August 2014 $3.00
Publisher’s Notes
What’s Inside
Well summer is heading to its end and the kids are headed back to school…sorry kids. For us bowhunters, it just means we are a few days from grabbing our bows to chase big bone. You only got a few more weeks to scout those ridges and drains… take a walk and taste a few huckleberries along the way. Revel in the fact you live in Montana and are truly living the dream. Think about how many out of state hunters only dream of being you. You have been blessed…you are a Montanan. Make sure you stay hydrated, are physically ready for those long hikes and hopefully the back breaking chore of getting your trophy out if you are fortunate enough to fill your tag. By now you should have your bow tuned and have sharpened your shooting skills. If not, you still got time…visit your local archery shop for a bow inspection and those last minute archery items. Practice, practice, practice! For you fishermen, there is still plenty of time to catch that stringer of fish. Water levels have receded and some of the spots you could not reach before are more accessible. Let’s see those photos! With the rising cost of grocery meats it is time to think about filling that freezer or canning some meat for the winter months. Be sure and send us those game cameras photos and of course those bulls and bucks that have hit the ground. Please go out of your way to tell my staffers and our advertisers how much you appreciate their support for this publication…without them this publication would not exist for your reading pleasure. I thank my staff, our readers, subscribers and advertisers for your continued support and kind words of encouragement. You are what Montana is all about! Raf Viniard, Publisher Raf@montanawoodsnwater.com
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I have lived in Plains, Montana for the past five years. I left my big city roots for what I will call home the rest of my life. The outdoor lifestyle fits into my change of life that is dedicated to God, my family, hiking, boating and fishing. In my role as the Sales and Marketing Director for Montana Woods N Water I look forward to working with those of you who will be advertising your business and local events. Feel free to contact me wtih any questions that you have. Alicia Lynn Hendry, Director of Sales and Marketing Alicia@montanawoodsnwater.com 406-242-0034 (c) 406-826-3887 (h)
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Angela Gerych Dan Helterline Paul Fielder Toby Bridges Toby Walrath Pastor Jim Sinclair Zach Butcher Montana Mitzi Sam Martin
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Where is “Are”? The elk are where they are. But where is “Are”? –By Raf Viniard
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have heard many times from the local, seasoned elk hunters, “The elk are where they are.” But where is “Are”? Not every drain or ridge holds a trophy bull, or even elk for that matter. Getting your bow tuned and hitting consistently is one thing, but finding a trophy bull elk is an entirely different story and requires work. However, to someone that loves to archery hunt, it is not work but a challenge.
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ribeye steaks (for those unsuccessful attempts) will go a long way when asking some future follow-up questions. Putting The Puzzle Together - Now that you have some possible leads and a few pieces of the puzzle, it is time to analyze the information and area(s). Things to think about when following up on a nugget of information might include: -Was the source of information reliable, trustworthy and speaking from experience? -How old is the information? -Has the area changed due to road openings or closures, forest fires, timbering operations, etc.? -How much hunting pressure does this area receive from locals or guide services?
together and things are looking more promising. Now it’s time to prepare a hunt plan and make sure you and your equipment are ready. Watch the weather and climate conditions as they may change over the course of a few days. If it turns dry then water will be a bigger factor in deciding game travel patterns and bedding locations. Spend as much time as possible from a distance listening and watching the area, being mindful of where your scent is blowing or settling. Plan B, C & D – We have been taught our entire lives to never put all our eggs in one basket. Elk hunting is no different. Things happen. You might not be the only one watching and waiting to hunt the area.
Think of it as a big puzzle with thousands of pieces. When it all fits together, you have a beautiful picture - you standing over a big bull grinning from ear to ear.” I have had an entire year to pick the brains of some of the most seasoned Northwest Montana elk hunters, and have formed quite the opinionated database. But I see a very common thread to their advice. The tips below will get you headed in the “Are” direction. Let’s break this down into five areas - Local Information, Putting the Puzzle Together, Road Trip, The Plan, and Plan B, C & D. Local Information – In my opinion there is nothing more valuable. Think of it as a big puzzle with thousands of pieces. When it all fits together you have a beautiful picture - you standing over a big bull grinning from ear to ear. A piece here and a piece there, and the area you need to focus your energy on slowly begins to form; not a mountain range, but specific drains, ridges or both. Not all information will come from someone else. Time in the woods and a lot of glassing and scouting will be the most accurate and best way to increase your knowledge base. When given the chance to speak with a seasoned elk hunter, ask a lot of questions but don’t ask the “Holy Grail Question” where can I find some big elk. You might as well have asked for the winning lottery numbers. When someone mentions a drain or ridge just lock it away in the back of your mind. When you get home pull out your map and start to study the area to try and figure out why that area may or may not hold elk. If someone is nice enough to share a starting point or show you on a map where to start your search, then make sure you treat it with the respect it deserves and never forget who headed you in the right direction. A nice elk back strap (for those successful hunts) or a couple
HUNTING
-How bad is the predation in the area? -How much water, food and shelter are available for a big bull? -Is this a place cows would hang out and forage? -How am I going to access this area? -How am I going to get a bull out if I am fortunate enough to harvest one? -Is my health good enough to take on this type of terrain or distance? -Have you studied your topo maps, forest service maps and satellite images to learn all you can about the area? Road Trip – Once you have answered the above questions and things are looking pretty good, it is time to validate your theory and confirm what you have learned or been told. Don’t go into the area without specific things to look for, such as: seeing or hearing elk, elk sign, food, water sources, game trails, bedding areas, wallows, possible stand locations or observation points, access and exit points and signs of other hunters and outfitters (foot prints, horse tracks, old camp sites). Look for predator sign such as wolf and cougar sign. Set out some game cameras, when and where legal, to try and confirm your quarry is in the area. Do not to disturb the area any more than absolutely necessary. If you are taking a buddy, secure an oath of secrecy and agreement as to how it will be hunted by both of you. Many friendships have been destroyed by assumptions. The Plan – The puzzle is finally coming
Photo courtesy of Brian Geer, Libby, MT.
A wolf pack could move into the area, or other unseen issues could send the big bull packing. Make sure you have two or three bulls or places to fall back on if the first one becomes tainted or the game changes patterns. In short, listen, learn and validate. From my understanding, find the girls, the food, water, good cover and the bulls should be close by. Hint: Focus on the north, dark forested slopes and headwater areas of drains. A nice slope close by with cover and you might just be in the “Are”. Packing around a bow for hours, hiking up and down those drains and ridges, and not even being in an area that has the POTENTIAL to hold elk is nothing more than a hike in the woods and a waste of good leather. So, now you know where the elk “Are”…if I am wrong, send me an email and tell me where they “Are”. Next month I will share advice from local pros on how to be more successful in chasing that big bull with stick and string. 2
Muskrats –By Paul C. Fielder
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ike many trappers, my trapping experiences started with trapping muskrats. I still enjoy trapping muskrats more than other critters. A muskrat is essentially a large, aquatic meadow-mouse. They’ve got a long, narrow, vertical tail and webbed hind feet to help them swim. They’ll weigh 2 pounds in the south and 3 ½ - 4 pounds in the northern states. They occur in 48 states, never having made the trip to Hawaii and not coexisting well with gators in Florida. But it is their brown/black fur, and the fact that there can be so many of them, that makes them interesting and valuable.
