Montana Woods N Water, March 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3

March 2015

Volume 3 Issue 3

What’s Inside: Wolf Season Closing A Montana Muskrat Adventure

Cane Poles Bobbers & Boys MeMaw’s Kitchen

Publishers Notes

By Raf Viniard

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

Can you believe this weather? Hello spring! With open fire season, folks are busy burning off their fields and around their homes. The smell of smoke permeates the valleys. As I finished up burning my yard debris late last night I looked up and the sky was really clear and the stars just seemed brighter. The air was cool and crisp but as I stood there watching the small fire working its way across the pine needles it was so relaxing. Everything was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. It wasn’t long until I heard the geese overhead headed to some far away waters.

As I soaked up the Montana night and thinking about my week ahead, I sort of lost interest in work and started thinking about smoking some fresh fish, and reflecting on where I need to start scouting for that big black bear and that strutting turkey.

As the fire burned out I hated to go inside...I just couldn’t get enough of this wonderful Montana life my creator has given me to enjoy everyday. Grant it, there are some days in the publishing business I had a whole lot rather be in the mountains exploring but I love what I do. Rough days at work makes me really appreciate the days I get to spend in the mountains or on the water.

Get out there and enjoy Montana and all that it has to offer. Start planning that camping trip with the family or a day of hunting or fishing with your buddies. Life is short, make it happen.

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

Contact Us

Front Cover Photo Provided By: Raf Viniard Location: Ninepipes WMA This picture was taken while scouting with Paul Fielder for muskrat sign.

Montana Woods N Water 171 Clark Creek Loop Plains, Montana 59859 406-08-0576 www.montanawoodsnwater.com Email: raf@montanawoodsnwater.com

Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard 406-407-0612 Photographer, Print Manager Tina Scott 406-830-7500 Field Editor: Mitzi Stonehocker 406-544-1868 Sales & Marketing, Lincoln County Kori Erickson 406-293-1478 Sales & Marketing, Flathead Valley Misty Loveless 406-250-4191 Missoula Sales Rep: Vacant Pro Staff Writers & Photographers: Angela Gerych Pastor Jim Sinclair Dan Helterline Zach Butcher Paul Fielder Montana Mitzi Toby Bridges Sam Martin Toby Walrath Jason Badger Tony Rebo Editorial Policy: Montana Woods N Water (MWW) reserves the right to refuse to publish in any form of content that does not include the author’s name, complete mailing address, and/or valid phone number or email address. Anonymous submissions will not be addressed or published. MWW reserves the right not to publish anything we feel is not in good taste or appropriate.

HUNTING

Wolf Season is About to Close

By Raf Viniard The wolf general rifle season closes on 15 March 2015. If you are still trying to bag a wolf, time is not your friend.

With only six days left to increase your odds of bagging a wolf I spoke with Andy Pershern of Trout Creek, Montana.

Andy is a very successful local long line wolf trapper. Here are some of his tips for bagging your wolf.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Don’t Forget - March 16th Deadline

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WINNERS

Montana Woods N Water Five Months of Fun! Erich Spidel of St. Ignatius, Montana won the Savage 7mm-08 Pink Camo Muddy Girl rifle with scope. If Erich looks familiar he won the Ruger 1911, 45 ACP last month.

Caleb Wengerd, owner of Big Bull Sports pictured right, and I tried to talk him out of his lucky horse shoe but he would not give it up. Congratulations Erich!

Buddy Farmer of Plains, Montana won the 1400 rounds of Remington 22 Long Rifle Hollow Points.

Montana Woods N Water, Big Bull Sports and the Sanders County Search & Rescue want to thank all those that purchased raffle tickets to help raise money for the Sanders County Search & Rescue.

Attention Turkey Hunters: Next gun up for raffle is a Camo Mossberg 835 UtiliMag chambered for 3 1/2 inch shells.

Contact a Sanders County Search & Rescue member, Big Bull Sports or Montana Woods N Water for raffle tickets. $20.00 each or 6 for $100.00. You must be a Montana resident and meet all state and federal guidelines to pickup the gun.

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TRAPPING

A Montana Muskrat Adventure by Raf Viniard Paul Fielder our trapping Pro-Staff writer called me and was ready to go and explore the Ninepipes WMA for muskrat sign.

The cold weather had finally broke, ice was melting and the forecast was for a beautiful day. Myself, running on only about three hours of sleep from publishing the last issue was having second thoughts about going...I was bushed. I was not however going to let the opportunity to learn from a Master Muskrat Trapper, plus we always have something to talk about and enjoy each other’s company. This adventure was going to require at least one Mean Bean Monster drink and a couple of bottles of orange juice mixed with some 5 hour energy drinks to get through the day.

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

We were to meet in Plains, MT at 8:00 AM and then ride together up to the Ninepipes WMA. After getting my energy fix I snapped out of my fogginess slump and the game was on. The sun was shinning and we were headed out to scout for muskrats at the base of the Mission Mountains. The outcome of this scouting expedition would be an adventure for both of us.

