Anaconda Sportsmen Club (ASC) – ACS tends to stay on top of conservation issues in their corner of Montana and have opposed fish derbies on Georgetown Lake and liberal elk harvest quotas for SW MT. ACS is promoting the development of two promising new Fishing Access Sites, one on the Big Hole River, and another on the Beaverhead. They will also team up with Skyline Sportsmen in Butte to help local ranchers on wolf livestock depredation and advocate for sportsmen to harvest offending wolves rather than FWP or Wildlife Services. Furthermore, ACS will help FWP construct fences in two locations - one each to protect against elk depredation and one to eliminate bighorn sheep depredation – to begin this summer. For more information about ACS call President Lorry Thomas at 563-7992.
Big Sky Upland Bird Association (BSUBA) – BSUBA is Montana’s leading advocate for youth participation in bird hunting. BSUBA’s general meeting schedule is somewhat flexible this summer but it is preparing to host Upland Bird Advisory Council participant, Jay Gore, for a program.
Billings Rod and Gun Club (BR&GC) – BR&GC has provided their clubhouse facility as a venue for the Aquatic Nuisance Species seminar to be put on By Matt Wilhelm of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Center on June 9th at 7PM.
On June14th -18th theBRGC will help sponsor a week long archery camp partnering with Superior Archery, FWP Region 5,and the city of Billings. Youth aged 9 to14 will arrive at the clubhouse to learn about archery shooting, wildlife identification, fire building and survival skill activities. The June camp will be followed by another in July.
BR&GC was approached by local Pheasants Forever officers concerned with plans for a 35-unit campground near the Pompey’s Pillar National Monument that can accommodate bus-sized motor coaches. Initially, BR&GC approved the new campground in this location, but wasn’t aware of the scope of the project and the impact from increased activity on ring-necked pheasant populations. PF investments of money and time went for habitat improvements nearby; fears are that the increased activity will discourage bird use of the newly improved habitat. BR&GC Board will be debating their next move and would welcome input from Billings area sportsmen. For more information about BR&GC email President Irv Wilke at bumperthumper1@hotmail.com or call 670-6268..
Bitterroot Valley Houndsmen Association (BVHA) – BVHA continues to advocate for a comprehensive state-wide mountain lion management plan currently being developed by FWP hopefully due out next year. BVHA is concerned with the recent 60 lion quotas in the Bitterroot Valley, which seem way beyond what the resource can handle. Their perception is that a high sensitivity for predators in general stems from accelerated wolf pack activity which may have led to higher quotas. BVHA is looking to expand its membership; for more, please contact President Cal Ruark at 544-5536.
Custer Rod and Gun Club (CR&GC) –.A great deal of work has gone into CR&GC’s Sunday Creek Range over the past 10 years. As in past years, starting June 5, 2010, CR&GC will again host a youth trap league complete with furnished guns and ammunition. Following that, on July 22, 2010, the women’s shooting league will commence running a 7 week schedule as well. CR&GC has also sponsored youth .22 rimfire leagues and will do so again this fall. Add to that a Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) outdoor training session at their Spotted Eagle Trap Range on July 17, 2010, CR&GC fulfills its role as the outdoors and conservation anchor for the Miles City area. For more email President Jim Gookin at kat@midrivers.com or call 234-6533.
Dawson County R&G Club (DCR&GC) – DCR&GC was instrumental in providing $5000 in earnest money to purchase land for the Black’s Bridge FAS, the only public boat access to the Yellowstone River for 60 miles. DCR&GC still has some differences of opinion on its management; one example is whether or not to allow camping. Camping is available at Makoshika State Park, but it attracts a different crowd. DCR&GC is continuing to work for resolution.
DCR&GC members in conjunction with Walleyes Unlimited sponsored a fishing day for 6th graders from Glendive. The youngsters were able to skip school and fish Hollecker’s Lake, the local youth fishing pond maintained by the local Lion’s Club.
Flathead Wildlife Inc. (FWI) – FWI reports that a boat ramp has been installed on Church Slough but is restricted to10HP motors within the ramp area. Picnic tables, a vault toilet and parking are in the plans but the developer of nearby subdivision/ property has filed litigation to stop the construction. The history of this project runs from FWI threatening to sue if the county abandoned the public access road to the slough to favor developer’s plans for the slough. County Commissioners rendered a decision that included public access, a new boat ramp, and other facilities that now are being abrogated by the developer who filed the lawsuit.
Gallatin Wildlife Association (GWA) – GWA’s focus continues to concentrate on bison issues. GWA along with the Western Watersheds Project have filed suit on FWP’s arrangement with Turner Enterprises, to house 87 disease-free wild Yellowstone bison at its Green Ranch facility. GWA is also concerned about possible federal funding for wildlife projects like testing elk for brucellosis and hazing of bison back into Yellowstone park from areas that are cattle-free. GWA is concerned about where this is all heading for other wildlife both in Montana and Yellowstone National Park.
GWA meets every Tuesday morning for breakfast at the Wheat Montana restaurant on 12th Avenue in Bozeman; call President Glenn Hockett for details, 581-6352.
Great Falls Archery (GFA) – GFA has the King’s Hill Shoot scheduled in July. GFA is feeling the loss of its president and friend to all - Dave Pavlicek.
