Southeastern Montana -- recreation guide

28 Pages·1992·2.8 MB·English

by  Custer Country Inc

s
380.25
C18RG FREE—Take One
1992 Printed in USAforFree Distribution
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SSSs*
For Southeastern Montana
Hunting • Fishing • Wildlife Watching
Campgrounds • Maps • Historic Trails • Museums
Printed in cooperation with Travel Montana, Dept. ofCommerce
. .
MontanaSlateLibrary
3 0864 1006 2494 2
&
Museums
Art Centers
Custer Country's museums are rich in heritage and history.
Public Museums Opendaily mid-Mayto mid-Sept. 365-8168.
Ashland, CHEYEN^ _ INDIAN MUSEUM, off Hwy. 212 at Hardin, BIG HORN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
St. LabrewSchooi, ' lanartifactsandgallery. 8-4:30 daily in AND VISITOR CENTER. 1-90, exit 497. Cultural exhibits,
summer, ikdays in winter784-2200. restored buildings, picnicarea, giftshop. 665-1671
Bake^ C r'ALLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 1st. St. W. Huntley, HUNTLEY PROJECT MUSEUM OF IRRIGATED
and .th, World's largest steer, vintage clotfiing. Closed AGRICULTURE, 5,000ag. artifacts.
Sat. /78-3265.
Hysham, TREASURE COUNTY MUSEUM, Main Street,
Biiiings, MOSS MANSION, 914 Division St. Elegant turn- Pioneer History. Open afternoons. Manning family collec-
of-tfie century historic fiome. Guided tours 1-3 p.m.
tion and theater.
Admission. Closed f\^on. 256-5100.
Miles City, RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM & BERT CLARK
GUN COLLECTION. US 10 & 12, W. of Miles City. Early
range life; eastern Montana ranching history. April-Get. 9-9.
Admission. 232-6146.
Pryor, CHIEF PLENTY COUPS MUSEUM. Crow Indian
story. May 1 -Sept. 30 10-5, Daily. Admission. 252-1289.
Richey, RICHEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM. Local communi-
tyhistoryof pioneers.
Moss Mansion, Billings Roundup, MUSSELSHELL VALLEY HISTORICAL
Billings, OSCARS DREAMLAND, off 1-90, Exit 446, west MUSEUM. 524 1st. W. Pioneer era cabin, 5-room house,
on Frontage Rd., then 1 fvlile S. of f^arket Basket. Historic coal mine. 7,000 sq. ft. exhibitarea. 1-5 Daily. May-Sept.
town, largest collection of steam engines, antique vehicles,
4i
farm artifacts. 9-6 May-Oct. Admission. 656-0966
Billings, WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER, 2822 f\^ontana
Ave., Western history; Indians. Yellowstone River Valley
history. 10-5 Tues-Sat., 1-5 Sun. 256-6809.
Billings, PETER YEGEN YELLOWSTONECO. MUSEUM.
Near Logan International Airport. Old West, Indian artifacts.
10:30-5M-F, 2-5 Sun. 256-6811. Wibaux Centennial Car Visitor Center
Broadus, MAC'S MUSEUM. Sea shells, Indian artifacts. Terry, PRAIRIE COUNTY MUSEUM, Horse & buggy
Broadus, POWDER RIVER HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND equipment, household, business antiques. Lady Cameron
VISITOR CENTER, 102 W. Wilson. Western history, rodeo, photos.
and activities. Artifacts & displays9-5 M-Sat., June-Sept.. Wibaux, CENTENNIAL CAR VISITOR CENTER MUSE-
ColStrip, ROSEBUD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY UM, and the Pierre Wibaux and badlands cowboy interpre-
MUSEUM, original Colstrip High School BIdg. fvlon.-Sat. 1- tive center. Now houses farm and household items ofearly
area settlersand Indianartifacts.
4. County history collections.
Crow Agency, LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD MUSE- Public Art Centers
UM, (formerly Custer Battlefield Museum), Junction of Billings, YELLOWSTONE ART CENTER, 401 N. 27th St.
Hwy. 212 and 1-90, Exit 510. Battlefield artifacts, displays, Nationally accredited art museum. Changing exhibitions:
tours, bookstore, cemetery. Summer 8-8, Spring & Fall 8-6, contemporary and historic. Gift Shop. Closed Mon. 256-
Winter8-4:30. Admission. 638-2621 6804.
