big sky outdoor news & adventure

APRIL 2011www.bigskyoutdoornews.netBIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWSBIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS SSpring pring IceIce-O-Offff Spots SpotsHHUNTING UNTING TURKEY ON TURKEY ON PUBLIC LANDSPUBLIC LANDS

WWALLEYEALLEYE FROM THE BANKSFROM THE BANKS

SSpring pring Mack Mack DaysDays

The PerfectThe PerfectRRifl e ifl e For For A LadyA Lady

2 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net APRIL 2011

APRIL 2011 • ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 3


ADVERTISINGRICK HAGGERTY(406)370-1368AMY HAGGERTYPUBLISHER8591 Capri Dr., Helena Mt. 59602email:[email protected] entire contents is © 2011, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without prior consent. The material and information printed is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure. Nor does the printed material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure. VOLUME 8 issue 1

COVER PHOTO:Jim with his largest lake trout entry.-048Cynthia Bras-Benson spring Mack days

Please support the advertisersyou see in this publication and

let them know you saw theiradvertisement in Big Sky Outdoor

News & Adventure. Theymake it possible to bring

Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure to you each month.

Thank you.

Lawsuits Impact Wildlife Funding, Taxpayer DollarsBOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB

Legal defense costs are an increasing drain on conservation funding today. Alarmed by the trend, the Boone and Crockett Club has launched a new examination of federal statutes that enable ongoing litigation at a high cost to wildlife and the American taxpayer. The Club’s primary concern is the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), which reimburses organizations that successfully sue federal agencies for non-compliance with federal law. Although well intended, abuses of EAJA are escalating into a modern conservation issue with potentially severe long-term consequences. “The Club was and is deeply involved in designing and now protecting the economic engines that drive conservation in America,” said Ben Wallace, president of Boone and Crockett Club, “Since the 1880s, we’ve been the guardian of the most successful wildlife conservation system in the world. It’s a system that depends on funding, and we take very seriously the fact that money and other resources intended to support conservation are being diverted elsewhere.” Past Club President Lowell E. Baier is leading the ongoing investigation and his preliminary fi ndings were reported in a two-article series published in Boone and Crockett’s magazine, “Fair Chase.” The articles, complete with detailed background and statistics, are now available free to the public at www.boone-crockett.org. EAJA was written to reimburse legal costs incurred by small nonprofi t organizations along with for-profi t organizations with net worth of

less than $7 million. However, America’s two largest animal rights groups have fi led numerous cases under EAJA even though their 2009 combined net assets exceeded $209.6 million and cash balances exceeded $44.5 million.

In 2007, the same litigant was awarded $280,000 following a similar case in the Great Lakes area. The defendant in both cases was the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose budget—regardless of whether it’s spent on wildlife or lawyers—is fi nanced by a combination of sportsmen fees and tax dollars.

Taxpayers bear all EAJA reimbursements to plaintiffs.

Indirect costs are considerable, too. Nearly all resource management proposals are now subject to ever-higher hidden fees as federal agencies spend more and more time and resources on elaborate environmental impact statements and other attempts to “suit proof” their decision-making processes. In some cases, where the intent of the lawsuit is to stop a proposed federal action, the delays and costs to a federal agency can derail time sensitive projects even if the eventual court ruling goes against the plaintiffs. Along with wildlife, other public land-and water-based resource agencies that deal with energy, timber, agriculture, livestock and fi sheries also are increasingly impacted by legal actions taken under the provisions of EAJA. EAJA clearly encourages frequent legal challenges by some nonprofi ts that are, in reality, “big business.” These organizations are literally making their living by suing a variety of government agencies. Does EAJA, especially its payments to successful litigants with no reciprocal penalties for losses in court, still make sense today?

Baier’s preliminary study fi nds that EAJA needs intensive review. Appropriate modifi cations could help make laws that are more effective, effi cient and resistant to courts deciding wildlife management policies via taxpayer subsidized lawsuits. The Boone and Crockett Club will continue studying this problem. Government Affairs and Conservation Policy committees will examine the results and make recommendations to the board of directors for a fi nal decision on course of action.

Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain TrophyTrophy

Big Game RecordsBig Game Records

www.booneandcrockettclub.com BBOONE OONE andand CCROCKETT ROCKETT CCLULUBB®®

Larry AnapLarry AnapolitanoolitanoPronghornPronghorn 8383-6/8-6/8Converse CountyConverse County, , WYWY. 200. 20077

Montana/Molloy Wolf Settlement Announcement. What Does It Mean?RYAN BENSON, BIG GAME FOREVER

The government dropped it’s appeal of Judge Johnson’s ruling in favor of Wyoming’s wolf plan. 9 of 13 environmental plaintiff’s settled out of the Molloy decision which could mean a wolf hunt for Idaho and Montana next season (if accepted by the Judge).

What does it all mean? Are we on the right track?

What this all shows is that the effort of Big Game Forever, sportsmen from across the country, and other partner organizations is making a huge difference. Leaders in Congress have wolf delisting high on their priority lists. Press releases directed to settlement proposals announced last week all included references to increasing pressure in Congress. Your efforts are making the key difference.

This article spells out why some proposed wolf-delisting bills are very good and some are very bad. (continued on page 31)

Another abuse uncovered by Baier: In 2008, an

animal rights group won a legal ruling regarding wolves

and petitioned a federal court in Missoula, Mont., for $388,370 in attorney fees. The judge awarded

$263,099, which was based on an hourly rate of $300—even though the federal limit

is $125 per hour.


2011 ATA Show: Bowhunting Gear Unleashed BY BRODIE SWISHER

The 2011 Archery Trade Association (ATA) show was recently held in Indianapolis, IN, and once again the archery and bowhunting industry unleashed the latest and greatest in gear and equipment for tournament and hunting archers. The ATA Trade Show is the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest show. It’s also the industry’s most inclusive show. The ATA Trade Show is a member-driven event to promote commerce within the archery and bowhunting industry. Owned and operated

by the ATA, the show is closed to the public and is an order writing event. Archery shop owners and sporting goods buyers from around the globe make the annual trip to the ATA show as they prepare to stock their shelves for another season of archery adventure. There was no shortage of great gear and gadgets for bowhunters at this year’s show. In this issue we’ll take a look at some of my top picks. Much of the buzz about bows this year revolved around the new Prime from G5. The engineers at G5 stepped way outside the box when they introduced

their new Parallel Cam Technology. The parallel cams on Prime bows take up the string on both sides of the cable, balancing the load and virtually eliminating cam lean and limb torque. (G5prime.com) Bohning Archery’s Blazer vanes have risen to become the industry’s most popular vanes for both simplicity and deadly-accuracy in arrow performance. This year, Bohning makes lethal fl ight and great looks even easier with their new Blazer Shrink Fletch. The Blazer Shrink Fletch easily installs on arrow shafts from 17/64” to 24/64” diameter. Building great looking arrows is now easier than ever! Simply submerge the arrow fi xed with the Blazer Shrink Fletch in 180-degree water…and the work is done! Shrink Fletch is available in Bohning’s most popular vane colors. (Bohning.com)

BOWFISHING The crew at AMS Bowfi shing have made a good thing even better with upgrades on the features of their popular Retriever Pro bowfi shing reel. New for 2011, the Retriver Pro now features the AMS Trigger Guard that ensures excess line will not catch on the trigger. The reel also features Hi Vis line for the ultimate in visibility. The company has also brought a bowfi shing sight to their product line for 2011 with the addition of their Apex Fiber Optic Single Pin Sight. (amsbowfi shing.com) I had the opportunity to spend some time with Bill Montgomery at his

Quick Draw Bowfi shing booth and was immediately impressed with the product he offers to help keep the bowfi shing arrow in place and ready for the shot. The Quick Draw bowfi shing arrow rest accommodates beginners or seasoned shooters. The rubber gate is designed to allow quick and easy arrow loading; capturing the arrow, making it ready for that simple or fast action shot without the worry of the arrow falling off. (QuickDrawOutdoorGear.com)

TARGETS Block Targets takes a different approach for 2011 with their new Block Black target line. Like the other Block targets, the new Block Black will stop thousands of arrows, but its new high-contrast design is easy on the eye, and is particularly easier to see at long range. It features PolyFusuion design for even longer target life and easy arrow removal for more practice and less fatigue. (BlockTarget.com) The GlenDel target line welcomes its newest member, the GlenDel Pre Rut Buck. The Pre Rut Buck is smaller than the Full Rut and just a little bigger than the original buck, making it the perfect backyard target. Standing 36” at the shoulders, the Pre Rut target simulates a 250 lb. whitetail buck. (GlenDel.com)

STAYIN’ SAFE In their 10-year anniversary year, the crew at Hunter Safety System (HSS) (continued on page 37)


It’s A Bear And It’s A Big One!S.L. MERRIAM

The rolling hills and broken hardwood bottoms where I hunted with my dad were the places of a boyhood dream and the time we spent there created a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I eventually grew up, got married, and was blessed with a little girl while continuing to hunt with friends. My hunting experiences took a welcomed turn about the time Megan turned nine and expressed an interest in both shooting and hunting. As that interest became more evident we began to spend more time together shooting rifl es, pistols and shotguns. I don’t know what I enjoyed most, shooting with my daughter or sitting and talking while reloading. Becoming her hunting partner has been a dream come true. I enjoyed the transition, watching my little girl become a skilled hunter and account for some 20 whitetails, a mule deer, and a moose. Over the years we shared hunts, driving to a number of states as well as Canada and although I am not rich, I told my wife when she said we need a new car instead of another dead deer; “Memories are the soul of life. When I can no longer hunt, all I will have are my memories. I want to remember hunting with my daughter. I’ll be able to recite the year, the hunt, the guide, the camp and the weather but I won’t remember the car.” That pretty much ended any controversy; I will remember the hunt and not the clunker we used to get there. My advice to anyone that has a child or spouse is to share time in the woods. The older I get the more important it is for me to spend the time with my family and friends that share my passion for hunting.

I tried for a number of years to interest Megan in a black bear hunt but was unsuccessful until fate rolled together two unknowns. First, I learned of a very successful guide in Montana that does extremely well on record book black bears. Second, Megan felt sorry for dear old dad

wanting to hunt black bears, and since we always hunted together, she decided to accompany me. Her requirement was simple: it would have to be a color phase bear, chocolate brown, cinnamon, or other similar shade, anything but black.

That was good enough for me and we started planning. She had hung up the .257 Roberts when we went on a moose hunt a year earlier replacing it with a .300WSM. Megan was not fond of trading the Roberts for something with that much recoil, even when I explained she needed to be prepared to take a 1000-pound animal. The 38-pounds of recoil was quite extreme after shooting the .257 Roberts but after installing a muzzle break the recoil was reduced to a level where she accepted the rifl e. I then bought one for myself and quickly fell in love with it and am still amazed at the accuracy and knock down power of this cartridge. I contacted Mark Shutey, of Stockton Outfi tters, in Butte, Montana, and booked his last hunt of the spring season that ran June 5 - 10. Mark explained the small bears come out of hibernation fi rst and chances of taking a big bear are better later in the season when they have left their winter dens. The down side is that they may have been tagged a week or two earlier. The later it gets the more bears rub their hide as the weather warms but the big plus is the area where Mark hunts has over 50% color phase bears. The winter slowly slipped by but around the fi rst of May when spring arrived in Kansas City we were getting bear fever. At the end of the month we drove to Butte, and came under Mark Shutey’s care for the next six days. The fi rst afternoon we hunted, a spring storm slipped in on us with wind, snow, sleet, rain, and ice. What slipped away was a chance to shoot a bear; bears hold up in cover when the weather is bad. They are not like deer and elk; they spent the winter in a warm den and do not enjoy cold, nasty weather. (continued on page 21)

1944 Birch St. Missoula, MT Call for a free estimate (406) 721-0881

visit us on the web at www.mountainstatescollisionrepair.com

“Where Honesty & Quality Come Together”

Don’t Miss A Day Don’t Miss A Day In the FieldIn the FieldWe can get your vehicle in and out.

Joe Bauer & Son Max Bauer With Bull ElkJoe Bauer & Son Max Bauer With Bull Elk

Ding, Dent, Ding, Dent, Or Major Or Major

Body WorkBody Work WE CAN WE CAN HELP!HELP!

Chance-of-a-Lifetime Hunts Awarded to Lucky Hunters RMEF

Elk hunters from Montana and New York have won chance-of-a-lifetime elk hunting experiences through special drawings offered nationally by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its sponsors. Winners were drawn during the RMEF annual convention, which concluded March 6 in Reno, Nev.

Prizes and winners include:

Win a Hunt with Cameron Hanes (2012 hunt)—Sponsored by Danner, RMEF, Cabela’s and Colby Gines Wilderness Adventures. Winner: Sidney Richardson, Colstrip, Mont. Richardson will bowhunt with Hanes, host of RMEF television shows and columnist for Bugle magazine. Hunt includes horseback travel into a remote camp in Wyoming plus fi ve days of elk hunting. Hunt will be fi lmed for the new “RMEF Team Elk” to air on Outdoor Channel.

Remington Progressive Drawing (2011 hunt)—Sponsored by Remington, RMEF and David Todd of West Elk Wilderness Outfi tters. Winner: Misty Lavigne, North Bangor, N.Y. Lavigne and one partner will spend a week hunting the heart of Colorado’s West Elk Wilderness.

The hunt includes horseback travel into a remote base camp at an elevation of 10,200 feet. The area, rugged and beautiful, has produced many 300-class bulls in the past few years, including one scoring 342 B&C.

Archery Progressive Drawing (2011 hunt)—Sponsored by RMEF and J. B. Klyapp of Dome Mountain Outfi tters. Winner: Corky Logan, Anaconda, Mont. This premium archery elk hunt for Logan and one partner includes two elk permits and fi ve full days of two-on-one guided hunting. Dome Mountain Ranch features over 5,000 private acres in an area that has historically been the highest harvest area in the state of Montana, just north of Yellowstone National Park.

The winner of the hunt with Cameron Hanes entered the drawing by signing up at Cabela’s stores or at www.cabelas.com. In the progressive drawings, each winner was entered for the hunt by winning previous drawings for a Rem-ington rifl e or BowTech bow at RMEF banquets or other fundraising events. Watch for more special drawings from RMEF in 2011. Funds generated by these programs support RMEF initiatives to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.


Stay in the heart of the BEST

Stay at The Historic Calvert Hotel

located in Central Montana

216 7th Avenue South - Lewistown, MT.Call (406) 535-5411 or (877) 371-5411

www.thecalverthotel.com

Newly RemodeledNestled amongst Five

Mountain Ranges

Fish Big Spring Creek for Trout all Year!Hunt for Trophy Mule Deer, Whitetail, Pronghorns, Turkey and Upland Birds

Trout Shoco Ranch

Mule DeerBroadus Hunting & Fishing In Montana!

LINCOLNPART PARADISE, PART WILDERNESS

Nestled in 2 acres of ponderosa pineLarge, modern rooms • KitchenettesCoffee pot, microwave, refrigeratorsHot tub and sauna • Internet availableReasonable rates • AAA rated

LEEPER’S PONDEROSA MOTEL

110 1st Avenue, Lincoln, MT.(406) 362-4333

Pets welcome

The heart of hunting, fi shing & snowmobiling

2955 Montana Hwy. 200 Trout Creek, MT. 59874

(888) 827- 4458 Reservations www.lakeside-resort-motels.comWhere Memories Are Made

(877) WED-SPA-1 406-266-3599 406-980-0477

Garden-Chapel-Pavillion WeddingsDIY - BYO - or FULL SERVICERustic & Romance Rooms

2 -$89.95 upElopement Specials from $395.

All inclusive No-Wait Arrangements Daily

Spa Services On-Site

Canyon Ferry MansionBed and Breakfast

Fisherman’sFisherman’sCabins Cabins

fromfrom $ $449.95 up9.95 up

Just 3 Mins. from New Marina

Walleye & Weddings...Elk & Elopements!“Cozy Catching” at Canyon Ferry Lake

[email protected]

Montana Wedding ChapelNo-Wait Licensing

EUREKASAND DRAG: 4/23 - 4/24

Race excitement includes blower cars, modifi ed 4X4s. Come enjoy the mud, and bring ear plugs and

lawn chairs. Held at 2579 Airport Road.Phone: 406-889-5360

FORT BENTONFORT BENTON SPRING CLASSIC

FISHING DERBY: 5/20 - 5/22Categories for both adults and children. Filled with

prizes and cash. Mandatory meeting at 5:30pm Friday. Must have 2011 Fishing License to sign-up. Starts

Friday 5:30pm, fi sh all night until Saturday 5:00pm.Phone: 406-621-5592

GREAT FALLS BELT CREEK ROAD RACE: 5/7

One-day, two-stage event is comprised of a time-trial and a road race, and is open to riders of all ages and

abilities. Begins at the Highwood School. Phone: 406-761-7021 or www.greatfallsbicycleclub.org

HELENAFISHING WITH JIGS: 4/12

Capital Sports will host a FREE seminar at 6:30 pm on how to fi sh with jigs.

Phone: 406-443-2978

MULE DEER FOUNDATION04/30/11 Butte

Treasure State ChapterMark Clark 406-498-2638

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION04/09/11 Great Falls

Giant Springs Big Game BanquetKen Seay 406-799-3519

04/16/11 ButteSouthwest Montana Big Game Banquet

Dick Talley 406-494-3043 04/30/11 Ennis

Vigilante Big Game BanquetRick D. & Cathy Toot 406-682-7857

05/07/11 MissoulaFive Valleys Big Game Banquet

Mark Sommer 406-721-9361

JACKSONSNOWKITE RODEO: 4/2 - 4/9

Freestyle and racing event attracts competitors from multiple countries including powerkiters from

Norway, Canada, Sweden and the United States.

LIBBYKOOCANUSA RESORT SALMON &

TROUT DERBY: 5/14 - 5/15Fishermen and women come from all over to partake in this event of catching the big one. Register early, grab your fi shing pole and gear. Held at Koocanusa

Resort & Marina. Phone: 406-293-7474

STOKR - SCENIC TOUR OF THE KOOTENAI RIVER: 5/14 - 5/15

2-day bicycle tour that benefi ts Habitat for Humanity. Riders choose between a 45 mile or 98 mile ride for

the fi rst day. Day 2 is a 38 mile loop. Phone: 406-293-2441

MISSOULAOUTDOORSFEST: 5/15

Shoot archery range and 3-D course, air rifl e range, fl y-casting, learn to tie fl ies and watch the kids

catch live trout. Join in on paintball, outdoor skills and seminars, while the kids enjoy face painting,

bouncers and more. Phone: 406-626-4168www.outdoorsmenchurch.com

MISSOULAMT-SFW BANQUET: 5/21

Silent auction, vendor booths, and mini-trade show, dinner at 6pm with keynote speaker, Ryan Benson,

National Director of Big Game Forever, live auction, Shane Clouse & Stomping Ground.

