 10 - Hunting & Fishing News

Mule deer populations remain low, but among those hunters willing to put in the time and effort, it’s clearly possible to still harvest a mature “trophy class” buck in some remote areas. It’s a different story entirely for white-tailed deer. Region-wide hunters can expect to find more white-tailed deer and an increase in the number of bucks 3 years old and older, as populations continue to rebound from severe winter mortality in 2007 and 2008. Fawn recruitment is good for the fifth straight year. Limited doe hunting opportunity is still in place in most hunting districts, with the exception of hunting district 170 where hunters are encouraged to carefully review regulations for weapon restriction areas.

Region 2—Western Montana

White-tailed deer are common and numbers remain stable to increasing across most of the region, but mule deer numbers still remain low. FWP has restricted hunting opportunities for antlerless deer to speed population increases in both species. Hunting for white-tailed bucks should continue to improve overall. Hunting for mule deer bucks is by permit-only in many hunting districts.

Region 3 - Southwestern Montana

In response to two consecutive productive growing seasons and mild winters, mule deer populations are growing rapidly across many parts of the region. Therefore, hunters should expect to see a few more mule deer than last year. In the central part of the region (North Gallatin, East Madison, and Bridgers), mule deer numbers continue to increase from low points in 2010-2011. Mule deer populations are stable to increasing in the Helena area. In the Dillon area, mule deer are generally increasing under favorable environmental conditions the past two years. Be aware there are a number of districts including 300 (Lima Peaks), 302 (Tendoys) and 380 that have a special permit requirement for mule deer; it’s the hunter’s responsibility to know the regulations. Mule deer numbers are slightly up throughout Park County. White-tailed deer numbers appear to be generally stable in the Townsend and Park County areas. And in the Jefferson and Ruby valleys, spring surveys showed an increase of 79 percent and 173 percent respectively, relative to 2014. This growth can be attributed to healthy recruitment and reduced antlerless harvest opportunities.

Region 4—Central Montana Mule deer populations are starting to increase but are still below long-term averages.

White-tailed deer numbers continue to increase, too. After the decline of white-tailed deer in some areas due to EHD—or epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a viral infection carried by a biting midge but that’s harmless to humans—there’s been good white-tailed deer production this year and the recovery continues.

Region 5 — South Central Montana

White-tailed deer numbers at lower elevations and north of the Yellowstone River appear to be recovering from a 2014 disease outbreak that thinned the herds. Closer to the mountains, numbers remain reasonably strong. Whitetail buck harvest opportunities likely will be similar to last year, while antlerless harvest will remain below average for another year with fewer B-tags issued and conservative management in place. Mule deer numbers throughout south central Montana are stable or up slightly from last year, though they remain well below the long-term average. With conservative hunting regulations in place, hunter harvest likely will be similar to last year.

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406-562-3553 e-mail: birds@shocoranch.com Region 6—Northeastern Montana Mule deer numbers are at or above long term averages in the eastern half of the region and at or below long term averages in the western half. In general, mule deer hunters can expect to see more mule deer as compared to recent years. White-tailed deer numbers have continued to lag behind mule deer due to EHD outbreaks in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Nonetheless, very good fawn numbers for both white-tailed deer and mule deer have been observed across the region this summer. Region 7—Southeastern Montana Spring trend surveys show that mule deer populations are up a healthy 20 percent from last year and are currently 16 percent above the long-term-average. Overwinter survival last year was good, and fawn recruitment this spring was excellent—65 yearlings per 100 adults. Buck ratios are high at 37 bucks per 100 does but there are a lot of young bucks in the population. That’s characteristic of a population undergoing rapid population growth. The mule deer population here is comprised of primarily young, reproductively fit animals. While deer numbers have generally increased region wide, numbers remain below long-term averages in hunting districts 701 and 702. Last year white-tailed deer caught a break from EHD, with all outbreaks localized in scale and small in magnitude. Whitetail numbers can rebound rapidly from declines, and populations in most parts of the region are recovering well from past EHD outbreaks. Populations continue to be variable throughout the region, however, with numbers ranging from below-average to very high at the local scale. Hunters who do their homework by scouting and visiting with private landowners should have success locating good areas to hunt whitetails. Good hunting.

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ILindy t’s still an eternity away, but ice fishermen need to start preparing for hard water right now, Fishing Tackle Brand Manager Gregg Thorne said. Thorne is a former bait shop owner,

rod builder and well-respected authority on Minnesota and Midwest fishing. “You know the saying, an organized angler is a happy angler,” Thorne said. “It’s really important to start preparing and organizing everything now, so you’ll be ready when the hard water arrives.” Thorne speaks from experience. Over the years, he’s had all of these miscues hamper his early season fishing trips. “No. 1, check your gear,” Thorne said. “Start going through it now. Make a checklist so you won’t overlook something.” Thorne’s checklist starts with checking his auger. Sharpen the blade or, if needed, buy a new one. Do it now, because once the ice is thick you might not be able to find one in the stores. Clean the carburetor, which can get gummed up as the auger sat unattended all spring and summer. “I’d say 95 percent of the time when an auger won’t start it’s because of the carburetor,” Thorne said. Batteries for lights, cameras and ice houses need to be checked as well. Thorne also says it’s important to check ice shacks or tents for damage. “Mold and mice seem to be the most common damage you’ll see after they’ve sat in a garage or barn all summer,” Thorne said. “You don’t want to pull it out the day before you’re going out on the ice and see mold all over it.” Rods and reels are next on the list. Thorne said fishermen often leave the drag cranked up too tight all summer, which can damage the reel’s clutch. Sometimes the reel can be salvaged by taking it apart, cleaning it out and then re-lubing all the parts, but other times you just have to bite the bullet and replace it. Then, it’s time to focus on your tackle box. “You want to kick out the old stuff and stock up on the new,” Thorne said. “The new Lindy Perch Talker, the 360 Jig, the emerald shiner Rattl’n Flyer, and the Tungsten Toad are always going to be in my tackle box. So I’m going to make sure I’ve got all the right colors and accessories for fishing them. “Take care of your preparations now and you’ll be ready for a great ice season.” - See more at: www.lindyfishingtackle.com 12 - Hunting & Fishing News

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Fall Chinook Runs Are Booming, But Overlooked By Many Anglers By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist, IDFG

ig fish, and lots of them. What’s not to like? When it comes to Idaho’s fall chinook, the answer is not as simple as you might think, but the fall chinook are in Idaho in near-record numbers and anglers are catching them. “The runs have gotten progressively better, and so has the fishing,” chinook angler and Idaho Power fish biologist Stuart Rosenberger said. More than 53,000 fall chinook have already crossed Lower Granite Dam and entered Idaho, which is the third-largest run on record since counting at the dam started in 1975. It’s about 4,000 fish shy of the second-best run in 2013 and more are arriving. Fall chinook are big because they spend longer in the ocean than their spring and summer-run cousins. According to Joe DuPont, Clearwater Regional Fisheries Manager, most fall chinook spend three years in the ocean, and lots are in the 15-to-20-pound range, and some exceed 50 pounds. DuPont suspects Idaho’s 54-pound, state-record chinook that has stood since 1956 could be broken by a lucky angler who catches a super-sized fall chinook.

