Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure - March 2012

MARCH 2012www.bigskyoutdoornews.net

OUTDOOR NEWS NEWS Big SkyBig Sky

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2 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net • MARCH 2012

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With a One-Year $35.00 Associate MembershipYYou ou dodon’t have to have a trophy in the records book to join the n’t have to have a trophy in the records book to join the BooBoone and Crockett Club, ne and Crockett Club, just a passion for big game and the just a passion for big game and the

desire to keep hunting them. desire to keep hunting them. Join online at www.booneandcrockettclub.com or call 406.542.1888

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MARCH 2012 • ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 3

JOIN THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB AND RECEIVE A FREE BUCK KNIFE

Ben Croft - Whitetail Deer

You don’t have to have a trophy in the records book to join the Boone and Crockett Club, just a passion for big game and the

desire to keep hunting them.

Thomas - Age 13 at hunt - Whitetail Heather Ryan - Buck

Alyssa Pecnick - Bull Elk Tom - Age 15 at hunt - Bull Elk Selena Frye - Bull Elk

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ADVERTISINGRICK HAGGERTY (406)370-1368AMY HAGGERTY PUBLISHER8591 Capri Dr., Helena Mt. [email protected] entire contents is © 2012, 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. Any photos or articles submitted to Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure become the property of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure.VOLUME 8 issue 12Large Cover Photo: Keith SzafranskiIstockphotoInset Fish Photo: Jarrett’s Guide Service

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Strong 2011 has RMEF Eyeing an Ambitious 2012 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Record-high membership. Strong fi scal performance. A landmark 6 millionth acre of habitat stewardship and protection. On the momentum of these and other accomplishments in 2011, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundationis eyeing 2012 with ambitious goals for conserving elk country, improving predator management and control, and building public understanding of hunters’ leadership in conservation.

“Our members and partners were part of something pretty special last year,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Highlights from 2011 include:-RMEF helped enhance habitat on 111,894 acres, mostly on public lands, for elk and other wildlife. The total exceeded the organization’s annual goal by 11,894 acres.-Protected 40,952 acres of habitat, exceeding RMEF’s annual goal by 7,952 acres.-Passed the 6 million-acre lifetime mark for habitat enhanced or protected, fi nishing 2011 with a combined total of 6,123,622 acres.-Reached 636,424 acres secured for public access including hunting.-Restored a wild elk herd in Missouri.-Fueled elk restoration projects in Virginia and Maryland.-Continued legal and legislative efforts to manage and control gray wolves.

-Reached more than 700,000 students and others with positive messages on hunting, shooting and conservation.-Recorded a fourth straight year with a new record for membership, now at 184,135.-Received the highest rating, 4 Stars, from Charity navigator, America’s top charity ratings service.-Finished the RMEF fi scal year with budget-positive black ink.

Allen said these successes and others have RMEF entering 2012 on a crest of enthusiasm. With the organization’s recent annual convention and membership rally in Las Vegas a great success and hundreds of local RMEF banquets and fundraisers slated for coming months, expectations are building for another memorable year.

Dozens of on-the-ground conservation projects are already in the works. Habitat stewardship and protection efforts are expected to reach milestone fi gures in several states. Nationally, RMEF could reach the 8,000 mark in total projects completed as it marches toward its 7 millionth acre conserved for elk and other wildlife.

Youth and public education initiatives, all with a hunting heritage slant, will continue to receive funding and volunteer manpower from RMEF in 2012.

RMEF ALSO WILL POWER TWO SPECIAL CAMPAIGNS.

The fi rst will focus on the growing need to manage and control predators. Wolf, bear, lion and coyote populations are well above science-based objectives in many areas. In extreme cases, predation and negative effects on game species are causing declines in hunting participation. Lost hunting license sales now are translating to budget cuts for conservation agencies. Balancing predator populations could help.

Second, RMEF is vowing to help Americansbetter understand how all wildlife, both game and non-game species, depend on hunters. “Hunting Is Conservation” will apply a variety of tactics to communicate an important message—that is, without hunters and the money they provide for today’s habitat, research, management and law enforcement programs, the outdoors overall would surely suffer.

Allen said, “We’re proud of the year we had in 2011, but we can’t afford to celebrate too long, because the challenges of conservation are constantly evolving and changing. We can’t wait to respond. We have to get out in front of the issues.”

He added, “If success builds on success, then I believe RMEF is well positioned to help make a meaningful difference again in 2012.”

To join and support RMEF, visit www.rmef.org.

Join us March 31st for the Bitterroot Chapter Banquet

where fun and fund-raising combinefor a memorable event - all in a spirit of camaraderie shared by

folks who love the outdoors.

Don’t wait - ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY: Call Sue Miller at 406-777-0214or e-mail [email protected]

•Silent Auction •Raffl e •Drawings •Games

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Dinner Catered by Cowboy Troy’s MC’d by Scott & Paula from The Ranch Radio

FREE with your new or renewed membershipwhen you attend the event!

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Tips From Whitetails Unlimited: Want To Be A Better Shot? Pay attention to the basics By Jeff Davis, Editor Whitetails Unlimited

Bruce Piatt, world and national shooting champion sponsored by SunBuster shooting glasses, emphasizes the basics as key to becoming a better shooter. The important things are often simple, but it’s easy to get out of good habits unless you work at them. Novice or old pro, it never hurts to go back and practice the basics.

TIP 1: EVERYONE PULL TOGETHER. Pull the trigger correctly — press with enough pressure to go straight back until the gun fi res, and no more. It sounds simple, and is — if you are watching your fi nger. Add in aiming and using a steady hold, and it’s easy to overlook the fi nger

motion. Don’t try to time your trigger pull when the crosshairs move across the target, but get into the target area, hold as steady as possible, and press the trigger correctly.

TIP 2: BREATHE, BABY, BREATHE. Don’t hold your breath, but time the trigger release so you pause slightly just as you are beginning to exhale. If things don’t line up correctly, don’t hold your breath or

shoot too early; just breathe one more cycle and try again.

TIP 3: BE FIRM, BUT RELAXED. Be fi rm with your grip on the fi rearm, pull it fi rmly into your shoulder, and maintain a fi rm cheek weld. But while holding fi rm, you should still be relaxed at all times —

before, during, and after the shot. You shoot with your entire body; don’t be clenched anywhere.

TIP 4: ROLL WITH THE PUNCH. Don’t fi ght recoil. It is there with every fi rearm, so do what you can to minimize it and recover smoothly for your next shot. Being relaxed at all times — before,

during, and after — will help. Follow through — shoot, recoil, and come to rest — before moving into a new position or changing your grip.

TIP 5: PATIENCE, GRASSHOPPER. Get on target, stay on target, squeeze the trigger, and maintain a good sight picture until the gun goes off. If it takes a while, don’t get tense. Breathe smoothly and start over if everything isn’t right.

TIP 6: HOW TO GET TO CARNEGIE HALL. Practice, practice, practice. Not just two, three-shot groups the day before the season opens. Get a plan and stick to it. Figure out where your weak spots are and work

to fi x them. Change one thing each practice until you fi nd what works for you. Don’t just shoot supported from the bench. Incorporate all the possible shooting positions you may encounter while hunting.

TIP 7: FOCUS. Depending on what kind of fi rearm you are shooting, your visual focus will change. As a rule, shooters using a scope will vary focus between the target and reticle. If you are using a rifl e

or handgun with iron sights, you are normally trained to focus on the front sight. Shotgunners are taught to focus on the target. Whatever you are shooting, learn what works and maintain focus from shot to shot, and session to session.

TIP 8: KNOW THYSELF. Know your fi rearm, know your zero’s, and most importantly, know yourself. Be totally prepared, physically, mentally, and with your equipment, and you will have no doubts in

your mind as you step up to the line or walk into the fi eld. Being totally prepared, and understanding the physics of shooting, will allow you to stay in the moment and focus solely on executing good shots.


Noxon Rapids Reservoir Noxon Rapids Reservoir MFWPMFWP

LODGING IN THOMPSON FALLS FALLS MOTEL 112 S. Gallatin Street (800) 521-2184RIMROCK LODGE 6 Rimrock Lane (406) 827-3536 6 Lane Bowling Alley HereRIVERFRONT MOTEL 4907 Highway 200 (406) 827-3460

THOMPSON FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE(406) 827-4930

FFlatiron Ridge Fishing Access Site on Noxon Rapids Reservoir is located 2 miles west of Thompson Falls off Hwy. 200. With a concrete boat ramp and fi shing pier/platform, accessto the water is easy at this location.

GAME FISH OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:Brown Trout, Lake Whitefi sh, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch

FISHING PRESSURE NOXON RAPIDS RESERVOIRYear Days Fished1 Trips2 State Rank3 2009 26,708 465 31 2007 19,726 330 27 2005 19,760 337 34 2003 19,441 453 34

1 Estimated yearly fi shing use in angler days (one angler fi shing one body of water in one day for any amount of time).2 The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fi shed (used to estimate the number of “Days Fished”).3 How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on “Days Fished” in a survey year.

CONTACT INFORMATION:Flatiron Ridge, 490 North Meridian Rd Kalispell, MT 59901or call (406) 752-5501

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Superlines, Super Rods Equals

SUPERFISHINGBy Ted Pilgrim

@@@@@@@There’s power-fi shing with brawny fl ippin sticks, fi nesse-fi shing with ultralight tackle, and then there’s superfi shing—a whole new type of angling that, until recently wasn’t even physically feasible.

Superfi shing is driven by crazy advancements in tackle—thread-thin lines from-another-galaxy, non-metallic reels and specially engineered rods that propel 1/16-ounce lures to the moon, and yet retain the power to battle brawny bass and everything else that swims. Driven by the development of new impossibly thin yet totally user-friendly fi shing lines, anglers are discovering fresh ways to confi dently deliver dainty lures to the trickiest fi sh.

Rich Belanger knows a little about fi shing trends. Promotions manager for legendary St. Croix Rods, Belanger has helped pioneer some of the industry’s leading rod trends at the most advanced rod engineering facility on earth. A recent project undertaken by the 60-year-old rod-crafting company has been to produce a generation of elite sticks that match seamlessly the new generation of microthin fi shing lines. Sufi x 832 and Berkley Nanofi l are two absolute game-changers. Each line has literally stripped away layers of “fat,” leaving the angler with amazing suppleness, castability and strength, all contained in little more than a wisp of thread. And that’s actually an understatement given that ultrathin 6-pound test Sufi x 832 packs eight fi bers of Dyneema plus an additional GORE® fi ber into a single microscopic 0.006-inch diameter. (The GORE® fi ber lends abrasion resistance and enhanced casting distance and accuracy.)

When you cast this stuff on spinning gear, you’d swear that fi shing line as you knew it was bunk—and in a way, that’s exactly right. Then add a reel like Shimano’s non-metallic Stradic CI4 Microline and you’ll take the game to entirely new dimensions. But without the optimal rod, everything else is irrelevant. And that’s where Belanger and St. Croix’s Legend Elites enter the picture. “By nature,” says Belanger, a ‘super’ angler in his own right, “a light action blank is not a powerful blank. So when we set out to build a super light rod capable of both casting microlines and battling big bass and other fi sh, it was one of the more diffi cult challenges we’ve faced.”

SUPER TACKLE The fi rst step, Belanger suggests, is to understand the difference between rod “power” and rod “action.” “Power refers to how much pressure it takes to fl ex the rod. We engineer different rod powers to effi ciently handle a specifi c range of lure weights and line sizes.

“Action, on the other hand, is determined by where a rod fl exes along the blank. Faster action rods fl ex mostly near the tip. While slower action rods fl ex down into the butt section. To build a truly superior microline rod—one that could both cast light lures and handle large fi sh— we felt it was critical to use the fastest blank possible. It needed the lightest, strongest material in existence. This isn’t the classic ‘ultralight,’” he offers, “but a rod that goes well beyond the things an ultralight has historically been capable of.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)

3333333333333333333333333

Superfi shing is a whole new way to approach large selective fi sh, including this smallmouth bass, who never knew what hit ‘em. Photo courtesy of Frabill and FXE Stormsuit

Noxon Rapids Reservoir MFWP

Pheasant Feathers for Fly Fishing By Nick Simonson, NoDak Outdoors.comThis year, it seemed that every pheasant was a trophy. Whether it was those early birds on opening weekend with half-colored feathers, or that lone rooster coming late in the season, each one provided a welcome warm meal and a new crop of pheasant feathers for fl y fi shing. With one season behind us, another one begins – the fl y tying season. And I’ve been hard at it already, tying up new patterns with feathers from my favorite bird, beyond the nymphs and soft hackles that are so common. Here are just a few for you to try.

The Copper Sawyer - Humpies and Stimulators are some of my favorite dries, and big fl ashy streamers are fun to tie and neat to see in the water. Nymphs aren’t usually so fl ashy, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be. The Copper Sawyer is a good mix of the usual nymph features – brown and buggy – with a little added fl ash and weight thanks to some copper ultra wire; and best of all it is a simple two-material fl y made with feathers from our favorite bird – AND it catches fi sh.

MaterialsHook: Nymph, Size 12-18 Thread: Brown 6/0Tail, Body, Wingcase: Pheasant Tail Fibers Abdomen: Copper Ultra Wire

Tie in 6-10 pheasant tail fi bers so the tips hang one-third of the hook shank length beyond the bend, serving as the tail. Tie in a 3-inch strip of copper ultra wire (use Medium for size 12-14 hooks, and Small for hooks size 16 and smaller). Wrap the remaining fi bers forward about 2/3 of the hook shank and tie off, advancing your thread to the hook eye. Then wrap the ultra wire forward, segmenting the thorax. When you reach the tie off point, use the ultra wire to form the abdomen by tightly wrapping it forward and then back over the fi rst wraps to the tie off point, trimming the wire neatly. Fold the tied-off feather fi bers over the wire abdomen forming a wingcase, tie them off and trim. Form a head with the thread, whip fi nish and cement.

Simple Streamer - This two-material fl y is a short streamer that can be used for bluegills or crappies. It wraps up quick and uses all-pheasant fi bers to trigger fi sh.

MaterialsHook: Streamer, Size 8-12 Thread: Brown 6/0Body: Gray Underfeather Collar: Pheasant Rump Overfeather

You’ll need a streamer hook, a rump feather from a rooster and the gray underfeather beneath it. Simply tie in the underfeather and wrap it forward for the body. Then tie in a rump feather – a nice big blue-green one from the top of the rump – by the tip and turn it around a couple times behind the hook eye for a collar, trim it and tie off. Whip fi nish, cement, and you’re done!

Fill your fl y box with an army of these fl ies built with pheasant feathers for fl y fi shing and you’ll be ready for some fast spring fi shing...in our outdoors.

