HUNTING ISHING
& F
WESTERN NEWSOCTOBER 2022 The Key To Successful Shooting... HSM Ammunition Made in Stevensville MT. Available at your local retailer.
FOROUTFITTINGMONTANA105YEARSMISSOULA|BOZEMAN|HELENA|BUTTE|HAMILTON
YOUR HUNTING HEADQUARTERSGEAR Game CallsHuntingHuntingVests Boots, Gaiters,Socks GPS, AccessoriesMaps, Camping Gear - Tents, Packs, Stoves, Sleeping Systems, Water Purification, Lights, Cooking Gear, Coolers and more! Optics - Binoculars, Riflescopes, Rangefinders, Spotting Scopes, Monoculars, Laser Rangefinders, Tripods CuttingClothingTools-Jackets, Pants, Baselayers, Shirts, Hats Visit www.bobwards.com for our daily deal and be the first to know about new sales! Plus, get free shipping on any order over $49! Sign up for our newsletter and receive the best deals first. MISSOULA | BOZEMAN | HELENA | BUTTE | HAMILTON Big Sky Price Promise. We will match because we want to earn your business! Archery - Bows & Accessories
Photo credit Trail Kreitzer
HORMONES DRIVE BEHAVIOR
Afew years ago my father was lucky enough to draw a late season (November) Limited Entry Elk tag here in our home state of Utah. We hunted hard, and we saw some impressive bulls, but one of the most memorable scenes imprinted on ours minds from that hunt was a giant, heavy-antlered mule deer buck nosing several does around a high mountain windswept slope.
By Trail OriginallyKreitzerpublished at GOHUNT.com
Understanding the timing and triggers of the rut requires a bit of knowledge about mule deer life history. Everything that precedes the rut has a purpose: foraging, antler growth, stripping velvet, racking, fighting. Throughout the year, every activity and every behavior blends together to culminate into what is generally considered “the rut.”
During the early spring and summer growing season, a mule deer’s main focus is to put on enough body weight to reproduce in the fall and to survive the winter. The only difference for does and bucks is that does must produce milk for fawns and bucks must grow antlers, but the growing season for all deer is pretty much the same: eat, sleep, repeat — all in preparation for the rut.
In mule deer, the hormone melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in response to the onset of darkness. When it reaches a certain level in the blood it induces estrus in does. Similarly in bucks, a decrease in daylight produces melatonin, which in turn increases testosterone production. Simply put, decreasing daylight causes hormonal changes in deer that triggers “the rut.”
What Triggers The Mule Deer Rut?
By mid-to-late November across much of the West, does are coming into estrus, and bucks testosterone levels peak. Prior to and during estrus, mule deer does produce pheromones. Lip curling allows a buck to determine if a doe is entering estrus. The buck traps scent from a doe’s urine in its nose and mouth, and then lip-curls. This allows the buck’s scent-analyzing device in the roof of its mouth to pinpoint the doe’s status.
4 | Hunting & Fishing News
Photo credit Kelly Cox
SHORTER DAYS = APPROACHING RUT
Photo credit David Hannigan, Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Photo credit Michael Seraphin, Colorado Parks & Wildlife
For over an hour, we completely forgot about elk hunting and focused our spotting scopes solely on the rutting muley. Is there anything more captivating than watching a rutting mature mule deer buck, with his head laid back, curled lip and swollen neck? For a lot of us, the answer is unequivocally no, there is nothing like it. Those opportunities are coming up in just a few weeks.
12 MONTHS OF PREPARATION
Fluctuations in hormones begin to express themselves outwardly in behavioral changes. Bucks will begin to rub and rake their antlers in shrubs and trees to strip the velvet and strengthen their neck and shoulders in preparation for the rut. Also, rubbing essentially serves as a calling card for a buck, as glands leave scent behind that a passing doe can recognize.
By early fall, changes in photoperiod begins to cause a fluctuation in mule deer hormones. What is photoperiod? For all intents and purposes, photoperiod can be defined as the amount of daylight a mule deer is exposed to in a 24-hour Photoperiodperiod.is the driving force in rut timing and behavior — but how so?
Mother Nature’s way of triggering breeding season is a decreasing photoperiod. The rut is timed in order to maximize the potential of fawns to be born successfully and survive. A doe’s gestational period is approximately 200 days. Therefore, it is critical that breeding occur at the ideal time to produce fawns when vegetation is at its peak nutritional value in the spring.
They may be observed sparring and fighting with other bucks to establish dominance, and their necks will swell. Finally, to find suitable breeding partners, both does and bucks are likely to increase home range travel.
A mule deer doe will come into estrus and will remain in heat for approximately 24 hours, during which she will accept breeding. If a doe is not bred, she will typically cycle back into heat in approximately 21-30 days.
DO OTHER FACTORS TRIGGER THE RUT?
Hunting & Fishing News | 5
Finally, we have all heard that a cold weather snap, moon phase or other factors can trigger the rut. So are there other factors beyond photoperiod? The answer to that question is yes and no. Yes, cold weather may increase rutting activity, but the timing of the rut is not impacted itself. Similarly, moon phase may cause an increase in activity but does not dictate the timing of the rut.
THE 24-HOUR WINDOW
With November fast approaching, I hope you all have an opportunity to get out and witness the mule deer rut. It is likely the best chance we all have to get a good look at the one that got away.
As previously stated, across much of the West the rut occurs in mid-to-late November and early December. As an interesting side note here, the farther south you travel, the later the rut occurs. This is based on the fact that more southern populations are less likely to face extreme weather and therefore timing of fawn birth is less critical. In southern Arizona and Mexico, the rut may be more spread out and occur in late December and January.
If a doe is successfully bred and becomes pregnant, additional changes in hormonal levels prevent her from coming into estrus again. Every individual is different, and does will come into estrus at slightly different times, but generally does will cycle and be bred within about a two-week window.
Evolution would suggest that fawns are born within a very specific timeframe in order to give them the maximum advantage to survive and persist. For that to happen, the trigger has to be consistent year to year. Mother Nature’s trigger is always photoperiod.
The smell of a doe in estrus can capture a buck’s attention; so much so, that it seemingly produces those love-struck dumbed down bucks that are synonymous with rutting mule deer. The drive to reproduce is such a powerful instinct that it seems to override the instinct for survival. A buck may trail a doe in estrus for up to 72 hours, only moving when she moves. Like males of most species, a mule deer buck with high testosterone level can be observed strutting around, with a one-track mind, and ready to fight in order to show his dominance. Reproduction is a powerful instinct.
CALENDAR TIMING VARIES BY REGION
Photo credit Michael Seraphin, Colorado Parks & Wildlife
By Josh OriginallyKirchnerpublished at GOHUNT.com
I’ve noticed that all of them have a no quit, whatever it takes attitude. If the only way to effectively hunt an area is to hike three hours in the dark before light, then that’s what they do. If an animal is a 45 minute hike away and there is an hour left of light, guess what? They’re making a run for it.
I’ve also noticed that most hunters indeed know this stuff. They know what it would take to kill that animal. However, what separates the 10% from them is the 10% are willing to actually do these things and much more. They are relentless and there is no stopping them.
Becoming The “10%” How To Be A More Successful Hunter
Photo courtesy GOHUNT www.GOHUNT.com
•All Game Boned Out •Vacuum Sealed Packaging •Sausage - 12 Kinds •No Hunter Turned Down •Rush Order & Overnight Cut Available Most of the Time H&H Meats 1801 South Ave. W. Missoula (1 block from Southgate Mall) Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-6 (406)549-1483 Wild Game Processing ATTENTIONHUNTERS Since 1939 •Salami, Thuringer, & Pepperoni Chubs 1 & 2 lb. •Peppersticks or Jerky from your Meat •We Process Buffalo from your Hunt •We Inventory A Full Variety of Buffalo Meat Cuts, Plus Burger and Sausage, or We Can Ship NATIONWIDE FED EX SHIPPING FOR YOUR MONTANA TROPHIES ONE OF THE LARGEST GAME PROCESSORS IN THE STATE
In my younger years, one of my favorite things to do was plop down on a Saturday morning and watch hunting shows with my dad. These guys made it look so easy. It was the same hunters, too, might I add. Time after time, year after year, bucks, bulls and whatever else they were hunting would hit the ground. I felt the same way about flipping through hunting magazines. The same faces graced the pages with each lap the earth took around the sun. Grins from ear to ear sitting behind a set of giant antlers. And, again, I noticed the same pattern on hunting forums and social media. For some reason, it is the same exact people every season filling tags. The old saying goes, “10% of the hunters kill 100% of the game.” I accepted that as truth, but questioned how to become part of that 10%. Were they all just that lucky?
A mind built of steel
They are relentless
I’m no stranger to getting up early, but that was next level early or I guess it could be called late at that point. We found a great bear that morning though and that’s when everything started to click for me. This guy was one of the most successful hunters I knew and now it was apparent why. Nothing is too far and no alarm is too early. The boundaries that most hunters put up are nonexistent among the 10%.
Tough hunts have a way of eating away at someone. The day after day grind of no animals, bad weather, hunting pressure, etc., can become all too frustrating. And I can guarantee
6 | Hunting & Fishing News
My first years of learning to bear hunt here in Arizona were rough to say the least. I just couldn’t crack the code on these things. So, when a bear hunting mentor of mine offered to come out scouting with me, my truck door flew open for him so fast it dang near came off the hinges. Before that, though, he said, “Meet me at this gas station at 1 a.m.”
I’m a far stretch away from a master, but I’ve managed to maintain a consistency throughout the years with filling tags. I’ve also had the pleasure of observing “the how” of very successful hunters around me. There are no doubt some commonalities I’ve noticed among the “lucky” 10%.
Hunting & Fishing News | 7
Preparation meets opportunity
Every person I’ve met or talked to in the 10% club shares what I’ve listed above to some degree. What is evident after talking about all of this is that if you want great results, then you need to put out great effort. There are no magic tricks to being part of the 10%. It isn’t a certain piece of gear that will push you into the success bracket. Just choices and acting upon them. Being willing to do what most wouldn’t, go where most won’t and embrace every aspect of hunting from the preparation to pulling the trigger. Revel in both failure and success. Enjoy the whole process. That’s the secret. 10% of the hunters do kill 100% of the game, but they put in 90% more effort to get there.
With my headlamp bouncing up and down through the high desert of Arizona, I had a smile on my face. I had just experienced the best day of bear hunting ever and while there were arrows missing from my quiver, my backpack was squeaky clean. My arrows indeed took a one way trip to the danger zone, but never connected. Nonetheless, the numerous lessons I learned that evening was worth much more than just my arrow zipping through the lungs of a bear. Don’t get me wrong: that would have provided some much appreciated instant gratification. However, the lessons are part of the long game and are equally appreciated.
Failure is their friend
If there is just one thing that all of these consistently successful hunters have in common, it’s that they’ve all failed beyond belief in the field. What differentiates them from the rest is that they’ve learned how to take their failures and look at them more as lessons instead of something negative. Failure is often looked at as a bad thing, but in all reality it puts you that much closer to success. Whether it’s missing a shot or blowing a stalk, you just learned something valuable that you didn’t know beforehand. In these moments, genuine gold nuggets of information are bestowed upon us. These are things that we can only learn from being in the moment, in the field. So, no matter how bent you might be about messing up, recognize where you fell short, but let it shine light on what you can do right next time. Failure is a friend, not an enemy.
BILLINGS - 800-655-1170 BOZEMAN - 866-782-2717 MISSOULA - 888-989-5569 www.cmoninn.com •Spacious & Comfortable Rooms •Free Hot Breakfast •Large Indoor Pools & Jacuzzis - All Hotels •Business Meeting Facilities •High Speed Internet Access •Exercise & Game Rooms •iPod Docking Stations In All Rooms •Refrigerators, Microwaves, Coffee Makers In Every Room • 42” or 50” Flat Screen TV In Every Room Lodge AtmosphereLikeWithResortAmenities
You see it every day. I’m sure you do as your thumb effortlessly glides across the screen of your phone. Some hunters out there are hitting the ground running literally every day in preparation for their hunts. Whether it’s shooting, training or scouting, they’re committed to the game that they play and have every intention of winning it. And, as we’ve established, quite often they do. While some might think it’s for attention on social media, this hunting preparation is far from that. These folks know how stacked the deck is against them and are trying to mitigate that at every turn. Instead of waiting to get lucky, they make their own luck through unwavering effort and dedication. A professional fighter doesn’t sit on the couch eating bags of chips before a fight. Athletes like this train hard with purpose and they train to win. Hunting is no different and that’s why these select few hunters tend to get more opportunities than others. And, just like a fighter, when that opportunity presents itself, they recognize it and capitalize on it.
that every season I’ll witness someone throwing in the towel for one of those reasons or similar ones. Which is a shame really. This thing that we look forward to so much being tossed at the wayside because the hunt wasn’t as smooth as we envisioned. Things are rarely perfect on hunts and tags aren’t going to be filled sitting at home. When that 10% becomes submerged in a pool of adversity is where they really shine. Mental fortitude is a value that is rich among them. They know how quickly things can change and, by merely being present, they are opening themselves up for opportunity. These hunters know how to take a hit and run with it. Which brings me to my next point.
