Hunting and Fishing Under the Big Sky Fall 2014 by Rey Advertising

HUNTING & FISHING UNDER THE BIG SKY

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Elk Hunting: A Thinking Man’s Game

Fall 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Page 2

Deer Hunting Outlook

Page 4

Elk Hunting Outlook

It’s possible to wander out in the woods and blunder into elk, but if that’s your principal strategy, then you’re probably not destined for great success as an elk hunter. Consistent luck requires premeditation. Anticipating, planning and preparing. Even visualizing the encounter before it happens. That’s the boiled-down advice from America’s ultimate pool of elk-hunting buddies. Now with a record 203,000 members, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a 30-year conservation workforce of hunters, volunteers, donors, outfitters and partners from across the hunting industry. It’s a network that branches high, wide and awesome. Put any two individuals together, and the talk will invariably turn to hunting adventures in far-flung corners of elk country. As a lifelong hunter himself, now seven years on the job as the RMEF president and CEO, David Allen is nothing if not well counseled on elk hunting. “If you ask me for one takeaway, I’d say successful elk hunting is mostly about being smart,” said Allen. “Elk hunting tests your body, of course, but it’s really a thinking man’s game. More than any other North American game species, hunting elk –

especially with a bow – tests your mind. The people I know who consistently kill elk are those whose brains can foresee and manage multiple challenges all at the same time.”

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West Yellowstone NAIFC Tournament

Put another way, “First, you have to be able to think like an elk. Then, second, you have to be able to think several steps ahead of it,” he added. Allen said it’s a skill learned from experience. “It starts with knowing where to find elk. It’s not random. They’re usually in a location for a reason. Solving that problem is the first step to a good hunt,” he said. “Once you’ve located elk, then you must consider all the elements that might keep you from getting close. At the top of that list are the elk’s senses: sight, sound, smell. You have to figure out how to approach, how to keep yourself concealed, how to predict wind, how to use terrain and cover, how to get to where the animal is going rather than where it’s been, how to outthink an animal that’s always alert, always aware, all the time.” Stalks can take hours. A strong mind is required to help a hunter stay focused.

Wishing Everyone A Safe and Successful Hunting Season!

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Hunting & Fishing • Fall 2014

2014 Deer Hunting Outlook MTFWP Region 6—Northeastern Montana • Effects on deer from recent hard winters are still being seen but mule deer and white-tailed deer numbers are rebounding in most areas.

Mule deer numbers have experienced recent declines in many areas of Montana but should be improving with favorable weather and habitat conditions in 2014. Recent seasonal insect-related disease outbreaks have reduced white-tailed deer populations in parts of eastern, central and west-central Montana. Other areas have stable populations with favorable weather and habitat conditions in 2014 enhancing recruitment levels across the state.

Region 7—Southeastern Montana • Mule deer numbers are eight percent below the long term average compared to 32 percent below long term average last year. Overwinter survival last year was high, and fawn recruitment this spring—up to 61 yearlings per 100 adults—increased relative to the previous two years. Hunters may have better opportunity in the southern portion of the region.

Bottom line, deer hunters in Montana will find improving populations but a mix of hunting opportunities when the general season opens Oct. 25. 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. 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 • Fawn recruitment for most of northwestern Montana for white-tailed deer is good for the fourth straight year. As a result, hunters can expect to find not only more white-tailed bucks this fall, but more bucks in the 3-year old age category. Bucks this age start producing quality racks for hunters interested in putting something on the wall as well as in the freezer. Mule deer populations remain low and hunters should not expect to find the type of mule deer hunting they enjoyed a generation ago. However, slight improvements in the 2012 and 2013 harvests are a hopeful sign populations bottomedout 3 years ago and are beginning a slow recovery. Region 2—Western Montana • White-tailed deer are common and numbers are generally stable to increasing across most of the region, but mule deer numbers remain low. FWP has restricted hunting opportunities for antlerless deer to speed population increases in both species. Hunting for white-tailed bucks should be improving overall. Hunting for mule deer bucks is by permit-only in many hunting districts. Region 3—Southwestern Montana • In the central part of the region, mule deer numbers continue to increase from low points in 2010 and 2011 in hunting districts 311, 312, 360, 362, the Gallatin and Madison areas. Conditions are also improving in the Bridgers. Townsend area mule deer numbers continue to be down in most areas, but they may be starting to rebound in at least some areas. White-tailed deer numbers continue to be generally good. Deer, in general, are holding steady in the westernmost part of the region. In the Dillon area, mule deer are generally down. Mule deer numbers are slightly up throughout Park County, while whitetailed deer numbers appear to be stable. Region 4—Central Montana • Mule deer populations are mostly stable but below long-term averages, and white-tailed deer numbers continue to increase. After last year's whitetail decline in some areas due to EHD, there's been good production this year and a rapid recovery is expected. Regions 5 — South Central Montana • Mule deer numbers throughout south central Montana are stable or up slightly from last year,

