Montana Woods N Water April 2016 Print Editon

Publisher’s Notes Well Turkey season is here and bear season is only a few days away...finally! Spring has sprung and folks are getting their garden plots ready. Shed hunters are scouring the forest for bone. Snow is still impeding some access but the south and east slopes are greening up quick. Fishermen are hitting the water, boats are being readied and ATV riders are out enjoying the beautiful weather...life is good. Get out and start “Living The Dream.”

Politicians are vying for your vote and the world is still as looney as it ever was. However, here at Montana Woods N Water we are busy, busy, busy. We have launched our new web page and giving away a gun and some other prizes. See page 28 for more details.

This issue was so packed I did not have enough room for everything even after I added eight more pages. I really wanted to get my article “Walking on the Fighting Side of Me” in this issue but no room, sorry. All leftover material was added to our new Blog so jump over to our web page and keep reading. While you are over there check out our new Forum. It will take a while for folks to start using it so be one of the first. We have lots of pictures for your review...I bet you know someone in the photo galleries.

We have some other plans for the website but I need a break...hunting and fishing season is here so we will announce new web page features on our Facebook page as they come out.

Don’t forget Moose, Sheep, Goat and Bison applications are due by 1 May. Check those license and make sure you are current and brush up on the hunting and fishing regulations for any changes. Deer, Elk, Antelope B Applications due by 1 June.

Be safe and remember to clearly identify your target and what is behind it before pulling the trigger and think safety when on the water. Get those pictures to me and enter our photo contest for a chance to win a gun or other prizes.

Raf Viniard Publisher

Guest Writers This Month: Alan Carmignani, Montana Spring Bear / pg. 4 ● Charlie Woolley, Water Purification / pg. 16 Nathan Albertson, Proof of Spring / pg.21 ● Jen Mikkelson, Morels / pg.22 Dr. Rebecca Hopkins, DVM, Ticks / Pg. 23 ● Lori Goodman, Windows 10 / pg. 25 Digger Powell, Thompson Falls Trap Club / pg. 30

Front Cover Photo Provided By: Robin Ha’o of Plains, Montana. You can check out her photography work on her Facebook page or go to her website at http://robinkhao.smugmug.com

To Contact Us: Montana Woods N Water 171 Clark Creek Loop Plains, Montana 59859 406-407-0612 Email: raf@montanawoodsnwater.com www.montanawoodsnwater.com

What’s Inside Hunting 2 Bear Hunting 4 Outdoor Politics 5 Wolf Trapping 7 Shed Hunting 9 Montana Dan 11 Sportsman’s Meditation 13 The Root Cellar 16 Tony Rebo Unleashed 17 Fly Fishing 19 Spring Is Here 21 The Root Cellar Too 22 Outdoor Meds 23 Local Celebrities 26 Mountain Memories 27 What’s Up 28 Shooting Sports 30 Turkey Hunting 31 Events 33 Seen On Blog Only www.montanawoodsnwater.com/Blog Walking On The Fighting Side of Me Life As A Catcher

Staff Publisher/Editor/Layout/Sales: Raf - 406-407-0612 Director of Social Media Misty - 406-250-4191 Field Pro Staff Lincoln County Jessica Parker - 406-334-3778 Pro Staff Writers This Month: Angela Montana Chuck Stranahan Pastor Jim Sinclair Dan Helterline Tony Rebo Carol Cady

Editorial Policy: Montana Woods N Water (MWW) reserves the right to refuse to publish any form of content that does not include the author’s name, complete mailing address, and/or valid phone number or e-mail address.

Anonymous submissions will not be addressed or published. MWW reserves the right not to publish anything we feel is not in good taste or appropriate. All content, material and graphics designed by Montana Woods N Water are copyrighted.

HUNTING

Bear Poop Biology

By Raf Viniard Last year I published this article when we were doing just a digital publication and felt it needed to be dusted off for my bear hunting print readers that never got to read it.

After laying many miles of boot leather and traveling a few mountain roads last year looking for a bear or a fresh pile of bear poop I was beginning to wonder if the bears were really in the area I was hunting.

Any bear hunter worth his/her salt knows, find the poop and you will know where a bear has been and hopefully actively feeding in that area and will return. A bear’s poop can tell you a lot if you have the knowledge and understanding of bear poop biology, anatomy and content analysis.

After observing a local guide whom we will call George, carefully examining a bear pile it is very clear that bear poop biology is much more intense than previously thought. A pile of bear poop fresh or old requires closer study, precise testing and analysis that only a seasoned bear hunter can truly understand, appreciate and decipher.

Upon my research I think I have solved part of the riddle of why I, along with many of my fellow bear hunters (to include some guides) have trouble finding that fresh green pile of bear poop and it boils down to a two part conclusion.

One, the bears may be wearing diapers because they sure aren’t leaving it laying around the roads and other feeding areas. I am pretty much shelving this idea. Two, your fellow SEASONED bear hunters that are lucky enough to find that pile of bear poop “before you” may just be doing the old “Kick Test”. Keep reading this will start to make sense.

Now I have been known to step on a nice large buck track or two in my days (accidentally of course) but since I have not seen any bears in diapers or empty diaper bags laying around, I am going to have to assume my fellow bear hunters have beat me to the bear or the steamy pile of bear poop I seek.

Let me give you an example. During an outing with two very seasoned bear hunters we encountered a medium size pile. Notice I stated “medium”. Piles are classified into four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and “Now That Came from a Big Bear” type piles. Naturally, small piles are usually presumed to be from small bears. Medium piles are of course from medium size bears in the 4-5 foot range.

Large piles are usually estimated to come from bears between 5-6 foot range and the “Big Bear” pile (size of a large dinner plate) variety comes from a bear over 6 foot. Don’t even ask how this formula and measurement system was determined.

Upon closer inspection you have the freshness debate/conversation that will usually go one of five ways: That’s old, probably last month; That’s a week or two old; That’s only a couple days old; That’s fresh; and finally “That is steaming...he was just through here, we just missed him!” The piles we found were more of the “That’s a couple days old” variety. However, my mentor George based his findings on a couple of other scientific factors. The sun had been on it for a couple of days and it had been more windy than normal. I told you there is a lot more to this bear poop biology than meets the untrained eye. I was waiting for the smell and taste test but he never went there. Continued on page 3.

2

HUNTING CONTINUED Next comes the most logical reason I have not seen many of the coveted bear poop piles...in one swift kick he busted the pile apart with his boot and with one swift kick sent it sailing off the side of the trail to never be seen again….unless you learn to look over the edge of the road…and you thought the bears were just being sneaky hiding their poop.

This action is called the “Kick Test”. If it stays together and sticks to the toe of your boot you might have just answered the question as to how fresh it was. If it is dry and sorta breaks apart you know you are way behind the bear “pardon the pun”. If it turns to dust and small particles you should have been there last year.

This bear poop biology is not just limited to the area you have hiked back into but also applies to well-traveled mountain roads as well. As I rode around with these seasoned bear hunters they have two things in common.

One, their binoculars and spotting scopes are within easy reach at ALL times. If it is black and looks like a sheet of plywood, it gets inspected.

A many blackened charred stumps have been glassed by bear hunters not once but several times in a season. It would really help if someone spray painted those things orange, thousands of dollars of replacing vehicle brakes could be averted.

Two, bear tracks and poop spotted on a mountain road requires an immediate hard braking of the vehicle (seatbelts highly recommended). A quick glance up the road in the front of the vehicle and a rearview mirror…check. I know, you would think this is to confirm whether the bear is up ahead or cutting across the road behind you. You would be wrong, this immediate reflex observation is to see if anyone is approaching/watching...this is a highly classified operation and if you are seen conducting bear poop biology operations, it could get you erased like the bear poop.

By the time the passenger has loosened their seatbelt the driver is out and implementing the bear poop biology examination as mentioned above. After determining all that needs to be determined, a “Kick Test” is performed. Well, the rest is history.

So as you scour the roads and trails and see a spot of dead grass...you might want to ease over to the edge and look for what used to be bear poop.

A piece of advice was given to me the other day...walk less and glass more. Setup in an area that you can see a lot of ground where bears are known to hang out from season to season. My neighbor gave me that same advice last year...I have tried it my way, maybe it is time to give up looking for bear poop now that I have solved the mystery of the missing bear poop and listen to these seasoned bear hunters. Keep your boots clean and remember no smell or taste test A Walk Back In Time (1975) required.

Specials thanks to George Nass owner of Baldy Mountain Outfitter for the bear poop biology lesson.

Duane Eitelberg & Kim McNeil Sr. both of Plains, MT with a stringer full of trout from Rainbow Lake (Dog Lake). They limited out in one and half hours. Oh these were the good old days. Send us your throwback photos so when we have a little space we can show them to our readers.

Photo provided by Margaret of Gambles Plains, MT 3

BEAR HUNTING

Montana Spring Bear

By Alan Carmignani Hunters are only days away from the opening of the spring bear hunting season which should prove to be an exciting and challenging season for hunters. This year the black bears have been out of hibernation since January feeding and fattening up, which should produce a greater number of three hundred pound plus bears taken this spring. The challenge for hunters this spring will be one of patience and identification before pulling the trigger on any bear for a couple reasons. According to Montana Fish and Game, they have already recorded a record number of one and two year cubs that are still with mother along with this year’s offspring. Bringing Montana’s black bear population up as high as 3 black bears per square mile.

The fish and game department is requesting that a hunter that spots a black bear to take the time and observe any bear for at least forty minutes before shooting, due to the incredible number of cubs with Photo taken by Robin Hao mother. While the 2 year old cubs will be heading off on their own at some point they are still relying on momma bear to learn, these bears will survive if they lose their mother, however the one year old cubs and newborns cannot survive without her. With each mother bear giving birth to two or three cubs, prematurely squeezing off a shot without observation could kill 5 or more bears, greatly reducing future opportunities for spring and fall hunters.