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Ultimately, says Belanger, St. Croix used its exclusive SCV/NSI resin, a rarifi ed high-modulus/high-strain graphite fi ber, as the blank material for the Legend Elite LES70LF. A 7-footer rated for 4 to 8-pound test, this rod fi shes like 3-ounces of pure magic wand. Matched with the Shimano CI4 Microline reel and spooled with 100-yards of 6-pound test Sufi x 832, the Elite can launch 1/16-ounce jigs completely out of sight. The rod possesses a forgiving tip that catapults small baits, while its initial two-thirds (spine) produces ample power to subdue 5 and 6-pound smallmouth bass, as well as 10-pound walleyes or equally large trout and salmon. And the microlines themselves, 4 and 6-pound Sufi x 832, sail through the guides, transmitting subtle “tick” bites, and setting hooks and holding fast, even at remote distances. None of this was possible until these three elements—line, reel, rod—came together in the past year.

SUPER BAITS The “super-combo” totals an air-light 9 ounces of rod, reel and line, weightless enough for a toddler. Yet it’s capable of presenting previously unthinkable lures for some of the most selective fi sh on God’s blue planet. Tiny swimbaits, fi nesse worms and even mini-crankbaits fi shed on 1/16 and 1/32-ounce jigs feel like pebbles at the end of your line; lure control is that solid, that connected.

The Trigger X Probe Worm is a shoe-in for mega bass—especially mongo smalljaws. Rig this thing on a 1/16-ounce VMC Half Moon Jig or Shaky Head and you’ll rarely fail to connect with the most turned-off bass. And to swimbait bass, crappies, and walleyes into submission, Yamamoto’s 3-inch Swim Senko is a superfi shing freak. Weighted heavy itself, this bait fi shes supremely well on a 1/16-ounce leadhead, pinging lateral-lines with its active thumper tail. A fi nal jig option that nearly always produces in tough conditions is a 1/16 or 1/32-ounce hair or feather jig. Microjigs tied with strands of marabou, fox hair or fi ne deer hair remain, perhaps, the fi nest overlooked fi nesse baits ever created. The VMC Dominator Marabou Jig being perhaps the best example.

For faster search-style fishing, consider, too, one of Rapala’s hot new micro crankbaits—the Rapala Ultra Light Minnow and Ultra Light Shad. At 1/8-ounce each, these lively down-sized swimmers carve out that key 4 to 5-foot deep strike zone, and do it with Rapala’s inimitable underwater appeal. Ever cast a

1-1/2-inch crankbait a country mile? Throw it on super-tackle and you might not see it come back for awhile. But as you’re cranking it back, the “super” line-reel-rod combo will connect you more intimately with your lure than you ever thought possible. The connections’ so seemingly close and direct that it lets you do things with lures that simply can’t otherwise be done on regular tackle. Every rod tip pop, twitch, pause or shake immediately makes the lure react accordingly. And you feel it happen. And when that big bass inhales your lure, you detect it—you see it, almost before it even happens. Just like Spiderman.

Superlines, Super Rods Equals Super Fishing (Continued from page 7)

New “super” rods, reels and line now enable micro lures, such as the Rapala Ultra Light Minnow to reach unheard of casting distances. The result is increased bites from less spooky fi sh and unparalleled fun on light tackle. Photo courtesy of http://www.rapala.com

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Fishing With The Captain Mark WardThe winter of 2012 never lived up to the weather-guessers forecast. It was supposed to be as cold and snowy as last year’s winter, but for whatever reason it just hasn’t panned out, at least not yet. Montana, however has received an average amount of snow in most of the river basins. There are a few areas that took excep-tion to that and have received far less snow than the average, but when you look at the state of Montana it could have been a lot worse. That means if the snow-pack averages in fact remain average or a little below it will be good for spring fi shing. The spring run-off certainly shouldn’t affect the rivers and creeks like it did last spring and into early summer.

This March look for ice to start to disappear on some of the reservoirs. When that happens anglers will have an opportunity for some great fi shing. Start preparing your boat now because sometime during this month you will be able to get out and fi sh open water, somewhere in the state.

Look for a good pre-spawn bite for walleyes. The reservoirs around Helena would be a good place to start. The ice will probably come off Tiber Reservoir and Lake Francis early this year and the northerns and walleyes should be on the bite early. Remember the bite typically is better with fi rst ice on and fi rst ice off. If you can fi nd the time to head to Fort Peck Reservoir the fi rst place I would fi sh is the Big Dry Arm by Rock Creek. That is where the walleyes head to spawn in April and last year the winning team in the Rock Creek tournament caught over 85 pounds of walleyes. That is an average of over 8.5 pounds a fi sh for their 10 best walleyes that they weighed in. It was a post spawn bite in June, but remember even though the tournament took place the fi rst weekend in June those fi sh start heading to their spawning areas in March. Spring fi sh-ing for walleyes can be hit and miss, but your chances of catching a big walleye is good, so be patient.

Trout anglers have many opportunities around the state to catch some nice size fi sh. Once again the Helena Reservoirs like Holter and Canyon Ferry are very productive in spring. I personally like to fi sh Holter Reservoir in the Oxbow Bend area. My favorite method is trolling an orange back/white belly rapala 10 to 16 feet deep at 2 miles per hour. If you are not catching try slowing down your trolling speed to 1.7 miles per hour. A Light green needlefi sh or a fi re tiger syclops have also produced trout for me on Holter.

Flathead lake boat anglers head out in large numbers during March, many are on the lake competing in the annual Spring Mack Days. This year Mack Days, which lasts a few weekends, is slated to begin Friday March 16th.

And don’t forget river fi shing. Typically in March, the spring-run off doesn’t kick in until April or May, so wade fi shing the rivers can also be very rewarding and a fun way to spend the day.

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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Fly Tying CornerFly Tying Corner andy Dandy Emergerandy Dandy EmergerMMarch and April, for those of us in the northern states and provinces, are ice-outarch and April, for those of us in the northern states and provinces, are ice-out

time on our lakes and pondstime on our lakes and ponds. . If legal, it is also a time when we can start going after rising fish. Chironomids (midges) will hatch anytime of the year if there is open water and if fish are working on the surface they are probably feeding on chironomid pupa. The pupa slowly rises to the surface and

then hangs in the surface film before splitting the pupal skin. I have had times when fish would hit a fly hanging in the surface film but would ignore the fly if it sunk. This pattern is useful for imitating deep, rising and floating chironomid pupa.

The original Handy Dandy was developed about 1991 by the late Barry Handy a tier at the Morning Hatch in Tacoma, WA. Morning Hatch people wanted a chironomid pattern that had the sparkle of a natural when it is getting ready to hatch... Fly fishers used standard chironomid techniques: a full sinking line with a slow (SLOW) hand twist retrieve or a floating line and letting it hang under a strike indicator. Whenever a fly works great somebody has to improve it. In this case it was Jim Shearer, a professional tier from Kennewick, Washington. He wanted something that would hang in the surface film like the natural...Jim Shearer showed us the Handy Dandy Emerger, and gave me the fly pictured above. To fish this pattern use a floating line and cast the fly to working fish. On the windy days make shorter casts so you can see the white gills (foam) in the waves. I try to cast slightly up wind and watch the fly as it floats by. Usually there is no question about the hit. As always match the fly to the size and color of chironomids hatching in your area.

HHBY BOB BATES fedfl yfi shers.org

MATERIALS:MATERIALS: HOOK:HOOK: Daiichi 1140, Tiemco TMC 200, Tiemco TMC 2457 or similar hooks, 10-20BODY: BODY: V-Rib or Body Glass, red, black, green, tan, olive, bright green, amberTHREAD: THREAD: White or same color as body, 3/0 - 8/0 RIB:RIB: Pearlescent Krystal FlashWINGCASE:WINGCASE: Pheasant tail fibers THORAX:THORAX: Peacock herl GILLS:GILLS: White closed cell foamTYING STEPSTYING STEPS:: Gary Sanstrom, owner of the Morning Hatch, cautioned: “Be sure to use white thread in tying patterns with lighter color V-Rib; black shows through and makes the fly too dark.”1. Smash barb before tying fly. Attach thread under thorax area and secure two strands of Krystal Flash on top of hook. Wrap thread smoothly rearward over the Krystal Flash to a point around the bend. 2. Trim V-Rib to a fine point and tie it in. Trimming keeps an unsightly bump from developing on the first couple of turns and also keeps the body slimmer than tying V-Rib down from front to back.3. Wind thread forward to thorax area. Spiral V-Rib so the Krystal Flash will fit inside of the gap, secure and trim excess V-Rib.4. Spiral the two strands of Krystal Flash forward, secure and trim.5. Attach four or five pheasant tail fibers at front of body with most of their length pointing to rear.6. Attach two or three peacock herls by their tips and wind thread forward to within two eye widths of eye. Wrap herl forward, secure and trim. 7. Attach white foam across hook using a figure eight wrap. 8. Bring pheasant tail fibers forward over thorax and foam, attach in front of foam, trim excess fibers and whip finish head. Add a small drop of head cement.9. Pull up foam and trim. Test your flies to make sure there is enough foam to float the pattern.

WE HAVE MOST ANYTHING YOU NEED FOR COLD WEATHER FISHING

2 LOCATIONS 615 Helena Ave. corner Last Chance Gulch & Helena Ave. 406.443.8084

OR ON YOUR WAY TO THE LAKE at 200 S. Montana Off Highway 12 East - East Helena 406.227.6519

Fishing Gear & BaitBiggest Cigar SelectionColdest Beer Around

Novelty Section

Night Crawlers $2.00/dzMaggots $2.00


20122012 Spring Spring MackMack DaysDaysSStarts March 16tarts March 16

CYNTHIA BRAS-BENSON

Thirty four days of lake trout fishing

with cash and prizes up to $150,000

March 16th will begin the 2012 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake-thirty four days of lake trout fishing with cash and prizes up to $150,000. One tagged lake trout will be worth $10,000, five- $5,000, and ten at $1,000. The top tagged fish are tagged the week before the event begins. There are also over 3,500 other tagged lake trout with values from $500-$100. Bonus amounts are also given to anglers who turn in 20 or more lake trout. As their total goes up the bonus dollars go up.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and are used as a management tool to slowly reduce the number of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. We remind anglers to think safety first, know how to identify their catch-bull trout are native to the lake and are illegal to catch. Westslope cutthroat trout-another native fish- are catch and release only in Flathead Lake. Follow all fishing regulations-the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $12 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.

THE FLATHEAD LAKE FISHING EVENT IS HELD ON FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS,AND SUNDAYS FOR 10 WEEKENDS WITH A NEW CHANGE OF 10 STRAIGHT FISHING DAYS FROM MAY 11TH-MAY 20TH AT THE END OF THE EVENT. Prizes will be awarded to the top ten anglers ($700-$200) based on their best 18 day average. The first place angler receives a Mack Days Top Angler Jacket and the other nine receive Mack Days Top 10 Angler Sweatshirts. Fifty lottery prizes ($30,000) will be given away and will begin at $1,000 and go to $200-all it takes is one ticket to win. Anglers receive a ticket for each lake trout under 30” entered in the event up to the limit of 100 per day.

That limit was reached in the 2011 Fall Event two times by top angler Wes Shock-ley of Plains. Ninety five was the high day for second place angler Mike Benson of Lonepine and eighty five was the top day for third place angler Scott Bombard of Missoula. Steve Biere-Butte turned in the high for the 2011 Spring Event with ninety five lake trout and fishing buddy Chuck Forgey turned in a high of eighty four the same day from the same boat. Top ten anglers are placed by their best 18 day average in the spring event.

Averages in the Fall Event for the top five were Wes Shockley-63.4, Mike Benson-57.4,Scott Bombard-54, Max Martz-41.7-Hamilton, and Craig Morigeau-34.4-Polson. The Spring Event top five averages were Chuck Forgey-52.8-Arlee, Mike Benson-40.7, Scott Bombard-39.8, Wes Shockley-36.8, and Jerry Benson-33.8-Plains. Anglers turned in a total of 26,477 lake trout in the spring and 18,357 in the fall.

Other ways to win are Captains Prizes-captains get their name in a drawing each day for each angler on board who catches lake trout-four $250 prizes, Ladies Top Anglers-based on their total at the end of the event $300-$100, Weekend Prizes-$200 & $100 drawings from each weekends catch, Golden Angler-$200 & $100- drawing for anglers 70 & over, Smallest Fish-two $250 prizes, Largest Fish-$500-has to be over 36” and 24 lbs., Youth Prizes-$200-$50, and the Last Day Prizes-$500-$100, plus a last day Heaviest Fish-under 30”-$200 & $100. Several merchandise prizes are also given away in the lottery drawing.

ENTRIES are taken until the last day of the event. Anglers may go to the website http://www.mackdays.com to enter or to local tackle shops for entry forms. They can also enter at the pick up sites-Polson, Big Arm, Somers, and Blue Bay. Times, rules, & fish ID can be found and are listed on the website or telephone 406-883-2888 ex. 7294.

Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes andsanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

March 16ththrough

May 20th

Up toUp to $$150,000150,000 in in CASH CASH && PPRIZESRIZES 1-$10,000, 5-$5,000, 10-$1,000

& Over 3,500--$100 to $500 Tagged Lake Trout50 Lottery Drawings ($30,000) $200-$1,000 prizes

One lake trout entry under 30” =one ticket in the lottery drawing(limit 100 per day)

Top 10 anglers - Limited to their best 18 day average. Bonus $ amounts continue to accumulate every day.

1st Place Angler receives a Mack Days Top Angler Jacketand the other nine of the top 10 anglers receive a

Mack Days Top 10 Angler Sweatshirt.

*Enjoy 10 straight fishing days from May 11th - May 20th at the end of the event.

Enter online at www.mackdays.comor pick up entries at local sporting good stores - or you can even enter when you check in your fi sh at the check in stations during

Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins.

Entry forms will not be mailed out.

34 DAYS 34 DAYS OF FISHING!OF FISHING!

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays-except the last week*

OTHER WAYS TO WIN ARE Captains Prizes-captains get their name in a drawing each day for each angler on board

who catches lake trout-four $250 prizesLadies Top Anglers-based on their total at the end of the event $300-$100

Weekend Prizes-$200 & $100 drawings from each weekends catchGolden Angler-$200 & $100- drawing for anglers 70 & over

Smallest Fish-two $250 prizesLargest Fish-$500-has to be over 36” and 24 lbs.

Youth Prizes-$200-$50, and the Last Day Prizes-$500-$100, plus a

Last day Heaviest Fish-under 30”-$200 & $100Several merchandise prizes are also given away in the lottery drawing.

We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $12 fishing permit for the south half on

Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.

2012 SPRING MACK DAYSLAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT

ON FLATHEAD LAKE


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Elk Peak TrailLewis and Clark National Forest US Forest Service

The Elk Peak trail is 10.1 miles long. It begins at Jct Road 211 (Fourmile Rd) and ends at Elk Peak.

The trail is open for the following uses:

Motorcycle Trail Riding and ATV Trail Riding

For more information call: (406) 791-7700

N. Fork Deadman TrailLewis and Clark National Forest US Forest Service

The N. Fork Deadman trail is 2.7 miles long.

It begins at Jct Road 487 and ends at Jct Road 4402.