Ekalaka, CARTER COUNTY MUSEUM, Prehistoric speci- Hardin, BIG HORN COUNTY ARTS AND CRAFTS
mens, anatosaurus skeleton, and artifacts. Closed Mon. ASSOCIATION, JAIL HOUSE GALLERY. 812 N. Center.
Forsyth, ROSEBUD COUNTY PIONEER MUSEUM. Indian culture, crafts, artdisplays, gift shop. 665-3239.
Pioneersettlement.
Miles City, CUSTER COUNTY ART CENTER, WATER
Glendive, FRONTIER GATEWAY MUSEUM. 1 mile E. of WORKS GALLERY. Pumping Plant Rd. Annual Western
Glendive, f\/lontana prehistory to present; homesteading. Art Show, L.A. Huffman photographs. 232-0635.
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Page 2 Custer Country Recreation Guide 1992
Table of Contents
Fishing 4 Campgrounds 16-17
Record Fish 5 GolfCourses 17
Boating 5 State Parks 18
Big HornCanyon 6 Agates & Geology 19
Hunting 7 Gamblingand Casinos 19
Block Management Access to Lands 8 Agriculture Tours 20
Poacher Hotline 8 Reference Books 20
Record Game Animals 9 Snowmobiling 21
CheckStations 9 Cross Country Skiing 21
Residency Requirements 9 ChambersofCommerce 21
Over-the-Counter Licenses 10 Wagon Trains 22
Waterfowl, Upland Birds 10 Hiking Trails 22
Watchable Wildlife 11-12 Custer's Last March 23-24
Habitat Projects 13 Nez PerceTrail 24
State Bird-Meadowlark 13 Lewis & Clark Trail 25-26
Recreation Map ofCusterCountry 14-15 Historic Trails Map 27
&
Important Addresses Phone Numbers
Custer Country Fish, Wildlife & Parks
100-PageTourGuide Available from: Regional Information Officer
CusterCountry Tourism Region Dcpt. Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Box 1206 A Box 2004
MT MT
Hardin, 59034 [phone] Miles City, 59301 [phone]
Travel Montana
Helena, MT 59620 [phone] Regional Information Officer
Non-residents 1-800-541-1447 Dept. Fish, Wildlife and Parks
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Bureau ofLand Management
MT
BLM - Tourism Billings, 59105 [phone]
Box 36800
MT
Billings, 59107 [phone] Custer National Forest
Custer National Forest
BLM -Tourism Supervisor's Office
Box 940 Box 2556
Miles City, MT59301 [phone] Billings. MT 59103 [phone]
About The
Artist
Bill Ladd is a Laurel, Montana illustrator who spe- Denver, his studio is at 1313 Pennsylvania Avenue,
cializes in sports. He has done work for college sports Laurel, MT 59044. [phone]. CusterCountr>', Inc.
programs, professional hockey teams and leagues, and extends a special thank you to Bill Ladd for his contri-
for publications. A graduate of the Colorado Institute of bution 10 the cover illustration ofthis 1992 Southeastern
Art and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Montana Recreation Guide.
Published by.
Southeastern Montana 1992 Recreation Guide
-A publication ofCusierCountry, Inc-
©Copyrighi 1992, All Rights Reserved
CusterCountry isoneofMontana's six tourism regions, andencompasses the Uiirlecncounties in
southeastern MontanaandtheCrowIndian Reservationand theNorthernCheyenne Indian Reservation
Editor: GloriaWester Executive Director: EdytheMcCleary
Published Hardin, Mt., Box 12()6A, ZipCode 59034 byCusterCountry Montana, inc.
Produced incooperation withTravel Montana, DepartmentofCommerce
— —
1992 Custer Country Recreation Guide Page 3
Blue Ribbon Fishing in Custer Country
Maybe you are a fly fisherman who Boat ramps are available at many locations. A
knows every cadis and streamer. Or float guide to the Yellowstone River, a publication
perhaps you prefer lures, or maybe called "Treasure of Gold," is available at the two
live bail. And then again, maybe you FWP offices in Custer Country listed above. Also
have never fished before in yourlife. available from these offices is a fishing pond
No matter what your category, booklet for southeastern Montana, which is
plan on doing some fishing in designed to help anglers find good farm and ranch
Montana's Custer Country Region. ponds.
