Hunting and Fishing Under The Big Sky Fall 2013

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unting & fisHin UNDER THE BIG SKY

a ré • Ad p u b l i c at i o n

Fall 2013

Not Just a 5x5

By Weston Paul

Archery season here in southwest Montana is a much anticipated event. For many of us the preparation begins just as the past season comes to a close. From shooting our bows to staying in excellent physical shape, bowhunting is ever present in our minds. It is the anticipation of hearing a bull bugle that fuels our fire. The thought of a full freezer and backstraps on the grill proves plenty of motivation to put the boots on the ground, cover some miles and gain some serious elevation.

This season I knew that I’d be a weekend warrior.

No big trips planned. No coveted tags in my pocket.

Saturday and Sunday were my days to chase elk. There would be a few long weekend bivvies here and there, but for the most part I was sticking close to home. I spent opening weekend solo, with the hope of filling my tag right away. We all dream about shooting a bull on opening day and then fishing the rest of the season, but it wasn’t in the cards for me this year. Now hunting solo certainly pushes one’s limits, but the whole hunting experience doesn’t get much better than when you are in the presence of good buddies.

Prior to opener my buddies Eric, Zach and Eric invited me to join them on a hunt in a piece of country that they had been scouting over the last couple of years.

I jumped on the opportunity and was fortunate to accompany them to their backcountry elk camp for a long weekend.

We loaded up and headed out after work on Thursday.

A long, moon-lit ride into a piece of country that I’d never explored proved to be an adventure in and of itself. The weather was cooler and it had recently snowed so our hopes for the Friday morning hunt were high. Three weeks into the season, the rut should be kicking in at any time! We got to camp late, got settled, and made a plan for the morning. My GPS was set to wake us up at 5:40am.

7:00am! My alarm never went off. My trusty GPS

IN THIS ISSUE page 2

Wolf Hunt in Montana

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Hunting Tips

wasn’t so trusty after all. In a bit of a panic we threw on the camo, grabbed the bows and rushed out. No time for coffee and breakfast burritos when you wake up late. The decision was quickly made to hunt a section closer to camp. We certainly hoped that we wouldn’t miss out on those early morning bugles.

We slowly crept our way into a snow covered basin.

With daytime temps in the 50s, the snow had frozen overnight and the walking was noisy. We dropped in a ways, checked the thermals and made our way towards an open park. We’d split up this morning. Each of us heading in different directions with the hope of gaining some useful intel.

As we were scanning the park Eric motioned, turned back towards me and said, “Mule deer!” Now Eric is tall, like 6’4” tall and I had to move to the side to see this deer because even though I was slightly uphill, there was no looking over him. With one glance I knew he was a true dandy. We were only a hundred yards away from him so I motioned to Eric and we stepped back behind a big pine tree while the muley continued to feed. Eric decided to make a stalk on him, after all we’d gotten up late and just happened upon this great deer. He slipped his boots off, knocked an arrow and snuck towards the deer. Zach and I decided to split off too. Zach headed down to another open park where they’d seen a few bulls the past weekend and I figured I may as well move uphill in the instance that Eric bumped that muley.

I knew where the deer was feeding and the thermals were already coming uphill so I set up on a trail coming right out of that open park. The only thing was that I couldn’t see that deer. I actually didn’t see a single animal. It had taken me about 20 minutes to get into position, but I figured Eric would still be making his stalk. Still no movement of any sort. After another 20 minutes I decided to head back down and meet up (continued on page 8)

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Conservation

Hunting & fisHing UNDER THE BIG SKY

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News Briefs

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Upcoming Outdoor Events

Wolf Hunting Montana The time is now, that time being your time for getting out after wolves. You know the wolf, he’s the pesky one that outdoorsman’s love to witch and moan about. So, now’s your chance. The rifle season opened September 15th.

A few things to keep in mind are that your limit is now 5 and the season runs thru March 15th. So get out there and get it done now so you don’t miss part of March Madness in an attempt to get your wolf. Bear in mind (or should I say wolf in mind, sorry couldn’t resist) that there are a few units that have quota’s. I have the wolf quota line programmed into my favorites in my phone so it’s just a quick call to make sure the unit I wish to hunt is open. That number is 800-385-7826.

For what it’s worth I feel that if you wish to hunt and harvest a wolf your best chance of doing so is during the elk seasons. Reason being is that the elk are moving around and the wolves follow the elk. Once the elk season closes then the elk can and will get into areas where most can’t

Other news for this year is that we can now use electronic calls. IME the best thing about an electronic call is that you can use a remote and set the call up a ways from you. Obvious point being is that the wolf is coming to the sound and not paying attention to you. To date I’ve not used an E-Call on wolves but I have called in two teams via a mouth call. Did I say teams; yeah I did as I see them as hunting/killing teams and not a pack. So, I have no doubt that wolves can be called in.

