Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 1
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September 23, 2015 – 3
BAGGING MEMORIES
I
just couldn’t sleep. I could hear the leaves from the apple trees swirling in the crisp autumn wind around the corner of the house and John Schnase my imagination was runice covering the rocks on ning absolutely wild. the crossing at the forks Early tomorrow morning, at Wilkes Creek. There Dad and I were going to wasn’t much of a splash pick up Delbert Rose over but the scratch in the in Moiese and we were metal and the scrape on going deer hunting. I wasn’t old enough to get a the stock bring the pain back to my elbow and the license yet but the thrill side of my leg. There was of going to the mountains Dale, Ted, Bruce, Tom, and hunting deer was almost too much for me to Dean, Dennis and me. Several tags were filled contain. We even had to that day and I remember milk those dang cows getting my before we first taste of left. “packing out” We game. Today bounced over my sons the logging know the roads in “Some tags are exact spot Dad’s red filled and others that it hapand white aren’t, but time pened, they ‘59 Jeep know the after time it pickup all stamina it day long. I always leads to takes to get watched the another exciting to that and fastest gun season.” several other in the west places where named hunting traDelbert take ditions have been estaba four-point whitetail lished through the years. buck on the run. Then Whether it’s a trip east Dad made a shot on a of the mountains to hunt nice doe. That was it, I antelope or setting up was hooked. Since that camp in the mountains of time I can’t think of a year going by without get- western Montana, this has got to be one of the ting excited about the fall hunt and “hunting” every- most diverse and spectacular places on earth. I’ve where I go. had the privilege of huntThis is the second year ing in the Bob Marshall I’ve had the opportunity Wilderness as a guide for to work on the Hunting Bud and Mick Cheff, I’ve and Fishing Guide for the hunted with my lifetime Valley Journal. There’s a buddy Dale Fuhrmann lot to be said about and his boys Joel and believing in what you’re Jason. My good friend doing and being successful promoting it. The priv- Galen Smith and I hunted horseback and camped ilege of living in Montana on the Beartooth Game and taking part in the Range at Wolf Creek. great outdoors has been a Those have all been wonsignificant factor in my derful experiences when life and I don’t mind saywe were able to see fabuing, thank God for this lous landscapes and place. share quality camp time. I’m not a great hunter. But most of all, when I In fact I wouldn’t even spend time with my say I’m a good hunter. favorite oldest son Nate But for me, hunting has and my favorite youngest etched in my mind some son Lee while hunting in of the best memories. The our old haunts, I get the scars on my Model ‘94 3030 Winchester will always feeling that those times will carry on the traditell the story of glistening
Hunting heritage
“
4 – September 23, 2015
JOHN SCHNASE PHOTO
First antelope hunt; three young hunters pose with Nate Schnase’s first antelope. Nate, Joel Fuhrmann and Lee Schnase, in their 30s today, experienced an eastern Montana adventure early in their hunting careers.
There isn't enough print space to ever glorify the magnificent scenery of Montana, this being a high ridge on the Beartooth Wildlife Management area.
JOHN SCHNASE PHOTO
tion. The stories are numerous — I could go on ‘til the rocking chair wore out. Some tags are filled and others aren’t, but time after time it always leads to another exciting season. Looking forward to the results of the next special permit drawing or
watching for the next set of FWP regulations sets the stage for another adventure. Checking the backpack and making selections of gear and outerwear, sighting in and cleaning the rifle and making sure the first aid kit, flashlight and other supplies are still up to
Hunting & Fishing
date fall in line with another run. I’m hoping this special issue will provide some of the mechanics for your next hunting season. But more than that, I hope it leads to some incredible memories that will filter down through the years of a long time tradition.
A rack on the wall is nice, so is the smell of a well prepared wild game meal and the satisfaction with a successful stalk and harvest; however, nothing will beat the sound of those whirling leaves on an early autumn morning just waiting to go with Dad.
PHEASANTS FOREVER Pheasant season looking bright thanks to partnership, weather by Megan Strickland Valley Journal
CHARLO — Mission Valley is home to some of the best pheasant hunting on public land in Western Montana and this year’s season is looking bright, after a dry spring and a blossoming management agreement have created a prime spot for young birds to flourish. Mother Nature did part of the work for this year’s pheasant season, by being dry. In wet years, pheasant chicks are at risk of dying, because they don’t have oil in their feathers to repel water and keep them from freezing to death. Dry weather keeps the birds from freezing and is also conducive for grasshopper growth, a major food source for the chicks. “The dry and fairly warm spring was really a boon to production and chick survival,” Mission Valley Pheasants Forever Treasurer Dave Bunnell said. “It was probably the best for hatching that we have had in a decade.” Dave has been bird hunting for a half-century on the more than 4,000 acres of state, federal and tribal land publicly available in midMission Valley. He says it is a place that locals love, but that also attracts people from all over the United States and the World. He knows of two groups of hunters that fly from Scandinavia and northern European countries each year to hunt birds in Charlo.
“This is the best bird hunting opportunity in Western Montana, from Canada to Idaho,” Bunnell said. “This is the spot. It’s one of the reason I’ve stayed here so many years, because I love to hunt birds and I love the mountains. I don’t believe there is any more beautiful place to hunt birds or fish than in Mission Valley. It doesn’t get any more beautiful in the world.” But bird numbers have been steadily decreasing over the past few years, and hunters wanted to do something to help the fowl flourish. The Mission Valley Pheasants Forever chapter, State of Montana, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service have partnered together to fund a $250,000 five-year agreement that dedicates a habitat technician to create a better living space for the birds. Charlie Holtz began working on federal and state plots in March, and plots of better groundnesting bird habitat are already growing at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Waterfowl Production Areas and Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s Ninepipe Management Area. Holtz has worked with state, federal and tribal partners to identify areas where he can work the land, and stimulate it so that native grasses can gain a foothold. Natural disturbances to the grassland, like fire, have been suppressed so long in some areas, that Holtz coming in and disturbing it and planting seed can make a major difference in habitat. The result is bird housing that benefits all ground-nesting fowl. “Our main goal is to maintain a good ecosystem management regime for all wildlife, it’s not
COURTESY PHOTO
Warm, dry spring weather contributed to higher pheasant chick survival rates.
just specifically pheasants,” Holtz said. This year he focused on keeping ponds at a prime level to stimulate bug production and planted some grains and forbs to
reinvigorate the ground. “The goal is to add more diversity on these grasslands,” he added. Holtz’s work has got longtime hunters like Big Arm’s Sid Rundell excit-
ed. Rundell has been bird hunting in Mission Valley for more than two decades. “It’s really an exciting new initiative,” Rundell said. “We are expecting
significant results from that partnership that will help invigorate this land that has not adequately been stimulated for the past 10 or 15 years.”