Now, my favorite trap is the #1 ½ longspring, usually set on floats. Once a muskrat goes underwater wearing a #1½ longspring bracelet, the extra weight keeps them under. I also like colony traps, in the 5, 6, and 7 inch square sizes, to set in shallow runways and den entrances. Pulling up a colony trap with several muskrats in it can quickly make a believer out of you. Conibears always go muskrat trapping with me also, for the runways, chokepoints, and den entrances not suitable for a colony trap. But I leave the apples home. Instead I use potatoes for a visual and a food bait. Waterfowl are
to a fence staple at each end of the float. I pile up some aquatic vegetation and or grass in the middle of the float to simulate a feed bed, put a slice of potato on either side of the “feed bed”facing the trap, add a dab of mint flavored, white toothpaste on each end of the float, and it’s good. I put my floats in indents along the marsh shore, under overhanging vegetation if I can, and in water deep enough and far enough from shoreline vegetation so that trapped muskrats go underwater and stay under. You only get one chance to make a FIRST impression, regardless if it is a job interview, a first date, or a fur buyer
Muskrats breed like rodents, because they are. With only a 29-day gestation period, females will have 2-3 litters per year, producing an average of 15-16 kits annually. Females born early in the year can produce a litter by the end of that same year. Muskrat populations are controlled by hawks, owls, mink, coyotes, foxes, several diseases, flooding (especially when young are in dens), starvation, and us trappers. It doesn’t take much to start trapping muskrats. I started with some #1 jumps and longsprings that I bought for 25 cents each (in the early 1960s), some wooden stretcher boards, a knife, hatchet, dad’s hip boots, and a pocket full of apples. Most of those early sets consisted of a piece of apple skewered on a stick above a #1 trap with the ring at the end of the trap chain fastened in the deepest water by a forked stick. When I got a few #110 Conibear (body grip) traps, my catch and enthusiasm grew because I could trap runways and den entrances better. Stretchers were filling up. Years passed and I learned a lot more.
attracted to apples but not potatoes, and taters are cheaper. Muskrats eat roots. Potatoes are roots. Muskrats are especially attracted to white. I know a good trapper that wires large, white buttons to the pans of traps that he fastens on poles for under-ice sets. How about a slice of potato on the trigger of a conibear suspended under the ice? A sliced potato shows a LOT of white. Many times I’ll use narrow floats for trapping muskrats. Waterfowl don’t use narrow floats as much as they’ll use big, wide floats. My floats are constructed of 2x4s two feet long. I use thin wood scraps to fasten the 2x4s together on the bottom so it floats low in the water. I leave a 3-4 inch gap in the middle of the float open. The 2x4s should be spaced just wide enough to accommodate the jaws of a set #1 ½ longspring at each end of the float, with the springs facing toward the middle. Why go through the trouble to set a float with only one trap on it if you can set two? I like doubles. I fasten the float in a location with a long, dry stick through the gap in the middle of the float. Each trap is wired
seeing your fur for the first time. Take some extra time putting up your muskrats. They’ve been worth more than a $10 bill in recent years, but they’ll fetch much less if poorly handled. Take care to avoid holes in the pelt. Leave a small mouth hole. Flesh the pelts to remove meat and fat. I’ve handled muskrat pelts at fur auctions that seemed to be dripping grease. Bad first impression! I prefer wood stretcher boards, but use wire also. I use some narrower (6 inch wide) boards for small muskrats, which always tend to grade out as mediums. Make sure the nose stays at the end of the stretcher and the mouth hole does not slide down the stretcher robbing you of length. Use stick-pins or plastic clothes pins (wooden ones absorb grease) to pull down and hold the pelt hips lower on the stretcher, giving you extra length. Use a pin to hold the nose at the end of the stretcher if needed. A trapper with some skill and luck can catch a bunch of muskrats, so it only makes sense to handle their furs correctly and make a bunch of extra dollar bills too.
TRAPPING
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Catchin’ Crawlers Sometimes all you need is a no. 2 hook and a nightcrawler –By Tony Rebo
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rowing up in the North Western corner of Montana is something only others can dream about. I hear all the time from friends and family how they will be vacationing this year to Glacier National Park and how exciting the vacation is going to be. Well folks, I was born, raised and still reside in Libby, Montana. I live in a place just as glorious, if not better than Glacier Park, and I don’t have to compete with the 1 million tourists per year. Our valley is full of wildlife, and we have some of the best blue ribbon fishing in the state! We have it all, from high mountain lakes to low valley lakes to small streams, and of course, the stunning Kootenai River. Our valley has nearly every variety of fish found throughout our state, and the experience of getting to the water and finding these fish is a memory that can last a lifetime. My life experiences started when I was a young lad at around the age of 6. My dad wasn’t much of a hunter, but man could he fish. I was always amazed at how he could pull fish after fish from holes I had just been in and caught nothing. My dad was a number 2 hook
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went in to hunting night crawlers. First, about an hour before dark you had to water down the ground in an area where you might find crawlers. An ample amount of water was required and messing up phase one of the hunt was out of the question. Step two was to wait inside the house until it was totally dark. I loved this step because my mom would always have a big bowl of popcorn from the kettle with lots of butter while we waited. My dad would talk about where we would be going fishing the next day. He would talk about the water, how to sneak up on a hole and how to present the worm to the fish. This was better than Christmas. Finally, about an hour after dark, my dad would have me gather up the tools we needed to catch the crawlers; two good flashlights and a gallon bucket filled halfway with dirt and a small layer of green grass I would pull from the yard. At first I was only allowed to hold the bucket and the spare flashlight. I was told I was too noisy and needed to be quiet as I was the one who allegedly scared away the crawlers. I was also told to stop eating so much popcorn because my fingers were covered in butter. I guess dropping the flashlight more than four times is not good. My dad would sneak up on a crawler from about 4 to 6 feet away, just like a big cat sneaking in the tall grass. He would pause, and then for a moment everything was silent.
He would pause, and then for a moment everything was silent. Then, he would pounce.”
and worm guy. As I got older there were times I was embarrassed about that, because “real” fisherman used a fly rod. I asked my dad once why he didn’t fly fish, and he looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Why would I waste all that time trying to find a fly that the fish would like, when I know darn good and well they love worms?” He had a point, I guess. He also told me they weren’t just worms. Oh no, these were night crawlers; different from worms, bigger and better. Dad didn’t see the logic in trying to find and tie the right fly, but oh did we spend time hunting night crawlers. I must say, looking back I have some great memories as a kid on those late nights when we hunted the night crawler. There was a lot of prep work that
FISHING
Then, he would pounce. He would land on his knees and have the crawler trapped between his pointer finger and his thumb. He would then instruct me on how to milk the crawler out of the ground so that it would not break in two. Pounce after pounce, this went on until we filled the bucket. I spent nearly two years as an apprentice before I was given the chance to catch my own crawlers. I remember the day; I was walking home from school when I happened to notice that the night crawlers were out during the day for some reason. I quickly gathered a bucket half full of dirt with a little grass on top and started to collect the crawlers. It had rained, and for some reason the crawlers were all over the road. It was night crawler heaven.
