Montana Hunting & Fishing News - September 2018

HUNTING & FISHING MONTANA

September 2018

6 Tactics For Early Season Elk Success

Hunting Elk In The Bob

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SIX TACTICS FOR EARLY SEASON ELK SUCCESS

By Dave Barnett

Originally published at

www.gohunt.com

W

ith archery elk seasons kicking off across the West, many hunters are making their best laid plans for the opener in hopes of successfully punching a tag. While we all dream of pristine high mountain basins and screaming bulls, the simple fact is that tactics for bulls during the first week of season can vary greatly than those we may use during the middle of September. The challenges of the early season can be plenty, ranging from blistering temperatures and bachelor bulls to unvocal elk and overall slow hunting.

However, hunters who adapt to these diverse conditions will begin to find themselves placing more and more value in those early hunts instead of using these as scouting days for the upcoming rut.

1. A QUICK NOTE ON CALLING

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Before diving too far into early season calling techniques I feel it’s important to first touch on elk behavior in this time frame as well as what elk and hunters alike are conveying vocally. During this period bulls will begin bugling more and more though nearly all of this is merely social banter and has little to do with defending, or stealing, hot cows. All too often hunters encounter a bugling bull on opening weekend and mistakenly think the bull is looking for a fight and call accordingly. The encounter generally ends in a massive let down and a now educated bull living to see another day.

The important thing to keep in mind here is that during the early season bulls are merely looking to size each other up, learning who is in the area and trying to get a grasp on what the coming weeks may be like.

Cows are very rarely coming into estrus this early in the season and the urge for bulls to run in screaming, challenging each other, and stealing cows is unnatural; calling in this manner can certainly send a bull packing.

Here’s the bottom line: during the early season, it is important to play it cool and try to avoid the urge to respond to a bull with a bugle of your own that would make Lou Ferrigno run for his life. Try to think like an elk and remember that this is just a social gathering before the party really begins.

2. LOCATION BUGLES

For me, a good location bugle is the basis of nearly every archery hunt and something I’ll use all September long and into October. For early season bulls, I like to find high vantage points to bugle where my sound will cover a great distance and allow me to quickly make a play if needed.

If a response can be solicited, it is important to note that the bull is not responding out of anger or frustration, but more of a “Hey, I’m over here!”

(continued on page 12)

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TRACKING DEER: 15 BLOOD-TRAIL TIPS

By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com

www.bigdeerblog.com

nce you fire an arrow and draw blood, it is your ethical O duty to work until you find that doe or buck. Do whatever it takes, for however long it takes. It might take you five

minutes or five hours, but heed this advice and most of the time the trail will end at your 8- or 10-pointer.

1. See Buck Run After the thwack of the arrow, watch the buck run as far as you can see him. In thick woods, look for flashes of white as he darts through the trees. In open country, follow him with your binoculars. At the spot where you lose the buck, pick a marker—big tree, rock, fence post, etc. Climb down from your stand, walk to the marker and flag it before you forget it.

2. Listen Up Watch and listen. If you lose sight of the deer, cracking sticks, clattering rocks or sloshing water will tell you the general line the deer fled. Listen for him to crash down, that’s music to your ears man! From your stand, take a compass reading to the last sound you heard. If the tracking gets difficult, go back to your stand with your compass and re-gain a line to him.

3. When in Doubt, Back Out! Big-deer expert Terry Drury says, “Even when a shot looks and feels great, don’t get carried away. If you don’t see a buck go down, trail 50 to 75 yards and look for sign. But if you get the slightest doubt he is not dead within another 50 yards or so, back out. It never hurts to wait an hour or longer to trail a buck, even one that you find shot through both lungs.”

4. Where Did You Hit Him? At the point of impact, examine the blood and cut hair on the ground. Look for your arrow. Determine as best you can where you hit the deer; the clues at the end of this article will help you out. Walk out to the marker where you last saw the buck and pick up the trail.

Walk along the trail out to your marker—you might find your arrow or part of it—but don’t waste too much time between the impact spot and your marker, you know he’s farther away than that.

5. Take It Easy Photo courtesy Mike Hanback Move slowly and quietly off to the side of a blood trail, almost like you’re stalking.

You never want to jump a wounded deer because he can run a long way on adrenaline. He might cut hard left or right and then back again, making the trail doubly tough to pick up again. If his blood clots, you might lose the trail altogether.

6. Two Trailers Max Only you and maybe one buddy should follow a buck at first.

You don’t want a crowd making noise and possibly stepping on specks of blood or tracks. “Any friend with you should be a good hunter with tremendous eyesight,” adds Terry Drury.

“He should know what sign to look for and have a knack for finding blood. Some guys are just better at it than others, so take along the best hunter you know.”

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6 | Hunting & Fishing News

7. Check Low and High Don’t just look for blood on the ground, but check high on brush, weeds and trees. A lot of times you’ll find streaks or specks of blood from an arrow’s exit hole on stuff two feet off the ground.

8. Use Peripheral Vision Look well off to the sides of a blood trail as you creep along.

A deer might have leapt a log and sprayed blood three feet off to one side.

9. Tape the Trail Beginning at point of impact, mark a blood trail with orange tape at 10- to 20-yard intervals. Turn back and study the flags, and it will give you a line on the general direction the buck is taking. Keep projecting that line out front as you look for more blood.

10. Scan the Woods You can become so engrossed in stalking on the trail, staring at the ground for blood and tracks, that you don’t see a wounded buck standing or bedded up ahead. Stop every so often and scan 100 yards out front. Use your binoculars and check for movement and white patches of hide in a thicket or depression, against a fallen log, etc. If you see the deer, most of the time it is best to hold tight and watch him. But, you might be able to stalk him from downwind and shoot him again. Use your best judgment.

11. Where Would He Go? While you’re glassing out front, think and try to predict where a buck might be headed--maybe to a river, a low creek crossing or a big thicket up ahead. Check brush piles along a blood trail. A buck might crawl into a patch of cover and die. Mark last blood and veer over to check those thickets and terrains for more spoor.

12. Read the Tracks When a buck’s running tracks slow to a walk (the stride gets shorter and drops of blood fall straight to the ground) stop and back out of the area. Chances are the deer is looking for a spot to lie down. Give it a few hours, come back and you’ll likely find your trophy a short ways ahead.

13. Don’t Spook Other Deer One morning Montana longbow hunter Eliot Strommen and I trailed an 8-pointer I had just shot on the Milk River. “Wait,” he whispered, “let those does move on.” Six animals that had been with the buck I shot had gathered and were milling in the head of a small wood 120 yards away. “If they spook and run, your buck might get up and try to run with them, and we might lose the trail,” Eliot said. That was fantastic advice that I had never considered. We knelt and waited, the does drifted off and we found my buck 80 yards ahead.

14. When the Blood Stops If you lose a trail, get down on your hands and knees and look for upturned leaves or stumbling tracks. Many times I have followed leaves and tracks for 50 yards or so, and then found where a deer started bleeding again.

15. Grid It Out A few years ago, I looked for a 10-pointer for hours.

I went home and called a couple of buddies, and we went back to that 100-acre block of woods. (When it is time for a grid search, call in a couple more hunting friends.)

We spread out 75 yards and did a grid for another two hours.

I was feeling low when Jon yelled, “Here he is!”

The buck had pulled a giant fishhook, turned back, crawled under a deadfall and died about 120 yards from the stand where I shot him. When all else fails, grid it out for hours, and stay as positive as you can.

You’ll find him yet. Milk River Bow Buck. Photo Mike Hanback

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Hunting & Fishing News | 7

Safety while hunting in grizzly bear country is very important and even more so after you take an animal. Photo credit: Brady Miller

HUNTING IN GRIZZLY BEAR COUNTRY: SAFETY AFTER YOU GET AN ANIMAL DOWN

By Dave Barnett

Originally published at www.goHUNT.com ... f your favorite freeze-dried dinner is sure to attract a bear then 80 lbs of boned-out elk meat neatly packed into a convenient to-go bag is sure to bring any hungry bear in on a string. While skinning, quartering and, eventually, packing an animal in grizzly country can be daunting it can also be done safely with careful attention and a solid game plan.

In the following article, we will explore several aspects to consider after an animal is down and how to protect your hard earned protein and your own well being

I

THE BREAKDOWN

When it comes to breaking down an animal in grizzly bear country there are several areas that hunters can focus on to

minimize scent and maximize safety. My preferred method for breaking down any animal while in the backcountry, grizzlies or not, is with the gutless method. For those who do not know, this simply entails removing the rear quarter at the hip joint, the entire front shoulder and, then, the back straps, tenderloins, brisket, neck, and scrap meat as individual pieces. This is not only a huge timesaver as you are no longer removing the animal’s internal organs, but it also greatly reduces the amount of blood you will encounter.

Additionally, surgical gloves can almost entirely eliminate any blood getting on your hands and arms.

When hunting with two or more people, it’s always a good idea to have one person who can play lookout and periodically scan the area to look for any incoming trouble. When hunting solo, it is imperative to take a break and a look around every few minutes or so. In this situation, bears will typically approach from downwind as they are simply being led by their noses though this may not always be the case.

Gun shots have been known to attract bears to an area acting as a dinner bell of sorts. The truth here is that constant vigilance is needed and everyone in the party must be prepared for a surprise encounter at any time.

When packing spray or sidearms, it will be important to keep these items with you while working the animal.

Bear defense gear will not be of any help when it’s securely strapped to your pack and lying several yards away. A Wyoming guide and hunter were surprised by a bear attack in the fall of 2017 while field dressing a cow elk when the bear suddenly attacked the hunter and was eventually fought off by the guide.

Thankfully, both hunters survived the ordeal with a few severe injuries, but the outcome could have easily been much different.

The bottom line to consider here: try to reduce the amount of blood contact with your body and clothing while quartering the animal and remember to keep your head on a constant swivel. Bears can be incredibly quiet when they want to and one could easily pop up inside of your comfort zone before you know it.

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Once all of the quarters and trim meat have been removed from the animal, the next step will be moving all of the meat away from the kill site. Bears and other predators will often key in on the softest and most digestible portions of the animal first, such as the internal organs. While they certainly won’t pass up a bag of meat, the odds of having bear issues on your hard-earned prize will be lessened with some separation. First, consider the terrain and ground cover in the area. Look for areas where the scent of the meat will not be carried back down to the carcass due to thermals and prevailing winds. Often times, moving over a small finger ridge or laterally across a face will be plenty sufficient.

Terrain will also dictate how far you’ll need to move the meat.