While fall chinook runs have dramatically improved over the last decade, and fishing for them is growing in popularity, it’s still an overlooked fishing opportunity. Part of the reason is because the peak season is much shorter than it is for spring and summer chinook. 14 - Hunting & Fishing News

Many people fish for salmon because they are excellent to eat, so that’s a major attraction. As salmon get closer to spawning, their table quality declines. Chinook arriving in Idaho during spring and summer stay in good condition for weeks, but fall chinook arrive almost ready to spawn, so there’s a shorter window when they’re in the best shape and good to eat. Catching a fall chinook you can harvest is another challenge. Only about a third of the returning fall chinook are available for harvest by sport anglers because they can only keep those with the adipose fin clipped. The ratio of clipped to unclipped fish is much lower than spring or summer fish. The numbers of clipped and unclipped fish released are specified in a management agreement negotiated among the states, tribes and federal Stuart Rosenberger with fall chinook agencies in the Columbia basin. Photo courtesy IF&G The clip rates were developed in part to ensure sufficient numbers of fish remained in the system to supplement and rebuild the wild population. But fewer “keepers” doesn’t mean you should ignore fall chinook fishing. There are many things that make it attractive. Fall chinook start arriving in Idaho in mid-to-late August, and the peak run crosses Lower Granite Dam in mid-September. The tail end of the run usually crosses Lower Granite during late October or early November... “It’s a nice, easy fishery,” Rosenberger said. He describes fishing for fall chinook in the lower Snake River as a lot like fishing for kokanee salmon in Idaho’s reservoirs. His favorite method is trolling a large ﬂasher trailed by a “Brad’s Super Bait” filled with canned tuna. He uses a downrigger and usually trolls within 5 feet of the bottom unless he sees fish on his fish finder suspended in mid water. “The fishing is pretty basic,” he said. “If you know how to operate a downrigger, that’s about all you need for this fishery.” Rosenberger uses about 10 different colored plugs, and he said colors that fall chinook prefer seem to change from year to year... Anglers may have to land a number of fish to find that elusive keeper, but they’re sure to have fun catching these large, hard-fighting fish that are fresh from the ocean. While September is prime in the Lewiston area, most of the chinook keep moving up the Snake River, which means anglers can catch them anywhere in the river system below Hells Canyon Dam. As fish move farther upstream, anglers tend to shift their methods and tactics similar to those used for spring chinook in the Clearwater and Main Salmon rivers. They catch them by backtrolling plugs, or side drifting with bait and/or yarn. Rosenberger recommends “Kwikfish” or similar deep-diving plugs wrapped with sardines or herring fillets and fished in the deep holes... Chinook to tend hang closer to the bottom, and they also like deep holes. Deep-diving plugs will get you down to them, and you might also hook a steelhead, so incidental catching works both ways...

Idaho resumed fall chinook fishing in 2008 after it had been closed for decades, and runs have sky rocketed since then. The last three years have produced the largest fall chinook runs since 1975, which is the year Lower Granite Dam was completed. During the last five years, the fall runs averaged 45,800 fish, which is 2 ½ times more than the previous five-year average. But that’s only part of the story behind their meteoric rise. Fall chinook were listed under the endangered species act in 1992, and during the 1990s, the average annual return was only 1,300 fish. Like Idaho’s sockeye salmon, hatcheries were largely responsible for the return of Idaho’s fall chinook. Fish and Game is in partnership with Idaho Power, the Nez Perce Tribe, and Oregon and Washington on fall chinook recovery.

Weather Keeps Hunter Numbers, Antelope Harvest Low MFWP

BILLINGS — Hot temperatures on Saturday and high winds on Sunday made for difficult hunting conditions in south central Montana during the opening weekend of the 2015 general antelope season. As a result, the number of hunters in the field and antelope harvested were lower than the long-term average and, in some instances, lower than last year. Big Timber At Big Timber, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists checked 246 hunters with 144 harvested antelope. Last year 322 hunters checked 155 antelope. Over the past 10 years, an average of 256 hunters have checked 157 antelope at Big Timber. FWP wildlife biologist Justin Paugh said hunters reported seeing more antelope in the field than in the past few years – particularly more 1.5-year-old animals, which indicates better fawn survival... Broadview At Broadview, FWP checked 205 hunters with 58 antelope. The number of animals harvested was identical to the past two years while hunter numbers were up from 196 in 2014. Over the past 25 years, an average of 253 hunters with 170 harvested antelope have stopped at FWP’s Broadview check station on the opening weekend of the riﬂe season. FWP wildlife biologist Ashley Taylor said 71 percent of the harvested antelope checked at Broadview were mature bucks – up from a long-term average of 63 percent. Hunters who stopped at Broadview reported seeing more antelope, including more fawns, than in the past several years, Taylor said... Billings At Billings, FWP checked 52 antelope from 105 antelope hunters...Last year 156 hunters stopped at Billings with 37 harvested antelope on the opening weekend of antelope riﬂe season. The total of 192 hunters was 61 percent of the long-term average while the 52 antelope checked over the weekend constituted less than a third of average...The number of harvested antelope was 40 percent above last year and the most checked at Billings since 2010... November 2015 15

How One Deer Can Change Your Life Originally published at

www.gohunt.com

n a blink of an eye a deer can change your life. For Brett Ross, this opportunity came at random on October 18 of 2014 during a cow elk hunt in Colorado. Brett was hunting for meat and happened to have a mule deer tag in his pocket, when he ended up taking one of the largest mule deer bucks of all time — solidifying his name in the hunting world. Some people would take the fame and run with it, but others, like Brett realize that this deer is worth more than money. For Brett, hunting is a family tradition, and each year they head into the mountains in search of game.

Photo Courtesy goHUNT

Brett’s family have never been trophy hunters, but instead they are opportunistic hunters who are just as happy filling the freezer with elk meat rather than searching for large- antlered game. Hunting is a passion and a tradition for each member of the family.

Brett Ross with his 300” Colorado Buck Photo Courtesy goHUNT

Some years, they might have full freezers and other years, they might go home empty handed. In the end, hunting is about time spent with family and friends. The hunt where he took the giant 300” Colorado deer was something out of a dream. Brett had a camp full of great friends and family on this hunt. He was hunting the same general mountainside that his dad has hunted on for over 40 years. With the thrills of opening weekend finally upon them, Brett and his fiancee split off from the group and spent the morning hiking around a very familiar part of the mountain. The morning came and went and everyone arrived back at camp for some lunch. (continued on page 42) 16 - Hunting & Fishing News

Ramping Up

FOR THE RUT By Babe Winkelman www.winkelman.com

T he word “rut” will get any deer hunters’ blood pumping

Kris Winkelman with Montana mule deer and with the rut rapidly approaching, skyrocketing anticipation of a true trophy whitetail to present himself is upon each and every one of us. While gold and crimson leaves continue falling and temperatures plunge downward, a whitetails activity and testosterone levels are on the rise. The period just prior to peak breeding is known as the seeking and chasing phase, which is a dynamite time to be in the stand as many of you know, as bucks have high hopes of seeking out a doe to reproduce during this time.

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Bucks will navigate trail after trail to locate doe groups. With this increased travel bucks tend to let their guard down as does are on their mind, which in turn makes them disregard possible dangers in the woods. Although mature bucks will be a little more careful than a young buck, traveling routes with more cover. These bucks are waiting for does to enter their estrous cycle, which typically does not happen instantly, leaving the bucks frustrated. To alleviate this frustration, bucks will create rubs and scrapes along with urinating in multiple areas in hopes of peaking a does’ curiosity. Along with peaking the interest of a doe, bucks will begin to show their dominance by chasing off other bucks that are seen as threats. With the increased buck activity you need to be in the woods during this time. Here are two tactics I like to implement when the rut is ramping up. Making Some Noise With bucks cruising around for does and their will to show their dominance, bucks are much more receptive to the use of calls I have found. Do not be afraid to let out aggressive grunts paired

with a snort wheeze to lure that buck into shooting position. Or use a series of grunts combined with a doe bleat to make a buck go crazy. This particular calling combination is meant

to replicate the the sounds of a buck chasing a hot doe, making it an extremely valuable calling strategy while hunting the rut.

Another type of calling that can help you be successful is rattling.

With their driving will to reproduce, bucks will show their dominance by fighting or challenging another buck to a fight. This means they are more susceptible to the use of rattling as they want to ward off any threats. It is important to remember that calling does have its limitations and other factors like buck to doe ratios can affect the effectiveness of calling. Sometimes calling should be used more sparingly but do not be afraid to use this tool as a testosterone filled buck at times can not resist, giving you that perfect moment of opportunity. Scent Success The second tactic I like to implement is the use of scents such as Wildlife Research Centers Special Golden Estrus. Many of you know that a whitetail has a very profound sense of smell. So why not use the advantage of powerful scents to lure that trophy buck into your hunting area. I dip my quik-wiks in Special Golden Estrus, strategically placing them in my shooting windows. Paired with the scented quik-wiks, I like to use a dragline doused in Special Golden Estrus to create a “hot” trail a cruising buck might sniff out. So implement scents into your rut plan, giving you the upper hand in drawing a buck into shooting distance. Although I only discussed two helpful tactics, many other things need to be taken into consideration when hunting the rut. Things like stand placement, human scent control, probable bedding areas, and travel routes need to be looked at in depth. You have to continue to hunt smart but more importantly get out there and give yourself one of the best opportunities to harvest a true trophy. Good Hunting.

