Hunting forecast

from page 2 2022 big game hunting forecast ments on city streets evoked the most conversation among commissioners. At least three expressed News from FWP interest in revisiting a resort tax – a measure resoundingly defeated by HELENA — Are you voters in 2021. ready for hunting season?

Only cities with populations under FWP can help. In addition to 5,500 are allowed to pursue the spe- the following hunting forecial tax, designed to help smaller re- cast, FWP provides online sort communities address infrastruc- information about hunting ture issues, and Polson’s population is access, including our popular now around 5,100. Block Management Program.

Meece told the commission that Through the program, we a buy-in from the chamber of com- coordinate with landowners merce and Polson Business Commu- to provide hunting access to nity would be essential before pursu- more than 7 million acres of ing voter approval again. “We would private land. need a commitment from those two The interactive Hunt Planorganizations – without that, I don’t ner map allows users to look see a way to go forward,” he said. He at information for various also suggested a road assessment, species, including hunting which is in the works, could help districts and regulations. The make the case. hunt planner interactive map

“If we do it again, I’d take a com- is a great way to access our pletely different approach,” he added, block management informanoting that the previous version, tion, so if you’re planning a concocted before he came on board, hunt in a certain area, you “was very difficult to explain.” can see if there are Block

Isbell said he would favor “starting Management Areas available over fresh,” and suggested that if to expand your opportunity. compared to a citywide SID, “other As a reminder, many huntideas might be more appealing to the ing districts have changed. public.” Don’t assume the HD you

Pardini told commissioners she have hunted for the last went door to door in the downtown several years is the same as business district last time around so- it used to be. Double check liciting support for the tax and found the regulations to be sure. none. Destination: NORTH-

“To a person they were against WEST MONTANA it, for myriad reasons,” she recalled. Much of Northwest Mon“The fact is, a resort tax spreads the tana experienced its third burden and a Special Improvement consecutive mild winter last District concentrates the burden on year, benefiting white-tailed local taxpayers.” deer. Region 1 wildlife biolo-

There was also a brief discussion gists generally observed good about redirecting Tax Increment fawn recruitment this spring, Financing (TIF) funds toward infra- ranging from 32 to 53 fawns structure instead of using the bulk of per 100 adults during springs it to improve private property within surveys. Overall whitetail the TIF district. Meece suggested numbers should be stable to funding could also be used for hous- increasing across the region. ing and broadband projects. Overall, mule deer numvj bers should be similar to last year with a continued influx of yearling bucks. Visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/ conservation/wildlife-management/deer for more information. A moose study has revealed that the Cabinet-Salish moose population is relatively stable. Visit: https:// fwp.mt.gov/conservation/ wildlife-management/ moose for more information. Big game check stations will be open in Region 1 on weekends during the general season — Highway 2 west of Kalispell; Highway 83 north of Swan Lake; Highway 200 on the west end of Thompson Falls; and Highway 93 near Olney. The Canoe Gulch check station near Libby is no longer in operation. In recent years, FWP has detected CWD in whitetailed deer, mule deer and moose in the Libby area. Hunters need to be aware of the Libby CWD Management Zone (MZ) and its boundaries, which includes portions of HDs 100, 103 and 104. Region 1 is not a priority surveillance area for CWD this year. Testing for CWD is voluntary. Visit fwp. mt.gov/cwd for more information. — Only seven mountain goat tags are available within Region 1. — Overall, black bear numbers appear to be steady in northwest Montana. For more information, visit: fwp.mt.gov. — Northwest Montana has abundant wolf numbers and recent population estimates indicate a relatively stable wolf population. Hunters are encouraged to closely check regulations and the FWP website for updates. Visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/ conservation/wildlife-management/wolf for more information. — Northwest Montana has abundant mountain lion numbers. For the 2022 season, changes to the 2022 mountain lion regulations allow for purchase of a general lion license or an unlimited lion license until February 28, 2023. If your hunting destination is in another area of Montana go to: fwp.mt.gov for more information. 2022 upland game bird forecast

BIGSTOCK PHOTO

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Destination: NORTHWEST MONTANA

Pheasants: Pheasant hunting on the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area near Ronan and surrounding area could be challenging this year. Despite good grain production and some opportunistic moisture in the spring, brood survival appears to be relatively poor.

