big sky outdoor news & adventure july 2009

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5 Steps For An Antelope Ambush BY BRODIE SWISHER

Believe it or not, Montana’s big-game hunting season cranks up next month already with the arrival of the antelope 900 series archery season. It will be here before you know it…August 15th to be exact. While a successful antelope hunt with archery gear can be tough, it is not out of reach. The following 5 steps will help tip the odds in your favor this season as you attempt to ambush your next antelope.

Find the Right Drink

The 2008 early-archery antelope season proved tough. There was lots of excess water, making patterning antelope at water-holes a diffi cult task. The talk around antelope camp was that many hunters abandoned their ground blinds and resorted to spot-n-stalk methods. Even with all the additional water-holes available to antelope, many hunters found success when they found the right water-hole

for their particular area. A good friend of mine traveled back to the area where I connected on a water-hole buck in the 2007 season. He too made good in the 2008 season from the same exact setup despite nearly every pond in the area being full of water. One interesting point to note is that the antelope that visited our “honey-hole” often traveled past other water-holes that at fi rst glance appeared to be a more likely, and more accessible stop for them to make. However, for some reason the herd preferred our particular pond, a setup overlooked by most hunters. The point is, even in years when there is more water than the ideal antelope hunt calls for, you can still ambush your buck by fi nding their favorite drink stop. Find their preferred water-hole and you’ll have a hot spot that will produce for years to come.

Stay Concealed

When it comes to hunting around

water-holes or stock tanks, the ground blind is king for concealment. However it takes more than just popping up a ground blind at the edge of a pond and waiting for a shooter buck to walk by. I often hear guys complaining about approaching animals spooking when they encounter their ground blind set. Same-day ground blind sets can be tough. Particularly if you’re setting up on a water-hole in the wide open, fl at country, void of any structure. When time allows, put your ground blind in place well in advance of your hunt to give ample time for the resident herd to grow comfortable with the blind’s presence. Also, be cautious of using the cheapest ground blind on the shelf. Poorly constructed blinds tend to fl ap in the wind. A ground blind fl apping in the wind is a red-fl ag to approaching animals and will no doubt send them on a hasty retreat. Like much of the hunting gear we rely on, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality ground blinds. Use one that won’t that is free of game-spooking wind fl ap. My favorites are the Evolution XP-1 from Rhino Laboratories (rhino-labs.com) and the Primos Double Bull Darkhorse (primos.com). Both blinds offer super visibility, ample shot opportunities, ease of setup, structural integrity, and no fl ap fabric. If I have my choice, I’ll always choose a water-hole that is not only littered with tracks around the edge, but one that also features some kind of structure, be it a single tree, windmill, brush, or some type of change in the landscape. Such structure helps breakup the outline of my ground blind, resulting in greater concealment.

Use Decoys for the Ultimate Ambush

Antelope are suckers for a well placed decoy, particularly during their rutting cycle. However, many hunters overlook the use of decoys for their early season ambush when the season kicks off in mid-August. I’ve had the opportunity to hunt with Ground Swat camo designer/owner, Dave Deming of Billings, MT. Dave has spent his fair share of time in hot pursuit of the prairie goats of eastern Montana and he loves to put a decoy to work when in pursuit of hard-headed antelope. “The use of a decoy in combination with a blind is an excellent option to consider, says Deming. “Antelope are very curious and social animals and can be brought into bow range with a decoy in early season, not just in the rut.” (continued on page 8)


Contents 6. Traveler’s Corner, US Diesel Parts 9. Five Habits Of Effective Elk Hunters, By Jack Ballard10. Soften Up For Hard-Faced Softies, Travis R. De Boer11. Yellow Bay State Park, MFWP12. Fly Tying Corner, Russell Parks14. Montana Fishing Report16. New Montana State Record Bass, MFWP17. Cultivate A Lifelong Fishing Buddy, Mike Demick18. Get In Shape For Fall Elk, Andrew McKean19. Parents Guide: Getting Kids Outdoors, MFWP20. FWP Offers Boating Safety Course21. Fishing With The Captain, Mark Ward23. Painted Rocks State Park On Painted Rocks Reservoir, MFWP24. Hunting & Conservation News26. Western Montana Chapter Spotlight, Mule Deer Foundation27. Gear Review, Pat Stinson28. News From Rocky Mountain States30. The Top 10 Reasons To Join The Montana Bowhunters Assoc., Joe Esparza31. Research Offers 10 Reasons For Managing Wolves, RMEF32. Photo Page33. IF&G To Conduct Two Year Study On Elk Movement, IF&G34. Calendar Of Events36. Catching Tiger Trout, UDW37. Summer Walleye Tactics For Right Now, Neal Cote38. Beckman WMA (Part Two), Tracy WattCover photo: Robert, age 10, Missoula, with fi sh he caught at Beavertail Pondon Memorial weekend. Largest fi sh hecaught - 29”. Way to go Robert!

ADVERTISINGRICK HAGGERTY(406)370-1368AMY HAGGERTY(406) 370-24805625 JEFFERY, LOLO, MT. [email protected] entire contents is © 2009, 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 6 ISSUE 5

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Chronic Wasting Disease Not Found In 2009MFWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks tested about 2,000 deer, elk and moose collected during the 2008-2009 hunting season and did not detect chronic wasting disease in any of the animals tested. Montana’s detection program tests sick and road-killed deer, elk and moose , and hunter harvest samples collected in “high risk” areas along Montana’s borders with Wyoming, South Dakota, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Over the past 11 years FWP has tested more than 14,000 wild elk or deer in Montana for CWD and has not yet found any evidence of the disease. CWD was diagnosed in 1999 in nine captive elk on an alternative livestock facility, or game farm, near Philipsburg. All the animals there were destroyed and the facility was quarantined. “Although we have not found CWD in wildlife populations of Montana, given the location of the disease in wild elk, deer and moose in adjacent states and Canadian provinces it is likely that we will fi nd it at some point” said Neil Anderson, FWP’s Wildlife Laboratory supervisor. “After CWD was detected in a moose near Jackson Hole in Wyoming, we are reviewing where we need to focus our efforts. Should CWD fi nd its way into elk frequenting the feed grounds in Wyoming, it will only be a matter of time before we fi nd it in elk populations of southwestern Montana,” Anderson said. FWP adopted a Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan to help protect Montana’s wild deer and elk from infection and to manage the disease should it occur here. CWD, a chronic brain disease in deer, elk and moose that is always fatal, has not yet been found in wild herds in Montana. “We are working to prevent CWD from entering the state, monitoring Montana’s wild game for the disease, and preparing, through research and planning, to manage it if it does occur,” said Tim Feldner, author of FWP’s Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan. To review Montana’s new CWD management plan , or visit the CWD Frequently Asked Questions go to the FWP home page at fwp.mt.gov and use the search feature. CWD has been detected in Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, and Colorado among other states, and in Saskatchewan and Alberta. No one is sure where CWD came from. It fi rst showed up in the wild in 1981. Since then it has been found in wild herds or alternative livestock ranches, or game farms, in 15 states and two provinces.


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When hunting the big, open prairie grounds that antelope call home, a decoy is often just the ticket to draw a shooter goat to within bow range. There are a number of antelope decoys on the market today, but few offer the pack-ability and ease of setup that can be found with decoys from the folks at Montana Decoy company in Colstrip, MT (montanadecoy.com). The company even offers a cow (beef cow) decoy for the spot-n-stalk hunter wishing to close the gap in wide open antelope country. Regardless of any preconceived notions you may have about hunting with decoys, you owe it to yourself to try an antelope decoy on your next hunt. You just might fi nd yourself in the hot-seat for some fast-paced action.

Go Wide Open

While most antelope meet their maker due to a well placed ground blind set, few things provide the satisfaction and feeling of a hunt done right like an ambush in wide open country. “Antelope like wide open country,” says Deming. “This is where they’ll be the most relaxed. The smart hunter will fi gure out a way to hunt them in the wide open. Watch for natural funnels that tend to concentrate antelope along a certain travel route. Antelope will often travel along an irrigation pivot or wheel line, crossing around the ends as opposed to crossing in the middle.” In the 2008 season Deming’s son Nate scored on his fi rst big game animal with a bow when he shot a big nanny-goat as a small group of antelope worked their way around the end of a pivot in wide open country. “Fence crossings or natural funnels in and out of fi elds are another great ambush spot,” says Deming. “Antelope are creatures of habit and typically enter and leave a fi eld in the same spot. Key in on these locations and you’ll be in the right spot for an ambush.”

Whether it’s a grueling stalk in the open, or attempting an ambush in the smallest of cover, quality camo is a must. Fooling the eyes of an antelope is no easy task. Be sure to select camo that conceals in the open country. A couple of my favorite patterns for wide open country include the new Ground Swat (patternmasters.net), Brown and Green Deception patterns from Predator Camo (predatorcamo.com), ASAT (asatcamo.com), and the new GORE Optifade offered in the Sitka Gear line of clothing (sitkagear.com). These patterns do a super job of breaking up the hunter’s

outline even when in wide open country. Their light colors and open patterns blend well in every variation of antelope country.

Prepare Your Gear for Goats

Sadly, in all our efforts to get ourselves into position to come to full draw on an unsuspecting antelope, we often overlook the moment of truth – the shot – and the gear that will make our antelope success complete. Shots at antelope tend to be longer than that of other game simply because of the open country they inhabit. Dave Deming is one of the deadliest bowhunters I know and this is a direct result his consistent long-range target practice. “The most important tip I can give anyone is to shoot a lot of arrows in pre-season preparation,” says Deming. “Antelope live by their eyes and that often means longer shots opportunities than we might have with deer or elk. They key is to practice, practice, practice!”

Another good friend, Matt Alwine, is a successful antelope hunter and champion archer. Matt says, “I like to shoot a lighter, faster arrow when in pursuit of antelope. Antelope are extremely fast and are quick to jump the string, so a fast shooting bow/arrow combination is an advantage. Kinetic energy is not as much an issue with antelope as it is with elk or mule deer, so shoot and lighter arrow for extra speed and deadly accurate broadhead for the ultimate setup on jumpy antelope.” And don’t forget the rangefi nder. Judging targets in the wide open can be a challenge. Take the guesswork out of it with a laser rangefi nder. Nothing hurts worse than to watch your arrow fl y high, or drop short of your target. Don’t let poor distance judging doom your hunt. Be sure of the distance before you drop the string on your next antelope with a quality rangefi nder.

The arrival of early antelope season is an exciting time of the year as we celebrate the onset of another hunting season. Nothing seems to kick the season off better than an early season antelope ambush! Hot August days, ground blinds, water-holes, and antelope…what more could you ask for?

Brodie Swisher is world champion game caller, outdoor writer, and seminar speaker. Check out his website atwww.BroOutdoors.com.

5 Steps For An Antelope Ambush(continued from page 4)

PHOTO COURTESY BRODIE SWISHER


Five Habits of Effective Elk Hunters BY JACK BALLARD

The differences between consistently successful elk hunters and those who notch a tag infrequently are often subtle. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to share the hillsides with a number of older, master hunters and learn from their experience. No two hunt exactly alike, but all are similar in their approach to hunting and their overwhelming success. Can you replicate their exploits on your next hunt? You bet! Attend to these fi ve habits of effective elk hunters and you’ll be retrieving winter meat from your freezer rather than the supermarket.

Habit #1 - MAKE THE MOST OF OPENING DAY- It seems that most hunters head into the mountains the day before the season opens, set up a camp, and then hit the hills at dawn. Alternatively, they stagger from bed at 3 a. m., down fourteen cups of black coffee, then train their fl oating, red-rimmed eyes on the asphalt and gravel to be in the high country the moment the season opens.

With a limited amount of vacation time to burn, many reason that they’ll get the most from their

hours afi eld by allotting precious leave days to the actual hunting season. However, elk are often most vulnerable on opening day -- if you know where they are in advance. Had I but three days to commit to an annual elk hunt, I’d burn one spotting and scouting before open day rather than hunting. One fall, I spent three evenings before the season’s inauguration behind binoculars and a spotting scope, searching for elk herds. On the fi rst reconnaissance, as shadows lengthened across the sage and timber mosaic on a distant mountainside, a cousin and I spotted a huge herd of elk feeding near a thick stand of timber. About ten brow-tined bulls kept company with nearly seventy cows, two of which sported six tines on each rusty antler. On each successive evening, the animals occupied the same spot. On opening morning, after enduring a three mile hike in the dark, I crept into the sage a couple hundred yards from the herd’s dusky breakfast hole. At dawn, I was into the elk. With a good plan in place, your elk season may last less than an hour.

Habit #2 - KNOW THE TERRITORY - In the absence of a forest fi re or major shift in weather patterns, vegetation or predation, elk generally occupy the same segments of a region decade upon decade. After hunting an area that holds a reason-able number of elk for a few years, you should accumulate knowledge of their preferred haunts, acquir-ing answers to perennial questions. Where do the elk feed? How do they react to hunting pressure? Where do they go to escape severe weather? Where and how can I use the movement of other hunters to enhance my own success? Answers to these questions yield elk steaks, but it takes years in the same range to unravel the riddles. Rest assured that you’ll put more heat in your hunting by deepening your familiarity with a known region than by chasing the latest “hotspot.”

Habit # 3 - BE READY - The readiness habit actually cuts across multiple facets of elk hunting. Has that new rifl e you found under the Christmas tree been fi red enough to stoke your confi dence? Are you sure your elk

tag is in your pocket, not on the kitchen table back home?

Although these are peripheral aspects of readiness, preparedness when it comes to quickly identifying and fi ring at the target is perhaps the cardinal virtue of the effective elk hunter. Nearly every season I fi nd myself in the company of a novice to the game. Finding that packing a rifl e on one’s shoulder via a sling is more comfortable than keeping it in hand, the neophyte almost invariably goes tromping through the parks and pines with the crosshairs of the scope aimed at the sky overhead and a dominant hand clutching the rifl e sling.

Guess what happens when an elk of the legal variety steps out of the timber across the clearing? Blood pounds in the beginner’s brain and an epic struggle with a sling which now seems to be wrapped several times around the hunter’s neck and shoulders be-gins. Now how stands the wa-piti? Back in the timber, of course -- about the time the prospective shooter wrangles the rifl e from his or her coat-sleeve.