The trail is open for the following uses: Motorcycle Trail Riding andATV Trail Riding

For more information call: (406) 791-7700

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Pettengill Creek Trail fs.uda.gov

Length: 14 miles

Use: Light during the summer. Moderate during the fall hunting season.Diffi culty: ModerateRecommended Season: Mid-June to early November

Trail Beginning: End of Pettengill Road #186 south of Grouse CreekTrail Ending: Junction with Pioneer Loop Trail #750 west of Schwinegar Lake Access: Via Pettengill Road #186, Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway #73, and Highway #43

There is an undeveloped parking area and bank type stock ramp on Pettengill Road at the intersection with the Pettengill Jeep Trail. The fi rst four miles of this trail, to Cow Creek, is a jeep trail and then it narrows down to a stock trail beyond that. There are two stock camping areas 3-1/2 and 4 miles in, and one more ten miles in on the trail just above Demijohn Creek. Other small campsites are also scattered along the trail but they are limited. It is possible to reach Sand Lake by following the Sand Creek way trail. The trail is signed, however, it is not maintained and is a steep, rocky trail. This trail is still used by an outfi tter who has a camp at Sand Lake. It is not recommended to use stock on this trail. The best way to reach Sand Lake using stock is to follow Pettengill Creek Trail to its junction with the Pioneer Loop Trail #750, then heading west to Baldy and Sand Lakes, or south to Schwinegar, Lake of the Woods and Odell Lake. The trail is open to motorcycles and ATV at this time but receives little except in lower Pettengill Creek below Cow Creek.

The trail begins in a dry lodgepole pine forest area and quickly opens up into the Pettengill Creek meadows. The jeep road is clear and easy walking. It runs adjacent to the meadow for approximately 2-1/2 miles, providing beautiful views of the meadow area and the mountains in the background. The jeep trail then reenters the woods for 3/4-mile and opens again into meadowland for another 1-1/2 miles. The land is dry in this area with lots of sagebrush. At the end of this meadow, the trail passes through two stock camps and two gates. Beyond this point the trail becomes a stock trail for the rest of the way to the Pioneer Loop Trail junction. However, motorized use by ATVs is widening the trail for much of its length. The forest becomes more lush as it slowly continues upward alongside Pettengill Creek the entire way. There are some muddy and boggy areas above the Copper Creek Trail junction, but passable by foot and stock. In areas where the trail passes through meadows the trail becomes vague and it is easy to lose; however, it is easy to fi nd again as the trail follows the creek so consistently. The trail climbs out of the valley bottom during the last three miles and crosses to the east side of the valley where a new trail was constructed in 1995. In order to reach the Sand Creek Way Trail stay on the old Pettengill trail where the new trail crosses Pettengill Creek and follow the old trail to where it crosses Sand Creek. The way trail is on the south side of the creek crossing. The new trail passes through whitebark pine, lodgepole pine and subalpine fi r and lush grasses and wildfl owers. For more information, contact the Wise River Ranger District at406-832-3178.


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UPPER MADISON RIVER

CANYON FERRY

FLATHEAD LAKE

Brought to you by

Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lakestarts this month as area anglers are lured by cash and prizes and the chance

Trout fi shing can be excellent throughout the state and some of the best action will take place in western Montana during the annual Skwala hatch. The Skwala is a widespread insect found throughout the Pacifi c Northwest, but usually not in large enough numbers to constitute much of a hatch, with the exception being the Clark Fork Drainage areas that being Rock Creek, the Bitterroot River, and the Clark Fork River, plus a few otherstreams in the area. This hatch will make for some of the best dry fl y fi shing of the year. Stonefl y patterns in olive on a #8 or #10 long shanked hook will work well. Most of the Skwalas wind up in the river by falling off bankside vegetation, so concentrate your efforts in these areas. The best fi shing this time of the year will be in the afternoons as warmer temperatures create more bug activity. Blue winged olives will appear toward the end of March. Make sure to carry some emergers, adults and cripples in your box. If the water temp warms up enough, you may see some March Browns coming off towards the end of the month.

Around mid-March is when the ice-offcomes down and the shoreline will heat up for some notable fi shing. Big rainbows will start moving towards shallow water to prepare their beds for spawning. The rainbow population remains strong here and the best action in March is on the south end of this 30 mile long lake. The bays and the points at the bays offer the best spawning grounds. Many anglers fi sh with Marabou jigs tipped with maggots in a variation of colors. Try a chartreuse colored jig to start and cast from the bank. You will catch fi sh starting around one to fi ve feet of water and out. The north end of CanyonFerry will start to fi sh later in April as

The river from McAtee Bridge down will offer some fi ne early season nymph fi shing. Stonefl y patterns trailed by Caddis pupae, Mayfl y nymphs, and San Juan worms are really tough to resist for trout coming out of their winter doldrums. With the cooler water temps, focus on deeper buckets with slower currents where fi sh hold up. Areas between Hebgen and Quake Lakes are open and this stretch can fi ll with large rainbows and brown trout laying in slow currents as the spring spawn begins. As the days get warmer look for midge activity to pick up here and also on the nearby Gallatin River area. Be prepared for small blue winged olive imitations as the early stages of the hatch begin.

temperatures warm. Rich forage in the lake, and a signifi cant stocking program by MFWP make this lake one of the best for trout and walleye anglers alike.

HAUSER DAMThrough the fi rst half of March, you can expect to catch big rainbow trout in the 16” to 24” range. The fi rst 3 miles of the Missouri, below Hauser is probably the hottest spot to catch big trout. Most of these fi sh are stockers from Holter Lake that run up to the dam to go through the motions of spawning. Fish both sides of the river down to Beaver Creek, a favorite spawning tributary on the Missouri. If you’re a fl y fi sherman this is the place to be. Drift small bright nymphs. On darker, overcast days, try darkercolored nymphs. Be careful whereyou wade below Hauser, as many of the gravel bars used by thesespawning trout are accessible fromthe shore.

Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month

HYALITE RESERVOIRIf you’re in Yellowstone country and want to fi sh hard water, this can be anexceptional place to fi sh with family and friends. Swedish Pimples, Hali’s,Jammin’ jigs all work well up here. Tip your jigs with a night crawler or maggotsas that is what the fi sh seem to favor. This reservoir can offer some super late winter fi shing.

CLARK FORK RIVER

Spring is fast approaching and March will mark the beginning of another season of great fi shing in the west. It’s transition time on most area waters this time of the year. Higher elevation lakes and reservoirs will hold their ice longer and the lower streams will start to give way to open waters. As the watertemperatures slowly warm the fi sh will start to wake up out of their winter comas and become a lot more active. The anticipation of open water fi shing with big fi sh eager to dine on whatever lands in front of them and with the longer, warmer days of spring, it’s time to go fi shing! Remember to purchase your 2012 fi shing license, as the new season starts March 1st.

HOLTER LAKEHolter Lake can be an exciting place to fi sh towards the end of March. Known for its prolonged pre-spawn walleye bite, thanks to slow warming water in the Gates of the Mountains canyon, 10 pound walleye can be caught if you know where to fi sh. Fish along the gravel shoals across the lake from Log Gulch and from Indian Trail to the Dam. Jig or slow-roll a bottom bouncer with a plastic worm or nightcrawler. Expect a lot of smaller size fi sh as well. Trout will be abundant and in good size here. Log some miles with your electronics to locate fi sh along and not far out from the shoreline for the best results.

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Impressive Catch After Fishing With Mofi sch On Flathead Lake

GEORGETOWN LAKEExpect some outstanding fi shing through the ice here as the high elevationand lower temps will make for stable ice unless things really warm up this month. For kokanee and big trout the usual fare of Swedish Pimples, Rocker jigs, Nuclear Ants and Tear Drop jigstipped with maggots should produce fi sh here. Try fi shing around Denton’s Point and Rainbow Bay early in the morning. The dense weeds have diedoff during the winter months and the fi sh have moved a little further out searching for food.

to catch truly large “Lakers” on Flathead. A popular technique by anglers is jigging large lead spoons and jigs tipped with cut bait. Heavy jigs like Lead A Gators, Rattle D’ Zastors, Glo Grubs, Buzz Bombs and TriloBites will get the attention of large schools of fi sh. A large one or two ounce jig head with a big glow or twist tailed grub body is also popular. Braided line is a must when jigging deep waters. It’s low stretch will allow you to feel the hits and get a more solid hook set. Flat Fish, Kwik Fish and Hoochies and spoons are lures that work for trolling and many crank baits can also be trolled with good success. Whether jigging or trolling, knowing the depth of where the fi sh are with good electronics will help you boat more fi sh on Flathead Lake and are almost a must on this big body of water.

NOXON RESERVOIRThis Clark Fork River impoundment has a hot pre-spawn bass bite in the spring. Fish along sun-drenched rock walls where the water will be a bit warmer for largemouth bass that could range in the fi ve pound category. (next page)


SPRING FISHING TIPEarly season fi shing can be hot and cold in the spring. Slowing down yourretrieval speed on lures and natural baits is a sure way to catch more fi sh early in the year. Also, use scents as fi sh will respond to the smell. Berkley’s Power Bait, Pautzke’s, Eagle Claw all have scents that work well and can make a huge difference and entice the fi sh to bite.

Try using a jig with a Pork-rind trailer for good results this time of the year.Fish the backs of bays along shorelines around weed beds for big bass and northern pike here. Try using a chartreuse colored spinner bait or a Rapala Husky Jerk and you should see some action with these.

FORT PECKAnglers can get some action on Ft. Peck as the winter cap recedes from this reservoir and toothy predators will be on the bite. There’s a short window between ice-out on this northeastern Montana reservoir and the start of the walleye spawn, but these next few weeks are the time tocatch huge, egg-laden females. Launch your boat at Rock Creek and fi sh the Big Dry Arm of the lake. Jig a minnow along the rocky shorelines and expect some action. Expect big northern pike and the bass fi shing to be good. If you do catch a big female fi sh, it’s always good to take a photo and measurements, then release the fi sh back into the water to spawn. You can always get a taxidermist to mount the fi sh for you using this method. Keep the smaller fi sh for table fare.

COONEY RESERVOIRKnown for some bigger size trout and whopper walleyes, this reservoirsouthwest of Laurel can be very good fi shing as the wind can blow what’s remaining of winter ice off in a hurry. Fish along rocky points here using a smaller Countdown Rapala, blue and silver patterns to start. Slowly twitching off the shorelines will produce fi sh. You won’t have to go far to catch fi sh that are hungry and suddenly accessible.

IDAHO STEELHEADWeather is the key for the steelheadbite in March and as the water warms up and fl ows increase, the fi sh will become more active on the Clearwater. Reports of nice fi sh being caught from area fi shing guides like Jarrett’s Guide Service are good and they are expecting March to be a bit more active than in previous years. If you are going to fi sh from the bank try drifting roe or fi shing jigs under a bobber. Boat anglers are trolling plugs or sand shrimp behind a Spin and Glow and bringing a lot of fi sh into the net. Try to match your presentations to the clarity of the water. Bigger and brighter for dirty water, smaller and duller for clear water. Impressive reports of huge numbers of fi sh have been reported this winter on the Clearwater system and March will continue to bring in big numbers as well.

Apply Online for Smith River “Super Permit” through March 15 Winner Can Choose Launch Date MFWPMontana State Parks is reminding the public that they can still apply online, through March 15, to be the 2012 “Super Permit” winner to fl oat the Smith River. The Smith River State Park and River Corridor is a 59-mile section of river between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge south of Great Falls, known for its spectacular scenery and amazing trout fi shing. This is the second year that the public can apply for the “Super Permit” which is issued through a lottery drawing.There will only be one Super Permit recipient and the lucky winner will be eligible to launch on any date of their choosing. The cost is $5 per chance to enter the Super Permit lottery and participants may purchase an unlimited number of chances. The Super Permit winner will be notifi ed on March 19.Sean O’Connor of Drummond, Montana won the “Super Permit” last year. He bought 5 chances and said his friends thought he was crazy for applying.“I’ve never won anything, when I found out I was the winner, I immediately started calling my friends and they didn’t believe me,” said O’Connor. “We launched late in July and had a great trip, the weather was unbelievable and the fl ows were perfect for fi shing. It’s neat to be out there in the middle of nowhere. Most of the rivers we fl oat around here you can hear a highway or a train, but the Smith is quiet and peaceful.”O’Connor said his friends are buying ‘Super Permit’ chances this year.Chances for the “Super Permit” can only be purchased online through the FWP licensing system at: https://app.mt.gov/Als/Index (Or go to the fwp.mt.gov homepage – click in the upper right hand corner on “Buy a License”).

PHOTO CONTESTFISHINGFISHING

Entrants agree to give BSONA use rights for photos submitted for editorial, advertising or forpromotional purposes.All photos and/or editorialsubmitted become theproperty of BSONA and willnot be returned. Contest beginsMarch 1, 2012. Ends May 15,2012 at 10am.

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They Fight like Tuna but Look like Trout Part Two By Jim Neiberger

Joe DupontClearwaterSteelhead

IDF&G

Steelhead migrating to the Columbia’s largest tributary, Idaho’s Snake River, must travel over 500 miles or more and pass through eight large hydroelectric dams to reach the streams of their birth.

Remarkably, Snake River steelhead make this long journey on a finite energy source; their own bodies! Steelhead return in the fall and spawn in streams from mid- April to late June. Adult steelhead holding in the river prior to spawning do not eat much, but will strike at food and take a variety of baits, lures, and flies.

Some anglers prefer plugs, shrimp, or fresh roe. Even though they respond to a variety of angling techniques steelhead are natural egg eaters and THEY LOVE SALMON EGGS. I believe that one of the most eff ective ways to hook up a steelhead is dead drifting egg imitations. For those of you that prefer to use bait, spawn sacs have long been regarded as one of the best steelhead baits out there. Spawn sacs are very effective especially if the water is murky. Since steelhead have high olfactory senses, they don’t need to see the bait. Spawn can be used in riffles, runs and pools. When using spawn, try to drift it right off or along the river bottom just as I would an imitations egg fly.

WHATEVER METHOD YOU USE, PROPER

PRESENTATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFULLY

CATCHING STEELHEAD

The technique I fi nd most reliable is dead drifting artifi cial egg fl ies under an indicator. The size used depends on the current, depth, and water visibility. I use a variety of fl oats or indicators as certain fl oats/indicators are better suited for faster water and others in slower fl ows.

Thinner or smaller are better in slower moving water and fatter or larger are more stable in faster water.

One of my favorites that has been adapted from a trout indicator, is the Thingamabobber in the 3⁄4-1” size, usually the 1” for the Salmon River.

These come in larger sizes and various different colors, from bright to subtle. I generally use the all black or all white as they offer good contrast and seem to not spook fish as much as the bright colors.

The setup is simple. Usually a 9 ft Ox, 1x, or 2x tapered leader is set up off your fly line. I tie a blood knot at the bottom of this 9 foot section and add about 12 to 14 inches of 2x or 3x fluorocarbon tippet.