though they remain 30 to 40 percent below the longterm average. Harvest likely will be similar to last year. • White-tailed deer numbers are quite low at lower elevations and north of the Yellowstone River, at least partially because of last summer’s outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, commonly known as EHD. Numbers closer to the mountains, where the bugs that spread the disease are not present, remain reasonably strong. Whitetail buck harvest opportunities likely will be similar to last year, while antlerless harvest will decline due to significant reductions in B-tag numbers.

• White-tailed deer populations are currently nine percent below the long term average. Whitetail populations are variable throughout the region at the present time. Where disease did not occur, high densities of whitetail are present. In nearby areas that experienced disease outbreaks in the past two years, numbers may be low. Forage and precipitation levels have been exceptional so far in 2014. White-tailed deer can recover rapidly from declines, and it appears this process has already begun. Wildlife biologists tallied an average of 61 yearlings per 100 adults in 2014 trend surveys. Hunters who do their homework by scouting and visiting with private landowners should have success locating good areas to hunt whitetails.

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Hunting & Fishing • Fall 2014

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Hunting & Fishing • Fall 2014

2014 Elk Hunting Outlook MTFWP With elk populations continuing to be strong across most of Montana these are good times for elk hunters. In some areas of western Montana, where populations have declined, wildlife biologists have recently observed increased recruitment of calves. In many hunting districts, however, because access to private lands can be difficult, which can affect hunting success given landownership patterns and distribution of elk. Montana's general, five-week long, elk hunting season opens Oct. 25. 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 Hunting Guide. Here's a regional rundown on what elk hunters can expect this season. Region 1—Northwestern Montana • The previous mild winter should be beneficial to elk survival in northwestern Montana and contribute to elk numbers remaining stable. Elk hunters should find populations similar to what they have seen for the past several years. Spring classification surveys across the region showed continued good numbers with calf recruitment some of the best in the past four years. Elk numbers in the backcountry hunting districts of 150 and 151 should remain stable. Elk numbers in the lower Clark Fork area, the region's best

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. Meanwhile, elk numbers are stable in Paradise Valley and Gardiner and high and increasing in the Shields Valley.

elk producer, continue to remain stable with better than average calf numbers seen during spring surveys and should provide good hunting opportunities for the 2014 season. Region 2—Western Montana • Elk numbers are generally above the long-term average, and calf survival through the summer months appears to be higher than in recent years. 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 to reflect elk movement patterns documented in the Bitterroot Elk Study. Region 3—Southwestern Montana • Elk are well above population objective in the Gravelly Mountains and the same is true for the Tobacco Roots. In the Highlands, Whitetail and Bull Mountains, elk are slightly above average population, hence the nine-day cow season. In the Dillon area to the south, populations vary from district to district with some seeing slight dips in elk populations, but some seeing higher numbers. Heading east, Townsend area numbers are steady to high depending upon the area; however, elk availability to the public is quite variable depending upon the level of access to private land.Elk are above objective

HUNTING & FISHING UNDER THE BIG SKY

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obtaining access.

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

Regions 5 — South Central Montana • Elk numbers along the Beartooth Face and in the Crazy Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Bull Mountains and southeastern Belt Mountains are at all-time highs, though most are restricted to private land where access is difficult. Harvest will likely be slightly higher than last year. 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. However, elk densities are lower 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 numbers throughout the region continue to increase. As a result, populations are above 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.