When the rubber meets the road
The two processes for aging meat are wet aging and dry aging. Essentially, wet aging meat is done by wrapping the meat in Saran Wrap or placing the meat inside a plastic bag, then refrigerating it. This will let the enzymes break down some of the connective tissue, but will not dehydrate it the same way dry aging does. Overall, you might be used to wet-aged meat if you buy your steaks from the grocery store where they are stored for several days on the shelf before you bring them home. When it comes to dry-aged meat, the most significant difference is that dry-aged meat is aged in the open air. Dry aging meat is what many experts suggest if you want to get the most out of your wild game’s tenderness and flavor. Dry aging will dehydrate your meat the most and also break down the connective tissue, leaving you with a tender and delicious harvest.
By Jake OriginallyHortonpublishedGOHUNT.comat
THE SCIENCE BEHIND AGING MEAT
Aging is the process of storing the meat at a refrigerated temperature for a few days to weeks after the animal has been dead. This is not a new process; in fact, some of the best and more expensive steaks in the world are aged weeks before cooking. Essentially, aging meat allows it to be more tender and flavorful.
Photo credit Logan Summers
WHAT IS AGING?
To OrGameWildYourAgeNot?
(continued on page 38) 8 | Hunting & Fishing News Over42YearsOfExperienceHandlingWildGame WE TURN WILD GAME MEAT INTO SOME OF THE BEST TASTING STUFF AROUND! Call us to see when processing will start. WESTERN MEAT & SAUSAGE BLOCK 820 Dewey Boulevard - Butte, MT 59701 Phone (406) 494-4319 visit WesternofferingWesternintoThisAttentionwww.westernmeatblock.comHunters!fallALLWILDGAMEbroughtWesternMeatandSausageBlockmustbecleanedandde-boned.MeatandSausageblockisnolongerwildgamecuttingandskinningservicesandwillnotacceptanycarcassesorbone-inwildgamemeatforprocessing.MeatandSausageBlockwill ONLY be accepting cleaned boneless meat to be cubed into steaks, ground into burger, or made into any of our homemade sausages. We feature the finest and tastiest sausages in the State of Montana ranging from breakfast sausage to a variety of smoked sausages, salami, and snack sticks.
DRY-AGED VERSUS WET AGED
HOW TO CONTACT US: email: huntingfishingnews@yahoo.com The entire contents is © 2022, 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, Inc. Nor does this material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. All photo & editorial submissions become the property of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. to use or not use at their discretion. Volume 19 Issue 10 Cover Photo: twildlife | depositphotos.com HUNTING & FISHING NEWS Have it delivered FREE to your inbox. Just go to www.huntingfishingnews.net Like us on Contests,https://www.facebook.com/HuntingFishingNewsphotos,huntingandfishingnews,recipes&moreNEVERMISSANISSUE! Download Read Print Share
So you put a big buck, bull, doe or cow on the ground and now the work begins. You get the meat off the animal and into some game bags and back to camp. But now what? Do you hang it in a tree for a few days, put it in the cooler on ice or bring it to town to get butchered? If you are like me, you probably love eating wild game but are always looking for a way to make it taste even better, be more tender and have all the right flavors as you cook it over an entire year. This is the year you should consider a way to age your meat so that you can come home with an even tastier trophy than you have had in the past.
You may be thinking, what exactly does aging do to my meat? Well, the answer is it does two things. First, aging meat breaks down connective tissues by utilizing naturally occurring enzymes. This is the part of the process that will tenderize your harvest. The second thing that aging meat does is dehydrate the meat, which will enhance the meaty flavor. A piece of meat that is aged can reduce its weight by up to 30%, which means the remaining meat will be more succulent and flavorful.
Hunting & Fishing News | 9 Al’s Cycle 619 US-93, 406-363-3433Hamilton alscycleyamaha.com Blitz Motorsports 255 Village Center Lane, 406-522-7533Bozeman blitzmotorsportsmt.com Townsend Marine 7809 US-287, 406-266-5700Townsend townsendmarine.com Five Valley Motorsports 5900 US Hwy 93 S, 406-251-5900Missoula See us online Steve’s Sports Center 4700 9th Ave. South, Great Falls 406-727-8606 stevessportscenter.com • New, powerful 999cc parallel twin engine • Roomy 4-person cabin with configurable sliding rear seats for additional storage • 3 D-Mode settings at the turn of a dial: Sport Mode, Trail Mode, Crawl Mode • FOX® 2.0 iQS (Intelligent Quick Switch) shocks puts the suspension settings in the hands of the driver, allowing them to choose the preferred damping levels from a switch in the cockpit • Transport up to 600 lbs. of cargo or tow a full 2,000 lbs. • Integrated Yamaha Adventure Pro with GPS and adventure planning • Advanced, comfort-focused iQS suspension • Yamaha-exclusive 29” Maxxis® Carnage® radial tires and 14-inch aluminum wheels Shocks, Adventure Pro and Tires listed available on Limited Edition models only. Professional riders and drivers on closed courses. Side-by-Side (SxS) models are recommended for use only by operators 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Avoid excessive speeds and never engage in stunt riding. Always avoid paved surfaces and never ride on public roads. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; it is illegal and dangerous. Model shown with optional accessories. ©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved • YamahaMotorsports.com REIMAGINEREIMAGINEEVERYWHERE.EVERYTHING. Wolverine® RMAX4TM 1000 LIMITED EDITION • New, powerful 999cc parallel twin engine • Roomy 4-person cabin with configurable sliding rear seats for additional storage • 3 D-Mode settings at the turn of a dial: Sport Mode, Trail Mode, Crawl Mode • FOX® 2.0 iQS (Intelligent Quick Switch) shocks puts the suspension settings in the hands of the driver, allowing them to choose the preferred damping levels from a switch in the cockpit • Transport up to 600 lbs. of cargo or tow a full 2,000 lbs. • Integrated Yamaha Adventure Pro with GPS and adventure planning • Advanced, comfort-focused iQS suspension Yamaha-exclusive 29” Maxxis® Carnage® radial tires and 14-inch aluminum wheels Shocks, Adventure Pro and Tires listed available on Limited Edition models only. Professional riders and drivers on closed courses. Side-by-Side (SxS) models are recommended for use only by operators 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Avoid excessive speeds and never engage in stunt riding. Always avoid paved surfaces and never ride on public roads. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; it is illegal and dangerous. Model shown with optional accessories. ©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved • YamahaMotorsports.com REIMAGINEREIMAGINEEVERYWHERE.EVERYTHING. Wolverine® RMAX4TM 1000 LIMITED EDITION
While some tactics work no matter where you are, to give yourself the best chance at filling your freezer, you need to adapt your tactics to the region, and the animal you’re hunting. Read on to join four of today’s best hunters as they stalk some of their favorite game.
•Don’t ignore wide-open country. Elk are a plains species. They can spend all day in wide-open sagebrush country if they have food and water, and open country can make them feel safe since they can see all around. I’ve seen bulls at 10,000 ft. in late December on wind swept mountain sides, and herds of elk in low elevation sagebrush in 100-degree •Useweather.atripod and glass slowly. Elk are easier to see than other big game animals due to their size and color, which causes some people to move too quickly with their binoculars, assuming if there was an elk, it would be obvious to see. But elk can blend in easily when they aren’t in the wide open. Move slow, use a tripod, and look for antler tips, small patches of hide, or movement.
From eastern timber to western mountain peaks, midwestern swamps to southern desert foothills, we’re lucky to live in a country where big game roams wild. But no matter where you hunt, before you can fill your tags, you’ve got to find your quarry first.
GLASSING ELK WITH BRAD BROOKS
Sheep hunting is a test of all aspects of a hunter’s capabilities, including glassing and animal judging, physical fitness, mental toughness, patience, determination, and shooting abilities. These challenges are faced at high elevations and often in steep and rugged country. Why do it? Because the greatest challenges offer the greatest rewards. Here are four glassing tips to help you fill your tag.
GLASSING WHITETAILS WITH MARK KENYON
HOW TO GLASS LIKE THE PROS
10 | Hunting & Fishing News
Photos courtesy Vortex Optics www.vortexoptics.com
Vortex Optics www.vortexoptics.com
Elk are easily one of the best tasting animals in my freezer, which makes the difficulty of hunting and packing them out well worth the effort. I’ve hunted elk in the intermountain west in a variety of terrain and vegetation from early August to late December in everything from sagebrush covered flats, to dense canopy forests, to high-mountain, moderately open country. And while the tactics for hunting elk in each season and terrain type is unique, I use similar methods for finding bulls and getting in close.
GLASSING SHEEP WITH GREG MCHALE
Just as in chess, a good view of the playing field and an understanding of where your opponent might move next is of the utmost importance. In the deer hunting world this means glassing.
•Check the high-value areas first. Skylines, shoulders, and grass patches to start, but don’t neglect rocky slopes, as rams can be found there also.
•Glass the shadows. In the heat of the day, even during archery season when it is hot out, I’ve found more elk than I can remember by continuing to glass when other people are napping or back at the truck. Find a high spot and glass from above on a tripod in a grid pattern. I’ve also found a lot of elk in the middle of the afternoon getting up for a quick bite, or to get water. If you’re consistently out hunting and glassing during this time, you’ll see elk.
•Get the right glass. A 60x spotting scope with a smooth and steady tripod is going to be the key to selecting the right ram. Don’t leave home without it!
Whitetail deer are the most pursued and beloved big game animal in North America, and for good reason. A mature whitetail buck is arguably the greatest survivor in the North American animal kingdom, navigating both wild and human predators, across terrain as diverse as the suburbs of New York City, the marshes of Michigan, and the mountains of Montana. They are the ultimate quarry for hunters looking for a true chess match.
(continued on page 36)
•Glass the edge habitat. Elk tend to come slowly out of bedding habitat and frequently stay close to the timber where they feel safe.
•Use your map to plan each day. Aim for locations offering expansive glassing opportunities (ridges and peaks) that allow you to cover an area with confidence and move on to new areas.
•The ability to cover ground quickly will open up more opportunities. You can’t find sheep if you’re not moving when it’s time. Use 10x binoculars to quickly glass close-up areas while standing and on the move. When it’s time to sit down and pick the mountains apart, the 10x binoculars and the 60x scope will work in tandem to spot animals and to identify whether something is worthy of closer inspection.
www.vortexoptics.comJOIN THE VORTEX NATION SPORTSMAN & SKI www.sportsmanskihaus.comHAUS FULL CURL MFG www.fullcurlmanufacturing.com NORTH 40 www.north40.comOUTFITTERS SHEDHORN www.shedhorn.comSPORTS MURDOCH’S www.murdochs.com OWENHOUSE www.owenhouse.comACE SHIPTON’S BIG R www.shiptonsbigr.com RAZOR® UHD Binoculars 12X50 LIFETIMEUNCONDITIONALUNLIMITEDWARRANTY - VISIT ONE OF THESE DEALERS FOR YOUR NEXT VORTEX PURCHASEWhen you want to take the best-of-the-best to the next level. Enter the Razor UHD. The Ultra High Definition optical design features an improved optical prescription and unparalleled image resolution. Whether you need to pick apart a densely packed hillside, or observe the finest details at insanely close distances, the Razor UHD can do it all! • Objective Lens Covers • Ocular Lens Cover • Accessory/Ammo Pouch • Harness And Case • Comfort Neck Strap • Lens IncludedClothin the Box
Our season runs from October 1 to June 30, and each month/season offers a variety of methods to chase these trophy trout. Early and late season normally has us aboard float tubes/pontoons jigging the depths with pretty sizeable flies, and our colder seasons will find the fish moving closer to shore (Nov-April) where we’ll fish from rock structures or famously from sloping sandy beaches from ladders or custom fabricated chairs. This helps us get closer to the cruising zones and also keeps us out of the water and the Northern Nevada winters and Pyramid Lakes famous winds can be quite Thesebrutal.Cutties
...We are booking trips for the 22/23 season, and believe it or not slots are filling up quick to this world renowned trophy trout destination! Reach out to Nico at nico@bearfishalliance.com or 775-622-2970
The spring will bring a pretty significant midge bite, and this can be an exciting time of the season, especially considering that such large trout will go for such a small midge (well, relative to their large size!) Personally, I have caught my largest LCT’s on midge patterns and let me tell you it is quite a rush fighting a 15-20# trout on such a tiny fly!
LakeOnAdventuresPyramid,Nevada
12 | Hunting & Fishing News
We don’t have an exuberant amount of stillwaters to choose from in Northern Nevada, however that is deemed a moot point due to the fact we are the home to Pyramid Lake. Pyramid, or often referred to as “The “Mid”, is a magical place teeming with prehistoric size trout known as Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. We have two Cutthroat Trout variations here, the Pilot Peak Strain and Summit Strain… we will save the history lesson on these fish for another time, just know they are big, feisty, and have a voracious appetite. These trout exhibit anadromous behavior that is similar to that of Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead, and usually that means they live their lives at sea and spawn in freshwater rivers, however these fish are landlocked in the remnants of the ancient Lahontan Sea, and Pyramid has such a large surface area these fish act like their sea-going brethren.