What you are looking for this year when observing any bear is a habit, a mother bear will not be in a clearing feeding with her cubs not even the two year olds, the cubs will be in the tree line, deep brush, up a tree, or in the den. A feeding sow can spend fifteen to thirty minutes eating then head off, don’t panic thinking you’re going to lose your chance, after a short period of time five to fifteen minutes the bear will re-enter the clearing and continue to feed, this repeated habit generally indicates a sow bear with cubs. If you observe the animal for 40 minutes and it does not wonder off it is more than likely a bore which tend to stay in the drainage, clearing or road feeding.

If sitting and observing is not hard enough there is yet another factor to throw into the spring hunt, that all hunters need to be aware of, grizzly bears. The Montana Fish and Game says the state is up to one grizzly for every three square miles and only a fraction of them are collared. Pulling up and just shooting the first bear you see could be very costly with stiff fines, jail time, and lose of your hunting license, which Fish and wildlife said “They will be investigating every grizzly kill and enforcing all penalties to the fullest.” You can go onto the Montana Fish and Game website to brush up on how to identify a grizzly from a black bear. By taking the time to observe you could be saving yourself a headache you don’t want.

This year’s spring bear hunting tip: the drainages are generally the first area that green up and draw the bears in, and this year they have been bear friendly early, this is where you will find the bigger bears through the early spring hunt. If marching up, around and through drainages isn’t your cup of tea the gated roads are seeded so the fresh grassy sprouts will entice many young black bear (2 plus year olds) to take a gentle meal time stroll on these roads.

Truck hunters who like to pull up and glass may have a bit of wait still since many of the clear cuts do not have as much greenery and will have to catch up to the dreamy meals sitting in the drainages and roads that are currently drawing the bears in. However you choose to bear hunt this spring remember when you find a bear, stop…watch… and identify, and while Montana will never get the 600 lb. bears they get in neighboring states it does look like a bright future for bringing home a 300 pound plus black bear or color phase bear this spring.

4

OUTDOOR POLITICS

Montana’s 2016 Race for Governor: Who’s the Real Sportsman?

By Raf Viniard

What elected office in Montana probably has more impact on Montana sportsmen than any other? Your next Governor.

Are you already tired of hearing about politics ? To me it feels like it has been going on for years instead of months. Most Montana sportsmen are busy trying to make a living and raising their families to give one thought about politics unless someone brings it up. Okay, I am bringing it up. Since I am not a politician I had to reach out to others to get the real scoop on Mr. Greg Gianforte who is opposing Governor Steve Bullock.

Montana’s race for governor looks to be among the most watched races in western states this year. And it will have a huge bearing on whether or not our state, our public lands, and our wildlife are managed with an emphasis on Montana values or those being pushed by Washington DC. Ok, they want to be Governor, but do they hunt, fish, and trap?

In 2015 the incumbent, Governor Steve Bullock, vetoed SB334, a bill that would have protected trapping rights, and he also vetoed SB245 which would have allowed late season elk hunts in areas where populations are way over target. When asked about his connection to hunting, fishing, or trapping if any, Bullock said, “I got out hunting last fall in a number of places both around Helena and Butte and a couple of other places. So I do try to get out and it’s something that was important to me growing up, something that I still enjoy to relax.”

Evidenced by the 7 whitetails, a bull elk, Bullock a liberal Democrat, aligns with animal and limiting out on ducks and pheasants rights activists and pseudo sportsman’s groups twice last season, his opponent Greg like www.greendecoys.com. When scouring the Gianforte does more than relax when he internet for his hunting and fishing photos, the goes hunting. Gianforte says, “I did not only thing we could find appear to be staged trap this past season because I lost my outdoor scenes like this one. trap line buddy daughter to college. But we spent many years together trapping beaver on the East Gallatin.” Greg’s wife Susan likes to hunt upland birds when the weather is good and has tagged along on a number of elk and deer hunts.

What’s their angle?

The Democrat candidate is the current incumbent Steve Bullock. He is a long time government insider who favors federal control of Montana. Bullock is a lawyer who has spent most of his career in government. He worked for the Montana Dept. of Justice before being elected Attorney General in 2008 and then governor by a razor thin margin in 2012.

Greg Gianforte, a conservative Republican, is an active outdoorsman. He supports a feasibility study of the state taking over management of some federal lands and says we must start managing our forests for the health of the forests, the wildlife, enhanced hunting opportunities, fire control and to get timber flowing to our mills.

The Republican candidate is Montana businessman and tech entrepreneur Greg Gianforte. He favors less Washington DC control over Montana, is not a politician, and has never before run for political office. But he is a very successful business administrator and job creator.

Indeed, Gianforte is one of Montana’s greatest jobs success stories. 25 years ago he started a technology company in the spare bedroom of his Bozeman home. After years of hard work and smart decisions, his company, Right Now Technologies, grew to employ more than 1,100 people worldwide, 500 in Montana. The jobs he created are paying around $90,000 per person per year on average – a huge economic benefit to the Bozeman region.

We could use that kind of magic statewide. Since 1990, Montana has remained one of the worst states in the country for wages. Continued on page 6.

5

OUTDOOR POLITICS CONTINUED Where are they on federal versus state control of public lands?

For his part, Bullock finds himself in a difficult position. As a Democrat, he seems to go along with the Democrat National party’s ideals for Montana, which tend to bloat government, lock up public lands, and stifle opportunities for individuals. Bullock has made it clear that he will not tolerate discussions about truly strengthening local Montanan’s role in how the public lands inside our state are managed. He vetoed a bill (HB 496) that would have allowed a bi-partisan analysis of the feasibility of the state taking over management of some of the federal lands. The study would have identified economic efficiencies and safe guards to ensure our public lands are managed in accordance with Montana’s values.

Gianforte – an avid sportsman and lifetime NRA member – supports such a study. Despite his reputation as a “tech guy,” Gianforte is positioning himself as a champion of the traditional natural resource industries. He is a strong advocate for responsible logging, mining, ranching, hunting, fishing and trapping activities. He says we must start managing our forests for the health of the forests, the wildlife, enhanced hunting opportunities, fire control and to get timber flowing to our mills. When asked if he supports selling the federally controlled public lands in Montana to private interests, Gianforte says “No, public land and public access are an important part of the culture.”

So now we have had our political discussion...time to focus on turkey and bear season, finding those sheds and tighten some fishing lines.

You do have a choice, choose wisely...you, your kids and their kids hunting, fishing and trapping heritage may just depend on it. If you have never voted or feel it is not that important please rethink your position. Montana sportsmen have got to band together so that our voice is heard loud and clear.

“This Constitution is written only for a moral and religious people and is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” John Adams upon his first reading of the Constitution

6

TRAPPING

Random Wolf Trapping Thoughts

by Angela Montana Since getting my wolf trapping certification in 2012, I have realized many things and learned a lot of things along the way. A lot more than 75% of my wolf trapping knowledge has come from fellow trappers such as MTA President and Outdoor Writer Toby Walrath, MTA District 2 Sub-Director Bob Sheppard, MTA member John Wilson, along with other trappers that I have met through the years. Although I have not actually trapped a wolf YET, I would like to make sure that my time is coming this year. I am hoping to learn from some of the best wolfers in Montana and look forward to tagging my first wolf. My heart rate just jumped up to 140 thinking about it. OK, OK....back to earth....here are a few things that sitting in on three of the Montana Wolf Trapping Certification Classes has taught me/made me realize/reminded me:



You NEVER stop learning. Even if you think you know everything about everything in general...even if you claim to be the absolute best trapper in the world…I think our wolf harvest numbers prove that there's always something to learn or something different to try.



Montana’s Wolf Trapping Certification Class, which is mandatory for anybody trapping wolves in Montana, unless you took the Idaho Wolf Trapping Certification Class, is actually worth taking even if you aren’t trapping wolves in Montana. There is a lot of good information there–including if you are against wolf hunting and/or trapping.



Montana FWP does recognize the importance of trapping wolves during these courses. They explain how “crucial” trapping is with managing our wolf population. The fact is that hunting alone doesn’t cut it. Everybody who knows anything about wolves knows this, and FWP reiterates it at these classes...which is great for the pro-wolfers to hear....even if they end up keeping their blinders on.



Out of the approximate 20,000 wolf tags purchased last year in Montana, there were just over 200 wolves harvested by hunters and trappers combined. Just because you have a wolf tag and/or your wolf trapping certification card doesn’t mean you’re going to get a wolf. It’s always best to learn the ropes from other wolf trappers (preferably who have had some success) and to trap with another wolf trapper before going out and setting traps on your own.



There is a difference between trapping coyotes and trapping wolves. Just because you can harvest dozens of coyotes in a season does not mean you can expect the same from wolves using coyote sets. Learn, learn, learn!

Montana FWP’s Wildlife Biologist and head honcho, Mike Thompson, spends some time reiterating the importance education with all of Montana’s wildlife management practices…specifically with wolf trapping. I, personally, liked it when Thompson stated that trapping, in general, isn’t something you can learn by picking up an instructional book. The best way to learn how to trap is to learn from a trapper. As a trapper that wasn't one of the fortunate ones that grew up in a trapping family, I learned the ropes in my 30s from other trappers that were generous enough to help me out by taking the time out of their days and trapping time to show me the ropes. From wolf sets, muskrat sets, beaver sets and coons--I was taught by some amazing trappers, and wolves are the only animal out of those I have attempted to trap yet. It’s just one of those things that I'm not giving up on. The Montana Trappers Association is a great place to start for anybody interested in trapping. Oh, and back to the last class I sat in on, there was also a government trapper who was one of the guys who actually trapped the wolves from Canada and brought them down here, and he agreed with Thompson and explained (vaguely) how to do wolf sets and discussed wolf behavior. I just like to hear it from as many people as possible so we don't get a bunch of yahoos out there making mistakes that could have been prevented by talking to other trappers. The less slip-ups we have out there, the better for us.

