As spring weather starts to dominate and days grow longer, most of us are itching to get outdoors, shed some layers and shake off the winter blues. And who could blame you? What a spectacular time to be outdoors and no better place than the Blackfoot Valley!
The ice has disappeared from our many lakes and with that our migratory waterfowl and shorebirds are returning. If birding is your thing, this is your time of year! While you’re at it, grab the fishing rod and make a day of it.
If you have hunting on your mind, spring opportunities exist for wild turkey and black bear. Wild turkey and black bear regulations have some welcome changes so be sure to check the latest regulations. Also, do not forget about the up-coming deadlines for moose, sheep, mountain goat and bison on May 2, and the deer and elk B-license deadline on June 1.
Spring weather brings with it the spring green up. Our winter shades of brown turn to spring shades of green and with that you can’t help but notice an increase in deer and elk activity. Take a drive anywhere near the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (Game Range) and you will likely have an opportunity to view large groups of elk and deer taking advantage of the nutritious green grass.
For the better part of winter, elk and deer are surviving on stored energy from the previous summer and essentially starving to death. Winter forage holds very little nutrition and elk and deer cannot subsist for prolonged periods before malnourishment sets in.
This concept highlights the importance of critical winter ranges for big game but also emphasizes that summer range may be more important to elk nutrition than winter. More and more elk research has shown that adult female elk, commonly referred to as cows, that go into winter in better condition tend to have higher overwinter survival, pregnancy rates and live calf weights the following spring.
Spring green up is also the time of year that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) conducts aerial elk surveys. We are currently in the middle of our annual surveys and survey results will be posted on our website once completed.
The Game Range survey is conducted each winter and this year we attempted it twice. Our first effort was not very successful because the elk were hidden in the trees and difficult to observe. We had better success on our second attempt, with a total count of 821 and a calf to cow ratio of 28 calves per 100 cows. The total count comes with the caveat that our survey was cut short due to fuel, or lack of fuel, for the helicopter.
Typically this survey takes four-six hours and we refuel once during the flight. This year we did not have the service of a fuel truck and had an abbreviated survey.
However, given the short survey our total numbers were strong and the calf to cow ratio is a very promising trend that we hope continues. This year is the fourth year that we have seen an increase in the calf to cow ratio, indicating the Game Range herd may be growing.
Spring also brings out the bears. Please remember that during the spring, bears will be seeking food at lower elevations. This will ultimately mean that bears will be in close proximity to homes and attracted to anything that resembles a meal.
Please secure all of your attractants including: bird feeders, pet food, grills, poultry and livestock and garbage. FWP provides access to resources if you need help. Please visit the “Be Bear Aware” page on our website at http://www.fwp.mt.gov or call one of our regional offices for details.
In case you haven’t heard, the Marshall Creek Wildlife Management Area (Marshall Creek) will get an update to the current interim management plan. We are in the process of developing a long-term management plan to help guide future use and management projects for Marshall Creek. The plan will include guidelines for forest management, recreation and travel, fisheries restoration and other wildlife resources. Expect a draft of the Marshall Creek Management Plan sometime near the beginning of July.
Finally, get outside this spring and enjoy our abundant natural resources!
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