January 2015
Volume 1, Issue 3
January Volume 1 Issue 3
Publishers Notes By Raf Viniard Happy New Year to all my fellow hunters, fishermen and trappers and to those that call Montana home…the “Last Best Place on Earth!” I want to thank all those that helped Montana Woods N Water get off the ground in 2014. It was a year filled full of challenges and excitement. Trapping season is in full swing and lion hunters are still prowling about looking for that big Tom to tree. It may be snowy and cold but that has not dampened the dogs or the cat hunter’s spirits. If you are ice fishing or thinking about it…just remember to use caution…a dunk in the lake or river this time of the year may be the last bath you take. Here at Montana Woods N Water we are undergoing some exciting changes and looking forward to moving Montana Woods N Water in a new direction in 2015. We will no longer be printing a hard copy and there are many reasons for this decision but it boils down to the cost of printing, distributing and meeting some grueling deadlines. Starting with this issue we will be sending out story links via Facebook, Twitter, etc. every Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard Tuesday and Thursday. We will still be covering all the same fantastic stuff we did in hard 406-407-0612 print but better and faster. Our writers were very limited as to what they could write Field Editor: Mitzi Stonehocker because of our print budget. By going 100% digital we will be full color and can now 406-544-1868 include active links to other news and information sources. Starting in February we will Sales & Marketing Director: be adding video links to some of our content and advertising. If you want a copy of any Kori Erickson issue, all you have to do is download it and print it from your home computer or take it 406-293-1478 to your nearest print shop. This new format will allow you the reader to better pick and choose what articles you find interesting and follow our writers more in-depth. Yes, we will still have advertisers and by going digital we can cut their advertising cost and reach thousands more potential customers than print alone.
Montana Woods N Water has teamed up with Big Bull Sports and the Sanders County Search and Rescue and will be holding a “Five Months of Fun” fundraising event. We will be raffling off some really nice firearms and other prizes. Go to www.montanawoodsnwater.com and hit the “SAR” tab for more information. While you are on our website you might want to swing over to our “Store” tab and see what we have on tap. Keep sending us your pictures and stories. We thank you for your continued support and we wish each and every one of you a healthy and prosperous new year.
Contact Us Montana Woods N Water 171 Clark Creek Loop Plains, Montana 59859 406-08-0576 www.montanawoodsnwater.com Email: raf@montanawoodsnwater.com
Flathead Valley Sales Rep: Misty Loveless 406-250-4191 Missoula Sales Rep: Vacant Pro Staff Writers & Photographers: Angela Gerych Pastor Jim Sinclair Dan Helterline Zach Butcher Paul Fielder Montana Mitzi Toby Bridges Sam Martin Toby Walrath Jason Badger Tony Rebo Editorial Policy: Montana Woods N Water (MWW) reserves the right to refuse to publish in 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.
Front Cover Photo Provided By: Montana Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife
TERRORISM
Domestic Terrorism Strikes Trout Creek, MT By Raf Viniard
Local, state and federal authorities were called in to investigate a terroristic threat against a local small town business in Northwest Montana because the business was sponsoring a LEGAL local Coyote and Wolf hunting event.
From speaking with a local patron of the business that was maliciously attacked, she stated, “Whoever is behind these threats are more than welcome to move back to where they came from and we will help them move.” Local folks did not take too kindly to someone threatening their The owner, his business, its employees and his family to community or their way of life…this is their home not Syria, Iraq or California. Word quickly spread across the include his grandchildren's’ lives were threatened with state border to Idaho sportsmen and a rally call was sent bodily harm. The business owner, a sportsman himself had coordinated closely with the Montana Fish Wildlife & out to show solidarity for this event and the local businesses of Trout Creek. Both hunters and non-hunters Parks about holding the hunting and trapping event to joined in to show their support. ensure all applicable laws, rules and regulations were established. However, some local and out of state extremists felt they had the right to threaten and intimidate local townspeople and to air their hatred towards wolf hunters and trappers. It was noted in the hundreds of pieces of threatening emails, web postings and letters that the hunting of coyotes didn’t seem to be the problem, it was more of an anti-wolf hunting/trapping issue rather than the harvesting of the coyotes. Due to the volume of threats, the local business owner was forced to abandon the sponsoring of the hunt at his business location. The hunt was moved to a beautiful private Montana ranch outside of town, out of reach of the anti’s and domestic terrorist eyes and threats. Sportsman’s safety was a factor in that decision.
