WESTERN MONTANA CHAPTERSafari Club International

Spring Newsletter, March 2015www.westernmtsci.org

President’s Message

It seems Spring and Winter have their calendars all mixed up! Lion hunters have been given a fi st full of icy roads, cold trails,

and no new tracking snow for weeks. They still seem to fi nd lions, but after this season, they will have honed their dry-land tracking and old-snow techniques to where a regular snow season will make them all the more effective.

Our annual fundraising banquet will be held April 18th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. We have a great slate of live-auction items, as well as our usual array of high quality bucket raffl e packages, silent auction items, and some really fun games that will place a great prize in your hands by the end of the evening. Last year was a great success, thanks to your generous bidding and attendance at the banquet. I hope to have another outstanding banquet, as I know our committee is putting a huge effort into

providing highest quality items and positive energy that make this Chapter’s SCI Banquet the premier event in Western Montana.

At the banquet, we will have an outstanding new member benefi t and member renewal program for all SCI members and prospective members. SCI National membership gives you these benefi ts:

• Ability to join our local SCI Chapter ($20)• 6 bi-monthly issue of SCI’s award-winning SAFARI Magazine• 12 monthly issues of SAFARI TIMES Newspaper• Annual World Hunting Awards publication• Eligible to attend SCI’s Members-only Annual Hunters’ Convention• Participation in the SCI Record Book of Trophy Animals and Awards Programs• SCI Hunter’s Travel Assistance Hotline powered by Global Rescue• Access to Hunt Reports• SCI “In the Crosshairs” e-Newsletter• Access to SCI First for Hunters website• Free admission to the International Wildlife Museum at SCI Headquarters in Tucson• Offi cial SCI Membership ID card • Free access to SCI Online Record Book• Insurance Discounts to protect your Guns, trophies, and travel

I hope you will buy a ticket or a table, bring a friend or six, and encourage others to join SCI. If you are not a member of SCI, please consider joining. Safari Club International is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation

A Look Inside

Banquet Auction Preview........4

Hunting Corner.........................8

Camp Corner..........................10

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continued from front page...

About Safari Club International

SCI is committed to:

• Providing value to members by shaping policies and legislation that protect the freedom to hunt lo-cally, nationally and internationally.

• Keeping members informed regarding issues that impact hunting while educating and entertaining members with engaging articles about the rich heritage of hunting in all forms of media.

• Providing a community for hunters worldwide where camaraderie is enjoyed and expert informa-tion is exchanged, and where members are able to participate in a market for quality hunting goods and services.

The Western Montana Chapter of Safari Club Inter-national is a non-profi t organization dedicated to con-serving wildlife and preserving hunting. As a 501 (4) organization that works at the state and local level, as well as nationally through its parent organization (SCI), we support issues that protect the right to hunt and we partner with other pro-hunter organizations that sup-port wildlife conservation. SCI is fi rst in the fi eld with pro-hunting legislation, litigation against anti-hunting initiatives and international advocacy for hunting. We are “SCI-FIRST FOR HUNTERS”.

Chapter Offi cers are as follows:

Chapter President - Matt Ulberg, LoloChapter Vice-President - Lloyd Straits, FlorenceSecretary/Treasurer - Open

Directors:Bonita Smith, Phillipsburg (Sables Representative)Mike Mickelson, Frenchtown

Become Involved... Consider joining the Western Montana Chapter of SCI and become involved today in helping to further our hunting, conservation and education initiatives. If you are already a member and wish to join one of our many committees, you can contact us at info@western-mtsci.org or phone Western Montana Chapter Presi-dent, Matt Ulberg at (406.531.1142).

We welcome your involvement and look forward to getting to know you better!

worldwide. Please review our opportunities to maximize your fun at the Banquet through buying a Table Sponsorship.

Table Sponsorships and general seating are limited, and we did sell out early last year, so this serves as fair warning! As always, if you give us a chance, we will do our best to accommodate everyone.

