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The Thrill of the Hunt

The Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest, located virtually outside our door is comprised of 9 separate areas throughout Southwest Montana. The result is more than 3 million acres of playground that begin in the semi-arid grassland foothills, build up to coniferous forests of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, and climb toward a culmination in the peaks of the Bitterroot and Centennial ranges. This richness of environment supports more than 180 species of animals; everything from the lonely moose to mountain goats and black bears call the forest home.

This natural beauty is intricately woven into the forest's history. Of all the areas traversed by Lewis and Clark on their journey west, perhaps none were so essential to their party's survival than this one. Tired, low on supplies, , it was here in 1805 that they met Sacajawea and the Shoshone near a huge rock, which the explorers' journals called"Beaver's Head." The Deer Lodge name also comes from a natural formation that resembled a medicine lodge. Montana is famous for Big Game Hunting. Most of Montana's wildlife populations are more plentiful today than they have been at any time since statehood.

According to the Montana Hunting Almanac, estimates place the number of mule deer and whitetails at close to a half-million. Elk numbers exceed 110,000 in early autumn, and wintering populations total more than 90,000. In many parts of Montana, there are more antelope than people, with total pronghorn populations hovering around the 100,000 mark. Add to those perhaps 10,000 black bears, more than 8,000 moose, up to 7,500 mountain goats and maybe as many as 8,000 bighorn sheep.

Montana's big-game hunting seasons stretch from early September into February, varying by species and area, and resume in April, May and June for black bear. The general season for deer and elk is consistently five weeks long. Deer and antelope hunters have considerable opportunity to harvest at least two of each in many areas.

ELK

Elk populations are thriving on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. This area consistently leads the state in elk production. Since the late 1960s elk populations have tripled. Some of the hunting districts in this area are regarded as providing the greatest degree of natural security for elk. These districts have some of the region's wildest country, where terrain, cover and isolation make it difficult for hunters to penetrate.

The Pioneer elk management unit, according to the 1993 Montana Hunting Alamanac, is a 2,040 square mile area of mostly public land (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest) that features low road densities, extensive back country areas and good security for an elk population of about 3,000. With the exception of the west face of the

West Pioneers, most of this unit has good public access, although travel in the roadless areas is restricted to foot and horse traffic.

According to statistics conducted by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), 600 to 800 elk have been harvested annually, with 400 to 500 of these being bulls. The security provided by the large amount of roadless land provides good age diversity among bull elk. The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages the area to

maintain a late-winter elk population of 2,700 to 3,200 and 200 to 400 antlerless elk.

MOUNTAIN GOATS

Mountain Goats are managed conservatively, meaning relatively few goat permits are issued. Huntable populations of goats reside in the West Pioneers. Goat populations are believed to be stable and may be increasing. The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is in the process of compiling surveys done on the goat population. Success rates on the Wisdom District have on an average been 80%.

GAME BIRD HUNTING

Bird hunting is an increasingly popular sport with Montana hunters. More than 75,000 people hunt upland game birds each fall and about 20,000 hunt waterfowl. The upland game birds that occur on the Wisdom District include spruce (Franklin's) grouse, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, and sage grouse. Waterfowl that can be found on the District

include Canadian geese, mallard, cinnamon teal, and green-winged teal.

Deer

Whitetails are thriving with numbers in the 170,000s and their range is expanding. At the same time, mule deer are at relatively healthy levels (300,000 statewide), but are not growing in numbers as fast as their whitetail cousins. Whitetails are more abundant than they were over 30 years ago, mule deer are not. Mule deer will be abundant where they are found, but they will be found in fewer places than in previous years. Mule deer are found mostly on public land (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest), while whitetails are predominantly found on the private lands in the valleys and river bottoms. This tends to make finding a place to hunt mule deer a little easier for most hunters.

There is an early antlerless deer season, regulated on a permit

basis, for certain river bottom areas. The early season is geared at getting hunters into specific areas before ranchers move their cattle into the river bottoms for winter.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE

The majority of antelope are found on BLM, State and private land in the valley bottoms and foothills. Antelope populations appear to be at relatively high levels, although down from peak levels of a few years ago. All antelope permits are issued through a lottery permit system. Hunting Districts in this area have had an approximate success rate of 70% or better the last few years.

MOOSE

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is one of the major moose- producing hunting regions in the state. Surveys done by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks show moose in the area are maintaining good populations. Hunting success rates for moose over the last few years have been 80% or better on the Wisdom Ranger District. We've even glimpsed some while doing our horse back riding... Fortunately the girls didn't spook the horses. FishCreek Ventures - Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment... Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within.... In short, horses do naturally what humans can pass a lifetime without ever mastering. Contact: cid@fishcreekhouse.com

Where to Stay

Surrounded by the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest with high peaked mountains Fish Creek House offers 'breathtaking views,' unparalleled dining, warm hospitality and sensational packages for couples, families, skiers and equestrian enthusiasts. Located in Whitehall on 40 acres, just 20 miles from historic Butte. This four-season inn offers endless outdoor adventure activities from hiking to horse-back riding, Hunters are welcome.

The newly remodeled inn was designed to reflect the rustic history that is Montana while offering amentiies that make our guests feel at home. Fish Creek House offers two themed guest rooms each with private baths. Each one of the guest rooms features a different "Montana" theme in an "upscale rustic" decor - from the hand crafted log and pine furniture to the unique local art work that hangs on the walls. Full country breakfast included. (Call: Whitehall

1- 406-287-2181) Definitely a place to come home to .. .while you're away.

With all the things there are to see and do in the world it should come as no surprise that there are some real travel adventures to be had. One thing to consider when taking an overseas excursion is where to stay. Timeshares are a great option that allows you to lodge comfortable and affordably. With resorts begining to offer more timeshare programs world wide, there are more owners looking to sell their timeshare properties. So get your passports reaady, get your plane tickets, and start enjoying everything the world has to offer.

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