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November 2015 17

The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes sponsor

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Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays are Competitive Mack Days with lottery, prizes, tagged fish, and bonuses. Pick your 15/24 best days Friday-Sunday to count for the lottery, bonus, top angler, and other prizes.

NEW: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday will be bonus days and tagged fish only—45 total days

NO ENTRY FEE FISH FRY FOR PARTICIPANTS & FAMILIES Nov. 15th at Blue Bay 3:00 Awards Ceremony at 4:00 Up To $

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(1)-$10,000 & (2) $5,000 & (5) $1000 + over 5,000 $100 to $500 tagged lake trout Lottery Prizes-25 prizes will be awarded Top Ten - 15/24 days. Bonuses - 11 or more lake trout & you begin getting the bonus $

Top ten angler prizes $700-$200-best 15/24-days count last day is separate Every 10 entries gives anglers a special ticket for a Yeti Cooler-Tundra 65 drawing Captains $250-(4 prizes), Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes), Largest lake trout-$500 Top lady anglers $300, $200, $100 - $100-totals used Youth anglers - (17-13) 1st-$200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 will also be entered in the lottery drawing Weekend Prizes-$300 and $200 will be announced each week Golden Angler Award (70 & older) $200 & $100 3 days of Single/Team-heaviest 4-fish 10/9-Friday, 10/24 Saturday and 11/8-Sunday Last Day: $300, $200, $100

BONUSES: ALL ANGLERS WHO ENTER 10 OR MORE LAKE TROUT WIN.

The higher your total is at the end of the event-the higher your bonus-every day (24) counts.

Pick your 15 best days to count for the lottery & top angler prizes. The last day is separate.

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.

We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $12 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.

Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 18 - Hunting & Fishing News

Night Shift Walleye Looking to catch more walleye this winter? Work the grave yard shift on many bodies of water. By Jason Mitchell

www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com

N ot all bodies of water offer solid after dark fishing opportunities for walleye but there are so many notable fisheries where we have

traditionally caught the majority of fish or sometimes the largest fish long after the witching hour when the sun sinks into the horizon. On many bodies of water, the best walleye fishing happens after dark. From Montana’s Fort Peck Reservoir to the Finger Lakes of New York with a long list of fisheries in between these two destinations, the night shift is where it is at for catching walleye through the ice. I cut my teeth with after dark walleye fishing on the east end of Lake Sakakawea and nearby Lake Audubon, both large impoundments created by the damming of the Missouri River in western North Dakota. Each of these two lakes offered their own personalities despite the close proximity. We often caught eighty percent of our

fish on Sakakawea for example during a window that occurred between one and two hours after dark.

On nearby Lake Audubon, the fish would often bite sporadically all night long with action that could keep us moving all through the night. I have been on Red Lake and Mille Lacs Lake several times where the best action occurred between midnight and four in the morning. Most fish that get caught during the dark of night often get caught in hard-sided fish houses with rattle reels. I have always loved the possibility of catching a fish while I slept. Rattle reels combined with live bait is a simple and effective presentation that no doubt works but you can dramatically see an uptick in your vampire walleye game with a little bit of hustle.

Tip ups can be an important tool for after dark walleye missions. Think of tip ups as not only a very effective fish catching device that you can use to cover a location but also your walleye radar. By covering a spot with tip ups, you know when and where fish move up on a particular location. Always been a big fan of the

classic Beaver Dam design, opting for the heavier twenty or thirty pound Dacron for the primary line as the larger diameter rolls off the spool nicer with less resistance. Below the Dacron, I typically attach a small barrel swivel and a leader of ten-pound ﬂuorocarbon. I have used small trebles and multiple treble quick strike rigs that used multiple hooks with some success but have really started to favor a single kahl style hook as the larger gap seems to keep larger chubs and minnows hooked up longer versus the smaller gaps found on small treble hooks.

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Big strong minnows are the ticket where we have often used minnows as long as seven inches, sometimes larger.

The challenge with the larger minnows is that you have to keep them in the strike zone. If you anchor the minnow down with too much lead in the form of a rubber core sinker or split shot, the tip up is more apt to trip from the minnow and than you have to use a heavier trip setting. What I like to do is use the bare minimum to keep the minnow near the bottom and pinch off much of the fin on the tail so that the minnow can still swim but doesn’t have as much horsepower to swim out of the strike zone. Another thing I like to do is take some electrical tape and wrap some tape around where the line guide is attached to the rod next to the spool so that the minnow can’t swim off line by rolling the line guide around the spool. Big minnows can peel off a lot of line without ever tripping the ﬂag by just swimming in a big circle counter to the direction that the line is spooled on the tip up.

Jigging lures has caught a lot of fish for me after dark and can be much more explosive than tip ups with the number of fish you can catch in a very small window of time. While you can jig all night long if you want to, a top strategy is to let the tip ups tell you where and when to jig. When ﬂags start to pop in an area, bounce around and jig open holes. This classic one-two punch combines two complimentary but drastically different styles of presentations and optimizes each. When it comes to jigging walleyes after dark, the best color I have found bar none is glow in the dark. Since we started using some of the first phosphorescent jigging spoons over twenty five years ago, there is no doubt in my mind that we get bit more when using lures that glow when targeting fish after dark.

A new spoon that really opened my eyes this past season when testing some of the early prototypes is the new Clam Rattling Blade Spoon. This particular

spoon is unique because it features a pyrex-glass chamber that amplifies the noise much more than traditional brass. The BBs are stainless steel instead of lead so the BBs retain their circular shape better and offer a louder and more consistent rattle with less effort. I love rattle spoons and rattle baits for after dark walleyes and the glow paint used on the Clam Tackle is some of the best available in commercially made tackle. For really charging a glow in the dark lure, nothing I have found beats a UV light charger. The glow lasts longer and is much brighter.

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If most of the fish come through from one to two feet off the bottom, don’t be afraid to work the water column say four to five feet above. This zone is often the big fish zone particularly after dark.

Bite indicators, hole covers and tip up lights are also great tools for the after dark walleye angler. While tip ups require some patience, don’t get complacent. Check baits, clean holes and move tip ups around… stay active with the tip ups until they start to fire. When a school of fish comes through, pick up a jigging rod and go to work. This tip up first, jig rod second component of the strategy seems to make my after dark fishing more successful. Typically, when fish move up on reefs and other structure after dark, they do so to eat. Can’t tell you how many times, seemingly one fish would hit every tip up until we eventually caught it… I dare say that because after about the fourth ﬂag, we finally caught a fish that still had the minnows from other tip ups still in its mouth or gullet. We have also been blitzed where every single tip up would get hit in a short amount of time as a school of fish moves through. Flurries best describes the action where you can sit for an hour or two and than the dams break loose where there are fish ﬂopping all over the ice.

After dark walleye bites often offer solid opportunities and sometimes the best opportunities on many bodies of water for not only catching numbers of fish but also some of the biggest fish. You can realistically double or even triple the amount of fish you touch by working the graveyard shift on many bodies of water.

Another tip for jigging after dark is to work slightly higher than you would during the day.

November 2015 19

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

Photo courtesy Kit’s Tackle available at Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors

Hunting seasons are luring more

than a few Montana anglers off the water, or at least moving them into shallower marshes to chase waterfowl, but fine fishing awaits the die-hards who keep fishing on as we head into November. Good fishing isn’t limited around the Treasure State. For example reports are that Flathead Lake is producing some fine fishing days, especially for anglers who enjoy hooking up with a variety of game fish. The Gates of the Mountains up through Holter Lake is fishing well for a mix of big rainbow, browns, walleye and yellow perch. Many of the more fragile weeds have fallen in most lakes, making remaining stands of hearty plants more attractive to fish. The good fishing should hold up for another couple of weeks up until our first winter blast of the season. No matter where you live in the Rockies, fall opportunities are just a short cast away. Resist the temptation to pack away your open-water gear for just a bit longer, and you’ll be rewarded with some of Autumn’s best action.

