Hunting & fishing 2014

hunting and fishing

2014

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October 1, 2014 – 3

in sight

BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL

Classes, practice available at Polson shooting range

by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal

ubba” is a fictitious character who does all the wrong things around shooting ranges.

He shows up inebriated, brings his “feral children” and lets them run wild and pays no attention to safety rules or rules of the shooting range.

“I have seen ‘Bubba’ on the range,” Bill LaFontaine, Eagle Ridge Firearms Academy instructor said, and he uses Bubba as a teaching tool.

LaFontaine, a retired United States Army Special Forces Colonel, was at the Polson Shooting Association on Sept. 13 for the second of two National Rifle Association classes to certify range safety officers.

One of the PSA’s goals has been to have all its RSOs certified, according to Michael Gale, one of the RSOs taking the class.

That’s one of the many ways the shooting range has improved over the years.

The PSA applied for and received a $20,150 shooting range development grant from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 2011. With matching funds from the group, PSA connected power to the range, constructed a wall between the handgun and rifle ranges, poured concrete pads behind the shooting benches, built more benches and put a roof over the shooter stations.

In a 2011 interview, Mauri Morin, then president of PSA, said separating the long guns from the handguns is a good idea. Some of the long guns can

“B

4 – October 1, 2014

only be fired two or three times before the shooter has to pause for the barrel to cool.

The next year Rob St. Clair, now president of the PSA, said the group built and insulated a building at the range. It serves as a classroom as well as a shelter for shooters and range officers.

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“We’re working on expanding our disciplines,” St. Clair said, meaning the courses the PSA offers.

Next up an NRA official will visit the range to teach chief range safety officers how to train range safety officers. Then a basic pistol class will be held on Oct. 11. see page 5

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.22 shells harder to come by

by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal

s not so easy to take a box of shells and go plunk at targets at the shooting range. It’s hard to find .22 shells or if they are available, they’re more expensive than they used to be.

“The demand has outpaced production astronomically. Some companies are a billion rounds behind,” Ray Czak, sporting goods manager at Murdoch’s said.

Murdoch’s is lucky, Czak said, because they have .22 ammunition for general sale and extra in the back for folks who buy guns.

All the rim fire calibers are scarcer, such as .22, .22 magnum and 17 HMR, according to Mike Reeve, who works in sporting goods at Westland Seed. As a store, they are paying more to get ammunition since they’ve had to go outside normal distribution channels to stock their shelves. They limit .22 shells to one brick at a time per customer “It’s the most popular shell out there,” Reeve said.

Right now a box of .22 shells is $16.99.

“We’re pretty stocked up,” Reeve said. “The factories still pump out as many rounds as possible.”

Many gun owners are hoarding ammunition or using it to make money by selling shells at gun shows or online for double what they paid for it.

On the production end, Frankie Brown from Rim Rock Bullet in Ronan said, “All we do is make the bullet, the projectile.”

They’re about month behind manufacturing, and they go through 40,000 pounds of lead per month.

“We have no problem getting lead,” Brown said.

The largest lead smelter in the United States recently shut down, but Brown said Rim Rock Bullet gets their lead from Canada and California.

With about 20 employees, their present facility doesn’t have enough floor space but they’ll soon move into a bigger space.

Hunting season is coming on, but many hunters use larger caliber weapons for which there isn’t a shortage of ammunition.

It’

be fire safe

COURTESY PHOTO

Make sure warming fire is dead out News from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation MONTANA — Hunting season is a very exciting time for many Montanans, as well as out-of-state visitors who come to hunt in Montana. As you prepare for your hunting trip, make sure you have plenty of water to put your

warming fire out completely.

Vegetation is dry and wildland fires can still occur. Do your part to ensure you do not start a wildland fire.

Before you head outdoors, be sure to follow the following guidelines: • It is best to keep your fire small and manageable, no larger than three feet in diameter.

• Make certain you have an adequate clear zone above and around your fire, a fourfoot area cleared for every one foot of flame height.