I attended the event all three days and with each day the numbers and support swelled. Over 100 sportsmen and non-hunters registered for the event. While in Trout Creek I decided to visit with the owner of the business that was maliciously attacked and interviewed several locals to verify the threats and authenticate their authenticity…while I was interviewing the owner of the business, he had just received another threatening letter in the mail which you can read on opposite page.
Thanks to the anti’s and their extreme threatening views the hunt which started out to just be a local event to help curb the predation of the local elk and deer herds by coyotes and wolves turned out to garner more support than originally planned. Turnouts at these type of events during cold snowy months usually only see a handful of hardcore hunters and trappers. Because of the publicity and hatred shown towards a local business and local sportsmen, out of state hunters and non-hunters alike sent the signal loud and clear that Montanan’s will not be bullied, intimidated or threatened into submission. Wolf hunting and trapping is legal in Montana, period! Montana is well known for its abundant hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities. Montana is about the great outdoors. With the decrease in elk herds over the years due to predation it has had a direct financial impact not only on Montana hunting license sales but Northwest Montana businesses as well. Word has spread to out of state hunters that the wolves have reduced the once abundant deer and elk hunting opportunities that it once had. 2
TERRORISM CONTINUED
Here is a sample of one of the milder letters suited for public viewing. This letter along with the other threatening emails and phone calls were turned over to the FBI for further investigation.
Is “terrorist” too harsh a label for people that threaten a Montana business or the life of a Montana resident just because they don’t agree with them, their beliefs or their chosen lifestyle? Not according to the FBI or the dictionary…let’s look at some definitions of terrorism. According to the Free Dictionary by Farlex terrorism is defined as: The use of violence or the threat of violence, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. terrorism (ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm)
n 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve some goal 2. the act of terrorizing 3. the state of being terrorized Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 A snarling and growling wolf is a perceived threat...what is the difference between the wolf and the anti. Both can hurt you or kill you given the right circumstances and conditions. Bullying, intimidation and threats to our safety by any group should be a concern of our community, society and nation. Terrorism in any form is unacceptable. Continued on page 5 3
TERRORISM CONTINUED FBI’s definition of Domestic Terrorism:
Montana community are caught…they may want to reflect "Domestic terrorism" means activities with the following on the fact they just might be facing a Montanan Sportsman sitting on the bench or in the jury. three characteristics: In summary, after all the threatening, ranting and raving from the anti’s concerning a LEGAL wolf and coyote Involve acts dangerous to human life that violate hunting and trapping event, three wolves were removed federal or state law; from Sanders County last week. Two prior to the kickoff Appear intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian of the event and one during the event. Even though a lot population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by of wolf sign was reported by returning wolf hunter’s each intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a day of the event, the hunters were not able to connect with government by mass destruction, assassination or the elusive and far ranging canines. Deep snow greatly kidnapping; and occur primarily within the territorial hampered many attempts to pursue the wolves into the jurisdiction of the U.S. higher elevations. Trappers started setting traps and preparing a week or more in advance, covering miles of Use of the postal service, a phone or the Internet to icy snow laden mountain roads checking for sign. threaten someone’s life will more than likely prompt a visit from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), local Because of their hard work, trappers dominated the event with the only wolf harvested and a couple of coyotes and/or state agencies. With today’s terrorist threat climate, threats are not taken as lightly as they once were. during the event. Our news is filled with shootings and other related events Stacy Philbrick of Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife reminded hunters, “Just because big game season where someone saw the signs of someone that is filled with hate and bitterness that later becomes a severe threat is out, you can still get out and hunt…wolf season is still in.” She also stated, “We were extremely happy with the to our society. turnout and look forward to next year’s event. We want to The anti-hunting and trapping groups spend a lot of thank everyone who helped make this year’s event such a money each year to lobby (bending politicians, success.” corporations and other non-profit organizations ears) Montana Woods N Water wants to thank the Montana soliciting support for their position or stance on a particular issue. Some elements of