Here are just a few of the many spots to fish this Autumn in Montana.

LAKE FRANCIS:

Lake Francis, near Valier is one of Montana’s go-to spots for anglers during the summer for walleye, yellow perch and rainbow trout. At times, anglers reported better catch rates than larger, well-known waters such as Fort Peck, Tiber Reservoir and Holter Lake. Through the fall, walleye will hit on crankbaits and slow drifted jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or leeches. The question is, will the walleye bite continue through ice-up? The “bite” depends partly on the forage base. The more food available, the more active the predation. Francis has a growing population of yellow perch, which are supporting a large, fishable population of walleye. Tactics: Trolled crankbaits will attract their share of walleye. Many weeds have broken loose, allowing good trolling for fish in the 12 to 20’ depth. On days when the wind is calm, anglers can drift small leadhead jigs baited with a piece of nightcrawler. Slip-bobbering will

also produce fish. The fish will slow down as the water temperatures cool. Look for pre-ice walleyes in deeper depths once this occurs. Two of the deeper spots in the lake are in front of the boat ramp on the Island and in the middle of the bay between the Island and the Lighthouse. In addition to walleye, expect good offerings of yellow perch (up to 12”). There are also a few lunker northern pike, but most are in the “handle” category. Feisty rainbow trout can be had here too. You may want to pack a shotgun, due to the exceptional pheasant, goose and duck hunting that surrounds the area.

FORT PECK LAKE: Fort Peck should stay ice-free until mid-January, which gives anglers a shot at trolling for the elusive lake trout that inhabit this big reservoir. Lake trout congregate during the spawn, so once you find them, stay on them.

Tactics: Trolling spoons in 20 to 25’ of water at the face of Fort Peck Dam or around Haxby Point are the normal go-to spots for heavy lakers. Jigs with cut bait or a minnow can be used once you’ve found the school. These are very fun fish for the sport angler to go after, as they will put up a good fight before you can put one in the net. Fish between 8 to 15 lbs. are good ones to catch and release for breeding stock. You can also change things up and fish for northerns, walleye and perch here. Pulling crankbaits works well.

LOWER BIGHORN RIVER:

In Southeast Montana, many will be chasing big bucks that roam the foothills of Eastern Montana. If you’re

one of those, don’t forget about the magnificent rainbow and brown trout fishing going on now along the rivers that inhabit this country, specifically, the Bighorn River. Gritty anglers that don’t mind the elements have plenty of opportunity to catch hogs in the middle of the day after a morning hunt. Tactics: Midges and San Juan worms, best fished in a dead drift on the slower water will produce heavy trout. 17 to 20” trout are normal on this fine river during the late fall and early winter months.

HELENA AREA LAKES:

Some of Montana’s biggest trout live in waters that benefit from a food chain enriched by calcium carbonate dissolved when cold spring waters percolate through limestone bedrock. Among the best examples of this are in reservoirs like Canyon Ferry and Holter. They produce abundant insects and prey fish that fatten up a heavy population of rainbow trout. Tactics: A jig/nightcrawler combo or bottom bouncers work well for rainbow trout, brown trout, and walleye or yellow perch that are also in these systems. Slow your retrieve down now, as the water temperatures cool. Top water ﬂy fishing will also crank out the big ones now. Let the big browns back, as they will be moving to deeper water to spawn. This will help to produce more extraordinary fishing for the future. Enjoy the fall and good fishing.

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But cool weather will override the moon any year. The more cold weather and rain and/or snow we get this fall, the better the hunting will be during any moon phase. The 2015 moon phases that line up with the 2015 rut are: Full, October 27… Last Quarter, November 3…Dark/New…November 11…First Quarter, November 19.

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BIG DEER Moon & Rut Hunting Guide 2015 By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com

October 27: Full Moon “I don’t like it when the full moon is in late October, things just don’t seem to time out right with the rut,” Mark said.... Like Mark, I prefer a full moon that occurs the first week of November because it exposes the seeking phase of the rut. While this full moon is a bit early, I’ll take it. For the last 7 years Mark and I have texted back and forth from tree stands across America, talking about the rut and what we’re seeing. Our moon theory keeps building momentum: more mature bucks move well and are shot around the full moon in the rut each fall than during any other phase. “No doubt there is a correlation,” Mark says adamantly. Marcus Lashley, a scientist who did a moon study for NC State a few years ago, backs us up, at least somewhat. “A common misconception is that deer can see better at night (and hence move all over the place) because it’s brighter,” he said. “But according to our data they

actually move less on average at night during a full moon and more during the middle of the day, and also earlier in the evenings,” he says.

Therefore, they are more visible and more bucks are seen and shot. One twist this year with the early full moon—Drury expects the buck movement and hunting to be best in the mornings during the last week of October, when the faint moon still hangs in the sky. November 3: Last-Quarter Moon You can never go wrong taking off the first 10 days of November any year, and push your vacay into second week if you can. Some big bucks will be on the prowl for sure. The record books show that more giants have been shot November 7-12 than any other days. Drury says, “The hunting will be good, but I expect shorter periods of buck movement with the moon moving toward dark. Thirty minutes at first and last light will be prime, so get to your stand early and be ready.” Once again the NC State moon study backs us up, at least partially. “If you are going to hunt the last hour of the day anytime this season, you should do it on the last quarter moon because that was the most extreme deer movement we saw during the whole study,” the researchers reported. November 11: New Moon Whitetails are crepuscular, which means they are active mostly at dawn and dusk, regardless of the moon phase. That never changes, but the intensity of deer movement in each moon phase does change, a little to a lot.

rom Kansas to Virginia to Canada, 95 percent of adult does will come into estrous and be bred from roughly November 5-20, regardless of moon phase, or weather for that matter. That is the case every year. So take off anytime from Halloween through Thanksgiving, and you’ll hunt deer in some throes of the rut. And anytime you hunt rutting deer you have the potential to shoot a good buck. But I do believe that some days and weeks are better than others to take your hunt vacation according to the various phases of the “rutting moon” in late October and November. A lot of people are moon skeptics, but not me. There are a lot of variables to moon phase and deer movement, but there is something to it. As I put together my BIG DEER moon predictions each year, I call up my friend Mark Drury, the big buck hunter and Outdoor Channel personality, who is as obsessed with the moon as I am. We talked it over yesterday and Mark didn’t waste any time saying, “I don’t like how the moon phases are lining up this year. I think it could be a tough season, especially if we have a warm fall.” 22 - Hunting & Fishing News

As we roll into the dark moon, Mark and I expect the trend of last week to hold—first and last 30 minutes of the day will be best. But keep this in mind. NC State researchers found that during any new moon, “we saw a large peak of movement at daylight, and below average movement the rest of the day and night.” How I see it: If you hunt November 3 through November 15, prime rut time, you ought to hunt all day every day, because you never know when you’ll catch a big buck up and moving. But expect bucks to be most active and visible at daylight. Get on stand extra early and hunt the mornings extra hard. November 19: First-Quarter Moon The NC State study found that during the first-quarter moon, deer move less on average throughout the day than in all the other phases. The researchers said,”That would be a good seven days to work.” Too, by now most gun seasons have started and deer have been pressured hard. Still, this is a time around Thanksgiving when many people get together to hunt, or get a few days off to hunt. Don’t worry about the moon. Go out and have fun. Spend as many hours in the woods as you can. Big bucks will be skittish and nocturnal, but you never know when another guy will push a buck out of cover and into your sights, and make your season.

