DAKTANA 2020 - 2021 Edition
Fallon County
TIMES BAKER, MONTANA
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 2
Hunters should have animals tested prior to donating meat By Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Every year hunters across Montana donate thousands of pounds of wild game to local food banks through local meat processors. With the discovery of chronic wasting disease in Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging hunters to have their deer, elk and moose tested and have a negative test result in hand prior to donating no matter where in Montana these animals are harvested. “We know this will be a shift for both hunters and processors, but with a little planning ahead, it should still be a smooth process of getting healthy wild game from the field to the homes of foodbank customers,” said Ken McDonald, Wildlife Division Administrator with FWP. The funding for much of this donated meat comes from hunters through a program called Hunters Against Hunger. Hunters are asked to donate to the program when they purchase their license each year. The donations go to offset the cost of processing the wild game. Donations to Hunters Against Hunger and other donation options are welcome anytime and can be done online at fwp.mt.gov or at any license provider. Each year more than 50,000 pounds of wild game are donated to food banks across the state. In 2017, CWD was discovered in deer in southcentral Montana. Since then, the disease has been found in multiple locations across the state. CWD is a fatal neurological disease infecting deer, elk and moose. It is not known to infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control advise against consuming meat from CWD positive animals. The CDC also recommends testing animals harvested in CWD positive areas prior to consumption. Testing Testing for CWD involves removing lymph nodes in the neck, just below the jaw. Hunters can have their deer, elk and moose tested for CWD in a few ways. They can take the samples themselves and submit them to the FWP Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman. Instructions can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/cwd/getyouranimalsampled. Or they can bring the animal’s head with a few inches of neck meat attached to an FWP regional office or CWD sampling station and FWP staff can take the sample. The samples will be submitted to the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Results should be available within three weeks and posted online at fwp.mt.gov. Hours of operation and locations of CWD sampling locations will also be posted online. Due to the COVID pandemic, staff presence in FWP offices can vary as many continue to work remotely. To have a sample taken at a regional office, please call ahead so that FWP can ensure the visit is timely, quick, and smooth. Also, please come prepared to wear a mask, as required by Gov. Steve Bullock’s directives, should social distancing be difficult to achieve. FWP staff will be wearing a mask as well. For more information about CWD and for instructions and a video on collecting and submitting samples, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
17th Annual Stan Wagner Memorial Game Feed
There will be a 17th annual Stan Wagner Memorial Game Feed in November. Maybe. It depends on what the Fallon County Health Department says when they meet at the end of September. “We are going through with it.... if they (the health department) allow it, the organizer said. According to Wendy Wagner of Hanging W Meats in Baker, since the arrival of COVID-19, a public event has to be organized to cut the chances of the Coronavirus being transmitted and be approved by the County Health Department. Wagner said that the event is tentatively planned for Nov. 14 at the Fallon
County Fairgrounds in the Livestock Barn. But the size and scope of the event will depend upon what is approved by the County Health department, according Wagner. “It sounds like they will, but they will have to look at the guidelines, see our plan and make sure everything is where it needs to be,” she said. The biggest change will be adapting to the new COVID-19 guidelines, she said. “But at any given time, it could be canceled if we have an outbreak.” People can look for updates on the status of the Stanley Wagner Memorial Wild Game Feed event on its Facebook page, she said.
WELCOME HUNTERS
L ANDOWNERS ! Thee Garage & Steakhouse AND
Join us for a great meal in the bar or the supper club.
Families Welcome!
~ Baker’s Finest Steakhouse & Lounge ~ 19 W. MT Ave. • Baker, MT • 406-778-2065
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 3
Montana’s 2020 Hunting Season Dates
Big Game
Antelope 900 Series Antelope archery Antelope general Bighorn sheep archery Bighorn sheep general Bison Black bear – spring Black bear - archery Black bear – fall Deer and elk archery Youth - deer only Deer and elk general
Aug. 15 - Nov. 8 Sept. 5 - Oct. 9 Oct. 10 - Nov. 8 Sept. 5 - Sept. 14 Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Nov. 15 - Feb. 15, 2021 Apr. 15 - End Dates Vary Sept. 5 - Sept. 14 Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Sept. 5 - Oct. 18 Oct. 15 - Oct. 16 Oct. 24 - Nov. 29
Deer and elk - Backcountry HD’s 150, 151, 280 & 316* Archery Sept. 5 - Sept. 14 General Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Elk Shoulder Seasons Check individual HDs Moose Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Mountain goat Sept. 15 - Nov. 29 Mountain lion archery Sept. 5 - Oct. 18 Mountain lion – fall Oct. 24 - Nov. 29 Mountain lion – winter Dec. 1 - Apr. 14, 2021 Wolf archery Sept. 5 - Sept. 14 Wolf general Sept. 15 - Mar. 15, 2021 Wolf trapping Dec. 15 - Feb. 28, 2021 *HD 316 Does not have an archery only season
Upland Game Birds Mountain grouse Partridge 2021 Pheasant Sage grouse Sharp-tailed grouse Turkey spring Turkey fall
Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, 2021 Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, Oct. 10 - Jan. 1, 2021 Sept. 1 - Sept. 30 Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, 2021 Apr. 11 - May 17 Sept. 1 - Jan. 1, 2021
These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations for specific dates. Visit our website @ http://fwp.mt.gov
Reminder in the field this hunting season: Be a good steward of the land By Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Although most hunters respect the land, property, and wildlife they are hunting, many others do not. FWP would like to remind hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts to be good stewards of the land, and respect both private and public property. Every hunting season, there are reports of vandalizing of Block Management Area (BMA) boxes, hunters driving off road, illegal trespassing, hunters being shot over, littering, and livestock being shot. FWP encourages everyone to be good stewards of the land. Below are just a few of the things that hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of when enjoying our resources: •Standing crop: Avoid hunting, walking or driving in fields that have not been harvested yet. •Littering: Not only is littering careless and unsightly, it is against the law. This includes toilet paper, and the proper management of human waste. •Leave gates as you find them: If a gate is closed, close it behind you. If it is obviously open (pulled all the way back to the fence), leave it open. If you are unsure, contact the landowner or public land agency. •Know your target and beyond: Hunters must be sure of what they are shooting at (species, sex, etc.), and know what lies be-
yond their target (houses, outbuildings, livestock, vehicles, other hunters). •Prevent fires: Be aware of fire danger at all times and use precautions. •Be weed free: Check clothes, dogs, ATVs, and vehicles for weeds and weed seeds to help prevent the spread to other private and public lands. •Avoid driving on muddy roads: Unless it is a well-graveled road, walk. •Avoid ridge driving and driving to overlooks: Not only is this a poor strategy while hunting, it is considered as driving off road if it is not already an established trail. •Do not park on roads or gateways: Move well off of roads to avoid folks moving farm equipment. Find a designated parking area or an approach that is clearly not being used for equipment. •Driving off-road: While hunting on private property, a person may not drive off established roads or trails without landowner permission. Off-road travel on public land, including game retrieval, is prohibited unless designated as open. Consult appropriate land agency or land maps for specifics. •Ask for permission to hunt: Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land. Even if the land is not posted, hunters must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their agent before hunting on pri-
THINK BEFORE YOU SHOOT
Please remember, a lot of modern daily living depends on dependable electric service . . . so think before you shoot!
A potshot at an insulator can often have far-reaching effect. Linemen may risk their lives in order to restore service; a hospital operating room may go dark, resulting in serious injury or death; a farmer’s chicks may be lost when an incubator grows cold; families over a widespread area may suffer all manner of inconvenience.
vate property. •Completely fill out BMA slips: If a hunter doesn’t correctly fill out a block management slip, they are hunting without permission. •Know where you are located: Whether you are hunting public land, private land, or land enrolled in an access program such as block management, it is every hunter’s responsibility to know where they are to avoid trespassing. Maps are always available, as are GPS chips and cell phone apps to aid in orientation. •Accessing public lands: Access to public lands (on a private road) through private land requires permission of the private landowner, lessee, or their agent. •Camping: Camping is allowed on most public lands (see agency regulations), but permission is needed to camp on private property and BMAs. •Know the rules: Consult BMA maps for specific rules on block management property, including driving on roads, parking areas, no shooting zones, walk-in only areas, camping, number of hunters allowed, game retrieval, etc. Rules for most land agencies can be found on maps and/or on brochures. Go to the appropriate agency website or local office for information. •Report violations: Report any hunting and fishing, trespassing, vandalism or other crim-
inal activity you see to 1-800-TIP-MONT (1800-847-6668). The 1-800-TIP-MONT program is a tollfree number where one can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction. Also remember that the fall is a very busy time for landowners. Along with late harvest, cattle and other livestock are being moved from their summer and/or fall pastures and are often brought near the home site for winter feeding and care. Please use common sense and respect when around these activities. FWP also offers a free online program called The Montana Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project. This project is an information program for anyone interested in promoting responsible hunter behavior and good hunter-landowner relations in Montana. The program is delivered through an interactive website utilizing questions, videos, and feedback as well as opportunities for you to test your knowledge on a variety of practical topics related to hunter-landowner relations and responsible hunter behavior. Please go to fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/ hunterLandowner to learn more and complete the program.
