Anthony Licata

An Overview of the Blue Lakes/Pine Forest Range

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:36:28 -0400

Situated in far northwestern Nevada just south of the Oregon border, Blue Lakes are the only alpine lakes in the region, and their value to anglers in the area is immeasurable. But, perhaps more importantly, is the value to the region for sportsmen all over America—it’s perhaps the best region to visit if you’re a chukar hunter, and if you’re interested in mule deer, pronghorn or bighorn sheep hunting, this is the corner of Nevada you’ll want to hit in search of big game.

Presently, the Pine Forest Range, including the Blue Lakes, is dotted by Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas. Some of these areas might warrant that wilderness designation, but others are likely better off being released from WSA designation to allow for some much-needed conservation work that is simply not allowed in WSAs.

This is prime sage grouse country that is threatened now by invasive vegetation—primarily cheat grass, which is the first vegetation, native or exotic, to establish itself after a disturbance, like a fire, for instance. Recovery work in WSAs is limited, which means a WSA impacted by an exotic vegetation invasion can’t be adequately treated.

The lakes themselves provide a high-quality backcountry fishing experience in a designated wilderness study area, with rainbow trout and the unusual tiger trout (a sterile hybrid of a brook trout and brown trout) on the angling menu. An open shoreline lends itself to sight-casting to surprisingly big trout, and it’s a modest hike, meaning toting a float tube into the lakes is not unheard of. Presently TU and Field & Stream are working with local sportsmen, elected officials and agency staff to reconsider the WSA situation in this region, with the hopes of protecting Blue Lakes and the watersheds that drain off the Pine Forest Range—many of these streams have the potential for Lahontan cutthroat trout reintroduction.

As it is, the area is a destination for upland bird hunters who love to chase the wily chukar, and for many, that’s enough to warrant protection. Throw in the fishing component, and Blue Lakes and the Pine Forest Range are high-quality sporting destinations that deserve long-term protection.

What’s in Blue Lakes and the Pine Forest Range?
Fishing assets: Rainbow trout, brown trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout, brook trout, tiger trout.
Hunting assets: Chukar, sage grouse, mule deer, bighorn sheep,
pronghorn.
Other: This is a recreational paradise for desert-loving hikers, cyclists and off-road enthusiasts.

Threats: This area is threatened by a cheat grass invasion that has surpassed epidemic proportions. Additionally, unsustainable populations of wild horses and burros overgraze the fragile desert flora.

Also, limitations on what can be done to improve or recover wildlife habitat in designated wilderness study areas hinder any large-scale efforts to make habitat more welcoming to important game animals.

An Overview of the Cabinet and Yaak Mountains

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:31:28 -0400

It might be tough to believe, but Montana hasn’t protected any of its pristine backcountry fish and game habitat as wilderness in over a generation—the last attempt to create wilderness in the Treasure State was vetoed by President Ronald Reagan over 25 years ago. That’s not to say wilderness doesn’t exist outside those areas already protected in Montana —far from it. But politics and a host of factors have come into play, leaving some of the most deserving fish and game habitat in the state essentially unprotected and exposed to various forms of incursion, be it from mining, oil and gas or even just unneeded road construction.

Field & Stream and Trout Unlimited, sensing an opportunity, have rallied behind U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, the product of a collaborative series of negotiations and meetings that will hopefully result in the creation of new wilderness across Montana, including areas in the state’s northwest corner in the fabled Cabinet and Yaak mountains.

To make the effort even more palatable to a vast array of public lands users, the bill also includes a logging component that will put Montanans to work salvaging quality lumber from managed, low-country forests that are feeling the full brunt of the West’s mountain pine beetle infestation, as well as concessions to off-road vehicle and snowmobile enthusiasts who use public lands in the region as well. By protecting new wilderness in the state, Sen. Tester is ensuring the long-term viability of hunting and fishing—these areas are healthy and populated with native west slope cutthroat trout, trophy herds of elk, moose, mule deer and pronghorn, as well as upland game birds like ruffed, blue and spruce grouse. Wilderness, it turns out, is a great place to fish and hunt, and by setting aside irreplaceable public lands under our nation’s highest protective status, we’ll protect our rights to access, fish and hunt in these remarkable places now ... and for generations to come.

What’s in the Cabinet-Yaaks?
Fishing assets: Native west slope cutthroat trout, native bull trout, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.
Hunting assets: Elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, bear, wolf, lion, ruffed, blue and spruce grouse.
Other: This region rests along the Montana-Idaho-British Columbia border and includes high-priority recreational country for sportsmen as well as off-roaders and snowmobilers. Designating this land as wilderness while conceding other, lower-quality public lands for extractive uses, like logging, makes this effort unique.