(continued on page 33)


Sagebrush News: Trout Of A Higher StationBY CHUCK ROBBINS

An acquaintance called the little spring creek fl owing past his Bozeman area house, Humility Creek; or as another acquaintance labeled it, “A very small creek full of very large skittish trout.” Such trout are also said to be savvy, selec-tive, shrewd, and even smart; though given its pea-size brain and all, those are tough pills for this old boy to swallow. Still there are those trout that are, if not impossible, certainly darn diffi cult. But the worst thing, should I fi nally get lucky, more often than not the toughest nuts to crack are uncanny at turning the tables and leaving me crooning that old familiar tune “weren’t for bad luck...” For instance take the tubby rainbow I locked horns with one day last July. Waist deep in a quiet backwater of the Beaverhead River, amid a heavy PMD hatch, casting a variety of time-tested patterns—nymph, emerger, cripple, dun, spinner— to a pod of so-so trout with so-so success—not exactly tearing ‘em up but doing okay

which for me is hunky-dory—some distance upstream I noticed a slight bulge in the water at the leading edge of debris lodged against the grass. Closing in revealed a very large, dark, submarine-like shadow moving rhythmically to and fro beneath the fl at surface. Judging the frequency its white maw opened and closed he was obviously busily engaged munching down just about whatever fl oated by. Despite countless naturals drifting past overhead, not once did he tip up so I drew the obvious conclusion and pitched a nymph. In the clear, shallow water I could easily follow its drift and each time as the nymph drew near, the big trout simply slid sideways, allowed it to pass then slid back and continued casual dining. Again I performed the obvious: replaced 5X tippet with 6X, added a foot; replaced the 16 with an 18, then a 20; cycled thru all the various PMD wets in my box and even tossed out a couple dries just in case. No dice. While I suppose any one of the above s-words would serve as a good excuse, my take is more one of fl at out disinterest. Nothing left it seems but to give it one last best shot. So I tie on a wet ant and...Voila! But the trout—even bigger now that I at last have him hooked (aren’t they all)—is unruffl ed; simply turns, swims slowly and deliberately back under the debris, circles a submerged snag, gives a little fl ip of his mighty snout and Pop! 6X tippet parts and...And this is the part really gets you. The so and so then slowly and, yes, knowingly swims back out, takes up a position in my wake—a scant two feet below my boot laces for cripes sake and—you guessed it—resumes nonchalant munching. OK. So maybe some trout are savvy...Nah! How about just lucky... Chuck is a freelance writer/photographer and fl y-fi shing guide. To check out his articles, books, blogs, photos and more go to www.chuckngalerobbins.com.

PHOTO COURTESY CHUCK ROBBINS

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above ways, but usually you just need to let it sit and suspended for a second to draw a savage bite. This is a very easy-to-use and productive rig for a novice or a pro. Even more versatile, however, is a jig rigged grub or tube. To rig a grub, just slide it on the hook keeping the tail curled straight up or down to produce the best action and straight swimming. For a tube you simply insert the head in the tube and push the eye of the hook through the plastic. Then once attached experiment with retrieves until you fi nd what works. Sometimes the simplest is the most deadly; if fi sh are feeding aggressively all you have to do is cast and retrieve like using a spinner or shallow diving crank bait. Just start your retrieve just before the bait actually hits the water so that it hits the ground running so to speak. Often this approach is all that is needed to have a great day of bass fi shing. Of course there are times when Bass are a little lethargic or in deeper water for whatever reason and a slower deeper presentation are required; this is where a lift and drop style or crawling retrieve will shine. The Lift and Drop consists of lifting your rod slightly and dropping, reeling up slack as you go so you can detect subtle hits. Crawling is one of my favorite ways to catch Smallies and is extremely effective when used on beds. Just let it sink and retrieve super slow, keeping the bait in contact with the bottom at all times. Sometimes you will feel only a slight tick at the tip of your rod or even a slight jump in your line, this is where you give a powerful hook set as it is most likely a Smallmouth inhaling your bait. Slow fi shing bottom takes practice and puts your lures in jeopardy of snagging, but it often fools the smartest and wariest fi sh, so just remember that if you shop wisely you can afford to donate twenty lures for well under three dollars.

(continued on page 16)

If you spend any time on the Snake or Columbia Rivers, pay attention to the guides and charters. Their watercraft, attitudes and approaches to this mighty waterway are as varied as are the fi sh in the sea. From monster jet boats to rafts, from side drifting or plug-pulling gear to spey-rods almost no two are alike. However, if you look at the numerous rods sticking out of their rod holders during Smallmouth season, you will notice perhaps the only thing that all these very different guys have in common is the use of soft plastics. The reason for this is that these baits consistently take huge numbers of trophy Bass season after season. There are basically two food sources that matter to Smallies - crawdads and baitfi sh. There’s not a lure in the world that does a better job of imitating both of these than a properly rigged plastic. Throw in that you can do both without re-rigging or switching rods and the fact that a thrifty shopper can get them for fi ve cents a piece and it becomes hard to see why you would use anything else. What makes these lures so deadly is there life-like action and versatility. They can be swam, jigged, crawled, twitched, slashed, or even (believe it or not) left to sit like real bait, hardly moved. Basically anything you can do with other baits you can do better with plastics and at a fraction of the price! Just as there are two food sources that matter most to Smallies, there are two rigs and two plastics that matter most to the guides that chase them on this river system. Grubs and tubes rigged on jigs and drop-shot set ups.

Drop shot rigs are great because they mimic suspended bait, stay in the strike zone, and hang up very little. To rig these all you need are plastics, drop-shot weights, and hooks. You simply tie on the hook leaving a long tail from which the drop-shot weight hangs a few feet below. (Kits are available at most sporting goods stores.) They can be retrieved any of the


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Yellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards, blossoms color the hillsides during the spring. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek, four walk-in tent camping spots and a wide, sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, boating, fi shing, and bird watching.

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Game Fish Opportunities:Lake Trout, Lake Whitefi sh, Mountain Whitefi sh, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch

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Boaters’ Challenge MFWP

Motorized or non-motorized boating requires a depth of knowledge that many people gain by experience rather than any formal training. Experience is a good way to learn. Experts suggest that inexperienced boaters team up with more experienced people to learn all of the basics, including boating and water safety.

Here is a self-quiz on some topics important to all boaters.

Q. In what four situations must a person always wear a personal fl otation device or life jacket?

A. Life jackets must be worn by children under 12 years of age, or anyone being towed, and anyone on a personal watercraft.

Q. If your canoe capsizes on a river, what should you do?

A. Stay on the up-stream side of the canoe, fl oat on your back feet fi rst and don’t fi ght the current.

Q. What are the most common causes of capsizing a boat?

A. High speed turns, bad weather, ignoring approaching storms, overloading the boat, and inexperience are factors that may capsize a boat.

Q. What are the three most common causes of boating fatalities?

A. Capsizing, falling overboard, and collisions with another vessel or object.

Q. Why should you stay with the boat if you are forced into the water and it’s still afl oat?

A. The boat can support you and it is a signal to others that you are in trouble and by being next to the boat it is easier to fi nd and rescue you.

Q. What are some signs that the weather is changing?

A. A change in barometric pressure, wind shifts, clouds developing, lightening or choppy water all signal weather changes.

Q. What are the fi rst two things you should do if a fi re starts onboard a boat?

A. Stop the boat and put on a lifejacket.

Q. When two motorboats are crossing paths, which boat has the right of way?

A. The boat on the right has right of way. The boat on the left should slow down and pass behind the boat on the right.

Q. What qualifi es as boating while under the infl uence of alcohol or drugs?

A. BUI, or boating under the infl uence, means a person’s ability to safely operate a boat has been diminished by using alcohol, drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs.

Are you seeing those ‘erratic, dipping’ bugs flying around? This caddis utilizes some of that ‘extra’ material that you always want some-thing to do with besides throwing it away. It has a very subtle flash built into the body and wing that provides life and depth to the pattern…. irresistible to trout! Add a little Dry Magic and dry shake before you fish and this fly will produce.

Materials:Hook: MFC 7004, Sizes 14-18Thread: Tan 8/0Body: CDC Dubbing & Pearl UV Ice Dub Underwing: Pearl UV Ice DubWing: Tan CDC Feathers

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Step 3: Using the thick stem ends of two CDC feathers, tie in a tent style wing

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Montana Fishing ReportMontana Fishing Report

BY CHRIS MADSEN, (406) 532-9000 e-mail: fi [email protected]

Western MontanaFishing ReportBrought To YouBy The Missoula UFA WholesaleSports

CHRIS MADSEN

CANYON FERRY: It seems that Canyon Ferry has been fi shing better than it has in years. There has even been some nice pike being picked up in the lake, as if we all didn’t know that there was pike in Canyon Ferry. July is here, and now is the time anglers may want to switch up fi shing tactics. Anglers will more than likely want to be fi shing in deep water using a wide array of tackle (bottom bouncers, deep cranks, jigs)are all affective baits. This does not mean that you should rule out the shallows. Canyon Ferry is a big body of water and as the summer goes on so do the fi sh. They will go wherever they need to in order to obtain a food source. Another quick tip: a positive attitude on your end of the fi shing rod will certainly produce more fi sh, it is almost as if the fi sh can feel our vibe, heck maybe they can?

HAUSER LAKE: Has and will continue to produce limits of walleye and trout. Nothing of any reel size to speak of but we can never tell what July will bring. Stop in to any of the local shops to see what they are best hitting on, as you know it changes day to day. Anglers can’t go wrong with jigs, bottom bouncers, lindy rigs, and cranks in just about any of the local lakes around the Helena area. One fun thing that I wanted to mention that a lot of us are

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After an extended run-off period, with high and muddy water limiting our river fi shing options in June; it looks like July is shaping to be a good month. Even though the rivers of western Montana left a lot to be desired as far as fi shing conditions went, the long run-off bodes well for the fi shing in July and August. With two good snow packs in a row the reservoirs and lakes should all have plenty of water in them this sum-mer with enough to satisfy everyone’s interests. All in all, it fi gures to be a great month to match wits with our cold-blooded quarry.

Here is a rundown of a few places to try this month:

FLATHEAD LAKE: The lake trout and perch bite should continue to be strong through July,

and some lake whitefi sh should start to show up towards the end of the month. If you’ve never tried fi shing for lake whitefi sh before, these hard fi ghting and tasty critters start to congregate in Flathead’s bays in 40-50’ of water to feed on hatching perch fry. Jigging with a green Rattle D’Zastor, Kastmaster, Buckshot spoon or Swedish Pimple with a whitefi sh fl y dropper can provide some fast-paced action for fi sh in the two to four pound range. Fishing usually starts towards the end of July and continues through August, so be sure and mark a few days on your fi shing calendar.

GEORGETOWN LAKE: July is THE month to be on Georgetown, and for one very good reason: damselfl ies. Georgetown is one of the few lakes in the country where large trout can consistently be taken on dry damsel patterns. Expect to fi sh nymphs in the morning, as trout set up to ambush migrating damsels before they reach shore, and then switch over to surface imitations in the afternoon as risers become active. Pick a feeding fi sh out, determine which way he is headed, lead him by a few feet, and then try not to pull the fl y away before he eats it. Which most of the time is easier said than done. If you’re wondering where to fi sh on the lake just look for all the boats. Fishing the evening caddis hatch is another excellent option on this lake. Skating a large caddis pattern across the surface can draw explosive strikes akin to a great white shark attack on a sea lion. Keep your legs out of the water if you’re in a pontoon boat.

CLARK FORK RIVER: Often over looked by local fi shers the lower Clark Fork is a very productive fi shery during the summer. Once the water levels lower and we get some clarity back the numerous hatches should keep the trout rising and the fl y caster busy. The trout pod up in the wide slow waters of the lower river. Long, light leaders and tiny fl ies are sometimes necessary to fool them. This section of the river also has some great warm water fi shing. Smallmouth bass are abundant and eager to take your artifi cial or natural bait. The popular or unpopular pike, depending on who you talk to, is also present in good

numbers and can be taken with a variety of tackle and techniques.

BLACKFOOT RIVER: Another classic Montana trout water, the Blackfoot may not be our most productive trout stream, but it’s beauty and variety of water types and fi shing options make it a can’t miss in July. The salmonfl ies should still be going on the Blackfoot when this article comes out. The hatch started a little later this year due to the large amount of cold run-off but it is in full swing at the moment. Golden Stones, PMD’s, Green Drakes, caddis and a variety of big, bushy dry fl ies will also take fi sh on top, and there may be no better place around to cast streamers for big browns that are measured in pounds, not inches. You won’t catch one on every cast, but nothing that good should come easy. The excellent snow pack and cool spring should keep the water at a respectable level and help avoid the wide spread restrictions that have affected the late summer fi shing on this river in years past.

ROCK CREEK: July marks the end of the fl oat season on Rock Creek, but not the end of the good fi shing. Lower fl ows will make it much friendlier for wading anglers, and you won’t have to worry about being run down by a wayward raft...or ten. Golden stones and yellow sallies will draw strikes all month, and on any given day PMD’s, caddis, Green Drakes and hoppers can be important. Don’t forget your San Juan worms.

SMALL STREAMS: Our small streams should come back into fi shable shape soon, and will provide some great opportunities this month. Most will see some of the same hatches as the larger rivers, like PMD’s, caddis, Green Drakes and yellow sallies, but often generic attractor patterns will work just as well. Don’t forget to put on a bead head nymph as a dropper and increase your catch. If you have become jaded by overeducated trout and crowded rivers, try hiking up a tributary stream for a day, and see what fi shing is like where the trout don’t speak Latin and there is no one to be impressed by how much your rod and reel costs.

Good luck to everyone, enjoy what is shaping up to be an excellent July.


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and is intended to be used with in these parameters. July will be the month for heavy boater traffi c, so be courteous of others and pay attention to your surrounding as not everyone is paying attention to you.

REGULATING RESERVOIR: Still slow going but we will keep you informed when the Konkani fi shing picks up. I shouldn’t say that because fi sh are being caught but in no record fashion by no means. In the past reports I always reiterated trolling techniques for the salmon to be most affective, which it usually is. Well in July maybe we should focus are tactics otherwise. Maybe jigging them will prove to be most productive this month. Fishing is intended to be a stress reliever not a stressor, so if your regular go to method isn’t producing fi sh like you had hoped, simply change your method.

getting into is bow fi shing for carp. Get an old re-curve or compound bow, set it up with a bow fi shing reel and arrow and go wade the shallows; man is this a kick in the pants! Just remember shoot low! Either way you go have a wonderful 4th of July, and note you can’t catch fi sh if your line isn’t in the water.

HOLTER LAKE: One can expect to pick up nice trout and walleye below the dam. Expect the c.f.s (cubic feet per second) to be high because of all the rain and run-off. Anglers will still manage to pick up fi sh by using heavier than normal weight. This also means that rods and reel will need to be a heavier set up. It is very important to match the gear you are using to the specifi c type of fi shing you want to do. Having the correct rod and reel will ultimately save one a lot of time and money. Each rod has a weight and line rating on them

Primetime In SW Montana!

Well with July in Montana comes prime dry fl y fi shing conditions on our area waters. The main body and tail ends of the Salmonfl y hatches will be occurring during the fi rst half of the month. Also caddis and pale morning dun emergences will keep the fi sh looking up as well. Then in the latter part of the month throwing some big bushy attractors will be great patterns to use as well. Keep in mind if we get some extended very hot weather at all. The most productive dry fl y fi shing will be early in the morning and late in the evenings. If temps stay fairly average to cool the bugs should pop at more traditional times.

Upper Madison: Salmonfl ies will work their way upstream tapering off usually about mid month. Have on hand a good selection of both Salmonfl y and Golden imitations in both adults and nymphs. PMD’s and Hydrophsyche Caddis will also be emerging in great numbers throughout the month. PMD sparkle duns, Brook’s sprout emergers, and Barr’s emergers will take care of the surface and emerger activity. Pheasant tail nymphs, PT Cruzers are my favorite imitations sub surface. For the caddis activity have a good selection of Elk Hair Caddis, X or X2 Caddis, and Iris Caddis in tan and amber. Sizes 16 – 18 should be carried for both pmd’s and caddis.