Held at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Phone 406-370-1368

TROUT CREEKANTLER AND WILDLIFE SPORT

AND GUN SHOW: 4/9Vendors with antler art work, Montana made furniture, wood frames, camping and fi shing

equipment. Plus Boone and Crockett Scorer. Guns and ammunition to check-out, trapping supplies,

boats and ATVs. Phone: 406-827-4458

WEST YELLOWSTONECYCLE ONLY DAYS: 4/1 - 4/14

Ride in Yellowstone for free and before the park opens to public automobiles or buses. Ride to

Madison Junction, Canyon or Mammoth Hot Springs

WHITEHALLNRA SHOOTING CLINIC:

3rd Sat. Each MonthLearn the basics of pistol marksmanship.

Held at Fish Creek Ventures. Phone: 406-287-2181

OOutdoor Cutdoor Calendaralendar

Events To SupportWILDLIFE


Elk Poacher Pleads Guilty To Felony ChargeBy Evin Oneale - Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game

Nearly one and one-half years after poaching two bull elk near Idaho City, a former Meridian man will pay thousands of dollars in fi nes and restitution to the residents of Idaho. In October 2009, and accompanied by his seven-year-old son, Gary A. Parrott, 37, poached the two trophy six-point bulls outside of Idaho City before the elk hunting season. While he took the time to remove and transport the antlers from both animals to his vehicle, Parrott made only a feeble effort to care for the elk meat. By the time he returned more than 24 hours later, both animals had spoiled and were abandoned. Eyewitness accounts, a website and other scraps of information helped Fish and Game conservation offi cer Rob Brazie piece the poaching case together. When two of the eyewitnesses picked Parrott out of a photo lineup, Brazie obtained a search warrant, which was executed on Parrott’s Meridian home in June, 2010. There Brazie and other offi cers found photos of both elk taken in the fi eld, the antlers from both animals, and a small amount of elk meat. DNA test-ing positively linked the antlers and meat with samples from both carcasses collected months earlier. Faced with this evidence, Parrott confessed to the poaching, and was charged with the unlawful possession of two bull elk, hunting elk without the proper tag and littering. One of the elk racks met the legal defi nition of a trophy animal, upgrading the unlawful possession charge to a felony. Shortly after the search warrant was served, Parrott relocated to Great Falls, Montana. He soon found himself in the county jail on the felony charge and was extradited to Idaho where he negotiated a plea agreement with Boise County prosecutors. Under the agreement, Parrott entered a guilty plea on the felony charge, with the other charges dismissed.

On March 10, Fourth Judicial District Judge Patrick Owens sentenced Parrott to:

A $5,000 fi ne ($2,500 suspended).

A $2,750 civil penalty.

Five years of supervised probation.

A 10-year hunting and fi shing privilege suspension.

“This is one of the worst poaching cases I’ve investigated in my 20 years as a conservation offi cer,” Brazie noted after the sentencing. “Stealing from all of us by poaching two trophy bull elk is bad enough, but to do so in the presence of his young son, that’s unconscionable.”


Spring Ice-off Spots For Bass, Walleye And PikeBY RICK HAGGERTY

33” Pike FromNoxon Reservoir

It’s been a long, hard winter here in Montana. Most anglers know that the ice-off bite can be one of the most productive times of the year to catch a toothy predator. Here are a few of Montana’s best destinations to check out over the next few weeks.

Fort Peck Reservoir: What can you say that hasn’t been said about Fort Peck? 134 miles long and countless inlets to explore for trophy class fi sh. Depending on where you live, it can be a journey to get there, but it’s always worth the trip. It’s a short window between ice-out and the start of walleye spawn, but these two or three weeks are a great time to catch a huge egg-laden female. The water level at Fort Peck has risen in the last 2 years and that’s good news for fi shermen. You can launch a boat at Rock Creek and as soon as the weather warms, the bite should be fantastic here! For more information on Fort Peck Reservoir contact Bernie Hildebrand’s Guide Service at 406-234-6342 or the FWP Offi ce in Glasgow at 406-228-3700.

Noxon Reservoir: Located on Trout Creek, just west of Thompson Falls, this fi shery has a hot pre-spawn bass bite. Largemouth bass in the 5 to 6 lb. range can be caught on this body of water. Walleye are starting to fl ourish here as well. This is also a great place to hook onto an oversized Pike. Fish along the sunny rock walls and backs of bays and you should have a lot of action on this body of water. For current conditions contact Lakeside Motel at 888-827-4458.

Bass From Noxon Reservoir

Canyon Ferry: Another big Walleye destination is Canyon Ferry Lake, just east of Helena. This big body of water has been known to produce some 10 pound fi sh that can reach as big as the 14 pound range. Although the Walleye bite has been a little slow this winter, expect the spring and warming weather to be a productive time to fi sh here. Canyon Ferry is well known for Walleye, but don’t overlook the Trout bite here this spring. Contact Capital Sports Fishing Department for updates at 406-443-2978.

Holter Lake:Thanks to a slow warming

water in this canyon, a pro-longed pre-spawn Walleye bite can be expected this spring. Walleye can grow big here. It’s good to have your electronics to fi nd fi sh in this water and fi sh a bottom bouncer with a plastic worm or night crawler. This area is scenic and spectacular, if you have never fi shed this area, (continued on page 13)

1092 Helena Avenue, Helena(406) 443-2978

www.capitalsportsmt.com

Capital SportsCapital Sports & Kit’s Jigs & Kit’s Jigs A Great Combination For A Great Combination For

Spring In MonSpring In Montana!tana!

Standard Round Head Marabou Jigs 3-Color Round Head Marabou JigsPremium Round Head Marabou JigsGlass Minnows

$1.29 ea$1.29 ea$1.79 ea$1.79 ea

$1.99 ea$1.99 ea$2.99 ea$2.99 ea

Meet Kit & Trevor the Founders of Kit’s Tackle

What: FREE seminar on learning how to fi sh with jigs.When: Tuesday, April 12th at 6:30pmWhere: Capital Sports & Western WearDetails: Kit & Trevor will be sharing tips & techniques related toTrout and Walleye fi shing theyʼve gained from countless hours spent on the water with a jigging rod in hand. PLUS!

RECEIVE 10% OFF all Kitʼs Jigs from 5-8pm the night of the seminar!

Featuring Montana’s Largest Selection of Kit’s Tackle Including:

Nothing beatsa Kit’s Jigfor SpringRainbow

TroutFishing in

Helena Area Lakes & Rivers!


New Reservation Program Available For 20 Montana State Parks Mark Ward

Camping out with your family is a popular way to spend a weekend for many Montanans. It’s a chance to spend some time hiking, fi shing, or just exploring with your family. The 54 State Parks around the state have a lot to offer. Some Montanans have been frustrated over the last few years in their effort in fi nding a campsite at a sold out State Park, because they arrived too late. They get off work on Friday head to their favorite campground only to fi nd it full. Maybe that has happened to you. Well I have some good news. You can now make a reservation for a campsite, cabin, yurt or tipi. This new program should make planning a stay at 20 of Montana State Parks a little easier. But you will need to plan ahead. “Montana has 550 State Park campsites and we think the new reservation system will take the stress out of making sure our guests have a place to stay”, said Tom Reilly, Assistant Administrator for State Parks. Idaho, which has 1200 State Park campsites, has been using a reservation system successfully for ten years. Reilly believes Montana can benefi t from what Idaho has learned from doing their program. “The company they use, ReserveAmerica, will also handle our reservation system,” said Reilly. Here is how the reservation program works. It will be in place for 20 Montana State Parks from May 27 - September 5. Approximately 75 percent of the campsites in each park are available for the reservation program. The remaining 25 percent of the campsites will accommodate “walk in” visitors on a fi rst come basis fi rst serve basis as they do now. To make a reservation you can either call a toll free number 1-855-922-6768 to the reservation call center from 8am-7pm weekdays and

9am-5pm weekends or you can go on line to campmt.com 24 hours a day. Reservations need to be made at least two days before your expected stay and can be made up to 9 months in advance. You will be able to pay by credit or debit card. Once your reservation is complete you will receive an e-mail confi rmation with all the campsite and campground information. There is a $10 processing fee charged with each reservation. Campsites at the 20 State Parks that are earmarked to be reserved will be identifi ed with a sign that have an R in a circle. The R sign will be posted with a piece of paper with your name on it.. “Guests will have 24 hours from 2pm on the day they made the reservation to show up,” added Reilly, “if they don’t show for 24 hours and they have reserved multiple days then we will offer the campsite to another walk in guest”. If you do call in advance and cancel all it will cost you is the $10 processing fee. The on-line reservations web site campmt.com features photos, campground maps, site descriptions, and travel directions. “We are encouraging our guests to reserve on line it is an easy and great way to fi nd out more about the campgrounds and what they have to offer”, added Chas Van Genderen State Parks Administrator, “by offering this reservation program it will help people relax knowing they have a campsite waiting for their family after work on Friday night or before and during a busy holiday”. “With the new reservation program there is no need to drop off your camper 2 days ahead of time. All you have to do is plan ahead and reserve a campsite for your next trip to a Montana State Park,” said Van Genderen.

Mark Ward is known as the Captain of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show heard statewide every Saturday from 6am - 8am. Log onto www.montanaoutdoor.com to fi nd a radio station in your area. You can also read his weekly column in the Thursday Missoulian Outdoor section.


Help a Steelead-Catch a Bass BY TRAVIS DEBOER

Strong Runs Of Columbia River Chinook, Puget Sound Coho And Pink Salmon ProjectedWASHINGTON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

FISHING ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER

Fishing prospects look bright this year for chinook in Washington’s ocean waters and the Columbia River, according to preseason salmon forecasts. Opportunities for anglers also look good in Puget Sound, where coho and pink salmon runs are expected to be strong this year. Forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye, pink and chum salmon mark the starting point for developing 2011 salmon-fi shing seasons in Puget Sound, the Columbia River and Washington coastal areas. The forecasts were developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty Indian tribes. Fishery managers have scheduled a series of public meetings over the next few weeks to discuss potential fi shing opportunities before fi nalizing seasons in mid-April.

A meeting schedule, salmon forecasts and information about the salmon season-setting process are available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fi shing/northfalcon/. Phil Anderson, WDFW director, said department staff will work closely with tribal co-managers and constituents to develop fi sheries that meet conservation objectives and provide fi shing opportunities on abundant runs of wild and hatchery fi sh.

“We will continue to design fi shing seasons that not only meet conservation goals for salmon, but also minimize impacts to other species,” said Anderson. “It is important that we take into account the entire ecosystem when managing our fi sheries.”

As in past years, salmon-fi shing prospects in 2011 vary by area: (continued on page 15)

Bass Trips - 2 people for only $300 April & May. Trips Make great Gifts!

www.GuerillaGuideService.com

Want to catch 100 of these? Then book now dates are going fast!!!

#208-924-8685

Or Book A SeaRun Cutthroator Summer SteeliesTrip This summer!

Affordable fi shing!

Bass trips on the mighty Snake river

with

Now Offering

Fly FishingFor Bass

This spring hundreds of thousands of Salmon and Steelhead smolt will begin to back their way down the Snake and Columbia River systems. They face a horrifying amount of obstacles, most of which have been put there by man. No, I’m not talking about the numerous and highly controversial dams, I’m talking about voracious introduced gluttons, predators placed in these systems by man and managed for sport rather than much needed control. I am talking mainly about Smallmouth Bass, though there are other introduced species that should be of con-cern as well, Walleye and Channel Catfi sh are just a couple that instantly come to mind. When spring temperatures begin to warm the water (consistently) to a high of 50 degrees for a few days in row, a scene unfolds that should make anyone who loves our native ocean run fi sh cringe. An unchecked and very violent assault on our native Salmon and Steelhead begins. The things I witness on these rivers during this period never fail to astonish me. What’s even more astonishing is the lack of concern from people that should know better. Washington and Oregon have teamed up to put a hit out on Northern Pike minnow for the very reasons listed above, paying between 4 to 5 dollars a head for each one killed and checked in. While I know that these poor little fi sh do have an impact on smolt, I also know without a doubt that it is minimal when compared to that of the Smallmouth. I have literally sat in one hole on the bottom end of the Grande Ronde and captured over a hundred Smallies for days on end during this spring feeding period and we usually see relatively few (a dozen or so) Pike minnow in the same areas. Not to mention that when we do manage to catch even a large Pike minnow rarely does it spit up a dozen, half-digested, Salmon smolt as the bass do almost every time they are hooked. Rather than get into what offi cials to call to voice concerns and complain about poor management and ask valid questions about what is the true motivation

behind the fl awed management techniques regarding these voracious interlopers (a topic I hope with a little more research to address in the very near future). What I propose is this. Keep a limit of bass when fi shing these waters! Keep as many as you legally can and will actually use. These fi sh are absolutely delicious and it greatly benefi ts the native Steelhead and Salmon. Plus, with the media hype surrounding Black Bass, it’s rare in this day and age that somebody says “please keep and eat some bass”. It is scary how many of these fi sh can be caught in a day using simple presentations and inexpensive baits that mimic this expensive (to you and me) forage base. Anything that even remotely resembles a swimming or injured Salmon smolt has the potential to send you into the triple digits catch rate wise. A couple baits that go above and beyond in this regard are 3-4 inch curly tail grubs and soft hollow body bait fi sh. Rig them on a jig head or drop shot them experimenting with action and retrieves, though most days during this time of year all you need to do is lob the bait in, feel a tick in the end of your rod, set the hook and fi ght your fi sh. A convenient and economical place to get any of the above mentioned products is www.mistertwister.com; they did, after all, invent these baits. Earlier in the season I start with smaller baits. The reason for this is that the smaller Salmon smolt is the fi rst to descend followed by the larger Steelhead smolt and juveniles. It is easy to tell when the Salmon smolt are the target forage because they are a lot more acrobatic and can be seen jumping out of the water in huge numbers avoiding the relentless pursuit of the bass. These ruthless marauders can sometimes even be seen herding them into the shallows with smolt even jumping onto the bank trying to avoid capture. During this period I use mainly 3 inch twister tails in smoke fl ake, as well as the different shiner colors and of course chartreuse in really of color waters. Perhaps the best match on the market (continued on page 18)

IT’S THE YAMAHA IT’S THE YAMAHA GET OUT AND RIDE GET OUT AND RIDE

SALES ESALES EVENT VENT GOING ON NOWGOING ON NOW!!

7812 Hwy. 287 S., Townsend (406) 266-5700

Sales•Service•Accessories•Boats•ATVs

www.townsendmarine.com Montanaʼs Largest Lund Dealer

*Customer Cash offer good on select 2010 (and prior year) models between 3/11/11-6/30/11.**Finance offer subject to credit approval, applies to purchases of new Yamaha ATVs made on a Yamaha Installment Financing loan account from 12/29/10-6/30/11. Minimum contract length is 24 months and maximum length is 36 months. Minimum amount financed is $5,000. Fixed APR of 3.99% or 12.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Monthly payments per $1,000 financed based on 36 month term are $29.52 at 3.99% and $33.69 at 12.99%. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. ATVs with engine sizes over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For training and safety information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don̓ t mix; avoid excessive speed; and be particularly careful on difficult terrain.

©2010 Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. All rights reserved. •yamaha-motor.com

2011 Grizzly® 550 FI Automatic 4x4 EPS

3.99% 3.99% APR 36 MONTHSAPR 36 MONTHS FOR QUAL FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS**IFIED BUYERS**

$700$700CUSTOMER CASHCUSTOMER CASH ON SELECT MODELS* ON SELECT MODELS*

+ UP TO


BIG SKY

Spring Ice-Off Spots (continued from page 10)

The Stimulator is a long time favorite for many anglers throughout the world. Its popularity is undoubtedly, because of its versatility for many different situations. All that is needed is a change in size, 4 to 18, and color to make fi sh think that they are going after a huge spring Pteronarcys californica stonefl y, a summer grasshopper or any season caddis. Even its developer Randall Kaufmann encourages variations in color and size. In Tying Dry Flies, 1991 Kaufmann says: “Even a subtle change, like thread color, sometimes seems to make a difference.” Al Beatty, BT’s Fly Tying Products,

http://www.btsfl yfi shing.com, tied this version at the Western Rocky Mountain Council Fly Fishing Exposition in West Yellowstone. It is a proven fi sh getter that can be easily changed for fussy fi sh by something as simple as changing the color of the Touch Dubbing where it is used. Touch Dubbing, a sparkly Antron material, is available in a dozen colors. See LaFontaine Private Label, Helena 800-874-4171 http://thebookmailer.com/index.html. MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT:Hook: Tiemco 200 R, sizes 4 to 18 Thread: 6/0 Brown Hackle: Long saddle, brown or furnace Tail: Elk hairAbdomen: Peacock herl Wing:Elk hairHighlights: Touch Dubbing: light green, black or orange

Step 1: Make a thread base between mid shank and a point on the hook just in front of the barb.Step 2: Move thread to bend and tie on the feather for hackle by the butt. Al likes shiny side forward, but “It is important to make your materials do what you want them to do.” Return thread to mid shank. (While doing this Al talked about using Static Guard when tying with deer or elk hair. Spray it on materials and yourself. It avoids a lot of problems with hair sticking to things that it shouldn’t.) Cut off a bunch of elk hair, remove under fur, stack and place on top of hook so the tail is about 1-1/2 to 2 gap widths long. Secure at mid shank. Wind thread to rear while holding the elk hair on top of the hook, and return thread to mid shank. Trim butts of elk hair on a slope.Step 3: Tie In three peacock herls by the tips on top of the elk hair. (Do not twist peacock herls.) Put some tacky dubbing wax on thread then tap the Touch Dubbing ball on the thread. Your fi ngers never have to touch the tacky thread. Make a dubbing loop, and put herls and thread loop parallel. Step 4: Twist the dubbing loop and herls into a rope. Pull thread to back of hook so it is out of the way. Hold the herl and dubbing loop together so they will wind together as you wrap rearward. Secure herl with the thread at back of hook. Cut off excess material.Step 5: Since tying thread is at back of the hook bring the thread and feather forward together. Secure feather, and pull it back out of the way.Step 6: Cut another bunch of elk hair, remove under fur and stack. Place elk hair on hook so it will make a wing that extends to the end of the tail. Put 4 or 5 looser thread turns to control wing then wind tighter.Step 7: Cut butts of elk hair on a slope and wind thread tightly over the cut area. Leave the thread about an eye width behind the eye.Step 8: Put a little dubbing wax on thread, apply Touch Dubbing and wind thread rear-ward to just in front of wing.Step 9: Bring hackle that had been pulled back out of the way forward. Then advance feather and thread together. Secure feather, trim excess, shape a small head and put on a whip fi nish. Or you can put two thread winds on a half hitch tool and slip them onto the head. If you do this twice it is as good as a whip fi nish with a tool. A little head cement as a fi nal touch is always a good idea.

Outdoor NewsOutdoor NewsFly Tying Corner: Stimulator

BY BOB BATES, fedfl yfi shers.org

Bob Hart With State Record Walleye From Tiber Reservoir measuring 35” in length and weighing 17.75 lbs.Photo courtesy Montana Pikemasters.

