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MMISSOULAISSOULA BBOZEMANOZEMAN HHELENAELENA BBUTTEUTTE HHAMILTONAMILTON 33015015 PPaxsonaxson SSt.t. 33011011 MMaxax AAve.ve. 33323323 DDredgeredge DDr.r. 11925925 DDeweyewey BBlvd.lvd. 11120120 NN.. 11st.st. SSt.t. 7728-322028-3220 586-4381 443-2138 494-4452 3363-620463-6204 Or shop 24/7 at bobwards.com All Browning fi rearms are shipped with a child safety lock for additional security. 2013 ELK HUNTING OUTLOOK MFWP Here’s a regional rundown on what elk For elk hunters think snow and more hunters can expect this season. snow. Montana’s general, fi ve-week Region 1—Northwestern Montana long, elk hunting season opens Oct. 26. Elk numbers remain stable and elk hunters should fi nd Montana’s elk populations are in good populations similar to what they have seen for the past few shape—even as predation by wolves years. Spring surveys across the region showed good has contributed to some depressed numbers with calf recruitment slightly below average but elk populations in parts of western and better than it was in 2008 and 2009. Elk numbers in the southwestern Montana. Once again this backcountry districts, hunting districts 150 and 151, have season, Montana hunters will pursue elk been stable since 2008, and calf recruitment among elk that under some very favorable regulations winter in the South Fork of the Flathead has been gradually but, as ever, the weather will play a big increasing for the past fi ve years. Elk numbers in the lower part in hunter success. With some good Clark Fork area, the region’s best elk producer, have been old fashioned cold and snow it could be stable with good calf and bull numbers seen during spring a banner year for elk. surveys. © Dennis Donohue | Dreamstime.com Even if you didn’t draw a special permit this year, remember Montana offers Region 2—Western Montana numerous opportunities to hunt for elk with just a general hunting license. Elk numbers are generally above the long-term average but the distribution and trend of elk populations raises Depending on the hunting district hunters can pursue brow-tined bull elk, spike bull elk, concerns for the future. Calf production and survival is low either-sex elk, or antlerless elk. Check out FWP’s general license “cheat sheet” online at in several districts along the border with Idaho and http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/huntingOpportunities.html for details on all of adjoining the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness Montana’s general license fall hunting seasons, regulations, and specifi c season dates areas, where opportunities to hunt antlerless elk are by hunting district. sharply reduced. A special permit is required to hunt bull elk in hunting districts 250 and 270 (Upper Bitterroot) to allow For more information on elk hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s website at bull numbers to rebound. Elk numbers generally remain http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/huntingGuides/dea/default.html high on private lands located east of Missoula, but calf survival was low through last winter. 4 - Hunting & Fishing News Region 3—Southwestern Montana Elk in these areas are most often found in Region wide, hunters will likely see roughly the same amount of elk they did last year in southwestern Montana. Overall elk numbers, however, core-habitat areas a mile or more from active roads are slightly increasing. As with last year, weather will play a big role in and other human activity. harvest success. The areas seeing the highest numbers remain the Hunters should note that elk densities are very low in the general-season area around Dillon, the Pioneer Mountains, and the Shields hunting area north of U.S. Highway 2. Valley and Helena area—although access may be more diffi cult in Shields Valley and Helena areas. Elsewhere, the elk Region 7—Southeastern Montana population in the Elkhorns appears stable, while the Upper Gallatin and While not typically a hot Paradise Valley are starting to see some stabilization. Meanwhile, the spot destination, outside number of elk in the Gravelly Range remains about the same as last year. of the Missouri Breaks, elk here are primarily found on private land. While elk Region 4—Central Montana populations are above Elk populations remain robust. The biggest challenge for hunters, along management objectives in the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or all hunting districts, in the Missouri River Breaks continues to be fi nding access. public hunting access is limited. Regions 5 — South Central Montana Elk populations are healthy, growing and at historically high levels. Rob Hager with his The numbers, however, won’t always mean hunter success. In areas Mt. Archery Bull Elk where hunter access is good, elk numbers are low. In most areas where public hunter access is limited, elk numbers are well above FWP’s elk management objectives. For tips from Studio Pandora on Region 6—Northeastern Montana Elk numbers are at or above management objectives in most hunting safely removing your elk ivories districts. All elk hunting in the Bears Paw Mountains and the Missouri River Breaks is by special permits awarded via the annual drawing. turn to page 24

October 2013 5 2013 DEER HUNTING OUTLOOK ÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓMFWP In parts of the region, particularly the far northwest and the North Fork of the Flathead, deer numbers will likely still be below normal. Hunters should fi nd a lot of yearling and two-year old bucks this fall, and older bucks fi ve years old and older, while not as plentiful as during 2008-2010, should still make up about 10-15 percent of the buck harvest. Mule deer populations remain low and hunters should not expect to fi nd the type of mule ©Twildlife|Dreamstime.com deer hunting they enjoyed a generation ago. his season deer hunters in MontanaT will fi nd another mix of But the 2013 spring survey in the hunting opportunities across the Fisher River, one of Montana’s state when the general season better mule deer areas, showed opens Oct. 26. good numbers and strong fawn recruitment, hopefully indicating On the upside, FWP wildlife biologists are reporting better fawn production some recovery in mule deer and survival in many areas. Like populations. other big game hunting, a nice cold front with plenty of snow Region 2—Western Montana should lead to some good hunting White-tailed deer and mule deer this season. On the downside, are common but numbers reports of another spotty outbreak generally are below historic of epizootic hemorrhagic disease— averages. FWP has restricted JOHNDEERE.COM a fatal virus in deer that’s caused hunting opportunities for antlerless by biting insects—are coming in deer to limit any further declines from across Montana. and speed population increases. WE SELL MANY DIFFERENT JOHN DEERE PRODUCTS. Even if you didn’t draw a special Hunting for white-tailed bucks STOP IN AND SEE US TODAY. permit this year, remember Montana should be improving overall. offers numerous opportunities to Hunting for mule deer bucks hunt for deer with just a general is by permit-only in several hunting license. hunting districts. Depending on the hunting district hunters can pursue antlered mule deer buck, either-sex mule deer, ADVERTISING Triple Equipment antlered white-tailed deer buck, RICK HAGGERTY (406) 370-1368 W either-sex white-tailed deer. Publisher - Amy Haggerty - Helena, MT. Check out FWP’s general license [email protected] MISSOULA KALISPELL “cheat sheet” online at http://fwp. (406) 549-4171 (406) 752-2828 mt.gov/hunting/regulations/huntin- www.huntingfishingnews.net The entire contents is © 2013, all rights Full Parts & Service Departments gOpportunities.html. reserved. May not be reproduced without prior consent. The material and information printed 1Offer valid from August 1, 2013, until October 25, 2013. 2.9% APR is for 60 months only on all is from various sources from which there can Gator Utility Vehicles excluding TX Turf and ProGators. Subject to approved credit on Revolving Here’s a regional be no warranty or responsibility by Big Sky Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. No down payment Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. Nor does the rundown on what deer printed material necessarily express the views required. Other special rates and terms may be available, including fi nancing for commercial use. of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. Available at participating dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. 2Get $500 off the XUV825i hunters can expect All photo & editorial submissions become the S4, XUV855D S4, XUV550 S4, and RSX850i models. ±Starting at price of $9,099 shown includes property of big sky outdoor News & adventure, Inc. to use or not use at their discretion. $500 off offer. Prices are suggested retail prices only and are subject to change. Before operating this season. VOLUME 10 Issue 8. or riding, always refer to the safety and operating information on the vehicle and in the operator’s Region 1—Northwestern Montana cover photo: ©Tom Reichner|shutterstock manual. FOX® is a third-party trademark used with permission. Dealer may sell for less. Taxes, setup, Please support the advertisers you see delivery, freight and destination charges not included. Attachments and implements sold separately. Following two good winters with in this publication and let them know Shown with the optional equipment not included in the price. *The engine horsepower and torque good fawn recruitment, white-tailed information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual you saw their advertisement in operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional deer numbers in northwest Montana the Hunting & Fishing News. information. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN are generally recovering nicely DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. A0D030DCU1A56536-00397599 Thank you and thanks for reading the from a recent population low in 2009. Hunting & Fishing News. 6 - Hunting & Fishing News Region 3—Southwestern Montana Mule deer populations are stable to slightly decreasing. This represents a bit of a rebound from last season, but still down from long term averages. Dallas Land COMPANY White-tailed deer populations, found mostly in river bottoms, are stable. The area remains fortunate not to 112 Willow • Helena, MT. 59602 see major die-offs from EHD as did other populations in central and eastern Montana. 443-5110 Region 4—Central Montana www.dallas-land.com Mule deer populations are mostly stable and white-tailed deer numbers continue to increase. Some whitetail populations around Great Falls and north, however, have been hit by EHD, Let us help you fi nd your which may impact their numbers. Also, while it’s heartening to see mule deer numbers in some mountain own piece of Montana ranges continue to rebuild, their numbers are still below average. hunting ground. Regions 5 — South Central Montana Sign up for our FREE Mule deer populations north of the Yellowstone River are on the upswing and approaching historical Realty Watch and get averages, reversing a decade-long trend. In the mountainous areas, particularly south of the Yellowstone River, a decline in mule deer numbers continues, prompting restrictive seasons in many hunting districts. new listings that White-tailed deer living in the prairie environments north of U.S. Highway 12 have been in slow decline for a match your criteria delivered number of years, a trend that surveys continue to confi rm. In the mountains south of the Yellowstone River, right to your in box. including along the Beartooth Front, populations are near average and growing. The population trends seem Sign up at dallas-land.com to parallel the prevalence of EHD, a fatal natural virus with symptoms similar to blue tongue. The biting midges that spread the disease do not live at higher elevations, in areas where white-tailed deer are doing best. Region 6—Northeastern Montana Effects on mule deer from the winter of 2010-11 are still being seen with regional numbers 20 percent below average, but mule deer numbers are starting to rebound in most areas. Buck ratios are also slightly below average with fewer older-age-class bucks due to winter mortality of older bucks in 2010-11. Great Hunting Cabin Doe licenses in most areas remain similar to 2012 and still well below levels prior to the winter of 2010-11. Excellent hunting area for elk and White-tailed deer numbers in the Milk River Valley east of Malta to Nashua and in the Missouri River deer. Docking rights on Hauser PLUS bottomlands below Fort Peck Dam were heavily impacted by an EHD outbreak in 2011. In those areas, sapphire digging area. 35.45 acres. numbers remain well below the long-term average, but are starting to rebound. In the Malta area numbers $150,000 MLS# 270667 are slightly below average this year. An EHD outbreak has been confi rmed this summer west of Harlem Combine this with adjoining lot #73 in the western portion of the region, so whitetail numbers will be signifi cantly lower in this area. ($95,000) with 39 acres and you’ll In the northeastern corner, numbers are near average in prairie habitats, but are still down in the have almost 75 acres of prime hunting! Missouri River bottoms from the 2011 EHD outbreak. Region 7—Southeastern Montana Mule deer numbers are still more than 32 percent below the long term average due to the severe winter of 2010-11 that resulted in signifi cant winter-kill of adults and fawns. Overwinter survival last year was high, and fawn recruitment this spring—up to 53 yearlings per 100 adults—increased relative to the previous year. That good news, however, was dampened by reduced fawning rates due to nutritional Edge of Gates Of The Mountain stress in does after the extreme winter of 2010-11. Drought conditions the summer of 2012 continued to Wilderness Area impact deer nutrition, but forage and precipitation levels have been exceptional so far in 2013. Trend area Outstanding hunting, community dock, surveys indicate that mule deer populations are up 11 percent from 2012 and deer populations are fi shing, boating, hiking. Nice level lot expected to continue a gradual climb. Hunters may have better opportunity in the southern portion on the north end of Gates of the of the region. White-tailed deer populations are currently 7 percent below the 10-year average. Mountains Lakeshore Homes. The reduction in white-tailed deer numbers, however, is not all bad. Wildlife biologists note that whitetail $50,000 MLS# 276538 numbers prior to the EHD outbreak in 2012 were too high and fewer deer on the landscape will allow habitat to recover along with deer numbers. Forage and precipitation levels have been exceptional so far in 2013. White-tailed deer can recover relatively rapidly from declines, and with double the fawn recruitment rates of last spring, it appears this process has already begun. Wildlife biologists tallied an average of 57 yearlings per 100 adults in 2013 trend surveys. Hunters who do their homework by scouting and visiting with private landowners should have success locating good areas to hunt whitetails.˜

Deep Creek Ranch Many opportunities on this small ranch on lower Deep Creek a few miles east of Townsend. Over 170 acres can be irrigated. Pheasants, deer and a great trout fi shery, with a view of Mt. Baldy. $1,500,000 MLS# 286332 Contact one of our qualified Agents Don Dallas 410-0406 Curt Dallas 410-0769 ©Twildlife|Dreamstime.com Ken Rudio 439-5541

October 2013 7 JJUMPSHOOTINGUMPSHOOTING WWATERFOWLATERFOWL By Steve Hickoff, Yamaha Outdoors Photo © Netsuthep | Dreamstime.com Upland bird hunters do it, and versatile waterfowlers can too. Sure, ideally you can call fl ying ducks and geese into a blind-sitting situation near a decoy spread. What if that doesn’t work? You need to go to the loafi ng and feeding birds. If you are an action-at-any-price kind of duck and goose chaser, consider the latter tactic in your game plan this season... Admit it, there are days when decoy spreads and even the best calling just won’t work. Storms might push waterfowl into sheltered areas provided by skinny waters, where they hold, waiting out the weather. Even bluebird days might plant them on farm ponds, creeks, fi elds, and in sheltered swamps with preferred food sources after the morning fl ight. On such outings, a Plan B option is surely needed. First you have to fi nd the loafi ng waterfowl. Utility ATVs such as the Grizzly 700 Ducks Unlimited Edition can help you cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, and put you into backcountry territory where you can scout, then access distant ducks and geese on foot... Park your rig at a distance. Using terrain to hide your movements, look ahead to see if ducks are rafted up on that water. Using sheltering cover to your advantage, approach corners, edges, and openings. Stay low, and slowly belly crawl into good fl ushing position, shotgun ready, and muzzle pointing in a safe direction. Ripples on the water ahead will sometimes key you into the exact presence of feeding waterfowl. In such situations always identify your target fi rst before shooting. While big numbers of sky-winging ducks might jumpstart your heart, it’s often best to pick out a single from the group, and drop it cleanly. To double on fl ushing waterfowl, fi rst aim for a bird farther out, but that’s still in range. Drop it, and try to take one that fl ushed closer on your second shot. Go to waterfowl if they won’t come to you. Jumpshooting is a great backup plan. 8 - Hunting & Fishing News Customize Your Performance parts & Custom Accessories Hunting Rig! Winches, Spacers, Lifts Kits, Spring Systems, Levelers, Shocks Don’t be afraid to take it off road!