I am looking forward to the Banquet, so that we might reconnect, and enjoy the auctions, raffl es, and socializing. I sincerely hope that you fi nd time to refl ect on what hunting means to you and your family. It is in doing so, that we appreciate the seasons of our life, and the wonderful opportunities that we are afforded while living in this great state of Montana.

Remember, conservation is wise use and hunting is conservation.

Matt UlbergWestern Montana SCI Chapter President

Advertisers featured in this newsletter have donated a Annual Banquet.

Without their support, we would not have been able to help fund local hunting and conservation efforts.

When possible, please take the time to thank them!

2015 Youth Conservation & Education EXPO

Shooting Hunting Ethics Education

• Drawings for Teddy Roosevelt Outdoor Adventure Camp, Jack Creek Preserve Summer Youth Camp, and Montana Natural Resources (Lu-brecht State Forest) Camp as well as camps for 6-10 year olds!

• BB Gun Shooting and Archery Ranges • Climbing Wall• FWP Poaching Trailer & FWP Laser Shooting Range • Fly Casting & Fly Tying Clinics• Duck, Goose, Turkey & Elk Calling • Horse Packing Clinic (9-Mile Pack String will be present!)• Big Game Scoring, and MORE!

No cost to attend & food available for purchase onsite!

Saturday, May 9, 2015 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Red Slack Barn, Teller Wildlife Refuge1180 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis, MT

Questions? Tom (406-531-4224) or Jon (406-546-5995)

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Get Your Tickets Before We Sell Out!

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Preview of Auction Items!

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If you have attended one of our banquets in the past, you are well aware of the effort we put forth to get quality items that you will enjoy. In addition to the below items, you will fi nd our general raffl e, silent and live auctions fi lled with gear from Kennetrek, Sitka, Cabela’s, Kuiu, Tenzing,

Mathews, Bowtech and more.

We are continuing to work on donations for exotic trips to Belize, Costa Rica and Mexico as well as other, more local, hunting and fi shing packages. You can stay up-to-date by viewing the banquet page on our website (www.westernmtsci.org). Lastly, our bucket raffl es will also include an Optics, Firearms, Archery, Ladies and Youth Packages (WOW!).

We have received generous support this year from many local businesses including Farmers State Bank, Lolo Peak Brewing Company, Studio Pandora, Hearing Aid Institute Missoula, Florence Therapy and Wellness, Alpine Artistry, Republic Services, Cooper Firearms and many more. You can fi nd links to their businesses online at www.westernmtsci.org. Please take the time to thank them for their support of hunting and conservation efforts in Western Montana.

Live Auction Preview Note: The following items are in no particular order and are subject to change. See the banquet program on site for fi nal auction information. Additional items and information can be found online.

Garmin GPSMAP 62st with OnXmaps Montana Land Ownership Hunt ChipGPSMAP 62st handheld navigator features a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, a barometric altimeter, and photo navigation. Rugged and waterproof, GPSMAP 62st employs a quad helix antenna for unparalleled reception. PLUS, we’ve added an OnXMaps (formerly HuntingGPSmaps) Montana Land Ownership Hunt Chip.

Dog Training - Your Choice!Labs-R-It is donating one month of retriever training. The winning bidder can select from the following options:

• Option 1 - Retriever puppies between 4-6 months old. • Option 2 - Seasoned/Intermediate Retrievers. • Option 3 - Antler Retrieving.

Boar Hunt at Canyon Creek Hunting Ranch, Cheney, WashingtonAlways popular - this is a boar hunt for 2 days, 2 nights on private ranch in Cheney Washington. You will have the unique opportunity of bringing home a fi ne trophy and LOTS of pork! Past harvests include 750-1000+ pound boars.