Beaverhead River: The fi shing should continue to be great on the Beav through July. Nymphing with PT Cruzers and other small mayfl y nymphs should remain steady. With good surface activity to PMD’s and Caddis as well. If you have a chance to hit the evening Caddis activity on this river don’t pass it up. It can be tremendous. Again sizes 16-18 for dries and the same below. And defi nitely make sure you have some Cranefl y patterns in nymphs and dries.

Gallatin River: The Gallatin should be coming back into shape around the second or third week of the month below Taylor’s Fork. Until then nymphing should be very good in the Park stretches with Caddis and PMD activity increasing as the water temps rise. There is also a small emergence of Green Drakes in the Park to Big Sky stretch that can bring some surprisingly large fi sh to net. You won’t see many of the Drakes but don’t be afraid to fi sh and emerger or dry blind to some likely looking riffl es and hold on. As the river below tailors fork clears Caddis and Pmd’s should emerge and don’t forget about the Salmonfl ies from the mouth of the canyon upstream to the Park if the weather stabilizes and warms up in the fi rst half of the month.


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State Record Bass - May 2009 - Noxon Rapids PHOTO COURTESY MFWP

An Idaho angler caught an 8.8-pound largemouth bass in Noxon Rapids Reservoir on May 2 that has been confi rmed as a new Montana state record. Darin Williams of Pinehurst Idaho was fi shing with a partner at a bass fi shing tournament when he hooked and landed the huge largemouth. The 8.8-pound bass measured 22.5 inches long and beat the old record by a half-pound. Wil-liams caught the fi sh on tube bait. The lunker bass was released after the weigh-in. The previous Montana record largemouth bass was 22 inches long and weighed 8.29 pounds. It was caught in 1999 in Many Lakes east of Kalispell.

Soften Up for Hard-Faced Smallies

(continued from page 10)

These are just a few ways to fi sh a very versatile, productive and inexpensive bait. There are no limits to what these baits can do and at a fraction of the cost of other Bass baits. The two most important factors in my opinion are presentation and bait size or “matching the hatch” to use a familiar term. Don’t worry too much about color - just make sure it’s visible and keep it in the water. Experiment with retrieves, remember what works and set hooks aggressively; these fi sh have very hard mouths. Another good way to kick up your plastics game is to go fi shing with a reputable guide. It just so happens that I am one of these and would love the work, but there are lots of us over here so check out our websites. And remember when you see the hun-dred fi sh catch rates that (1) it’s not B.S. (2) that’s generally per person, and (3) that’s done almost exclusively with cheap soft plastics.

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Billings Girl Catches Record Fish MFWP

A three-year-old Billings girl is the holder of a new state fi shing record. Bette Schmieding landed the nine-inch, .84-pound green sunfi sh May 25, 2009, from Hickson’s Pond near Acton. Bette, who turns four years old July 24, was fi shing with her grandfather, James Bender of Billings, when the record fi sh bit the worm on her hook. The fi sh’s weight was verifi ed on a certifi ed scale at Albertson’s on Central Avenue in Billings. Bender said the pond is privately owned, but the owner allows fi shing with permission. The record displaces a .56-pound, 8.6-inch green sunfi sh caught in 1991 by Roger Fliger of Billings in Castle Rock Reservoir at Colstrip.

Anglers Using Small Pontoon Boats Need Life Jackets MFWP

While traditional fl oat-tube and bell-boat anglers are not using “vessels” and therefore are not required to carry a life vest, anglers on the new paddle and oar pontoons must carry a life vest because the pontoons are classifi ed as a “vessel.” That means these boaters are required to carry a life vest for each person on board. Children under 12 years of age must wear their vest at all times. New technology has provided anglers with smaller fl oating vessels, known as “pontoons,” to access their favorite fi shing spots. Anglers using these small pontoon boats propelled by oars for transportation to their fi shing holes are also required to carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest. “If an angler is sitting above the water and the vessel is designed to be rowed or paddled, then a life vest is required on the vessel,” said Jim Kropp, MFWPs enforcement administrator. “We encourage all fl oat tube and belly boat users to wear them.” Anglers using fl oat tubes with motors must register the craft and also must carry a life vest on board.


Cultivate A Lifelong Fishing Buddy, Take A Child Fishing By Mike Demick, IG&F

When a six-year old yells, “I got a fi sh!” the thrill of that one moment lives for days, sometimes years for both youngster and adult. Fishing with youngsters can provide memories for a lifetime. It pro-vides a time to bond, talk, listen to their stories, ask them about their friends and interests, and share joyful experiences outdoors. But cultivating a life-long fi shing buddy requires a little planning, patience and an understanding that it’s less about catching fi sh and more about having fun. With Idaho’s Free Fishing Day scheduled this Saturday, June 13, the Idaho Fish and Game encourages par-ents to keep a few things in mind when taking youngsters fi shing to ensure a happy outing for everyone.

START THEM YOUNG - Some parents think a child needs to be twelve or older to take them fi shing. Ac-tually, you can start by taking babies for short walks outside, along the lake shore or on a dock. Feeling and sensing the outdoors is the most critical step. Young children are fascinated with animals, so show them nearby songbirds, minnows, tadpoles and even insects.

KEEP IT SHORT - Children wear out fast and have shorter attention spans than adults. Make a trip last about an hour per year of age. While a one-year-old has had all they want of fi shing after an hour, the six-year-old might last half a day. For mixed ages, be pre-pared. Bring snacks and toys to occupy younger children once they become restless. Another important suggestion is to leave before they ask to. Always leave them wanting more, and they’ll soon be begging to go again.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - There are many affordable children’s rod and reel combos on the market for $6 to $15. Zebco and Shakespeare make combos to fi t the smallest of children with Barbie and SpongeBob Squarepants outfi ts just to name a few. As children grow, they can get Spiderman or Batman and right on up the line. Think of fi shing equipment as a gift for birthdays or Christmas. You can’t beat a kid’s combo with a tackle box full of tiny hooks, sinkers and bobbers to light up a child’s eyes.

AVOID HARD TO CATCH SPECIES - Break youths in on easy-to-catch species like bluegill, perch, crappie, or hatchery trout. Idaho’s

Family Fishing Waters are great spots close to home geared for families and the likelihood you’ll catch fi sh. These waters are easy to reach and the rules are simple. For a list of waters, review a copy of the fi shing rules booklet or visit the department’s website at http://fi shandgame.idaho.gov. DON’T MISINTERPRET “SUCCESS” - So what if you drop your tackle box and spill all the contents - or your toddler falls in a mud puddle? If you spend the day together and have just one moment of laughter, you’ve had a successful day. Never judge your success by the number or size of fi sh you catch. Cherish the memories you make everyday. TAKE PICTURES, AND PLENTY OF THEM - Get close-ups of a child who’s got the giggles or even the one who’s crying because the family dog ate his cookie when he wasn’t looking. One of my favorite photos of a friend’s daughter was taken when she was about fi ve years old and had gotten the fi shing line tangled, became impatient and started to cry. Rather than waiting for a smile, I took the photo and every time I see it now, I

laugh. SLOW DOWN AND BE PATIENT - Set time aside for the children and devote every minute of it seeing to it that they are having fun. When a child makes a mistake, remember when you were in that same learning situation and how it felt. DON’T FORGET SAFETY - Especially life vests, sunscreen and sting kits. Remember to use life vests that fi t snugly and wear them whenever around water. In Idaho, law requires all children 14 and under to wear an approved life jacket when in a boat 19 feet or less when it is under way or under power. This law applies to all boats, not just those powered by a mo-tor, including canoes, kayaks, rafts and fl oat tubes. Children can burn fast in the hot summer sun so go early or go late but avoid the heat of the day. It’s also a good idea to take a few Band-Aids and even a sting kit for the occasional injury. Children grow up fast, so make it fun, be positive and treasure the time spent together outdoors. Most importantly, consider fi shing with the kids as an investment with payoffs in the future.

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Get In Shape For Fall ElkBY ANDREW MCKEAN

Start exercising now for October’s elk

Think your ticket to hunting success this fall depends on whether you draw a choice elk permit or just the right buck deer license in this summer’s lottery? Think again. Whether or not you are able to wrap your tag on an elk, deer or even antelope depends on your ability to get to it. And accessing the big country where these animals live requires more physical ability than you probably have right now. That’s a nice way of saying that you’re in lousy shape, and here’s no greater motivation to start exercising than the news that your own physical inability may make the difference in eating elk roasts or beefsteak this winter. Hunters who are in shape are able to hunt harder, higher and longer than those hunters who are confi ned to their pickups or who are afraid to head to remote ridges where the best and most animals are. In many years, like many of the last several, hunters who waited for winter weather to push elk to them ended the season with un-notched tags The good news is that if you start exercising soon you still have enough time to get in decent shape for opening day. Here are some painless ways to get started:

* Walk – Sounds way too simple, but just walking a mile a day will get your legs, torso and cardio-vascular system in shape for October. If you currently walk a mile, double the distance. A brisk walk will strengthen your legs,

build your wind and tighten your muscle tone.

* Load Your Backpack – You will almost certainly hunt with a backpack. Get it out of the garage and fi ll it with full water jugs. Then strap it on and get walking. If you want to ramp up your exercises, add some uphill pulls into your route. Add more weight or distance when you want to increase your workout.

* Do Simple Calisthenics – Sit-ups aren’t just for middle-school gym class. These effective, simple exercises will tighten your trunk and minimize the chance of back injury as you hike under a pack, fi eld dress your elk and pack the meat out of the hills. Push-ups are also great ways to strengthen your upper arms and pecs, the muscles that you’ll use to pull yourself up and down mountains, stabilize a loaded pack and set up camp.

* Don’t Push It – As good as you’ll feel by getting in shape, don’t try to do too much too soon. If you haven’t been used to exercising, it’s easy to injure yourself if you treat your middle-aged body like that of a college kid. And injuries will certainly keep you from hunting as hard as you want. So go slow, but be consistent. You’ll be rewarded with more days in the fi eld, more satisfaction while you’re out, and hopefully with more venison in your freezer.

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Parents’ Guide: Getting Kids Outdoors MFWP

Activity : Begin To Keep A Nature Journal Or Fishing Log To Preserve Treasured Memories

Ready:

Identify an easily accessible outdoor location you would enjoy visiting regularly to fi sh and explore. For help, go to the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov and use the Montana Fishing Guide on the Fishing page. Many Fishing Access Site pages offer a photo of the location so you can see the type of environment it offers.

It can be fun to return to the same site through the summer to notice the subtle seasonal changes that occur as spring progresses into summer.

Set:

Set aside a backpack for spontaneous outdoor exploration. Collect items you’d like to have handy at a moment’s notice, for example: energy bars, bottled water, fi eld glasses or spotting scope, bug spray, sun screen, fl ashlight, small fi rst aid kit, bandana’s to soak in water and knot around your neck to stay cool in the heat of the day, inexpensive digital camera, and of course your outdoor journals of logs and plastic baggies for collecting “specimens.”

Fishing gear might include poles, fi shing tackle box with appropri-ate lures, bait, a copy of the 2009 Montana fi shing regulations, fi shing licenses, waders and life vests for the youngsters are always a good idea whether they will be shore fi shing or on a boat.

Locate the family’s basic spring and summer outdoor clothing including sun hats, sunglasses, waterproof sandals for wading, extra socks, sweatshirts for an extra layer of warmth, and a warm jacket for cold nights. Store the gear in a single handy place.

Go:

Begin with a short exploratory walk to get your bearings in your newly adopted corner of the great Montana outdoors. Ask the kids to help identify the best potential “fi shing holes” at this site. What makes for a good fi shing hole? What kind of luck are the other anglers at the site having and why? Is the water at the

high-water mark or is it low? Is the fl ow rapid or slow? Check the shoreline to see if and where it may drop off quickly into deep water. Notice the type of bugs hovering over the water, is this what the fi sh are eating? Can you see fi sh coming to the surface to feed?

The Power of Observing and Questioning:

Montana’s science teachers are in-creasingly using the inquiry process to teach youngsters to explore and learn about their world—that process is to observe, wonder, question, seek evidence and facts, formulate explana-tions and communicate them to others.

Children outdoors for some unstruc-tured fun will have an opportunity to practice these skills in a real-life setting and to record their thoughts, in words, sketches and by collecting found objects or pressing and adding specimens to their nature journal.

Let Nature Take The Lead:

There are endless opportunities for memorable summer experiences depending on the location you choose and what is going on in the natural world that day. Summer is a time when children can observe all the ways that the natural world reawak-ens, grows and comes to fruition. Noticing how summer makes them feel will help young people realize that what is happening in the natural world affects their lives and moods every day.

Use Your Senses:

A way to help young people fully experience spring is to ask them to focus on one sense at a time: sight, sound, touch, taste and feel.

Cover your ears and observe:

Look around you —what catches your eye and why?

Cover your eyes and listen :

What do you hear at fi rst, what do you hear as you listen longer?

Cover your eyes and ears to smell and feel:

Can you identify everything you smell and feel? Take your time and you may be surprised at what you discover.

Tell Stories:

Your kids might enjoy storytelling about their observations. Focus on something that interests them and start “wondering.” Try to answer the classic questions--the what, when, where, why and how of what you are seeing. Soon you will have a story, including things you don’t know or can’t explain. Kids might enjoy fi nding the answers at home on the Internet.

FWP Can Help FWP’s Web site offers a variety of helpful information for those preparing to explore the Montana outdoors:

Learn about the type of ecosystems a particular location represents and the wildlife adapted to live there:

http://fwp.mt.gov/education/ecosystem/default.html

Or, ask about the KUBS, Kids Under The Big Sky, guides or the Junior Ranger Program available at some Montana State Parks.

To read more about keeping a fi shing log:

http://fwp.mt.gov/fi shing/guide/fi shin-gLog/default.html

To locate a Fishing Access Site near you:

http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/searchfas.aspx

Access the Web-based educational materials that FWP has to offer here:

http://fwp.mt.gov/education/teachers/de-fault.html

Find the answers to questions about Mon-tana’s plants and animals by using these

handy online fi eld guides:

http://fi eldguide.mt.gov/

For wildlife watching tips and ways to avoid disturbing wild animals when you

see them, go here:

http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/livingwwild-life/wildlifewatching.html

For reminders on outdoor safety go to:

http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/de-fault.html

The National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org/kidsoutdoors also offers a useful booklet on Connecting Today’s Kids With Nature, and a national web campaign at www.GreenHour.org with tips to help par-ents get their kids outdoors more often.