I don’t know what the numbers are, but I feel that a large portion of the wolves taken yearly is via the elk hunter who comes upon a wolf (as opposed to the fella who’s actually hunting wolves). Point being, that they had their tag and were legal to go hot when they came upon a wolf. Don’t be the guy who sees a wolf but didn’t spring for the tag so he couldn’t shoot.

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

By Mark Dobrenski won’t allow hunting on them or are difficult at best to gain access to hunt on. Add to that the deep snows that come later in the year that can make moving around incredibly challenging via vehicle or on foot.

Where I’m going with this is the idea of taking a wolf (especially intentionally) more than likely isn’t going to be a walk in the park. It’s something that needs to be taken seriously just as one would hunt for elk or other big game animals. You’d do well to do your homework, try to keep tabs on where wolves are being seen as well where the elk are moving. Talk with as many ranchers and land owners as you can about hunting on their land or crossing their land to get to where the wolves are running. Be proactive about this and start doing your homework right now!

I’ll finish with my all time fav pre game pep talk. It was given by Herb Brooks the coach of the 1980 Olympic Gold medal winning hockey team. Many of you will recognize the talk from the movie “Miracles”.

So, here’s my rendition of it. “I’m sick and tired of hearing about what the wolves are doing to our moose and elk. Their time is over-screw them, this is our time so get out there and hunt them”. How was that, you suppose Brooksy would have been proud?

access them. Point being they may move onto a game range that is closed down after the season’s over. Or, the elk move onto ranches that either

Seriously, this is a great opportunity that we have in being able to hunt the wolves. I highly encourage you to do so. Have a fantastic season!

Vaya Con Dios Mark D

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

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news briefs

FWP Seeks Comment On 2011 Wolf Hunting Season 2013 Deer Hunting Outlook MTFWP This season deer hunters in Montana will find another a mix of hunting opportunities across the state when the general season opens Oct. 26.

On the upside, FWP wildlife biologists are reporting better fawn production and survival in many areas. Like other big game hunting, a nice cold front with plenty of snow should lead to some good hunting this season. On the downside, reports of another spotty outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease—a fatal virus in deer that's caused by biting insects—are coming in from across Montana.

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.

Depending on the hunting district regulations hunters can pursue antlered mule deer bucks, either-sex mule deer, antlered white-tailed deer, eithersex white-tailed deer. Check out FWP's general license "cheat sheet" online at fwp.mt.gov. Click "General License Cheat Sheet" for details on all of Montana's general license fall hunting seasons, regulations, and specific season dates by hunting district.

For more information on elk hunting in Montana, visit FWP's website at fwp. mt.gov, click "Hunting" then click Hunting Guide.

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 Hunting Guide.

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

Region 1—Northwestern Montana • Following two good winters with good fawn recruitment, white-tailed deer numbers in northwest Montana are generally recovering nicely from a recent population low in 2009. In parts of the region, particularly the far northwest and the North Fork of the Flathead, deer numbers will likely still be below normal. Hunters should find a lot of yearling and two-year old bucks this fall, and older bucks five years old and older, while not as plentiful as during 2008-2010, should still make up about 10-15 percent of the buck harvest.

Mule deer populations remain low and hunters should not expect to find the type of mule deer hunting they enjoyed a generation ago. But the 2013 spring survey in the Fisher River, one of Montana's better mule deer areas, showed good numbers and strong fawn recruitment, hopefully indicating some recovery in mule deer populations.

Region 6—Northeastern Montana • Effects on mule deer from the winter of 2010-11 are still being seen with regional numbers 20 percent below average, but mule deer numbers are starting to rebound in most areas. Buck ratios are also slightly below average with fewer older-age-class bucks due to winter mortality of older bucks in 2010-11. Doe licenses in most areas remain similar to 2012 and still well below levels prior to the winter of 2010-11.

• White-tailed deer numbers in the Milk River Valley east of Malta to Nashua and in the Missouri River bottomlands below Fort Peck Dam were heavily impacted by an EHD outbreak in 2011. In those areas, numbers remain well below the long-term average, but are starting to rebound. In the Malta area numbers are slightly below average this year. An EHD outbreak has been confirmed this summer west of Harlem in the western portion of the region, so whitetail numbers will be significantly lower in this area. In the northeastern corner, numbers are near average in prairie habitats, but are still down in the Missouri River bottoms from the 2011 EHD outbreak.

