March 2015 Volume 3 Issue 2

What’s Inside

Stranded by Raf Viniard

Local Celebrities

Lincoln County SnoKats

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ordelheide-Dental/533072000093520

Publishers Notes By Raf Viniard

Only 42 days until bear season & 38 days until turkey season! WOW, what a busy two weeks. Hard to believe it is already March. As I wrap up this edition at 2:00 AM Friday morning I realize I will be dragging my butt out of bed in about 5 hours to meet Paul Fielder to go set some muskrat traps.

After last weekends Camo Sweethheart Ball and two weeks packed with meetings and deadlines, it would be easier to just sleep in tomorrow and play catchup in the office and MAYBE get some chores done around the house. Don’t think I have not thought about it. But the opportunity to hang out with Paul and set some traps before trapping season ends is just to hard to pass up.

I will take plenty of energy drinks, lots of chocolate and a box of tooth picks to stick under my eyelids. Why would anyone punish themselves over a publication? Because I love it! I live in one of the greatest place on earth and have made some awesome friends and business acquaintances since moving here almost two years ago. I may never get rich running this publication but I will take this over driving in the Atlanta, GA traffic six days a week swinging a hammer just to chase a dollar. All these long hours may wear me down physically but it’s nothing that a big black bear standing in my cross hairs or a line stretching, head jerking pike can’t fix...even if it kills me, what a way to go.

At 53 I don’t have that all-nighter ability I did just five years ago and it takes a couple days to recoup, but I can rest when I take the big dirt nap. That is what fishing and scouting naps are for anyway, to recharge your batteries.

Next week I am sure Paul will be giving you a trapping report and I will continue to bring you stories by our writers and staffers. See you next Tuesday...night. Get out and enjoy thios weekend...it si supposed to be pretty. Keep sending us your pictures and stories. We thank you for your continued support. Please support our advertisers and remember without them this publication would not be possible.

Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard

406-407-0612

Photographer, Print & Digital Manager

Tina Scott

406-830-7500

Field Editor: Mitzi Stonehocker

406-544-1868

Sales & Marketing, Lincoln County

Kori Erickson

406-293-1478

Sales & Marketing, Flathead Valley

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.

Contact Us

Montana Woods N Water

171 Clark Creek Loop

Plains, Montana 59859

406-08-0576

www.montanawoodsnwater.com

Email:

raf@montanawoodsnwater.com

Front Cover Photo Provided By:

Raf Viniard

Thompson River Drainage

This picture was taken while checking

Andy Pershern’s wolf traps last week.

2

STRANDED

Are You Prepared To Spend The Night? By Raf Viniard

A local couple recently had the opportunity to test their

survival skills on the back side of Corona located in

Sanders County, Montana. One warmer than normal

February Friday a local couple had set out to go check on

their cabin and do a little shooting practice. The weather

had warmed and the snow seemed to be pretty much

melted at the lower elevations and due to recent logging

activity on the mountain roads they were pretty much

open. The day went pretty much as planned but a

decision to go back out a different route sealed their fate

as to how they would spend the next two nights.

These were not to young hap hazard kids out just cruising

seeing how big and bad their truck was, but two grown

adults just enjoying all that Montana has to offer. They

were seasoned Montanans. They even had a birthday

party that had planned to attend that afternoon. Luckily,

they had told someone where they were going and that

they would be back for the party.

As they eased up the backside of Corona the clear sky day

was gentling turning to a cold February night. Sitting in a

nice warm truck enjoying the views and chatting they

would have never dreamed they would be in a situation

that could have been life threatening. As the Ford F-150

4 X 4 made its way up the snow covered mountain road it

begin to get a little tense. They were committed, to

steep and dangerous to back down and no place to turn

around...the thought was to just keep moving forward.

The tires begin to spin and slip...they were stuck, no cell

phone signal, less than a half tank of fuel and not really

sure where they were in relation to any civilization.

Knowing their situation was not getting any better and

that eventually someone would come looking for them

they built a fire and settled in to spend the night if need

be. Saturday morning came and no one had yet arrived.

However, her mother had already started making phone

calls Friday night trying to figure out where they were.

She knew the general direction they were in but not the

exact location. She also knew if they had got stuck they

were woods savvy enough to make it through the night.

