Posts from — July 2008

Hunters have until July 31 to purchase SuperTag Lottery chances for elk, deer, bison, antelope and mountain lion hunting licenses.

July 31 is also the deadline to apply for fall turkey permits. The proposal for the Bitterroot valley is 300 tags.

All applications are $5. Mailed applications must be received by 5:00 pm July 31. Online applications can be made until 11:45 pm on July 31.

The festivities kick off Friday evening, July 18 at 5 p.m. There are food vendors, beer tent, crafts and educational booths. At 6 p.m. begins Hot Saw demonstrations, boxing over water, kid’s choker races, tug of war, MLA 4 man relay race and local logger sports activities. Don’t forget to treat your girl to a moonlight dance with live music, Bitterroot style, both Friday and Saturday. The music begins at 7:00 pm and runs until midnight.

Saturday the gates open at 7:00 am. There is a parade through downtown Darby at 9:00 am and the competitions begin at 10:00 am. There are several participants from the ESPN Stihl Timbersports Series. Erin LaVoie is a top Lumberjill who participates in the ESPN, Stihl Timbersports Series. Erin will be participating in this years Logger Day events.

Saturday’s Schedule:

9:00 am
Educational, Retail & food Booths Open

10:00 am
Logging competition Begins

11:00 am
Kids Events Registration at
“Grammy’s Corner”

Noon
Kids Events Begin

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Live Music

9:00 pm – 1:30 am
Live Music

Darby, Montana

Don’t forget to take some time to experience the quaint little town of Darby, Montana. There are wonderful shops and eateries. After the music ends the party moves to the Valley Bar and Dotson’s Bar which are next to each other joined by a boardwalk. There is live music by local bands all weekend.

Harley-Davidson Raffle

Buy your raffle tickets for a 2008 Harley-Davidson FXCWC Rocker C. Tickets are $20 each. Ticket sales will be limited to 2000. The drawing is on Saturday after the logging competition is over.

For more information go to Darby Logger Days.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants for volunteer positions on the Region 2 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC meets quarterly in Missoula. Travel expenses and meals are provided.

Anyone who has an interest in having a voice in the future of Montana outdoor policy is welcome to apply.

For an application or further information go to URL: FWP Seeks Applicants for Region 2 Citizen Advisory Committee

The Bitterroot National Forest contains many trails and gated roads offering access to mountain bikes. Utilizing a mountain bike to access areas off the beaten path and locate hunting areas is highly productive. Many of these areas are open to ATV and motorcycle traffic during the summer months. Some remain open through archery season. Most all of them close to any motorized traffic prior the general hunting season, though. [Read more →]

The Poker Joe Fishing Access, located between Stevensville and Florence will be closed beginning July 7. The closure is expected to last through July. Montana FW&P will be constructing a new parking area and bathroom facility.
For more information go to the FW&P site: Poker Joe Fishing Access Site to be Closed for Construction

A landowner in the East Fork of the Bitterroot near Sula shot and killed a wolf early Tuesday, July 1 that was threatening his cattle. No livestock were killed or hurt in the incident.

The wolf—a gray adult male—was one of four wolves encountered in the act of chasing cattle. The landowner shot the animal on the spot and then reported it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

After an investigation by a state game warden, FWP confirmed it was a legal shooting.

FWP wolf management specialist, Liz Bradley, said the wolf was likely a member of the Trail Creek pack.

“Because this is the first confirmed case of these wolves threatening livestock, FWP will monitor for wolf activity in the area but will take no lethal control action at this time,” Bradley said.

The Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf population was removed from the federal Endangered Species list in late March. FWP is now the lead agency for wolf conservation and management in Montana on non-tribal lands.

Under Montana law and depredation guidelines adopted by the FWP Commission, wolves can only be killed if seen actively killing or threatening to kill livestock or animals used to guard or herd livestock. Also, a wolf may be killed if it is seen killing or threatening to kill pets, or to protect human life. All incidents must be reported to FWP within 72 hours.

To learn more about Montana’s recovered wolf population, visit FWP online, where visitors can also tell FWP when they see wolves or wolf sign. The information helps to verify the activity, distribution, and pack size of Montana’s recovered wolf population.
reprinted from FWP