Region 7—Southeastern Montana • Mule deer numbers are still more than 32 percent below the long term average due to the severe winter of 2010-11 that resulted in significant winter-kill of adults and fawns. Overwinter survival last year was high, and fawn recruitment this spring—up to 53 yearlings per 100 adults— increased relative to the previous year. That good news, however, was dampened by reduced fawning rates due to nutritional stress in does after the extreme winter of 2010-11. Drought conditions the summer of 2012 continued to impact deer nutrition, but forage and precipitation levels have been exceptional so far in 2013. Trend area surveys indicate that mule deer populations are up 11 percent from 2012 and deer populations are expected to continue a gradual climb. Hunters may have better opportunity in the southern portion of the region.

• White-tailed deer populations are currently 7 percent below the 10-year average. The reduction in white-tailed deer numbers, however, is not all bad.

Wildlife biologists note that whitetail numbers prior to the EHD outbreak in 2012 were too high and fewer deer on the landscape will allow habitat to recover along with deer numbers. Forage and precipitation levels have been exceptional so far in 2013. White-tailed deer can recover relatively rapidly from declines, and with double the fawn recruitment rates of last spring, it appears this process has already begun. Wildlife biologists tallied an average of 57 yearlings per 100 adults in 2013 trend surveys. Hunters who do their homework by scouting and visiting with private landowners should have success locating good areas to hunt whitetails.

Region 2—Western Montana • White-tailed deer and mule deer are common but numbers generally are below historic averages. FWP has restricted hunting opportunities for antlerless deer to limit any further declines and speed population increases.

Hunting for white-tailed bucks should be improving overall. Hunting for mule deer bucks is by permit-only in several hunting districts.

Region 3—Southwestern Montana • Mule deer populations are stable to slightly decreasing and still down from long term averages. Hunting for mule deer bucks is by permit-only in several hunting districts.

• White-tailed deer populations, found mostly in river bottoms, are stable.

The area remains fortunate not to see major die-offs from EHD as did other populations in central and eastern Montana.

Region 4—Central Montana • Mule deer populations are mostly stable and white-tailed deer numbers continue to increase. Some whitetail populations around Great Falls and north, however, have been hit by EHD, which may impact their numbers.

Also, while it's heartening to see mule deer numbers in some mountain ranges continue to rebuild, their numbers are still below average.

Region 5 — South Central Montana • Mule deer populations north of the Yellowstone River are on the upswing and approaching historical averages, reversing a decade-long trend. In the mountainous areas, particularly south of the Yellowstone River, a decline in mule deer numbers continues, prompting restrictive seasons in many hunting districts.

• White-tailed deer living in the prairie environments north of U.S. Highway 12 have been in slow decline for a number of years, a trend that surveys continue to confirm. In the mountains south of the Yellowstone River, including along the Beartooth Front, populations are near average and growing. The population trends seem to parallel the prevalence of EHD, a fatal natural virus with symptoms similar to blue tongue. The biting midges that spread the disease do not live at higher elevations, in areas where whitetailed deer are doing best.

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

2013 Elk Hunting Outlook MTFWP For elk hunters think snow and more snow. Montana’s general, five-week long, elk hunting season opens Oct. 26.

Montana’s elk populations are in good shape—even as predation by wolves has contributed to some depressed elk populations in parts of western and southwestern Montana. Once again this season, Montana hunters will pursue elk under some very favorable regulations but, as ever, the weather will play a big part in hunter success. With some good old fashioned cold and snow it could be a banner year for elk.

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. Check out FWP’s general license “cheat sheet” online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “General License

Cheat Sheet” for details on all of Montana’s general license fall hunting seasons, regulations, and specific season dates by hunting district.

Hunting in Bear Country

For more information on elk hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s website at fwp. mt.gov, click “Hunting” then click Hunting Guide.

Hunters along the Rocky Mountain Front, especially bird hunters in riparian areas, need to be aware they are in bear country. Grizzlies have wandered out onto the prairie away from the Front, following streams and river bottoms.

The likelihood a hunter will encounter a bear is real and it may increase once a game animal is taken (with a bow or rifle).

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

Region 1—Northwestern Montana • Elk numbers remain stable and elk hunters should find populations similar to what they have seen for the past few years. Spring surveys across the region showed good numbers with calf recruitment slightly below average but better than it was in 2008 and 2009. Elk numbers in the backcountry districts, hunting districts 150 and 151, have been stable since 2008, and calf recruitment among elk that winter in the South Fork of the Flathead has been gradually increasing for the past five years. Elk numbers in the lower Clark Fork area, the region’s best elk producer, have been stable with good calf and bull numbers seen during spring surveys.

Encountering a bear Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear biologists say hunters need to take steps to bear proof their hunt by thinking ahead about what they will do if they see a bear.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray to hunters of all big game species who plan to hunt in bear country. Bear spray is not a substitute for using proper bear safety techniques in the first place, but it is an important safety tool for those who hunt in bear country.