Mountain grouse dusky, ruffed and Franklin’s: Bird numbers should be similar to last year. Much of Northwest Montana experienced a cool, wet spring which can negatively affect brood survival. Despite the spring conditions, overall numbers should be similar to last year and hunting should be good for all three species of mountain grouse.

Hunters must expect to see bears

Grizzly bears have the potential to be found anywhere in the western two-thirds of Montana (west of Billings), and their distribution is denser and more widespread than in previous years. Keep these precautions in mind: — Carry and know how to use bear spray. — Travel and hunt in groups whenever possible. — Follow all food storage regulations. — Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. — Carry equipment you need to process a carcass and get it out of the field quickly as possible. — If you harvest an animal, remove it from the field as quickly as possible.

For more tips on staying safe in bear country, visit: FWP’s Bear Aware web page.

Archery hunting

Montana’s archery hunting season for deer and elk began Sept. 3, and just like in every other form of hunting, being successful while hunting with a bow requires careful planning and preparation.

If you plan to hunt during the archery season, here are five tips for being safe, responsible and successful: practice-practice-practice, know the rules, plan an efficient harvest, be sure before you shoot and be bear aware.

To purchase a Montana bow and arrow license, a hunter must provide a certificate of completing the National Bowhunter Education Foundation course, or provide any prior year’s bowhunting/archery stamp, tag, permit, or license from any state or province. To become certified, visit: fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter.

Responsible hunters are critical to the future of hunting. Although most hunters respect the land, property, and wildlife they are hunting, a minority do not. Yet these few bad actors lead to frustration from private landowners and hunters looking to do things right.

A few of the things that hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of when enjoying our resources: avoid standing crops, don’t litter, leave gates as you find them, know your target and beyond, prevent fires, don’t spread weeds and weed seeds, avoid driving on muddy roads unless it is well-graveled, avoid ridge driving and driving to overlooks, do not park on roads or gateways, no driving off-road, ask for permission to hunt on private land, completely fill out BMA slips, know your location, get permission to access public lands through private land, camping is allowed on most public lands (see agency regulations), know the rules, report violations to 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).

FWP also offers a free online program called The Montana Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project. This project is an information program for anyone interested in promoting responsible hunter behavior and good hunter-landowner relations in Montana. Go to: fwp.mt.gov/ education/hunter/hunterLandowner to learn more and complete the program.

2022 Big game hunting seasons

Pronghorn: 900 Aug. 15–Nov. 13; Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 7; General 8–Nov. 13

Bighorn Sheep: Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14; General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Bison: General Nov. 15–Feb. 15, 2023

Black Bear: Archery. Sept. 3-14; Fall 15–Nov. 27

Deer & Elk: Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 16; YouthDeer Only Oct. 20–21; General Dec. 22-Nov. 27; Backcountry - HDs 150, 280, 316* (*no archery-only season in 316); Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14; General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Moose: General Sept. 15–Nov. 27; Mountain goat; General 15–Nov. 27

Mountain Lion: Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 16; Fall Oct. 22–Nov. 27; Winter Dec. 1–April 14, 2023

Wolf: Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14; General Sept. 15–March 15, 2023; Trapping Nov. 30–March 15, 2023 2022 Upland game bird seasons

Mountain grouse: Sept. 1:–Jan. 1, 2023;

Partridge: Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023;

Pheasant: Oct. 8:–Jan. 1, 2023;

Sage Grouse: Sept. 1-30

Sharp-tailed grouse: Sept. 1-Jan. 1, 2023

Youth pheasant: Sept. 24-25

Fall turkey: Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023

Ronan Students among Royalty at Pow Wow

News from the Last Chance Community Pow Wow

HELENA — The Last Chance Community Pow Wow Committee is honored to have two Ronan students as part of the Royalty of the 23rd annual Last Chance Community Pow Wow being held September 30 – October 2 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, Helena.