Sometimes it may be only necessary to move 100 yards and, other times, 300 yards may be needed. While not always possible, the best case scenario would be to hang the meat as high as possible until it is being packed back to the camp or the trailhead.

As an added bonus, look for areas that can be glassed from an adjacent hill or drainage. Observing your cache from a safe distance for ten minutes or more before entering the area can greatly reduce surprise encounters. Obviously, the amount of vegetation in the area will greatly dictate this, but this is certainly something I always look for in more open country. When approaching the meat stash, take it slow and make plenty of noise; talking amongst partners or even singing have been noted to work. Hunters have also been known to leave an article of clothing draped near the meat or to urinate around the area. These only increase the presence of humans and could deter any possible predators.

While packing large animals like elk on a solo hunt I much prefer to shuttle quarters instead of packing one load back to the truck and then returning for the next. When doing this, it will be important to keep in mind where your checkpoints will be located. Again, consider areas with a low wind impact and features that can be glassed from a distance.

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A FRESH CHANGE

It’s well documented that the gutless method will drastically reduce the amount of blood exposure while field dressing, which will, in turn, lead to less blood to get on your clothing, pack and other gear. Even with taking every precaution the simple fact is that you’ll never completely eliminate any and all contact with blood, that’s just part of hunting. Scent control after the kill will be just as important, if not more so, than it was at the beginning of the hunt. For this, packing a spare set of clothing specifically for these situations is never a bad idea. Those who are day hunting or camping from a truck will find little impact here, but hunters who are backpack hunting will now be faced with two major decisions: staying with camp and beginning the pack out the next day or grabbing all of your gear and what meat you can and heading for the truck with a plan of returning the following day. For those who are staying, it will be imperative that any and all bloody items stay well away from camp.

(continued on page 29)

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The entire contents is © 2018, 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 15 Issue 3 Cover Photo: © twildlife | dreamstime.com

Hunting & Fishing News | 9

Spey Casting for Anyone

By Randy Kadish here are many spey casts: Snake Roll, Double Spey, T Perry Poke, Snap-T, etc. I believe all of them are based on the techniques of a Single Spey (often referred to as a

Switch Cast if we’re not changing casting directions).

So, let’s look at those techniques.

To make my casting descriptions clearer, I’ll assume we’re casting right-handed, with the right hand above the left.

Let me begin by saying that there are many different opinions about spey casting techniques. In the end, therefore, we’ll have to experiment somewhat and see what techniques work best for us.

THE STANCE AND GRIP There are two basic stances: closed and open. To use a closed stance a right-handed spey caster slightly bends the knees and places the right foot forward. This stance helps prevent casters from over rotating during the back swing, and then landing the fly in a bush or tree behind them.

(This most dreadful calamity is called a “blown anchor.”)

A closed stance, therefore, is preferred by most Scandinavian-line casters. The farther the right foot is forward, the more we will be able to rotate the hips and generate power during the forward cast.

To use an open stance, a right-handed caster places the left foot forward. This stance allows casters to fully rotate during the swing, and then to set up a long, energized D-loop.

An open stance, therefore, is preferred by many long-belly line casters.

Regardless of the stance we use, at the start of the cast our weight should be on the front foot.

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The Start Position. All photos courtesy Randy Kadish

We hold the rod lightly with the hands about shoulder-width apart. (When casting shorter rods some casters hold the knob of the bottom handle with just their thumb and their index and middle fingers.) The elbows are close to our body.

Pointing the rod parallel to the water or slightly downward, we tightly hold the line against the top handle with the index and middle fingers, or with all four fingers.

THE LIFT It doesn’t start until all slack is retrieved from the line, then the key is to use the arms, not the wrists, and execute the lift vertically, smoothly and slowly. If the lift is too fast or too high, especially if we are casting a Scandi line, we will lift too much line off the water and then blow the anchor.

Also, all things being equal, the longer the spey rod and/or the shallower the water we’re standing in, the lower the lift.

To execute a long back swing and to form a long, narrow D-loop, lift the spey rod to about 9:30. (This lower lift is often

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used when casting long-belly lines.) To execute a shorter back swing and form a shorter D-loop, lift the rod to about 10:30.

If there’s a lot of line tension because of fast moving water, apply more power early in the lift. As more line clears the water and line tension decreases, apply less power.

After the lift is completed, the back swing is immediately begun.

THE BACK SWING Generally, the longer the line belly the faster the back swing.

If the swing, however, is executed too quickly we will, yet again, blow the anchor. I think one of the keys of executing a back swing is to think of my top elbow and bottom wrist as swivels. This will prevent me from breaking my top wrist backwards, lowering the rod tip, and dumping too much line on the water at the end of the swing.

We begin the swing by gently rocking back, and rotating the hips and shoulders, and then shifting our weight to the heel of the back foot. This rocking back will help us finish the back swing in position so that we can make a powerful forward cast. It’s important to move the rod in-sync with our body rotation. If we instead begin the swing by moving only the rod we will probably over rotate and land the anchor too close to us. The fly might then hit us during the forward cast.

As we rotate, we move the bottom elbow slightly up and away from our body but keep the top elbow in place as we swing the top forearm in a circular motion, pretending that we’re using the rod tip to draw a big half-circle in the sky.

What angle to the water is the rod as we draw the circle?

Generally, the longer the line belly the lower the rod angle.

Many long- and mid-belly line casters describe executing the back swing as moving the rod tip around the top of a huge, imaginary martini glass. Regardless of which kind of line we are casting, if the swing is executed with the rod at too steep of an angle, the end of the anchor will not straighten and instead be in the shape of the so-called “Bloody L.” Bloody Ls always result in underpowered forward casts.

We finish drawing the half-circle by slightly raising the spey rod, without changing its angle. This raising, called an up-kick, is essential for putting the hands in position to execute a powerful forward cast, and also for forming an airborne anchor. (Airborne anchors are almost always used when casting Scandi lines, and sometimes when casting long- or mid-belly lines.)

If the rod is raised too much at the end of the swing, the D-loop will be wide and weak. To help prevent this, I watch the fly during the swing.

Once the fly comes off the water I stop raising the rod.

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SIX TACTICS FOR EARLY SEASON ELK SUCCESS

(continued from page 4) Overcalling or becoming overly aggressive towards the elk at this point can quickly ruin your chances of ever getting into bow range. Instead, try to pinpoint the bull’s location and begin cutting the distance.

Earlier in the season, I’ve found that bulls are far more susceptible to allowing me to bugle my way in versus a rutting bull that will view you as a potential threat. Once I’ve cut the distance to 100 to 150 yards based upon the bull’s last known location, I’ll let out another bugle; again, keeping things simple and nonthreatening. If the bull responds, I will keep moving forward while keeping a close eye on the wind and available cover. If you have good cover or terrain breaks to move through, do not be afraid to make a little noise and cover ground quickly; think about how fast an elk walks.

If the bull does not answer my bugle, I will wait a few minutes and then bugle again. If, again, I do not get a response, I will sit in a spot with several available shooting lanes and wait 30 to 60 minutes to see if the bull may come in silent—a common scenario with early season bulls.

If the bull keeps talking, I will continue to move forward—all the while keeping a sharp eye out. The last thing I want to do is run face to face with a bull as he sneaks in silently to check out this new intruder. If the bull has continued to be vocal, I may let out one last bugle at around the 70 to 80 yard mark and quietly move towards the bull an additional 30 to 40 yards. Often, the bull will be focused on where he last heard you and may end up walking right into your lap.

3. COLD CALLING

Cold calling is a technique that I’m not overly fond of as it generally results in elk sneaking in silently, but it should have its place in every hunter’s arsenal. This will generally be my last resort to actually walking in on a vocal elk, but it can be incredibly effective against bulls not willing to move or respond to calls.

A very common occurrence for most hunters at some point in the season will be a bull that answers a location bugle once and then simply shuts up. This could stem from previous encounters with hunters, lack of interest, or that the bull simply doesn’t feel like talking to you. Most hunters in this situation will generally do one of two things: leave the bull and search for other opportunities or blast through his basin throwing bugles or cow calls left and right and, eventually, blowing the bull into the next unit. Again, we need to evaluate what the bull was conveying to us through his response.

Whether the bull is not feeling socially apt or is call shy due to previous encounters, you know that he is somewhat interested because he did respond at least once. Normal calling techniques will generally not work here so we need to figure out a different approach to sell ourselves to this bull. Try your best to establish a general location of the bull, get your wind right, and then try to close the distance to under 150 yards. Here I would want to capitalize on the fact that early season bulls are still trying to size up any potential competition and curiosity will generally get the best of them. Combining raking with very soft and mellow grunts and chuckles can imitate a bull simply establishing his dominance or displaying for other bulls or cows in the area. This alone can be enough to draw a curious bull well within bow range.

12 | Hunting & Fishing News

Again, keep in mind that any approaching elk may come in silently and you may call in elk you didn’t even know were in your vicinity. When selecting a spot to call from remember to make sure you have good shooting lanes and range a few locations first to get your bearings. This technique can also be used in close proximity to bedding areas or areas where sign is very apparent.

4. WALLOWS

Another very effective hunting tactic for early season elk can be sitting on wallows. This will generally not produce the heart pounding elk experience all hunters dream of, but the fact is that many successful hunters kill their bull off a wallow nearly every year. Wallows not only provide drinking water for elk, but are also a place to cool off, avoid insects, and serve as a social gathering area. These are areas that may or may not be hit regularly and hunting these spots can require a dedication of hours and, sometimes, even days. The use of trail cameras can be extremely beneficial here and may be used to potentially pattern an elk though bulls are notoriously hard to reliably pattern.

Keep in mind that due to most wallows being found in low bottoms and draws, the wind can be a major factor and is something that may switch often. Some wallows may simply be “un-huntable” because of this.

5. BLIND/AMBUSH

In country where elk can be glassed from a distance, hunters may be able to establish entry points into feeding and bedding areas that elk are using. Once a reliable pattern has been discovered, hunters can set up blinds—either natural or artificial—or simply establish quick ambush points.

When picking your spot to sit and wait, consider shooting lanes, visibility, wind directions, and even contingency plans if things go south. This style of hunting can really suit hunters hunting in open terrain, areas of heavy pressure, or herds consisting of a large number of animals.

6. SPOT AND STALK

When all else fails getting back to the basics and employing simple spot and stalk methods can still be very effective.