(CONTINUED NEXT PAGE)

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At the bottom of the tippet material you would tie on your first fly. Where regulations permit, you can add another 12 inch section of 3x or 4x tippet material and one more fly. A split shot (or two or more) is added above the blood knot which stops the split shot from sliding too close to your flies. I have seen many anglers secure split shot onto their line with pliers trying to pinch them as hard as they can trying to stop them from sliding on their line. This action creates a weak point and increases the odds of losing a fish once you finally hook up. BY USING THIS BLOOD KNOT METHOD YOU TEND NOT TO PINCH THE SPLIT SHOT AS HARD BECAUSE IT WON’T SLIDE PAST THE KNOT. Overall this gives you about 11 feet of adjustment, movement, or indication depth along your leader. As a general rule, from your bottom fly, the indicator should be attached to the leader about one and a half, to two times the depth of the water you will be fishing.

I prefer to use fl uorocarbon for three reasons1. Its abrasion resistance quality 2. Its reduced visibility in all water clarity situations3. Its ability to sink faster than monofi lament.

Since the Thingamabobber is adjustable, you can move it up and down your leader butt quickly and easily, for various depths in runs, riffl es, and holes. Adjust your weight until your strike indicator is moving slightly slower than the foam on the surface or ticking the bottom occasionally, but not dredging it. If you are getting too much bottom contact and too many snags, lighten up your weight a bit or shorten your indicator. If you aren’t catching fi sh and you aren’t bumping the bottom occasionally either, then you probably aren’t fi shing deep enough, so add some more weight or more length from the indicator. I carry various sized split shots to get my presentation down and drift right off or along the river bottom.

Much of the time you will

need to adjust both the height of the

indicator and amount of sinkers to get

the desired effect.

THIS CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT OF WEIGHT AND INDICATOR LENGTH CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FAIR DAY OF FISHING, AND A GREAT DAY OF FISHING. Getting a good drag free drift is not as simple as throwing your line out, and following it down the river. I try to throw a cast straight upstream and slightly quartering to a specific feeding lane that has my eventual target area. The cast should be made far enough upstream to allow the flies to sink to the proper depth by the time they reach the target area. Make sure that your flies and indicator both land in the same feed lane. If not, mend your indicator to put it in the same feed lane as your flies. After casting, I make a large mend upstream (or downstream in very slow water) careful not to move your indicator out of the feed lane.

There are two main reasons to mend - The number one reason is, to allow the fl ies to be able to sink naturally toward the bottom independent of any pulling, thus creating a natural drag free drift. The second reason is to try to adjust to the various current speeds in, and around your target feed lane. After getting the fl ies and strike indicator all in the same drift lane or feeding lane, your objective is to keep it all there fl owing at the same rate of speed and direction as the current.

Do this by mending your line up or downstream. When your indicator is approaching your target area, make sure not to mend or put any unnatural movements into your fly line. As your flies pass the target area try to get the most out of your drift by mending or feeding more line to your indicator taking care not to disrupt the natural flow of your flies.

Do this by mending line into the same current lane as your indicator. If your indicator is moving faster than the surrounding water, you probably have a belly of fly line lying on the water down stream of your indicator. THIS WILL CAUSE A PULLING EFFECT, AC-CELERATING YOUR INDICATOR DOWNSTREAM CAUSING AN UNNATURALLY FAST DRIFT WHICH FISH WILL NOT HIT.

If your indicator is moving slower than the surrounding water, you probably have a belly of fly line on the surface above your indicator. This will act like you’re putting the brakes on and the flies will pendulum from the indicator off the bottom of the river in a unnatural drift resulting in no inter-est from fish. As your indicator is drifting the feed lane, if you detect any slight hesitations, pauses, twitches, and of course a stop, immediately set the hook.

PROPER PRESENTATION IS THE KEY TO CATCHING MORE STEELHEAD. If you are looking for a change in your results, as far as numbers of fi sh landed, try indicator fi shing. It can be done with a spinning rod and reel, or a fl y rod. It’s a great way to delicately present a fl y to fi sh that have been pounded by chuck and duck rigs and those that shy or fl ee from the pencil lead and slinky rigs drifting their way. Give it a try this season; I believe you’ll become hooked as well!!!!!

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I was more than willing to leave Missoula way before the “butt crack of dawn”. Once we arrived at the lake, Tom handed me some polarized glasses. They allowed me to look into the water and see the biggest trout I’d ever seen. These fi sh were massive beasts. After a few casts, I had one of these huge monsters on my line. With a large amount of coaching, I actually got it into shore. I held that fi sh with so much pride, and I dreamed of bringing it home to my elderly, Norwegian mother. Norwegians love their fi sh, and we hadn’t had a family fi sh fry in years. To my surprise Tom said I had to put it back. He said it was a female full of eggs and guaranteed I’d have a good eating male soon. I was beginning to think this might be our last adventure together. This was the biggest fi sh I had ever caught in my entire life and he just threw it back in the lake.

I proceeded to make more casts and nothing bit. Tom announced that we would move to another spot. A bit frustrated, I spent about an hour pooling up my line as I tried to hit the water in front of the target fi sh I saw taunting me as they swam back and forth in a pod. Right as I was beginning to regret the fact that I didn’t bonk my new fi sherman friend over the head and grab my fi rst fi sh back, my little fl y attracted a beautiful 8 lb male. I heard Tom frantically repeat, “Hold your tip up. Hold your tip up.” and I couldn’t believe the fi ght this irritated fi sh would give me on the other end. After having to reel all my line in about six times, I thought it would never quit running. Finally I got it close enough to shore and Tom was able to tail it. I think that was the day I fell in love with my husband-to-be. I also noticed that everyone else on the fi shing bank seemed to think he was a pretty neat guy, and he was more than willing to help them pick the right fl y and presentation technique to help put a fi sh on the end of their line. On the way home we were on a strange subject and I asked him where he wanted to be buried. I didn’t realize he was a little deaf in the left ear. He said “Oh maybe Coeur d’Alene or Las Vegas.” I said,” buried, not married.” He said “What’s the difference?” From that moment on I had a permanent fi shing buddy.

It’s interesting how marriage changes

The Montana Fisherman’s WifeBY BEV STEINBRENNER

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Bev with herSteelhead

As a young girl, I always loved fi shing. I grew up with a river fl owing across the front acreage of my father’s farm in the Flathead Valley. Throughout grade school, I’d dig a dozen worms from the rich, dark soil behind my dad’s barn. Once my bait was ready, I‘d grab an old Zebco and head for the river bank. Our rural neighborhood lacked the presence of any boys my age, but tomboys who shared my love of the river bank made for great childhood friends. Fortunately my dad loved fi shing as well, and camping weekends were fi lled with better rods and reels. I eventually learned to manage his gear for more than an entire hour before helplessly approaching him with a gigantic bird’s nest. During those adventurous years of my youth, it never occurred to me that someday fi shing with-out a man could be risky for a female by herself. Yet 30 years later, after a divorce and my dad’s death, I realized I hadn’t been by a river’s edge in ages.

Regardless, I chose not to date until myyoungest son was 18. When he was three months away from that milestone, I decided to renege on my self-imposed contract. The kid would have to adjust. I had been invited to go fi shing. Tom, a Montana born man who had

stories that reminded me of Norman Maclean had invited me to fi sh with him at a nearby lake. I think it was Greens Lake. He had some

fl y rods and I always wanted to try. I fi gured this was great. He’d do the work and I’d try to catch the fi sh. He actually guaranteed I’d get one. Even though I didn’t fully believe him, I fi gured getting outdoors with some cheerful company sounded more appealing than spending a day playing pinochle with my mother. So when he told me we’d have to leave early,

the fi shing experience. I soon found out that I was actually expected to practice how to tie clinch knots and egg loops in the wind. It became known to me that a fi sherman likes to fi sh, and the pleasure of retying his gal’s fl ies and thing-a-ma-bobbers didn’t last as long as I would have preferred at the time. No longer were the days when he’d help me fl ing the line out far enough because I was getting it piled up. I had to practice. Today, I am so thankful I persevered. I’m far from being a great fi sher girl, but I can hold my own, and there is nothing better than skunking my happy hubby on a day when the bite is strong. Our competitive nature adds a lot of fun to our favorite activity. One time I was six fi sh ahead of Tom. We were trolling sinking fl y line and while I wasn’t looking he snapped the end of the hook off and let my fl y fl oat behind the boat for an hour while he caught 5. I was grow-ing a bit discouraged when he fi nally said “Maybe you want to check your hook.” I didn’t think that was nearly as funny as he did, but he made it up to me.

About a year after we were married he asked me if I would be interested in catching fi sh in the 15-30 lb range. I wasn’t sure I could even reel something that big to the boat, but he assured me it was all in the technique. He had me practice pumping and reeling and we headed for Oregon to catch my fi rst 22 lb Salmon. After that adrenaline rush, I never wondered if I had made the right choice in a man again. I was hooked. Playing with Salmon and Steelhead made this Montana girl’s heart soar. Now Tom had a new problem, his wife wanted to go after the big ones and go often. Thankfully we realized that Orofi no, Idaho was a lot closer than Oregon. We could leave work on Friday and be in Orofi no in time to get to bed early and be on the river before dawn.

There is nothing that compares to driftingdown the water in the early morning moonlight. Setting anchor and drinking a nice cup of coffee that your husband has prepared on a single-burner camp stove. The rain often comes down, but with a propane heater in the bow of the drift boat, I stay pretty comfy cozy as I dream about my next “bobber down, fi sh on”. One day, a few years ago in May, we had paid our dues Salmon fi shing in the rain for two days . I admit I was beginning to think about a dry, heated car ride home when I fi nally saw a hard jerk on my rod. I was so excited to fi ght that particular Chinook. He was worth the long wait. My legs were shaking so hard when I held him up for a picture that my husband and another friend were wondering if I might have peed myself just a little. They said it was raining so hard that they couldn’t prove I had, but I couldn’t prove I didn’t either. All I know is that I still remember that the chill of the day instantly turned into a warm, fuzzy feeling that lasted all the way home.

This last fall we’ve been heading for Orofi no more weekends than not. Steelhead season has been rewarding for us. From

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 33)


SURROUND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH YOURSELF WITH EXPERTS AND EXPERTS AND YOU’LL BE THE YOU’LL BE THE MOST MOST SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSFUL FISHERMAN IN

FISHERMAN IN MONTANA! By S. L. MerriamBy S. L. Merriam

AA wise man once said, “Surround yourself with intelligence, and you wise man once said, “Surround yourself with intelligence, and you will become intelligent in all fi elds.”will become intelligent in all fi elds.”

I like to use that analogy when fi shing new water because there are so I like to use that analogy when fi shing new water because there are so many different many different fi sh in different waters and all require just one thing, fi sh in different waters and all require just one thing, knowing how the fi sh can be caught. One such water is the famous Ft. knowing how the fi sh can be caught. One such water is the famous Ft. Peck Lake. Fort Peck Lake is the Peck Lake. Fort Peck Lake is the fi fth largest man-made lake in the U.S. fi fth largest man-made lake in the U.S. stretching more than 130 miles and plungingstretching more than 130 miles and plunging down 200 feet in depth. down 200 feet in depth. The lake’s shape is irregular providing 1,520 miles of shoreline, which The lake’s shape is irregular providing 1,520 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the Pacifi c coastline of California. Fishing from shore is longer than the Pacifi c coastline of California. Fishing from shore makes you think you are fi shing the ocean. This has been an unusually makes you think you are fi shing the ocean. This has been an unusually warm year at the lake, freezing only 2% of the surface by late December. warm year at the lake, freezing only 2% of the surface by late December. Cold temperatures have increased the ice fi shing territory but for the Cold temperatures have increased the ice fi shing territory but for the lake to freeze solid is a pipe dream this year. lake to freeze solid is a pipe dream this year.

I fi rst contaI fi rst contactedcted the man that teaches fi sh what to eat; Dave Mochinski, the man that teaches fi sh what to eat; Dave Mochinski, 30-year owner of Maynard’s Fishing Tackle, in Minnesota. When it 30-year owner of Maynard’s Fishing Tackle, in Minnesota. When it comes to ice and ice fi shing, Maynard is surrounded by more frozen comes to ice and ice fi shing, Maynard is surrounded by more frozen lakes than any state in the US and on Friday afternoons during the lakes than any state in the US and on Friday afternoons during the summer, Maynard’s parking lot will have the trucks attached to boats summer, Maynard’s parking lot will have the trucks attached to boats and trailers, waiting to get off work and spend the weekend fi shing. and trailers, waiting to get off work and spend the weekend fi shing. Minnesota is one of America’s best testing ground for new lures and Minnesota is one of America’s best testing ground for new lures and techniques.techniques. Maynard recommends two lures for the type of water that Maynard recommends two lures for the type of water that makes Ft Peck an excellent fi shery. makes Ft Peck an excellent fi shery. 1# The Goby Jig in perch color, with bulging eyes, red beaded chain 1# The Goby Jig in perch color, with bulging eyes, red beaded chain with a red hook. It’s coated with Maynard’s super nite glow for better with a red hook. It’s coated with Maynard’s super nite glow for better visibility under the ice and in deeper water. visibility under the ice and in deeper water. #2 The Hydro-Lure that was designed for swift water but is excellent #2 The Hydro-Lure that was designed for swift water but is excellent jigging through the ice because of its action. It uses a great hook, a jigging through the ice because of its action. It uses a great hook, a Mustad ULTRA POINT®. It also has a bait keeper, if you choose to use Mustad ULTRA POINT®. It also has a bait keeper, if you choose to use plastic bait. The lure comes in eight sizes to drop the lure to the depth plastic bait. The lure comes in eight sizes to drop the lure to the depth needed. The bait keeper will also hold grubs, leeches, worms, or needed. The bait keeper will also hold grubs, leeches, worms, or minnows; attract fi sh, feed them and hook them. It is as simple as that. minnows; attract fi sh, feed them and hook them. It is as simple as that. This lure works for predators looking for dead fi sh as well as those This lure works for predators looking for dead fi sh as well as those looking for live fi sh, jigged or not.looking for live fi sh, jigged or not.Both lures have the special Nite-Glow Paint to increase the visibility Both lures have the special Nite-Glow Paint to increase the visibility of the bait/lure in the dim light under ice of the bait/lure in the dim light under ice or or in murky waters. Their in murky waters. Their Nite-Lite glow is different than others because it not only glows in the Nite-Lite glow is different than others because it not only glows in the dark but alsodark but also has fl uorescent pigments that make it ideal for daytime has fl uorescent pigments that make it ideal for daytime fi shing in cloudy water. Nite-Lite glow needs a longer light source to fi shing in cloudy water. Nite-Lite glow needs a longer light source to activate the crystals, the sun or an LED light work the best. If you use activate the crystals, the sun or an LED light work the best. If you use a standard fl ashlight it will a standard fl ashlight it will need about two or three minutes of con-need about two or three minutes of con-stant light to fully activate. The nightglow also works well on the west stant light to fully activate. The nightglow also works well on the west end of Ft. Peck when spring runoff makes the lake murky. end of Ft. Peck when spring runoff makes the lake murky. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 35) (CONTINUED ON PAGE 35)

There’s a Canadian Invasion UnderwayJeff “Gussy” Gustafson pilots the fi rst ever Lund aluminum boat on the FLW Bass Tour LUND BOATS

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” – a trite, but often effective practice for blending into a new environment. Gussy could have gone that way, too...when he decided to take his game to the But no, the 29-year old stuck to his guns and trailered a new Lund Predator to the Sunshine State.“I’ve been on Lund’s Pro Staff for 6-years, and fi shed out of the boats since as long as I can remember,” said Gussy, a multispecies angler with a special spot in his heart for bass, largemouth and smallmouth. “Lund boats are incredibly versatile. They get stereotyped as ‘walleye boats’ and ‘up north boats,’ but I’m here to tell you they perform as naturally bassin’ on southern reservoirs and rivers as they do on northern shield lakes.” The Predator is unquestionably the most bass-friendly ship in Lund’s fl eet, too. “I absolutely love the huge front casting deck,” says the Canadian bass fi shing phenom. “And there’s not another species of fi sh that demands having so much gear as bass... Gussy goes on to herald the Predator’s ability to get up-and-on-it in a fl ash. “The Predator’s hole-shot power surprises a

lot of people,” continues Gussy. “It blows right out of the water and gets on plane twice as fast as a typical bass boat.”But the clincher, says Gussy, is how the Lund Predator tames waves – rough water that low-profi le, fl at bass boats simply can’t tolerate. “Here’s where Lund’s big water engineering comes into play. Despite its sleek appearance, the Predatorfi shes right through owlish weather, the sorts I’m used to bucking up north.“Lake Okeechobee can be like one of the Great Lakes if the wind blows up, so having a boat that can run in big, rough water is huge.”Literally, Gussy is captaining the fi rst ever aluminum hulled Lund on the FLW Bass Tour. And he wears the honor like a badge. “I’m proud to represent Lund...“Trust me, the competitors and weigh-in crowds will take notice of my Predator.”See the latest Lund Boats at TownsendMarine in Townsend.