Nyala Painting by Cynthie FisherCynthie Fisher, a long-time contributor to SCI, has painted a noble pair of male nyala emerging from the bush. Cynthie has been to Africa over 15 times, and hunted and studied almost all of the big game species, including nyala, one of her favorites. Cynthie was honored to be the 2015 SCI Artist of the Year, and her art has graced the cover of the SCI magazine 5 times. This 14 x 20 oil on canvas has a custom frame and is ready to hang!

5 Days (4 full hunting days) for choice of Red Stag, Bull Tahr or Fallow Buck in New Zealand for 1 hunter and 1 non-hunterHunt free range on all large private high country ranches. Additional days and animals may be added as per price list (additional hunter/non-hunters $550 per day).

Montana Mountain Lion Hunt This hunt consists of fi ve on call snow days or fi ve days of consecutive hunting (the fl exibility of this hunt is a huge plus). The hunter needs to put in for a permit for the Bitterroot Valley for the 2015/2016 (due in August). If a permit is not drawn the hunter has the option to hunt after February 1st on a general tag. This is a very hands-on hunt. Only a mature tom will be harvested. We will turn lose on a female if hunter would like some pictures. This hunt includes lunch and snacks for the day. Hunter needs to buy their own license. Up to 2 observers can come along at the outfi tters discretion of cost. This hunt takes place behind hounds through very tough terrain.

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4 hunters, 10 days in South Africa with Zembe Safaris Includes all daily fees, fi rst-class lodging and meals. Trophies are per price list (see website for additional details). Based in Mpumalanga and on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park, Zembe Safaris has access to some of the best private hunting concessions in an area known for its trophy quality dangerous game and abundance of plains and bushveld animals. An additional hunter can be added for $350 per day and a non-hunter for $250 per day.

Montana Deer Hunt, 5 days for 1 hunter in the Bull Mountains of Eastern MontanaThe Bull Mountains of Eastern Montana are famous for the quality of elk and deer that live along the Musselshell River. This hunt is for 1 hunter to enjoy 5 full days of hunting with Continental Divide Outfi tters on over 25,000 private acres east of Roundup, MT. Once you arrive, all meals, lodging, guiding and transportation are included. Schedule your dates for mid to late November to hunt either Mule Deer or Whitetail during the rut.

Guided Pheasant Hunt at Rooster Ridge Pheasant ClubThis will be a guided hunt with dogs and includes 8 ring necked pheasants at Rooster Ridge Pheasant Club - 250 acres of prime bird land located only 8 miles west on Mullan Road (from Reserve Street) in Missoula.

Lifetime Membership, Diamond Level, Front Sight Shooting Range in Pahrump, Nevada Diamond Membership allows you to attend ANY course held at Front Sight, Nevada FREE OF CHARGE, and as often as you wish, and a many times as you wish! To see a list of all courses visit frontsite.com. Does not include ammunition costs, fi rearms rental (if needed), lodging and travel expenses. If purchased at Front Sight, this membership would be $15,000!

Youth Duck Hunt with SCI member and Montana Mallards Director Jason Baker for 2 youth, 2 days, Dillon, MTThis is a Duck Hunt for 2 youth (with parents). You will never see more ducks, have more fun, and leave feeling more blessed than when you hunt with Jason Baker. Once youth reach the ranch, they will learn how to call ducks and geese, set decoys, set up blinds, camo, and how to hunt safely and ethically. Lodging, meals and travel arrangements are not provided. This is a SCIF item and benefi ts the Western Montana Chapter SCI Humanitarian Program.

Whitewater Rafting trip on Idaho’s Salmon River for 2 people, 5 day/4 night Action Whitewater Adventures provides deluxe meals, custom designed equipment and experienced, personable guides. The Main Salmon is a great trip for families and groups of friends. AWA uses three different styles and sizes of boats. As a result, trip participants can choose their ride from, “mild, to wild.” The Main Salmon River is a world class white water river that is appropriate for just about everyone. Winner also receives a 10% discount on additional adult Main Salmon reservations. This is valid for the 2015 season - June 18 through August 29.