Bring your own rod and tackle box, or Please Ask First
letoneofthe abundant sporting goods Montana works
shops outfit you. A^ hard to keep a
Any fisherman has heard good sportsman/
the fame of the /' landowner rela-
Yellowstone and Big "^ tionship. What
Horn Rivers. And makes things
Big Horn Lake run smoothly
spawns beauties can be s—ummed up
like the walleye in two words "ask per-
shown on this mission." The Montana
page. There are SU'eam Access Law states
numerous other rivers, that rivers and streams
streams, reservoirs and capable of recreational use
ponds throughout the may be so used by the public
areaabundant with fish. up to the ordinary high watermarks.
Variety is the name of However, although Montana law
the fishing game here. gives sportsmen the right to pursue
Nowhere else can you catch cut- water-based recreational activities
throat (Montana's native), rainbow within the high water marks ofrivers
brown, and brook trout; kokanee and coho salmon; and streams, itdoes notgive recreationists the rightto
walleye; sauger; whitefish; bass; catfish; ling; stur- enter posted lands bordering those streams or to cross
geon; and theprehistoric paddlefish. private lands to gain access to streams. In other
License & Regulation Information words, when not using public lands to gain access to
Resident fishing licenses are S9.50 plus a $2 con- recreational waters, be sure to ask permission. You'll
servation license. Nonresidents, 15 years and older mostalways be greeted with a welcome.
will need a Montana fishing license. A nonresidentof
any age may purchase a nonresident fishing license
and be entitled to take a legal limit offish. All sports-
men in Montana are required to buy a conservation
license for $2. A nonresident temporary fishing
license, valid for two consecutive days, costs S8. A
season license is S36. The season runs from March 1
to February 28 (29). Ifyou go paddlefish fishing, SIO
buys you the limit of two tags that you need, in addi-
tion to your license, to snag the fish.
For complete information on regulations, limits,
seasons, baits, etc., write: Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Regional Headquarters, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive,
MT
Billings, 59105. Or write: Fish, Wildlife and
Parks Regional Headquarters, Box 2004, Miles City,
Montana, 59301.
Access Abounds
Fishing access sites, managed by the Montana
Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, are noted on the Kids love fishing in Montana! Tom Brown of
map in the center of this publication. Facilities at Laurel, Montana, caught the 12-1/2 lb. walleye
each vary somewhat. However, some are furnished (center of page) at Bighorn Canyon Reservoir in
with restrooms and most have camping and picnick- March of 1990. He used standard walleye tackle.
ing faci—lities. — CO. Westerphoto
Page 4 Custer Country Recreation Guide 1992
Storm, 1986, Missouri River; walleye, 14 lb. 14 oz.,
Duane A. Leidholl, 1989, Yellowstone River near
Miles City; white crappie, 2 lb. 6 oz., Greg Johnston,
1990,Tongue River Reservoir.
Fora complete copy ofMontana's record fish ol all
species, write to the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife
MT
and Parks, 1420East Sixth Ave., Helena, 59620.
Boating
One of the most important requirements for any
waiercraft is a lifejacket or personal flotation device
(PFD). A life jacket must be curried for each person
on board. Children under the ageof 12are required to
wear a life jacket at all times while a craft is in mo-
tion. For the protection of boaters, Montana requires
safety equipment: fire extinguisher, flame arrester,
ventilation system, sound producing device, personal
notation device,and lighus al night.
Boats on Montana waters must be registered.
Properly registered boats from other states, which
will not be in Montana for more than 90 consecutive
days, are exempt from registration and taxation.
Motor boats from other counties may be used on
Montana waters temporarily without Montana regis-
tration. A boat is registered at the Treasurer's Office
in the county of principal use after 90 days. The fee
in lieu of tax varies with the length and type of ves-
sel.
For additional information about boating or water
safety, contact the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife
MT
and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, 59620, or
call [phone].
Paddleflsh are the prehistoric shovel-nosed fisher-
man's challenge. They are caught in the waters
above Glendive and Intake State Park. Their
caviar is gathered by the Glendive chamber as a
value-added business.
PhotobyDr.Mike Wheeler
Record Fish
Nine record size fish were caught in Montana in
1990, and a record Utah chub has been recorded by
press date in 1991.