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Whitetail deaths in 2011 are attributed to an Whitetail deaths in 2011 are attributed to an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease or EHD.Transmitted by biting midges, EHD or EHD.Transmitted by biting midges, EHD

causes internal bleeding that can kill infected causes internal bleeding that can kill infected animals within a few days of catching the virus. animals within a few days of catching the virus. Mostly affecting deer along rivers and brushy Mostly affecting deer along rivers and brushy

creek areas.creek areas.

North Plains Whitetail Take A Hit By Rick Haggerty

2011 was a tough year for many whitetail deer herds in the northern plain states, including Montana.

After a cold, long winter of sub-zero temperatures starting in mid-November of 2010, and not letting up well into the spring of 2011, many younger and older deer succumbed to mother nature’s cold grip. Now normally, this is not that unusual during the winter in the northern Rockies. It’s what happened thereafter with the outbreak biologists call EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease), transmitted by biting midges during the summer months that did the most damage. These two events severely damaged whitetail populations along rivers and creeks in the north and eastern parts of Montana, North Dakota, several parts of Wyoming, South Dakota and eastern Kansas.

In Montana, areas along the Milk river around Glasgow and south clear to Malta, offi cials say as much as 90% of the whitetail population could have been affected. Other whitetail reported deaths include areas around the Missouri river near Lewistown, the Yellowstone river area and more. Wildlife biologists say it is the worst they have seen in many years and that a more accurate estimate of how many whitetails killed is expected after state agencies conduct winter population counts and fall hunter success numbers.

Periodic outbreaks of EHD occur in whitetail herds across the country, but normally not in such a wide area and with as many deaths. In southern states where deer have a history of EHD outbreaks, death rates from the disease are normally lower. It seems that whitetail in northern regions are more likely to die from the disease, because they lack the antibodies from previous exposure to help fi ght off the disease.

Mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk and pronghorn are susceptible as well to EHD, but it seems to take a heavier toll on the whitetail populations.

A wetter than normal spring which created high waters and fl ooding from snow melt helped the nats that carry the virus thrive this summer along rivers and creeks, where whitetails live around cottonwood and wooded river banks.

Once Montana wildlife offi cials fi gured out what was happening to the deer herds in Northeast Montana, they began cutting back on whitetail “B” tags in these units in late 2011. In all, around 3,000 tags were suspended.

In western North Dakota 1,500 tags were suspended and the North Dakota Game and Fish offered refunds for tags already sold. Look for much of the same cutbacks for antlerless tags in 2012 as a much needed period for deer numbers to rebound in these areas is needed.

The good news is that the whitetail species are normally quick to reproduce with most does birthing 2 to 3 fawns per year. Although it will take time to see the thriving populations we’ve seen in the last 10 years in these areas.

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ontana’s Top Draws for 2012MM

BY RICK HAGGERTYBY RICK HAGGERTY

In case you haven’t heard, the deadline for residents of Montana, as well as non-residents to apply for deer and elk permits is March 15th this year.THIS IS A FULL 3 MONTHS AHEAD OF PAST DEADLINES FOR RESIDENTS, where you wouldn’t see results until sometime in July. This year, you will know how you did by the end of April, and be able to plan your hunt way in advance. This should give hunters plenty of time to plan, scout, as well as talk to landowners in advance of the upcoming big game season here.

The deadline for antlerless B, Elk B, Antelope and Antelope B license applications remains June 1, 2012. Moose, sheep, goat and bison license application deadlines remains May 1, 2012.

A SPECIAL DRAWING DEER AND ELK PERMIT OFFERS A HUNTER AN OPPORTUNITY TO HUNT FOR A SPECIES IN A PARTICULAR HUNTING DISTRICT TO HARVEST A MATURE BULL ELK OR A MULE DEER BUCK. THESE AREAS

TRADITIONALLY HAVE LESS PRESSURE ALLOWING FOR MORE MATURE ANIMALS, THUS CREATING A “TROPHY AREA.”

All of these hunting districts will have tag limits and some districts have more than one option for a permit. For instance, HD 631 offers one for archery-only and one for the general season only. While HD 380 offers one for archery and the general season for elk. Others like those offered for deer in HD’s 213 and HD 298 also are valid in more than one hunting district.

Review the maps for deer and elk.

IF A HUNTING DISTRICT WHERE YOU WISH TO HUNT REQUIRES A PERMIT, YOU MUST APPLY BY MARCH 15.

Some of the more coveted tags and hunting districts for elk would be HD 631 and HD 632 along the north side of the Missouri Breaks and Fort Peck Reservoir. Monster bulls roam this beautiful, broken-up country and if you are lucky enough to draw a permit and have a bow in hand, you can start hunting here in September. Other districts for permits in this area are HD 620, HD 621, HD 622, and HD 690.

Other areas east of the mountains would include HD 798 and HD 799 around Miles City, Ashland and Broadus.

(continued next page)

MFWP image


CHECK HUNTING DISTRICT REGULATIONS FOR EACH UNIT AS SOME OF THESE WILL BE ARCHERY ONLY FOR BULL ELK.

Other trophy elk hunting districts could be HD 380 in the Elkhorn Mountains that run east and south of Helena. In 2010 this HD drew the most applications for elk at 9,368 for 110 permits. Other areas to consider would be HD 411 in the Snowy Mountains around Great Falls. HD 410 south of the Missouri River Breaks around Winnett and HD 447, Square Butte near Belt.

Keith Balfourd and his family with his 2005 Trophy Mule Deer

Scored 203-5/8” and is the number three typical mule deer ever taken in Montana

Other good draws to consider would be HD 261, also in Ravalli County, HD 210 near Drummond, HD 291 around the Garrison area, HD 300 in Beaverhead County near Lima, HD 312 in Gallatin County around the Bridger Range area and HD 324 in Madison County along the Ruby River area. HD 380 around Boulder holds some big muley bucks. HD 392 in the southwest Big Belt Mountain range has put out Boone and Crockett caliber deer. HD 441 near Choteau is big, beautiful country that holds impressive deer. HD 455 in the Beartooth Wildlife Management area, HD 530 in the Little Snowies around Winnett and the Musselshell River Area are all good areas. HD 652 along the Fort Peck Dam Spilllway and the east shore of Fort Peck Reservoir is superb if you can access this area. Some do by boat and hunt along shorelines looking for big muleys.

If you put in for one of these trophy units and are lucky enough to draw a tag, but don’t know the area, consider investing in a guided hunting trip with someone that can make your experience a once in a lifetime hunt, as you may not get this tag again. Good luck.

Deer hunting districts that hold trophies would be HD 270 south of Hamilton for mule deer. This unit boasts the genetics and habitat that produce big bucks and some pretty impressive deer have come out of this area, including a buck shot by Keith Balfourd in 2005 that scores 203-5/8” and is the number three typical mule deer ever taken in Montana.

The number one buck scores 207-7/8” and was taken illegally in Teton County in 2004, and is in MFWP possession.

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March 15 Is New Deadline For 2012 Bull Elk, Buck Deer Permits MFWP

Montana hunters have a new, earlier deadline in 2012 to apply for bull elk and buck mule deer permits in some hunting districts.In districts where a special permit is required to harvest a bull elk or buck deer, the new application deadline is March 15. Drawing results will be announced by the end of April.In previous years, Montana residents had until June 1 to apply for those permits. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission changed the deadline to March 15, at the request of sportsmen, to give hunters three more months to schedule vacation time, plan hunts, scout, talk to landowners and get in shape.Packets that include an application form and lists of permit drawing opportunities are available at FWP offi ces, license dealers and online at http://fwp.mt.gov.The deadline to apply for antlerless deer B and elk B tags and all antelope licenses remains on June 1. Moose, sheep, goat and bison license applications are due by May 1. Wolf seasons and quotas for 2012 will be set later in the summer.The FWP commission met Feb. 16 in Helena to fi nalize most 2012-2013 hunting seasons, regulations and quotas. Special permit districts and opportunities that could have changed during commission deliberations are noted in the published packet.

MULE DEER FOUNDATION MONTANA REGIONAL REPORT MARSHALL JOHNSON

MULE DEER ISSUESAround the state this month, MFWP has hosted meetings to discuss the hunting seasons, quotas as well as issues concerning wildlife in general. I had attended a couple of these meetings and so have some of our committee members. As you may know, across the central and eastern part of Montana the mule deer population is down. This is due to successive tough winters and high predation. At these meetings the MFWP presented the plan to decrease mule deer quotas in many hunting units throughout the central and eastern Montana regions. Additionally a decrease in doe tags as populations are in decline (you want to limit the harvest of does). At these meetings, Montanans are rational thinkers and I never heard one complaint about this plan, in fact I’ve heard several suggestions on limiting hunting of mule deer until the herd populations show signs of increase.

With regard to predators, I have written and testifi ed to the commissioners that we would like to see an increase in mountain lion quotas. When we have a high population of predators, as we do in Montana, this is detrimental to the survival of mule deer and their fawns. As I have researched, mountain lions kill an average of two deer per week, this will increase based on high numbers of other predators as they will take the kill or fi nish off the majority of the kill, therefore the lion has to kill more frequently. The comment periodclosed in February. As of this writing, we don’t know if the quota will be increased or not.

For more information on the Mule DeerFoundation visit www.muledeer.org

2012 Deer & Elk season dates:MFWP

Archery (bow and arrow license required).....Sept. 1 - Oct. 14Youth (deer only, 2-day hunt).........................Oct. 18 - Oct 19General........................................................... Oct. 20 - Nov. 25Backcountry (HD’s 150, 151, 280, 316)Archery........................................................... Sept. 1 - Sept. 14General...........................................................Sept. 15 - Nov. 25

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Wyomingʼs Mule Deer Populations May Have a Solution The Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming

After more than 5 years of dedicated volunteer work as a chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation, Sweetwater County locals Joshua Coursey and Joey Faigl have parted ways with the national organization and have established a wholly Wyoming foundation for mule deer. The Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming Inc., is a 501 (C) 3 non-profi t organization, founded September 26, 2011

Despite breaking numerous records with the national organization and lifting the fund raising standard to never before seen levels within MDF, Coursey and Faigl along with the local dedicated volunteers felt that more could be done, particularly for Wyoming and its struggling mule deer herds.

“It really came down to just a couple of things. First and foremost was the recog-nition of the poor state of the Wyoming mule deer populations. Secondly was the remarkable amount of support we have experienced from the southwest Wyoming community. Coupled together, we saw a unique opportunity for us to elevate our efforts and commitment to continually strive to make a difference,” says Coursey.

Coursey and Faigl met with the Mule

Deer Foundation executives early last fall to announce their departure from the national organization. The volunteers from the Rock Springs chapter have previously accounted for generating over $500,000 for MDF in the last fi ve years.

Following the meeting with the national MDF offi ce, Coursey and Faigl organized a meeting with the committee volunteers of the local chapter to share the news. At this encounter they found the support of the committee to be overwhelmingly in favor moving in this direction...

Part of the process of establishing the Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming was the formation of a mission statement. After careful consideration the Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming mission statement was chronicled as: TO EN-SURE THE CONSERVATION OF MULE DEER AND THEIR HABITAT AND TO PROVIDE SUCH SUPPORTING SERVICES TO FURTHER THE SPORT OF HUNTING AND SOUND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

For more information visitwww.muleyfanatic.com


Hunting And Conservation News Hunting And Conservation NewsHunting And Conservation News

Pheasant Release Program Applications Due May 15 MFWP

Landowners interested in raising and releasing ring-necked pheasants this year through the state Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program have until May 15 to submit an application.Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parksʼ Upland Game Bird Release Program, landownerswho attempt to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for raising and releasing pheasants. Landownerscan apply if the land in the project area remains open to reasonable public hunting. Projects must comprise at least 100 contiguous acres of land and contain a combination of the habitat components—including cover and food—that

upland game birds need to survive.Projects on private and public lands submitted in partnership with youth organizations, 4-H clubs, sports groups, or other associations that can guarantee the completion of all project requirements are eligible too.Hunting preserves, lands that host a commercial hunting enterprise and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible.Applicants must apply by mail to FWP in Helena. Approved pheasant releases will occur Aug. 1—Sept. 15. For more information, and an on-line application form, visit FWPʼs website at fwp.mt.gov—search “Upland Game Bird Program.”

Minnesota DNR Releases Proposal For Wolf Harvest Season This FallMinnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing an inaugural gray wolf hunting and trapping season this fall that calls for a conservative harvest quota of 400 animals.

Wolf research indicates Minnesota’s wolf population could sustain a higher quota, but DNR offi cials say they are taking a measured approach to the state’s fi rst season.

The proposal sets a quota of 6,000 licenses that will be allocated through a lottery system. Only one license will be allowed per hunter or trapper. Hunting would be allowed with fi rearms, archery equipment and muzzleloaders. Calls and bait would be allowed with restrictions.

The season is proposed for the end of November and would be closed once the quota is met. Hunters would be required to register animals on the same day they are harvested and data would be collected from carcasses. Other states with harvest seasons for wolves and other big game animals similarly monitor seasons and close them when quotas are met.

DNR outlined its proposals to the Legislature on Thursday, Jan. 26 before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.