Paul had the truck loaded and neatly organized with float sets, connibears and plenty of colony traps ready for the task at hand if the muskrats were there. Our first stop was a small pond and as we exited the truck the Mission Mountains set the stage for the rest of the day. It was absolutely beautiful. We may not have found a lot of muskrat sign but we sure had a good time soaking up the Montana life. Not to mention I got wet from about the knee down on one leg after breaking through some ice in the cattails. As I rolled around like a tortoise on his back to save the camera, Paul dragged me back to dry land.

Continued on page 8

Here are a few pictures I took as we scouted for muskrat.

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TRAPPING CONTINUED

No one can ever say Paul is not organized!

The first small pond we came to had eight geese hanging out soaking up the sun.

The geese did not take too kindly to us invading their private pool and soon took to flight!

Continued on page 14 8

CAMPFIRE TALK

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Lakeside Motel & Resort Happenings Trout Creek, Montana March Tuesday the 17th, and Friday the 13th of March Lakeside will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Party with the crew at the Lakeside Resort March 13th --7:00PM KARAOKE- DRINK SPECIALS - DINNER Features Prime Rib, Fish Fry Friday, & Corn Beef & Cabbage --- Saturday Seafood Platter, Surf and Turf ------ PARTY LIKE AN IRISHMAN at the Lakeside Motel and Resort!

Redneck Ball, 28 March 2015, 5:00PM Live Auction - Kevin Hill Auctioneer, 7:00PM Music by Dave & Deb Oliver This is a one of a kind show will not be seen anywhere else!

Dress like you are marrying your cousin!

Get your tickets early at one of the following locations: D & D Liquor, Thompson Falls, MT Lakeside Motel & Resort—Trout Creek, MT Trout Creek Community Improvement Association

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

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Backcountry skills are a way of life in the beautiful Rockies we call home. Let us pass our knowledge on to you in our comprehensive training programs designed to teach you the skills needed to fully embrace the outdoors. Our hands on learning experience is enhanced by using the training learned in class and applying it in the field, where you will walk away with confidence and understanding of necessary skills and be able to utilize them when needed. Learn a multitude of primitive and modern survival techniques. Our easy to understand instruction will get you ready to take on the great outdoors. Our courses are great for anyone from outdoor professionals working in the field, to wildlife photographers capturing the beauty of nature.

Learn these Skills and more!

Fire Making Shelter Construction Food and Water Wilderness First Aid Signaling Orienteering

http://www.rockymountainresponse.com/wilderness-survival.html 10

·

MARCH 20th @ 1200 - Western States Fur Auction - Park County Fairgrounds, Livingston, MT · MARCH 21st - 23rd - Missoula Great Rockies Sport Show - Adams Center - U of M - Missoula, MT · MARCH 27th - 29th - Bozeman Great Rockies Sport Show Brick Breeden Fieldhouse - Bozeman, MT · MARCH 29th @ 1230 - District 6 Spring Membership Meeting - Havre, MT · APRIL 18th @ 0900 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT · APRIL 18th @ 1000 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Kalispell, MT · MAY 3rd @ 0900 - MTA Board Meeting - Yogo Inn, Lewistown, MT

See You There!

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NEXT GENERATION

I was sitting at my computer when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it these two young neighbor boys was grinning from ear to ear with these two nice rainbows. Spur and Hondo Ryan along with their Dad, Justin Ryan had took the day off to catch ten large frying pan size rainbows. When I questioned the boys as to where they caught these Montana beauties I got two different answers, one said towards Missoula and the other one said towards Hot Springs...that narrowed it down. Daddy has taught them well. I fried them up and they were delicious! Thanks boys!

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TRAPPING CONTINUED

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FISHING

Cane Poles, Bobbers & Boys

My Favorite

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next it was off to Dad’s tackle box (Folgers coffee can A cane pole was a long reed found along marshy areas hidden in the shed) to grab a few extra hooks, weights, and could stand 12-14 feet tall. Canes grew thick as dog nylon stringer and a extra bobber and shove them in hair around wet marshy areas and were known as cane whatever you could find. Handkerchief, sock, glass Alka breaks, so there was never a shortage of new fishing Seltzer bottle, etc., it just needed to fit in your jeans poles. When the perfect cane pole was found, it was cut pocket. There was always that occasional hang up and it with a machete and hung to dry by hanging in a tree was a long walk back to the house and more than likely a upside down with a brick tied to the narrow tip to keep it return trip to the house meant Mom or Dad had thought straight during the drying process. of something else that needed immediate attention...fishing OVER! Cane poles were mostly used for pan fishing such as crappie, blue gill and perch type fish. The end is very thin One final matter to take care of and it was off to the and flexible and can take a serious bending but creek or pond. everything has a breaking point.

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

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

As I eased down to the water’s edge watching for cotton mouths with a bad attitude, I could smell the fish.

Holding the hook in one hand and the pole in the other I gently lifted the cane pole into the air in an upward sweeping motion letting go of the hook at the same time, I gently rested the hook and bobber into the water next to a stump. Unlike modern rod and reels you don’t flop the cork and bait into the water. It is vertical finesse fishing at its best. You lower the bait into the target area very gently and quietly.

