Hunting on the HiLine 2013, Volume 2: Lost River

Perhaps the biggest news in the local hunting scene this year is the opening of the new Wildlife Management Area just a few miles north of our house. The Lost River WMA was a recent land acquisition by the State of Montana, finalized within the past year, and now it is open for business.

Here’s a brief description of the area: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/fishAndWildlife/nr_0579.html

Formerly known as the Milk River Ranch, the Lost River covers an area of about 14 square miles. Evocative of a place forgotten by modern times, the land itself lives up to its name. It’s about 45 miles northwest of Havre, and only a short distance north and slightly east of our house.  It feels very remote.  Access roads are not well-maintained and in bad weather could prove problematic. Jeff and I drove up recently, before deer season opened, to investigate. Like so much of the countryside around here, it is easy to look around the Lost River WMA and envision tribal peoples roaming the land, chasing bison and tracking elk and deer.

The Lost River won’t be lost for long. With deer rifle season now open, hunters from across the HiLine and beyond are here to check out the newly opened public land in its first season of use: modern hunters again using the land to track elk and deer.

There’s a lot of terrain to cover and to hunt it effectively a person should be prepared to hike.  Hiking and participating with nature are my favorite aspects of hunting. With hunting company coming to our house again this weekend, I’m anxious to hopefully join Jeff and our friend in some on-foot exploration of the Lost River WMA. A full report of our findings will follow!

Until then, Happy Hunting, wherever you may be!