• Never leave your warming fire unattended.

• Drown your fire with plenty of water and stir. Dirt is useful in putting out a fire.

• Ensure it is cold to the

touch before leaving.

If you are exploring the forests, rangelands, and back country in vehicles you must stay on established roads and trails and avoid driving over dry grass and brush that could be ignited by hot exhaust systems.

Take caution and have a safe, fun, and successful hunting season.

Shooting range from page 4

The PSA has just under 300 members, according to St. Clair. Every year the group opens the range one entire day in September to the public to sight in rifles before hunting season. Otherwise, the range is open to the public on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The range closes for public use after Thanksgiving, but members can access the shooting range from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year.

For information or to sign up for the pistol class or join the PSA, contact St. Clair at (406) 270-8886.

vj Bill LaFontaine,

Eagle Ridge Firearms

Academy instructor, leads a class at the Polson Shooting Association Range.

BERL TISKUS/VALLEY JOURNAL

Hunting & Fishing

October 1, 2014 – 5

Elk opportunities numerous statewide News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks ith 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, that 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

W

Clark Fork area, the region’s best 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 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.

Region 4—Central Montana Elk populations are in fine shape. The challenge for hunters in areas along the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or in the Missouri River Breaks will be obtaining access.

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.

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6 – October 1, 2014

Hunting & Fishing

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October 1, 2014 – 7

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Archery season opens as bow hunting gains popularity

by Megan Strickland Valley Journal

t is a month into archery season, and workers at local hunting and fishing stores say people have been clamoring for equipment, though they haven’t heard of anyone downing game yet.

“I think archery season is gaining quite a bit of popularity,” Westland Seed sporting goods worker Michael Reeve said.

Westland Seed has sold more bows this year than in the three previous years combined, Reeve said.

He attributes part of the increase in sales to Westland Seed’s full service archery shop that is three years old and still fairly new to the area.

“At lot of people still don’t know about us,” Reeve said. “The other nearest full service shop is probably 60 miles away at least. Right before archery season we were slammed with cutting arrows and other stuff.”

The shop has the capability to cut arrows, replace strings, order custom bows, and offers a variety of equipment for archers. A 10-target 3-D shooting range is available for target practice. Five dollars buys one round on the range, $10 buys unlimited shots.

Reeve said hunters seem to be

I

8 – October 1, 2014

flocking to one piece of equipment in particular this season: Flying Arrow Archery’s Toxic Broadhead.

“The design is new and we’ve sold a lot of those broadheads,” Reeve said.

The Toxic Broadhead made a splash in hunting magazines after its release in 2013 because of its innovative design that didn’t fit the look of traditional mechanical or fixed blade broadheads on the market.

The curved fixed blade is produced by a Belgrade, Montana company.

Reeve said most of the people who are buying the broadheads and bowhunting equipment in general, are hunting for deer, mule deer and elk.

Reeve has been out hunting, but hasn’t killed anything yet. He hasn’t heard of anyone in the Mission Valley who has had any success thus far, but

MEGAN STRICKLAND/VALLEY JOURNAL

Shawn Morgan adjusts a bow at Westland Seed in Ronan.

Hunting & Fishing

expects game to be in the rut soon.

“It’s really fun to get out and see an elk get within 30 yards of you,” Reeve said.

Getting close to elk and other game is something Polson bowhunter Tom Fieber said he enjoys experiencing.

“We get to be within 100 yards or less of the elk for four or five hours,” Fieber said. “You are right in there with the elk. You get to be a part of nature in archery season that you don’t get to be in rifle season.”

Fieber recently returned from a bowhunting trip in southern Montana where he got close to elk, but couldn’t get a shot off.

Even when he doesn’t bring home meat or antlers, Fieber said it is worth the trip to be able to get close to animals other hunters usually don’t get to see. He’s seen bears, bobcats, deer, pine martens and the everelusive wolverine.

