In brief
Big game harvest numbers rebound
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said white-tailed deer and elk harvest numbers rebounded during the past week and now surpass last year’s mark for Region One, northwest Montana.
At the six northwest Montana check stations through Sunday, November 15, a total of 11,891 hunters checked 669 white-tailed deer (528 of these were bucks), 93 mule deer, and 61 elk for a 6.9 percent rate of hunters with game. Overall, harvest was up somewhat as compared to last year when 6.2 percent of hunters checked game. Elk harvest is up 60 percent. Hunter numbers are up six percent as compared to last year.
According to FWP Region One Supervisor Neil Anderson, the deer harvest should continue at a good pace.
“Despite a relatively mild weekend, hunters were still finding game, and we are starting to see more mature bucks come through the check stations. With cooler temperatures, snow forecasted for early in the week, and the rut getting into full swing, hunters should have an advantage over the next two weeks,” he said.
The counts at the six northwest Montana check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
Turner Mountain fun night Dec. 5
The annual ski season kick-off for Turner Mountain will be held at the Red Dog Saloon at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The fundraiser event costs $30 per person and includes pizza, salad and beverages. The event will include door prizes, raffles and movies.
Driver license office to begin scheduling appointments
Effective Dec. 2, 2015, the Libby office of the Montana Department of Justice’s Driver License Bureau will be implementing new scheduling software which will allow patrons to schedule appointments online instead of relying exclusively on walk-in services.
Holiday open house tomorrow
The sixth annual holiday open house will be held tomorrow, Nov. 21, at participating Libby area businesses. This year 15 local businesses are participating in the annual event to encourage holiday shoppers to shop locally and support local business.
Forest Service reminds residents to buy tree permits
A Personal Use Christmas Tree Permit is required for anyone wishing to cut a tree from the Kootenai National Forest. Permits sell for $5 each and are available at all Kootenai National Forest offices. Permit limit per household is three (3) trees. Stop in or call the nearest Forest Service office for information regarding harvesting your Christmas tree. Open Monday through Friday, the Supervisor’s Office and Ranger Stations also have maps showing road access and identifying National Forest lands.
People going into the Forest for Christmas trees are asked to respect the following guidelines:
• Avoid cutting trees along major routes, in plantations, campgrounds or other well used area.
• Respect private property; consult Forest Service maps to be sure you’re on National Forest land.
• Do not cut in areas posted as closed to Christmas tree cutting or in contract areas.
• Cut the size of tree desired. Do not select a large tree intending to take the top only.
• Cut the stump as low as possible, no higher than eight (8) inches above the ground.
• Clear all limbs, trimmings and debris from roadways and ditches.
• Think “safety” with axe or power saw.
One permit is required for each tree and these permits are available for five dollars ($5) at all Forest Service offices.