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March 2015 Volume 3 Issue 2
What’s Inside
Stranded by Raf Viniard
Local Celebrities
Lincoln County SnoKats
Publishers Notes By Raf Viniard
Only 42 days until bear season & 38 days until turkey season! WOW, what a busy two weeks. Hard to believe it is already March. As I wrap up this edition at 2:00 AM Friday morning I realize I will be dragging my butt out of bed in about 5 hours to meet Paul Fielder to go set some muskrat traps.
After last weekends Camo Sweethheart Ball and two weeks packed with meetings and deadlines, it would be easier to just sleep in tomorrow and play catchup in the office and MAYBE get some chores done around the house. Don’t think I have not thought about it. But the opportunity to hang out with Paul and set some traps before trapping season ends is just to hard to pass up.
I will take plenty of energy drinks, lots of chocolate and a box of tooth picks to stick under my eyelids. Why would anyone punish themselves over a publication? Because I love it! I live in one of the greatest place on earth and have made some awesome friends and business acquaintances since moving here almost two years ago. I may never get rich running this publication but I will take this over driving in the Atlanta, GA traffic six days a week swinging a hammer just to chase a dollar. All these long hours may wear me down physically but it’s nothing that a big black bear standing in my cross hairs or a line stretching, head jerking pike can’t fix...even if it kills me, what a way to go.
At 53 I don’t have that all-nighter ability I did just five years ago and it takes a couple days to recoup, but I can rest when I take the big dirt nap. That is what fishing and scouting naps are for anyway, to recharge your batteries.
Next week I am sure Paul will be giving you a trapping report and I will continue to bring you stories by our writers and staffers. See you next Tuesday...night. Get out and enjoy thios weekend...it si supposed to be pretty. Keep sending us your pictures and stories. We thank you for your continued support. Please support our advertisers and remember without them this publication would not be possible.
Publisher & Editor: Raf Viniard
406-407-0612
Photographer, Print & Digital Manager
Tina Scott
406-830-7500
Field Editor: Mitzi Stonehocker
406-544-1868
Sales & Marketing, Lincoln County
Kori Erickson
406-293-1478
Sales & Marketing, Flathead Valley
Misty Loveless
406-250-4191
Missoula Sales Rep: Vacant
Pro Staff Writers & Photographers:
Angela Gerych Pastor Jim Sinclair
Dan Helterline Zach Butcher
Paul Fielder Montana Mitzi
Toby Bridges Sam Martin
Toby Walrath Jason Badger
Tony Rebo
Editorial Policy: Montana Woods N Water (MWW) reserves the right to refuse to
publish in any form of content that does not include the author’s name, complete mailing
address, and/or valid phone number or e-mail address. Anonymous submissions will
not be addressed or published. MWW reserves the right not to publish anything we
feel is not in good taste or appropriate.
Contact Us
Montana Woods N Water
171 Clark Creek Loop
Plains, Montana 59859
406-08-0576
www.montanawoodsnwater.com
Email:
raf@montanawoodsnwater.com
Front Cover Photo Provided By:
Raf Viniard
Thompson River Drainage
This picture was taken while checking
Andy Pershern’s wolf traps last week.
2
STRANDED
Are You Prepared To Spend The Night? By Raf Viniard
A local couple recently had the opportunity to test their
survival skills on the back side of Corona located in
Sanders County, Montana. One warmer than normal
February Friday a local couple had set out to go check on
their cabin and do a little shooting practice. The weather
had warmed and the snow seemed to be pretty much
melted at the lower elevations and due to recent logging
activity on the mountain roads they were pretty much
open. The day went pretty much as planned but a
decision to go back out a different route sealed their fate
as to how they would spend the next two nights.
These were not to young hap hazard kids out just cruising
seeing how big and bad their truck was, but two grown
adults just enjoying all that Montana has to offer. They
were seasoned Montanans. They even had a birthday
party that had planned to attend that afternoon. Luckily,
they had told someone where they were going and that
they would be back for the party.
As they eased up the backside of Corona the clear sky day
was gentling turning to a cold February night. Sitting in a
nice warm truck enjoying the views and chatting they
would have never dreamed they would be in a situation
that could have been life threatening. As the Ford F-150
4 X 4 made its way up the snow covered mountain road it
begin to get a little tense. They were committed, to
steep and dangerous to back down and no place to turn
around...the thought was to just keep moving forward.
The tires begin to spin and slip...they were stuck, no cell
phone signal, less than a half tank of fuel and not really
sure where they were in relation to any civilization.
Knowing their situation was not getting any better and
that eventually someone would come looking for them
they built a fire and settled in to spend the night if need
be. Saturday morning came and no one had yet arrived.
However, her mother had already started making phone
calls Friday night trying to figure out where they were.