“ T H I S I S T H E B E S T B I R D H U N T I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y I N W E S T E R N M O N TA N A , F R O M C A N A D A T O I D A H O . ” - Dave Bunnell, Mission Valley Pheasants Forever Treasurer Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 5
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6 – September 23, 2015
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Hunting & Fishing
ON THE WING
Gray partridge season open, pheasant season opening soon
Upland bird hunting conditions vary across Montana News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — For wild upland birds - grouse and pheasants and such - it’s all about the hatch and chick survival. Well, almost all. A really bad winter can knock things back for a year or two but generally, if there is a good hatch and good survival among the chicks, especially a few years in a row, there will be great hunting. Looking back a few years, Montana’s seen good hatches and good survival for game birds. So, at a statewide scale, things should be pretty good for hunters this fall. Conditions for nesting and brood survival, however, can vary widely so don’t be surprised to find hunting really good in one area and not so good just 50 or 100 miles away. This is what we call “spotty” in the bird hunting world. A few things to keep in mind this fall: — Heat plus dogs equals trouble. It can often be 80 degrees or more in September and early October, so keep a close eye on your dog to make sure he or she doesn’t get overheated. Your dog finds and retrieves your birds, is probably your best friend, and is a tent-mate in camp, so be mindful of your dog. Carry plenty of extra water in the field for the pup to drink and to give your trusty pal a good wetting down, especially about the belly and armpits, when the heat is on. — Fire. Please understand that it can be hot and dry so use extreme caution and don’t drive in tall, dry vegetation. Here is a little more detail on what hunters can expect:
NICOLE TAVENNER/VALLEY JOURNAL
Some of mans best friends are also a great help to bird hunters. This dog waits for the signal from his owner to find the bird during retriever trials held in our area this summer.
— Gray (Hungarian) Partridge: While no formal surveys are conducted for huns in Montana, weather and habitat conditions suggest huns across the state will range from slightly above to well below average this season. Observations in Regions 4, in the middle of Montana, and Region 7, in southeastern Montana, suggest average numbers. In FWP Region 6, northwestern Montana, good sized broods have been observed so hunters can expect hun numbers to be good given favorable 2015 nesting conditions that further benefited from dry conditions through June and likely improved nest success and brood survival. Summer hail storms in Regions 4 and 6 likely affected bird numbers where storm cells hit resulting in the aforementioned spotty distribution of birds. In southcentral Montana, FWP Region 5, conditions were in flux and bird numbers in most of
the region will be below average. — Mountain Grouse: A catch-all term that includes ruffed, spruce, and dusky (or blue) grouse, are de rigueur for western Montana bird hunters. They are fun to hunt and good to eat. The last few years have been good for these birds in Regions 1 (northwestern Montana), 2 (western Montana), 3 (southwestern Montana) and parts of 4. Particularly in northwestern Montana biologists have been seeing lots of birds and broods. Preliminary information from Region 5 suggests that dusky grouse numbers are better than last year but still below average and ruffed grouse will be at or slightly above average. — Pheasants: In northwestern Montana, brood survival appears to be good on the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area but drought has impacted habitat so hunting conditions could be tough.
Numbers in the Flathead Valley are holding steady. — Sage grouse: Sage grouse are another bright spot this year in Montana. After declining lek counts between 2008 and 2014 things have really picked up, which is consistent with normal population fluctuations and is a result of favorable weather conditions for hatching and brood rearing during both 2014 and 2015. Statewide, male attendance at leks, or sagegrouse breeding grounds, averaged 22.8 males per lek this year, 75 percent higher than last year. Other western states also are reporting increases in lek counts for 2015. This year’s counts, however, are still 25 percent below the 30-year long-term average. Consequently, hunters can expect numbers to be better than last year and near average in areas open to sage-grouse hunting. Hunters must check the 2015 upland game bird regulations
because parts of southcentral, eastern and northern Montana are closed to sage grouse hunting. — Sharp-tailed grouse: Across the northern part of the state lek counts and other observations show that hunting should be good this fall. In the central part of the state in Region 4 things look good because the past few years have had favorable conditions for production and survival. The eastern part of the state in Region 7 should be about average but spotty depending on local habitat conditions. In Region 5, numbers are likely lower than last year due to low numbers of birds going into this year’s nesting season. — Chukar: In Region 5, the chukar harvest in 2014 was up 52 percent from 2013, which is good news. For this year, chukar numbers remain below average but have some potential for continued improvement.
HUNTERS CAN EXPECT HUN NUMBERS TO BE GOOD... Hunting & Fishing
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Tribal Wildlife Management Program reminds people that the 2015-16 hunting season for gray partridge opened Tuesday, Sept. 1. Pheasant hunting season begins Oct. 10. The season runs through Jan. 1, 2016. Hunters are also reminded that the shooting hours for Hungarian partridges and pheasants for the period of Sept. 1 through Jan. 1, 2016 are sunrise to sunset of each day. Hunting limits for Hungarian partridges are eight partridges daily and 32 partridges in possession after the fourth day of the hunting season. Hunting limits for pheasants are three cock pheasants daily and nine cock pheasants in possession after the third day of the hunting season. Copies of these temporary hunting regulations are available at permit vendors on the reservation. For more information about the 2015-16 pheasants and gray partridge hunting season, shooting hours and limits, contact Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager or Germaine White, Information and Education Specialist at 406-883-2888.
September 23, 2015 – 7
WAT E R F O W L News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — Montana waterfowl hunters are in store for yet another year of some of the best duck and goose hunting in the Northwest. “For Montana waterfowl hunters this is the return of the good old days,” said Jim Hansen, Central Flyway coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Billings. “Waterfowl conservation efforts over the past 20 years in Canada and the U.S. ‘prairie pothole region’ are providing quality habitat, and ducks—also aided by a series of wet years—have responded.” The annual spring population survey in the traditional survey areas conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found record high populations of total breeding ducks at 49.5 million, 43 percent above the 1955-2014 average. Mallards were 51 percent above the long-term average, and Canada goose populations continue their high-population trends. Montana’s migratory bird — or waterfowl — hunting seasons are set to fit within USFWS frameworks. Under these guidelines 105 days are available for general waterfowl hunting in the Pacific Flyway — generally the western
Special youth pheasant, waterfowl hunting dates set MONTANA — Special Youth Pheasant and Waterfowl Hunting Days are scheduled for Sept. 26-27. This event is put on to encourage youth participation in waterfowl hunting and conservation. Legally licensed hunters 12-15 years of age may hunt pheasants and legal species of ducks, mergansers and geese on these dates. Youth hunters must be accompanied in the field by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age. The adult may not hunt pheasants or the species listed above on these days, but may participate in other open hunting seasons during these days. Bag and possession limits, shooting hours, hunter education requirements and all other 8 – September 23, 2015
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half of Montana — while the eastern portion of Montana within the Central Flyway has 97 days of hunting available for ducks and coots and 105
days for geese. “Federal frameworks allow changes in duck zone boundaries every five years, with the next opportunity for change in 2016, but goose zones are not so constrained,” Hansen said. Pacific Flyway dates for ducks and geese are similar to last year, with a split near the end to provide an additional weekend of hunting. For both
applicable regulations that apply during the regular hunting seasons shall apply.