Anglers Be Careful Of Catching Pallid Sturgeons MFWP The recent success of pallid sturgeon stocking in the Missouri River has more anglers catching this endangered fi sh species. That means anglers need to know the difference between pallids and their cousins, shovelnose sturgeon, which are legal to keep. “Over the past 10 years we have released 182,862 yearling pallids into the Missouri River between Loma and the Fred Robinson Bridge,” says Bill Gardner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks fi sheries biologist in Lewistown. This year alone, fi sheries workers released 6,486 of the 10-inch juveniles pallids. “There’s getting to be a lot of 2 to 5 lb. juvenile pallid sturgeon out there,” Gardner says, “and they look a lot like shovelnose, so make sure you can tell the difference apart from each other. And we’ve found these juvenile pallids are easy to catch on worms.” The main thing to watch for is the barbels, sometimes called “whiskers,” which hang under their fi sh’s nose. “Pallids have four barbels like the shovelnose,” Gardner says, “but the outer ones are much longer, twice as long, as the inner ones. In contrast, the shovelnose’s four barbels are nearly all similar in length.” The key differences are pictured in Montana fi shing regulations. The legal limit for shovelnose sturgeon is 5 fi sh daily; none over 40 inches. However, pallids are a federally protected endangered species and must be released immediately. Few wild adult pallids remain in the middle Missouri River reach. Gardner estimates there are only about 25 wild pallid sturgeon adults remaining in the 180-mile stretch of river. “We are seeing some relatively good annual survival rates of between 25 and 74 percent for the hatchery pallids over the fi rst 4 years after stocking,” Gardner says. “Some of the yearlings stocked out during 1998 are now in the 6-pound class size, so they seem to be growing at a steady rate.” A lot of people and agencies are working on pallid sturgeon recovery, including FWP, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, federal Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Montana State University, Western Area Power Associa-tion and PPL Montana. “We have been working on recovering pallid sturgeon in this area for nearly 20 years,” Gardner says, “and we are now fi nally starting to see some good, positive results. So, anglers now need to thoroughly examine any sturgeon they catch before keeping it.”


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FWP Offers Boating Safety Course MFWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ boat safety education program includes a home-study course for motorboat and personal watercraft operators. Those 13 years of age or older who successfully complete the course will receive a motorboat operator’s certifi cate. Boating safety videos are available on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov. To obtain the motorboat home-study course packet, contact the nearest regional FWP offi ce, or call FWP at 406-444-2535. Boating classes are also offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. For your safety and the safety of others, please be certain you know Montana’s boating rules and regulations.

Lake Trout Confi rmed In Lindbergh Lake MFWP

FWP recently conducted a spring gill net series on Lindbergh Lake, and confi rmed that lake trout have found their way into the 4-1/2 mile long, 725-acre lake. Lindbergh Lake is located in the Swan River Drainage about 40 miles upstream from Swan Lake, where lake trout were confi rmed to be present 9 years ago. On June 17, FWP crews captured four lake trout ranging from 425-481 mm (16-19”). Three lake trout were captured in the upper end of the Lindbergh Lake and one was captured in the outlet area. The nets also captured 10 bull trout, and a number of northern pike minnow (formerly called squawfi sh), large scale suckers, long nose suckers, mountain whitefi sh, and rainbow trout.

Fisheries Biologist Leo Rosenthal noted that in the weeks leading up to the sampling, he received three separate reports of lake trout caught by anglers in Lindbergh Lake, indicating that these fi sh are likely abundant. Previous net surveys in Lindbergh in 2003-2007 did not capture lake trout although there were uncon-fi rmed angler reports in 2008. It is not known whether there is a spawning population of lake trout in Lindbergh Lake, or if the lake trout are migrants from downstream. FWP will monitor the situation and consider the implications of this latest discovery for management of the Swan Drainage fi sheries.

Fertilizing the eggs from a Northern pike with milt from a true muskie creates a huge fi sh called a tiger muskie. This unidentifi ed anglers shows the tiger muskie he caught at Pineview Reservoir in November 2005. Photo UDW

Utah Is Ready To Raise Its Own Tiger Muskies UDW

1,000 true muskies released in Lee Kay ponds

One of the largest sport fi sh in the country will soon be raised in Utah. On June 16, a total of 1,000 true muskies from Nebraska were stocked into ponds at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City. They’re small now, but in three years, they’ll be mature enough to reproduce. When the muskies reach that stage, biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources will take milt from the males. Then they’ll use that milt to fertilize eggs from Northern pike. After the eggs are fertilized, Utah will have the fi rst batch of tiger muskies ever produced in the state. “More and more anglers are fi shing for tiger muskies,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fi sheries coordinator for the DWR. “I can see why: they’re an impressive fi sh. When you catch one of these monsters, they put up a big fi ght.” Four years of hard work Cushing says the DWR introduced tiger muskies to Utah in 1988. The program went well for years. Then, in 2005, the DWR stopped bringing tiger muskies into the state after biologists became concerned about aquatic diseases in the Midwest. “When that happened, we decided it was time to raise our own tiger muskies,” Cushing says. That decision led to lots of work.

Creating ponds in which to raise the fi sh was the fi rst step. The shooting range at Lee Kay takes up only a small part of the 1,200-acre facility. And the facility doesn’t have any other fi shing waters near it. “When water leaves the pond, it fl ows into a nearby basin and evaporates,” Cushing says. (continued on page 36)

• ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 21

Fishing With The CaptainMark Ward

The longer than normal spring that most of Montana experienced this year will have its effect on fi shing in July. I think for the most part that it will be positive. I look for good fi shing to extend in all the rivers. The Spring-Run off was very good as most fl y fi shers didn’t really get into any decent fi shing on the rivers until the middle of last month. The river fi shing should continue to be strong until late July and could carry over into August. Check with your local fl y shop or sporting goods store for the latest dry fl y hatches on the river stretch that you intend to fi sh. The lake fi shing should also bode well into July. The walleye bite on Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter Reservoirs, which normally slows down, might get a few extra weeks of good fi shing. Tiber Reservoir north of Great Falls just started to pick up late last month so July should be a good month. Tiber Marina (759-7100) is open on the lake for the latest in daily reports. They also have all your tackle and live bait needs. Fort Peck Reservoir has been producing some great fi shing all spring and July normally a good month should be excellent fi shing. The 134 mile reservoir on the north east part of the state has good water this year. The water level has risen every month this year and because of it the vegetation that is now under water has produced great habitat for bait fi sh. The end results is the northern pike and walleyes are more active closer to shore where the bait fi sh are and the fi sherman are fi shing. This month Fort Peck will play host to two walleye tournaments. The Walleye

Governors Cup will be held July 10-11th. You still have time to enter by contacting Dianne Brandt at the Glasgow Chamber 406-228-2222. This month on the big lake in Western Montana Flathead Lake the lake whitefi sh bite should start. In the past the whitefi sh bite has begun around the middle of the month, however with the colder than normal spring that bite might be pushed a couple of weeks back. Last year the whitefi sh bite on Flathead Lake was disappointing. Anglers were able to catch fi sh but the bite was not even close to the 2 years leading up to last year. Nobody knows for certain why the bite was off last year but let us hope it will start again string this year. I know a lot of anglers are looking forward to fi shing for whitefi sh on Flathead Lake. For more information on Flathead Lake trout fi shing and the whitefi sh get contact of Dick Zimmer at Zimmer Tackle in Pablo. 675-0068. Noxon Reservoir should also be a good place to fi sh for northern pike and bass this month. The lake, which hosts many of the Montana Bass Federation qualifying tournaments in Western Montana, also now boats the new state record largemouth bass. The new state record which was caught by Idaho angler Darin Williams on May 2nd during a tournament weighed 8.8 pounds and was 22 and ½ inches in length.

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.


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Painted Rocks State Park On Painted Rocks ReservoirMFWP

Located in the scenic Bitterroot Mountains, this 23-acre park offers boating and water sport opportunities on the reservoir. The remote pine-forest setting is a great get-away for a weekend of camping, fi shing andrelaxation. Painted Rocks State Park is located on Painted Rocks Reservoir. Painted Rocks State Park is the only FWP managed site on Painted Rocks Reservoir. Painted Rocks Reservoir is a tributary of the West Fork Bitterroot River.

Activities:BoatingFishingSwimmingCampingPicnickingBicycling

Boat Services:DockRamp (Concrete)

Game Fish Opportunities:Mountain Whitefi sh, Rainbow Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Phone:(406) 542-5500.

Directions:17 miles south of Hamilton on U.S. 93, then 23 miles sw on route 473.

Hiking: History Rock Trailvisitmt.com

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Length: 4.0 miles.Trail Begins: 10 miles up Forest Service Road 62 (Hyalite Canyon Road)Trail Ends: Trail 422 (South Cottonwood Creek)

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Outdoor Skills Workshops For Women MFWP

The 16th annual “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” workshop, sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will be held July 31 – Aug. 2 at the Birch Creek Center near Dillon. The hands-on workshop will of-fer opportunities to build a survival shelter, cast a fl y rod, use a map and compass, learn to shoot a rifl e and cook a Dutch-oven treat. New this year are classes on rowing a raft, nature journaling, knot tying and designing a native garden. The $200 fee includes class instruction, meals and lodging. Partial scholarships are available. Space is lim-ited and classes are fi lled as registrations are received. Teachers who attend the workshop can receive continuing education credit from the Offi ce of Public Instruction. The workshop is designed for women, but is open to anyone 18 years of age and over with a desire to learn new skills.

Other outdoor skills workshops for beginners are: July 11 or July 12: Let’s Go Kayaking Location: Hyalite Reservoir near Bozeman Fee: $18 July 18 & July 19 Canoeing on Pond & River Location: Great Falls Fee: $55 Check the FWP Web for details at fwp.mt.gov on the Education page under Outdoors Woman. To receive register information for these classes, provide your name and mailing address to the BOW Coordinator at: FWP-BOW, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620; call: 406-444-2615; or e-mail Liz Lodman at: [email protected].

FWP Seeks Applicants For Region 2 Citizen Advisory Committee MFWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants to fi ll four volunteer positions on the Region 2 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is a general advisory committee that provides input and guidance to FWP on a diverse array of issues—from wildlife and fi sheries management to access, recreation and law enforcement. The panel of volunteers typically has four to fi ve evening meetings per year in Missoula. Members serve four year terms and can reapply when their terms expire. Meals and travel expenses are provided. Applicants are being sought to fi ll vacancies created by term expirations of members serving from Anaconda, Hamilton and Missoula. These members represented parks and recreation, wildlife, fi sh, private business and landowner/rancher interests. Residents of those areas and/or with those interests are encouraged to apply for the vacancies, however applicants will be considered from across west-central Montana, including the counties of Ravalli, Missoula, Deer Lodge, Powell, Granite, Mineral and the southwestern portion of Lewis & Clark. FWP is interested in selecting members from a pool of candidates who represent a variety of interests. The department welcomes applications from hunters, anglers, landowners, trappers, outfi tters and guides, outdoor recreationists, conservationists, and the general public. The function of the CAC is to:· Help promote Montana’s strong hunting, fi shing, trapping, and outdoor recreation traditions· Provide a forum for ongoing two-way communication with our neighbors and communities · Help FWP personnel maintain and improve responsiveness to the public· Help FWP identify emerging issues· Provide advice and perspective on important resource and management issues· Assist FWP with crafting local, sustainable solutions on regional and statewide issues Applicants will be asked to provide an overview of their interests and

involvement in natural resource issues and write a few sentences on why they are interested in serving on the CAC.

To apply, download an application (posted below), call Vivaca Crowser at 406-542-5518, or stop by the FWP Region 2 Offi ce in Missoula, 3201 Spurgin Road. Completed applications must be received by FWP by Wednesday, July 15, 2009. FWP Region 2 managers and current CAC members will review applications and select the new members. Successful applicants will be invited to attend their fi rst CAC meeting on Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m

New Access Law Builds BridgesMFWP

A new state law that won bipartisan support among Montana lawmakers is already rebuilding bridges among landowners and anglers. House Bill 190, which establishes rules for public access to rivers at county-road bridges, resolved longstanding stream access and livestock control concerns. While the law allows landowners to continue the common practice of stringing livestock fence lines at a bridge, it also obligates FWP to build gates or other structures in a manner that provides public access yet still restrains livestock. A new cooperative access structure has already been built near a bridge on the Dearborn River south of Great Falls; and two more are scheduled to be built at bridges on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River near Ovando, and on the Blackfoot River near Helmville. “It’s heartening to see that the hard work of lawmakers, stockgrowers, and anglers is already creating good will,” said Joe Maurier, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “Together we’re rebuilding bridges of cooperation, providing public access to Montana’s riv-ers and streams, and safeguarding Montana livestock.” The law also outlines how landowners and FWP can resolve disputes, and ultimately provides FWP steps to follow to install an access structure if an agreement can’t be reached amicably. For information on the access at bridges program, contact your nearest FWP offi ce.

Comments Sought On Environmental Assessment For A Three-Year Removal Effort Of Lake Trout In Swan Lake MFWP

FWP Region One, has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the purpose of conducting a three-year removal effort of lake trout in Swan Lake. Nonnative, predatory lake trout threaten the bull trout and kokanee populations and fi sheries of Swan Lake. The proposed action would involve contracting with professional fi shery consultants to conduct gill netting over a three-week period begin-ning in late August 2009. The netting will be conducted annually for three years, and will help determine feasibility and effec-tiveness of alternatives for managing the lake trout population (suppression of the population). All salvageable-size lake trout captured during the project, not used for scientifi c investigations, will be culled and donated to food banks or other facilities. The draft EA is available on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov under Recent Public Notices. Copies may be requested at the FWP headquarters offi ce, 490 N Meridian Road, Kalispell. A copy is available for viewing at the Montana State Library, 1515 E 6 th Ave., Helena; and at 521 Electric Avenue in Bigfork; the Seeley Lake Library, and the Swan Lake Library and Swan Lake Trading Post in the town of Swan Lake.

The draft will be out for public review through Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Written comments must be postmarked by July 8, 2009. Please direct your questions or comments to Leo Rosenthal, fi sheries biologist, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell, MT 59901, 751-4548 , or e-mail [email protected].


Hunting And Conservation NewsHunting And Conservation NewsHunters Must Register By July 15 For Game Damage Hunt Roster MFWP

Hunters interested in taking part in any game-damage hunting opportunities on private land this year must register by July 15 with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Game damage occurs when animals such as elk, deer or antelope concentrate on private farms and ranches and damage crops and property. FWP’s game damage hunt rules are designed to respond to the needs of landowners who provide public hunting during the general hunting season, yet who could nevertheless suffer losses due to wildlife damage without this additional management tool.

In addition to game damage hunts, those who register will also be eligible for special management season hunts. Special management seasons are called for in response to concentrations of big game due to seasonal migrations, extreme weather conditions, restrictive public hunting on adjacent or nearby properties, and other factors. Hunts could take place anytime from Aug. 15 through Feb.15, 2010. Offi cials stress however, that game-damage hunts are only offered when needed and the need for such hunts may or may not develop. A fi nal game damage roster, randomly generated from all the online registrations, will be posted by Aug. 1 . FWP will contact hunters on the rosters if hunting opportunities arise. Prospective hunters must register for the hunt rosters online at fwp.mt.gov . A link to register will is available on the FWP Web site home page. The

Internet-based registration can be com-pleted on personal computers, at most public libraries, and at any FWP offi ce. To register, hunters will need their ALS number. They will be prompted to enter a preferred hunting district for potential deer, elk, and antelope game damage hunts. Prospective hunters may choose to participate in all three species lists. Hunters are urged to print the confi rmation page after completing the registration process. The effort to create hunter rosters is specifi cally intended to decrease game damage response time and to streamline the game damage process.