SPRING FISHING SPECIALPAY FOR 2 NIGHTS & GET THE 3RD FREE!

E-mail: [email protected]

April 1st - May 15th

www.sportsmanmt.com

Sportsman Motel & RV ParkSportsman Motel & RV Parkin Melrose. in Melrose. Located on the Big Hole RiverLocated on the Big Hole River 30 miles south of Butte on Interstate 15. 30 miles south of Butte on Interstate 15. Food & Food & beverage next door at the Hitchin Post beverage next door at the Hitchin Post

aand nd two full service fly shops two full service fly shops close byclose by: : Montana FlMontana Fly Co. and Sunrise Fly Shopy Co. and Sunrise Fly Shop

MMotel, Caotel, Cabbins, Caddis House, & RV Parkins, Caddis House, & RV ParkMake your Make your reservation reservation

today!today!

Raft RentalAvailable

give it a shot this season as there are many places to set-up camp and fi sh at the same time. Contact Helena FWP Offi ce for water conditions at 406-495-3260.

Tiber Reservoir: This reservoir sits just east of Shelby, north of Great Falls. Giant Walleye are the exception here on this water and not the rule.

Bob Hart caught a state record 17.75 pound Walleye in November of 2007, which surprised a lot of Montana’s Walleye die-hard fi shermen. Normal size Walleye here are in the 12 to 14 inch range, but you never know when that monster fi sh will strike on this water. Trophy Class Northern Pike can be caught as well as big Lake Trout. Fish weedy, shallow bays or the Marias River mouth for big Pike. Great shoreline habitat is making for some excellent fi shing on Tiber Reservoir. Contact FWP Great Falls offi ce at 406-454-5840 for more information.

Castle Rock Lake: Located just outside of Colstrip, this 160 acre lake has a bit of both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, smaller sized Pike action and some great Blue Gill fi shing. Although not was well-known as most fi sheries in Montana, this lake will produce some good fi shing days this spring. Contact FWP Offi ce in Billings at 406-247-2940 for updated conditions.


BY CHRIS MADSEN, (406) 523-9000 e-mail: fi [email protected]

Western MontanaFishing ReportBrought To You By Missoula

CHRIS MADSEN

Spring has now offi cially moved in, and after a warm March, our prospects for excellent April fi shing are improving as quickly as the days are getting longer. This month will mark the end of all but a few ice fi shing possibilities, but will open up a wealth of open water prospects, so it’s time to drag the boat out of the garage, charge the battery and check the trailer wiring. With the much ballyhooed Skwala hatch in full force, and a good return of steelhead in Idaho, there are more fi sh to be caught in April than there are days to fi sh. Not that anyone will blame you for trying.

First and foremost, April is the fi rst chance to fi sh some of Montana’s best lakes without having to cut a hole. As a rule, most of our lower elevation lakes should be ice free at some point this month. Mac Days is in full swing on Flathead Lake and it should continue to fi sh well through the month. Macs can be taken jigging spoons such as Rattl D’ Zastors, Lead a Gators, Trilobites, Buzz Bombs or Crippled Herring tipped with cutbait off points or drop-offs. If you would rather look for your fi sh on the move, trolling with Flatfi sh, KwikFish, spoons or Hoochies is a good way to get into some of the bigger fi sh.

There are lots of cash prizes to be handed out this year during the tournament. So if you’re looking for some place to fi sh, Flathead is a good option. As water temps warm in the lake the fi shing opportunities for pike and bass will only get better in the sloughs and backwaters of the inlet. Large crankbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits and fl ies are popular lure choices for the pike.

Bass anglers will be eager to start fi shing Noxon reservoir, as warming

water will start bringing smallmouth and largemouth bass into shallower water, where spinnerbaits, plastic worms and tube jigs will take some impressive pre-spawn fi sh. Similar opportunities can be found on many Flathead Reservation lakes like Ninepipe and Kicking Horse, as these shallow, low elevation lakes ice off and warm relatively early. Montana’s many rivers also begin to fi sh well this month as winter loses her grip in many areas. Most local rivers, like the Blackfoot, Rock Creek, Bitterroot and Clark Fork, really start to shine in April, as water temperatures warm and insects become active. Typical April hatch activity includes BWO mayfl ies, March Browns, neumoras and skwalas, but many consider this to be the most productive nymphing period of the year. In addition to the chance at boating a lot of fi sh, most rivers will also be blissfully uncrowded as well. The one major exception to the uncrowded rule is western Montana’s Bitterroot River, and for one reason: The Skwala stonefl y. Although this hatch is also present on the Clark Fork and Rock Creek, the ‘Root takes the brunt of the pressure. After a slow start, this hatch is now GOING OFF in a big way, and with the addition of BWO’s and March Browns this month, the Missoula area will be the place to be for the dry fl y enthusiast. If you enjoy fi shing streamers, the Blackfoot will come into its own this month too. Big fi sh looking for a big meal is the name of the game here. When the water

starts to get a little off color with some pre-run off water this a great time to break out the seven weight rod, sink tip lines and head to the river. Also, for anyone looking for something a little different, the Clark Fork and lower Bitterroot have a good population of Northern Pike; some of them quite large, in most any back-slough or dead water stretch. I almost hate to dedicate so much energy and enthusiasm to fi shing in Idaho in a Montana fi shing report, but steelhead might be my one acceptable excuse. The Clearwater will continue to fi sh well in April, as will the North and South forks. Most anglers will still be fi shing bobber and jigs setups, but Clearwater Steelies seem to become more and more susceptible to drifted roe this month as well. Fly anglers will do well drifting egg patterns, and swinging fl ies on sink tips will get better as the water warms some as well.The Salmon is also ice-free, and the fi shing was very good at the end of March. Fish are all the way up through Chalis, so there is tons of productive water to fi sh. Drift fi shing is most popular here, but some runs will bobber and jig fi sh well also. There is a surprising lack of fl y rods on the Salmon, and that is a shame considering the amount of beautiful water to choose from. I can barely keep the car on the road from eyeballing all the juicy runs and seams. No matter where you choose to wet a line this month, April will surely be gone before the list of options is exhausted.

RYAN ONGLEY

Southwest MontanaFishing ReportBrought To You By Bozeman

BY RYAN ONGLEY(406) 586-0100

READY FOR SOME DRIES!!!

Well winter is winding down and I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m ready to throw some dries. And April usually brings us the fi rst dry fl y fi shing of the year. We should be looking at some good action with the spring emergence of Blue Winged Olives. As well as March Browns and Skwalas on a few of our area rivers. Keep in mind with the Blue Winged Olives that it’s important to carry imitations of all the stages of the emergence. Nymphs, emergers, adults, and even a few spent spinner imitations. Let’s take a look at our area rivers.

UPPER MADISON: Keep in mind that the Quake to MacAtee and Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake sections are closed until the general opener the third Saturday in May to allow the Rainbows to spawn in peace. Plenty of good fi shing and especially excellent early season nymphing can be had. Floaters can get in and out currently at the time of this writing at MacAtee, Storey Ditch, Varney, and Eight Mile. It will be a bit before the Ennis town access will be repaired. And Burnt Tree may or may not need some repair. There is a sparse population of Skwalas on the Upper so it’s good to carry a few imitations just in case you come across some. March Browns and Blue Winged Olives along with midges will be your main stays for surface activity. I generally stick with nymphing this stretch unless I spot some risers as the

Montana Fishing Report Sponsored By Boston Beer Co.And Summit Beverage

BIG SKY INFLATABLES 476 Wines Way, Stevensville, MT 59870 406-777-5970

info@bigskyinfl atables.com • bigskyinfl atables.com

MANEUVERABILITY~Easy to use with oars or fi ns~Extremely stable - Hands free fi shing

PORTABILITYPORTABILITY~Entire package fi ts into a backpack with room to spare.~Assembles in ten minutes, disassembles in less!

ACCEPTACCEPT NO IMITATIONS...NO IMITATIONS...

THERETHERE IS ONLY ONE...WATER MAS IS ONLY ONE...WATER MASTERTER

VERSATILITVERSATILITYY~Fishing, hunting, camping and adventure.

See the See the Water Master Water Master VideoVideo OOnline nline

PROFESSIONAL RAFT REPAIRALL TYPES OFINFLATABLES


North Central Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By Helena

BY R.C. PEARCE(406) 457-7200e-mail: fi [email protected]

CANYON FERRY: Rainbows! Here they come; it’s that time of the year when the Rainbows are starting to spawn. Get in those bays and tributaries and bounce some black and

Augusta, MT • www.shocoranch.comPhone: 406-562-3553

E-mail: [email protected]

CCallallTodayToday!!

up to 10up to 10. Great for corporate . Great for corporate meetingsmeetings,, or stay in one of our or stay in one of our

cabins on the ranch.cabins on the ranch.

Fish For RainbowsFish For Rainbows,, Browns Browns,, & Brookies & Brookies

Shoco Ranch is a dream come true for the fl y rodder and angler that thrives

on small stream fi shing.UPLAND BIRD HUNTING

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER THRU MARCH

Remember to carry your bear spray when outdoors.

Strong Runs Of Columbia River Chinook, Puget Sound Coho And Pink Salmon Projected (continued from page 12)

More than half of the chinook forecast - about 398,000 salmon - is expected to be “upriver brights” headed to the Hanford Reach area and the Snake River. That would be the second largest run of upriver brights since 1964, when fi shery managers began keeping records, said LeFleur. “This should be a good year for upriver brights, which provide some of the best in-river fi shing opportunities for anglers,” LeFleur said. While the chinook run is expected to be up, the forecast of 362,500 Columbia River coho is similar to last year’s projection.

Washington’s ocean waters: Anglers can expect an ocean fi shery for chinook and coho salmon this summer similar to that in 2010, said Doug Milward, ocean salmon fi shery manager for WDFW. “Last year, fi shing was good for chinook and fair for coho,” said Milward. “The number of salmon available for this summer’s ocean fi shery is expected to be similar to last year, so anglers should see another good year of fi shing.”

Nearly 250,000 hatchery chinook are expected to return this year to the lower Columbia River. Those salmon, known as “tules,” traditionally have been the backbone of the recreational ocean chinook fi shery. The 362,500 coho salmon bound for the Columbia River also account for a signifi cant portion of the ocean catch.

Puget Sound: Coho and pink salmon returns to Puget Sound are expected to be strong this year. About 980,000 coho are forecast to return to Puget Sound streams, about 367,000 more fi sh than last year’s forecast. In addition, nearly 6 million pink salmon are expected to return to Puget Sound this year. That forecast is 3 million salmon below 2009’s record return but still an abundant run, said Steve Thiesfeld, Puget Sound salmon manager for WDFW. Most pink salmon return to Washington’s waters only in odd-numbered years. “This is shaping up to be a really good year in Puget Sound for both coho and pink salmon,” said Thiesfeld, who noted that an additional 17 million pink salmon are forecast to return to Canada’s Fraser River this year. “A portion of those Fraser River fi sh will make their way through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands boosting opportunities for Washington anglers.”

Summer/fall chinook salmon returns to Puget Sound are expected to total about 243,000 fi sh, slightly higher than last year’s projection of 226,000. Most chinook fi sheries in Puget Sound likely will be similar to last year, said Thiesfeld. However, fi shing opportunities in the Green (Duwamish) River and Elliott Bay could be limited by a low forecast of wild chinook, he said. Thiesfeld said a Lake Washington sockeye fi shery is unlikely this year. The sockeye forecast is about 34,600, well below the minimum return of 350,000 sockeye needed to consider open-ing a recreational fi shery in the lake.

The PFMC is expected to adopt fi nal ocean fi shing seasons and harvest levels at its April 9-14 meeting in San Mateo, Calif. The 2011 salmon fi sheries package for Washington’s inside waters will be completed by the state and tribal co-managers during the PFMC’s April meeting.

yellow or just plain black marabou jigs. Throw some patterns out and mess around with the color, one day pink could be hot then it might move into an orange or red real fast. Once you get that hen that you want, tie up some spawn sacks, set up a Lindy rig and have some fun!

HAUSER LAKE: The Walleye and Perch could be starting to move into Lake Helena. If so, get those fl oating crankbaits out and the boat or put the waders on, and catch some nice fi sh. Below the dam has been hot for Trout and Walleye. I’ve been using fl oating crankbaits and pulling both in. The Walleye are close to shore, while the Trout are out a little further. Mid-month would be nice to take the fl y rod for a walk and make your way down toward Beaver Creek and sight fi sh for those big rainbows. Use an egg pattern or a San Juan worm.

HOLTER LAKE: The American Bar area is a great place to pull in some really nice trout. I like to jig for them with a marabou jig. Black and yellow was hot last year, and could be a hot ticket again this year.

REGULATING RESERVOIR: The salmon fi shing picked up later in the ice season. All the reports were pink was the go-to color, with small jigs and pink corn. That color could still be hot and corn is always the way to go for them Kokanee. That’s until those weighted treble hooks are allowed.

This is one of the best times of the year in Montana. The Rainbows are starting their spawn and soon after the Walleye get going. No matter what fi sh you’re after, spring is just a great time to be “Gone fi shing.” Try using a planer board on the river this summer. It allows you to get out further than a cast can reach. Use a fl oating crankbait, or put some weight on the line and use a worm harness to get the worm in front of the fi sh. Good luck and have fun.

By R.C. Pearce

trout in this section generally don’t look up quite as much in the early season as they do later in the year. Nymphing a two fl y rig with a large Stonefl y nymph trailed by a baetis imitation or pheasant tail nymph is always a good bet. Streamer fi shing should be great as well. Sculpin Patterns along with Buggers and larger articulated patterns are all great bets.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: Throughout April the Yellowstone offers anglers the chance at the trout of a lifetime. Nymphing will be solid all month but the Whitefi sh will be chewing hard and it’s best to throw large streamers for the big browns of the Yellowstone. This is one river with it’s deep holes that a sink tip line really comes in handy. There should be plenty of surface activity as well with March Browns and Blue Winged Olives emerging throughout the month. The Yellowstones many side channels can offer some fi ne early season dry fl y activity.

BIG HOLE: With another good winter it should be another banner year on the Big Hole. Look for this to be your best bet for consistent dry fl y fi shing. Blue Winged Olives, March Browns, and a very good Skwala hatch will keep the noses up throughout the month. Nymphing with Stones, small mayfl y imitations, and Streamer fi shing subsurface will also be very consistent.

LANDING SALMON ON THE BANKS OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER, PHOTO WDFW

Columbia River: About 760,000 fall chinook are expected to return to the Columbia River this season. That’s about 112,000 more chinook than last year’s return and would constitute the fifth largest run since 1948, said Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River policy coordinator for WDFW.


INTRODUCING ASPEN TRAIL!INTRODUCING ASPEN TRAIL!

Goose Bay Marina At Canyon Ferry Lake visitmt.com

The Goose Bay Marina offers 20 tent sites and 68 RV sites. Onsite amenities include water and electric hook-ups, store, ice and showers. Docks and a boat ramp on Canyon Ferry Lake are also available.

Season: 4/1 - 11/30

Reservations:Reservations AcceptedWalk-Ins Welcome

Services offered:Beer/WineBoat LaunchCampsiteDumpElectricityEstablished Fire PitsMapsPublic RestroomRV Dump StationRV HookupsShowerStoreToiletsWater

Activities offered:BoatingCampingFishingFly FishingIce FishingLake FishingPicnickingRV CampingSailingTent CampingWildlife Viewing

Address:300 Goose Bay LaneTownsend, MT 59644Phone: 406-266-3645

Directions: Goose Bay Marina is located on the east shore of Canyon Ferry Lake on Highway 284. From Townsend go east on Hwy. 12 2 miles, then turn north on state Highway 284. Our access road is between miles marker 21 and 22, then turn at our sign and it is 3 miles into marina on Canyon Ferry Lake. From Helena, go to the fl ashing light east of East Helena, (about 6 miles from East Helena) turn left on 284 and go to mile marker 21 - 22 and turn at marina sign.

Missouri Headwaters State Parkvisitmt.com

Within the boundaries of this scenic park the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the 2,300 mile Missouri River. Missouri Headwaters State Park preserves much of the region’s abundant wildlife, lush, vegetation, and scenic beauty that have attracted people for thousands of years. The park provides 17 campsites, tepee rental, picnic areas, foot trails to points of interest, and interpretive displays of the area’s cultural and natural history. River fl oating, fi shing, picnicking, bicycling, hiking, interpretive programs, photography and fi shing are popular activities. The park is 532 acres in size and is 4,045 feet in elevation. Missouri Headwaters State Park Sponsors the Summer Speaker Series, Saturday evenings at 7 pm in the park’s picnic area. Following each presentation is a marshmallow roast campfi re. Presentations are free and open to the public, just bring a chair. For non-resident visitors, the day use fee is $5.00 per vehicle.

Season: All Year

Services offered:CampingBoat LaunchHandicapped AccessibleInterpretive DisplayPets AllowedToiletsActivities offered:BoatingCampingFishingHeritageHikingLewis And ClarkPhotographyPicnickingRV CampingTent CampingMailing Address:MFWP1400 South 19th AvenueBozeman, MT 59718Phone: 406-994-4042Directions:From I-90, take the Three Forks exit 278, then travel 2 miles east on Secondary Road 205, then 2 miles north on Secondary Road 286.


Traveler’s Traveler’s Corner: Corner:

BY NICK STEWART

A: Lets face it, nobody wants to hit a deer, but it happens… and it can be costly! A sturdy Grill Guard is your best bet to protect your favorite mode of transportation. There are many options to choose from including heavy duty bull bars, full wrap around styles to help protect your side panels and full blown custom bumpers which are only limited by your imagination. Another valuable tool in the traveling sportsman’s belt is performance lighting. The better you see the road and beyond at night the more time you have to safely react. We offer a full line of lighting from performance halogen bulbs to Brite Box set ups that allow you to control any combo of lows, highs and fogs simultaneously for increased nighttime vision.Q: After a long day on the water, I’m too tired for loading the boat and all the heavy lifting at camp. What can I do? A: Imagine the possibilities when you have a CSI 1200lb winch! Load the biggest boats with ease. Add muscle at camp without telling your loose lipped buddies where your secret fi shing hole is. Stuck in a ditch? No problem! Speed, power and a compact design make the CSI Brute Series winches a must for all avid outdoors recreationists. The CSI 1200lb winch is only $748.75.Q: I love being out in the fi eld, but when its time to go home the fi eld comes with me. What is the best way to protect my vehicles fl ooring against the mud and muck? A: Husky Liners Heavy Duty Floor Mats are not your usual fl imsy, generic, off-the-shelf fl oor mats. Husky Liners fl oor mats are tougher and thicker than other fl oor mats and are designed to precisely fi t your vehicle. A raised perimeter around the fl oor mats help contain spills and debris while embossed ribbing keep your feet elevated and out of water, mud, and dirt. Our fl oor mats are made from a highly durable thermoplastic and are guaranteed not to crack or break even in the most extreme conditions. Front Floor Mats for a 2007 Dodge Ram are only $69.95, and are available for hundreds of applications.