4 Person Full Day Charter for Salmon and Halibut in Ketchikan, Alaska with Oasis Alaska ChartersIncludes salt water fi shing with licensed captain, all fi shing gear, 2 hotel rooms (double occupancy) for one night stay and one full ay of fi shing! Best fi shing is June – September. Must be booked within 10 days of purchase for 2015. We only book private charters, so you fi sh only with your friends and family. You are welcome to pay for additional days.

Hartebeest, Wildebeest and Blesbuck in South Africa for 10 days for 2 hunters (plus 2 non-hunters) with Makhulu Game Lodge & SafarisA 10 day hunt for 2 hunters and 2 observers with Makhulu Game Lodge & Safaris. Hunters must share (between them) 1 Blesbuck, 1 Black Wildebeest and 2 Red Hartebeest. Along with this hunt the hunters and observers will be taken on a day trip to the Vaal River for a day of fi shing. Observers may upgrade to hunters at no additional cost, but must hunt animals from price list. Accommodations, meals and beverages, transportation to/from Kimberley airport, and laundry are included. Other species can be added per price list (see website). Hunt is for 2015, but can be taken in 2016 (price list for additional species will be 2016 list). Outfi tter will be at banquet!

Getaway to Phillipsburg - 5 days/4 nights!Enjoy a LONG weekend (5 days/4 nights) in historic Phillipsburg. Dinner is provided by the Silver Mill Restaurant and lunch is at award winning UpNSmokn BBQ House! Accommodations will be in SCI member Bonita Smith’s guest cabin overlooking the Upper Flint Creek Valley (and just minutes away from Discovery Basin Ski area and Georgetown Lake). This is a Sables/SCIF Item.

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Be A Sponsor and Share a Fun Filled Evening with Family & Friends

Bronze ($350) You receive:

Sponsor Gift - Kuiu or Sitka Hat2 banquet tickets 2 bottomless beer glasses (Lolo Peak Brewing Company!)

1 in 4 chance of a Pro LT Behring Knife ($199 value)

An excellent start to an evening at your SCI banquet. More than $450 in value!

Silver ($900) - Gets the entire table (only 6 available)!You receive:

Recognition during the banquet (over the PA System) for your support!Sponsor Gift - Pro LT Behring Knife ($199 value)8 banquet tickets8 bottomless beer glasses (Lolo Peak Brewing Company!)1 bottle of wine2 one-year SCI Memberships (must be new members)

Enjoy the table, the recognition, and the evening! More than $1300 in value!

Gold ($1200) - Gets the entire table (only 3 available)!You receive:

Recognition during the banquet (over the PA System) for your support!

8 banquet tickets8 bottomless beer glasses (Lolo Peak Brewing Company!)8 drink tickets (for mixed drinks)2 bottles of wine2 one-year SCI Memberships (must be new members)1 free ad in an issue of our quarterly newsletterRecognition (w/company logo) on the Western Montana SCI website

Optional banner hung at the banquet.

Enjoy the table, the recognition, and the evening! More than $1600 in value!

The Western Montana Chapter of Safari Club International is again offering table sponsorship opportunities at our 16th

excellent chance of winning or receiving exclusive prizes for being a table sponsor.

What does it cost? basis and there are limited quantities of each. Read on to learn more...

WESTERN MONTANA CHAPTER

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Western Montana Chapter of SCI

www.westernmtsci.org

Pro LTBehring Knife

2015 Sponsorship Opportunities

16th ANNUAL BANQUET April 18, 2015 | Hilton Garden Inn, Missoula

2015

SilverSponsor Level GiftSilver

vel Gift

More than $4500 in value!

Pro LTBehring Knife

SilverSponsor Level Gift

Purchase your table online at www.westernmtsci.org. Questions? scott@westernmtsci.org.gg

Purchase your table online at www.westernmtsci.orgg. Questions? scott@westernmtsci.org.