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 • marketing director: Chris Rey • editor: Dave Reuss Advertising: Rey Advertising - Mike Rey - (406) 539-1010 • production: Swenson Design CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jessica Byerly, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL IS 7 DAYS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION: JANUARY, APRIL, JULY AND OCTOBER

Hunting & Fishing • Fall 2014

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Hunting & Fishing • Fall 2014

Rocky mountain elk foundation 5705 Grant Creek • Missoula, MT 59808 • 406.523.4500 • rmef.org

RMEF Permanently Protects, Secures Access to Prime Montana Elk Country

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation acquired 988 acres of private elk habitat in south-central Montana which it conveyed to the Helena National Forest. The transaction also improved existing access to thousands of acres of Forest Service lands.

“This is another ‘win’ for sportsmen and women who want improved access to some great Montana elk country,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands and Conservation. “The acquisition breaks up a pattern of private and public land by opening land never before accessible to the public and securing a new entry point into adjacent public land for hunting and other recreational outings.”

Located in the upper Missouri River watershed on the west slope of the Big Belt Mountains, the parcel contains rich, diverse habitat for native wildlife and features large groves of aspen, Douglas fir, grasslands and sagebrush. It is home to large numbers of elk year-round, provides habitat for deer, black bear, mountain lion and other wildlife, and is a migration corridor for grizzlies, lynx and other species.

“This is much more than just vital elk habitat. The property contains a stretch of Ray Creek covering more than two miles,” said Mike Mueller, RMEF land program manager. “The riparian areas are a prime source of cold water habitat for spawning and rearing of westslope cutthroat trout, a native fish currently listed as a Montana

Species of Concern.”

Fund provided funding for the project along with other funding partners, all with the same goal of conserving valuable fish and wildlife habitat, open space and productive forest and grasslands.

The project is a collaborative effort between RMEF, the Helena National Forest and the Neild Family Partnership consisting of four sisters. It received broad support from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, various other state and local government organizations, and numerous conservation and sportsmen groups.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 200,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

“I am incredibly pleased to share in this moment—a moment that relied heavily on our partnership with RMEF and the support from the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund— of celebration with all who have spent countless hours working on this incredibly important project that brought 988 acres of land, within the Canyon Ferry Lake watershed, into public access and ownership,” Forest Supervisor Bill Avey said. “Through this partnership and all the hard work put into the acquisition, these lands will provide excellent elk habitat, aspen groves and pure-strain Westslope cutthroat trout habitat for many generations to come.”

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“We are grateful for the Neild family and their recognition of the importance of conserving a vital piece of land that plays such an important role for elk and so many other different species,” added Henning. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Trust, RMEF, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Land and Water Conservation

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An official NAIFC (North American Ice Fishing Circuit) ice fishing qualifying tournament will be held January 16-18, 2015 at Kirkwood Resort & Marina on Hebgen Lake, just outside of West Yellowstone, Montana. Winter's equivalent of summer's big time bass and walleye tournaments, an NAIFC tournament weekend is filled with seminars, a kid's workshop and the fishing competition itself.

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Page 5

Meadow Village Center Happenings

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LIVE

Top: Pond Skim, Glenniss

ISSUE 3 •

2014 • A Rey

Indreland. From Left Below:

Snowshoe Shuffle, Yellowstone

Yet another winter is winding down after an actionpacked few months full of The snow, fun and entertaining Mag events. Having begun early azin e Of this year, winter seems toBig have gone on for a long vOl . 7 2014 time and snow continues -15 to fall. The great news is that the skiing was phenomenal this year, and we head into the spring and summer seasons with well above normal snowpack levels, which bodes well for any potential drought. The bad news is that that time of year is here when it’s not always easy to live in the mountains. While, in other places in the country, rain is falling, flowers are beginning to poke their colorful heads out of the ground and trees are showing their leafy buds, Big Sky is still covered in the white stuff and the white stuff is still coming down. As fortunate as we are to live in a ski resort where the conditions are often incredible, there’s always a downside. However, take this opportunity to travel and enjoy spring in other locales, revel in the peace and quiet, watch for new baby animals and enjoy the sun while you wait for summer. It’ll be here before you know it.