While the legislatively approved wolf management plan authorizes hunting and trapping seasons, the agency is seeking additional authorization from the state Legislature this session to off er a wolf license and implement other management strategies. Legislators will have to pass a bill by the end of the session and the governor will have to sign it in order for a season to be held.

The DNR will also take public comments prior to fi nalizing and implementing a wolf season.

The initial season will allow wolf biologists to collect information on hunter and trapper interest and harvest success and will provide biological informationon harvested wolves to help inform future wolf population management and monitoring. The state has an estimated population of 3,000 gray wolves and past surveys indicate the population is stable.

Wolves are prolifi c, survival of young is generally high and populations can off set eff ects of mortality caused by hunting and trapping seasons, DNR offi cials say.

The DNR intends to manage wolves as a prized and high-value fur species by setting the season when pelts are most prime, limiting the take through a lottery and requiring animals be registered.

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and responsible predator management by Montana Sportsmen.All memberships are a tax deferral as SFW Montana is a no-for-profi t 501 C3 entity

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Trophy Whitetails Up 400 Percent Over 30 Years BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB

Trophy whitetail entries from 2011 hunting seasons are beginning to pour into Boone and Crockett Club headquarters. But while the sporting world waits to see which states are hot—or not—producers of giant bucks, North America’s overall robust trend in whitetail entries is a story for all conservationists to celebrate.B&C historical records show that trophy whitetails are up 400 percent over the past 30 years.

“It’s worth remembering where America’s favorite big-game species stood not so long ago—at the brink of extinction,” said Ben Wallace, Club president. “In 1900, less than 500,000 whitetails remained. But habitat programs, research, science-based management, regulations and enforcement, all led and funded by hunters, brought this game animal back to extraordinary levels. Today there are more than 32 million whitetails!”

The Boone and Crockett system of scoring big-game trophies originated in 1906 as a means of recording details on species thought to be disappearing. Over time, these records evolved as an effective way to track the success or failure of conservation efforts.

As North America’s whitetail herd has grown, numbers of big bucks also have risen.

For the period 1980-1985, hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails into Boone and Crockett records.

For the period 2005-2010, the total jumped to 3,090, an increase of 400 percent.During this 30-year span, many states and provinces saw percentage gains much greater than the continental average (see data below). For example, trophy whitetail entries from Wisconsin have risen 857 percent. In Illinois, the increase is 896 percent. Ontario went from a single entry to a whopping 41—a 4,000 percent gain!

Six states and provinces had zero entries in 1980-1985. For 2005-2010, they combined for 48.

Boone and Crockett offers two premier ways to trace and detail historic conservation developments, not just with whitetails but many other species as well.

A book, “Records of North American Big Game,” offers detailed tabular listings for trophies in 38 different categories of game. Each entry includes the all-time entry score, date harvested, location of kill, hunter and owner names, and selected measurements. At 768 pages, the book retails for $49.95.

A searchable online database, called “Trophy Search,” is another exceptional resource. By buying an annual subscription, users can sort B&C archival data in infi nite ways to identify national as well as local trends. An annual subscription is $50.

Boone and Crockett Club Associates receive discounts on both items. Order online at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868.

FOR A LIST OF STATE-BY-STATE RANKINGS TURN TO PAGE 33

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My 2011 Moose By Randy RuffIt all started when one day in July. I just happened to open up the MFWP website to see what was going on. And low and behold in the successful area on the page was a permit for a moose tag! I about fell out of my chair. Been putting in for 20 plus years and fi nally pulled the rabbit out of the hat.

Did some early scouting with no luck or sign. Then one day during hunting season, I happened to be talking to a FWP biologist and he gave me a tip on where a couple of bulls were spotted a couple days prior. So out the door I went on Saturday morning headed to pick up my buddy Roger. Got some snow that night too. Sitting there at his house just talking and he made a comment of “Wouldn’t it be something if we were headed up to this particular area and going up the road, come around the corner and there was a moose just standing in the road?” I said “Ya, that would be a dream to wake up to.”

Anyway, off we went to Seeley Lake. More traffi c on the road than you could count. Get to the turnoff to head up the mountain and would you believe NOBODY else had been up this road yet this morning?? I told Roger, “This is weird.” He agreed. Up about 2 miles, there was a set of headlights coming up behind us. We thought just what we need, someone following us all the way up here. We had to stop at a y junction to check the map. We thought we had to turn right, but wanted to be sure. The truck that was following us turned left. Map said right, so up we went. No sign of deer or anything crossing the road. Was a little discouraged by then.

Well up another mile or so we came around a switchback in the road and I looked up to the end of the straightaway and yes there he was. A big bull moose just standing there up off the side of the road. I slammed on the brakes and about sent Roger through the windshield, He yelled “What ya see?” I Blubbered “MOOSE!” I bailed out the door and pulled up my rifl e, raised up and.......click. Forgot to put a shell in the chamber. Duh.. So I jammed one in and raised up and fi red. He humped up and started walking slowly toward the road to go across and down the embankment.

I had one more chance to hit him before he went too far. I shot once more and down he went. Oh boy, then the adrenaline kicked in. We drove up to where he was laying. Ya, only 10 feet from the road. What more could I ask for? We used the winch on my truck to pull him up the hillside, unhooked and turned the truck around, backed the truck down into the ditch and used my com-a-long to pull him into the truck whole. Unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what had just taken place today. It was to me something either you read in a magazine or see on television. But I’ll take it!


News From Other States

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Deer And Elk Outlook For 2012 Hunting SeasonsDeer and elk numbers are meeting management objectives in most parts of the state, but some hunter numbers are down slightly, Fish and Game offi cials told the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in January.

Female elk numbers meet or exceed objectives in 21 of 29 elk management zones; they are below objectives in eight zones. Bull elk meet or exceed objectives in 20 zones and are below objectives in nine.

Fish and Game plans to conduct aerial surveys in the Panhandle, Elk City, Brownlee, Weiser and Pioneer zones this winter to update elk herd information.

Mule deer exceed management objectives for buck to doe ratio. All population management units exceed 15 bucks per 100 does. From mid-December to mid-January, Fish and Game biologists captured and radio-collared 277 mule deer, including 195 fawns, in 20 game management units. They are now monitoring 796 radio-marked mule deer in 39 units in 12 population management units as part of annual mule deer survival monitoring effort.

Dry conditions and the unusually open winter statewide so far this year, have led Fish and Game to change its aerial survey plans because deer are spread widely rather than confi ned to typical winter range.

Aerial surveys are planned or underway to estimate populations in Smoky-Bennett, western part of Central Mountains, and Island Park Population Management Unit. Mountain Valley has been postponed until next year.

Harsh winter conditions last year resulted in the lowest over-winter fawn survival, at 32 percent, and since Fish and Game began monitoring in 1998-99.

Adult doe mortality was as high as 26-36 percent in four eastern Idaho population management units.

In response to mule deer monitoring results last year, antlerless hunt tags and some buck hunt tags were reduced. Because of low survival of fawns, a lower buck harvest was predicted for 2011 - few yearling two-points were available.

It’s too early to tell how the mulies will fare this winter, but Fish and Game hopes to get a better idea from the fawns biologists recently captured and radio-collared.

White-tailed deer also are meeting management objectives for buck harvest throughout the state.

All whitetail data analysis units are meeting management plan objectives for buck harvest and percent of fi ve-points in the harvest. Unit 4 was slightly below objectives for hunter number and hunter days, but whitetails are not the major focus for hunters in these units.

Whitetail numbers have been improving since the losses during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 winters in the northern part of state. So far the outlook is positive for good numbers next fall.

No formal population surveys were conducted for whitetails.

Fish and Game managers will bring proposed 2012 deer and elk seasons to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in late March.

The Clearwater Region has set an open house meeting to discuss proposed changes to the 2012 big game season. The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8, Fish and Game regional offi ce, 3316 16th St., Lewiston.

Three meetings were held earlier inFebruary and March 1st.

Sekernas | Dreamstime.com

Forecast Looks Good For Chinook Salmon Season

John & Dave after a great day salmon fi shing with Jarrett’s Guide Service www.wefi shhere.com

If the Chinook salmon returns for 2012 holds up to the early forecast, this year could be the THIRD BEST IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

The forecast suggests a return that’s a little more robust than last year, Idaho Fish and Game fi sheries bureau chief Ed Schriever told the Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, January 26.

he fi sh are still out in the Pacifi c Ocean, but the forecast for numbers of returning fi sh are similar to 2002 and 2010, he said.

If the run materializes as forecast, the numbers heading for Idaho look even better - exceeded only by 2001 and 2010.

Northwest fi sh managers estimate that more than 314,000 Chinook bound for waters upstream of Bonneville Dam will enter the Columbia River this year - last year the number was about 221,000.

Of those, 129,000 hatchery fi sh and 39,000 wild fi sh are predicted to head up the Snake River to Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Last year’s actual return was 96,300 hatchery fi sh and 31,600 wild fi sh.

Idaho fi sh managers estimate that 83,600 of the hatchery fi sh that cross Lower Granite Dam are bound for Idaho waters.

Last year, more than 33,000 returned to Salmon River hatcheries and about 13,000 returned to Clearwater hatcheries.

It’s too soon to tell just how many fi sh will actually show up, and what any fi sh-ing seasons might look like. Idaho fi sher-ies managers expect to present proposed Chinook fi shing seasons in the Clearwater, Snake, lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to the Fish and Game Commission in March.

In years past, Chinook seasons have opened in late April.


News From Other States

Walk-In Fishing Areas Provide Additional AccessWalk-in area fishing atlases for 2012 are now available at Game and Fish offices and license agencies throughout the state. The atlases contain maps showing the fishing areas and list the species of fish available in each area.

The Walk-in program has been responsible for establishing access to streams, lakes, and ponds throughout Wyoming. Walk-in fishing areas are part of the same public access program that provides walk-in and hunter management area access for hunting on private lands.

According to Game and Fish public land access coordinator Matt Buhler, fishing areas now available through the walk-in fishing access program encompass 4,944 acres of lake/pond access and nearly 107 miles of stream access on private lands. Buhler said that many of these areas allow anglers to get through private lands to get to public lands where much more access is available.

Buhler reminded anglers to respect the private lands they are using. “There is a great opportunity to get outside and take advantage of the fishing areas provided to

anglers through the walk-in fishing program,” Buhler said. “This opportunity is provided only because private landowners choose to enroll their property for fishing access.”

The walk-in fishing areas supplement the more than 100 places to fish that anglers can access through Game and Fish public access easements and Game and Fish wildlife habitat management areas. In addition, Wyoming has extensive public fishing opportunities on National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Wyoming State lands.

The walk-in atlas contains 58 fishing spots in 11 drainages. In addition to WGFD offices and license agents, atlases can be found on line on the Game and Fish Website. Fishing atlases are valid for the calendar year.

The walk-in program is funded to a large extent through the Game and Fish AccessYes program from contributions of anglers and hunters usually at the time of license purchase and application.

© Sgcallaway1994 Dreamstime.com

Columbia River Fishing Seasons Set For Spring Chinook, Sturgeon

Washington Department Of Fish And Wildlife

Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon set fi shing seasons for 2012 on the lower Columbia River that anticipate a strong run of spring chinook salmon but a further decline in the number of white sturgeon available for harvest.

Most new fi shing regulations adopted today will take effect March 1, when fi shing for spring chinook and sturgeon starts to heat up on the lower Columbia. Until then, both fi sheries are open on various sections of the river under rules approved last year.

This year’s spring chinook season is based on a projected return of 314,200 upriver fi sh to the Columbia River, which would be the fourth-largest on record. The sport fi shery approved today is scheduled to run through April 6, but could be extended if enough fi sh are available for harvest.

Harvest guidelines adopted by the two states will allow anglers fi shing below Bonneville Dam to catch and keep up to 14,500 hatchery-reared spring chinook before the run forecast is updated in May. Upriver fi sh bound for rivers above the dam are expected to make up the majorityof the catch, but salmon returning to the Cowlitz, Lewis, Willamette and other rivers below Bonneville also contribute to the fi shery.

As in years past, only hatchery-reared spring chinook marked with a clipped adipose fi n may be retained. Any unmarked wild spring chinook must be released unharmed.

Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River policy manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), said this year’s spring chinook fi shery looks promising, especially compared to last season.

“Not only is the run forecast well above average, but fi shing conditions should be a lot better than last year when anglers had to contend with weeks of high, turbid water,” LeFleur said.

But tighter catch guidelines for white sturgeon on the lower Columbia River will reduce fi shing opportunities for that species for the third straight year. Responding to the continued decline of sturgeon abundance below Bonneville Dam in recent years, the two states adopted fi shing regulations designed to reduce the catch by another 38 percent this year.

“This year’s sturgeon fi shery will be opening later or closing earlier on various sections of the river,” LeFleur said. “Anglers should check this year’s fi shing rules carefully before they head out.”

The new fi shing regulations for white sturgeon and spring chinook salmon are posted on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fi shing/regulations/

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BACK OFF TO BAG THAT BIRDBy John HigleyNATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATIONOne of the most difficult scenarios a turkey hunter faces is dealing with a vocal, henned-up tom.

You know the type. He gobbles at your every call from his roost or on the ground, but he doesn’t close the gap, because the hens are leading him around like he’s on a leash. Understandably, he excites you with his gobbles, but he’s telling your bogus hen to come to him. You can’t do that, so you keep trying to change his mind, even though you know down deep he has no intention of coming to you any time soon.

MY ADVICE IS TO BACK OFF AND LET HIM HAVE HIS FUN -- FOR THE TIME BEING AT LEAST.

A few hours sometimes makes all the difference. For instance, if breeding season is well under way, chances are that any hen, or hens, the tom was with early in the morning will be visiting their nests by midday, and he may be quite lonely by then. I’ve had success many times in the afternoon for that very reason.

Or, while you were elsewhere, the fl ock may have been scattered in some other way. Perhaps the turkeys encountered a predator like a bobcat or coyote. Maybe something else upset their routine. It doesn’t matter how they got separated. What’s important is that you’re back to take advantage of the situation when it counts.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN ON BACK-OFF-AND-COME-BACK-LATER HUNTS.One year, in early spring, my son, Mark, and I watched four toms follow several hens away from their roost site in a small stand of pine trees. The gobblers were plenty vocal, but they weren’t about to turn around and join us. Smartly, we decided to back off for a while and look for some other turkeys that were willing to play.

Failing in that endeavor, we returned to the roost site two hours later and relocated the gang with a shock call. They were on the hillside below us, a couple hundred yards away. Moving closer, we set up just in time to hear a brief gobbler fi ght. When the scuffl e subsided, we produced some tentative box call yelps, and one of the longbeards -- loser or winner, we didn’t know -- came to us at a beard-swinging trot. Mark was only too happy to carry the big fellow back to our pickup. I realize luck had a lot to do with our timing that day, but with turkeys, I’ll take all the help I can get.

Another time, while hunting alone, I walked around a corner and came face to beak with a quiet tom and several hens. Even though I accidentally performed a pretty fair scatter, I couldn’t raise the tom again that morning, so I quit trying and looked for action elsewhere. But I didn’t give up. Around 2 that afternoon, I was back again and, listening from a nearby vantage point, heard the tom open up with no prompting by me.