Only 1 left as of print date!

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The Gift of Hunting to a Granddaughter was Purchased at 2014 Banquet

LA - 24MULE DEER OR WHITE TAIL HUNT

5 DAYS FOR 1 HUNTER

Bull Mountains of Eastern MontanaContinental Divide Outfitters

The Bull Mountains of Eastern Montana are famous for the quality of elk and deer that live along the Musselshell River. This hunt is for 1 hunter to enjoy 5 full days of hunting with Continental Divide Outfitters on over 25,000 private acres east of Roundup, MT (Unit 590). Once you arrive, all meals, lodging, guiding and trans-portation are included. Schedule your dates for mid to late November to hunt either Mule Deer or Whitetail during the rut. The winning bidder can bring ad-ditional hunters (up to 3 more) at a reduced rate. With the terrain and amount of deer in this area this is a great hunt for any skill and physical fitness level. Come and see why Babe Winkleman’s Outdoor Secrets and Bob Foulkrod’s Winchester Legends TV series’ have planned on hunting with us this fall. Value: $4,500.00

Western Montana Chapter SCI

2014 Annual Banquet & Fundraiser

Sold to

Bidder RandAll Kanter

Randall Kanter purchased this hunt for his twelve year old granddaughter Kennedy Kant-er.

In her fi rst year of big game hunting Kennedy harvest a nice 4 point mule deer with Conti-nental Divide Outfi tters and an antelope. Her Grandma Velva said Kennedy is super excited and can’t wait till next year!

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Hunti

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..One Shot from First Year Hunter!by Isabell Gilleard

The thermometer reads -4 degrees, the wind is blowing and there is a blanket of freshly fallen snow. My dad shakes me awake, I make a quick glance at the clock it is 6:30 am. I moan as I get up to eat and get ready for the hunt. Layered in many layers of thick clothing

Dad and I get in the truck and set out for our hunting site.

The air is crisp and bitter. We begin trudging up the steep mountain side. Finally after 45 minutes of hard work and climbing we make it to the old logging road. The longer we walk the stronger the scent of elk becomes. My hands have frozen through my gloves, my nose is as red as Rudolph’s, and my toes are numb. After several minutes of walking along the cold, hard road Dad spots two bull elk up on the ridge.

Once we get close enough to see them clearly and take a shot. I pick out the elk that I want and start to set up. The gun is ready to fi re, and so am I. I pull off my gloves and right when I have him in my cross hairs he steps behind a tree. I wait a few minutes, but he never moves. I am wasting time, so I slowly move myself farther up the mountain. The elk is within shooting distance and his vitals are in sight. Once again I am ready to fi re; I line up the crosshairs and BOOM! The elk takes about ten steps before collapsing. My heart is racing! “Good Job!” Dad says. I don’t reply, but continue to walk towards where the elk had fallen.

Dad told he was going to see where the other elk had went and I’m nearly to the elk when he catches up to me. He taps the elk, but it doesn’t move. So, he hands me the elk rack and pulls out his phone. The whole time I was thinking… Just take the picture! I’m freezing!!!!! Then after many minutes of trying to send the picture to who knows who. Dad fi nally has me hold the legs as he begins to gut the elk explaining to me how you should do it. At fi rst we couldn’t fi nd the bullet entrance, but once we got all the guts out we realized that I had exploded his lungs!

Once back at the truck and as I thaw out my hands, toes, and nose I am thinking, “I never want to do it again!” and, “This is fun let’s do it again!”

I am very grateful I was able to experience this moment with my Dad. Thank you!

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Cynthie FisherWildlife Artist

(406)375-1445www.fi sherart.com

cynthie@fi sherart.com

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I fi rst heard about the Boone and Crockett Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch at the Bitterroot Youth Expo. My dad told me that I should consider getting the necessary tasks done at the expo to be entered into the drawing for a camp there. Luke was at the youth

expo, and I talked with him about it, and he told me a little bit about how it was set up for kids to have a good time.