If the elk are not talking vocally; however, I have verified there are through sightings or sign, then I will likely pick some “elky” areas to slowly cruise through. With the hotter temperatures typically found in the early season quietly slipping through dark, north facing slopes can lead hunters into unsuspecting elk encounters as they move between feeding and bedding areas. Keep tabs on your wind and try to move with the wind direction favorable to your target destination. The exact circumstances surrounding the encounter will largely dictate your next move whether it is calling, dogging the herd, or attempting to get ahead of the elk and try for an ambush.

IN CLOSING

While many hunters generally treat opening weekend as a training hike for the upcoming rut; those who practice good tactics for early season bulls can enjoy some great hunting with bulls that are likely unharassed. Keep your calling in check and really consider what you are saying to the elk with each bugle or cow call you throw out. This is a time where elk are largely sizing each other up and establishing the who and the what. Go in swinging and you’re likely going to see a lot of elk rumps as they bail over the next ridge. Play your tactics to your terrain and employ what best suits you and your area.

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September Fishing in

Yellowstone National Park

By Montana Angler For a guided fly fishing trip call 406-522-9854 or www.montanaangler.com

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eptember in the greater Yellowstone region is quickly S becoming one of the most popular times to visit and fish.

September is a great time to fish Yellowstone National Park

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because water temperatures are dropping into the optimal range and trout feel the urge to pack on the pounds for the upcoming winter. Weather in September is usually very pleasant with cool, crisp mornings and warm afternoons.

September is the only month of the year when literally every river in the Park is fishable. The Madison drainage has cooled enough for productive fishing but the high country streams are still warm enough for fish to be active. Throw in a few bugling elk and some fall colors and you have the recipe for a great trip. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of September fishing in the park.

Firehole River As the weather cools, the Firehole once again becomes a viable option for fishing. At the beginning of the month, it may only be cool enough to fish in the mornings, but by the middle of September it should fish well all day. The main attraction during September is the White Miller Caddis, which typically emerges from mid morning until early afternoon. On cloudy days, especially towards the end of September, Blue Winged Olives emerge in the middle of the day. When no hatch is present, swing soft hackles through the riffles.

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The sound of Elk bugling is common in September.

I prefer drab, generic flies like a soft hackle pheasant tail or hare’s ear. In the fall, primarily due to low water, the fish in the Firehole can be a bit pickier than they were in June.

Downsize your tackle a bit and take care not to spook fish with your movements.

Madison River The main attraction on the Madison River in Yellowstone Park in the fall is the run of fish out of Hebgen Lake. While this run peaks in October and November, there will usually be some fish in the system in the latter part of September.

The best way to target these fish is by nymphing or by swinging a streamer in a down and across fashion.

No matter the technique, the key to catching these fish is locating where they are holding. These fish are used to a lake environment, so look for deeper, slower water.

When nymphing, I prefer a stonefly nymph as my lead fly and small, nondescript mayfly pattern as my dropper.

If I am swinging a streamer, I like the intruder style patterns that are popular with steelhead fishermen.

Yellowstone River The Yellowstone River inside the park is a nice option in September as it falls off the radar for many once the famous stonefly hatches have ended. The river hosts an excellent Blue Winged Olive hatch, especially on cloudy days and towards the latter part of the month. Hopper patterns and attractors will still be your bread and butter for much of the month. September is a good time to start working in mayfly style attractors such as a purple haze or parachute adams as the fish may be a bit more selective than they were in July and August. A small streamer will fill the void if the dry fly bite slows.

Gardner River The entire Gardner River should fish well in September, as the section below the Boiling River will have cooled sufficiently for all day fishing. In the early mornings, I like to nymph fish with a stonefly trailed by an attractor pattern like a prince or copper john. As the day heats up, small hoppers and various attractor patterns are your go to. Cloudy days will see hatches of Blue Winged Olives. Remember that the Boiling River essentially creates two separate rivers. Fall mayfly hatches will appear above in the cooler water first while hopper and attractor fishing will hold on longer in the warmer waters below. During the fall, keep in mind that there is always the possibility of a surprise up from the Yellowstone.

Fall fishing is truly one of our favorite windows for both Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Cool mornings and warm afternoons often produce the perfect blend of ideal water temperatures coupled with fall hatches and late season terrestrial fishing. The general family vacation season has slowed dramatically leaving the park to more serious anglers.

Fall Colors on the Lamar.

Lamar Valley- Lamar River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek Fall fishing in the Lamar Valley can be challenging due to low water and the cumulative effect of fishing pressure throughout the summer. On sunny, warm days turn to small terrestrials like ants or micro hoppers. On cloudy days, especially towards the end of the month, look for mayfly hatches of Blue Winged Olives or Tan Drakes.

Plan on fishing a 5x leader that is a few feet longer than your standard 9ft length.

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ROD AND LINE CHOICES You could get away with a 5-weight but a 6-7 is ideal.

An 8-weight is overkill for most trout waters in the lower 48 states but there are places where it remains a good option. I’ve run a 6 and 7 weight from Alaska to Patagonia successfully.

Floating lines work well from the boat when combined with a weighted streamer. You want the fly to drop 6-inches in a hurry and bugs tied with dumbell eyes and coneheads are a good fit for the floating line. The floater is ideal for hitting the banks on a fast retrieve. It’s also nice when you plan on transitioning between nymph and dry fly rigs throughout the day.

Photo courtesy Zach Lazzari www.mysticoutdoors.com

- STREAMER FISHING FROM A MOVING BOAT

By Zach Lazzari Mystic Fly Rods www.mysticoutdoors.com race yourself. Literally. Fishing streamers from a drift boat B or raft is fast, furious and a ton of fun. The techniques are not overwhelmingly complex and the style is typically

aggressive. Use your lean bar and get a stable position so you can focus on the fishing without tumbling overboard.

The elevated vantage point also provides a cool visual perspective. You will see fish chase, swipe and attack your streamer. Don’t set the hook until they actually eat and clamp down on your fly. In some cases, fish will actually knock it down before turning back to eat.

I like to keep one dedicated streamer rod in my boat with a sinking line. It’s always setup and rigged to fish streamers only. I use one of two sinking line types for this rod.

The first is RIO’s In-Touch Streamer Tip. The line is nice and stiff and the sink rate is perfect for most boat situations.

It penetrates the surface quickly but doesn’t drop like a rock.

The sink rate is nice for getting in the zone without dropping out of the zone and hanging on bottom too quickly.

This makes it easy to fish fast and moderate pace retrieves off the banks.

The second is Cortland’s Compact Sink series. This one drops a little quicker, making it the perfect line for aggressive retrieves, deeper water and water resistant flies like those with a deer hair head. I have a 240 grain paired with a fast action 6-weight and it’s an all around awesome setup.

The running line is especially nice. It doesn’t kink and shoots smoothly.

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WORKING VERBALLY WITH THE ROWER

2018 FALL MACK DAYS

LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT on FLATHEAD LAKE Sept. 21 st TO Nov. 11th Fish The Entire L ake

Photo courtesy Zach Lazzari www.mysticoutdoors.com

Working as a team makes you a more effective angler from the boat. It’s not uncommon for the rower and angler to butt heads and become frustrated when they are not communicating. Let the rower know how you want to fish the streamer so they can make adjustments and compensate for the style of fishing. If you are not sure, ask them to put you in position and coach you on the following common approaches to streamer fishing.

BEATING BANKS When the fishing is hot, beating the banks is a killer technique.

You will know within 20 minutes if this style is suited to the conditions as fish will visually chase and slash at your flies.

The technique is simple. Smack your streamer against the bank and retrieve. Sometimes waiting 1-3 seconds for the fly to drop helps. Experiment with the retrieve speed until it clicks. Typically you will cast perpendicular or slightly behind the boat for this style.

SWINGING IN FRONT Swinging from a boat works well when you have a well defined run and seamline. The rower can hug the slower inside of the upper seam to hold a steady line while the angler casts into the heavy current and swings into the seam. The faster sinking line is ideal for getting down in this situation. You can let the fly hover and essentially backtroll or retrieve and re-cast.

FISHING BEHIND THE BOAT Running behind the boat is extremely effective. I will actually have a single angler sit on the back seat while leaving the front empty to really work tight against deep, undercut banks. This requires advanced rowing skills as you stay tight to the banks while looking far ahead to plan for sweepers and danger.

The fast sinking lines work well here as you want to get deep in a hurry. Plan on losing flies, it’s part of the game.

I run a 2-3 feet of 8-10 pound fluorocarbon off the sink tip.

Cast directly behind the boat, let it sink and pack the boat slightly faster than the current to run the fly right against the deep bank. The angler should bump the rod tip and retrieve intermittently to add action while maintaining contact.

Keep the fly down in the zone for as long as possible.

Half your hook set will be on logs and rocks but you have a good chance to connect with a big trout as well.

Mystic Rods offers some killer options for throwing streamers from a boat. Check out their new Reaper X 6-Weight, or the ever-popular M Series 10’ 3” 6-weight rod...

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Up to $150,000 in CASH & PRIZES

Tuesday through Sunday: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are for the contests, bonus amounts, and tagged fish. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be for bonus amounts and tagged fish only.

(1)-$10,000 & (3) $5,000 & (5) $1000 + over 6,000 $100 to $500 tagged lake trout Top ten angler prizes - pick your best 15/24-days count on Friday through Sunday Captains $250-(4 prizes) Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes) Largest lake trout $500 Top lady anglers $300, $200, $100-$100-totals used Youth anglers (17-13) 1st-$200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 Fri - Sat Weekend Prize 5@$100 per weekend Golden Angler Award (70 & older) $200 & $100-totals used Bucket Days (3 days of single/team heaviest 4 fish 10/5 Friday, 10/20 Saturday, 11/4 Sunday) Last Day $200, $150, $100 PLUS heaviest Mack under 30” - 1st $200, 2nd $100 All anglers who enter 11 or more Lake Trout qualify for bonuses.

The higher your total, the higher your bonus category.

Every day counts: Tues-Sun (45 total days).

See www.mackdays.com for complete rules For boat inspection rules visit www.mackdays.com

Fish Fry for participants & families November 11th at Blue Bay 3:00 Awards Ceremony at 4:00 Entry forms will not be mailed out.

Enter online at www.mackdays.com

or pick up entries at local sporting good stores or you can enter when you check in your fish at the check in stations during Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins.

We remind you to follow all fishing regulations.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $13 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.

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

Elk antlers in the Slough Creek backcountry - Yellowstone © Jason Hindman | Dreamstime.com

Say Hello To Success: Where to Chase the Fish this Month Brought to you by

R egardless of where you live in the Northwest, fall can be an exceptional time to catch fish. In fact, other than ice-out

in the spring, there’s no better time of the year to catch more mountain trout than late in the fall.

