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EEverythingverything OOutdoorsutdoors MMissoula,issoula, BBozeman,ozeman, BButte,utte, Helena,Helena, HamiltonHamilton oorr shopshop 224/74/7 aatt wwww.bobwards.comww.bobwards.com SSPORTINGPORTING GOODS,GOODS, MONTANAMONTANA STYLESTYLE Everything Outdoors A-Bolt II Medallion A-Bolt II Medallion • Receiver - Steel, Engraved with blued fi nish, Glass bedded, Drilled and tapped for scope mounts • Barrel - Blued fi nish, Free fl oating, Hand chambered, Target Crown • Action - Bolt-action, 60o bolt lift, Non-rotating bolt sleeve, Adjustable trigger, Detachable box magazine, Hinged fl oorplate, Top-tang safety Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Hamilton • Stock - Select gloss fi nish Walnut, Rosewood fore-end and grip caps, Checkered or shop 24/7 at www.bobwards.com • Features - Sling swivels included, Recoil pad, BOSS® and BOSS-CR option • Available in left-hand models • Calibers: 300win, 270win, 30-06, 300wsm, 7mm rem mag, 7mm-08, 243, SPORTING GOODS, MONTANA STYLE and 270wsm 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.