Hopefully within a few seconds the bobber begins to bob as the fish nibbles at the bait. The bobber slowly starts Visions of slab size crappie, a stringer full of bluegill or a moving off to the deeper water or if the water is deep big old catfish filled my imaginary stringer as I quickly enough you may just see the cork slowly go almost walked across the cow pasture. I did not have an ATV to straight down until it is out of sight. A bass or catfish will ferry me around, they were not even invented yet, it was grab the bait and run for all he’s got. One second bobber all LPC, (Leather Personnel Carrier, aka my work boots). is there and the he next it is gone...the fight is on!

Most of our ponds were a quarter to half mile from the house, yes...up and down hills both ways! As I quicken With a rod and reel you have a spool of line to work with. my step I could hear the bobber slapping the cane With a cane pole you only have about 10-12 feet of line pole...life was getting better with each step. at best. For pan fish, once you know the fish has got the bait in his mouth it is time to set the hook and lift it Constantly checking over my shoulder to make sure the straight up and over to the bank as quickly and quietly as family dog “Rusty” had not decided to follow. Nothing possible. Not getting any bites, simply pick it straight up like trying to fish with a dog wading in and out of the and gently lower it down in another spot. water. You had to be a Ninja warrior to slip away from the house without Rusty catching on to what you were If fishing was slow, it was still better than a good day of up to. I would use him to help me dig for worms, but farm work. On those slow days I simply leaned back after that the partnership was over. Rusty usually laid under a shade tree, broke out the dried apples, the jug of around the back door/yard area so when you left it was sweet tea and contemplated my next spot. best to slip quietly out the front door, quietly walk down the road and hop the fence out of sight of the house. If As a kid fishing with a cane pole and a coffee can of he picked up your scent or seen you crossing the field the worms...it just seemed to go together like cake and ice cream. gig was up and you were going to have a tag along whether you wanted one or not.

To this day, fishing with a bobber is still my favorite. To As I approached the pond or creek it was always best to me watching a bobber drift along is relaxing and takes formulate a plan before approaching the water’s edge. I me back to those hot Kentucky summer afternoons didn’t want to spook the fish before even getting a line in sitting on the bank under the shade of a weeping willow, munching on Mom’s dried apples, sipping sweet tea and the water. I would unwrap the pole, preset the bobber letting life pass me by. One bite at a time. to the depth I wanted and thread a worm, onto the

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

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OUTDOOR POLITICS

!!ATTENTION !!

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

HB212 has passed through the Legislative process and is now headed to Governor Bullock for him to sign into law OR veto! MT-SFW has been working hard in support of this bill and NOW we really need your support.

We are advising every Montana hunter, trapper, angler, rancher and property owner to individually contact Gov. Bullock and encourage him to sign HB 212 to ensure these Montana traditions will be solidified.

Here is how to contact Governor Bullock: Call toll free - 1-855-318-1330 or Email- governor@mt.gov PLEASE forward this to all your contacts who hunt, trap, fish, farm, ranch and live a rural lifestyle.

HB 212 provides concise amendments to clarify "harvest" in parts of Title 87 of our Montana Constitution as it relates to fish and wildlife. To read the bill in its entirety click this link http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2015/billpdf/HB0212.pdf Thank you for your participation! Yours in Conservation

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MeMaws’ Kitchen

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

Pie Crust for two single shell pies

Sour Cream lemon Pie filling

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

1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1 cup milk 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 3 egg yolks lightly beaten 1/4 cube butter 1 tablespoon zested lemon peel 1 cup sour cream In large saucepan heat sugar, cornstarch, with milk and lemon juice after whisking smooth. Cook over medium high heat until thicken. Reduce to low and stir two minutes more. Take a small amount and whisk in a separate bowl and add the egg yolks, then return to the pan and cook 2 more minutes.

Remove from heat and cool slightly, add the sour cream and fold then add the lemon zest. Stir lightly. Pour into the cooled pie shell, refrigerate two hours and top with whip cream topping.

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

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Camo Sweetheart Ball Sponsors

Please thank these sponsors by shopping with them for making the Camo Sweetheart Ball such a success! Thank you!

Big Bull Sports

Nailed It

Bob Hosea—The Bob Factor

Natural Edge Rustic Furnishings

Bruce Hunn

Paradise Mountain Crafts

Cabela's (Missoula)

Plains Garden, Gift & Floral

Dale Fricke Holsters

Plains Trap Club

Desta's Nails

Peregrine Embroidery

D&D Liquor

Robert Viergutz

Ed’s Outdoors

RTK Photography

Gambles

Sanders County Search & Rescue Members

Harvest Foods

Scuz Busters & Diversified Services Judy Woolley

Healthy Massage—Daphine Boles

Shear Attitude

Lakeside Resort & Motel

Sportsman's Warehouse

Levi Thrift Store

The Printery

Mangy Moose

Tires Plus

Minnie's

Tom & Shelly Rummel

Montana Mitzi

Trout Creek Community Improvement Association

Montana Outdoor Radio Show Montana Trapping Association

Whistle Creek Pottery Ellen Childress

Montana Woods N Water

Thank You! 21