Gomer’s US Diesel Parts is located in trout Mecca Missoula and offers full service Diesel and Gas repair. With a full service fuel injection shop on site and a well stocked show room, the friendly and professional staff at Gomer’s is ready to help you GET OUT THERE and do some hunting and fi shing! For more on these & other fi ne products phone the specialists at Gomer’s Diesel, (406) 728-7620 or (800) 823-4444 or stop in and see them at 2400 Palmer, or visit USDieselParts.com.

A: The most uncomfortable part of towing anything is white knuckling with your foot on the brake pedal waiting for the next slick spot or sharp corner. You can increase your driving confi dence and towing safety with a BD Exhaust Brake. They are available for most diesel engines, and they work really well. BD’s turbo-mount design bolts in place of the factory elbow between the turbo and the exhaust system, providing peak retarding power throughout the engine’s rpm range. Controlled by a lighted On/Off toggle switch for automatic transmissions, or stick-mounted rocker switch for manual transmissions, the BD Brake communicates with the engine’s electronic idle verifi cation board for quick engagement. The durable air compressor included in later model kits can even be used for other applications - it’s that tough. For those heavy loads, you can also help level your truck for a more comfortable ride using Firestone Ride-Rite™ air helper springs which mount between the frame and the suspension of light-trucks, vans, and motor homes. The heavy-duty convoluted air springs will handle up to 3,200-5,000 lbs per set. Ride-Rite helper springs level the vehicle front to rear and side to side, stabilize the vehicle while loaded and maximize the vehicles carrying capacity. BD Exhaust Brakes start at $900.00, and many Ride-Rite kits start at $329.00.Q: What is the best protection for my diesel pickup against collisions with wildlife using the same roadways I travel to get to my fi shing destination?

As a native Montanan and lifetime fi sherman, Nick Stewart from US Diesel Parts knows the answer all too well... “Yup! Who’s rig are we taking?” If you’re like Nick, then you probably spend nearly as much time driving to and from your favorite fi shing hole as you spend on the water. As a diesel truck owner and a longtime member of the US Diesel Parts team, here are a few common questions Nick gets from his buddies when the talk turns from the fi shing to their rigs.Q: I tow a trailer so I can stay out longer, but driving up and down some of the Northwest’s steep passes can be pretty stressful. Is there anything I can do to make towing more comfortable?

Want To GoWant To Go Fishing? Fishing?


Walleye Fishing From The BanksBY RICH REIN

After spending a month on dry land, since fi shing on the last safe ice, then a week packing, unpacking, and repacking gear, I am fi nally ready to go. An annual Walleye Party, fi shing a large water Storage Lake that has a humble look but is walleye strong and little known. This is what I look for in a walleye lake because walleye are smart and heavy pressure smartens them up quickly. I have never found that a walleye being dumb was detrimental to the fl avor of the best warm water fi sh available to man. Besides I don’t eat the heads anyway. The inactivity combined with a lack of sleep slowly takes its toll. One by one, my fi shing companions stumble off to bed as an air mattress in the back of a pickup becomes very inviting. Each member promises to rise early and put in a full day on Saturday, but for me, there is no way I will lay down any time soon. I have been waiting too long trying to bridge the gap between solid ice and this opening day adventure. I sit alone in the calm night air watching the bright red light of my bobber rise and fall on each small wave. There is a break in the snoring when someone gets up and heads to the campfi re to add a few pieces of wood before returning to bed. I am content to sit holding my rod and watch the small clouds lazily drift across the stars. My eyelids start to get heavy and I lean back a bit more in my camp chair to pull my stocking cap a little further down over my head. My left eye starts to drift off but I force myself to at least keep my right eye open, watching the bobbing red light. Many pieces of fi shing tackle are traditionally relegated to one fi shing season or another. Some jigs are best used vertically suspended during the hard water portion of the year, while others do best jigged on open water. Moon glow-style jigs are one of the many items in my fi shing arsenal that

see double duty, and tonight is no exception. I am fi shing with a #10 blue moon glow jig tipped with a jumbo leech hooked through the sucker end. Approximately 12 inches above the hook, pinch on enough split shot to submerge about 3⁄4 of your bobber and hold your bait down in the target zone. I am fi shing in about fi ve feet of water and I want to keep my bait 6-12 inches off the bottom. In order to accomplish this, I am utilizing a slip bobber rig. A 5” Thill Nite Brite™lighted bobber is slid on the line just behind a thread-style bobber stop, which is available at your local bait shop or easy enough to tie yourself using readily available directions. This allows my bait to reach the correct depth while making it easy to cast as the bobber slides down to the split shot. Back to the beach – What seemed to be a small wave covering the bobber never moved on. Shouldn’t I have seen the light pop back up? All thoughts of sleep disappear from my tired body. It doesn’t matter that it is 3:00AM. There is slack in my line that needs to be taken up before I can even think about setting the hook. When the slack is gone and a tentative raise of the rod tip confi rms my bobber is not playing hide and seek, I make an exaggerated hook set, and the fi ght is on. Fishing under the light of bobber seems to have paid off for me this time, but there are a few different subtleties to keep in mind. First of all, keeping your bait in the target zone is paramount. Miss the right depth, and it can be a long night for you as you watch your buddies have all of the fun. I like to start a little too deep (your bobber will rest on its side if your sinker is resting on the bottom) and then make small adjustments until my bait is at just the right depth. (continued next page)

Help a Steelead-Catch a Bass (continued from page 12)

right now for these baby Salmon in my experience is the hollow body Mr. Minnow the 4 inch in Blue smoke is in my opinion the closest match but there are many other trouty looking patterns that work amazingly as well. (Again going to “louder” stuff in off-color water.) As the Salmon work their way further down the guantlet, that is these rivers, the Steelhead show up which are typically much bigger. Recognizing this I begin to throw the same baits in larger sizes like 4 inch grubs 6 inch minnows in rainbow trout patterns (a great pike bait for the bitterroot as well). A lot of folks say that your best chances at more trophy sized fi sh are during the earlier salmon smolt kick off, but I have found that if you bump up your bait size you may see even more and bigger fi sh in this later stage of the action. Another forage base for these fi sh is of course crawdads. Double tail grubs in basic browns blacks and of course, greens worked slow along the bottom will continue to produce all summer and fall when the Salmon and Steelhead, that are left, have moved on. Another option as summer warms the days and makes fi sh more sluggish is night fi shing under black lights with glowing baits of the same type. A practice that has been very popular and not to mention deadly effective in the

world record waters of Kentucky and Tennessee for years is no less as effective on our western Smallmouth. Perhaps more so because it is not yet used in these waters except by a few “in the know” anglers. Spring is here and our beloved Salmon and Steelhead need your help. So if you fi sh for and enjoy Idaho and Washington’s Salmon and Steelhead, don’t you think you owe it to them to help out, even if it’s only a little? If so then you are invited to come over for some great springtime fi shing and (hopefully) some great dining! I promise you will never have so much fun doing a good deed, and for those of you interested in fl y fi shing these hard fi ghting brutes, know that the possi-bilities are endless and probably unparalleled anywhere in the world. If any of this seems hard to swallow give either myself or any of my colleagues a call and we will be happy to prove it fi rsthand. I Hope to see you all on the river doing your part to help this worthy cause and try to excuse silly comments regarding catch and release practices with these fi sh and these waters. Anyone promoting this is ill informed, ignorant and should be respectfully and as politically correct as possible told to remove their head from you know where! It’s a stinky place to keep it anyway and this is not Bass Masters.


Once you have found the ideal depth, maintaining it can be just as important. When fi shing depths equal to or shorter than my fi shing pole, I like to reel the bobber stop up to the fi rst eyelet, and then take note of how far down the pole my hook hangs. Should my bobber stop slip, I now have a reference point to go back to so that I can quickly reset my depth without the guesswork used when I fi rst set up. A similar method also works for depths between 1 and 2 rod lengths long (simply reel the bobber stop in until it reaches the edge of your reel, then take note of where your hook hangs). A quick glance before each cast can tell you if you are at about the right depth, and you are immediately ready to fi sh again. In the dark, a lighted bobber shines like a beacon letting your know where your bait is and when a fi sh has found it. When fi shing with a few friends (or fi shing a community spot at night), bobber battery color can be just as important. Luckily, Thill lighted bobbers come with three different color batteries (everybody seems to have red, so be sure to keep a couple of green and yellow batteries handy just in case) - so knowing which bobber is yours is easier than ever. Given that bobber batteries aren’t cheap, just don’t forget to turn them off when you are packing up! I will spare you the painful details as I shook off the winter rust, getting used to using a full-sized rod and reel again, but ultimately victory was mine. The fi shing season had fi nally begun for real when a 24” walleye lay fl opping on the beach. Standing there alone I knew I had made the right decision by staying awake; I could always catch up on my sleep while waiting for the lakes to freeze next fall!

Walleye From The Banks (continued)

Walleye TournamentsWALLEYES UNLIMITED OF MONTANA

May 21-22Fresno ChallengeDual Dandy Anglers - combined weight between Fresno and Tiber, $10.00 per angler, must sign up before Fresno rules meeting to be in the race.

June 11-12Tiber Tournament

June 25-26Canyon Ferry Festival

August 6-7Fall ClassicFall Super Slam - combined weight between Fall Classic and Fall Finale, $10.00 per angler, must sign up before Fall Classic rules meeting to be in the race.

August 20-21Fall Finale

For applications to these tournaments or additional information visit the Walleyes Unlimited of Montanawebsite at www.montanawalleyesunlim-ited.net/tournaments.htm or e-mail Dale Gilbert at [email protected]

2 LOCATIONS615 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

Spring Fishing Is Here! Stop by for your supplies.

• Great Fishing Gear • Night crawlers• Coldest Beer Around• Biggest Cigar Selection• Novelty Section• Stock up on snacks

Call 443-7373 1-800-585-7397

3186 Hwy. 12 East, Helenawww.onewaymarine.com

FULL PARTS & SERVICE DEPARTMENTS

We’ve Got Your Ride

Alex with 10 pounder. Photo CourtesyMontana Walleyes Unlimited


Kolby Leishman and his Dad Jason of Huson withKolby’s Buck taken on the 7th of November 2010.

Kevin Drouin with 5x6 Muley taken in Darby.“Biggest Buck I ever harvested.”

Kenny with his Lesser Sandhill Crane takenin the Ovando Unit. Eric Wooding with his Antelope

15-7/8”. Keith Stockard with his Tundra Swantaken at Freezeout Lake.

Now Available! Get Yours Today!

A fascinating, comprehensive look at the story of elk hunting in America from the nation’s premiere big game hunting historians. After nearly a century of Records Keeping, the Boone and Crockett Club has dug deep into its records archive and produced the ultimate history book for elk hunting enthusiasts. An American Elk Retrospective will take readers back through the evolution of elk hunting and big-game records keeping from the late 1880s up through the 1970s, and is packed with hundreds of amazing vintage photos, historic score charts, records-keeping correspondence, and portraits of award-winning elk. Revisit some of the most publicized and signifi cant elk trophies ever recorded: The legendary Dark Canyon bull taken in 1899 by John Plute, which stood as the World’s Record for decades, Fred Mercer’s typical American elk harvested in Montana during the 1950s that resulted in a Sagamore Hill Award, William D. DeWeese’s non-typical giant that was taken over 120 years ago in Colorado, and many other truly outstanding but lesser-known trophies. An American Elk Retrospective is the essential book for every big-game hunter in North America.

Have A Hunting Photo You Would Like To Submit? e-mail: [email protected]

Join The Boone and Crockett Club Today! Just $35.00 Year.You don’t have to have a trophy in the records book to join the Boone and Crockett Club, just a passion for big game and the desire to keep hunting them.Join online at www.booneandcrockettclub.com or call 406.542.1888 HUNT FAIR CHASE

Christopher from Big Timber, age 12 at time of photo, with his 2010 Mule Deer Buck taken

up the West Boulder.

* Hardcover with dust jacket * 8 x 10 inches * 272 pages * Over 250 B&W photographsAssociate Member Price $27.95Regular Price $34.95

An American Elk Retrospective: Vintage Photos and Memorabilia from the Boone and Crockett Club Archives


THE ADVANTAGES:-Save your back-Carry no weight

-Affordably priced

THE VERSATILITY:-Compact storage

-Carry out your trophy-Haul Camp Gear-Emergency uses, -Farm & ranch

Environmentally friendly

“The Easy Way Out...& Back”

Specifi cations:Storage/Carry size:6-1/2” x 26-1/2” x 40”

Weight: 40 lbs.

217 Snowy View Drive • Libby, MT. 59923Toll Free (877)690-4170 or (406)293-6712 e-mail: [email protected] • www.neetkart.com

Nothing else like it on the market!

Recommended buy“Big Game Bowhunter” magazine.

NEET KART - The unique2-wheel in-line concept, a “people-powered ATV!”

A PERFECT COMPANION TO AN ATV.

Absolutely The Easiest Way To Move Packs, Game Traverse Rough Country And Go Around Gates

It’s A Bear (continued from page 6)

The bad weather didn’t keep us from hunting and Mark tried everything he could think of to spot a bear but no luck. The weather fi nally broke on Thursday with a ray of refreshing sunshine at dawn but since there are no guarantees when hunting, even with good weather there were still no bears. Mark wanted to check a place where the elk calve each year, feeling the bears would be out moving. On our way, we passed a large open area and I asked Mark, “ What is that black thing at the edge of the meadow?”Mark looked over and replied, “ It’s a bear, and it’s a big one!” Megan and I slid from the truck and made our way to a downed tree where I rested my rifl e and slowly squeezed off a shot. The 168-grain Barnes bullet missed the shoulder but passed through both lungs and he instantly took off at a dead run across the meadow. I could hear Mark shouting, “ Shoot him again! Shoot him again!” Megan was all excited about the shot but when I recovered from the recoil I was unable to see if the bear had been hit. I listened to Mark and shot again. I held a full bear’s length lead and fi red as he was running toward the one single tree in the middle of the meadow. He reached the tree and started up through the branches and I was aiming for the shoulder but he lost his grip so my third

shot hit the bear in the neck as he was falling.

Wrestling 450-pounds of dead bear into the back of a Ford Explorer was no easy task; Mark wanted to take it back to camp whole, since we were able to drive to it. After a half hour of futile at-tempts Mark grabbed the bear around the chest in a bear hug and said, “ I’m going to try it one more time. Keep pushing, keep his feet going in, and pick up anything that drops.” Mark is a big guy and using all his strength we wrestled a 7x7 bear into a 4x4 compartment. After the required 60-day drying period an offi cial Boone & Crocket measurer scored the skull at 19 11/16. It was big enough to make the Montana Record book but just 5/16 short for Boone and Crocket. We saw one more bear across a gorge at about 500-yards but Megan decided to pass with the option she could hunt again next year for a color phase bear. Mark’s response was, “ I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll keep the lights on for you. To come here and collect such a good bear while accompanied by a beautiful daughter is a dream many fathers wish for.” Megan responded, “Beauty is in the eye of the bear-holder.” I was reminded how precious making those memories could be.


Fried Potato And Northern Pike PuffsMontana Pikemasters - Billings Chapter

Elk Camp 2011 Generates $2.5 Million for Conservation RMEF

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on Sunday wrapped up its largest annual conservation fundraiser with gross revenues topping $2.5 million. Those dollars will help support many RMEF initiatives to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. RMEF is a major supporter of new elk restoration efforts in Missouri and Virginia. And, by the end of 2011, offi cials expect to top 6 million acres conserved or enhanced since the organization was founded in 1984. RMEF’s 27th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo was held March 3-6 in Reno, Nev. Auctions, raffl es, donations, exhibitors and attendees, new memberships and merchandise sales contributed to the total raised for conservation. “Elk Camp always sets the tone for the coming year, and this year’s event had great energy and spirit. I believe we’re off and running toward a year of major milestones for our organization,” said RMEF President and CEO David Allen.

Other Elk Camp highlights included:•Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler honored during an emotional opening ceremony

•Sneak preview of the new television series “RMEF Team Elk” to air on Outdoor Channel

•RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships

•RMEF’s highest honor, the Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award, presented to Dr. Terry Sweet of Grand Junction, Colo.

•Numerous awards and recognitions for RMEF volunteers and supporters

•Entertainment by Daryle Singletary, Easton Corbin, Bob Eubanks and Clay Walker

Event sponsors included Midway USA, Browning, Budweiser, Cabela’s, Danner, Hunter’s Specialties, Gerber, Leupold, North American Hunter, Realtree, Roper, Afl ac, and Bill Barrett Corp. Allen said, “We can’t say thank you enough to our sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for their continuing support. Together, we’re shaping the future of elk country.” The 28th Annual RMEF Elk Camp and expo will be in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-4, 2012.

2 lbs. deboned Northern Pike fi llets, wash and set aside1 cup skim milk or your favorite type of milk4 tablespoons onions (chopped fi ne)10 average size potatoes - cut into quarters4 large eggs1 tablespoon salt (or more to taste - we use more)2 tablespoons black pepper (or more to taste)Your favorite deep fry cooking oil

Place potatoes and Northern Pike fi llets in cold water and cover. Bring to boiland cook until potatoes are done. Drain and set aside for at least 5 minutesfor drainage. Mash potatoes and Pike fi llets together thoroughly. Mix milkand eggs together, combine with potato and Pike fi llets mixture. Mix thoroughly. Form into balls and deep fry.

Serve with french fries, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes and favorite drink.


Yamaha Outdoors:Hung Up? Shut UpPhotos And Editorial By Steve Hickoff

Ask any of my turkey buds, and they’ll say I call a lot. Aggressively even. Other times a dose of silence is my best vocalization. As with other forms of game calling, the right mix of yelping and staying quiet is the ticket for punching turkey tags. You might have some trouble convincing everyone that it works though. “Why’d you stop calling?” my good buddy barked, his boot sole resting on a fl opping longbeard’s head. My response: “You killed that turkey because I shut up.” His glaring look at that comment was priceless. “So you’re trying to tell me you called this gobbler in by not calling anymore!?” He grinned, full of post-kill bliss, but was also puzzled, and more than a little curious about this twist in his turkey-hunting education. New to our tradition, he’s a hardcore deer hunter, but learning the game we play with wild turkeys. Truth is, we all learn every time we hit the spring gobbler woods. “That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I told him. You see the hunt started with me raising the gobbler from the dirt trail by mouth calling. It hammered to my fi rst few locator yelps. We advanced and set up. I clucked, yelped, cutting hard. The gobbler ripped back at every vocalization I made, but wouldn’t budge from thick cover. He was hot as a gun barrel at a skeet range but wouldn’t move into view. This went on for a quarter of an hour. So I shut up. More minutes passed. The turkey gobbled and gobbled again. I could feel my buddy’s impatience. And then that big longbeard eased from edge cover into the open green grass, nervously pecked at the ground, and met a swarm of pellets.