Helena Hunters and Anglers (HeH&A) – HeH&AA is concerned with recent Helena NF plans to remove beetle-killed trees near heavily used areas like the area cross-country ski trails. The National Guard’s proposed biathlon range plans, currently on hold, could then also take advantage of widened trails to move the proposal forward. In the meantime, Board member Gayle Joslin is spearheading a bear-hair collection project in the MacDonald Pass area to document grizzly bear utilization of the area as a travel corridor.
Hellgate Hunters and Anglers (HgH&A) – HgH&A had a successful “Wild Night for Wildlife”, their annual fundraising banquet and membership drive held in March; more than $9000 was raised. The club entered a float in Missoula’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and president Tim Aldrich was towed in a raft acting as if he was fishing. HgH&AA also sponsored an after-school program involving various youth fishing events. A July 26, 2010 Poker Float is being planned. For more email President Tim Aldrich at cartim8@msn.com or call 542-3144.
Laurel Rod and Gun Club – LR&GC continues to encourage youth shooting activities and raffled 6 shotguns, 2 rifles and 3 pistols on May 15, 2010 to fund their youth programs.
Libby Rod and Gun Club (LR&GC) – Finishing up their meeting schedule for their summer break, LR&GC members held a general clean-up of their range facilities. LR&GC also voted to endorse the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. For more, email President Don Clark at donmon@frontiernet.net or call 293-7659.
Medicine River Canoe Club (MRCC) – MRCC is having a normal, which means busy, year. Graduates of Jim Meade’s MRCC’s adult kayak classes made their maiden voyage down the Missouri River, from the Mountain Palace to Pelican Point Fishing Access Sites. Thanks to MRCC member and past-president Al Rollo. Sun River clean up efforts are continuing. The club continues to be involved with the Sun River Working Group advocating for stabilized flows to benefit floaters, fishermen, and irrigators alike. Another past president, Gil Payne has had productive talks with Dearborn River ranchers to install new float gates, special devices that allow canoes to pass downstream while retaining cattle and other livestock. This summer, MRCC will accompany a group of blind youth and their chaperones on a float from Carter Ferry to Fort Benton on the Missouri River. For more email President Jim Vance at jimhserenevance43@q.com or call 452-6946.
Montana Falconers (MFA) – MFA is feeling threatened by I-160, the anti-trapping initiative, which would interfere with falconers using bird traps to take wild birds for falconry purposes. Discussions with the originators of the initiative resulted in no accommodations for falconers so MFA will urge their members to oppose I-160.
MFA is seeking help from the 2011 Legislature to allow non-resident falconers to participate in the FWP permit program that allows a limited take of peregrine falcon chicks from the nest. Other states allow non-resident participation in their programs. If changed this would open up the possibilities for reciprocal agreements between those states and Montana.
Park County R&G –PCR&GC has been sponsoring scholastic trap shooting competition in association with the 4-H club. This program has been expanded to include bow hunting education which should soon lead to shooting competitions. PCR&GC also is sponsoring a trout derby for kids at the local youth fishing lagoon for mid June.
PCR&GC co-hosted an Aquatic Invasive Species Seminar with Trout Unlimited and Walleye’s Unlimited held in Livingston.
PCR&GC is monitoring an EPA study on turbidity in the Shields River. Some implications are coming out of the studies implicating that roads are to blame and some access roads could be closed as a result. PCR&GC will continue to stay involved with the process. For more information or to contact PCR&GC email Hayes goosey at hgoosey@wispwest.net.
Public Land/Water Access Association (PLWA) – PLWA continues in court to establish legal access on the Mabee Road near Roy, MT. BLM Central MT Supervisor has become more active in establishing the legality of the public using the Mabee Road to access BLM and USFWS lands located in the Armell’s Creek area. Any individuals that can help are encouraged to contact PLWA and President John Gibson, 406-656-0384 jcgibson@imt.net
There is some movement in the road condemnation process in the Cherry Creek area south of Big Timber. A petition has been circulated locally that gathered 350 signatures supporting the Forest Service’s plans; Representative Rehberg has not indicated whether or not he will support or scuttle the option.
Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association (RCF&WA) – RCFWA actively worked with area biologists to generate newly updated big-game population surveys and funded the mule deer study portion from Club coffers. The project is moving forward but attempts to collar deer by trapping have proven difficult so tranquilizer darts replaced the traps. For more about RCF&WA and their activities, visit their new website www.rcfwa.com for more.
Rosebud/Treasure Wildlife Association (RTWA) – Like other MWF affiliates, RTWA has built relationships with local schools. They sponsored a fishing event at Castle Rock Lake with 5th grade students from six county schools.
Russell Country Sportsmen (RCSA) – Russell Country Sportsmen are regrouping after the loss of their president, Dave Pavlicek in a road accident. Dave’s passing leaves quite a hole, both personally for the remaining members and in club affairs. Since Dave’s passing, the responsibility of running the club has moved to it’s two Vice Presidents, Ron Litostansky and George Golie.
RCSA is working with the Sun River Work Group and continues to represent sportsmen on the Devil’s Kitchen Working Group in the Cascade/Holter Lake Area.. RCSA provides input into Benton Lake NWR and CMR NWR management planning processes as well as USFS processes. Currently RCSA is in a legal battle with the Lewis and Clark NF over the latest Travel Plan.