Threats: Protecting as wilderness these and other high-quality backcountry areas will prevent unnecessary hard-rock mining and segregate important fish and game habitat from future road or motorized trail incursion. Protecting this area also protects downstream water quality.

An Overview of the Gila Mountains

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:26:31 -0400

Situated in far southern New Mexico, the Gilas boast some of the most remote backcountry fish and game habitat in the Lower 48. More importantly, this range of rugged mountains is home to one of the nation’s most rare salmonids, the native Gila trout.

Once on the verge of extinction, TU and other conservation groups, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, have worked to restore these beautiful native fish to their home waters.

Additionally, the area provides outstanding opportunity for anglers pursuing a host of game fish in the middle and lower reaches of the Gila River. Fortunate anglers can catch smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout and even catfish in the warmer, lower reaches of the river.

Hunters, too, have reason to visit the Gilas—huge elk and deer populations grace this country, as does a prime population of wild turkeys. On the Gilas dryer and lower slopes, quail are common and provide excellent sport for the upland bird hunter.

The mountains, too, shelter some of the region’s priceless cultural artifacts, including remote cliff dwellings from an ancient Native American civilization that to this day puzzles modern archaeologists.

Unfortunately, the area is being impacted by excessive and illegal off-road vehicle use. Pioneered trails are bisecting big game habitat and contributing silt and sediment to the Gila’s trout streams.

Cross-country travel is creating a spider web of improperly maintained trails that wash out during storms and rut deeply, permanently scarring otherwise habitable land for game and fish.

Properly maintaining legal trails is important to the Best Wild Places project—there are no efforts to close legal routes. But illegal and unofficial routs that impact habitat—and hunting and fishing opportunity—must be closed and reclaimed.

It will fall to sportsmen and ORV users themselves to police bad actors and protect this place forever.

What’s in the Gilas?
Fishing assets: Native Gila trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, catfish, suckers and various warmwater species in lower reaches of the Gila River drainage.
Hunting assets: Elk, deer, turkey, quail, varmints.
Other: Remains of ancient Native American civilizations, ample camping and touring opportunities, hiking, geocaching, cycling, etc.

Threats: Increased presence of illegally “pioneered” off-road trails that impact habitat and hunting and fishing opportunity.

An Overview of the Alpine Triangle

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:16:20 -0400

In the high-country heart of southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains rests 180,000 acres of alpine habitat that has sheltered some of the best big game hunting and wild trout fishing in the southern Rockies for thousands of years.

The Alpine Triangle, named because it rests between three communities at it’s “corners”—Lake City, Ouray and Silverton—is a rare stretch of Bureau of Land Management real estate in the heart of traditional “forest” country. Not only does it shelter outstanding wild and native trout habitat, and prime big-game habitat for mule deer, elk and especially bighorn sheep, it’s home to a unique cultural heritage that is truly “old Colorado.”

Literally thousands of abandoned mines and old mining ghost towns dot the landscape, making it possible for visitors on foot or on motorized vehicle to catch a glimpse what Colorado was like over a century ago. The area is a recreational paradise, offering opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized access to some of the most scenic country in the West for hiking, fishing and hunting.

Our efforts on the Triangle are simple—we’d like to keep it just like it is. We’d like to cement in place the existing motorized access points and trails, and protect some of this world-class habitat that’s already managed as de facto wilderness today under the BLM wilderness study program as permanent wilderness. The fact that not much would change should we successfully create the Alpine Triangle National Conservation Area isn’t lost on sportsmen and women—the status quo, in this case, is the best management plan.

Unfortunately, the area isn’t without a threat—with mineral prices at record highs, there could be some interest in revisiting some of the mining practices in this area that historically hindered water quality downstream for many miles. Given that the Triangle is the source of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, the Uncompahgre, and the Animas rivers, new mining activity would not only tarnish the fishing and hunting resources of the Triangle, but likely damage vital downstream water resources. Damage that’s taken a century to heal (and there are streams within the area that require more treatment to even host fish populations) could be replicated all over again.

Protecting this unique area as a National Conservation Area would prohibit new mining activity and protect, in perpetuity, the historical recreational uses this area is known for.

What’s in the Alpine Triangle
Fishing assets: Native Colorado River cutthroat trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout.
Hunting assets: Elk, deer, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, bighorn sheep.
Other: A reminder of a time gone by—thousands of abandoned mines dot the mountains and accessible ghost towns are within easy reach of those visiting.