Region 2—Western Montana • Elk numbers are generally above the long-term average but the distribution and trend of elk populations raises concerns for the future. Calf production and survival is low in several districts along the border with Idaho and adjoining the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas, where opportunities to hunt antlerless elk are sharply reduced. A special permit is required to hunt bull elk in hunting districts 250 and 270 (Upper Bitterroot) to allow bull numbers to rebound. Elk numbers generally remain high on private lands located east of Missoula, but calf survival was low.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that simple, common sense precautions are part of the safe and proper field dressing of big game.

Region 3—Southwestern Montana • Region wide, hunters will likely see roughly the same amount of elk they did last year in southwestern Montana. Overall elk numbers, however, are slightly increasing. As with last year, weather will play a big role in harvest success. The areas seeing highest numbers remain the area around Dillon, the Pioneer Mountains, and the Shields Valley and Helena area—although access may be more difficult in the Shields Valley and Helena areas. Elsewhere, the elk population in the Elkhorns appears stable, while the Upper Gallatin and Paradise Valley are starting to see some stabilization. Meanwhile, the number of elk in the Gravelly Range remains about the same as last year.

Region 4—Central Montana • Elk populations remain robust. The biggest challenge for hunters, whether along the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or in the Missouri River Breaks continues to be finding access.

Field Dressing Tips For Big Game Hunters “While the chance of contracting a disease from wild game is remote, it makes good sense to take a few simple precautions,” said Ron Aasheim, a spokesman for FWP. Here are some of the precautions that FWP recommends to hunters handling harvested game including waterfowl, game birds, deer and elk.

• Do not shoot, handle or consume any animal that is acting abnormally or that appears sick. Contact FWP if you see an animal that appears sick.

• Wear rubber gloves when field dressing any game animal.

• Bone out the meat from your deer or elk. Avoid sawing through bone when you can and avoid cutting through the brain or spinal cord (backbone).

• Minimize contact with animal hair, brain, intestines, fluids, spinal tissue and feces.

• Be mindful of domestic dogs touching or coming in contact with animal parts or feces as it can be contaminated and transmit parasites.

• Prevent dogs from eating the internal organs of game animals.

• If you have your wild meat commercially processed, ask to have your harvest processed individually, without the addition of meat from other animals.

• Wash hands and forearms after field dressing game animals.

• Cook all game meat until well done.

Regions 5 — South Central Montana • Elk populations are healthy, growing and at historically high levels. The numbers, however, won’t always mean hunter success. In areas where hunter access is good, elk numbers are low. In most areas where public hunter access is limited, elk numbers are well above FWP’s elk management objectives.

Region 6—Northeastern Montana • Elk numbers are 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. Hunters should note that elk densities are very low in the general-season hunting area north of U.S. Highway 2.

Region 7—Southeastern Montana • While not typically a hot spot destination, outside of the Missouri Breaks, elk here are primarily found on private land. While elk populations are above management objectives in all hunting districts, public hunting access is limited.

To Place Your Display Ad Contact: Mike Rey 406-539-1010 reyadvertising@Q.com

reyadvertising.com Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

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CONSERVATION RMEF’s $140,000 Gift Opens Door to 18,000 Acres of Public Access MISSOULA, Mont.—A 40-acre acquisition by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will improve access to nearly 18,000 acres of National Forest public lands in central Montana for hunting and other recreational enjoyment.

$50,000, in effect donating the remaining balance of $140,000 to FWP. To complete the land transfer, FWP will launch a public environmental analysis to get the land acquisition approved by the FWP Commission and the Montana Land Board.

“This strikes at the heart of what RMEF is all about,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We are committed to opening more land for hunting and other year-round recreational public access and now the gate is open for hunters to more easily access thousands of acres of elk country previously almost impossible to reach.”

RMEF and its partners signed an agreement that sets the stage for the FWP to provide an entrance, parking area, signage and a defined access trail into the forest. The goal is to have the improvements in place by October 26, opening day of the 2013 general big game rifle season.

Recently acquired by RMEF, the property contains a 30-foot common boundary with a corner piece of the Lewis and Clark National Forest (LCNF), best known as home of the Big and Little Snowy Mountains. The transaction is a cooperative effort between the RMEF, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the LCNF, and willing landowners Marshall and Leslie Long.

RMEF purchased the land for $190,000 and will offer it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for

“This small but critical piece of land offers both big game habitat and exceptional access to public land that supports a prized elk population,” said Gary Bertellotti, FWP Region 4 supervisor. “FWP wants to thank the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its efforts to secure the Red Hill property and partnering with FWP to provide access to elk and National Forest public lands for future generations.”

“This is a big win for hunters and other members of the public because there was realistically no easy way to reach this part of the Snowys. This public access will allow hunters to play a more active

part with management of an elk herd that is over objective.” added Allen.

Aerial surveys conducted by FWP this past February revealed a population count of approximately 4,000 elk in the Big and Little Snowy Mountains with a calf to cow ratio of 30:100.

