March 2015 Volume 3 Issue 3

What’s Inside:

Wolf Season Closing

A Montana Muskrat Adventure

Cane Poles Bobbers & Boys

MeMaw’s Kitchen

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

Publishers Notes By Raf Viniard

Only 38 days until bear season & 34 days until turkey season!

Can you believe this weather? Hello spring! With open fire season, folks

are busy burning off their fields and around their homes. The smell of

smoke permeates the valleys. As I finished up burning my yard debris

late last night I looked up and the sky was really clear and the stars just

seemed brighter. The air was cool and crisp but as I stood there watching the

small fire working its way across the pine needles it was so relaxing. Everything

was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. It wasn’t long until I heard the

geese overhead headed to some far away waters.

As I soaked up the Montana night and thinking about my week ahead, I sort of

lost interest in work and started thinking about smoking some fresh fish, and

reflecting on where I need to start scouting for that big black bear and that

strutting turkey.

As the fire burned out I hated to go inside...I just couldn’t get enough of this

wonderful Montana life my creator has given me to enjoy everyday. Grant it,

there are some days in the publishing business I had a whole lot rather be in

the mountains exploring but I love what I do. Rough days at work makes me

really appreciate the days I get to spend in the mountains or on the water.

Get out there and enjoy Montana and all that it has to offer. Start planning

that camping trip with the family or a day of hunting or fishing with your

buddies. Life is short, make it happen.

It is not the years in your life but the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln

Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard

406-407-0612

Photographer, Print 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

Location: Ninepipes WMA

This picture was taken while scouting

with Paul Fielder for muskrat sign.

2

HUNTING

Wolf Season is About to Close

By Raf Viniard

The wolf general rifle season closes on 15 March 2015. If

you are still trying to bag a wolf, time is not your friend.

With only six days left to increase your odds of bagging a

wolf I spoke with Andy Pershern of Trout Creek, Montana.

Andy is a very successful local long line wolf trapper. Here

are some of his tips for bagging your wolf.

Locate them ahead of time and move in quiet and I mean very quiet. Wolves are getting hunted hard in most areas that are accessible, they hear vehicles and know danger is present.

Don’t slam truck doors. Don’t talk on the way in to call, keep quiet. Use natural cover scent to help mask your scent, they can smell you farther that you think.

Scouting, look for tracks in fresh snow, which in this year has been tough, look for wet muddy areas and on roads to see where they cross. Look at sizes and direction to determine how many, family groups or all small dispersing wolves or large singles etc. Small 2 year olds may be dispersing now looking for mates and to possibly join or start a new pack.

Larger wolves typically respond to howls better than younger wolves. Howl early in the AM before light in areas you suspect or know wolves are present or frequent. Pinpoint them by a single or several howls, then wait and listen for a few minutes. If no response, try Coyote howls, this sometimes gets them going; They hate coyotes and will come in to kill them if they can.

Wolves in my region tend to concentrate on Elk more than anything else. Over the past winters I have seen this in the areas I trap, from my observation they follow the elk more than deer.

Wolves tend to travel high ridges and main mountain high ranges traveling along and scenting at the top of drainages, locating elk by scent with the updrafts as the days warm up. They locate and do most hunting / killing at night, but not all. Ridges with saddles between mountains are excellent as well.

Looking for sign and scouting are the best method to find them ahead of hunts. Be prepared for quick and long shots, They don’t typically give you much time and may not come in all the way to calls like coyotes do. A calf in distress is a great call. In timber, cow elk calls work well. A distress pup calling also works.

Reminder Check your license and make sure they are current and you have all required tags. Wolf kills must be checked into your local warden. The 2015 Wolf Season Dates will be adopted at the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting in July, 2015. Good luck!

Photo provided by Dan Helterline

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Don’t Forget - March 16th Deadline

4

WINNERS

Erich Spidel of St. Ignatius, Montana won the Savage

7mm-08 Pink Camo Muddy Girl rifle with scope. If

Erich looks familiar he won the Ruger 1911, 45 ACP

last month.

Caleb Wengerd, owner of Big Bull Sports pictured

right, and I tried to talk him out of his lucky horse

shoe but he would not give it up. Congratulations

Erich!

Buddy Farmer of Plains, Montana won the 1400

rounds of Remington 22 Long Rifle Hollow Points.

Montana Woods N Water, Big Bull Sports and the

Sanders County Search & Rescue want to thank all

those that purchased raffle tickets to help raise

money for the Sanders County Search & Rescue.

Montana Woods N Water

Five Months of Fun!

Attention Turkey Hunters: Next gun up for raffle is a Camo

Mossberg 835 UtiliMag chambered for 3 1/2 inch shells.