SPORTING GOODS FIREARMS AND AMMO See us for our
Price Match Guarantee details 208 Shopping Center Dr. Baker, MT 59313 • 406-778-3359 (Locally owned & operated)
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 4
Apply now for FWP’s Apprentice Hunter Program By Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
It’s never too early to plan ahead for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Apprentice Hunter Program. FWP encourages early mail-in certification for eligible Apprentice Hunters in order to avoid crowds and frustration prior to season openers and the youth hunt. COVID-19 safety protocols are in place at FWP offices and lobby occupancy is very limited, therefore wait times outside may be long. The “Apprentice Hunter” law allows anyone ten years of age or older to hunt two license years without completing hunter education. An apprentice hunter may not obtain a big horn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, or wolf license. Apprentice hunters, ages 10-15, may hunt in the two-day youth pheasant and duck hunt (Sept. 26 and 27) and two-day deer hunt (Oct. 15 and 16) and throughout the general season. FWP recommends that people interested in this program read the Apprentice Hunter Program packet before seeking certification through your regional office. The packet outlines
H
U
N
guidelines for both the apprentice and the required mentor, including what apprentices can and cannot do, who can act as a mentor, and how the certification process works. The application packet is available on the FWP website. In-state personal checks for the $5 fee, along with the application may be accepted from Montana residents and can be mailed to your regional FWP office or FWP Licensing in Helena. For nonresidents please send a money order or cashier’s check along with the application. The phone numbers and mailing addresses of FWP offices are below for your convenience: Regional Headquarters Region 1 (Kalispell) 406-752-5501, 490 N. Meridian Rd, Kalispell, MT 59901 Region 2 (Missoula) 406-542-5500, 3201 Spurgin Rd, Missoula MT 59804 Region 3 (Bozeman) 406-577-7900, 1400 S. 19th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59718 Region 4 (Great Falls) 406-4545840, 4600 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405
T
E
R
SET YOUR SIGHTS ON US
When your rig lets you down... We can fix you up! Carrying RV Supplies
PRECISION PARTS & SUPPLY
Monday - Friday Saturday EN 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. OP 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
406-778-2219 • BAKER, MONTANA
S
Region 5 (Billings) 406-247-2940, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105 Region 6 (Glasgow) 406-228-3700, 1 Airport Rd, Glasgow, MT 59230 Region 7 (Miles City) 406-2340900, 352 I-94 Business Loop, Miles City, MT 59301 FWP Headquarters (Helena Licensing) 406-444-2950, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620. Some key details to note: •After apprentice hunter certification at FWP offices, licenses may be purchased at any provider. The child’s residency at time of purchase is determined by the proof of residency of the PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN for minors aged 10-17 years old. •A person must be certified before purchasing appropriate licenses. Once certified, the Apprentice Certification will show on the person’s ALX record •If the mentor is not related to an apprentice who is under the age of 18, a legal guardian’s signature also will be needed on the mentor form and carried while in the field with the apprentice •The mentor may only accompany one apprentice at a time An Apprentice MUST: •Be at least 10 years old at the time of license purchase Fill out a certification form and pay a $5 certificate fee (forms available online at fwp.mt.gov or through FWP Regional Headquarters) •Hunt with a mentor who is at least 21 and who has completed Hunter Education if born after Jan. 1, 1985 •Have the appropriate current Montana hunting licenses for the species being hunted; the licenses must show that he/she is Apprentice Hunter certified •Stay within sight of and direct voice
contact with the mentor at all times An Apprentice MAY: •Be a resident or nonresident •Obtain apprentice certification for no more than two license years before he or she must complete a hunter safety and education course An Apprentice is NOT ELIGIBLE to: •Obtain a special bow and arrow license without first completing a Bowhunter Education course (must be 12 years old before Jan. 16 of the following year to take bow ed) •Obtain a resident hound training license for chasing mountain lion •Participate in a hunting license or permit drawing with a limited quota •Obtain any bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion or wolf license •Obtain an elk license if under 15 years of age A Mentor MUST: •Be 21 or older •Be related to the apprentice by blood, adoption or marriage; or be the apprentice’s legal guardian or be designated by the apprentice’s legal guardian (guardian must complete form and show ID) •Have completed Hunter Education if born after Jan. 1, 1985 •Have a current Montana hunting license •Complete the Apprentice Hunter Mentor form and carry it on their person while hunting with the apprentice •Agree to accompany and supervise the apprentice hunter and remain within sight of and direct voice contact with the apprentice at all times while in the field •Confirm that the apprentice possesses the physical and psychological capacity to safely and ethically engage in hunting activities
Welcome to
Plevna Bar & Grill
406-778-PLUS (7587)
Watch for our Prime Rib Specials Full Salad Bar Friday & Saturday DR N E Full menu including your choice H I S C PE NK KIT PEN of delicious steaks! CIA LS O
Cell 406-891-0091 delmc@midriver.com
11a.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday
Windshield, Glass, Chip & Machine Repair
Del Espinosa - Owner/Operator
Plevna, MT • 406-772-5847
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 5
FWP offering free online courses for hunter and bowhunter education students By Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering online hunter and bowhunter education courses this year in response to social distancing requirements and restrictions on group gatherings related to Covid-19. To take the online hunter education courses, Montana students can get the free code by accessing our website at http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/ and select the course you want to take. The online courses, which are developed and administered by the outdoor education company Kalkomey, include text, videos and interactive scenarios to engage students. Students will need to pass a final test to qualify for a certificate. At this time, students aged 10 and 11 (under age 12 before Jan. 16, 2021) will not have an option for an online class. Those students can hunt as an apprentice this year. To learn how to sign up for the hunter apprentice program, go to: fwp. mt.gov/hunting/licenses/all/apprenticeHunter/default.html If there are any questions, please call your local FWP office or 406-444-9947 or 406-431-0539.