7

Business Card Directrory

8

SHED HUNTING

Addicted to Bone

By Raf Viniard You have been warned...shed hunting is very addictive! Like I need to add another addiction in my life but it gives me another excuse to get back in the woods as soon as the snow starts to melt.

Right now most of the south and east slopes are not only void of snow but greening up very nicely.

Get out and breathe in that mountain air and clean out those lungs.

Shed hunting is something the entire family can do to include your canine family members. Of course we can always tie in turkey and bear hunting opportunities at the same time. Now is that multi-tasking or what? Once you find that first one you immediately start looking for the other side and before you know it you have walked a lot of steps, steepness of terrain become irrelevant. This is great exercise from sitting around all winter. Plus if the shed is huge you know the old boy probably made it through the winter and will be a formidable opponent this fall. After all, he now has another year of experience and knowledge on how to play hide and seek with us bone chasers.

So where do you start? Ask around where folks were seeing deer, elk and moose holed up for the winter. Once you find that wintering area you SHOULD be in shed antler territory if no one has beat you to it. I mostly focus my attention on south and east slopes and along the bottom of the drains. Many canopied drains may have that holy grail of sheds, however snow may still be pretty deep in some of these drains so you could walk right over the top of them and not know it. Old road beds are another good scouting option, again depending on any snow that may still be on the ground you could walk right over them. Some will ask then why not wait until all the snow is gone? Well, guys and gals like me that has this shed addiction will be out before the snow melts looking for that little tip(s) of the tine protruding up through the snow. You can walk an area two or three times and find antlers you missed on previous trips.

It may take a while to train your eye as to what you are looking for. It is a lot like Morel Mushroom hunting. If you really want to up your odds teach “Fido” the family pet to find them for you. I recently took my pup “Whiskey” with me and he wasn’t sure what we were doing at first but by the second find he showed great interest in not only chewing on it but retrieving it when though. If the cat thing doesn’t work out I may have just found my new shed hunting partner.

Keep in mind a couple of moose sheds can get heavy quick if you are far from the truck. Be sure and take a backpack and some tie downs. Of course the water and snacks for you and your canine companion just makes the adventure that much more enjoyable. Don’t forget to throw in the camera or take your phone. We do have a photo contest running. See our web page for more details.

Want to really make it interesting...take your hunting buddy along. Whoever finds the first shed puts a lot of pressure on the other one to out do his find in both quantity and size. Yeah...it can get interesting. You see...my hunting buddy who we will call George has a lot more time to scout than I do, so what does he do...as soon as he gets a signal I get this little text messaging reminding me I work too much. I am sure he has found at least 20 this year and as many as 7-10 in one area. Talking about rubbing salt in the wound. Not sure I will catch up with him...I think I will focus on moose sheds as my tactic...I love mass over quantity. It is all in fun, but you can learn a lot and help in the planning of this fall’s hunting strategy by where you find these discarded bones. As a bonus there are buyers for antlers. Keep feeding the addiction and “Keep Living The Dream” but keep in mind the ticks are out. Some photos in this article were provided by George Nass.

9

TRAPPING CONTINUED I suggest that everybody who is at the very least even semi-interested in wolf management in Montana sit in on one of these classes. Again, especially those against wolf hunting and trapping or trapping in general. Even if you have already attended these classes, it isn't a bad idea to sit in on another one. I have been to three of them, and keep meeting awesome people and learning new things as regulations and trapping techniques change. Plus, it's a good place to meet trappers...and we know that trappers rock. Well, anybody who helps our wildlife by hunting and trapping wolves is awesome in my opinion. For the trappers that already are catching wolves, it is an excellent opportunity to mentor newbies. Even if you just exchange contact information, as somebody who is so appreciative of the time people take to explain and show anything to me, I loved it and can't thank everybody who has helped me along the way. Still looking for more information, too!

Overall, it's worth it to at least check out these classes. Even if you go to make sure they are teaching accurate information or if you moved here from a different place and have questions about regulations.

Getting the info directly from FWP doesn't get more accurate than that. Well, it's the best place to get your questions answered about regulations, anyway.

For more information on wolf management in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov. Also, if you are interested in becoming a member of the Montana Trappers Association and meeting other trappers, follow them on Facebook and visit www.montanatrapper.org.

10

MONTANA DAN

Walleye on the Lower Clark Fork

By Dan Helterline One of the newest fisheries to emerge in Sanders County is the arrival of walleye in the Clark Fork below Thompson Falls. Similar to wolves being introduced, the arrival walleye has generated a fair amount of controversy among the areas sportsmen, but unlike the addition of wolves to the landscape, the walleye has been for the most part, a welcome addition to the river. It is rumored that they were planted in the system illegally and the FWP started capturing them during their annual population surveys using nets and electroshocking. These are tools that are used statewide to determine fish populations and help guide regulation setting. Since the walleye were supposedly introduced through illegal “bucket biology� the FWP in conjunction with Avista started exploring if any population control measures would be effective. These efforts were met by strong local opposition and after speaking to the fisheries biologists from FWP and Avista, I was informed any type of population control efforts are not in the management plan at this time. There is still some ongoing studies to determine population and age class densities, but there will be no effort to remove walleye from the Clark Fork. The walleye apparently are here to stay, and if they can coexist with the current fish species should be a welcome addition to this already world class warm water fishery that exists in Noxon and Cabinet Gorge Reservoirs.

This is music to my ears because if there is a better eating fish in Montana I have yet to find it, and I love to eat fish. Similar to wolf trapping, walleye fishing is an emerging sport to the area and I am always up for a new challenge, so I am very excited at the prospect learning how to target these new sportfish and getting some tasty walleye fillets for my freezer. Because of their current status the FWP has yet to impose any kind of limit on walleyes in the Clark Fork. There have been a few local fisherman that have been successful at catching walleyes the past few years, and news of this new fishery has started to spread, causing fisherman from surrounding communities to show up to take advantage of these tastiest of sport fish. These fisherman should bring a much needed economic boost to the area's economy and hopefully will be welcomed by businesses and locals alike.

While I was still employed by the Forest Service I spent some time in the community of Trout Creek helping with the Cabinet Ranger Districts prescribed fire program last spring. Trout Creek lies on the banks of Noxon Reservoir and is currently home to world class northern pike fishing and hosts several bass tournaments annually.

While there, I met several of the local fishermen that had started to figure out how to catch these newly arrived sport fish. Two of these local fisherman were Jeff Durkin and Travis Heater, they had done exceptionally well that spring and had succeeded in landing several trophy class females by fishing upstream from Trout Creek where the walleyes travel to spawn. Being the sportsman that Jeff and Travis are they only photographed these large egg laden fish, then they promptly released them to travel on to their spawning grounds. It was past the spawning period for that spring so we made some informal plans over beers at the Lake Side Bar to rendezvous next spring and get our walleye on!

Continued on page 12.

11

MONTANA DAN CONTINUED Fast forward to this spring, trapping seasons had ended successfully and I had readied my boat for the year by doing a trial run on Lake Koocanusa. Rumors started to circulate about a few male walleye being landed near the golf course at Thompson Falls, this was all I needed to give Durkin a call and prepare my walleye gear. After talking to everyone I could that had any walleye fishing experience I was told that the smaller males arrive at the spawning grounds first to stage and wait for the bigger females to show up later. These pre-spawn males are the fish to target if one is after fillets for the table, their smaller size makes them perfect to eat, leaving the large females to be released to spawn. The upstream movement of the males usually happens when the water temps reach the mid forty degree mark, and the first day we launched the boat my fish finder was showing the surface temp to be forty five degrees, perfect!

It didn't take long jigging a soft plastic tipped with a night crawler for Travis to hook and land our first walleye for the day, we were on the board! We fished for a while longer then switched locations and tactics, we tied on several walleye spinners with bottom bouncers using whole night crawlers for bait. This rig was then trolled at one mile per hour along the bottom and got immediate results. We hooked and landed three more walleye that afternoon, all in the one to two pound range and perfect for eating. The fish weren't the only thing that got hooked that afternoon, I could hardly wait to return, and I began making mental plans for next weekend.

The next week was typical for Montana in March, cold and snowy, not the best walleye weather but Friday was predicted to be nice so I made a plan to meet Jeff at the launch at 8 o’clock. When Jeff never showed up on schedule, I launched my boat and fished in the vicinity of the ramp while waiting for Durkin to arrive. Some time later I received a text saying he was leaving his house and would join me shortly. Long story short, don't plan a fishing trip with an early departure the day after St Patty's Day, with a last name like Durkin I failed to recognize Jeff's Irish roots and the fact that he might be celebrating this often times festive holiday! No harm no foul, luckily the walleyes were biting all day and we landed plenty. I ended up fishing for three consecutive days and we boated some where in the neighborhood of 25 fish. Most bit on walleye spinners and bottom bouncers baited with night crawlers but we did get a couple vertical jigging and trolling crankbaits behind planer boards. All of the walleyes we caught were smaller males, perfect for the pan, I couldn't have been happier!

Bernie Lipke with a nice walleye.

I have just started hearing that the bigger females may be showing up and fisherman might be catching a few of them, after Easter I plan on getting back on the water and start searching for some trophy females so stay tuned! Hopefully the walleye will be able flourish alongside the northern pike, bass and yellow perch that already reside in Noxon and Cabinet Gorge Reservoirs only enhancing the already world class fishery that currently exists there, but I guess only time will truly tell that tale. Until then I plan on taking full advantage of these tastiest new residents to the Clark Fork.Photos provide by Dan Helterline

Jeff Durkin with a nice female walleye.