Threats: The threat of new hard-rock mining in this area is very concerning, especially since the antiquated 1872 Mining Act is still in place. Henson Creek as it runs off Engineer Pass.

An Overview of the Outlaw Triangle

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:34:02 -0400

The Outlaw Triangle is one of the most unique sporting regions in the lower 48. It's actually composed of two special places, the Little Mountain region of Wyoming, and the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam in far northeastern Utah. It's called the Outlaw Triangle because Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid used the area as a hideout in the late 1800s.
The trophy trout fishing in the Green below Flaming Gorge Dam actually extends all the way downstream into the way to the Colorado border, but the first 20 or 30 miles or so of this prized tailwater could rightfully be included in the West’s “top 10 list of best trout fisheries.” Huge brown and rainbow trout chase flies and lures in the three “sections” of the river, giving the Green the reputation as a trophy fishery. Couple that with the splendor of the canyon, and the need to protect this special place is magnified. Trout Unlimited and Field & Stream are working to achieve “Scenic” designation for this stretch of the Green, simply to ensure that it remains the pristine angling paradise it is today for generations to come.

Currently there is a proposal to pump 250,000 acre-feet of water out of the Green River annually, then to pipe it across Wyoming and down to the front range of Colorado. If this were to happen, both the fishery on the reservoir, and the tailwater would be dramatically threatened.

If the Green is vital as an irreplaceable fishery to anglers, the Little Mountain region of Wyoming, just a stone’s throw to the north of the river, is just as important to hunters. Home to trophy herds of elk and mule deer, as well as the occasional moose and thriving herds of pronghorn, Little Mountain is one of the Intermountain Region’s most-prized destinations for big game hunting. In addition to its massive herds, the region also boasts sage grouse and, in its aspen-cloaked slopes, ruffed grouse, making it an all-around destination for hunters.

Little Mountain isn’t without its attraction to the backcountry angler, either. Several populations of native Colorado River cutthroat trout swim in hidden streams on Little Mountain, making for some unique adventure for the “cast and blast” sportsman interested in a truly special experience in a remote, yet accessible public lands paradise.

Unfortunately, Little Mountain has captured the interest of the natural gas industry—proposals exist that would transform this sportsmen’s dreamscape into something significantly less. Trout Unlimited is working with local stakeholders in the communities of Rock Springs and Green River—many of them industry workers themselves—to craft a plan that would allow for responsible natural gas drilling while protecting the unique resources of this treasured landscape.

Even with a glut of natural gas on the market, however, and with prices reflecting that, industry in the West, and on Little Mountain in particular, is aggressively pursuing new “inventory,” presumably to ensure a long-term future for drilling on public lands in the West. While TU and Field & Stream aren’t opposed to developing our domestic resources, there is legitimate concern that irresponsible planning and extraction will continue to erode our sporting opportunity, which is a huge part of the Western culture and heritage.

What’s in the Green?
Fishing assets: Trophy rainbow and brown trout, a few lake trout a few cutthroat trout, and native whitefish.
Hunting assets: Big bucks and big bulls haunt the rims of the canyon. Ruffed and blue grouse, excellent fall waterfowl hunting.
Other: The Green is one of the best backcountry floats in the nation, winding through a largely inaccessible canyon, apart from just a handful off put-in and take-out points.

Threats: Continued development in the region is stressing the viability of the resource. Keeping it like it is today is becoming a larger priority for all sportsmen and women in the region. Currently there is a proposal to pump 250,000 acre feet of water out of the Green River annually, then to pipe it across Wyoming and down to the front range of Colorado.

What’s on Little Mountain?
Fishing assets: Native Colorado River cutthroat trout.
Hunting assets: Deer, elk, pronghorn, sage grouse, ruffed grouse, bear, lion.
Other: It’s a recreational retreat for surrounding local communities.

Threats: Oil and gas drilling on Little Mountain could sully otherwise healthy native trout streams and bisect irreplaceable big-game habitat, infringing on opportunity for all who fish and hunt.

An Overview of the Roan Plateau

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:21:50 -0400

The Roan Plateau in western Colorado is the “line in the sand” for the Western sportsman who values intact fish and wildlife habitat and a unique sporting opportunity amidst a sea of industrial development. The Roan, which comprises only 1.5 percent of the entire Piceance Basin, rests above significant reserves of natural gas, but also provides refuge for trophy mule deer, elk, grouse, bear, mountain lion and pure strains of Colorado River cutthroat trout.

