Proposed Changes to Opening Day Shed Hunting

Fish and Game Commish is considering a proposal to limit opening day shed hunting on Montana WMAs to foot traffic only and two sheds per person. An attempt to eliminate the circus like atmosphere of opening day (May 15)which has been likened to the great land grabbing stampedes of the homesteading era. Another reason is putting a crimp on poachers who sneak onto WMAs during the closed season (Dec 1 to May 15), stash sheds and then go in opening day with pack strings to haul out the contraband. If passed, whether or not the change would apply to all WMAs has not been decided.

FYI, we discovered the above elk shed a couple winters ago in the Gardiner River in YNP--off limits to shed hunting anytime but the scene of many dramatic moments in the past. Such as the guy who drowned after his loaded with antlers raft upset in the Yellowstone River awhile back. Like most things these days they just seem to get whackier and whackier...to say nothing of getting way out of hand.

Milk River Wildlife Management Area

This a shot of the Milk River Wildlife Management Area near Hinsdale. The line of cottonwoods in the background delineates the Milk River. The Milk is one of Montana's longest and least known (to anglers) rivers, born on the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains on the Blackfeet Nation it swings north into Alberta then back into Montana where it eventually joins the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam west of Wolf Point...a run of about 730 miles.

The Milk is popular throughout its length with local anglers but you won't find many anglers from outside the region. Pike, smallmouth bass, sauger, walleye and catfish are the most sought after gamefish, but the Milk holds many surprises. Fort Peck Reservoir, while not technically a part of the Milk River system boasts something like 50 gamefish and provides primo fishing for trophy pike, smallmouth bass and walleye to name just three of the most sought after.

Deer and upland bird hunters, however, paint a different picture. Known far and wide as a world class whitetail hotspot, hunters from all over arrive each fall hoping to slay the "buck of a lifetime." And while upland bird hunting pales somewhat nonetheless the Milk River corridor is certainly no secret...especially amongst rooster lovers. While much of the Milk flows through private land there are many WMAs, as well as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) and several National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) scattered throughout provide decent to sometimes primo rooster hunting opportunities. In addition Montana's popular Block Management Program has a strong presence all along the river free to hunters for the asking. By the way, many WPAs and most BMAs are open to hunting whitetails and other game species, including waterfowl.