After the expo, my dad got a call from Tom Powers from the Wild Sheep Foundation letting him know that I had been selected for a camp. Due to a cancellation, a friend of mine, Landon was also able to go with me, which helped me be a little more relaxed about spending a week with strangers.

Upon arrival at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch, we were shown to our rooms. After settling in, we gathered in the main room to introduce ourselves and play some games. Landon and I roomed together with another kid from Wyoming. Before dinner we again gathered together and brainstormed things we wanted to do for the remainder of the week including - fi shing, trapping, knots, survival skills, hiking, etc. A really good dinner and a game of capture the fl ag ended our fi rst day.

The fi rst full day of camp we opted to go fi shing. Once at the creek we fi shed for trout, and ended up chasing and catching garter and water snakes. We also hiked along the creek to a small pond. We did catch some fi sh there as well. One of the things I liked about this camp was the opportunity and time available to visit with the other campers. I spent some time talking to a boy from Canada about trapping. We traded stories and ideas, as he had trapped a

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Camp 2014by Gunnar Ulberg

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lot, and had some really good ideas. He also used some different tools than I do, so we had a good time talking about that. I showed the others how to set a trap for gophers and dead-falls for rabbits. After this, I got the nick-name of "Trapper Boy".

Subject experts also came to the ranch to share their expertise with us. On the second full day of camp we had a bear expert come in and review bear facts, mainly about behavior and identifi cation. She also shared several pictures from game cameras setup around the ranch. A dinosaur expert also visited and we were able to hike and fi nd several examples of different fossils.

The Camp Director and all around awesome guy, Luke, taught us about scoring elk, making survival shelters, survival bracelets, different methods to start fi re and other outdoor skills. Each day was fi lled with an outdoor activity and fun time. We fi shed in creeks and at the reservoir, we hiked and watched deer and we ate really good food. The other campers were fun to be around, even though we all had different backgrounds, and I would recommend this camp to anyone who likes the outdoors or wants to learn more.

Editor’s Note: This camp and many others will be available to attendees of the 2015 Youth Expo (see page 2 for details.

The view of the mountains as you drive toward the main lodge at the TRM Ranch. Above: Gunnar Ulberg

Western Montana Chapter SCIPO Box 16142Missoula, MT 59808

Membership InformationMembers receive 7 issues of SAFARI magazine and 12 issues of SAFARI Times newspaper annually. A portion of the member-ship dues is applied to subscription and fulfi llment. Dues payment is not a tax donation. All membership fees are accepted in U.S. funds only. For information on an SCI Chapter in your area, visit www.SafariClub.org or call Member and Chapter Services at 1-888-486-8724.

Advertising Rates

1/8 page (3.86” wide x 2.30” tall) for $40.00 per issue

1/4 page (3.86” wide x 4.60” tall) for $75.00 per issue

National and Local Membership Application for US, Canada & MexicoMail Application and Dues to: Safari Club International • 4800 East Gates Pass Road • Tucson • Arizona • 85745-9490 • USA

Name:Address:City, State/Province, Zip/Postal code:Phone:Email:

*If you are interested in or have questions about joining the Safari Club International, Western Montana Chapter, please contact Traci or

Autumn at (406) 273-7224.

Payment informationTotal Amount Due:

My check is enclosed Charge my Credit Card Visa MC Amex Discover DinersName on Credit Card:Credit Card number: Exp Date:Card holder’s Signature:

Membership Options1 Year - National Membership $65.001 Year - Local Chapter Dues $20.003 Year - National Membership $150.003 Year- Local Chapter Dues $60.00Life - National Membership $1500.00

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMISSOULA, MTPERMIT NO.74

If you are a NEW member, your first year of national dues are only $35.00!