November 2015 23

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Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. Not all dealers carry all products. Consult your local Yellow Pages. © 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. www.powerequipment.honda.com 24 - Hunting & Fishing News

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HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS

Conservation Funding to Place Elk Habitat in Public’s Hands RMEF A recent distribution from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will allow the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to carry out the

planned transfer of three properties to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The U.S. Department of Interior announced the distribution of $42 million in LWCF funding to all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia to promote outdoor recreation and conservation. Of that amount, $2 million was allocated to the BLM for Sportsman/ Recreational Access projects which then selected the RMEF projects as well as a few others. “We are thrilled over the release of this vital and much-needed LWCF funding,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands and Conservation. “RMEF already worked with our partners to permanently protect two of the three tracts of important elk habitat in three different states and now we are able to convey them to the public for hunters and others to access and enjoy.” One of the projects is in southeast Idaho and is surrounded by BLM and Idaho Department of Fish and Game lands. It will expand the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by 398 acres and improve access to the north end of the WMA. Another project features 160 acres of prime elk habitat in southwest Wyoming at the conﬂuence of Miller and La Barge Creeks. Linking the Lake Mountain Wilderness Study Area and the Miller Mountain Management Area with this parcel will secure year-round public access and parking for the public who enjoy camping, hunting, angling and other recreation. The third project covers 351 acres in the Cache Creek Natural Area of north-central California which contains vital wildlife and riparian habitat. The project secures legal access to recreational opportunities and resource protection. The properties total 909 acres but together they open or secure public access to approximately 55,000 acres of public land. “The Bureau’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation is very appreciative of all the hard work and resources contributed by our partners at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to help improve public access to BLM lands,” said Stephen Small, BLM Chief, Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. “RMEF’s assistance with three of the six recently-awarded LWCF projects highlights the importance of hunting and fishing access to the successful conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources on federal lands.” To date, RMEF utilized more than $85 million in LWCF funding across 62 projects in ten different states in partnership with federal agencies to protect, conserve and open access to some of the most vital elk country in the United States. “We are grateful for our partners at the BLM for their persistence in making this happen. This funding source is crucial for wildlife, our landscape and for all Americans,” added Henning...

26 - Hunting & Fishing News

HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS

Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By

Republic Services of Montana

Research participants at Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge release newly banded scaup. Photo by Matt McCormick - Seacat Creative courtesy Ducks Unlimited

Montana Event Participants Help With Research While Enjoying One Remote Refuge Ducks Unlimited

H ow many times do you get the opportunity to help with duck research, go ﬂy fishing in a pristine Montana river, or visit what has been called the most beautiful refuge in the country? This fall’s participants in DU’s Band a Duck/Catch a Trout major sponsor event in the Centennial Valley had a chance to do all three.

The group joined Jeff Warren with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Cody Deane, a graduate student with Montana State University at the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, near Lima, Montana, in capturing and marking young lesser scaup as part of a long-term FWS research project. Scaup

populations are continuing to decline, however scaup on the Red Rock Lakes Refuge are thriving. FWS is trying to find out what it is about the remote refuge that is helping build populations.

“Capturing scaup is an all-day affair, and the data are recorded as part of an ongoing study,” said Abby Dresser, DU biologist in Montana who helps plan the event. “It’s really great that the participants can be part of scientific research – they get trained to handle and measure birds, becoming a research team member for the day.” The Montana experience also included ﬂy-fishing on the Upper Madison, which is one of Montana’s blue ribbon trout rivers. The river is one of the most productive streams in Montana for several fish species and can carry upwards of 3,000 fish per mile. Photo by Mark McCormick courtesy DU

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REGIONAL NEWS Late Season Waterfowl Hunters Reminded That Cold Water Kills

ate season waterfowl hunters are reminded that with water temperatures rapidly dropping across the state, wearing a life jacket is the best defense against the dangers posed by cold water, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.

Sheep Hunter Survives Bear Attack

Boise man is recovering from wounds suffered during a black bear attack at his camp along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in central Idaho’s the Frank Church River-of-no-Return Wilderness. Stephen Vouch (29) and two companions were hunting bighorn sheep in hunt unit 27 when the attack occurred in the early morning hours of October 2. According to Vouch, he awoke about 2:00am to the sensation of something tugging on his hair and quickly realized that he was being bitten by a bear. He yelled, alerting the other members of his party, one of which shot the bear at close range with a .45 caliber handgun. The wounded bear backed away then climbed a nearby tree. After collecting himself, Vouch shot and killed the wounded bear. He was given first aid and he and the other members of his group rafted downriver then ﬂew out of the wilderness area on Sunday, October 4. On Monday, Vouch was treated and released from St. Luke’s Clinic-Family Medicine for lacerations to the top and side of his head. The bear hide and skull were handed off to Fish and Game staff. The young adult male black bear appeared healthy. 28 - Hunting & Fishing News

Deer Hunters Should Expect A Good Fall

D eer hunters are gearing up for opening day of riﬂe season

across much of Idaho, as deer numbers are up and opportunity is high. Idaho Fish and Game has a lot of reasons to be optimistic for a very good season. Four consecutive mild winters across most of Idaho are resulting in higher numbers of deer than we’ve seen in a while. Survival rates have been higher than average in six of the last seven years. Last year, Idaho hunters had the highest deer harvest since 1992. This fall’s harvest could match or top last year’s, depending on how many hunters go into the field and what kind of weather and hunting conditions they experience. Hunters harvested 61,200 deer in 2014, which is 12,100 more than in 2013, and the most since 1992. Harvests of whitetails and mule deer were both up in 2014, and Idaho recorded its third-highest whitetail harvest of all time. Statewide success rate was about 40 percent for those who went deer hunting... In late July, the Fish and Game Commission approved a discount in the price of unsold nonresident deer and elk tags to be used as second tags if purchased during August. While the discount period has expired, second tags are still available for residents and nonresidents. For more information on the second tags,...go to: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ content/second-tag.

In Minnesota, one-third of all boating fatalities occur during the cold water season, when water temperatures are below 70 degrees. Cold water shock can cause even the strongest swimmers to drown in a matter of seconds if they fall in while not wearing a life jacket. “If you ask the average duck hunter for safety advice, they will most likely recite firearm safety rules,” said Debbie Munson Badini, Minnesota DNR boat and water safety education coordinator. “But year after

year, more waterfowl hunters die from drowning, cold water shock and hypothermia than from firearm accidents. “The importance of water safety and life jacket use needs to be impressed upon waterfowlers in the same manner as the tenets of firearm safety,” Munson Badini said. “Duck hunters are boaters, too, and they are often boating on dangerously cold water.” Since 2010, five Minnesotans have died in duck hunting-related boating accidents, including two minors. Last year, two drownings occurred; neither victim was wearing a life jacket. Common causes of these fatal accidents included falling overboard, capsizing, or swamping due to overloading of passengers and/or gear, but in nearly all cases the accident would not have been deadly if the victim had worn a life jacket. “The message is clear: Cold water kills, and life jackets save lives,” Munson Badini said. “Waterfowl hunters can hit two birds with one shot by simply wearing their life jackets.” The wide variety of comfortable life jackets designed specifically for waterfowl hunting includes inflatable vest and belt-pack styles, insulated flotation jackets, and foam-filled vests with quilted shoulders and shell loops. Flotation jackets and foam-filled vests will offer hunters the best insulation against cold air and water. At the very least, all boats must carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each passenger, and boats longer than 16 feet must also have a throwable flotation device immediately available. Children under 10 must wear a life jacket. Other water safety tips for duck hunters include: -Don’t overload the boat; take two trips if necessary. -If wearing hip boots or waders, learn how to float with them on. -Stay near shore and avoid crossing large expanses of open water, especially in bad weather. -Share trip plans with someone and advise them to call for help if traveling party does not return on schedule. -Use a headlamp, spotlight or navigation lights to alert other boaters to your presence in dark and/or foggy conditions. For additional information, visit the boating safety page to download the DNR’s “Water Safety for Duck Hunters” brochure, or call 888-646-6367 to request one by mail.