Stories about the thrill of the chase are outnumbering the number of tales about kills so far this year, Ronan Sports and Western Owner Rob Shrider said. He also hasn’t heard of anyone who had downed something with a bow as of yet.

Shrider’s store is not a full-service archery shop, but does have some accessories people can purchase in addition to maps and GPS units.

for all seasons

Hunting season underway The following season dates are provided for the more commonly hunted species throughout Montana.

Specific seasons, such as Youth Days and seasons that ended by Oct. 1, are not shown.

A complete listing of hunting seasons in Montana can be found at: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/seasons/ Also, specific rules apply within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation for tribal and non-tribal members. Game hunting is not allowed by any non-tribal member. For more information, visit www.cskt.org or contact your local game warden.

Antelope 900 series Archery General

Aug. 15 Sept. 6 Oct. 11

Nov. 9 Oct. 10 Nov. 9

Bighorn Sheep General

Sept. 15

Nov. 30

Deer and Elk Archery Youth Hunt (Deer Only) General Backcountry (HD’s 150, 151, General

Sept. 6 Oct. 16 Oct. 25 280, 316) Sept. 15

Oct. 19 Oct. 17 Nov. 30 Nov. 30

Black Bear Fall

Sept. 15

Nov. 30

Mountain Goat

Sept. 15

Nov. 30

Pheasant General

Oct. 11

Jan. 1, 2015

Turkey Fall

Sept. 1

Jan. 1, 2015

Wolf General Season Rifle Trapping

Sept. 15 Dec. 15

March 15, 2015 Feb. 28, 2015

Hunting & Fishing

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Hunting & Fishing

MacMan forecasts fall fishing for Flathead

by Berl Tiskus Valley Journal

utumn is here, and Dick Zimmer, aka the MacMan, gave a fall fishing forecast for Flathead Lake and surrounding areas.

“Things are cooling off and as a result of that the warm water species — perch, small mouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie — are all real active until there are extreme temperature drops,” Zimmer said.

Lake Mary Ronan, East Bay, Polson Bay and all the reservoirs are going to be good fishing, Zimmer said, including the west side of Polson Bay from the bridge up.

The new city docks in Polson are producing a lot of small mouth bass and perch, Zimmer has heard, but not any big fish.

As far as lake trout go, Zimmer said Fall Mack Days begin on Sept. 26.

Talking about lake trout, Zimmer explained, “Whenever you throw an awful lot of pressure on one species, what gets taken out of the gene pool is the aggressive tendency.

The fish that remain tend to be smaller and harder to catch.”

Heading into the fall season, lake trout are in their spotted mode, which makes them more aggressive.

“Spinning and trolling get a lot better this time of year,” Zimmer said.

“The water temperature needs to drop below 50 degrees, and then the lake trout come in closer and are available from steep drops (rocks) and from the bridge.”

Typical shoreline baits work, with most anglers

A

“

The slow drip of adrenaline makes you need

”

your next fish.”

COURTESY PHOTO

using link sausage. For deep water jigging, Zimmer recommends using cut bait as well as night crawlers at 250 to 320 feet.

It’s about time for lake trout to stage for spawning, and they like deep drops where there are a lot of rocks, such as Painted Rocks, White Swan Point, Rocky Point (Matterhorn), Black’s Point, the Narrows area and then the Bird Island chain.

When lake trout are spawning, usually from mid October to mid December, fish can be anywhere from 15 to 50 feet while when they’re staging to spawn they hang at 100 to 180 feet.

“These are depths a guy wants to keep in mind,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer grew up a block from the Flathead River in Polson.

“My dad was quite a fisherman, and he got

me going,” Zimmer said.

“People just get hooked on fishing to different degree, and I got hooked to the extreme degree.

The slow drip of adrenaline makes you need your next fish.”

Zimmer fishes approximately 200 days a year, either bait fishing or for research so he can give other fisherman the scoop.