I gathered dozens of them and filled the bucket fuller than it had ever been filled before. I marched into the house to show my dad. I was so proud, and finally felt like more than just the flashlight holder. My dad’s first look
was in disbelief as he probably thought I knocked off a worm farm somewhere. Then he asked where I got them. Why, I said, they were all over the road, just lying there waiting to be picked up. My dad replied, “Take them back. Every last one”. Now I have had moments in my life where I thought he was a flat out genius, but I can tell you this wasn’t one of them. Later that night I was sitting around pouting when my dad asked me if I watered the lawn. I did as I was told and got it done; wondering why bother, as just hours before I had the mother lode of worms and he made me put them back. After the popcorn and the stories I grabbed the flashlight and bucket and headed out. But this time my dad said, “It’s time for you to catch the crawlers”. I never had so much fun, and even today as I write this story a tear comes to my eye. This was a great moment in my life. I learned that day that it was never about how many crawlers we had, but it was about how we got them and the memories we shared. Growing up in Libby is a great memory and fishing is, and always will be, my passion. Tip of the day: Follow the sun. As the sun sets, follow the rays that hit the water. That is the first spot that a new hatch will appear. I chase the setting sun down the river in July with my favorite fly - a number 12 elk hair caddis. Casting into the sunshine and stripping the line back into the shade will produce fish. Good luck, and when in doubt, a number 2 hook with night crawlers will work every time. Until next time, I will be out looking for that next great hole. 4
A Hunter’s Life Real hunters sharing a lifetime of hunting adventure. Exclusive interviews with everyday hunters who have blessed us with our hunting heritage –By Toby Walrath
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ears of hunting adventure unfolded amidst photographs, antlers, letters and personal hunting artifacts adorning a Bowyer's walls. Dale Dye shared his perspective on game populations, people, and hunting adventures. When asked when he thought the switch from meat hunting to trophy hunting occurred in Montana he said, "I'm not sure when it changed, it just evolved." Dale’s father Archie told him about shooting elk from a sea of antlers totalling 300 or more bulls in a single herd. In Dale’s experience, the biggest herd he ever shot a bull from was about 60. Not one to mince his words, Dale gave his perspective on our current wildlife populations and the politics that seem to run management programs. Dale is unsure if the old game counts were accurate, but he is sure about one thing; "Wolves have changed everything...if a rancher only had three calves per hundred cows he'd be out of business in a minute." Dale thinks the elk became call-shy even before our recent surge in predators. As more hunters took to the field every fall with modern bugles, elk became less responsive. “I can remember whistling in bulls with two fingers and that worked great." Dale has a unique perspective on this region where he was born and raised. At 27 years old Dale became the youngest Sheriff in the state of Montana. “When I first became Sheriff there was about 10,000 people in Ravalli County. When I retired, there was better than double that." Places where Dale once hunted deer are now dotted with houses and access is now so difficult that Dale gave up hunting waterfowl altogether.
A HUNTER’S LIFE
Dale switched hunting locations after too many vehicles began passing his elk camp. "I felt like I was in downtown Hamilton. Looking back on the local deer population, Dale recalls a different dynamic; "I can remember when it was a rarity to see a white-tailed deer in the Bitterroot valley." Dale shared a story from the 50's when a bear crossed the road in front of him and two friends. "I said I wanted that bear, so we all crawled out of the car and I ran up the hill. I was coming down this rock face and there was this hole with two beady eyes staring out of it. So I hollered to the guys that I had found the bear. I had a 30-30 rifle, and when I shot the lights went out. Next thing I knew there were two eyes looking out that hole and my friends were ribbing me that a 30-30 couldn't even kill a bear. I shot again, and the lights went out. After a while we started chipping away at that hole until it was big enough for me to fit through up to my waste.” As Dale reached in and grabbed the bear around its chest, the air rushed out from the lungs and scared Dale and his two friends. But then things really got interesting; "My eyes got adjusted to the light and I could see another bear looking at me." There was a total of three bears in there and Dale had shot two. "It was a tricky situation." One day a grocery clerk told two men named Lum and Mickey that Dale had drawn a goat tag. One of them said, "I'd like to see him bring a goat out on that," pointing at Dales Harley Davidson motorcycle. "The next day I drove up Fred Burr creek and parked at the gate. I walked up the trail about three miles and saw a goat standing there." He worked his way up the steep rocky crag until he was in range with his
Dale with his granddaughter. muzzleloader. "I took my hat off and used it as a rest." After Dale shot, the goat dropped. He quickly reloaded and remembers shaking so bad gun powder covered the snow around his feet. He climbed down to the bottom of the cliff, left his muzzleloader there and worked his way up to the goat. When he got there the goat was back on his feet. "I could see that he was really weak and he was standing right on the edge. I took out some rope and tried to lasso the goat by his hind leg." Eventually the goat plummeted several hundred feet and broke a horn. But Dale made sure Lum and Mickey saw his goat tied to his motorcycle the next day. "I never heard them say a word." Realizing long ago that for him hunting is about more than harvesting game, Dale has progressively challenged himself more as a hunter from rifle to muzzleloader, and for that past couple decades, has hunted only with a bow. Dale embraces the challenges of archery, reveres the game he pursues and personifies the true spirit of the hunter’s heart.
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Montana needs a muzzleloader big game season An exploration into the benefits of adding a muzzleloader season for Montana hunters –By Toby Bridges
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A Montana muzzleloader season held after the general firearm season would allow hunters more opportunity to fill doe or antlerless permits, providing better management of whitetail populations.
A special draw late muzzleloader hunt for elk would help fund MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks - and give the agency one more management tool to reduce damage to hay and crop fields.
The vast majority of states now permit the muzzleloading hunter to choose between using a very traditional old-style muzzleloader or a modern in-line rifle design.
SMOKE POLES
epending on whose information one chooses to trust or believe, there are now between 3 and 3 1/2 million muzzleloading hunters in the United States. Likewise, the vast majority of states in this country now offer a "special" muzzleloader season for those hunters. In fact, every state except one now schedules such a season or hunt, and that state is Montana. Sure, big game hunting is extremely popular in this state. And if you live in Montana and truly want to hunt with a muzzleloader, you can. But not during a season specifically for muzzle-loaded guns. In Montana, if you want to hunt deer or elk with a muzzleloader, you'll have to do it during the 5-week general season, or other seasons or hunts held in heavily human-inhabited areas that have been set for hunting with limited range handguns, shotguns, archery equipment, crossbows or muzzleloaders. Those hunts are referred to as "Weapons Restrictions Areas". There simply is not a "Muzzleloader Only" big game season or hunt in Big Sky Country. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks does absolutely nothing to promote hunting with a muzzleloader. The incentive for hunting with a muzzleloader in other states has been seasons that have been established specifically for the muzzleloading hunter. In fact, more and more states are now conducting several muzzleloader seasons each fall and winter; commonly an "early season" that takes place prior to the modern firearm seasons, and a "late season" which runs sometime after the modern gun seasons have closed. Where states tend to offer just one muzzleloader season, it seems the majority are of the late variety - following the general firearms big game seasons. For instance, in Nebraska the muzzleloader season for whitetails, and mule deer in some areas, runs the entire month of December. Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission is not only cheating big game hunters in this state out of a special season that is extremely popular with hunters everywhere else in the country, this game commission is also cheating Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks out of a very valuable management tool, and an opportunity to
bring in additional revenue through muzzleloader hunting permit sales just as it does for bow hunters. In this state, bow hunters get first crack at big game during an early 6 week archery season. Montana muzzleloading hunters are forced to hunt side-by-side with centerfire toting big game hunters, packing super long range rifles in calibers like .300 Winchester Magnum or 7mm Remington Magnum. There is absolutely no incentive to hunt with a muzzleloader in this state. And consequently, few modern rifle big game hunters here know anyone who does hunt with a muzzleloader. Montana's whitetail populations are busting at the seams in some regions of the state, and need additional harvest. In fact, the deer populations are so thick in many areas that diseases and viral infections are now wiping out tens of thousands of deer almost on an annual basis. In a similar light, wintering elk herds have become extremely destructive to hay and crop fields in quite a few areas and need closely controlled additional harvest. A muzzleloading season is just one more management tool - a tool that every other state wildlife agency is using. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has received numerous requests to establish a muzzleloader hunting season, but those requests seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Or perhaps the commission has given in to the wishes of special interest groups which don't want to share the hunting. One such group has been the Montana Bowhunters Association, which has vehemently opposed the establishment of special muzzleloader big game seasons in this state. Archery hunters already enjoy the early seasons in Montana, so why not allow muzzleloading hunters to enjoy their own seasons as well on the other end of the general big game seasons? A December late muzzleloader season, requiring the purchase of a muzzleloader hunting license, would give many hunters one more opportunity to fill a buck tag, or to take a doe for the freezer. A Montana muzzleloader deer season, or special draw muzzleloader elk hunt, would give MT FWP an Continued on next page. 7
New season, new bow, new release Changing from a traditional, finger release to a trigger release just in time for archery season –By Angela Gerych
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or the last decade that I have been shooting and hunting with a compound bow, I have always shot with my fingers rather than a release. When I first learned how to shoot a bow back in my early 20's, I wasn't given the option to use a release, nor was I ever even told about them. I never even knew they existed for a good amount of time. It helped that the first bow I was given as a gift was a 35-pounder, as pulling the string back wasn't a chore. After flinging my first arrow I was hooked. As time went on, I noticed that some people were using some odd wrist contraptions while shooting their bows, and the craziest thing was they were pulling a trigger when taking their shots! A trigger? Why shoot a bow if you're pulling a trigger? Why not shoot a rifle? (Yes, that was really my thought at first) I just couldn't figure it out. So, I kept shooting with my fingers, still accurately, sporting a new Jennings compound bow and setting the draw weight to a comfortable - for me - 54 pounds. My glove worked great for me, so I wasn't about to try and fix something that wasn't broken. Years went by, and I got even more into bowhunting. I took up bowfishing too, and loved it. Over the last decade I have helped eliminate a considerable amount of carp from Canyon Ferry. I bought my boyfriend his first bow, as he was a rifle-only hunter up until we met. I was surprised when he bought a release, going against my suggestion of
using fingers. But, then again, his Parker bow is set to a draw weight of 75 pounds or more, so I realized there was a huge difference between pulling back 54 pounds with fingers versus 75 pounds with a release. I rolled my eyes and ignored the prodding to get a
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inspired me to compile a list of reasons why I am switching from fingers to a release after standing my ground for so many years on not using one. Here is what I came up with: • Fingers get cold and stiff in the cold weather, making it more
A trigger? Why shoot a bow if you’re pulling a trigger? Why not shoot a rifle?”