Photo credit Zach Lazzari
By Nico Sunseri Mystic www.mysticoutdoors.comOutdoors
love to chow on the Tui Chub, Cui-Ui, and Sacramento perch, and even though other baitfish live in the lake the Tui Chub is a majority of the trouts diet. We often hang balanced leeches and large midge patterns (Sz 6-12) under indicators or strip buggers, streamers, and the infamous “Popcorn Beetle” along the sandy bottom to draw freight train like strikes from these monsters. We have a unique approach to indicator fishing out here with a preference leaning towards 7wt Switch rods (Mystic M-Series Switch Rods) with heavy switch lines combined with heavy leader/ tippet combinations..for example my preference is a 20# leader with a 10-12# fluorocarbon tippet. These trout aren’t line shy!
Hunting & Fishing News | 13 2001 W. 1-800-823-2221MISSOULABROADWAY406-728-4040 Your Jayco Headquarters TRUSTED SINCE 1958 We have a Large Inventory of New & Pre-owned Units & Are Western Montana’s Largest Jayco Dealer www.rangitschbrosrv.com RV Sales Hours: Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm Sun Closed Rangitsch Brothers, LLC SEE US TODAY FOR YOUR NEXT RV! NewarrivingUnitsdaily! JAYCOS - AWARD WINNING FLOORPLANS 2023 Models In Stock Now! Save On Our 2022 Year-End Model Clearance Sale. America’s Best Selling RVs! Quality construction, floorplan designs, and affordability. HUNTING CAMP STARTS HERE 2022 JAYCO JAY FEATHER MICRO 171BH Travel Trailers | Fifth Wheels | Toy Haulers | Class B Motorhomes | Class C Motorhomes | Class A Motorhomes 2023 Jay Feather Micro 2022 JAYCO PINNACLE 36SSWS2022 JAYCO JAY FLIGHT SLX 264BHW
14 | Hunting & Fishing News
THE BEST FISHING BRANDS! Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Butte and Hamilton, or 24/7 at bobwards.com
“There’sMidwest.
Photos courtesy Rapala www.rapala.com
“I’ve almost exclusively gone away from live bait, and Jigging Raps have allowed me to do that,” says Tony Roach, an in-demand fishing guide on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake. “I’m getting more strikes, getting better hook-ups and catching way more fish versus a jig-and-minnow, for example. It’s my go-to presentation for panfish, there’s no doubt about it.”
RAPALA www.rapala.com
Step 1 for Roach’s fall Jigging Rap program is finding and waypointing schools of fish with your sonar/GPS unit. “I’ll drive around with my big motor and try to mark schools and figure out what depth they’re at before I even drop the trolling motor,” he explains. “It’s much faster fishing than just kind of fan-casting and slowly, methodically figuring out where these schools of fish are.”
Long predominant as ice-fishing lures, Jigging Raps were proven equally productive as open-water baits in the last several years. Featuring a balanced, weighted minnow profile, they swim in tantalizing circles on the fall. With single reversed hooks on the nose and posterior, and a center treble hook hung from a belly eyelet, they don’t allow for missed bites — regardless of how a fish attacks, it’s running smack dab into a
“I use my electronics not only to locate the fish, but also much like I would in the winter, where I fish vertically right underneath my graph on my bow,” Roach explains. “A Jigging Rap, it’s so dense, it shows up really well on your sonar display, so you can drop it down just above a school and watch fish come up to the bait and strike, just like you do ice fishing.”
The action Roach gives a Jigging Rap when targeting fall panfish differs greatly from how he fishes Jigging Raps in the summer for walleyes. “You’re not ripping it aggressively, hopping it off the bottom, it’s more of a vertical-hover presentation,” he explains. “I might jig it to get them to come up, but then I’ll slow it down – just like ice fishing – where I just barely raise that bait and allow those fish to come up and strike it.”
Leave the bait bucket at home this fall – you can load your boat with panfish by targeting breaklines with the Rapala® Jigging Rap®.
This time of year, panfish begin pulling away from weedlines and start making their way towards their winter haunts. But first, they often spend some time suspending on breaklines between the weedbeds and drop-offs into deeper water.
“As the weeds start to die off, you’ll find big, big schools of fish adjacent to weedlines,” Roach says. “They’ll suspend 10, 15, 20 feet down on those breaks. And that’s really where the Jigging Raps shine.”
Drop Jigging Raps On Breaklines For Fall Panfish
a lot of bodies of water where you can get that stained, tannic-colored water like I’m fishing now,” Roach says. “But certainly, there are clear-water lakes that this technique works just as good in.”
Thehook.Jigging
Rap bite has been “wonderful the past few weeks” on lakes in the Mille Lacs area with tea-colored water, Roach reports. His Jigging Rap technique will be productive all fall on panfish lakes across the Upper
Once Roach locates a school of fish, he’ll use his electric trolling motor to virtually anchor above it and then use his bow-mount sonar/GPS unit to drop his Jigging Rap to the top of the school.
2022 FALL MACK DAYS
are sold.
September 15th to November 13th
Above photo Rapala Jigging Rap® Swimming in tantalizing circles under the ice or in open water for suspended game fish, the Jigging Rap® features a balanced, weighted minnow profile. Single reversed hooks with center treble and eyelet, this bait can also be bottom bounced, yo-yo style off the bottom with unbeatable results. Wide range of sizes is complimented with natural and glow color patterns. View the Rapala Jigging Raps ging#start=1&cgid=rapala-lures-jiggingjigging-rap/Jigging+Rap.html?cgid=rapala-lures-jighttps://www.rapala.com/rapala/lures/jigging-series/at
BONUSES: ALL ANGLERS WHO ENTER 11 or more LAKE TROUT entries EARN BONUS DOLLARS
Big crappie, bluegill and perch will bite Jigging Raps fished in this manner “all the way up to ice-up,” Roach says. Perfect the technique, and you’ll be in for a fun Oncefall.“
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for the south half of Flathead Lake wherever fishing permits
All it takes is one ticket to win in the lottery drawing(Fridays - Sundays only)
“So when I’m dropping my presentation down, I don’t just drop it right in their face, I try to slow my presentation down two or three feet, before it gets to the fish, allowing them to come up to the bait.”
of the Flathead area must be inspected for AIS
32 lottery drawings-$2,000-$400=$28,600 and $4,500-$500 to $50 for merchandise prizes
Applications will be available: Zimmers Tackle-Pablo, Westland Seed & Sports-Ronan, Walmart-Polson, Sportsman’s Warehouse-Missoula, FWP-Missoula and Kalispell, Sportsman & Ski Haus-Kalispell, Bretz RV & Marine-Missoula, Bob Ward & Sons-Missoula, Snappys Sports Senter-Kalispell, CSKT NRD Offices-Polson
SIBERIAN COOLERS-2 drawings-1ticket for every ten entries Fri-Sun Prizes and rules listed on the website www.mackdays.com
you get that school to come up on it, it’s pretty fast-action fishing – you drop down, catch one; drop down, catch another one,” Roach says. “And although a school will eventually move, they don’t move in big increments, so it’s pretty easy to stay on top of them and follow them around as they slide up and down the Forbreakline.”the best results, use braided line attached via swivel or a double-uni or Alberto knot to a two-foot fluorocarbon leader. “If you use this technique a lot, I highly recommend a swivel, to reduce line twist,” Roach says.
(1)$10,000 & (3)$5,000 & (5)$1000 + over(9,000)$500-$100 Tagged Lake Trout Plus $1,000 tagged lake trout-Bretz RV and Marine gift certificatesponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula Friday-Sunday-competitive Mack Days-lottery prizes, tagged fish, and bonuses
LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT on FLATHEAD LAKE
Your best 18 days out of 27,Fri-Sun,for top ten angler prizes 11-20th cash prizes
All from out
The higher your total - the higher your bonus-every day counts: Mon-Sun (60 days)Bonus amounts are listed in the rules page on the website-subject to change Check the rules, prizes, check in sites, & register online at www.mackdays.com Telephone 406-883-2888 Ex. 7294 or 406-270-3386
Top twenty angler prizes $950-$200=$10,800 Captains-$250-(4 prizes),Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes), Largest lake trout $500
available
Fish The Entire Lake UP TO $200 , 000 CASH & PRIZES
“I tend to fish a little bit higher in the water column, because the fish at the top of the school seem to be more aggressive – especially when they’re bunched up in a big group.” Roach says.
Monday-Thursday 6pm deadline to turn in fish at Blue Bay (4)$250,(2)$100 & (4)$50
Fish the entire lake. Check in stations will be announced.
When fishing in stained water, Roach favors Pink Tiger UV, Orange Tiger UV and Glow Yellow Perch color patterns. Big crappies, especially, love Pink Tiger UV, he says. In clear water, he favors natural color patterns like Perch and Chrome Blue.
Top lady anglers-$300,$200,$100. $100-by total fish entered Youth-(17-13) 1st- $200,2nd $150, 3rd $75,4-5th $50 (12 & under)1st-$100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 Fri-Sun.Weekend Prizes-4 @$100 & 1 @$200 per weekend Golden Angler Award-(70 & older)-$300, $200, $100, 2@$50 determined by total fish entered Bucket Days-3 days of single/team-heaviest 4-fish-10/1-Friday, 10/16-Saturday & 11/7-Sunday
Special permits available
boats
LOTTERY PRIZES
courtesy Northland Fishing Tackle www.northlandtackle.com
Hawthorne continues: “When walleye fishing, you rarely lose a single fish on the jig because of the hook. I like the versatility of it, being able to go from live bait to plastics with a single jig head.” Northland pro and angling educator Joel Nelson is another big fan of the new Elite MVP Series jig. “I used it on walleyes on Mille Lacs lake early in the season, and the hookset to catch ratio was unheard of. Not only is the hook bend design unique, its a strong, beefy hook that won’t bend on big fish. Let’s say you’re netting a big fish and introducing a lot of torque between the jighead where you’re tied on and the hook itself. I’ve had a lot of jigs break on me while trying to net fish. That’s not the case with the
Photos
Since day one, Northland’s mission has always been the same—to build a better bait for everyday anglers and pros alike. That’s why they’ve partnered with best-in-class hook manufacturer Gamakatsu on several new products for late 2022 and 2023. One of these exciting new products is the Elite Series MVP Jig, an ultra-sharp weapon with several unique design features.
Northland Fishing Tackle partners with Gamakatsu on the Elite Series MVP Jig, a realistic head design with unique hook bend that’s ultra-sharp for live bait and soft plastics.
Northland Fishing Tackle www.northlandtackle.com
“I love the Elite Series MVP Jig. It just flat-out works on walleyes. It’s a great plastics jig when rigged with an Impulse Paddle Minnow or Impulse Smelt Minnow. It’s also a good heavy worm jig which is kind of out of the norm, but I use it with everything from jigworms to ringtail worms. It may seem weird, but the jig is so heavy that it sinks and stands the worm right up off the bottom. It works great with creature tails, too. Honestly, if you don’t know what you’re going to fish on any given day—live bait or plastics—the jig has super realistic eyes and great minnow profile head and large sickle-hook style hook gap and keeper to keep plastics or live bait pinned. The Gamakatsu simply hooks the heck out of the fish. Plus, the paint and detail to the head are unmatched.”
an incredible bass jig, especially for smallmouths,” states Nelson. “The wire keeper is excellent, so the MVP is a top option for fishing soft plastics. The head design has realistic eyes, some texture, and looks very bait-like. Like the Northland Deep-Vee jig, it has a fantastic finish, too. With the Gamakatsu Jig 90 Big River hook, it’s a natural fit for anyone chasing river smallies. The hook is designed to keep fish buttoned up. Especially with fish like smallies that love to jump, the MVP is a great option to keep fish hooked.”
Elite Series MVP Jig (Parrot)
16 | Hunting & Fishing News
For starters, the jig features a Gamakatsu Jig 90 Big River hook with a large gap and acute bend that offers great holding power, locking fish in place. The quality of Gamakatsu hooks is simply the best in the business, and the increased hook gap of the Big River Hook has many benefits for fishing shiners, big chubs, suckers, plastics, and yields impressive hooking percentages with its unique sickle hook design. Noted Mille Lacs Lake guide Brad Hawthorne has had great success fishing the Northland Elite Series MVP Jig, from live bait to ripping soft plastics. He says it’s always tied on to at least two rods on deck.
“It’sMVP.”also
Hooksets Guaranteed
Dakotas-based Northland pro Jason Mitchell has been using Northland’s Elite Series MVP Jig to great success on western walleyes as well—especially in deeper water.
“The hook point is lined up perfectly with the line tie, which means when you’re pulling on the jig, you’re reefing right into the meat of the fish’s mouth. For me, it’s the perfect jig for a big soft plastic on river walleyes and cutting through current while displacing a lot of water. MVP’s come in heavier sizes, too, so it’s ideal for deeper river walleyes stacked up in current areas.”