TOWNSENDTOWNSEND

MARINE7812 Hwy. 287 So.

(406) 266-5700

DILLONSTAACKS840 N. Montana

(406) 683-6454

GREAT FALLSSTEVE’S SPORTS

CENTER4700 9th Ave. South

(406) 727-8607

HAMILTONAL’S CYCLE

619 Highway 93N.(406) 363-3433

MISSOULAFIVE VALLEY

YAMAHA5900 Hwy. 93 S.

(406) 251-5900

HELENAOUTDOOR

MOTOR SPORTS, INC.3654 Hwy. 12 E.

(406) 449-6595

See One Of These Fine Dealers Today!


Hunting And Conservation NewsHunting And Conservation NewsHunting & Conservation News Hunting & Conservation News

Proudly Sponsored ByProudly Sponsored ByAllied WasteAllied Waste

NSSF Reports Big Jump in Hunting LicenseSales - 3.6 Percent Increase Largest Since ‘74 The National Shooting Sports Found. trade association for the fi rearms and ammunition industry, calls the 3.6 percent rise in paid hunting license holders for 2009 one of the most encouraging signs for hunting in recent years. “This is great news for our industry and everyone associated with hunting,” said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “Many efforts are at work to build huntingparticipation, and they are paying off. More people are enjoying the outdoors and sharing the tradition of hunting with family and friends. Also, more hunting license sales translate into more funds for wildlife conservation.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported a total of 14,974,534 paid license holders for 2009, the largest fi gure since 2002 and an increase of 526,494 over 2008. The 3.6 percent rise in paid license holders represents the largest year-over-year increase since 1974. (A “paid license holder” is one individual regardless of the number of licenses purchased.) NSSF cites several reasons for the increase, ranging from programs launched by many state wildlife agencies over the last decade to increase hunting participation to a diffi cult economy that motivated hunters to fi ll their freezers with game rather than store-bought meat. Also, hunters who were among the unemployed or had their work hours reduced used some of their free time to go hunting. Another positive sign for hunting is that contrary to claims of a wholesale decline in hunting participation, paid license holders have increased in 24 states in the fi ve-year period from 2005 to 2009.

“Due to continued urbanization and changes in our culture, hunting will face signifi cant challenges for the foreseeable future, but at the same time hunting remains an extremely important activity in the lives of millions of Americans, as the latest hunting licenses sales fi gures confi rm,” said Sanetti. NSSF points out that the actual number of hunters who go afi eld in any given year is greater than the total of paid hunting license holders in that year. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fi gures do not account for certain state exemptions for purchasing a hunting license. According to an NSSF-funded study carried out by Southwick Associates, the pool of hunters in America is much larger than previously thought. The study, released last fall, estimated that 21.8 million people purchased a hunting license at least once in the last fi ve years. Hunters are the backbone of conservation funding in America, contributing more than $1 billion each year through the purchase of licenses, tags, permits and stamps and through excise taxes paid on fi rearms and ammunition. For example, proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps, a required purchase for migratory waterfowl hunting, have purchased more than 5 million acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission To Meet April 14 In Helena MFWP

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet April 14 at the FWP Helena Headquarters, 1420 East 6th Ave. beginning at 8 a.m.

The FWP Commission will make fi nal decisions on:

-an amendment to the administrative rule on Hauser Reservoir near Helena,-repealing the administrative rule on the old Milltown Dam near Missoula,-Future Fisheries Improvement Program grants,-the Glendive Paddlefi sh Roe Committee membership,-commercial fi shing regulations on Canyon Ferry Lake and Lake Helena near Helena,-modifi cation to regulations in weapons restriction areas,-the rules on marking hazards to navigation on waterways,-an amendment to the administrative rule on Tongue River Reservoir,-an administrative rule on the Flathead River,-administrative rules on Alvord Lake, Kilbrennan Lake, and Brush Lake,-2011 peregrine falcon take,-standard wildlife management area opening times,-the Glendive urban deer plan, and-the 2011 grazing and sharecrop leases on WMAs.

The commission will also consider a number of proposed actions, including:

-an agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation for a small piece of land at the Augusta Check Station to accommodate a road project,-a petition for a rule on Church and Fennan slews in FWP Region 1,-waiver of possession limits on Cherry and Granite Lakes,-2011 moose, sheep, goat quotas outside the biennial quota ranges,-2012 moose, sheep goat, deer and elk license auction rules, and-the 2011 lion hunting quotas.

Information will be presented on the 2012 fi shing regulation setting process and the FWP Commission will consider endorsing the potential transplant of sheep and mountain goats within Montana and the strategic plan for the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program. FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with a disability. Individuals with special needs may request arrangements by contacting FWP at: 406-444-3186. The full agenda and additional information on the scheduled topics may be found on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov by clicking on the FWP Commission icon.

TRIPLE W EQUIPMENT Near the Y in Missoula8571 Running W. Rd.Missoula, MT. 59808 Phone: (406) 549-4171

GET YOURS TODAY!

STIHL MS 180CBE CHAIN SAW


Hunting And Conservation NewsHunting And Conservation News

Fifth Annual Western Hunting & Conservation Expo Raises Millions for Hunting and Conservation MDF

At the recently held Western Hunting & Conservation Exposition (WHCE), an estimated $5 million was raised to help protect and promote hunting and conservation. Organized by the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW), and sponsored this year by Midway USA, the Expo took place Feb. 3-6, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the past fi ve years, the event has featured auctions, celebrities, exhibits, music and more. Each year it continues to grow in both numbers and renown. Three nights of keynote addresses featured Sgt. First Class Greg Stube of the U.S. Army Special Forces; award-winning outdoor writer, wildlife photographer, wilderness guide and outfi tter Jim Shockey; and outspoken hunter, musician and best-selling author Ted Nugent. There were also a few surprise appearances by former American Idol contestant, passionate hunter, and “Goin’ Country” television host Kristy Lee Cook. During Friday night’s Conservation Banquet, MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti presented the President’s Award to the Northern Badlands Chapter out of Bismark, N.D. Moretti said he chose this team of MDF volunteers because of the Chapter’s efforts with the M.U.L.E.Y. Youth Program and the habitat-based access initiative P.L.O.T.S. Program. The award was accepted by Chapter Chair Ryan Krapp. On Saturday night, Larry Potterfi eld removed his signature gold NRA jacket and was presented with a newnavy blue blazer sporting the Mule Deer Foundation logo. Moretti, along with MDFChief Operating Offi cer Eric Tycksen, presented the jacket to Potterfi eld as a “Silver Benefactor” Award in recognition

of the single largest ever donation to the Mule Deer Foundation from Larry and Brenda Potterfi eld’s MidwayUSA Foundation. During the four-day Expo, the sale of almost 100 big-game tags raised millions of dollars for conservation. The 2011 Nevada Heritage Statewide Mule Deer tag sold for a record-breaking $80,000. The 2011 Arizona Special Mule Deer tag sold for $200,000, which was $23,000 more than it sold for last year. There were two fi rst-time ever tags sold for hunts on Salt Lake’s Antelope Island. The Deer tag brought an amazing $265,000, and the Sheep tag sold for $50,000. Ninety percent of the proceeds from these two tags will go directly back to improve habitat on the Island. By the time doors closed on Superbowl Sunday, some 30,000 people had passed through the halls of the Salt Palace for the fi fth annual WHCE. Many came to apply for one or more of the 200 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Premiere Big Game tags. Others came for the evening banquets and auctions. Still others came to enjoy the hundreds of exhibits and acres of taxidermy. All came to support wildlife and conservation. Don’t miss your chance to be part of next year’s event scheduled for Feb. 9-12, 2012.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season Opens Soon MFWP

Montana’s spring turkey gobbler season opens April 9 and ends May 15. Licenses are available from all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offi ces, on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and from FWP license providers across the state. The 2011 Spring Turkey regulations, with details on turkey hunting in the general area, are available online at fwp.mt.gov, at most FWP offi ces and FWP license providers. The application deadline for western Montana’s spring gobbler season permits has passed. Hunters should remember when transporting a spring turkey within the state of Montana, one leg and foot must be left naturally attached for evidence of sex. Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land.

Spring Black Bear Hunting Season MFWP

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season opens April 15. Spring black bear hunters must purchase their licenses on or before April 14. Licenses purchased after April 14 may not be used for fi ve days and are only available at FWP offi ces and online.

All black bear hunters are reminded that they must successfully complete MFWP’s bear identifi cation test before purchasing a black bear license. Hunters who have already passed the bear identifi cation test do not need to retake it. To take the bear identifi cation test, go to fwp.mt.gov and click on Bear Identifi cation Test under Online Services. Complete the training and test, and then present the printed on-line certifi cate to purchase a license. The training and test is also available on paper, with a mail-in answer card, at FWP regional offi ces. The 2011 black bear regulations are available online on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and at most FWP offi ces.

Learn How To Hunt Spring Turkey At Montana Wild In HelenaMFWP

Get ready for the upcoming spring turkey hunting season by attending Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s free “Montana Turkey Hunting 101” seminar set for April 5 in Helena. FWP’s Tom Dickson, Steve Gilbert and Thomas Baumeister will discuss everything one needs to know to have a great time turkey hunting this spring. The event is set for 6-8 p.m. at the FWP Montana Wild center, 2668 Broadwater Ave. Seminar topics include hunting strategies, calling, gear, and hunting

destinations. The seminar offers a good opportunity for experienced hunters to refresh their skills, but is especially designed for those who have yet to experience a turkey hunt. Montana’s spring turkey hunting season opens April 9. The seminar is free and open to the public. Montana Wild is located off Highway 12 West, across from Kessler School on the west side of Spring Meadow Lake State Park. For information call 406-444-9948.


Hunting Turkeys on Public LandBY MICHELLE HOLDEN

Where there are tracks there is turkey! Even with their fl ying ability they may spend all day on the ground walking on these big feet looking for fresh green sprouts and forbes, seeds, bugs and anything else eatable. Find the tracks and there is a good chance in snow or dirt if they are fresh there will be a turkey standing in the last track.

Hunting Montana’s public land often receives a bad rap; there is too little area, too many people, and too much pressure! These comments are sometimes true, but not always; the key is to learn an area well and know where to fi nd birdswith the least amount of pressure. To start, obtain Forest Service maps and study them thoroughly. Look for places with high ridges where you can hike well off the main roads to listen for birds. Distancing yourself from a main road is a must! You’ll need to hike further than other hunters to enjoy a successful hunt. Getting far into the woods makes your hunt more successful, more enjoyable, and allows for a peaceful day. When you make a call, a real bird answers, not another hunter. You may also have opportunities for a second and third attempt if you bump birds without getting one. The second key to success is to learn where turkeys use a prominent roost tree. Birds will usually return to a specifi c tree or adopt a prominent ridgeline as a roost area where they feel safe at night. Once a hunter locates such an area it will become your “ace in the hole” for years to come. Learning these spots takes time and may require a few years but learning the bird’s habits in the area you hunt is key to continued success.

To speed the process you can torment gobblers into revealing their location by making them ‘shock gobble’ evenings and early in the morning. Use a crow call, a silent whistle, a woodpecker call, or even a coyote howl to elicit the shock gobble. When hunting all day, stay out until dark so you can roost the birds and know exactly where to set up the following morning. Pay special attention to approaching birds and note the direction used to approach the roost then set up on that route the next day to intercept them

when they fl y down to feed. Problem: you hear birds on your left and your right as you call. You need to hone your sense of hearing to listen carefully to pick out the birds that are not with hens. Adult toms follow hens and hens are only worried about fi nding food before heading to their nest. Listen and pick out gobblers to hunt that are alone. When there are no hen clucks, or purrs as toms gobble, hustle into position, and set up in their path so you will become the hen they are looking for. Calling position is important. Adult birds will not come to a call when they can see there is no hen. Open country or long downhill vistas are responsible for birds that hang up. They need to see a decoy to seal the deal or be called up hill where they cannot see. Hunting without a decoy? The best scenario is to have the gobbler step over the crest of a knob and into range at the same time. By the time he fi gures out there is no hen - he’s dead!

Calling skills, in pressured areas where turkeys become attuned to the (continued on page 33)

WE SELL MORE DIFFERENT JOHN DEERE PRODUCTS THAN ANY DEALER IN THE WORLD!*Offer valid from 3/1/11 until 8/1/11. This offer excludes TX Turf Gators and ProGators. No down payment required. 5.9% APR is for 60 months only. **Offer valid from 3/1/11 to 8/1/11. 0% APR is for 36 months only and excludes TX Turf Gators, ProGators and any XUV model Gator. Subject to approved credit on John Deere Financial Revolving Plan, a service FPC Financial, f.s.b For consumer use only. Some restrictions apply. Other special rates and terms may be available, including installment fi nancing and fi nancing for commercial use. Available at participating dealers in the United States. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery not included. Prices subject to change without notice. For your safety, always wear a helmet and eye protection when driving aggressively, on rough terrain or at speeds greater than 35 mph. +The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower may be less. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company.AD3DCU1A148217


Montana Sportsmen For Fish And Wildlife News

JOIN MONTANA SPORTSMEN FOR

FISH AND WILDLIFEFISH AND WILDLIFEENSURE YOUR HUNTING FENSURE YOUR HUNTING FUTURE!UTURE!

8 membership levels!8 membership levels!membership includes quarterly subscription to Sportsmen’s membership includes quarterly subscription to Sportsmen’s

Voice magazine (4 issues), annual membership card, Voice magazine (4 issues), annual membership card, window decal , MTSFW ball cap and welcome letterwindow decal , MTSFW ball cap and welcome letter

from the MTSFW President, Bill Merrillfrom the MTSFW President, Bill Merrill

There’s never been a more important time for you to FIGHT for your hunting and fi shing rights. Complete this application today and Join Montana Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife!

Name:

Address:

City: St.: Zip:

e-mail: Phone:

Signature:

How did you hear about us?

Return this application with payment to:

MTSFWP.O. Box 2243Missoula, MT. 59806

The Future Of Montana’s Big Game Animals is in Your Hands!

To preserve, protect and enhance Montana’s fi sh and wildlife resources & outdoor opportunities. And to ensure our American heritage of hunting, fi shing and trapping through hands-on conservation efforts and RESPONSIBLE PREDATOR MANAGEMENT by Montana sportsmen.

Youth 1-21 $12.00/yrIndividual $35.00/yr.Family $50.00/yr.Lifetime Senior 60+ $350.00Lifetime Individual $750.00The Spike $350.00/yrSatellite Bull $500.00/yrHerd Bull $750.00/yr

MONTANA SPORTSMEN FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONor join online at www.mt-sfw.org

STAY INFORMEDVISIT www.mt-sfw.org April 2011

The sun teases us for just a few days and then we wake up with snow. The good news is that the rivers and streams will bold well all year by most accounts. This is good for us fi shermen and the pot holes will stay wet longer for the game herds as well. We’ll be plenty busy casting lures and fl y’s leading up to the next general season. Spring is indeed a busy time in Big Sky Country as there are plenty of Sportsman banquets and youth events to attend. It gets us excited again to visit the outdoors that have endured the snow and ice for the past 6 months or so. MT SFW is working feverishly to put the fi nishing touches on the 2nd Annual SFW BBQ and Live Auction fundraising event. This years event will by held at the Western Montana Fair Grounds in Missoula, MT. The gate will open at 4 p.m. for cocktails and the silent auction. Dinner and a live auction will follow. The evening will be rounded out by Mr. Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground, one of the fi nest local country artists and groups in the last decade. We expect attendance to nearly double this year! Make your plans now. Additional information can be found at the MT SFW website, under the fundraiser tab.

Last year was a major success as we served roasted Pig to over 350 people and auctioned off some great hunts and

prizes. All the money went to working on legislative efforts in Helena and Washington D.C. for most notably, the de-listing of the Gray Wolf. And as a side note, not one penny went to compensation for any member or offi ce of Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. All members and Offi cers work on a strictly volunteer basis and hold day jobs (of which I’m neglecting to write this column)! But we tackled some bigger issues facing sportsmen, outfi tters, land owners and public land users as well. We won a few and lost a few. Access, resource management, and a few other issues seemingly will always loom in the forefront for those of us who call Montana home. We have a few serious issues that we are now just beginning to address. Unfortunately a lot of sportsmen groups have been in “re-active mode” versus “pro-active” mode. For whatever SFW is to the folks of this state, we are anything but idle. I like to call it the bloody nose club. We’ve taken a beating on some chat boards and blogs and few fairly liberal newspapers. But no one can say we are not in the fi ght doing what we think is right and listening to the members who’ve chosen SFW as their vehicle to getting results. We have taken a side and will keep working with all the groups to help make a difference. It’s common sense at this point.

Either you have it or you don’t.But a coalition of sportsmen,

agriculture, and ranching groups are now banding together in a last ditch effort to address these issues. It’s not been easy and sometimes the “Big Boys” at the national levels of these groups sometimes squabble over who gets the credit for what and who supports what agenda. Recently we’ve seen a rift between green groups over the wolf issue and like wise there’s been a rift amongst leading sportsmen organizations over which piece of Federal legislation is best suited and has the best chance of passing in Congress. We’ve seen this before and it’s the same old tactic of “divide and conqueror” by the Enviro groups. I can assure you the folks at the top of these organizations are smart enough to realize this tactic and will soon be at the table talking again on the best way to move forward. I am in regular contact with David Allen at RMEF, Marshall Johnson at Mule Deer Foundation and Jon Wemple of SCI and I consider all of these men good friends who get the big picture of what needs to happen in Montana and the Rocky Mountain West. It’s the old adage of “anything worth having is worth working hard for”. That’s what SFW and many of the other afore mentioned groups will continue to do.

To our members in Montana, we sincerely thank you for a great year of progress on the wolf front and many other pressing issues. But we are far from done and have a lot of work to do yet. We look to see you at the fundraiser in May for a good time so we can truly thank you with a fun evening! We also ask that you continue to support SFW and other organizations of your choice in the coming year as its money well spent. I just renewed all my memberships and an am ready to continue working to conserver our habitat, game herds and western heritage. Some of you that have been with us since the beginning will soon see a renewal application in your mailbox for another year of hard work. I hope you’ll join thousands of SFW members across the nation again. We are indeed making a big difference. SFW is committed to sovereign state rights to hunt, fi sh and trap on our public lands in Montana a well as protect our sheep, cattle and domestic pets from predation. I encourage you to become a member of Montana SFW through the above membership card or our website at www.mt-sfw.org.

By Bill Merrill - State PresidentMontana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife


Rocky Mountain StatesHistoric First-ever State Record

Gila Trout Caught

The historic fi rst-ever Gila trout record in Arizona was caught on Feb. 28 from Frye Mesa Reservoir following the stocking of these colorful native salmonids into the reservoir near Safford on Feb. 27. Robert Woods of Flagstaff caught a 19-1⁄4-inch, 3.35-pound Gila trout at Frye Mesa Reservoir on Feb. 28 and brought it into the department’s Flagstaff regional offi ce for verifi cation. It’s not only the standing state record right now, it is also the fi rst-ever record for this native fi sh. “Angling history is seemingly being made each time we turn around. These are exciting times for anglers in Arizona,” said Fisheries Chief Kirk Young.