Use only legal ammunition while bird hunting on reservation News from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Lead shot is prohibited for hunting pheasants, gray partridge, and migratory waterfowl. Only federally–approved non-toxic shot, including steel, bismuth-tin, tungstenbronze, tungsten-iron, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungstentin-bismuth and tungsten-tin-iron, and tungsten-iron-copper is legal for use on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — Montana residents and nonresidents can show support for members of the military who have given the ultimate sacrifice by donating their hunting license to a disabled military veteran or disabled active duty service member. The disabled veteran or active armed forces member who receives the donated hunting license must be working with an organization that uses hunting as part of the rehabilitation process. While one can’t choose the organization to receive a donated license, the disabled veteran or armed forces member who receives the license will be a Purple Heart recipient and have a 70 percent or greater disability rating. Each license must be donated or surrendered before the beginning of the hunting season. One cannot repurchase the same license again during the license year. For more information on Montana’s disabled veterans hunting license donation program, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Hunting”, then “Licenses & Permits.”
ducks and geese in the Pacific Flyway the dates are: Oct. 3 – Jan. 10, 2016, and Jan. 16–20, 2016. Swan hunting will run Oct. 10–Dec. 1. There is no swan hunting on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The basic daily bag limit for the Pacific Flyway is seven. For each flyway there are some species and sex restrictions within the basic bag limit. Goose bag limits are the same as last year for both flyways. Possession limits are three times the daily bag limit for both ducks and geese. The two-day Youth Waterfowl Season will be Sept. 26-27. Hansen cautions that seasonal water conditions are variable around the state, so scouting of favorite hunting spots will be important. As always, hunting success will depend a lot on local habitat conditions and weather. To view Montana’s 2015-16 migratory bird regulations online, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click hunting. Migratory bird regulations are expected to be available at FWP offices and most license providers by mid-September. For online information on the federal duck and wetland report, visit flyways.us.
Shooting hours, limits for upland birds, migratory waterfowl The following are 2015-16 hunting seasons, shooting hours and limits for hunting pheasants, gray partridge and migratory waterfowl on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Species
Season
Shooting hours
Limits
Gray Partridge
Sept. 1 – Jan. 1, 2016
Sunrise to sunset
8 partridge daily, 32 partridge in possession after fourth day of hunting season
Pheasant
Oct. 10 – Jan. 1, 2016
Sunrise to sunset
3 cock pheasants daily, 9 cock pheasants in possession after third day of hunting season
Ducks, Mergansers and Coots
Oct. 3 – Jan. 10, 2016 and Jan. 16, 2016 – Jan. 20, 2016 Season for Scaup ends Dec. 27
Sunrise to sunset Oct. 3 – Jan. 1, 2016, and one hour before sunrise to sunset Jan. 2-20, 2016 There will be a split season closure of waterfowl Jan. 11-15, 2016
7 ducks and/or mergansers daily Possession may not exceed three times the daily bag limit. Daily bag limit shall not include more than 2 female mallards, 2 pintails, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 1 canvasback. Both limits for coots are 25 birds.
Geese
Oct. 3 – Jan. 10, 2016 and Jan. 16, 2016 – Jan. 20, 2016.
Sunrise to sunset Oct. 3 – Jan. 1, 2016 sunrise to sunset Jan. 2- 20, 2016 There will be a split season closure of waterfowl Jan. 11-15, 2016
4 dark geese (Canada geese) daily 20 light geese (snow, blue, Ross’) daily. Possession and one half hour before limit may not exceed three times the daily bag limit.
Hunting & Fishing
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September 23, 2015 – 9
BEARS
Hunter Safety classes set in St. Ignatius
Be bear aware while hunting News from Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes MISSION VALLEY — Both grizzly and black bears are found in the Mission Valley. They are often located in areas east of U.S. Highway 93 and are occasionally observed in areas adjacent to Ninepipe and Kicking Horse reservoirs. Bears generally stay along streams and wetlands, where the dense brush and trees serve as a heavy cover, but they may also be found in open fields and shrub thickets. Hunters should exercise caution when entering areas with dense cover that limit visibility to avoid surprising a bear. If a bear or a sign of a bear, such as tracks or scat is observed, please report the observation to the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office at 406-675-2700, 406-675-4700, or the
COURTESY PHOTO
Hunters should be cautious when entering areas with dense cover that limit visibility to avoid surprising a bear.
Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area at 406-644-2510, or the National Bison Range at 406-6442211. To receive information on
avoiding bear confrontations, please contact the Tribal Wildlife Management program at 406-8832888 or germainw@cskt.org
ST. IGNATIUS — Online registration is now open for the St. Ignatius area Hunter Safety education. All classes are free of charge. To register for the class, go to fwp.mt.gov and click on hunter ed schedule and follow directions to register. By state law, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must have completed the hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Montana. The minimum age for hunting in Montana is 12. (Eleven year-olds who turn 12 by Jan. 16 of the license year can qualify. Check regulations.) Due to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks regulations, students need to register online and print and bring to the first class the student agreement form
that includes a parentguardian agreement, signed by the student. For students under the age of 18, the form must also be signed by his or her parentguardian. Also bring the student code of ethics, document 0. Forms can be found at http://www.registered.com:80/events/view/2 5338. Classes will be held at the Christian Church, 303 N. Main, St. Ignatius, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 21-25. North class doors will be unlocked, and classes will be in the basement. Field day is set for Sept. 25. Contact instructors Dan Larsson 406-549-9015 or cgitw225@gmail.com or Andy Larsson at andy@skinnersights.com for more information.
Block Management Areas offer hunting on private lands LAKE COUNTY — Two Block Management Areas, acres of private property opened to hunters with permission, are located off the Flathead Indian Reservation within Lake County. Meuli Ranch The Meuli Ranch Block Management Area is located in Lake County, north of Dayton. Hunting on 3,000 acres is provided by the Meuli Ranch. This BMA offers hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, wolf, upland game birds, waterfowl and turkey. Each hunter is required to register daily at the sign-in box before beginning to hunt on this BMA. Registration details are posted on-site at the sign-in box. Each hunter must carry the daily permission coupon at all times while hunting on this BMA. This BMA is closed to hunting Oct. 24-26, 2015. Hunters must follow these regulations: 1. All access is walk-in only from the designated parking
area. 2. Motorized vehicle game retrieval is allowed with permission only. To obtain permission for motorized game retrieval contact Mike at 406261-6931. 3. Do not park vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct traffic. Do not block gates. 4. It is unlawful to commercially outfit on this BMA. 5. Failure to abide by the regulations for this BMA can result in a trespass violation under MCA 45-6-203 and/or a violation of FWP Department or Commission orders or rules under MCA 87-6-201. Lake Mary Ronan The Lake Mary Ronan Block Management Area is located in Lake County, northwest of Dayton. Hunting on this BMA is provided by a private landowner on approximately 1,420 acres. This BMA offers hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, upland game birds, waterfowl and turkey. Each member of the hunting party is required to sign in daily at
the sign-in box on site before beginning to hunt. Registration details are posted on site at the sign-in box. Each hunter must carry the daily permission coupon at all times while hunting on this BMA. To get there from Polson, travel north on Highway 93 for approximately 22 miles. Follow Lake Mary Ronan Highway west for 6 miles toward Camp Tuffit Road. Turn left (south) onto West Shore Road and continue onehalf mile to eastern BMA boundary. Hunters must follow these regulations: 1. Camping is allowed on the Lake Mary Ronan BMA but is limited to a total of not more than seven days during any 28-day period. The day period starts the first day the camp and/or camp gear is onsite. Following the 7-day camping period, persons may not relocate a camp within the described Lake Mary Ronan BMA until the 28-day period has lapsed. Upon the end of the 7-day period, all camps
COURTESY PHOTO
must be completely removed. At your campsite, you must place — in writing and in a visible manner — the name, address, and phone number of site occupant(s). There is no camping north of Kootenai Christian Camp. 2. Hunters using horses and pack stock are required to use certified weed free hay. 3. Fires are allowed only in designated rings. Check current fire restrictions prior to
lighting a campfire. This BMA may have fire restrictions posted on site. 4. No firewood or Christmas tree cutting. 5. It is unlawful to commercially outfit on this BMA. Failure to abide by the regulations for this BMA can result in a trespass violation under MCA 45-6-203 and/or a violation of FWP Department or Commission orders or rules under MCA 87-6-201.