9th Annual Mineral County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner

Date April 30th, 2016.

Times - Meet and Greet Candidates 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Happy Hour 5:30. pm to 6:30 pm.

Dinner 6:30 pm.

Where. St. Regis Community Center 230 Lobo loop. St. Regis, MT. Dinner, Roast Beef with all the Trimmings.

Cost $22.50 per Dinner.

Events. 50- 50 raffle, silent/live auction Speeches by Candidates.

More information & tickets contact: Al Acheson 822-4643 or email: otw12247@gmail.com Sponsored By; Mineral County Republican Central Committee

Alexis Helterline and “Izzy” Crab with supper.

Good job ladies.

12

SPORTSMAN’S MEDITATION

Helping Someone Else “WIN” Is Everything!!!!

By Pastor Jim Sinclair My Granddaughter Kaylah May, informed me, “Papa, this Saturday is my last hunters safety meeting and I get to take my rifle to the class and you GET to take me.”

I am so excited for her to get to go hunting with us this year. After many years of hunting and enjoying the harvest I finally get to watch my first Grandchild “WIN” and tag that first one.

I am reminded of what the scripture says in Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (KJV) The football team at Northwest High School in McDermont, Ohio had a young man named Jake Porter on its roster, Jake has a disorder called Chromosomal Fragile-x. Which means he is cognitively challenged. He will never be like the rest of the boys.

But Jake loves football, He went out for the team as a freshman and showed so much spirit the coach didn’t have the heart to cut him. All the way through high school he came to every practice, he ran through every drill, he dressed in full gear for every game on the schedule knowing that he would never actually get on the field or play a down of real football.

The schedule was winding down to the last game of his senior year, His coach Dave Frantz, wanted Jake to get in the game. So he explained Jake’s situation to the coach of the opposing team, He asked if the score was lopsided at the end, if it would be okay if they put Jake in for a play.

They had practiced all week having Jake hand-off and touch one knee to the ground, so no one would risk hurting him. The other coach agreed, Five seconds to go in the game. Jakes team was losing forty-two to nothing, so Coach Frantz figured that qualified as lopsided, so he called a time out.

He was going to put Jake in the game. Suddenly the opposing coach came sprinting across the field, people wondered what was going on. Dave Frantz thought perhaps he was upset, maybe he had changed his mind, “Do you have concerns about Jake getting into the game?” Dave asked.

Yes, I do, he said, I just don’t want him to get in the game, I want him to score. Coach Frantz didn’t know what to say, Coach Frantz said, but we haven’t practiced that. We have just done the knee thing. You give him the ball and we will make sure he scores.

Coach Frantz went back to the huddle and pointed to Jake, “Big Boy, you’re going to the house”. Jake started jumping up and down. The sheer - audacity of the idea caught everyone off guard. The quarterback called the play, 84, 36 hike.

The ball was snapped and handed off to Jake, what happened next is Ohio football legend. Jake had practiced taking a knee so many times that he started to go down, His knee came within two inches of the ground, and his whole team started yelling at him not to go down. He took a few steps backward, and his teammates were all pointing to the end zone.

Dave and the rest of Jakes coaches, were pointing toward the end zone. The players on the opposing team were pointing to the end zone. The referees were pointing to the end zone. Jake walked slowly to the line of scrimmage, 21 players parted in front of him as if they were the Red Sea and he was Moses, and then he took off for the Promised Land, Canaan was 49 yards away. Continued on page 14 13

SPORTSMAN MEDITATION CONTINUED It took Jake 12 seconds, everybody on the sidelines was running step for step with him. And Jake Porter scored a touchdown!!!!!!! The bleachers exploded. Grown men were crying, hardened football warriors were hugging each other.

All because Jakes’ touch down became everybody’s touch down.

To love like Jesus, we need to help someone else win.

Winning alone can still be losing.

When we win with somebody, we really learn what love is all about.

After many years of Ministry, I have spent long hours in the intensive care waiting rooms and waiting with hurting people, listening to questions like, will my husband or my wife make it, will my daughter walk again?

The intensive care waiting room is different than any other place in the world. And the people who wait are different, they can’t do enough for each other. No one is rude, the distinctions of race and status are not there.

The garbage man loves his wife, as much as the school teacher and the lawyer.

Each person pulls for everyone else. In the Intensive Care waiting room the world changes. The universe is focused on the doctors next report. Everyone knows that loving someone else is what life is all about. If we could just love like that. You know, like every day was a day in the waiting room… My goal, Help Kaylah score a touchdown, Help her WIN!!!! Keep livin the life Pastor Jim.

Pictured right is Mike Maxwell one of the owners of New Life Carving (See ad above).

Kristin his lovely wife also a co-owner of New Life Carving sent us this photo and stated, “We showed up at Canyon Ferry Lake on Friday at 5:00 and by 7:00 we had four nice trout. Saturday, was nice weather with slow fishing.” Kristin, how many of those did you catch? New Life Carving is based out of Plains, Montana.

14

THE ROOT CELLAR

Water, Water Everywhere – But do you Dare to Drink?

By Charlie Woolley In western Montana we are blessed with many water sources throughout our forests and mountains. We look at our clear running streams and springs and feel secure that we have many sources of good, clean water. That assumption can cause the unwary or unprepared significant grief!

Surface water, no matter how clean it appears, can and does have many contaminants.

There are various protozoa, single celled creatures such as amoeba, giardia, and cryptosporidium. None are visible without a microscope and if you ingest them you can expect at best an extended hospital stay with an isolation room, IV fluids, and of course frequent trips to the toilet with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If untreated, you may die or at least wish you had!

Bacteria also exist in water, are not visible, and can cause serious diseases. Viruses, although uncommon in the clear streams of the United States, may be present in water in many third-world countries and can cause serious diseases such as hepatitis A, B and C or dysentery.

In some cases, water may also be contaminated with fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and volatile substances.

Working on the assumption that you do not want any of these infectious or chemical elements in your body, let’s take a look at water purification for use when hunting, hiking, camping, or in emergencies.

The oldest form of water purification is boiling. It will kill all pathogens (disease causing organisms) but does not remove impurities and takes time and significant fuel.

One step up from boiling is chemical treatment with chlorine based compounds, iodine, or potassium permanganate. Chlorine based compounds are the most common and are effective against pathogens but have a rather unpalatable taste (Note: makes really bad coffee!) and in order to be effective require time to work and the water should be 60 degrees F. or warmer.

Filters are another method of purification. There are several types available. The basic, least inexpensive filter will remove organisms larger that 0.9 microns and that means that it only covers things the size of protozoa.

Micro filtration units are more expensive, filter down to 0.2 mircrons and can be relied upon to filter out most bacteria. Advanced filtration goes a step further in price and effectiveness and utilizes activated charcoal and silver to remove organisms down to 0.2 microns plus removing pollutants, heavy metals, and volatile substances.

With all filters, it is recommended to pre-filter dirty water to remove visible dirt and coarse organic matter or it will clog up the finer filter.

You must also be careful not to contaminate the post-filter surfaces of the filter with contaminated water.

Finally, you have the most modern method of removing pathogens and that is the use of ultra-violet light. Items like the Steri-Pen run on batteries and can kill all the pathogens in a quart of water in 90 seconds! They do not remove dirt and debris though.

Being cautious, I recommend a 0.2 micron filter with some form of pre-filter plus the ultra-violet treatment to cover worst case scenarios, but if you are going to drink ONLY from clear mountain streams, you can realistically get by with an inexpensive 0.9 micron filter.

Remember, the closer you get to the source of water, say a spring, the better purity of the water will be and pay heed to Will Rogers advice to cowboys: Don’t drink downstream from the herd! Stay safe and enjoy the bounty of the outdoors.

16

TONY REBO UNLEASHED

By Tony Rebo As the snow melts from the ground and sunshine fills the sky, it is yet another spring that is upon us. The ground squirrels start to emerge and in the distance you can hear the sound of a Tom trying to find a mate. Spring time is a slow time for fishing, and mostly is dictated by the run off. So I turn my attention to spring turkey season.

As is with most of my adventures, there always is that underlying prank just waiting to happen. The pranks come in all sizes and can come from every angle. After a long winter, many pranks have been well thought out and planned. You also have the list; you know, of who you owe. I hate to let someone have the upper hand on me when it comes to pranks, so I am pretty well known as the king of pranksters. My wife says that is the reason I don’t have any friends.

A few years back a friend of mine, or a friend at least back then, wanted to take up turkey hunting. I volunteered to teach him the ropes and guaranteed a big Tom would be filling his freezer. What I forgot to tell him was about all the fun we would have trying to accomplish that task. Well, maybe all the fun I would have. I had about two weeks to prepare for opening day and the prank that I had planned.

Opening morning my friend was up bright and early and dressed in his brand new camouflage suit. Which I quickly had him change out of and into a grass covered Ghillie suit. I told him how a turkey’s eye sight was so much better than ours and a Ghillie suit was the only way to stay concealed. He just kept saying “how come the guys on TV aren’t wearing this grass covered over coat.

I explained how the guys on TV are probably hunting pet turkeys raised on farms and we were going after wild turkeys. These turkeys were much wiser and wearier than the ones on TV. He still had questions like “why don’t you have to wear a suit”?

Well that is simple you’re the one hunting I am just the guide. You have the gun, not I. I am not sure why he believed me at that point but he went with it. Now a Ghillie suit is pretty heavy and awkward. Oh and did I mention hot. Oh yeah, it doesn’t take long and you are about 100 plus degrees in a Ghillie suit. I will tell you right now my friend was the most camouflaged hunter in the passenger seat of a pickup than I had ever seen. 40 miles later, and having the truck heater on high the Ghillie suit now reached temperatures of 103 degrees. My buddy was drinking water and like any 4 year old kept asking are we there yet.