Elk & Brucellosis Cooperation Produce RewardsMFWP

Montana’s effort to better understand the risk and spread of brucellosis by seeking the help of hunters and landowners produced good results for researchers and several rewards for some lucky participants. Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection in domestic animals, wildlife and humans worldwide. In Montana, brucellosis has only been detected in elk, bison and recently cattle in areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Brucellosis can cause pregnant cattle, bison and elk to abort their calves. Since 1981, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks tested about 7,000 elk for brucellosis exposure, mostly in the Greater Yellowstone Area north and west of the national park. The results of those tests show brucellosis exposure rates that range from 0 to 5.5 percent. In 2008, FWP expanded testing—with the help of hunters, landowners, outfi tters, and local business—to 30 hunting districts within Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Carbon counties. The effort seeks to confi rm the location of the disease in wildlife, complete wildlife and livestock risk assessment, and then determine if wildlife or livestock management practices need adjustments. With last year’s expanded disease surveillance effort, FWP mailed blood-sample collection kits to 2,900 hunters who obtained permits to hunt elk within targeted hunting districts in southwestern Montana. Cooperating landowners and outfi tters also helped to distribute an additional 1,200 kits and 2,900 more kits were available to hunters at information kiosks at key public-hunting access points or at FWP regional offi ces. In all, 1,289 elk samples were submitted for testing. Final results are expected in July. “The cooperation we witnessed last fall was extraordinary among landowners, hunters, outfi tters and commercial businesses,” said FWP Director Joe Maurier. “We all understand that managing the brucellosis risk is a shared responsibility.”

This was an intense and rigorous effort,” Maurier said. “Cooperation like this helps to create solutions. Brucellosis is not a wildlife problem and it’s not a livestock problem. It’s a disease problem that poses a management risk to our state. It’s evident most agree that it’s in Montana’s best interest to work together to promote a healthy livestock industry and healthy wildlife populations.”

Adults Can Still Take Bowhunter Education On Line MFWP

Bowhunter Education students age 18 or older may take the bowhunter education course online. Log on to: <http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/mt/index.htm> . Montana accepts an independent study method that involves a two-part process-this online course, completed on your own time and your own schedule, fol-lowed by a 4-hour fi eld day exercise led by certifi ed Montana bowhunter education volunteer instructors. The cost to take the certifi cation test is $20. Field day options are limited. You must register seven days in advance for a fi eld day as prompted on line, after the completion of the online test. This is the only way to ensure that you can become certifi ed in time. For 2009, a special fi eld day for online students is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 in the Kalispell area . Call FWP at 752-5501. In Montana all bowhunter education courses and fi eld days have to be completed by July 31 of each year.


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Men Charged With Poaching 18 Deer UDW

Face prison time and more than $60,000 in fi nes\

Four Utah County men have been charged with killing 18 buck deer in Juab County. Four men are facing prison time and more than $60,000 in fi nes after allegedly poaching 18 deer in Juab County. Seven of the deer had antler spreads of more than 24 inches, making them “trophy” animals under Utah law. One of the seven deer was a massive buck with a 30-inch antler spread. The case is one of the state’s biggest poaching cases in recent memory. Thirty-eight-year-old Rex Powell, 42-year-old Joseph Pantos, 30-year-old Ryan Hoover and 21-year-old Chris Vance face third-degree felony or misdemeanor counts for wanton destruction of protected wildlife, more commonly known as poaching. Offi cers with the Division of Wildlife Resources have been investigating the case since 2007, when members of the public began discovering deer carcasses within the boundaries of the well-known Vernon limited-entry deer hunting unit. The investigation led offi cers to Powell’s home. Offi cers seized three mounted deer heads and 15 sets of antlers after serving a search war-rant in March 2009. The four men now face time in prison and more than $60,000 in fi nes. They may also lose their hunt-ing privileges in 31 states involved in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Utah is among the states involved in the compact.

Western Montana Chapter Spotlight - Mule Deer Foundation BY TRACY WATT

Several years ago, a hunter fi eld check in Montana led to a license-fraud investigation that revealed a poaching ring had taken nearly 100 trophy-class mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, antelope, moose, mountain lion, and black bear using spotlights and silencers. The poachers were ordered to pay thou-sands of dollars in state fi nes, they were sentenced to prison time, and they will never again legally possess fi rearms or archery equipment. More recently, investigators in a Seeley Lake area poaching case documented over 86 illegally killed animals over the course of fi fteen years. The ring leader is serving no prison time but will be on probation for fi ve years. He must pay a $50,000 fi ne and has lost his hunting privileges for life. Reports like these are becoming all too common as poachers are targeting Montana’s trophy wildlife for commercial profi t. (FWP) poaching investigations have gone from just a handful in the 1990s to approximately 40 new cases each year. It is no wonder that the Western Montana Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation has made this a top priority. According to Chapter Chair, Ray Rugg, the local chapter has donated over $11,000 to the FWP since 2003 for saturation and airplane patrols in western Montana. He said the majority of money donated has gone toward helping enforce the hunting regulations of mule deer. Rugg went on to say that when the Western Montanan Chapter’s committee members discussed how best to spend their money to help support the Mule Deer Foundation mission, they decided that helping the FWP stop poaching was their best alternative. “We can’t do anything about the wolves, we can’t do anything about the weather, but we can help the fi sh and game enforce the hunting regulations,” he said.

During a saturation patrol, FWP personnel will inundate a targeted area, trying to close down every drainage and check every tag. FWP Game Warden, Mike Fegely, said, “We move a bunch of guys into one area on a weekend and really hit it hard.” He believes that doing a saturation patrol for just one weekend can make a lasting impression on hunters, letting them know the FWP is serious about enforcing hunting regulations. Fegely went on to say that airplane patrols are also a great way to put a stop to hunting violations, although very expensive. “They are a tool we probably could not afford if not for the help of the MDF.” Fegely said the Western Montana Chapter assistance is starting to show dividends and the game wardens are prosecuting more cases against violators each year. He concluded, “The bottom line is the more tools we have and the more boots we can put on the ground, the more cases we can make.” Other donations the Western Montana Chapter has made to the FWP include: mule deer decoys; decoy hide repair; motion cameras and remote trail cameras; computer and hardware used to compile and make cases against hunting violators; and metal detectors. Additionally, the Chapter has helped with a Wilderness Outdoor Career School, they have donated money for interpretive signs about mule deer at the Heart Lake Trailhead in the Superior Ranger District, and they have put money toward weed control and management on Ryan Gulch and Mount Sentinel. A few years back, committee members purchased materials and furnished over 50 hours of labor to install fencing on Blue Mountain that restricts ATV use on mule deer habitat. In 2007 the Western Montana Chapter decided to do something a little different and donated all of their Chapter

Rewards and Conservation Partnership dollars to the Blackfoot Challenge. Almost $10,000 dollars were contributed to help with this multi-million dollar project to acquire 5,600 acres in the Blackfoot Valley to preserve habitat for mule deer and other wildlife. Accomplishments in 2008 include the launching of the MDF Montana License Plate program. Committee Chair, Ray Rugg, and Committee Member, Jennifer Cote, initiated the project in 2004 and Montana State Chair, Dan Dellinger, saw the project to completion in early 2008. The plates are now available through all Montana registrar offi ces. Money raised from sales of the Montana plates will be used, in part, to fund habitat enhancements, as well as conservation research and education in the state.

Also in 2008 the Western Montana Chapter put still more money towards saturation patrols. They also started a Landowner Appreciation Award to honor landowners who have contributed signifi cantly to advancing the mission of the Mule Deer Foundation. The Western Montana Chapter committee members justly represent the passionate, hard-working people of the Big Sky state. Since the Chapter’s inception in 2003, they’ve logged over 280 direct hours on the ground to benefi t mule deer. Every year during the Western Montana Chapter banquet, the crew auctions off a “work day,” whereby the committee members will work for a day – doing anything from building a deck, painting, digging ditches, burning slash, you name it! This year’s banquet will be held on July 18th, 2009 at the Hole-in-the-Wall Ranch on the West Fork of Fish Creek. There is an Early Bird Drawing for a .22 Pistol for those registering by June 1, 2009. The Chapter is also offering raffl e tickets for a rifl e, scope and case for just $5 each or fi ve for $20. The drawing will be held at the July 18th banquet. New games this year will include outdoor archery, horse shoes, golf, and much more.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this dedicated and ambitious group of volunteers or would like to attend the Hole-in-the-Wall banquet, please contact Ray Rugg at 406-822-4240.


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gear reviewReviews provided by Montana Test.Com The Country’s Leading Outdoor Product Testing Site. Reviews are independent of advertisers and all products tested in real time hunting and fi shing conditions. Montana Test .Com does not guarantee positive reviews to any manufacturer. www.mtBowHuntingreviews.com and www.bowhuntingreviews.net are part of Montana Test.com. Visit www.montanatest.com

Merrell Aspen L/S ShirtRecommend Yes

Highlights: “The Aspen shirt looks great with the Bhutan Fly Fishing pant,” so says my wife. The shirt is long sleeve, soft against the skin, with raglan sleeves and odor resistant. I wear the Aspen everywhere and on a schizophrenic weather day on Big Horn River, rain one minute with cold winds, sunshine the next, it received a potpourri of testing. Because it is Black, the As-

pen was almost too hot when the sun came out. The shirt is made from a Bio-Blend™ Cocona™ moisture wicking odor resistant micro fi ber polyester. I’m going to keep it as simple as I can, because I am not sure how they do this, but the fabric is manufactured with coconut shells. This is not the fi rst coconut shell shirt that I have tested, but is the fi rst from Merrell. The Aspen is a refi ned fi tting shirt; wears tough and yes, it does look attractive.Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: Pat Stinson Suggested Retail: $50.00

Merrell Bhutan Fly Fishing PantRecommend Yes...BuyHighlights: This spring and summer, we have received four pieces from Merrell clothing. The Bhutan Fishing pant is 100% nylon, 50+ UPF sun block, and dries quickly. There are two side cargo pockets with zippered back pockets and a short 10-inch inseam. They will tell you they are wrinkle free, which means right out of the dryer. I rolled them up and put them in my fi shing bag and they came out with patchwork wrinkles. We

do not consider this a problem; as the wrinkles disappeared after a half hour of wearing. I was concerned with the 10-inch inseam, (not a whole lot of room), but after wearing, I found that they stayed tight to my hips without slipping down to my knees. The Bhutan includes a 33-inch length. No high water pants for me. All in all, the Bhutan Fishing pant fi ts great and looks the same.Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: Pat Stinson Suggested Retail: $75.00

Sperry-Topsider Barracuda Boat ShoeRecommend Yes...BuyHighlights: This is the fi rst season for Sperry-Topsider shoes at Montana Test. We test and review a plethora of casual footwear and the new Sperry’s were a pleasant surprise, but not unexpected. Some years ago I owned and wore a pair out. This season I am wearing the Bar-racuda Sport Fisherman camping, fi shing, and as

casual wear. As you can see from the picture, they are getting a drilling. I was skepti-cal of the claim “waterproof”, but surprisingly the Barracudas have not leaked and I have drenched them. Besides waterproof, they are lightweight, offer a padded tongue, a removable footbed, and molded EVA cushion midsole. This tech information is bor-ing, but important. The real test as always is fi t and comfort. The Barracuda is my shoe for the summer. I wear them everywhere and with sensitive feet, comfort is priority one. Sperry-Topsiders are for the gentlemen in all of us but, they wear like iron and the comfort is authentic.Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: Pat Stinson Suggested Retail: $90.00


Rocky Mountain States

Anglers Urged To Take Rainbows In Lake Pend Oreille

If $15 were not enough, anglers will have one more reason to harvest the rainbow trout they catch from Lake Pend Oreille this year. Idaho Fish and Game has implanted micro-tags into the heads of about 100 rainbow trout that were caught and released in the lake. The “passive integrated transponder” (PIT) tags are worth anywhere from $50 to $1,000. The tags cannot be seen, but anglers who are fortunate enough to catch one of the fi sh will be rewarded if they turn the head in through the normal Angler Incentive Program. Fisheries offi cials will be using a special detector to scan all heads turned in for the tags beginning in June. The value of each tag is randomly assigned, but there will be at least fi ve rainbow trout with tags worth $1,000, and total payout is expected to be nearly $20,000. Funding for the program is provided by Avista. The harvest incentives are part of a multi-faceted effort to restore the kokanee population in Pend Oreille. A key component of the recovery is decreasing the number of predators in the lake. The rapid expansion of the lake trout (mackinaw) population in the 1990s combined with a depressed kokanee population has thrown predator-prey populations out of balance, threatening the world-famous fi shery and the federally protected bull trout population.

The added rainbow harvest incentive is designed to encourage anglers to keep the pressure on the rainbow trout population, said Jim Fredericks, regional fi shery manager for Idaho Fish and Game.

“Ultimately, we want to manage the lake for the trophy rainbow trout fi shery that made it world famous,” Fredericks said. “But we need to reduce rainbows along with lake trout in the short-term or we risk losing kokanee. Without kokanee, we’ll never be able to restore a trophy rainbow fi shery.” Commercial netting equipment is being used along with harvest incentives for lake trout, which appears to be reversing the expansion of the lake trout population. Fredericks notes they’ve seen the lake trout population show defi nite signs of over harvest, which is exactly what they hope to see. Additionally, kokanee survival rates over the last year showed a notable increase, suggesting the efforts to reduce predators is paying off. Rainbows don’t seem to be in decline, however. “Whether we like it or not, we need to put more pressure on the rainbow population for the next couple of years,” Fredericks said. “Though kokanee survival rates have improved, they need to get a lot better before the population will be recovered.” Anglers who catch lake trout of any size, or rainbow trout over 13 inches caught from Lake Pend Oreille may submit the heads for payment to one of the following locations: Holiday Shores Marina, Hope Marine Services, Anchor Gas (Garfi eld Bay), Hudson’s Bay Marina (Bayview), Fish and Game Bayview Research Station, Fish and Game regional offi ce (Coeur d’Alene).

Be ‘Bear Aware’ When Camping

The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds campers to be “bear aware” when enjoying the outdoors. Campers should keep their campsites clean to avoid attracting bears, or other wildlife. Bears go into campgrounds because food is often available around tents, camp trailers, and dumpsters. The potential for confl icts increases when food brings bears and humans come into close contact. “Bears are built to eat and their sense of smell is incredible,” explained Justin Krall, a district wildlife manager in the Westcliffe area. “They can smell food from miles away and they’ll travel to fi nd it.” In a natural setting, bears would just as soon avoid people, but bears that learn to associate humans with food begin to lose their natural fear of people. “Food Conditioned” bears are the most dangerous kind. They usually end up being euthanized. “It is unfortunate, but bears get into trouble because humans leave food around,” Krall said. “Bears are not naturally aggressive toward humans, they are actually very shy creatures,” Krall said. “However, bears are on a mission to fi nd food. Campers need to take precautions to avoid problems for you and your family, but also for the campers who use the site after you. Do not leave food or garbage behind.

