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Publishers Notes By Raf Viniard

As of this writing, only 57 days until bear season and 53 days until turkey season opens, not that I am counting. Is this weather nice or what? From talking with local businesses everyone is getting spring fever. Is it to early to get excited? We are only in February and even at the higher elevations the snow is depleting fast. Creeks are running heavily but what does this mean for our summer. We still have March to go...will it come in like a lamb and go out like a lion? Could this mean a nasty fire season this summer? Time will tell but for now I am loving it...and want some more of it!

Don’t forget...Montana Woods N Water, Big Bull Sports and the Sanders County Search and Rescue will be holding its 1st Annual Camo Sweetheart Ball, 28 February. Tickets are on sale now. You can read more about this event by going to our website: www.montanawoodsnwater.com and hit the “SAR” tab for more information. We also have a large ad in this issue on page 7. Somebody is going to win a really nice gun and other door prizes that will be awarded. There will also be a silent auction. This is going to be a fun event. Tickets are limited, so get yours early. In the next issue (Thursday) we will be announcing the winner of the Ruger 1911 45 ACP pistol raffle for the Sanders County Search and Rescue raffle we had last month. This month we are raffling off a pink Camo Savage 7mm-08, Model 11 rifle with a Nikon 3 X 9 scope. Contact myself or a SAR member to get your raffle tickets. Only 75 tickets will be sold.

Keep sending us your pictures and stories. We thank you for your continued support. Please support our advertisers.

Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard

406-407-0612

Field Editor: Mitzi Stonehocker

406-544-1868

Sales & Marketing Director:

Kori Erickson

406-293-1478

Flathead Valley Sales Rep:

Misty Loveless

406-250-4191

Missoula Sales Rep: Vacant

Pro Staff Writers & Photographers:

Angela Gerych Pastor Jim Sinclair

Dan Helterline Zach Butcher

Paul Fielder Montana Mitzi

Toby Bridges Sam Martin

Toby Walrath Jason Badger

Tony Rebo

Editorial Policy: Montana Woods N Water (MWW) reserves the right to

refuse to publish in any form of content that does not include the author’s name, complete mailing address, and/or valid

phone number or e-mail address. Anonymous submissions will not be

addressed or published. MWW reserves the right not to publish anything we feel

is not in good taste or appropriate.

Front Cover Photo Provided By:

Roy & Tina Scott

RTK Photography

Goose Landing

Looking towards Eddy’s Peak

Contact Us

Montana Woods N Water

171 Clark Creek Loop

Plains, Montana 59859

406-08-0576

www.montanawoodsnwater.com

Email:

raf@montanawoodsnwater.com

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CABINET RIDGE RIDERS

Cabinet Ridge Riders Ride Again By Raf Viniard

Even though the snow was melting, the 24th Annual Cabinet Ridge Riders Poker Run was a huge success. Over 130 riders participated in the fund raising event. Snowmobile riders from near and far, young and weathered participated in the event. Pre-registration started Friday afternoon and riders could register up until the start of the event Saturday morning. It was the riders intent to try and get the best poker hand by checking in at five different check stations, drawing a ball with a symbol from a deck of cards and getting their sheet stamped. At the end of the trail the final ball is drawn and they hope to have the best hand out of five draws, hence the best “Poker Hand or a Poker Run”. If they have the winning hand at the end of the run they get a cash prize. All the riders were treated to free food and beverages along the route. Once they got to the top of Jim’s Peak around noon they were treated to hot dogs, chili and a beverage. After a quick bite it was back down to Lakeside Resort & Motel for raffles, prizes and a lot of socializing. Mike Bradeen of Libby, MT participated in the Poker Run and had this to say about the event, “Down low it was muddy but the higher you got the better. We had to stay on the roads...just not a lot of snow left. It was a great time and was a lot of fun getting together and socializing with each other.” Mickey Carr another rider stated, We go for the socializing and to support the club...it is for a good cause.” Probably the most funny thing during the evening event was Howard Morkert of Trout Creek, MT lost a side panel from his snowmobile during the ride. These guys and gals never miss a chance to poke a

little fun at one another. Howard's intent was to go back up and get it the next day. Someone picked up the panel but rather than return it to Howard they placed it in the live auction. Howard soon saw himself bidding on his own panel.