Whether fishing soft plastics or upsized live bait— you’re going to want to give the new Northland Elite Series MVP Jig a shot. From vertical fishing to pitching or “strolling,” it’s got a hook that’s simply unforgiving and keeps fish buttoned. And, at the end of the day, that’s what we all want—more fish in the boat…
Hunting & Fishing News | 17 www.townsendmarine.com 7809 Hwy. 287 S., Townsend 406-266-5700 See us for our large selection of Boats, ATVs & Accessories. FOR THE 10TH STRAIGHT YEAR TOP 5 LUND BOATS DEALER IN THE WORLD LET US HELP YOU FIND THE LUND FOR YOU! 2023 1875 Impact Sport XS (Black / Silver stone) Vinyl main floor, Smart Craft gauges, Hydraulic steering, Drivers slider, Raised Lund Red/Chrome, Auto bilge upgrade, Bow bait station, Fire ext, Top hider, Lund ruler, Under console drawers Port & Stb, Luxury package (Pro ride seats, Ski tow, Upgraded steering wheel), On the go rod storage Port & Stb, 3 bank Minnkota on board charger, Travel cover, Complete top set, Humminbird Helix 9 Chirp MSI on console, Humminbird Helix 9 MDI on bow, Minnkota 80 Terrova MDI I pilot Link, Complete network system link. Engine: Mercury 150 Pro XS four stroke w/ SS prop. Kicker: Mercury 9.9 ELPT EFI Pro kicker with controls Trailer: Shoreland’r LUV40 –Custom tandem axle Lundguard black, spare tire, load guides. 2023NOWModels IN STOCK!
Northland pro Nick Lindner has been using the jig since the early design days and is a convert to the head shape and hook style for big walleyes, electing to use the new jig on river fish.
Another convert to fishing the new Elite Series MVP Jig is Northland Pro and guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl. Bro comments, “I beta-tested the Elite Series MVP Jig and was super impressed. Now I’m using it all the time. First, it’s got a great big-fish hook. When you set the hook on a larger walleye with heavy bone structure in its mouth, this hook goes right through it like butter. It just drills big fish. It’s not even about a hard hookset, it’s more of a slow pull with the Gamakatsu. It’s wicked sharp and that unique bend keeps ‘em buttoned.”
Nelson continues: “We’ve used the jig with large shiner minnows, and it performed well—and it’s also been a key jighead in my arsenal for fishing soft plastics. Every time I set the hook, the MVP penetrates flesh, and you end up landing the fish. Once the fish gets its lip around the tip of the hook bend, it forces the entire jig in past the barb. The hook has a unique, aggressive curve to it. You put a hook in a fish with this jig and it’s likely not coming out.”
“I like the Gamakatsu for great hooksets. The color selection is excellent, too. I’ve been fishing them primarily with live bait—fatheads and rainbows— in larger sizes like the 3/8- and ½-ounce, dragging them over deeper water, 12- to 22-feet, with a 7-foot medium-heavy power spinning rod with a fast tip— something beefy—with 10-pound braid, so it drops fast, and a 12-pound fluorocarbon leader. I’ve been catching a lot of fish on the Glo Moonlight and the brighter Parrot and Bubblegum.”
Bro continues: “The jighead itself is based on one of my ice fishing designs—the Mud Bug. It’s designed to look like an actual minnow head, which appeals to the visual senses of numerous fish species. The wire keeper also keeps soft plastics and expensive live bait pinned exactly where they’re supposed to be. If you’re using a ‘crawler, leech, or minnow, that barb keeps the meat on without killing it, too. It keeps the bait tight—but lively—on the jig.”
In terms of colors, Bro is a big fan of the blue and white Glo Moonlight pattern in the Elite Series MVP family of colors. “This is a tournament secret,” states Bro. “It catches walleyes everywhere you go. I keep it on my guide clients’ lines because it always catches fish. It’s a great clear water color and good on lakes with big populations of rusty crawfish, because there’s blue on top of their shell and claws. Crawfish aren’t always orange. They’re brown with a little bit of blue.”
Locating game this time of year can be challenging. Animals have felt the hunting season pressure, and they may not move far from timber or bedding areas to their feeding areas. Be ready to spend hours each day behind your binoculars picking apart the timber and glassing along these transition zones.
18 | Hunting & Fishing News
To help with this routine, load your daypack the night before. Pack your breakfast, your lunch, and fill your water. Then, you can quickly be out the door of your tent in the morning. If it takes 30 minutes to walk from your camp to where you want to be at daylight, factor that into the equation and set your alarm accordingly.
n many western states, general rifle-hunting seasons often take place during the month of October, and into the first half of November. These rifle seasons provide a great deal of opportunity and the tags are relatively easy to obtain. However they can also present challenging hunting conditions for both elk and mule deer.
1. Hunt Dark to Dark
By the time most rifle seasons open in October, the elk rut has passed. Instead of being highly vocal and responsive to calls, bulls tend to move off on their own or in small bachelor groups to recover from the rut. With few exceptions, bulls will be silent, retreating to areas where they feel secure.
Spend those “prime time” hours at the beginning and end of each day in a good glassing position. Carefully glass the seams between bedding and feeding areas. Focus on timber edges, the edges of burns, or avalanche chutes. Don’t expect a big bull elk to be feeding out in the middle of a big flat meadow. Instead, he’s more likely to be hanging around the seams on steep slopes, canyon walls or other hard-to-reach areas.
2. Be Prepared to Glass
Many hunters might enjoy a glorified fall camping trip, staying up late drinking beer around the fire with their friends. And while having fun is certainly part of the adventure success during the rifle seasons also takes hard work. To consistently find mature mule deer bucks or bull elk this time of year, you need to be out of camp before daylight, and prepared to return after dark.
Getting out of camp before daylight and staying out until it’s dark isn’t easy, especially if the weather is cold. But hard working hunters will give themselves more opportunities this time of year.
Hunt all day long. Pack a lunch so that there’s no need to return to camp in the afternoon. While game will be most active early and late, you might be surprised what you’ll spot during the middle of the afternoon. Hunting pressure from other hunters will move animals around during the day. Use this to your advantage and stay alert.
Meanwhile, the October and early November rifle seasons take place before the mule deer rut. Rather than being out on the prowl for does, most bucks, especially mature bucks, will remain solo or in small bachelor groups. It’s common to see small bucks mingling with does during this time. But the bigger bucks will be more coy, staging for the rut in sanctuary areas where they feel secure.
Mid-Season Strategies For Post-Rut Elk And Pre-Rut Mule Deer
Despite these challenges, mid-season rifle hunts offer loads of opportunity. Tags for these seasons tend to be much easier to draw. For example, elk units here in Colorado that are difficult to draw during the archery season, often take fewer preference points if you’re willing to hunt during October or November. Likewise, it’s much easier to draw a mule deer license in a quality unit during Colorado’s 2nd rifle season. Tags become increasingly more difficult to draw the closer you get to the rut, during the 3rd and 4th rifle seasons respectively.
Finally, decide where you want to be during the prime hours before dark. Get set up early, and be patient. Continue glassing until you can no longer see. Even if you spot an animal after legal shooting light, this can provide you with a great game plan for the following morning.
IPhotowww.caribougear.comcreditRyanMcSparran
Considering these challenges, what is the best way to approach a rifle season hunt for post-rut elk or pre-rut mule deer?
When hunting during over-the-counter or general rifle seasons, let your eyes do the walking whenever possible. Post-rut bull elk and pre-rut mule deer bucks may not travel far if you can locate them in protected sanctuary areas. Do your best to locate them first. Then, you can plan a careful stalk.
If you’re up for more of a challenge, mid-season rifle hunts offer plenty of opportunity.
By Ryan McSparran Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Company
Here are a few strategies that we like to remember during these mid-Season hunts:
I like to be in my glassing position a few minutes before it’s light enough to see. First, it allows me to arrive under the cover of darkness. And second, I have a few minutes to set up my tripod, put on an extra layer and get comfortable. You should begin glassing the moment it’s light enough to see. Plan on glassing for the first couple hours of daylight during prime time. Then, you can take a break and eat your breakfast during the mid-morning lull. I even like to bring an ultralight stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket in my daypack to make a cup of coffee on the mountain.
Success in hunting does take some luck. It often means being at the right place at just the right time. But the more you can persevere through challenges and continue putting yourself in good positions, the more “luck” you’ll create. And sometimes that biggest challenge is overcoming your own mental letdown.
3. Take Advantage of Hunting Pressure
2022LLC©KENETREK,
mountain Boots
4. Stay Positive
Since mid-season rifle hunts offer lots of opportunity, you can expect plenty of other hunters to be out on the landscape. But don’t let that deter you. In fact, hunting pressure can be used to your advantage.
Keeping a positive attitude on a challenging hunt is much easier said than done. When conditions are tough or when you’re not seeing animals, it’s far too easy to let your guard down. One of the best things you can do to increase your chances of success, is to maintain a positive attitude.
Hunting Gear for the Adventure
If you have questions or need help getting ready for your next hunting trip, please let us know. Visit our website at www.caribougear.com
Still-hunting can be effective during hot weather or during the middle of the day. And moving around can help break up the monotony of glassing. However, my experience is that more often than not, this results in seeing the rear ends of animals as they’re running the opposite direction. When given a choice, I’d almost always rather put myself in a good glassing position and spot them before they see or smell me.
KENETREK
are built for unyielding traction, support and comfort in the most rugged terrain and weather. Thick leather uppers wrap around supportive nylon midsoles, on top of high traction outsoles. Bottom line: They make it possible to get anywhere you need to go in total
VISIT US ON SOCIAL
When things are difficult, keep working, keep glassing and don’t quit. Try and remind yourself as often as possible that each moment could be the critical moment. And you need to be ready. When you mentally give up, you begin to create your own self-fulfilling prophecy.
Mid-season hunting is tough. If you begin with that expectation, it may be easier to work through it, enjoy it, and stay positive even when things aren’t going your way.
Bring a tripod and a mounting adaptor for your binoculars. Glassing for hours each day becomes much easier when your binoculars are on a tripod. And you’ll be surprised how much more clearly you’ll be able to see when your optics are stable. Even 8x or 10x binoculars benefit greatly from the stability of a tripod.
As you’re driving to your trailhead, campsite or starting point make a note of other camps you pass along the way. Drop a pin on your OnX Hunt map. Mark any additional access points to the area you’ll be hunting. Knowing the source and direction of any other hunting pressure is valuable information.
WWW.KENETREK.COMcomfort.| 800-232-6064
We’ve all been there, feeling discouraged or frustrated on a hunt and forgetting how rapidly things can change. Remember that in the blink of an eye, you could be looking at an animal within rifle range. It literally takes seconds to change the course of an entire hunt.
Looking at the camps and access points on the map, do your best to evaluate places that might offer security for elk or deer. Also, take note of saddles or natural funnels where game is likely to travel when pressured. You might discover a great place to sit on opening morning.
in their support of the ou t doors, an d g rou p s such a s the Rocky Mountain E lk Foun d ation w ith i ts mission t o conserve wil d life habi t at and o p en s p ac e.
Your Mont a na T oyota Deal e rs are PAS SION ATE
Push the limits of every day.
Whether you’re hustling around town or venturing out to see what nature has to offer, find your confidence growing every time you’re behind the wheel of Highlander. Highlander ups convenience and elegance with its captivating, modern interior, and the bold exterior design is guaranteed to turn heads at every stop.
HIGHLANDER
Prototypes shown with options. O -roading is inherently dangerous. Abusive use may result in bodily harm or vehicle damage. Wear seatbelts at all times and do not allow passengers in cargo area.
TOYOTA.COM
PUB LI C A CC ES S
In the Little Belt Mountains, approximately 28 miles from White Sulphur Springs in Meagher County
TENDERFOOT
Creek Acquisition provided an opportunity for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to conserve 1,092 acres of wildlife and riparian habitat. The property provides important habitat for elk, deer, other wildlife and fish. This project opened public access to the property and its streams for hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities. It complements previous RMEF and USFS acquisition work completed in the Tenderfoot area in 2015.
For hunters, anglers and others who enjoy experiencing the outdoors firsthand, it means everything. No access means no recreational opportunity.
Project conserves approximately 1,092 acres, opening and improving access to important wildlife and fish habitat
9,985ACRESOPENS&IMPROVES
LOCATIONTheTenderfoot
First, use game bags that are designed for boneless meat. The Caribou Gear Carnivore pack was designed exactly for that purpose. The long, tube-like shape of these bags helps keep the loose meat from balling up at the bottom. This promotes cooling and it also makes it easier to carry on your back. Also, periodically try and work the meat around in the bags to help cool meat that’s at the center of the mass. The faster you can cool that core temperature, the more time you have to pack it out and the better it will taste.
Cool it Down
Whether you’re with friends or solo, it helps to have a game plan and some possible strategies in mind. When that animal is on the ground and the clock is ticking, it’s easy to feel pressured. Early in the season, we might feel pressured by warm temperatures. Later in the season we might feel pressured by oncoming darkness. No matter the situation, be confident in your game plan. Slow down, be careful and do it right. There’s not one best strategy for packing out an elk. Every situation is going to be a little different. The distance from the road, the time of day, the weather and the terrain will all need to be considered.
Since boned out meat spoils faster than bone-in meat, there are a few things you should do to help slow down that process.
When at all possible, we like to leave meat on the bone. It offers a few distinct advantages. Bone-in meat is simply easier to deal with. The bone provides structure, making it easier to load and carry. But bone-in meat is also better for meat care. Boneless meat will have more surface area. This requires you to do more trimming at home and may result in a bit lower yield. Additionally, leaving meat on the bone through the rigor mortis process is beneficial. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Removing the bones prior to rigor mortis will cause muscle contraction known as ‘shortening’. This can lead to tougher meat. If the meat is allowed to go through rigor and then relax on the bone, it minimizes shortening, helping keep the meat more tender. And finally, boneless meat will be the first to spoil. Boneless meat tends to form a dense mass in a game bag. There are a few steps you can take to help cool boneless meat – but it’s something to be aware of.