PROTECT YOUR RIG & YOUR GEAR Heavy Duty Floor Mats, Seat Covers, Bed Liners, Cargo Mats, Tonneau Covers, Toppers, Grille Guards, Bug Defl ectors, & More Position a buck decoy facing you so the real thing will be looking away when it approaches. (Bob Humphrey photo) Trick or Treat? Deer Decoy Tactics By Bob Humphrey

Want to play a trick or treat with the whitetails this Halloween? Use decoys to trick them into thinking there’s a treat. ADD ACCESSORIES Lights, Mirrors, Cargo Containment, Car Stereos & More BUCK OR DOE? Doe decoys might work most any time. Early in the season, the sight will put other deer at ease and may draw them nearer. During the rut a doe represents a potential mate, and a buck might approach, particularly if they can pick up olfactory signals like estrus scent. However, a buck is more likely to approach another buck, which represents a potential rival. Use a buck and a doe decoy and they’ll come, often more quickly, and with fi re in their eyes. IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE HOW BIG? Air Filters, Air Intakes, Tuners, Superchips & Exhausts Adjust the “level of competition” to match your objective. Your decoy should be slightly smaller than your intended victim. Big bodied decoys work great on big bucks, but may intimidate smaller or younger ones. Rack size is also particularly important as evidence suggests that a buck’s antlers play an important role in demonstrating his age and vigor to other deer. Leer Truck Caps and Tonneaus • Scorpion Spray On Bedliners WHEN? 3M Window Tint and Clear Hood Protection A solo buck decoy has a wider area of opportunity because bucks (Helena’s Only 3M Dealer) fi ght well before the rut. The closer to rut you get the more intense it Crystal Fusion (Glass Protection) • Paint Chip Repair gets, and the more effective your decoy is. The competitive card is Car Stereo/Electronic Department best played during the peak of rut. Truck and Car Accessories • Full Service Detail Shop HOW? Custom Graphics • Full Service Sign Shop How you position your decoy(s) depends a lot on which sex you use. A buck will more often approach another buck head on, and a doe SEE US FOR YOUR WINDOW TINTING! from the rear. Position your decoy accordingly to offer the best shot opportunity. Also make sure they’re well in range of your weapon of WWee sspecializepecialize iinn choice, and upwind of your position. ccustomustom illustrated,illustrated, ENHANCEMENT oone-of-a-kindne-of-a-kind ggraphics.raphics. A decoy can be made even more effective by adding motion. Attach a real tail or even a white rag to the tail so it will fl utter in the breeze. And soak either with deer scent to add an olfactory stimulus. Some OOwner,wner, TToddodd SSullivanullivan hhasas bbeeneen ccustomizingustomizing vvehiclesehicles fforor ooverver 2200 yyearsears aandnd hhasas rreceivedeceived nnationalational aawardswards fforor hhisis ggraphics.raphics. decoys even have swivel-mounted heads that will move with the wind. OTHER Be sure to use proper scent suppression. Spray your decoy down 3242 Centennial St. Helena (406) 457-0700 with an odor-killing solution (before adding any scents). Wear rubber gloves when handling, and minimize your own scent around the site. www.autoconceptshelena.com October 2013 9 10 - Hunting & Fishing News 2013 ANTELOPE PRREMIEREEMIERE WWILDILD GAMEGAME PROCESSINGPROCESSING For Over 34 Years HUNTING Wild Game Processing & Sausage Kitchen •Completely cleaned before processing. OUTLOOK •Cut and wrapped to YOUR specifi cations. MFWP •Your meat kept separate. •Prices based on hanging weight. Mon. - Sat. •See our website for current pricing. 9am - 6pm Even as populations begin a slow rebound, hunters in WESTERN MEAT & SAUSAGE BLOCK Montana will have to work 800 Dewey Boulevard - Butte, MT 59701 hard to bag an antelope Phone (406) 494-4319 again this season. visit www.westernmeatblock.com Montana’s antelope archery season will close Oct. 11 and the general rifl e season for Josh, age 15 at time of photo with his MT. Antelope antelope will run Oct. 12-Nov. 10. For more information on antelope hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s enter our website at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/. 2013 Hunting Here’s a regional rundown on what antelope Mens hunters can expect this year. Photo Contest! Region 2—Western Montana Details in our Pronghorn distribution is centered in the Deer Lodge area and few Womens licenses are issued to conserve this island population. November issue Region 3—Southwestern Montana Childrens Across the region the population is stable, so hunters should see antelope numbers about the same as, or a little below, those of last year. In some areas–like the Shields Valley–it looks as if numbers are down slightly and that’s refl ected in reduced doe licenses allotted this year. divisions Region 4—Central Montana Antelope numbers are still mostly down and recovering from recent harsh winters. For hunters this has been refl ected in FWP issuing fewer doe-fawn tags over the past couple of years. Regions 5 — South Central Montana Antelope continue to appear in historically low numbers throughout the region, including fewer fawns than in past years. Fertility and reproduction have been a concern since an outbreak of the blue tongue virus contest decimated much of the herd in 2008. The disease spread by biting Bruce Fox midges has surfaced again this fall in districts east of Billings. Population trends are refl ected in fewer tags issued this year. ends Region 6—Northeastern Montana All hunting districts will again see low license numbers because of lingering impacts from the recent severe winters. Overall, populations Dec. 14th are lower than long-term averages, and fawn production also remains below average in most areas. Decreased harvest quotas are expected to persist for at least several more years as pronghorn populations recover. Region 7—Southeastern Montana Antelope populations are recovering but remain well below long term photos become averages. While there is a promising 21 percent increase from 2012, it the property of is still 50 percent below the long term average and 66 percent below the Eliza (14 at time of photo) 10 year peak count that occurred in 2006. Populations are rebounding the Hunting & Fishing News nicely in the southern portion of the region, but seem to be struggling in the northern portion. Hunter success rates measured at the Broadus Check Station have equaled 72 percent each of the past two years and EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO similar rates are expected again this year. FWP recommends that hunters head to the southern portion of the region to hunt antelope this fall. huntingfi [email protected]

October 2013 11 Power you can trust.

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12 - Hunting & Fishing News Hunting District 404 - Deer MFWP * Please refer to MFWP printed regulations as fi nal authority. Legal Description: Lower Teton River - Those portions of Teton, Pondera, Chouteau, and Cascade Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of US Highway 89 and Route 219 at Pendroy, then northeasterly along said route to its intersection with Interstate 15 at Conrad, then southeasterly along said interstate to Route 365 at Brady, then easterly along said route to the junction of Route 564, then north and east along said route to the junction of Highway 223, then southerly along said route to US Highway 87 at Fort Benton, then southwesterly along said highway to Interstate 15 at Great Falls, then southwesterly along said interstate to the interchange at the town of Cascade, then north along the county road to Simms, then northerly along County Road 431 to junction of US Highway 89, then westerly through Fairfi eld and Choteau to Route 219 at Pendroy, the point of beginning. NOTE: Elk numbers are low and will be diffi cult to fi nd. HARVEST STATISTICS Species - White-tailed/Mule Deer LICENSE YEAR BUCKS DOES FAWNS 2012 857 886 19 (resident) 2012 96 74 0 (non-resident) Total Harvest Percentage for Hunting District 404 69% of the deer harvested were White-tailed deer. 31% of the deer harvested were Mule deer. * Notes: Harvest Statistics are gathered from the Annual Harvest Survey, which does not include late season hunts beginning with the 2006 license year. Some licenses and permits listed in the harvest statistics may not appear in the list of available licenses and permits for the current license year, and some licenses and permits in the list of those available for the current license year may not appear in the table of harvest statistics. This is because the list of licenses available apply to the current license year, while the harvest statistics apply to the previous license year. Some licenses and permits may no longer be available, and new licenses and permits may have become available. Lodging & Food Augusta: Shoco Ranch - Lodge & Cabins - 406-562-3553 Brady : Dusty’s - Originally a bank, now a restaurant - 111 Central Avenue Weikum Inn - 406-278-0150 - Remodeled 1908 Farmhouse Cascade: Missouri Inn Restaurant & Bar - 2474 Old US Hwy. 91 River’s Bend Lodge - Montana B&B - 406-468-2225 Badger Motel - 406-468-9330 Conrad: Joe’s Family Steakhouse - 402 S. Main Super 8 - 800-442-4667

Map produced using National Geographic TOPO Courtesy Rocky Mountain Maps. visit www.rockymtnmaps.com

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14 - Hunting & Fishing News The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes sponsor FALL KINGDOMS 2013 FALL MACK DAYS By Trevor Johson, CEO, Kit’s Tackle www.kitstackle.com LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT For me, the fall is a time fi lled with anticipation of that giant bull ripping off bugles at fi rst light as the mist rises...or that girthy 29’’ brown trout smashing ON FLATHEAD LAKE my marabou jig right at the boat then taking off like a hound on a hare. th Unfortunately, the latter of the two is something I need to do more of in the NO ENTRY FEE Oct. 4 season of the turning leaf. A guy gets so wrapped up in chasing elk around through 2255 DAYSDAYS the mountains he forgets about the ghost town opportunities Montana’s waterways present this time of year. Some of the best fi shing days of my th life and defi nitely best of the year is when god’s paintbrush swoops across Nov. 17 OOFF the land leaving an array of beautiful yellows, oranges and reds for a spectacular scenic show...and fi shing of course! I would like to share a couple places that I believe will hold some of Montana’s best fi shing FISHING! opportunities this fall. So cheers to “Jiggin’ the Dream” in fall 2013, baby!! Holter Lake This glorious beast of a waterway (Land of the Giants) Brian Cornelius holds a vast piece of my heart and some HUGE fi sh that will be readily available with the cooler water. This is hands down one of Montana’s most scenic spots Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays-except the last 10 days* to fi sh and you will see little traffi c in the months of October and November. *Enjoy 10 straight fishing days from Nov. 8 - Nov. 17 As far as a ripping fun fi shing time...this is it. The big crayfi sh gorged rainbow trout will be cruising the shorelines stuffi ng themselves with crustaceans. Up They are bright mint silver this time of year and will fi ght like a raging king To $1125,0025,000 inin CashCash & PrizesPrizes salmon. Not to mention a wonderful fall meal on the BBQ!! The other signifi cant PLUS that makes this trip so wildly worth it is the shot at an Lottery Prizes ($1,000-$200)-all it takes is one fi sh/ticket to win enormous brown trout that can surpass fi fteen pounds. The browns are fall spawners and will be making the migration up the lake and staging (1) $10,000, (5) $5,000, & (10) $1,000 and over 4,000 near the entrance of the river near log gulch. **Please note that once Tagged Lake Trout worth from $500 - $100 the browns enter the river they are in spawning mode and should not be targeted so they can have a successful spawn.** So on top of jigging Top ten angler prizes $700-$200-best 15/25-days count HOT rainbows on ultra-lights, now is the best time of year to intercept Captains $250-(4 prizes), Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes), a German brown that could easily stand as a fi sh of a lifetime. I’m as Largest lake trout-$500 hardheaded as they come, but anytime the fi sh become more concentrated, Top lady anglers $300, $200, $100 - $100-totals used you’re stacking the odds. So if you’re into catching more than fi shing, this is the spot for you. Youth anglers - (17-13) 1st-$200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 will also be entered in the lottery drawing. One of Holter’s awesome Brown Trout... Weekend Prizes-(8)$200 and (8)$100 - 7 weekends +1 Mon.-Thurs. I have lost copious amounts of sleep Golden Angler Award (70 & older) $200 & $100 from these yellow fi nned creatures. 3 days of Team/Single heavy bucket days 10/11, 10/26, 11/10 Last Day Only: $500, $300, $200, $100 & Heaviest Mack under 30”- $200 & $100 BONUSES: ALL ANGLERS WHO ENTER 20 OR MORE LAKE TROUT WIN. The higher your total is at the end of the event-the higher your bonus-every day (25) counts. Fish Fry for participants & families - Nov. 17th at Blue Bay Awards Ceremony at 5:00 Entry forms will not be mailed out. Enter online at www.mackdays.com or pick up entries at local sporting good stores - or you can even INTEL AND THE GEAR WE USE: enter when you check in your fi sh at the check in stations during WHERE: Ramp in at the Gates of the Mountains and fi sh the entire Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins. canyon (both sides) all the way to Willow Creek. We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish HOW: Create a buffer zone between your boat and the shore (my personal and Kootenai Tribes have a special $12 fishing permit for the south half on buffer is about 20 yards.) You want to make it a distance where you can Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold. accurately cast your jig to the shore without spooking the fi sh with your boat. Here is a link to a short informative video explaining the jigging application on Holter Lake: http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=xYcQtbkj1FY RODS: 5’-6’ ultra-light jigging rod (ex-fast action.) These big powerful brutes are extremely fun on ultra-light gear. REEL: Shimano Stradic 1000 CI4. Although not essential, the feather-light weight of this reel makes the whole experience even better. LINE: Stren Magnathin (4 or 6lb test.) Remember the lighter the line the better Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and feel for jigging applications. We prefer monofi lament because of the stretch which makes it more forgiving to land big fi sh on ultra-light tackle. (continued page 21) sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

October 2013 15 *

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16 - Hunting & Fishing News Islands, oh Deer AACCUPOINTCCUPOINT By Babe Winkelman RRIFLESCOPEIFLESCOPE When fi shing, islands always pull fi sh and fi shermen in like magnets. After all, they are the ©Thomas Woodruff|Dreamstime most obvious mid-lake structure you can fi nd. But did you know that islands also attract game animals? And deer included! Obviously, some regions of north America are more island-rich than others. Due north of my home in central Minnesota, the border waters of MN-Canada and up into Ontario have thousands upon thousands of islands. Maybe tens of thousands. Heck, maybe hundreds of thousands! I actually Googled “how many islands in Ontario” and I couldn’t fi nd an answer. I imagine it’s just too big a job for someone to actually count them all up! Right this second, on each and every one of those islands that has suffi cient cover and feed for whitetails, there’s probably a deer on it. In fact, there are likely several deer! One quick stroll around those water-surrounded refuges will yield so much sign (tracks, droppings, rubs, trails) that it boggles your mind. Many are surprised by this. But in lake country, a deer is as comfortable swimming to a place as he is walking. Once on an island, a deer seems to feel very secure. Any threat, be it man or wolves, can be seen coming from far away. And if a deer needs to make a quick escape, it’s as easy as diving in. Once immersed, a deer is a lightning-fast swimmer despite their smallish “paddles.” My fi rst island deer adventure occurred in Ontario. We fi lmed the rifl e hunt for an episode of “Outdoor Secrets,” and we received tons of positive fan feedback for introducing our viewers to a different way to chase whitetails. On that trip, we did drives for the deer on smaller islands that were manageably-sized for an effective “push.” It was amazing how many animals we’d fi nd even on pieces of ground that weren’t much bigger than 15-20 acres. In addition to driving deer on islands, the savvy hunter can BBATTERYATTERY FFREEREE approach the pursuit by still hunting or sitting on stand - just as CountCount OnOn It.It. you’d do on the mainland. I have found that mornings seem to be IILLUMINATEDLLUMINATED RREETICLETICLE more successful for this approach - maybe because you can more easily get into position under the cover of darkness. After all, the only way in is by boat which makes you easy to see. If you have an electric The newest innovation in rifl escopes, trolling motor, drive into the island under that silent, scent-free power. the Trijicon AccuPoint features a Mil-Dot crosshair reticle Plan your strategy when approaching an island for an ambush. with an illuminated center dot. Naturally you want the breeze in your face, or quartering against you. The scope is illuminated through the use of fi ber optics and tritium, If it’s a round island, try and approach where the topography is low and heavily-covered. Deer will see you much easier from those spots providing a vivid aiming point without the need that have a high vantage point. When you make land, be whisper quiet for failure-prone batteries. when tying off your boat and gathering your gear. One clank against a Many sizes and styles boat hull can ruin an otherwise perfect morning. available. If you’re lucky enough to hunt a deer-rich island during the rut, prepare for action and force yourself to stay patient - especially if a buck-doe chase ensues. On a smaller island, when a buck is bird-dogging a Mil-Dot Crosshair doe, they can only go so far. Invariably, that chase will zig and zag and with Green Dot double back, bringing the animals to your location eventually if you just sit tight. Another advantage to hunting islands is that after an animal is down, Mil-Dot Crosshair the drag is generally downhill to the water’s edge. I’ll take that any day! with Amber Dot I have only scratched the surface of the magic of island-hopping for whitetails. But if you want to give it a try, Ontario is the place to go and www.GoHuntInOntario.com will lead you to the right outfi tter for your Purchase yours today adventure. It’s a great site that’s super helpful when planning your trip. If you book a hunt and do some island deer hunting this year, please at Bob Ward & Sons let us know how you do on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear the story and see pictures of your island trophy!

Good Hunting.

October 2013 17 Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month Brought to you by

Sue Nehls with brown trout FLATHEAD RIVER, BOULDER RIVER taken on Lake Hebgen MIDDLE FORK Brown trout The big push of brown trout will Whitefi sh, trout start to head up from the Yellowstone This large river that feeds Flathead into the Boulder River system. You Lake is a good destination for anglers can start throwing terrestrials, such looking for Lake Superior whitefi sh, as grasshoppers and beetle patterns. which crowd the river this time of the Krocodile lures may be overlooked year. The 35 mile stretch of the river as a brown trout catcher. Try using that follows Hwy. 2 from Bear Creek a 1/2 or 1 ounce model and big down to West Glacier is a productive browns of all sizes will strike. Fish run for whitefi sh as well as big the pockets and deeper runs that rainbow trout. Fly fi shing can produce run along the river for big browns using Hoppers, PMD’s and October that will get into the 20+ inch Caddis, or you can anchor above a ranger. These fi sh will be fat from good hole and jig your way through. gorging all summer and should give you a great fi ght! MISSOURI RIVER MADISON RIVER It’s go time in Montana! Now is the river and big limits are the norm Rainbow, brown trout the time to enjoy some of the fi nest for this great eating, hard fi ghting The “Big Mo” will offer exceptional You can fi nd uncrowded fi shing fi shing of the year, before Mother fi sh. Fishing for whitefi sh will be fi shing in October, and if you have waters now on the Madison and Nature turns her cold grip onto the superb and last through December. not fi shed this pristine area of Beaverhead Rivers in southwest mountains of Big Sky Country. Don’t forget too, 2013 Fall Mack Montana, now is the time! The Montana. The Madison is home to By this time the lakes and reservoirs Days goes from Oct. 4 - Nov. 17. river has cooled off now and the big monster brownies above and below have “turned over” and some See details on page 15. rainbow and brown trout that cruise Hebgen Lake. Nymphs, midges excellent fi shing will be had this the rivers edges will become very and streamers will do the most month. Hopefully, all of your aggressive. One of the best damage now on these waters. household chores are caught up, so LAKE KOOCANUSA producing sections of river will be The trout are plentiful, big, and you can get out to enjoy these from the Dam below Wolf Creek can’t say no to a fresh streamer on glory days of autumn. Here are a Kamploops rainbow trout the move. Follow-up your streamer It’s that time of the year to start fi shing down to Craig and beyond. Many few top choices to consider this fi shing guides make a living fi shing with a Pheasant Tail or a soft hackle month for your fi shing. for big kamloops rainbows in Lake these fi ne waters of the Missouri, caddis pattern. For bait anglers, Koocanusa. Prime time is when the. and it’s no wonder. The fi shing, it’s nightcrawlers fi shed off the water temperature gets below 55 . plus the spectacular scenery bottom using a jig or small spinning FLATHEAD LAKE When the surface temperature drops, fl oating down the river is second to gear, Powerbait or salmon eggs. Rainbows, lakers, whitefi sh. big rainbows start to feed on the none. Nymphs and streamers for You can fi sh Quake Lake and Fall fi shing on Flathead Lake is surface and get very active. This is fl y fi shing. Light tackle fi shing will Hebgen Lake now for colossal exceptional. The big lake trout a spectacular fi sh to catch and consist of the big named products trout action. will start their annual spawn here in 20 pounders are pretty common on like Mepps, Panther Martins, and November, and these fi sh will this lake. Lyman Lures or Rapalas Rapalas. Try local tackle makers ILLOW CREEK, stage near the shorelines in rocky in silver and black or blue with an such as Kit’s Tackle marabou W shoals and ridges. Both jigging orange belly work well then the sun jigs and glass minnow jigs, JDR PISHKUN RESERVOIRS and trolling will produce good is out. Bucktail fl ies in dark colors Specialty Tackle’s forage minnow Northern pike, perch, rainbow trout numbers of fi sh. Try trolling spoons will also pick up fi sh. You can book spoons, or Canyon Ferry Tackle These two reservoirs are located in perch patterns or fl ashers with a guided fi shing trip to fi sh Flathead products. These products are the along the Rocky Mountain Front white streamer fl ies in 80 to 100 Lake or Lake Koocanusa with “go to” fi shing tackle that the locals near the town of Augusta. Both feet of water off Angel Point or Mo Fisch Charters at are using with tremendous success reservoirs are around 1500 acres. between Cedar Island and Shelter 406-755-4414. on these waters. Willow Creek Reservoir offers Island. Whitefi sh will start to enter THE BEST FISHING BRANDS!

