26 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE
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ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net
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RMEF: $1.2 MILLION MEF FOR HABITAT WORK IN SIX STATES
o far in 2012, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has allocated $1,258,888 for habitat stewardship and protection projects in six key elk states. The figure represents a significant increase from 2011. More than 139,000 acres should be conserved for elk and other wildlife in 2012 as a result of these initial allocations. Affected states include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. RMEF will announce funding allocations for additional states later this year. The combined allocation for the initial six states is $181,562, or 16 percent, higher than their total from 2011. The increase is based on a strong upward trend in banquet-based memberships and fundraising performance by RMEF chapters and volunteers in the respective states.
Allocated amounts and acres expected to be conserved in 2012: Colorado—$251,451 and 42,030 acres Idaho—$82,710 and 31,984 acres Montana—$257,011 and 21,658 acres Oregon—$165,000 and 11,483 acres Washington—$184,460 and 10,454 acres Wyoming—$318,256 and 21,555 acres
A Late Spring Bear Hunt continued from page 9 hillsides will be the answer for a spot and then stalk opportunity. Look for fresh elk and deer sign in these areas, as bear and other smaller predators will roam these areas looking for a quick meal of fawns and calf elk that are easy prey.
Once the snow has left the high country, hunt more above the timberline areas “Thanks to RMEF volunteers and supporters to find black bear digging roots and eating fresh shoots and leaves. and a wave of momentum, our organization is positioned to pump more money than ever into crucial habitat work in six major If you do locate a bruin take the time to determine the sex and size of the areas of elk country,” said David Allen, bear before taking a well-placed shot. RMEF president and CEO.
Once you have harvested a black bear in Montana, you’ll have fi ve (5) days to present your bear to a Montana FWP official. You must present the complete bear hide with proof of sex naturally attached and the skull for purpose of inspection, tagging and removal of a tooth for aging. The FWP hide tag affi xed during inspection must remain attached to the hide until tanned. The entire Divide from the Bob Marshall Wilderness east of Choteau, down to Wisdom and the head of the Big Hole Valley can offer up some phenomenal black bear hunting in the Spring. Remember, grizzly bear populations are on the rise in these areas, and while most grizzly populations are centered around Yellowstone and Glacier Park, the areas in between along the Continental Divide have sparse populations, and you must absolutely make sure that the bear in your sights is a black bear, and not a black bear sow with cubs at her side. If you do encounter a grizzly bear in non-traditional habitat call a MFWP office and report your sighting. The black bear management areas mentioned above are located in BMU 301 Helena-south with the season
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MAY 2012
running until May 31, 2012. You can hunt south of this unit in BMU 316 Big Hole, BMU 317 Ruby-Centennial until June 15, 2012. Other BMU open until June 15, 2012 include BMU 216 SapphireFlint Creek, BMU 240 West Bitterroot, BMU 280 Upper Blackfoot, BMU 290 Lower Blackfoot, Garnet Range and BMU 341 Madison-Yellowstone Gallatin areas. Most successful spring bear hunters will have to invest a lot of time and effort to notch a bear tag, with an average of around 10 days spent in the field to locate an area where bears are frequenting. Once you have established these areas, it’s just a matter of time spent, patience and a lot of glassing. Preparation for a spring bear hunt will include your warm weather gear, as you could have snow, rain and sunny all in one day. A good pair of hiking boots, the best optics you can afford, and an accurate long shooting rifle with a good knock-down power bullet. For this, try the Hunting Shack of Montana Bear Load bullet, manufactured in various calibers and made in Montana, this ammo will drop a bear in it’s tracks. As always, be sure and check all of Montana’s black bear hunting regulations before you begin your hunt.