Following arc the record fish caught in the Custer Miles City, Montana, has a natural swimming pool
Country tourism region of the state: black crappie, 3 and beach area.
lb. 2 oz., by Al Elser, 1973, Tongue River Reservoir; PholobyGloria Wester
blue sucker, 11.46 lb., Doug Askin, 1989,
Yellowstone River near Miles City; northern pike, 37 Nearly every community throughout Custer
lb. 8 oz., Lance Moyler, 1972, Tongue River Country has a public swimming facility. Hardin,
Reservoir; paddlcfish, 142 lb. 8 oz, Larry Branstcitcr, Forsyth, Colstrip, and Baker have new indoor pool
1973, Missouri River; pallid sturgeon, 60 lb.. Gene facilities. Billings has several outdoor pools and a
YMCA
Sattler, 1979, Ycllow.slone River; rock bass, .57 lb., indoor pool and health complex. Miles City
Don Holzhcimer, 1989, Tongue River Reservoir; has a natural swimming pool, shown above, with a
sauger, 7.57 lb., James Jessen, 1990, Yellowstone beach area. Water slides are located indoors in
River; shovelnose sturgeon, 13.72 lb., Sidney L. Billin—gs and outdoors in Glendive. —
1992 Custer Country Recreation Guide Page 5
Big Horn Canyon Recreation Area
trout are the most abundant with rainbow trout also
present. Information on limits, regulations, and fish-
ing conditions are available at the Fort Smith Visitor
Center. Guide services, boat rentals, vehicle shuttle
service, food and equipment are available in Fort
Smith. Float distance from the Afterbay Dam to NPS
River Ranch access is 3 miles. The NPS River Ranch
to the Bighorn Access is 10 miles.
Limited boat tours (as available), hiking trails,
camping, scenic drives, and ranger-led activities are
also offered in the Fort Smith, Yellowtail Dam area.
Self-guided tours of two to three hours, half-day,
full-day, and more than a day, have been designed.
Forty-five minute campfire programs about wildlife.
Crow Indian culture, geology, and park-related sub-
jects are offered. Also, a walking historic lour of the
Fort Smith site is offered with prior arrangements.
Other special demonstrations and programs are
offered throughout the summer.
Camping at Bighorn Canyon is available in a vari-
ety of environments in designated areas. Call the
National Park Service for more information about all
oftheabove, [phone].
Available at Ok-A-Beh Marina are boat rentals,
food concessions, gas, ice, gifts and boating and fish-
ing supplies. Call [phone] for boat rental
reservations and information.
The Fort Smith Visitor Center, operated by the
National Park Service, is open daily from 9 to 6, from
Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is open 10 to
Bighorn Canyon Reservoir offers miles ofboating, 4:30 the remainder ofthe year (closed on federal holi-
skiing and fishing fun. There is entertainment for days Oct. to Feb.) Information about the area is dis-
the whole family in the Bighorn area, with tours, played through exhibits, printed materials, and the
hiking trails and concessions. film, "Land of the Bighorn." To receive detailed in-
I'holobyDonnaDelp formational materials write: Fort Smith Visitor
Center, Box 458, Fort Smith, MT 59035, or call (406)
Ycllowlail Dam rises 525 feet between the rugged 666-2339.
walls of Bighorn Canyon, and spans 1,480 feet along The Yellowtail Visitor Center is operated by the
its crest. This tall, variable-thickness, arch-type dam Bureau of Reclamation. It is open daily 9 to 6,
backs up the water ot Bighorn Lake for 71 miles. The Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is located at the
reservoir was developed to provide generation of end of Highway 313 at Yellowtail Dam. For informa-
power, irrigation, recreation, fishery enhancement, tion, call [phone].
sediment retention, municipal and industrial water
and flood control.
And the fishing and recreation are outstanding!
Bighorn Canyon offers year-round fishing opportu-
nities. Walleye, rainbow and brown trout, yellow
perch, ling, crappic, and catfish are among the usual
catches. Fishing regulations and limits follow slate
laws and fishing license regulations. Winter ice fish-
ing is popular with ling, walleye and trout commonly
caught.
Waterconditions below the Afterbay Dam are ideal
for trout, and this portion of the Bighorn River has Water skiing opportunities stretch for miles in
developed into a blue ribbon trout fishery. Brown Bighorn Canyon Reservoir
— —
Page 6 Custer Country Recreation Guide 1992
.
Custer Country Lands to Hunt
current information.
Thousands of nonresident hunters
enjoyed hunting on block management
lands during 1991, according to the
Region 7 officer. Ken Walchck.
"It is one of the ways we can help
our out-of-state sportsmen, and it's
good for the landowners," adds
Regional Game Manager for south-
eastern Montana, Neil Martin.
