Spring on the Rocky Mountain Front

[Ben Lamb]

It was far too nice a day to spend in the office, or at home working, so I decided to head to the Sun River Working Group meeting tonight in Augusta few hours early. Saw lots of deer, a few elk (most vacated within the last 24 hours), tons of raptors, a few curlews, pronghorn, and a few ewes. Also saw a wolf out on the flats east of 437. Big bastard. Would make a fine rug and skull mount.

Meeting was great, some good news and bad news. According to FWP, elk look like they wintered well and initial counts show strong numbers all around. Bighorns are having problems though. Out of 7 sheep studied, 3 had issues with a immuno disorder. Mule deer remain low, and the management regime will be restrictive with some possible changes in the future. I started going to these meetings a few years ago as a part of our involvement in the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front. I kept coming back, and have developed a huge amount of respect for their wisdom and conservation ethic. The Sun River elk, and other species are in good hands with this crew.

To see more of what we're doing on the Front, check out the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front's website.

Some shots from the day:

 

[Ben Lamb]

Tony Bynum has a great Slide show of the Front too. I love the ground blizzard.

 

[Lawnboy]

Thanks for the pictures Ben. But what are you doing up at 2 am typing? Get some sleep fella.

 

[noharleyyet]

Purty country indeed...thanks Ben.

 

[Goldtip]

Great looking pics ben, thanks for sharing.

 

[shoots-straight]

Greened up nicely there. Thanks for the pictures Ben.

 

[Horn Seeker]

Love that country...I hope they take care of the muleys up there....

 

[Ben Lamb]

Me too. They did some emergency closures last year, and I hope they go a little more restrictive this year on B tags.

Some days I look at the places I get to "work" and wonder what I did to deserve this.

 

[TheTone]

Love the front, got a friend up there that I don't mind visiting on occasion. The winters seem a tad harsh IMO.

 

[highmountian]

Awesome pictures, Thanks.

 

[mdunc8]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Randy11]

I read about yours and Tony`s presentation here in Missoula about an hour before it started. Wish I wouldn`ve saw it earlier, would`ve loved to have seen it.

 

[Ben Lamb]

WE had a good turn out considering that it was the first nice day of the year. About 45 folks came. Tony's slide show is a tough act to follow.

We're hoping to go to Kallispell and Bozeman with the presentation. Will post those dates if they get lined up.

 

[mtmiller]

We're hoping to go to Kallispell and Bozeman with the presentation. Will post those dates if they get lined up.

When was Havre again? I know Tony is planning on shooting over here this month anyway.

 

[Ben Lamb]

June is the next round of presentations. If you think we could get a good audience, I'd be happy to put Havre on the schedule!