Big game bow season slow, game warden says

It’s been a slow archery hunting season thus far, but with temperatures cooling Lincoln County’s game warden Tamie Laverdure has plenty of advice for local hunters.

Big game bow season began Sept. 3 and runs through Oct. 16.

She attributes the relatively low number of animals taken this year in part to warmer weather.

Laverdure believes big game such as elk and deer have been staying in higher elevations, while bear have been doing the same because of a good berry crop.

However, she has seen some “really nice goats and moose” taken this year.

She commended a hunter for calling her after he shot a bull elk and saw it wander onto private property. This is an example of good sportsmanship, she said.

Laverdure, who has been on the job for 4 ½ years now, has been doing double duty since May when the Troy District game warden left.

“It’s important that ethical sportsmen call me if they see something illegal,” she said. “They are my eyes and ears.”

The “youth hunt” runs Oct. 21-22 and rifle season goes from Oct. 22-Nov. 27. Youth hunters should check online at myfwp.com or call her at 291-1954 if they have questions about regulations.

She said there have been a lot of questions about whether hunters can take an electric bike behind gates on federal, state or Weyerhaeuser (formerly Plum Creek) property. The answer is no, she said, adding that no motorized activity is allowed behind closed gates.

$3K reward

Officials have not yet received information on a recent bull moose poaching near Cowl Creek. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the poaching, which left the animal to rot after its antlers were removed. A couple of sportsmen’s groups have offered supplemental rewards, which has raised the total reward to $3,000.

She encourages hunters to do their due diligence by asking private property owners in advance for permission to hunt on their land.