Trout fishing is productive for many reasons; trout are binge feeding to prepare for winter, there is less fishing pressure and these fish have relocated closer to the surface, making them much easier to target. Whether you are fishing for trout or walleye, it’s going to be a phenomenal time to be outdoors fishing the stunning landscapes in Montana.

Here are just a few of the many places to go fishing this fall in Montana.

Lower Clark Fork River - Fishing should be good below the Alberton Gorge all the way to the Big Eddy near Superior for rainbows and cutthroat trout. Top flies will be Baetis and mahoganies. Small spinning gear like a Mepp’s Aglia will also pick up trout.

Flathead River - Middle Fork - This is a magnificent floating river, and much of the fishing activity takes place on the run between Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness.

You can expect to hook up with cutthroat trout up to the 16” category, and of course, some larger. The river itself is wild, but there are many access points from the road, (the 35 mile stretch that follows Hwy. 2 from Bear Creek Dam to West Glacier can be good).

The cutthroat here prefer dry flies, streamers and nymphs.

Trailing beetles, blue winged olives, PMD’s, hoppers and October caddis will really come into play.

Spinning gear will take these fish as well using a Panther Martin teardrop spinner, Mepp’s Aglia, or a Thomas Colorado spoon on bright, sunny days.

The scenery and river environment is outstanding in this area.

Clark Canyon Reservoir - Fall fishing on Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon will be primed with giant trout.

Now that the sizzling summer has passed, head to the south end of the lake for good action using topwater flies or rainbow colored sinking spinners. Anglers routinely catch 3 to 4 pound trout, but much bigger trout can be caught here.

Georgetown Lake - The brook trout here are nice sized and abundant. Kokanee salmon will also hit throughout September. Fish small, dark flies for trout near cattail patches along the lake around Seven Gables. Small spinning gear cast into the cattails will draw out the fish.

Holter - Gates of the Mountains - The Upper Holter will be fishing great this fall for rainbows as well as yellow perch.

For rainbows, troll fire tiger, gold/orange or black/silver Rapala’s as shallow as 10 feet. Concentrate around the Split Rock, Juniper Bay, Cottonwood Creek and Willow Creek areas.

If your geared up for night fishing, it can be exceptional this time of the year. You can go to the shoreline opposite of Split Rock, and fish the 25 foot mark with a nightcrawler.

For perch, you can drop a jig/crawler combo down for good numbers this fall.

Dearborn River - This is one of the many outstanding trout waters coursing through Montana, and one of the lesser fished!

Starting at the Scapegoat Wilderness, it makes it’s way 60 miles through some of the finest trout water in the Rockies, then joins up with the Missouri River near Craig.

Fishing stonefly, caddis and mayfly imitations will do the angler well here in the later summer and into early fall for fast action for many mid-sized rainbows and cutts, with a few giants mixed in.

Jewel Basin Lakes - Northwest Montana is lake country, and most of these lakes are heavily boated or fished in the summer, but just beyond the reach of roads and boats lies a treasure trove of alpine lakes holding some of the biggest cutthroat around.

Just northeast of Bigfork, tucked in the Columbia Range is Jewel Basin. The key to catching the bigger fish that are in these lakes is to pack in a float tube and a full sink line that will let you penetrate the depths of the lake to find the bigger fish, especially in the warmer weather.

As the night air cools these lakes, the trout will come back into the shallows. This is where the float tube comes into play as you work the banks from your tube casting towards structure and working mouth tributaries.

Leeches and scuds will be the primary forage for the fish in these lakes.

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The common rule with backcountry lakes is the further you hike, the better the fishing will be.

Hebgen Lake - Autumn angling on this lake can be good from shore, float tube or power boat this fall. If you’re searching for large pre-spawn browns, concentrate on one of the mouths of Hebgen’s many tributaries. Nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom and small to medium spinners, spoons and crankbaits, and leech patterns in browns, black or olive work well. Large trout can be taken here on dry flies on warmer autumn days.

Ennis Lake - As the air cools, Ennis Lake once again, will start fishing well. To fish this lake in the fall, a steady, small boat is a good idea. Rainbows and browns can be stalked in the shallow flats as they try to fatten up for the winter.

Crawlers tipped with flavored marshmallows can work well, as will leech and crayfish patterns. Small spinners and spoons like Rapala Countdowns or Thomas Colorado Minnow spoons in the nickel and gold combo work well in these smaller lakes.

Tongue River - Trout - The Tongue River has the North Fork and the South Fork, and right now the North Fork is excellent fishing in the pristine setting of the Bighorn Mountains near the Montana/Wyoming border. Trout are wild, abundant and hungry this time of the year, as they get in condition for the cold months that lie ahead. The only drawback is their skittishness if water levels are low. Part of the North Fork of the Tongue flows through rugged canyons where only avid anglers and wild critters venture.

As such, it is a wild and wonderful fishing experience.

Trout anglers will have the river virtually all to themselves, as many summer travelers have gone. Heavy rainbows and long browns up to 25 inches will be on the prowl.

TRY USING EGGS - Whether they’re imitation eggs or natural salmon eggs, these small pea-sized baits are one of fall’s most overlooked fishing methods.

Historically, anglers use eggs in streams and rivers to catch trout. Most won’t bother with them in lakes and reservoirs, but there is a reason fly anglers are using egg patterns throughout the fall - browns and brook trout are spawning near and in creek and river inlets, and as they do, many of those eggs get washed down into the main body of the lake. This is a major food source for other trout that reside there.

In October, November and even early December in some spots, trout spend a large portion of their time seeking and eating eggs. Tying on a hook and casting eggs towards rainbows and other species is a sure route to success this fall!

Flathead - Macks - You can haul in lots of lake trout this fall on Flathead Lake. This is transition time for macks as they move shallower to spawn. In early fall, anchor-up and jig cutbait - rigged jig and fly combos in the 75 to 100 foot water depth off Rocky Point, Bird Island, the east shore’s Gravel, Skidoo and Blue Bays, and on the north end at Painted Rocks and the entire western shore for good fishing points.

T-spoons and Flatfish work well around Big Arm, Elmo Bay, Cromwell and the Narrows north of Polson.

Fall Mack Days will be happening September 21st to November 11th. This event is designed to stimulate the harvest of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake, in hopes of improving native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations, while maintaining lake trout angling.

Fort Peck Reservoir - Lake Trout, Chinook - Fort Peck is characterized by abundant edge habitat; points, finger bays, creek mouths, and gumbo shallows, but there is also plenty of deep water habitat, especially in the widest portion of the reservoir located just behind the dam.

Lake trout thrive in this cold, clear water that drops to

200 feet. Anglers who invest in the right gear (large boats, downriggers and the type of big minnow imitating trolling lures used for coastal salmon can have epic days. You want to mimic cisco so your color choice should be iridescent blue and silver. Lake trout of 15 or up to 20 pounds, dredged from the reservoirs deepest points are not uncommon. Some of the best lake trout fishing is in the late summer and early fall once the walleye bite dies off.

Marina Bay should be ground zero for salmon. As the lake cools off, running crankbaits will become more effective.

Try a 6 to 8 inch crank that mimics a cisco with white and red around its gills - a Rapala glass minnow is a good option.

Idaho Steelhead Fishing - Steelhead are large, ocean-going rainbow trout native to Idaho and the northwest region.

When adult steelhead leave the ocean and then make their way back to Idaho, they create one of Idaho’s most amazing fishing opportunities. Fall fishing is best on the lower sections of the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon Rivers in Idaho. As steelhead continue to migrate upstream anglers will find them in the South Fork Clearwater, Little Salmon and Upper Salmon Rivers. Steelhead are also released in other waters, like the Boise River to provide anglers additional fishing opportunities. Try these methods for success.

• Spin-N-Glo - The Spin-N-Glo may be responsible for more steelhead caught than any other drift lure around.

It is perfect for drifting, plunking or back trolling for steelhead.

It can be fished alone or with bait.

• Trolling Plug - The Mag Lip 3.0 trolling plug from Yakima Bait is a favorite among steelhead anglers. The 3.0 dives up to 10 feet and the 3.5 up to 14 feet. Serious anglers are turning to the Mag Lip for steelhead.

• Lil’ Corky Bait Floater - Drift fishermen have known the value of adding Lil’ Corky to their rig. Fished alone as an egg imitation or when added to bait the “Corky” helps float bait just off the bottom where steelhead can grab it.

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Zero Cooking Backcountry Calories - Fuel Your Body

By Zach Lazzari www.kawdyoutfitters.com

ou spend all summer training for a hard hunt and Y follow a healthy diet throughout the year but when you finally hit the trail, there’s a mental shift regarding

calorie consumption. You are burning energy quickly and while the food in your pack brings some security, the body has instincts that drive hunger. Your instincts will act like there is no certainty about the next meal and your appetite kicks into overdrive.

Here are a few options to satisfy your hunger and gain calories quickly without overloading your pack.

Turn Off Your Diet Brain - Nobody is counting calories in the backcountry. When you are hauling a loaded pack and covering 10-20 miles each day, limiting calories will negatively impact your energy levels. Think about it like a chance to eat your favorite snacks that are off limits at home. Fatty foods are especially good on intensive hunts.

Consume 3,000 or more calories each day if possible.

Your body is burning all day and night in the woods.

Peanut Butter on Anything - Grab your favorite brand of creamy or chunky peanut butter from the store and carry it along. I dip granola bars in peanut butter for a quick but satiating snack. The peanut butter has over 160 calories per ounce. Two granola bars and a few ounces of peanut butter will easily deliver 500 calories without breaking out the stove.

Chocolate Bars- Candy bars deliver a quick boost of energy and are great late in the day when you are dragging.

Mini-sized Snickers, M&M’s and other varieties are easy to throw in your pocket. Don’t plan on using them excessively but they are calorie dense, gratifying and will actually help you push through that last mile. Ration them for the entire trip and store the future rations in your pack so you don’t go through them all on day one.

Fatty Meats and Cheeses - Summer sausage, salami and cheese are excellent backcountry foods. You can throw in some bread and even olives for an antipasto style snack.

They are not as convenient as candy bars but you can make a meal out of meats and cheeses in a pinch. I like to eat lunch at a good glassing spot and this is one of my favorites.

Consider turning some of your ground game meat into summer sausage for future backcountry trips.

It’s a convenient treat that is satiating and calorie rich.

For information on hunting with Kawdy Outfitters visit www.kawdyoutfitters.com or call 604-629-9582 (Jul.1-Oct.15) and 250-306-8624 (Oct.15-Jul.1).