When that happens, it usually means Mr. Turkey is lonesome and actively looking for company. As a result, when I got within a reasonable distance of the lonely longbeard and made a few hen yelps, he wasted no time coming to me. I’m sure he was disappointed by what he found, but I was smiling all the way home.

BACK UP ON BACKING OFF - To confi rm my thoughts about the wisdom in backing off, I talked to Preston Pittman of Mississippi-based Pittman’s Game Calls. Pittman won his fi rst calling contest at 16 and too many others to list here. He’s hunted successfully in 32 states, and jokes he’s as close to being a real turkey as a man can get.

“I defi nitely agree that toms with hens can be a real pain,” Pittman said. “ Once in awhile you can try something different and pull them in, but that’s a long shot. Often, it’s better to leave them alone for a while and let nature take its course. Have breakfast or something. Let the tom breed the hens, and wait for them to ease away from him, then slip back and start calling again. But don’t be too aggressive, especially if you suspect you’re dealing with an older bird. Start off slow with subtle sounds like soft yelps, a cluck or two or scratching in leaves.”

TO ADD REALISM, YOU CAN’T BEAT PITTMAN’S NEW FLAP AND SCRATCH CALL.I don’t quit a hunt without plenty of soul searching. When I recognize the futility of a situation, I try to think ahead to what I’ll do in the next round. Things are always in a state of fl ux in a turkey’s world, and the conditions may very well change sometime in the near future. The future can be a few hours, a day or a week later. With any luck at all, the birds that don’t cooperate during the initial encounter will have an attitude adjustment before you meet again.

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If the Shoe Fits Wear It By S. L. Merriam

If the shoe fi ts then wear it is a common expression in life, but bad advice for Pac boot wearers. The shape of a boot from the factory and the shape of your old broken in boots differ greatly, and the outcome can result in blisters caused by new foot wear.

EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER - Prior to a Montana bear hunting trip one of our group, Jim Davidson purchased a new pair of Pac boots. Spring bear spot and stalk hunting is a process of covering snow, ice, new lush green grass and water then covering more water from the spring thaw. That spring boasted major drifts from winter snows. The fi rst day featured a ten mile hike, and although Davidson’s feet were warm and dry he didn’t attempt to go out the next day because he suffered from major blisters caused by boots that “fi t right in the store.”

I recommend wearing hunting garments prior to taking them out in the fi eld to confi rm their “wear ability” – either good or bad. Once you’ve worn them you can adjust their fi t with different socks, blister pads of mole skin or insoles. Once you’ve made your fi nal adjustments you’ll be ready to handle a hike that’s longer than planned.

HISTORY AND PROGRESS - In the past, Pac boots were reinforced goulashes that had ties rather than clips so you could make them fi t around your foot. The rubber would easily cut or crack in cold weather, but they were perfect for winter wear in snow and ice. Today’s Pac boots are built to fi t your feet like a mountain climbing boot, but they don’t have the structural support of a classic climbing boot. They do have many of the features of footwear used for high alpine work.

DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD - When wearing a boot in cold weather warmth is extremely important. Rule number one: always dress your feet the same way you dress the rest of your body. I wear socks with wick-a-way qualities (polypropylene) next to your skin. The second sock layer should be absorbent material to wick sweat away from your skin and should be wool - other options will work but are not optimal. The key here is that the material directly against your skin is dry from sweat or other outside water sources.

When boots fi t poorly this sock combination allows friction to take place between the two socks rather than on the back of your foot and helps prevent blisters from developing on the back of your heal. The bottom of your boot should be insulated because most of the cold creeps in from below. This is why heat pads go under your toes not on top of your toes if you use them. There is also a small void for them to fi t under your toes but not on the top of your toes.

Today’s Pac boots have developed along with advancements in leather and rubber technology. The leather tops “break in” quickly because of their soft leather tops. The leather top, although waterproof, still allows moisture vapor to exit the boot.

This leather is seamed together with the rubber base shoe by a process much like building plywood, multiple layers pressed together that make a permanent bond between the two materials with no seams. The rubber bottoms provide a more aggressive tread than in the past and provide great traction in wet and icy conditions.

COWBOY UP! - One company even makes a sole that is geared toward ranching by making the outer design so that it will sit well in a saddle stirrup, but easily allows you to remove it from the stirrup when riding a horse. A pure cowboy style boot is pure suicide when worn in wet and snowy conditions. I spoke with Jim Winjum, the owner of Kenetrek Boots in Bozeman about the boots his company makes. They feature patented boots for the working rancher, horseback riding hunter or bad weather fi sherman. Winjum said that they make these boots with all of the features of their other boots so that they are supportive, comfortable and fi t snuggly from the ankle to the calf so that the boot walks with you and not against you. (CONTINUED NEXT PAGE)

From Pac Boots designed for riding horses to Pac Boots to hike in and keep your feet warm, you can only hunt as far as your boots will carry you.


Bob Ward & Sons New Gear Review

The Vitalsox Outdoor Compression Sock

The Vitalsox Outdoor Compression sock is a patented sock that comes with a padded footbed and coupled with moderate compression

to help stimulate blood fl ow and increase circulation. This design helps alleviate swelling and reduces symptoms on heavy and fatigued legs. It is important when you are outdoors to wear a pair of shoes or boots that will serve a fundamental purpose for your outdoor activities – and so should your socks. Enhance your outdoor experience with Vitalsocks!

Features Include: • Stimulation of blood circulation • Improves oxygen delivery to muscles • Reduces lactic acid production • Proven cramp relief • Exclusive wicking and antibacterial fi ber

Salomon XR CrossmaxAn award-winning training shoe from Salomon named “Best Runners Debut” in April, 2010, and “Gear of the Year” in 2011.

This is a high mileage training shoe for runners who want one shoe from door to trail. It offers perfect grip for better run-ability, perfect fi t for foothold and freedom and improved heel to toe transition for a perfect ride. Bob Ward’s carries the Men’s and Women’s XR Crossmax in style numbers 127591 (men’s) and 128455 (women’s).

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1. Superior Low Light Tritium Night Sight2. Patented, heat-treated scandium alloy frame for superior strength and reduced weight3. Shock Absorbing Grip (Optional Crimson Trace® Grip)4. Six round capacity - 2 round/6 round moon clips included

Visit a Bob Ward & Sons location to view these and other fi ne products. Conveniently located in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Hamilton and Butte orshop 24/7 online at www.bobwards.com


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State-By-State Rankings of Whitetail entries to Boone and Crockett during the period 2005-2010plus comparative data from 1980-1985(Typical and non-typical trophies combined)1. Wisconsin, 383 entries (1980-1985 rank 3rd, 40 entries)2. Illinois, 299 entries (1980-1985 rank 6th, 30 entries)3. Iowa, 224 entries (1980-1985 rank 2nd, 59 entries)4. Ohio, 215 entries (1980-1985 rank 14th, 16 entries)5. Missouri, 214 entries (1980-1985 rank 9th (tie), 25 entries)6. Kentucky, 199 entries (1980-1985 rank 9th (tie), 25 entries)7. Indiana, 195 entries (1980-1985 rank 16th, 14 entries)8. Kansas, 181 entries (1980-1985 rank 4th, 35 entries)9. Minnesota, 172 entries (1980-1985 rank 1st, 76 entries)10. Saskatchewan, 147 entries (1980-1985 rank 7th (tie), 27 entries)11. Texas, 132 entries (1980-1985 rank 12th, 19 entries)12. Alberta, 115 entries (1980-1985 rank 7th (tie), 27 entries)13. Nebraska, 78 entries (1980-1985 rank 18th (tie), 12 entries)14. Oklahoma, 48 entries (1980-1985 rank 22nd (tie), 7 entries)15. Ontario, 41 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)16. Arkansas, 40 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)17 (tie). Michigan, 39 entries (1980-1985 rank 17th, 13 entries)17 (tie). Mississippi, 39 entries (1980-1985 rank 18th, 12 entries)19. North Dakota, 31 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)20. Pennsylvania, 26 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)21. New York, 25 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)22. South Dakota, 24 entries (1980-1985 rank 20th (tie), 8 entries)23 (tie). Georgia, 23 entries (1980-1985 rank 5th, 31 entries)23 (tie). Maryland, 23 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)25 (tie). British Columbia, 19 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)25 (tie). Maine, 19 entries (1980-1985 rank 11th, 20 entries)27. Virginia, 17 entries (1980-1985 rank 22nd (tie), 7 entries)28. Tennessee, 15 entries (1980-1985 rank 20th, 8 entries)29. Colorado, 13 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)30. Idaho, 11 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)31 (tie). Massachusetts, 8 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)31 (tie). Quebec, 8 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)33. Delaware, 7 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)34 (tie). Louisiana, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)34 (tie). Manitoba, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 15th, 15 entries)34 (tie). Washington, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)37 (tie). Montana, 5 entries (1980-1985 rank 13th, 17 entries)37 (tie). Alabama, 5 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)37 (tie). North Carolina, 5 entries (1980-1985 34th (tie), 3 entries)40 (tie). Connecticut, 4 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)40 (tie). New Hampshire, 4 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)42 (tie). New Jersey, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)42 (tie). New Brunswick, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)42 (tie). West Virginia, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)45 (tie). Mexico, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)45 (tie). Wyoming, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)45 (tie). South Carolina, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)45 (tie). Nova Scotia, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)49 (tie). Oregon, 1 entry (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)49 (tie). Rhode Island, 1 entry (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)

Typical whitetail deer harvested by Brian J. Inda in

Waushara County, Wisconsin, during the 2010 season. The buck scores 187-5/8 points.

LACE THE BOOT CORRECTLY SO THE BOOT MOLDS AROUND YOUR FOOT FOR PERMANENT FIT In today’s youth oriented culture the style is to have them laced wide open like “Lil Orphan Annie” so the kids look cool walking through the mall. I look at it and shake my head and say, “When he grows up he’ll learn how to tie his shoes!”

LACING IS VERY IMPORTANT IN MAKING A BOOT FIT CORRECTLY Eyelets, speed lace hooks, and D-rings all have a different reason for being there. The eye holes are at the bottom in a place where you don’t need to adjust the laces each time you put the boot on. Next comes what I will call the crotch of the boot which is the most important fi tting part, and D-rings allow the wearer to pull the laces tight to make a good fi t. This is what secures your ankle into the back of the book and prevents slipping that causes blisters. These should be secure so that your boot lifts up when your heel does. Hooks are good at that location because you are able to pull the laces and get a tight fi t. A little extra tight at fi rst is good and the laces will adjust naturally while walking.

The area above the D-rings, the top half of the boot can be speed laced which makes them easier to put on and take off. The very top should have the traditional eyelet so you can tie the boot securely. It’s a good idea to tie a bow and then make a knot with the loops. This will keep the loops from catching on brush and also keep the bows from slipping and releasing the lace from a speed hook.

ENJOY THE COLD WHILE BEING COMFORTABLE AND ENJOY YOUR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIESA boot broken in correctly will provide a good fi t as well as your old boots, but will give you many miles of comfortable, dry warm foot travel for your favorite hunting, fi shing or other outdoor activity.

If the Shoe Fits Wear It(Continued from previous page)

our drift boat, this last weekend I watched the little puffs of slash pile smoke billow over the mountain sides as a hawk circled over something in the distance. Buffl ehead ducks swam upstream and downstream bobbing under, arising several minutes later a little further from our lines. The whole scene seemed like something out of a Washington Irving story and I thought about how much I like the tranquility found in this small fi shing town. People seem apologetic when asked about computer or television coverage. They say, “Yeah it’s Orofi no you know.” We were able to manage a Griz/Cat basketball game from our motel room, but internet reception was slow and as usual, the screen froze once or twice. It’s a small price to pay for the friends and acquaintances we make when fi shing in this town. As usual, we made new friends this weekend as a couple of older men fi shed across from us. They were from Utah, and Tom fi gured he’d clue them in on where the fi sh were. They came along side of us, and they were wonderful gentlemen. The fi sh and game attendant has also become a friend. As we went through the check station around noon, it turned out that we were the only ones to come through with a bounty. After talking for a few minutes, we found out that he knew Tom’s brother. We knew he was originally from the Bitteroot Valley, but it’s always amazing how many connections we can make in this small world. They say a Steelhead is a fi sh of a thousand casts. I feel very fortunate that this weekend, I was able to get one with a few hundred less than a thousand.

I still have a great coach, and I’m grateful for his company, the company he attracts, and the Steelhead I see in my sights for the rest of this season. Although the Steelhead will grow less edible in the coming months as they start to enter the spawning cycle, the upside is that they seem to be easier to catch. So if I were someone who had never caught a Steelhead, I’d be looking at going in the next several weeks.

The Montana Fisherman’s Wife (Continued from page 18)


RECIPE CORNERKris Winkelman, www.winkelman.com

BBest Shotgun est Shotgun RangeRange??

STEVE HICKOFF

E very turkey camp I’ve ever visited around the country inevitably leads to a supper table debate about the best shotgun range for dropping a spring gobbler.

MY ANSWER: 20-35 YARDS.

Shots taken at under 20 steps, the payload stays tennis-ball tight, and misses are more likely, especially with that serpentine turkey head jerking around.

Further out, especially beyond 40 yards, the swarm of pellets begins to open up.

IN THE END, YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR SHOTGUN AND HOW THAT FIREARM HANDLES A PARTICULAR LOAD. Load capabilities vary—some are dead on and tighter at longer ranges.

True enough, some of the newer extended-range loads available these days provide a mix of turkey shotshell options. The choice is up to each hunter. I use them all. Each shotgun dictates the fi nal selection based on familiarity from shooting the combination of options.

Still for me, it’s often all about enjoying the moment as the gobbler works to my calls, even after that wild turkey steps into the edge of range. Then again, if that bird keeps angling away, you have to do what you have to do.

Case in point: I once killed a Texas Rio at 47 steps after I’d missed the gobbler at fi ve yards. Way too close on that fi rst one. Most of the time my preferred range is that 20-35 yard window. Other guys shoot a bit further.

Here are some basics to remember as you hang out at the gun range prior to the upcoming spring turkey seasons. Some begin in a matter of weeks.

A shot pellet transfers energy as a result of velocity and weight.

Multiple hits deliver cumulative energy.

In the end, scattergunning remains an inexact science. Remember this.

The better you know how your shotgun and choke handles a specifi c load, the more improved are your chances of killing a gobbler.

Ask yourself: Are you interested in calling turkeys close, or taking them on the edge of your range? The latter scenario might work, but it also risks crippling a bird.

Ultimately you decide, but your shotgun shell should be up to the task at hand. Ideally, you’ll only need one shot. Make it count.

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In Soup kettle cook and stir olive oil with turkey, carrots, onions, celery, garlic until tender add beans, broth, and seasoning. Slightly mash beans. In skillet add oil and spinach toss until wilted. Place spinach over soup and serve.