This event may be all fun and games but the cause is very serious. Several thousand dollars are raised each year between the winter and summer events to help local families, causes and other important needs such as scholarships. Dave Anderson, President of Cabinet Ridge Riders stated, “I

am was really pleased with how the event went. A lot of work goes into putting it together. You hope everything goes good...we had no complaints about anything.”

Continued on page 4.

Brody Christenson of Libby, MT draws a ball from the bucket being held by Wendy Schoppt of Trout Creek, MT

Jessica Tripp of Coeur D’alene, ID draws her last card pick.

Howard Morkert of Trout Creek,

MT with his side panel.

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I also spoke with David Schoppt of Trout Creek, MT about the event as he checked in riders at the final station. David was one of the original founders of the event. David said, “It started out as a local group of folks, about 10-15 guys horseback riding. Over the years it transformed to snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs). Every year we donate about $10,000.00 a year to local charities, events and other causes in Sanders County and the surrounding areas.”

Kevin Hill officiated the live auction and kept the crowd stirred up. Keeping a crowd with this much energy was a job for even this seasoned auctioneer. As the evenings events moved on to the raffles and door prizes ,some local riders went home with some nice firearms. Dean Erwin of Trout Creek won the 380 Taurus pistol, Leane Keane of Trout Creek won the Henry 44 Magnum Gold Boy, Kevin Robins won the Savage 300 WM rifle and Leon Helstad of Trout Creek, MT won the Back Country Access Avalanche Bag and beacon just to name a few of the winners and door prizes. I spoke with John Harris, the owner of Lakeside Resort & Motel who hosted the event. John said, “The event was a huge success, we had over 200 people at the fundraiser and a lot of money was raised for a good cause. There is a lot of camaraderie with this group. Everything went real smooth and we had no accidents. I am looking forward to the next one.”

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CABINET RIDGE RIDERS CONTINUED

Leon Helstad of Trout Creek, MT won the Back Country Access Avalanche

Bag and beacon

Lakeside Resort & Motel with a packed banquet room.

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MONTANA’S TREASURED BONES

Montana’s Treasured Bones

By Raf Viniard

Our forest are scattered with treasures, no I am not talk-

ing about gold, silver or precious gems. I am talking

about antlers…deer, elk and moose. They say ones

man’s trash is another man’s treasure. As these animals

discard their trash. I hope I am the one to find it first.

When I was a kid, my Dad and I used to walk our farm

fields looking for arrow heads. I got pretty good at it…

you just have to learn what to look for. Not every trip

was a success but there were certain things we keyed in

on…one may say sharpening your eye. Sitting on the

tractor disking or plowing ground my eyes shifted from

the gauges, equipment back to the freshly plowed

ground scanning for a piece of flint, a point, the edge or

some small detail that made you investigate further.

Over the course of a day I would get off the tractor at

least ten times investigating something that caught my

eye.

Right after rain and things dried up we would always re-

turn to the same areas we found arrow heads and pieces

of flint before. Shed hunting is very similar in nature.

You have to train your eye to watch for subtle things that

might just lead you to that next shed.

If I ever get to the point I can retire I am going to try my

best to wear out a pair of hiking boots every year. Some

may call it hiking but I call it scouting. If I am not looking

for a specific animal, I am looking for where it has been,

where it sleeps, where it eats and its travel patterns.

However, come spring I am not only looking for bear or

turkey sign but for a piece of treasure that tells me if the

buck or bull that led me on a wild goose chase last fall

made it not only through hunting season but the winter.

Better yet, I hope to find that “Mack Daddy” antler from

an animal I never knew existed…this immediately charg-

es my battery for the next hunting season.

Antler or shed hunting as many call it, can be a chal-

lenge within itself…maybe even as much as finding that

trophy with the bone still on his head in the fall. What is

it about a pieces of bone laying in the woods that makes

us feel like little kids again?

Some days I think I could step on an antler and never see

it… other days the antler just seems to stick out like a

sore thumb. It may be because I am trying to take in too

much and need to focus more on the task at hand.

So what do you need to go shed hunting? Let’s make a

lists!

Determine Location:

First we have to have

an idea where we

think or have heard

that bucks and bulls

hangout so we can

make a plan. I say

this tongue in cheek

because this year my neighbor’s son showed me an ant-

ler he found on the back edge of our yard that was a

“Hoss”…no one has ever seen him in the daylight to my

knowledge. Next, make sure it is legal to shed hunt that

area…if you are not sure contact your local game war-

den. If it is private land be sure and ask for permission

before entering the property. Study a topo map and find

potential travel corridors, bedding and feeding areas.