Here’s what’s been happening. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Feb. 4 created the fi rst-ever season on native Gila trout at Frye Mesa Reservoir on the Pinaleño Mountains in southern Arizona. It’s a 1-fi sh limit though for these trout – catch more and you can be cited (some already have been). “Arizona has never had an open season on Gila trout. They were thought to have been extirpated from the state before we had regulated fi shing seasons,” explained Young. This has all been possible because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mora National Fish Hatchery in New Mexico had larger surplus Gila trout available that were not conducive for stock-ing in small recovery streams. Those larger Gila trout were stocked into Frye Mesa Reservoir last week on Feb. 27. That’s not the only unique angling aspect to the proposal. Mt. Graham is now the only mountain on the planet where you can fi sh for native Gila trout, native Apache trout, plus rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout.

Dow And Parks To Combine July 1

The Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks would merge into a new agency under one board and one administration on July 1 under legislation that will soon be submitted to the General Assembly, Gov. John Hicken-looper told a joint meeting of the Colorado Wildlife Commission and the State Parks Board today. Addressing the joint meeting in the Hunter Education building on the Division of Wildlife campus, the Governor said the merger is part of his overall effort to make state government more effective and effi cient. He recalled that in the 1960s and early 1970s, Colorado’s state parks and wildlife programs were once managed by a single agency. “This will be a challenge for all of us,” Hickenlooper told the Commission and Board. “What will make this success-ful is peoples’ willingness to work together as we strive for effectiveness and ways to be more effi cient. We will need to fi nd common paths, to bring questions and concerns to surface and to deal with them ways that provide assurances to employees while helping us avoid making cuts that would be very painful.” The Governor said he envisions a single agency that would support the gamut of wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities while also managing a suite of properties that offer everything from active recreation near population centers to hunting and fi shing in less-developed areas. (continued on page 34)

Earlier in the meeting, DOW Director Tom Remington briefed

the Wildlife Commissioners on the 2010 harvest statistics. Hunters harvested a total of 48,018 elk, up slightly from

2009. Last year, cow elk represented 54 percent of the harvest. About half of the bulls

harvested were taken by hunters who bought

over-the-counter licenses, rather than applying through

the limited license draw.“We continue to harvest more elk in Colorado every year than

most other states have,” Remington said.

Forecast Looks Good For Chinook Salmon Season

This year is not expected to be as good as last year, but the 2011 Chinook salmon return is on track to be the sixth best year since 1980. The fi sh are still out in the Pacifi c Ocean, but the forecast for numbers of returning fi sh are similar to 2008 and 2009. Northwest fi sh managers estimate that about 198,000 Chinook bound for waters upstream of Bonn-eville Dam will enter the Columbia River this year - last year the number was 315,300. Of those, 66,400 hatchery fi sh and 24,700 wild fi sh are predicted to head up the Snake River. Last year’s actual return was 134,200 hatchery fi sh and 35,600 wild fi sh. Based on those preseason forecasts, Idaho fi sh managers expect 37,840 hatchery fi sh and 19,760 wild fi sh to cross Lower Granite Dam. They estimate that about 20,500 fi sh will return to Idaho hatcheries in the

Clearwater, lower Salmon and lower Snake drainages. As fi sh pass federal dams on their way up the Columbia and Snake rivers, information from PIT tags - passive integrated transponder - allows fi sh managers to adjust pre-season estimates. Fish managers estimate that about 7,300 would return to hatcheries in the Clearwater drainage; 11,200 to hatcheries in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers; and 2,000 to hatcheries in the Snake River below Hells Canyon dams. That means an estimated 2,000 Chinook would be available for nontribal recreational anglers in the Clearwater; 4,200 in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon; and about 800 in the Snake River below the Hells Canyon dams. In years past, Chinook seasons have opened in late April.

F&G Lifts Kokanee Limits Below Dworshak Reservoir

With many dead and dying Kokanee that have been fl ushed through Dworshak Dam, the bag and possession limits will be removed for kokanee in the North Fork Clearwater River and Clearwater River downstream of the North Fork in Clearwater County, effective through May 15. While anglers can take home as many Kokanee as they can carry, the fi sh may only be taken by rod and reel, dip net or by hand. A valid Idaho fi shing license is required. It is Fish and Game’s intent to allow the public to harvest these fi sh using techniques that will not affect ongoing fi sheries.

Kokanee, which are a popular target of anglers fi shing at Dworshak Reservoir, tend to congregate near the dam during winter months. When mountain snowpacks are abundant and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dumps water to make room for spring runoff, the fi sh are susceptible to being washed downstream. At this point, the number of Kokanee being fl ushed is not expected to have a large infl uence on next year’s fi shery. For more information regarding the lifting of the Kokanee bag and possession limits, contact Fish and Game’s Lewiston offi ce 208-799-5010.


Rocky Mountain StatesDesert Sheep From Mexico Arrive At Red Rock Wildlife Area

Desert bighorn sheep destined for a captive breeding program at the Red Rock Wildlife Area arrived Saturday, Feb. 26, after more than two months of quarantine in Mexico. The 10 young rams will provide new genes to a herd that was started at Red Rock in the 1970s. The rams were provided to the state of

New Mexico in exchange for pronghorn antelope that were moved to three wildlife management areas in Mexico during the last two winters. The state of New Mexico started cooperative wildlife management programs with Mexican wildlife authorities in the 1970s. In 1972, desert bighorn sheep propagation at Red Rock began with fi ve ewes from Mexico, and one ram from the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge on White Sands Missile Range. Offspring from the Red Rock herd have helped rebuild desert bighorn across New Mexico’s desert mountain ranges. The species once was considered endangered in the state, but after decades of releases, selective predator control, and the support of numerous wildlife conservation groups the animals are candidates for delisting under the Wildlife Conservation Act. “These rams from Mexico are 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old,” said Darrel Weybright, big-game project leader for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “The idea is that once these rams get a little older, we can take out all the existing Red Rock rams and allow the Mexican rams to do the breeding.”

More Cougars Will Be Taken In Six AreasDeer and bighorn sheep in six areas in Utah will

soon receive some added protection from cougars. Mule deer and bighorn sheep will receive some extra protection in six areas in Utah. The DWR has approved a slight in-crease in the number of cougars hunters can take on harvest objective units in the areas. Under authority granted in Utah Code 23-14-8, Division of Wildlife Re-sources Director Jim Karpowitz on March 3, 2011 signed an emergency change to Utah’s 2010–2011 Utah Cougar Guidebook. The change extends the hunting seasons and increases the number of cougars that hunters can take on six hunting areas in Utah. Three of the areas are in southern Utah. The number of deer that died in these areas during the winter of 2009–2010 was higher than expected. And the number of fawns compared to the number of does in the three areas has been low for the past three years.

The remaining three areas are in central and southeastern Utah. Each area

has a bighorn sheep population that’s either declining in number or is stable in number but is still heavily preyed on by cougars. If you’re among those who have a cougar harvest objective hunting permit for this season, or you’re thinking about get-ting one, you’ll want to pay close attention to the changes—some cougar hunting areas that closed earlier this season will reopen to hunting. A complete list of the areas in question, and how many additional cou-gars can be taken, is available at go.usa.gov/4CI. After clicking on the link, scroll down to the “Changes to the guidebook” heading to fi nd the changes.

Photo Ron Stewart

All products backed by your full service dealer

442-17881650 ASPEN ST.HELENA

[email protected]

See us forChainsawsTrimmers

Lawn & GardenNew & Used

Service & Repair

Offer good thru June 30, 2011

STIHL® FS 55R Trimmer

$199.95

Save $20.00

Hoback Moose Research Initiated Photos Mark Gocke Wyoming Game and Fish

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the University of Wyoming’s Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are initiating a moose research project in an area that has been proposed for natural gas development south of Jackson. Researchers captured and fi t 30 adult moose with GPS (Global Positioning System) radio collars to learn more about their habitat selection and migration patterns. The study is designed to gain detailed baseline information about moose habitat use, migration and survival, particularly in the Noble Basin area of the upper Hoback River basin, prior to development of a proposed natural gas fi eld. “To date, we haven’t had a lot of energy development overlapping with moose habitat in Wyoming, so we felt it was important to get some animals marked in order to learn how they mightrespond to such a development,” said Gary Fralick, the Game and Fish’s South Jackson Wildlife Biologist. The study is designed to have animals marked both in the area proposed for development as well as animals adjacent to the Noble Basin area for comparison, where there will not be any development. Eleven moose were captured and radio-collared near the proposed gas fi eld project area, and the remaining 19 in the Beaver Creek and Green River south of the Hoback Rim, west of U.S. Highway 189/191. Many of Wyoming’s moose populations have suffered marked declines over the past several decades, particularly

in the western part of the state. The project was chosen by the Game and Fish’s internal moose working group and is one of several moose projects currently being conducted in collaboration with the UW’s research. “Even if the gas fi eld were not developed, getting this kind of detailed information on this moose herd would be quite valuable given the challenges many of our moose herds are facing today,” saidFralick. Researchers are also collecting tissue samples from each animal captured to test for the presence of Eleophora, or carotid artery worm. Those results will be added to a larger database of similar information the Game and Fish has been gathering on all moose mortalities in the area over the past several years. Many stakeholders came together to make this project possible. Local landowner cooperation was outstanding. “Special recognition is reserved for Judy Boeckmann at the Dead Shot Ranch in the upper Hoback and Doug and Lynda Vickery along the Green River for allowing us the use of their ranches as helicopter staging areas. Judy Boeckmann’s generosity and hospitality was magnifi cent,” said Fralick. In addition, the Wyoming Outfi tters and Guides Association was heavily involved in early efforts because they view the study area as having excep-tional value for wildlife and Wyoming’s hunting heritage, he added. The group promoted the need for baseline research on moose in the study area and worked closely with the energy company, (continued on page 33)


www.honda.com

Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualifi ed electrician. Not all dealers carry all products.Consult your local Yellow Pages. © 2011 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

HamiltonQUALITY SUPPLY1189 1st Street South

(406) 363-7644qualitysupply.com

MissoulaQUALITY SUPPLY2801 W. Broadway

(406) 549-2355•800-823-6666qualitysupply.com

HelenaONE WAY MARINE & MOTOR SPORTS, INC.

3186 Hwy. 12 E.(406) 443-7373•800-585-7397

onewaymarine.com

ButteQUALITY SUPPLY

3939 Harrison Avenue(406) 494-6188

qualitysupply.com

DillonQUALITY SUPPLY851 North Montana

(406) 683-6855qualitysupply.com

BillingsBILLINGS CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY

5514 King Avenue East(406) 248-8355

billingsconstructionsupply.com

BelgradeBELGRADE SALES & SERVICE

91 N. Broadway(406) 388-1465

belgradesalesandservice.com

Honda Portable Power The perfect way to enjoythe great outdoors withall the comforts of home

Get Your Honda Generator Today At One Of

These Fine Dealers!

•RUN TIME ON ONE TANKFUL: 4 HOURS AT RATED LOAD•3 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY•IDEALLY SUITED FOR SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS•LESS THAN 47 LBS.#EU2000iA Companion

The Companion2000W Generator

3000W Generator•SINGLE CYLINDER, OVERHEAD VALVE, AIR-COOLED•3 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY•RECOIL, ELECTRIC START•RUN TIME ON ONE TANKFUL: 7.2 HRS @RATED LOAD•NOISE LEVEL: 58DB @RATED LOAD•134 LBS. #EU3000IS

•Honda OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE•3 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY•RUN TIME ON ONE TANKFUL: 4 HRS @RATED LOAD•NOISE LEVEL: 59DB @RATED LOAD•46.3 LBS. #EU2000I

2000W InverterGenerator•PARALLEL OPERATION CAPABILITY

•2 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY•RUN TIME ON ONE TANKFUL: 8.3HRS.@1/4 LOAD•NOISE LEVEL: 59DB @RATED LOAD•DRY WEIGHT: 29 LBS. #EU1000IA2

1000W Generator

Lightweight!Generators For Every Application.

And Now You Can Buy With Special Financing Available: No Interest if paid in full within 12 months!*

*Financing Details *The Honda Power Equipment Visa® credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. Regular minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the regular APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late payment. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR may vary. The APR is given as of 1/1/2011. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Offer expires 6/30/2011. Financing provided by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Financial.* Wells Fargo Financial is an affiliate of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.**

Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late payment.*


Eezi-Awn is the industry leading manufacturer of roof-top tents and awning systems. It has 28 years of experience traveling to the remote reaches of the world. Eezi-Awn has proven itself time and time again to be the choice of sportsmen around the world. For this and other exciting outdoor products visit www.overlandadventureoutfitters.com.

Sportsmen,Welcome...to our world.

Montana/Molloy Wolf Settlement Announcement. What Does It Mean?

(continued from page 4)

There are efforts to use our urgency to get wolves delisted to pass some bills that will be bad for the future of hunting. We explain simple tests to understand the difference between a short-term promise and a long-term solution. We also explain how business as usual will not fi x the wolf problem. Finally, the article talks about the type of effort required to overcome years of ambivalence about the future of wolves and wildlife in America.

Why did we go to Congress?I believe all sportsmen support the notion of having a wolf hunt to potentially allow for recovery of some elk, moose and deer herds. However, a wolf hunt isn’t enough to provide meaningful recovery of wildlife herds. Nor can the root failures of the wolf experiment be fi xed simply by a wolf hunt. To begin restoring balance of wildlife populations in the West and Upper Midwest, state wildlife managers need to be able to do their job. How does that happen?

Short Term Promises vs. Long Term SolutionsOver the last several months, we have seen multiple bills, settlement proposals etc. that have been heralded as “wolf-delisting.” If you see a promise of wolf delisting, be warned. A lot of these promises are what Representative Cynthia Lummis (R), Wyoming has described as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Some, if not most of these bills, fall short of providing the long-term solutions needed to fi x this mess.

Here is a test to determine whether the proposed “wolf delisting” is a short-term promise or a long term solution: Does the provision (a) return primacy of state wildlife decision making authority; or does it (b) leave wolf management subject to federal statute and ongoing federal oversight?

Here is why State Management vs Federal Control is so ImportantState Wildlife ManagementStates are the only political unit with full jurisdiction to manage ALL wildlife. This applies to game as well as hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of non-game species. The Federal Government doesn’t really manage wildlife on its own, but is rather is given limited authority over distinct wildlife issues such as endangered species and migratory waterfowl. State wildlife management provides protection for wildlife while also providing important management fl exibility. This fl exibility allows states to adjust appropriately to changing circumstances to ensure the health of big game and non-game species.

Federal ControlFederal wildlife statutes by contrast are directed to a limited range of wildlife issues. Most “federal management activities” are typically fulfi lled by state wildlife managers as the “designated agent.” In most circumstances, when wildlife issues are under federal protections such as the Endangered Species Act, needed fl exibility is replaced with restrictions. More importantly, federal statutes provide a powerful tool chest of one-sided litigation provisions for private plaintiffs. Most of these provisions remove fl exibility in management decisions by states or the federal government. These restric-tion and litigation provisions were originally developed for unsuccessful species that do not compete well in their natural environment and tend to have little direct impact on other wildlife populations. More importantly, it was assumed that such provisions would be utilized by private plaintiffs with common sense. This clearly has not been the case with wolves and wolf litigation.

Wolf Hunt vs Restoring BalanceFor months we have been talking about Congressional action to “delist wolves from the Endangered Species act.” What we are really talking about is returning fl exibility in management decisions to state wildlife managers. Many feel a federally supervised wolf hunt is a step in the right direction. But much more important than just a wolf hunt is the importance of removing wolves from the diffi cult and one-sided litigation provisions of federal statute that have led to an endless cycle of litigation. This litigation will continue to prevent state wildlife managers from doing their job. In other words, if we hope to restore balance to game herds, primacy of state wildlife decision-making must also be restored when it comes to wolves. From a practical standpoint, this will not happen as long as: (a) the federal government remains in an oversight role; and (b) the one-sided litigation provisions can be abused by environmental and animal rights litigants. Removing these litigation provisions is a simple as removing wolves from the federal statutes. All state wildlife protections will remain in place for wolves under this scenario.

Understanding the Tester/Baucus/Simpson Bills and Molloy SettlementHere is a quick application of the litmus test to the “other” bills. There are three other “bills” which are often discussed:

(1) the Tester/Baucus bill; (2) the Simpson language in the Continuing Resolution (much the same as the Tester/Baucus bill); (3) the Molloy settlement provisions. These bills and almost every other wolf bill we have seen fail to pass the test. In other words, under all of these provisions, wolves remain subject to federal oversight; federal statutes and related litigation provisions. As a result, these bills fail to remove the litany of impediments which have: (1) prevented effective wolf management; and (2) prevented recovery of elk, moose and deer herds. It is important that we do not fall for these promises as “wolf delisting.” Most of these bills simply mean the state will be managing according to federal approved guidelines. Once again, this does not provide the fl exibility state’s need to do their job.

Well intentioned or not, we are once again being asked to ignore the failures of federal statutes. We know federal statutes do not work when it comes to dealing with a capable, resilient and often destructive predator like the wolf. More signifi cantly, many of these bills have underlying “poison pill” provisions that really are the equivalent of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” For example, the Tester/Baucus/Simpson provisions create the potential for an indefi nite wolf listing and remove key safeguards that allow states to challenge such provisions. Additionally, the provision would have the effect of reversing Judge Johnson’s ruling in favor of: (a) state wildlife management supremacy over federal micromanagement; and (b) Wyoming’s wolf management plan. As another example, the Molloy settlement would allow the federal government to undo long standing agreements related to wolf minimum numbers and also includes other “poison pills.” All of these provisions ignore the need for Midwestern delisting and protecting other states from a future of wolf problems.

Hatch/Rehberg Bills S. 249 and H.R. 509The American Big Game and Livestock Protection Act is the only bill, settlement, or compromise that actually passes the test. Under its provisions wolf populations are removed from federal statutes and returned to state wildlife protections. H.R. 509 and S. 249 will allow states to manage wolf populations along with other wildlife in balance and with much needed fl exibility. Wolf populations are highly resilient and will do fi ne under state wildlife management. If numbers fall too low, (continued on page 32)

Short Term Promises vs. Long Term Solutions

Over the last several months, we have seen multiple bills,

settlement proposals etc. that have been heralded as “wolf-delisting.” If you see a promise of wolf delisting, be warned. A lot of these

promises are what Representative Cynthia Lummis (R), Wyoming has described as a “wolf in sheepʼs clothing.”

If wolves remain subject to federal statute, all of the same structural fl aws that have led to years of frustration and delays remain fi rmly in place. This means the government is saying once again, to rely on trust instead of legal protections for the future of proper wolf management. This model has not worked for 20 years. It will not work now.