Upon arriving at our destination I told my friend who was now gasping for air as he tugged on the hood of the suit, we will have to sneak from here and that I have seen many a turkey just over that grassy knob, which was about 100 yards away. My friend was so excited, and he was a trooper enduring the soaking wet pain as sweat filled his eyes. He belly crawled the entire distance to the knob not once noticing that I was walking behind him and not joining in on the crawl. Continued on page 18 17

TONY REBO UNLEASHED CONTINUED Just as I had promised just over the knob was a turkey. It was standing in the mist of some tall grass. It was hard to make out; especially with sweat filling your eyes, but my friend drew a bead and fired at what he thought was the head.

“You missed shoot again”. “You missed again, aim lower”. “Oh my word what are you shooting at, hurry it is going to fly”.

As my friend reloaded the pump shotgun I remember hearing tidbits of frustration, “this stupid suit, I can’t see a thing”. “I can’t get the shells out of the pocket, this stupid suit”. “How do I keep missing”?

My friend reloaded the shotgun and I told him to advance on the bird. As he moved in on the bird he started to fire and as he moved in he continued to fire. He reloaded again and now we were only 10 yards from the decoy turkey. Oh did I mention it was a fake turkey, one that I had placed over the hill a few days back. It looked somewhat real, but I guess if I was dressed in a Gila suit and had sweat filled eyes that I might not realize I was having a prank pulled on me.

The next volleys of shots were at close range and I heard my friend yell, will you just die. Oh my word these wild turkeys are tough. Finally he ripped down the hood, and pulled the Gila suit over his shoulders and let it fall to the ground. He stared in disbelief at the decoy with a billion holes in it. I was staring at a grown man who had sweated away 30 lbs. His hair was standing straight up and his tee shirt was completely drenched. I laughed so hard that I fell to the ground. My friend didn’t think it was so funny and barely spoke to me on the trip back to town. Later that winter when he opened the freezer he found the turkey just as I promised. He wrapped it up at Christmas for me with a note that said “vengeance will be mine”.

A couple years later my friend and I were once again driving to a stand on the opening morning of turkey season. He had gotten a nice Tom the past two years and now was claiming to be an expert on the matter. He had been hunting with real friends or so he said. All I heard was blah, blah, blah I shot a decoy.

We traveled in the dark to our blind and it wasn’t long when we had a Tom answering our call. We were tucked up in the trees and we would ambush the approaching turkey as he came in on a grass covered old road. It wasn’t too long and the long bearded bird showed up for the party. He was in full plume and strutting his stuff. This was the perfect ambush, and with the bird being within 20 yards this was a shot that anyone could make. I raised my shotgun, as my friend just sat there. I figured the big bird hunting expert had a case of the old buck fever. Didn’t matter, I was going to put this bird in my freezer.

The first barrel of my over and under sounded off and I awaited the bird to drop to the ground. Nothing happened. So I fired again. Still nothing and the bird ran off down the road. My friend busted out laughing and said now that is karma. I couldn’t believe it, how could I miss, not once but twice. I even did the old look down the barrel to see what happened.

We spent the morning calling, locating and shooting at birds. Well at least I did. I missed a total of three Toms that day. I was on the verge of throwing my shotgun in the river. My friend just laughed and kept saying “Karma”! “Karma”, “Karma” Then after his last laugh he showed me the box of shells he switched with mine. Somehow the shells that I was using didn’t have any BB’s in them. This was a prank he had been working on all winter. I still remember when he dropped me off at home and him saying, “Who is the turkey now?”

Opening day is Saturday the 9th of April; get out there and have a blast. Make sure to have BB’s in your shells when you do, and watch out for the wary decoys.

18

FLY FISHING

By Chuck Stranahan Every year it comes to this: We wait for the weather to clear, make a few brave pre-attempts at fishing and maybe catch a few on streamers and nymphs; the rest of the time we huddle over our fly tying vises at home or in the company of similarly afflicted friends to ward off the chills of winter and sedate our impatience.

This brown trout came to a sparse skwala dry pattern.

That period of our annual cycle if finally over. From now on, between the occasional snow flurries and too-cold-to-fish days we’ll be out – the long-awaited skwala season is here. It is going strong now on the Bitterroot, Rock Creek, and the Clark Fork, and will be until it sputters out somewhere in late April.

There have been actual early sightings. There have been some successful days for the ever-hopeful and persistent souls who flock to the river, starting when it is way too early. They know it, but they fish anyway. They’re in search of hungry trout rising to patterns that imitate this early season brown-olive stonefly. When they finally succeed and word gets out, it triggers a frenzy.

It’s like a jailbreak. We throw off the shackles of winter and assault the river in a burst of freedom and near-ecstasy that finally throws the remains of winter behind us. For a few weeks, we go crazy. I called it March madness, Bitterroot style.

Skwala madness Part of the madness is carried in the flies themselves. There are far more skwala patterns now that will ever be necessary for practical fishing, yet more are concocted every winter as an antidote to the long wait that forestalls their use.

We sit, and we tie. We think, “maybe this’ll work,” as we strap stuff to the hook, searching for something that might be described as innovative, or more effective than what’s out there, and often falling short. I’m as guilty of it as anybody. At the very least, it’s a harmless way to pass the time.

Old vs. new Come spring, however, the question remains: which of these bugs will actually work, or be an improvement over what we’ve had in the past? Very often we stray so far from the past that we forget what worked then, and would still work better than what we’ve come up with recently.

During the last salmon fly season Rick Lester and I teamed up to tie a batch of old patterns that disappeared from widespread use because the materials became scarce. When I was gifted with a treasure trove of this old material Rick and I practically drooled over it.

Rick is a highly skilled commercial fly tyer who’s been at it for a long time. He has seen a lot of “hot” fly patterns come and go. We surmised that the old patterns would still work, if people could still fish them.

To use a hackneyed phrase, these old flies were designed to catch fish, not fishermen. We tied up batches of old, proven patterns and were not surprised at all when reports came back that they’d out-produced the newer foam-and-glitter patterns by wide margins.

Continued on page 20.

19

FLY FISHING CONTINUED Back to the skwala: There are plenty of commercial skwala patterns that obviously seem designed to catch fishermen, not fish.

A fly that catches fish So what makes an effective skwala pattern?

Start with the body silhouette. Skwalas are about the same size but slimmer than golden stones.

Next, look at the body color. It can vary through the skwala hatching cycle. At first, the body may be a color best described as a pale olive dun – a light, grayish-tannish sort of olive color. As the hatch progresses, and some of the first hatchlings get older (stoneflies can live for weeks,) they will gradually darken into a dull brown-olive shade with tinges of amber or dull yellow.

When I’m tying skwala patterns, I blend the body materials to hit the middle of the hatching cycle as there will be light bugs and dark bugs and everything in between on the water at once. I try to include all of the shades the fish will be seeing. That premise works for the Brindle ‘Chute, and it works equally well for my favorite skwala pattern.

Somewhere in the archives I have a picture of a deep-bellied 28” brown trout, taken on a dry skwala pattern. The guy holding the fish told me, “It’s in that dubbing blend, Chuck, it’s in the dubbing blend.” I think he was right.

That dubbing blend, along with a peacock herl egg sac and sparse array of hackle and wings combine to make a fly that trout believe. It is designed to catch fish, not fishermen.

Rick Lester said it best: “It’s one of those flies that almost makes you feel the tug of a fish when you’re tying it on.”

The keys to this fly are things to look for in any effective skwala pattern: Look for flies that are sparse, slender, and simple. Natural materials that simulate a fly in motion are more effective than cut wings. Blended dubbings in the body are more effective than monochromes. If you don’t tie your own, look for flies in the fly shop bins that are designed to catch fish, not fishermen.

20

SPRING IS HERE!

By Nathan Albertson The days are beginning to lengthen and soon the snowline will march back up the mountains! Ah, spring! Surely, I am not the only one who looks forward to throwing open the windows and allowing the house to chill as the stale winter air, accompanied by dust from the woodstove, is stirred. Much like emerging from a cave after hours of exploration, I breathe deep and imagine it is the same feeling a bear must have as it emerges from its den.

Truthfully, spring is only my second favorite season. September, October, and November were made for hunters and fall will always be the season I long for year round. Spring is my reward, with trapping season a month behind me and long about February I start thinking of turkeys and black bears. The turkeys are beginning to gobble, when the mood strikes them and the sun shines warm and bright. Moreover, I must confess, I look forward to the glacier lilies poking their tender shoots up among the new sprigs of grass. It is awfully tough to compete with a late afternoon spring day bear hunting, perched on a hillside overlooking clear cuts and logging roads, counting the minutes until the sun goes down and the air begins to cool.

This is often a time of reflection for me. I look forward into the future, and evaluate the various spring and summer projects I wish to finish before September and archery elk season. I contemplate what draw tags I wish to apply for and desperately hope to draw a moose tag this year. And eventually, I withdraw from my own self-centered world to simply gaze around me. Noting the sun dipping toward the horizon, the harsh light of mid-day fades to a soft golden yellow, the kind of light in which everything looks beautiful. The shadows begin to lengthen and somewhere along the way, what is often taken for granted is observed with gratitude and amazement. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse� Romans 1:20. Before me, before us all in Northwest Montana is the very proof and existence of God, by his own hand and design. Irrefutable really, though there are those who may try, the evidence is a witness unto itself as to the truth.