A lot of Zimmer Tackle’s business involves baitfish, such as pike minnows, pea mouth and suckers. For anglers who are interested, Zimmer Tackle pays 20 cents per fish under 9 inches and 60 cents a pound for every fish over 9 inches.

The store sells a $10 commercial license for fishermen, too.

Zimmer Tackle can also outfit an angler for fishing and “fill their ear with a lot of information..”

Stop spread of aquatic invasive species News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — Aquatic Invasive Species are organisms that are unintentionally brought into Montana from other places. These include clams, fish, mussels, plants, weeds, and disease-causing pathogens.

AIS are not wanted here. They overwhelm lakes and rivers, kill fish and plants, and damage the delicate ecosystem, that keeps our waters clean and abundant. AIS harm our recreational and agricultural resources by damaging boats and gear, clogging water pipes and hydropower facilities, jamming community water sources and choking off irrigation systems.

AIS can be spread when anglers, boats and other watercraft move from one body of water to another.

Keep your boat, kayak or any other watercraft clean and free of debris. Inspect for mud, water and plants. If you suspect a new infestation of an invasive animal or plant, save a specimen and go online and fill out a reporting form at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/guide/AIS/ Montanans and visitors need to be aware that aquatic diseases and invasive species can easily spread from one water body to the other.

Hunting & Fishing

Anglers, boaters and their equipment can transport these pests. It takes only one mistake to infest a new area.

It only takes three steps to protect Montana’s waters and native aquatic species: 1. Inspect: After leaving a lake or stream, inspect your boat, engine, trailer, anchor, waders, and other fishing and boating gear for mud, water, and vegetation that could carry aquatic invasive species.

2. Clean: Completely remove all mud, water, and vegetation you find. Boaters should use a pressurized power sprayer, found at most do-it-yourself car washes. The hot water helps kill organisms and the pressure removes mud and vegetation. No need to use soap or chemicals.

3. Dry: Aquatic invaders can survive only in water and wet areas. By drying your boating and fishing equipment thoroughly, you will kill most invasive species. The longer you can keep your boat, trailer, waders, wading boots, and other equipment outside in the hot sun between fishing trips, the better.

Remember it is unlawful to move live fish, aquatic invertebrates or plants from one body of water to another without FWP authorization.

It is also unlawful to release any live aquarium or bait fish.

October 1, 2014 – 11

Mack Days win-win for anglers, lake News from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes FLATHEAD LAKE — The 2014 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event began Sept. 26 and ends Nov. 16. Anglers have Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for eight weekends to enter lake trout in the event. Each entry qualifies an angler in the lotterystyle drawing for prizes from $100-$1,000.

Fish one day, several days or every day (some anglers find this event addicting).

All it takes is one fish to win.

At the same time anglers are catching lake trout they will be watching for tagged fish. There is one $10,000 lake trout — nicknamed “The General” — two $5,000 tagged lake trout, and five $1,000 tagged lake trout that have been released throughout Flathead Lake. These fish, along with over 5,000 others with values from $100-$500, have clipped adipose fins.

They will be scanned when entered for a number that will be associated with the value of the tag.

Fishing begins in the mornings as soon as the first light hits the water, or even sooner for some. Fish have to be caught on the same day as submitted. Fish part of the day or all day. Pickup times will be posted on the Mack Days website www.mackdays.com or entries may be turned in at Blue Bay from 9 a.m. until dark or 9 p.m., which-ever comes sooner.

Prizes will be awarded several ways including: smallest fish, largest fish, top 10 anglers-based on their best 15 days out of 23 (the last day is separate but does count for bonuses), ladies, youth, over 70 (Golden Oldie), weekend prizes, captains prizes, etc. Bucket Fish Days will be Oct. 3, Oct. 25 and Nov. 9. Bucket Day entries are the four heaviest fish from an angler’s catch that are put in a bucket and a weight is taken. Entries are by boat, one entry per boat or team, or may be a single angler. Heaviest bucket wins $200.

