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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale had a great talk with one of Montana's top fishing guides, Don Wilkins. Rigger found out that Don is still out guiding folks on Fort Peck Reservoir, which you don't find many guides that do that this late in the season. So, Rigger figured that he obviously must be catching something out there. Spoiler Alert: yes, he is catching a lot! What he is catching, what is he using to do that and where is he finding them? Well, if you want to know all that then this podcast is for you! Another thing that Don Wilkins was kind enough to share was some fantastic advice about the upcoming ice fishing season. Including the main things, you should be checking for with your ice fishing gear? Don also shared what his favorite gear is to use which is extremely valuable advice since he knows a TON about all that gear. That way your favorite locally owned sporting goods store can get it all ordered for you so it will be here in time for when the lakes of Montana freeze over. Don also does guided ice fishing trips as well as what he calls "Tag a Long Trips". What are those? If you want to learn how to become a safe, incredible ice fishing expert then you FOR SURE NEED TO LISTEN NOW!

Links:

• See what Don and his clients have been catching lately? Click here and browse his 56 Fishing Guide Service Facebook Page and take a look at all those great pictures!
• There are lots of ways you can book a trip with Don Wilkins! Just Click here to see links and click any of those listed. 
• You can also just give Don a call at (406) 407-6648.
• Click here to email Don Wilkins with any questions you have.
• If you want a list of all of Don's recommended ice fishing gear, click here and tell Rigger you want the list of Don's recommended gear, and he will email it to you right away!

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with Heath Headley, FWP Fisheries Biologist for Fort Peck Reservoir in Northeast Montana. When you listen to this podcast you will hear Rigger and Heath cover the Chinook, or King Salmon, egg collection effort that recently was completed as well as several other things about the mighty Kings of Fort Peck. In fact, one of the questions that Rigger was dying to get an answer to was why were the King Salmon that were caught in the reservoir this year so much bigger than they usually are? In fact, the State Record was broken this year and several other Kings that were caught were darn close to breaking the record as well. Do you think you know the answer to that question? Be sure and listen to this podcast right now to find out. Another major question that gets answered in this podcast is how many King Salmon eggs did Heath, and his crew collect and take to the hatchery in Fort Peck recently? Did they collect more or less that last year? How does that number compare to the largest number of eggs they have ever collected? Yeah you just have to listen to this one as not only did those questions get answered but many, many more did as well. All the secrets of what makes the King Salmon tick in Fort Peck Reservoir are revealed in this fascinating podcast!

Links:

• To learn more about the Chinook or King Salmon in Fort Peck Reservoir, click here.
• To see a picture of and learn more about the new State Record King Salmon, click here! To what this monster get caught, click here!
• If you would like to learn more about the Fort Peck Hatchery, Click here . 
• For additional information about this year's King Salmon egg collection along with some pictures, click here.
• To learn about the Fort Peck Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan click here. 
• Click here to read the entire undated version of the "FORT PECK RESERVOIR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN" covering 2024 through 2033!
• Still have more questions about the King Salmon or anything else swimming around in Fort Peck Reservoir? Click here to email Heath Headley.
• What did you think of this Podcast? Click here to email Downrigger Dale!

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale spent an information packed hour with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Wildlife Manager for Region 2, Liz Bradley. Liz and Rigger covered it all from where to find the Elk, Mulies and Whitetail Deer to the best spots to bag some Grouse, Waterfowl and yes even, though rare for the area, the elusive Pronghorn. Liz even covered some great ideas on where to find Black Bears, Mountain Lions and more! Rigger got all the questions he could think of answered, including things like what type of hunting the region is most noted for, what the private land hunting accessibility is like, what the biggest challenges the region is currently facing and what the biggest accomplishments Liz and her crew have made recently! West-Central Montana can be an extremely successful place to hunt IF you know all the current information about the area and this Podcast is THE place to get all of that, so get to listening and then go have a successful hunt!

