New Law Change Spring Black Bear

A new law passed by the Montana Legislature now allows hunters to purchase a black bear license after April 15 at FWP offices, but hunters must wait five days before they can participate in the spring hunt. Only one black bear license is issued to an individual each year. Montana’s spring black bear season runs until May 31 in most districts.

Spring Turkey

We saw plenty of turkeys this past week. Unfortunately not on places where we had permission to hunt. Bummer! But that's hunting.

Bears Gone Wild!

Here's what you don't want to have happen when you release MR. GRIZ. I wonder if the guy that released this fella went to MSU?

State tiger muskie record nullified

A Harlowton man's state record for tiger muskie was short-lived. State game wardens discovered Steven Salazar did not purchase a required $5 warm water fish stamp until the day after he caught the big fish, the Billings Gazette reported on its Web site.

Salazar caught a 32.4-pound tiger muskie at Deadmans Basin Reservoir north of Ryegate on Friday. It would have broken the state record by just over 3.5 pounds. However, further investigation found that Salazar didn't buy his warm water fish stamp until Saturday morning. The state's computerized licensing system time- and date-stamps all license purchases.

"Everything has got to be legal for it to be a state record," said Bob Gibson, a spokesman for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.The nullification means Marty Storfa of Billings still holds the state record with a 28.87-pound tiger muskie caught at Deadmans Basin in July 2006.

Salazar, 19, said he had been fishing from the east shore of the lake for several hours Friday before the big fish bit. He fought the fish for 45 minutes, bringing the muskie close to shore four or five times, but each time the fish ran back into deep water. Another fisherman tried to help with a big net, but the muskie would not fit. Salazar said an angler who helped him beach the fish shot it in the head. "That was a little shocking," Salazar said Monday. The shooting piqued the curiosity of Harold Guse, an FWP regional warden captain. Shooting a fish is illegal if it is in the water. It's legal, but not necessarily safe, if the fish is on shore. Salazar said the fish was on shore when it was shot.

Tiger muskies are a hybrid cross between northern pike and muskellunge, neither of which are native to Montana. Tiger muskies were brought to Deadmans Basin from Wisconsin starting in 1998 to prey on white suckers, which were competing for food with more desirable trout and kokanee salmon, according to Ken Frazer, regional fisheries manager for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Wife Bags Big Gobbler!

Ok so how'd you all do for the opener of Montana Spring Turkey Season?

Score wife 1, Joe 0.

I called this nice tom in on our bluebird opener on Sunday at about 4pm. He responded right away to calls when we were cruising some new country looking for roosting sites. We ended up jumping a hen. Then quickly set up the decoys and called. He came in on a string to 15 yards. It was my wife's first turkey and first big critter. She was excited and so was I.

I had a feeling we could get him close but had no idea we could've have reached out and spit on him. I had my bow but wanted her to get the first opportunity. She took one shot and it was all over but the flapping.

If you want to have a great time take out a first time hunter. We got on some private land because of it AND because we asked! Nice bird!!! Well done Ris!

B&C President Admonishes Wolf Activists

Modern wildlife management through regulated hunting has never pushed any species to threatened or endangered levels, and there’s no science to suggest it would happen with wolves, either.

The Boone and Crockett Club is offering this simple, historical fact to activist groups threatening new lawsuits designed to forestall state management of gray wolves.“We’re calling upon activists to look at the impeccable track record of modern wildlife management, end litigation and join hunter-conservation groups in celebrating the completion of wolf recovery,” said Lowell E. Baier, president of the Club.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set May 4 as the next target date for turning gray wolf management over to states. Last month, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar endorsed removing restored populations of wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species. His announcement celebrated another vanishing-to-flourishing wildlife success story. It also meant that states might soon use hunting to manage wolf populations alongside other resident species.

That’s the perfect scenario, says Baier.“It’s time to get on with what’s best for both wolves and people. All other game species and their habitats are being carefully managed on balance with biological and cultural carrying capacities.

Now that wolf populations have reached and exceeded population goals, they need everyone on board to ensure the balance of protection and management required for top predators in healthy ecosystems,” he said.Baier added, “Lawsuits that block state management authority are not about state borders determining population management, or genetic interchange or more science needed. They’re about activist groups not wanting wolves hunted. And that ignores the reality that America is well past the day when one species, especially an alpha predator like the wolf, can be left unmanaged.”

Well SAID PRES!!!

Stream Access Law Passes House!

The stream access law clarifying the right to access streams and rivers in Montana passed the house today by a vote of 96-3. This law will now go to the governor's office for signing. The law was put together by a coalition of ranchers, conservations groups and other interested parties. This is a good law for all concerned. We got this one right!

Update to Stream Access Law

The stream access law HB 190 passed the senate with ease and is scheduled for a hearing today at the house. This is the last stop for the bill. It gained approval in the house earlier in the month so it is anticipated that it will pass with ease! We'll keep you updated along the way.

Gophers Out

As reported a few weeks ago gophers are out in full force. Did some plinking on them yesterday. It was a target rich environment for sure. I know the eagles and hawks were happy for a meal! Don't forget to take a brick of ammo too. You could go through 500 rounds easy!