T W O B M A s , A C R E S O F P R I V AT E P R O P E R T Y O P E N E D T O H U N T E R S W I T H P E R M I S S I O N , A R E L O C AT E D O F F T H E R E S E R V AT I O N I N L A K E C O U N T Y. 10 – September 23, 2015
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September 23, 2015 – 11
BITE THE BULLET Local business manufactures cast lead bullets by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal
A
60,000-pound load of “pigs” is a lot of pork, but the truckloads of “pigs” that Rim Rock Bullets receive from Canada are ingots of lead. The business uses about 60,000 pounds of lead every six weeks. By ordering that much lead at once they can make consistently accurate cast lead bullets. The company’s lead bullets are cast from virgin lead alloyed with “just the right amount” of tin and antimony, according to the Rim Rock Bullets website. Owned by company president Frank Brown, and his son Frankie, the facilities manager, Rim Rock Bullets manufactures the projectile portion of ammunition. They also sell the powder and brass to go along with the bullets. In November, the homegrown enterprise will celebrate 10 years in business. Their first storefront was in Ronan, but business was booming so they moved — lead, machines and all — to a new manufacturing facility at 35675 Minesinger Trail, increasing from 2,800 square feet to 15,600 square feet. That’s an indicator of how the need for cast lead bullets and good customer service from Rim Rock Bullets has increased in the last few years. With a thriving radiator business, Frank wasn’t looking for anything other than firearms when he saw the ad for a cast lead bullet business for sale in the Missoulian’s classified ads. “Oh, I could do this,” he said to himself. 12 – September 23, 2015
BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL
Frank Brown, president, left, and Frankie Brown, facilities manager, keep Rim Rock Bullets running at their new building on Minesinger Trail.
Frank had reloaded his we played,” Frank said, own ammunition since remembering the railroad the Brown family moved tracks that brought back to the area in 1970. freight cars to off load to He and Susan, his wife, the barge. went down to take a look The raw materials for at the business and Frank’s business arrives ended up buying it. at the warehouse, where In about a year, Frank they use a forklift to park had four employees and the “pigs” on a pallet, was too busy making buluntil the bars are needed lets to work on radiators. for production. “The The last coufirst stop ple of for an RIMROCK years, ingot of the busilead is to BULLETS ness has the castjust ing pots M A N U FA C T U R E S where a mushroomed,” machine T H E P R O J E C T I L E melts Frank said. the lead Most of bar and PORTION OF Rim pours it Rock into AMMUNITION. Bullets molds. cusThe tomers molds are in the 30 to 80-yearspit the bullets out, and old range and are all they are sorted. reloaders. Misshapen bullets — too Frank’s roots go deep short, too prominent a in Lake County. His great seam — go into the reject grandfather piloted the bucket and are remelted. S.S. Hodge barge, the Then the shiny bullets largest workboat on go to the lube room, Flathead Lake. His great- where a hard red waxgreat grandfather was like substance, the lube, captain of the steamer is applied. The lube sits boat Klondike that once on the grooves of the bultransported people and let and keeps the bullet equipment across the from leading the gun barsame great body of water. rel. The bullets are also Frank grew up hunting, sized. The workers sort fishing and spending lots them again, checking to of time outdoors. make sure no misshapen During his childhood, bullets get through. his parents lived at the To protect themselves northern end of from lead, all 23 workers Sacajawea Park. at Rim Rock Bullets wear “Sacajawea Park was nitrile gloves, Frank said. our back yard. It’s where “You have to be clean.
BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL
A Rim Rock Bullets worker sorts through bullets after they come out of the molds.
You have to wash your hands. You have to use gloves. Don’t smoke or eat your lunch without washing you hands,” said Frank, who has his blood checked to ensure lead levels are in the normal range. After the bullets are sorted, they are either boxed, shelved and shipped or sent to another room to be gas capped. A gas cap is a copper piece that fits on the bottom of a bullet so when the powder ignites, it keeps the back of the bullet from melting. Workers
Hunting & Fishing
see page 13
BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL
Mike Rodriguez checks bullets after they have been lubed.
H U N T I N G L AW S Polson, Charlo fall hunter education courses announced Be sure to review, follow all hunting laws, regulations News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — Every hunting season some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate the state’s game laws. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials urge hunters to review Montana’s hunting rules and regulations to ensure they act within the law and that they can recognize when others violate the hunting regulations and related laws. Any violation afield can be reported to TIPMONT at 1-800-TIPMONT, that is 1-800847-6668 or to Report a Violation online on the Enforcement web page. Here are some of the most common game violations: — Failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property. — Wasting part of a game animal suitable for food. — Failure to properly validate a license/tag or to securely fasten the tag in a visible manner to a game animal immediately after it is taken and before it is moved or
COURTESY PHOTO
transported from the kill site. — Taking game from the wrong hunting district. — Using someone else’s tag on a game animal you killed, or tagging a game animal that someone else killed. — Shooting game animals on or from any public highway or public right-of-way. — Taking game without a license or the proper permit.
Classes for the Polson and Charlo Fall Hunter Education courses will start Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m., at the Polson Middle School and Charlo School, respectively. Interested students are required to register online now at fwp.mt.gov. Those unable to access a computer should contact Tom, 406-2503386. A parent or guardian must accompany students under 18 to the first class. Adult students must do the following: Pick up manuals with instructions at Ronan Sports and Western and Westland Seed in Ronan or Murdoch’s and Walmart in Polson. Required: Student Course Manuals must be read and all of the questions answered at the end of each chapter before the first class night Oct. 6. No one will be allowed to take the class without this require-
ment completed. Individuals 10 years of age or older, (before the end of the hunting season), may be certified upon successfully completing the course. New laws are in effect, call Tom at 406-250-3386. Doors will open at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 6, for signing in and volunteer instructors will begin instruction for the Hunters Education course at 6:30 p.m. All other classes will run from 6:30-9 p.m. each evening Oct. 7, 8 and 12. A mandatory field course is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The mandatory written test will be held the final day, Monday, Oct. 12. Students must attend all classes and the field day and be on time to be certified. All hunter education classes are free of charge and open to hunters and
non-hunters alike. Some students take the courses for the firearm safety and outdoor survival information, even if they don’t plan to hunt. Adults, please feel free to attend as many classes as you can with the children. I encourage you to take the test and take part in the Field Day with your student. There is no cost to take the class. We provide all the firearms and ammunition, you are not allowed to bring either to the classes or the Field Day. For more information, contact Tom Fieber, for the Polson class - 406-2503386 or tfieber@bresnan.net, or Virgil Rinke at 406-676-8132 for the Charlo class. For updates, check the online class schedule at fwp.mt.gov. Follow links to “Education” and “Hunter Education.”