Overall winners are tallied up at the end of the three selected days. Once anglers have entered 20 fish they begin to accumulate bonus dollars. The more fish they enter the higher the dollars go.

The CKST Fisheries Program’s goal for Mack Days contests is to slowly reduce the smaller sized lake trout in the Flathead Lake fishery population. The Flathead Lake and River Fisheries Co-Management Plan’s goal is not to completely eliminate the lake trout population, but to find a better balance between a recreational fishery based largely on lake trout and healthier native trout populations. If you have questions please contact us at (406) 8832888, ext. 7294.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are used as a tool to reduce nonnative lake trout in Flathead Lake. For more information about Mack Days and management go to www.mackdays.com or call (406) 883-2888, ext. 7294.

12 – October 1, 2014

On the hunt

Deer hunters may find improving populations News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — 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.

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 fiveweek 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 whitetailed 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 bottomed-out 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 whitetailed 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

Hunting & Fishing

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 white-tailed 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 long-term 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 Btag numbers.

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.

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.

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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Montana FWP to increase hunting, fishing license fees or cut programs, staff

by Megan Strickland Valley Journal

ontana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will have to cut back on staff and several programs if legislators don’t approve a proposed bill that would increase the price of hunting and fishing licenses, the department’s top official said in September.

A draft bill produced by the interim session of the Montana Environmental Quality Council would set the cost of full-year resident fishing licenses at $21, with non-resident licenses set at $86. The base hunting license fee would increase to $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Other increases in nonresident licenses for big game and twoday fishing licenses would also be implemented.

The fee increases are estimated to provide approximately $5.6 million in additional annual revenue for Montana FWP, which is projected to face a $5.75 million annual shortfall beginning in the 2017 fiscal year.

“Our license sales have been static for the last number of years. In other words, our revenue has basically been about the same amount,” Montana FWP Director Jeff Hagener said. “At the same time, our costs have gone up and a lot of that is related to inflationary issues and other things that were passed by the legislature that took money from us.”

Between 50 and 60 percent of the agency’s budget comes from license sales. The price of licenses was last set in 2005. The draft bill would require license costs to be revisited every four years. The agency is unlike some state entities that automatically receive a proportional increase in budgetary funds when the state’s budget increases.

“Anything that is increased in our cost has to be absorbed through our budget,” Hagener said. “When we were paying $2 per gallon for gasoline — and you understand that each of our wardens drives over 2,000 miles per month — and now you’re talking about $3.50 and $4 per gallon for gas, it is a tremendous cost. We have to absorb that. We don’t get new money for that.”

The federal government has exacerbated funding issues by requiring the agency to cough up additional funds in order to meet a number of mandates, Hagener said. He estimates the agency has had to budget millions of dollars to meet unfunded federal requirements.

One project related to grizzly bear Endangered Species Act requirements cost the agency more than $1 million by itself.

Federal funding available to Montana FWP has decreased with sequestration, Hagener said. There are a few federal programs that haven’t been cut because of statutory requirements that all monies be funneled back to outdoors-

M

man, but accessing the funds has been the brunt of the funding crisis. complicated by a number of factors. The Reductions resulted in less spending on agency will not be able to access wildlife programs, fisheries cost, shootapproximately $3 million the state usuing range grants, and administrative ally receives each year in federal costs.

Pittman-Robertson funds if the license Hagener predicted a much more grim increases are not approved, Hagener situation if the proposed license fees said. Those funds are reimbursable didn’t take effect, as the agency would from the federal government or require have to cut approximately 20 percent of matching funds from the state. the operations funded by licensing fees.