release myself, shuddering at the thought of not having my trusty glove around. It had, after all, been with me from the very beginning. Just recently, somebody told me that he went 25 years shooting with fingers, and within the last few years, he switched over and he couldn't believe he waited that long. He assured me he was as adamant as I was about using fingers to shoot, but after using a release while hunting he would never go back. Interestingly enough, after all the people in my life who tried to convince me to use a release gave up, something about this one comment, coupled with the fact I just bought a new Bowtech 101st Airborne, changed my mind. So, I decided to give a release a shot (pardon the pun). What did I have to lose? If I used a release for one whole day and didn't like it, I could always switch back to fingers. I headed out and bought my first release yesterday. This purchase
difficult to draw my bow with numb fingers. • It seems to require less effort pulling a bow back with your wrist rather than fingers. • It is said that shooting with a release results in a more consistent and accurate shot. • You can hold your draw longer while using a release. I will find out first hand if the above benefits will make retiring my glove worth the transition. I can also go back to my trusty glove and comfort zone, but I am more interested in doing everything I can to make my bow shoot the most accurate and efficient. A new bow, a new method of release and a new season. I'm getting ready for opening day. Are you?
Muzzleloader continued from page 7. opportunity to better fund the agency, while at the same time providing an additional management tool for better keeping whitetail populations in check and reducing the impact of wintering elk herds on private lands. These seasons would also allow many Montana hunters the opportunity to enjoy hunting with a slow-to-load muzzleloaded rifle. A late season running the last two weeks of December would also allow many, especially teens who are faced with school during most of the general firearm seasons, to hunt on through the holidays. Special muzzleloader deer and elk seasons make a lot of sense for Montana - so why aren't there any such seasons? I've personally heard from many Montana hunters who say, "If we had a season...I'd buy and hunt with a muzzleloader!" What are your thoughts? Drop me an e-mail and share why you are in favor of or against muzzleloader hunting seasons in this state. Send to namlhunt@gmail.com
Sig says check out our HOT DEALS on all canning supplies. We carry Balls Green Heritage Canning Jars.
HER PAGE
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Stop in and see why we are the home of “Fresh Meat, Fresh Produce, and Friendly Faces�
Hunters, get that special someone in your life a little something before hunting season gets underway. Let her know you appreciate her patience with you and your obsession with hunting. Featuring Woolrich Heritage wool vests, bibs, and chamois shirts, as well as Wrangler, Columbia, Levi, and more quality brands. Also carrying Probar meal replacement bars, and proud to offer locally made gifts and jewelry, custom framing, antiques, and much more.
Because quality never goes out of style.
New location, new owner, new look with the same high quality, beautiful selection of yarns to make your craft a one-of-a-kind thing of beauty.
Stop by McGowan Mall in Downtown Plains, Montana to visit all these fine retailers. 116 E. Railroad Avenue, Plains, Montana
P
astor Jim has been a little busy with church camps, parishioner illnesses, funeral services and a multitude of other things God has laid on his plate to handle. I felt I was called to help out my brother in Christ this month, for I know he would help me. Pastor Jim will join us next month just in time for kicking off the 2014 archery season. During the last few days of spring bear season, I decided to strike out deeper and further into the mountain than my previous outings. Before I left the truck, I shoved an extra bottle of water in my backpack and then left one out to put on the outside of my pack for easy access. After walking about 2 miles and breaking a pretty good sweat, I decided I had better take a break and take in some life giving H2O (water). As I reached back into my exterior water pocket I realized it was not there. I had left it on the truck seat. Since I had already walked half way to my final destination, I figured I would be fine with just the one bottle of water I had
shoved down inside my pack earlier. Wrong! By the time I got back to the headwater of the drain I was out of water, and the creek was dry with no sign of water anywhere. My mind now focused more on my thirst than scouting or bear hunting. I decided to take the most direct, least exerting path back to my truck before my thirst started making me do unsafe decisions, or worse yet, get a severe headache. I found a stream along the way down with a few cow paddies along its edge. Not a pretty picture. Yes, the thought did cross my mind; however, I wasn’t thirsty enough for any cow patty Kool-Aid. The last thing I needed to do was drink bad water that could make me sick or possibly kill me. I could feel my energy was slowly melting away and my mouth was like cotton. I was perspiring more than I was taking in. Seeing my truck in a distance knowing I had some iced down water sitting in a cooler put a pep in my step. That last 100 yards seemed like 1000 yards. As I clutched that cold bottle of water with my sweaty hand
Medicine: Water bugs
F
rom reading the article above, you know I was thinking about drinking from that cow pile-littered stream. Wonder how many bad bugs (unseen bacteria) were in that water…probably millions? As kids, it was nothing to lay on our belly sipping cold creek water. We would look up and down the stream a few feet (not yards) and if there was not a cow pile close by or anything dead laying in it, it was like a fountain of youth and became a poor boy’s drinking and swimming hole. Looking back, I think about all the critters that, shall we say, probably stained the water. I would hate to know how many gallons of water I accidentally swallowed and spit at my brother from our stock ponds with the cows standing there waiting
SPORTSMANS MEDS
and tilted it up, I immediately felt refreshed and ready to go again. Water is mentioned in the Good Book many, many times from Genesis to Revelations, so it must be very important in more ways than one. We can only survive a few days without water, but for us to survive eternity we must drink of the “Living Water” BEFORE our death. What a horrible way to die from thirst or drinking bad water - but what would be even worse is to die and spend “Eternity” in a place that has no water. Read Luke 16:24 for a better understanding. Very interesting story about a man who had it all. I highly encourage you to drink from “His” cup, for tomorrow you may not have a chance. Our grave yards are littered with folks who thought they could make it one more day without the “Living Water”. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” - John 4:14
–By Raf Viniard
for us to get out of their watering hole. We didn’t have swimming pools. All we had were ponds, creeks, the cattle trough or a water hose to play in. Water bugs…that was something we smacked with our hands as they darted across the surface of the water. Today I am a lot more careful where I lap up my water. I think all the military training caused me to pause and act a little smarter than a 5th grader. There can be some really bad bugs in unfiltered or untreated water. I now carry a Life Straw, iodine and a metal cup for boiling just in case. They are very light weight items that I can quickly use in an emergency. If I can find where the water is coming out of the ground, I am not as worried about bugs, but the threat is still there.