REGIONAL NEWS Bluetongue Virus Confirmed In White-Tailed Deer In Eastern Washington

T he Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has confirmed an outbreak of bluetongue disease in white-tailed deer in

the state’s drought-stricken eastern region, but wildlife managers say this year’s hunting seasons will not be affected. WDFW veterinarian Kristin Mansfield said today that bluetongue is a common virus transmitted by biting gnats at water sources where deer congregate during dry conditions. Every year in late summer and early fall, some white-tailed deer are lost to bluetongue and a similar virus known as EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease). She said the department does not know precisely how many deer have been affected, but reports are more widespread and numerous than in the past, probably because of the severe drought across the region. As of Sept. 17, WDFW had received reports of suspected deaths from bluetongue or EHD in several portions of the department’s eastern region, which includes Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties.

Collect Leg Bands, Coins While Hunting This fall, the Division of Wildlife Resources is offering nine Waterfowl Slams and seven Upland Game Slams.

f you complete a waterfowl slam, you’ll receive a colorful Waterfowl Slam leg band, perfect for hanging on a lanyard. Complete an upland game slam, and you’ll receive a colorful Upland Game Slam “coin.” Each coin, which is laser engraved with the slam details, looks like the brass end of a shotgun shell. Every time you complete a slam, you’ll receive a different leg band or coin. In addition, if you sign up for the Waterfowl Slam, you’ll receive a leg band for taking your first duck, goose or swan of the 2015–2016 season. And your name will be entered in a drawing for prizes that include decoys, hunting apparel and cooking equipment. The cost to participate in the Upland Game Slam program or the Waterfowl Slam program is $10 for those 17 years of age and younger, and $20 for adults. You can also participate in both programs by paying the registration fee for each. You can learn more about the Waterfowl Slam at wildlife.utah.gov/slam. Upland Game Slam details are available at wildlife.utah.gov/uplandslam. Blair Stringham, migratory game bird coordinator for the DWR, and Avery Cook, upland game project leader for the DWR, say there are several reasons the DWR and a long list of co-sponsors are offering the slams. Creating more interest in waterfowl and upland game hunting, and raising funds to help conserve waterfowl and upland game in Utah, are among them. “The slams are a win-win for everyone,” Cook says. “Hunters win through giving back to the resource while adding something fun to their hunt. Upland game and waterfowl populations win through the funding hunters provide. Almost all of the funding to manage upland game and waterfowl in Utah comes from hunters.” November 2015 29

Photo courtesy Bob Humphrey

The Vigil By Bob Humphrey

Yamaha Outdoors Tips

t makes sense to concentrate your efforts when deer are most active, at dawn and dusk. But by limiting yourself to peak periods you may be missing out on an opportunity at those wary whitetails. Here’s a few tips on why and how to spend a whole day in the deer woods.

WHY

Dawn - This is one of the two peak periods of deer activity, when you’ll most certainly want to be in the woods. Proceed as you normally would. Get in early and quietly to a travel route between feeding and bedding areas. Early to Mid Morning - Most of the deer are in their morning beds by now - often close to feeding areas. However, they may get up and move a short distance to their day beds around 7:30 or 8:00. If you’re close by, you may catch some of this movement. 10-12 - By now many hunters have gotten cold and decided to walk around, or head for the truck. This little ﬂurry of human activity could bump deer out of their beds. Furthermore, rutting bucks often roam about this time of day and many a guide and outfitter will tell you this is one of the best times to kill a big buck during the rut. Early Afternoon - This period is often the slowest, particularly if it’s warm. But a deer could stroll by any time of day. Besides, you’ll want to be on stand and settled in when the afternoon hunters start entering the woods, potentially pushing a deer past you. Late Afternoon - Evening - Of course you’ll want to be in the woods this time of day, but having sat all day gives you a decided advantage. You haven’t disturbed your surroundings by walking in. When the deer do start to move there’s a much better chance they’ll be close by.

HOW

The key to sitting the vigil is comfort. Dress in layers so you can add and subtract as needed throughout the day. Wear a base layer of moisture-wicking material, a middle insulating layer and an outer protective layer of waterproof, breathable laminate to protect you from moisture and wind. Bring plenty to eat and drink. You’ll be ready for your first lunch around 9 or 10, and your second one in the early afternoon. Even sitting motionless in the cold burns calories that need to be replaced. Don’t scrimp on amenities. Use a heat-absorbing, cushioned seat pad as well as hand and foot warmers. For hands, go with air-activated disposable pads. You can do the same for feet, but you may want to opt for rechargeable versions like ThermaCELL’s heated insoles, which you can switch on and off remotely. 30 - Hunting & Fishing News

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† Manufacturerʼs suggested retail price is shown. Prices may vary due to supply, freight, etc. Actual prices set by the dealer. Product and speciﬁcations subject to change without notice. Availability subject to production, stocking, and demand. *1.99%, 5.99%, 6.99%, or 12.99% APR with Minimum Payments of 2.87%, 3.05%, 3.10%, or 3.39% of the purchase amount, based on your creditworthiness, are effective until the purchase is paid in full. Offer available on approved purchases of new 2014-2016 select models made on the Yamaha Card issued by Capital One, N.A. Offer valid through 12/28/15. Your account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. Some options may not be available and other terms may apply. Your Standard APR is either 12.99%-22.99% or variable 14.99%-22.99%. Variable APRs as of 9/1/15 and apply to accounts opened on or after 11/6/09. Minimum Interest Charge $1. **Customer Cash offer good on select models between 9/1/15 to 12/28/15. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dealer remains responsible for complying with all local and state advertising regulations and laws. Shown with optional accessories. Always protect the environment and wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the ownerʼs manual and the product warning labels before operation. Professional riders depicted on closed courses. ©2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com November 2015 31

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DUCK HUNTING QUICK TIPS Foremost Hunting

www.foremosthunting.com

When hunting goose don’t over call. Calls are most useful for calling in single birds or isolated pairs.

Decoy placement can spell success or failure for your hunt. Group species accordingly and leave landing pockets for optimum shooting opportunities.

Duck and goose decoys. Incorporate both ducks and geese into your decoy spread as confidence builders and in case either species pass by.

Despite widespread misconceptions, most ducks other than female Mallards and domestic ducks do not “quack”. Duck caller reeds sometimes freeze or stick in frigid weather. Prevent gum-ups by using a product such as Rain-X or Aquapel that’s made to deter rain, snow and ice buildup on windshields. A few drops rubbed on the reed with a cloth make the reed less likely to stick in the heat of a cold-weather hunt. When hunting clear water, use your feet to muddy the water around your decoys. Duck activity creates muddy water, and a muddy zone in an area of clear water is easy for ducks to spot. Placing a few crow decoys to one side of a field spread for geese can increase your hunting success. These “confidence” decoys help lessen the wariness of geese by making the spread appear more life like. Use a wine-bottle cork to camouflage your face when duck hunting. Singe the end of the cork with a lighter, then rub the black residue on your face. When ducks are flying toward you, it’s best not to call. Old-timers have a saying: “Call only to tips and tails.” That is, do your calling when you can see one wingtip and the tail, or both wings and the tail. The duck won’t be looking your way then, so it’s safe to blow the call. Many species of duck are temporarily flightless while moulting; they seek out protected habitat with good food supplies during this period. Diving ducks and sea ducks forage deep underwater. To be able to submerge more easily, the diving ducks are heavier than dabbling ducks, and therefore have more difficulty taking off to fly. Chokes and loads. Improved cylinder chokes often shoot larger steel shot with a tighter and more uniform pattern than a full choke. Pattern your gun to test various chokes and loads. 32 - Hunting & Fishing News

November 2015 33

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Full Parts & Service Departments ©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Always consult your snowmobile dealer when selecting a snowmobile for your particular needs and carefully read and pay special attention to your Operator’s Guide, Safety Video, Safety Handbook and to the safety labelling on your snowmobile. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