She knew the general direction they were in but not the
exact location. She also knew if they had got stuck they
were woods savvy enough to make it through the night.
By late Saturday night things begin to look even bleaker
and the driver had already started to think about striking
out to find help. Luckily for him he stayed with the
vehicle. If he had struck out in the direction he was
thinking, I may have been writing about this mishap in an
entirely different light and it would not have been a good
one. The direction he thought about heading in was the
worst possible direction he could have choose.
Continued on page 4.
3
Don’t Forget - March 16th Deadline
Late Saturday night they finally got a cell phone signal
and called her mother who called had already called her
daughter and some of her friends from the Flathead
Valley area. Keep in mind they are now heading into
their 2nd night with little food, water or fuel left in the
truck. He started the truck every few minutes and let it
run about ten minutes to warm their feet. He had
started a fire but standing on frozen snow can make ones
feet mighty cold fast.
At about 3:00 AM Sunday morning the three individuals
from the Flathead Valley area had found them. Having a
larger more beefy truck the other driver felt he could
easily snatch them out...that is until a u-joint broke and
cutting a transmission line. Now there are five people
and two trucks stranded in the ice and snow covered
road in the middle of nowhere. The three that was
supposed to save the day was now part of a bad
situation. The rescuers now have to be rescued as well.
They were also new to area and did not know exactly
where they were. They were finally able to get a phone
call out alert someone as to where they thought they
were. The Sanders County Sheriff’s office alerted the
Sanders County Search & Rescue to respond early Sunday
morning for an extraction and possible frost bite. No
local wrecker company would go beyond the snow line to
pull them out even if they knew their exact location.
That area of the mountains is steep and slick this time of
the year. It is shaded and it s the last to melt in the
spring.
Search & Recue rallied and formulated a game plan to
reach the stranded motorist and headed up the
mountain with snowmobiles in tow. The SAR team had
determined exactly where they were within a one mile
area. Within a couple of hours all parties were assessed
for frostbite and ferried back to the staging area. Yes,
they were tired, cold, hungry and thirsty. Luckily
everything turned out great and everyone lived to tell the
story over and over. If they had not been seasoned in the
outdoors the average green horn would have probably
frozen to death.
So what can we take from someone else's misfortune.
Go prepared no matter what your intentions or how long
you think you will be gone.
1. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and ready
for the mountainous road travels. Prepare your
equipment for a day in the mountains with a full tank
of fuel, chains, shovel, axe, chainsaw, extra clothing,
flashlight, firearm, maps/GPS/compass, blankets, fire
starting materials, chain or snatch rope, basic tool kit,
food, plenty of water and emergency flares. If you
have room for an snowmobile dirt bike, bicycle or
ATV throw it in the back as a backup means of
transportation if your rig fails you.
2. Don’t overestimate your abilities or your vehicles,
four wheel drive has got a many in deeper than he or
she could get out of.
3. Before heading out make sure you tell someone
where you are going and do not deviate from that
area or plan with out telling someone of your new
direction. Cell phones may or may not work where
you are at. Consider a SPOT or Delorme In Reach
type device to alert the outside world you need help.
4. If stranded, remain calm and use the “STOP” method
- Stop, Think ,Observe and Plan. Assess your supplies
and situation. Don’t just set out trekking through the
mountains in hopes you are headed in the right
direction. Consider others safety that may be with
you. Continued on page 6.
4
STRANDED CONTINUED
Stay Put! Help may be on the way.
6
STRANDED CONTINUED
5. Improvise with what you have on hand, in this case he pulled the head rest cover off his seat and gave it to one
of the ladies as a sock cap to keep her head and ears warm.
6. Stay dry! Wet shoes, socks and clothes will chill you down fast. Layer your clothing with what ever you have
available. Hypothermia is not your friend.
7. Be patient, help will eventually be on the way...that is if you alerted someone as to when you are suppose to
return. Whether your local sheriff department, friends, relatives or the Search and Rescue teams has to come
find you, it takes time to get everyone and everything together. Make sure you have a whistle or audible
sounding device in case your rescuers cannot see you. Snowmobiles, and ATVs rescuers are usually wearing a
helmet and you couple that with the noise from the machine itself they may not hear you.
8. Stay with the vehicle until all hope is lost of being found. At that point you will have to make some hard
decisions that only you can make based on your situation and abilities at that time. It is best to stay on a road
and not cut across country. A bad injury off the road maybe the end of your cross country adventures. If setting
out on foot prepare for the hike, take what you may need to survive, a way to make a fire, boil some water and
materials for a shelter. Listen for vehicles, planes, timber cutting, dogs barking, running water to try and get a fix
on the nearest civilization and your bearings. Stay on main roads and roads that have been traveled.