Spring is so many things, the end to gloomy days, the beginning of sunny ones. There is a promise of renewal as the young are born and the trees and flowers leaf and bloom. New opportunities exist for the sportsmen, the chance to chase critters once again. Of course, there is also the assurance that autumn is not too far into the future.

In your pursuits this spring, be they turkeys, bears, ground squirrels, or fish, do not forget to stop and look around. Breathe deep and fill your lungs with the fresh taste of spring. In addition, please, permit yourself time to wonder at the marvel of God’s creation, giving thanks to Him who provides for all things.

Photos provided by: Nathan Albertson

21

THE ROOT CELLAR TOO

by Jen Mikkelson All jokes of righteousness aside, a dish made with the humble morel could be one of the least impactful meals you consume all year. Forgo paying nearly $20 a pound at the grocery store and harvest them yourself for a meaty, wholesome, filling mushroom that makes for a great entree and side!

Please make sure to consult a trusted field guide when foraging for morels, and never eat any mushroom that you are not 100% sure about. Morels most commonly grow in and on the edge of forested areas; particularly aspen, elm and oak forests. The first morels of the season will start poking out when the daytime highs reach the 60’s and the low is no lower than 40 degrees. Early in the season, just as the ground is warming, they are likely to be found on south facing slopes in open areas. As spring progresses, they can also be found on north facing slopes, and deeper into the woods.

Once you have as many morels as you wish (4-10 ounces for these recipes) you can dehydrate them, to be reconstituted later, but there’s also no shame in eating every last one on the day of harvest!

For a sauce that goes with everything from omelets and biscuits to pasta, try the cream sauce. For a breakfast that is sure to impress and Darby’s fish! satiate, whip up the Fritatta!

Ingredients: 4 ounces fresh morels or other mushrooms, or 1 ounce dried morels, reconstituted* 1/2 cup chopped zucchini 1 tablespoon chopped onion 1 tablespoon chopped green pepper 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 6 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon salt pepper Tomato wedges Parsley sprigs Directions: In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, cook morels (cut large ones into bite-size strips), zucchini, onion, and green pepper in butter or margarine until zucchini is tender and most of the liquid is evaporated.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with milk, salt, and pepper; pour over vegetable mixture in skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, lifting edges occasionally. Cook about 4 minutes or until edges begin to set and the underside is lightly browned.

Place pan under broiler, 4 to 5 inches from heat. Broil about 2 minutes or just until set. Loosen sides and bottom of frittata with a spatula.

Serve immediately from skillet or slide frittata, faceup, onto a warm serving platter. Garnish with tomato wedges and parsley if you so desire.

Makes 3 servings.

Ingredients: 10 ounces fresh morel mushrooms*, cleaned and sliced 1/4-inch thick 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1 cup whipping cream 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken stock or broth (vegetable works as well) 2 cups shredded spinach 2 teaspoons snipped fresh tarragon or basil Directions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook and stir morels in hot butter for 3 minutes. Add onion and pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Return to heat and cook for 1 minute. Add cream and stock; cook and stir for 6 to 8 minutes until desired consistency. Reduce heat to low. Add spinach and tarragon or basil; stir until spinach is just wilted.

22

OUTDOOR MEDS

It’s Tick Season Attention Outdoorsman & Pet Owners

By Dr. Rebecca Hopkins, DVM Ticks are out and it’s time to think about protecting your pets. Not only are the pesky little beasts kind of nasty looking, but they can also cause some serious diseases. Ticks spread several bacterial and viral diseases and can also cause tick paralysis via a neurotoxin produced by female ticks. While some of these diseases are treatable, as we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Some ticks start ‘questing’ or looking for a host any time the temperatures are over 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so don’t think it’s too cold or too early to consider protection. A common disease in this area, especially in small dogs, is tick paralysis. It occurs when certain tick species attach to the dog and secrete a neurotoxin which causes a flaccid ascending paralysis. Symptoms start with apparent weakness and incoordination in the hind limbs. As the disease progresses dogs will become unable to rise. Left untreated dogs will eventually succumb to respiratory failure as their diaphragm is no longer able to function. The disease is easily treated in the early stages; simple removal of the tick/s will often result in a complete recovery within hours. However, in the later stages dogs may also require supportive care to breathe until the neurotoxin has subsided and their diaphragm is able to function again.

Ticks are usually found in wooded areas, but they can be found in your backyard too. The high population of deer in town, which are great hosts for ticks, can bring the wilderness to you. Ticks generally start spreading disease once they’ve been attached for 24-48 hours, but Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, one of the most deadly tick-borne diseases, has been known to spread within 12 hours of attachment.

Therefore, rapidly killing ticks before they can spread disease is an important goal for pet owners.

There are several products on the market that are effective for killing or repelling ticks. Tick collars that contain amitraz or delmethrin are often good for controlling ticks, as are some monthly topical products that contain fipronil or permethrin. Most tick collars are good for 3-4 month protection, but there is now a collar that provides up to 8 months of protection (Seresto). Regardless of the product used, it is important to follow guidelines for use in order to prevent gaps in your pet’s protection. Don’t let your dog become the victim of a tick.

Photo by Bob Stickney

23

ELECTION 2016

24

25

LOCAL CELEBRITIES

Heathers Country Kitchen Prom Breakfast

By Raf Viniard From time to time I run across neat stories about our unsung community heros that often go unnoticed by many. Heather ,the owner of Heather’s Country Kitchen in Plains, MT and several volunteers started a program a few years ago to provide Prom goers a place to go after their Prom night celebrations I asked Heather to write me up a little piece about this awesome annual event.

“Gems , ruffles, tuxes and ties” were all present at the Prom breakfast. The night of March 19th was the Arabain Nights Prom for Plains High School out at Camp Big Horn. After the festivities, all the kids headed to Heather’s Country Kitchen for Prom breakfast. When the kids arrived, they received a goody bag and a raffle ticket which is drawn several times for prizes. We have held this event for the past 4 years. It is a service we love to provide for the kids, with the help of C.A.D.A.A and Wildhorse Surgery. This year we chose to serve biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon and links, orange juice, milk and a fresh fruit salad. The Heather’s staff volunteers their time to make this event such a success. We also had many local volunteers that helped prepare and serve the meal, as well as clean up afterwards. We had a wonderful turn out this year…the most we have ever had! We feel this is a service to the community to help keep our children safe after Prom. I feel so blessed to live in a community that has the willingness to donate their time to such a wonderful cause. “ Thank you Heather and the many volunteers that make this event possible. You may have just saved one of our Next Generation sports men or women. When you are passing through Plains, make sure to stop by Heather’s for an amazing homemade meatloaf. This is country cooking at its finest!

Click Here For Virtual Tour

26

MOUNTAIN MEMORIES

Bear In Mind

By Carol Cady

Wow! Spring is here which means Spring Bear Hunting….which in turn brings us to Spring Bear Hunts versus Fall Bear Hunts….I guess its all a matter of preference. In my opinion… and it just an opinion….bear are a little more predictable in the spring….after being denned up all winter…they come out and hang around that area eating clover, etc. So, if you are out hunting for bear and see one in the late evening….you can probably go back to same place and see it again the next night…at the same time.

Whereas in the fall….Bears are kinda where you find them. I’ve also found that their coats are a little sparser in the flank area in the spring whereas in the fall they are thicker and fuller. But...having said all that, I actually prefer the spring hunt. Probably because of the predictability of it. There is just something about hunting bear that is different and exciting.

We would mix the meat with beef suet and grind for hamburger…and then render out all the fat. If you do it in a really slow oven….it turns out snowy white….and is great for pie crusts and a bunch of other things! And of course there is always the bear hide….to make into a bear rug!...never letting anything go to waste.

Thinking of bear stories to tell there are so many numerous ones to pick from. One in particular sticks out in my mind. I spotted a really nice big black in a meadow so I snuck down a grassy road that dead-ended at a raging spring creek with no bridge, just a log. I slithered across the log with my 30.06 in hand the best I could…(believe you me….you wouldn’t want to fall into THAT creek!) and proceeded to stalk the bear. Little did I know there were three bears in that meadow, all large ones. Two were black and one was a blondish red color.

Color and size both have a lot to do with a hunt. In the end the best shot is what tells the story, one black bear came out of that meadow with me that evening!

Yes, this is Carol!

Carol’s Uncle John with a couple of nice bears taken from Schaffer Meadows. The big one of the left was a grizzly. Uncle John spent a lot of time in the Bob Marshall cooking for camp crews.

27

WHAT’S UP

Montana Woods N Water

By Raf Viniard I want to thank all our followers that have made us so popular across NW Montana and the United States. A special thank you goes out to our advertisers and our awesome writers that keep us informed, educated and entertained each month.

I think this is the busiest I have ever been in my life. There were so many events I wanted to cover this month but just not enough hours in the day or enough of me to go around. If you have an event that you would like for us to cover, shoot me an email. I can’t make any promises but if my schedule allows I would love to cover your event. Keep in mind, content and the number of pages I can print each month is driven by advertising dollars so we are always looking for advertising support so we can give you more to read. As you can see we increased by eight more pages this month due to so much content and so it takes more money to print. So what else have we been up to?

We Have A New Webpage www.montanawoodsnwater.com For those that follow us digitally you have already had a chance to snoop around our new web page, isn’t it awesome? Thanks to Greg and Lori Goodman the owners of All Systems Go based out of Troy, Montana we now have a very professional, modern, high tech and secure website with some new bells and whistles. I love it...thanks Greg & Lori!

This was not my first rodeo getting a web page established for one of my businesses. However, this has to have been the best experience I have ever had dealing with a web page builder and designer. My schedule is packed and I just don’t have much time to cram anything else on my plate. Greg and his lovely wife Lori took this project under their wings and made it happen faster than I could keep up with the “homework” assignments. I heard from them just about every day to make sure we were on the same page.