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Big Game Hunting Forecast for Region 2.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 2, click here.
• Wildlife Manager Liz Bradley also mentioned a great report for you Region 2 Elk Hunters called the 2024 State of the Elk for Region 2. Click here to read the latest version of that report! 
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 2 Facebook Page by clicking here! Or why not signup to get regular updates by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner Map.
• To learn more about the FWP Region 2 Block Management Program as well as to get property maps and more for Region 2 click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana hunting regulations.
• To learn how to collect a CWD sample from your harvested animal click here.
• Do you have questions or comments for Region 2 Wildlife Manager Liz Bradley? Click here to send her an email.
• Click here to send Downrigger Dale an email.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale got together with Brett Dorak, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Wildlife Manager for Region 7 in Southeast Montana. Rigger and Brett had a great conversation about ALL the hunting opportunities you can find there in Southeast Montana, and boy are there a lot of them. They went through all the usual big game favorites like Elk, Mule and Whitetail Deer and Antelope or more appropriately known as Pronghorn but they also covered several other things you may not know are in Region 7 as well as some things that have gone on that we are pretty sure you have no idea about. For example did you know that they found out that Bobcats have been going after a certain animal there that you probably would never think they would ever be able to kill? Oh you got to hear about this! You will also learn about some recent amazing accomplishments in FWP Region 7. We will give you a hint; one of those accomplishments has to do with you having more access to land you can now hunt on! Of course one of the most important things you will learn when you listen to this podcast is where the best places are to find all the Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bear, Lions, Pheasants and the list goes on. If you love to hunt in Southeast Montana or have ever thought about hunting there or just wondered what all the wildlife is doing and where you can find them, then this podcast is for your!
Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Big Game Hunting Forecast for Region 7.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 7, click here.
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 7 Facebook Page by clicking here! Or why not signup to get regular updates by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner Map.
• To learn about the Region 7 Block Management Program and get property maps and more click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana hunting regulations.
• To learn how to collect a CWD sample from your harvested animal click here.
• Do you have questions or comments for Region 7 Wildlife Manager Brett Dorak? Click here to send him an email. 
• Questions for Downrigger Dale click here to send him an email.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale continues our series on where to find the game you are looking for this 2024 hunting season. This time he had an incredible conversation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Wildlife Manager, Neil Anderson. Neil spilled the beans on where to find the Elk, Deer, Black Bear, Wolf, Upland Game Bird, Waterfowl and everything else you can hunt in FWP Region 1! If you hunt in Region 1 in Northwest Montana, have ever even thought of hunting there or maybe just wondered what all kind of wildlife you can find up there, then you should listen to this podcast right now! Neil talked about how the region is laid out, how to get around, what things to watch out for (both good and bad) and well, you get the idea. This is yet another podcast in this series that truly will fill you in on where to go, what to look out for and even how to plan your hunt for maximum success! Plus there are even some fun stories! For example do you know that the town of Libby Montana has a problem with with a certain animal that has kind of invaded the town? What kind of critter do you suppose has gone urban there in Libby?  No it is not Deer, Elk or bear, listen now to find out! It is for sure something you don't hear about very often! All this awesome info is just awaiting for you so get to listening and be ready to out hunt every one in Region 1 in Northwest Montana!

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Big Game Hunting Forecast for Region 1.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 1, click here. 
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 1 Facebook Page by clicking here! Or why not signup to get regular updates by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner Map.
• Learn more about the Region 1 Block Management Program and get property maps and more for Region 1 click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana hunting regulations.
• To learn how to collect a CWD sample click here.
• Questions or comments for Wildlife Manager, Neil Anderson? Click here to send him an email.
• Click here to send an email to Downrigger Dale.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks to Montana FWP Wildlife Manager Cory Loecker to find out what the hunting will be like in North Central Montana Region 4. Cory and Rigger covered that region inside and out and Cory gave information on how healthy the Elk, Deer and Antelope herds are as well as where the best places are to find them. Spoiler Alert: Things are looking pretty darn good for those! But Cory dished out even more! He went over the outlook for success if you want to hunt Black Bear, Mountain Lions, Waterfowl, Pheasants and all kinds of other Upland Game Birds. Heck he even covered what the hunting outlook was for Turkeys and yes even Wolves and more! In other words if it runs, flys, creeps, crawls, stocks, sneaks or anything else in North Central Montana, he covered it! This podcast is basically a treasure trove of information for any hunter that wants the most up to date information to increase their hunting success no matter what they want to hunt in North Central Montana! This Podcast FOR SURE needs to be on your playlist if you want to be ahead of all the rest of the hunters in that region. So could this Podcast get any better? YES and it is! Rigger and Cory also talked about hunting access, what the main challenges are for the region and even what the top successes Cory and his crew have had in improving the wildlife management in Region 4! In fact Downrigger got a little personal with Wildlife Manager Loecker and even got him to spill the beans on what his favorite game is to hunt. So what are you waiting for? Get to listening!!