By late Saturday night things begin to look even bleaker

and the driver had already started to think about striking

out to find help. Luckily for him he stayed with the

vehicle. If he had struck out in the direction he was

thinking, I may have been writing about this mishap in an

entirely different light and it would not have been a good

one. The direction he thought about heading in was the

worst possible direction he could have choose.

Continued on page 4.

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Don’t Forget - March 16th Deadline

Late Saturday night they finally got a cell phone signal

and called her mother who called had already called her

daughter and some of her friends from the Flathead

Valley area. Keep in mind they are now heading into

their 2nd night with little food, water or fuel left in the

truck. He started the truck every few minutes and let it

run about ten minutes to warm their feet. He had

started a fire but standing on frozen snow can make ones

feet mighty cold fast.

At about 3:00 AM Sunday morning the three individuals

from the Flathead Valley area had found them. Having a

larger more beefy truck the other driver felt he could

easily snatch them out...that is until a u-joint broke and

cutting a transmission line. Now there are five people

and two trucks stranded in the ice and snow covered

road in the middle of nowhere. The three that was

supposed to save the day was now part of a bad

situation. The rescuers now have to be rescued as well.

They were also new to area and did not know exactly

where they were. They were finally able to get a phone

call out alert someone as to where they thought they

were. The Sanders County Sheriff’s office alerted the

Sanders County Search & Rescue to respond early Sunday

morning for an extraction and possible frost bite. No

local wrecker company would go beyond the snow line to

pull them out even if they knew their exact location.

That area of the mountains is steep and slick this time of

the year. It is shaded and it s the last to melt in the

spring.

Search & Recue rallied and formulated a game plan to

reach the stranded motorist and headed up the

mountain with snowmobiles in tow. The SAR team had

determined exactly where they were within a one mile

area. Within a couple of hours all parties were assessed

for frostbite and ferried back to the staging area. Yes,

they were tired, cold, hungry and thirsty. Luckily

everything turned out great and everyone lived to tell the

story over and over. If they had not been seasoned in the

outdoors the average green horn would have probably

frozen to death.

So what can we take from someone else's misfortune.

Go prepared no matter what your intentions or how long

you think you will be gone.

1. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and ready

for the mountainous road travels. Prepare your

equipment for a day in the mountains with a full tank

of fuel, chains, shovel, axe, chainsaw, extra clothing,

flashlight, firearm, maps/GPS/compass, blankets, fire

starting materials, chain or snatch rope, basic tool kit,

food, plenty of water and emergency flares. If you

have room for an snowmobile dirt bike, bicycle or

ATV throw it in the back as a backup means of

transportation if your rig fails you.

2. Don’t overestimate your abilities or your vehicles,

four wheel drive has got a many in deeper than he or

she could get out of.

3. Before heading out make sure you tell someone

where you are going and do not deviate from that

area or plan with out telling someone of your new

direction. Cell phones may or may not work where

you are at. Consider a SPOT or Delorme In Reach

type device to alert the outside world you need help.

4. If stranded, remain calm and use the “STOP” method

- Stop, Think ,Observe and Plan. Assess your supplies

and situation. Don’t just set out trekking through the

mountains in hopes you are headed in the right

direction. Consider others safety that may be with

you. Continued on page 6.

4

STRANDED CONTINUED

Stay Put! Help may be on the way.

5

6

STRANDED CONTINUED

5. Improvise with what you have on hand, in this case he pulled the head rest cover off his seat and gave it to one

of the ladies as a sock cap to keep her head and ears warm.

6. Stay dry! Wet shoes, socks and clothes will chill you down fast. Layer your clothing with what ever you have

available. Hypothermia is not your friend.

7. Be patient, help will eventually be on the way...that is if you alerted someone as to when you are suppose to

return. Whether your local sheriff department, friends, relatives or the Search and Rescue teams has to come

find you, it takes time to get everyone and everything together. Make sure you have a whistle or audible

sounding device in case your rescuers cannot see you. Snowmobiles, and ATVs rescuers are usually wearing a

helmet and you couple that with the noise from the machine itself they may not hear you.

8. Stay with the vehicle until all hope is lost of being found. At that point you will have to make some hard

decisions that only you can make based on your situation and abilities at that time. It is best to stay on a road

and not cut across country. A bad injury off the road maybe the end of your cross country adventures. If setting

out on foot prepare for the hike, take what you may need to survive, a way to make a fire, boil some water and

materials for a shelter. Listen for vehicles, planes, timber cutting, dogs barking, running water to try and get a fix

on the nearest civilization and your bearings. Stay on main roads and roads that have been traveled.