Mission Meadows RVvisitmt.com

2001 W. BROADWAY, MISSOULA 1-800-823-2221 www.rangitschbrosrv.com

Your Jayco Headquarters

TRUSTED SINCE 1958

We have a Large Inventory of New & Pre-owned Units & Are Western Montana’s Largest Jayco Dealer

Find Yours Today!NEW UNITS

ARRIVING DAILY!

KEY FEATURES:•Double High Front Diamond Plate•Double Layer Fiberglass Insulation•Pillow-top Mattress•Strut-Assisted Lift-Up Bed Platform with Below Bed Storage (most units)•Wall Mounted Hair Dryer In Bath•Residential Surround Tub Walls•One Step Electric Awning with Rain Dump Arm•Eco-Friendly Battery Saving Roof Mounted Solar Panel

Mission Meadows RV is a quiet campground with shady sites. There are full and partial hook-up sites with 50- and 30-amp plug-ins. Tents are welcome too.

Services offered:CampsiteDumpElectricityEstablished Fire PitsFood ServicesGift ShopLaundryParkingPay TelephonePets AllowedPlaygroundPublic RestroomRV Dump StationRV HookupsSewerShowerStoreToiletsTrash RemovalWater

Activities offered:BarbecueBird Watching

CampingGroup CampingHorseshoesPicnickingPlaygroundRV CampingTent Camping

Street Address:44457 Mission Meadows DriveRonan, MT 59864

Phone: 406-676-5182

Directions:Mission Meadows RV is located off Highway 93 north of Ronan. Turn left at mile marker 50, proceed 1/4 mile to the railroad track, and turn left to complex and campground.

Montana/Molloy Wolf Settlement Announcement (continued from page 31)

Congress can once again relist the species. States and Sportsmen will not let that hap-pen. No one wants to go through this mess again.

Allowing Congress to implement a one-time emergency provision for wolves is good public policy. Most experts agree that the wolf is one “endangered species” that does not fi t the policy rationales underlying the Endangered Species Act. Some in Congress are using the rhetoric that “we are trying to gut the ESA.” The purpose of the ESA is to recover endangered species. While wolves have never been globally endangered, even local recovery goals were accomplished years and years ago.

Congressional wolf delisting in fact protects the ESA. First, it protects the ESA by fulfi lling the promises that delisting will follow recovery. Second, congressional delisting protects the ESA from abuses of the environmental groups. These groups are now using the ESA for personal gain rather than for its intended purposes. The resultant delays in delisting are actually harming wildlife. Talk about turning things upside down. These abuses are the real challenge to credibility of the Endangered Species Act in the eyes of the public and elected offi cials.

Business as usualThe leaders of Big Game Forever have been through many political battles that others have said could not be won. We know that business as usual will not work when it

comes to wolves. The anti-hunting groups and some key offi cials in the Obama administration do not want decision making and fl exibility over wolf management returned to the states. They do not want us to work together. They know that if we do work together we are diffi cult, if not impossible, to beat. Business as usual is how we have gotten into the mess in the fi rst place. We cannot and we do not intend to win this important political battle on our own. Nor can we afford divisiveness or poor legislative strategy by groups within our own industry. Working together as a nation of United Sportsmen we can provide the necessary support in Congress to get this done. Sportsmen, conservation groups and shooting non-profi t organizations raise tens of millions of dollars annually to protect the future of shooting and hunting in this country. It is time for the leaders in wildlife to “put their money where their mouth is.” There are also tens of millions of dedicated sportsmen in America. If we work together, we have the resources to get wolf delisting done right.

This is a fi ght for fundamental freedoms. We call on all shooting, livestock and hunting non-profi t organizations to stick together and fi nish the job we started. United we stand. Divided we fall. We call on every sportsmenand every American to get in the fi ght to protect our hunting heritage and America’s Wildlife. We are much more powerful that many recognize. It is time to fl ex our collective muscles to protect America’s Big Game and Wildlife Resources.


Polaris Ranger RZR XP™ 900Side x Side

Hunting Turkeys On Public Land (continued from page 26)

sounds of calls, will make the difference between hearing birds and tagging them. Birds pushed by a hunters shy away from specifi c calls when that call is heard a second time. Carry box calls, slates, and diaphragm calls that you are confi dent in using. When you have not been successful by late afternoon, head back to where the gobblers came off the roost at dawn and cut them off as they make their way back to roost. Earlier in the afternoon check places where you heard hens earlier in the day. Set up a decoy and begin calling. When the hens have gone to nest, the toms will return to that spot looking for stragglers. A major obstacle to successful turkey hunting is bad weather. Even when hunting premiere country, low pressure and rain will shut down gobbling and mating. Before packing up for a weekend hunt and driving a long distance, check the weather forecast and Doppler radar maps for the area. There is no sense spending time and money during bad weather unless you enjoy sleeping in the camper or cabin during a pouring rain.

Owning your own acreage and having plenty of time is tough to beat, but most hunters lack those assets. Follow simple hunting tactics on public land and you’ll fi nd birds in areas with no pressure!

Plains Exploration and Production (PXP), to match fi nancial commitments made by the Wyoming Governor’s Offi ce. Scott Winters, vice president of Corporate Communications for PXP, said, “PXP is pleased to have joined the state of Wyoming in providing the funding necessary to conduct this important baseline study of the Sublette moose herd. PXP’s participation in this project is consistent with its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and participating in funding habitat and wildlife studies in other parts of the country. We look forward to working with the state of Wyoming on this important project.” Additional funding partners include the U.S. Forest Service and Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition.

Helena Cycle Center

1825 N. LAST CHANCE GULCH, HELENA406-443-4631 • www.helenacycle.com

KAWASAKI CARES: Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never carry a passenger. Never ride under the infl uence of drugs or alcohol. Never ride on public roads or pavement. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt driving. Be extra careful on diffi cult terrain. Kawasaki ATVs with engines over 90cc are 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, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887 or go to www.atvsafety.org. ©2010 Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA

Call us todayfor the most

Current Offers!

Spring Mack Days Cynthia Bras-Benson

Hoback Moose Research (continued from page 29)

Photo Mark Gocke

Lake trout angler Gregory Vogel of Columbia Falls went fi shing for dinner Friday on Flathead Lake after just entering online in the Mack Days Fishing Event. He caught a nice lake trout and knew immediately it could be one of the tagged fi sh in the 2011 Spring Fishing Event because of the missing adipose fi n. When he fi nished fi shing he brought it in to Blue Bay where it was scanned with the tag number matching up with a $1,000 tag number. Congratulations to Greg. It just goes to show that sometimes all it does take is one fi sh to win. Up to $150,000 is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in the 2011 Spring Mack Days. Mack Days are used to slowly reduce numbers of non native lake trout in Flathead Lake and to increase the numbers of native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout which are a part of our natural history and cultural heritage. It is important to continue to try to protect one of the last strongholds-the Flathead Lake system-for these native fi sh. Tagged fi sh are one way to win during the event. There is one $10,000-three $5,000-and nine more $1,000-plus over 2500 with values from $100-$500. Each fi sh is an entry for anglers and that entry goes into the lottery drawing at the end of the event. The drawing starts at $1,000 and goes down to $100. Smallest fi sh, largest fi sh, most fi sh-they all win. The most lake trout caught in one day was turned in on Friday. Steve Biere of Butte turned in 95 lake trout. Tangled line right at the end of the day just may have kept him from having a limit of 100 for the day. His partner and leader in the event Chuck Forgey of Arlee had 84 entries for a total of 179 on the boat. Chuck leads the event with 349 total lake trout over the

the six days, Michael Benson-Lonepine-2nd 226 entries, Scott Bombard-Missoula-190, Wes Shockley-Plains-187, Steve Biere-Butte-177, Jerry Benson-Plains-174, Bret Thompson-Charlo-158, Craig Morigeau-Polson-145, Steven Benson-Columbia Falls-140, and Roger Smart-Ronan-125 in tenth place. Total fi sh entered after six days is 5,171. Nicole Peters-Missoula leads the ladies with 42, Terry Biere-Butte-37, Deana Knipe-Polson-26, Debra Pike-Kalispell-23, Debbie O’Hara-St. Ignatius-12, and Chelsea Harlan-Huson-11. Connor Kowalski youth angler from Florence is ahead in the 13-17 age group with 77, Brady Weible-St. Ignatius-50, Garrett Vaughan-40, Terry Biere-Butte-37, Cade Thompson-Charlo-25, Kobe Cox-Charlo-10. Stetson Stipe-Charlo is leading in the 12 & under with 31, Benton Adams-7-Ravalli, Ethan Hafl inger-4-Moiese, Kaitlyn Cox-2, Kassidy Cox-2-Charlo. Smallest fi sh is still held by Eric Sams-Polson- 198mm and Dean Vaughan-Charlo-223mm. Largest lake trout entered so far is Jim Bilodeau-Kalispell 25.7 lbs. 1005 mm. Other tagged fi sh turned in were Mark Lang-Kalispell, Justin Buchmiller, Scott Bombard-Missoula, Larry Karper-Florence, Brady Weible-Charlo, Jason Kowalski-Florence, Dave Chichester-Kalispell, Roger Smart-Ronan, Steve Benson-Columbia Falls, Dan Smith-Columbia Falls-$100 each. Aaron Rasmussen-Kalispell, Tyson Atkinson-Charlo, and Jason Kowalski-Florence-turned in lake trout with tags worth $200 each. Entries are taken to the last day of the event. Go to www.mackdays.com for information or telephone 883-2888.

Editor’s note: Stats as of 3/21/11

The New Polaris Ranger RZRXP™ 900 provides power, suspensionand agility. Fitted with the new Polaris Prostar™ 900 Dohc Twin EFI Engine,specifi cally built for extreme performance, this side x side can handle challenging terrain. The Polaris ProStar™ 900 DOHC Twin EFI Engine features industry-leading 88 HP, Dual OverHead Cams (DOHC), large valves for high RPM power and a 180 degree crank shaft for balanced performance, and fast throttle response to produce groundbreaking power and acceleration. The all-new 3-Link Trailing Arm IRS handles all that massive

power and keep the ride smooth. The 3-Link design consists of two extra-long radius rods and a far forward-connecting trailing arm resulting in a strong yet lightweight system. The Polaris Dual-A-Arm front suspension with 13.5” of travel soaks up the rough stuff. Match that with an astounding 13” of ground clearance and no comparison is required. The Ranger RZR XP™ 900 also comes with On-Demand True AWD/2WD, and exclusive ITP 900 XCT TIRES, with a unique directional lug pattern that provides exceptional cornering and straight-line traction capabilities.

Starting at: $15,999 U.S. MSRP


The Perfect Rifl e For A LadyBy S. L. Merriam

To shoot a deer rifl e accurately it needs to fi t like a pair of custom tailored pants. Since you will own the rifl e longer than pants, proper fi t is even more important. After speaking with numerous women about their likes and dislikes I proceeded to create the perfect deer rifl e that would fi t my average-sized frame. Weighing 140 and standing 5 feet 9 inches, with average strength, I wanted the fi nal product to be light enough to carry easily and still shoot accurately. This means the rifl e must fi t me. It couldn’t be an off-the-shelf version designed to fi t everybody. Ladies, we were stuck with men’s hunting clothes but now have our own. We have used their rifl es but we still don’t have a women’s version unless we buy some hot pink thing, probably designed by a man. I didn’t want hot pink or to be limited to using what a man’s manufacturer thinks I should use. To date I have shot fi ve elk, thirty antelope and that many deer. Did I do them all with one gun? No. I have learned a lot during the time it took to harvest those animals and I’ll share it with you.

I would like my rifl e to provide the following:

Perfect scope picture: When I bring the rifl e to my shoulder I want the scope picture to be a completely round circle. When a rifl e does not fi t, the image in the scope will be half-black or worse. A full scope picture is determined by eye relief, which is defi ned as the distance from your eyeball to the eyepiece. A rule of thumb requires about two-inches of relief in the standing position.

High-power scopes have a shorter eye relief, which can deliver a nasty cut over the eye from the backward force of the recoil. I recommend adjustable 3 - 9 x 40 scopes, hunting with it set at 3-power. Hunting with it set on low power allows you to locate game quickly; low power provides a wide fi eld of view. For longer shots you can turn the scope to 9-power to see distant game better. Scope brand and model dictate price and good used scopes sell cheaper than new. Once off the showroom fl oor scopes depreciate as much as 50% and a used scope is a good deal if you check the warranty. Most top quality scopes carry a lifetime warranty regardless of owner changes.

A stock that fi ts: I don’t have long arms like a man - if I did my knuckles would drag. I need the stock short enough so I do not have to fully extend my arm when in the shooting position. The distance between the trigger and the rifl e butt is called “Length of pull.” A woman’s arms average two inches shorter than a man so when using a rifl e with the length of pull designed for a man, the rifl e will feel front heavy and be diffi cult to hold level. For a proper fi t your best bet is a “Youth” model. Stevens, Savage, Ruger, Marlin, Mossberg, Remington, Howa, and Weatherby offer youth sizes in different calibers. Even if the stock feels a bit short you can easily add a thicker recoil pad to improve the fi t and reduce recoil. These models are also lighter but remember, the lighter the rifl e the more you will feel the recoil. You can have a gunsmith shorten the stock of a regular model but the barrel will be longer unless you have that cut down also. (continued next page)

CO. DOW And Parks To Combine July 1 (continued from page 28)

“Our parks system provides an entry-level opportunity for our citizens to experience the outdoors,” Hickenlooper said. “If we don’t have that, we’re putting long-term support for wildlife at risk.” Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Mike King said the bill the administration will soon introduce would combine the Wildlife Commission and Parks Board and create the new agency by July 1. Several other Western states operate combined parks and wildlife agencies, including Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas. Washington and Oregon are also currently in the process of combining their wildlife and parks programs. King said that 39 state parks offer fi shing while 32 offer hunting opportunities and that wildlife revenues can be directed to parks for expenditures that primarily benefi t wildlife habitat, wildlife viewing or other wildlife-related pursuits. Both the Wildlife Commission and the Parks Board said they applauded the Governor’s decision to address the situation facing State Parks and pledged to work to build the new agency.

“During the recovery of economy nationwide, no issue is more challenging than the problems facing state local government,” said Parks Board member Bill Kane. “We stand ready and willing to do

what can to make a successful endeavor.”Earlier in the meeting, Division of

Wildlife Director Tom Remington briefed the Wildlife Commissioners on the 2010 harvest statistics. Hunters harvested a total of 48,018 elk, up slightly from 2009. Last year, cow elk represented 54 percent of the harvest. About half of the bulls harvested were taken by hunters who bought over-the-counter licenses, rather than applying through the limited license draw. “We continue to harvest more elk in Colorado every year than most other states have,” Remington said. In 2010, hunters harvested 12,301 pronghorn, topping the 12,000 mark for the fi rst time. Remington said the harvest showed the Division’s efforts to work with private landowners to increase hunting opportunity is paying off.

Deer harvest in 2010 was also up slightly. Hunters took a total of 34,768 deer in 2010. About half of the hunters during rifl e seasons fi lled their tag, showing that Colorado continues to offer a tremendous opportunity for hunting quality mule deer, Remington said. He added that the deer population appears to be rebounding well from the harsh winter of 2007 and 2008. The Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes.

Don’t Miss TheFive Valleys Chapter’s

26th Annual Banquet And Fundraiser

Saturday, May 7th, 2011Hilton Garden Inn

3720 North Reserve St. Missoula

FREE with your new or renewed membership when you attend the event!

For Tickets Call Stacey Nelson at 406-493-1262 or email [email protected]

“This ad is sponsored by Clearwater Montana Properties in participation with Cabela’s Trophy Properties, to further the mission of RMEF.

See www.cmpmontana.com for your real estate needs.”

Doors open at 5:30pmDuring the “social hour” you’ll enjoy drawings, raffl es, games,

drinks, and the silent auction. Dinner and live auction will follow.

Purchase your tickets by April 15th to be entered in theEarly Bird Drawing

The live auction will feature a two person, 8-9 day wilderness hunt with Mills Wilderness Adventures, either as an early rifl e hunt in the

Bob Marshall or general rifl e hunt in the Scapegoat. Winning bidder will make the choice.

For All Your Fencing NeedsCome See Us

Rails, Posts, Culverts, Wire


Good balance: When you pick up a poorly balanced gun you will feel awkward. Stock length, barrel length and barrel diameter all contribute to balance. If one does not feel right when you pick it up, do not buy it!

Stopping power: I want a caliber that is adequate to stop a whitetail and possibly an elk without beating me up with recoil. A .243 is an excellent choice for deer but a tad light for elk. Move up to a .25-06 or .270 and you’ll have a bit more recoil but be ready for elk. Men often think a bigger gun will make up for a poor hit and carry calibers that make them fl inch. All hunters are better off delivering a well-placed shot from a smaller caliber than making a poor hit with a cannon.

Flexibility: It would be nice to use the same rifl e for deer, coyotes, bears, and wood chucks. The .30 calibers can do this. Both the .30-06 and .308 offer factory loads ranging from 110-grains to 220-grains that cover everything from varmints to moose. The .308 has a 110-grain for varmints and a 180-grain load suitable for elk. Both calibers recoil about the same when using the same bullet even though the .30-06 case is a half-inch longer than the .308. For deer I use a 150-grain bullet in both calibers rather fi ght the recoil of a 180-grain load, which is usually designed as an elk load.

Ammunition: The cheaper it is to shoot the more you will practice and the better you will become. You don’t need a caliber that costs $2.00 every time you pull the trigger. Spending forty dollars a box for shells will not allow suffi cient practice to become a deadly shot and you won’t enjoy practice when your family has to skip a week’s worth of meat and survive on Mac and cheese just so you can shoot. As a rule the more powerful a cartridge the more it will cost. If you choose the .30-06, or the shorter action .308, hunting rounds usually cost less than a dollar a shot. Military surplus ammo can be found for under $ .50 per shot, which provides low cost practice.

Military bullets are for target shooting and illegal to use on game animals so keep them separate from your hunting loads. If you have the option take the .308 because the action is shorter, making the total rifl e length shorter.

Accuracy: I don’t want to pay a gunsmith to rebuild an inaccurate rifl e. I would like to put fi ve shots in a two inch circle at 100-yards from a bench rest while taking my time shooting. If having problems with accuracy, have a friend shoot the rifl e to determine if the problem is you or the rifl e. When both people shoot the gun well - it is a keeper. If buying a used rifl e be sure to get a 30-day return policy. If it doesn’t shoot well or fi t correctly you can return it and start over.

Muzzle break: To reduce recoil you can have a muzzle break added to the barrel. A muzzle break provides an outlet for the gasses to escape at the end of the barrel to reduce recoil. Basic physics states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Burn gunpowder and recoil is the reaction. Slots cut in the barrel allow high-pressure gasses to bleed off to the side, which reduces recoil by almost half. The down side is the noise; it is no longer directed away from the shooter or bystanders. You will need quality earmuffs to tolerate practice shooting and when you do not use them a fl inch will develop from the blast. For petite ladies lacking suffi cient body mass to absorb recoil, a brake can be a worthwhile investment.

