Hunting:

The youth hunt is open! October 17 & 18 are reserved for the young hunters to get out and cut their teeth. The hunt does come about a week earlier than last year but that just means even more anticipation for the opening of general season

The antelope harvest on opening day was one of the lowest on record. As predicted, the numbers were a little up with one check station reporting 58 animals, up 4 over the previous year. Near perfect conditions didn’t help as much as hoped. Look for a down season over average.

Deer B licenses still valid in Region 4.

Although hunters this fall will not be allowed to use their general deer license to take antlerless mule deer in five northcentral Montana hunting districts, they still will be able to use their district specific deer B licenses for antlerless mule deer.

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/hunting/nr_2029.html

A new Montana law allows residents and nonresidents to donate their hunting license to a disabled military veteran or disabled active duty service member.

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/hunting/nr_2028.html

Fishing:

Some good flies to use right now are Para Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, and hoppers in smaller sizes 14-20.

Missouri river: The ticket is nymphing right now. Some luck may be had with terrestrials and hoppers but some other nymphs we’d recommend throwing are PMD emergers, Caddis Pupas, San Juan worms, or Scuds. If you want to try fishing some dry flies, you could have some success throwing imitators.

Canyon Ferry: Rainbow trout are biting on just worms and marshmallows. Floating green and yellow jigs are likely the key. It’s been said a lavender blade is working fairly well. The water is really low which makes it a challenge to launch.

Hauser Lake: Below the dam and along steep banks of Hauser Lake, walleye have picked up big. Same floating green and yellow jigs with a worm are working really well. Fishing from shore will land you something when using the same jig heads. Walleye fishing at the Causeway is advised.

(Report by Ryan Corwin – Bob Ward and Sons; Cover Photo: nwtf.org)