— Failure to validate a big game tag. — Not leaving evidence of the sex or species of the game animal attached. FWP encourages hunters to protect the future of their sport by hunting responsibly and reporting hunting violations to the toll-free 1800-TIP-MONT (1-800847-6668) number or report a violation online at fwp.mt.gov, then click “Enforcement.”
EVERY SEASON SOME PEOPLE K N O W I N G LY O R U N W I T T I N G LY V I O L AT E S TAT E G A M E L A W S .
Bullets from page 12
again check the bullets. The front portion of the new building will be a reloader’s warehouse and the office, according to Frank and Frankie. With the tongue-and-groove walls, fresh wood smell and lots of light, it’s a
good public welcome area for the business. They are always expanding, too. Frank noticed that none of the other cast metal bullet companies packaged their bullets in a plastic box. Now when a reloader finishes loading his bullets, he or she can put them back in the plastic box they came in for storage.
Rim Rock Bullets’ logo shows a mustachioed redhaired cowboy in a blue outfit complete with boots, spurs, a big hat and a cartridge belt wielding two revolvers. He stands on the words “Right on Target.” That’s Rim Rock Bullets — right on target.
vj Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 13
Restoring the Balance by reducing non-native lake trout
YOUTH HUNTS New apprentice hunter law in effect this year
• Up to
$150,000
cash and prizes • Over six thousand
$10,000, three $5,000 and five $1,000
• One
$100 - $500
• More than 5,000 tagged lake trout worth
$100 to $10,000
tagged Lake Trout
New for the Fall Event Tue., Wed., Thur. will be bonus days, which also includes tagged fish.
Fish Fry November 15 at Blue Bay for participants and families. 3 p.m. Fish Fry 4 p.m. Award Ceremony
Check the rules page and register online at
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
(406) 883-2888, ext. 7294 14 – September 23, 2015
MONTANA — Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission recently confirmed that some youth who take advantage of the state’s new “apprentice hunter” law will have the opportunity to participate in Montana’s special youth hunts. The apprentice hunter law, which was enacted earlier this year by the state Legislature, allows youth 10-17 years of age to obtain a certification to purchase some Montana hunting licenses before completing a hunter education course. Apprentice hunters, however, are required to be accompanied by an adult mentor. Montana’s special youth hunts are for two days and are set aside for youngsters 10-15 years of age. Montana offers two youth-only hunting opportunities, one for waterfowl and pheasants on Sept. 26-27; and one for deer Oct. 15-16. The two-day youth hunts are open to: Legally licensed 12-15 year olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age; and properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult “mentor” at least 21 years of age. Apprentice hunter details: Under the law, apprentice-hunter certification is for two license years only. After two years, the apprentice hunter must complete a hunter safety and education course. Also, to participate in the apprentice hunter program, prospective apprentice hunters must: — Be between the ages of 10-17 years old; — Obtain a $5 certification from an FWP
Hunting & Fishing
COURTESY PHOTO
Some youth who take advantage of the state’s new “apprentice hunter” law will have the opportunity to participate in Montana’s special youth hunts.
office; certification forms are available online. — Have all appropriate licenses in their possession at all times while in the field. — Be accompanied by a mentor 21 years of age or older. For a prospective mentor to participate, he or she must be: — 21 years old or older; — Related to the apprentice by blood, adoption, or marriage; or be the apprentice’s legal guardian, or appointed by the apprentice’s legal guardian — Have completed hunter education–if born after Jan. 1, 1985 — Have a current Montana hunting license — Agree to supervise and remain within sight of and direct voice contact with the apprentice hunter at all times while in the field — Only accompany one apprentice per hunting trip — Confirm that the apprentice is psychologically and physically prepared to hunt
Mentors are also required to complete, sign and carry a form while accompanying the apprentice hunter. Mentor forms are free and are also available via FWP’s website. An apprentice hunter is not eligible to obtain: a special bow and arrow license without first completing a bowhunter education course; a resident hound training license for chasing mountain lion; a bighorn sheep license; an elk license if under 15 years of age. Nor can an apprentice hunter participate in any of Montana’s limited-quota hunting license or permit drawings. Violation of the terms by an apprentice hunter or mentor could result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to one full license season. The $5 Apprentice Certification is available only from FWP offices. For more information visit FWP’s website at: fwp.mt.gov, then click “Apprentice Hunters.”
BOW HUNTING TRIP RECALLED
I
t was bow hunting season, September 2013. What a time. Tom Fieber and I drove down to Dillon on Friday and hiked in the 3 miles to camp. Another friend, Jerry Fowler, had horses to carry most of the camp in. He left that day so it was just Tom and I and tons of elk. Tom could not remember that many bulls in that area ever during hunting season. It may be they had moved in from other areas that had fires that season. We hunted hard — dark to dark. Saw lots of elk, mostly bulls by glassing and just out of range. We would setup look for lanes and start calling. Tom’s good, Marv’s bad. Thursday late afternoon we experienced something few people have a chance to. We pushed one herd into another. Very steep down to a high valley we went. The bugling was deafening, with six, eight or 10 bulls bugling over one another. We set up with Tom back 40 to 60 yards and calling. Bulls came in close, until we were busted by a couple of cows. It was a long walk back in the dark. That night, the elk were making a ruckus just up the valley from our camp. In the morning we moved out, heading up answering bugles until we found an active bull. Again we set up with Tom back about 50 yards. He would move back and forth and in
Valley view
Marv Maki
and out to make it more realistic. This Tom is amazing. He cow-called for about half an hour with little or no response. He then moved back up to think about moving on. He was about 40 feet from me and gave a last mew. The bull answered back! Then things started moving fast. Down into view came the bull. At 51 yards he stopped to rake a small tree. Another mew and he bugled. Hard to describe how loud that is. I could see his lower lip roll back, revealing his lower teeth. The scream just lit up the place. Tom gave another cow call and down he came. I had zeroed in on a tree about ten yards from me as my draw point. As he came down left to right heading to find the cowTom, he passed in front of me. As his eye moved behind that tree, I quickly drew and was at full draw by the time that eye appeared again. The aim point just behind the shoulder was easy to find at 14 yards and I released. What a sound. The twang of the strings, with the immediate thud, the arrow hit home. Tom had been at full draw the whole time from 50 yards and said I was lucky the bull didn’t see me draw. Explosion! Off the bull went down the hill
SUNRISE AND SUNSET LEGAL SHOOTING TIMES FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION 2015 - 16 BIRD HUNTING SEASONS
in huge leaps. There was quite a bit of blood with the fletching visible as he ran. The arrow entered a bit back and at an angle so it didn’t come out the other side but near the off hindquarter. We waited half an hour and started tracking. Bit of blood and heavy running tracks. Twenty to 30 foot leaps. Down we went, thankfully toward camp. After about 400 yards there he was just above a stream. He had lain down and died there. We pulled him down to a flat spot next to the stream and boned him there. Found my arrow just at the hindquarter and got the broad head back. We returned to camp for game bags and the cart. After boning the bull in the rain we moved it all to camp. Exhausted. I wanted to get the load to the truck and on ice that was there. It rained for a couple of hours so we stayed in camp and got a good needed rest. After supper we did get the meat half way out. The weather cooled a bit with the rain and all for the good. Saturday we packed up camp and took it by cart out to the truck. It took another trip back to bring out the meat — 150 to 200 pounds of it. Just about done in. I kept telling Tom to be looking for the moment when we were in the truck heading out and it finally came. Off to Dillon and dinner then home. What memories.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Rise Set Date a.m. p.m.
Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
7:35 7:36 7:37 7:39 7:40 7:41 7:43 7:44 7:45 7:47 7:48 7:50 7:51 7:52 7:54 7:55 7:57 7:58 7:59 8:01 8:02 8:04 8:05 8:07 8:08 8:09 8:11 8:12 8:14 8:15 8:21
6:55 6:57 6:58 6:59 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:04 7:06 7:07 7:08 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:14 7:15 7:16 7:17 7:19 7:20 7:21 7:23 7:24 7:25 7:27 7:29 7:30 7:31 7:32 7:33 8:17
8:16 8:14 8:12 8:10 8:08 8:06 8:04 8:02 8:00 7:58 7:56 7:54 7:52 7:50 7:48 7:46 7:44 7:42 7:40 7:38 7:36 7:34 7:32 7:30 7:28 7:26 7:24 7:22 7:20 7:18 6:22
7:16 7:14 7:12 7:10 7:08 7:06 7:04 7:02 7:00 6:59 6:57 6:55 6:53 6:51 6:49 6:47 6:46 6:44 6:42 6:40 6:38 6:37 6:35 6:33 6:32 6:30 6:28 6:27 6:25 6:23 4:57
7:18 7:20 7:21 7:23 7:24 7:26 7:27 7:29 7:30 7:31 7:33 7:34 7:36 7:37 7:39 7:40 7:42 7:43 7:44 7:46 7:47 7:49 7:50 7:51 7:53 7:54 7:55 7:57 7:58 7:59
5:20 5:19 5:17 5:16 5:15 5:13 5:12 5:10 5:09 5:08 5:07 5:05 5:04 5:03 5:02 5:01 5:00 4:59 4:58 4:57 4:56 4:55 4:54 4:54 4:53 4:52 4:52 4:51 4:50 4:50
8:00 8:01 8:03 8:04 8:05 8:06 8:07 8:08 8:09 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:13 8:14 8:14 8:15 8:16 8:16 8:17 8:18 8:18 8:19 8:19 8:20 8:20 8:20 8:21 8:21 8:21 8:21
4:49 4:49 4:49 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:49 4:49 4:50 4:50 4:51 4:52 4:52 4:53 4:53 4:54 4:54 4:55 4:56
8:21 8:21 8:21 8:21 8:21 8:21 8:21 8:20 8:20 8:20 8:19 8:19 8:18 8:18 8:17 8:16 8:16 8:15 8:14 8:13
4:58 4:59 5:00 5:01 5:02 5:03 5:04 5:05 5:06 5:08 5:09 5:10 5:11 5:13 5:14 5:15 5:17 5:18 5:19 5:21
THE BUGLING WAS DEAFENING, WITH SIX OR EIGHT BULLS BUGLING OVER ONE ANOTHER. Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 15
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
Andy Larsson looks through a peep sight.
IN PLAIN SIGHT Local makes peep sights by Karen Peterson Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS – Before the eye can focus on a target through a peep sight, the pencil sized hole needs to be drilled and a mechanism for attaching it to the rifle must be made, so Andy Larsson developed a small shop called Skinner Sights to make those handcrafted peep sights with the help of a small crew. The process begins with a piece of bar stock steel that looks like a long heavy ruler. The steel is cut into smaller pieces with the size depending on the type of 16 – September 23, 2015
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
Peep sights before they are finished.
piece needed to mount the sight to a rifle. Larsson cut seven pieces the size of rubber erasers and put them into a machine big enough for a person to crawl into, but it’s not a place you want to sit when the door closes. Lubricant sprays everywhere while a large metal drill bit looking
apparatus comes down and shaves away at the metal to make it the exact size. Computer code tells the machine exactly what to do. The pieces are taken to another machine where the rough edges are ground away by hand. Once the piece is smooth, the aperture itself, otherwise called the peephole,
is added to the piece with locking screws. The peephole is drilled out from a separate smaller piece of steel earlier in the process. The Skinner logo is then scratched into the metal and the sight is packaged with a “Made in the USA” sticker before being shipped. “We are really proud of the fact that they are made in the USA and in Montana,” he said. “I could have made these in China and eliminated the staff, but I really wanted my stuff made in the USA.” The only way to buy the sights is through a website, and Larsson ships all over the world. In his office, he has a map covered with push pins showing places the
Hunting & Fishing
see page 17
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
An employee grinds the edges down on a peep sight until they are smooth.
Peep sights
Comments sought on draft non-tribal member fishing, bird hunting regulations
from page 16
sights were shipped to, including a small island in the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole called Svalbard. When Larsson first bought the business from his friend Tim Skinner five years ago, people told him he was wasting his time. “They told me this is like buying a buggy when the Ford Model T was coming out,” he said. “I wondered if I was going backwards and if this would fall on its face.” But Larsson found many benefits to the peep sight that interest many people. The biggest benefit he has found involves the eyes. The sight is easier for “older eyes” to look through and focus. “The peep sight hole or aperture makes the target clearer,” he said. “They are also durable and won’t ever fog up. Every major battle rifle in the last 100 years used them because they are accurate, easy to learn to use and they won’t be out of alignment.” The sights can be found at www.skinnersights.com.
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KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
Above: Andy Larsson sets the program to shape the peep sights.
Left: Skinner Sights are made in the USA.