these groups revert to Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Montana Trappers physical/threatening violence and intimidation. Whether Association, Idaho For Wildlife, Lobo Watch, the Sanders County rancher, hunters, trappers and non-hunters alike you hunt, fish, trap or not, your heritage and legal rights as Montanans are under attack. Montana sportsmen stand who donated their time, money and resources to make this a very successful event. Next years plans are underway. up to these terrorists as you would if a Jihadi or other foreign terrorist group attacked your country, state, town or community. Our troops are overseas doing their part to combat global terrorism but we as sportsmen need to defend our domestic rights and privileges here at home against any form of domestic terrorism. Join organizations like the Montana Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife, Montana Trappers Association, etc. These organizations work hard at not only the local and state level but the federal level as well, representing you the Montana Sportsman and Sportswoman, your kids and grandkids. Always check out an organization before donating or joining to see if they truly represent you and your beliefs. Always look into where their funding comes from, it might just surprise you. There are organizations out there parading as wolves in sheep’s clothing…you just can’t go by the name of the organization…do your research before donating or becoming a member. The FBI and local authorities are still investigating these threats if you have any information about who may have made these threats against this event please contact the Sanders County Sheriff Office (406) 827-3584 or the FBI immediately. When the terrorist(s) that attacked a local 5
A HUNTER’S LIFE
No Expectations
anywhere I could go. I left it at that.
We quietly worked our way along the fence line to a place that allowed us to view the area where the deer had just gone. A small patch of willows crowded an area just By Toby Walrath below our vantage point, concealing us from the creek bottom and allowing a clear view of the open field. We When I picked my sister Trish up at the bus station, whispered ideas back and forth as we planned our next move. Our new location provided a perfect glassing she explained how she wanted to do some hunting opportunity so we sat down for several minutes and picked the woods apart. Movement caught my eye from and fishing and that anything else would just be the far end of the field as a deer once again ran out of the wood line and crossed the open area. The deer was a bonus. It was her first approaching fast and we wasted no time sneaking into the time in Montana and she only had five days. We left patch of willows below. Missoula at 11:00 am and I could see the deer periodically as I knelt with binoculars pulled into Bob Wards in in hand. There was no good rest in the spindly grove so I Hamilton about an hour later. got down on my hands to offer my back as a place for her After securing her single region elbow should she need it. I wanted my sister to be steady deer B tag and a blaze orange jacket, we when the deer appeared. She had grown up in our headed for the hills hoping to find some game. hunting family, had spent some time in the army and I felt What we found rekindled our youthful spirit and our confident in her shooting ability. appreciation for time spent together. "Can you see her?" I whispered loudly. "No." Trish crouched down peering through the scope on my rifle. A rotting stump served as a make- shift gun rest. I "What? She's right there!" "I see her." she said quietly. was standing right behind her with my fingers stuffed in my ears as she slowly squeezed the trigger. At the report "Ok, shoot whenever you get a chance." I said, trying not to add any urgency to the situation, although I knew the of the .270 caliber rifle I watched as plastic and paper shot opportunity was going to be brief. I was crouched exploded on the grassy hill side where I had placed a discarded bottle a few minutes earlier. We laughed as she down with my fingers stuffed in my ears for the second time that day, waiting for my sister to hit her mark. A stood up and pointed out that I never should have questioned her ability to shoot, even if she was using my loud Boom erupted from just above me followed by; "Yup I got her." rifle. For the first time in fourteen years, we were once again ready to go hunting together. We followed the blood trail about eighty yards before We hiked up a canyon in our search for a white tailed doe. walking up to Trish's trophy animal. Continued on next page... After a couple of hours of still-hunting, we found plenty of great views of the Bitterroots, but no deer. We decided to drop down a little lower into the valley to take advantage of the rut. I stopped at my friend Vics' house to find out if he had seen any recent deer activity. His property serves as an excellent vantage point overlooking a thick creek bottom that winds its way through several grassy fields and pine covered hill sides. In a frantic sudden eruption, a white tailed doe burst out of the wood line from the far end of the field and ran in a straight line across the open area. Trish and I hurried to get into position, but could only watch as a four point chased the doe onto a property which we didn't have permission to hunt. Trish had recently undergone ankle surgery and when I asked how her ankle was going to hold up, she quickly informed me that she could go 6