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Big Game Hunting Forecast for Region 4.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 4, click here. 
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 4 Facebook Page by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner Map.
• To learn more about the FWP Region 4 Block Management Program as well as to get property maps and more for Region 4 click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana hunting regulations.
• To learn how to collect a CWD sample from your harvested animal click here.
• Do you have questions or comments for Region 4 Wildlife Manager Cory Loecker? Click here to send him an email!
• Questions for Downrigger Dale?

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale traveled to the FWP Region 3 Headquarters in Bozeman and sat down with Wildlife Manager Warren Hansen and Information & Education Manager Morgan Jacobsen. They went through all the hunting opportunities in Southwest Montana. As Rigger put it; “Wow! I did not realize just how amazing Montana Region 3 really is! There is A LOT of game out there to hunt and Warren and Morgan really know their stuff!”. When you listen you will learn about how healthy the Elk, Deer and Antelope herds are and best of all where you can find them but that is not all! The boys of Region 3 went on to talk about Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolves and more! They talked numbers, locations, future game forecasts, hunt planning, hunting access and list goes on and on. Oh, and guess what the percentage is of all Elk harvested in Montana that are taken from Region 3! Listen and find out! This really is the definitive deep dive into everything Region 3 has to offer and when you listen you will have a great advantage over all the other hunters who didn’t. This is yet another great podcast for anyone who wants to increase their knowledge about hunting and getting outdoors under the Big Sky!

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Big Game Hunting Forecast for Region 3.
• To learn more about Region 3 click here.
• Get ongoing updates on the Region 3 Facebook Page by clicking here.
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner Map.
• Learn more about FWP Region 3 Block Management and get maps and more click here.
• Click here to get all Montana hunting regulations.
• To learn how to collect a CWD sample from your harvested animal click here.
• To see pictures of the Region 3 library that Rigger talked about, click here.
• Questions or comments for Region 3 Wildlife Manager Warren Hansen? Click here to send him an email. Or to contact Information & Education Manager Morgan Jacobsen, just click here!
• Questions for Downrigger Dale? Just click here to send him an email

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale continues his series about all the hunting opportunities across Montana. This week he talks with Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson to find out where the best places are to find Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetails, Antelope, Turkeys, Pheasants, Waterfowl and more! Scott gives all kinds of detailed information about all those things and more. In fact, Rigger and Scott got into a great conversation about landowner participation in the block management program in Region 6 and boy you have to listen to the podcast and hear what Scott had to say about that! Wow!!! Another very interesting question that Rigger asked Scott what his favorite thing was to hunt in Region 6. What do you suppose his answer was? You guessed it, you will need to listen to the podcast to find out. We think the answer may surprise you! Another interesting thing that surprised Rigger was just how big this hunting region is. Especially when Scott told him how long it takes to drive across the region from East to West. Listen now to find out the answer to that question! This podcast is absolutely LOADED with fantastic information for anyone that loves to hunt in Region 6, has ever thought of hunting in Region 6 or is just curious about what is running, jumping, creeping or flying around in Region 6.