Contact a Sanders County Search & Rescue member, Big

Bull Sports or Montana Woods N Water for raffle tickets.

$20.00 each or 6 for $100.00. You must be a Montana

resident and meet all state and federal guidelines to

pickup the gun.

5

6

TRAPPING

Paul Fielder our trapping Pro-Staff writer called me and was ready to go and explore the Ninepipes WMA for muskrat sign.

The cold weather had finally broke, ice was melting and the forecast was for a beautiful day. Myself, running on only about

three hours of sleep from publishing the last issue was having second thoughts about going...I was bushed. I was not however

going to let the opportunity to learn from a Master Muskrat Trapper, plus we always have something to talk about and enjoy

each other’s company. This adventure was going to require at least one Mean Bean Monster drink and a couple of bottles of

orange juice mixed with some 5 hour energy drinks to get through the day.

Over the short period of time I have known Paul you can rest assured he will be on time and organized in anything he does.

We were to meet in Plains, MT at 8:00 AM and then ride together up to the Ninepipes WMA. After getting my energy fix I

snapped out of my fogginess slump and the game was on. The sun was shinning and we were headed out to scout for

muskrats at the base of the Mission Mountains. The outcome of this scouting expedition would be an adventure for both of

us.

Paul had the truck loaded and neatly organized with float sets, connibears and plenty of colony traps ready for the task at

hand if the muskrats were there. Our first stop was a small pond and as we exited the truck the Mission Mountains set the

stage for the rest of the day. It was absolutely beautiful. We may not have found a lot of muskrat sign but we sure had a good

time soaking up the Montana life. Not to mention I got wet from about the knee down on one leg after breaking through

some ice in the cattails. As I rolled around like a tortoise on his back to save the camera, Paul dragged me back to dry land.

Here are a few pictures I took as we scouted for muskrat. Continued on page 8

A Montana Muskrat Adventure by Raf Viniard

7

TRAPPING CONTINUED

8

No one can ever say Paul

is not organized!

The first small pond

we came to had eight

geese hanging out

soaking up the sun.

The geese did not take

too kindly to us

invading their private

pool and soon took to

flight!

Continued on page 14

CAMPFIRE TALK

9

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Lakeside Motel & Resort Happenings Trout Creek, Montana

March Tuesday the 17th, and Friday the 13th of March Lakeside will

celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Party with the crew at the Lakeside Resort

March 13th --7:00PM KARAOKE- DRINK SPECIALS - DINNER Features -

Prime Rib, Fish Fry Friday, & Corn Beef & Cabbage --- Saturday Seafood

Platter, Surf and Turf ------ PARTY LIKE AN IRISHMAN at the Lakeside

Motel and Resort!

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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

Redneck Ball, 28 March 2015, 5:00PM

Live Auction - Kevin Hill Auctioneer, 7:00PM Music by Dave & Deb Oliver

This is a one of a kind show will not be seen anywhere else!

Get your tickets early at one of the following locations: D & D Liquor, Thompson Falls, MT

Lakeside Motel & Resort—Trout Creek, MT Trout Creek Community Improvement Association

This is expected to be a sell out event! Proceeds benefit Trout Creek Community Improvement Association!

Dress like you are marrying your cousin!

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·

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!

12

NEXT GENERATION

I was sitting at my computer when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it these two young

neighbor boys was grinning from ear to ear with these two nice rainbows. Spur and Hondo Ryan along

with their Dad, Justin Ryan had took the day off to catch ten large frying pan size rainbows. When I

questioned the boys as to where they caught these Montana beauties I got two different answers, one

said towards Missoula and the other one said towards Hot Springs...that narrowed it down. Daddy has

taught them well. I fried them up and they were delicious! Thanks boys!

It’s Not If But When!

When it’s time to go...go in style!

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

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TRAPPING CONTINUED

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15

FISHING

16

As a boy on the farm there was not much time to go fishing but when the opportunity presented itself it was a mad dash to the get ready before Mom or Dad found us boys something else to do. For those that remember the “The Andy Griffith” show, the show opened with Andy and Opie walking down a road with cane poles slung over their shoulders and in the background someone whistling that catchy little tune. That was fantasy land if you were a raised on a farm. Work came first, fishing was down around 100 on the lists. So an opportunity to go fishing was a privilege.

First stop was the barn to get Dad’s favorite spade shovel. That long narrow shovel was the cat’s meow for digging worms.

I would hate to know how many times we got in trouble for not returning tools to where we found them. Dad always claimed that our farm would grow trees of hammers, screwdrivers, shovels, axes and other assorted tools where us boys left them laying around to sprout roots.