Focus on saddles, south and southwest slopes, fence

lines and along waterways/sources. Don’t be afraid to

snoop around winter staging areas and thick cover that

provided them with a good canopy during harsh winters.

Continued on page 10

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MONTANA MITZI

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Montana Snowbirds Prepare For Return By Mitzi Stonehocker

Recently a group of the Montana birds gathered near Brenda Arizona to eat, sing and yes to talk about heading back north to their home ground in Montana! The snowbirds were enjoying the sunshine yet complaining about the warmer than normal temperatures, thus the talk of home. With talk of home, some were heard to say "I miss my grandchildren". Talk about grandchildren have been known to cause tears to form and even a sniff or two from grandfathers! Talk of spring bear and turkey hunting, garden planting, Easter and again the grandchildren were brought up, a sure sign that the "Snowbirds" are gathering and preparing for the long trip back home to Montana. In closing let me make it clear, Montana Mitzi alias “Memaw” was one of the group and I was also talking about Montana Woods n Water and how this magazine has brought home to those of us that choose to gather in the warmer south country during the frigid winter. I went through past issues and I thought of how we have grown and expanded and are now digital! I remembered the growing pains and I remember the love and passion the staff has for this awesome magazine. When you go outside and hear the sounds of spring coming to Montana, stop and listen for the sound of the "Snowbirds" coming home. Smile and say a little prayer that we all have safe travels home, yes, Montana is definitely on my mind, and my granddaughters too!

Left to right: Don and Bernie Lake, Ronan, MT / Richard and Sharon Smith, Trout Creek, MT / Ron

and Mitzi Stonehocker, Thompson Falls, MT / Patty and Richard Williams, Trout Creek, MT / Pepe

and Barbie Picard, Thompson Falls, MT / Duane and Betty Smith, Hamilton, MT / Bob and Evelyn

Rieker, Missoula, MT. Montana Snowbirds wintered near Quartsite, Arizona.

CAMPFIRE TALK

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Gear Up: Check the weather, strap on the boots, throw a backpack in the truck with some

snacks, water, binoculars, GPS and/or map and compass, dry warm clothes/jacket and head

out. Throw the kid(s), your buddy or your honey in the truck with you, but just remember,

they are not you and may not be able to cover the ground you intend on covering. If you are

going by yourself let someone know where you are going and what time you will be back. If

you are in Grizzly or snake country you might want to slap on that side arm. If wolf and coyote

season is still in and you have the appropriate tags…pack a little longer range rifle.

Saddle Up: Got horses? The animal you have fed all winter just might start

earning their keep again. A horse could save you a lot of leg work and the ability to

cover more ground in a day. Just keep in mind if you get off to scout to tie that

horse up good...nothing worse than having to walk out and your trusted stead back

at the truck waiting on you.

Family Pet: If Rover or Fifi are trainable and has a good nose maybe this will add to your

arsenal of tricks. I had a lab once that could find more stuff than I could pack out. They are

not only great company but serve as a good watch dog as you stumble through bear habitat.

Be sure and take a snack for your dog and some extra water. More than likely he/she is

working harder than you. Re-enforce the dog with positive accolades if they do find

one...they want to please you. If you hear munching over in the bushes you might want to go

check...your dog may have just found him a chew toy! Listen for wolves and they may take

your dog as a threat.

Ground Zero: Grab your gear and dress appropriately…don’t over dress, you will

get hot faster than you think when you start walking. From the moment you take

your first step, start watching for an antler. I have found several antlers within a few

yards of where I parked. More game parallels the roads than you may think. During

hunting season we constantly scan in front of us several hundred yards out to the

horizon. Look around your feet and out a few feet in front of you instead of trying

to see to infinity. Use those binoculars to scan the ground in front of you. Setup a

pattern search of the area…take your time, it is not a race. Soak up all the other things you are seeing, trails, old

rubs/scrapes, beds, tracks, poop piles. Mark your map or log a waypoint in your GPS as this information may be

helpful this fall. Turn around and look behind you, often times looking at things from a different angle/perspective

reveals unseen objects or points of interest.