By the grace of God is the only reason we never got sick. We never even thought about “Beaver Fever” unless we were around a beaver pond. God loves you, but he also gave you a brain, so think before you dip up some water in your old cowboy hat and take a long sip. I know, drastic times call for drastic measures. Just make sure it is your last resort to drink from an untreated or unfiltered water source. Doubled over out in the woods several miles back makes for a very long day and possibly night. If you are not sure, boil the heck out of that water or treat it with chemicals like iodine or chlorine. Warning:Make sure you know how much to add to your water…I don’t have the space here to educate you on poisoning yourself. 10
Lynch Creek Animal Clinic Alan Marley, V.M.D. Rebecca Hopkins, V.M.D. amarley@blackfoot.net 7273 MT Hwy 200 Plains, MT 59859 406-826-3235 www.lynchcreekanimalclinic.com
Left: Aedan Snead of Florence, MT poses with his dog and the day’s take after a successful duck hunt.
Right: 3 year old Madison of Libby, MT shows off her big catch.
We are always looking for photos of the Next Generation enjoying all Montana has to offer. Send your photos to Tanya@montanawoodsnwater.com, subject ‘Next Generation’.
Right: Seeley and Maizey fish in the boat with their Papa. Their mom, Sara, followed behind them in the kayak.
Hooked on Montana How many fish hooks can you find hidden in the pages of Montana Woods N Water? Search each ad to see how sharp your eyes are. Need some help? Check out our website at www.montanawoodsnwater.com, and click on “Hooked on Montana”. Keep your eyes peeled for these hooks, and good luck fishing today!
NEXT GENERATION
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Archery season opens September 6th!
Right: This Braaten 6’3”, 300+ lb black bear was taken in Sanders County with a 30-06. Check out this bear’s monster paws and scarred face.
Above: Rik Rewerts shows off a monster bass he caught at Bull Lake in Troy, MT. He’s definitely earned bragging rights!
Right: Brian and Chanel Geer of Libby, MT. Brian poses with a velveted bull taken during archery season, while Chanel stands behind her Tom.
We are always looking for photos of Local Celebrities enjoying all Montana has to offer. Send your photos to Tanya@montanawoodsnwater.com, subject ‘Local Celebrities’.
LOCAL CELEBRITIES
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Hunting “on your own” in Alaska With careful planning, hunting Alaska could be your greatest hunting adventure yet –By Dan Helterline
H
unting Alaska has got to be one of the most common "must do's" on every hunters "Bucket List", yet a lot of hunters fail to get it checked off. The massive landscape and daunting logistics involved in executing a hunt in Alaska seem to intimidate people enough that they baulk at the task. Moose, caribou, Sitka blacktail, black bears and wolves can all be hunted by nonresidents without the assistance of a guide or outfitter, making them perfect targets for planning a do-ityourself style hunt. With some diligent planning and careful research, hunting any one of these species can be done on your own successfully. Don't get me wrong, hunting Alaska on your own isn't for everyone. Alaska's vast wilderness, extreme terrain and unpredictably brutal weather takes an advanced skill set to be able to navigate safely and successfully. If you don't posses the skill and the confidence to hunt in this type of environment, then hiring
could be used in planning any hunt. Part of what makes the thought of hunting Alaska so daunting is the access. We are very blessed in a state like Montana where you can literally
“
Once I had pinned down a particular river, I could now concentrate on the logistical end of the trip; gear selection, how to get myself and our gear up north and on the river, what to do with the meat and antlers if successful, and finally, how to get it all home.”
an outfitter may be the best option. When I decided I had to go hunting in Alaska, I thought I would try to hunt moose and caribou on the same trip. After starting my research, I quickly learned it is difficult to hunt both species in one location; habitats and seasons rarely overlapped, which weighed strongly in my decision to plan on two separate hunts. The length of moose season is much shorter than caribou in most hunting units. So I decided to go after a moose first and then go hunt caribou in a separate location. Hopefully this decision would allow me to concentrate on each species separately, and have two quality hunts. Because all of my research was dedicated to planning a moose and then a caribou hunt, this is what I will mainly address. But the general principles I applied to researching hunting these two animals MONTANA DAN
hunt out your back door or jump in your truck and be to some of the state’s best hunting within the same day. This is not the case in Alaska. Most of the prime hunting ground in this state must be accessed by either boat or plane, adding another level of logistical complexity that most hunters are unfamiliar with. Most of Alaska's moose habitat is adjacent to water, either surrounding lakes or along Alaska's many rivers. Most rivers can be hunted by power boating up them or floating down them. The perimeter of lakes can also be hunted by being dropped off with a float plane. Of course, size and depth of the lake will determine whether a float plan can safely land on it. Moose season in many of Alaska's GMU's (game management units) coincide with the rut. Moose will often travel along rivers in search of cows in
season. This is what makes a float hunt down a river a good option. One of the benefits of this style of hunt is you can cover a large amount of prime country during the hunt. The downsides are once you go by an area there is usually no going back upstream, and there is the constant breaking and remaking of camp as you work down a particular river. I had access to a raft so I chose the float option. Besides, what could be more adventurous than floating down one of Alaska's wild and remote rivers with the chance at encountering a giant rut crazed Bull Moose lurking around every bend in the river? Once I truly dove into researching my Alaska dream hunt, I found the bush pilots or "air taxis" to be the most reliable and valuable source of information. These guys are in the back country on a daily basis and have an intimate knowledge of existing game populations. I got a list of all the state’s air taxis and what areas they operated in, which proved to be one of the most valuable planning tools. It took only a phone call to a pilot working a certain area to confirm or not what I thought was a "hot lead" on a particular river I had in mind. Most of my conversations to them went something like this, "Yeah, that river used to be good but it has been over hunted and moose numbers are low." Not letting myself get discouraged, I kept tracking down leads and calling pilots to validate what I had heard elsewhere. When I finally struck pay dirt, I had an outfitter 22
recommend a river that he wasn't going to hunt that fall. When I cross referenced that river with one of the area’s bush pilots, he confirmed it was a good river and had light hunting pressure due to the few rough gravel bars along the river that most pilots weren't willing to land on. I felt I had finally found my river! Once I pinned down the river, I could now concentrate on the logistical end of the trip; gear selection, how to get myself and our gear up north and on the river, what to do with the meat and antlers if successful, and finally, how to get it all home. This proved to be a time consuming and mountainous task, but in the end very rewarding. The first step was choosing how to get to Alaska. This decision didn't take long due to the fact I had never driven the famous ALCAN highway and had a flexible job that allowed me to take enough time off to add the time needed on each end of the trip to get up and back driving. From Plains, MT to Circle, AK where we would meet up with our air taxi, is a little over 2500 miles one way and a solid 50 hours plus of driving. This can add 3-5 days on each end of the trip depending on how leisurely one chooses to travel. My partner would fly up and bring our rifles on the plane, eliminating the hassle and cost of dragging them through Canada. Driving up would allow us to bring all the necessary gear we needed, and give me a means of getting the meat and antlers home if successful. In the end, the drive up through Canada along the ALCAN and
into Alaska proved to be as fun as the actual hunt. The scenery was nothing short of intoxicating and wildlife along the road was plentiful. I saw everything from stone sheep to wood bison and even saw a grizzly outside of Dawson City! Next came choosing an air taxi to get us and our gear into the river to start hunting. This was also made less difficult because the river we wanted to hunt had only one pilot willing to fly in there due to the rough nature of the gravel bar landing strips. I use the word landing strip very loosely. The gravel bar we landed on in no way resembled a landing strip that most people think of. The pilot actually put one wheel in the
up with those dates. The only thing left at this point was to figure out just what gear was necessary and how exactly to fit it all in my Toyota truck. We were each hoping to kill a moose, and the river we were to float was small so we decided on two rafts, one 12 foot and one 14. This would give us enough room for all our gear and hopefully two moose, plus we would not be too loaded down to float out to our pickup. Alaska was experiencing one of its driest summers in history the year we choose to hunt, which made for record low water levels and large wildfires that burned well into fall. This turned out to be both a
“
Most of Alaska’s moose habitat is adjacent to water; either surrounding lakes or along Alaska’s many rivers.” edge of the water to help slow us down so we could get stopped before the river made an abrupt bend and we ran out of bar! I want to preface this with the fact that I did a lot of planning ahead of time, and the commitment necessary for a hunt like this needs to be started AT LEAST a year in advance. A lot of air taxis only have so many open days they can fly due to the time crunch of season openers and staying loyal to outfitters and returning clients. If you want to fly in on a certain date, you need to reserve that well in advance, and there is a lot of planning that precedes the when and where to come
Watercraft inspection required by law
blessing and a curse. The low water levels made it impossible for jet boaters to even enter the river we were floating, so they had to remain on the main Yukon. This removed them as competition, but also made the 85-mile float out to the Yukon almost impossible. Looking back, it added greatly to the adventure. Check out next month’s issue to see just how great of an adventure it was!
