Backcountry
J OURNAMagazine of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers SpringL 2013
Trouble in Bristol Bay? What Does Backcountry Mean to You? Alaskan Fly-In Zen of Tracking Eastern Backcountry
Building Better Fisheries
MEDFORD, OR MEDFORD,
PERMIT NO. 14 NO. PERMIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT INTERIM Director’s NOTE By Holly Endersby u n g a n n o n D u a n e / D u n s e t S a d e c a s C Tips for telling others about Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
t our rendezvous in Missoula last tion is the name of the game with federal grandkids to ensure continued citizen ad- March, members wanted to know agencies, and BHA is an early adopter of vocacy and protection for our public land Ahow they could be more effective that style of engagement with a wide ar- and water. representatives of BHA. Often, we receive ray of stakeholders. calls asking for talking points our mem- We make a difference where other bers can use at sports shows or meetings. traditional “green” groups meet signifi- With that in mind, this year we add- cant resistance. ed a seminar on that topic. If you couldn’t Our Solution: We follow federal attend, here are some general statements and state legislation closely to educate that can help you educate decision mak- our members and decision-makers on how specific actions will impact wildlife ers and sportsmen about BHA. Mission: Backcountry Hunters and habitat, intact ecosystems and connectiv- Anglers seeks to ensure America’s out- ity between these systems. door heritage of hunting and fishing in We participate in collaborative pro- a natural setting through education and cesses dealing with public land and wa- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers work on behalf of wild public land and ter management to ensure healthy, intact Board of Directors water. ecosystems are a top priority of land What we offer: A path forward with management agencies. Ben Long (MT), Co-Chairman; a unique voice to protect public land and We work to ensure that local com- Joel Webster (MT), Co-Chairman; water to ensure ecosystem health and ro- munities understand the economic ben- Tony Heckard (OR), Secretary; bust populations of native wildlife. efits of healthy public land and water. Sean Carriere (ID), Treasurer; A collaborative approach to public land We advocate for changes to motor- Wayne Capp (MT); David Lien (CO); management with a voice that resonates ized recreation on both the state and fed- Larry Fischer (ID); John Gale (CO); in communities primarily throughout the eral level to protect native wildlife, soil Joe Mirasole (WA); Jay Banta (UT); West. and water. David Lyon (AK); We work to preserve pristine land and We offer the voice of traditional Mike Beagle (OR), President Emeritus hunters and anglers as an offset to pow- water the old fashioned way: our mem- Holly Endersby, Interim Director/ erful groups who claim to be hunter ad- bers know the areas footstep by footstep Conservation Director, 208-628-3956 and speak with intimate knowledge and vocates. passion. What Makes us Different?We know Rose Caslar, Development Associate, Issue: As our population grows and and love the land and water we work to 541-398-0091 protect; there is nothing abstract about as more Americans turn to motorized Kevin Rhoades, Backcountry Journal recreation, the citizen base of hunter con- our knowledge of public land and water editor, [email protected] servationists, in particular, in the mold of issues. We are the boots-on-the-ground Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold, is folks. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers not being emphasized. BHA is a voice Our voice resonates in the West in PO Box 126, Joseph, OR 97846 that decision-makers and agency per- particular, but also in other states and www.backcountryhunters.org sonnel hear. We are the voice of millions communities where hunting and fishing [email protected] of traditional hunters/anglers. Without are valued traditions. Co v e r p h o t o b y Ja c k Ba l l a r d BHA, motorized incursion will eat away We work toward multi-party deci- at prime wildlife habitat. sions that spell success for all. Opportunity: BHA wields far more Our decisions are science-based. influence than our relatively small num- We are not a species-specific group bers would indicate. There is a crying nor are we a hunting club; we are public need for traditional conservationists to land and water advocates. advocate for roadless land protection and We pass our hunting and angling wild and scenic river status. Collabora- tradition in wild lands onto our kids and 2 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 o n g L e n , B i l d e r n e s s W e a r
CO-CHAIRMAN’s NOTE By Ben Long B r e a t G What does backcountry mean to you?
ecently, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Conservation Coordi- Rnator Tim Brass posted a ques- tion on our Facebook page – “What does ‘backcountry’ mean to you?” It sparked a lot of colorful discus- sion. Here’s how some of you answered: “If you can’t get cell phone service and you drove more than a mile with no houses and then walked at least a half mile to get to your hunting spot. Now that’s what backcountry in Ohio is.” CS, Ohio “20 miles in on a horse.” CL “Back far enough to hear the elk bugle at dawn – and nothing else.” BL, Montana “Where grizzlies and wolves live.” MR, Alaska “Miles in on a trail that pinstripes your truck. Then walking where no other person has gone or will go. Just you and Like many of our members, BHA Co-Chairman Ben Long and son Aidan enjoy fishing in solitude. the animals you plan to glass and put the sneak on.” LC, Idaho “No ATVs, no roads, few people and ing and fishing. But we will lose it if we’re “Those places we are always trying beautiful unspoiled country.” VC not careful. Indeed, most of us with a to get back to, and never want to come “No road access.” BB little gray in the beard can check off a list back from.” JL, Colorado One of our Facebook friends from of our favorite hunting and fishing spots “A day’s ride horseback where no Canada asked, perhaps tongue in cheek, that have been lost to motorized traffic, truck or ATV can get in a week!” JS “Do you still have backcountry hunting industrial development or strip malls and “Being away from the road hunter! and fishing in the USA?” pavement. If you belong to BHA, you In some spots that is a quarter of mile, in The answer is yes, but backcoun- probably want to stop that bleeding, so others it’s five miles. I just like seeing the try means different things to different our kids and grandkids can enjoy the ex- wild animal doing wild animal things.” people. If you hunt the whitetails out periences that make our lives rich today. RD of a tree stand in Pennsylvania or Ohio, At BHA, we understand that the “Away from everything man has you might cherish a woodlot, river bot- foundation of all our hunting and fishing created.” CLC tom or quiet patch of state forest, where opportunity is access to healthy habitat. “At least one day’s walk from the you park your rig at the gate. If you’re a Habitat and clean water are important nearest road-accessible place.” JC backpack hunter or angler in Wyoming for our hearts and souls, but also impor- “Peace and relaxation.” BH or New Mexico, your heart may belong tant for wildlife, both game and nongame. “A place where one does not worry to a backside of a mountain accessible That land also provides many benefits for about being shot, robbed, stabbed or have by Forest Service trail. If you’re lucky society as a whole. to put up with folks that have never had enough to own pack stock, or hire a bush Our Facebook friends described the the opportunity to enjoy the great out- plane, then you might cherish Alaska’s backcountry values BHA works to con- doors.” HC Brooks Range, Idaho’s Selway-Bitterroot serve. “Exhale.” JS, California Wilderness or the MacKenzie Range of Please share with us your own defi- “No sound of the internal combus- northern Canada. nition of “backcountry” by emailing us at tion engine.” DF Yes, we still have backcountry hunt- [email protected] Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 3 Toward a Moral Philosophy of Hunting
By David Petersen