The department emphasizes that
the Block Management Program has
gained in popularity in recent years.
They recommend that when you get
your bulletin, you make your tele-
phone contact with a block manage-
ment participant at an early date.
Bureau of Land Management
lands are also open to hunting. To
Access to land in Custer Country provides access to bagging acquire maps of these lands, contact
mule deer bucks like the one shown here. the BLM offices at RO. Box 36800,
MT
PhotobyDr.Mike Wheeler Billings, 59107, [phone];
Over 2 1/2 million acres of land in southeasiem or PO. Box 940, Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 232-
Montana have been opened to hunting in the past 4331.
few years. Here's how. Though trophy aniinals may be bagged without a
For big game hunters looking for a place to hum guide and outfitter, many hunters enjoy huge suc-
deer and antelope on private lands in eastern cess, thanks to the expertise of tlie people who make
Montana, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and spotting game, especially exceptional game, their
Park's Block Management Program assists in pro- business. Stale publications list the licensed guides
viding hunters access to private land. and outfitters throughout Montana. Write to: Travel
MT
During the 1991 hunting season, more than two Montana, 1424 9th Ave., Helena, 59620, or call
million acres of private land were contracted under [phone]. Nonresidents call toll free 1-800-
the Block Management Program in Region 7 of 541-1447.
southeastern Montana for purposes of big game Hunters are also encouraged to write the Billings
hunting. An additional 500,000 acres of federal and Miles City offices for a complete booklet of
lands adjacent to the block management areas also current Montana hunting regulations and applica-
became available for hunting. tions for out-of-state Hcenses. These arc also avail-
There is no charge to hunters lo use any of the able at any authorized license outlet, including
block management units. The program is funded many sporting goods stores and convenience stores.
entirely by sportsmen license dollars. Certain waters on National Parks, Indian
A Block Management Bulletin, published by the Reservations and National Wildlife Refuges may
Region 7 FWP office will be available to the public have special rules. Specific information may be
by the middle of September. The bulletin, wliich is obtained from the headquarters of the parks, reser-
free of charge, lists all of the block management vation or refuge involved.
units in reference to location, contact persons, hunt-
ing opportunities, and other information. To request ASK FIRST!
a copy of the bulletin, write to: Regional Montanans insist on offering hospitality. In fact,
Information Officer, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and where hunting is concerned, IT—'S THE LAW.
Parks, Box 2004, Miles City, MT 59301 "Permission to Hunt Big Game Montana law
To acquire access information in Region 5, write requires that hunters must have permission of the
to: Regional Information Officer, 2300 Lake Elmo landowner, lessee or their agent before hunting on
MT
Drive, Billings, 59105, or phone (406) 252- private property, regardless of whether the land is
4654. Phone calls are welcomed to offer the most posted or not."
— —
1992 Custer Country Recreation (Juide Page 7
Block
Management
Hunter Access
By Michael Korn business of hunting to someone else, or, at least being
The other day, over coffee down at The Stockman recognized for allowing public use of their lands.
Cafe, one life-long Montana rancher said he hardly Many landowners have expressed the notion that
knows anyone in town anymore. So when fall rolls Block Management provides them with a management
around, and he is faced with people who he doesn't tool for wildlife on their land that fits very well with
know wanting to come on his place to hunt, it's all dif- other management programs and plans on their ranch-
ferent. They don't know how he feels about the public es.
on his place, and he doesn'tknow how these folks will For sportsmen. Block Management has provided
treathis property. It'sjust notthe sameold range. quality hunting experiences as well as new opportuni-
Yet, there are things happening which harken back ties for hunting and other forms ofrecreation.
—
the old-time values and relationships that Montanans The future of Block Management looks bright and
pride themselves on when it comes to hunting. complex. This year's interest in the program from
One ofthose is Block Management. landowners and sportsmen is at another all time high.
Block Management was first formally instituted by In every region across the state, requests arepouring in
the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks from landowners to take part in the program. Funding
statewide in 1985. has become, and will continue to be, a major issue. In
It is a tool that can provide wildlife managers with 1991, about $200,000 was spent on Block
the ability to meet their harvest objectives as well as Management. Landowners, as well as sportsmen will
provide hunters with some top-notch opportunities. have to face the fact, as the FWP has, that funding for
Block Management came about in response to a Block Management is not a never-ending horn ofplen-
number of things. In the late 1970's, many private ty-
ranches in eastern Montana were being closed to pub-
lic hunting. The causes for those closures were nu- Editor's Note: A guide to land parcels and landowners
merous and were associated with increasing hunter participating in the program is printed each September
pressure on landowners, an increasingly stagnant (if and is available to sportsmen. See page 7 fordetails.
not downward) agricultural economy, and changing at-
titudes on the part of some landowners concerning
Poacher Hotline
hunting and public use oftheir land.