9. Keep a sense of humor and stay positive. Keep busy, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Get rest the best
you can...your body is being taxed on many fronts, physically, physiologically and emotionally.
10. If all this fails, pray! In fact, you might want to start off your trip with a prayer for a safe return, your loved ones
want you back home safe and sound.
Wilderness Survival
We have many years teaching, working, and living in the outdoors. Backcountry skills are a way of life in the beautiful Rockies we call home. Let us pass our knowledge on to you in our comprehensive training programs designed to teach you the skills needed to fully
embrace the outdoors. Our hands on learning experience is enhanced by using the training learned in class and applying it in the field, where
you will walk away with confidence and understanding of necessary skills and be able to utilize them when needed. Learn a multitude of primitive and modern survival techniques. Our easy to understand
instruction will get you ready to take on the great outdoors. Our courses are great for anyone from outdoor professionals working in the field, to wildlife
photographers capturing the beauty of nature.
Learn these Skills and more! Fire Making
Shelter Construction Food and Water
Wilderness First Aid Signaling
Orienteering
http://www.rockymountainresponse.com/wilderness-survival.html
7
· FEBRUARY 21st @ 0830 - Trappers Education Workshop - Missoula Region 2 FWP Office
Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT
· FEBRUARY 27th - MARCH 1st - Helena Great Rockies Sports Show
Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Helena, MT
· MARCH 20th @ 1200 - Western States Fur Auction - Park County Fairgrounds, Livingston, MT
· MARCH 21st - 23rd - Missoula Great Rockies Sport Show - Adams Center - U of M - Missoula, MT
· MARCH 27th - 29th - Bozeman Great Rockies Sport Show
Brick Breeden Fieldhouse - Bozeman, MT
· MARCH 29th @ 1230 - District 6 Spring Membership Meeting - Havre, MT
· APRIL 18th @ 0900 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT
· APRIL 18th @ 1000 - District 2 Spring Membership Meeting - FWP, Kalispell, MT
· MAY 3rd @ 0900 - MTA Board Meeting - Yogo Inn, Lewistown, MT
See You There!
CAMPFIRE TALK
8
Leave Those Traps Alone By Angela Montana
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person/people who stole a trapper’s wolf trap (an MB-750 with swivels and a shock absorber) in the Bitterroot Valley. After a Montana trapper set wolf traps to try and intercept a wolf pack from going back to a ranch in the Lake Como area, the trapper went to check their traps and found that somebody had dug one up and stolen it. The traps had been set in that area for more than two weeks, untouched. It just happened to be the last day of the wolf trapping season, Saturday, February 28th, when the trap was stolen, as it was just checked the prior day. With a dollar value of just under $100.00 per trap, these wildlife management tools are valuable.
A District 2 Game Warden stated that several trappers have reported traps being stolen this past season, which means there are currently several open cases being investigated. It is illegal to take and/or tamper with any legally set trap, and if anybody suspects illegal activity, please report it immediately to FWP at 800.TIP.MONT.
If anybody has any information on any stolen traps, please contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 800.TIP.MONT. Violations can also be reported online by clicking here.
CAMPFIRE TALK
9
Baldy Mountain Outfitters
Outfitter License # 23173
Phone: 406-291-7656
Welcome to Baldy Mountain Outfitter Located in Plains Montana
We offer high quality hunts that fit the clients ability and
needs.
Our guides give 100% to make sure that the clients have
the best possible hunt. We are out in the hunting areas
before daylight and stay till the last shooting light to get
the best chance of finding the big one.
We have access to large areas of public and private land
to hunt.
Deer ● Elk ● Bear ● Mountain Lion
www.baldymtnoutfitter.com
10
LOCAL CELEBRITIES
Tony Rebo of Libby, MT
displaying his new Ruger 10/22
he won at the Camo
Sweetheart Ball. Tony won
one of two guns given away
during the event to help raise
money for the Sanders County
Search & Rescue. Photo taken
by Caleb Wengerd owner of
Big Bull Sports sponsor of the
guns.
Congratulations Tony!
Tony Rebo may have got his gun
but his wife Brenda displays
some new home décor. Brenda
caught this nice Brooke through
the ice a while back. Taxidermy
work was completed by
Recapture Taxidermy, Mike
Siefke located in Libby Montana.
Congratulations Brenda and a
thumbs up goes to Recapture
Taxidermy for preserving a
memory for Brenda.
It’s Not If But When!