Shovel in hand and an empty metal coffee can, it was off to the barn yard. My favorite place to dig for those plump juicy long reddish brown slimy earth worms was underneath the drip edges of the barns. With one or two spades full of dirt sprinkled with a healthy dose of cow manure you could find more than enough worms to fish all afternoon . Of course that depended on how good the fish were biting.

Next on the list was to head to the shed and choose your cane pole very wisely.

A cane pole was a long reed found along marshy areas and could stand 12-14 feet tall. Canes grew thick as dog hair around wet marshy areas and were known as cane breaks, so there was never a shortage of new fishing poles. When the perfect cane pole was found, it was cut with a machete and hung to dry by hanging in a tree upside down with a brick tied to the narrow tip to keep it straight during the drying process.

Cane poles were mostly used for pan fishing such as crappie, blue gill and perch type fish. The end is very thin and flexible and can take a serious bending but everything has a breaking point.

I have landed some pretty big catfish by dragging them onto the bank instead of trying to lift them up out of the water like a perch. If the line is tied correctly to the cane pole, even a broken tip does not spell the end or a lost fish.

Even though there were always 10-12 poles in the shed to choose from, choosing the right length was critical depending on what you were fishing for and where. Pick one too short, you might not be able to reach that perfect spot, too long and you might stay tangled up around the willows that encircled the banks of our ponds and creeks. Each cane pole was rigged with braided cloth line, a gold #2 Aberdeen hook, a split shot and a red and white bobber.

Next it was off to Dad’s tackle box (Folgers coffee can hidden in the shed) to grab a few extra hooks, weights, nylon stringer and a extra bobber and shove them in whatever you could find. Handkerchief, sock, glass Alka Seltzer bottle, etc., it just needed to fit in your jeans pocket. There was always that occasional hang up and it was a long walk back to the house and more than likely a return trip to the house meant Mom or Dad had thought of something else that needed immediate attention...fishing OVER!

One final matter to take care of and it was off to the creek or pond.

Cane Poles, Bobbers & Boys By Raf Viniard

My Favorite

I would run in the house trying to avoid Mom or Dad...you knew they were thinking of the next chore, so time was precious. I quickly raided the freezer for a handful Mom’s sun dried apples, an outdated frozen Twinkie and the refrigerator for a quart of cold sweet tea. Throw all this in a brown paper bag and leave a note for Mom as to what pond or creek I was at in case of an emergency. There was nothing worse than forgetting this step and getting your bottom blistered with one of those pond willows for not letting anyone know where you were. Forgetting this step sort of set off panic around the homestead and would ruin a perfectly good day of fishing...crap rolled down hill quickly once they found out you were safe.

Visions of slab size crappie, a stringer full of bluegill or a big old catfish filled my imaginary stringer as I quickly walked across the cow pasture. I did not have an ATV to ferry me around, they were not even invented yet, it was all LPC, (Leather Personnel Carrier, aka my work boots). Most of our ponds were a quarter to half mile from the house, yes...up and down hills both ways! As I quicken my step I could hear the bobber slapping the cane pole...life was getting better with each step.

Constantly checking over my shoulder to make sure the family dog “Rusty” had not decided to follow. Nothing like trying to fish with a dog wading in and out of the water. You had to be a Ninja warrior to slip away from the house without Rusty catching on to what you were up to. I would use him to help me dig for worms, but after that the partnership was over. Rusty usually laid around the back door/yard area so when you left it was best to slip quietly out the front door, quietly walk down the road and hop the fence out of sight of the house. If he picked up your scent or seen you crossing the field the gig was up and you were going to have a tag along whether you wanted one or not.

As I approached the pond or creek it was always best to formulate a plan before approaching the water’s edge. I didn’t want to spook the fish before even getting a line in the water. I would unwrap the pole, preset the bobber to the depth I wanted and thread a worm, onto the

number #2 gold Aberdeen hook. Wiping the worm juice on my jeans it was time to see what’s for supper.

As I eased down to the water’s edge watching for cotton mouths with a bad attitude, I could smell the fish. Holding the hook in one hand and the pole in the other I gently lifted the cane pole into the air in an upward sweeping motion letting go of the hook at the same time, I gently rested the hook and bobber into the water next to a stump. Unlike modern rod and reels you don’t flop the cork and bait into the water. It is vertical finesse fishing at its best. You lower the bait into the target area very gently and quietly.

Hopefully within a few seconds the bobber begins to bob as the fish nibbles at the bait. The bobber slowly starts moving off to the deeper water or if the water is deep enough you may just see the cork slowly go almost straight down until it is out of sight. A bass or catfish will grab the bait and run for all he’s got. One second bobber is there and the he next it is gone...the fight is on!