Keep it Clean
22 | Hunting & Fishing News
PROTECT THE MEAT
How To Move An Elk: Strategies For The Pack Out
Here are a few of our go-to strategies for moving an elk. What are your tips? Leave them in the comments move-an-elk-strategies-for-the-pack-outhttps://www.caribougear.com/blogs/hunting-tips/how-to-at.
BONE IN OR BONE OUT?
By Zach Lazzari and Ryan McSparran Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Company
Of course there are situations when boning out meat makes perfect sense. When you’re a long ways from the trailhead, every pound matters. This is especially true when you’re hunting solo. In these circumstances, the pros of boneless meat outweigh the cons – literally.
walking up to an animal of that size can be intimidating, especially if you are a long way from the truck. They are truly big animals. Moving it from Point A to Point B is going to be a challenge. Plus, the challenge isn’t just moving the animal – it’s doing so in a way that gives you the highest yield of excellent wild game meat and keeping that meat in great condition...gamey taste is often the result of preventable mistakes being made in the field.
Photo credit Ryan McSparran
There are three major factors that go into protecting wild game meat:
www.caribougear.comAfterharvestinganelk,
Nestled in the heart of some of Montana’s most pristine wilderness All rooms have cable TV, microwave, refrigerators, coffee pot • Kitchenettes • Laundry room • Sauna • Free WiFi MOTELLEEPER’SPONDEROSA 110 1st Ave., Lincoln, MT (406) 362-4333 Pets welcome Make us your basecamp for hunting, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling. Reasonable rates BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY FOR MOUNTAIN FUN IN LINCOLN MONTANA
The first and perhaps the most obvious part of protecting the meat is to keep it clean. As you’re removing the hide, try and keep hair off the meat as much as possible. Do your best to keep the meat out of pooling blood. Any meat that’s soaked in blood is at a higher risk of spoilage. And of course keep any other bodily fluids off the meat. As you remove each quarter, place it as quickly as you can into a clean game bag and lay it on a clean surface like the Hunter’s Tarp while you continue working.
Next, find ways to cool the meat quickly. This looks different in every situation, depending on the landscape and the weather. At the very least, prop the quarters up so that they are leaning together like a tipi. This is better than laying flat on the ground, as air can circulate around them. Alternatively, you can lay them over logs. If possible, use branches or sticks to create a lattice so that air can flow under the meat. Or, if there are nearby branches, tie a piece of paracord around the knee joint and hang the quarters, for convenience we pre make paracord lashings. No matter which method you use, keep the meat in the shade. If necessary, hang a tarp to help shade the meat.
When moving an elk any distance, it’s critical to keep the meat protected. You’re going through all this effort to pack out a large animal; you want to keep as much as you can in great condition for the table.
Moving the meat to an alternative spot provides a couple of other advantages as well. It allows you to pick a strategic location that is cool and shady. This buys you more time to get the job done. Plus, it moves the whole load one step closer to your vehicle.
Breaking the pack out into short trips doesn’t change the overall distance. But it gives you more frequent breaks. This aids recovery and helps prevent burning out your legs. While you’re making those two-mile walks back to the meat cache with an empty pack, take advantage of this recovery time to eat a snack and drink plenty of water. Especially when you’re at altitude, staying fueled and hydrated is a key to keeping your muscles happy...
If you have questions or need help with gear or meat care tips, please let us know. Visit our website at www.caribougear.com, call 303-798-5824 or visit our retail store at 8955 S. Ridgeline Blvd Suite #1100 Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129.
MOVE IT AWAY FROM THE KILL SITE BEARS - BIRDS AND COYOTES
Keep it Dry
If you’ll be making multiple trips to pack out the meat, we’d recommend first shuttling the meat away from the kill site. Scavengers will soon arrive at the gut pile and unused portions of the carcass. If the edible portions of meat are hanging at least a hundred yards away in game bags, there’s less chance that an animal will bother with them.
MAKE SHUTTLE TRIPS
There are many different ways you can slice it. Your decision may depend on your own physical abilities, the distance and the terrain. Remember this, however: it’s not worth risking an injury at this point in your hunt. Better to keep the loads manageable than to overdo it and hurt yourself or trash your legs on the first trip. Particularly in steep or nasty terrain –limiting each load to a reasonable weight may help keep your legs in better shape, even if it takes another round trip or two.
No matter where your adventures take you, have a plan for getting that wild game meat home in excellent condition.
Warning: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2022 Polaris Industries Inc.
Hunting & Fishing News | 23
MAKING UP LOADS
When there’s a long distance between you and the trailhead, one strategy you might consider is to shuttle the meat in shorter bursts, rather than making one long trip to the truck and another long round trip back. For example, if you’re four miles from the road, take a load about two miles and find a good spot to hang it. Then, go back for the other loads. Continue running these shuttles until you’re finished.
When it’s time to shoulder that first load back to the truck, how do you decide how you’re going to split everything up? There’s no right or wrong way to do it. The two elk hindquarters could be two loads in themselves. Then, a front quarter and backstraps could be taken together while the final front shoulder could be paired with the antlers.
Finally, protecting the meat means keeping it dry. Wet game bags won’t breathe properly and will prevent the meat from forming a dry glaze on the outside, which is ideal. Wet meat is also a breeding ground for bacteria. To assist in retarding bacteria growth and keeping insects off the meat use game bag spray. The best possible scenario for your hard-earned wild game is to keep it clean, cool and dry. If you’re working in the snow, lay a Hunter’s Tarp on the ground to keep the meat from getting wet. If you need to hang the meat overnight or for any extended period of time, suspend the tarp over the meat to protect it from the sun, rain and snow.
SEE WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU AT RANGER CREW XP 1000 NORTHSTAR EDITION ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD CLIMATE CONTROL •Factory-installed HVAC offers quick heating and cooling for all-season comfort • Full-body skid plate and up to 14” of ground clearance • Ample storage and all-day comfort •1,000lb hauling capacity • Polaris HD 4,500 lb. winch with synthetic rope and autostop • Pro Shield full glass tip-out windshield LewistownPolaris.com 302 TRUCK BY-PASS, LEWISTOWN, MT 406-538-9435
PROTECTION
In today’s western hunting world, there is no lack of information about gear and opinions about what is essential to carry into the backcountry and what is not worth the weight. Backcountry and western hunting companies concentrate on creating quality, durable and lightweight options to meet all of your needs, which makes it hard to choose what is an essential piece of gear and what is a luxury. Despite all of the options, there is one item that I would not leave the truck without despite the weight, especially during bow season, and that is my sidearm. A sidearm has become an essential piece of equipment that I think should be on every western hunter and here are three reasons why.
There is a growing expanse of grizzly habitat in states like Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, but there are other predators in every state. Nearly all western states have black bears, cougars or wolves — all of which generally would not attack; however, you never know. A lesser concern, but still a good reason, is to protect yourself from some people you might encounter in the backcountry. In today’s world, most hunters are respectful to other hunters; however, you may meet someone who has a short fuse or a bad day that could cause issues for you deep in the mountains and it is always better to be prepared. No matter the threat, it is always better to be prepared than not to be prepared in the backcountry.
The final reason I will never leave the truck without a sidearm and you shouldn’t either is in case of emergencies. Sidearms can allow you to hunt animals in the backcountry should you be lost or injured with only a bow or no weapon at all. Hunting with a handgun will be difficult, but it still can provide much-needed sustenance to survive for an extended time while you are lost or injured. Sidearms can also signal for help. It is a well-known emergency fact that three quick bursts of anything can signify distress and be a sign that you need help. Three gunshots in a row can be an excellent indication of distress, especially if search parties are already looking for you.
CONFIDENCE
Skinner ® Sights LLC MACHINED FROM SOLID BARSTOCK Rifle cases & more for your rifles WWW.SKINNERSIGHTS.COM P.O. Box 1810, St. Ignatius, MT. 59865 PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION STURDY SIGHTS
The primary reason that a sidearm should be on your person every trip into the backcountry is for protection.
Overall, a sidearm has become something I never leave the trail without for several reasons. It provides me protection against any threat, including wild animals and other people, it gives me the confidence to hunt harder and stay in later and it can aid a hunter in case of emergencies. Consider adding a sidearm to your essential gear list and increase your chances to leave the mountains safely and in one piece. GOHUNT’s Gear Shop has a lot of great options to carry a sidearm...GOHUNT.com.
Photo credit Luke Dusenbury
Three Reasons Why A Sidearm Is An Essential Piece Of Gear
By Jake OriginallyHortonpublished at GOHUNT.com
Though the primary reason for carrying a sidearm on your next hunt is protection, having a weapon on you also gives you confidence. Confidence while hunting is a super important tool to have in your arsenal. It will not only help you hunt harder, but it will also allow you to go in deeper, stay later and have a greater chance to harvest an animal. Years ago, before I started carrying a sidearm, I used to get quite nervous during solo hunts in grizzly country. Of course, I had bear spray, but my concern was if that would be enough. Because I was nervous, I would often cut my evening hunt short, move quickly through thicker areas and not go in after a bull if I would be coming out too late. When I decided to start carrying a sidearm, my confidence bolstered. I was staying in later, hunting deeper and getting into more elk in the thick country without being concerned that every twig snapping or grouse fluttering was going to be the end of me. Confidence also changed my experience and made it more enjoyable to be in the backcountry solo.
The main concern that I have — and the main reason I carry a pistol with me — is to protect against bears.
EMERGENCIES
24 | Hunting & Fishing News
Pick up a box or more at your local sporting goods store or one of our online retailers. HAND LOADED ACCURACY STRAIGHT FROM THE BOX FOR ALL OF YOUR SHOOTING NEEDS RIFLE-BEAR LOAD-DANGEROUS GAME-HANDGUN-LEAD FREE-REDUCED RICOCHET-COWBOY ACTION RELOADING COMPONENTS-CLEANING SUPPLIES-FIREARMS-LAW ENFORCEMENT AMMUNITIONS www.hsmammunition.com Manufactured in Stevensville, MT.
Go Mountain Hunting While You Can
“I’m over the hill now, with bad knees and a stiff back, but those hunts I took for sheep and elk back in my day are forever etched in my memory,” Joe said in an email. “In the long run of a hunting career it’s the adventure and the chase, not the prize, that looms large. Young hunters should make the tough hunts while they still can, while they can climb to high, wild, wonderful places. There will be plenty of time later on to sit in a stand and shoot a buck.”
I encourage all you 30- and 40-somethings who can swing 20 or 30 grand or so to go sheep hunting in Alaska or maybe the Yukon. Or for less dough, go for a goat in British Columbia, or elk in western Montana.
“I smell a grizzly, close,” Rick said, and then he hollered, “Go away.”
My eyes bugged and the hair bristled on my neck, but we were so tired we collapsed in our bags. When I woke up 12 hours later, I was still clutching my .30-06.
That was the first of many epic hunts I made for sheep and elk back in the day.
The bullet’s whump in the mountain air was loud and unnerving. I can still see blood overspreading the ram’s white shoulder, like you spilled a bottle of Merlot on your best carpet. Then he toppled over dead and rolled violently end over end into a dark crevasse, clattering in the rocks as the gunshot echoed away and the immense mountains fell silent
I can almost feel and hear the sweating, the cussing, the rockslides, the falls, the bloody knees and hands. When we finally got up there and sat shivering in our sweat, it took Melvin, in that time one of the top sheep guides in Alaska, about 10 seconds to size up one ram as a shooter, and me about 20 seconds to rest and aim my .30-06 and kill him with one bullet.
Whenagain.wegot
After a 3-hour ride in the blackest night with brightest stars I had ever seen, we made it back to spike camp at 3:00 AM.
Anywhere the mountains are high and wild, where you have to climb and sweat and cuss and work harder than you ever have just to see game, and if you’re lucky, get a shot.
Do it now, before you get too old and regret not doing it.
As for me, I’ve got one creaky knee now, but Aleve can help that. I try to work out every day, and eat pretty good most of the time. I think I could still do it. You old-timers who have aged well and who by now can maybe afford it, pop some pills and go one more time, too.
26 | Hunting & Fishing News
I remember that Dall’s sheep hunt in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska like it was yesterday. It took Melvin, Rick and me 8 hours to hike to the top of the 10,000-foot peak, way above timberline, to where the sheep were grazing.
Photo courtesy Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com
Like Joe said, those memories get etched and, thank God, never go away.
By Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com
Could not have said it any better myself. Joe got me to thinking back to all the mountain hunts I made earlier in my career, back in the 1980s and 90s when I was writing 3,000-5,000 word adventure stories for magazines like American Hunter and Outdoor Life. Sad, the magazines rarely print those long stories anymore. Anyhow, the memories came flooding back, especially of that first high-country hunt.
We’ll all have plenty of time later on to sit in a stand and shoot a buck.
Afellow named Joe heard me say on TV the other day that I used to do a lot of mountain hunting years ago, before I switched over to basically 100% deer. I made the switch because to scratch out a living in the outdoor blogging and television business, you’d better hunt deer, and you’d better write and speak like you know what you are talking about.
over to the ram 40 minutes later, I stood there in awe and started shaking. Could it be? Did I really kill this magnificent creature? I remember the young horse wrangler, Rick, saying verbatim, “Shit, I ain’t dragging him down these rocks.” He slung the stocky white animal over his shoulder like a sack of corn and took off.
