Archery-only hunting proposed for Libby Creek area

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Editor

Two local sportsmen's groups are proposing designation of approximately 3,500 acres along Libby Creek as an archery-only hunting area.

Don Clark of the Libby Rod and Gun Club and Ken Rayome of the Libby Archery Club briefed the Lincoln County commissioners on the plan last week. Safety concerns in light of increasing residential development in the area spurred the proposal.

Clark estimated that 1,100 to 1,200 people live in the area, which extends up Libby Creek from the clay banks near the former Stimson mill to Swede Mountain and takes in the land between U.S. Highway 2 and the creek.

"There's going to be more subdivisions going in," Clark said. "The problem is going to magnify rather than lessen."

The proposal would not bar residents from target shooting on their own property but would not allow the use of firearms for hunting.

"We've got tens of thousands of acres to hunt on," Clark said. "We don't need to hunt in a housing district."

Commissioner Rita Windom asked if there are any plans on what to do about the "explosion" of deer in the area.

"That's why we're hoping more archers will utilize this," Rayome said.

The archery club would like to use the area to promote youth bow-hunting opportunities, he said.

A decision on the proposal would have to be made by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission, Clark said.

"This would be at least a year down the road, because the new regulations just came out," he said. "It isn't anything that's going to happen suddenly."

Clark, who sits on a regional FWP advisory committee, said he planned to take the idea to FWP supervisors at an April 11 meeting. He said he first wanted to make sure the proposal has the "tacit approval" of the county commissioners as well as the Forest Service and Plum Creek, which own land in the area.

The plan has already been discussed at a meeting with area residents, Clark said.

Commissioner John Konzen said he agreed with the concept but didn't want to take an official position prior to more public input.

""It's a problem that's much bigger than this area," Konzen said. "But I think you've got to get a foothold and show that it can work."