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LAYERING FOR A MONTANA

Elk OR Mule Deer Hunt

By Ryan McSparran www.lazyjbaro.com

e receive questions each year about the proper W clothing for a Montana hunt. While the elevation and terrain may vary drastically from one location to another,

one thing remains true: on these high prairies and Rocky Mountain slopes, conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Hunters must be prepared for a wide range of conditions from hot and dry to freezing cold and wet.

Photo courtesy Ryan McSparran and Lazy J Bar O Outfitters

Insulation: Fleece vest Down jacket Wool shirt/sweater Outerwear: Long-sleeve hunting shirt Hunting pants Light (soft-shell) jacket Rain jacket Rain pants Of course any system isn’t complete without hats, gloves, socks and good boots. When it comes to socks, merino wool is hard to beat. It wicks moisture well to help prevent blisters.

In general, we recommend synthetic materials and wool for hunting clothing. Cotton loses its insulating properties when wet, and becomes very heavy. On the other hand, synthetics and wool that are designed for outdoor use wick moisture, dry quickly, and maintain their isolative properties even under wet conditions.

For more on hunting with Lazy J Bar O Outfitters visit www.lazyjbaro.com or call 406-932-5687.

With such a wide range of autumn weather possibilities here in the Rockies, how should hunters prepare?

The key is dressing in layers that allow the hunter to adapt to daily changes in the weather. For example, instead of bringing one heavy winter jacket, we recommend bringing lightly insulated items that can be mixed and matched.

Start by thinking about your hunt clothing in three main categories: base layers, insulating layers and outerwear.

Base layers include anything you wear next to your skin, like t-shirts and long underwear. Insulating layers may include things like sweaters, vests, and down jackets.

As you pack for your hunt, try and pick a few items in each category of different weight or warmth that will allow you to adapt to the conditions. Here is a sample packing list: Base Layers: Lightweight underwear and t-shirts Long underwear top and bottoms Thermal/fleece long underwear

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Location

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HUNTING FILM TOUR EVENT Hosted by the Mule Deer Foundation Saturday, October 13, 2018 Big Fork Center for the Performing Arts in Big Fork, MT. Please contact MDF Regional Director, Chad Klinkenborg, for more information - (406) 570-4271, chad@muledeer.org

OUR MISSION AND GOALS

The purpose of the Mule Deer Foundation is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat.

MDF is dedicated to the following goals: • To restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations.

• To encourage and support responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners.

• To promote public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management.

• To support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer.

• To support regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.

• To develop programs that focus on recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation.

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Spey Casting for Anyone (continued from page 11) BACK SWING DEFECTS At least four swing defects will cause us to lower, instead of to raise, the rod tip during or at the end of the swing.

This lowering will prevent us from forming an airborne anchor and/or cause us to have too much line on the water at the start of the forward cast. 1. Lowering the back shoulder toward the end of the swing. 2. Moving the hands too far to the side of our body (“outside the box” as some casters describe it). 3. Breaking the top wrist backwards.

4. Moving the bottom arm farther away from our body during the up-kick.

Finally, the swing is ended when the rod has been swept 180 degrees and points straight back. If we don’t quite finish the swing the end of the anchor probably won’t straighten.

Also, because the rod is not back far enough, the forward casting stroke will be too short to generate maximum power.

At the end of the swing the knees are still bent and the top forearm points to about 12:30. The anchor should be at least ½ a rod length away and consist of the fly, the entire leader, and about two feet of spey line. If the anchor is too long, the lift was probably too low, and/or the back swing was too slow. If the anchor is too short or blown the lift was probably too high, and/or the swing was too fast. The front of the spey line should be slightly forward of us.

THE FORWARD CAST After the back swing is completed, some casters prefer to pause and wait for the anchor to turn and point straight at the target. Other casters, however, prefer to execute the back sweep a little faster so that they don’t have to pause.

If we formed an airborne anchor, we want the leader and fly to “kiss” the water. To do this we should begin the forward cast just before the anchor touches down.

We begin the forward cast by rotating our body and shifting our weight. This will help us fully load the rod and then form a tight loop at the front of the forward cast.

Next, we keep the wrists locked and begin moving the rod forward.

What angle should the rod be? Usually in the same plane as the back swing, though many distance and advance casters execute the forward cast in a steeper plane than the back swing. Moving the rod tip forward and the handle backwards, we slowly increase acceleration. This first part of the cast is the loading move. The second part is the power snap. Tightening our grip, we break the top wrist halfway, and reach maximum acceleration. Finally, we squeeze the top handle as hard as we can, abruptly stop the rod, and let go of the line.

If we stop the rod too late and lower the tip from the target line, the rod will not unload all at once, and the cast will be underpowered. To prevent this, aim the forward cast slightly upward, as well as inside and parallel to the anchor. In other words, the cast and the anchor line should form imaginary train tracks. If the forward cast crosses the outside track the fly will collide with the line.

At the end of the cast the bottom hand should be close to our chest, and the top forearm should point to about 10:30 TO CHANGE CASTING DIRECTIONS Without moving the rod, we point our front foot at the target, then execute a slightly higher lift than usual, rotate our hips

26 | Hunting & Fishing News

and execute a long back sweep. If the anchor still doesn’t point at the target, I will make a forward cast without letting go of the line, then execute a second change-of-direction cast.

CASTING SINKING FLIES WITH A SCANDI, LONG- OR MID-BELLY LINE If the fly is deep in the water the best technique is to point the rod tip upwards a few feet and make a modified roll cast without releasing the line. This will lift the fly close to the surface so that we can now execute a spey cast. If the fly is not too deep, execute a higher lift, sweep and up-kick.

(This will form an elevated D-loop.) Immediately, begin the forward cast with the fly and only a few feet of leader in contact with the water.

SCANDINAVIAN LINES These light lines require a short, fast forward cast, with about 80 percent of the power applied with the lower hand.

The top hand is then used as brake to abruptly stop the rod.

(This type of cast is an underhand spey cast.) Because Scandi lines are light and short, they’re prone to blown anchors. So, during the back swing keep the hip and shoulder rotation to a minimum.

To prevent blown anchors, some Scandi casters keep the fly and part of the leader on the water during the back swing.

This, however, will limit casting distance.

LONG- AND MID-BELLY LINES The longer the line belly the more the hips and shoulders must rotate to generate more power on the back swing.

During the forward cast about 50 percent of the power is applied with the bottom hand and 50 percent with the top.

SKAGIT LINES These heavy lines require a waterborne cast, which means that about half the sinking or floating tip maintains contact with the water during the swing. (This is a sustained anchor cast.) The deeper the fly the faster we must execute the lift and sweep to bring the fly closer to the surface.

Also, we might have to add an up-kick.

We will use an underhand forward cast, but with slightly slower acceleration than we would with a Scandi line.

Because there’s less chance of blowing an anchor with a Skagit line, some casters use an open stance.

IN CLOSING Even the best casters make bad casts, especially in the wind. So, please wear sunglasses so that the fly doesn’t land in your eye. If the wind is blowing from your right, always cast with your left hand on top and with the rod on your left side.

And of course, read up on wading safety before you hit the water.

FOR FURTHER READING AND VIEWING: Fly Fishing for Striped Bass, by Rich Murphy: Wild River Press, 2007.

Fly Casting Scandinavian Style by Henrik Mortensen: Stackpole Books, 2010.

Spey Casting by Simon Gawesworth: Stackpole Books, 2007.

Two-Handed Fly Casting: Spey Casting Techniques

by Al Buhr: Frank Amato Publications, 2006.

Rio’s Modern Spey Casting DVD. Skagit Master Featuring Ed Ward DVD. Scott MacKenzie’s Spey Casting Masterclass DVD.

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Professional driver on closed course. Wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation.

Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. ©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com

HUNTING IN GRIZZLY BEAR COUNTRY: SAFETY AFTER YOU GET AN ANIMAL DOWN (continued from page 9)

Consider packing an extra dry bag for the sole purpose

of putting any blood-soaked gear inside. Make sure it can be hung alongside your food bag. This will include game bags, clothing, boots, knives, etc. If you have camp shoes, use these to walk from the food/gear cache back to camp. Change into fresh clothes and wipe any areas of your skin that may have contacted blood with a baby wipe or something similar. Just like food, zero traces of blood should be making it back to camp. Additionally, you’ll likely have to leave your pack strung up with the bloody gear and food. Carry what items you’ll need back to camp and do not return to the area until you resume your packing duties the following day.

The “Livesay Method” Mark Livesay, the owner of Treeline Pursuits, is no stranger when it comes to spending multiple nights in grizzly country and, over the years, has developed an aggressive plan to reduce his presence while hunting in bear country. For the purpose of this article, I really wanted to dive into Mark’s strategy when it comes to field dressing game and asked him to break it down. Here’s what he said:“Do not discount the increased risks associated with getting blood on your clothes, packs, and other gear. Blood scent is a real attractor, especially in the fall. Bloody clothes and gear in your tent could equal big problems. It’s very hard to stay blood-free when working up an animal, but it should be a big priority. While working up big game animals you want to stay as physically clean as possible. If it’s warm enough I almost always strip down to my boots and underwear.

I take the belt off my pants and put my bear spray on my side. You NEVER want to be detached from that spray.

This practice makes is much easier to clean up after.

A blood-free hunter is a safer hunter.”

You read that correctly. During warmer months Mark will actually strip down to his underwear and work his animals almost completely unclothed. This may seem extreme to some, but it’s a surefire way to drastically reduce the opportunity of blood ever finding its way onto your clothing.

FORMULATE YOUR PLAN OF ATTACK

Packing out elk meat with horses. Photo credit: Lorenzo Sartini

As with picking a good and safe campsite, hunters will find little change to the mental side of things when it comes to safely handling downed game in grizzly bear country.

Keeping a level head and making good decisions will lead to awesome memories while hunting in some of the best country found in the West. Go through different scenarios in your head or with your partner(s) and discuss how you may handle different scenarios with handling meat and bear encounters. Having a solid game plan and establishing specific roles can minimize your time in the field with the meat, ease tensions, and greatly improve the overall experience.

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A Father’s Gift

By Sara Garrison

Congratulations to Elizabeth and her uncle Jerry who won the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Tournament. y husband and I are die hard outdoorsmen. We love M to hunt and fish. My father-in-law showed us how to enjoy all that Montana has to offer; and now we are raising

our 2 year old daughter the same way. On October 1, 2017 my father-in-law, 57 had an unexpected heart attack while bowhunting elk in the mountains and died. What a hardship we’ve had to endure with his loss..