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to remind people that all watercraft are required by state law to stop at aquatic invasive Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like remind that all boats. watercraft are requiredcraft by state law tocanoes, stop at aquatic species (AIS) check stations. This doesn’t justto mean justyou motorized Non-motorized including kayaks, invasive paddlespecies (AIS) check stations. This doesn’t just mean just motorized boats. Non-motorized craft including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rafts must also stop. boards, must also stop. be sure to stop at AIS Check Stations. Thank you for your help in keeping Montana waters AIS free! If youand are rafts hauling a watercraft, If you are hauling a watercraft, be sure to stop at AIS Check Stations. Thank you for your help in keeping Montana waters AIS free!
Wings & Prayers Our fellow sportsmen that leave on wings to their next great hunt, and those that need our prayers –By Leon C. Hendry
Chuck "Chucky" Clinkenbeard November 10, 1975 - July 20, 2014
Jocelyn Carr is a nine year old girl who has been stricken with Guillain-Barre, or "French Polio", which causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. She has been in Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington for the last month. Her parents, Cody and Koliss Carr, have been consistently by her side. Your prayers and best wishes for this family would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help, a fund has been set up in Jocelyn’s name at Rocky Mountain Bank, 108 E. Railroad Ave, Plains, Mt. 59859, (406) 826-3662. Donations may also be made at www.gofundme.com. For questions, call 826-3887 or 242-0034
Jocelyn visits with a therapy dog at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
www.huntwithcody.com
Chucky was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He is survived by his wife Kerrie and his three children; Terra, 19; Stephen, 15; and Bridger, 8. He will be greatly missed by his family and community. If you would like to help his family with donations, you may do so at Rocky Mountain Bank, 108 E. Railroad Ave, Plains, MT 59859, (406) 826-3662.
WINGS & PRAYERS
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Outdoor Veterans
–By Raf Viniard
D
uring the Veteran’s Stand Down held in Trout Creek, Montana, I ran across many Montana veterans who served in conflicts including, but not limited to, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. What an honor to be among 311 distinguished and honorable men and women. This is just a small sampling of some of those veterans. World War II – Renn Bodeker of Plains, MT (Born and raised in central Minnesota on a dairy farm.) Born Thanksgiving Day 1922 – 92 years old
Advice to new sportsmen: Get rid of the wolves…they are no good for the wildlife.
Vietnam War – Danny “Dan” Wormwood of Trout Creek, MT, Born in 1947, Renton, WA
Advice to the next generation: Stay out of debt, work hard, be honest and treat your fellow man as you want to be treated. Writers note: This man has endured a lot over the years but he is still a fighter and will go to his grave swinging. Renn is a true patriot and a model for others to follow. It would behoove one to follow his advice. Thank you Renn for your service to our country. We salute you.
Vietnam War – Billy Hill of Trout Creek, MT (Native Montanan). Born 1947
Background: 1943-1946 World War II, 11th Airborne, Infantry Paratrooper
Background: 1965-1968 US Army, MOS 62B30 Imjin Scout 1966-1967 Imjin River, Korea
Renn started his military service in New Guinea and ended up in the Philippines.
Currently: Renn hunts and fishes when he can. He hunts with a Browning 7mm Semi Auto but his favorite gun is his 300 H & H. He has taken elk, deer, bear, caribou, etc. but his Boone & Crocket Mountain Goat is one of his greatest achievements.
101st Airborne, 25th Division, 1st & 5th Mechanized Division, Chu Chi, Vietnam Danny is a disabled vet that was badly injured by a M79 grenade from friendly fire. A new guy in country did not follow rules of engagement. According to Danny, “He shot and asked questions later.”
Renn’s real name is Warren, but after his time overseas fighting in WWII, he was tired of war and changed his name to Renn for which he is now known. Interesting story: An escaped prisoner entered their compound at 3:00 pm one afternoon and stated that all the prisoners would be shot starting at 7:00am the next morning. His unit mustered and was air dropped the next morning at 7:00am into the prison camp. When it was all over his unit, consisting of 121 men, had rescued 2,146 prisoners of war. His unit lost no men and only one prisoner was hurt during the rescue operation.
Background: 1966-1967 US Army, MOS Infantry
Currently: Danny is retired, but still hunts and fishes as much as possible. Has been hunting and fishing his entire life, and loves to hunt antelope over in Brodus, MT and chase big mule deer with his Thompson Center Fire 270 rifle. He also enjoys taking out his 22 foot boat and fishing for trout and has fished for coastal salmon. Currently: Billy is a rancher, Stand Down coordinator and avid outdoorsman, as well as a former outfitter and guide. His accomplishments and life times lived are far too many to mention here. He is a true patriot and Montanan from the hat to the boots. Advice to new sportsmen: Don’t be afraid to go the furthest from the road. Big bucks and bulls avoid well or heavily traveled roads. To learn more about Imjin Scout, go to: http://imjinscout.com/Imjin_Scout.php
Advice to new sportsmen: Listen to your Grandpa and Dad, and always remember to handle your gun safely. The staff of Montana Woods N Water want to thank those that organized the event, as well as the attendees for your service and sacrifices to this great nation and the example you set for generations to come. Salute. Next month we will recognize some Montana women who have served their country.