The transaction conserves a diverse mixture of aspen and forest, grasslands, meadows, wetlands, and a spring and intermittent stream; and provides important habitat for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, black bear, grouse and a vast array of other wildlife.

Funding for the project came from the Torstenson Family Endowment which is used solely to further RMEF’s core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage.

To date, RMEF projects opened or improved access to approximately 668,000 acres of elk country across the nation.

Montana Trout Unlimited Chapter Mini-grant Program In 2002, the state council created three investment funds from which earnings can be used to fund specific MTU projects that further MTU’s mission “to conserve, protect and restore Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their habitat.” The earnings from these funds are meant to fund projects that are outside MTU’s annual budget. Two of these funds, the Habitat Protection and Enhancement Fund and the Steve Bryant Wild Trout Stewardship Fund, may be tapped for chapter projects. To request funding, chapters shall submit the MiniGrant Application Form along with a brief written proposal and proposed budget to the state council chairman or executive director.

Proposals are then circulated to the full executive committee for review and decision.

Funding availability varies from year to year.

We encourage you to contact our Outreach Director at michael@montanatu.org before submitting a grant application for funding availability before submitting your grant.

Project eligibility: Only TU chapters or affiliates in Montana are eligible for funding. Chapter presidents or the presiding officer of a chapter or affiliate must sign each proposal.

Habitat Protection and Enhancement Fund This fund is for projects that: • Improve water quality.

• Improve riparian protection, including habitat restoration and acquisition of key conservation properties.

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economic values of wild trout.

• Provide education to landowners for conserving wild trout, water quality, streamflows and trout habitat.

• Communicate important conservation messages to the public, elected officials, policymakers and TU members.

• Support research specifically designed to accomplish or contribute to the conservation, protection or restoration of wild trout and their habitats.

• Benefit Montana’s native trout and grayling.

Application deadlines: • October 15 • March 15

• Enhance stream flows, including investments in water-use efficiency and acquisition or leasing of water and water rights.

• Enhance watershed health • Protect important trout habitat from harm.

• Advocate for policy (within the limits of 501 ©(3) tax status) affecting the conservation, protection and restoration of wild trout and their habitats.

Steve Bryant Wild Trout Stewardship Fund This fund is for projects that: • Provide educational activities that foster understanding of the biological, cultural and

Hunting & fisHing UNDER THE BIG SKY

Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky is published four times per year and distributed at key locations throughout Southwest Montana.

Guidelines for Application Chapters shall submit grant applications to Michael Gibson at michael@montanatu.org prior to the appropriate grant cycle deadline.

• Completed applications will include: • Chapter Mini-grant Application Form • Budget form • A brief narrative (2 page maximum) with the following elements o Project location and description o Project goals and objectives o Post project monitoring plans The application will be reviewed to determine if it meets the criteria for the grant fund being applied for.

Applications and forms are available at http:// montanatu.org.

It is the editorial mission of Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky to provide accurate and balanced coverage of hunting, fishing, outdoor and conservation news and events throughout Montana. If you have news you would like to share, please email information to reyadvertising@q.com.

We proudly support conservation and hunting and fishing education.

Publisher: Mike Rey • editor: Elizabeth Severn-Eriksson • production: Swenson Design Advertising: Rey Advertising - Mike Rey - (406) 539-1010 • Coco Nisbet - (406) 459-5562 • Joseph Spinelli (406) 599-3679 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Mark Dobrenski, RMEF

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5x5

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with the guys. Heck, Eric had probably shot that deer already!

Eric and Zach were perched on a bench overlooking this particular basin and I made my way down to them. As soon as they could hear me I asked Eric what happened. He looked right at me and said, “I just shot a bull! I was making a sneak on that deer, when I noticed another muley feeding right below him. But this guy had another 8 inches on the first deer. By the way, you are wicked quiet with no boots on! I’m out in the open at this point just trying to decide which deer to shoot. I’ve got them at 50 yards. The next thing I know I see a spike bull coming out of the timber right at me and on his heels is a raghorn and behind the raghorn is a 5x5 bull and he’s raking branches as he walks. They are headed right towards me and I’m crouched down in the open. Spike walks by. Raghorn walks by. And then the 5x5 bull comes into range. I draw back, settle my pins and let an arrow fly. It hits good and the bull instantly takes like 3 rolls down the hill and then gets up and runs further downhill. Meanwhile, the other 2 bulls run off with him and the muleys go back to feeding like nothing happened. I guess I should have knocked another arrow and I’d have a double!”

We high-fived and the expression on Eric’s face was priceless. This was his first archery big game animal of any kind. Just to have the opportunity let alone be in the midst of that many great animals is more than a guy could even dream up.