A HUNTERS’S LIFE CONTINUED We high fived each other and cheered as we realized what my sister had just accomplished. Just a few short hours after arriving in Montana, Trish had filled her deer tag. After rolling the deer over to get a better look, she noticed a single spike. "It's a buck!" she exclaimed. All the years of harvesting deer for meat, she had never taken an antlered buck. While most people wouldn't think a single spike horn was worth mentioning, for my sister, it was truly a trophy. Being the self sufficient woman that she is, Trish began field dressing the deer while I made arrangements to get the deer out of the woods. My friend Jason arrived shortly and together, we said a prayer of thanks before making our way to my truck. We ate fresh venison that night as we re-lived the hunt over and over again. The next few days were spent cutting meat and exploring the Bitterroot River and local creeks. Of course, Trish got her fill of trout fishing too. It isn't very often when a plan truly comes together. As I drove away from the bus station, I thought about the events that filled the previous five days. There were no extravagant accommodations, no tape measure trophies, no expectations, no pressure. In the short time we had spent together, we discovered the true essence of hunting. The greatest blessings of all are truly the simplest in nature.
REPAIR ALL MAKES: Boats · PWC · ATV · Motor cycle · Snowmobile · Small Engine Suzuki – Tracker – Sun Tracker – Nitro – Taho – Mako – Canam – Seadoo – Skidoo Husqvarna: Mower s · Tr immer s · Chainsaws · Accessories Fishing Gear – Hunting Gear – FWP Licenses - Snowmobile Gear 4 Airport Road, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 · (406) 827-2950 66979 Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864 · (406) 644-2950
www.sandssports.com
Tuesday – Friday 9:00 - 5:30; Saturday 8:00 – 4:00
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Remember... Life goes by in the blink of an eye. So be sure to appreciate the many moments with family and friends that make your life complete.
MONTANA MITZI
Grandma Goes Digital By Montana Mitzi Ok, listen to me old friends and new friends alike. I got a news flash; in the past three months I have gone from writing my articles on the computer to entering daily Facebook blogs, twittering, following friends and family to writing this story on my pink iPad! Yup, grandma got educated and is now part of the social media scene! During a September Montana Woods N Water staff meeting, talk around the table was that we needed to add digital publishing and social media to our marketing approach, WHAT!!, digital…social media…I can't do all that newfangled web stuff, I just learned how to text! I sat quietly listening and thinking to myself, this is not going to work, we older people do not do the Facebook thing let alone Twitter or Insta something! Being the grandma of the publication I felt like I just entered the twilight light zone with all these terms being thrown around. Our staff represents the 60’s, 50’s and 30’s age brackets needless to say I was lost as an Easter egg. However, I had bought a new iPad in a weak moment but I still did not know how to fully use it or do the Facebook thing let alone how to get friends to follow me, (isn't that what a dog does, follow you around?). Well friends, I took the pink iPad to Spokane with me last October while my husband underwent cancer treatment. I had the time to sit down and play with it a little and that is where I learned how to do some basic stuff. I had learned just enough to be dangerous and get by. I was learning but I still had a lot of questions. During the November Montana Woods N Water staff meeting the light clicked…I was the only one at the table with an iPad and Kori our Sales and Marketing Director had to cancel coming to the meeting in Thompson Falls due to icy road conditions. I setup my iPad and telecommuted with Kori during the staff meeting. That was so cool…we never missed a beat and Kori did not have to venture out onto the icy roads from Troy. Now three months later I have figured out how to find Montana Woods n Water on my little pink iPad many miles from Montana. Ron and I decided to head south to Arizona before Christmas to allow him to have time to rest and recuperate from his treatment and warm our bones. Now I write a "blog" every day on my Facebook site, Montana Mitzi. I now know how to stay in touch with my seven year old granddaughter and I can even “FaceTime”! How crazy is that? Not sure what that is…well let me tell you. I can talk face to face over the Internet with my grandkids and kids…it is so cool. Christmas Day from Arizona I was able to see all four of my Montana granddaughters as Grandma and Grandpa warmed up in Arizona. My point: All of you that fear the Internet and think you are too old to learn…that is just an excuse. If I can do it so can you! It is fun, easy to learn and makes being away from home easier, and best yet, it keeps family and friends just a click away! It is not always about being out of state and staying in touch with family. The sky is the limit when it comes to learning…there is absolutely nothing you cannot find on the Internet to read. From canning huckleberries to fixing your snowmobile. You can go and watch Youtube videos on how to…well you name it! Ladies you need to check out Pinterest…wow, so many neat ideas from bread making to fishing.