Emily Adams, Jr. Miss Last Chance Princess 202122, is a member of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe and resides on the Flathead Reservation in Ronan. Emily is 11-years old, an accomplished Traditional dancer, and the daughter of Chelsea and Tony Adams Jr.

Nakotah (Koda) Irvine. Lead Girl Dancer 2022 is the daughter of L.D. and Norrie Dustybull Irvine of Ronan. She is a fancy shawl dancer. Ten-year old Nakotah is of the Blackfeet, Flathead, and Assinboine tribes and is in the fifth grade in Ronan. Her Indian name is Wazi Wiya (One Woman).

For more information, contact the Last Chance Community Pow Wow at 406-439-5631, lccpw@ hotmail.com, on Facebook, or at lastchancepowwow. com.

Growth Through Agriculture Program accepting applications

News from the MT Dept. of Agriculture

HELENA — The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding folks that the Growth Through Agriculture program (GTA) is accepting applications for this year’s funding cycle. The application deadline is Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. MDA staff will hold a technical assistance call for interested parties on Monday, Aug. 29 at 12 p.m. Those interested in joining the call may do so by visiting the Department’s website at: https://agr.mt.gov/ GTA.

The GTA program was established by the legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agriculture industry by developing new agricultural products and processes. GTA grants and loans are awarded by the Agriculture Development Council, a seven member committee appointed by the Governor. GTA funding requires the investment of at least $1 in matching funds for every $1 in grant or loan assistance received. The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit: agr.mt.gov.

Department of Livestock keeps improving disease preparedness

News from Department of Livestock

HELENA — The Montana Department of Livestock recently completed a training exercise to improve response to a foreign animal disease in a Montana swine herd. The four-day event was conducted in partnership with the National Pork Board and the Montana Pork Producers Association and involved a simulated detection of African Swine Fever (ASF); a swine disease that has recently been detected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Traditional methods of disease control such as quarantine, vaccination, and early marketing are insufficient to control ASF, where large numbers of swine will die of the disease. To prevent further disease spread, large numbers of animals may need to be disposed of after being humanely euthanized.

“Rapidly stamping out infections of ASF remains our most potent weapon”, stated Michael Honeycutt, Executive Officer of the Board of Livestock. “To mitigate the impacts to the Nation, it is critical to rapidly detect any introduction of ASF into the United States and effectively contain the disease.”

The exercise allowed participants to observe novel depopulation techniques to improve on established methods of euthanasia such as anesthetic overdose, gunshot, or captive bolt which are difficult to use for large numbers of animals. Once animals are euthanized, carcasses remain infective and, therefore must be disposed of in a manner to contain or inactivate the ASF virus.

The training also included mental health assessments because large scale depopulation and disposal activities can have significant mental health impacts on animal owners and responders. Ideal methods of depopulation are humane, effective for large groups of animals, and minimize mental health impacts.

“We hope Montana never has to experience a devastating foreign animal disease like ASF but preserving the welfare of our employees is a critical component of a successful response,” added Honeycutt.

The training is one of five exercises sponsored by the National Pork Board. Montana was also fortunate to have participation from Montana State University Extension, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. The Department also acknowledges the key roles of Thomas Wurtz, DVM, and the Montana swine producer who hosted the exercise on their facility and offered up time, resources, and equipment vital to make the exercise a success.

African Swine Fever is viral disease of swine associated with high mortality rates in domestic swine. The disease is highly contagious with no available vaccination or treatment. In addition to spread through direct swineto-swine contact, the virus can also survive for extended periods of time in improperly cooked pork products. The long survivability of the virus increases the risk of disease introduction into the United States by travelers who may visit areas of the world where ASF is present.

Since 2018, ASF has been spreading throughout much of China and Asia. In July 2021, the disease was confirmed in the western hemisphere in the Dominican Republic, and then in Haiti in September 2021. The presence of the disease so close to the United States warrants increased prevention and preparedness efforts.

For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit www.liv.mt.gov.