RECIPE CORNER: Foil Wrapped Trout Packs

By Lindsey Bartosh a 12 Gauge Girl www.huntingandcooking.com

Ingredients 4 full trout, skinned and on the bone 1 onion, cut into thin slices salt and pepper 1/4 stick butter 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Instructions Light your campfire or charcoal coals.

For each fish, cut two pieces of aluminum foil.

Foil should be twice the size of the fish.

Place fish in the center of the foil.

Salt and pepper each fish.

Place slices of onion along the fish.

Cut butter into thin slices and lay atop the onion.

Pour a tablespoon of Worcestershire over fish.

Repeat with other three fish.

Cook packets over the fire or coals and cook for five to seven minutes per side, flipping half way through the cook time, until fish are flaky and red.

Onions should be soft and sweet. Enjoy!

30 | Hunting & Fishing News

Over the winter trying to do the things we enjoyed, we went to an ice fishing tournament at Lake Frances in Valier, Montana.

The fishing was terrible for us tournament day.

We had my father-in-law’s one and only ice fishing pole out trying to bring us some luck. Suddenly my husband says “Where is my dad’s pole?” Well if a pole is missing on the ice, a fish stole your pole. We were defeated. We not only lost my father-in-law’s pole but the fishing continued to be slow. We fished the day out and set our tip ups in that area overnight. The next morning nothing was on our tip ups.

We moved fishing spots and sure enough half way through the day, there pops the flag on the tip up. My husband and my daughter jumped on the four wheeler to go check the flag.

My daughter starts yelling “Mom we caught a big fish” over and over. Her dad seemed to be really concentrating on whatever was on the line, for what seemed like forever.

Finally, they came back, and of all the walleye fishing we’ve done, my husband caught the biggest walleye to date, 8 1/2 lbs. And tangled to that walleye...was HIS DAD’S POLE AND POLE HOLDER FROM 24 HOURS BEFORE!!!! We need that, thanks Dad.

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*Two identical models can be paralleled with an optional cable for up to 4400 watts of power. Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. © 2018 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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A TRICK FOR HARVESTING BIGGER BULLS

By CJ Davis www.montanadecoy.com

ll the rage in hunting seems to be “use this trick or A that trick” to kill bigger elk. At Montana Decoy, we believe sometimes the real “trick” is simply being out

there as much as you can and showing them an elk decoy to authenticate your calls. It’s true that most of us have adopted the weekend warrior moniker what with full-time jobs and families becoming the top priorities in life.

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He covers a lot of ground, bugling and cow calling in hopes of hearing a bugle in response. Once he hears a bugle, he moves in close and sets up his decoy.

He positions himself off to the side between where he thinks the bull will come in and where the decoy is located.

He suggests moving out 20 to 30 yards ahead of the decoy, and downwind of the incoming prey, in hopes that the bull will walk past.

By setting up off to the side, McPherson can let the elk walk past him before he has to draw.

“They won’t even see you,” he said. “They’re zeroed in on the cow decoy.

“But you’ve got to wait for them to get past you,” he added.

“Otherwise, they’ll see any movement you do.”

“Flashing” is a new style McPherson has developed for luring in wary bulls, one he tested in the Missouri Breaks.

The first time he pulled in a big bull by flashing, McPherson was set up on a ridge just before sunup. There was a large bull across the coulee that McPherson had bugled to and then cow called. When the bull showed interest, McPherson raised his rump decoy, which shows the backside of a cow elk, and then slowly lowered it as if the cow was walking away over a ridge.

The curious bull came closer, to the bottom of the coulee, and raked some trees with its antlers. McPherson cow called again, flashed the decoy and slowly lowered it.

Since the bull was coming up the hillside, McPherson planted the decoy and went behind a log to hide and, hopefully, get a shot.

“That was the dumbest thing I could’ve done,” he said.

Because when the bull came up and saw the decoy, it stopped. McPherson estimated the bull would have scored more than 400. He noted any bull taken with a bow is exceptional, and a bull scoring more than 260 typical, 355 nontypical, makes the Pope and Young record book. The world record nontypical bull taken with a bow scored 442 0/8, while the typical record is 409 2/8.

The bull was quartering toward McPherson at 20 yards when it stopped to consider the decoy only 10 yards away. McPherson was at full draw, waiting for the bull to take one more step and present a better target.

But after hesitating a second, the bull bolted.

“I had set up the rump decoy in the open, right where the bull topped the ridge, he was about 10 yards from the decoy and there was nothing to cover the leg poles,” McPherson said. “So it looked odd.”

What he should have done, McPherson said, is lay the decoy down, making it appear as though the elk had gone over the hill. Maybe then the bull would have walked past him looking for the cow instead of hanging up.

Elk hunters throughout the West and Canada are beginning to see more positive results from year to year.

The more you’re in the woods, skirting the mountains and becoming part of the landscape, the more you flatten the learning curve. That’s not to say success is imminent, it’s not. But you can’t kill elk if you don’t position yourself in elk habitat. Stick an Eichler elk, Miss September or the most popular elk decoy of all time, Cow Elk I, into the ground when a hot bull is near, and without sounding too redundant, increase your chances.

Out there somewhere, just within the imagination, stands a king. He didn’t get that way by being overzealous, impulsive or just plain stupid.

Yet every animal has a weakness. It’s only natural. And we’re trying to expose that weakness with every decoy we create. Will you find it this season? We hope so.

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HUNTING ELK IN THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS

By Zach Lazzari

www.lazyjbaro.com

Photo courtesy Zach Lazzari Lazy J Bar O

he Bob Marshall Wilderness complex is a massive piece T of remote wilderness and true gem in the lower 48 states.

The complex consists of 3 wilderness areas totaling

1.5 million acres. The Great Bear, Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness all offer unique hunting adventures for big game and predators. Chasing elk in this region is a bucket list hunt in one of the last great wilderness areas in the United States.

Horseback Advantage The Bob Marshall is extremely rugged and remote. Using livestock to access the interior is essential. Utilizing a base camp combined with roving spike camps like the Lazy J Bar O outfitting program is a huge advantage. Elk migrate and respond to pressure from predators and humans in the wilderness. Mobility increases your odds of locating game while saving you the energy required to hike and backpack long distances.

34 | Hunting & Fishing News

In many cases, you will use horses to reach drainages with great habitat before hiking into scouting and stalking positions.

Elk and Deer Combo Elk hunts are the major draw in the Bob Marshall but trophy mule deer and whitetail deer also live here. Purchasing the Montana combo license opens the opportunity to harvest two species, making the most of your hunt. Hunters choosing to spend a week or more in the wilderness will likely have multiple opportunities for deer. The trophy deer quality in some parts of the wilderness could stand alone as the main attraction for many hunters.

Whitetail deer are prevalent in the lower elevations and river valleys with some bands higher in the timber than expected.

Mule deer occupy the slopes and high basins where they see little human traffic and have the ability to reach maturity.

Rifle in the Rut Rifle elk hunts are rare during the rut.

The September rifle season is a rare opportunity to chase bugling elk without requiring a bow. The remote location means they are not call shy like pressured public land elk living near road systems. You can challenge bulls with bugles, sneak and stalk with strategic cow calls and play the game until you’re able to get a shot opportunity.

Hunting rutting bull elk is among the most thrilling big game experiences in North America. Imagine an angry, 700-pound animal, crashing into your calls, drooling and snorting, ready for a fight. Watch him pace around until he turns broadside and stops. Then take the shot.

For information on hunting with Lazy J Bar O Outfitters visit www.lazyjbaro.com or call 406-932-5687.

Your Time is Coming

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GEAR REVIEW

Mauser M 18 in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 The new Mauser M 18 condenses hunting to its fundamental form:

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With a cold-hammered barrel and u ­ ltra-robust synthetic stock ­for extreme places and a dry-standing, adjustable, ­direct-action trigger for r­ eliable shots every time. Add in the removable, double-row 5-round magazine and you will be prepared for everything with the Mauser M 18.

Talarik SlingHook for Rifles, Bows, and Cameras

The Talarik SlingHook is a lifesaver when hiking

rugged terrain or just crossing a stream. Simple and functional, the SlingHook is a sling catch that allows you to keep your rifle, bow, camera, or decoy bag supported and immediately available while hiking with a backpack. The SlingHook is one of the most versatile sling catches available and works with any sling up to 5/8” thick and slings of any texture. The industrial strength Velcro attachment system allows for use on ANY pack strap from super cushioned wide external frame backpack straps to thinner straps common to turkey or upland bird vests. The SlingHook works great for right- and left-handed shooters!

See these and other fine products at Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors stores or shop 24/7 at www.bobwards.com.

Ozone Hunter’s Closet

Get the competitive edge. The Hunter’s Closet provides an easy

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Field Pro

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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. ©2018 Polaris Industries Inc.

36 | Hunting & Fishing News

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he Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Sportsmen’s T Alliance Foundation filed a joint summary judgment brief supporting a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove federal protections from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly bear population.

“We stand alongside the Sportsmen’s Alliance and our fellow conservation organizations in supporting federal scientists and wildlife biologists who declared the grizzly population fully recovered,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “The next step is keeping grizzly management under the umbrella of state agencies that manage all wildlife in accordance with the North American Wildlife Conservation Model, which uses hunting as a management tool.”

“Despite the emotional rhetoric of the animal rights crowd, the time has come to return this population of bears to state management,” said Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “The truth is, this is a historic moment for the species and the Endangered Species Act as a whole.

Returning the Yellowstone area population of bears to state management should be a monumental achievement widely celebrated as a conservation success story.”

Numbering more than 700, the Yellowstone grizzly population meets all delisting criteria. These factors include not only the number and distribution of bears throughout the ecosystem, but also the quantity and quality of the habitat available and the states’ commitments to manage the population in a manner that maintains its healthy and secure status.

RMEF and its partners helped permanently protect more than 169,000 acres of vital wildlife habitat valued at more than $131 million in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Additionally, RMEF also directly contributed more than $3.1 million and leveraged an additional $17.5 million to help enhance wildlife habitat on more than 426,000 acres in the GYE. RMEF also contributed more than $1 million in funding and leveraged an additional $10 million from conservation partners to carry out 118 GYE wildlife management and wildlife research projects.

“These projects are crucial and helped to contribute to the understanding of wildlife populations, ecology and habitat needs, including increasing the understanding of grizzly bears and conserving the habitat needed for them to thrive in conjunction with all wildlife populations,” said Weaver.