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MONTANA MITZI
Arizona Snowbird By Montana Mitzi Do you know what the term "snowbird" means? Some of you may and some may not so I will define it for you. This term has been attached to old people who travel to the south, like Arizona to soak up some winter sun and thaw out our bones in the warmer weather. Snowbirds are usually from the cold, snowy, icy states like Montana. Please do not get me wrong, I was born and raised in Montana and I call Montana home, I love Montana, that is until the first snow storm, then I am ready to start packing up and heading south along with all the other "snowbirds"! Let’s just call it a winter migration if you will. My older wiser memories of slick roads, shoveling snow, getting stuck and having to chain up, multiple layers of clothing, falling, wet gloves and cold fingers, well the list goes on and on.......In my younger days, I use to ice skate, I rode a car hood pulled behind a tractor, I raced snowmobiles over white fields of snow, yes, I did those things, then the golden years came along and with them I found I loved Montana, but I could also adjust to Arizona during the snow season, hence I became a "snowbird". Please do not laugh at my story, one day you too will have a gray hair or two, you will feel a bit achy on those cold winter mornings when you arise...just the chore of throwing more wood on the fire can take its toll on us weather birds, yes, it can happen and you too will become what is known as a "snowbird" some day. I think I will put my shorts on and head over to do some bead work or maybe have some coffee with the other ladies...see ya in March!
It’s Not If But When! When it’s time to go...go in style!
www.camocaskets.com
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Waterfowling Near Dixon, Montana Dan Helterline aka Montana Dan After a long weekend of wolf trapping, Dan and his buddies decided to mix it up a little with a some waterfowling action. His two Puddle pointers, Murdock and Vesper was on the job to assist in the retrieval of the days harvest. Tyson Atkinson, Ed Lyn, Will Burks and Kyle Middlemist the ranch owner turn the heat up this cold Montana day on a passing flock of birds.
"To the avid waterfowler, no moment of truth can match the instant when a flock first responds to his call and decoys, the time when this wild, free bird of unsurpassed grace begins a descent from the sky down to gun range. It is a stirring spectacle." Grits Gresham, The Complete Wildfowler, 1973
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Montana Trappers Dan Helterline with wolf number three for the year!
Above: Andrew “Andy” Pershern with a nice pair of Sanders County wolves Below Left: Stan helped Andy set and check traps Below Right: Laurin Pershern, Andy’s son who also helped to scout this summer and set traps but has since departed for USMC basic training.
Christy’s Knife By Toby Bridges
Read Toby Bridge’s article that he recently wrote for the North American Muzzleloader Hunting magazine. Even though Toby is one of our writers and he gave us permission to reprint the article, I think this article needs to be shared as presented by its original publisher. North American Muzzleloader Hunting magazine did an awesome job in how they presented it. Click on the picture to take you to Toby’s reflections of a knife with a lot of meaning and history. Picture courtesy of North America Muzzleloader Hunting magazine.
Next Issue Articles January Post Resolution—Angela Montana Kountry Girl by Kori Erickson
Outdoor Vets & Much More!