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many great prizes. Registration begins at 5:30PM, with the Shuffle ensuing at 6PM. Tickets can be purchased at Big Sky Resort and HOV and are just $25/person; children 10 and under are free. Tickets include the snowshoe hike, chili dinner, music, raffle and goody bags. Snowshoes are also available for rent. For more information, call Big Sky at (406) 995-5000 or Heart of the Valley at (406) 388-9399.

Page 18

Big Sky Ski Racing

page 8

Easter, while often a muddy, snowy holiday in Big Sky, has a wonderful chance of being warmer, drier and more spring-like as it’s at the end of April. March Easters, of course, stand no chance. So grab your Easter baskets and head Montana to the Corral . The theoff wordfor annual egg hunt or to rolls yet lingers the tongue with Madison Villagelike Base theArea ease, for their memory egg hunt. Church Fly fishing in of a great www.GallatinRiverG during the warmest services adventure. at the BigMontana Sky Chapel uides.com hours and consiste is a phrase are plentiful, psyche of anglers slightly before including burned into St. Joseph’s nt nymphing of Big Skyworld-w and after a hatch. the Mass at ide.8AM, open space a cup of coffee, In a state All Saints and visual definedinby Big Sky (a ministry read the newspapSleep-in, enjoy go-on for miles, of thegrandeu Episcopal/Luth r, mountaieran Gallatin near er, then hit the [ELCA] n ranges Big Sky for and bend-aft Churches) that atter, 9:30AM trout-wa a quick winter er-bend fix. Weather and a non-denominat of clear the Montana ionalcold this fly fishing Big Sky Christian of Big Sky Country destinationFellowship mild to blizzard time of year can range service and a lifestyle at 11AM. There from calm and is both conditions. are a also for services penultim the traveling on the angler; mountain—a experien at Big Skyate Resort. ce an illustriou Call Spring Season (406)the995-5000 first-time;for s introduction andmore info on a continuo (April through and times.for decision for us services This is the affirmation mid-Jun the

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While most of the events are over winding down, the rescheduled and things are (due to extreme cold) Howlin’ At the Moon Snowshoe Shuffle takes place on April 12th, from 5:30 to 8:30PM at the Madison Village Base Area. The Shuffle, now in its 13th year, benefits the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter (HOV) and has become a much-loved event for both locals and tourists. Attendees (with or without their best canine friend) are invited to join the pack for a delightful

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Ski racing has ended another season (see results on YSL championships in this issue) and many of the racers are donning soccer cleats and heading for the fields. Sports at Ophir School are also winding down. Basketball has finished and golf, one of the last sports of the school year, is just beginning. Before we know it, the school year will have ended as well, and that glorious summer season adored by children young and old will be here, complete with shorts and sandals taking the place of jeans and winter boots, and schoolbooks shelved ‘til Fall.

The groups will be invited to pre-fish on Hebgen Lake at 8:00am Saturday morning, where the NAIFC Pro Staff and Rocky Mountain Product Fair exhibitors will be demonstrating their fishing techniques equipment used to compete in tournaments. On-ice practice continues throughout the day on Saturday.

The Friday night seminar, Saturday on-ice demo's, and Kids Clinic are FREE. Tournament team registration fee is $200/team. Teams can pre-register at www. naifc.com or at the Holiday Inn Conference Center prior to the mandatory Saturday evening rules meeting. Kirkwood Marina is located on Hebgen Lake, 18 miles from the junction of Highways 101 and 287 north of West Yellowstone. For more information on the tournament and activities, go to www.westyellowstoneicefishing.com, or call (406) 646-7200.

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As part of the tournament, NAIFC offers a special “Kid’s Ice Camp,” on Saturday, January 17. The Kids Ice Camp is held at the Kirkwood Resort & Marina starting with a complimentary lunch for all kids at 12:30 pm. Free in-class tutorials will start at 1:00 followed by on-ice fishing with NAIFC Pro Staff. Each youth who participates will be given equipment for future ice fishing adventures. Parents must accompany their kids during this event. It is an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather.