“Habitat needs to remain the focus of on-the-ground conservation work, not seemingly non-stop litigation.”

The federal judge laid out a schedule that includes several more filing deadlines as well as a hearing in late August.

He has stated he will make a ruling before the hunting season begins in September.

Ada County Hunter Draws First Idaho Grizzly Bear Tag

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There were 1,272 people who applied for the single grizzly bear tag, which was open only to Idaho residents.

It will be used in a portion of Eastern Idaho, and the hunt is scheduled for Sept. 1 through Nov. 15, however, there is a chance the hunt may not happen due to pending litigation in federal court.

The grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has recovered since being listed as endangered in the 1970s, and the population has met federal recovery criteria since the early 2000s.

In 2017 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act list. The conservation strategy for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly population, which includes Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, includes hunting as a management tool when the population is more than 600 bears.

The 2017 population estimate is 718 grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone “demographic monitoring area” (DMA), which encompasses suitable grizzly habitat in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. The DMA includes all of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but no hunting will occur in either national park.

The grizzly population in the DMA has been stable over the last decade with annual population estimates in the monitoring area ranging between 694 and 757 grizzlies.

The following rules apply for the 2018 grizzly bear hunt: • Bag Limit: One grizzly bear, except, no female grizzly bear accompanied by young may be taken, and no young grizzly bear(s) accompanied by adult grizzly bear(s) may be taken.

• Dogs: Use of dogs to attract or pursue grizzly bears is prohibited.

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Hunting & Fishing News | 39

With grouse hunting, you can find a covert. As long as the habitat remains fit for the grouse, they’ll be there.

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When hardcore deer hunters think bird hunting, they think dogs. They think it’s inviting scent contamination into your life.

I have thought about this plenty.

It’s why I have never got a bird dog.

But you can be a successful grouse hunter without a dog.

Being a good grouse hunter means having a basic understanding of habitat. In the deer woods, we look for funnels and bedding areas and food sources. All of that equates to good deer habitat—and deers in our freezer. Like deer, ruffed grouse tend to be creatures of habit. Getting a basic grasp on grouse habitat is really the most important skill you need to become a decent grouse hunter.

GROUSE HUNTING IS CASUAL I hate to use that term to ever describe grouse hunting, but hopefully it gets across the difference in practice between deer hunting and grouse hunting.

I spent the better part of a decade hunting big buck, living and breathing single buck’s lives. Often I have preached that to be a successful deer hunter, you need to hunt where you live.

This allows you to actually spend the time setting stands, checking cameras, and doing all the homework. It could be all the difference in the moment of truth.

My coverts survive for years. I add new ones each year and explore, which just adds to the adventure—or “escape” as I have always called it. In my opinion, you cannot really just be a big buck hunter for a few days here and there.

Maybe you can be through classic methodology like the “Big Woods” tactics of guys like Hal Blood.

But that’s a whole other monster.

GROUSE HUNTING IS TOUGH I know I just got done calling it casual, but grouse hunting is actually pretty tough. You might at times be frustrated beyond belief at a single bird putting the slip on you over and over again.

I find the context of failure important.

Getting beat up by grouse is an enjoyable defeat for me, because in big buck hunting, defeat can literally be like a crippling rollercoaster.

I am by no means a fair weather hunter or weekend warrior in the derogatory sense. I am merely someone who wants to experience the big woods in all its glory. When I head away for my short escapes in the grouse woods, you can be sure that I will be busting coverts no matter what the weather or time of day.

THE TIME Grouse hunting is open all sorts of times throughout the year. In some states... that can be well before the deer season.

In some, it is well after deer season.

More importantly, grouse hunting can happen very much on a whim.

There have been many times where rifle season is approaching I would head off after successfully putting a buck on the ground. It helped me to mentally reset or escape an ongoing failure in the deer woods.

With any decent shotgun and a box of shells, you can go and enjoy a pastime that, if you’re like me, eventually turns you from casual to fanatical.

(Warrior Buck) A Look Back at 2017

By Tayler Michels Passion For The Hunt www.passionforthehunt.com ome of the most exhilarating hunting adventures I’ve The week leading up to departure was filled with all experienced in my life combine Mule Deer with Archery. the familiar feelings. Excitement and anticipation as Compared to anything I’ve personally done in the outdoors, I texted all my close hunting buddies. Receiving words spot and stalk mule deer with stick and string is my personal of encouragement and reminiscing about past hunts favorite joy. I plan all summer, waiting for fall and the chance ramped up the excitement even more. Pressure is also to stalk a mature buck. Motivated by big mule deer that gave a familiar feeling, I always have butterflies in my stomach me the slip in seasons past. The 2017 hunting season was the night before a hunt. I can’t stop dreaming about what going to be difficult for me. I had a busy schedule planned could happen. Praying I make just enough correct moves during a large part of the season that would completely black to get a big buck on the ground. The first surprise of this out all my weekends through Thanksgiving. I was left with a hunt however was the forecasted weather. Highs in the handful of windows during the last few weeks of the season.

40 degree range would equal a heat wave given it was Everyday this fall, it seemed I went to bed dreaming about the 9th of December. Warm temperatures this time of December’s unpredictable weather. year can make for tough hunting. Post rut bucks will go to sleep in isolated places difficult to find in these conditions.

My work schedule was known early on so I knew my North My nerves were firing on all cylinders when Friday showed Dakota archery hunting would come down to December. up and I headed out to a few favorite locations to glass.

During the dog days of summer, I practiced with my Halon in My good friend Matt was along on this hunt. Matt is a ND native full winter clothes. Layered up to simulate the wicked conditions and accomplished mule deer hunter. I was lucky to have him I would surely be faced with in December. Not having any with me. We also had the added challenge of attempting to opportunity to hunt or even scout on account of my out of film this hunt for an upcoming episode of Passion for the Hunt state job weighed heavy on my mind but I can’t complain.

Television that airs on Fox Sports North...

To clarify, the job that so mercilessly takes me away each fall is guiding in Montana’s Missouri River Breaks Country.

There is no substitute for a sunrise over the Little Missouri I pursue elk and mule deer on a daily basis along with the Breaks, revealing miles of breathtaking canyons. occasional bighorn sheep. One reality of guiding big game A landscape so raw. The sharp stems of grass speared is that you spend your time without a weapon. The seasons through the shimmering layer of snow that blanketed the in Montana kept me busy all through Thanksgiving. It was hills and ravines in front of me. Remnant layers of thawing December when I was finally able to come back to ND and snow and warm temperatures can make it tougher to find prepare for my own “opening day” of 2017. All season, I had late season bucks. We knew we needed to stay mobile. been cheering on from afar while my friends shared stories Covering ground is the name of the game. When big bucks of success. Many trophies had already been laid to rest are rutting, the patient sit and wait strategies can pay off. from bow hunters and gun hunters throughout the state of The post rut conditions meant the deer would probably move ND. Now in December, it was my turn to get out on a cold less. If you want to contact one of these mature bucks you windswept hill and glass for a trophy of my own. need to go find them. (continued on page 46)

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SAME SPOT, DIFFERENT DAY

All photo credits Josh Kirchner

ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR WEAKNESSES TODAY To

BE A BETTER

BOWHUNTER TOMORROW

By Josh Kirchner Originally published at www.gohunt.com s any avid bowhunter can attest, mistakes are going to be made in the field. It’s all part of the territory that is bowhunting. An old buck can make you feel like you are on top of the world one moment and down in a rat-infested ditch the next. I laugh about this often. How dare those bucks toy with my emotions. But I think that’s one of the many things that draws us to bowhunting. It is a never-ending roller coaster ride that we look forward to every season.

What we retain from that ride is going to dictate our progression and, ultimately, make us better hunters.

When we are in the field, our weaknesses are amplified, but they can get overlooked in the heat of the moment.

The sound of your heart beating out of your chest has a tendency to dampen that amplification, which is why I believe reflecting on these moments is so huge.

Dissecting where your weaknesses are is going to give you the tools to be a better bowhunter tomorrow.

The same thing can be said about hunting spots. I feel that most of us are heading back into the same area year after year whether we’re successful or not. I know I have been guilty of this for the sheer fact of familiarity. I know where I am going to park, sleep and glass. All of these things I don’t have to think about so I can just go hunting. I mean, if the area is producing, why leave, right? I have spots like this where I will go every year; however, I already know that spot and how to hunt it. To keep growing and progressing as a hunter, I like the idea of knowing how to hunt a variety of different areas. Being well versed will ultimately lead to more success because we learn to adapt easier.

So, instead of returning to your tried and true, don’t be afraid to take yourself out of your comfort zone and give some other areas a spin. You might just learn something that could help you be even more successful in that tried and true area you hold so dear.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF

A

FORCE OF HABIT

We as humans are most definitely creatures of habit.

Forming habits is natural for us—probably because it frees up our minds to focus on other things. Habits also bring comfort because we are addicted to familiarity.

We know what our day is going to look like before it happens. This is one of the reasons it’s so important that we practice shooting so much—so we can make our shooting become second nature. Not having to think about the fundamentals of our shooting while a screaming bull is in front of us is just one less thing we have to worry about. Here’s the thing, though: This habit business goes both ways and we can form bad habits in a hurry without even knowing it.

Particularly, with our shooting. Sometimes, I will have people take photos of me shooting and or observe me.

Do they see something that I don’t? Quite possibly.

When we get in the habit of doing something, just like the goal of our shooting, it starts to become second nature and we don’t even know it. It’s important to recognize your habits, both good and bad.

42 | Hunting & Fishing News

If we are not honest with ourselves and our weaknesses in the field and out, we can’t expect them to disappear anytime soon.

I think it’s common practice for us to get wrapped up in what or how other people are doing things, which makes us dishonest to ourselves. Social media is a big contributor to this. We see people posting pictures of these giant bucks and bulls and they become a standard to us.

But, maybe you’re not at that point in your bowhunting career yet. Another example is if you’re not a good elk caller, then that is ok. There are plenty of people out there that are successful every year on elk that don’t call.

Don’t feel like you have to be out there trying to bugle your brains out to kill an elk just because that is what you are seeing on the internet. Either spend the time to get better at your calling or focus on different methods of hunting to increase your success and play to your personal strengths.

Perhaps you are much better at spot and stalk? Use that.

We are all different and are naturally going to have different skill sets. It’s important that we recognize not just what we are good at, but what we are not. What you do from there is entirely up to you.

TAKE ACTION

So, what’s next?