The solution that came out of that situation is one
which is considered one of the main "types" of Block
Management. It is based on the notions oftaking away Poachers are just about as unpopular in Montana as
the need for the landowner to deal with hunters on his locusts on ripe wheat.
or her property or in some way showing appreciation TIP-MONT, the Montana Department of Fish,
for the lime he or she spent meeting and directing Wildlife and Parks' toll-free "Turn in Poachers,
hunters on their land. The department either supplies Montana," hotline celebrates its seventh anniversary in
personnel or pays the landowner for the lime he or she 1992. The program is sportsman-financed. The money
spends directing hunters, filling out permission slips, to fund it comes out of the general license revenue.
patrolling property, helping hunters with retrieving And the calls that come in are primarily from sports-
downed game and other activities. This formula pro- men themselves.
vides control for the landowner and quality hunting The Montana Legislature passed the TIP-MONT
experiences forthe sportsman. program in 1985, allowing FWP to set up and operate
More than 2,000,000 acres ofprivate land were con- the 24-hour toll-freehotline.
tracted under the program in 1991 in the Custer Calls have led to the arrest and conviction of deer,
Country (southeastern Montana) region, with scores of bear, elk, moose and upland game bird poachers. The
landowners participating. A bonus was that an ad- department averages ten calls per week. Callers may
ditional 500,000 acres of federal lands adjacent to the remain anonymous and do nothaveto testify in court.
block management areas also became available to TIP-MONT calls have resulted in the successful
hunters. prosecution and fining ofmanypoachers, and rewards,
The success of the program shows that it is popular accounting for 60 percent of the program's operating
both with landowners and with sportsmen. budget, have been substantial.
Landow—ners appreciate either being able to l—eave the The number is 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).
Page 8 Custer Country Recreation Guide 1992
Game
Record Animals
Trophy hunters have bagged some of the
biggest game ever taken in Montana or in
the nation in the Custer Country region.
Vern Delesha shot a typical mule deer in
1983 that scored 205 3/8 in the Boone and
Crockett listing near Miles City in Custer
County. The largest pronghorn antelope
taken in Montana with a bow and arrow was
the 1988 prize of Shawn Wahl. It scored 81
6/8 and was taken in Rosebud County, of
which Forsyth is the county seat.
A complete book, "Montana's Big Game
Trophies," for all species is available from
the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and
MT
Parks, 1420 East Sixth Ave., Helena,
59620. Send$2.00. The book also details the
methods of scoring and trophy body
weights.
f^^'*
Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young
record books list many trophy animals in
Montana, both typical and non-typical.
W
I'hotobyFlying OulJItters
Game
Check
Stations
By Bill Pryor arc checking are faring in that part of Montana.
Montana law says all hunters must stop at game The second type of check station is a law
check stations. Hunters going to the field or hunters enforcement stop. It is staffed by game wardens
coming home, hunters who harvested an animal, who see to it that state game regulations have been
and those who didn't must all stop at check sta- followed during the hunt. The game tags must have
tions. the proper month and date snipped out. Evidence of
Therfe are three kinds ofcheck stations. the animal's sex must somehow still be attached to
One is a biological check station. Biologists look the carcass. (This sometimes causes the hunter to
at deer, elk, and antelope teeth to tell the age. They become a creative animal skinner bound to follow
check the fat to note the animal's health. They clip the letter ofthe "show sex" law.)
off bird wings to determine the number of adults Third are combination check stations, staffed by
compared to juveniles and males to females. They biologists and game wardens. The wardens and
gather the parts and pieces that, when looked at in a biologists process people through as quickly as
study, give a rough picture of how the animals they possible to get Uiem on the road again.