Deciding what to hunt If you’re not already an avid hunter, you may be deciding which type of game is right for you. While the sport largely decides on the type of wildlife in your area, traveling a short distance can present an entirely new set of challenges. When hunting out of state, it’s crucial to understand the local laws and regulations they have in place. Failing to do so can put you in serious risk of expensive fines and travel expenses to face courts. If you plan to hunt for game in a different state, take the time to protect yourself from strict hunting enforcements. Once you’re familiar with a location’s expectations of its hunters, here are some types of game to consider pursuing. Deer Whitetail deer are one of the most sought-after game because of their availability and the lean meat they provide. For most of the United States, the bowhunting season lasts much longer than a firearm season. When getting started to hunt whitetail, you should spend the offseason researching different land to find signs of their presence. Here are some factors to look for when finding suitable hunting locations. Rubs: Bucks mark their territory by rubbing their antlers on trees. You can easily get an idea of the size of wildlife and how long they were there by analyzing the height of the rubs and its freshness. Bedding areas: Look for depressions in grass, leaves and pine needles to discover these areas. Learning these places helps you
Sloppy Does
Jerrick Moser and his deer that he got during the youth hunt in 2019. He was out with his father, uncle and cousin. They were hunting with the kids as a part of the Montana apprentice hunt.
Riley O’Donnell had a successful hunt when he shot this 5x4 raghorn bull on public land in Fallon County while hunting with his dad, Casey O’Donnell and grandpa, Mike O’Donnell.
Apparel
• Outer wear • Foot wear • Muck Boots • Montana Silversmiths
723 S. Main • Baker, MT Open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - Noon & 1 - 4 p.m 406-778-3265
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; brown ground venison with jalapeno pepper in the hot oil, stirring often, until meat is crumbly and no longer pink, about ten minutes. Stir ketchup, garlic, molasses and yellow mustard into the venison mixture, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer at least ten minutes.
WELCOME HUNTERS STOP
in for the best PIZZA in town!
OPEN
Monday - Saturday
Russell’s Clothing 12 W. MT Ave. • Baker, MT 406-778-2427
Sloppy joes made with venison, preferably from a female.
1 tsp. olive oil 1 lb. ground venison 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced 1/2 C ketchup 1 clove garlic, diced 2 tsp. molasses 1 tsp. prepared yellow mustard
O' Fallon Historical Museum
understand travel patterns so you can set your stand in a high-traffic location. Elk Elk hunting is extremely popular in Western America. If you’re not familiar with this type of game, it’s a good idea to team up with a professional guide for your first time out. It’s also beneficial to prepare for more aggressive wildlife as you begin an elk-hunting trip as bears and wolves are also common in this part of the country. Fowl Hunting birds is an activity that is usually performed by teams of friends and your favorite canine. The sport requires perfectly blending in with your surroundings through blinds and camouflage and can be enhanced by expertly performing their specific call with a specialized device. Dress appropriately as you will likely find yourself in the water or field as you wait for a flock to reveal its location.
3 p.m.
Free Admission • www.ofallonmuseum.com
Come in & enjoy a tall, cool one after the hunt. 406-778-2412
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 6
Slope County one of three involved in GPS pilot study program Staff Report
Join a competition The United States Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 101.6 million Americans participated in hunting, fishing and wildlife activities in 2016. While a large portion of the participants hunt as a hobby, there is a percentage that pursue the activity to earn their income. If you think you have what it takes to turn your passion for hunting into a career, joining a competition is a great place to start. Your local area likely sponsors events where enthusiasts are tasked with acquiring the largest game to earn an award. These competitions are a great way to showcase your skills and share a sense of sportsmanship with other hunters. Here are some tips to break into the competitive level of hunting. How to find events Finding competitions to join can be an easy task by following hunting groups on social media, frequenting local sporting-good’s stores and reaching out to fellow hunters. If you’re debating between different events to partake in, consider your experience and the level of competition. If you are only becoming familiar with the competitive level of hunting, competing against seasoned veterans may leave you
falling short and affecting your confidence. On the other hand, when you begin climbing the ranks, you don’t want to compete with those who are far below your skillset. To really fine tune your skills, try to match your abilities to different levels as you become a better competitive hunter. You will learn more and the grand prizes continue to grow as the events require more advanced sportsmen. Practice makes perfect Don’t be discouraged if you fall short during your hunting competitions. Just like every other skill, practice is the best way to sharpen your familiarity with it. Whether you target practice or partake in hunts as a hobby, use each experience as a learning tool to use when you compete in the next event. Lifelong friendships Hunters and fishermen are known for their close camaraderie and companionship. As you begin developing a relationship with other sportsmen, you will learn new tools and tips that can take your skills to the next level. Look for team competitions where you can pair with another hunter to share a remarkable experience and help one another become better at the trade.