34 - Hunting & Fishing News

ractically every waterfowler knows that if you find “the X” — a magical place where clouds of ducks and geese appear on a given day — success is all but guaranteed. Find the X. Photo Fred Greenslade -Delta Waterfowl Shoot ducks. Oh, if only it were truly that easy. Many hunters only find themselves beneath the X a time or two each season, if they’re lucky. But you can boost your success rate by searching efficiently, tapping into your knowledge of waterfowl behavior and adhering to certain scouting principles. Find High Ground Ideally you’re already aware of the general patterns of waterfowl movements in your region. To further zero in on them, select a patch of high ground above an area known to harbor significant ducks or geese — the roost. A mountain or tall hill overlooking a river, lake, marsh or creek system is perfect. Thus, you have an excellent vantage to observe incoming or departing waterfowl. Get a sense of where the birds are headed, and then descend the slope to confirm the X’s exact location. As with all scouting strategies, a quality binocular is of great importance to this tactic. Close Doesn’t Count Many hunters see geese in a field, declare themselves ready to hunt and drive away. However, mere observation is less precise than one might think, and close often doesn’t cut it. We’ve all set up in the wrong corner of the right field. Instead, wait until the birds ﬂy from the field, and then pinpoint the exact location in which they were feeding. Feathers and droppings provide decisive confirmation. Mark the spot on your phone or GPS, and get ready for a bang-up hunt. Determine If Birds Will Return Scouting might lead you to the X today, but will it still be red hot tomorrow? Observe the birds closely to determine if they have a solid reason to return. If you’ve found a raft of divers, use binoculars to identify whether they’re actively diving for food — a sign they’re likely to return. On the other hand, divers observed to be merely resting offer little guarantee of a return visit. Dry-feeding ducks and geese offer clues as well. If they’re in the middle of the field, ample food probably remains. If they’ve worked their way to the edges, the crop might be nearly depleted and the birds could opt for a new field in the morning. Stay Current Waterfowl are apt to shift their patterns at a moment’s notice due to changing weather, available food and other factors. So, your scouting report needs to be timely. Scout as closely to your intended hunt date as possible, ideally the evening before. If you find the X, don’t give it a week or even a couple days — go hunting. Make Educated Guesses Scouting for the X can be intimidating simply because there’s so much ground to cover. But you’ve been a duck hunter all your life. Use that knowledge to narrow your search based on the conditions and past experiences. For instance, in times of severe cold, you’re more likely to find mallards targeting agriculture fields and loafing on water nearer than normal to food sources. When searching for divers, check the lee shores of lakes and bays in heavy wind, and scour more open water on calm days. Above all, trust your gut. A little guesswork fosters a more efficient search and might just result in a cupped-wing spectacle the next morning.

Survival Tips For Big Game Hunters Idaho Fish And Game

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worse than tired, chilled and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho’s woods shouldn’t be underestimated. Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected stay in the woods. Don’t rely only on electronics. Items like GPS receivers, cell phones and two-way radios are handy, but dead batteries or other malfunctions render them useless. A map and compass are low tech and less likely to fail, but you also have to know how to use them. Know the area you’re hunting. Always be conscious of your surroundings, prominent points, river or creek drainages, and occasionally turn around and look behind you so you will remember what it looks like when you’re coming back. If you’re on a trail, don’t hesitate to put a temporary marker at intersections. Things can look different on your return, especially if you return in the dark. Let someone at home know where you will be hunting and when you expect to return. Often hunters are out longer than expected, especially when they are pursuing big game animals far from a road. You may want to set an absolute deadline and have someone who can alert the authorities if you haven’t returned, or contacted someone by that time. Ditto for your hunting partner. Hunters often get separated, so set up a rendezvous time and place and decide in advance when a third party will seek help if you or your partners do not return in time. Watch the weather. You’re more likely to get lost or turned around in poor visibility when it’s raining, foggy or snowing, which are also conditions under which you don’t want to be lost in the woods. Avoid cotton clothing. It provides no warmth when wet. Many hunters wear denim jeans, but there are better alternatives. Look for synthetic, breathable fabrics like modern “softshells.” They are more comfortable in nearly all conditions than traditional denim. Old-school wool is also better than cotton, and modern wool is comfortable and excellent insulation. Have a fire-starting kit. Whether matches, lighter or other devices, it should be weatherproof, and it never hurts to have more than one device, as well as tinder or fire starter. Know how to start a fire in all weather conditions. Bring a headlamp and extra batteries. They’re valuable for navigating in early mornings or after dark. If you get lost, warmth, shelter and water should be your priorities. You can go days without food, but you have to stay warm and hydrated. But it’s never a bad idea to carry extra food with you. Dress in layers and be prepared for the worst weather. Temperatures can drop 30 or 40 degrees between day and night in the mountains. The weather can also change quickly during fall, and it’s not uncommon to go from warm and sunny to snowing within hours. A light, packable insulated jacket and a waterproof shell don’t weigh much or take up much space, and they provide good insulation in cold and wet weather. Keep them in a daypack and carry it with you. Survival kits are all the rage these days, but many are overkill. Think about the essentials you would need for an unplanned night in the woods. Have your vehicle ready for the backcountry and prepared for minor breakdowns, such as ﬂat tires or dead batteries. A separate survival kit for your vehicle is a good idea because space and weight are less of an issue than when items must be carried on your person. If you get lost, admit it to yourself and prepare to spend the night out. Build a fire for warmth and companionship, and set up a shelter. Wandering around will make it harder for search and rescue personnel to find you. It also fuels your anxiety, preventing you from thinking clearly and making safe choices. This increases the chance that you could become injured or worse. If you take medication daily for a chronic condition, pack several days’ supply and take it with you. Tell your hunting partners of your medical condition and where in your pack your medication is located...

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By Steve Hickoff Yamaha Outdoors Tips NWTF Media Photo

’m hunting four turkey states this fall, with some others sketched in. What? You’re waiting until spring? Here are some reasons you might consider checking out autumn turkey action this season:

HUNT BIRDS; SCOUT DEER: Need a better excuse to be out there? It will help you scout for deer firearms season, which often arrives later than certain fall turkey gun-hunt dates.

IT’S TURKEY HUNTING: Closing the deal on a fall hen is

much like tagging a doe in deer hunting. In some highly populated areas of turkey country, taking an adult broodless hen (or young bird) is practical game management. Remember how difficult it was back in spring to lure a strutter away from maybe a handful to a dozen hens? You can shoot one now.

CALL BETTER: Want to improve your wild turkey talk? Spending more time with vocal autumn ﬂocks will help make you a better spring gobbler hunter. At times in the fall woods you’ll hear a range of calling birds, from young to adult. Spending time with the turkeys will teach you plenty. Spend enough time in the autumn woods and you’ll even hear some gobbling. FUN WITH DOGS: Turkey dogs are used to find and ﬂush

ﬂocks before you attempt to call scattered gregarious birds back to the break site. As a result, dog men, in states where it’s legal, can add another game bird species to their list of opportunities.

USE THAT STUFF: You’ve got a closet full of turkey hunting apparel, a gun or bow, and a bunch of calls. Use the stuff. This includes your Yamaha ATV or Side-by-Side vehicle. Get out and ride.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Early and even late archery seasons often coincide with chances at both whitetails and wild turkeys from the same treestand. Pretty cool, right? LIVE HARD; EAT WELL: A wild turkey on your Thanksgiving Day table honors the outdoor experience and extends memories.