You can tell Greg has been working in the computer industry for years and Lori is a perfectionist when it comes to graphic design.

When you first open the website the pictures are so crisp and detailed. I love all the pictures but I think the black bear and moose are my favorite…you feel like they are going to breathe on you from the screen. Check out their ad/article on page 25.

So what else have we added? We now have an up-to-date blog and a new Forum. Yep, now you can open up a topic of discussion on any fishing, hunting, trapping or any other topics. If you don’t see a forum you would like, just let us know and we will create it.

So what else have we got cooked up? Well…funny you should ask.

How would you like to win a gun or some other neat prizes? We have a contest going on called Beards & Bears AND Anglers & Antlers.

Go check out the “Contest “page on our new web site www.montanawoodsnwater.com for the rules and other details. For you non-digital/non-computer types sorry... I don’t have enough pages available to go into detail but here is the short version.

The best Bear or Turkey harvest picture will win a Kahr 45 ACP. We also have prizes for the best Angler and Shed hunting picture(s).

Here is how the winners will be determined: Best background Cleanest picture (wipe the blood off as applicable) Pose Clarity Detail Send pictures to Raf@montanawoodsnwater.com Go to www.montanawoodsnwater.com/Contest for rules.

28

WHAT’S UP CONTINUED Online Store We are in the process of getting some items together for our new online store that will be launching hopefully by next month. Stay tuned.

Subscriptions We have had several inquiries into starting a subscription service. I want to so bad…but I just don’t trust this economy right now. Montana Woods N Water is solely dependent on advertising and if our advertisers get a financial cold then we get the financial flu or worse. Without sufficient advertisers we would not exist. Subscriptions would help in a time of financial down turn but not enough to sustain the publication. We have shelved the subscription idea for now and will review it again in June, hey that’s only a couple-three months away.

How can you help? We need more advertisers which brings me to our next new program...

Business Referral Program Want to make a few extra dollars on the side. If you refer a business to us and they buy an advertising spot you get a 10% referral fee. If you are a business owner and refer another business that purchases an ad you get 20% off your next ad purchase. You can go to our new web page tab titled “Media Kit” for our current advertising rates.

Distribution I cover over 1800 miles a month delivering and conducting sales across Northwest Montana so our coverage is vast for one person. You can go to our “Distribution” tab on our new page and see where you can find the latest copy of Montana Woods N Water. They go fast so get there early. We usually start delivering the first or second full week of the month to those Primary Drop Locations first. Whatever is left we scatter out to other businesses across Northwest Montana.

We thank you again for all your support. With bear, turkey and fishing seasons opening we are looking forward to seeing all those pictures and hearing those stories.

Thank You!

29

SHOOTING SPORTS

The Thompson Falls Trap Club

By Digger Powell Our Junior (Jr) shooter program runs all year long with an open house yearly to enlist new shooters. Jr shooters are charged $4.00 per round and the club furnishes the shells and targets. They are limited to two rounds per shoot. The Jr Shooters Program is funded by donations from Whitefish Credit Union, 1st Security Bank, Hamlet 69 Inc. and the Thompson Falls Trap Club. The club holds a yearly rifle raffle in the summer to help raise money for the Jr Shooter Program.

The club holds four shoots a year, one in the spring—April 16th, one in the Summer—July 17th, One in September— Sept 4th, and one shoot in he winter called the Snow Shoot, which is held in late November. The date is undecided as yet.

Other activities which the club participates in are the Spokesman Shoot held in January and February. We also host the Big Sky I-net Shoot also held in January and February. We have a New Years Eve shoot and pot luck dinner, a open house for women and new junior shooters.

A fish fry and shoot for club members is held in April.

Club membership is $10.00 per individual or $15.00 per family. This month’s Spring shoot is a 50 bird and meat shoot in memory of past shooting champion Ken Houseman.

At present we have six certified NRA shotgun instructors, and have junior shooters from Heron, Noxon, and Thompson Falls shooting in the junior program.

We are located just off Hwy 200 to the east of the Thompson River Bridge. The address is: 5661 Mt. Hwy 200. Our shooting hours are Wednesday 10:00 AM and Sundays at 10:00 AM during the summer (June 1st to Sept 1st) . Winter hours are 1:00 PM Wednesday and Sundays Sept. 1st to June 1st. Junior Shooters shoot on Sundays.

Next month we will look into the Plains, Bull River and Libby clubs to see what they have going on this year.

Another photo provided by Bob Stickney. We have one more but

we are holding it back to grace one of covers later this year.

30

TURKEY HUNTING

Montana Spring Turkey Hunting Tips

By Raf Viniard A bugling bull elk bellowing out at first daylight sends a shot of adrenalin through an elk hunter’s body. You immediately go into full alert and planning your ambush and the chase is on. Turkey hunting is no different, the early morning rumble of an old Tom Gobbler echoing in the morning dawn, often double and triple gobbling will excite the most seasoned turkey hunter. With each gobble you mentally mark the location of each gobbler. Lucky for you they cannot smell that bacon, egg and cheese biscuit you just had for breakfast like an elk can. If they could smell, they would be a very formidable bird to try and harvest. It would be wise to respect their sight and hearing of these Thunder Chickens.

Turkey hunting in Montana doesn’t get the attention it does in other parts of the country. This means you will be one of few turkey hunters in the woods.

Back east, opening day of turkey season is like opening day of elk season here. However, Montana holds the infamous Merriam turkey that hunters back east would love to add to their bragging rights. Die hard turkey hunters wait all year for a chance to chase that old long beard or fill their Grand Slam ticket. Not every state has a fall and spring season and in some states you Marissa Nass with a hoss of a Gobbler. Photo supplied can only kill a Tom. Some states are limited to only a spring season. Large

by George Nass, Blady Mountain Outfitter, Plains, MT sums of money are spent each year by turkey hunters traveling across the United States and Mexico to shoot a turkey from each of the four major subspecies, i.e., Eastern, Osceola, Merriam and Rio Grande to fill the Grand Slam obsession.

Turkey hunting can be a very humbling experience whether you are a green horn or a seasoned turkey hunter. Regardless of species being hunted is all pretty much the same...usually. Get between the Tom and the local flock of ladies (hens), talk to him real sweet and the love sick Tom will usually answer back with a resounding gobble or two and shortly thereafter appear displaying his tail feathers, fanning and strutting like a teenage boy at his first prom. Sometimes he will throw in a few purrs and spits, after all he is the man. All of this is usually happening within a few yards of where you have setup to ambush this big show off. Often times you are graced with more than one Tom vying for that sweet talking hen’s attention. Usually if you have done everything right you have a ring side seat to one of the greatest shows on earth. With the tips of his wing feathers dragging the ground he turns in circles showing off his colorful plumage and his head tucked to his chest glowing red, white and blue. Now how American is that?

Notice I use the word usually several times in the last paragraph. Many variables can change to what appears to be a slam dunk on harvesting a bird and within seconds you hear the bird at 500 yards away gobbling his head off and you are the one left spitting out your diaphragm call and scratching your head as to what just went wrong.

Let’s dive into a typical turkey hunt with the assumption you have the basic knowledge of how to call a turkey using a turkey call.

There are plenty of videos out there to learn from. You don’t have to be a champion caller to call in a Tom turkey...but by varying your calls and inflections will usually up your success rate.

Find the turkey sign or the turkey itself. Tracks, dusting areas, poop, feathers, wing drag (strut) marks, etc.) or turkeys sightings in an area and especially where they roost. They have travel patterns like any other animal such as roosting, feeding and nesting areas. Learn to identify hen poop from gobbler poop. They are creatures of habit and usually stay within a mile or two of their home range unless pushed out by humans, predators or a change in their food source. Turkeys walk old roads, field edges, open timber and prefer more open areas so they can watch for threats.

Bobcats love a good turkey dinner.

Slow Down. Unless you roosted the bird the night before and know exactly where it is, don’t just rush into the woods and start calling. Approach the area quietly just before daylight and don’t slam the truck door or be talking loudly if someone is with you...it may be dark but that gobbler can still hear you. More than once I have gotten out of my vehicle and not walked more than 30 feet waiting on daybreak and a gobbler sounds off at first light in the top of tree no more than 100 yards from where I parked. If you have to walk into an area that you know holds a gobbler, walk in as quietly as possible. Keep the flashlight pointed at the ground not up in the trees or way out in front of you. Even if you know where the bird roosted, stay back a couple hundred yards and get setup. Make sure you have a good backdrop and concealment, camouflage is very important…these birds have very sharp eyes.

31

TURKEY HUNTING CONTINUED Locate Calling/Listen Closely. If you don’t hear anything, start with an owl or crow call to try and locate a gobbler still on roost. If that don’t work, ease into a few gentle hen clucks and chirps. Real windy nights seem to make the gobblers quieter...a swaying tree and falling limbs makes it hard for gobblers to get any sleep. A mature Tom sometimes will not gobble first because he is listening for his competition or has been wised up by other hunters. Often times he may be sitting right with the hens and feels he is already in charge. Listen for shock gobbles . A shock gobble is where something loud got their attention. I have heard them shock gobble because someone slammed a vehicle door, banging on a piece of farm equipment, a blast from a train horn or a bull bellowing off in a distance. Screaming woodpeckers or someone shooting will sometimes cause a gobbler to sound off. At daybreak an owl hoot is good but as it gets more daylight switch to a crow or woodpecker call. Listen for the hens to cackle as they leave their roost or the Tom to fly down...you will hear their wings hitting limbs and beating the air if you are close enough...they are a big bird and make a lot of noise. I have had Gobblers sit in the tree until 10:00 am before leaving the roost.