A plan was devised to track this bull down. Eric and Zach headed back to the scene to search for the arrow and pick up the blood trail. I stayed up on top Hunter: Eric Jacobs Photos: Zach Johaneson and Weston Paul

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

to watch for any movement. There was a chance that this bull would bump out into the open and we didn’t want to lose track of him. The guys found good blood all the way into the bottom of the basin, but then it dried up. I got down to them so we’d have 3 sets of eyes on the ground. Finally, enough tiny specs of blood led us to the snow and the north facing timber. We were going to find this bull, but we weren’t sure how far up he’d gone. Moments later we came up on a dark shadow and a 5x5 rack.

He hadn’t expired entirely and Eric snuck around to a clearing which allowed him to finish the job he’d begun.

After pictures were taken and the whiskey was passed around, we got to work boning out the bull.

Three guys can cut a bull pretty fast, but the clock was ticking and we were expecting the other Eric to show up at 4pm. Quick is what we had to be if we wanted to max out the weekend and get in a Friday evening hunt! Plus if we could pack all of the meat out in one trip it would greatly decrease the likelihood of running into the grizzly who’d be on that carcass in a matter of hours. We knew we could get it done, but we didn’t know if our packs could handle the weight. 3 hours, 300lbs, 1000 vertical feet, 3 intact packs and about 2 miles later we had the game bags hung and we headed out for the

evening hunt. There were still 3 of us who had elk tags in our pockets.

The rest of the weekend was action packed. We had some close calls, but we just couldn’t connect. In the back of our minds we knew that it was already a successful trip. Sure we all wanted to get a bull, but the reality of it is that the experience is what we are out there for. Elk season begins and we are instantly bombarded with everyone’s successes. Pictures, texts, emails, all the social media highlights.

Monster bulls getting shot from Montana to Arizona.

We have to take a step back and appreciate other people’s trophies, but that’s not what it is about. It is the experience we are after. Not the Pope & Young bull, not the monster 6x6 or 7x7, and the truth is that Eric’s bull is not just a 5x5. It is a hard earned, Montana backcountry memory made with good friends, sweat, sore muscles and smiles, plus some whiskey and a few beers. So no, it’s not just a 5x5.

Weston Paul, is a husband, father, full time landscaper and owner of Promont Outdoors. You can check out his adventures, and hunting & flyfishing apparel and gear at www.promontoutdoors. com He’s in the business of encouraging everyone to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with their families and friends.

MARTIN IN THE FIELD Brian Solan Rugged terrain and severe weather can make any hunt brutal, but even the toughest of expeditions can become more enjoyable if you take good care of your feet. Kenetrek Boots promise reliability and uncompromising performance. We build our boots “For The Trail Less Traveled™” by punishing every product through a rigorous test phase that we can’t help but enjoy. We know you will find total quality and performance with these boots because we already have.

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HUNTING GAITERS Kenetrek’s waterproof and breathable gaiters are contoured to fit securely over any boot with a wide, full length hook and loop closure that opens with ease from the front. Heavy duty Hypalon rubber straps on the bottom and a cam lock buckle at the top provide a snug, snow tight fit even when plunge stepping through deep snow. Best of all, the tricot fleece exterior is dead quiet in the woods! Available in Realtree AP c a m o , Snow camo, or solid black.

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

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upcoming events

FWP Seeks Comment On 2011 Wolf Hunting Season GENERAL 10/11-12/13 LEWISTOWN GUN SHOW LEWISTOWN 406-538-5394 Lewistown Gun Show is sponsored by Weapons Collectors Society of Montana.

Food concessions will be by the Snowy Mountain Muzzleloaders. Each paid admission entitles you to chance on a door prize. http://wcsofmt.com 10/25-26/13 GHOST WALKS BANNACK 406-834-3413 Bannack’s wild past comes alive at Ghost Walks. Co-sponsored with the Bannack Association. The ghosts of Henry Plummer, Chief Snag, Dutch John Wagner and others come to life in this spooky and entertaining Halloween event. http://www. bannack.org 12/14/2013 - 12/29/2013 HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT TOURS OF LEWIS AND CLARK CAVERNS WHITEHALL 406-287-3541 Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park offers candlelight tours in December, weather permitting. See the cave as the original discoverers did, by candlelight.

The tour covers two miles. 1 1/4 miles of this is outside and may require walking to and from the cave through snowy conditions. Dress for walking in snow, wind and cold temperatures. http:// stateparks.mt.gov/parks/events 12/26/2013 - 2/28/2014 ICE SKATING AT BANNACK STATE PARK DILLON 406-834-3413 Dress warmly and skate on the frozen dredge pond in a rare ghost town. This event is available from December 26th (weather permitting) to the first week in March. Warming house hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends. Skates are available to use or you may bring your own. http://stateparks.mt.gov Fishing 1/17-19/14 WEST YELLOWSTONE/HEBGEN LAKE NAIFC ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT WEST YELLOWSTONE 406-640-1198 http://westyellowstoneicefishing.com NAIFC (North American Ice Fishing Circuit) Ice Fishing Tournament Weekend: An official North American Ice Fishing Circuit event on Hebgen Lake at Kirkwood Resort & Marina. Winter’s equivalent of summer’s big time bass and walleye tournaments, is filled with seminars, a kid’s workshop and the fishing competition itself.