hen I look with a and events and forces, rather than on growing sense of loss ‘We can only treat badly misty mystical speculation and wishful at what is happen- those things whose thinking. ing to hunting under souls we disregard.’ Consequently, I see no way and no the banner of “mod- —Thomas Moore need to convincingly deny critics’ claims ern”W today – canned killing operations, that animals are capable of suffering emo- the decline of woodsmanship in favor of tional as well as physical pain at the hands electronic technology, the growing num- of hunters, particularly those among our ber of TV shows celebrating horn-porn, ranks who flat don’t give a damn about bait and high fences – a common degrad- the fates of their prey. Even so, the wis- ing theme clearly runs through it all: An est moral and biological option is not to aching lack of respect for the animals give in to our critics and abandon hu- we hunt and the honorable traditions of manity’s evolved predatory relationship hunting. We’re left with a lack of respect to wild animals as “cruel and obsolete,” for ourselves. which would be to allow suburban ide- The sense we get from today’s ology to overrule natural reality. Rather, blitz of hi-tech hunting advertising, mag- our moral imperative as thoughtful hunt- azine articles and TV sludge is that the ers is to view and treat our prey with the e y n o l d s animals we pursue are at best clever mov- R highest respect and dignity, never taking ing targets that deserve no technological their lives for trivial or purely profitable r a n s o n or moral quarter, like flash-bang charac- B reasons, never boasting of our “triumphs” ters in a video-game. At worst, they are in an egoistic or careless manner, and in- enemies in an imagined war. possessing distinct mystical powers that sisting on the same from our fellows. My own hunting philosophy, con- demand human respect. Consequently, In the end, people are humans and sidered by some as elitist, is borne out while foraging humans based their entire elk are deer, and never the twain shall of a single simply science-based spiritual lives and shaped their cultures around meet on intellectually common ground. belief: Across millions of years of co- hunting and killing animals, their prey Yet our intellectual superiority doesn’t evolution and co-dependence of predator were viewed not as commodities, not as give us moral license to declare unbridled and prey, a sacred bond of mutual respect ego-trophies, but as sacred gifts that de- technological war on wildlife in the name was formed. The moral bottom-line of mand gratitude and respect in exchange of sport or profit, or to objectify our prey hunting today – when critics say we no for their lives. as non-feeling non-beings, or to willfully longer need to kill wild animals in order With the advent of sedentary agri- or carelessly cause suffering among that to survive – is to keep the ancient preda- culture, property ownership and domes- glorious “plurality of other mortals with tor-prey bond of respect alive. tication of formerly wild animals, those whom we are inextricably connected” What we absolutely need, we come timeless, spiritually satisfying animis- (Melville) … body and soul, like Siamese naturally to honor. Thus was born the tic ways of interacting respectfully with twins, on this wild, strange trip that brings animal-centered spirituality of pre-agri- nonhuman life began to change. Crea- us spinning out of the darkness, walks us cultural tribal foragers everywhere. Just tures that had always been considered through the sunlight briefly, then hurls us as our primal ancestors hunted, killed and co-equals were reduced via captivity and back into the great unknown. fed upon wild animals, wild animals like- domestication to mere property, objects wise hunted, killed and fed upon them. In of no spiritual value whatsoever, beyond David Petersen, of Durango, Colo., no pure, pre-agricultural, animistic hu- sacrifice to ethereal external gods. was recently honored by the Colorado Wild- man society were animals viewed as prop- Expanding on the animistic ground- life Federation with both Sportsman of the erty or lesser beings worthy of no moral ing of our forebears, my own long-pon- Year and Lifetime Achievement awards for concern. Quite the opposite: The pre-ag- dered philosophy concerning the hunter’s his longstanding dedication to public lands ricultural animistic worldview was one of proper relationship to the hunted is root- conservation and hunting ethics. www.da- “dispersed spirituality” in which every liv- ed in phenomenology — direct observa- vidpetersenbooks.com, www.thegoodhunt. ing thing, plant and animal was viewed as tion of real life and real death, of things net.
4 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 The Zen of Tracking
By Derek Farr
he temperature was a brisk and spent thousands of hours tracking in A quick search online found psy- 10 degrees as I stepped out the field. It’s one of my favorite hobbies. chologists who suggest closing your eyes of my truck into a dreamy Throughout the years, I’ve become a very and going to a happy place. Yet when mid-October Idaho land- effective tracker. I’m elk hunting, I’m already at my happy scape blanketed with eight Yet I failed. Why? place. Others suggest taking a long walk, inchesT of fresh snow. Far above, the co- The answer is what I call “the Zen but that’s what I do when I hunt. balt sky was populated with stars and of tracking.” The ability to release desires, The psychologists’ advice was fo- planets. The eastern horizon was bright- biases and preconceptions and achieve a cused on clearing the mind of anxiety ening. Dawn was near. clear mind before identifying a track. and stress. But I need to clear my mind I shouldered my .30-06 and walked of excitement and enthusiasm. So how into the woods down an old logging road. do I do that? Work on my taxes? Review The snow squeaked under my feet. The an insurance policy? Watch an episode of fresh coat of snow made for a perfect Downton Abbey? morning hunt. Any tracks in the light Apparently, the Zen of tracking is powder were less than four hours rather unique to the human experi- old. ence. And there were plenty of I turned to renowned tracking them. I cut a track of white- guru James Halfpenny, Ph.D., au- tailed deer, snowshoe hare, coy- thor of A Field Guide to Mammal ote and pine squirrel. But I was Tracking in North America. In the hunting elk. field, Halfpenny requires his stu- A mile later, I spotted dents to “find at least three clues something. The disturbance in about the tracks…before identi- the snow was much bigger than fying the animal.” the dainty deer tracks I had been Following this routine not seeing. It was from an elk, a large only provides more information elk – probably a bull. At some point about the tracks, but it also creates a in the very near past, it emerged cooling-off period that reduces some from the forest and sauntered down emotion. And it’s a lot more fun than the logging road. My heart thumped as watching Downton Abbey. Halfpenny I followed its footsteps. But after several also suggests being humble. miles, I was running out of time. By now, “Don’t believe the ‘outdoorsman’ who the sun was high in the sky and morn- Ph o t o b y t h e a u t h o r tells you that he can always tell an elk ing was maturing toward noon. I had to track from a moose track or the track of a turn back because I had to work later that It’s something I didn’t have that coyote from that of a dog,” he writes. “It day. morning. To the contrary: my mind was simply isn’t possible to positively identify As I backtracked, I noticed a large spinning with excitement for the hunt tracks every time.” I’ll second that. set of tracks that crossed my trail. They and the fresh snow. When I happened For me, those two nuggets of wis- weren’t there earlier. I looked closer. An onto those tracks, instead of using my dom summarize the Zen of tracking. It’s elk had darted from timber into a steep intuition, cognition and experience, I a proactive approach toward clarity and canyon after I had passed. Yet something jumped to a false conclusion. humility, allowing me to use my knowl- bothered me. I glanced to the original elk Why? Because I saw what I wanted edge and skills without prejudice, permit- tracks that I had been following all morn- to see. I wanted those tracks to be elk ting me to see what’s there – not what I ing and noticed they were too round to tracks, so I discarded all evidence to the want to see – and granting me the power be made by an elk. With both prints next contrary. I ignored the fact that the tracks to admit when I’m wrong. to each other, something was obvious: I were too wide and too round. What That’s the easy part. The hard part is had been following a stray cow. should have been an easy identification putting it into practice. That’s right, a stray cow. became a blunder of desire. Now all I need is eight inches of I’ve spent years studying and prac- So how do I achieve the Zen of snow and some elk tracks. Or are they ticing the art of tracking. I’ve read books tracking? How do I clear my mind? cow tracks? Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 5 Eastern Backcountry
Story and Photos by Sean Clarkson
The remaining fragile areas of headwater streams, small vernal pools and upland bogs in the East are constantly under increasing pressure.