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sizeable numbers of rainbow trout from the resulting fl ood. Following The big trout are best fi shed around and whitefi sh also being caught. that are stocked each year. Quality all of this, Quake Lake was formed. the various creek inlets on the lake Fly fi shing can be effective, and the northern pike fi shing also exists in Quake Lake measures six miles in with small dry fl ies, light spinning Shields is very narrow in most both reservoirs and can produce length and 180 feet in depth. It offers gear, or nightcrawlers. spots. Brown trout will fl ow up the them in size as well. Try fi shing a extraordinary brown and rainbow trout Shields, and begin their fall Rapala Husky Jerk (perch colored) fi shing. Submerged trees provide spawning period. Bank fi shing the along shallow inlets or you can toss excellent cover and habitat for these WHITEFISH LAKE undercuts and deeper, shaded a spinnerbait to the shoreline in trout and fl y fi shing can be outstanding Whitefi sh, bull trout, lake trout, holes is most effective. The best chartreuse, black or white colors. when using dry fl ies around the dead northern pike fi shing during the fall for large JDR Specialty Tackle has an effective standing timber. Blue-winged olives Okay, it’s called Whitefi sh Lake right? brown trout will be found downstream bleeding eyes lure in many forage and an assortment of streamers So yes, we will be fi shing for large from Clydes Park. patterns to catch the northerns should do the job here. mountain whitefi sh this fall. Focus on these waters. Jigs tipped with your fi shing efforts near the inlets to Berkley minnows or a nightcrawler HOMPSON LAKE the lake for both whitefi sh and lake FORT PECK RESERVOIR will also pick-up plenty of action T trout that can rival that from nearby Walleye, lake trout, northern pike, here. Moderate fi shing pressure on CHAINS Flathead Lake. The lake is seven smallmouth bass the lake helps keep the fi shing species miles in length and a mile wide. The Thompson Lake Chains will Savvy fi shermen know that it doesn’t in balance. Early morning can Trolling for these big fi sh works best get much better than Fort Peck in produce the best fi shing results, provide remarkable fall fi shing. now. Move closer to shore for northern There are three separate and distinct the fall. Lake trout will be a big before the wind kicks up along the pike using top-water tactics near the target in October near the face of Front. The mountains to the west lakes that lie off of Hwy. 2 mid-way weed lines. Big water means big between Kalispell and Libby. All the the Dam and deeper points near provide an amazing backdrop to fi sh and this lake has them. Haxby Point or near the Hell Creek this fi ne fi shing destination. lakes offer very good fall fi shing. Both spin and fl y fi shing work well Bay area. Downriggers will increase on these lakes. Largemouth bass HIELDS RIVER your success as these big fi sh will S be in 80 to 100 feet of water. Use QUAKE LAKE will consume most anything now, Brown trout, cutthroat trout, brook so throw your best gear at them for fl ashers, white crankbaits and large Brown, rainbow trout trout spoons for lake trout. For walleye, Quake Lake was formed when an good top-water action. Spinnerbaits The Shields River begins in the in chartreuse, swimbaits and jigs stick to water in the 15 foot range earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Crazy Mountains and fl ows 62 miles off main lake points and in the bays Richter Scale rocked this part of with a trailer will pick-up bass. Large to the confl uence of the Yellowstone streamers skipped along the bottom where the bait fi sh congregate as Montana on August 17, 1959. The River near Livingston. The upper the walleye will be feeding aggressively earthquake was so strong it triggered will also produce fi sh. The bass will section of the river holds many average one to three pounds. Fish now. Perch pattern shad raps are a a massive landslide on Sheep Yellowstone cutthroats and brook defi nite go-to lure for walleye. Bone Mountain, on the western side of the weed lines for best results. Middle trout. Downstream from the town of Thompson Lake has good populations Trail and The Pines area will produce Madison Canyon. 28 people died Wilsall, the Shields becomes brown good fi shing for northern pike, Stores in Bozeman, Butte, Hamilton, Helena and Missoula. Or shop online 24/7 at bobwards.com from the landslide and 5 more died of brown and rainbow trout, with trout waters, with some rainbow trout both species planted each year. smallmouth bass and walleye. October 2013 19 Huuntingnting NNationalational WWildlifeildlife RRefugesefuges

Photo and article by Steve Hickoff Yamaha Outdoors Sound wildlife management on National Wildlife Refuges often includes hunting. While the public notion of habitat preservation this way might seem contrary to the idea of protecting big- and small-game populations, including waterfowl, it’s actually a renewable and funded resource. As a for instance, Federal Duck Stamp sales — required to hunt waterfowl annually-have generated more than $800 million over the years toward the purchase and lease of over six million acres of this habitat in the United States. That said, some refuges permit hunting; some do not. Some require you to obtain a free permit, while others charge for targeting a specifi c species. Some allow for it, but by lottery drawings. Go here for a list of refuges requiring recreational fees for both hunting and other refuge uses: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/pdfs/ Great Falls Hamilton Helena recFeeProgramStationsActivies_ Steve’s Sports Center Al’s Cycle Montana Motorsports 062005.pdf 4700 9th Ave. South 619 Highway 93N. & Marine Some tips for hunting National 406-727-8607 406-363-3433 3654 Hwy. 12 E. Wildlife Refuges include: Call specifi c refuges before, 406-449-6595 during and after the season to Missoula Missoula Townsend learn about system changes and possible new regulations for wildlife Five Valley Yamaha Mike Tingley’s Yamaha Townsend Marine management on these properties. 5900 Hwy. 93 S. 2150 South Ave., W. 7812 Hwy. 287 So. This includes learning more about permit availability, special hunting 406-251-5900 406-549-4260 406-266-5700 opportunities and insider source information you may not fi nd widely broadcast in media outlets. Always double-check regulations regarding your style of hunting. Are portable blinds and treestands permitted? As access goes, are you required to use specifi c parking areas? Can you ride your Shown with optional accessories. ATV model shown is recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older. ATV or Side-by-Side on the refuge? Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see What kind of multiple-use expectations your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: will be found where you are hunting? Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective Will hiking trails get attention from clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid excessive recreational users? Will anyone speed; and be particularly careful on diffi cult terrain. Specifi cations subject to change without notice. *Based on else be on the land when you hunt it? ADP competitive comparison study of CVT belt components reported in warranty and non-warranty repair order Go here for more information records for 2007-2010 model year CVT belt-driven 4x4 ATVs 400cc and above. ©2012 Yamaha Motor Corporation, about hunting the National Wildlife U.S.A. All rights reserved. • yamaha-motor.com Refuge system: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/ 20 - Hunting & Fishing News EExperiencexperience TThehe LundLund DDifferenceifference Hunting, Fishing or Football Stock up here! 2014 Boats SNACKS • FISHING GEAR in stock NOW! COLDEST BEER AROUND BIGGEST CIGAR SELECTION Designer Tackle NOVELTY & GIFT SELECTION Walleye Hunter Night Crawlers $2.00/dz & Kit’s Tackle in stock! 2 LOCATIONS 615 Helena Ave. corner Last Chance Gulch & Helena Ave. 406.443.8084 OR ON YOUR WAY TO THE LAKE at 200 S. Montana Off Highway 12 East - East Helena 406.227.6519 11775775 CCrossoverrossover

FALL KINGDOM (continued from page 15) LLARGESTARGEST LLUNDUND DDEALEREALER IINN TTHEHE PACIFICACIFIC NORNORTHWESTTHWEST TACKLE: BART’S ZONKERS, BART’S ZONKERS, BART’S ZONKERS!! This is a take of our famous marabou jigs dressed with the extra enticement of a rabbit strip zonker tail that will make even a live crayfi sh look bad. As our jig guru Pro Staff member Bart Bratlien says “trout hit the Zonkers with RECKLESS ABANDON.” It’s worth a drive to Townsend. Three Forks exit at I-90 or from Helena Hwy. 287. Bart’s Zonkers are available exclusively at Capital Sports and Western in Helena, MT. 406-443-2978. 7812 Hwy. 287 S., Townsend The Kit’s Crayfi sh and River Sculpin will be promising (406) 266-5700 colors to get crushed by Holter’s big trout this fall. I would recommend the 1/8 and 1/4 ounce sizes. www.townsendmarine.com CONTACT: Myself, Trevor Johnson at The famous Bart’s See us for our Large Selection of Boats, ATVS & Accessories 406-459-2841 or email [email protected] or Zonkers in the Bart Bratlien at Capital Sports and Western ‘Kit’s Crayfi sh’ and PLUS Our Exceptional Customer Service. at 406-443-2978 or fi [email protected] ‘River Sculpin’ fl avors Fort Peck There is honestly, even in the wildest book of vocabularies, HOW: Once again, we are going to create a buffer zone and cast towards no way to describe this immense man-made freshwater ocean of a reservoir. the shore and work the jigs back along the bottom. Don’t be afraid to jig The angling opportunity here is ABSOLUTELY mind blowing and I could aggressively this time of year...fi sh are fi red up and will work hard to get fi nish this paragraph just naming the different species that inhabit its food. I try to get my jig into about fi ve feet of water and fi sh it back out wondrous waters. Just so I don’t go on a fi shing tangent, I will focus on to fi fteen or twenty feet of water. MOST OF THE WALLEYE, PIKE AND Walleye and Northern Pike...ok, and Smallmouth Bass. The bonus BASS WILL BE IN LESS THAN TWENTY FEET OF WATER DURING here is that all three species will be foraging in unison during the fall THE FALL MONTHS. months. With the cooler water temps the species will be moving from the RODS: For walleye and bass we like 6’-6’3” medium light jigging rod deep water basins up onto the shelves and into the shallows. AND THEY (fast action.) When casting hardware for northerns, we prefer a 7’ heavy WILL BE RAVENOUS...DEVOURING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT, power jigging rod (fast action.) ESPECIALLY THE FIRE TIGER “GLASS MINNOWS!!” For instance, REELS: Shimano Stratic 2500 CI4. Once again, whether pitchin’ jigs or if you knew you were going to be lost at sea for days on end with no food casting cranks, the lighter reel will perform better and leave you much would you stuff yourself before your push-off?? Fish are genetically less fatigued at the end of the day. inclined to gorge themselves during the fall months to keep healthy LINE: 6 or 8lb Stren Magathin for Bass and Walleye. We like 10lb through the cold winter months. Fish are cold blooded and don’t eat much Berkley Trilene Extra Tough for northerns. Or the superlines in 10lb test in water below forty degrees so now is the time to get jiggy with it!! (Fireline or Power Pro are both good options.) Don’t forget your steel leaders...or try a product called Toothy Critter. I can remember a fall morning now, slowly working my way down a point TACKLE: Amongst the 2013 season the Kit’s Tackle “Fire Tiger” Glass pitchin’ in a Glass Minnow and feeling that “THUMP” and then setting the Minnow has been crowned the king of the best Fort Peck walleye jigs hook in a beefy 26” walleye. Then, not ten casts later, I got drilled by a (kitstackle.com or Bob Wards and most other sporting goods stores across giant northern before my jig even made it to the bottom. Fort Peck my Montana.) If you have a few of these babies in the 1/4 and 3/8 ounce sizes friends, is BIG GAME fi shing at its fi nest!! During the fall months it is you are in luck!! I like to dress the Glass Minnows with a 3’’ or even 4” not uncommon to have fi fty plus fi sh days on the water...some days Berkley Gulp minnow in the fall. As for the bass, I would recommend the approaching a hundred fi sh of different species is possible. Supercraw Glass Minnow and Rapala’s Shad Rap in a crayfi sh pattern. So if big walleyes, smallmouths over fi ve pounds and pike as long as your For the northerns I would bump up to the 1/2 ounce Glass Minnows or try leg get your jiggin’ arm twitching...eastern Montana is calling your name!! a Rapala Husky Jerk. Another deadly bait this time of year for northerns INTEL AND THE GEAR WE USE: is pitching spoons...check out JDR’s Specialty Tackle (jdrspecialtytackle.com) WHERE: I would recommend Hell Creek for the best fall fi shing on Fort They have some awesome baits with true life fi sh images great for big Peck. Hell Creek Marina is open year round and has all amenities. northerns and they’re a local Montana company! Hell Creek is located a short drive from Jordan, Montana. I prefer Hell Creek CONTACT: Clint and Deb Thomas at Hell Creek Marina for fall fi shing because of its location on the lake. It is mid-lake and has the (hellcreekmarina.com). Clint is a fi shing machine and keeps a daily tab deep water basins needed for the summer holding grounds. With the on the conditions and the bite. They can be reached at 406-557-2345 cooler water temps the fi sh will slide up into the shallows to forage heavily during the fall months. Hell Creek is very convenient because you won’t Have a wonderful and safe fall season exploring Montana’s fi shing have to make big runs to fi nd fi sh this time of year. After ramping in, head opportunities. I look forward to seeing you on the water. And remember, across the lake to Sutherland and work the main lake points towards the bring a camera...you will need it!! And to keep the broken record spinning, east for the best action. please practice selective harvest and catch and release.

October 2013 21 Don’t Pay More! Purchase your RV here. FFireplace!ireplace! BBunks!unks! HHeatedeated BBunks!unks! RRearear HHoldingolding TTanksanks WWindow!indow!

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The Montana Big Game Season is in full swing, with plenty of excitement, hopes, and dreams of big antlered bulls or bucks at the forefront of most hunter’s thoughts each and every day now. Much of our spare time is spent thinking about, planning, and trying to put ourselves in the best position to kill the trophy of our lifetime, one that will be hung on the wall and talked about for years to come. Now I know all of you are not strictly hunting for a trophy. Many folks are only interested in fi lling their freezer each season. Elk and deer meat is fantastic, and it gets no better than a meal centered around a fi ne cut of elk steaks, roast, or backstrap tipped with a bit of gravy! That being said, every time I go out my thoughts of seeing a 30 inch buck slowly milling along the hillside at 200 yards is constantly with me, as I hike up and down each draw, peaking out to hopefully catch that deer slowly feeding towards me. Now I’ve made plenty of mistakes out in the fi eld at one time or another, or not hunted as hard as I should have some days when the weather conditions were “too warm” or “too windy.” This season my plans are to hunt as hard and as long as I can, and maybe with timing, some luck, and a lot of patience, things will pay off, and I will get my shot at that monster I am looking for.

Is this buck big enough to shoot?

©Kirk Geisler|Shutterstock

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Here are a few tips you might want to consider, and ones I plan to follow, when hunting for a trophy.

Arctic Fox, Canyon Cat, Denali, Fox Mountain, Nash, Laredo, Avalanche, Puma, Wolf Creek, Snow River, Raptor, Alpine, Aspen Trail • HUNT AN AREA THAT HAS HISTORICALLY GOOD NUMBERS OF DEER OR ELK. This does not always mean private property. If you fi nd an area with good animal presence, locate their travel routes, and put your time in. TO THE PUBLIC! • PLAN TO GET AWAY FROM ALL OF THE ROAD HUNTERS AND PRESSURE. Generally, the largest animals are found in places where little pressure helps them grow large antlers. This is often areas where there is limited access as in gated roads, and river bottom country. • BE PREPARED TO PASS ON SMALLER ANIMALS. This is harder than it sounds, and depending on how much time you’ll have to hunt, will also dictate how many deer you are willing to pass on. Available At However, you can’t kill a trophy if you take the fi rst “descent” buck you see. Helena Cycle Center • LEARN TO JUDGE ANTLER SIZE. Mule deer buck antlers can sometimes look much larger than they are. Their body size sometimes fool you into thinking their antlers are bigger than they are. 1825 N. LAST CHANCE GULCH • HUNT WITH YOUR EYES. Packing a good set of binoculars and HELENA a spotting scope can help to locate your trophy. Be patient. Glass Parts - Service - Sales as many drainages and hillsides as possible, then make your stalk. • DON’T GET FRUSTRATED. Hunt the areas you know. 406-443-4631 Don’t move around to areas you aren’t familiar with. www.helenacycle.com • BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY READY EACH DAY. This is the deal-breaker, if you are a trophy hunter. Remember, the Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye harder you work the more opportunities you will get. Hunt hard and protection, and protective clothing. Never carry a passenger. Never ride under the infl uence hunt as often as you can. of drugs or alcohol. Never ride on public roads or pavement. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt • TRY TO HUNT LATE FOR MATURE BUCKS. If you could take driving. Be extra careful on diffi cult terrain. Kawasaki ATVs with engines over 90cc are 10 days off to hunt, most likely it should be from around recommended for use only by persons 16 years of age or older. Kawasaki also recommends that all ATV riders take a training course. For more information, see your dealer, November 10th to November 20th. However, any day is a good call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org. day to be out hunting. ©2012 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. • HUNT COLD FRONTS. Weather plays a huge role in fi nding a mature animal to harvest, as the animals will be out in daylight hours moving around, searching for does, and feeding. Check the weather forecasts frequently. If you hunt hard and stick to your plan, you should get a shot at a fi ne animal during your hunt.