As you travel the mountain roads to your scouting location watch the sides of the banks where game is coming and

going. Follow those trails for a few yards you just might be surprised what you find. Continued on Page 12

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MONTANA’S TREASURED BONES CONTINUED

It’s Not If But When!

When it’s time to go...go in style!

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11

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MONTANA’S TREASURED BONES CONTINUED

Take Breaks: Rest your eyes, rest your legs and back, have a drink, eat a snack and start fresh. Make it enjoyable

and relaxing…you are shed hunting in MONTANA!

In the end, whether you find anything or not it was better than a good day at work. A bonus is that you will get to

shed a few of those winter pounds you have stacked on , fill those lungs with fresh Montana mountain air and scout

potential areas for spring bear and turkey season. If you look long and hard enough you will find “Montana’s

Treasured Bones”.

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13

I admit I miss Montana! I am not fond of snow and ice or cold and you know that ugly word called winter. Now with March just around the corner and all the talk of nice days back home in Thompson Falls, I admit I am homesick! This bug is only cured by the return

to Montana, which I am counting the days and the hours. A couple of these donuts and a hot cup of coffee will take the edge off those last few wintery days . Now for all of you that have eaten my donuts...this is not my “Top Secret” donut recipe. I would have to kill you if I told you that one. However, this is my second best recipe That “one” MIGHT come out at a later date so keep watching for recipes from Montana Mitz! Here is a family recipe to put a smile on the faces of your youngsters and even the oldsters, enjoy!

Doughnuts 2 cup warm water 1 tablespoon yeast 3 tablespoon sugar 3 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon salt 1 large egg 5 cup flour, plus more for kneading Put the warm water in a mixer or large bowl and add the yeast. When the yeast is bubbly, about five minutes add the sugar and butter. Add the egg and mix well. Add the salt to sifted flour, one cup at a time into the mixture beating well after each cup. The dough will be sticky. Flour a place on the cupboard and add enough flour a little at a time to knead until smooth and slightly sticky to touch. Cover and place the dough in a warm spot to raise until double about an hour. After you flour a spot and tenderly place the dough on it, pat it to about an inch thick. Cut out the doughnuts and cut the hole out too. Lay the doughnuts on cookie sheets about 12 to a sheet and cover and raise another hour. In a large kettle heat oil to 350-375 degree. Carefully place doughnuts and fry until golden brown turning once. Drain on paper towel and cool to be frosted with the following frosting.

Maple Frosting The secret to good maple frosting is using real butter! Do NOT use margarine! Melt in a saucepan and add maple flavor, add powder sugar and use cream to thin down. I do not have exact measurements, but slightly runny is good, as the doughnuts can be dipped and placed on a rack letting the frosting completely coat the doughnut. Enjoy!

MONTANA MITZI—MEMAW’S KITCHEN

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Memaw’s Kitchen By Mitzi Stonehocker

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15

CAMPFIRE TALK

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Trapper Education Class Feb. 21 in Missoula

A trapper education class is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Missoula (3201 Spurgin Road). The class is free and students do not need to pre-register.

The class, taught by instructors from the Montana Trapper’s Association (MTA), will be held from 8:30am to 5pm, and students should bring a lunch and notebook. Topics will include trapping equipment and trap setting, ethics, rules and regulations, furbearer identification, and fur handling.

The class is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning about trapping. Students under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Class participants will receive a certificate of completion and a MTA student handbook and workbook. This class does not certify participants for Montana’s wolf trapping season.

For more information, call MTA’s Toby Walrath at 406-369-5119.

· FEBRUARY 21st @ 0830 - Trappers Education Workshop - Missoula Region 2 FWP Office

Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT

· FEBRUARY 27th - MARCH 1st - Helena Great Rockies Sports Show

Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Helena, MT

· MARCH 20th @ 1200 - Western States Fur Auction - Park County Fairgrounds, Livingston, MT

· MARCH 21st - 23rd - Missoula Great Rockies Sport Show - Adams Center - U of M - Missoula, MT

· MARCH 27th - 29th - Bozeman Great Rockies Sport Show

Brick Breeden Fieldhouse - Bozeman, MT

· MARCH 29th @ 1230 - District 6 Spring Membership Meeting - Havre, MT

· APRIL 18th @ 0900 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT

· APRIL 18th @ 1000 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Kalispell, MT

· MAY 3rd @ 0900 - MTA Board Meeting - Yogo Inn, Lewistown, MT

See You There!

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