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Surround Yourself...(Continued from page 19)

My next request for shared intelligence went out to a man that not only fi shes but leads others to successful waters and shares his techniques that lead to successful fi shing trips. That man is the Billing’s Chapter President of Montana Pikemasters, Clay Buckmiller. To increase my success I look for a professional that makes his livelihood knowing what the fi sh are biting on, how it must be presented, where to fi sh, and of course has a “plan B” option for when the fi sh get picky and become tough to catch. Although the group’s main focus is pike they still catch other species. Buckmiller advises that ice-fi shing techniques for walleye and pike are the same with one exception; in ice-locked cold water a pike is very lethargic and will not expend a great amount of energy to get food. When food is less prevalent and the water temperatures cold, he becomes more of a scavenger than an attack fi sh. At this time of year in cold water they don’t have to eat as much nor as often. To fi nd fi sh look for humps along points and weed beds. The pike will be looking for minnows that the winter cold has killed and are fl oating belly up. He will usually travel in the two to twelve foot range in shallow water so hang a dead minnow from a tip up around structure. Walleyes on the other hand want a live minnow.

To put me in line for a limit, I contacted John Pognetti, well-known owner of The Sports Center, in Lewistown, MT. Pognetti knows fi sh but even more importantly knows what you need to catch them this time of year in the lakes within a two-hour drive of his shop.

Pognetti points to bays like Crooked Creek that are the hot spots right now. The reason? There is ice, of course, but the lake’s low water level during the previous few years allowed willows to grow up in places normally under water. The high water we have now has fl ooded over those willows providing structure. Structure means the fi sh are here. Montana allows up to six rods in the water and most fi shermen put in four or fi ve tip-ups and work jigs with the other two rods, moving and exploring other waters with those two rods and an ice auger. Bait, like smelt or sucker minnows, seem to catch the crappie as well as the pike so don’t forget the steel leaders. Your odds of landing a big Northern are quite high compared to catching one without a steel leader. You only have to lose one big fi sh that has sawed himself free from the weaker mono to make the change!For crappies, a Jiggy Crappie works best but they are never averse to taking a minnow on a hook. The bay is relatively shallow so lure depth isn’t as important as structure location.For walleyes, tip-ups with minnows are best at night. When using short rods, jigs like the Swedish Pimple, Rapala, perch colored jigs, macho Minnow, Live Forage-Flutter and Salmo-Jigs are a good bet. If you happen to be thin blooded and not crazy about the cold it is better to pursue northerns and crappies during the warmth of the day. When the ice comes off it will be even more diffi cult to catch walleyes as they move into the shallows to spawn and their food requirements decrease. A worm harness using a minnow will work now or try a Slow Death on a minnow rig. Tight lines.

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2 LODGING PROPERTIES2 LODGING PROPERTIES ANDERRICK SKI TRAIL visitmt.com

Anderrick Ski Trail connects Anderson Mountain Road and Richardson Creek Trail to form a loop. This trail is not groomed.

Length: 3.2 km of easiest trail

Activities offered:Cross-Country SkiingHiking

Mailing address:Beaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestPO Box 238Wisdom, MT 59761

Phone: 406-689-3243

Web: http://fs.usda.gov/bdnf

Directions:From Wisdom west 28 miles on Highway 43 to trailhead.

GIBBONS PASS ROAD SKI TRAILvisitmt.com

Gibbons Pass Road Ski Trail is open to snowmobiles.

Length: 7.5 km of excellent skiing with moderate slope and open areas for telemarking. 3.2 km of easiest trail then 4.3 km of more diffi cult trail; no grooming.

Trail Begins: Highway 43 at Chief Joseph Pass, 28 miles west of WisdomTrail Ends: Loop Area

Activities offered:Cross-Country SkiingHikingSnowmobiling

Mailing address:Beaverhead-Deerlodge Nat’l ForestPO Box 238Wisdom, MT 59761

Phone: 406-689-3243


Directions:Located off Highway 43 at Chief Joseph Pass, 28 miles west of Wisdom.

SHULTZ - JOHNSON SNOWMOBILE TRAIL visitmt.com

Shultz - Johnson Snowmobile Trail begins at the Placer Creek Road. Intermittently groomed trail to Shultz Saddle. The trail continues over the pass onto the Sula District, but is not marked or groomed beyond the pass.

Length: 15 milesTrail Begins: Placer Creek RoadTrail Ends: Sula District Area

Activities offered:SnowmobilingWinter Sport

Mailing address:Beaverhead-Deerlodge Nat’l ForestPO Box 238Wisdom, MT 59761

Phone: 406-689-3243


Directions:From Wisdom take Highway 43 west 15 miles to Placer Creek Road 1203 (12 miles east of Lost Trail Pass).

SHOOFLY SKI TRAIL visitmt.com

Parking at plowed lot on Highway 43. Shoofl y Ski Trail starts on north side of highway and accesses the Hogan Rental Cabin. A more diffi cult trail with no grooming. The Shoofl y cut-off trail is 1.5 miles long and provides an easier route around the steepest portions of the Shoofl y.

Length: 7.2 km

Trail Begins: Parking lot on Highway 43 at Chief Joseph PassTrail Ends: Hogan Rental Cabin Area

Activities off ered:Cross-Country SkiingHiking

Mailing address:Beaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestPO Box 238Wisdom, MT 59761

Phone: 406-689-3243


Directions: From Wisdom 17 miles west on Highway 43.


BIG SKY TRAIL SNOWMOBILE TRAILvisitmt.com

Access Big Sky Trail Snowmobile from West Yellowstone via Horse Butte Loop or from Fir Ridge parking area. Parking space is limited. Access is groomed from Horse Butte Loop to Fir Ridge and from Fir Ridge parking area 8 miles toward Cabin Creek every other night. Trail is marked from end of groomed portion to Taylor Fork. Taylor Fork is groomed weekly beginning January 1.

The Big Sky Trail provides some of the best backcountry snowmobiling in Montana. This 40-mile trail begins just north of West Yellowstone. The fi rst portion is groomed, but the trail quickly turns into an un-groomed powder experience. The Big Sky Trail is not groomed as often as other trails in the area. If you are in search of fresh powder, you may fi nd it here. The trail begins from West Yellowstone and heads north along the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. From West Yellowstone, there is seventeen miles of groomed trail followed by thirteen miles of ‘un-groomed powder’ until it reaches the Sunlight Basin Trail. About 9 miles out of town the trail crosses the highway and heads northwest. After the road crosses the highway, the area opens up into the Cabin and Tepee Creek area. This area has open bowls,

deep powder, happy snowmobilers and a forest service cabin that can be rented. Though the scenery can be breathtaking, you will seldom see wildlife due to the immense powder and thick forest. Deep fi elds of snow, and outstanding hill climbing opportunities are the hallmark of this well-known and challenging trail. This is a trail for more aggressive riders looking for backcountry access. (Try Carrot Basin and Skyline Ridge.)

Starts: West Yellowstone Ends: Taylor Fork

Mailing Address:Gallatin National ForestPO Box 520West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Phone: 406-823-6961

Web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin

Directions:Big Sky Trail Snowmobile is located 9.5 miles north of West Yellowstone.

HORSE BUTTE LOOP SNOWMOBILE TRAILvisitmt.com

Horse Butte Loop Snowmobile Trail is a cooperative operation with West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce. Parking capacity unlimited in West Yellowstone. Groomers operated 7 nights a week.

Horse Butte Loop travels the shores of Hebgen Lake. This trail is a great ride to introduce the novice rider into the snowmobiling community. The 20-mile loop takes you by Hebgen Lake and some of the best ice fi shing in the west. If you are looking to get away from the crowds of the Yellowstone trail system, this is a great smooth ride for you. This trail is also a great ride when the weather is a bit too much on the higher trails.

Access the loop from the 4.8 Horse Butte Trail. (You can add another 15 miles by taking the Cougar Creek Trail.) This trail makes a ride through thick pines and open meadows and along the lake. Watch for the fi re lookout and great views from the top of Horse Butte. There is off-trail riding through then trees and meadows, although some of the area is restricted (posted signs).

Phone: 406-823-6961


LIONHEAD SNOWMOBILE TRAIL visitmt.com

Lionhead Trail offers an exciting experience for those seeking something more radical. Following the east side of the Continental Divide, the trail climbs to over 10,000 feet. It is also one of the shortest and steepest trips in the area at around 16 miles. The trail is groomed on a regular basis and provides access to the backcountry and more extreme riding and Lionhead Mountain.

Phone: 406-823-6961

Fax: 406-823-6990


Directions:Lionhead Snowmobile Trail is located out of West Yellowstoneand can be accessed via Two Top Loop or Targhee National Forest trails.

Call 443-7373 1-800-585-7397

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Babe Winkelman with aViking Outpost walleye

It’s really easy for professional fi shermen and communicators to get extremely technical when it comes to sharing fi shing wisdom with the world. I read an article recently about how to fi sh lead-core line off a weighted three-way rig with a fl uorocarbon snell and spinner-rig... to get down to deep, bottom-hugging walleyes.

It was a good piece, but here are a bunch of questions for those reading this article: Have you ever fi shed lead core? Have you ever seen

it in a store? Have you ever heard of it before? Do you own three-way rigs? Have you ever purchased fl uorocarbon line before for your snells? Can you recite the differences between fl uorocarbon and monofi lament line?

Many of you reading this have answered “yes” to each and every one of those questions. And I think that’s great. But the vast majority of recreational fi shermen, women and children have never gotten that technical when it comes to fi shing. Most either fi sh live bait suspended under a fl oat or on a jighead. Or they cast and retrieve crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, topwater plugs or swim baits.

Most anglers like to keep it simple, and so do I.

One of my favorite things to do is jig fi shing. I love it. It requires very basic tackle. In fact, for the vast majority of American freshwater jig fi shing, one rod & reel combo will suffi ce. It’s a fi shing method that works with any kind of fi shing line, be it monofi lament, fl uorocarbon or braid. It doesn’t cost you an arm and leg to do it. And here’s the best two parts... First, it’s easy. And second, it’s one of the best ways in the

world to catch fi sh. All kinds of fi sh! It’s a great way to catch three different species on three different casts! How great is that?So here are some really fundamental lessons in jig fi shing. First, what are you hoping to catch? Bass, walleye, panfi sh? Make a species decision fi rst and this will dictate the size jig you’re going to use. Obviously a big 1⁄4 ounce walleye jig won’t have the same allure to a bluegill that’s a fraction of a medium-sized walleye’s size.We’ll start from smallest to biggest. Panfi sh jigs are typically in the 1/32 and 1/16 up to the 1/8 ounce variety. For bass, walleye and pike, you’re looking at 1/8 to 3/8 ounce generally speaking.

The size you choose is proportionate to the depth you’re fi shing and the speed in which you’re working the bait. You simply can’t retrieve a 1/32 ounce jig quickly in deep water. Too light. So there is certainly some trial and error involved in dialing in the proper weight for the species, depth and speed you’re after.

Another consideration here is line weight. For panfi sh, 4-6 pound test line will typically do nicely. Sometimes, with really light jig presentations you’ll need to scale that back to 2-3 pound test.

Bass and walleye line in the 6-12 pound class is perfect. If you’re fi shing in and

around a lot of heavy cover, then opt for the higher pound test. Again, it’s all dependent on the conditions in which you’re fi shing.Jigs are primarily baits that fi sh hit on the fall or when retrieved on or near the bot-tom. So when you go out jig fi shing, try and follow this pattern... Make a cast and let the bait free-fall to the bottom. While it’s falling, keep a close eye on your fi shing line. If a fi sh hits it on the drop, you’ll see the line “jump” or begin moving off to the side. This means a fi sh has taken the bait on the way down. Set the hook!If nothing hits it on the drop, you’ll see the line suddenly go limp when the bait has made contact with bottom. Now, simply take up the slack slowly and twitch or drag the bait back, pausing in between each pulse on your retrieve.This is hugely important... at EVERY moment in your retrieve, try to maintain at least some tension on your fi shing line and ALWAYS keep your eyes on the line! You’ll either feel the bite or you’ll see it when your line jumps. Way too many anglers give that jig a big “swim” and then let their line go totally limp. They’re getting bit and don’t even know it! Be in contact with your jig through the line and fi shing rod 100% of the time.Setting the hook on a good jig bite is one of the best feelings in fi shing. So get out there with a handful of affordable jigs in a variety of sizes and styles and become a jig fi sherman. It’s the most basic and productive way to catch more fi sh and have a great time doing it!

JJiigg Fishing BasicsFishing Basics BY BABE WINKELMAN, www.winkelman.com

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Finding shed antlers could

also help you locate the

former owner in the

forthcoming season

Shed HuntingBy Bob Humphrey

ate winter is a great time for some off-season deer scouting. The woods are barren, making sign easy to locate - unless, of course, you live in the far north, where everything’s still covered in snow. It’s also when you’ll have your best odds of fi nding shed antlers. And just as there are techniques to be more successful hunting deer, there are tactics that will help you fi nd more antlers.444444444444

L

There’s no way around it; you have to cover a lot of ground...you can be a lot more effi cient with your time and mileage by riding instead of walking. In open country you can cover a ton of ground on a four-wheeler or side-by-side. In the latter case you can let one person drive while the other spots. Then, of course, you’ll have to split the profi ts.444444444444444444When deer shed their antlers varies immensely with geographic range, environmental conditions and age of the deer. In general however, the process begins not long after the rut. This is about the same time that bucks, depleted from the rigors of the rut, are seeking out concentrated food sources. Start your search by looking in these feeding areas...in and around these feeding areas you should also look for edges with dips, depressions, heads of ravines, and low spots shielded from prevailing winds - bedding areas. These are often reliable big shed producers. If you don’t fi nd sheds in these woods edges, walk the trails leading away from feeding and toward dense bedding areas. Then look for anyplace where a deer has to jump across or over something, like a fence, where antlers may jar loose...just as the best deer hunters look not for a deer but for parts of a deer, shed hunters should look for shapes and color of an antler. You may only see the tip of a tine poking through the snow or out of the mud.4444444Dogs make great antler hunting companions. Some have a natural instinct, while others can be trained. In either case, they can become quite profi cient at fi nding sheds, and can cover a lot more ground than you. They’re also a lot more willing to go into those dense tangles that you avoid, and that sometimes hold the biggest sheds.

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*Finance offer subject to credit approval, applies to purchases of new Yamaha ATVs made on a Yamaha Installment Financing loan account from 1/1/12-6/30/12. Minimum contract length 24 months, maximum 36 months. Minimum amount fi nanced $5,000. Fixed APR of 3.99%, 4.99%, 5.99% or 12.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Monthly payments per $1,000 fi nanced based on 36-month term are $29.52 at 3.99%, $29.97 at 4.99%, $30.42 at 5.99% and $33.69 at 12.99%. **Customer Cash offer good on select 2011 (and prior year) models between 1/1/12 - 6/30/12. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. ATVs with engine sizes over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety; Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid excessive speed; and be particularly careful on diffi cult terrain.

©2012 Yahama Motor Corp. U.S.A. All rights reserved. • yamaha-motor.com


Documents

Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure - March 2012