Unfortunately, against the wishes of sportsmen, surrounding communities, and Colorado’s federal delegation, the Roan was leased for gas drilling in 2008. Trout Unlimited and a host of conservation groups who recognized the value of the Roan for future generations, immediately challenged the leases in court, and that’s where the issue rests today—in the hands of a judge.

One important note: Trout Unlimited and Field & Stream have never opposed drilling for the gas beneath the Roan. Instead, we’ve proposed several ways to drill for the gas using state-of-the-art directional drilling techniques, phased in leasing, drilling and reclamation and plans to protect the Roan’s fragile streams. In these streams swim a unique strain of Colorado River cutthroat trout that has evolved isolated above an impassible waterfall. These fish are pure-strain cutthroats, and their environment is already pretty austere. Drilling for natural gas, particularly in this area, where industry oversight when it comes to safety and environmental protection has been lax, might be the one thing that would wipe out these priceless fisheries.

Working with hunters, anglers and guides and outfitters, Field & Stream and TU will not give up the Roan to wholesale drilling without a fight. With a glut of natural gas on the market today, and with technology available to ensure drilling won’t harm fish and game habitat, we see no need to sacrifice any further.

In addition to its fisheries, the Roan is home to excellent big-game hunting opportunities for deer, elk, bear and lion, as well as grouse and wild turkeys. It truly is a sportsman’s oasis in a sea of industrial activity.

What’s on the Roan?
Fishing assets: Native Colorado River cutthroat trout, brook trout.
Hunting assets: Elk, deer, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, black bear, mountain lion.
Other: The Roan is important for recreation, not only for sportsmen, but for hikers, campers and others. It’s also used by area cattlemen for grazing, and by hunting outfitters and guides as a deer and elk base camp.

Threats: Unnecessary and intrusive natural gas drilling threatens the water quality on the Roan, as well as the big-game habitat atop the plateau.

VanDam and Louisiana Delta Win Big at Bassmaster Classic

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:51:25 -0500

A guest post by Field & Stream Editor Anthony Licata

The Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta is over, and there were two big winners.

The first was Kevin VanDam, who extended his dominance on the sport by winning his second consecutive Classic, his fourth overall, and shattering the tournament record for a 3-day, 5-fish bag that totaled 69 pounds, 11 ounces.

Vandam’s closest competition, Aaron Martens, finished 10 pounds behind him, ending up in the second slot for the fourth time in a Classic. On any other day Martens’ tournament bag probably would have been enough; at 59 pounds even it also surpassed the old record of 56-2 set by Luke Clausen at Florida’s Lake Toho during 2006 Championship.

Which brings us to the other big winner this past weekend: the Louisiana Delta. Despite fog delays on all three days of the competition, anglers were able to rack up big these big numbers. Fishermen either ran down the delta to fish in the Venice area or stayed close to New Orleans and fished Lake Cataouatche. The ones making the long run to Venice were left with little fishing time after the fog delays. Meanwhile the anglers who fished Cataouatche--including VanDam, Martens, and most of the other top finishers—produced huge totals.

Martens said it best during the weigh-in. “I’ve fished a lot of world-class fisheries,” he said “and this place is something special. Take care of it.”

It’s a good message for a region that is still recovering from last year’s oil spill. The fact that the best bass anglers in the world were positively gushing over the fishery helps make a point that guides and captains in the area desperately want the public to know: despite hurricanes and an oil spill, the fishing here is terrific.

It certainly was for Vandam.

Licata: A Report from the Deer Woods on the Best Day of the Rut

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:37:22 -0500

A guest Rut Reporter post from Editor Anthony Licata:

I'm bowhunting this week with Richardson Farms Outfitters in Brown County in southern Illinois, right in heart of one of the nation's best big buck regions.

Tim Richardson reported that rutting activity really picked up last week when a cold front moved in. All of a sudden his hunters and guides reported seeing a lot of big boys on the move.

This weekend the weather switched to a south wind and warmer temperatures, but with the rut cranking, the hope is activity will stay strong all day.

Yesterday, the F&S best day of the rut, was my first in a stand here, and action was great.

I was in an oak in a timbered creekbottom on the edge of a bedding area and a cut cornfield. Several draws and ridges came together here, making it a perfect pinch point.