October 2013 23 Safely And Effectively Remove Your Elk Ivories Courtesy Studio Pandora

The safest and best way to remove ivories is to use a small pocketknife. Push the blade between the gum and the ivory and cut the gum deeply all the way around. Slice the gum from the bottom of the tooth down to the jaw line (vertically) in a few places.

Cut or scrape away the large chunks of excess gum but avoid scraping the ivory that is exposed. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be cleaned perfectly. Avoid putting the ivories in a zip lock or plastic bag, as this will cause the gum on the ivory to rot and create an unpleasant smell. After returning home, bury the ivories in table salt for a couple of days. This will cure the gum If you are removing the ivories at and remove any home, use a 2x2 or something moisture. Proceed with air-drying in a tips for field judging elk similar. Place the 2x2 against the little dish for a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation side of the tooth, and hit the couple more days, opposite side of the 2x2 with a hammer to loosen the tooth from For the best results A trophy bull can turn up almost Measuring and Judging Big Game.” the jaw. (If you are removing the to keep the natural anywhere in elk country but Visit www.booneandcrockett.org. ivories on location, use a thick, beauty of the ivory, opportunities to take one are rare. short branch, and rock, and avoid the following, as it will ruin the When a monster steps out, a hunter Counting Points--Most mature bull complete the same steps.) ivories and make them unsuitable often has no time to count antler elk are 6x6s. An elk’s fi rst antlers for jewelry making. points, much less compute scores. are usually spikes. In good habitat, *Never spray or soak ivories in But not always. Sometimes there’s a bull may have a 5-point rack as a chemicals such as bleach, peroxide, ample chance to really focus and 2-1/2-year-old and then a small etc. to clean. size up an elk in your search for six-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old. *Never soak the ivories in tobacco or the bull of a lifetime. Its best antlers, however, usually coffee. Will you know a world-class trophy come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so *Never boil in water. if you see one? remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. Instantly identifying a When removing ivories, never use “All elk hunters are fascinated by six-point bull is not diffi cult. The pliers, or any similar tool, as this will antlers, but not everyone recognizes fourth point, sometimes called the put deep scratches and chips on the what it takes to grow trophies. Big dagger point, is normally the longest ivories. Although the ivories can still headgear is a product of genetics, point and most distinctive feature of be used in jewelry, they will have age and nutrition provided by great an elk rack. If the main beam goes visible, permanent damage. habitat,” said David Allen, president straight back from the dagger you’re After the ivories have dried, avoid and CEO of the Rocky Mountain almost certainly looking at a fi ve-point When the ivory appears to be storing them in direct sunlight or UV Elk Foundation. “Learning to fi eld antler. If there’s another point rising loose, use your fi ngertips to hold light, as this can fade the coloring. judge antlers will help you upward behind the dagger, perhaps the ivory fi rmly from the top, twist understand even more about the Following this process will ensure making a horizontal “Y,” then you’re and pull out. your ivories can be made into a elk you’re looking at, whether it’s looking at a six-point antler. one for the record books--or one to beautiful piece of jewelry for you or let walk away and grow up.” A perfect, typical trophy rack has your loved one. a combination of long points, long RMEF offers the following general For more information on elk ivory beams, good mass and a wide removal or elk ivory jewelry options, guidelines adapted from material spread. However, some of these provided by Boone and Crockett contact: Studio Pandora Custom criteria are more important than Jewelry Design or visit their website Club. For details, read “A Boone others. (continued on page 36) and Crockett Club Field Guide to at studiopandora.com. 24 - Hunting & Fishing News How To CALCULATE the Round out your arsenal... LIVE WEIGHT Of Your DEER Model SP When the elk you just By Jeff Davis, Editor, Whitetails Unlimited www.whitetailsunlimited.com Powered by a Honda shot is over 1000 feet There are a couple of different methods to estimate the live 4 cycle engine weight of a deer. The fi rst is to calculate the live weight by down a steep canyon... multiplying the weight of the deer after it has been fi eld dressed (or dressed and skinned, or fully processed) by a coeffi cient, resulting in the estimated live weight. The other popular method Capstan Rope Winch is to measure the girth of the chest and determine the live weight Now only! from a chart. $ 00 Either method is reliable, but remember that it is still an estimate. 969. Poor shot placement may result in more wasted meat, and just as is in people, there may be individual variation in body types that result in one animal weighing more or less than a second animal with the same girth measurement. STIHL® Or you can do what my friend always does: do all the different MS250 CHAINSAW calculations and then claim the one that works out the largest! $329.95 w/18” B&C Field Dressed Weight Calculation We packed it with everything You can use the fi eld dressed weight (with lungs and all viscera you need, even a lower price. removed), the hanging weight (fi eld dressed deer without head, feet and hide), or the edible meat weight (total of boned meat) All products backed by your full service dealer to calculate the live weight. The most accurate will be the fi eld dressed weight. The hanging weight will vary depending on exactly where the head and legs are removed, and the edible 442-1788 meat weight can also vary greatly depending on how much meat 1650 ASPEN ST., HELENA is spoiled and exactly how it is boned and processed. (Weigh the meat before processing into sausage, jerky, etc.) Sales & Service [email protected] Field dressed: Multiply fi eld dressed weight by 1.26 to determine live weight. Hanging weight: Multiply hanging weight by 1.33 to determine live weight. Edible meat weight: Multiply edible meat weight by 1.35 to determine live weight. For instance: Your deer fi eld dressed is 150 pounds. Multiply 150 by 1.26 and the estimated live weight is 189 pounds. Under the best conditions, and if there is a minimum of waste, you can expect to get about 1/2 of the live weight in edible meat. CHEST GIRTH CHART Here’s a table to estimate your deer’s live weight. Measure the girth of the chest in inches just behind the front legs. Girth (in inches) Estimated Live Weight (in pounds) 24...... 55 25...... 61 26...... 66 27...... 71 28...... 77 29...... 82 30...... 90 31...... 98 ----Tanner, (age 12 at time of photo)---- 32...... 102 with his fi rst bull elk 33...... 110 taken in 2012 near Butte, MT. 34...... 118 35...... 126 photo sent in by his uncle, Morgan Cooney 36...... 135 “Tanner is a great hunter who harvested a 6 pt bull, 37...... 146 ©Keith Publicover|Shutterstock 38...... 157 6 pt muley, a bear and a mtn. lion his fi rst year.”

October 2013 25 HHUNTINGUNTING & CCONSERVATIONSERVATION NEWS and setting a 26-year low FWP Investigating Numerous for total acres enrolled. Major Milestone for CRP is signifi cantly below the 30 million acre enrollment benchmark Families Afi eld— White-tailed Deer Deaths in maintained for more than two decades. That 30 million-acre mark 1 Million New Hunters! MFWP had been providing record benefi ts National Shooting Sports Foundation West Missoula Valley in terms of soil, water, and wildlife Wednesday, September 18, 2013 resources,” continued Nomsen. The future of hunting is brighter today than it was nearly a decade During this spring’s 5-week signup, ago thanks to the extraordinary Over one hundred dead white-tailed deer have been reported in the Department received 28,000 success of Families Afi eld, an the west Missoula Valley, state wildlife offi cials say. FWP is waiting for offers on more than 1.9 million innovative program that has introduced lab results to determine the cause of death and is asking the public to acres of land. USDA selected 1 million newcomers to hunting. report observations of dead deer to help in determining the extent of offers for enrollment based on the affected area. an Environmental Benefi ts Index This impressive number demonstrates (EBI) comprised of fi ve environmental that interest in hunting remains high FWP fi rst responded to reports from local fi shing guides and landowners factors plus cost. The fi ve environmental and that what’s needed to spark who reported numerous dead deer in and along the Clark Fork River factors are: (1) wildlife enhancement, a lifelong passion for hunting is a and fi elds near and downstream from Harper’s Bridge. Dead deer have (2) water quality, (3) soil erosion, proper introduction enabled by also been found in the Mill Creek area northeast of Frenchtown. (4) enduring benefi ts, and (5) air state regulations... quality. FWP biologists and wardens had accounted for 103 dead deer by Launched in 2004, Families Afi eld Tuesday, with deer still dying and more dead deer undetected. “These recent CRP losses was developed to increase the combined with an agricultural number of hunters to ensure a “The deer may show no outward symptoms of disease,” said Vickie climate rampant with conversion promising future for the tradition of Edwards, FWP wildlife biologist in Missoula. “People are seeing of native prairies and wetlands, hunting and conservation... healthy looking deer fall over dead.” bulldozing and burning of “I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to FWP personnel have collected lung, spleen and blood samples from shelterbelts, woodlots, and be a hunter, so my dad told me a number of affected deer and await the results of laboratory analysis dry wetlands - is having a we can get this apprentice hunting to determine the cause of the death. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease catastrophic impact on our license and we can see if you like it,” (EHD) is a potential culprit. landscape,” said Nomsen. “In the said youth apprentice hunter Seth ...In Montana, EHD has historically only been reported east of the aftermath of this announcement, the Wasilewski in a new Families Afi eld Continental Divide. The disease poses no threat to humans. American people need to recognize video that features youth and parents what is taking place on their country- who have taken advantage of the FWP continues to investigate the geographic extent and magnitude of side, especially across much of program. Seth, who took his fi rst the affected area and asks the public to phone Edwards at the northern Great Plains. This is deer that day, went on to complete 406-542-5500 with observations and locations of dead white-tailed deer. not for just the health of pheasant, his hunter education course and quail and other wildlife. At stake is continues to hunt—a progression a high quality of life in rural areas, followed by so many other loss of America’s hunting tradition, mentored hunters. 1.7 Million Acres Accepted for CRP, and environmental benefi ts important to a sustainable Families Afi eld is a model of cooperative agriculture system.” effort by several major organizations. Acre Totals Now at 26-Year Low The program was founded in 2004 Pheasants Forever CRP is a voluntary program by the National Shooting Sports designed to help farmers, ranchers Foundation, National Wild Turkey Pheasants Forever has grave concerns regarding continued and other agricultural producers Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen’s massive habitat losses through weakening CRP protect their environmentally Alliance. The National Rifl e Association sensitive land. Eligible landowners and Congressional Sportsmen’s Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack...announced the U.S. Department receive annual rental payments and Foundation are also coalition partners of Agriculture (USDA) will accept 1.7 million acres offered under the cost-share assistance to establish in the Families Afi eld program. 45th Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up, lowering long-term, resource conserving Conservation Reserve Program total acreage to 26.9 million acres. covers on eligible farmland throughout To achieve its mission, Families Now at a 26-year program low, Pheasants Forever calls this depletion the duration of 10 to 15 year Afi eld focused on removing barriers a modern low point for conservation, one which will have serious contracts. Under CRP, farmers and such as age restrictions that were ramifi cations not only for wildlife, but for the nation’s soil and water ranchers plant grasses and trees in preventing sportsmen and women quality as well. crop fi elds and along streams or from passing hunting on to the next generation. Families Afi eld also “While we thank USDA for recognizing the need for holding this rivers. The plantings prevent soil and nutrients from washing into encouraged states to establish an CRP sign-up and applaud the landowners who are participating in apprentice hunting license—a “try conservation, this news of CRP’s historic low acre total makes it waterways, reduce soil erosion that may otherwise contribute to poor before you buy” concept that allowed even more apparent there are grave concerns for the health of CRP, newcomers to go afi eld with an our nation’s most successful conservation program responsible for air and water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Plant experienced mentor before completing countless benefi ts to water quality, soil resources and wildlife,” says a hunter education course... Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever vice-president of cover established on the acreage governmental affairs. accepted into the CRP will reduce Today, 35 states have approved nutrient and sediment runoff in our legislation making it easier for Since 2007, we have lost more than 14.7 million acres nation’s rivers and streams... newcomers to try hunting with an of CRP, accounting for 26 percent of the program For more information contact experienced mentor. Dave Nomsen at (320) 491-9163 Editor’s note: Families Afi eld is not available in Montana. 26 - Hunting & Fishing News HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWSNEWS HHuntingunting & ConservationConservation NewsNews PProudlyroudly SponsoredSponsored ByBy RMEF’s RRepublicepublic SServiceservices ooff MMontanaontana $140,000 Gift Opens Door to 18,000 Acres of Public Access

©Steph Broccolo|Dreamstime Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

A 40-acre acquisition by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will improve access to nearly 18,000 acres of National Forest public lands , you need to belong to in central Montana for hunting and other recreational enjoyment. IF YOU HUNT ELK “This strikes at the heart of what RMEF is all about,” said David Allen, Public Land/Water Access Association RMEF president and CEO. “We are committed to opening more (“PLWA”) land for hunting and other year-round recreational public access and now the gate is open for hunters to more •80% of Montana’s 150,000 elk live on public land all or part of the year. easily access thousands of acres of elk country previously •There is a constant unrelenting eff ort by big money private parties almost impossible to reach.” to close access and close roads leading to this public land. Recently acquired by RMEF, the property contains a 30-foot common •PLWA is the only private Montana non-profi t organization boundary with a corner piece of the Lewis and Clark National Forest devoted exclusively to the cause and usually the only one (LCNF), best known as home of the Big and Little Snowy Mountains. to take direct legal action to stop illegal closures. The transaction is a cooperative effort between the RMEF, Montana We represent you! Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the LCNF, and willing landowners Marshall Join online at and Leslie Long. Basic Membership is $20.00 www.plwa.org Public Land/Water Access Association Inc. or PLWA, is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible nonprofi t organization. RMEF purchased the land for $190,000 and will offer it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for $50,000, in effect donating the remaining balance of $140,000 to FWP. To complete the land transfer, FWP will launch a public environmental analysis to get the land acquisition approved by the FWP Commission and the Montana Land Board. ATTENTION RMEF and its partners signed an agreement that sets the stage for the FWP to provide an entrance, parking area, signage and a defi ned access trail into the forest. The goal is to have the improvements in place by HUNTERS October 26, opening day of the 2013 general big game rifl e season. “This small but critical piece of land offers both big game habitat and exceptional access to public land that supports a prized elk population,” said Gary Bertellotti, FWP Region 4 supervisor. “FWP wants to thank the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its efforts to secure the Wild Game Red Hill property and partnering with FWP to provide access to elk and National Forest public lands for future generations.” “This is a big win for hunters and other members of the public because there was realistically no easy way to reach this part of the Snowys. Processing This public access will allow hunters to play a more active part with management of an elk herd that is over objective.” added Allen. ONE OF THE LARGEST GAME PROCESSORS IN THE STATE Aerial surveys conducted by FWP this past February •All Game Boned Out •Salami, Thuringer, & Pepperoni Chubs 1 & 2 lb. revealed a population count of approximately 4,000 elk in •Vacuum Sealed Packaging •Peppersticks or Jerky from your Meat the Big and Little Snowy Mountains with a calf to cow ratio •Sausage - 12 Kinds •We Process Buffalo From Your Hunt of 30:100. •No Hunter Turned Down •We Inventory A Full Variety of Buffalo Meat The transaction conserves a diverse mixture of aspen and forest, •Rush Order & Overnight Cuts, Plus Burger and Sausage, or We Can Ship grasslands, meadows, wetlands, and a spring and intermittent stream; Cut Available Most of the Time and provides important habitat for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, black bear, grouse and a vast array of other wildlife. NATIONWIDE FED EX SHIPPING FOR YOUR MONTANA TROPHIES Funding for the project came from the Torstenson Family Endowment which is used solely to further RMEF’s core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage. H&H Meats 1801 South Ave. W. (1 block from Southgate Mall) To date, RMEF projects opened or improved access to Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-6 approximately 668,000 acres of elk country across the nation. (406)549-1483