With a rod and reel you have a spool of line to work with. With a cane pole you only have about 10-12 feet of line at best. For pan fish, once you know the fish has got the bait in his mouth it is time to set the hook and lift it straight up and over to the bank as quickly and quietly as possible. Not getting any bites, simply pick it straight up and gently lower it down in another spot.

If fishing was slow, it was still better than a good day of farm work. On those slow days I simply leaned back under a shade tree, broke out the dried apples, the jug of sweet tea and contemplated my next spot.

As a kid fishing with a cane pole and a coffee can of worms...it just seemed to go together like cake and ice cream.

To this day, fishing with a bobber is still my favorite. To me watching a bobber drift along is relaxing and takes me back to those hot Kentucky summer afternoons sitting on the bank under the shade of a weeping willow, munching on Mom’s dried apples, sipping sweet tea and letting life pass me by. One bite at a time.

17

Cane Pole + Braided Line + Split Shot + Bobber of your choice = Fishing technique of days gone by

OUTDOOR POLITICS

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!!ATTENTION !! This is quite possibly the most important ACTION ALERT we will send you this Legislative Session.

HB212 has passed through the Legislative process and is now headed to Governor Bullock for him to sign into law OR veto! MT-SFW has been working hard in support of this bill and NOW we really need your support. We are advising every Montana hunter, trapper, angler, rancher and property owner to individually contact Gov. Bullock and encourage him to sign HB 212 to ensure these Montana traditions will be solidified.

Here is how to contact Governor Bullock:

Call toll free - 1-855-318-1330 or Email- governor@mt.gov

PLEASE forward this to all your contacts who hunt, trap, fish, farm, ranch and live a rural lifestyle. HB 212 provides concise amendments to clarify "harvest" in parts of Title 87 of our Montana Constitution as it relates to fish and wildlife. To read the bill in its entirety click this link - http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2015/billpdf/HB0212.pdf

Thank you for your participation! Yours in Conservation

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Baldy Mountain Outfitters

Outfitter License # 23173

Phone: 406-291-7656

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Located in Plains, Montana

We offer high quality hunts that fit the clients ability and needs.

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Deer ● Elk ● Bear ● Mountain Lion

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MeMaws’ Kitchen

I am so excited, one more week and we leave for Montana! We are rested, healed and very homesick! When we left home in December to winter in Arizona, my husband Ron was recovering from stem cell transplant. We were both exhausted, Ron was freezing, weak and we did not know if the transplant had worked. Today three months later, we are all rested and all warmed up. The best part is Ron is cancer free! Praising God for the love and mercy He has shown us, amen. Ok, now I have a recipe to share that is beyond good if you love lemon pie. I know in Montana we do not have lemons growing on the tree in our yards, we do where we winter and fresh tree ripen lemons are wonderful, BUT, lemons from the local grocery store work too. Enjoy this pie with a hot cup of tea, think spring!

Sour Cream lemon Pie filling 1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1 cup milk 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 3 egg yolks lightly beaten 1/4 cube butter 1 tablespoon zested lemon peel 1 cup sour cream In large saucepan heat sugar, cornstarch, with milk and lemon juice after whisking smooth. Cook over medium high heat until thicken. Reduce to low and stir two minutes more. Take a small amount and whisk in a separate bowl and add the egg yolks, then return to the pan and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly, add the sour cream and fold then add the lemon zest. Stir lightly. Pour into the cooled pie shell, refrigerate two hours and top with whip cream topping.

Whip Cream Topping

1 cup cold cream 2 tablespoon powder sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla Place a glass bowl and the beaters to your mixer in the freezer for an hour, remove and add the cream and vanilla. Beat on medium until soft peaks and then add the powder sugar and beat on high until stiff peaks. Spread over cool lemon pie filling and enjoy! Will last in the refrigerator for several days, but I find it is usually gone quickly!

Pie Crust for two single shell pies 2 cup sifted flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt Sift together and add 3/4 cup crisco Using a pastry cut the shortening into the four, do not over work, add. The following liquid 1/2 cup cold water 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 egg yolk Moisten the dry with the wet and gently make a ball, flour the surface and roll out 1/2 the crust and place in a 9 inch pie dish. Roll out the second crust and repeat. Prick both shells with a fork in the bottom and sides, bake in a hot oven 450 degree for 15 minutes or until a golden brown, remove and cool while making the filling.

By Mitzi Stonehocker

21

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

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Thank You!

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Dale Fricke Holsters

Desta's Nails

D&D Liquor

Ed’s Outdoors

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Healthy Massage—Daphine Boles

Lakeside Resort & Motel

Levi Thrift Store

Mangy Moose

Minnie's

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Montana Outdoor Radio Show

Montana Trapping Association

Montana Woods N Water

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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