9. Keep a sense of humor and stay positive. Keep busy, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Get rest the best

you can...your body is being taxed on many fronts, physically, physiologically and emotionally.

10. If all this fails, pray! In fact, you might want to start off your trip with a prayer for a safe return, your loved ones

want you back home safe and sound.

Wilderness Survival

We have many years teaching, working, and living in the outdoors. Backcountry skills are a way of life in the beautiful Rockies we call home. Let us pass our knowledge on to you in our comprehensive training programs designed to teach you the skills needed to fully

embrace the outdoors. Our hands on learning experience is enhanced by using the training learned in class and applying it in the field, where

you will walk away with confidence and understanding of necessary skills and be able to utilize them when needed. Learn a multitude of primitive and modern survival techniques. Our easy to understand

instruction will get you ready to take on the great outdoors. Our courses are great for anyone from outdoor professionals working in the field, to wildlife

photographers capturing the beauty of nature.

Learn these Skills and more! Fire Making

Shelter Construction Food and Water

Wilderness First Aid Signaling

Orienteering

http://www.rockymountainresponse.com/wilderness-survival.html

7

· 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!

CAMPFIRE TALK

8

Leave Those Traps Alone By Angela Montana

A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person/people who stole a trapper’s wolf trap (an MB-750 with swivels and a shock absorber) in the Bitterroot Valley. After a Montana trapper set wolf traps to try and intercept a wolf pack from going back to a ranch in the Lake Como area, the trapper went to check their traps and found that somebody had dug one up and stolen it. The traps had been set in that area for more than two weeks, untouched. It just happened to be the last day of the wolf trapping season, Saturday, February 28th, when the trap was stolen, as it was just checked the prior day. With a dollar value of just under $100.00 per trap, these wildlife management tools are valuable.

A District 2 Game Warden stated that several trappers have reported traps being stolen this past season, which means there are currently several open cases being investigated. It is illegal to take and/or tamper with any legally set trap, and if anybody suspects illegal activity, please report it immediately to FWP at 800.TIP.MONT.

If anybody has any information on any stolen traps, please contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 800.TIP.MONT. Violations can also be reported online by clicking here.

CAMPFIRE TALK

9

Baldy Mountain Outfitters

Outfitter License # 23173

Phone: 406-291-7656

Welcome to Baldy Mountain Outfitter Located in Plains Montana

We offer high quality hunts that fit the clients ability and

needs.

Our guides give 100% to make sure that the clients have

the best possible hunt. We are out in the hunting areas

before daylight and stay till the last shooting light to get

the best chance of finding the big one.

We have access to large areas of public and private land

to hunt.

Deer ● Elk ● Bear ● Mountain Lion

www.baldymtnoutfitter.com

10

LOCAL CELEBRITIES

Tony Rebo of Libby, MT

displaying his new Ruger 10/22

he won at the Camo

Sweetheart Ball. Tony won

one of two guns given away

during the event to help raise

money for the Sanders County

Search & Rescue. Photo taken

by Caleb Wengerd owner of

Big Bull Sports sponsor of the

guns.

Congratulations Tony!

Tony Rebo may have got his gun

but his wife Brenda displays

some new home décor. Brenda

caught this nice Brooke through

the ice a while back. Taxidermy

work was completed by

Recapture Taxidermy, Mike

Siefke located in Libby Montana.

Congratulations Brenda and a

thumbs up goes to Recapture

Taxidermy for preserving a

memory for Brenda.

It’s Not If But When!

When it’s time to go...go in style!

www.camocaskets.com

REPAIR ALL MAKES: Boats · PWC · ATV · Motorcycle · Snowmobile · Small Engine Suzuki – Tracker – Sun Tracker – Nitro – Taho – Mako – Canam – Seadoo – Skidoo

Husqvarna: Mowers · Tr immer s · Chainsaws · Accessor ies Fishing Gear – Hunting Gear – FWP Licenses - Snowmobile Gear

4 Airport Road, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 · (406) 827-2950

66979 Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864 · (406) 644-2950 www.sandssports.com