Four hours later, having run the loose scree off the mountain like riding down an escalator out of control, we arrived back at the horses in the river bottom. I remember Scout bucking and whinnying and giving me the evil eye as Melvin and Rick threw the ram onto his back and lashed it to the pack saddle. “Grizzly bait,” Melvin laughed as Scout reared and twirled and protested more.
Halfway down the mountain I gave Rick my rifle, hung the ram on my back and took off. I remember the smell of fresh sheep blood, and the feel of the animal’s coarse hide rubbing the back of my neck. I stumbled as far as I could with the load before collapsing in the talus, to prove I was a hard-ass and could do it too. Brutal hunts in big mountains make you do demented things like that.
By Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com
If your shot placement was great to marginal, most of the time you’ll find that deer.
And 40 degrees is marginal. I believe you need the night air to dip down into the 20s or cooler to have hope of salvaging good, tasty meat from a deer that has lain on the ground, guts in, for 10 to 12 hours or
Short answer, no.
I’ve had several bad experiences with does and bucks I’ve shot at last light and, fearing a marginal hit, left overnight. I won’t do it now if the nighttime temperature is 40 or above, which it almost always is in early archery season in most places.
Should You Shoot A Buck And Leave It Overnight?
Tomore.leave
find the deer.
Hunting & Fishing News | 27
a wounded buck or not all night is the most agonizing dilemma that I hope you are not forced to deal with this archery season. But if you are…
Gut and cool it as fast as you can and you’ll end up with 50 or 60 pounds of delicious boned meat to show for it.
Photo courtesy Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com
trythetrail,slowlyHeadpowerfulthem2)(nobuddieshuntingofCallRegroup.acoupleexperiencedmorethanandtelltobringlights.outonthepickupbloodandyourbestto
Look most of the night if you have to.
Go back to your truck, relax for a few minutes and replay the shot in your mind.
One morning as we drove to our spot I spotted a pickup on the side of the road. “Who’s that?” I asked Herb, the landowner.
Look For Small Public Lands To Kill Big Bucks
I thought, but he might ruin a big buck’s day. That hunter was smart. He had ferreted out a remote and non-descript 100 acres (I didn’t see a public access sign anywhere) out in the middle of nowhere and surrounded on all sides by private ranches that teemed with game. He hunted on Wednesday, just about guaranteeing he’d have the run of the place. His odds of tagging a public-land buck were as good as they get.
Here’s something to keep in mind for this fall. The smaller the public area, the more people will ignore it as they scrounge around for a larger property to hunt. That’s good for you. I’ve actually come to prefer a small to mid-size tract over a big public area. Anytime you hunt 500 or more public acres you’ll have to share it with some or an army of other hunters. Either way, the pressure will impact your methods, limit your stand locations, and reduce your odds of tagging a buck. You’ll get lucky every once in a while, but don’t count on it every season.
“There’s a small piece of state land in there that hardly anybody knows about,” my friend replied, waving to a small strip of timber across the ditch. “He won’t bother No,us.”
Start looking now for a nondescript, out-of-the-way property like that. It might be a small state forest or WMA in a remote corner of the county 40 or 50 miles from your house. Or 20 acres around a ramp where you launch your bass boat in the summer. I know a guy who bowhunts on a couple of acres adjacent to a municipal landfill, and he fills his tags.
By Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com
Remember,carefully.think
small this fall. It doesn’t take a lot of acres to shoot a big whitetail these days.
One November I spent a week hunting on a private ranch out near Sheridan, Wyoming. Every day we sat on ridges, glassed the crops and creeks below, and spotted 30 to 50 whitetails. There were plenty of bucks, with racks ranging from 120 to 140 inches. What made the hunting totally cool as I waited for the buck I wanted to shoot was the fact that we were able to glass 20 to 30 muleys, 6 to 10 elk, and huge bands of pronghorns too.
There are plenty of overlooked spots like that across the country, and more coming into the public domain every once in a while...Who knows when those spots will be opened to hunters? But it’s sure worth investigating. The best way to do it is to visit your state and county websites once a week. Check for new postings on public lands, and investigate any intriguing possibilities. Hunting access varies widely on these types of offbeat tracts, so check your state and local regs
28 | Hunting & Fishing News
The Hyalite and Bozeman Creek watersheds are an important water supply for one of the fastest-growing cities in the state and host over 500,000 visitors annually. The Elkhorns Cooperative Management Area is one of Montana’s most popular hunting areas. The Bitterroot region includes six of Montana’s top 10 communities for wildfire risk, making it a high priority for protecting people, property, infrastructure, wildlife and other resources.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Forest Service and involve all who care deeply about Montana’s rich natural resources and outdoor traditions in the shared stewardship model of conservation,” Dorsey said. “It takes the entire village.”
Forests across Montana and the West are experiencing declining health due to many factors — fire suppression, severe drought, a warming climate, insect infestation and disease — that have created tinderbox conditions.
Kickoff Fundraiser
“In addition to funding, the USFS needs partners that can work with local communities and help implement projects,” Dorsey added. “The NWTF is a local, membershipbased organization with professional staff in Montana. We are ready to help the USFS, our long-time partner, to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration.”
Conservation Initiative And Fundraising Event To Benefit Forest Health In Big Sky Country
here https://events.nwtf.org/260011-2023/?mobile=0
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation www.nwtf.org
Forests across Montana were historically shaped by fire. Catastrophic and uncharacteristic wildfires, however, have drastically different outcomes.
Today’s fires are driven by an accumulation of fuels resulting from more than 100 years of fire suppression. Our warmer, drier climate compounds that with severe drought, insects and disease, resulting in larger, more severe wildfires that convert habitat, reduce access to public land and affect our Western lifestyle.
The NWTF’s four values include wildlife habitat, water supplies, resilient communities and accessible recreation. “We look for projects that have shared values, multiple benefits and where we can engage multiple partners,” Dowling explained.
The NWTF has a long relationship with the Forest Service and recognizes the importance of forest restoration for wild turkeys, other wildlife and our communities and outdoor lifestyle. In just the last 10 years, the NWTF has conserved or enhanced over 4.4 million acres of wildlife habitat. The Big Sky Forestry Initiative and kickoff fundraising event will focus on forest restoration specifically in “It’sMontana.atrifold effort,” said Elizabeth Dowling, NWTF director of development in the West. “The NWTF wants to put money, attention and human resources to work in Montana.”
Hunting & Conservation News
Projects that may receive funding and resources include the Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project, the Elkhorns Cooperative Management Area and other wildlife management areas in the Bitterroot Valley region.
Hunting & Fishing News | 29
Proudly Sponsored By Republic Services of Montana
To find out more about the kickoff fundraising event and to see how you can contribute to the Big Sky Forestry Initiative as a partner, donor or sponsor, contact Jason Tarwater at jtarwater@nwtf.net or (785) 221-6515 or Elizabeth Dowling at Registeredowling@nwtf.net.NowfortheBSFI’s
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Since 2012, this 10-year initiative has already eclipsed goals of conserving or enhancing more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruiting or retaining more than 1.5 million hunters and opening access to more than 500,000 acres for hunting and other recreation opportunities. This critical work will continue to impact wildlife habitat and our great outdoors in the final year of the initiative.
The new collaborative Big Sky Forestry Initiative, co-developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service, will help bring partners and funding together to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire, enhance wildlife habitat, secure clean water, maintain access and recreational opportunities and prepare communities on the wildland interface for wildfire.
“Wildfires today start earlier and end later in the year,” said Patt Dorsey, NWTF director of conservation operations in the West. “They are more frequent, more severe and larger in size. These uncharacteristic wildfires are often devastating communities, wildlife habitat, watershed health and overall ecological balance.
“Details are forthcoming, but rest assured our Big Sky kickoff event is going to be one for the books,” said Jason Tarwater, NWTF regional director for Montana. “[This will be] a party in the name of conserving Montana’s incredible natural resources, reducing catastrophic wildfire and restoring landscapes with local partners.”
To help raise funding for the Big Sky Forestry Initiative, the NWTF is planning a kickoff event in Bozeman, Montana, in summer 2023 to raise funding and show the commitment of Montanans to healthy forests.
On the other end of the spectrum, late-season hunts into November and beyond are also fairly predictable. It’s probably going to be cold and your clothing system can easily be equipped to handle it. Thermal base layers, insulating mid-layers and heavy-duty outerwear is the name of the game during those late season hunts. We’ll cover that more in-depth in our next article.
By Ryan McSparran Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Company
Comment at tips/mid-season-layering-tips-mountain-huntinghttps://www.caribougear.com/blogs/hunting-Here’showweliketoapproachmid-seasonlayering…
Plan A and Plan B Options
If you are planning a backpack hunt, go ahead and pack both systems in the vehicle. Based on the forecast when you hit the trailhead, you can decide which system to bring. If needed, you can always return to your vehicle during the week to re-adjust.
30 | Hunting & Fishing News
When you are within about a week of your hunt, keep a careful watch on the forecast. By the time your hunt is a day or two away, you should have a decent idea of what the weather will be like.
Meanwhile, the month of October throughout the west can be a conundrum. There’s still a potential for very warm weather. We’ve spent plenty of October days walking over a golden carpet of fallen aspen leaves with a blazing sun in the sky. On the other side of the coin, October also has the potential to deliver sub-zero temperatures and deep snow in the high country. How do you efficiently prepare for both?
id-season layering is arguably the most difficult to pin down for any western big game hunt. Wild temperature swings are possible. And the weather can be extremely unpredictable. Sure, September can be finicky too. As we mentioned in the previous article, those early season hunts can deliver hot temps, snow or anything in between. But September snows usually melt within a day or two. Generally speaking, a good clothing setup can be pretty lightweight.
First, create a “Plan A” layering system for mild weather and “Plan B” layering system for very cold weather. If you’re hunting from your vehicle at a base camp, you can easily bring both systems. You can then re-pack your daypack and re-adjust your system as necessary throughout the week. This way, you avoid carrying more than necessary in your daypack.
Photos credit Ryan McSparran
Prepare to Make Adjustments on the Fly
Watch The Forecast
Building Your System
There’s not one right answer. There are many ways to build an effective mid-season layering kit. Have your own tips?
Whereas those early season hunts require a lightweight set of base layers for hot afternoons, I almost always need something more substantial in October. Yet most of the time, there’s really no need for a set of heavy, thermal long johns. If the forecast looks like it’s going to be extremely cold, you could of course change your mind and call an audible at the last minute. But with the right insulating mid-layers, a standard mid-weight top and bottom should work just fine. Materials for your base layers should be high quality synthetics or merino wool.
On almost all of my mid-season hunts, I like to pack a mid-weight base layer. This will get me through almost any conditions I face.
Mid-Layers: Vest, Jacket & Puffy
There are three primary pieces that comprise my mid layers in this system. The first is a mid-weight fleece or soft shell vest. Worn directly over my base layer top, this provides a great deal of core warmth in a very small package. I like fleece because it’s breathable for active hunting. But a soft shell face fabric is nice for blocking wind if the weather is cold. Next, I’ll add a mid-weight jacket. This might be a synthetic fleece, merino wool or even a softshell depending on conditions. I prefer fleece or merino, as they are lightweight, breathable and versatile. Breathability is better for active hunting so that you don’t build up a sweat and subsequently get cold. But when conditions are more severe, something with a soft shell face does have its benefits. That might be the answer in your “Plan B” system for very cold weather. Finally, your mid-layers aren’t complete without a puffy jacket for ultimate lightweight insulation. There are plenty of great synthetic and goose down options for hunters. Personally, I prefer high quality goose down. No synthetic material can compare to quality down for its warmth-to-weight ratio. A very high quality down like 800-fill also packs down extremely small, taking up very little space in your daypack.
www.caribougear.comM
Layering Tips: Mid-Season Hunts
The hardest part to building a mid-season layering system is having enough to keep you comfortable in highly variable conditions, without making your daypack so heavy that it slows you down. There are a couple things you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen.
It probably goes without saying that a mountain forecast is never very accurate. Always treat any forecast with a high level of variability. Don’t take it for more than it’s worth. However, this will at least give you a ballpark idea of what you might be dealing with. Additionally, I will check the forecast daily on my Garmin InReach device (assuming I don’t have cell service). If a forecasted storm dissipates, or if a new storm arises, this will usually give me at least 24 hours notice. This makes it pretty easy to make adjustments throughout the week.
Pack Mid-Weight Base Layers
Outerwear: Waterproof, Breathable Rain Gear
High quality rain gear is absolutely essential on mid-season hunting trips. Even when the weather is dry, I never leave camp without it. That’s because a rain shell is useful for more than just rain. These hard shells are also windproof.
In fact, did you know that a garment labeled as Gore-Tex rain gear and one labeled as Windstopper both have a waterproof breathable membrane? The only difference, is that rain gear has taped seams. For that reason, I rarely pack a separate Windstopper jacket on western hunts. Mid-season hunting usually means a lot of glassing. Picture the situation: first thing in the morning, you climb to your glassing point before daylight. You want to be there, set up behind your binos as soon as it’s light enough to see. Climbing up to that glassing point in the dark requires some level of exertion. For that reason, a breathable jacket like we mentioned above is important. You don’t want to get sweaty right before you sit down in the cold. As soon as you sit to begin glassing, throw on your puffy jacket and your rain shells (top and bottoms). Now, you can sit much more comfortably for a much longer period of time.