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — The Flathead Indian Reservation Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board announces the availability of Draft March 1, 2016 to Feb. 29, 2017 Flathead Indian Reservation Joint Tribal/State Fishing and Bird Hunting Regulations. The Board welcomes comments from the public on these draft regulations. Copies of the Draft Regulations and other information can be obtained by contacting Germaine White, Tribal Fish, Wildlife, Recreation, and Conservation Division’s Information and Education Specialist, 406 6th Avenue East, Polson, Montana 59860 or by telephone at 406883-2888 or by email at germainew@cskt.org. A public meeting to receive comments is scheduled for the Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Conference Room at 406 6th Ave. East in Polson on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. Written comments may also be sent to Mr. Terry Tanner, Flathead Indian Reservation Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board Chairman, 406 6th Ave. East, Polson, Montana, 59860. Comments will be accepted if postmarked no later than Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
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Arnie’s Gas & Tire Center “Your Mission Valley Tire Headquarters.” Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 17
18 – September 23, 2015
Hunting & Fishing
HAPPY HUNTER Local lady loves to hunt by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal
“The elk came out from behind this little hill,” Jessie Merwin said. Casey, their nephew, told her to shoot him in the shoulder. “I just couldn’t do it, ” she said, opting instead for a headshot since a shoulder shot wastes so much meat. “A thing I do before I shoot is I pray, ‘Lord, guide my bullet so they don’t suffer,’” Jessie said. “The elk dropped right there.” She also bagged a deer, with one shot, and an antelope during the 2014 hunting season. Preparing for hunting season last year, Jessie, who’s in her 70s, ran on the treadmill and lifted weights to get stronger. She’d undergone a cancer scare and hadn’t even shot a gun for five years. “I love to go hunting,” Jessie said. Although they both grew up in Jordan in families that hunted, she didn’t hunt much when their three sons were small because her husband Ron was in the Navy, and they lived all over the United States. When they moved back to Montana that changed. “I shot my first doe in 1990,” Jessie said. “Ron bought me a .243 Ruger and said, ‘You’ve
got to start hunting.’” Jessie and Ron grew up knowing that hunting provides food for their family, and others. “We learned early on that it wasn’t Bambi, it was meat,” Ron said. “We don’t hunt horns; we use the meat.” “It’s food for us,” Jessie said. “We’ve helped kids and people at the church.” “It’s kind of Jessie and Ron’s foodbank,” Ron said, smiling. They’ve canned a lot of elk meat, too. “We’re going to have to can some more,” Jessie reminded Ron. “We’re down to our last jar.” Ron used to field dress their game, and then the couple would bring them home and cut and wrap the meat at their house. Now Ron has a good friend in Jordan who runs a store and also processes wild game, so they take their animals to him. The friend’s son makes cured sausages from wild meat — brats, summer sausage, Italian sausage and German sausage. Ron helps him and comes home from Jordan with boxes full of the stuff, Jessie said. On the wall of their home south of Ronan hangs a mule deer shot by Jessie’s dad in 1948. “Jessie was with him when he shot that deer,” Ron said. A whitetail deer shot by
COURTESY PHOTO
Jessie Merwin shows off the antelope she shot last year in Eastern Montana.
Ron’s grandpa also graces their wall. Ron had both of the mounts redone, he said. Joining these deer and other trophies are the horns from Jessie’s antelope and the antlers from her deer and elk, mounted on one board. “I was really surprised,” Jessie said, when the mount
turned up under the Christmas tree for her. Ron had told Jessie he had a plan for her three sets of horns, but when he returned from sausage making in Jordan, she didn’t see them. Instead, he hid them until Christmas-time. Both Jessie and Ron are
going hunting this year. Jessie is looking for a deer while Ron has his cow elk tag. “With 90 percent lean hamburger at $4 per pound, it’s time to go get an elk,” Ron said. “We need at least one elk to survive the winter,” Jessie added.
“ A T H I N G I D O B E F O R E I S H O O T I S I P R AY, ‘ L O R D G U I D E M Y B U L L E T S O T H E Y D O N ’ T S U F F E R . ’ ” - Jesse Merwin, lady hunter
Check conditions before making hunting plans News from Fish, Wildlife and Parks WESTERN MONTANA — Due to current dry conditions and high fire danger throughout much of Montana, hunters may encounter Block Management Area closures or restrictions. BMA lands are private lands that are open to public use. They are available to us only as long as we treat these properties with respect and follow all rules and regulations. Some BMA cooperators
may be reluctant to make access commitments until weather conditions improve. Hunters should contact regional Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff and/or BMA landowners prior to making final hunting trip plans to identify any possible land closures, BMA use restrictions, or other actions that might affect their hunting activities. Region 1 is blessed with some of the finest Block Management areas in the state. We can proudly
boast of nearly 824,000 acres of mountains, rivers, lakes and valleys. Region 1 Block Management Areas consist primarily of corporate timber lands through agreements with Plum Creek Timber, Stimson Lumber and Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. Plum Creek lands make up nearly 98 percent of all our current Block Management lands and their open use policies make it easy for all sportsmen and women to use these lands. Plum Creek
even has special areas set aside for hunters with disabilities. Because of the large number of acres involved it would be very difficult to include maps with this publication. The best way to recognize Corporate Timber Lands is on the Flathead, Kootenai and Lolo National Forest Service maps. Plum Creek lands are coded on these maps by orange and pink for easy identification. Plum Creek Block Management lands are
Hunting & Fishing
also posted at the main points of entry with signs identifying the area and explaining the regulations. Adherence to these regulations is the best way to ensure that these lands remain open for generations to come. Stoltze maps are available at the Kalispell FWP office. Some of the regulations you will need to know before you go hunting are: — Motorized vehicles are permitted only on open, established roads. — Off-road vehicle use is
prohibited. — A bermed road is a closed road. — Roads with gates are closed, whether the gate is open or closed, unless posted otherwise. — There is a 14-day camping limit. — Permits are required for firewood cutting. And as always, remember that a State Lands Recreational Use permit is required if you plan to utilize state lands for activities other than hunting, fishing or trapping. September 23, 2015 – 19
Nice shot Wynn Lindquist of Ronan took this 6x7 bull elk near Perma on Sept. 16. He said the big bull was the smallest of its bunch. Lindquist’s brother, Dannon, helped him gut the elk and get it into the back of his truck. It took both men two hours to get the 600-some pound animal loaded. The elk filled the entire bed of Lindquist’s pickup. Wynn says he hunts every year to help feed his family and plans to shoot another elk for the freezer.
BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL
S TAT E T R U S T L A N D S Know the rules for hunting on state trust lands HELENA — Montana’s millions of acres of state trust lands offer prime opportunities for hunters
across the state. With the 2015 hunting season now under way, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) asks that hunters and other recreationists get acquainted with the regulations for accessing
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trust lands before they take to the field. Hunters and anglers 12 years of age and older must possess a valid Montana Conservation License to hunt or fish on trust lands. For other types of non-commercial or non-concentrated uses, a separate State Lands General Recreational Use License is required. These are available from any Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, as well as all ALS license agents. Proceeds from license sales provide financial support to Montana’s public schools.