Pittman-Robertson monies are generHagener said he could have to lay off ated from excise taxes placed on sportas many as 140 employees, and reduce ing goods. The monies go into a fund programs that educate the public, prothat is divided vide fishing out between access, restore the states. habitat, anaMontana FWP lyze brucelreceives an losis risk manaverage of agement, mon$11.1 million itor in-stream each year from flows, and the program. operate hatchThe agency eries. The received $20.2 agency also million from might abanthe program in don its efforts 2014. Those to get the griznumbers have zly bear off the been bolstered federal substantially Endangered MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS by post-2009 Species List, DIRECTOR JEFF HAGENER gun, ammuniHagener said. tion and Another archery sales. option is to Prior to 2009, raid accounts the state that are received an specifically average of earmarked for $6.6 million certain purper year in poses, such as Pittmanthe Block Robertson Management funds.

Program, and If state funnel those agencies aren’t back the able to meet agency’s genCOURTESY PHOTO the match or eral. A 40 perprovide funds cent cut in all upfront, then earmarked they lose the accounts money and it is put back into the would make up for the agency’s projectnationwide fund to be re-divided among ed budget shortfall. all 50 states next year. Hagener said Public comment submitted about the Montana FWP has lost out on federal proposed rate increases overwhelmingly funds in the past because it did not supported raising fees, rather than cuthave enough in the state coffers, and it ting programs. Of the 256 written comwill likely happen again without the ments received, 185 were in support of license rate increase. the increase in fees.

Montana FWP is also projected to lose “I see no reason why we shouldn’t see approximately $600,000 in federal fund- a fee increase to help support all the ing from the Dingell-Johnson program, benefits we get from the FWP,” wrote which is similar to the Pittman-Roberts Ron Harapat of Bigfork. “If, when I was program and is paid for by excise taxes an educator, I would have had to wait on fishing gear.

10 years to see an increase in budgets “There have been less sales of fishing for the benefit of kids I would have been equipment, and the other thing is that on the rail — hollering and screaming. the US Fish and Wildlife Service found My vote: increase the fees. I am an avid through a federal audit that they hunter and fisher. The walleyes out of weren’t calculating the boat fuel portion Fresno are fabulous. I love my elk and of that correctly, so all of the states are deer hunting. Increase the fees.” getting reduced,” Hagener said.

Rodd Richardson of St. Ignatius gave Montana FWP cut its current budget similar feedback. by $1.24 million per year to help bear “I have been a Montana sportsman

“

Our license sales have been static for the last number of years ... At the same time, our costs have gone up ...

”

Hunting & Fishing

for 35 years,” Richardson wrote. “This license fee increase is long overdue.”

But others disagreed.

“My husband works at Sliters hardware in Lakeside. He issues hunting and fishing licenses and hears complaints every day how expensive they are for locals, residents,” wrote Deborah G. Sullivan of Lakeside.

Randy Russ of Superior said the increase is too much to ask of citizens in a stagnant economy.

“As a small business owner in western Montana, and lone provider for our low income family, I’m opposed to increases in license fees,” Russ wrote. “ I don’t have any problem once the economy picks up, but at this time to many of us barely afford to hunt now. And in my small business, I would also love to raise prices to pay for increase license fees, gas, and bullets, but am holding off. I hope that you will too. If you want to make more money try encouraging folks to hunt again … But please hold off on us who depend on the meat. It’s hard enough to ‘make ends meat’ so to speak.”

Support by the public pushed many legislators to vote in favor of the draft bill.

“I am here to represent my constituents,” Democratic Representative Bill McChesney said. “And what I’ve seen in the public comment is what I’ve heard from my constituents. For every one who didn’t like the idea, there’s 20 who did, so I’m going to support this document solely based on the overwhelming public support for it. That’s who we are here to represent. If 130something people say yes and 35 say no then that tells me there is an appetite for what is being done here.”

Republican Senator Jennifer Fielder of Thompson Falls voted against the proposed bill and suggested making the fee increase optional on fishing licenses.

“It seems to me if the people of Montana want this, and the hunters want this, then we should put a line item on when they purchase their license to voluntarily support it,” Fielder said. “If the support is that overwhelming then we should have the money in no time.”

Fielder said she did not support the bill because environmental groups were in favor of it.

