Monte's Guiding & Mountain Outfitting

This time of year, everything seems to go into overdrive. There are only four weeks left to apply for your antelope license, or your second elk license. The deadline for moose, sheep, and goat applications will be past by the time you read this letter.

We have a few archery openings yet, for elk, deer, and antelope. You don’t have to worry about special archery elk permits in our main district. We also have spaces for about six more rifle antelope hunters, and four more elk/deer rifle hunters. The waterfowl/antelope rifle hunts are proving to be a popular option. Give us a call to find out more about available dates.

We also have room for several more bird hunters, both for upland birds and waterfowl. You can apply for your Montana bird licenses online before your hunt, or purchase them when you arrive. There is an exception if you plan to hunt sandhill cranes; there is a special drawing on them.

Winter is finally losing its grip on us. This means varmint hunting time, with bear season soon to follow. The nice thing about these spring hunts, is you get to see all the big game with no pressure. And we’ve sure been seeing it! Elk, deer, and antelope came through the winter in great shape. We have more mule deer than we’ve had in the past 25 years! The Fish Wildlife & Parks biologist counted more elk in our main district than he’s ever seen before. He hasn’t counted antelope yet; I’m sure he’ll have an excellent count.

Because of the high elk population, our main district will be open throughout the 2008 season for either sex elk hunting. Hunters will also have the opportunity to apply before June 1st for a second elk license in the district. The number of antelope licenses will probably remain about the same as last year.

Because of late snow and ice, I didn’t get onto the river to trap beaver this year. Working the river in February and March is another really good time to enjoy my wildlife neighbors. From moose to muskrat, and goose to chickadee, there’s always plenty to see and hear on the river. The Montana Trappers Association held its first live fur auction this spring. What a success! People really turned out with their furs. Buyers paid a premium price. The Montana Television Network did a good news feature on it.

A special sidelight to spring hunts in the Elkhorns the past few years has been watching the bighorn sheep herd grow. Sadly, the herd experienced a major die off this winter, due to pneumonia. The last aerial count showed only nineteen survivors, out of a herd of close to 200. At the present time, FWP plans to just monitor them, and see if they will begin to reproduce again in a few years.

Have a good spring! Check back here for the June newsletter, to find out how the varmint hunters and bear hunters did.