If you, or someone you know, was an honorably discharged veteran or is currently serving in the military, please contact us so we may recognize your/their service to our country. We can be reached at 406-407-0612 or Raf@montanawoodsnwater.com. OUTDOOR VETS
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Compromise A little bit goes a long way –By Angela Gerych
A
wise man once said, “If either side is happy with the results, then a compromise was not made by both sides.” Actually, it may not have been those exact words, which is why I didn’t include his name. But, it was very similar to that. This could not be truer for life in general. The definition of the word compromise, according to Merriman-Webster, is “a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute”. Compromising is exactly what the Montana Trappers Association, the Forest Service, Como Trails Club and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently did. Originally, the issue of trapping and land access at the Lake Como Recreation Area ruffled some feathers with the Como Trails Club. Several club board members, as well as skiers, were not happy about sharing the area with certain sportsmen, specifically trappers. When the Montana Trappers Association brought a proposal to the table and Montana FWP and the Forest Service became involved, there
were no Como Trails Club members available to attend meetings where their presence was requested or to respond to emails on the topic. After discussions in person and a handful of email exchanges among the participating groups regarding the issue, a resolution was formulated. The Montana
Trappers Association proposed withdrawing all foothold trapping within the immediate Lake Como Ski Area, keeping the 150-foot setback for foothold traps in place along the outside groomed trail boundaries of the ski area itself. This was done in exchange for 550 road access that leads to unlimited trapping, hunting and
Fishing buddy - Redefined
E
very angler on this good green earth has a partner; someone who shares their enthusiasm for the sport of fishing and who won’t make you want to rip your hair out when trapped in a boat together for hours on end. In my case, that person is my mother–a born and bred farm girl from the vast planes of Glasgow, MT. While perhaps not the greatest angler in the world, which I say from my snobby high horse of bass fishing elitism, she does display a tenacity unseen in most seasoned pros and is always willing to learn more. It is for these reasons that she is now my tournament partner for any of the numerous buddy competitions during the year. This has led to more than our fair share of hilarious and memorable moments. During an event last summer, we had made our way down a bank when I felt a strong bite and immediately realized it was a big fish. My mom quickly readied
CAMP FIRE TALK
–By Sam Martin
the net and joined me on the front deck of our seventeen foot Lund. After an extended fight, the fish at last got near enough to the surface for us to see it and we both gasped in awe. It was the biggest bass we’d ever seen in Montana. Our hearts immediately filled with childlike anticipation. As I worked the fish towards the boat, it panicked and surged along our craft’s length, wrapping itself about the shaft of our trolling motor. I feared the worst, having seen this situation end poorly many times before. My mother, however, was not dissuaded and pushed her petite body over the side of the boat, anchoring
other outdoor recreation opportunities on the west end of Lake Como. The 550 road, which the Forest Service had been implementing an emergency closure for all motorized vehicles from December 1st through March 31st since the origination of the Lake Como Ski Area–with the exception of the snowmobiles grooming the cross country ski trails, will now remain open to snowmobiles in the winter. This ends up giving an extra three miles of access. The Forest Service has agreed to this permanent opening with FWP and the Montana Trappers Association. The compromise on the 550 road access not only opens doors for all sportsmen and other outdoor enthusiasts to an area that has been essentially blocked off every winter and spring for years, but it also gives the cross country skiers in this particular area the foothold trap-free ski area from December 31stMarch 31st they desire. This is a huge step forward for groups with opposing views, and hopefully we will see more compromises involving issues similar to this one in the future. Way to go, Toby Walrath and Jason Maxwell of the Montana Trappers Association, and thank you for looking out for all sportsmen in this particular area!
herself only by the end of her knees to the gunnels. She held the net in both hands like a giant seine and scooped the struggling fish up in a bear hug. At this point I was faced with two choices; one, get the possibly money making fish, or two, grab my mother by the belt to keep her from nose diving over the edge of the boat, fish and all. My dilemma was quickly solved when I heard “Get the fish,” hollered at me from the water’s surface. Without hesitation I reached down and clamped my fist around the bass’ gaping jaw. As I leaned back to pull myself into the boat, I grabbed my mom’s life jacket with every finger I could spare from my rod clenching hand. We both tumbled into the safety of the boat, fish in tow. This is the kind of experience all fishermen can relate to. Those great and often hilarious situations you share with your fishing partner and laugh about years later. I call it making memories and “Living The Dream”. Thanks Mom for being my favorite fishing buddy. 27
Preseason panic Get your bows ready for the upcoming archery season –By Zach Butcher
W
ell everyone, here we are another month closer to opening day. That’s right; as I sit here and write this article, there are only 49 days left until opening morning. That’s only six weekends away. I don’t know about you, but I’m not even close to ready. I’m out of shape (fat), tree stands aren’t hung, the bow is not fully tuned, and the wood shed is still empty. Somebody slap me before I have a panic attack! If that sounds like you…don’t panic. I’m going to help you sort through the list of things to do before season in order of importance. The first thing on the list is your bow. Hopefully you have already purchased a new bow, if that was the plan for this year. If you haven’t and you still need a bow, you better come see me or your local bow shop quick. With archery season coming up, bow manufacturers are getting busy and ship times are going to start lengthening. If you have the bow you’re planning on hunting with this year and you haven’t started shooting it, you better pull it out and blow the dust off of it. Check it out and make sure you don’t need a new string or any minor repairs done. Now is the best time to get your bow to your local shop for a quick tune up. I know that sometimes it’s hard to spend the time or money to get your bow looked at by a reputable shop, but trust me, it is worth it! The last thing you want is to have your bow fail on you during the moment of truth. Or worse yet, wound an animal because of faulty or mismatched equipment. Opportunities at that big elk or deer are far and few between these days, so you want to be sure you and your equipment make it count when the time comes. As with most of us, our lives get busy and we put it off to the last minute. But our
ARCHERY TALK
shop is starting to get really busy. So get your bow down to your local bow shop before they get too busy to get your bow tuned before season. Other things to think about are arrows and broadheads. There are several new arrows and broadheads out on the market. Which ones are good and which ones you should be using with your setup are good questions to ask yourself. That is where your local bow shop can help you. But if you’re a doit-yourselfer, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. There are hundreds of arrows to choose from, so be sure to choose an arrow that is spined correctly for your draw length and poundage. Another thing to keep in mind is the weight of the arrow. A light arrow is fast and can help with yardage mistakes, but is easier to stop. I like to hunt with a fairly heavy arrow. Yes, it shoots slower, but it makes your bow quieter and increases penetration. Choose an arrow that is properly spined for your bow with a weight that matches the size of the animal you’re hunting. As we all know, a broadhead kills by cutting. One of the most important pieces of your equipment is your broadhead, and one of the most important decisions you have to make this year is going to be which broadhead to choose. The four things I look for in a
broadhead are first, its durability; second, flight profile; third, cutting diameter; and fourth, sharpness. It can be argued that sharpness should be first, but I’ll explain why I put them in the order I did. Durability comes first since the broadhead is moving through the air at a high rate of speed and then coming in contact with flesh and bone. If the broadhead comes apart when it contacts bone, you’re either going to get poor penetration or a very small blood trail, and both can lead to a lost animal. Second is the flight profile. If a broadhead doesn’t fly properly, it’s not going to hit its intended mark, causing a miss or a wounded animal. Third is cutting diameter. The larger the cutting diameter the less penetration your arrow will have. You don’t need to shoot an axehead-sized broadhead to get a good blood trail or to cleanly harvest an animal. Fourth is sharpness. An extremely sharp broadhead will improve penetration, blood trails, and will quickly dispatch your quarry. Now that your bow is tuned and you have selected an arrow and broadhead, you are now ready to start practicing. Oh…and get to filling that wood shed. It will help melt the butter (belly fat) and get you ready for running the hills.
Left: Zach inspects an arrow after aligning a new broadhead. Below: Zach sets up a customer’s new bow.