Tuesday – Friday 9:00 - 5:30; Saturday 8:00 – 4:00

11

12

LINCOLN COUNTY SNOKATS/CABINET RIDGE RIDERS

Annual Fun Run By Raf Viniard

A couple of weeks ago I took a little trip up to Libby, Montana to see how the Lincoln County SnoKats made out with their event. Like every where else in NW Montana they were lacking an abundance of the that fluffy white stuff to make the ride a lot more fun. Waist deep snow or not these folks had a great day in the mountains. Sixty-one riders participated and over 100 attendees showed back up for the afternoon meal, door prizes, rifles and auction. Adam Carr auctioned one item off after another and

bidding was steady. If bidding slowed down Adam got them going again with a little jabbing and humor. After the event I caught up with Adam and he had this to say about he event, “The event went surprisingly well, we had a blessed day in the mountains. We had 2-3 inches of snow, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. We had a blast like we always do.” George Williams of Eureka, Montana added, “I was here just trying to help out the club.” As I strolled through the crowd I ran into Mr. Ben Swanson aka “Haywire” and he was truly enjoying the evenings celebrations and libations. Haywire shared a plethora of information about the event and its long history. Not sure if her remembers what he told me but it was entertaining. Continued on page 14.

Kenny Brothers tries to keep Noah entertained

during the live auction...Dad I don’t think its

working, he looks a little sad.

Mason Bache of Libby, MT won a basketball and he

looks pretty happy with his prize. Congrats Mason.

13

14

Adam Carr trying to close the bid, Going once, going twice, SOLD!

Dave Nitchke, Chapter President stated, I think we did pretty well for the amount of snow….we had a really good

day.”

As the night wrapped up all that was left was pulling

the raffle winner for the Savage B Mag .17 cal

topped with a Simmons 3 X 9 scope and supported

by a Champion B Pod. Mr. Bob McGee which was

not present at the time won the rifle.

LINCOLN COUNTY SNOKATS CONTINUED

The night’s festivities were held at the Libby, MT

VFW as over 100 attendees studied their fella

bidders and awaited to place their bids on the

stack of items behind Adam Carr as shown in this

picture.

Place your ad

here for only

$24.99 a month

15

16

MeMaws’ Kitchen by Mitzi Stonehocker

Rain and March always bring out the chocolate craving in me. I admit I have my "stash" by my recliner, in the car, in my purse, even my granddaughters know where a couple of my hiding places are. I am sharing a recipe from a friend who has gone to live with the Lord, she was my best friend and passed away from breast cancer at age 45, I miss her and this is for you Laura. Combine: 2/3 cup crisco 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon vanilla Beat in 2 eggs, mix well Combine: 1 1/2 cup flour 1/3 cup cocoa 1/4 teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Mix dry into wet ingredients blend well and add 2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon on us greased cookie sheet, ( I like to line my cookie sheet with parchment paper) and bake 7-9 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees. Do not over bake! Enjoy with hot coffee or tea and watch an old movie, cuddle with a loved one or grandchild. Smile, enjoy, make a memory!

The 12-step chocoholics program:

NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!

~Terry Moore~

Chewy Brownies

A HUSBAND WHO LISTENS He said: "What can I help you with?

She said: “Take this bag of potatoes, peel half of them and put them in the pot!"

Dedicated to all those husbands out there who really try!

17

Camo Sweetheart Ball Sponsors Please thank these sponsors by shopping with them for making

the Camo Sweetheart Ball such a success! Thank you!

Thank You!

Big Bull Sports

Bob Hosea—The Bob Factor

Bruce Hunn

Cabela's (Missoula)

Dale Fricke Holsters

Desta's Nails

D&D Liquor

Ed’s Outdoors

Gambles

Harvest Foods

Healthy Massage—Daphine Boles

Lakeside Resort & Motel

Levi Thrift Store

Mangy Moose

Minnie's

Montana Mitzi

Montana Outdoor Radio Show

Montana Trapping Association

Montana Woods N Water

Nailed It

Natural Edge Rustic Furnishings

Paradise Mountain Crafts

Plains Garden, Gift & Floral

Plains Trap Club

Peregrine Embroidery

Robert Viergutz

RTK Photography

Sanders County Search & Rescue Members

Scuz Busters & Diversified Services Judy Woolley

Shear Attitude

Sportsman's Warehouse

The Printery

Tires Plus

Tom & Shelly Rummel

Trout Creek Community Improvement Association

Whistle Creek Pottery Ellen Childress