Always pack out your trash.”Here are a few tips for

campers in bear country:* Keep a clean site and clean up thoroughly after every meal;* After grilling, allow the fi re to continue until food scraps and grease are burned completely off the grill.* Do not eat in your tent or keep food in your tent;* Do not leave pet food outside for a long period of time. Any uneaten pet food should also be stored in a secure container.* Store unused food and garbage in secure containers out of the reach of bears and away from your sleeping area;* If you see a bear in a campground, report it to the local DOW offi ce as soon as possible.* If you come in close contact with a bear, talk to it fi rmly and make yourself look as large as possible. Back away slowly, but do not run.* Teach children and others who might be unfamiliar with bears about bear safety. For additional information on how the public can do their part to keep bears wild please visit the Division of Wildlife’s Living With Wildlife web page at http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Living-WithWildlife/ and click on the “Living with Bears in Colorado” link.


Rocky Mountain StatesNevada Gaining Deer Management Specialist

Responding to a decline in mule deer numbers, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has re-structured positions to create budget for a wildlife staff specialist focused solely on the coveted game species. The mule deer specialist position will be under the Game Division, headquartered in Reno. “When the Governor hired me, he made it clear that one of his top priorities was for me to address the declining deer population in Nevada,” said Ken Mayer, NDOW’s director. “Thus, since I have been director, I have been assessing the deer situation in Nevada and developing a plan to address this important issue,” he continued. Working with regional and fi eld biologists, the new staff member will make statewide management and research recommendations based on experience, data acquired in the fi eld, research, and scientifi c inquiry. Through the Game Chief, the mule deer staff specialist will work closely with the Director’s offi ce and the Commission to develop policy in the area of mule deer management in Nevada and will represent NDOW at regional and local meetings, and at national and international symposia. The mule deer specialist will also provide information to all interested parties, including the public and scientifi c community.

This new staff member will also relieve some of the demands on the big game staff biologist, taxed with a heavy workload, and will complement that position. “This position will focus solely on deer management and conservation in Nevada and will work closely with the fi eld staff in NDOW’s three regions to assess the herd status, limiting factors and develop measures to address those limiting factors,” Mayer continued. “It has been obvious to me from the beginning of my administration that if we were to be successful in developing and implementing an effective approach to address the deer decline, we needed to develop fi eld-based habitat and predator management programs and dynamic herd assessments,” Mayer continued. “As well it is critical that we have a dedicated staff member to lead the effort.” NDOW created this position by re-allocating resources from a hatchery technician position at Lake Mead. Due to the invasion of quagga mussels in the lake, the Lake Mead Hatchery is currently not cultivating fi sh. The agency is seeking alternative water sources to operate that hatchery. NDOW will begin recruitment next week, and Game Chief Mark Atkinson said the agency is looking for applicants with intimate knowledge of mule deer in Nevada.

Permits not allocated in the draw are available. If you don’t have a permit to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall, your next chance to get one is now. Most of Utah’s buck deer permits were taken in the draw, but more than 6,200 Northern Region rifl e and muzzleloader, and 2,300 statewide general archery permits, are still available. Bull elk permits to hunt during Utah’s general season also go on sale. When did permits sell out in 2008? Buck deer permits to hunt during Utah’s general archery hunt were the fi rst permits to sell out last year. Northern Region rifl e and muzzleloader permits were the next to go. General bull elk permits sold out on Sept. 25. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources offi ce or the DWR’s Salt Lake City offi ce at (801) 538-4700.

Mule Deer Poacher Fined $8,000, Loses Hunting Privileges

Poaching of a trophy mule deer has resulted in nearly $8,000 in fi nes and restitution and suspension of hunting and fi shing privileges for eight years for Rocky Donaldson Jr. of Story. Sheridan County Circuit Court Judge John J. Sampson ordered Donaldson to pay $5,410 in fi nes and $2,500 in restitution for killing the 10 by 8 point buck without a license and making a false statement on an interstate game tag affi davit. In addition, Donaldson’s hunting and fi shing privileges were suspended for eight years, making him ineligible to purchase hunting or fi shing licenses until 2017. Donaldson was also placed on one year unsupervised probation and sentenced to sixty days in jail, suspended upon successful completion of his probation. The case was instigated in early 2008 when Wyoming Game and Fish Department Sheridan game warden Bruce Scigliano received information that Donaldson had killed a large buck deer without a license east of Sheridan. Further investigation in April 2009 showed that Donaldson had taken the head of a trophy class deer to a Sheridan taxidermy shop, signing an affi davit claiming that a Sheridan area woman had killed the animal. As a result of further investigation by Scigliano and Dayton game warden Alan Osterland, it was learned that Donaldson had killed the deer without a license on Oct. 1, 2007. Donaldson then persuaded the woman to buy a license to “cover” the illegal kill.

Donaldson had only recently moved to Wyoming in the summer of 2007 and was not eligible to

purchase resident licenses. “Not only did Mr. Donaldson choose to kill a large deer without a license, he then convinced a second person to transfer a license, allowing Donaldson to take the animal to a taxidermy shop,” says Scigliano. “When an individual takes an animal in for taxidermy they are required to sign an interstate game tag affi davit, supplying the name of the person who harvested the animal and attesting that the animal was taken legally. In this case, this was obviously false and the sentence refl ects the importance of a properly signed affi davit.” Scigliano acknowledges that the case would not have been possible without the cooperation of members of the public and a Game and Fish clerical worker. “This was a large deer taken on public land,” Scigliano said. “Unfortunately, due to the actions of one individual, it was not available for legal hunters. It took the cooperation of several folks to bring the case to its successful conclusion.” Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation can also call the Stop Poaching hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP. Tips are most helpful when specifi c information is provided such as the date, time, location and specifi c details about the suspected violation. If possible, those reporting violations are asked to include a physical description of the suspected individual as well as a license plate number and descrip-tion of any vehicles involved in the incident. Stop Poaching tips can be reported on the WGFD Web site /wildlife/enforcement/stoppoaching/submitTip.aspx.


The Top 10 Reasons To Join Montana Bowhunters Association BY JOE ESPARZA, OWNER SPORTSMENSACCESS.COM

There are a lot of organiza-tions you can join to support hunting in Montana. Personally, I belong to a number of them, but I think one of the best is Montana Bowhunters. Here’s one of the reasons: They are an organi-zation that has the ear of the legislature so your voice can really be heard. If you enjoy archery hunting for antelope in the state and use the multi-district series 900 license, you can thank the Montana Bowhunters Association for this hunt. They introduced this con-cept back in 2003 and it was put into practice by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. I’ve been an active bowhunter since I was in college. I started bowhunting because I liked the amount of game I saw during the archery hunting season. I also liked the challenge of pitting myself against a game animal with a stick and a string. Getting in close with a bow and having the opportunity to harvest an animal is, in my opinion, one of the most exciting ways to hunt. Like many of you who are busy juggling work, spending time with the family, and getting your chores done around the house, fi nding time for an organization is sometimes very diffi cult to do. But like I said earlier, you can have input because this organization has the ear of the legislature. In 1973, the Montana Bowhunters Association (MBA) was established as a nonprofi t organization by and for Montana’s bowhunters. Its sole purpose remains the same today as it was 36 years ago: To unite the state’s bowhunting sportsmen to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting the sport of bowhunting in Montana.

In addition to preserving and promoting bowhunting, some of the MBA’s major goals are:

§ Promoting ethical bowhunting through education

§ Improving landowner - bowhunter relationships

§ Providing a voice in the management of Montana’s big game and providing an opportunity to assist in the preservation of wildlife habitat

Not an association to rest on their laurels, Montana Bowhunters Association was also responsible for introducing HB 74 in 2009 which allows the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission the discretion to include mountain lion, bear, and wolf among the species for which the commission may designate archery seasons. This bill was signed into law on March 17, 2009. Over the past few years, we’ve all seen more and more areas in the state move to special drawings, limiting opportunity to get out in the fi eld with a general license. It looks like this trend will be continuing in the coming years with more regulations and special draw units being proposed to manage hunters, not game animals. Consider this statistic: In 2008, 41,246 archery stamps were sold in Montana. Of those, 35,694 were residents and 5,960 were non-residents. In just the last fi ve years there has been a 33% increase in archery stamps sold. I don’t know about you, but I want a voice in how regulations are done. This organization is a way for your voice to be heard about the kind of hunting you want to see in the state. MBA is about expanding opportunity for all hunters, not just bowhunters.

I recently polled the Board of Directors of Montana Bowhunters Association and here’s a compilation of their Top 10 Reasons to join the MBA. The MBA:

1. Is the only organization in Montana promoting bowhunting.

2. Initiates and supports legislation to protect and expand bowhunting opportunities.

3. Works to protect hunting rights and infl uence legislative decisions affecting bowhunting.

(continued next page)

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Another Chance To Hunt Bighorns In Idaho IF&G

Hunters who were unsuccessful in Idaho’s 2009 bighorn sheep controlled hunt permit drawing have one more chance to hunt bighorn sheep this year. They can buy Idaho 2009 Bighorn Sheep Raffl e tickets through the Idaho chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation. Each year the foundation markets one bighorn sheep raffl e tag for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Proceeds from the bighorn sheep raffl e are used by Fish and Game for the benefi t and enhancement of bighorn sheep in Idaho. Hunters can buy raffl e chances on the Wild Sheep Foundation website www.idahowildsheep.org. This year’s drawing will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Fish and Game headquarters in Boise.Winner will be able to hunt in any unit open to sheep hunting for Rocky Moun-tain or California bighorn in 2009, pursu-ant to Fish and Game rules - except Unit 11, Hells Canyon of the Snake River. Unit 11 is available to the lottery winner on alternating years. A hunting license and permit will be provided to winner, who must be 18 years old and eligible to apply for a hunting license in Idaho. The once-in-a-lifetime rule is waived for this tag. For more information by contact: [email protected], by phone 208-321-2389, or on the Web site www.idahowild-sheep.org. The Wild Sheep Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofi t organization working to protect and restore bighorn sheep to historic habitats throughout Idaho.


The Top 10 Reasons To Join Montana Bowhunters Association

(continued)

4. Introduces you to new people who know of new places to hunt.

5. Membership is cheaper than a dozen arrows or a round of golf.

6. Introduces you to people from other outdoor interest groups.

7. Magazine offers tips and tactics from others to help you have a successful hunt.

8. Gives you a place to voice your opinion and have it heard.

9. Publishes a cool magazine.10. Promotes fun events like the

annual carp shoot.

So if you are ready to have fun, shooting carp at the annual carp shoot, or get to know some fellow bowhunters, or infl uence decisions being made about bowhunting, join the Montana Bowhunters Association at www.mtba.org.

Joe Esparza is the owner of SportsmensAccess.com, a membership website that provides members with the most comprehensive database and mapping service in the state of Montana for hunting and fi shing on public and private land.

Research Offers 10 Reasons For Managing WolvesRMEF

Science-based fi eld research, funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is yielding solid data on why gray wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming should be managed by state wildlife agencies. Wolves have been on and off endangered species lists in recent months. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has repeatedly announced at least partial delisting and state-based management via regulated wolf hunting. But, each time, anti-hunting groups have blocked the effort with lawsuits. “List, delist, repeat. It’s be-come an endless cycle driven by those who profi t from legal uncertainty over gray wolves,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Tying up this issue in courts defi es a proven conservation system that is extremely successful at balancing predatory species within biological and social tolerances.” The Elk Foundation has long funded scientifi c research on topics surrounding elk and habitat. Universities and state and federal agencies apply for RMEF research grants and conduct the projects. Researchers present results to peers at professional conferences. New understanding leads to better management

strategies for all wildlife in elk country.Here’s a sample of fi ndings, from

many different research projects, that support the Elk Foundation’s position that wolves should be managed this fall via state-regulated hunting.

1. In the northern Rockies, original wolf recovery goals for population size and breeding pair estimates are now exceeded by over 500 percent and 333 percent, respectively. 2. Wolf populations in Montana are increasing 10-34 percent annually. 3. Wolves are the top predator on adult elk, especially bulls. Bears take more calves, but at least black bears can be scientifi cally managed via hunting. 4. Cow-calf ratios are commonly lower in areas with both bears and wolves. 5. Between November and April, wolf packs in Montana kill 7-23 elk per wolf. 6. Since 2000, elk numbers across non-wolf western states have held relatively stable, while elk populations across Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have dropped a combined 4.2 percent. In many local areas, elk reductions have been dramatic and signifi cant. Wolves are a factor, affecting not only elk numbers, but also

their distribution, movement and behavior 7. Elk hunting adds nearly

$1 billion per year to the U.S. economy. 8. Hunter opportunity is being reduced to counter declining elk populations in Idaho. 9. A fully restored—but still feder-ally protected—population of keystone predators is complicating and hindering elk management, as well as conservation itself. 10. In 1907, only 41,000 elk could be counted in the U.S. Leadership, steward-ship and funding from hunters restored elk to their current population of more than 1 million. It’s this resource that made wolf recovery possible. Yet hunters and state conservation agencies are being victim-ized by continuous delays in wolf man-agement.

Allen encouraged Wyoming and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work together on a mutually agreeable wolf management plan. This would remove one of the obstacles that conservationists can actually control, enabling regulated wolf hunting alongside Idaho and Montana, he said.


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Kim McCormick of Stevensville, MT.“First bow/bear hunt. Bear taken in

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Five Habits of Effective Elk Hunters (continued from page 9)

Go ahead and sling your rifl e when you’re hoofi ng it down the trail in the dark. Otherwise, make it a habit to have it in hand, ready to raise and fi re. Habit #4 - GET MOBILE - Not long ago I scanned the results of a study conducted on public-land deer hunters in Pennsylvania. Tracking participants with GPS units and aerial surveys, researchers found more than two-thirds of the hunters less than one-half mile from a road open to vehicle traffi c. Do these research results apply to Montana hunters? Maybe not directly. However, they are relevant in pointing out that the vast majority of hunters stick too close to their transportation. Research projects in multiple states and habitats clearly indicate that elk don’t like roads and vehicle noise. If you’re one of those who sticks close to the pickup, hiking an extra mile will do more to enhance your elk hunting than a $10,000 gift certifi cate from the local sporting goods store. Habit #5 - SLOW DOWN - The fi rst few times I trailed master elk hunters in the timber, I was irritated by how little ground they covered. I was accustomed to traversing much more terrain and encountering many more elk. Unfortunately, the encounters generally consisted of spying rapidly moving yellow rumps and hearing frantic hoofbeats just at the outer range of my senses. Older, wiser, and possessed of less energy, my hunting pace now carries me over perhaps a third of the ground I once covered. But I see more elk bodies and far fewer backsides. Effective elk hunters stalk slowly. However, they’ll also move at a faster pace when traveling the trail or searching for their quarry. In the absence of fresh sign or an area known to hold game, it’s wise to clip down the miles until you come upon elk or indications of their presence. At that point, a snail’s pace is the quickest way to a wapiti. Will that elk be a bull or a cow? Will it present a reasonable shot? Neither you nor I control those outcomes, as luck and chance play powerful roles in the success of any elk hunt. It’s funny, though. Lady Luck and Captain Chance favor those who acquire the essential habits of effective elk hunting. I wonder why?