When it’s time to go...go in style!
www.camocaskets.com
REPAIR ALL MAKES: Boats · PWC · ATV · Motorcycle · Snowmobile · Small Engine Suzuki – Tracker – Sun Tracker – Nitro – Taho – Mako – Canam – Seadoo – Skidoo
Husqvarna: Mowers · Tr immer s · Chainsaws · Accessor ies Fishing Gear – Hunting Gear – FWP Licenses - Snowmobile Gear
4 Airport Road, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 · (406) 827-2950
66979 Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864 · (406) 644-2950 www.sandssports.com
Tuesday – Friday 9:00 - 5:30; Saturday 8:00 – 4:00
11
12
LINCOLN COUNTY SNOKATS/CABINET RIDGE RIDERS
Annual Fun Run By Raf Viniard
A couple of weeks ago I took a little trip up to Libby, Montana to see how the Lincoln County SnoKats made out with their event. Like every where else in NW Montana they were lacking an abundance of the that fluffy white stuff to make the ride a lot more fun. Waist deep snow or not these folks had a great day in the mountains. Sixty-one riders participated and over 100 attendees showed back up for the afternoon meal, door prizes, rifles and auction. Adam Carr auctioned one item off after another and
bidding was steady. If bidding slowed down Adam got them going again with a little jabbing and humor. After the event I caught up with Adam and he had this to say about he event, “The event went surprisingly well, we had a blessed day in the mountains. We had 2-3 inches of snow, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. We had a blast like we always do.” George Williams of Eureka, Montana added, “I was here just trying to help out the club.” As I strolled through the crowd I ran into Mr. Ben Swanson aka “Haywire” and he was truly enjoying the evenings celebrations and libations. Haywire shared a plethora of information about the event and its long history. Not sure if her remembers what he told me but it was entertaining. Continued on page 14.
Kenny Brothers tries to keep Noah entertained
during the live auction...Dad I don’t think its
working, he looks a little sad.
Mason Bache of Libby, MT won a basketball and he
looks pretty happy with his prize. Congrats Mason.
13
14
Adam Carr trying to close the bid, Going once, going twice, SOLD!
Dave Nitchke, Chapter President stated, I think we did pretty well for the amount of snow….we had a really good
day.”
As the night wrapped up all that was left was pulling
the raffle winner for the Savage B Mag .17 cal
topped with a Simmons 3 X 9 scope and supported
by a Champion B Pod. Mr. Bob McGee which was
not present at the time won the rifle.
LINCOLN COUNTY SNOKATS CONTINUED
The night’s festivities were held at the Libby, MT
VFW as over 100 attendees studied their fella
bidders and awaited to place their bids on the
stack of items behind Adam Carr as shown in this
picture.
Place your ad
here for only
$24.99 a month
15
16
MeMaws’ Kitchen by Mitzi Stonehocker
Rain and March always bring out the chocolate craving in me. I admit I have my "stash" by my recliner, in the car, in my purse, even my granddaughters know where a couple of my hiding places are. I am sharing a recipe from a friend who has gone to live with the Lord, she was my best friend and passed away from breast cancer at age 45, I miss her and this is for you Laura. Combine: 2/3 cup crisco 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon vanilla Beat in 2 eggs, mix well Combine: 1 1/2 cup flour 1/3 cup cocoa 1/4 teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Mix dry into wet ingredients blend well and add 2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon on us greased cookie sheet, ( I like to line my cookie sheet with parchment paper) and bake 7-9 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees. Do not over bake! Enjoy with hot coffee or tea and watch an old movie, cuddle with a loved one or grandchild. Smile, enjoy, make a memory!
The 12-step chocoholics program:
NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!
~Terry Moore~
Chewy Brownies
A HUSBAND WHO LISTENS He said: "What can I help you with?
She said: “Take this bag of potatoes, peel half of them and put them in the pot!"
Dedicated to all those husbands out there who really try!
17
Camo Sweetheart Ball Sponsors Please thank these sponsors by shopping with them for making
the Camo Sweetheart Ball such a success! Thank you!
Thank You!
Big Bull Sports
Bob Hosea—The Bob Factor
Bruce Hunn
Cabela's (Missoula)
Dale Fricke Holsters
Desta's Nails
D&D Liquor
Ed’s Outdoors
Gambles
Harvest Foods
Healthy Massage—Daphine Boles
Lakeside Resort & Motel
Levi Thrift Store
Mangy Moose
Minnie's
Montana Mitzi
Montana Outdoor Radio Show
Montana Trapping Association
Montana Woods N Water
Nailed It
Natural Edge Rustic Furnishings
Paradise Mountain Crafts
Plains Garden, Gift & Floral
Plains Trap Club
Peregrine Embroidery
Robert Viergutz
RTK Photography
Sanders County Search & Rescue Members
Scuz Busters & Diversified Services Judy Woolley
Shear Attitude
Sportsman's Warehouse
The Printery
Tires Plus
Tom & Shelly Rummel
Trout Creek Community Improvement Association
Whistle Creek Pottery Ellen Childress