Right after the sun cleared the horizon, a 2-year-old 6-point that was about 120 inches chased a doe from the brush and into this grassy semi-open edge next the cut field. She didn't want to go into the open, and the buck kept her pinned between him and the field. Every time she tried to get around him and back to the brush, he let out a growling grunt and ran parallel to her and turned her back, like a cutting horse. She would browse between escape attempts, but he hardly took his eyes off her. Every once in awhile, for no reason I could see, he'd grunt and charge right at her as she fed, and then stop short.

This went on for about a half hour within 50 yards of my stand. There are bigger bucks on this property (it is a 140 minimum), but as I watched this deer-- the sun shining off him, his neck swollen, steam pluming from his nostrils, moisture dripping from his open mouth-- I couldn't help but think that no matter the score of the antlers, a rutting whitetail buck is an impressive animal.

Eventually a slightly bigger 8-point came from the woods and walked right under my stand and into this little drama. When the first buck turned to face the intruder, the doe made her move. The first buck sprinted after her into the brush, the second trotted after them. Five minutes later I heard antlers smack and clack and the heavy hoofbeats of the bucks fighting.

It only lasted about 10 seconds, and I wish I could've seen who won, but my money was on the six. He was an animal that would not be denied.

When the rut is cranking like this, you can see a buck at any time. I stayed in the stand all day, and there was only one hour (between 2:15 and 3:15) when I was not seeing deer. I ended up seeing 24 does and five bucks, although no shooters. I did however see that six again; he was chasing that same doe. This time she took off across the cut corn, the buck loping open-mouthed behind her.

There are 8 hunters in camp, and everyone saw deer. Ben Maki, of Mossy Oak, rattled in a wide 140. He saw the buck running an open ridge 250 yards away, he hit the horns and the buck turned and charged in. Maki said he barely had time to drop the horns and grab the bow before he made the shot.

Now is the time to rattle and grunt to challnge bucks that are looking for does.

Tomorrow should be good too. If you can get out, sit as long as you can and don't be afraid to get aggressive.

Introducing Field & Stream and Trout Unlimited's Best Wild Places

Online Editors — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:50:49 -0400

Outdoorsmen understand better than most how special a place can be. That place could be a narrow stream with native cutthroats, or a grand river with rainbows and browns. That place could be mountain valley with elk, or desert canyon loaded with chukar. Places like this are special in their own way, but they also share one important trait in common, which outdoorsmen realize quicker than most: They’re all wild. This year, Field & Stream partnered with Trout Unlimited to showcase the Best Wild Places. Together, we traveled to six spots out West to experience some of the best hunting and fishing and most spectacular wilderness in the country.

We have a couple of goals with this series: First, to inspire you to visit these places. After all, they belong to you. Every acre featured in every story and photograph on this blog is on public land, and should be enjoyed by every one of you. Second, we hope to raise awareness. These are all places that have managed to remain under the radar, which is a good thing because it means they’ve largely been left alone. But it also means they’ve not been given the protection they deserve. Consequently, each place faces some threat—be it development, energy disputes, or politics-as-usual—that has the potential to rob future generations from the chance to experience the landscapes and wildlife.

Check back all summer for videos, photo galleries, and reports from each destination. And then, do yourself, and the land, a favor. Go there and see just how special these places are—just the way they are. Wild.

Blue Lakes & Pine Forest, Nevada
Cabinet/Yaak Mountains, Montana
Outlaw Triangle, Wyoming/Utah
Roan Plateau, Colorado
Alpine Triangle, Colorado
Gila Country, New Mexico

The Plea: Remember the Liver

colinkearns — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:37:45 -0500

When my dad was teaching me to hunt deer, he’d run through a checklist before we left the house. License? Got it. Cartridges? Yep. Deer drag? Uh-huh. Empty plastic bread bag? Of course. How else was I to carry home that once-a-year treat: fresh venison liver?

I still pack a bag for liver, but I seem to be the exception judging from the strange looks I get from my hunting companions as I reach into the entrails of their field-dressed deer to pluck that glorious purple slab out of the pile.

Liver, once an American staple, now has an image problem. Maybe it’s because a generation only knows the dish from Mom’s frying a nasty old cow’s liver until it had the texture of a hunting boot. Which is too bad, since venison liver, served slightly pink inside, is packed with flavor and a traditional way to celebrate a successful hunt. I’ve eaten it as a family meal at home, as a snack at camp, and grilled over a fire on a mountainside as the buck it belonged to lay next to me, cooling in the snow.

Our increasingly timid tastes have hurt liver’s popularity. Hunters should be more adventurous. If you’re the type who loves grilled chicken breast, there’s not much I can tell you other than, if you’re not going to take the liver, do you mind if I do?