Slope County is one of three North Dakota counties which were chosen to test a proposed Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system allowing landowners to “post” their land electronically through an online database that is linked to land descriptions based on property tax records. The study was approved by the state legislature in 2019, with Richland and Ramsey counties also on the study list. The trial study means landowners would still have to display signs on their property during the 2020-2021 hunting seasons. Participation in the study will help determine the usability of the application and provide direction for changes required to existing law, according to the state’s department of Game and Fish. The electronic posting pilot study application for the 2020-21 hunting season is hosted on the department’s online services website. There was a July 15 deadline for landowners to designate any posting of land. According to the department of Game and Fish, a total of 79 landowners in the three counties are participating in the pilot study by electronically posting their land, totaling 268 parcels and 38,600 acres. Hunters in the three counties are encouraged to use the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s online map resources to evaluate electronic posting. In addition, private land that is posted electronically for the 2020-21 hunting season is viewable on a computer or smartphone, or can be printed out, according to the department. A benefit of electronic posting is the ability for hunters to determine a point of contact for the landowner, or authorized individual who posted the land. Point of contact is included on the Department’s map service application. The Game and Fish department still asks hunters to be respectful of landowners and be mindful of their daily schedules. The hunters using the application will be used to help evaluate electronic posting as an option for landowners to post land into the future. The electronic posting study will conclude with a brief survey and the information collected will help the North Dakota Legislature’s Interim Natural Resources Committee determine the usability of the electronic posting application and provide direction for changes required to existing law, according to the department. According to regional game warden supervisor Daniel Hoenke of Dickinson, the study is designed to provide information . “There has been a lot of work getting the database running and administering it,” the Region 4 supervisor explained. “There is a lot of work involved in getting this study put together.” More information about the study and how to use the GPS option is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
Hunt NO Longer Welcomes you to Baker, MT
You’re welcome to come check out our classic cars and memorabilia. Open Thursday & Friday Main sTreeT Baker 406-978-2792 • 406-978-3195
Yo uʻl l f i nd yo u r be s t de a ls he re at Truck & Tire Service
3651 Eagle Lane - Baker, MT 406-778-TIRE (8473) NOW offering Poly-fil Tire Flat 24 hour roadside service Proofing Products for less down time of your equipment 406-874-TIRE
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 7
PLOTS guides are now available for outdoorsmen While there’s plenty of chatter about bowhunting, chasing upland game and planning for waterfowl and pheasant openers, there’s a few topics that don’t specifically pertain to any specific hunting season or activity. For instance. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen Guide for 2020 is available online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, the free printed PLOTS Guide, which is not available to mail, can be found at most license vendors and other locations throughout the state, and at Game and Fish offices. The PLOTS Guide features maps highlighting walk-in areas, identified in the field by inverted triangular yellow signs, as well as other public lands. The guide features about 800,000 PLOTS acres. Because the guide was printed in mid-August, some PLOTS tracts highlighted in the guide may have been removed from the program since the time of printing. There will also be some PLOTS tracts where the habitat and condition of the tract will have changed significantly. Conversely,
Game and Fish may have added new tracts to the program after the guide went to press. To minimize possible confusion, Game and Fish will update PLOTS map sheets weekly on its website. The guides are not available to mail, so hunters will have to pick one up at a local vendor or Game and Fish offices or print individual maps from the website. Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are reminded a federal duck stamp is required for hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coots. This year’s 2020-21 federal duck stamp is available for electronic purchase through the Game and Fish Department’s website, instant licensing telephone number, 800406-6409, or at license vendors registered with the Department’s licensing system. Physical stamps are not available at North Dakota license vendors, but they can be purchased at many U.S. Postal Service offices. The electronic stamp is a purchase item like any other hunting or fishing license. When the purchase is completed, the electronic stamp is valid immediately. Federal Duck Stamp will be printed on the license certificate, along with an expiration date 45
Rachel Hestekin with her 6x5 whitetail buck.
Chad Hestekin with his 7x9 mule deer buck.
By Doug Leier
days from the date of purchase. The actual physical stamp will be sent by postal mail. The physical stamp is processed and sent by the official duck stamp vendor in Texas and should arrive well before the expiration date printed on the electronic license. The physical stamp must remain in possession of the hunter after the 45-day electronic stamp has expired. The federal duck stamp has a fee of $25. An additional $1.50 fee is added to cover shipping and handling costs of the physical stamp. Individuals who have questions regarding the status of their physical stamp can contact the federal duck stamp vendor customer service number at 800-852-4897. Hunters, trappers and anglers are reminded that an equipment registration number, or the individual’s name, address and telephone number, must be displayed on all equipment requiring identification. While on state wildlife management areas, identification is required on items such as ground blinds, tree stands, cameras and traps. Identification must be attached to cable devices that are set on either private or public land, and on fish houses left unattended on the ice. Owners can generate an equipment registration number by visiting Buy and Apply at
Grand ElEctric coopErativE, inc. PO Box 39 801 Coleman Ave Bison, SD 57620 800-592-1803 605-244-5211
www.grandelectric.coop
DAKOTA SPORTS 2286 I 94 BUSINESS LOOP E DICKINSON, ND
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s “PLOTS Guide” features maps highlighting walk-in areas, identified in the field by inverted triangular yellow signs, as well as other public lands. Photocredit: NDGF the Department’s website. One registration number will be issued that can be used on all equipment that requires identification. The equipment registration number does not expire.