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Hunting Forecast for Region 6.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 6 click here.
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 6 Facebook Page by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner map.
• To learn more about the FWP Region 6 Block Management Program as well as to get property maps and more for Region 6 click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana's hunting regulations.
• Do you have questions or comments for Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson? Click here to send him an email.
• Don’t forget your old buddy Downrigger Dale! He would love to hear your comments about this Podcast and any of your ideas for topics for future Podcasts. Just click here to send him an email.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with FWP Region 5 Wildlife Manager Matt Ladd about what the hunting opportunities will look like this year in his region. Matt and Rigger take a deep dive into Region 5 to discover which hunting districts in the region have the best hunting opportunities for Elk, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Antelope, Waterfowl, Upland Game Birds including Pheasants and Turkeys and more! When you listen to the podcast you will find out all kinds of super useful information about animal population sizes throughout the region, how much of Region 5 has public hunting opportunities, how much of it has private land that is open to hunters through the Block Management Program and the list goes on and on. If you love to hunt in Region 5, have ever thought about hunting there or are just looking to explore other areas of the Big Sky Country to hunt in then you need to listen to this Podcast! If you do you will be WAY ahead of all the other hunters with the excellent information Matt Ladd delivers just for you! And don’t miss next week’s Podcast when Rigger brings you all that info for Region 6! There will be more regions to discover in the weeks that follow as well so keep checking back right here on the Montana Outdoor Podcast! Yeah, this year all you Podcast Listeners will be the best prepared hunters in the State!

Links:

• Click here to look through the FWP Hunting Forecast for Region 5.
• If you would like to learn more about Region 5 click here. 
• You can also find more great ongoing updates on the Region 5 Facebook Page by clicking here!
• Click here to use the FWP Hunt Planner map.
• To learn more about the FWP Region 5 Block Management Program as well as to get property maps and more for Region 5 click here.
• Click here to get up to date on all Montana hunting regulations.
• Do you have questions or comments for Region 5 Wildlife Manager Matt Ladd? Click here to send him an email.
• Don’t forget your old buddy Downrigger Dale! He would love to hear your comments about this Podcast and any of your ideas for topics for future Podcasts. Just click here to send him an email.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

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This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with Tom Kobza owner of TKI CNC. Ever since poor old Downrigger has talked with Tom he has been wondering around with his mouth open in a constant state of amazement. Once we got him to snap out of it for a moment his first words were “Holy sh.. that guy is amazing. Each of the things he told me about that he has invented just made me slap my head and say why couldn’t have I thought of that? I know, because I am not magician…. I got to sit down, I am….” And then he went back to staring into space with his mouth open again. What Rigger is referring to are all the amazing things that Tom Kobza and his crew at TCI CNC have made for boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles and all kinds of other things we use outdoors. When you listen to the Podcast you will learn about the things he has designed and made like his unbelievable rod holders. We know you are probably saying “Rod holders! Those have been around forever how would anyone improve those?” That is what we said and then we saw the video and it blew our mind! So simple yet it has never been done or at least we have never seen anything like it. You really need to listen to this podcast. Oh, and there is much more that Tom and TKI CNC has come up with to make your outdoor gear become magical. How about this one…a heated brake lever for your snow machine! Again, so simple, so incredibly practical, yet, it has never been done until now. Your wife’s fingers (and truth be told yours too) will never be cold again. And the cool things just keep coming when you listen to the podcast. Where does he think of all this? Often out fishing with his wife on Fort Peck Reservoir or at home in Billings, MT. Ok, one more and then you must just stop reading and go listen. Tired of your game trail cameras getting stolen or broken? Well, they won’t be anymore! He will make them Big Foot proof! No really, he actually made some for a guy who goes out and looks for Big Foot! Is Big Foot real? Tom didn't ask, but that guy will never lose another trail camera. Enough, just go listen to this podcast! We are positive you will hear about something that will amaze you. Ok one more. He has also made some great stuff for ice fishermen be sure and listen for that too!

Links:

• Click here to learn more about Tom and TKI CNC and look at all the incredible things that will make your stuff work even better!
• Click here to watch that video about the Rod Holder we were telling you about!
• Click here to watch even more videos about all kinds of cool things!
• Do have a question or comment for Tom Kobza? Click here to send him an email.
• Please let Rigger know what you thought of this podcast! Just click here to email him!

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.