1/25-26/14 ICE FISHING DERBY HAVRE 406-265-4383 The Ice Fishing Derby is a two-day family event. The Havre Chamber Ag Committee fishing derby is designed for participants to win cash, have fun, and protect the fishery and raise scholarship funds. http:// www.havremt.com

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013

2/15/14 ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT GLASGOW 406-228-2222 Competition ice fishing in the Dredge Cuts Trout Pond at Fort Peck Lake! Top prize is $2,000, with other cash prizes and merchandise prizes. Any fish caught could be the winner from perch to northern pike; walleyes are accepted too! http://www. glasgowchamber.net RMEF Banquets 10/12/2013 Lincoln County Big Game Banquet Libby Becky Vinion, 406-274-8714 10/12/2013 Beaverhead Big Game Banquet Dillon, MT Kim Stosich, 4069251541 12/7/2013 Montana Rendezvous State Raffle Cut Bank, MT Jamie Freed, (406) 229-0658 1/25/2014 Mission Valley Big Game Banquet Polson, MT Kelly Kost, 406-240-1325 2/22/2014 Flathead Valley Big Game Banquet Kalispell, MT Kim Wold, 406-257-9110 3/15/2014 Hi-Line Big Game Banquet Havre, MT Jason D McDonald, 406-265-1574

4/5/2014 Gallatin Big Game Banquet Bozeman, MT Craig Freese, 406-285-3819 4/19/2014 Giant Springs Big Game Banquet Great Falls, MT Sue Della Rossa, 406-452-4349 5/3/2014 Vigilante Big Game Banquet Ennis, MT Cathy Toot, 406-682-7857 Mule Deer Foundation Banquets 10/19/2013 Southeastern MT Chapter Miles City, MT Contact: Jesse Schell at #406-951-2304 or j_schell_jr@hotmail.com Regional Director: Marshall Johnson at #406-850-8785 or marshall@muledeer. org

Hunting Season Dates 2013 Big Game Seasons Antelope 900 series........................... Aug 15–Nov 10 general.................................Oct 12–Nov 10 Bighorn Sheep general . .............................. Sept 15–Dec 1 Bison . ...................... Nov 15–Feb 15, 2014 Black bear fall ....................................... Sept 15–Dec 1 Deer & Elk archery..................................Sept 7–Oct 20 youth, deer only, two-day hunt ........................Oct 17–Oct 18 general ..................................Oct 26–Dec 1 backcountry – HD’s 150, 151, 280, 316* general ............................... .Sept 15–Dec 1 Moose ............................ .....Sept 15–Dec 1 Mountain Goat.................. ...Sept 15–Dec 1 Mountain Lion archery .................................Sept 7–Oct 20 fall .........................................Oct 26–Dec 1 winter .................. ........Dec 1–Apr 14, 2014 2013 Wolf Seasons fall ............... ............Sept 15–Mar 15, 2014 trapping ......... ...........Dec 15–Feb 28, 2014 2013 Upland Game Birds Seasons Mountain Grouse..........Sept 1–Jan 1, 2014 Partridge.......................Sept 1–Jan 1, 2014 Pheasant ......................Oct 12–Jan 1, 2014 Sage Grouse ................... ......Sept 1–Nov 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse .....Sept 1–Jan 1, 2014 Turkey spring ........................... ......Apr 13–May 19 fall ................................Sept 1–Jan 1, 2014 2013 Montana Furbearer Seasons For general reference only.

2013 dates adopted in August, 2013.

Trapping District 1, 2 & 3 Beaver .............. .......Nov 1 - April 15, 2014 Bobcat .....................Dec 1 - Feb 15, 2014* Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7 Beaver......................Sept 1 - May 31, 2014 Bobcat ................... Dec 1 - March 1, 2014* Portion of Trapping District 6 Swift Fox ................ Nov 1 - March 1, 2014* Fisher, Marten, Wolverine (where open) . ..........Dec 1 - Feb 15, 2014* Mink, Muskrat, Otter..Nov 1 - April 15, 2014* * May close earlier when the quota is reached.

2013 Montana Fishing Seasons Lakes................................ Open entire year Rivers** and streams.................................. .....................3rd Saturday in May - Nov. 30 **some rivers are open entire year – check the fi shing regulations This is just a sampling of events going on throughout the state of Montana.