October 2013 27 RREGIONALEGIONAL NNEWSEWS REGIONAL NEWS Trophy Bull Elk Found Dead, Poaching Suspected New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation offi cer KC Gehrt recovered a dead, world-class, bull elk outside of Reserve Sept. 4. Poaching is suspected. Guaranteed Hunters discovered the rotting, but completely intact, elk carcass in a canyon, a mile and a This trophy bull elk was recovered 90 Day half east of Little Round Mountain. Hunters outside Reserve. NMG&F photo in the area last saw the massive elk alive Sept. 1. Turn-around “It’s stealing,” hunter Jeff Lewis said. “The state lost a huge amount. That’s a once in a lifetime bull.” Lewis and his hunting partner Don Roach first 10 elk or deer mounts of the season had been tracking and shooting video of the enormous elk for three years. (hides must arrive in good condition) “Up until this year, every time we would have an encounter with him he would disappear,” Lewis said. “But this year he was visible every morning and every night. We thought we would have a chance to have a stalk on him and have a chance to harvest. But the poacher must have seen him too. It’s really horrendous.” Lester DuChane, Licensed Taxidermist After examining the elk Gehrt was able to fi nd what appeared to be -----Serving Sportsmen for over 21 Years----- trauma to internal organs, in particular to the tops of the lungs, which All Species of Fish & Game would be consistent with injuries caused by a small caliber bullet. 4445 Trail Creek Road, Bozeman Due to extent that the elk had decomposed, Gehrt was not able to fi nd the bullet. Offi ce: 406-586-5505 Cell: 406-599-2186 “In the past, poachers have waited to return to an animal because they couldn’t fi nd it or they were waiting to claim the animal when they had a hunting license,” Gehrt said. “That is what I suspect happened here. The wanton waste in this situation is sickening. It’s one of the reasons that trophy poaching should be a treated as a felony.” Gehrt measured the elk’s antler length to be 422.375 inches, just shy of the Safari Club International (SCI) New Mexico World’s Oldest-known Wild Black Bear Dies At 39 Big Game Record of 437.625 inches (typical). Although archery season opened Sept. 1 in Game Management Unit 23, The world’s oldest-known wild bear has died of old age in northern it is illegal to hunt elk with a fi rearm during archery season. Minnesota at the age of 39-1/2. If caught, the poacher would only face misdemeanor charges and Known to DNR researchers as Bear No. 56, the female American black potential civil penalties greater than $10,000 for the unlawful killing of a bear was fi rst captured and radio-collared in July 1981 by DNR scientists trophy elk this size... during the fi rst summer of a long-term research project on bear population ecology. The bear was 7 years old at the time and was accompanied by three female cubs. NDOW Investigates Health Concerns In Bear No. 56 became a signifi cant animal in the DNR research project. Bighorn Sheep During a 32-year study period, she and her many offspring provided an almost uninterrupted record of reproduction, survival, movements and, eventually, senescence (aging), within a single matriarchal lineage. The Nevada Department of Wildlife is worried about the Data from this bear and her offspring have contributed signifi cantly to health of desert bighorn sheep living in the River Mountains the scientifi c literature on black bear biology. between the city of Henderson and Lake Mead. Though biologists do not yet know exactly what is occurring within From 1981-1995, Bear No. 56 produced eight litters of cubs and successfully that herd, they are concerned that some animals may have contracted reared a remarkable 21 of the 22 cubs to 1-1/2 years of age. In 1997, pneumonia, a disease that has serious and possibly deadly implications at age 23, she uncharacteristically lost two of her three cubs before weaning. for bighorn sheep. In 1999, at age 25, she bore and raised her last cub. In 2001, when she was next expected to give birth, researchers found her healthy in Biologists have observed sheep exhibiting such troubling symptoms as her den and producing milk but without cubs. coughing and nasal discharge. Members of the public have reported similar observations; however, these symptoms alone are not enough Bear No. 56 outlived by 19 years all of the 360 other radio-collared black to make a reliable diagnosis. They also are indicative of other less bears that DNR researchers have followed since 1981. She also outlived threatening illnesses... any radio-collared bear of any species in the world. Only a very few individual study bears have been reported to reach age 30... Additional factors fueling biologists’ concerns are the discoveries of sheep carcasses in the River Mountain that have tested positive for Researchers suspect Bear No. 56’s longevity probably is best attributed the bacteria Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. Research has shown that to a combination of factors, including the location of her home range in a Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae along with Pasteurella bacteria is strongly forested area with few people or major roads; a more reticent nature than associated with pneumonia outbreaks in populations of free-ranging that of many bears, in terms of her avoidance of people; and luck. bighorn sheep throughout the western United States. 28 - Hunting & Fishing News HUNT PHEASANTS & CHUKARS REGIONAL NEWS RREGIONALEGIONAL NNEWSEWS SEPTEMBER THROUGH MARCH NEW at Shoco! Bring 4 hunters and the Game and Fish 5th is FREE or bring a youth free. Summarizes Pheasant Lodge in Augusta sleeps up to 10 people. Brood Data Great for meetings, or stay in one of our four North Dakota’s roadside pheasant survey conducted in late July and creekside cabins August indicates total birds, number of broods and average brood size on the ranch. are all down statewide from 2012. LODGING 3506 Hwy 435 Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the Augusta, MT. 59410 North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said the survey shows 406-562-3553 total pheasants are down 30 percent from last year. www.shocoranch.com In addition, brood observations were down 29 percent, and the average [email protected] brood size was down 10 percent. The fi nal summary is based on 253 survey runs made along 101 brood Fewer Whitebark routes across North Dakota. Federal Officials “Poor production this spring resulted in fewer young birds added to the Pine Cones Could population and a lower fall population in all areas of the state,” Kohn said. Confirm Gray Mean Increased Noteworthy factors cited for the decrease in brood Wolf Taken In Bear Encounters This Fall numbers, according to Kohn, were continued land use changes in the prime pheasant range, including Kentucky Annual whitebark pine surveys on removal of Conservation Reserve Program acres, established transects in northwest Federal offi cials recently Wyoming indicate poor whitebark grasslands converted to croplands and small grain confi rmed that an animal taken by pine cone production during 2013, fi elds converted to row crops; and continuous wet a hunter near Munfordville in Hart which could mean an increase in County (Kentucky), on March 16 human-bear encounters this fall spring weather. is a gray wolf. – especially for hunters in grizzly “Earlier this summer we thought it was possible that nesting season was A DNA analysis performed by the bear habitat. delayed enough to avoid an infl uence from the cold, wet spring,” U.S. Department of Agriculture’s The seeds of whitebark pine are Kohn said, “but it now appears that wasn’t the case.” National Wildlife Research Center high in fat content, and are a sought Kohn said even though statistics reveal bird numbers are down statewide, in Colorado determined the after food source as bears prepare there will still be local areas with good pheasant populations. 73-pound animal was a federally for winter hibernation. In years of endangered gray wolf with a lower cone production, bears tend to Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicate the number of birds genetic makeup resembling range farther in search of alternative observed was down 25 percent from 2012, and the number of broods was wolves native to the Great Lakes food sources.” This does not mean down 22 percent. Observers counted 15 broods and 126 birds per Region. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife that bears are necessarily more 100 survey miles. The average brood size was 5.8. Service Forensics Laboratory in aggressive, but during years of low Oregon confi rmed the fi nding... cone production, bears are moving Results from the southeast show birds are down 43 percent from last Hart County resident James around more in search of food in the year, and the number of broods down 42 percent. Observers counted fi ve fall; which increases the likelihood of broods and 49 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 5.9. Troyer took the animal with a shot from 100 yards away while encounters with people,” said Dan Statistics from the northwest indicated pheasants are down 39 percent predator hunting on his family’s Thompson, large carnivore section from last year, with broods down 32 percent. Observers recorded six farm. Troyer, 31, said he had supervisor for the Wyoming Game broods and 48 birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 5.5. taken a coyote off the property and Fish Department. A fact that just two weeks earlier. hunters should take note of because The northeast district, generally containing secondary pheasant habitat they are a segment of the population with much of it lacking good winter cover, showed one brood and seven But when he approached the likely to run into bears this fall. birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 4.7. Number of birds downed animal he noticed it was observed was down 35 percent, and the number of broods recorded much larger. “I was like - wow - “We want the people who live in was down 33 percent. that thing was big!” he recalled. and recreate in grizzly bear country “It looked like a wolf, but who is to realize they may have a higher The 2013 regular going to believe I shot a wolf?” pheasant season chance of encountering a bear this opens Oct. 12 and Because a free-ranging wolf has fall and that they should maintain continues through not been seen in the state for the ‘bear awareness’ that we stress Jan. 5, 2014. The more than a century, biologists throughout the year,” Thompson two-day youth were skeptical at fi rst...Troyer said. pheasant hunting convinced Kevin Raymond, a weekend, when legally wildlife biologist for the Kentucky Game and Fish recommends that licensed residents and Department of Fish and Wildlife all recreationists mentally prepare nonresidents ages Resources, to look at the animal. themselves for a bear encounter 15 and younger can Once Raymond saw the animal and carry bear deterrent. “As a hunt statewide, was twice the size of a coyote, matter of personal safety, we is set for he contacted furbearer biologist recommend that everyone carry Oct. 5-6.Ì Laura Patton, who submitted samples bear spray and more importantly, © Mark Lehigh | Dreamstime.com to federal offi cials for DNA testing. know how to use it,” Thompson said.

October 2013 29 Top 5 Ways to Miss Your Deer By Marty Prokop www.marty-prokop.com © Tony Campbell | Dreamstime.com TIZER MEATS Retail Meats & Meat Processing There are fi ve main reasons deer hunters miss deer when they are WILD GAME AND DOMESTIC MEAT deer hunting. Whole & 1/2 beef & pork available - Most economical way to buy meat 1.) Not sighting in your deer rifl e before you go hunting. This sounds pretty basic, but year after year some deer hunters refuse to When you bring your game to Tizer Meats you are go to the rifl e range to sight in their deer rifl es. getting the country’s fi nest meat processors and They may fi gure, “Well, it shot straight last year when I put the rifl e sausage makers. All Vacuum Sealed. away.” Best, newest equipment & processing techniques. Matt Elvbakken - Owner, Regardless of how straight your deer rifl e shot when you cased it up President of the Montana Meat Processors Assoc. at the end of season, go to the range and sight it in again for the next HACCP Certifi ed - 19 Years in Business season, preferably several times before deer season arrives. 3558 Tizer Rd, Helena (406) 442-3096 www.tizermeats.com Why? across from Warren School & 4-H Community Center Sights and scopes can get bumped while cleaning, handling or Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm transferring from gun cabinet to deer hunting woods and back again. 2.) Using different ammunition than used to sight in with. Different bullet weights and even various ammunition brands will shoot differently from the same rifl e. Make sure you stock up on the same brand and bullet weight of ammunition, the brand and weight you sighted in your rifl e with, before you head to the deer hunting woods. 3.) Taking free hand shots. Free hand shots are the least effective for deer hunting, because in many situations you are not rock solid when shooting. If you don’t have a good rifl e rest in your tree stand or blind when you are deer hunting, use your knee to steady your shot. Another option is shooting from the prone position, but don’t try this from a tree stand. Always try to use a solid rest before taking the shot. 4.) Not enough perfect practice. There is more to shooting a rifl e and becoming a good shot than just simply sighting in your rifl e. The more you can practice with different shooting scenarios, the better you will become at handling your deer rifl e. 5.) Not knowing your shooting limitations. This is really simple. If you don’t feel you can make a long range shot, don’t shoot. At times, some deer hunters let their egos take over. Only shoot the distance you have practiced for. This will keep you from wounding deer. How can you avoid missing your deer the next time you go deer hunting? • Sight in your deer rifl e several times before deer season arrives. • Remember to deer hunt using the same brand and bullet weight of ammo you used to sight in your deer rifl e. • Always use a solid rest when taking a shot. • Perfect practice. Perfect practice. Perfect practice. • Take shots only at distances you are comfortable shooting.

30 - Hunting & Fishing News Recipe Corner “I HUNT WITH THE BEST GEAR... BITTERROOT ELK STEW Montana Spice Trader - montanaspicetrader.com I COOK WITH THE BEST SEASONINGS” Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 4 hours Servings: 4 - 6 Ingredients 2 to 4 Tablespoons canola oil 2 Tablespoons butter 3 pounds elk (1 inch stew cubes) 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion 1 cup chopped celery 2 cloves garlic, chopped medium-fi ne 2 Tablespoons Sunset Seasoning from Montana Spice Trader 2 Tablespoons fl our 5 cups stock (use 2 1/2 cups stock and 2 1/2 cups water if hearty stock is being used) 1/2 cup dry red or white whine Directions: Add canola oil to a Dutch oven on medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add stew chunks in small batches. Sprinkle on Sunset Seasoning as you add batches. Quickly brown meat for 2 or 3 minutes per side. Browning brings out the fl avor, so each side should be brown to dark brown. This will probably take 3 batches. Remove each batch and reserve. When meat is all done, add the chopped vegetables, and a little oil if Colorado Archery Mule Deer, 2012 necessary, but not the garlic. Reduce heat to med-low and saute for 10 or 15 minutes, or until vegetables are just starting to brown. In the last 2 Eric Gould, Owner of Artistic Wildlife Taxidermy minutes, add garlic. Do not overcook. Remove vegetables and set aside. artisticwildlifetaxidermy.net With the burner still on med-low, add 2 Tablespoons butter. When it is just melted stir in fl our until it makes a paste. Slowly stir in the stock, or stock and water combination. Using a plastic spatula or wooden spoon, All Natural Seasonings & Rubs scrape down the sides and bottom to mix in the brown bits. • No MSG Allow mixture to thicken, then reduce heat to lowest setting. • No Chemicals Stir in reserved meat with juice, the vegetables, then the rest of the stock • No Fillers or stock and water combination and the wine. Let is simmer for 10 minutes then carefully taste. You’ll probably want to add more Sunset Seasoning. Add a teaspoon or more at a time, you can’t go wrong...it’s good stuff. At this point, put the lid on your Dutch oven. You can continue to cook the stew on the stove top at a simmer for 4 hours, or put the Dutch oven Spice blends with powerful personalities... in your oven at 275 degrees for 4 hours. proudly made in Stevensville, Montana Serve with vegetables of choice and biscuits or bread to sop up the juices. Freeze what you don’t eat for some night when you don’t have time for all this. It’s even better the next day. • FREE RECIPES ON OUR WEBSITE email us at: [email protected] • FREE COOKING TIPS AND TRICKS • YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT HOW MANY USES I Smell Bacon...Elk Steaks Wrapped In • 9 DIFFERENT SEASONINGS TO CHOOSE FROM Peppered Bacon • CAN’T DECIDE? TRY AN ADVENTURE PACK (includes a Trevor Johnson, Kit’s Tackle www.kitstackle.com 1 oz. sample of all nine seasonings) Here are a few tips on making your Bacon Steaks a success: AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS: 1. Use thick cut bacon preferably from the butcher (I like the peppered bacon) Bozeman-Simply Montana Butte-Hennessy Market 2. Use toothpicks to hold the bacon around the steaks Hamilton-Hamilton’s Market Place Miles City-Buymt.com (don’t forget to take them out!!!) Missoula-Good Food Store Stevensville-Super 1 Foods 3. Lightly season the steaks before the bacon is applied. If using peppered bacon go light on the pepper. I like to use salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stevenville - Valley Drug & Variety 4. Set the BBQ to LOW!!! Otherwise the local fi re department will be putting out your BBQ fi re. On low (300-400 degrees) I like to cook both or online at sides for about fi ve minutes each for medium rare. This is going off your average cut elk or other game steak. For thicker steaks cooking times will vary. montanaspicetrader.com 5. The bacon will be blackened when the steaks are done. If you’re like me, I leave the bacon on, and it’s mouth-watering goodness. If you want to remove the bacon, the steak inside will be as tender as butter with a slight bacon fl avor. Either way, DELICIOUS!!! Hopefully this will give some of you a new twist on cooking your wild game. And as always, cheers to “Jiggin’ the Dream” and BACON!!!

October 2013 31 SSPOOKYPOOKY OOCTOBERCTOBER WWHITETAILSHITETAILS BBYY MARKMARK KAYSERKAYSER

October whitetails have a range of behavior that changes wildly during the month of October due to shorter days and rising testosterone levels. The whitetail buck you hunt in early October has a completely different mindset by the time Halloween rolls around. Study, plan and implement a strategy for a buck’s mood in early, mid- and late October, and you’ll be a step closer to your whitetail goal.

In Montana, as in many states, whitetail season kicks off in September with archery season. September whitetails have a major downfall. They love to be seen. This combined with a bachelor-group lifestyle gives you abundant opportunities to pattern and ambush them. The same can be said of November whitetails. The rut gives you ample advantage to catch a buck blinded by love in locations perfect for a trip to the game processor. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of October whitetails. October is a transition month and regardless if you pursue them with bow or fi rearm you’ll be up against the toughest whitetails of the fall. Why? October whitetails have a range of behavior that changes wildly during the month of October due to shorter days and rising testosterone levels. The whitetail buck you hunt in early October has a completely different mindset by the time Halloween rolls around. Study, plan and implement a strategy for a buck’s mood in early, mid- and late October, and you’ll be a step closer to your whitetail goal. EARLY OCTOBER In early fall bucks have one thing on their mind: packing on the pounds. They don’t want to be on “The Biggest Loser.” They know that the rut and winter are just around the corner, and fat means survival. They’re also setting the pecking order as they gather at food hotspots. Although all-out brawls are still two to three weeks in the distance, bucks lock antlers while feeding to let each other know who’s who and who’s going to get fi rst chance at the fi rst estrus doe. Your target should be those bachelor groups. Focus your efforts to take advantage of bold bucks feeding in the open and feeding in plain sight on prime foods. Food preference varies across Montana whitetail country, but alfalfa, winter wheat and other cash crops lure bucks looking to pack on the pounds. Bands of bachelor bucks look easy to target, but looks are deceiving. Getting away with movement on one buck can be easy, but trying to pull a fast one on 12 eyeballs takes special consideration. First, never hunt a bachelor group unless conditions are perfect. If they catch hint of an ambush they may continue to visit a prime fi eld, but they will likely switch their pattern, visit it later or become nocturnal. Wait for the right wind and stay away if any element of your attack could leak your secret. Next, design ways to enter and exit fi elds without spooking whitetails. That’s the reason many bowhunters only hunt afternoons in the early season. Slipping into a fi eld-side stand is easy before the

32 - Hunting & Fishing News deer arrive, but try pulling that same stunt in the dark of the morning when deer are still milling on fi elds. Consider having a buddy pick you up with a truck or ATV after dark. Deer routinely dodge traffi c, yet return MILODRAGOVICH•DALE•STEINBRENNER, P.C. immediately once the engine noise disappears. •Fourth generation Missoulian ATTORNEYS •Licensed to practice law in MIDMONTH Montana since 1984 Midmonth is the time when bucks go underground, especially mature GERALD W. •President of Milodragovich, bucks that set to take on dominant roles in their local neighborhood. STEINBRENNER Dale & Steinbrenner, P.C. There are many speculations why whitetail bucks suddenly drop off the •Mergers, acquisitions, taxation, grid, but only a few really make sense. So where do the older bucks go? Shareholder corporations, partnerships, •Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award, Mature bucks engage their antisocial nature by midmonth and despite still made possible by his clients who have taken limited liability companies, craving weight gain, they are rarely seen. These bucks seek isolation and the time to compliment him in the areas of estate planning, probate begin disassociating with the remnants of the bachelor groups. They still communication ability, responsiveness, matters, banking, real estate, may join bucks to feed at high nutritious areas, but they’ll likely arrive late quality of service and value for money; and commercial transactions. and depart early giving you little if any chance to waylay them. •Best Lawyers in America listing; 620 HIGH PARK WAY, In addition they are now at peak mass. In most cases they are on the •Best Attorneys in Montana listing; and MISSOULA •Best Lawyers’ 2013 Missoula Tax Law Lawyer BIGSKYLAWYERS.COM verge of obesity and for good reason. During the course of the next of the Year 406-728-1455 month they will burn anywhere from 20 to 25 percent of that mass off during the course of the rut. Being obese helps them survive the rut and to keep winter at bay. When you combine this obese state with the growth of winter hair for insulation any buck can become uncomfortable in warm fall temperatures. Regardless if it is a hot fall or a cool one, virtually the same time year after year they grow winter hair based on shortening hours of sunlight. If you want to tag a midmonth monster you either need to have access to a private refuge where big bucks still visit food in daylight or you need to hunt closer to bedding cover.

