Newsletter

This coming year should be a very good one. We've had several very mild winters, and game populations are on the increase. There were a lot of young bucks last year. We should have good populations in all age groups.

We were stuck being housebound so much if the time in December, January, and February, due to paperwork. However, The weather makes me extremely anxious to get back outside. Turkey hunting and fishing, which may be combined, will start me out this year. Turkey: Spring turkey was very good last year, with all hunts filling 100% with mature toms.

Fishing: Last year the Big Horn River, seemed to get some bad publicity about low water and low numbers of fish. I don't know where they got their information about the fish numbers, because the fishing was great. A fish below 18" was rare. Most fish were running 18"-22" about 3-5 pounds each, and some fish were even 24"-26". The water was low, but it stayed cold, about 50 degrees or lower. We used mostly midge, baitis, shrimp, and sowbug patterns, in sizes 18 and 20. Almost everyone got to see their backing last year. That's the real turn-on for me. I live for fish which are hard to turn. And make you chase them down the bank. This is exciting and fun!

Varmint Hunting: Prairie dogs were very abundant last year. We are now up to 6,000 acres of dog towns. Jim Weese once again made the 2,000-yard club, with a shot of 2,244 yards. Ralph Morris seconded that with 1,802 yards, and a number of guys made in the 500-yard club. I even took a coyote 1,206 yards. Another hunter took a coyote 559 yards, and a number of other hunters took some from 100-300 yards.

Antelope: Our antelope population is very good now. Our antelope hunts filled 100%. The bow hunters really shined. The smallest scored at 70 7/8", and the largest was measured at 75". Most of our antelope bow hunts are done by decoying.

Mule Deer: Deer populations have been on a steady increase for several years now. For the past three years, we have backed off on the number of hunts which we have been doing, so that we could maintain the age of the bucks that we are taking. Our bucks usually range between 5-7 years old. Last year, due to a very hot and dry June and July, our horns ran a little lighter than normal. Those months are when the deer need good, potent feed to make mass. I was a little disappointed until I saw what other people were sending to the taxidermist that we use. We found out that we were well above the average. We still took some really good bucks between 25"-28". Already now, we're getting better moisture than last year. With all the bucks we have left over after hunting season, we should have an exceptional year coming up. Strict game management pays off! As you can see from the pictures here and in our photo gallery, we get some really good deer and antelope bucks in our hunting area.

Deer applications come out in January, and they need to be in Helena, MT, by March 15, 2004.

Antelope applications come out in April, and they need to be in Helena, MT, by June 1, 2004.

Deposits will be required to hold your dates open.

Have a great year!

Jim & Cindy

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