IF&G To Conduct Two-year Study Of Elk Movement IF&G

In the late spring of 2009, Idaho Fish and Game plans to launch a two-year study of the timing, duration and direction of seasonal migrations for elk summering in Unit 61 in Island Park area. “This work will differ from previous research efforts in the Island Park Zone because we will capture and radio-collar newborn elk calves on summer range, monitor their survival, investigate the cause of mortalities, and monitor their seasonal movements throughout the year,” Regional Wildlife Biologist Shane Roberts said. Fish and Game hopes to determine what portion of the elk population in Unit 61 winters in Montana and what portion is available for harvest by Idaho hunters.

During 2009-2010, the research will focus on elk summering around Henry’s Lake in the eastern portion of Unit 61, while research during 2010-2011 will focus on elk summering in the western portion of Unit 61. Idaho and Montana have different elk management objectives in their elk hunting districts or zones adjacent to this stretch of the state border. While Idaho is reducing harvest opportunity in response to a declining wintering elk population on the Sand Creek desert, Montana has increased hunting opportunity in many of its southwest hunting districts in response to agricultural depredations. A better understanding of seasonal elk movements and harvest availability in Unit 61 is crucial to effective elk management on both sides of the Idaho-Montana border.

Migratory elk populations in Upper Snake Region often cross state boundaries during some portion of their seasonal movements, and it is no secret that elk move between Idaho and Montana along the northern boundary of the Island Park Elk Zone. Previous research on elk that winter in the Island Park Elk Zone (Sand Creek desert, Unit 60A) has shown that few of these elk spend summer-fall in Unit 61. Conversely, research conducted in the Gravelly-Snowcrest and Madison Mountains of Montana estimated that more than 1,800 elk that wintered in Montana spent some portion of spring-fall in Idaho, primarily in Unit 61. If those estimates are accurate, a signifi cant portion of the elk areavailable to Idaho hunters in the Island Park Zone are wintering in Montana and are therefore not included in winter population estimates from aerial surveys.


LIVINGSTONYellowstone Boat Float: July 10 - 12

The annual boat fl oat starts at Livingston and retraces the Lewis & Clark Expedition all the way to Laurel.

There are two overnight stops, one in Big Timber and one in Reed Point. Phone: 406-222-4414

MISSOULAMissoula Marathon: July 12

In addition to the traditional 26.2-mile marathon, there is a half-marathon and a kid’s marathon. The courses are all relatively fl at and fast with the marathon, half marathon and kids marathon fi nishing in downtown

Missoula. Phone: 406-626-4055or visit www.missoulamarathon.org

MISSOULAMissoula Gun and Antique Show:

August 7 - 9There will be 800 tables to check out. Enjoy antiques, modern rifl es, pistols, ammunition scopes, binoculars,

Winchesters, Colts, Sharps, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Springfi eld, knives, civil war articles, cowboy and Indian artifacts, western artifacts, china, dolls, toys, lamps, jewelry, bead work, books, art, horse bits, spurs, furniture, and many more related items. Held at the of University of Montana Adam’s Center in Missoula.

Phone: 406-549-4817

Mule Deer Foundation7/18/2008Missoula, MTWestern Montana ChapterContact Ray Rugg: (406) 822-4240RD: Ron Knapp, [email protected]

Nat’l Wild Turkey Fed.07/31/2009Bitterroot LongbeardsHamilton, MT 59840Contact David Harlacher (406) 642 3507

08/06/2009Wild Turkey Gun Bash & BanquetW Montana LongbeardsSomersContact: Frank Brisendine (406) 857 3711

RMEF EVENTS07/16/09Gallatin Life Sponsor EventBozemanContact: Scott Westphal (406) 266-3042

EVENTSEVENTS TO SUPPORTTO SUPPORT

WILDLIFEWILDLIFE

FORT BENTONMontana Cup Boat Race: July 25

This is a team event for outriggers, rowing shells, canoes and kayaks. Two races will be held, a

four-mile and a 20-mile. The entry fee is $30.00 and includes a t-shirt. Meal and awards ceremony after

race. Phone: 406-771-7240 or visit http://bighornwilderness.com

GREAT FALLS2009 RiverFest: July 11

2009 RiverFest is an annual festival held along the scenic Missouri River in Great Falls, promising a day fi lled with fun, food, warm weather, entertainment and celebration. The celebration is Saturday from 12:00pm - 8:00pm. And it’s FREE to the public! Free activities

will include sea planes, canoeing and kayaking demonstrations on the River, musical entertainment,

an arts and crafts show and sale, skate boarding demonstrations and competition, concessions and a

beer garden, hands-on activities for all ages, children’s activities including face painting, hair coloring, art

projects, games and more, petting zoo and pony rides, NorthWestern Energy bucket truck rides, large equipment displays and demonstrations provided by the Fire Department, MAFB and MANG. Also enjoy reduced admission of $6.00 to the Electric City Water Park for all ages from 11:00am to 6:00pm. There is

truly something for everyone. Held along the Missouri River on River Drive. The Festival will go from Sight

and Sound Park on River Drive, north towards 9th Street South to Elk’s Riverside Park.

Phone: 406-771-1265 or visit www.greatfallsmt.net

HELENACardboard Cup Regatta: July 11

The Spring Meadow Lake Cardboard Cup Regatta is a family fun event. Building a boat requires some

imagination. However, the boat must be made of corrugated cardboard and pass a boat inspection before

racing. Phone: 406-443-2376 or visit www.springmeadowresources.org

HELENA

One Helena Hundred: July 18The Helena Bicycle Club is inviting you to join them

on their 17th Annual One Helena Hundred ride. Bicycle the beautiful Recreation Road along the Missouri River

Phone: 406-465-1838 or visit or visitwww.helenabicycleclub.org

LibbyTwo Rivers Rendezvous: July 16 - 19

This event recreates the rendezvous of the fur trade-era from 1820-1840. A variety of blackpowder shooting events as well as tomahawk and knife throwing that

tests the participants mountain man skills. Activities are scheduled for all ages with games and events for kids and old timers. Camping facilities accommodate both

modern campers as well as Tee Pees and primitive tents. Participants are encouraged to wear traditional fur trade

era or earlier dress. Come out for a weekend of good family fun at one of Montana’s premier blackpowder events. Held 15 miles north of Libby on Highway 37, turn right on the Fisher River Road and then 8 miles to the Fawn Creek Campground. Phone: 406-293-9798

BANNACKBannack Days: July 18 - 19

Return to the early days in Montana’s history with a celebration of mining and life in Montana’s fi rst

territorial capital. While here, take part in a stage coach ride, candle making, Main Street gunfi ght, old time

dancing, pioneer craft demonstrations and lots of music and family fun. A variety of food concessions are offered

throughout the day, including lunch and snacks. Bannack Days is located in Bannack State Park, 25 miles

southwest of Dillon, 4 miles off Highway 278.Phone: 406-834-3413 or visit www.bannack.org

BIG SKYTrek to the Big Sky: July 25

Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Big Sky, Get some exercise, Taste a great picnic lunch, Listen to a cool band and support people with disabilities by joining the TREK TO THE BIG SKY, a fundraiser for REACH. Come up to Big Sky Resort behind the Mountain Mall between 10:00 and 10:30am. Pay just $15 to register, get a free Trek water bottle, then take a leisurely three-mile hike

up the mountain. When you reach the top enjoy a picnic lunch and live music. Stay as long as you want and take the scenic gondola back to the bottom. For those unable to make the hike the gondola is available to take you up and down the mountain. Held at Big Sky Resort. From

the junction of Highway 191 and Highway 64, turn west on Highway 64. Big Sky Resort is approximately eight

miles. Phone: 406-587-1271

BILLINGSBig Sky State Games: July 17 - 19

Olympic style sports festival for Montana and Wyoming residents. Between 11,000 - 12,000 athletes of all ages

and abilities participate. Weekend highlights include the Opening Ceremonies, where the torch lighting is done by an Olympic great. There are thirty-seven sports to choose from i.e.: Archery, arm-wrestling, badminton, basketball,

billiards, bowling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, cycling, dance sports, disc golf, electronic darts, equestrian, fencing, fl ag football, golf, fi gure skating, fi tness walk, handball, ice hockey, karate, pickle ball, racquetball, road race, roller

skating, shooting, soccer, softball, summer biathlon, swimming, table tennis, tae-kwan-do/judo, tennis, track

and fi eld, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. Phone: 406-254-7426 or visit

http://bigskygames.orgE-mail: [email protected]

BILLINGSMagic City Hot Air Balloon Rally: July 24 - 26

Friday: Morning fl ight from Amend Park (6:00am) Saturday: Morning fl ight from Amend Park (6:00am)

Saturday: Balloon Glow at Amend Park (dusk) Sunday: Morning fl ight from Amend Park (6:00am)

You can purchase a Balloon Ride for a morning fl ight (except Thursday) by e-mailing [email protected].

All rides are $175 per fl ight (weather permitting). There will be a limited number of rides available each day.

Magic City Hot Air Balloon Rally will be held at Amend Park. From the South Billings Boulevard exit off I-90,

proceed north to intersection of South Billings Boulevard and King Avenue East. Proceed west from intersection

about a quarter mile. Amend Park is located on north side of King Avenue East. Phone: 406-671-3104

BOZEMANBozeman Trail Gun Show: July 10 - 12

Over 300 booths of fi rearms and related items, cowboy and Indian memorabilia, bits, spurs and saddles, six shooters and old rifl es, western and wildlife art, furniture, vintage clothing and jewelry, knives, books, prints and photos. This show is smoke free and family orientated. From I-90, 7th St Exit, south on 7th to Tamarack. Left, 3 blocks on Tamarack to Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Phone: 406-586-6179 or

e-mail: [email protected]

BOZEMANHeadwaters Relay - A Run to the Source:

July 31 - August 2The Headwaters Relay is a 3-day, 232 mile team relay race through the mountains and valleys of Southwest Montana.

The route is 98% on dirt and two-track roads revisiting Lewis and Clark’s trek from Three Forks to Beaverhead Rock. The Relay ends at Hellroaring Creek, the ultimate

source of the Missouri River. Phone: 406-539-0368,visit http://montanamtnrec.com/hwrelay, or

e-mail: [email protected]

CUT BANKRendezvous Cut Bank: August 7 - 9

Join the Cut Bank Creek Muzzleloaders for a Rendezvous. Friday and Saturday - Registration - Trailwalk - Hunter Course Sunday - Shoot off - Long Gong - Team Shoot - Prizes Open iron sights only - Patched Round Ball -

Three Falls is a miss Breakfast will be served - Donations accepted This is a fun family event and all are welcome to participate Adults - $25.00 - Juniors $10.00 - Family $50.00

Team Shoot - Free for all - practice your skills Camp fi res are dependent upon the weather. This is private

property. Pack it in, pack it out. Respect the land. Prizes are provided by the Cut Bank Creek Muzzleloaders. Blanket Prize Donations accepted Traders are welcome. No set fee, but a Blanket prize is appreciated. From Cut

Bank: West on US 2 to the intersection of Secondary 358. Go south 1 mile to Raemaker Road and turn left, follow

Raemaker Road to the banks of Cut Bank Creek.Phone: 406-873-3331 or e-mail: [email protected]

DARBYLogger’s Days: July 17 - 18

The annual Logger’s Days is held at the south end of Darby on U.S. Highway 93. Friday evening begins at 6pm family

games and live music. Saturday festivities begin with parade at 9:00am and 10:00am with 17 exciting competitive logging events, from Hot Saws to Log Rolling. Cash prizes awarded. Kid’s events include a watermelon eating contest

and Sawdust Pile. Great food and spirits and live music make this event a fun-fi lled family day!

Phone: 406-961-8324

DEER LODGEGrant-Kohrs Ranch Days: July 25 - 26Grant-Kohrs Ranch is happy to present this annual

celebration of the cowboy and cattleman’s West which includes roping, branding, chuck wagon cooking,

blacksmithing and traditional cowboy music and poetry. Speakers and cultural demonstrators interpret the open range

cattle era at this historic working ranch preserved by the National Park Service. Wagons will run all day Saturday for

enjoyable rides, and refreshments provided on site. Held at the ranch in Deer Lodge Montana, west off I-90

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“We needed to build the ponds in an area where the fi sh couldn’t escape into another water,” he says. “This location is the perfect spot.” After the ponds were built, the next step was putting Northern pike in them. Luckily, the biologists had a relatively close source for pike—Recapture Reservoir in southeastern Utah. After placing pike in the ponds, the biologists faced their most diffi cult task—fi nding disease-free true muskies somewhere in the country. “All of the muskies outside of Utah had disease issues,” Cushing says. After four years of searching and plenty of setbacks, a disease-free population was found in Nebraska. “We’re excited to have these muskies here in Utah,” Cushing says. “Now they’re here, the future of tiger muskie fi shing in Utah looks great.” In addition to providing anglers with more tiger muskies to catch, the fi sh may also become a tool the DWR can use to obtain wildlife species from other states. “Several Western states would like to get tiger muskie fi shing going in their state,” he says. “Hopefully our tiger muskie program will go well enough that we can trade some of our extra fi sh for wildlife species we need here in Utah.”

Utah Is Ready To Raise Its Own Tiger Muskies (continued from page 20)

Randall Stillson, a DWR volunteer services coordinator, shows a fat tiger trout. The fi sh was caught at Scofi eld Reservoir during gill-net sampling work last fall. Photo by Brent Stettler

Anglers are spreading the word: tiger trout are a beautiful fi sh that put up a big fi ght. And they taste great on the table. If you want to hook one of these fi ghters, you need to toss aside some of the techniques you’ve used to catch rainbow trout. Catching tiger trout requires understanding the fi sh and utilizing a new set of strategies and tactics.

Tiger trout:A tiger trout is created by

fertilizing a brown trout egg with brook trout milt and then heat shocking the egg. The result is a sterile hybrid whose appearance and behavior is a mixture of both species.

Since tiger trout are sterile (meaning they can’t reproduce), all of the fi shes’ energy can be directed towards growing. This creates a fast growing and aggressive fi sh that’s a great fi ghter.

Tiger trout are veracious predators. They prey heavily on small fi sh, including Utah chubs, redside shiners

Catching Tiger TroutUDW

and other minnows. Because tigers favor natural foods, it’s tough to catch them using PowerBait, marshmallows and other commercially prepared baits.