Timber locations that produce sightings time and time again include cedar-choked draws, wetland edges and cottonwood river bottoms. An ambush on the inside of a river oxbow or overlooking a river crossing adjacent to alfalfa may be the best spot to meet up with a guarded buck avoiding fi elds until well after shooting light. HALLOWEEN TREATS About the time your kids are test-driving their Halloween costumes is the time you need to be upping your efforts in whitetail country. This usually occurs around October 20 and means the rut is starting. Look for trails laced with rubs and scrapes. The more rubs and Montana’s Finest Tanning! scrapes you fi nd along with size of both give you the clues to a mature buck location. It’s that simple. INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN EVERY PIECE My October setups generally are still just inside the interior of any woodlot or stand of timber. Big bucks piqued and curious will move to Enhance your Cave with fi eld edges for dusk activity, and will manage a rub line or a scrape line while waiting for the sun to set. At this time of year corners are great something NATURAL! setup locations as bucks can often stay just 100 yards inside the timber Tanned Bison Robes For Sale and pass by the corner grabbing a full whiff of what’s playing out on the starting at $500 fi eld. Think prevailing winds and set your stand to intercept bucks cash paid for any size mule deer capes pulling this October trick. THIS IS ALSO THE TIME TO USE CALLS. Testosterone is surging in MISSION MOUNTAIN TANNING bucks and the dose is increasing daily. Since does are still several weeks from coming into estrus this pent up love potion leaves bucks feeling CALL 207-7800 irritated and oftentimes fuming for a fi ght. Grunts, bleats and snort Missoula, MT. wheezes all have their place in the last week or so of October, but for me, the best call is rattling. Rattling not only is a long distance lure, but it tells other bucks that OOverver something is happening. They may not be sure if the fi ght is over dominance or a doe coming into estrus, but it does bring bucks running. 1100+00+ chainsawschainsaws And unlike early October where the tickle of antlers is all that’s needed to iinn stock!stock! call in a buck, crashing of antlers is the way to go now. CChainsawshainsaws I’ve cursed October, but now I’m just as apt to embrace the month. On one recent October hunt I was just about ready to toss in the bow when a quick confi rmation with my Nikon Monarch binocular confi rmed a buck with potential moving my way. He was taking his time freshening scrapes on the go. I slipped my Mathews bow from the hanger and positioned for a possible shot. Everything was playing out like a teleprompter, presidential speech when the buck slammed into the estrus scent I placed adjacent to the trail. It stopped him like a baseball bat to a burglar’s head and I sent my Carbon Express arrow away for the short, 12-yard shot. He toppled Triple W Equipment 80 yards away. It was October 22, and despite October obstacles, I was busy tagging a respectable buck. Æ Missoula 406-549-4171 • Kalispell 406-752-2828

October 2013 33 Best Value In Montana Lodging. Bob Ward & Sons New Gear Review Sitka Jetstream Lite Jacket The Jetstream Lite Jacket brings broader versatility to the active western hunter’s arsenal with a highly weather resistant outer fabric and the built-in protection of a WINDSTOPPER® Membrane. The soft shell fabric facing has an almost seamless fi nish, is quiet, and wards off rain. This jacket is a treat for glassing elk on a wind-blown ridge or stalking into a north wind. FEATURES: •Stretch softshell •Virtually windproof •Full front zip •Pack friendly zip closure pockets •Breathable •Full Articulated Arms style #50060 Crispi Idaho GTX Hunting Boots Lightweight and durable the Idaho GTX from Crispi is built to LLodgeodge LikeLike negotiate the most diffi cult terrain with ample support and AAtmospheretmosphere WWithith comfort. After many years of research and RResortesort AmenitiesAmenities experimentation, Crispi has developed a system •Spacious & Comfortable Rooms • Complimentary Deluxe Continental breakfast called A.B.S.S. (Ankle Bone Support System). A.B.S.S. •Large Indoor Pools & Jacuzzis - All Hotels • Business Meeting Facilities revolutionizes the comfort and protection of the entire ankle area offering •High Speed Internet Access • Exercise & Game Rooms • iPod Docking Stations In All Rooms outstanding sprain protection even on the roughest terrain. While supporting • Refrigerators, Microwaves, Coffee Makers In Every Room • 42” or 50” Flat Screen TV In Every Room the ankle in all conditions, it also limits fatigue on the lower joints, even after very long walks. Combine this with the Crispi Crossbow Frame BILLINGS - 800-655-1170 • BOZEMAN - 866-782-2717 insert which improves braking even in the most diffi cult terrains, and MISSOULA - 888-989-5569 you have a boot made for the rigors of backcountry hunting. www.cmoninn.com Mossberg ATR Rifl e Combo HUNTER’S CHECKLIST Proudly built in the USA, the Mossberg ATR (All-Terrain Rifl e) has ® Knife earned the reputation as a dependable, accurate and affordable rifl e ® Knife sharpener with premium features. ® Rifl e Features: ® Back-up rifl e in case of malfunction • LBA™ (Lightning Bolt Action™ ) is adjustable & creep-free ® Ammo • Includes 3-9x40mm variable centerfi re rifl e scope ® Binoculars • 20” barrel • 5rd capacity ® Rangefi nder • Matt blue fi nish • Black synthetic stock ® Spotting scope • Bolt-action • Side lever safety ® GPS • Top load magazine • All-steel, machined receiver ® Camera • Wt.: 7 lbs • 2-year limited warranty ® Cell phone • Includes: gun lock ® Blaze orange vest and cap ® Rain gear Vortex Diamondback ® Cold weather gear ® Hunting license 20-60x Spotting Scope ® Game bags Available in straight or angled and 60mm or ® Cleaning supplies 80mm objective. This all-new spotter delivers ® Trash bags outstanding performance—clearly a superb ® Rope choice when you need a heavyweight performer ® Compass in a light, compact package. ® Maps ® First Aid kit Features: ® Fire starter •Vortex proprietary XR anti-refl ective coatings, fully multi-coated on ® Toilet tissue all air-to-glass lens surfaces, increasing light transmission for maximum ® Emergency blanket brightness. ® Water •ArmorTek Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses ® Water purifi cation from scratches, oil and dirt. ® Protein/energy bars •Available in an angled body design that allows an overall lower mounting ® Flashlight height which maximizes stability in wind, offers greater comfort when ® Bear spray glassing for extended periods, and permits the use of a smaller, lighter tripod. ® Tire chains Hunting buddy... See these and other fi ne products at one of the 5 Bob Ward & Sons ® List of family/friends phone numbers stores near you, or shop 24/7 at www.bobwards.com. ® Let someone know where you are headed Steve Hyde Firearms not available online. 34 - Hunting & Fishing News WWee ccanan hhandleandle aanyny ttypeype Go Griz! of animal encounter! -Lifetime Guarantee -Aff ordable Prices -All Makes, Models & Toys including trailers, boats, snowmobiles & more! Give us a call! OCTOBER GRIZ SCHEDULE 10/05 1:30pm Portland State @Missoula 10/12 5:00pm UC Davis @Davis 10/19 1:30pm Cal Poly @Missoula Hunting 10/26 1:30pm Eastern Washington @Missoula Fall Turkeys Mountain States By Steve Hickoff, Yamaha Outdoors Collision Repair, Inc. “Where Honesty & Quality Come Together” Steve Hickoff self-timer photo As hunting strategies go, there are some traditional fall turkey 1944 Birch St., Missoula, MT approaches: you can passively wait for patterned wild turkeys to show up in range (calling optional). Do so either on the ground, in a blind, even Call for a free estimate (406) 721-0881 from a treestand, or simply fi nd a fl ock and attempt to scatter them on foot — then call them back. You can also locate once-silent turkeys and call visit us on the web at www.mountainstatescollisionrepair.com them to your position. Why these tactics? Patterning turkeys to see where they roost and feed You can imitate these vocalizations with the mouth and friction turkey can put you in range. Also relying on the fact fl ocked turkeys stay together calls on the market. Instructions for use are often provided, and time with by defi nition, you can separate birds then set up to call them to your setup the turkeys will help you master these tools. position. They’ll return. Trust me. Call softly, or aggressively, situation depending. Wild turkeys call to In the latter scenario, separated birds want to regroup — especially communicate in the wild, and at times, almost any turkey sound the autumn family fl ocks. Yes, it seems contradictory to fi nd then scare human hunter makes chances at luring a curious bird in for a look. individual fl ocked turkeys into fl ight (ideally in different directions; moving (Or not.) That’s the calling game. You need to interpret what you’re groups of birds together won’t work as well; aim to separate individuals). hearing from live birds to successfully imitate them. This relies on the chance you won’t be in good shooting range, but close enough to rush them on foot, or use a trained dog where legal. Even if you don’t use the range of available calls, hearing live birds afi eld can clue you in to what might happen next. It helps you think like a turkey. Plus there’s nothing quite like a bunch of autumn turkeys hunting down your calling position. Wait on them. Scatter them and call them back. CLOSING THE DEAL Call them to you after locating birds. It’s all good. Your shotgun should be camoufl aged or have a dull fi nish to avoid detection. It should also deliver a tight pellet pattern at optimum shooting CALLING TURKEYS range (20-40 yards). With wild turkeys, body shots are out. Aim for the Fall or spring, wild turkeys call to contact fl ock members, to vocalize a head and neck to drop that bird cleanly. Know your gun and the loads it sense of well-being, and to express alarm at a predator’s presence. shoots. Fact is they talk on a daily basis. If you hunt with a bow, get the turkey even closer: 10 to 20 yard shots are Roughly thirty call distinctions exist, while less than half of these are ideal. Use a blind to conceal your movements. Time your shot on a calm applicable as hunting calls. Some hunters tag birds regularly with only standing turkey in clucking and yelping. Others use as many calling vocalizations as possible. range. Your arrow’s broadhead should Calling turkeys is an interactive game where the hunter speaks the be turkey specifi c language of wild birds to coax that quarry into range. As calling fall for solid fl ight turkeys goes, imitate their vocalizations by age and sex to evoke a and serious response from the kind of individual bird or fl ock you want to hunt. cutting diameter.

In family groups, young birds-of-the year respond to kee-kees and The effort here is to kee-kee-runs. Brood hens use assembly calls — a long series of yelps know what your gun — to gather separated fl ock members. Adult gobblers and broodless hens or bow will do, and (the other two types of fall fl ocks) communicate with raspy yelps take that fall turkey cleanly. ˜ (gobblers), and higher-pitched yelps (hens), as well as clucking. © Gregory Johnston | Dreamstime.com Yes, male fall turkeys gobble, too. October 2013 35 YOU HUNT HARD ALL DAY tips for field judging elk (continued from page 24) YYouou shouldshould hhaveave a ccomfortableomfortable pplacelace ttoo LET’S LOOK AT EACH. Beam Length--Most great elk have approach the burr-to-nose yardstick. rrestest yyourour hhead.ead. long main beams. In the all-time Now comes the truth-teller, the records book, the average beam dagger point. The dagger point is length of the top 10 typical heads is usually the longest point, and on a over 58 inches. However, the average monster bull it will be half-again beam length of the bottom 10 is longer than the burr-to-nose 55-4/8 inches--not much difference. yardstick, or even almost double If a bull appears able to “scratch that measurement. On a 6x6, the his rear-end with his antlers,” last point matters a lot. It has to be it likely has the frame to be a trophy. strong, at least 8 or 10 inches. This No need to spend much more time is less important if the bull is a 7x7, considering beam length. but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. Sale Inside Spread--Boone and Crockett records show a wide variation on For a typical American elk, Boone $12,805 spreads of trophy elk. Interestingly, and Crockett requires a minimum MSRP 17,503 the narrowest head in the book of 360 points to enter the Awards 2014 JAYCO SWIFT SLX BAJA EDITION 185RB outscores the widest, which should Book, and 375 points for entry into PLUS be enough to tell you that spread the All-time Records Book. For most 6 Gallon Water Heater isn’t everything. The top 10 typical bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 Front Diamond Plate Baja Edition Package including entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches percent of its score. Mass is usually Patio Awning 35 gallon fresh water tank, of inside spread for an average of less than 20 percent. Beam length Pleated Shades Larger 30# propane bottle 46-2/8 inches. The bottom 10 range is worth close to 25 percent. This Range Hood Flip axle from 38 to 49-4/8 inches for an math means tine length accounts Stabilizer Jacks Off-Road tires for better clearance average of 42-4/8 inches. Again, for about 40 percent of the score, Wall Mount A/C Diamond plate sidewall skirt not a signifi cant difference. In the sometimes more but rarely less. Water Heater By Pass Enclosed underbelly fi eld, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. So let’s look through the spotting This should indicate a spread scope at a really good 6x6 American somewhere in the low to mid-40s, elk. Get your notebook out. The bull LOOK AT THESE and that’s really all you need be seems to have really long beams, concerned about. almost scratching his rump. HUNTING CAMP Estimate 55 inches on each side: Mass--Most really big elk have 110 points. Spread is fairly wide SPECIALS! heavy antlers that carry good mass but not noticeably splayed out. 22005005 TTrail-Literail-Lite BBunkunk MModelodel TTrailerrailer EEnclosednclosed UUnderbelly,nderbelly, SSlide...... lide...... $11,997 through the length of the main Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 22000000 FFleetwoodleetwood GGrandrand TTourour SSerieseries TTentent TTrailerrailer ww// SSlide...... lide...... $ 6,7956,795 beam. However, mass is very hard 45 points. Mass isn’t huge, but to judge. It’s unusual to have a lot of pretty good. It starts at a normally 11993993 SSportsmenportsmen SSevilleeville TTravelravel TTrailerrailer SSleepsleeps 6 GGreatreat SShape...... hape...... $ 77,995,995 time to look at a big bull and mass heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty 22003003 JJaycoayco KKiwiiwi 117A7A HHybridybrid TTravelravel TTrailer...... railer...... $ 77,995,995 is not where you should spend most well, maybe 30 inches of circumference $ 77,995,995 of it. Just remember that very few on each antler: 60 points. So far, the 11996996 JJaycoayco EEagleagle 225555 BBHH BBunkunk HHouseouse 55thth nnewew ccarpet,arpet, HHDTV...... DTV...... elk considered “big” in the more bull is totaling 215. 22003003 JJaycoayco EEagleagle 226666 FFBSBS TTravelravel TTrailerrailer BBigig SSlide...... lide...... $$11,99011,990 visible characteristics have thin 22000000 NNuu WWaa HHitchikeritchiker DDoubleouble SSlidelide 55th...... th...... $$15,88715,887 antlers. When hunting, quickly look Now let’s work out the points. The for antlers that are visibly as large brow tines curve nicely and seem to 11999999 JJaycoayco DDesigneresigner 2 SSlidelide 55thth RRearear LLounge...... ounge...... $$12,99012,990 or larger in circumference than the pass the tip of the nose, about 18 22014014 JJaycoayco OOctanectane 116161 TToyhauleroyhauler ear bases, which are about 9 inches inches each: 36 points. The next two $$19,99519,995 around. More importantly, the points are about 16 inches each on MSRPMSRP $29,214$29,214 oonn ssale....ale.... antlers should maintain that both sides: 64 points. The daggers 22010010 HHeartlandeartland RRoadwarrioroadwarrior 339595 55thth WWheelheel 3 sslidelide TToyhauleroyhauler thickness to at least the fi fth point. are quite good, about half again oonn ssale...... ale...... $$39,99539,995 longer than the burr-to-nose Tine Length--If you have time to yardstick. Let’s give them 22 inches 22007007 HHolidayoliday RRamblerambler NNextext LLevelevel TToyhauleroyhauler 55th,th, w ggenset,enset, study a bull, really look at the tines. each: 44 points. The back fork is fuelfuel sstationtation & mmore...... ore...... $$35,99035,990 Length of the points is the single also pretty good, about 8 inches on most important trophy criteria. The each side: 16 points. Come see the Friendly Folks at good news is that point length is one of the easiest things to judge Assuming both sides are equal, with because there is a yardstick. On a no deductions for lack of symmetry, big American elk, the distance from and you’re looking at a bull that will the burr of the antler to the tip of the score 375--a Boone and Crockett- Rangitsch Brothers RV Center nose is about 15-4/8 inches. Let’s class typical bull! start at the bottom of the antlers and 2001 W. BROADWAY, MISSOULA, MT. work up. A curved brow tine that WESTERN 406-728-4040 • 1-800-823-2221 appears to reach the end of the You can view world-class trophy elk MONTANAʼS nose will be about 18 inches long. mounts at the Rocky Mountain Elk LARGEST WWW.RANGITSCHBROSRV.COM The next two points are usually Foundation headquarters in PARTS STORE Serving Western Montana Since 1958 shorter, but they still need to Missoula. 36 - Hunting & Fishing News October 2013 37 Beentonnton LLakeake NationalNational WildlifeWildlife RefugeRefuge - WWaterfowlaterfowl HHuntingunting FWS.gov ººººººººººººººººººººººººººº Despite being only 60 miles from the city of Great Falls, Benton Lake NWR receives relatively light hunting pressure. Avid waterfowl hunters, though, know the refuge can provide excellent hunting for a wide variety of waterfowl species. The shallow wetlands are good for wading hunters, who should be prepared for mucky areas. Boats without motors are allowed, but the water is often too shallow for them. Hunting with decoys is most effective, although some hunters fi nd pass shooting productive along major fl ight paths. A youth hunt and a blind for hunters with disabilities are offered. A special opportunity is the chance to take a tundra swan, which is possible with a special lottery permit. Hunters fortunate enough to draw a tag have an excellent chance of taking one of these big game birds. Some hunters will set up for pass shooting along dikes found on the refuge, while others set up large white decoys (or even large white garbage bags) to lure the birds into range. Getting there: To get to the refuge, follow Highway 87 (Havre Highway) north out of Great Falls for about 1 mile and turn left onto Bootlegger Trail. Go about 9 miles to the well-marked refuge entrance on the left. For Hunters with Disabilities: A waterfowl blind is available. Youth Hunts: A youth waterfowl hunt is held each year. BBentonenton LLakeake WWetlandetland ManagementManagement DistricTDistricT ...... Includes 22 waterfowl production areas (WPAs) spread out over a 10-county area the size of West Virginia. Twenty of these WPAs are open to hunting, and as might be expected, these offer a great variety of opportunities. A few are well-known as pheasant hotspots, and pressure on opening weekends can be heavy. Other areas can be productive for big game hunting. Elk occasionally move through the WPAs en route to winter range, and deer can be found on many of the areas year-round. In years with plentiful water, the WPAs also offer good waterfowl hunting. With the WPAs spread out over such a large area, savvy hunters research which ones are currently the best for hunting. A hunter willing to put in the time can have an excellent hunting trip. Many nonresident hunters focus on WPAs in this management district for their annual Montana hunting trip. For Hunters with Disabilities: Hunters may be granted special access privileges. Check at the Refuge offi ce or with a Refuge offi cer: 406-727-7400. Getting there: Driving directions to specifi c WPAs are available by contacting the refuge staff.