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Bucket biology Those heavy buckets of illegal fish species could also hold heavy fines –By Raf Viniard
O
utlaw fish introductions, commonly called "bucket biology," is where someone brings in fish from another location and stocks them in our lakes, streams, ponds and rivers. Fish species are managed to ensure the carrying capacity of any one species is not out of balance. Failure to maintain the balance between species is already very difficult because of the interlinking of our waterways. As a farm boy, we had several ponds we used to water our cattle. Certain ponds were stocked more heavily with one species than another. Whether it was for sport fishing (bass) or eating (catfish or crappie), we constantly had to watch the predator-prey balance. Too many bass and the crappie and perch populations plummeted, resulting in low forage for the bass and no fresh fish for supper. We often stocked carp to keep the grass down in certain ponds, but even too many of these grass eaters will kill the ecosystem of a pond or lake in which other fish depend on. On more than one occasion we found brim, sun perch, mud cats and other species we did not stock in our ponds, because of a transfer from nature, birds, overflows from other ponds, etc. The small fish would absolutely take over a pond in a couple of years if not managed. We would usually throw a few bass in to stabilize the balance; however, we worked closely with our farm service agency and our local fisheries biologist in all our pond stocking and fish management decisions. It was too costly to stock a pond and not do it correctly using good science. Montana fisheries officials and several statewide angling groups recently signed an agreement to help curb “Bucket Biology” occurring in Montana. This new agreement includes a pledge from angling groups for an additional cash reward of up to $3,250 for information leading to the conviction of persons responsible for an illegal fish introduction. The combined TIP-MONT and angling groups' rewards mean callers could receive as much as $4,250 for information leading to a conviction. If you are a “Bucket Biologist” and get caught practicing your form of biology and fish science, you can expect a $10,000 fine and possible jail time. Ask yourself, is that fish you enjoy catching worth it? $10,000 is a nice down payment on a new boat to fish those waters that hold your favorite fish. Like wolves, introduction of an unwanted species can have longterm effects and cost our kids and grandkids the opportunity to enjoy our old favorite fishing holes. Grab a pole and go fishing, just leave the bucket at home. If you have information on an illegal fish introduction, call 1-800TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) or visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov– click "Enforcement" then "TIP-MONT".
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Mission Valley Man A visit with Bud Cheff, Jr. at Ninepipes Museum near Charlo, MT –By Marilyn Mitzi Stonehocker
I
had the pleasure of sitting down with Bud Cheff, Jr. this past week at Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana near Charlo. Bud is the oldest son of Bud Sr. and Adele Cheff, long time residents in the Mission Valley near the Flathead Indian Reservation. He was born in 1936, and lived a life of hard work on a ranch where he and his siblings rode horses at an early age and lived in a home without electricity or modern conveniences. His dad, Bud Sr., was his mentor and taught him about life, God and how to be a man in a culturally diverse world. His mother taught him the love of writing, and he spent many hours with her as she did her daily chores. As Bud grew, so did his love of the Mission Mountains. His first trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness was at the young age of seven. He was excited to get out of school for 15 days to make the trip. His parents figured the experience was worth as much as the schooling he would miss. Bud shot his first goat on that trip and goat meat remains a favorite of his. Bud says goat is very tender and easy to cook. Bud has written a book, Legend
Keepers: More Trails and Tales, but his greatest accomplishment is the Ninepipes Museum, which I went through with my own personal guide, Rod Wamsley. What a wonderful experience and a great family outing! The walls are filled with history of both the Native Americans he calls friends, and of early white settlers who came to the Mission Valley. The culture and history are rich, bringing relevance to yesterday’s history for today. Bud’s advice to young people is to live each day as if it was your last. Good advice from a man who has done so much and has lived a life rich in memories and accomplishments. I asked Bud what he wanted to be remembered for. He stated, “I never cheated anyone. I earned everything I have gotten, and I am proud, honest and hard working.” He gives the credit to his parents. If you have the chance to visit the museum as you drive through the Mission Valley, I encourage you to check out the gift shop which is full of books, local jewelry, Native American
artifacts and of course, candy. I admit, I have driven past many times, and now regret having done so. I definitely will stop in the future to once again walk back in history and time. I could almost hear the drums softly as I sat and listened to the stories of Bud Cheff, Jr.
Haman’s ears cookies with huckleberry filling
–By Montana Mitzi
Huckleberry season has arrived, and while cutting a load of firewood this past week, I even picked a few early berries! My mouth is watering thinking about the tart, dark purple Montana huckleberry and the wonderful delights it offers to those who dare to cook with them. I am adding the recipe I used last year for the 2013 Trout Creek Huckleberry festival desert contest, which won first prize. It is not hard to make and truly a great addition to your recipe collection.
Haman’s ears cookies 1 stick of butter (softened) 1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder 2 cups flour
1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla
Cut butter into sugar. Blend thoroughly, add the egg. Add flour and mix until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate overnight. Roll out the dough about ¼ inch thick, and cut into circles with a cookie cutter or glass. Make them at least 3” in diameter. Put 1 tablespoon of the filling listed below and fold up the sides to make a triangle, overlapping the sides as much as possible so only a little filling shows through the middle. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
Huckleberry filling 2 cups fresh or frozen huckleberry’s thawed 1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Mix together and cook over low heat until a slow boil thickens the filling. I refrigerate the filling so that it stiffens up like a jam. You can use peach, raspberry or even a fig filling. I like to drizzle a light glaze on top, made from 1 cup powder sugar with enough cream to make a thin sauce. PINK CAMO
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David Thompson Community Rendezvous On 7 July the annual "David Thompson Days Community Rendezvous" was held in the park. This community event highlights the achievements explorer and fur trader who travelled more than 50,000 miles on foot, horse, and canoe while mapping over 1.5 million square miles of uncharted North America. A pioneer of the fur trade west of the Rockies, Thompson established trade with natives and built the region's first trading posts, one called Saleesh House near present day Thompson Falls, MT. His writings are the source of amazing adventure and a rare glimpse into the distant past of western cultures, commerce, exploration, and wilderness life. David Thompson Days was sponsored by Blackfoot Telephone, the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, and the Thompson Falls Brigade. Information taken from the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce web site: http://www.thompsonfallschamber.com/ Photos taken by Raf Viniard
Carolyn Swalling of Charlo, and Bonnie Hubert of St. Ignatius, share their patriotism with all who wish to stop by.
Re-declaring independence at the David Thompson Community Rendezvous.
Mark Morain of Libby, MT instructs Hannah Doty of Trout Creek on the art of hatchet throwing.
Classifieds
For Sale
Got something you would like to buy, sell, trade or barter?
Crescent Arms Peerless, Side by Side, 12ga - $325 LeFever Side by Side, 12ga - $325 Meriden Side by Side, 12ga - $400 Parker Side by Side, 12ga - $650 303 Mark III British Enfield (a little rough) - $300
Love talking to folks about hunting, fishing and trapping? Need to make some extra cash? Positions open in Kalispell, Missoula, Libby, Eureka, Superior, and Lolo areas.
Call 406-826-7655
Contact us at Raf@montanawoodsnwater.com
List it here for as low as $10.00! Eller Blueberry Farm - You pick, or we pick. 406-847-5566 2153 Hwy 200 Trout Creek, MT Closed Saturdays Call for information on berry status
Wanted: used traps, especially 1 ½ longsprings and #110 conibears. Paul 406 210-5943.
Montana Woods N Water Sales & Customer Service Reps Needed
For Sale Lodge Pole Hand made queen size bed, comes with the mattress, unusual design, 1250.00. 406-544-1868
Events/Happenings
List your event or happening here for as low as $10.00 August 8-10 10-11 15-16 28-31 Fridays
35th Annual Huckleberry Festival - 5PM Friday through 4PM Sunday at Trout Creek, MT in the park Riverfront Blues Festival – Riverfront Park, Libby. www.riverfrontbluesfestival.com Ignite the Nights - Mineral Avenue, Libby, www.igniterscarclub.com Sanders County Fair Troy Farmers Market - 3:30-6pm
September Fridays Troy Farmers Market - 3:30-6pm 6 Opening Day of Archery Season October 11
RMEF Banquet - Lakeside Motel and Resort, Trout Creek, MT. Call 406-407-0612 for more information.
CLASSIFIEDS/EVENTS
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