Rocky Mountains

Quotable “The lake is now much quieter and the fish have become hungry and more cooperative than they have been in the heat of the summer.” — Wayne Gustaveson of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on the stripers on Lake Powell.In the Oct. 5, 2006 issueFISHING Utah Beaver River trout * Provo River trout * Strawberry trout * Willard Bay wipers * Lake Powell stripersIdaho Coeur d’Alene kokanee * C.J. Strike trout * Clearwater steelheadMontana Madison River trout * Bighorn River trout * Gallatin River trout * Yellowstone River trout * Flathead whitefish * Madison whitefish * Missouri whitefish * Fresno Reservoir whitefishHUNTING Utah Northern Utah waterfowl * Utah elk previewMontana Montana doe huntsIdaho SW Idaho waterfowl * Idaho Panhandle whitetails * Clearwater River deerEVERYTIME Regional Trends * Quotable * Editor’s Picks * Outdoor Lineup * Trophy Tale * Astro Tables * In the Bullseye * Photo Contest Winners * Where To Go on the Web * Where To Go * Outdoor Outlet * Gearing Up

This Issue’s Featured Article

You’ll find strong populations of ringnecks as well as sharp-tailed grouse throughout northeastern Montana. (F&H; News photo) Plenty of Montana doe tags at handBillings, Mont. — Doe tags abound in Montana for the 2006 big game season. Check regulation specifics, surplus tag availability, or apply for surplus licenses on-line at www.fwp.mt.gov.In Region 1, over the counter ‘B’ tags are available to resident and non-resident hunters already possessing an ‘A’ tag. There is one tag per hunter for HD 170 and portions of HD 132, 102, 120 and 110 east of Whitefish. For legal descriptions contact FWP in Kalispell (406-752-5500).”We have an over-the counter antlerless ‘B’ tag that any licensed person can buy,” says Mike Thompson, Region 2 wildlife biologist. There’s also a unique archery-equipment only opportunity in HD 204, 240, 250, 260, 261, 270 and 283 where hunters can purchase up to five ‘B’ tags to use from September 2 to January 15. For more information contact the Region 2 office (406-542-5500).Region 3 allows one white-tailed ‘B’ tag for licensed residents and non-residents for all HD’s except Canyon Ferry and Helena Lake WMAs. Note that HD 309 is a weapons restricted area allowing only archery equipment, muzzleloader, shotgun, traditional handgun, or crossbow; the season runs from Sept. 1-Jan. 15. Although there is a considerable amount of private land tying up access, hunters can purchase up to five ‘B’ licenses in HD 312-10. Contact Region 3 headquarters for more information (406-994-4042).Region 4, hunters can purchase up to seven antlerless deer tags in any combination, including the whitetail doe tag and surplus tags, in addition to the ‘A’ tag, in a number of the hunting districts. Contact Bruce Auchley, regional information specialist (406-454-5845) for more.In Region 5, hunters can have a total of seven deer ‘B’ tags in any combination. Residents and non-residents can purchase one antlerless white-tailed license valid in all Region 5 hunting districts. Contact the Billings office (406-247-2940) for details.Hunters are allowed to buy up to seven anterless deer tags for Region 6. There are 2500 whitetail ‘B’ tags allotted for residents and 1500 for non-residents valid in any hunting district in the region. For surplus mule deer does, there are still a number of ‘B’ licenses available. For more information contact the Glasgow headquarters (406-228-3700).Residents and non-residents can purchase a single antlerless white-tailed deer tag over the counter for all hunting districts. For mule deer, residents can purchase up to two mule deer ‘B’ licenses valid everywhere in Region 7, except the CMR. Call Region 7 Headquarters for details (406-234-0900).— Amy Grisak