Ambush Them. Once a Tom has joined up with a flock of hens it is hard to pull them off. It can be done but you will have to get close to the flock as he will not leave them to come to you. A young Jake (Juvenile Tom) or satellite Tom will be easier to pull off the flock than the dominate Tom. If you know where the hens are headed to feed or nest get in front of them and setup a ambush, work that call softly...hens don’t like strange birds in the flock and will often get into an argument with you while you are calling.

Calling/Talk Sweet. Whatever the opposing hen does, you repeat. If she is chirping you chirp if she is cackling you cackle that gets the Tom excited. Some Toms like it fast and loud and others will stop gobbling altogether if you get too aggressive with a call. I prefer soft and gentle calling at first and increase my intensity as the bird gets more excited. You want the Tom to steer his hens in your direction. These hunts can be over within a matter of seconds if he is hot enough. He thinks he is about to add to his little harem. As the morning moves along and the hens head to their nesting areas, the Toms are trying to find other hens to breed. Gobble calls work as well but think about other turkey hunters honing in on your location...dangerous.

Camouflage/Be Still. As a flock of turkeys get closer keep in mind there are now several eyes watching for you...a hen or one of the other gobblers will bust you in a second if they hear or see something that isn’t right. You are talking about a bird that can see a seed tick on a blade of grass. They see color and movement better than you and I combined. When you set up make sure you have at least a 180 degree field of fire/vision if possible. Get comfortable you might be there a while! Never ever wear the patriotic colors of red, white or blue while turkey hunting...these are colors on a Gobblers head. If you see another turkey hunter stalking your calling or your decoy….stop the hunt immediately and stand up and speaking in a very audible voice that you are in the area. It is best not to be waving your hands. Better to regroup than get a face full of No. 4 or 6 shot. If you see the hunter, so has the turkeys so the hunt is over anyway. You have often seen pictures of a dead turkey thrown over the hunters back as they walk out of the woods. After harvesting a bird it is a good idea to drape the bird with an orange vest so other hunters can clearly see you.

Know Your Effective Shooting Range and Equipment. You have finally closed the deal and the birds are within shooting distance. Know what your shotgun, choke and load can do at what range. Learn how to judge distance and keep in mind you are not using a rifle...try to get the bird within 40 yards or less. You are only shooting at the turkey’s head not its body. Wait for the bird to stick its head up...not while it is tucked down on his chest while he is strutting...be patient. Also, be mindful of other birds in the background, you don’t want to kill two birds or a hen (except where legal) or wound other birds. As soon as you shoot, get on your feet and be ready to make a follow up shot if you did not finish the job with the first shot. Warning: Tom turkeys have very sharp spurs and will give you a severe cut and/or beating with their wings if they are not dead when you go to pick them up.

You’re Busted. There is nothing worse than setting up with a good back drop of brush or against a big old tree and you hear the distinctive sound of spitting and strumming behind you. You will never be able to get up or spin around and get the shot off. All you will hear is the turkey making a clucking/popping noise letting every other turkey in the woods know there is danger and that you have been busted.

Have Fun: Spring turkey season gives you a chance to get back in the woods. Early to bed, early to rise will give you the best chance at bagging that old Thunder Chicken. Who knows you just might find a shed for our Anglers & Antlers contest in addition to bagging that Tom for our Bears and Beards contest.

Shared Tactic: One trick I have used several times to bring the bird into shooting range is if you have dry enough conditions call gently and scratch the forest floor like a cat scratching. The sound of the leaves and sticks being brushed away mimics other turkeys scratching.

Warning: Read the tick article on page 23 32

EVENTS

So Much to Do, So Little Time!

By Raf Viniard As we grow each month we get more and more demand to cover events. We mostly limit coverage to events dealing with the outdoors but we have been know to stray from our subject matter on more than one occasion. I am often asked , “Do we have to buy advertising for you to cover our event?” The answer is no, however, I might not purchase a ticket to your event due to the fact if I bought one for every event I was invited to I would be broke. If you have an event you would like for us to cover, contact us and I will check my schedule. The farther in advance the better. I am hoping to do a little more hunting and fishing this year. I will not place a graphic ad for your event for free but if I have room I will list it in a sidebar somewhere for free.

My first event was the Flathead Valley Boat Show, in Kalispell. I slipped in on my way back from Libby, MT to see what was going on. Boats of all sizes was on display. I ran into Shon Johnson owner of the Thompson Falls S & S Sports store. S & S Sports is one of our advertisers based out of Ronan and Thompson Falls. I got the grand tour of all 14 boats they had on display. From state of the art Pontoons to John boats already rigged for some fishing action. Just drop in your gear, some fuel and add water. I took several pictures and beat feet back to Plains. As some of you may have heard the S&S Sports Showroom in Ronan had a really bad fire just recently and everything was a total loss. They are not closing their doors contrary to the rumor mill, they are transferring all the Ronan store work to their Thompson Falls store until they can rebuild. So, please be patient with them as they work through this horrible situation. No one was hurt in the fire.

With my schedule booked solid with other events I sent Jessica Parker our newest Field Pro Staffer to cover the Libby Friends of the NRA Banquet since she is local to that area. She had never been to one or ever acted as a reporter before. I asked her what she thought about it and here is her response, “ My first experience at an NRA banquet was a whirlwind of excitement and information, a rollercoaster of emotions. I had never been to anything quite like it before, I was an onlooker to a foreign event and was intrigued by my surroundings. I was rather impressed with the amount of donations provided by very dedicated and passionate people for this awesome fundraiser. I feel as though it was an excellent learning experience and I look forward to going again!”

I think Jessica did a great job for her first field reporting job but most importantly she had fun!

Joe Crissmore with Braylin Brooks and her new camo Cricket 22. Congrats Braylin!

Joe Crissmore with Ashley Freese with her pink .22.

Ashley, looks like you ladies cleaned up.

Here’s a little secret...they got the best popcorn in town! Tell’em MWNW sent you for a free bag!

33

EVENTS CONTINUED Libby Friends of the NRA banquet continued…

Winners Left to Right: Toni Kinden was the first winner for the Wall of Guns, Paul Buti won two ARs, Michelle Feese with her new 200th Anniversary Edition Remington 870 and Sarah Crace won the Walther White Edition 9mm handgun with the NRA logo off the ladies table.

With Jessica covering the Libby NRA event I had two events of my own to cover on one day several miles apart. I dragged my better half along to help with all the note taking. First it was off to Missoula to cover the “Great Rockies Sport Show” where I ran into Dan Helterline aka Montana Dan, his daughter Alexis and her friend Grace Horton (Top Picture to Right) and Keith Kubista (Second picture to right) of the Montana Sportsmen For Fish & Wildlife. A couple Left to right: Bridger Bache with a brand new set of of booths over was Angela Montana hanging out with Joe Michels and Jim wheels. Byron & Chelsea Sanderson having fun.

Buell (Bottom right picture) covering the Montana Trappers Association booth. I snapped a few more pictures and we were off to Eureka to cover the Eureka NRA event.

After a mad dash to Eureka from Missoula we made the festivities thanks to Lonny & Tammy Owens, owners of the Northwest Sports. The hospitality we received at the Tobacco Valley Friends of the NRA, Eureka event was just amazing.

A BIG thanks goes out to Lonny & Tammy Owens and their family for sharing their table, all the committee members and the locales that made Pam and I feel very welcome. It was a long night and after two Red Bulls we finally got back to Plains around 4:00AM Sunday morning. The prime rib and all the trimmings provided by Point of the Rocks and owner Greg Johnson was off the chain and well worth the long drive. Continued on page 35.

34

EVENTS CONTINUED The colors were posted by Boy Scout Troop 6786 (Eureka/Whitefish). National Anthem was sung by Leah Lamberson of Columbia Falls. The prayer was offered by Sean Tribble, Pastor of the Cowboy Church. All attending veterans were recognized and honored. Gusty Hall, Dale Burton and Talia Malone of the VFW Post 6786 served up the libations. With over 300 attendees and a packed house the event went really smooth and everyone was having a lot of fun winning 59 guns. Here are some pictures, recognize anyone?

Left to Right: Laura Raper (Savage 22-250), Neil Temple (Henry 44 Mag), Mike Cole (Walther 9mm), Naomi Wilke (Ruger 9mm), JoAne Cuffe (Walther 9mm), Ron Lebert (Walther 45), Ed Schuieitzer (Ruger Handgun), Jocelyn Ryan (Pink Handgun), Joanie Moeller Kaltech 12 ga), Mary Duram (Ruger 9mm), Michael Garner (Lever 22), Donna Colbard 3– Gun (Mossberg 208, AR, Duck Dynasty 12 ga), Rupert Schreiner (45 Cal Handgun), Alan Schepner (AR), Bonnie Heaton (AR and Mossberg 12 ga), Steve & Sue Eckels (Henery Survival Rifle), Michelle Keller Keystone Red Cricket rifle), Dorothy Eiseman (45 Cal Handgun), Josh Jankovsky AR 10 & Winchester 18-86, 45-70), Gary Mason (Taurus 40 Cal Handgun) Continued on page 36.

35

EVENTS CONTINUED

Left to Right: Roger Pitman (300 Win Mag), Mike Hogan (22 Rifle), Tim Tempel (Citadel 22 Handgun), Karen Dwyer (Ruger 357), Colby Hammack (Mossberg 802 Rifle), Alan Owen (Henry 22 Silver Boy), Tobacco Valley Committee Members, Leah Lamberson (Sang National Anthem) and Gusty Hall, Dale Barton & Talia Malone (VFW Post 6786 Volunteers). To see more NRA Banquet pictures go to www.montanawoodsnwater.com and look on the side bar titled “Events”.

Come see us at the following shows: Missoula Sports Connection Gun Show April 8th-10th AND Great Falls Gun Show April 29th-May 1st 36