“The same people are the ones that bring us the federal mandates that are coming down, some of the federal controls through the (Endangered Species Act) and using the ESA to stop economic activity,” Fielder said. “It seems like there is just a lot of environmental interest that want this fee increase, but they are the same ones in many cases that are the ones causing the need for the fee increase.”

Representative Jeffrey Welborn or Senator Bradley Hamlett will carry the bill into the 2015 legislative session.

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October 1, 2014 – 17

Pheasant hunting popular on local public lands

by Megan Strickland Valley Journal

any species of animal that thrive on the Flathead Reservation can only be hunted by tribal members, but the few types of waterfowl and upland game birds that are available for chase by non-tribal people draw hunters to the Mission Valley in droves.

“As far as western Montana goes, (Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area) is really the best place for hunting pheasant where there is public land available,” Wildlife Area Manager John Grant said. “I’m sure there’s a private honey hole somewhere around, but we are where most people come as far as public land goes.”

M

see page 19

Ninepipe Hunting Map Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Management Areas

United States Fish & Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas

NO HUNTING United States Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Tribal Trust Lands

Public Lands

Water/Wetlands

Map courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 18 – October 1, 2014

Hunting & Fishing

Pheasant hunting from page 18

The Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area is a 4,200-acre tract of land located south of Ronan that has been state-owned since 1953. The area includes goose pits that were rebuilt in 2013 by volunteer sportsmen who had hunted in them for several decades.

People come from Kalispell, Missoula, and out of state to hunt the area.

Grant said this year’s season is expected to be typical.

He said he’s seen “a fair few” pheasants out and about, although the numbers are nowhere near the amount seen 10 or 15 years ago. In those days the birds were so abundant that local conservation groups paid for “pheasant crossing” signs to be placed on the highway

because the animals were getting hit frequently by cars, Grant said.

“I think it should be a pretty good waterfowl season,” Grant said. “We’ve had a pretty good crop of local production but the forecasts for the fall flight out of Canada look very good. I’m starting to hear ducks quack in the evening.”

Waterfowl usually remain in the area until it freezes, with dedicated mallard and Canada geese hunters coming to hunt Ninepipe WMA every year. Grant said hunters should remember that only non-toxic ammunition is allowed on the Flathead Reservation. He also said people get in trouble each year for crossing over into the Ninepipe Wildlife Refuge, where hunting is off-limits.

The Ninepipe WMA completely encircles the refuge,

but signage clearly marks where the boundary is, Grant said. A fence separates the two separate entities.

Hunters can avoid problems by remembering to not cross any sort of fence during their time hunting the management area.

“We don’t have any interior fences,” Grant said “All our fences are boundaries or roadside fences.”

Ignorance of regulations and boundary lines is also an issue that frequently pops up for hunters that frequent the nine Waterfowl Production Areas managed by the National Bison Range Complex. These areas have been bought and paid for with revenue generated from sales of duck stamps. They are open for

Tribes seek public comments on pheasant, partridge, wolf Pheasant/Partridge Tribal Wildlife Management Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are requesting public input on pheasant and gray partridge management.

Hunting for pheasants on the Flathead Indian Reservation is a regular, highly-anticipated activity for many people and has been so for decades. The habitat on the Reservation, especially in the Mission Valley, provides an excellent outdoor experience.

In recent years though, pheasant numbers have been declining in most areas of the Reservation. Weather conditions, especially cold damp springs, decreases in habitat quality and quantity, land-use changes and predation can have adverse impacts upon pheasant populations.

With recent declines in pheasant populations, Tribal and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife managers are soliciting the public’s thoughts and suggestions as to how to deal with the decline in pheasant numbers.

Wildlife managers will use a survey to reach out to the public and assist them planning for management options for pheasants. Hunters, bird watchers and other interested individuals are urged to provide their input by completing a 2014 Flathead Indian Reservation Pheasant Hunter Survey. The survey can be accessed on the Tribes’ website at

www.cskt.org or by contacting the Tribal Wildlife Management Program at wildlife@cskt.org.