Residency Requirements
Are you wondering whether you qualify as a resi- tion to the required six months of physical residence
dentornonresidentsports license buyer? and presence as a resident of Montana. Union of act
—
Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and intent is demonstrated by several factors paying
officials report that state law requires anyone Montana income taxes, possessing a Montana driv-
purchasing resident licenses to have been a resident er's license, having Moniima license plates on one's
of the Slate for a period of six months immediately vehicles, maintaining a home and voting in Montana.
prior to the date those licenses arepurchased. Anyone with questions concerning individual cir-
According to a department spokesman, residency is cumstances should contact the local game warden of
determined through a union of act and intent in addi- any Fish, Wildlife and Parks office forassisliuicc.
— —
1992 Custer Country Recreation Guide Page 9
Over-The-Counter Licenses
Both residents and non-residents can buy "B" Doe-fawn antelope licenses are also available
mule deer and whitetail deer licenses over-the- over-the-counter. They are S6 for residents and S35
counter. All regional FWP offices carry the licenses, for non-residents. The licenses are valid in all 600
as do some of the license dealers. Anyone is entitled and 700 series districts and in the 400 series district,
to one license for each species. The cost is S6 per except455 and460.
license for residents and $50 per license for non-resi- Contact the FWP offices listed on page 3 to
dents. The mule deer license is valid in all 600 (north- receiveacopy ofthecompleteregulations.
eastern Montana) and 700 (southeastern Montana) The licenses are valid during the regular hunting
series districts. The whitetail tags are valid in all 600 season in Montana.
and 700 series districts and in the 400 series districts All waterfowl and upland game bird licenses may
with some restrictions. be purchasedover-the-counter.
Game
Waterfowl and Upland Birds
Many species ofwaterfowl and upland game birds Country. To hunt waterfowl, both a Federal
may be hunted in Montana. Several licenses are re- Waterfowl Stamp and a Montana Waterfowl Stamp
quired. The general conservation license is a are required. The Montana stamp costs $5 for resi-
prerequisite for all licenses. It costs $2 for residents dents and non-residents.
and non-residents alike. The upland game bird For a complete guide of seasons and regulations,
license is $53 for non-residents. The turkey license write to the Dept. ofFish, Wildlife and Parks offices
is a separate license at an additional $13. Wild in Custer Coimtry. Turn back to page 3 for address
turkeys are abundant in many areas of Custer information.
Upland Bird Habitat
By Bill Phippen the license fees collected from resident and nonresi-
Eastern Montana is known for some fantastic up- dent bird hunters is appropriated for habitat enhance-
land game bird hunting. The Montana Fish, Wildlife ment. Private lands, particularly those used primarily
and Parks Department has a program that promotes for farming and livestock grazing, including those
upland bird hunting opportunities. lands set aside under federal farm programs, can be
When you think about it, most improvements for enhanced for upland game bird habitat.
upland game birds and other wildlife species also im- Within the first year the department entered into
prove the general value ofthe land. 240 contracts with participating landowners at a total
That message is at the heart of the Department of project cost of $850,000. Most of these contracts are
Fish, Wildlife and Piirks' Upland Game Bird Habitat for projects in eastern Montana where enhancing
Enhancement Program. The program, initiated habitat for pheasants, prairie grouse and Hungarian
through legislation passed by the Montana partridge is the primary goal. Projects are not
Legislature, came about through the efforts of required todeal with a single species.
landowners and sportsmen who have long recognized According to Tom Hinz, Small Game Bureau Chief
habitat as the essential ingredient in maintaining and for the FWP in Helena, "No project is too small, buta
expanding upland game bird populations. major emphasis of the program must be to improve
Examples of the program include planting food coverand food resources on large tracts ofland."
plots to benefit ring-necked pheasants and getting the In setting up the various contracts, the department
added benefit of reducing soil erosion by wind and iscompletely honest with the landowners. Besides the
water. Planting permanent grass cover or letting field land and game bird benefits supported by the pro-
edges revegetatc to a more natural state will supply gram, the department discusses the increase in
sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge with im- hunters to be expected along with the increase in
portant nesting and security cover while also helping upland game bird populations. As a result, some of
to keep soil from becoming airborne. Developing a the private lands are included in the Block
new water source may fit in well with a rancher's Management Hunting program.
plan formoving cattle across a grazing area and at the Wildlife watchers are other major beneficiaries of
same time may benefit upland game birds and other this project. Opportunities to spot ring-necked pheas-
speciesofwildlife. ants and many varieties of grouse, as well as
Hunters help fund the program, since a portion of Hungarian partridges will be increased.
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Page 10 Custer Country Recreation Guide 1992