hen most of us think the area represented by these 31 states is are nearly as steep. The vertical rise can “backcountry” we just under one-third of the total land of be comparable. And the vastness of the think of the tow- the United States, but is home to slightly West is replaced in the East with com- ering Rockies, the more than two-thirds of the population. pact areas of land and vegetation that far-flung tundra of Even in those heavily populated states, can provide the familiar remoteness and AlaskaW or the stunning sandstone ex- there are more than 4 million combined seclusion of the West, but in remarkably panses of the Southwest. These areas were acres of declared wilderness area, and smaller areas. the legendary haunts of Jim Bridger and only four of the states lack any national It is certainly true that publicly ac- Kit Carson, the literary homes of Jack forest or wilderness acreage (Delaware, cessible lands in the East are subject to London and John Muir. They capture our Iowa, Maryland and Rhode Island). more use than many of the lands in the imagination and vision of “out there.” We Within the eastern region and open West. And many of the attendant prob- rarely, if at all, think of the Empire State, to public access lie innumerable miles lems that BHA has worked on so well in Old Dominion or the Bluegrass State. of waterways, from small native trout the West are at least as problematic in the What many may be missing out on, and streams to huge navigable rivers with East. Rogue OHV use can be rampant in I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy, are anadromous species. They include pocket some areas, especially with the increas- the backcountry reaches in the eastern waters and ponds to lakes and estuaries of ingly long hunting seasons in the mid- United States. all sizes holding migratory waterfowl and Atlantic and Southeast. The remaining In 2007 there were nearly 24.5 mil- game fish. Across the region there are fragile areas of headwater streams, small lion acres of national forest lands in the upland birds, small game, deer, bear and vernal pools, upland bogs, denning areas 31 states that lie on or east of the Missis- turkey. The northern states have moose, and others – and the game and non-game sippi River. When the Adirondack Park while the southern swamps hold alliga- species that depend upon them – are is added to this total, the number jumps tor. An angler or hunter would be hard- constantly under increasing pressure. The to just under 31 million acres. Even more pressed to go without finding suitable sporting community, too, is always under acres in the private timber company lands quarry. pressure by those that do truly want to re- of the east – primarily New England, The topography of the East makes strict hunting and angling, restrict access Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Vir- recreational and sporting opportunities or develop the remaining natural lands. ginia – are also generally open to public in the public access areas a unique experi- The irresponsible use of publicly accessed access and use. The number continues to ence from those of the West. Although lands only further undermines the future grow when other national parks and all the eastern mountains lack the altitude of that access for posterity, with more and the state lands are added. Realize that of the West, some peaks have sides that more privately held, publicly accessible 6 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 land being posted, gated and lost each year. As I have had the wonderful op- portunity to experience the publicly ac- cessible lands of the East from Florida to Maine for many years, I believe that Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a needed and valuable addition to the con- versation about the use of eastern lands open to public access. The message of collaborative and responsible use, and of concern for both the natural environment and sporting pursuits, is one that has too long been absent in the discussion about the future of our lands and resources. The future of our hunting and fishing heritage in the East will depend upon leadership. BHA has already established a presence in Minnesota, one of the 31 states east of or on the Mississippi. I hope that it is just The future of our hunting and fishing heritage in the East will depend upon groups like BHA. the first, as the backcountry lands in the East and those that cherish them need the leadership and support that BHA can provide. The eastern lands may not be the legendary haunts of Bridger and Carson, or of London and Muir, but they were once home to Boone and to Crockett, to George Washington Sears and to Henry David Thoreau. I’ve no doubt that all four of them would be proud BHA members and would be encouraging the respon- sible use of all land, East and West.
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[email protected] www.kimberamerica.com www.samueladams.com Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 7 Becoming a Hunter Lessons learned the first years in the field By Hamilton Platt, Honors English Student
he sharp crack of a high- powered rifle rang through the thick woods on a cold Halloween morning. The buck felt the tug of the bul- letT before he even heard the report, but he spun around and leapt forward. Even as his strong muscles propelled him for- ward, he knew it was too late. Instinc- tively, he ran downhill and toward water. As he started to lose consciousness to his surroundings, he felt himself trip and fall in the thick moss of the forest floor. He tried to rise again, yet his legs refused to respond to his instincts. Earlier that morning, I had hiked up a closed logging road that snaked on the mountainside. I decided to hike to the rim of a flat clearing where deer some- times feed at night. Cresting the edge, I stopped and observed the clearing. I saw no movement at all. I was hoping to find The author has now taken several deer, but his first buck stands out most in his memory. a fat doe to fill my tag, but my license was good for either sex. I started forward and a doe vaulted from behind a log, zigzag- through the trees. I picked up my brass memory, with every single animal I kill, ging out of sight into the trees within cartridge from the layer of larch needles the feeling is the same. I am incredibly seconds. Unhappy about ruining a good lying on the forest floor. After waiting thankful for the animal’s life and at the opportunity, I decided to sit beneath a several minutes, I stood up and began same time, I regret taking away the fu- tree in a spot that overlooked most of the to search the ground meticulously for ture that each animal deserves. Three clearing. After waiting for the better part the spoor of the white-tailed buck. As I years later, in early November, I went for of an hour, I became aware of a deer mov- saw the first spots of blood, I could tell an early morning hunt with the hope of ing downhill in front of me. I raised my that I had made a good shot – dark red finding a big-bodied buck to bring home. rifle and peered through the telescopic blood from the heart and liver. I followed Nearly six inches of fluffy snow had fall- sight toward the deer. He stood broad- the trail down into the mossy creek bot- en the night before and all the sounds of side at 90 meters from me and sniffed the tom and as I continued, I could discern a morning were muffled. I crouched be- wind. I tried to remove the three-position slight sour smell in the air – the smell of hind a rock overlooking a meadow with safety on my rifle, but it refused. I began an early rutting buck. When I saw the still a creek and a trail through it. The rut was to become agitated, but realized that the figure seemingly asleep upon the moss, I in full vigor and the bucks were preoc- bolt handle of my rifle was slightly raised. was overcome with emotion. I was happy cupied with does. I decided to use a pair Fixing the problem, I removed the safety, that I had shot my first deer, yet sad that of rattling antlers to mimic the sounds sighted on a tuft of hair just behind the this beautiful animal here gave its life so of a violent dispute between two bucks. shoulder and gently squeezed the trigger. that I might have meat for the next year. Several minutes later, a buck emerged The aroma of gunpowder drifted Although each hunt is a unique from the aspens along the creek, looked 8 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 around and disappeared again. When ticed that his eye was bleeding badly on I had made a one-shot kill. I became chilled from the single-digit the side that was facing me when I fired. My freezer is now full of meat from temperatures, I slowly started stalking up Either that morning or the night before, this beautiful animal, feeding me until the trail. my buck’s eye had been poked out in a next fall, just as deer have fed humans for Just over two Although fight with another buck. This blindness thousands of years. Since that cold Hal- football fields each hunt on the side facing me explained why the loween morning in 2009, I have killed farther I spotted is a unique deer had not seen me and bolted at the several more white-tailed deer with the a large buck first shot – he didn’t know which way to same rifle, yet of all of these memories feeding with a memory, with go. When finished cleaning the deer, I and those I hope to make in years to doe. I crept up every single dragged it close to a mile down the snowy come, none will stick with me like that the slope to my animal I kill, trail to where the truck was waiting. This first big game hunting success. right and out the feeling is deer too made me thankful, but I wished Hamilton Platt lives in Helena, Mont. of his view, and the same. I then crawled to a vantage point am incredibly from which I thankful for could see the the animal’s deer. life and at the I lay with same time, I my rifle resting on my pack to regret taking steady myself. I away the sighted on the future that deer’s chest and each animal www.twistedtea.com www.Conciergelegacy.com waited. He was deserves. at 200 meters and slowly feed- ing across a ridge. I waited nearly five minutes for the perfect shot. When it arrived, the buck was standing still, broadside and had its head up looking forward. As soon as I squeezed the trigger, I knew that I had made a bad shot. Now committed, I chambered another cartridge and fired once more. This shot was good, severing http://arapahoemeatco.com www.missoulafishingcompany.com the spinal cord. When I approached the deer, I no-
Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 9 BHA’s first survey sheds light on membership
By Ben Long
ackcountry Hunters & Anglers strives to respond to the needs and demands of our growing and Bcomplex membership. After all, we would be nothing without an inspired cadre of “boots on the ground” sportsmen and women. The vast majority of With the help of the Internet, we recently completed our first extensive BHA members vote membership survey. While the survey all the time, but no is not scientific, responses do offer a political party can lay glimpse into the values and priorities of you, BHA’s members. claim to a majority of Here are some things we learned, ac- BHA’s members. cording to the survey. Do these findings reflect your opinions? We love to hunt, but also fish trout. Rainbow trout was most popular, Fifty-four percent primarily hunt; 5 followed by cutthroat trout, brown trout; percent primarily fish; 41 percent both steelhead and salmon were also very pop- hunt and fish equally. ular. When you hunt, most of you pick up We respect and enjoy nature a rifle, then a shotgun, then traditional Your number one reason for hunting and Effectiveness archery gear, and then compound archery fishing is enjoying nature; the number “Getting consensus is often a good gear. two reason is securing quality food; third approach but sometimes it is not the When you fish, most of you pick up reason is the physical challenge. route to pursue – principles are impor- a fly rod first, then a spin-casting rod and Your top three concerns for the future tant!” finally a bait-casting rod. of hunting and fishing are: habitat degra- “I’m thankful that there are people We love to travel, and depend on dation; access to habitat; abuse/overuse that appreciate the same things that I public land by off-road vehicles. hold dear and are working to preserve Twenty-three percent of you travel Seventy-nine percent are interested them for me and my grandchildren to outside your home state to hunt; 11 per- in mentoring a new hunter/angler; 48 enjoy. These things are not to be taken for cent travel outside your home state to percent are interested in taking a lead- granted. Keep up the fight! Thank you.” fish; 39 percent do both outside their ership role in BHA; 50 percent want to “Increasing membership is very im- home state; 27 percent stay home. contribute to BHA beyond their annual portant. The more members an organiza- Seventy-eight percent of you hunt membership fee. tion has the more influence it has in af- primarily on public land; 3.5 percent pri- You have a lot of strong opinions! fecting change. “ marily on private land; 18 percent split Here are some of the comments mem- BHA: Agreed! You can help by recruit- their time outdoors between private and bers left behind: ing your friends and neighbors to join! public land. Wolves “I would donate more but am broke.” We are focused on big game, but not “Drop the fuzzy wolf articles. Some BHA: We hear you, amigo. We under- entirely places do require drastic wolf manage- stand people are struggling financially. We Your top big game species are: elk; ment.” appreciate every penny and work to diver- mule deer; whitetail deer. This is different “BHA must take a position on wolf sify our income and do the most with every from many nationwide sportsmen’s sur- ‘hunting’ and that position should be that dollar. veys, which overwhelming pick whitetail wolves must not be hunted.” “Keep it grassroots as much as pos- deer as the favorite big game species. BHA: Wolves are contentious, no doubt. sible.” Beyond big game, your top quarry is We support management of wolves as a big BHA: Agreed! BHA’s greatest asset is upland birds, then turkey, small game and game species, where their numbers allow. our members’ “boots on the ground!” finally waterfowl. That said, we choose to focus on habitat is- “More focus on educating those who When fishing, you enjoy fishing for sues, not predator management. don’t know they don’t know. So many 10 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 have grown up in a culture that doesn’t wildlife managers tell us that poorly man- pass on/value traditional outdoor skills aged motorized traffic is having a negative and experiences.” impact on hunter opportunity. At the same Amen! time, many of our members own ATVs and Politics keep them on designated routes. So we’ll con- “I do not appreciate using an organi- tinue to walk the line – protecting freedom, zation I belong to being used in a Demo- opportunity and habitat. cratic campaign brochure.” BHA believes in access for people to our Join Backcountry Neither do we! BHA is a non-partisan public lands always and access for machines, Hunters & Anglers! 501c3 group. If you see any politician using where it makes sense. For example, we re- our name, no matter the political party, let cently helped secure a 100-mile ATV route www.backcountryhunters.org us know so we can put a stop to it! in northern Idaho, while also working to Geography protect non-motorized backcountry. “I’d rejoin your organization if BHA was not so Rocky Mountain/Western inclined. I rarely could find an article BHA Sponsors on anything related to eastern/southern hunting.” Platinum We hear you! BHA is focused on public KUIU, Inc. www.kuiu.com land, which is mostly in the West but owned Traditional Bowhunter Magazine www.tradbow.com by all Americans. However, we have mem- bers in nearly all 50 states and need to reflect that diversity. GOLD ATVs & motorized traffic impacts KeneTrek Boots www.kenetrek.com “Educating hunters that motorized access negatively impacts quality big SILVER game hunting is very important.” Columbia River Knife & Tool www.crkt.com “I really disagree with BHA trying to Real Avid www.realavid.com restrict public access to public lands just Vortex Optics www.vortexoptics.com because some of the public wants to use an off road vehicle.” “Your efforts on off-road vehicles BRONZE are lame. Enforcement is more complex BA Fischer Sales Co., Inc. www.bafsco.com than you realize. Your prizes would work Concierge Legacy Advisors www.Conciergelegacy.com well for elementary school students. How Kimber www.kimberamerica.com about a little respect?” “I agree that ATVs have to be lim- BLUE RIBBON ited and that many people abuse the Missoula Fishing Company www.missoulafishingcompany.com land/game with them, but BHA is too Twisted Tea www.twistedtea.com down on those of us who like to ride or use them for a hunting tool, you really Samuel Adams www.samueladams.com exclude a lot of sportsmen with this issue Seek Outside www.seekoutside.com and sometimes come off with an elitist Oregon Pack Works www.oregonpackworks.com attitude.” Unishippers [email protected] “Don’t get too extreme on your posi- Golden Specialties [email protected] tions. Some of us hunt and fish and also Arapahoe Meats http://arapahoemeatco.com own ATVs. There’s a time and place for all interests. Thanks.” CORPORATE “Keep up the work against ATV use that degrades habitat and harasses wild- Ed T’s Backcountry www.edtsbackcountry.com life.” Grizzly Creek Lodge www.grizzlycreeklodge.com “Keep up the fight — NO ATVS.” MyTrophyRoom.com www.mytrophyroom.com “Keep up the good work fighting the Orion, The Hunter’s Institute www.huntright.org encroachment of motorized use on public Robertson Stykbow www.robertsonstykbow.com lands.” Torrey House Press http://torreyhouse.com BHA: Phew! Protecting habitat is core to our mission and hunters and land/ Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 11 Passing on Alaska to a New Generation
By Greg Munther
“One thing becomes clearer as one gets older and one’s fishing “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never experience increases, and that is the paramount importance of one’s been in bed with a mosquito.” —Be t t y Re e s e fishing companions.” —Jo h n As h l e y -Co o p e r
Alaska’s mosquitos gave Walker and Tanner a new standard to measure Growing up in a busy and complex world, there are too few opportunities all of life’s future bug encounters. to share the outdoors with teenagers before they are off on life’s journey. Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers members Jock Conyngham “Bears keep me humble. They help me to keep the world in per- and Greg Munther made the best of the opportunity by taking Jock’s son spective and to understand where I fit on the spectrum of life. We Walker and Greg’s Grandson Tanner for a weeklong float on the south- need to preserve the wilderness and its monarchs for ourselves, and central Alaska’s Alagnak River. It was a trip we’ll never forget. for the dreams of children. We should fight for these things as if our life depended upon it, because it does.” — Wa y n e Ly n c h (“Be a r s : “The De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-en- Mo n a r c h s o f t h e No r t h e r n Wi l d e r n e s s ”, 1993) gined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, primarily known as a bush plane. It was pro- duced until 1967.” —Wi k i p e d i a
Walker and Tanner learned the best bear fishing spots are in constant Approaching rivers in a 50-year-old Beaver airplane creates anticipation dispute, which also made us determined to find unoccupied stretches of what is next. of water.
