On the road again..this time Montana

[Bob R]

I will be leaving for northeastern montana (around glacier nat park) this weekend. I will be there for 3 months, at the very least. Unlike my trip to CA, this time I am considering a small arsenal to take with me.

So, any MT members that can recommend a place to shoot, pistol and rifle. Anyplace around that area to do battle with prarie dogs? I am open to any and all suggestions.

I plan on taking my M1A, AR10, and several pistols. I was considering taking my Swede Mauser, but not to sure on iron sighting prarie dogs!

bob

 

[Echo23TC]

Huh? My friend, I think you need to look a little closer at your map. Glacier is in Northwest Montana, not Northeast. However, assuming you will be around the park, there are plenty of places to go after columbian ground squirrels (aka gophers to most Montanans) on both sides of the divide, with more prairie dogs the further east you go. Give me a little more specific info on your whereabouts and I'll see if I can't shoot you some ideas on possible locations. Wherever you end up, ask around. You can luck into some unbelievable situations just by appearing competent and asking permission.

Whatever you do, don't forget to bring a .22! Pretty much all you need if you get into a gopher colony, they let you get fairly close. The centerfires are great on prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes, etc...

 

[Bob R]

DUH!!!!!!!!!

You are right, it is northwest (don't know why I wrote northeast). I will be living in Browning, which is on the blackfeet rez while I work there. Good call on the .22. Now which one will be the question. I love my Marlin 60 (semi). But I also have a single shot polish trainer that looks like a Mosin-Nagant that is unbelievably accurate. I think it would be fun with the trainer.

bob

 

[Echo23TC]

In that case, all you are going to have to do is ask around. I don't know if the Rez has specific regulations on hunting or not (ask at the tribal office), or just find a rancher outside the boundaries. I'd suggest working your way south towards Dupoyer and Choteau, alternately head east toward Cutbank and Shelby. Haunt the backroads, and talk to whoever will give you the time of day. Another good resource might be the Pondera County Conservation District in Conrad; the district administrator should be able to give you the names of some of the ranchers in the area to contact.

The gophers and Prairie dogs probably won't be out and about this time of year, but as spring approaches they come out and are vulnerable due to low grass heights. Coyotes and Fox are everywhere, especially if you can call. Also, since it's gonna be calving time soon, they will be after newborns. Ask at ranch houses for permission and directions; you are responsible if caught trespassing! If at all possible, have a truck with Montana license plates. I'm not saying you will get turned away because you are an out-of-stater, but it's possible. Good Luck!

If you get far enough south, gimme a holler and perhaps we can link up.

Bob

 

[TallPine]

The reservations have totally different rules than everywhere else, so make sure you find out what is allowed and what is not BEFORE you get into trouble.

Anywhere else in the state, as long as you are on NF or BLM land you can hunt or plink about anywhere you want, as long as you observe safety precautions.

Coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, gophers, etc are all "vermin" or non-regulated. No license required.

Mtn lion and bobcats are regulated, as well as the normal game species like deer and elk and bear.

Get a copy (even last years) of the hunting regs which will fill you in on the details.

Breathe lots of really free air while you are at it ....