38 - Hunting & Fishing News

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How To Rattle Whitetail Bucks By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com

The Rattling Study Dr. Mick Hellickson, one of the top deer scientists

in America, conducted a three-year project on whitetail behavior and antler rattling on a 10,000 acre ranch in South Texas. The deer population was healthy and the buck:doe ratio was near 1:1. His researchers rattled in two-man teams during all three phases of the rut each November and December. When a buck came in, they noted the time, weather, etc., and videotaped each deer so later they could estimate its age and rack score. I mention that Mick’s research was conducted a decade ago, which has been a good thing for me. It has allowed me to compare and analyze the study’s key points against my field notes and observations as I’ve hunted and rattled across America these last 10 years. Read on and you will see that my real-world hunting pretty much jibes with Mick’s findings, with minor variations here and there. When to Rattle Over the three-year period, the researchers rattled 171 times at different locations and pulled in 111 bucks. A response rate of 65 percent is impressive, but the best info is found inside the numbers. Mick says, “The peak of the rut is by far the best time to rattle in the most bucks, the most numbers.” During the wild days, when frenzied bucks troll and/or chase, 65 bucks responded to 60 rattling sequences—a 108 percent response rate. Sometimes two or three bucks charged or circled into their rattles. On two occasions, eight different bucks responded. While you might certainly rattle in a big deer that is feeling his oats and rutting early, say around October 20, I believe your chances are much better if you wait to rattle until November 1, and then keep it up until just before Thanksgiving. This way you don’t burn out your best spots and stands before most testosterone-addled bucks get in the mood to hear your fights and come in. For years I have shouted to anyone who would listen that the first 10 days the post-rut (late November into early December in most areas) are one of the best times to rattle up a buck, a big buck. The post-rut is when Hellickson’s crew rattled up the most mature animals. Of the 29 bucks that responded to 51 rattling sequences during this phase, 10 were 5½ years old, and another 10 were 3 ½ to 4 ½. Easy lesson: Don’t give up on your rattling too soon! Time to Rattle You’ll have your best luck in the mornings by far. This has played out so many times for me in recent years that I rarely carry my horns in the afternoon. And the science confirms it. Sixty of 111 bucks (67 percent) that the researchers banged in came to the horns between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Cool days with 75 percent cloud cover and little or low wind speed were best. How to Rattle “If you aren’t exhausted after a sequence, you didn’t rattle hard enough,” said Hellickson. He and his crew rattled aggressively 85 times and attracted 81 bucks. Their 86 shorter, quieter sequences pulled in only 30. The length of a rattling session didn’t matter much. Both one- and three-minute volleys lured an equal number of bucks. 40 - Hunting & Fishing News

November 2015 41

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How One Deer Can Change Your Life (continued from page 16)

That afternoon, Brett was hunting alongside his fiancee, Kirstie, and his best friend, Levi, in an area where they hoped animals would be if pressured from other nearby hunters. After walking less than a mile, they spotted a group of mule deer does, but still did not turn up many elk or bucks. It was then that Brett noticed Levi waving his arms, motioning for him to get over to him fast. Levi couldn’t tell how big the buck was, he just noticed it was a legal deer. After Brett moved closer to Levi he said, “There’s your buck, there’s your buck!” Brett could only see a few points on the left side of the buck, and Levi ranged the deer at 234 yards. Brett got as calm and collected as he could and squeezed off a shot. As fast as it happened, it was over and the buck was on the ground. Brett recalled the buck getting bigger and bigger as he got closer for a better look. Levi kept saying, “Man, it’s going out, it’s not going up, it’s going out.” As they approached the deer, Brett had to take a knee and put a hand on the ground. They started high fiving and fist pounding. Levi even picked Brett up and started to spin him around in circles. They were beginning to realize that they had just harvested a buck of a lifetime. When it was all said and done, even though Brett killed a buck of a lifetime, it meant more to him that he took it on the same piece of public hunting ground that his dad has been hunting all these years. This story gives hope to all public land hunters out there — even though bucks like this are rare, especially on a do-it-yourself public land hunt you still have the chance to take a world class animal.

To view a ﬁlm on Brett’s mule deer go to: www.gohunt.com/COdeer 42 - Hunting & Fishing News

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From Field To Freezer: Tips For Processing Your Big Game Animal By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist Idaho Fish and Game

You successfully shot a deer, elk

or other big game animal. Now the work begins. You want to properly process the animal so you get many healthy, enjoyable meals from it... Here’s how to make it happen: In the field Be prepared to process an animal any time you’re hunting. Have your knives sharp, game bags ready, rope and/or tarp to keep the meat off the ground when you’re quartering. You may want to leave the hide on it while removing the animal from the field, depending on the outside temperature. There’s a trade off because meat cools quicker when an animal’s hide is removed, and retained body heat contributes to faster spoiling... For smaller animals such as deer and pronghorn, hang and skin the animal when you get them out of the field. A skinned animal cools quicker. Larger animals such as elk and moose should be quartered for cooling. A large animal left with the hide on can spoil even in freezing temperatures... At camp or at home Try to keep meat hung in camp or at home below 40 degrees... Use clean, cool water to rinse as much blood off as possible from the carcass and trim away blood-shot meat...You can also wipe a carcass with a solution of water and vinegar, which kills bacteria. Get as much water as possible off the carcass before putting a game bag on it. If insects aren’t an issue, let it air dry overnight...Aging a carcass for 5-7 days can improve tenderness, but should only be aged that long if the temperature can be held between 34 and 40 degrees. A meat-processing facility is your best bet...Aging is not recommended for young animals or those with little or no fat covering...Do not age a game carcass if it is shot during warm weather and not chilled rapidly, if the animal was severely stressed prior to the kill (such as running a long distance), or if there is extensive gun-shot wounds...

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Some models depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: always wear a helmet, eye protection, and other protective clothing. Never carry passengers on any ATV not speciﬁcally designed by the manufacturer for such use. All adult model Can Am ATVs are Category G ATVs (General Use Models) intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side Operatorʼs Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. For your safety: wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Operator must be at least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 12 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the backrest. ATVs and SxS are for off-road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs donʼt mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difﬁcult terrain. Ride responsibly.

Early Season Tips for Pheasant Hunting Success By Bob St. Pierre Pheasants Forever www.pheasantsforever.org

fter three years in the gutter, bird counts across the heart of pheasant country are finally on the upswing...here are five tips for early season success. 1) Always Follow the Dog. How many times has your dog broken right when, for the last 100 yards, you’ve been eyeing up the birdy-looking cover off to your left? I’ve made the same mistake 1.5 million other pheasant hunters will make again this year and continue on to the left. And 1.4 million times, the pup will boost a rooster as big as the harvest moon . . . if only you’d have followed the dog to the right. Will you learn the lesson this year? Your gun dog’s nose is more adept at finding birds than your eyes. Trust the nose and ALWAYS follow the dog. ALWAYS. 2) Find the Food. Pheasants eat waste grain. That’s why the edges of picked corn fields can be so productive after harvest. However, in some years the pheasant opener happens before the first hard frost of the season. When that happens, young pheasants are likely still feasting on the same diet of insects they have been munching on since they hatched from their eggs in June. I always open up the crop of the first bird bagged of the season to see what the food source is inside. If it’s corn, that tells you to focus on crop field edges. If the crop still is predominately grasshoppers, then those young birds may still be in the big grassland expanses of a CRP field or wildlife area. 3) Identify the Trend. Successful anglers are experts at identifying the pattern for hungry fish on any lake, river, or stream. They narrow down a forage source, lure color, time of day, depth, and speed of retrieve to find the biters. The same puzzle exists for pheasant hunters. What kind of habitat are the early season roosters spending their time in during different day parts. Are they in the cattails, field edges, grassy middles, or in the corn all day until roosting time? Are the roosters running or holding tight? Just like largemouth bass and walleyes, pheasant hunting can be patterned if you’re thinking about the “puzzle” and savvy enough to identify the trends. 4) Do the Opposite. People tend to come into public hunting areas from the same direction, park in the same place, and hunt the same patterns. By the second weekend of the season, “wily” roosters start to earn their nickname and become “educated.” This season, do the opposite of everyone else and figure out what the natural pathway on your favorite hunting parcels is, THEN go a different direction. The birds won’t know what hit them . . . literally! 5) The Golden Hour. I’ve saved the best tip for the readers who have traveled with me to the end of the field. Any seasoned bird hunter knows the single best time of the day to bag a rooster is the last hour before sunset. Early season pheasants typically spend their days loafing in protected anonymity in corn rows before moving into grassy cover to roost during the final hour of the day. This movement into roosting habitat generally equates to birds ﬂying into WMAs, WPAs, walk-in areas and other public lands featuring an area’s best grassland habitat. This final hour, or “The Golden Hour,” is magic. So the lesson is not to burn out all your leg energy busting cover through the middle of the day so you’re out of gas at the last best opportunity of the entire day. Take the time to enjoy that lunchtime hot beef commercial in the local café, so you’re ready to rock when “The Golden Hour” arrives. What have I missed that should be part of every good bird hunter’s early season repertoire? Photo Credit: NRCS

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November 2015 45

46 - Hunting & Fishing News

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