Carry easily: I want a light rifl e so it carries well it in the woods especially walking uphill or down. Walking is best done using a modern, rubberized sling. The shoulder section has a rubberized gripping surface that helps hold the rifl e from sliding off your shoulder.

Steady hold: I won’t take any shot from an off-hand standing position unless it is 50-yards or less. To keep the rifl e steady for shots over 50-yards, a 16” Harris bipod is mounted on the front of the rifl e. I lay down to shoot and fl ip out the two legs to remain steady for a 250-yard

shot. A bi-pod is the next best thing to a bench rest. Harris designed the legs so they slide out to allow shooting from a sitting or kneeling position but the most stable shot is lying down. Practice with and without the bi-pod and you will soon see why it has made me successful taking deer, elk and antelope out to 250-yards, which is a long way.

The budget: Do I get a new or used rifl e? I can quote what new guns, new scopes, and factory ammunition sell for. What I can’t tell you is what kind of used rifl e deal you might run into. Prices are different in different areas of the country because of demand and the economy. A new youth model rifl e in .308 or .30-06 will retail up to $700 or more but you can fi nd a good used one for half that amount when you are patient.

I have listed the things I would like on my ultimate hunting rifl e. Depending on where and what you hunt, adapt to different conditions and make any changes, like removing the bi-pod if there are no long distance shots. The secret is to shop around. Buying the perfect rifl e, just for you, is a learning process and you want to be happy with what you carry afi eld.

More than 1,800 pre-paid memberships to one of America’s premier wildlife organizations are waiting to be claimed by active U.S. servicemen and women with an interest in elk, hunting and conservation. Supporters of the 178,000-member Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) paid for these memberships as a thank-you to those who are defending our nation. An RMEF membership ($35) includes a year’s subscription to Bugle magazine and other benefi ts, with proceeds supporting the nonprofi t organization’s work to conserve habitat for elk and other wildlife. Learn more at www.rmef.org. To claim a membership, simply go to www.rmef.org/military and sign up. This offer from RMEF is good while supplies last.

Pre-paid RMEF Memberships For U.S. Service Members RMEF

Utah Concealed and Florida CCW Firearm Permit FOR NON-RESIDENTS

Register Online at www.cfputah.com

LOCATIONS DATES/TIMESMISSOULA April 23 (3pm-7pm) Wholesale Sports April 24 (1pm-5pm) 2323 N Reserve St. (406) 523-9000 HELENA April 25 (4pm-8pm) Wholesale Sports 2990 North Sanders St. (406) 457-7200 BOZEMAN April 26 (1pm-5pm) Wholesale Sports 2214 Tschache St.(406) 586-0100BILLINGS April 27 (5pm-9pm) Wingate by Wyndham 1801 Majestic Lane(406) 545-0805CODY, WY. April 28 (5pm-9pm) Denny’s Guns & Maps1328 Beck Avenue(307) 587-3677

cfputah.comREGISTER EARLY TO ENSURE A SEAT!

Utah students receive a $10 Wholesale Sports Gift Card

GET YOUR Good in over 30 States!

PROVIDED AT NO EXTRA COST... Fingerprinting, Passport Photo, Copy of Drivers License & a Pre-Printed Envelope to the BCI. $30.00 Value!The Utah BCI requires an Application Fee of $65.25 which is NOT included in the class fee.

$80.00 CFP Utah • $120.00 Utah CFP & Florida CCW ($30.00 savings) • $70.00 Florida CCW

16490 Old Hwy. 93 South Lolo, MT. 59847

(406) 273-3555 traderbros.com

For All Your FenFor All Your Fencing Needscing NeedsComCome See Use See Us

Rails, Rails, Posts, Posts, CCulverts, Wire ulverts, Wire WE BUY, SELL & TRADE

NEW & USED GUNS


Business To Business Barter Increase Sales & Conserve Cash

Trade with Business Owners Local or Nationwide

All transactions tracked electronically.

877-700-8723 toll free or 406-543-9999313 East Broadway, Missoula, 59802Visit www.WeTradeNetwork.com

All sales are reported to IRS on 1099B

Serving Western Montana since 2000“Our members did over 2 MILLION in trade last year.”

Immediate business for Dentists and restaurants in western Montana.

The Fine Points Of Shed HuntingBy Nathan Stohosky - Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Antler hunting, more commonly known as shed hunting, is a favorite pastime for those of us suffering from cabin fever. As the winter months pass and spring looms upon us, many people head for the hills in search of the antlers deer and elk have dropped in preparation for growing new ones. Antler hunting is a fun activity and can be done year round by any person, and you don’t need any permits to do it. All a person needs is a desire to hike the hills and slopes where antlers can be found and a willingness to endure the ever-changing weather. Antlers from deer and elk are commonly found in areas where they spend the winter months. Typically, mule deer shed in late December through March, and elk shed from mid-March through April. These “shed” antlers can typically be found anywhere on the winter range - but bedding areas, trails, brushy areas and migration corridors are hotspots that shouldn’t be overlooked. Wintering wildlife, mule deer in particular, are very susceptible to any kind of disturbance whether it is from passing cars, domestic dogs or innocent shed hunters in late winter and early spring. At this time of year deer are relying solely on their body reserves and what little they can get from surrounding vegetation; they are patiently waiting for spring temperatures and green-up. Any extra movement a deer makes costs energy, and that depletes the little energy they have at this time of year. Energy depletion leads to sickness and oftentimes death for fawns and adult deer at this critical time of year.

Here are some points to consider before going out shed hunting:

Is the area closed to human activity and presence? Some areas of public land are closed during the winter time to protect wintering herds of wildlife and provide security areas free of disturbance.

Is the area closed to motorized travel? Some areas of public land are closed to the use of motorized vehicles but not closed to human entry.

Will my presence in an area cause a signifi cant disturbance to wintering wildlife? Human presence alone is enough to cause animals to move and act differently than they would have without that disturbance. One instance of human disturbance alone may not be that disruptive, but consider several days of human activity and disturbance. The energy used by animals reacting to repeated disturbances becomes signifi cant.

What effect will my dog have on wintering deer herds? Though your dog may not chase deer, its presence alone may be enough to cause animals to expend unnecessary energy they would not have otherwise used. Remember, it is illegal to allow dogs to chase deer.

Will my lawful motorized activity have an adverse affect on wintering wildlife herds? Snowmobile use is an effective way to get into areas where sheds may be found, but may disturb wildlife. First, consult the land managers travel map to determine if travel is legal in the area you wish to go to. Second, consider the effect your travel may have on wintering wildlife and if it will cause unnecessary stress. Remember, it is illegal to chase or harass wildlife with motorized vehicles.

Is my planned shed hunting area on public or private land? Ownership of land and private property laws still pertain to shed hunting activities at all times of the year.

Keeping these points in mind when shed hunting will ensure that undue stresses on animals will be avoided or minimized. Some thought and consideration ahead of time can greatly minimize your impact on local wintering wildlife herds and increase your enjoyment in the fi eld.

Montana Whitetail Deer Skull Along Shields RiverPhotograph of Cattail swamp in Montana with Absaroka-Beartooth Mountain Range in the background.

BILLINGS - 800-655-1170 • BOZEMAN - 866-782-2717 MISSOULA - 888-989-5569

www.cmoninn.com

•Spacious & Comfortable Rooms • Complimentary Deluxe Continental breakfast•Large Indoor Pools & Jacuzzis - All Hotels • Business Meeting Facilities

•High Speed Internet Access • Exercise & Game Rooms • iPod Docking Stations In All Rooms • Refrigerators, Microwaves, Coffee Makers In Every Room • 42” or 50” Flat Screen TV In Every Room

Best Value InMontana Lodging.

Lodge LikeLodge LikeAtmosphere WithAtmosphere WithResort AmenitiesResort Amenities


2011 ATA Show (continued from page 5)

continues to bring life-saving gear for bowhunters in 2011. The new Ultra-Lite X-treme harness offers the ultimate in lightweight comfort and security. Whether you’re wanting a harness light enough for early season hunting, or a non-binding option when you’re bulked up through the winter months, the Ultra-Lite X-treme will keep you safely in the stand. HSS has also brought a very cute new addition for the ladies with their Lady Pro series of vests. (HunterSafetySystem.com)

CLOTHINGThe crew at Badlands branches

out from their quality line of backpacks for the bowhunter and is offering a new line of clothing for serious hunters in 2011. The Badlands Bio-Thermic System features a performance clothing line that actually works with the body’s own ability to generate heat. Base layers, insulation layers, and outer garments all designed to keep you dry and warm will no doubt add to your success this season. (Badlandspacks.com) I also found a new, and very impressive, camo pattern featured in the Magnus Broadheads booth at this year’s show. The camo is Ground Swat Tactical and the large format, non-situational pattern was developed by Pattern Masters using a “disruptive” pattern which combines contrasting patterns of basic shapes and colors that break up the human form at any distance. (magnusbroadheads.com)

GREAT GEAR Trophy Taker has long been known as a leader in the world of quality arrow rests for both tournament and hunting archers. In recent years they’ve added the super-deadly T-Lock broadheads to their product line, and they now expand their product line even further with the addition of their HeartBreaker bow sight. The HeartBreaker brings target archery precision to hunting camp! The HeartBreaker features micro-drive vertical rail adjustments allowing shooters to maximize range adjustments, micro –adjustable windage, simple 2nd & 3rd axis adjustments, and multiple pin confi gurations. Trophy Taker has also unleashed their new Tight Point Field Tips for 2011. The tips utilize an O-Ring design that creates a snug fi t inside the insert. A precise fi t helps put an end to loose, loud, and lost tips once and for all. (TrophyTaker.com)

Videoing your own hunt has become the rage in recent years and Rhino Outdoors makes the task as easy as anyone with their new LID-CAM. The LID-CAM mounts under the bill of your hat…so what you see is what you capture on camera. Unlike other camera devices, the LID-CAM features a lens with the ability to rotate left or right to get that down-the-arrow camera angle you’re looking for. The LID-CAM features High-Defi nition 720P Video, 8x digital zoom with 3 presets, USB port for video fi le transfer, and the ability to record high quality sound, with noise reduction. (RhinoOutdoors.com)

For hunters wanting to dive into the sport of fi lming their own hunts, the Adventure Series tree arm from The 3rd Arm is hard to beat when it comes to a rock-solid camera support at a price you can afford. The Adventure series is constructed of air craft grade aluminum and built to the

same specifi cations as the companies Pro series model. The Adventure Series unit was designed to be more compact in size, perfect for self-videoing or videoing from a standing position. The Adventure comes standard with a professional grade tree base, 1” ratchet strap, curved swing arm, and is also equipped with a custom built tension plate, for a non-slip connection with the camera head. The Adventure Series weighs in at just 4.8 pounds, with a maximum camera weight of 7 pounds. (The3rdArm.com) Adequate treestand preparation and placement can mean the difference in success and going home empty handed when hunting whitetail deer. The folks at Hooyman offer the fi rst truly compact extendible folding saw, making your job of preparing those stand sites much easier. The 5’ and now 10’ models are designed to go wherever you go and are built to last. Features of the Hooyman saws include: positive locking extension system, premium high carbon steel MegaBite blade, Lock back blade, and I-beam aluminum construction. (HooymanSaws.com) I loved the concept behind the EZ Press bow press design the moment I saw it several years ago. At this year’s show, the crew at Last Chance Archery introduced their new EZ Green bow press, a press enabling every archery home the opportunity to have their own bow press. You’ll fi nd the same great quality and design built in to this press, yet without some of the bells and whistles, making it affordable enough to put one in your garage or workshop. (LastChanceArchery.com) I’m always on the prowl for gear that is functional, yet lightweight, for my backcountry hunting adventures. I’m a big fan of simple. Simple is good. So I was easily impressed when I came across a new little product called NeverWithout. This license holder/Knife/LED light unit is simple, affordable, and will no doubt help you shed some weight with larger knives and fl ashlights. And the whole package is slimmer and lighter than the wallet in your back pocket. The light boasts 24 hours of continuous use and fi ve days of safety strobe. The super slim, dual-blade knife features a straight blade and a gut hook. (NeverWithout1.com) There was an ample supply of high-tech scouting gear featured at this year’s show as well. Trail cameras and computer-based monitoring systems are the rage for keeping an eye on your deer herd. When I stopped by the Primos booth, I found that their ever-growing line of products now features a very slick, palm-sized trail camera they call the Super Model. Despite its super-small size, this camera boasts huge features. ‘Best in Class’ image quality, easily converts to a handheld photo viewer in the fi eld, year-long battery life, photo and video capture, super-fast 0.3 trigger speed, and 7.0 megapixel images, are just a few of the highlights found in the perfectly packable unit. (Primos.com) As always, the previously mentioned items are just a few of the tools that will go beyond simply collecting dust in your closet. They are the tools that will help you hunt smarter, safer, stronger, and more effi ciently when the 2011 hunting season rolls around again. Shoot straight…God Bless!

CUSTOM CONCEPTSCUSTOM CONCEPTS..CUSTOM RIDESCUSTOM RIDES..

• Leer Truck Caps and Tonneaus• 3M Window Tint and Clear Hood Protection ( Helena’s Only 3M Dealer )• Crystal Fusion ( Glass Protection )• Diesel & Gas Performance• Full Service Sign Shop• Car Stereo/ Electronic Department• Truck and Car Accessories• Full Service Detail Shop• Paint Chip Repair• Scorpion Spray On Bedliners• Vehicle Hitches

Add style and flair to your vehicle.

We also work on boats, motorcycles, horse trailers, planes, and recreational vehicles.

Owner, Todd Sullivan has been customizing vehicles for over Owner, Todd Sullivan has been customizing vehicles for over 20 years and has received national awards for his graphics.20 years and has received national awards for his graphics.

Complete Accessory,Car Stereo &

Electronics Dept.

We specialize in custom illustrated, one-of-a-kind graphics that you will fi nd nowhere else.

3242 Centennial St. Helena (406) 457-0700www.autoconceptshelena.com

Find us on


Montana’s Largest Selection of Optics For Your

Outdoor Adventures

Gear Up For Spring with:-Athletic Footwear-Active Wear & Outdoor Apparel-Camping & Backpacking Gear-Tennis & Golf Equipment

-Fly Rods & Reels-Spinning/Casting Rods & Reels-Waders & Wading shoes-Fly Tying Equipment-Expanded Selection of Basic & Premium fl ies-Lures & Baits-Inflatables from Odyssey, Rocky Mtn. Rafts, Creek Co. & Classic Acc.

Best Selection of Fishing Gear:


Bob Ward & Sons New Gear ReviewEach month we select several products that are brand new to the marketand may appeal to our Montana readers and customers.

The Marlin® XT SeriesThe Newest Family OfRimfi re Rifl es

1. New ergonomic stock - this new ergonomic stock is designed for easy handling & improved fi t and feel. You will fi nd this stock shoulders quickly and comfortably, helping to create textbook form round after round.

2. XT Pistol Grip - this new pistol grip features a slight palm swell for a rich feel and solid grip. By improving the shooter’s overall grip on the rifl e, we are able to improve handling, shouldering, shooting form and accuracy.

3. XT Pro-Fire Adjustable Trigger - Marlin’s new user-adjustable trigger system allows the shooter to customize the trigger pull weight between 3 and 6 lbs., while providing the ultimate crispness and virtually zero creep. Everyone’s fi nger works a little differently, and the Pro-Fire Adjustable Trigger accommodates those differences to ensure a crisp, smooth pull every time for better accuracy.

4. Thumb & Trigger Safety - In addition to the standard thumb safety the XT series of bolt-action rifl es features a trigger safety incorporated into the Pro-Fire Adjustable Trigger, which prevents the trigger from being pulled until the trigger safety is fully depressed for an added level of safety & confi dence.

5. Reduced Bolt Force - through improved trigger technology, we are able to reduce the overall bolt release force, making it easier to chamber the next round and help prevent jams.

Visit a Bob Ward & Sons store to purchase fi rearms.

MODEL XT-22RO

The All New Bank Robber™ Fly RodsFrom St. CroixDesigned by Montanan, Kelly Galloup, owner of the Slide Inn Fly Shop & Lodge in Cameron.

All Bank Robber™ Fly Rods Come With A 1000 Denier Nylon-Covered Rod Case With A Divided Polypropolyne Liner.

Like an ancient energy source, anglers are drawn to Montana’s Madison River to feel the magic, soak in the camaraderie and learn the ways of the masters. Kelly

Galloup would be high on the list of masters, especially when it comes to chucking honking meaty streamers at big fi sh. St. Croix’s new

Bank Robber™ fl y rods are designed by Kelly and embody exactly what he’s looking for when it comes to pounding the bank. Available in 6 or 7 weight, these high-modulus/ high-strain SCV graphite blanks reinforced with super high modulus SCV1 graphite in lower sections for added power are also two of the fi rst St. Croix rods to feature NSi (Nano Silica), providing added power with reduced weight. The new innovative 3M™ Matrix Resin™gives them unparalleled strength and durability. Combined with St. Croix proprietary ART™ and IPC® technology, the new Bank Robbers are two of the most advanced fl y rods to be introduced in many years. Handcrafted in the U.S.A.

Sporting GoodsMontana Style

MMontana’sontana’s Largest Selection Largest Selection of Optics For Yourof Optics For Your

Outdoor AdventuresOutdoor Adventures

Gear Up For Spring with:Gear Up For Spring with:-Athletic Footwear-Athletic Footwear-Active Wear & -Active Wear & Outdoor Apparel Outdoor Apparel-Camping & -Camping & Backpacking Gear Backpacking Gear--Tennis & Golf EquipmentTennis & Golf Equipment

--Fly Rods & ReelsFly Rods & Reels-S-Spinning/Casting Rods & Reelspinning/Casting Rods & Reels-Waders & Wading shoes-Waders & Wading shoes-Fly Tying Equipment-Fly Tying Equipment-Expanded Selection of Basic-Expanded Selection of Basic & Premium fl ies & Premium fl ies-Lures & Baits-Lures & Baits-Inflatables from Odyssey, Rocky -Inflatables from Odyssey, Rocky Mtn. Mtn. Rafts, Creek Co. & Classic Acc. Rafts, Creek Co. & Classic Acc.

Best Selection of Fishing Gear:Best Selection of Fishing Gear:


Visit us on the web at www.qualitysupply.com

Meeting real needs...for real people

BUTTE3939 Harrison Avenue

494-6188 1-888-494-6188

Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 8-6,Sun. 9-5

MISSOULA2801 W. Broadway

549-23551-800-823-6666

Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 8-6,Sun. 9-5

HAMILTON1189 1st Street South

363-7644 1-888-406-7644

Mon.-Sat. 8-6,Sun. 10-5

DILLON851 N. Montana

683-6855 1-800-683-6855

Mon.-Sat. 8-6,Sun. 10-4

Find us on Facebook

big sky outdoor news & adventure

Documents

conservation funding

modern conservation

president of boone

abuses of eaja

federal agencies

federal law

justice act eaja

past club president