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 8
New “COVID season” forcing changes to outdoor adventure firms Staff Report
COVID-19 has had a big impact on the outdoor adventures one veterans non-profit has planned, not only in 2020, but in 2021 also. But they are not alone. According to Elizabeth Vanlishout, who operates Veterans Outdoors Aventures of North Dakota, not only has the pandemic forced the cancellation of the rest of the non-profit group’s event for the rest of the year and will also change the way it approaches planned events in 2021. The group, which designs outdoor events for veterans and first responders, along with family members, will be holding an ice fishing event in January. COVID has forced the group to change plans. “Because of COVID, it became more expensive. Places that we would be able to stay at … at no cost or they included the cost … they couldn’t do it because of COVID so we would have to get hotel rooms and that wasn’t in our budget. “So we have decided that it wasn’t fair that some people got to go on some things and some people didn’t get to go on other things.... so we just closed it for the rest of the year,” she said, noting that a pheasant hunt and Exotic Ram hunt were among the events canceled. “Next year, we are not going to open it up for applications. We are just going to allow the people who were originally supposed to go have first chance next year,” she said. The group will be looking at ways to make the adventures more COVID safe, she explained. “If the COVID season hasn’t ended and we are still facing it next year.... instead of staying in hotel rooms, we are going to revamp things. We are going to do a camping thing where each person is in their own tent. Hopefully, for people who don’t have tents, we’ll be able to provide tents from donations. “Then it will be up to them to keep their own distance.... coming on this event knowing the posibility that you could interact
with someone ... it could be at a gas station stop,” Vanlishout said. “We are willing to do it if you are willing to go... and we are just going to go from there,” she explained. One of the events postponed in early 2020 was a womens retreat in the Black Hills of South Dakota. “It wasn’t just up to us. We had booked vendors for the womens retreat, including helicopter rides around Mt. Rushmore, ziplining and stuff like that. Some of those activities in Keystone (SD) are closed. The other reason was that we’d rented a house or cabin where everybody would be sharing rooms. “We lost sponsorships due to financial difficulties because of COVID. The group still has some funds available for the womens retreat. “It is just a matter of being able to go. We had to take some legal precautions. We are going to have to make sure we have legal liabilities signed that we didn’t have before. That way, they can not blame us if they caught COVID,” adding that they would be responsible for their own personal health precautions. “The liability form will state they will have to use their own discretion when they make proper health choices.” One thing that will change in the new year is that the Veterans Outdoors Adventures will working with another North Dakota veterans group based in Fargo. VOAND will combine with the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation. “They are going to fund the Kansas Ram hunt next year. That is one of the things we are looking at and that will definitely help,” Vanlishout said. “We just have to kind of revamp how we have done things before. That is why we are taking the rest of the year off. “In the past we have had people share seats on the bus in order to make room for luggage,” she said, noting that the animals were packed in coolers on the trip back previously. “We are hoping to start 2021 with a bang with the fifth annual ice fishing tournament. We still plan to do that because it is outdoors,” she said.
Cabin Creek Cafe
URSturday O H a
On the group’s website, the reason for its existence was explained. “We want to support these Veterans with other Avenues to deal with “After Active Service” issues, give them an outlet to get in the outdoors and heal, find another Veteran that can relate and bond with; offer help to other veteran spouses who deal with the very same issues as we do; help to decrease the suicide rate in the Veterans after being released from active service.” “We also want to give back to the community that gives to us, by inviting a North Dakota Peace Officer, Firefighter, and First Responder on our Hunts,” the group explained. But COVID-19 has had an impact. The pandemic forced the group to cancel the Kansas Ram Hunt and the Pheasant Hunt …. and also end the rest of their schedule for the year. Originally, the Pheasant hunt was set for the weekend of Oct. 9-11 for veterans and first responders. In the past, the group had the Battle the Paddle Fishing Adventure near Trenton for two days of trying to snag paddlefish where the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers meet. In 2020, there was no paddlefishing. They also have held Prairie Dog hunts in Flasher in June 2019. The group’s Womens Retreat held in the Black Hills of South Dakota was postponed from the summer of 2020 and rescheduled for 2021. For more information, go to www.veteransoutdoors.org or its Facebook page PTSD partnering The Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation was born in 2015, shortly after the veteran of the war in Afghanistan took his own life. But friends and family created a foundation to help focus on the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on combat veterans and their families. The Foundation was established under the auspices of the Dakota Medical Foundation, with the goals including soldier retreats, along with scholarships for combat veterans to go into the mental health field. The group posted its focus on its web-