When you fi sh for tigers is also an important consideration. You’ll fi nd the most success fi shing early in the morning or late in the evening. Depending on the phase of the moon, nighttime can also be a good time to fi sh. Tigers will often feed at night when the moon lights up the surface. Mid-day is the least effective time to fi sh. Warm season fi shing: As the temperature rises in the summer, tiger trout move into deeper, cooler water. Some tips for catching tigers in the summer are available below. Fishing from the shore: If you’re fi shing from the shore, fi sh right at daybreak or as the sun goes down in the evenings. The water in the shallows is cooler during those times of the day. The cooler water draws tiger trout into the shallows to feed on bait fi sh. When the fi sh move into the shore, fl y anglers can do really well using large, silver streamers. Spin cast anglers can do well using a lure that imitates a minnow. A Rapala, for example, is a great lure for spin cast anglers to try. During the middle part of the day, a sunburn is probably all you’ll catch from the shore in the summer. Fishing from a fl oat tube or a pontoon boat: If you’re fl y-casting from a fl oat tube or a pontoon boat, and the trout are rising to feed, use fl oating line with pat-terns that imitate the insects that are near the surface. These insects will include damsel fl ies, midges, mosquitoes and fl y-ing ants If an insect hatch is occurring, it can be tough to catch tigers: your fl y will have to compete with all of the natural insects that are available to the fi sh.

If the trout aren’t rising, fl y anglers should try a wet fl y weighted with sinking line. Effective warm-season pat-terns include dark-colored leeches, wooly buggers, minnow imitations, scuds and nymphs. Remember that these summer-time fl y patterns need to be tied on a hook size that’s smaller than you’d use at other

times of the year.Spin-casting anglers can take

advantage of the fact that tiger trout are vulnerable to spoons, spinners and lures that excite their aggressive nature. Be sure to fi sh in deep, cool water. Fishing from a boat: Trolling for tigers is a great way to catch them from boats. Some anglers prefer pop gear coupled with a nightcrawler or a terminal lure. Lures and spinners used on their own can also be effective. The Jakes Spin-a-Lure is probably the best all-around lure for tiger trout. Other effective lures for tiger trout include Triple Teasers and Kastmasters.

If you like to still-fi sh, try dropping a dead minnow or a straight nightcrawler into cool, deep water. Then retrieve it back in a way that makes the bait look like it’s alive. Whenever possible, use a fi sh graph to locate fi sh or areas that have promising bottom topography and structure. Dropping your bait or lure into a school of fi sh or promising habitat will make a huge difference in your success rate. Description: Tiger trout have a pattern of wormy markings (known as vermiculations) on their back. These markings are similar to the markings on a brook trout. At times, the markings will be light on top with a dark background. At other times, the reverse is true — the markings will be dark and the background light. The lower fi ns often have a white leading edge, and tigers have a squared-off tail.

On the underside of a tiger trout, the color can vary from a pale gold to a bright red. The richness of the color depends on the sex of the fi sh (males are more colorful than females) and the time of the year. Tigers are the brightest in the fall, during their spawning period. In the winter, the species can appear grayish or brown. During this time of the year, the fi sh may also have dark, wormy markings over a silver background.

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Walleye TournamentsFor The ‘09 Season From Walleyes Unlimited

You must be a member of Walleyes Unlimited to enter these tournaments. To join visit Walleyes Unlimited of Montana at www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net.

Montana Governor’s CupFort Peck ReservoirJuly 9-11, 2009Entry Fee - $400 Per Team(includes $10 Conservation Team Fee)Maximum 200 2-Person TeamsPayable to: Montana Governor’s CupAttn: Tournament Mgr.PO Box 832,Glasgow, MT 59230Call 405-288-2222 or visit www.mtgovcup.com

Hell Creek TournamentJuly 25-26 2009Entry Fee - $200 Per Team(includes $10 Conservation Team Fee)Maximum 120 2-Person TeamsPayable to: Hell Creek TournamentAttn: Tournament Mgr. Calvin ThomasPO Box 22, Sand Springs, MT 59077For more information call: 557-2311

Fall ClassicFort Peck ReservoirAugust 8-9 2009Entry Fee - $250 Per Team(includes $10 Conservation Team Fee)Maximum 100 2-Person TeamsPayable to: Fall ClassicAttn: Tournament Mgr. Craig Larson116 Indian Street, Wolf Point, MT 59201

Fall FinaleYellowtail ReservoirAugust 28-29 2009Call: Rod Putnam 591-1141

Summer Walleye Tactics For Right Now....BY NEAL COTE BITE ME FLIES

or rocky drop-offs because wave action on the rocks creates more oxygen. Also, bugs and other food fl oating on the surface tend to get more dense when drifting past a point so small minnows show up to feed and the Walleyes feed on the minnows. Wind is probably the biggest factor in fi nding fi sh, both on the shoreline and out in the open water. Look for fi sh suspending out further of the same points mentioned above.

RiversWalleyes will swim up stream and hang around deep pools or back moving currents on either side of a rapids, and can stack up below dams. When fi shing in a river for Walleyes, the best thing to use is a slip fl oat with a leach or a worm. You can also cast Rapalas and reel them in through the slower moving current and back-eddies. You can use jigs but you will get snagged many times and it can ruin your day. Matching a lighter jig with the right plastic and counting down to depth can work, but is a lot more time consuming. Don’t be afraid to experiment, as this can get you into the fi sh that everyone else is missing using standard tactics.

Other TacticsFish at Night - Some of the really big females will come in close to shore at night. Between 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM and again just before sunrise, try trolling with an Original Floating Rapala along the shore in 2 or 3 feet of water or troll past rocky shoals. Make sure you scout out the areas you want to troll in the daylight, and if you have a GPS, waypoint your way through a trolling pattern. Once you have this mapped out, you will be able to fi sh in total darkness without running into the shore! Or put a worm or a minnow on a hook and cast off shore with a Lindy rig. This is a good way to fi sh if you have a fi re going and a cooler full of ice and cold beer.\ Anyway you decide to go, I think you will agree that if you try some of these tactics, you will get that live well full, and you just might get the largest Walleye of the year. Hope you will be safe and have a great time on the water!!!

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WWW.TOWNSENDMARINE.COM40 feet down and use your electronics to fi nd the larger Walleyes and target the 5 feet above the depth that those fi sh are holding. Many anglers think that if you are not near the bottom, they can’t catch a fi sh, but this could be further from the truth.\ A good searching bait is the Rapala Husky Jerk. Many other Rapalas like their Shad Raps will also work in this situation. Speed and depth will also make or break this pattern. Faster for really active fi sh, and progressively slower for less active ones. To determine how deep you are, the Regular Husky Jerks go down about 1 foot for every 10 feet of line out. The Down Deep Rapalas go down about 3 feet for every 10 feet of line out. So using a Down Deep Rapala, getting down 30 feet deep means you need 100 feet of line out. This is just a general estimate. The speed of your troll will effect how deep the lures will go.

Planer Boards can be a great aid to spread out your presentations, and get your baits away from the boat which might be spooking fi sh. They are great for fi shing multiple lines, covering more water, and allowing you to try many different lures to fi nd out what the Walleye want on any particular day. Another option is to swim jigs at the target depth, as well as drop shooting. You will fi nd this to be easy if the wind is calm, but this is Montana, and the weather will dictate you present tactics. In the summer, Walleyes tend to go after more natural colors like silver, brown, black and white. When fi shing with jigs, you can go to a heavier jig like a 3/8-oz or even 1/4-oz depending on how deep you are fi shing. The twistertails or rubber you put on the jig should be these natural colors. Live minnows, if allowed, are excellent whether on a jig or just a strait hook. Leaches also work in this as well as Crawlers.

Hot Days - Some times the Walleyes get very lazy in the summer, especially if it’s a hot sunny day. When using a jig, cast out and literally drag the jig across the bottom. Give it tiny little jigs (2 or 3 inches) once in a while just to shake off any mud or weeds. This bottom dragging will get the Walleyes feeding and it really works! You should always jig slowly, just make the jig motion longer in the morning, as the Walleyes are more aggressive. Sharp quick jigs will attract pike. Trolling off the rocky points is also good in the summer. Natural colors like silver or gold seem to work best. If you use bright colors, you will hit tons of pike. In the summer, the Walleyes tend to go a little deeper and stay off rocky points

If you are heading for a lake, river or reservoir and have dreams of catching a live well full of Walleye, keep a few things in mind......

1) Bigger females have a larger air bladder, which makes them hyper sensitive to changes in atmospheric pres-sure. Being deeper makes the adjustment a little easier when the weather changes.

2) Bigger females spend too much energy chasing small baitfi sh that are found in shallow water. The bigger baitfi sh that are found in shallow water like Perch are hard to swallow as they have defensive spins in their fi ns. Lake Chub, Whitefi sh, Carp, Burbot and Cisco are all found in abundance down deep. They are easier to swallow and more rewarding when considering the amount of energy needed to catch them. These deep water baitfi sh, especially Whitefi sh, have more oil in their meat thus more calories.

3) A Walleyes metabolism speeds up in shallow warm water. As a result, the bigger they get, the more food they need to maintain their weight. If the food is not there, they go to deeper cold water so their metabolism slows down. The dangerous thing about being a fi sh is there is a fi ne threshold between eating more or conserving energy. If a big Walleye gets to the point where they can not fi nd enough food to maintain their weight, they do not get smaller, they die. As soon as a Walleye gets to the point where they are starting to weaken from lack of food energy, they do not have the energy to catch baitfi sh and starve to death.

4) In many lakes, there is a large population of Northern Pike. Pike regularly attack Walleyes and bigger slower moving females are an easy target. This is another reason why they go deep right after they spawn.

Larger Lakes and ReservoirsWhen you are Walleye fi shing on big water, the Walleyes tend to stay suspended along with the schools of baitfi sh. The best thing to do is troll until you come across a deeper school of baitfi sh and then keep trolling over the bait school. Look for these baitfi sh anywhere from 15 to


Beckman WMA: The Man, The Land, The Plan BY TRACY WATT

PART 2 OF A 2 PART SERIES

Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex.

In good keeping with his intentions, Beckman’s land was eventually sold to the Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex group. The Mule Deer Foundation donated $20,000 to help purchase the land for the shooting complex. MDF Regional ManagerRon Knapp said, “This was a great achievement in protecting wildlife in central Montana, as proceeds from the sale of Beckman’s land will go into a Trust Fund set up to acquire mule deer habitat. Not to mention, the shooting range was sorely needed. The Great Falls area lacked a large, accessible public shooting area prior to this transaction. It was a real team effort, and the Mule Deer Foundation is proud to be a partner.” In the end, LeRoy Byron Beckman’s Last Will and Testament established the RBB Deer Lands Trust Fund to purchase winter-summer range lands primarily for mule deer, to be used for public hunting and recreation. The land was to be acquired with monies from the Trust then gifted to the MFWP. The stipulations required that none of the money could be used for the management or operations of the property.

According to Graham Taylor, MFWP Wildlife Manager, “Beckman’s Will was quite a piece of work and very specifi c relative to ‘deer and public deer hunting.’” Taylor said those terms were used repeatedly throughout the document. Tom Stivers, MFWP Wildlife Biologist who now oversees the Beckman Wildlife Management Area (WMA), said, “Beckman set a real example for what other people could do – have land managed for the public as well as for deer. He was pretty noble.” The fi nal dollars in the Beckman Trust were expended earlier this year. In all, LeRoy Beckman contributed over three million dollars towards the creation of what is becoming a premier wildlife management area in central Montana. The Beckman WMA is as beautiful as it is bountiful – which brings us to the second story – the land. The majority of the 6,500 acre property is classifi ed as river breaks. These breaks consist of steep-sided coulees with ridges and gently sloping benches. There are a dozen coulees that run water intermittently and seven perennial springs. The WMA’s east

boundary is a bluff, 200 feet high, overlooking the Judith River.

The river fl ows across almost four miles of the WMA, and along its banks are almost 1,000 acres of bottomlands. “It is a natural, undammed, freely operational river, which has a signifi cant bearing on the timber and other aspects of the property,” said Graham Taylor, MFWP Wildlife Manager. Vegetation on the WMA includes ponderosa pine, Douglas fi r, cottonwood, willow, chokecherry, silver sage, western wheatgrass and more. Most of the riparian grassland terraces have been cultivated into alfalfa and tame grass hay fi elds. There is a variety of wildlife on the Beckman WMA. This ecosystem makes the WMA year-round habitat for deer. Mule deer occupy the upland meadows and ridges and often make daily use of the alfalfa fi elds on the river bottom. Mule deer numbers on the property fl uctuate, but are generally highest during spring and fall. To date, the highest number of mule deer surveyed during one season was 200. This Mecca also hosts signifi cant numbers of sharp-tailed grouse and pronghorn antelope on the grassy upland benches. Merriam’s turkeys favor the pine/fi r sites, while ring-necked pheasants make extensive use of the riparian vegetation on the river bottom. The area is also home to foxes, coyotes, Canadian geese, raptors and myriad other creatures. When entering the property and heading east, the view is a kaleidoscope of wildlife, sounds, textures and colors. In the foreground are fi elds of various grasses, sage and wildfl owers, often dotted with mule deer around sunset. The landscape drops off abruptly into the Judith River Basin. On the far side, the jagged stone walls rise straight up in mottled tan and grey tones, to level off sharply at the far side, where privately owned farm lands produce golden crops that refl ect the sun’s light. Finally, in the far distance, forested foothills ascend and surrender to the purple-blue Judith Mountains that give way only to the Big Sky.

For more information on the Beckman WMA, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_1116176.aspx.

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Senate Makes Next Step Toward Protecting America’s WatersDucks Unlimited

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 12 to 7 to advance an amended Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) to the full Senate. Ducks Unlimited says this is a positive move to protect wetlands for waterfowl and clean water for America. “This is a huge step toward restor-ing the Clean Water Act’s safety net for prairie potholes and well over 20 million acres of wetlands throughout the United States that provide critical habitat for waterfowl and other fi sh and wildlife - and waterfowl hunters,” said Don Young, ex-ecutive vice president of Ducks Unlimited. Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) clarifi ed through an amendment to the original Feingold bill that broad, existing Clean Water Act exemptions for agriculture and forestry were to be retained. DU sup-ported the continuation of the agricultural and forestry exemptions, including the additional exemptions for prior converted cropland and manmade waste treatment systems. The National Farmers Union also expressed support for the compromise amendment, lending agriculture’s support for the bill.

The amendment accepted by the

committee improves the bill and represents a positive compromise, and we thank Sens. Baucus, Klobuchar and Boxer for their efforts,” Young said. “We will now be supporting the bill as it moves to the full Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure our wetlands are protected.” CWRA is supported by DU and other conservation and sportsmen’s groups. Under the amended bill, Clean Water Act protections will be restored to geographi-cally isolated wetlands at risk of pollution and destruction under current guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. The guidance on interpreting the Clean Water Act from the EPA and Army Corps came in response to two Supreme Court cases. Since the guidance was re-leased, confusion over permitting require-ments among farmers, ranchers, developers and other landowners and managers has increased dramatically as agencies have struggled to apply the guidance to proposed projects. Under the amended CWRA, the guiding language would be restored to the way it was in 2001, which would reduce confusion over jurisdiction and the time to receive permits for altering wetlands, streams and other waters.


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Tickets Available from your local PF chapter or by sending $50 per ticket (payable to Pheasants Forever) to P.O. Box 2157 Missoula MT 59806.

Visit www.montanapf.org for mail-in form. Phone Jon at (406) 396-1350

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Every raffl e ticket sold will be included. 104 separate drawings for the listed fi rearms (2 of each on the list). Each week starting 1/4/2010 there will be 2 drawings. Maximum of 3,000 tickets to be sold. You could win several guns on a single ticket!

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