If you would like to include your event on our calendar, please email Wendy at wendy.swenson@bresnan.net

Mule Deer Foundation Over twenty years ago, the concept of giving something back to mule deer was a dream of Emmett Burroughs (pictured right). As Emmett traveled around the country, hunting and filming mule deer, he realized that many of us take this awesome species for granted.

magazine that it is today; now the flagship publication of the organization.

In 2003, the Board of Directors implemented the Chapter Rewards Program for local chapters.

The concept was simple – reward local chapters by allowing them to keep a certain portion of the money they were able to raise at their local event.

The chapter members are then able to control where that money is spent, benefitting their local mule deer herds.

Think about what the world was like in 1988. Mule deer had been extremely abundant; right up until the winters of 1983-84. Across the West, the record snowfall lingered long into spring and early summer. Many mule deer and black-tailed deer perished; mostly starving for lack of food covered by snow and from cold temperatures.

In 2006, MDF teamed with the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) to host a joint convention in Reno, Nev., called “Buck-ARama.” What a success that convention turned out to be! Shortly after the 2006 convention, MDF and FNAWS teamed with Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) and together, the three held the first-ever Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event raised over $12 million for wildlife!

two years before stepping down.

A few years later, Emmett observed that mule deer populations had not rebounded from this die-off. Many factors contributed to mule deer not coming back; loss of habitat, predators, poaching, highways crossing through the middle of transitional ranges, and subdivisions being built on winter ranges. State wildlife agencies were busy trying to grow more elk and dealing with endangered species issues.

On top of that, funding to state wildlife agencies was in decline. Mule deer management, which had been a staple of most fish and wildlife agencies, was taken for granted. It was as if mule deer, which were at one time ‘the’ premier big game species, were no longer worthy of prominence.

Emmett gathered together a few of his close friends and acquaintances and asked them to think back at how much they had taken mule deer for granted.

He challenged them with the famous words, “We must give something back to mule deer and blacktailed deer."

In July 1988, the Mule Deer Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)3 wildlife conservation organization. Founded in Redding, Calif., the original Board of Directors developed the mission statement of MDF. “The mission of the Mule Deer Foundation is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat.” As with many wildlife conservation organizations, MDF started having banquet fundraising events to raise money for projects benefiting mule deer.

During their first year, MDF raised money with a Founding Benefactor Program. The first fundraising banquet was held in Redding with 400 people in attendance, and with over $55,000 being raised. Emmett became the first Executive Director and Chairman of the Board – a position he held for

Find a fundraising banquet near you.

In 1992, MDF held its first National Convention at Bally’s Hotel & Casino in Reno, Nev. The convention drew many new members and local chapter committees to celebrate what had been accomplished for mule deer.

The convention was a great success, and 37 new life members signed on to give something back to mule deer. The national headquarters moved to Reno, Nev., that same year and remained there until 2006, when it was relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah.

MDF and SFW continue to work together to host the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, and it has become one of the premier conservation expositions in the West.

As we look back, the Mule Deer Foundation has grown from just a dream of Emmett Burroughs, into one of the leading wildlife conservation groups in North America. MDF may not have the largest membership numbers (yet!), but we are now putting hundreds of thousands of dollars on the ground each year, which are directly helping mule deer.

Plan to attend the next MDF National Convention.

In 1995, MDF began publishing Mule Deer magazine. The magazine started out with 36 pages and became an instant success. The magazine expressed both the beauty of mule deer and the problems they faced. Mule Deer magazine gave the organization more stability and exposure than it had experienced in several years.

From 1995 to 2004, MDF experienced highs and lows as a conservation organization. Although for many years the organization struggled to raise money, MDF persisted by always staying true to their original mission.

In 2004, the Board of Directors acted to right the MDF ship and move forward in a bold and aggressive way. Pat Juhl was made the Chairman of the Board and CEO. Behind Pat’s leadership, MDF once again began its march toward being a leader in wildlife conservation in North America. Tony Abbott became the General Manager, and with Bob Meulengracht as Director of Field Operations, a commitment was made to the members and local chapters that MDF would put money on the ground for mule deer and black-tailed deer.

In July of 2005, the old Mule Deer magazine changed its format and look, turning into the MDF

What does the future hold for MDF as an organization and mule deer as a species?

MDF will last beyond those who created it, nurtured it, and endured it through good times and bad. In an ever-changing and complex world, MDF will continue to be a conservation voice for mule deer.

And, as a species, mule deer will be more secure in their habitat, more secure from impacts by increased civilization, more protected from highways and, with all our efforts, they will be stronger and once again restored to their preeminence as truly a magnificent animal; held in awe by both those who choose to hunt and those who do not.

MDF has several projects across the state of Montana. For more information regarding projects or getting involved visit http://www. muledeer.org

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Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky -Fall 2013