site. “Our ignorance of PTSD prompted the goal of PTSD awareness. We work hard to inform the public, especially spouses and families, about the signs, effects and how to get help for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our hope and mission is that these goals will lead to “Happy, Healthy Lives for our Combat Veterans!” The group’s ties toward outdoor events is a continuation of the way Oberg grew up in the small Minnesota community of Olen. In addition to specific events like fishing and hunting retreats, the organization also has a partnership with TNT Fitness Kids Fitness in Fargo on the 30th of each month. That is set up to give veterans a chance to workout with other veterans and a personal trainer. Recently, the group held a veteran fishing and hunting retreat for a three-day weekend at Barkey’s Resort on Ottertail Lake. From there, the group participated in a pheasant hunt at McCollum’s Hunting Preserve and Guided Fishing on Ottertail Lake. The group admitted that COVID-19 has changed many of the plans for the spring and summer in 2020. Among the events the foundation has held in the past have been a ruck march in May, a June golf tournament in June, a Ride for Combat PTSD in August and the Fargo Defender Dash in the fall. The foundation was covered in a 2019 issue of The Good Life magazine, recalling the May 2019 ruck march from Beach to the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge in Fargo-Moorhead on the eastern border of the Peace Garden State where they arrived on Memorial Day. A year earlier, the walk was from the Canadian border to the North Dakota-South Dakota border along a 240-mile route while wearing 20-pound rucksacks to symbolize the 20 veterans who die every day from suicide. In 2017, the foundation also co-sponsored a fishing retreat in Alaska. For more information about the foundation, go to bradyoberglegacyfoundation.org
Taxidermy
that is above expectations and beyond ordinary
-S m day . - 2 p. s e u m T 30 a 5:
• Breakfast served 5:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. • Lunch served 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. • Fresh Coffee • Homemade Rolls • Breakfast Sandwich To Go • Sack Lunches
We’ll be happy to work with you on special arrangements All Call In Orders Welcome
406-778-2202
Located across from Reynolds in the Lake City Shopping Center • Baker, MT
Award Winning Game Heads & Lifesize Custom Designed Poses & Bases Meeting the demands of the discriminating sportsman! Paul Klar • Wildlife Artist 506 N. Lincoln • Broadus, MT www.cattrackswildlife.com
Cell 406-570-9501 406-436-2145 (leave a message)
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 9
North Dakota Hunting Seasons
Bighorn Sheep: Opens: 10/30/2020 Closes: 12/31/2020 Bobcat: Opens: 11/07/2020 Closes: 03/15/2021 Canada Geese: Opens: 09/26/2020 Closes: 12/24/2020 Coyote: Open Year-round Opens: 04/01/2020 Closes: 03/31/2021 Deer, Mule and White-tailed: Opens: 11/06/2020 Closes: 11/22/2020 Deer, Mule and White-tailed (Youth Season): Opens: 09/18/2020 Closes: 09/27/2020 Doves: Opens: 09/01/2020 Closes: 11/29/2020
Ducks: Opens: 12/12/2020 Closes: 01/03/2021 Elk: Opens: 10/02/2020 Closes: 12/31/2020 Fox (Red and Gray): Open Year-round Opens: 04/01/2020 Closes: 03/31/2021 Light Geese: Opens: 09/26/2020 Closes: 01/01/2021 Mergansers: Opens: 09/26/2020 Closes: 12/06/2020 Mink: Opens: 10/24/2020 Closes: 05/10/2021 Moose: Opens: 10/09/2020 Closes: 11/01/2020
Mountain Lion: Opens: 11/23/2020 Closes: 03/31/2021 Muskrat: Opens: 10/24/2020 Closes: 05/10/2021 Raccoon: Open Year-round Opens: 04/01/2020 Closes: 03/31/2021 Ring-necked Pheasants: Opens: 10/10/2020 Closes: 01/03/2021 Ring-necked Pheasants (Youth Season): Opens: 10/03/2020 Closes: 10/04/2020 River Otter: Opens: 11/23/2020 Closes: 03/15/2021 Ruffed Grouse: Opens: 09/12/2020 Closes: 01/03/2021
Sandhill Crane: Opens: 09/19/2020 Closes: 11/15/2020 Sharp-tailed Grouse: Opens: 09/12/2020 Closes: 01/03/2021 Tree Squirrel: Opens: 09/12/2020 Closes: 02/28/2021 Turkey: Opens: 10/10/2020 Closes: 01/03/2021 Weasel: Opens: 10/24/2020 Closes: 03/15/2021 White-fronted Geese: Opens: 09/26/2020 Closes: 12/06/2020 Woodcock: Opens: 09/26/2020 Closes: 11/09/2020
Travel Center Open 4:30 A.M. - 10P.M. Monday - Saturday 5 A.M. - 9 P.M. Sunday DAILY SPECIALS
Monday - Friday Noon Specials 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. Burgers • Pizzas • Burritos Sandwiches • F’ Real Shakes Call-in orders are welcome!
406-778-2519
Bulk Petroleum LP • Diesel • Gas
24 - HOUR CARDTROL
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 10
South Dakota Hunting Seasons Antelope Season - Archery Start: Aug. 15, 2020 End: Oct. 2, 2020 Antelope Season - Firearms Start: Oct. 3, 2020 End: Oct. 18, 2020 Bighorn Sheep Season - Black Hills Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Dec. 31, 2020 Deer Season - Archery Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Jan. 1, 2021 Deer Season - Apprentice and Youth Start: Sept. 12, 2020 End: Jan. 1, 2021 Deer Season - Muzzleloader Start: Dec. 1, 2020 End: Jan. 1, 2021
Chicken Fried Steak Dinner Steak & Lobster Dinner
Elk Season - Archery Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Sept. 30, 2020 Elk Season - Custer State Park Firearms Start: Oct. 1, 2020 End: Oct. 31, 2020 Mountain Goat Season - Black Hills Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Dec. 31, 2020 Mountain Lion Season - Statewide Start: Jan. 1, 2020 End: Dec. 31, 2020 Custer State Park Non-Trophy Buffalo Start: Oct. 20, 2020 End: Nov. 13, 2020 Custer State Park Trophy Buffalo Start: Nov. 16, 2020 End: Jan. 15, 2021 Turkey Season - Fall
Steak & Shrimp Skewer Dinner
Kitchen open till midnight
Rib Eye & Bourbon Sirloin Steak
Menu for all ages