Wolf The Tribal Wildlife Management Program is seeking public input on wolf management on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

The Tribal Wildlife Management Program is initiating a process to update the Tribes’ Northern Gray Wolf Management Plan for the Flathead Indian Reservation, which was approved by the Tribal Council in 2011. While the plan has worked well in addressing wolf depredation upon domestic livestock, some needs for modification to adapt the plan to an increasing wolf population on the Reservation and adjacent areas. As a result, the Tribal Wildlife Management Program is seeking input from the public in an attempt to thoroughly address relevant wolf management issues.

Copies of the current Northern Gray Wolf Management Plan, along with other relevant documents, a public comment sheet, and a list of frequentlyasked questions can be accessed on the Tribes’ website at www.cskt.org or by contacting the Tribal Wildlife Management Program at wildlife@cskt.org.

Please provide comments and suggestions for both species by Oct. 30.

hunting a number of upland game species and pheasant, but are subject to the Flathead Reservation rules.

“It can be quite confusing for hunters,” said Bob Rebarchik, deputy project leader at the National Bison Range. “You have state regulations, federal regulations and tribal regulations. You have hunters that come from other states and other areas

and they may not be aware of the tribal regulations.”

Rebarchik recommends that hunters check in with state or federal officials if they are unsure of what the local regulations are.

General pheasant season runs Oct. 11- Jan. 1, 2015.

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Antelope continue to recover from severe winters News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks MONTANA — Things are looking up for Montana antelope with populations continuing to recover from previous years’ winter mortality and reduced recruitment in central and eastern Montana.

This year, there are even a few more special licenses available reflecting that reduced but improving status.

Successful antelope license applicants may recognize increased fawn production in many areas as populations respond to generally favorable weather and habitat conditions in 2014.

Montana’s antelope archery season will close Oct. 10 and the general rifle season for antelope will run Oct. 11-Nov. 9.

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

Here’s a regional rundown on what antelope hunters can expect this year.

Region 2—Western Montana Pronghorn distribution is centered in the Deer Lodge area and few licenses are issued to conserve this island population.

Region 3—Southwestern Montana In the far western part of the region, populations are above long-term averages in the Ruby-Blacktail area and the Centennial Valley, but below their long-term average in the Tobacco Roots. To the south, near Dillon, antelope numbers are stable to increasing, but access to antelope in areas may be difficult. Antelope numbers are also up in hunting district 341, the Highlands. Meanwhile, in the central part of the region, Townsend area antelope numbers appear to be generally down or stable, but fawn production was fairly good this year. Antelope are stable in the upper Madison, but below objective in the lower Madison and Horseshoe Hills. To the east, antelope numbers are up substantially east and south of Livingston, but numbers remain below average in the Shields. Antelope are generally concentrating around wet and green areas in all hunting districts.

Region 4—Central Montana Antelope numbers are still recovering from recent harsh winters. For hunters this is once again reflected in FWP issuing fewer doe-fawn tags.

Region 5 — South Central Montana Antelope numbers throughout south central Montana are stable to increasing from the past couple of years. Fawn production increased dramatically in the spring of 2014 and should result in hunters seeing more antelope than last year. In areas impacted by bluetongue in 2008, population numbers remain below average, but are increasing.

Region 6—Northeastern Montana While on the rebound from recent severe winters, lower harvest quotas are expected as pronghorn populations recover.

Region 7—Southeastern Montana Recent population surveys across Region 7 indicate that antelope populations are recovering but remain well below long-term averages. Numbers were very similar to last year, which were 50 percent below longterm average and 66 percent below the 10 year peak count that occurred in 2006. Populations are rebounding nicely in the southern portion of the region, but seem to be struggling in the northern portion. Hunter success rates measured at the Broadus Check Station have equaled 72 percent each of the past two years and similar rates are expected again this year.

FWP recommends that hunters head to the southern portion of the region to hunt antelope this fall.

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