Other important rules include: – Know where state land boundaries lie. Maps showing state trust lands and the status of area roads are posted at DNRC, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service offices statewide. Topographic maps are usually available for purchase at sporting goods stores and BLM and USFS offices. – Do not trespass. State trust lands are legally accessible if they can be reached from adjacent public lands, public roads, or public
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31591 Allison Road St. Ignatius, MT 59865 Hunting & Fishing
waterways. If you have to cross private property to reach state land, you must first get permission from the landowner. – Obey rules of the roads. The only roads open for vehicle use on trust lands are public roads, such as county roads and state highways, as well as other roads DNRC has designated as open. Off-road use is strictly prohibited. Designated roads that are open for use will be shown on travel plan maps or will be clearly posted with signs from DNRC. If unsure about the status of a particular road, contact the nearest DNRC land office. – Follow rules for disabled hunting access. Disabled hunters with a Permit to Hunt from Vehicle (issued by Montana FWP) are authorized to drive on any road on state trust lands, except those closed by sign or barrier. – Practice firearm safety. The discharge of firearms within a quar-
ter-mile of an inhabited dwelling or outbuilding is prohibited without first gaining permission from the occupants. Other recreational use: – Camping is limited to two consecutive days; campers must stay within 200 feet of a customary access point or navigable waterway. Open fires are prohibited outside designated campgrounds. Pets must be kept on a leash or be under the owner’s control, especially around other recreationists and livestock. More information on these and other regulations can be found in a brochure, “Guide to Recreational Use of State Land,” which is available from license agents or from a DNRC or FWP office. For additional information, contact DNRC Recreational Use Coordinator Dan Dobler at 406-444-9726, or visit the DNRC web at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/recreationaluse-of-state-land.
FIRST FISH Rookie angler needs to hit the water
L
earn to fly fish? You bet.
I’d just watched “A River Runs Through It” for about the hundredth time. The movie was shot in Montana, and I loved the images of an angler standing mid-thigh in a sparkling, murmuring creek; rhythmically casting and feeding his line, golden light lining his hair and his shoulders. Never mind that Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer and Tom Skerritt probably didn’t need much gilding. The water, the quiet and the solitude called to me. It was a skill not just every flatlander possessed, but I was a western girl living in Montana who’d grown up in Wyoming. I’d tried ice fishing once
For the love of fishing
and been bored spitless, anything for the class so but fly fishing seemed difwe didn’t. ferent, magical. There was lots of writOf course, besides a rod ten info and then practice, and reel, I’d need leader, practice, practice with a line, flies, a fishing license rod, reel and line. (No one plus a vest with lots of told me you could get a fly pockets. caught in your earring. When I asked my friend Note: do not wear hoops Judie if she was interestor dangly earrings until ed in takyou’ve goting a fly ten some fishing casting class, she skills.) jumped While it on the appeared idea. She graceful went to and easy in Berl Tiskus, Reporter the class the movie, and then fly casting the make-up group I was much harder than it attended, where Jim looked. Trees were just Vashro taught a Montana waiting to pull my line Fish, Wildlife and Parks with their leafy arms. “Becoming an Outdoor Bushes were not trustWoman” class to a bunch worthy either, with their of ladies who couldn’t stubby little branches make the first date. that snagged line. Judie came up with two We practiced tying rods and reels and numer- knots with hard, stubous flies. The paperwork born, spaghetti-like for our class cautioned leader. I persevered, but first-timers to not buy the creek called me, not
Berl’s Pearls
this tediousness. Finally we practiced, practiced, practiced — keeping our wrists straight – “no broken wrists,” Vashro cautioned. The night of the class we fished a stocked pool, and I caught my first fish. Glistening and slippery, the trout looked at me with a jaded eye as I slipped the fly from his gulping mouth. I could understand the hook of fishing then; we all just wanted to keep reeling them into the net until we couldn’t see and our arms dropped off from tiredness. Practicing from my friend’s dock, we kept our wrists straight and critiqued each other. Now the cooler temperatures and earlier dusks are calling us to the creek banks to try some twilight fishing before the November close of fishing season. I’m still a rookie, but I guess I can only improve.
G L I S T E N I N G A N D S L I P P E R Y, T H E T R O U T L O O K E D AT M E W I T H A J A D E D E Y E . . .
by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal
Armed with fly rods, lots of line and leaders, more than 50 ladies learned how to fly fish this summer under Jim Vashro’s expert tutelage. Vashro retired from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks a year and a half ago and is a lifelong angler. “I love fishing entirely. I love passing it on,” he said. “Fishing is a lifelong sport. … From 2 to 92, it’s something that you can adapt to whatever your life stage is at the time.” There’s a kind of fishing for everybody, he said, from sitting on the bank with a bobber and a book to fighting it out all day on the river. With the locavore movement, fishing allows people to get some “really, really good fish dinners out of it,” Vashro said. An added bonus is water’s calming effect. Most sound machines that soothe a person to sleep feature water sounds. “Being on the water makes those cares go away,” he said. “Fly fishing makes you focus and you see the
bugs and the birds flying by.” Since retiring, Vashro enjoys volunteering his time teaching others to fish through various FWP programs. He teaches fly fishing for Becoming An Outdoor Woman and also lends a hand with Casting for Recovery, a fishing class for women recovering from breast cancer. Vashro endeavors to provide his students with the exposure and confidence to continue fishing after class is over. Another FWP program that promotes the outdoors and fishing is Hooked on Fishing, targeting fourth graders. “Fishing is a good alternative to some of the things kids get into,” Vashro said. More than 1,500 young anglers statewide take part in the program. “For me, fishing takes me to such neat places,” Vashro said, adding that he and his wife went to Alaska this summer and on Friday he’s heading to Logan Pass to a lake near there. “Fish sure live in some great places,” he said.
COURTESY PHOTO
Hunting & Fishing
September 23, 2015 – 21
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Hunting & Fishing
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
Spring Pierce quickly ties a fly anchored to the table.
TRICKING FISH by Karen Peterson Valley Journal
S
pring Pierce has figured out how to convince a fish to bite the end of a fly line, although she isn’t very good at the fishing part. “You just need the right fly,” she said of the small insect like ties anglers use in fly fishing to attract fish. Finding real insects and tying them to a hook isn’t easy, so anglers mimic the look of insects with fur, feathers and other materials artfully tied to the hook, which is what Spring is good at. She can turn out a fly in a matter of minutes. “I’ve been doing this for nine years. I used to do it for a hobby, and I’ve been lucky enough to
turn it into a job,” she said sitting at Zimmer Tackle getting ready to tie a fly. To create an artificial insect, Spring anchors a hook to the table. The size of the hook depends on the size of the insect. Smaller hooks are used to create gnats, ants or actual flies. She put a medium-sized ten hook into a pair of vice grips. “This is what we call crystal flash,” she said of a s synthetic material that looks like a
clump of fake white hair. She wrapped the material around the hook to create the body of the fly. She used a bobbin of thread to anchor the material to the hook before tying it off with an intricate knot.
The May Fly is her favorite fly. “It has deer
hair and wings made of fine mesh material,” she said. Most of the flies she makes are bigger Mack Flies. “They are for the mackinaw or lake trout or whatever you want to call them,” she said. “We get pretty busy with the Fall Mack Days.” Choosing a fly involves investigating the area where the fish live. “You have to pick something that looks like
Hunting & Fishing
what has hatched,” she said. “And take a couple dozen variety of flies. You never know what will work.” Spring has always enjoyed fishing, hunting
and camping. She grew up in Pablo where a fishing spot was never far away, but she wasn’t able to perfect her fly fishing skills. “I’ve spent too much time making the bait to work on it,” she said. “But everyone says they catch fish with my flies.”
KAREN PETERSON/VALLEY JOURNAL
Spring Pierce holds a handful of flies.
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