BOZEMAN – Montana State University assistant professor Eric Sproles, an expert on snow and water science, told a national audience Tuesday that this year’s warm, dry weather in the western United States is exactly what scientists would expect to see given current conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Sproles, in a live interview with CBS anchor Errol Barnett, said the weather is warmer and drier than usual because of the periodic phenomenon known as El Niño, which causes warm waters in the Pacific to push the jet stream south of its usual position. El Niño results in mild winters in the northern U.S. and wetter conditions in the Gulf Coast and southeast regions of the country.
Sproles said during the network’s “Climate Watch” segment that when precipitation does occur in an El Niño year, it’s often in the form of rain rather than snow, resulting in below average snowpacks.
In the western U.S., Sproles said, “snow is our savings account” that slowly recharges groundwater and streams as it melts in the warmer months. A dry winter may impact agriculture and hydropower generation later in the year, he said.
Asked whether the West should brace for a difficult wildfire season ahead, Sproles said a lack of snow may enhance fire conditions but that it’s too soon to make fire predictions.
He said recognizing that a drought is occurring can help western communities evaluate whether they will need to “tighten the belt a little bit” in terms of water usage in the months ahead.
Sproles is an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Scienceand director of the Geospatial Snow, Water and Ice Resources Lab and Geospatial Core Facility.
Picture this: the crisp morning air, the rustle of leaves beneath your boots, and the adrenaline running through your veins as you embark on the ultimate hunting quest. With your level of preparation, you’re expecting a successful day out in the fields, which may turn out not to be the case. Even the most experienced big game hunters sometimes confess to moments of unpreparedness and poor hunting performance. Below we share some of the top tips and tricks that will help you succeed in your big game hunting adventures.
Prepare Your Gear
Whether you’re coming from a long hunting break or are cleaning up for the next successive hunting adventure, your gear needs to be in shape before you set out for a hunt. Big game hunting is especially demanding when it comes to picking your gear. You have to select the right rifle, binoculars, boots, and ammunition for a successful hunt.
The terrain, hunting ground and the weather are key factors to consider when choosing your hunting gear. You may have to bring your tent in case it rains or decoys and overalls for wading into a pond. A night prior to your hunting day, ensure your magazines are unloaded of all ammunition and cleaned. You can hang them safely on a wall mounted magazine holder for easy access when you need them.
Scout and Stalk Your Hunting Spots
Scouting and stalking actually happen before and during the hunting sessions. If you’re doing this before your hunt, you’d want to find out about the hunting territories and borderlines, so you know where to set up your tents and what to hunt. You’ll also be learning about hunting factors like wind direction and camouflage so you know how to position yourself during the hunt.
During the hunt, you can scout your target game to learn their behavior, footprints, and scent so you can follow and attack without blowing your cover. Good scouting and stalking skills will ultimately bring in the admired success. However, you’ll need time and consistency before you can master the skills.
Perfect Your Aim
Successful hunting is all about hitting the target. One of the areas you should invest most of your training time is in shooting and target practice. Shooting practices not only get you the skills to aim perfectly but also help you build a bond with your weapon.
You will know how to react when your weapon jams and how to adjust your shooting positions accordingly to find the right angle. All in all, you’ll equally master the patience of tracking your target and the stability of taking an accurate shot.
Check Your Hunting License
A lack of a hunting license would jeopardize your return to hunting on opening day. If yours is expired, ensure you renew it on time or register for a new one if you’re going into new hunting grounds.
The best way to secure your hunting rights is to apply for a lifetime license that accords your lifetime hunting rights on a specific spot every year for the rest of your life. You could also include an ‘additional privilege package’ that allows you to access the stated privileges for the rest of your life.
Your hunting success is as good as your preparation and your agility during the hunt. Getting the best results starts by learning your weak areas and working towards improving them. Remember always to exercise care and caution even after you’ve trained exhaustively.
HELENA – Groups or individuals interested in constructing or improving a community fishing pond have until Feb. 1 to apply for a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Community Pond Program grant. The objective of the Community Pond Program is to enhance public fishing opportunities in or near Montana communities by providing funding that may be used to construct or improve a public fishing pond.
A total of $200,000 in grant funds is available for projects on ponds that offer public fishing opportunities. Past projects include building habitat structures, dock installations, pond dredging, ADA-accessible angling amenities and the purchase of aerators.
Applicants must provide at least 30 percent of the total project cost, which can include contributions such as heavy equipment time, construction materials, labor, engineering services and more. Anyone wishing to sponsor a project may apply.
Since 2003, the Community Pond Program has funded projects that benefit young anglers and their families by providing locations where individuals of all ages can learn angling skills. Additional information on the Community Pond Program, including a grant application form, click here.
Applications, which are accepted each year, must be received on or before Feb. 1. Applicants are required to contact their local FWP fisheries biologist to obtain project support. For more information, contact Michelle McGree, FWP Program Officer, at 406-444-2432 or mmcgree@mt.gov.
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