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October 2013 39 Hunting Post Rut Bulls Tactics and Technics By Kenny E. Marcella, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

© Jean-edouard Rozey|Dreamstime.com In our hunting experiences, we all fi nd a few of those “old sages” who have been hunting for a long time and lend some great wisdom to those of us who love the chase. Kenny is one of my sages who shares some nuggets of wisdom each time we talk about chasing the monarch of the Rockies. Imagine as you read this piece that we have pulled up an old stump stool by the potbelly stove and visited with Kenny about his experiences hunting post rut bulls.. I hope you will fi nd his comments and wisdom as interesting as I did. - JB (Jim Bulger) JB- Kenny, tell me a bit about your process for thinking about where and when you will hunt. Kenny- I still start my hunts and application process every year by standing in the bathroom and looking in a mirror... what kind of physical condition are you in for this year’s season? I open my brochure and consider what time of year I would like to hunt...Ideally I love to hunt the earlier seasons for several reasons. Weather, moon phases, access to area, number of animals available. When I apply I usually have back up plans and those plans include the Post Rut Season for Bulls. I have found it can be as enjoyable if not more enjoyable then the pre-rut, and rut seasons. If you have a chance, pick up a book called “Seasons of the Elk”... this book goes through all phases of the life of an elk from birth, to the end, and is very easy reading, and has some information that you can use and keep in your memory. I have found several times something so little made a difference in hunting in certain areas, that the book touches something that you might over look or not pay attention to when someone is talking. JB- Let’s talk about your thoughts on choosing a place to hunt, particularly those post rut bulls in late season. Kenny- I usually break up elk areas in Colorado into three types: High Country Hunts, Timberline and above, or 10,000 feet and above. Mid-Range Hunts, 7,500 feet to 10,000 feet. Low Country Hunts, 4,000 feet to 7,500 feet. I feel that hunting pressure in certain parts of the state will determine where the elk go. Each of the three types have animals commonly going into certain areas because of pressure, weather, topography or food source. If I know I want to hunt post-rut bulls, I fi nd the area I am going to hunt in the spring. I watch the animals, weekly and monitor them and their travels during the spring months, as this will be the same course they take when coming down in the fall from the high country, only reversed. Some of the people I hunt with and talk with have always wondered why I do my scouting in the spring. I just mentioned the most important point of where I hunt and where the animals are going and coming from. I fi nd long ridges and areas that drop into fl ats, then I look up the ridges at to where the animals will be spending their summer and fall months, then their escape routes when pressured and the weather changes, then food availability changes. If you think about it, temperatures and snow work the same in the spring as they do in the fall; only in reverse. (continued on page 42) 40 - Hunting & Fishing News Dead on Accuracy. Pick up a box or more at your local sporting goods store. Whatever your shooting needs, we’ve got you covered. MANUFACTURED IN STEVENSVILLE When you buy local your money stays here in Montana supporting Montanans.

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Hunting Post Rut Bulls Tactics and Technics (continued from page 40) Let me start with Low Country post/pre-season elk. Just like in the spring, the elk will be in large fi elds, fl ats and lower country. In the spring, all of the elk or most of the elk look the same, no antlers, but in the fall you will see the larger bulls hanging away from the group. You will still see some of the younger, satellite bulls still with groups, but your larger, more mature bulls still stay away from larger groups of elk. By larger bulls, I usually look at the mass of the antler, and the actual size of the animal, younger animals normally have thinner antlers, and not so wide, and are still with many of the cows and young spike bulls. In my opinion a mature bull is over 4-1/2 years old on up. You will note this the more you watch bulls you will see several different methods of aging some of the bulls on the hoof. I usually look for mass and I look for the angle the antler comes out of the skull, the fl atter the angle the antler protrudes the older the bull usually is, but again not always the rule. If you look at young bulls the antler goes straight up like in a spike bull, or nearly straight up for the young 4x4, 5x5 and even some young 6x6 bulls. These bulls have a width of just over 24 inches out to about 30-35 inches. When these elk are in the fi elds and lower country, you can see this antler confi guration a lot easier than in the mid-ranges, that have a lot of tree cover and small patches of trees they hang out in. So if you choose to hunt the lower elevation bulls, look for separation of the animals in the groups or herds. The larger bulls tend to stay back from the groups, and are out usually when the moon is up, not the sun. I look near the edges of the fi elds wher ever the shadows are, both in the morning and in the evening. Again, not the rule, as I have seen large mature bulls in the fi eld at noon. When that happens it is usually on a protected piece of PRIVATE PROPERTY. Know the area and its boundaries. In the lower Post Rut areas, you will run into a lot more private land to deal with, as this tends to be the best farming and ranching land. This will bring the animals onto the property along with safety. When you fi nd low country elk, and you see them in the fi elds in the morning, they will leave shortly after the sun comes up. Going into the fall and winter season the hair on the animal tends to take on a different characteristic. It gets longer, thicker and with that happening, the animals get hot sooner, hence the reason for leaving the sunny fl ats, heading for the darker timber. When they have left and started heading into timber, I usually look at where there might be dark pockets with little benches or shelves. I look for places where they can see below, and have escape routes out the back side from where they bed during the day. Many times I have found areas that are very small in size and shape... with a little gully just off of a ridge. And a complete herd will stay in one of these little spots. I have noticed when I fi nd them in this situation, the bulls are usually up a bit higher and farther back into the spot, for this reason usually predators will come in from the bottom, the larger bulls are gone and running when the fi rst several elk stand up to look at the intruder. If you are hunting where there are book cliffs or large cliffs above the fi elds... I have noticed, especially in the Debeque and Rifl e areas, the elk will leave the fi elds, and go all the way up under the shelves or cliffs and spend the entire day straight up and under a cliff. (next page)

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If you can fi nd and have access to these areas, it pays to be in good shape so you can hunt from the bottom up, and get above these animals well before sun up. I like to leave my camp or start up the ridges around 4:30 am.... this gets me above them and gives me a chance to catch my breath, rest, and watch the world come alive when they start coming up the ridges. I like this method for several reasons. You are above them, and if they decide to bed down in the trees below, you can come in from above and surprise them. If you wait and come from below and they are heading up...you might catch them, but usually you just push them higher, and trust me, they will out walk you. JB- Thanks Kenny, I guess I have never thought of looking at the early spring patterns in this kind of context before. Now what about that second category, you call them Mid-Range hunts? Kenny- In Mid-Range hunts, you will be in more forest service units, and might still have some of the private property, but you will fi nd more open areas to spread out in. This is the most preferred type of method for many hunters. I say this because many of the hunters that hunt this range are from out of state and many are not in the condition to hunt the higher elevations physically. I would bet, that most of the elk are in this range. They are in areas that have small parks; openings inside of patches of trees. The animals have food, water, cover, and larger tracks of land to roam around while still staying out of sight by many hunters. There is more access to hunting areas, units, and like I mentioned, I would bet most of the elk herds in the state are going to be in or near this elevation. The larger bulls are separated and can travel alone through the corridors and small parks without being detected. I would also bet that nearly all the guides and outfi tters have camps set up in this type of area. Success speaks volumes and I think while hunting in the post rut season, these areas are the very most productive. When hunting in these areas, you still fi nd ranches and some farms with green fi elds, and the animals will sometimes resort to these fi elds for both safety and food. When the bulls are feeding after the rut, they feed a bit longer; trying to restore some of the energy loss from the rut and they can spread out and feed in smaller groups. Some of the younger bulls will still be vocal during the early post rut season... trying and hoping to fi nd one of those late season estrus cows... don’t be fooled, the older bulls and larger bulls are usually done with the rut in these areas. They have bred with cows numbering between 6 and 20, and very seldom will the very large older bulls go after every cow on the mountain. Younger bulls will generally try and have 20 or more cows, those are usually the ones that make a fatal mistake and are in the freezer more commonly. Larger, older bulls don’t usually make that mistake; they will stay secluded, and hide in these areas. I like to hunt this elevation for several reasons, the bulls are there, they are off the beaten path, I get to walk and sneak more through the woods, and they are usually being hunted instead of just being shot at. Hunting in this type of environment, there are many that think the more miles you cover the more animals you will be seeing.... not true. I learned from my father, who is no longer with us on our hunts, God bless his and my Grandfather’s souls, they both taught me something about this type of hunt. If you are breathing hard, you are walking too fast, and if you are sweating, you need to take a break. (continued page 48)

October 2013 43 Donny Kaneshiro owner, Pass Thru Outdoor Gear with his 2009 Goat. Donny is wearing Dissimulation camo from Pass Thru Outdoor Gear www.passthruoutdoorgear.us 2009

I awoke early onGoat Halloween morning 2009 Hunt and spotted the fi rst of the 3 devils that I had been after for the past 3 days. It marked the 21st day that I would attempt to close within archery range of one of these “white devils” as I had started calling them. I had decided that I would push my luck and stay on these goats until I shot one or they out climbed me. In short, I closed to within 80 yards several times throughout that day, but was betrayed by the wind. The last time I saw those goats they were heading over some cliffs that I would not be able to get over myself. Frustrated and worn out from working in hip deep snow from the time I left my tent that morning, I cursed the “White Devils” and vowed to be back the next day with my .300 Win mag in hand. Good thing there was no one within earshot for many miles or I am sure they would have heard me. I felt somewhat defeated to have decided to put the Refl ex away and pull the rifl e out. I had come into this country just about every weekend since I found that I drew the tag in mid-June. Not to mention the time off to be in here for 4 days every week to try and get it done with a bow. I had been into goats on every scouting trip and every day I hunted. It just hadn’t worked out. Was I giving in too soon? I had until the end of November to get it done. Maybe I shouldn’t have waited for “the hair.” I made sure that I was in great shape so as not to get “snowed out” like I was warned would happen. Then I thought about the fact that I had fought snow since late September, and the temperature was as cold as -17 degrees F and only as high as 36 degrees F the entire time I was in here. The icy cliffs and falling rocks were just a few obstacles that were dealt with every day. What about the fact that I had only found someone to come in with me 7 of the 21 days? My hunting buddies aren’t hardcore like they talk! They know who they are! This was no easy hunt and I had lost many pounds and my pack got heavier by the weekend due to additional gear needed due to deeper snow and colder weather. I was starting to feel better about my decision by the minute as I walked out to my truck. 5 hours later I was on my way back to Helena and making several calls to see if I could again

44 - Hunting & Fishing News fi nd someone to come back in the morning. I had no takers until the phone rang and I saw it was my buddy Boudie Schneider calling back. He decided that he could make it and to call him when I woke up to leave. I warned that it would be 2:45 a.m. and he was still in. Of course he was in, he is not just my friend, he is also my taxidermist. This was a business venture for him as well as chance to be part of a great hunt. I think I told him it would be a day hunt and we would be back in Helena by mid-afternoon. Boudie and I were packing in by 6:30 am on day 22 and glassed up a billy by 8:30 am. After all the miles I had logged, days in the cold and stories I told about how tough it was, this guy was only 300 yards off the trail. We just couldn’t tell if he met the 8 inch minimum BBESTEST that I had set for myself, as he would only give us a straight on look When he fi nally turned and showed us he was a keeper, he was SSelectionelection & PricingPricing headed up through the cliffs and out of sight. oonn NNEWEW & UUSEDSED Boudie and I discussed whether I should pursue this one or just keep heading up to where I had been seeing other goats. I stripped my FFIREARMSIREARMS pack off and headed up after him thinking I could close the distance for a rifl e shot rather quickly, and it would be done. Boudie loaded his OOPTICSPTICS pack with some food and water, and would follow up after me. 2 hours later I made it above the timber line and saw the goat’s tracks AAMMOMMO disappear to the top of the steep ridge. I followed and made it to the top only to see the tracks follow the ridge further up the mountain. I found him at least a mile away bedded down in a terrible spot, face to the wind with a nasty grade in front of him and a vertical face behind him. I went back and met Boudie at the tree line and told him where the big guy was laying. I asked if he wanted to go after this one. It was a dumb question, but I just wanted to make sure that he was okay risking 16490 Old Hwy. 93 S. his life too. We made the climb back up and stayed just below the ridge to stay hidden. We ran out of cover at just over the 250 yard Lolo SSeeee uuss fforor mark. I took a good rest and took the shot. I missed high!! (406) 273-3555 AAmmommo • NewNew & UUsedsed GGunsuns • OOpticsptics He got up and moved away from the vertical face. He absorbed traderbrothers.com SStovestoves • FFarmarm & RRanchanch several shots before I thought he was anchored. Wanted to make sure he didn’t fall. Boudie and I gave each other some high fi ves and then turned to watch one last kick send that devil tumbling down the mountain. I couldn’t believe it. It was 12:30 pm and we were heading down to see where my trophy of a lifetime ended up. Although we did not have to scale any cliffs, Tips Afi eld - How to Hunt Wolves the face was so steep that we couldn’t follow the path of the goat. Any slip would send us on the last sleigh ride of our lives. When we MFWP did get to a small outcrop of cliffs we were able to slide from tree to • Wolves regularly travel on roads tree until we got to a more manageable slope which was only a hundred yards from the beast. I couldn’t believe the size of this animal. and trails, just like hunters, so look for tracks and scat. Wolves will walk I got there fi rst and had to inform Boudie that one horn had broken in the fall. “Don’t worry about that, I can fi x it” is what he told me. in each other’s footsteps in single fi le so that a pack may appear like a Considering all the time and effort that was put into getting to this single wolf. guy the horn didn’t matter. • Wolves have a good sense of smell, After skinning for a life size mount, and completing the butchering, hearing and sight; are curious and, I draped the cape over my shoulder and we headed out. The cape when seen, may linger for a few and the meat added just enough weight to break us through the crust up to our bellies in snow. This didn’t seem like it would ever end. The seconds before fl eeing. wind blown snow stacked up in the timber we had to travel through • Wolves communicate with each to get back to the main trail. We could only watch each other fi ght other through a variety of howls through hidden dead fall and deep tree wells as there was no way to and other sounds, so listen. help. We could only hope that the next step wouldn’t cause a broken If you howl at the right time you leg or badly turned ankle. might draw in a wolf. We hit the truck at 7:30 pm to fi nish our “day hunt”. We were • Pay attention to deer and elk whipped, but the smiles just wouldn’t leave our faces. Boudie’s wife behavior. Alert deer and elk may called to make sure he was alive so I handed him the phone. signal a wolf nearby. A few more calls were made to let people know we were okay • After the shot, follow the wolf to and the devil was slain. retrieve and tag it as you would My personal thought is the Rocky Mountain Goat has got to be the any other big game animal. most impressive trophy to take. The country they live in can kill you Wolves aren’t known to defend if you are not prepared physically and mentally. Even if you are well conditioned there are no guarantees you will make it home, a wounded or harvested but those black devil horns and elbow deep hair make it all worth it. wolf pack member. Aaron Daniel with his Sharing it with a good friend makes it even better.Æ bbbbbbbb 2012 Montana wolf.