Start: Nov. 1, 2020 End: Jan. 31, 2021 Cottontail Rabbit Season Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Feb 28, 2021 Mourning Dove Season Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Nov. 9, 2020 Common Snipe Season Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Oct. 31, 2020 Crow Season Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Oct. 31, 2020 Partridge Season Start: Sept. 19, 2020 End: Jan. 3, 2021 Pheasant Season - Youth Only Start: Sept. 26, 2020 End: Oct. 4, 2020 Pheasant Season - Traditional Start: Oct. 17, 2020 End: Jan. 3, 2021 Grouse Season Start: Sept. 19, 2020 End: Jan. 3, 2021 Quail Season Start: Oct. 17, 2020 End: Jan. 3, 2021 Tree Squirrel Season Start: Sept. 1, 2020 End: Feb 28, 2021 Light Goose Season Start: Sept. 26, 2020 End: Jan. 18, 2021
White-fronted Goose Season Start: Sept. 26, 2020 End: Dec. 8, 2020 Canada Goose - Unit 1 Start: Sept. 5, 2020 End: Dec. 20, 2020 Canada Goose - Unit 2 Start: Nov. 2, 2020 End: Feb 14, 2021 Canada Goose - Unit 3 Start: Jan. 11, 2021 End: Jan. 19, 2021 Sandhill Crane Season Start: Sept. 26, 2020 End: Nov. 22, 2020 Tundra Swan Season Start: Sept. 26, 2020 End: Dec. 8, 2020 Beaver Season - East River Start: Nov. 1, 2020 End: April 30, 2021 Bobcat Season - West River Start: Dec. 26, 2020 End: Feb 15, 2021, Bobcat Season - East River Start: Dec. 26, 2020 End: Jan. 17, 2021, Coyote Season Start: Jan. 1, 2020 End: Dec. 31, 2020 Raccoon Season Start: Jan. 1, 2020 End: Dec. 31, 2020
ror Lake Lodge r i M
Visit our Casino Room 1 S. Main Baker, MT
406-778-3278 Lounge & Casino
906 Adams Ave. • Hettinger, ND • 701-567-4571
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 11
Numbers slowly rising for North Dakota wildlife Wildlife Photo Contest deadline By North Dakota Game and Fish Department
With the October deadline for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest nearing, photographers are reminded to follow the guidelines for submitting entries. Photographers who want to submit photos to the contest should go the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov/photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing some pertinent information about the photo and uploading it. Doing so helps both with ease of submitting photos for the photographer and managing those images for Game and Fish staff. The contest deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 2. For more information or questions, contact conservation biologist Patrick Isakson at pisakson@nd.gov. The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries. Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota. By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine, and on the Department’s website.
Wildlife is coming back, which means that hunters can get more tags for the prey they are after, according to a supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department’s Region 4. The region, which encompasses most of the western part of the state, already has several hunting seasons open, said regional game warden supervisor Daniel Hoenke of Dickinson. “Right now, we have several seasons open – mountain lion season is open, the pronghorn bow (season) and the elk gun season is open in the E3 and E4 units,” Hoenke said. The large E3 unit for elk encompasses much of Slope County, along with portions of Golden Valley and Billings County, north to Highway 200. The smaller E4 unit is within the E3 region, in the area north of Medora. “Grouse season is open. Partridge season is open … there is a lot of things open right now,” Hoenke added. He noted that one area south of Highway 12 has seen a resurgence in the deer population recently. “That is a higher population area for deer this last year.
Guns ‘N’ Things, LLC
• Pawn • BLM Maps • Ammunition • Smartwool Socks • Firearms & Accessories • Montana Mapping & GPS Landowner Map for Garmin GPS
~ Sales & Accessories ~
305 N. Merrill • Glendive, MT • 406-377-3969
“Deer numbers have been on a slow rise. We have had a fairly conservative harvest in a lot of areas, especially in mule deer. We have had a slowly growing deer population. The pronghorn is similar. We have had a conservative kind of harvest on those animals. They are always very weather dependent as in if we have bad winters, then the population will go down severely,” he said. “We have had enough nice winters in a row now where the pronghorn populations are starting to grow. “We have opened up some new units this year in order to accommodate some of those extra pronghorn,” he added. For the most part, much of the wildlife population has returned, Hoenke said. We have had some increase in the populations,” he said. Game Warden Arthur Cox, who is responsible for the area around Bowman, said that wildlife has rebounded. “When the population really took a hit from the weather... we didn’t have a season for about five years or so. The numbers are back. The tags are already out and hunting season started over
Labor Day. Antelope (season) started the same as deer.” The game and fish department has been conducting surveys. “We have put out the tags that are appropriate to the population,” he said. “The deer numbers are coming up, slow but sure, from when we had the big drop off. Bow hunting has already started. Everybody that was successful on the lottery... they have got their tags already. They are just waiting for the season to come up,” the game warden said. In addition, the PLOTS system is currently being used by hunters to determine if they have permission to hunt on the private property. The Private Lands Open To Sportsmen program is designed to provide walk-in public access for hunting on private lands. The owners of the private property involved in the program must have it posted with the bright yellow triangular shaped sign which shows the property is accessible to hunters and only during the legal hunting seasons.
Daktana | 2020 - 2021
PAGE 12
Find everything you’ll need this hunting season:
NOW SELLING FIREARMS, LICENSES, AMMO & MORE!
Licenses • Guns Ammo • Scent Control Game Cameras Tree Stands • Blinds Optics • Clothing Footwear • Calls Waterfowl Gear Archery & More! 1016 Montana Avenue West Baker, MT • 406-359-1393 STORE HOURS: M-F 7:30-8:00 SAT 8:00-6:00 • SUN 10:00-5:00