If the weather does become wet or snowy, you might end up wearing your rain gear all day long. We’ve certainly had some late October hunts when rain gear became a permanent thing. Along with your rain gear, always pack a set of waterproof, breathable gaiters on mid-season hunts.
Don’t even think about bringing cotton socks into the backcountry. We highly recommend Kenetrek boots and socks for their performance and durability.
Black Butte Copper isn’t just about building the best mine… It’s about building a community.better Learn blackbuttecopper.comMore
Reach Out With Questions
Finally, we can’t overstate the importance of high quality merino wool socks and a solid pair of mountain boots.
Whether it’s wet brush or post-holing through snow, gaiters will help keep your socks and boots dry in even the nastiest conditions.
Features: • HD
• 3” Bill Protects From Sun and Rain
Features:
• Interior Elastic Band for a Snug, Comfortable Fit
Style: V502
• Two-Way Front Zip
• Quilted Polyester Insulation in Crown Offers Warmth
Style: 50256
•
Style: 600029
Allen Terrain Twin Mesa Daypack
Combine comfort with performance in the 4-way stretch Traverse Pant. Whether you’ll be spending your days in the mountains, woods, or ag fields, this pant is designed to eliminate the distraction of discomfort. Constructed with fabrics made from recycled materials, the Traverse features a quiet polyester knit fabric that has a durable water repellent finish to shed water when walking through wet vegetation.
Features:
• Hidden Suspender Attachment Points
A high-end spotter without the high-end price tag, Vortex’s Viper HD spotting scope proves you no longer need to drop 4 figures to get premium level performance and features. An HD optical system with incredible optical performance brings even the finest details at a distance in for a closer look. Lens Elements Fully Multi-Coated Coating Eyecup Helical Focus Sunshade
Filson Insulated Blaze/Tin Cloth Cap
Sitka Gear Traverse Pant
• Reinforced Knife Overlay on Hand Pocket
• Waterproof • XR™
GEAR REVIEW
See these and other fine products at one of the 5 Montana Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors stores in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Butte and Hamilton or 24/7 at bobwards.com. Free shipping on $49.00 or more with some exclusions.
Sitka Gear Kelvin Aerolite Jacket
In a sea of outdoor specialization, having versatile gear as well is a strength. This lightweight, compressible jacket maximizes warmth while minimizing bulk. Use it for everything from backcountry hunts and off-season scouting trips to everyday life; it slips comfortably under a shell whenever you need an extra shot of warmth. Synthetic PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation with Cross Core™ technology replicates the aesthetics and performance of down insulation, but with warm-when-wet performance.
• Built-In
32 | Hunting & Fishing News
This cap has an insulated crown and tuck-away earflaps made with virgin wool for breathable warmth in the field. It’s built with water-repellent, abrasion-resistant Blaze Orange fabric for increased visibility in the field. Interior elastic band ensures snug fit.
Style: 11060074
Style: 18924
No matter the terrain you find yourself trekking in, Allen’s intuitive compartmentalization and load-mobility becomes a seamless part of you for every adventure—Explore, discover, and conquer with the Terrain™ Twin Mesa Daypack featuring a Mossy Oak® Break-Up Country™ camouflage design with an integrated firearm or bow carrying system and plenty of storage compartments to help manage your gear. This hydration ready pack provides a padded mesh back, offering breathability when in use. Waist belt can adjust up to 54-inches while adjustable shoulder straps and sternum strap provide additional security. An interior mesh storage pocket helps keep necessity items within easy reach.
• Fogproof • Dielectric
• Zippered Seat and Leg Pockets Provide Secure Storage
Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled)
• ArmorTek® • Porro Prism • Adjustable
One scope to rule them all. From dark-timber whitetails, to executing precision long-range shots on an open-country mule deer, and everything in between, there’s the lightweight, second focal plane Razor HD LHT. Stunning, High Definition optical system delivers a crystal-clea sight picture with tack-sharp resolution. Turn every second of legal shooting light into opportunity. Take to the field with confidence knowing you’ve sacrificed nothing with the Razor HD LHT.
Visit bobwards.com for our daily deal and be the first to know about new sales! Plus, get free shipping on any order over $49! Sign up for our newsletter and receive the best deals first. MISSOULA | BOZEMAN | HELENA | BUTTE | HAMILTON www.vortexoptics.com LIFETIMEUNCONDITIONALUNLIMITEDWARRANTY • Sunshade • Lens Covers • Lens Cloth • CR2032 Battery • Free Custom Ballistic StripIncludedCoupon in the Box JOIN THE VORTEX NATION
HSR-5i (MOA) Reticle | 30 mm Tube BINOCULARS - RANGEFINDERS - RIFLESCOPES SPOTTING SCOPES- MONOCULARS - TRIPODS- APPAREL - GEAR
I carry a cow call when hunting mule deer bucks. I’ve watched a running buck stop on a dime with a quick cow call or two. Further, one season not long ago, I was in an area with a valid buck tag and a cow elk tag. In mid-morning, I decided to sit for a while, so I blew my cow call 3-4 times, moved, and sat next to an old logged-off tree stump to wait and watch. Within a few minutes, I could hear an animal running towards me. It turned out to be a young 4 x 4 buck.
Bill’s Bamboo Bull Bugle - Brother Bill uses a bamboo bugle made by our grandfather’s hunting partner. At this point, his bamboo call is at least 65 years-old, and probably closer to 90. It makes a whistle-like sound, at best three notes. And it is not loud to my ears, but bull elk hear it and respond. In the Elkhorn Mountains, trophy bulls are not rare; of course the tags are extremely rare. The point for this article is Bill’s whistle ranks as the most effective call we’ve used in the Elkhorns. It is truly the right call.
The Right Call
34 | Hunting & Fishing News
Call and Move - Regardless of the call used, a solo hunter should always move 20-30 yards after making a call, both for cow calls and bugles. When elk hear a call, they know exactly where it came from, even if separated by several hundred yards. As they approach, their eyes search the exact spot the call was made; obviously, they are looking for the elk that made the call. When they see the spot, but don’t see any elk, or worse if they see a hunter, the jig is up. In that case, only the elk are making the right call. Now, if you move towards the bull responding to your call, he will still be aiming for the call spot, and possibly move into your bow range. The other option is to use two hunters. One hunter calls from a concealed location, the other is out front to intercept the elk responding to the right call. Keep in mind however, two hunters means more human noise, smell, movement, etc. Hunters have to make the choice, that is, make the right call!
Bad Calling - About 30 years ago, I bought a new bugle for the hunting season. I really didn’t practice much. After all, how hard could it be? Opening day, I hiked to the top of a thickly timbered ridge and smelled elk. I decided to try my new bugle. It squeaked a lot, squawked a bit, then just ran out of steam. There was no answer, and I was not surprised. It was a terrible effort on my part; maybe practice was required after all. Anyway, the important point is I walked 30-40 yards so I could look down the other side of the ridge. Surprise, there were at least a dozen elk, including a raghorn bull, milling about in the timber, and not one was looking up the ridge to see where that strange noise came from. The lesson learned that day: elk might not respond to a terrible call, but a bad call rarely scares them away. My call was not wrong, the caller just performed badly.
Dollar Call - Back in the early 1980’s while stationed in Germany, I used a folded dollar bill to call deer. By blowing between the two layers, the screech was supposed to simulate the bleat of a Roe deer fawn. I don’t know if it really sounds like a fawn, because I never heard a Roe fawn bleat, but I know it worked. On one memorable occasion, my father-in-law accompanied me on an early morning walk not far from the German village where we lived. We spotted several deer about 150 yards away in a lightly timbered creek bottom. I blew my dollar bill, heads came up looking in our direction. We backed away into thick cover. Over the next 30 minutes, we watched the five deer calmly move up the drainage to the exact spot where we were standing when I called. At that point, they smelled us and blasted off, headed west, probably not stopping until they reached central France. But my dollar bill was the right call that morning.
He came from above me, circled from my right around the spot where I had called. Then still trotting, he started back up the mountain on my left. My elk call, the right call, helped fill my deer tag nicely.
Multiple Calls Work for Me - I have heard stories about Grizzly bears and wolves learning to respond to cow calls. Not sure it’s true, but if you have bears or wolves in your hunting area, or just their tracks, not calling too often might be a really good choice (the right call). For cow calling, my hunting necklace consists of three different calls. I don’t recall the specific purpose of each call anymore, but I know all three sound a little different. When I want to use a cow call, I grab and blow at least two of the three. My goal is to suggest there is more than one cow in the area. Does it work? Sometimes, yes it does. Sometimes, no it doesn’t. For me, “sometimes” is good enough, multiple cow calls are Tom’s right call.
Instead of bugling, a better call might be to simply rake a tree with a stick, simulating a bull rubbing a tree with his antlers. The raking can be heard by elk farther away than you might believe. It is not unusual to hear too many bugles during Montana’s archery season; most are not elk, but hunters making a bad decision. Raking with a stick is an alternative that can work. But, the hunter better be ready to drop the stick, move, and nock an arrow; a close bull can be visible within seconds.
By Tom Cooper
Author Tom Cooper
Fast forward to a similar early morning hike in the Elkhorn Mountains of Montana in the mid-1990’s, elk calves were a couple weeks old and cows were starting to herd up again after calving. At first I thought I was hearing a bull bugle. But, how could that be in June? When I heard it again, I was watching a cow across a small canyon, barely 100 yards. She arched her neck a bit, opened her mouth and I heard three bugle-like notes. Definitely not the bark we all hear much too often. Over the years, I’ve heard this early-summer cow talk multiple times; I’m still not sure whether the cow is talking to her calf, the other ladies in the herd, no one in particular, or possibly me. I’m just guessing now, but I believe elk use the right call every time.
Now, I use a popular bugle that incorporates a rubber band and an attached tube. Over time, I observed many hunters using the same call. As a result, I decided to shorten the length of my tube, because I found a shorter version easier to carry, and it provides a slightly higher pitch; I wanted to sound different from the off-the-shelf version. Don’t know if it’s better, but it is different, and that makes it the right call for me.
As we approach another elk hunting season, one of the preparation steps a lot of us consider is: Do I have the right cow calls and/or bull elk bugles? When you have hunted as many decades as me, I’m pretty sure you can find a call or two in most closets, hunting gear storage lockers, hiking and hunting packs, and under your seat, plus the center console of your truck. So what did I miss? I suppose tool boxes, silverware drawers, your laundry room shelf, and under the kitchen sink are all possible. For this article, let’s address Tom’s view of “the right call.”
Call Your Spouse - If you spend enough time in the woods, you know quiet can be a very good thing. Listening in the woods is an excellent call. Sometimes calling your spouse,because you are late, is the right call. Try it. Funny, I don’t seem to have a problem making the right phone call when I’ve filled my tag.
How Weather And Moon Phases Affect Elk Behavior
Elk benefit from the wind and its directions. On a day with light to moderate breezes, they will travel into the wind in order to check for the scent of predators as they move. This is frustrating when you are trying to pattern elk and they constantly are changing their bedding areas and their travel corridors. A strong wind can benefit a spot and stalk hunter and allow you to sneak within range while the wind covers some of your movements; however, elk are on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary during these days. During a day with no wind, elk will solely use thermals to decide their paths of travel.
No matter what deer or elk species you are hunting, the moon phase is always an important and hot topic of discussion. Though biologists can write books on animal behavior during different moon phases, the basic rule of thumb for the moon phase is the brighter the night, the less daytime activity you will see from elk. The darker the night, the more daytime activity you tend to see from elk. This means on a full moon, expect to find success hunting closer to the elk’s bedding areas and less success hunting travel corridors. One exception is that if there is significant overcast weather; the moon phase may have less impact.
WIND
HOT WEATHER
EXTREME COLD WEATHER
When the temperatures are frigid, elk go into survival mode. Typically, this happens post-rut in November through February. During this time of year, elk will travel a long distance to find prime food high in nutritional value. It is common to see elk on their feet during sub-freezing temperatures, feeding mid-day on open south-facing slopes or local agriculture fields. Concentrate your hunts on agriculture by setting up blinds over food or southern-facing open slopes.
RAINY DAYS
Photo credit jill@ghostbear.org | depositphotos.com
Though we cannot do much about the weather or moon phase, we can understand that elk behave differently during different weather patterns and moon phases and change our hunt strategies accordingly. For example, if it is hot, do not expect elk to move late into the morning or mid-day, except to water. If it is raining heavily, you can bet on finding elk bedding in thick cover with good protection from the elements. Find a glassing point and be ready for when the rain stops. If there is a wind, you can assume elk will move into it as they move up or down the mountains. Ultimately, a successful hunter understands and adapts to all of the changing aspects and is willing to find a way to make any weather work. Pay attention to the moon and weather and adjust your future hunts accordingly.
During light to medium rain activity, elk seem to be primarily unphased and continue their daily activity. If it is the rut, they will still rut; if it is pre or post-rut, they will feed into the morning hours and bed down in an area with cover. However, if the rain is substantial; you will usually see elk heading to cover early and remaining in their beds throughout the worst of it. If you can be in the mountains when the storm has passed, elk will typically get up from their beds to mill around and shake off the moisture. This is an excellent time to be glassing and set up a game plan for an evening stalk. Rain in the mountains has its benefits with providing quiet stalking ground as well as masking some slight movements.