October 2013 45 Hunting Black Bear Bear Management Unit 450 MFWP * Please refer to MFWP printed regulations as fi nal authority. Legal Description: Rocky Mountain East Front - Those portions of Lewis and Clark, Teton, Pondera and Glacier Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the junction of State Route 200 and the Continental Divide at Rogers Pass, then northerly along said divide to its junction with Glacier National Park Boundary at Summit (Marias Pass), then northeast along said boundary to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation boundary, then easterly and northerly along said boundary to the Canada border, then easterly along said border to Interstate 15, then southerly along Interstate 15 to State Route 287, then northerly along said Route to State Route 200 (Bowman’s Corner), then westerly along said Route to Rogers Pass and the Continental Divide, the point of beginning. NOTE: Sun River Preserve closed to black bear hunting. MFWP Photo - Sun River WMA near Augusta, MT.

General Season • Apr 15 - May 31 Either-sex Black Bear. • Sep 07 - Sep 14 Either-sex Black Bear. Archery Only Season. • Sep 15 - Dec 01 Either-sex Black Bear. License Year Season Female Male Total Harvest 2012 Fall 14 31 45

Contact: Brent Lonner, MFWP 406-467-2488, [email protected]

Sun River Wildlife Management Area as base camp (primitive campsite) Open: May 15 - Dec 2 Size: 19,771 acres Elevation: 4954 ft We’ve Got Your Ride! Nearest Town: 3186 Highway 12 E., Helena Augusta Directions: In Lewis 406-443-7373 and Clark County, onewaymarine.com approximately 9 miles northwest of Augusta. Full Parts & Service Depts. From Augusta, take © 2013 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. All rights reserved. ®, TM Trademarks of Bombardier Recreational the Gibson Reservoir/ Products or its affi liates. Products are distributed in the United States (US) by BRP U.S. Inc. Offers valid in the U.S. at participating Ski-Doo® dealers on new and unused 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ski-Doo Summit snowmobiles (excluding Sun Canyon Road racing models and spring-only units) purchased, delivered and registered between now and November 30, 2013. northwest †3-year Bumper-to-Bumper warranty: Consumers purchasing a Summit model are entitled to receive 3-year BRP limited warranty (Summit Sport 800 P-TEK model is excluded from this offer). Subject to the exclusions, limitations of approximately liabilities and all other terms and conditions of BRP’s standard limited warranty contract, including without limitation the 3.5 miles. Where the exclusions of damages caused by abuse, abnormal use or neglect. ØUp to $1,000 rebate on select 2012 & 2013 models: road splits, take the rebate applicable on new and unused 2012 & 2013 models. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. ‡GREAT FINANCING AVAILABLE: The fi nancing program is offered by Sheffi eld Financial, a Division of BB&T Financial, left fork to the counties FSB. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Subject to credit approval; not all road end at applicants will qualify for credit. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. WMA Boundary. Promotions are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. See your participating Ski-Doo dealer for all details. Offer may not be assigned, traded, sold or combined with any other offer unless expressly stated herein. Offer void where restricted or otherwise prohibited by law. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifi cations, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring any obligation. Always consult your snowmobile dealer when selecting a snowmobile for your particular needs and carefully read and pay special GRIZZLY BEAR attention to your Operator’s Guide, Safety Video, Safety Handbook and to the ALERT/PRESENCE! safety labelling on your snowmobile. Always ride responsibly and safely. Mandatory food Always wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive. 1107771 storage requirements MFWP Map

46 - Hunting & Fishing News KKeepeep PPredatorsredators AwayAway WESTERN MONTANA FUR CENTER FFromrom YYourour EElklk CCarcasarcass Specializing in Heavy Pale Lynx Cats Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Black bears, grizzlies, cougars, Montana’s Leading Tanned Fur Outlet wolves, coyotes—just some of the potential looters you may fi nd skulking around the scene of your Top 5 cats Utah, Oregon, Nevada Sales 2012 next successful elk hunt. These tips purchased by us over $1300 & 1400 each from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will help keep meat stealers away from your elk carcass... Bought top cats over $1800 at Sale 2013 Here are fi ve tips for discouraging marauding carnivores: We purchased top lot of Alaskan Sable May 1. Hang quarters at an unreachable height 100 yards or more from 2008 Fur Harvesters $200.00 ea. - plus over the entrails, etc. Parachute chord 1500 Sable, 500 Canadian Alaskan Lynx, and works well; it’s small, light, cheap and strong enough for the job. 1000 Lynxcats at North American and Fur Bring way more than you think you Harvesters 2008 May Sales. need. Try to select a hanging tree in a relatively open area that can Always top prices - Montana Pale Coyotes be glassed from at least 300 yards away. If no trees are available, you can hang quarters off a rimrock 125 West Commercial ledge, too. Prime cuts of meat should get the fi rst trip out. Anaconda, MT. 59711 2. When safe and legal, build a fi re next to the quarters. Burn 406-563-7926 damp, pitchy wood that produces a good plume of smoke. This cell 406-260-2643 detracts predators and helps you locate the site on your return trip. [email protected] Remember to mark the site in your GPS and take compass bearings We buy large quantities of Canadian, American as a backup. Sable (Martin) Muskrats, Red Fox & Coyotes 3. Leave an article of clothing with the quarters, preferably something that’s been close to We Buy Large Quantities of Deer your skin and absorbed your scent. A brightly colored item also & Elk hides. Unlike our helps you locate the site. Urinate nearby to further saturate the area competitors, we buy 1/2’s and 1/4’s, with human smell. #3 deer and fawns. Fair grade. 4. Many hunters won’t carry their rifl e or bow once their elk tag We can pick-up. has been punched. However, when returning to a carcass, consider carrying a handgun or NOW BUYING bear spray for personal protection in case you encounter a defi ant Furs, hides, elk teeth, claws, skulls. We have critter. Be as noisy and obnoxious the largest selection of tanned furs in the as possible as you approach the site. Clap your hands. Sing as loud U.S.A., fur coats, fur hats, fur gloves, as you can. fur blankets, horns, traps & trapping supplies, 5. Be ready to back off. An elk carcass is never worth fi ghting mounts & rugs. over. If a looter is adamant that it needs the meat more than you do, We also own or has rendered your elk BREWERY ANTIQUES and unsalvageable, check the state’s hunting regulations. A game warden SECOND HAND may issue you a new elk permit. Montana’s Largest Antique Shop Additionally, if legal, consider Furniture - collectibles - adding the predator to your game bag... Second Hand - Everything imaginable October 2013 47 Make sure no bugle goes unrewarded

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Hunting Post Rut Bulls Tactics and Technics (continued from page 43) Hunting in this Mid-elevation area, you need to take your time, go into the dark timber, and fi nd areas that have small openings, and sit. Look around take in the sights, sounds and smells. When I talk to many of the old time hunters, they have told me, “Heck, I have sat in that same little park for over 20 years, and harvested many elk.” I am not a sitter, but have found the older I get (my grandfather was correct), sitting is relaxing. In the mid elevation areas, you will fi nd water, springs, little pools, cooler places for the elk to go. Food is more plentiful, cover is more plentiful, and seclusion is more plentiful. The three most important things for an animal to survive. You will fi nd more access routes, which sometimes can be your curse, as you will probably see more ATV’s. But if you get off the roads, and ATV trails, you can still have an experience of a lifetime and be only a mile from all the traffi c. The animals normally don’t like the activity either. They will go in just far enough not to be seen from these roads, and trails. Get a good GPS or Back Track device, and learn how to use it, and have the confi dence you can fi nd your way back out. JB- Ok Kenny, let’s fi nish up with the High elevation hunt. Kenny- Now for the most demanding, and my favorite, High Elevation Post Rut Elk hunting area. This hunt is the most demanding in many ways. Elevation, weather conditions, topography, physical ability. The best part of this type of hunt is more access and more land to hunt on. Although there is some private property, that is not usually the case. You will be hunting in areas that there is little to no road travel, or very limited. The snow comes a lot earlier, so you will need to dress and prepare totally different then for the lower country hunts. These elk, especially the lonely, single, LARGE bulls, will usually be alone in these areas. They have done their mating, they have chosen to become recluses again. They have chosen an area that normally they will not be bothered by humans, so they can recuperate from the rut. Many times these bulls will feed a lot longer, because the elevation is higher and the temperatures are a lot cooler longer. I have seen them feeding at noon on occasion. When hunting in this type of area, you again will have to try and get above them, so with this you will have to have everything with you in your pack, yes I said pack, to last you the entire day. This is going to be a long day when you hunt this high, as you can’t just head back to the truck or camp and come back after lunch. I like to pack a light lunch, and, water. And leave room in my pack to put clothing into from my layering of the clothes I am shedding during the day. I usually start walking and setting up well before the sun comes up. I will fi nd some sort of outcropping to stay secluded, and sit until the sun comes up. I like to have very good optics with me to scout many of the higher bald mountains around me. You will be able to see a long way, so look slowly all around you, move slowly, because these animals see you at long distances. I usually fi nd a little rise on the side of the mountain slightly above timberline, but watch near tree lines in all directions for these larger old guys to sneak out. They will usually not go straight out onto a large side hill in a group, but they will feed just along the timber, and into very small openings with very good escape routes, usually only several steps away from where they are feeding. With this in mind, I have found, if I can fi nd where there are usually little ponds, trickles of water, willow patches, and little draws...They hang there. Again the best vantage point is above them, not below them. (next page)

48 - Hunting & Fishing News I usually hunt this way until about 8:30 in the morning then I slowly drop down into the edge of the timber. I fi nd that if I slowly walk parallel with the timber (slowly, very slowly) about 15-30 yards in, never in the open, I can fi nd bulls that have bedded down just on the edge. (Remember these bulls are old and now after the rut, a bit lazy. Not always the rule but, I fi nd this to be more the case). I have also found when hunting in some of the area that are high in elevation, like in areas like unit 45 that has many cliffs high up on the mountain, grassy openings all around with small quaking aspen patches interspersed, those big old boys hang on the shady side of those small cliffs, with a vantage point looking below. Again only 4-10 steps from being in the woods... The largest bull I ever saw was in one of these areas. I was too young to hunt yet. I was with my father, and we were hunting in the Camp Hale area near Horn Silver Mountain, right after a new fallen snow. He had drawn one of the fi rst 25 licenses ever drawn in unit 45 back in the early 1970’s. We were heading up a south facing slope that was very near the top, when I stopped my dad, telling him... “Dad, I think I just saw a bull near the cliff. I think he is huge.” My dad said “Oh Kenny, there would not be a bull out in that wide of an area. He would be seen too easy.” About that time, the bull stood up.... HOLY COW, he was huge. My dad dropped to his knee, put up his rifl e, poof, 4 steps, the bull was gone...I looked at my father, his eyes were wide, he told me, “Oh my, that is the largest bull I have ever seen.” He kind of let out a little laugh, looked at me, and said “ Way to go Kenny. You scared him.” I looked at him and I told him, “I scared him. If you would have believed me, we could have had him. Let’s go after him, with the new snow, we can fi nd him.” Dad said, “Are you sure you want to go after him?” I said “yes”...To make a long story short, I would not take that day back but, the snow was up to my belt buckle, we chased that big bull clear around until he dropped into a back bowl with the bulls belly dragging in the snow, he was gone... Hunting these large high elevation bulls is very rewarding when you fi nd one, but the fun ends when you pull the trigger. The work begins. Without the roads and trail access, it means all manual labor to retrieve the big old bull. I like starting my hunts below, walking up on these hunts, and I try never to go over the top into a basin. I try to hunt where I can bring down my game instead of having to ever go up. It is very hard to pack an animal on your back out of these woods going uphill in snow. You will respect that thought. Like in many of the areas, when you hunt up high, usually the only way you have to go is down... packing a large bull on your back, downhill means you will be able to make it a very good experience and your chances of getting out the complete bull is better than having to have to go back into a hole several times to retrieve it without pack animals. Hunting Post Rut season bulls takes patience, endurance, knowledge, profi ciency, and always remember to tell others where you will be hunting, as this is usually the season that search and rescue is called the most. Planning is very key to hunting this time of year, and the conditions can be more harsh than the earlier seasons. I have tried to give you some information that I have compiled from over 40 years of hunting for these giants and have learned by doing and going... All are memories from the fi eld.Ù

October 2013 49 Hunting District 122 - Elk Blow Out MFWP Westland Seed is the first and last stop * Please refer to MFWP printed regulations as ©Outdoorsman|dreamstime.com fi nal authority. SPECIALS Legal Description: Thompson River - Those END OF portions of Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln on all Counties lying within the following-described for all your hunting needs. boundary: Beginning where the Thompson SUMMER River County Road meets US Highway 2, then Used ATVs & southerly along said highway to the Shroder Creek Road and USFS Trail 137, then easterly along said road and trail to USFS Trail 132, Side-by-Sides then southeasterly to USFS Trail 290, then along said trail to the Flathead Indian Reservation Boundary, then southerly along said boundary to the Sanders County line, then westerly along said line to Selection has never the Clark Fork-Ninemile Divide, then westerly along said divide to the been better! USFS Trail 242, then northerly along said trail to the Clark Fork River, then easterly and northerly along the eastern shore of the Clark Fork Just in time River to the confl uence of the Flathead River, then westerly along the for hunting season! northern shore of the Clark Fork River to the Thompson River, then northeasterly up said river to USFS Trail 433, then northerly up said Our trained technicians trail to Marmot Peak, then westerly along said trail to Mt. Headley certify each used or and USFS Trail 528, then northerly up said trail to the Vermilion River consigned boat, motor, ATV Divide, then northerly along said divide to the Lincoln-Sanders County or side-by-side to be ready for Line in Section 19, T25N, R28W, then northeasterly along said county the lake or the hills. line (Hydrological Divide) through Davis Peak, then northerly along said Hydrologic Divide T26N, R27W, S30 to USFS Road 6769, T26N, Side-by-Sides R28W, S12, then northeasterly along said road to USFS Road 9991, 2006 Yamaha 660 Rhino: $ 9,995.00 then northerly along said road to US Highway 2, then easterly along Full cab enclosure, stereo, plow etc., LOADED said highway to the Thompson River County Road, the point of beginning. 2013 Can-Am 1000 XT Commander: $15,650.00 Harvest Statistics Demo, Loaded License Year Bulls Cows Calves Our inventory of pre-owned boats 2012 49 4 2 and ATV’s is constantly changing. * Notes: Harvest Statistics are gathered from the Annual Harvest Survey, which does not include late season hunts If you don’t see what you are beginning with the 2006 license year... looking for, check our website regularly for fresh trade-ins and consignments, or call us and let us know what you are looking for and we’ll contact you when it comes in. ATV’s 2008 Can-am 500 Max XT with extras: $7,495.00 2008 Yamaha 250 Raptor SE: $2,995.00 2008 Yamaha 700 Raptor SE: $4,995.00 2011 Can-am 800 XT-P, 620 miles: $8,995.00 2011 Can-am 650 XT-P, 508 miles: $8,495.00 We also have a large selection of pre-owned boats, new boats, new ATVs and side-by-sides, ski-doos, and pre-owned snowmobiles. See us for yours! Largest PLUS Gun Selection Sleeping Giant Prop Repair On Site To Repair Your Props! WWE’VEE’VE GGOTOT YYOUROUR RRIDEIDE with over 300 in stock! RRANGER•CRESTLINER•LARSON•SEA-RAY•SUPRA•STRATOS•MOOMBAANGER•CRESTLINER•LARSON•SEA-RAY•SUPRA•STRATOS•MOOMBA PPREMIERREMIER PONTOONS•SEA-DOO•CAN-AM•SKI-DOOPONTOONS•SEA-DOO•CAN-AM•SKI-DOO Map MMERCURY•YAMAHA•EVINRUDE•HONDAERCURY•YAMAHA•EVINRUDE•HONDA MARINEMARINE produced 4406-443-737306-443-7373 using National 33186186 HHwy.wy. 1122 EEast,ast, HHelenaelena Geographic wwww.onewaymarine.comww.onewaymarine.com TOPO 406.676.4100 one mile west of the Dairy Queen on Round Butte Road in Ronan FFullull PPartsarts & ServiceService DepartmentsDepartments Courtesy Rocky Mountain Maps. visit www.rockymtnmaps.com 50 - Hunting & Fishing News WWestlandestland SSeedeed iiss tthehe firstfirst aandnd lastlast sstoptop fforor allall youryour hhuntingunting nneedseeds. We have the right gear and the BEST PRICES!

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