12 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 “I have always loved camping, ever since I was eight and was “If the old boy [Izaak Walton] occasionally stretched the truth, it forcibly stuffed in a trunk and dropped off in the middle of the forest. strikes me that it makes him an even more appropriate father figure My dad was a complex man, but I believe he was trying to show me for a cult whose members are often given to hyperbole.” —Ro b e r t the value of camping.” —J a r o d Ki n t z Di e n d o r f e r , 1977
Bears have been coming to the same river reaches for thousands of years, wearing deep trails where they search for abundant salmon. Tanner and Walker agreed that camping on sandbars away from the bear trails was a better choice. The mosquitos don’t care where you camp.
“If you ever wondered why fishing is probably the most popular sport in this country, watch that boy beside the brook and you will Freshly caught sockeye eaten on the banks of the river makes a memo- learn. If you are really perceptive you will. For he already knows that rable lunch and gives real meaning to “fresh fish.” fishing is only one part fish.” —Ha l Bo r l a n d , 1954 Fishing is our handshake, our language. A Heritage that binds us together. A passage our fathers took. A Journey that lasts a lifetime, That we have begun again with our sons and daughters. —Wo r d s i n a n Ab u c o mm e r c i a l
When the fish were running, the action was non-stop. With continuous daylight, stopping to sleep was a nuisance. Reluctantly leaving Alaska bonded by a lifetime of memories. Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 13 Bristol Bay: Protecting the Backcountry’s Abundance
‘We know that Bristol Bay is more precious Story & Photos than gold.’ by Matt Miller
A float plane delivers anglers to a run of silver salmon. For many, the abundance of Alaska is a given. But is it?
herever you find the fight to protect Bristol Bay from the predators lined up below the king salmon large congregations proposed Pebble Mine. If constructed, it to gulp as many as they could. of critters, you’ll would be the largest gold mine in North We drifted egg patterns below the find predators to eat America, located in the headwaters of the king salmon and thus began two hours them. Picture the watershed I was about to experience in all of the most memorable fishing of my life. AfricanW Serengeti, with a million migrat- its glory. Nice rainbows – many pushing 20 inches ing wildebeest and zebras providing a Every evening, guests at Rapids – came with startling regularity. For one moveable feast for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, Camp Lodge are presented with a menu stretch, we reeled in jack kings, smaller wild dogs and crocodiles. of fly-out fishing options for the next day. king salmon that migrated early and were In Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, It felt like going to a microbrew pub with still feeding. We caught grayling, char that abundance plays out underwater. 50 varieties on tap. and sockeye salmon. Millions of migrating salmon, drawn Catching silver salmon as they run One of us had a fish on the line from the ocean to the streams and rivers fresh from the ocean? Check. Hike in for about every other minute. When a five- of their birth, swim home to spawn and Dolly Varden? Of course. Halibut in the minute stretch passed without hooking die. On the way they become dinner for ocean? Trophy rainbow trout? Grayling something, it was worth noting – and it brown bears lining the stream and their on dry flies? Yes, yes – and yes. didn’t happen again. decaying bodies in turn draw bald eagles, We arrived at the lodge in the after- “This isn’t fishing,” Taylor said. “This black bears and gulls. noon, meaning the planes were already is catching.” But underwater there’s a feeding out. We donned waders and headed out That might sound like a throw-away frenzy happening, too, one every bit as with guide Taylor Wells to fish on the line from a Saturday morning fishing dramatic as the nature show on the Af- Naknek River, Rapids Camp Lodge’s show. Still, I can find no better way to rican plains. home waters. describe that day. To experience the wildebeest migra- Within minutes it was fishing pan- A month later, I’m grilling a silver tion, I brought binoculars. But to experi- demonium. salmon caught on that trip. As the smells ence Bristol Bay, you need a fishing rod. Looking over the boat, we watched of salmon drift from our patio, I’m back My wife Jennifer and I were travel- bright red king salmon fining in the cur- on a sandy beach, bear tracks at my feet, ing as guests of Scott and Nicki Hed to rent. They were laying eggs, more than a silver salmon on my line. Rapids Camp Lodge, located just outside few of which caught in the current and On that day, my wife Jennifer caught of King Salmon. Scott is director of the drifted downriver. two silvers on our first two casts. Minutes Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska, one of Those high-calorie eggs created a later, I hooked my own silver. Looking the organizations on the front line of feeding frenzy. Large numbers of finned down the beach, I saw four bent rods. 14 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 That frenzy didn’t last – the fish soon ues to inspire. moved on – but it gave us plenty of fish to The Pebble proponents are counting take home, to have salmon to compliment on us to quietly forget the abundance of the deer, ducks and quail in our freezer. Bristol Bay. They’re banking that we’ll ac- As I share meals or stories with cept the loss of the largest wild salmon friends, the reaction is invariably the fishery on earth just as we have accepted same: That must have been a trip of a life- the loss of passenger pigeons. time. What an incredible place for a fish- On the last day of our Bristol Bay erman. You must have been in heaven. trip, we drifted the river one final time, It’s all true. But it got me thinking catching grayling and jack kings and about how we see Alaska and how we see rainbows. As our final minutes on the the abundance of fish and game. water ticked too rapidly away, I hooked For many, the abundance of Alaska a truly giant rainbow—an early arrival, is a given. The state is wild, it’s special and Arctic grayling are one of many fish that line up having just shown up to dine not on eggs, it’s going to stay that way. Or is it? behind spawning salmon to feed. but on the chunks of decaying salmon. On that point, I’m less sure. Just like that, I lost the fish. But how When we have an abundant resource, fishing for halibut in an impossibly beau- could I feel disappointed? Another cast we always think it’s going to be in perpe- tiful bay, the rainbow trout gulping those and there would be more fish. It seemed tuity. But the truth is, this continent – for eggs, the haunting volcanic activity of the like it could go on like this, forever. that matter this planet – once brimmed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. And it can. But Bristol Bay still needs with the abundance of Bristol Bay. Every It’s one of the largest remaining our help. Let’s get it right this time. We step of the way, humanity has taken that backcountry areas on earth. Yes, it’s still owe it to the salmon. We owe it to the abundance for granted. And then it was here. Already, though, the proponents of future. gone. Pebble Mine are asking us to assume this BHA member Matt Miller is senior Everyone knows the story of the bi- abundance will last forever. They are ask- science writer for The Nature Conservancy. son and the passenger pigeon, but the loss ing us to ignore a tailing pond full of toxic His stories have appeared in Sp o r t s Af i e l d , of abundance is true for rivers, too. My chemicals and up to 10.8 billion tons of Bu g l e , Li v i n g Bi r d and many other publi- family owns a piece of property in central mine waste that will, by their own assess- cations. Read more at science.nature.org Pennsylvania. Shamokin Creek, which ment, require perpetual remediation. flows through that land, runs orange with That means: forever. mine drainage. No one will list it as one They are also asking us to trust that What You Can Do To Help of the last great wildernesses on earth. No this time things will go as planned, that More than 800 hunting and fish has lived there for generations. It’s there will not be unforeseen technologi- angling groups