Put your findings into action. Don’t just rub it off and put it to the wayside, thinking it will heal itself without effort. If you do, you are more likely to see your weakness sprout up again sooner than later. This is probably going to involve taking yourself out of your comfort zone like I said earlier, but that’s OK. It is just going to make you better in the long run. What is uncomfortable now will soon be comfortable in the future. You just need to build new habits. If you’ve been having issues with your shooting or just want to up your game, then do it.

Just thinking about this stuff isn’t going to solve anything.

If you need to get a shooting coach, then do that. If you want to learn more about a certain species, then reach out to someone who knows more than you and put their words into action. This can be hard for some people due to pride, but, let me tell you, it’s worth it. We all have weaknesses and it is up to us to either exercise them or adapt to them.

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Bull of the Month Montana #1 Non-typical BOONE & CROCKETT

At the time of writing this, another exciting hunting season is on the horizon and I am chomping at the bit to dive in.

In the past months since deer season ended, I’ve spent countless hours reflecting on my hunts from the previous seasons. Reliving these moments is both comforting and therapeutic for me. It is the time that I can really hone in on any weaknesses that emerged from last season.

How was my physical conditioning? Did I have any gear failures? How did I capitalize on my shots in the field?

Last year, I missed a bear twice with my bow from an extremely elevated position. Basically, I was aiming at my feet.

I realized after the fact that I have never been faced with a straight down shot like that before. You can bet that I will be practicing that scenario over the next few months to be better prepared. If and when I am presented with that opportunity in the future, I will be ready. Knowing your weak points and acting on them is only going to help you become better next time. Isn’t that what we all want?

To be better?

Score: 431 7⁄8 Location: Powder River County Date: November 2016 Hunter: Garth Sessions

View 720-0718-001

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Hunting & Fishing News | 43

Whiskey Rosemary Cream Sauce Over Deer Steak and Mushrooms

By Lindsey Bartosh a 12 Gauge Girl www.huntingandcooking.com

Ingredients 4 deer steaks...

4 TB butter 1 large onion, diced 2 cups mushrooms chopped 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 cup whiskey 1 TB balsamic vinegar 3/4 cup cream 1 TB Dijon mustard 1 TB minced fresh rosemary 3 cloves garlic (mince two and leave the other whole) Instructions: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Taking the whole clove of garlic, cut it in half, and rub the cut edge over the deer steaks. Season generously with salt and pepper. Place the steaks in the preheated pan and cook to medium-rare (or your preference)...After steaks have cooked, tent them loosely under aluminum foil...To the same pan the steaks were cooked in, add four tablespoons of butter and melt...add the diced onion. Allow to cook for three to four minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook an additional two minutes. Watch the garlic, if it starts to brown, drop the heat on the pan. Add the roughly chopped mushrooms and cook for five minutes. By this point, the mushrooms and onions should both be soft. Season the mixture with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Turn the heat off from the pan and pour in the half cup of whiskey. Allow to boil for two minutes and then add the balsamic vinegar. Boil gently an additional two minutes. Pour in the 3/4 cup of cream and the Dijon mustard. Stir and bring to a simmer.

Add the rosemary. Allow the cream to reduce slightly by simmering the mixture for five minutes. Slice the deer steak into thick chunks, cutting against the grain of the meat.

To plate, arrange deer on serving platter and generously cover in whiskey cream sauce. Enjoy!

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September UPLAND HUNTING

(GROUSE)

By H&F News Pro Staff

W

© Fischer0182 | Dreamstime.com

hen Montana’s upland bird hunting season opens September 1st, you’ll find very dry conditions afield, but the season holds promise to be a good one.

The key this season, as with any early hunting season will be hitting areas with good water and food sources.

River bottoms and timbered creek drainages should be your focus here early on.

Once we get moisture these birds will start to spread out looking for different food sources as the mornings get cooler.

Here are a few pointers to get you started.

WESTERN MONTANA Food sources: Hunt any draws filled with berries and heavy downfall. Start low and work your way up, either by walking old, gated logging roads or riding in with a mountain bike or by driving any low land river bottom roads early in the morning.

Old logging roads are classic places to walk, because they offer edge habitat birds love.

In the evenings you can catch grouse out on the roads picking up gravel and pebbles.

Any mountain range in western Montana will hold ruffs and blue grouse - Sanders, Mineral, Lincoln, Missoula and Flathead counties all offer up excellent hunting for uplands.

CENTRAL MONTANA Sharp-tailed grouse are the main species as you head into central Montana. Montana’s Hi-line area with its abundant grass lands and CRP land hold plenty of birds around their favorite habitat - brushy draws that are adjacent to wheat and other grain fields.

Hungarian partridge can also be flushed in these areas.

Chouteau, Hill, Blaine and Fergus counties are all good bets to find open prairie birds. Block management areas and any wildlife refuge area or wetland you can hunt will be productive.

Grouse love tree stands with nearby water, leafy greens and berries in the area.

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44 | Hunting & Fishing News

EASTERN MONTANA Much of the same for hunting tactics as we head into the expansive prairie of eastern Montana.

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and perennial sloughs, creeks and waterholes are good bets to find upland birds.

Phillips, Valley, Daniels, and Richland counties are all good hunting choices. Look for any BMA’s in the area and you will have plenty of area to hunt.

The upland season should be fair this season, despite drought-like conditions in northeast Montana.

(Warrior Buck) A Look Back at 2017 (continued from page 41)

My strategy for this hunt was to sit no more than a couple hours glassing in a spot before heading to another lookout.

Judging by the deer we saw day one it was obvious that the winter feeding patterns were in effect. Bedded deer were mostly up high catching sun out of the wind. Transitioning deer were lower in the drainages finding the best browse.

Day one did not disappoint. I spotted a good number of deer.

Even bedded up two mature bull elk which is a rare experience in ND for me. Had a great encounter with two 3×3 bucks that fed past my ambush spot at 22 yds. Opportunities can be hard to come by. I went to bed that night questioning whether or not I made the right decision. If I end up eating tag soup, I would surely regret not taking a shot at one of those bucks.

Early the next morning when the sky was still black and full of stars, I sparked the stove to brew a cup of coffee.

Slowly turning the gas knob, watching the flame grow bigger and brighter in the morning darkness of camp. A hardy breakfast and a second cup of coffee made me wide awake.

It was going to be a good day. I laced up my boots.

We had a short drive to a fresh look-out. Soon we were out hiking in the early morning twilight. Breathing that cool air as we hiked and waited for sunrise. The mornings in the badlands are incredible and the impeding sunrise was another miracle but we saw few deer.

Finally after the third look-out at midday…we saw him.

A lone bedded buck in the shadows of a Juniper clump.

He gazed upon the land below him. Big mule deer bucks can be so incredibly sly. He was hidden like a rattlesnake in tall grass. Small pieces of his rack were made visible only when the ferocious wind would blow branches out of the way. Never able to see his whole body, I could only guess what I was really looking at. My gut was telling me he was a good mature buck. I had to get a closer look at this buck.

Located nearly a mile away, across a drainage, there were many difficult steps between us. The sun had heated up the air to above freezing but the powerful wind still bit at my face.

A quarter of the way closer, I slipped up the hill to get another look. The buck was now on his feet and had moved into the sun. I couldn’t see everything with some cover in the way but my gut still told me he could be the one. Closing the distance half way, I was able to get another look and I could see the buck in full. With the sun casting a bright, beautiful glow across his body, my suspicions were confirmed. This was a warrior of a buck. The buck had the stature of a king with heavy shoulders and a long body. His belly had the tell-tale sag of an older deer. He was skinny now, his ribs shown a little through his tattered hide and loose skin on his neck suggested the rut had taken a toll. A wide and heavy 3×2 frame may not excite some trophy hunters concerned with score but to me he was an incredibly cool buck that had something I love…character.

When bucks reach a ripe old age and they begin their decent, the size of the rack means far less than just appreciating the life that they have lived. By now I knew he was the one for me and the final plans to stalk this buck were discussed.

Glassing the bucks surroundings and using my GPS, we agreed to approach this buck from above using a large cedar as cover. With a stiff 25mph cross wind, the buck shouldn’t hear, see nor smell our presence before I am hopefully able to push an arrow through his vitals.

We nearly reached our designated cedar and took a knee.

I couldn’t see the old warrior yet. I was constantly ranging bushes and trees as they appeared in view, in case the buck simply showed up. I would have no time to range him

46 | Hunting & Fishing News

Photo courtesy Tayler Michels - Passion For The Hunt

so I would already know how far everything was. The wind was cutting the left side of my face. Matt was in my back pocket, matching me step for step, then knee for knee then hand for hand as we slithered into position undetected.

Still no sign of the buck. It was difficult to peer through the branches of the cedar. My excitement was confused when my eyes could not pick up any sign of the buck where he was supposed to be.

Then all at once every hair on my body seemed to stand up.

There he was. I had been scanning the open meadow 50 yds. away when my eyes focused on a small gesture from the bucks tail. He was standing 15 yds. in front of us camouflaged by the cedar. Much closer than we anticipated.

He slowly walked into full view to my right, headed downwind. I came to full draw. The buck hadn’t detected us yet and kept walking. Not comfortable with a moving shot I attempted to stop the buck with a small grunt before he winded us. The noise spooked him. He bounded back on his tracks where he came from.

“Did I just lose him forever?” I asked myself in my mind.

I stood up without letting my bow down. Moved around the branches of the cedar to see the buck bounce away.

He trotted up next to a tree and stopped broadside unsure if what he heard was dangerous or not. I recognized the tree as one that I had ranged earlier. 60 yards I told myself, which is yardage I practice religiously. With confidence I settled my 60 pin behind his shoulder and squeezed the release. Every hunting story has a part when time seems to stand still. The arrow flew true. The buck jumped the string a bit. The hit seemed a little high but the blood immediately jumped out of both sides of the buck as he tore off downhill into the drainage. With a heavy crash he was out of sight.

The excitement was incredible and difficult to describe, Matt agreed that the hit looked good but we needed to give it time before going after this buck. We waited about an hour before we went to check out my arrow. A clean pass through. Large amounts of blood were casted across the white snow where the buck had run down into the drainage.

The buck took a tumble down a 30 foot drop off then laid to rest in the bed of the creek that meandered through the bottom of the drainage. He went about 100 yards and his stiff body proved he was dead within seconds of the shot.

The old warrior of a buck was missing an eye and had scars on his face from years of rutting and fighting. I waited all year for this brief moment. As we quartered and prepared the buck for the pack out, I couldn’t help but stop every once in a while to soak it all in. Truly the greatest way I could have used my 2017 archery tag.

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