COLD WEATHER
Hunting & Fishing News | 35
By Jake OriginallyHortonpublished at GOHUNT.com
It does not matter if it is pre-rut, rut or late season; you will see that elk are less active during hot weather. They will typically be in bed quickly, holding tight to high elevation northern slopes where the cover is thick. Hot weather can make for some tough hunting and is usually not ideal. The only positive of hot weather is that elk need to get water sometime throughout the day, so if you are sitting on a water source or a wallow, you may just find a bull heading your direction mid-day.
If you have hunted elk before during any season, you will agree that they are amazing animals. They weigh hundreds of pounds, are incredibly strong and can carry enormous racks. They live in some of the most remote and hard-to-reach elevations and have an uncanny ability to avoid predators, including hunters. Anyone who chases elk in the mountains can attest that they constantly change their travel routes and activities nearly every day. Some days you will find them out hours after sunrise and some mornings they are bedded by first light. Though we may never understand why they act in certain ways, several factors can contribute to some of these elk behaviors — behaviors that can even become depending on the weather or moon phase. To understand elk behavior and movements, it’s essential to comprehend typical behavior during different situations because this knoweldge will aid you in your next hunt.
When the weather is cold, elk are typically very active. You may notice that they may feed later into the morning and earlier in the evening. Their coats are built to retain heat, so they seem to enjoy the colder nights and days and can be spotted in the open grazing on mountain grasses. If it is the rut, the cold weather has a way to turn things up and increase bugling activity.
Similar to rain, elk are seemingly unphased during light to medium snowfall. They will be going about their normal activities and feeding on the way to their bed and back. When the snow is extremely heavy or accompanied by high winds, elk will bed down and stay in their beds for a while. They typically will get up now and then to shake off the snow, but then bed down again. A good snowfall can provide excellent conditions to spot and stalk bedded elk or to find and follow fresh tracks.
MOON PHASE
SNOWY DAYS
You will be surprised how much better you can see. This trick allows for better concentration while glassing and cuts down on any eye fatigue.
They can be found scattered from down in the arid high desert foothills to up in the highest elevation rocky alpine basins. There are plenty of places for them to hide high and low. I believe there is no greater challenge out west than hunting mature mule deer, but before you can even attempt to slip within range, you have to know how to find them.
Mature deer like to bed with the wind at their back, and the shade on the downhill side of cover. Focus on areas that match that description.
(continued from page 10)
•Lockbuck.
•Vantage up. Finding a good spot means finding a good Beingvantage.able
•Mature bucks move the most at dawn and dusk. Lowlight visibility is of particular importance for whitetail optics. Make sure to choose binoculars or a spotting scope with the best low-light performance you can afford. First and last light movements are often the very most important to see. Don’t miss them.
Mule Deer hunting is the ultimate spot and stalk game.
HOW TO GLASS LIKE THE PROS
It is best to glass from the shade, but that is not always possible. Use your jacket to cover up and block the ambient light from hitting the back of your optics.
•A few well-informed hunts are better than dozens of uneducated sits. The key is to gain useable intel about local deer movement through long-distance observation. If you don’t have a clear handle on what local deer are doing, set up away from high activity zones but with a clear view of them, and watch from a distance. Don’t move in for the strike until you’ve seen exactly how deer are moving through a given area and have developed a plan with that knowledge in mind.
You can cover more country during the optimal hours this way. Big deer can be few and far between. The more ground you can glass, the more opportunity you have to turn up a
down. Taking the shake out of your binoculars is a proven tactic to picking up more animals. Using a tripod is a great addition to your glassing set up. If you don’t want to use a tripod, sit down with your back supported against your pack and get comfortable. Then, lock your elbows to your knees and hold the binoculars by pinching them between the bill of your hat and your hands.
•Cover up. Additional light hitting your eyes or optics can lead to a less clear picture through your binoculars or spotting scope.
GLASSING MULE DEER WITH REMI WARREN
•Break it down. Start early in the morning by focusing on feeding areas with good browse. As the day progresses focus on bedding areas.
In the evenings, refocus on feeding areas. If you are hunting during the rut, find the does, and the bucks will be nearby.
36 | Hunting & Fishing News Your AdventuresNew Await. valleybankhelena.comInspiredbyyou.
to look over a lot of prime country from one spot makes you more effective.
•Stabilize your glass. Binocular tripods are most popular in the western world, but whitetail hunters would be wise to learn from their big game hunting brethren. If setting up for a long-distance scouting session, there’s no easier-onthe-eyes option than binoculars, and a tripod makes that kind of glassing session an entirely more stable and clear •Addproposition.aphone adapter to your repertoire. By attaching a phone to your spotting scope, you can record videos of exactly what you’re observing, allowing you to review the footage later and better analyze the movements and deer you identified. A phone-screen view can also be easier on the eyes during long glassing sessions.
2 tablespoons tomato paste
A 12 Gauge www.huntingandcooking.comGirl
To a large skillet over medium high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and a medium sized diced yellow onion. Let the onion cook until softened and translucent, about five minutes.
If you are looking to make your wild game — especially deer and elk — taste more tender and even better, consider aging it this fall. There are so many different ways to do this and I often do it differently year to year. Some people prefer to age with the hide on to stop excessive dehydration while others simply trim off that dried part of the meat when butchering it. You can age meat in coolers, a local butcher walk-in freezer or even a beer fridge in the garage. Some like to age their meat for days while others do it for weeks. You can experiment and see what you like and what you feel makes your dinners taste better and more tender. As mentioned, aging is not an exact science but will enhance the tenderness and flavor of your harvest, especially if done right.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon cumin
Zortman76@mtintouch.net406.673.3160
6 oz can hatch green chilies
The most important part of aging is to maintain the correct temperature. If it is too warm, your meat will rot and break down quickly due to bacteria growth. If it is too cold, your meat will freeze, halting the enzyme breakdown process. Ultimately, you want the environment to be above 32 degrees so the meat does not freeze, but less than 40 degrees, so it doesn’t rot. Finding the perfect environment can be difficult; however, ideally, you want access to a walk-in cooler. A lot of butchers will allow you to hang your meat in their shops for a fee. Though a walk-in cooler is ideal, you can also age your meat in a cooler with some ice, hanging in a barn or shed (if the temperature is correct) or even in your own refrigerator. Keep a thermometer handy and be sure to check the temperature regularly. The last thing you want is to have it get too warm and rot your meat.
Tomato, diced
1/2 cup sour cream
Book
Tostada shells
• RV Park • Laundromat
Aging meat is a science, but it is not an exact science. As long as your temperature range is between 32 and 40 degrees consistently, you can age meat over several weeks before butchering and freezing it. Typically, I age my meat between one to two weeks, depending on my schedule although I consistently want to keep pushing this further and aging the meat longer and longer. Ultimately, I would be wary of anything more than two weeks. Make sure to check the meat daily by smelling it, examining it closely and feeling it. If it smells, looks or feels funny, cut off any bad spots and butcher it immediately. The older the animal, the more time you should consider aging it. The younger the animal, the less time is necessary.
15 ounce can refried beans
Located in the heart of some of the best deer hunting in Montana. your stay today.
Next, add in the ground elk. Add seasonings, cumin, paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
By Lindsey Bartosh
Photo credit Lindsey Bartosh A 12 Gauge Girl
38 | Hunting & Fishing News
• Kitchenettes
2 pounds ground elk meat (or other wild game of your 1choice)medium onion, diced
Four cups shredded cheddar cheese
Place the taco folded side down in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for three minutes, flip, and cook an additional two minutes. Repeat process for the rest of the Elk Crunch Wrap Supremes.
INSTRUCTIONS
• Recreational Gold Panning Claims
HOW LONG DO YOU AGE MEAT?
• WiFi • Conference Rooms
Salt and pepper
8)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
Elk Crunch Wrap Supreme Recipe
Head of lettuce, shredded 15 oz can nacho cheese sauce
To Age Your Wild Game Or Not? from page
1 tablespoon paprika
(continued
Awild game twist on the Taco Bell classic crunch wrap supreme, this taco is filled with spicy ground elk meat, three melty cheeses, sour cream, tomatoes, and lettuce and finished with a crunchy bite!
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Package extra grande flour tortillas
Mix in the tomato paste and hatch green chilies. Cook until meat is cooked through, about seven minutes. Warm flour tortilla in microwave for ten seconds to increase flexibility for folding. In the center of the tortilla, spread a spoonful of refried beans the size of the tostada shell. Top with the ground elk mixture.
1 tablespoon oregano
15 oz jar queso blanco dip
Mix shredded lettuce and tomatoes with half a cup of sour cream. Spread the lettuce and tomato mixture over the top of the tostada.
Top with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. To fold, start at the bottom of the flour tortilla and fold into the center of the tostada shell. Grab the corner you created to the right side and fold towards the center. Continue working in a counter clock-wise direction until you have folded all the flour tortilla towards the center. The top should have a star pattern.
THE AGING ENVIRONMENT
Zortman Motel & Garage
Call
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Place a large dollop of each cheese: nacho cheese sauce and queso blanco dip. Spread evenly over meat mixture. Add a tostada shell.
406-538-5347406-752-9662406-465-2442406-459-3135406-443-5910406-453-1418406-377-5286406-228-2258406-848-9401406-297-2623406-682-4234406-821-3440406-494-4450406-782-4294406-586-0488406-587-5414406-656-7502406-969-2075406-563-6110Anaconda Lisac’s of Anaconda Billings J&M Tire Billings Lisac’s of Billings Bozeman Eagle Tire Bozeman Tire World Butte Lisac’s Tire Butte American Car Care Darby Automotive Solutions, Inc. Ennis Dickinson Tire Eureka Big Sky Tire Gardiner Yellowstone Dino Lube Glendive Berg’s Tire Glasgow Arch’s Tire Great Falls Falls Tire Service Helena Eagle Tire Helena Kolar Tire 3213 Euclid Ave. Helena Kolar Tire Hwy 12. E Kalispell M&C Tire Lewistown OK Tire Store Missoula Big Sky Tire Plains Gary’s Glass & Auto Body Plentywood Jones Tire, Inc. Polson Beacon Tire St.Shelby Mark’s Tire & Alignment Ronan Arnie’s Gas & Tire Center Ignatius Stuart’s Service Center Thompson Falls Easy Street Auto & Tire Three Forks Three Forks Motor Supply Whitefish Howie’s Tire & AlignmentVictor Grenfell Garage Whitehall Full Circle Tire Wolf Point Pro Tire Distributors Williston, ND OK Tire Store Ashton, ID Tri-State Tire Rexburg, ID Tri-State Tire Rupert, ID Nick’s Quality Tire Victor, ID All American Tire & Brake 406-745-2190406-434-5118406-676-0400406-883-6258406-765-2698406-826-4279406-251-5988406-827-3808406-285-3212406-961-2424406-862-6666406-287-5682406-653-2400701-774-0233208-652-3344208-356-9069208-436-3900208-787-8473 VISIT ONE OF THESE DEALERS FOR TIRES , BATTERIES , CHAINS , WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES & MORE!
EUCLID AVENUE, HELENA, MT. 59601
See our full line of Subaru vehicles
services
Availability
its
Pandora and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc.
1515
Subaru, Crosstrek, BOXER, Eyesight, STARLINK, StarTex, X-MODE and Apply CarPlay are registered trademarks. Android Auto is a trademark of Google Inc. 1EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. Requires automatic transmission. 2Activation with subscription required. Includes a three-year trial subscription to Safety Plus services and a six-month trial subscription to Safety and Security Plus services. The Concierge plan can be purchased annually or monthly. A credit card on file will be required for specific packages and for renewal purposes. Features and availability vary by vehicle and trim level. May not be available in all states. See Retailer for details. 3All SiriusXM services require a subscription, sold separately by SiriusXM after the trial period. Your SiriusXM service will automatically stop at the end of your trial unless you decide to subscribe. If you decide to continue service, the subscription plan chosen will automatically renew and be charged according to your chosen payment method at the then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. See the SiriusXM Customer Agreement & Privacy Policy at www.siriusxm.com for full terms and how to cancel, which includes online methods or calling 1-866-635-2349. Available in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico (with coverage limits and capable receiver). Visit http://www.siriusxm.com/FAQS for most current service area information. of some and is subject to device capabilities and location restrictions. All fees, content and features are subject to change. SiriusXM, and respective subsidiaries. 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport shown in Plasma Yellow Pearl.
Take a video tour here: https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/crosstrek/gallery.html 2023 Subaru Crosstrek® Sport • 182-hp 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER ® engine • EyeSight ® Driver Assist Technology1 and available SUBARU STARLINK ® Safety and Security2 • STARLINK ® Multimedia with Apple CarPlay ® and Android Auto™ integration3 • StarTex ® water-repellent upholstery • Dual-function X-MODE ® with Hill Descent Control • Keyless Access with Push-Button Start • Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) PLACER MOTORS 406-442-2603 | 1-888-433-0119 COME SEE OUR NEW SHOWROOM! Family owned and operated for over 75 years! The New 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
features