IN THIS ISSUE

Hunting & fisHin g

An official North American Ice Fishing Circuit event, the West Yellowstone/ Hebgen Lake Tournament on January 16-18, 2015 is two-thirds education and one-third competition with a maximum entry of 150 two-persons teams. This Tournament will have an anticipated prize pool of at least $14,000.00 and could be as high as $21,000.00. Plus, there are cash payouts from the Calcutta Saturday night. For those three days, West Yellowstone becomes the center of Ice Fishing with tremendous Fishing Education opportunities on Friday & Saturday and World Class Competition on Sunday, January 18, 2015.

April /MAy 2014

Winter Wrap-Up

preferred season of correct e) resident. world-class of many of the fishing guides. area’s As the days in early April, get our page temps starts with hatches water 2 slowly rise. longer Spring of Blue Winged Browns, andBig Sky Community Olives, early season stoneflies such March capnia, and pneumo as of surface feeding- ras. In addition to the skwala, an hours’ drive. the trout, page anglers sixty miles and depths with 4 willing toprospect Tack-on another sinking lines the Missour ply i, Big Hole, and dozens Community and large streamer the may very well Whether of smaller Beaverhead, you head find some trulyEvents into Yellowstone patters streams are National Sky and the fades Park trophy trout. a possibility. before immedia the tourists loc As April Big kie 70s into March and daytime te area come, watch greatest density is arguably for the new temps hit the orange first of the mountai home bison, of world-class tog to the babyphothe 60s and pull your bike raphy pagen snowpac planet. 14 k muddies local freeston trout water garage Most of the out of the or just take a on the es like the Yellows nap, our the peace waters are accessib Allenjoy About However, arm All and quiet are serviced tone and Gallatin le year-rou because, yourself withAnimals some of theof the offseason nd. before . we know it,byanother and outfitters water is usually accurate reports regions’ best . And if you’rewinter will be fly shops upon nearby. The and clean us. on Cheers prettyto reading this, Day Caddis well-known choosi the you’re good passage of another chances hatch is page Mother’s smack-d wedare a gamble19 season! ng ab fantastic winter Regardless of you as some years begun, r years other the season, armedin the middle of it all.ding has pho run-off the trout togSkyline right in murky Bus with the either knowledge Schedule gorge - By Elizabeth yetrap Severn-Eriksso pre-runo or guide, or n her the ff waters. The themselves trout on a fly both, a wild icin most known Yellowstone is near-by. Montanag for its Mother’ is s Day Madison and coolon the cakeGallatin both can caddis hatch, yet the Winter Season fly , eve fishing. experien calm A sectionnts ce superb dry (December Shortly after creatof the Upper Madison through March) late May,and Thanksgiving a die-hardive set enjoys stellar opens in interest in fly wanes in Montana few weeks before fishing fishing for a . For some the summerin-the-know, the long days time crowds it is a blessing that’s ok, for anglers of June come arrive. As . Winter fly less crowds, tourists alike to Montana fishing means yet and locals and enjoy the sunshine part of the day. consistent fishing during kicks-into and , the angling high gear. Caddis the warmest Anglers in winter season attention to a trout’s diet, will continue must pay careful daytime temps but it is the and the wind the mercury salmon fly hatch to dominate in mid to late climbs above forecast. If June occurring 32 and the wind hit the stream. summer angling that unofficially kicks-of Expect to find is calm, f the busy season. Weather a few midges is a little more hatching (continued on page 4) eskay bridal

Another much-anticipat ed event marking the official The waters and almost-end woods of the ski of the Big Sky season like a who’s-w Skim. area ho of anglingis the Pond readThis not-to-be-misse The Madisond event legend. marks the The Gallatin passing . The Yellows of . season tone. The Fireholethe winter and is Paradise full of fun Valley hilarity. Spring and . The in Creeks. And See the story Section waterBthat forisdetails. that is only within

page 11

Application

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News Briefs

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