and businesses have dead water. But once it supported mil- cal failings – the kind that have occurred signed a letter to the U.S. Environ- lions of shad and eels, enough to sustain at every other mine site in the world. mental Protection Agency, asking commercial fisheries. Never again, at least They are asking us to believe that that Bristol Bay’s productive waters not on any time scale humans can appre- even though this mine will be twenty be protected from inappropriate ciate. times larger than all of Alaska’s existing large-scale mining projects like the Mark Twain once wrote a list of his mines combined, it will not affect salm- proposed Pebble Mine. To lend your favorite American foods, a story well on. group’s or business’ support, contact documented in Andrew Beahrs’ book They are asking us to believe that BHA member Scott Hed at scott@ Twain’s Feast. Twain considered the sig- salmon will just persist in Bristol Bay, be- sportsmansalliance4AK.org. nature food of Philadelphia to be terrapin cause, hey, we all know that Alaska will soup; the signature dish of Baltimore to always have salmon, right? Tell President Obama, the EPA be roast diving ducks, particularly canvas- Just like the Great Plains will always and your members of Congress to backs. Both items were an inexhaustible have bison and Pennsylvania coal streams protect one of the planet’s truly icon- wild bounty, or so it seemed. Try finding will always have shad, and the Chesa- ic sporting destinations. You can take either on the menu today. peake Bay will always be able to supply action at www.SaveBristolBay.org. People once complained about Baltimore with an endless supply of can- splashing salmon keeping them awake at vasbacks. Yeah, just like that. If a picture is worth a thousand night in Boise. Today, salmon conserva- Maybe this time we do know bet- words, a video must be worth more, tion in Idaho often concerns dozens of ter. Maybe this time, with sportsmen and right? Watch the award-winning fish, not millions. women leading the way, we know that documentary film Red Gold (www. The abundance of Bristol Bay is still Bristol Bay is more precious than gold. RedGoldFilm.com) and share it with here, in all its glory. I count experiencing We can get this one right. We can others who love the outdoors. it as one of my most cherished outdoor ensure that the largest wild salmon fish- experiences: The running silver salmon, ery on earth continues to provide, contin- Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 15 , o u n t a i n M o n g L
BHA Chapter News e n /B o r t h e r n N o n t a n a r e a t M G
Colorado ers in southeastern Idaho. local and state conservation groups to The fifth annual Colorado Back- In the next six months Idaho BHA ensure a proposed new travel plan pro- country Hunters & Anglers rendezvous will work with the Idaho Department of vides enough large secure non-motorized is scheduled for June 7-9 in the San Juan Fish and Game (IDFG) to help identify habitat during hunting seasons to keep National Forest northwest of Bayfield. large parcels of land-locked public land elk from running to private lands and to Colorado BHA held a sportsmen that could be accessed through the pur- allow some bulls to survive to maturity. open house in Carbondale on Jan. 31 to chase of conservation easements and/ The Forest Service is proposing allowing discuss the future of Colorado’s Central or rights of way. If you are aware of par- too many motorized routes, including Mountains. We had a booth at the Inter- cels meeting these criteria, contact Clay new motorized routes in roadless areas. It national Sportsmen’s Expo in Denver in Hayes at [email protected]. is also proposing far more roads remain January and signed up 35 new members. Idaho BHA members will also open during archery season than during Chol McGlynn is Colorado BHA’s be engaged in a public service project general season. Montana BHA believes newest Habitat Watchman for the Routt working with the IDFG on the Craig motorized restrictions should be applied National Forest. Colorado BHA’s Habi- Mountain Wildlife Management Area equally in both seasons. tat Watchmen serve as our points of con- near Lewiston May 3-5. Watch for email The Helena forest is also propos- tact for issues affecting specific national alerts as this project gets closer. Idaho ing to lessen the elk security standards forests. We currently have 18 watchmen BHA is hosting its second annual sum- it must meet in its current forest plan. covering 10 national forests. mer meeting in Stanley July 19-21. This The new proposal is strongly opposed by Idaho event will coincide with the Idaho State Montana BHA as well as other groups as Idaho will host the second annual Bowhunters Jamboree and the Mountain not being based on science applicable to BHA North American Rendezvous in Mama Craft Fair. the forest. Montana BHA is asking for Boise, March 22-24. While there, please Minnesota the use of the best elk science and use of look up your chapter leaders and say “hel- The Minnesota chapter is steadily elk researchers and biologists to develop lo.” We hope to see you there! building membership involvement as any new elk security standard. Idaho BHA is excited to launch plans for its first rendezvous in Septem- New Mexico its campaign titled, “Which would you ber have now been publicized. The chap- New Mexico BHA has been work- rather hear,” which provides funding for ter is launching its petition campaign for ing in collaboration with other sports- BHA’s reward program that compensates more hunter walking trails at the Min- men organizations to reform the New people for reporting illegal motorized ac- nesota Deer classic booth the weekend of Mexico State Game Commission. One tivity. Funding will be generated through March 8-10. The chapter will also pro- of our goals is to replace special interest the sale of T-shirts designed by Idaho mote its involvement with the campaign political appointees with qualified pro- member Clay Hayes and features a bull against sulfide mining. fessional commissioners that represent elk contrasted by ATV’s being ridden David Lien had published edito- the interests of New Mexico sportsmen, past a road closure. T-shirts will be avail- rials on the success of Minnesota wolf wildlife and habitat. To bring about a able at the rendezvous and through the management and why sulfide mining is few common-sense reforms, New Mex- website. Pick one up and support BHA’s not the answer to northeast Minnesota’s ico BHA is supporting House Bill 439, reward program in Idaho. economic problems. Erik Jensen has at- state legislation that would help resolve The chapter continues its grass roots tended meetings on coalition efforts with chronic problems that have plagued the advocacy through our participation in the other hunting organizations on how best commission for several decades. To show Clearwater Basin Collaborative. to recruit urban residents interested in sportsmen support, New Mexico BHA We will also be represented at the local foods to hunting. Minnesota vice- Chair Oscar Simpson obtained 700-plus East Idaho Fly Tying Expo in Idaho Falls chair Matt Norton was recently named letters of support for HB 439 at the Bob April 19-20, with guests Bruce Smith- legal campaign director of the Minnesota Gerding Outdoor Adventure Show. hammer and Steve Walker. Derek Farr Environmental Partnership, a broad co- For several years we have supported has stepped up to represent BHA during alition of conservation groups. permanent protection of several areas the Nez Perce/Clearwater Forest Plan Montana in New Mexico through congressional revision process in north-central Idaho. Montana BHA continues to fight legislation or other designation. Prior BHA has also secured a grant to employ for the future of elk habitat on the Hel- legislation failed in the 112th session of an advocate on a six-month contract to ena National Forest. Helena member Congress. Because of overwhelming sup- increase engagement with decision-mak- Steve Platt has been coordinating with port in New Mexico, legislation for two 16 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 of these areas has been re-introduced in conjunction with the Expo. the 113th session (The Rio Grande del Upcoming activities being planned Norte (RGDN) NCA and The Valles for Utah members include a mini-ren- -GDA.LJ9M
‘I relive the experience in my mind and still can’t believe it.’
