Bird, bow season opens this month

The Kootenai hills will be alive this weekend with bird and bow hunters taking advantage of the first days of the season.

Upland game bird season for mountain grouse, partridge, sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and turkey began on Thursday and runs through Jan. 1 (except sage grouse season, which ends on Sept. 30). Archery season for deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion, bighorn sheep and black bear begins on Saturday.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden Tamie Laverdure said while there are no change in this year’s hunting rules and regulations, she has been spending recent weeks reminding hunters to follow the regulations and be aware of the consequences.

Laverdure said, as usual, FWP will be patrolling for hunters shooting from their vehicles or the road.

“Shooting from the vehicle and roadway is one of our biggest violations,” Laverdure said. “(A citation) can be around $130.”

Wasting game is also illegal, she said, as it is against regulations to waste any of the game suitable for food.

Three is still the daily limit for birds and hunters are required to leave one feathered leg attached to the bird so FWP staff can identify the birds at check points.

“Some people (who’ve hunted over the limit) try to say they are just trying to feed their families, but three is the limit, period,” Laverdure said.

Laverdure said she’s also had recent issues with people claiming to be in desperate need of feeding their family when she’s caught them foul-hooking, or snagging, salmon near the Kootenai Falls with regular lures or Swedish pimples.

“I’ve got a rash of that going on,” she said. “It seems to be an early kokanee salmon run this year. I’m wondering if that’s part of the reason that people are pushing it, because they’re running early.”

Snagging is allowed once the season begins Sept. 15. Laverdure said if anyone is in need of food to feed their family, she directs them to the local food bank or the Libby Christian Church, where she deposits a lot of her confiscated game.

Back in the bird and bow-hunting realm, Laverdure said hunters should also remember to carry bear spray while on the hunt.

“If you’re out there being one with the bush, blending in and trying to put the sneak on your deer, elk, or bear, you’re in bear territory and if you surprise a bear, you want to have some means of protection there,” she said. “Pepper spray is going to be a lot more effective in putting an arrow into a charging animal, or a bullet.”

Luminox, or arrows with illuminated nocks, is also prohibited while bow hunting in Montana.

For more information, check the “Hunting” tab at www.fwp.mt.gov or call Laverdure at 291-1954.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.