By Rita Wolfe
After many years of elk hunting and more than two weeks of hard hunting in this season, the author was rewarded with her first bull.
fter 32 years of marriage, my husband Gary and I days in the field. I’ve taken a number of cow elk over the years, have never been without wild game to eat. Aren’t we but this was my first bull. blessed? But as the final weekend of Montana’s gen- Elements that seem to be at our disadvantage can some- Aeral rifle season approached, only four packages of times work just the opposite. The icy conditions were to Gary’s venison from the amazing whitetail buck I harvested last fall benefit that day. After hiking around in snow and ice, he rested remained in the freezer, and we were beginning to wonder if near a beautiful old snag. His focus on a specific direction and this would be the year our freezer would be bare of game. down-slope area suddenly switched when he heard a buck com- Fortunately, Montana offers a five-week general rifle season ing from behind him as it crossed an icy opening. Gary’s quick for deer and elk. Thousands of acres of wilderness and roadless response and shooting abilities paid off. I was anxious whether areas provide escape and security cover for our big game and we’d fill the freezer, so when I heard the shot, I felt a deep ap- allow the state to offer a long hunting season and a tremendous preciation for the meat. I knew it had to be his shot because we opportunity for hunters who are willing to abandon their ve- were not far apart. Heading his way, it was an easy hike with the hicles and walk. confidence that game was on the ground. The last weekend of the season found us hunting lower ele- It was snowing hard the next morning, and we were excited vation country near the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness to return to the same area to look for the magnificent whitetail areas. Although we were not hunting within these designated buck I’d seen the previous day. After hours of sneaking, I spot- wildernesses, the gated roads in the area require hunters to walk ted four dashing does and fawns, but not a single buck or elk in, providing for a great, fair-chase hunting opportunity. track. Gary and I rendezvoused where he’d gotten his buck the Luck finally caught up with us! After nearly two weeks of previous morning, kicked some snow around and found nary a hunting throughout the season, we finally had some luck. Gary sign of the gut pile. There were no bear tracks, but mostly coyote shot a nice 5x4-point whitetail buck, and my persistence paid and bird sign. Many critters had been well fed. We ate lunch off, too, with a five-point bull elk that came after a total of 17 and decided to hunt another area for the afternoon. 18 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 To cover more country, we traveled separate routes to the vehicle. I could see Gary below me once or twice, and then he’d disappear for a while. There were no fresh signs of game, but the trees, squirrels, and birds made for a beautiful day. And then I came upon some incredibly fresh tracks; at least one bull elk and possibly two as my eyes and feet followed. Feeding on an open sagebrush hillside below me were two cows and a legal bull elk. The bull glanced up at me, lowered his head and resumed feed- ing. But one of the cows jumped and the other two elk followed. I was focused on the bull, and when he jumped, I waited. I knew he would stop. Standing broadside, he hesitated and looked to- ward me. I squeezed the trigger. It all happened so fast! All three ran out of sight instantly and headed downhill. I took off after the bull in the slippery snow. I had to give chase for a few minutes before I was on his blood trail. I could see the elk tracks heading up the next hill, and I stayed on them. To my sudden amazement, there was the bull. He had dropped near some trees that had blocked my view of him. By the time I called Gary on the radio, he knew I’d shot a bull and not a buck. Running full speed, the two cow elk had nearly run him over. He followed their tracks to me and was thrilled to see the bull lying near the road we had walked earlier. Back home, after hanging and aging the buck and bull ™ ™ for several days, we butchered them and once again had a full The Gun Tool by Real Avid is 18 essential rearm tools in freezer. I relive the experience in my mind and still can’t believe one compact frame. It’s the world’s I got a bull. We are so grateful for this superb meat – proof that #1 multi-tool for ri es and persistence does pay off. shotguns. See www.RealAvid.com
Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 19 ‘The goal is to encourage folks to use older firearms.’
The author’s hunting party makes a tradition of hunting with old firearms as eclectic as the hunters themselves. The Old Gun Hunt By C. Milo McLeod
e should have a hunt where we exclusively use old draw. The location must also provide a good campsite for several guns,” said Steve Platt as he and his three compan- wall tents, abundant firewood, and access to a non-motorized ions ascended a ridge in mid-November, nearly 20 hunting area. Although antlerless whitetails are the dominant “Wyears ago in the Rock Creek drainage of western animals taken, the occasional whitetail buck or bull elk has also Montana. The party hunted elk or whitetail and mule deer dur- been harvested by old gun hunters. ing the rut. Three members of the group carried classic North Firearms used are as eclectic as the hunters themselves American big-game hunting rifles with scopes, chambered in and include rifles like the model Winchester1894 in .30/.30 or .270 Winchester or .30/06 Springfield. .38/55; Savage 99s in .300 Savage; or .25/35; or Winchester Platt, on the other hand, carried his grandfather’s 1895 1885 Hi Wall’s in .45/70 or .32/40. Occasionally some exotic Marlin lever action .45/70 rifle. No elk were taken that day, but European guns and cartridges show up like the British .577 Steve did shoot a nice 4x4 whitetail buck with his older rifle. Snider; the German 9.3x72; or the 6.5 Mannlicher-Schonauer. The ride home gave the hunters time to organize the first old While the model 1898 Mauser technically meets the criteria of gun hunt for the following year. an “old gun,” it certainly does not meet the hunt spirit. Twenty None of the organizers particularly liked rules; they are an years ago open sights were the norm. However, as hunters have independent lot with unusually strong personal opinions. The aged and now call themselves “old guy hunters,” today more old gun hunt evolved into something more than just using older glass is seen on top of these classic rifles. firearms and into a social and practical outdoor experience. The The old gun hunt traditionally begins the last week of Oc- hunt was conceived to emulate the cover of the outdoor maga- tober or the first Wednesday after opening day of Montana’s zines of the mid-1950s – a hunting camp with canvas tents, a general big-game season. Those retired hunters arrive early and communal campfire and meat pole with hunters dressed in red- set up wall tents, erect a communal kitchen and meat pole and and-black plaid wool using classic hunting rifles manufactured gather firewood for the coming week. Those with day jobs and before 1900. youths arrive on Thursday or Friday. Hunting begins a few-hun- Our annual hunt is scheduled the first week of Montana’s dred yards from camp either by walking a closed Forest Service general big-game season when the weather is either warm and road or heading cross-country onto public land. dry – or 10-below zero and snowing. The location is usually Antlerless whitetail deer “B tags” are usually the chosen decided by the number of whitetail doe tags available by special quarry for the old gun hunters depending on the game popula-
20 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 tions and the number of available tags. Most old gun hunters want to harvest wild meat early in the season and save their “A” tags to hunt whitetail or mule deer later in the season, during the rut, when deer and elk move toward winter range. The old gun hunt began in the timbered valleys of the Lolo National Forest west of Missoula, Mont. In recent years, white- tail populations have decreased, so in 2009 and 2010 the tradi- tion was moved to a private ranch in central Montana where whitetails are abundant. This area proved very successful with each old gun hunter harvesting at least one and sometimes two deer each year. Ranchers in the area think it is extremely odd that folks travel so far to shoot whitetail does with old guns. Friendly competition is also part of the old gun hunt. A (target) shoot is held after lunch on Sunday once the camp has been struck. The only rule is that you must compete with the gun with which you hunted. Likewise, a competition exists for the animal shot and the type of rifle and bullet expended. For example, a person shooting black powder gets more points thansomeone using smokeless. Also, the larger caliber weapon vs. smaller caliber; a cast lead bullet rather than a jacketed bul- TOO MUCH TO SHOW HERE. let; open sights vs. scoped sights, etc. We can’t begin to show all of our The goal is to encourage folks to use older firearms and cool knives and tools here, so just large calibers and perhaps cast lead bullets during old gun hunts. log on to our web site to browse Each person brings two prizes to “put on the blanket,” one for the target shoot and another for the old gun hunt winner. Prizes and get a free 96 page catalog. run the gamut from re-loading powder, bullets, classic books, custom-made knives, homemade preserves and honey, a bottle www.crkt.com of (fair-to-good) whiskey – and occasionally an old gun.
Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 21 Building a Better Fishery
Regulations in Bob Marshall Wilderness improve backcountry fishing experience By Jim Vashro
y reception when I arrived in Kalispell, Mont., in 1981 as the regional fisher- Mies manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) was a pretty tough one. I was immediately hit with claims that fishing in the South Fork Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness was going downhill. I found it hard to believe a fishery in one of the most remote parts of the Lower 48 states was being impacted. Data was limited but there were two important sources I did have. One was a recent statewide creel survey that showed about 140 an- gler-days per mile per year – more than I expected. The other came from volunteer an- gler reports dating back to the 1950s that showed the average size of cutthroat trout e r t s b
caught had dropped by two inches. Based o R on that information FWP conducted a b o population estimate in the South Fork R Restrictive creel limits for cutthroats in backcountry fisheries net positive results. using volunteer anglers to catch, mark and recapture fish. Cutthroat are coop- erative partners. They’re gullible – in fact ners, but preserves the larger trout to sus- ride for 28 miles. I chose the latter for the one fish was caught and marked, then tain the population and provide quality survey. Five of us fished a section hard caught again just five minutes later only fishing. The limit was modified to allow for two days to mark fish and eventually to be caught yet again the next morning. three fish of any size from lakes that are marked 370 fish, or 29 percent of the fish We also used volunteers to survey more productive and often stocked. in the section. Snorkelers then swam the anglers leaving the wilderness. A couple The results were impressive. Within section to count the number of marked of things stood out: anglers were eating a few years the percent of cutthroat over and unmarked cutthroat to arrive at an a lot of cutthroat and, more importantly, 12 inches nearly tripled and overall num- estimate of about 730 cutthroat per mile. fewer than one in 10 of the fish in the bers doubled. That brought up the aver- About half were less than 10 inches, a river were over 12 inches, but they made age size by 2 inches, and anglers started quarter from 10-12 inches and the re- up nearly a third of the harvest. saying the South Fork had returned as a maining quarter longer than a foot. Those Based on that information FWP fishery. The biggest complaint was that statistics were nearly the same as 25 years recommended that the 10-trout limit on some stretches all the fish were big ago after the restrictive limit went into be reduced to five, with only one over and anglers couldn’t catch enough little effect. 12 inches. Backcountry anglers insisted fish (under 12 inches) for a meal. That’s a Conclusion: the fishery is holding up, that more needed to be done and advo- nice problem to have. a testament to the wilderness regulation cated for a limit of three cutthroat, none Flash forward 25 years. Fisheries in the face of angling pressure, droughts over 12 inches. They pushed hard for the crews went in to redo a fish population and forest fires. change and FWP adopted their more re- estimate near Big Prairie in the heart of Jim Vashro is the Region 1 fisheries strictive limit. The beauty of the limit is the wilderness. It’s remote country, re- manager for the Montana Department of that it still allows backcountry fish din- quiring either a long hike or horseback Fish, Wildlife and Parks out of Kalispell.
22 Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 The Huntingmooners
Backcountry hunter recounts her first elk and the surprise that followed By Kim Blakowski
y 4:30 a.m. we were up, dressed and had the horses saddled to leave camp and chase the elusive elk. It was only my second year of elk hunting. The previ- Bous season I had a couple of weekends to bow hunt – without any luck, and this year’s bowhunting produced the same results. But this time we had hopes the horses would be used to pack elk quarters. As we worked our way up the mountain, the terrain started to change from a gradual incline to a steep grade. Chris, my boyfriend, tied my horse’s lead rope to his saddle horn and led them both up the mountain. I followed. We were almost to the top when my horse lost his foot- The ‘huntingmoon’ ing in loose shale and for a couple like us slipped backwards. Ev- erything happened so was a 10-day bow quickly, but it felt like hunt in South Africa. slow motion. My horse Author Kim Blakowski and husband Chris were married on Halloween. fell backwards, pulling the lead horse with him. End over end they went and tumbled down the hill until we couldn’t see them anymore. I feared my suffered a scrape. The lead horse’s saddle was completely upside old horse was dead. down. My nerves were shot. We scooted down the mountain only to find both horses I told Chris that I was going back to camp with the horses, grazing in the grass at the foot of the mountain. Neither had but he could hunt, but we returned to camp together. Then we hiked up a nearby mountainside to glass for elk. After a couple hours of scouting, we decided it was time for one of our favorite parts of hunting... an elk nap. We found a comfortable spot and dozed in the sun for an hour, then set out again. We hiked for what seemed like hours until we found a spot that looked good, then glassed the mountain across from us to watch a group of hunters walking around, laughing and just being plain loud. Little did they know a nice bull was bedded below them. Eventually the hunters walked away. We sat and watched the bull in hopes he would get up and give me a shot. After about two hours he finally got up and took a couple of steps before stopping. Chris ranged him at 363 yards, and I shot. The bull dropped and I had my first elk, a beautiful 5x5 bull! We immediately went to work quartering the bull to avoid packing it out in the dark. About half way through, Chris said, “So ... do you want to get married?” Such a romantic man. Of course, I said “Yes,” and we were married exactly a week later on Halloween. The “huntingmoon” for a couple like us was a 10-day bow hunt in South Africa. But that was just the start It takes guts to propose while field dressing an animal, but if she says of a lifetime of enjoying the beautiful Montana wilderness – yes, the blessings include an African bowhunt on your ‘huntingmoon.’ every chance we get. Backcountry Journal, Spring 2013 23