Game range opens to the roar of engines

Every year the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) commonly known as the Game Range near Clearwater Junction in Greenough opens for eager shed hunters to collect antlers from the field.

The annual tradition has become a kind of festival.

"Horn hunting is like an Easter-egg hunt for adults," said Trevor Welnel, a Helena area hunter who came to the Greenough for the opening day event.

The Game Range opened on May 15.

"Once the gate opens you drive until your heart is bursting with excitement," Welnel said. "Then you park and start running."

People came from as far as Oregon for the annual shed hunting adventure.

Participants crowded at the gates and chatting amongst themselves chomping at the proverbial bit.

Faceless voices in the crowd expressed their excitement. "It's the adrenalin," one said.

"We do this non-stop," claimed another.

"The first time I did this I passed out from running so hard, then when I woke up I went back to running."

"It's an event for people," said Dan Curtin, a Game Warden with the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP). "Like a concert."

Devon Dell and his daughter Desirae came to Seeley from Bigfork a few days before and camped, then headed out from the east entrance after the crowd had taken off. By 1 p.m. they were headed back to the truck with a five-point elk shed strapped to Desirae's backpack.

'I was happy and excited to find the horn," said Desirae, age 13. "I'm going to put it in my room for decoration."

"We have been coming to the Game Range for about 10 years," said Devon. "My daughter and I sure enjoy our time together looking for sheds."

Horn hunters are searching for at least one horn from the 67 brow-tined bulls FWP counted on the Game Range over the winter.

The range has been home to an average of 57 bulls over the past six winters according to Mike Ebinger, Region Two wildlife biologist for FWP.

"We have lots of people that work really hard from enforcement, maintenance, recreation, forestry, habitat, fisheries and wildlife that make the game range 'work'. Its a big team effort out there," said Ebinger. "For me, opening the Game Range is one of those days where this team gets to see that hard work transition to public use....much like hunting season when someone comes through the check station with a nice animal they harvested from the Game Range. We like those days!"

Since May 2, cars have been parking along the highway in preparation for opening day.

According to FWP, at least 275 cars, trucks, campers and horse trailers were gathered along Highway 83 on Monday morning for the noontime opening.

At the east entrance 83 vehicles carried 193 people in from Woodworth Road, as well as a scattering along the southern WMA boundary on Highway 200.

 Montana Department of Transportation and MHP have concerns about the vehicle staging on Highway 83 in preparation for opening day. FWP has agreed to work together with their partners and the public to look for some solutions for next year.

"It will be a very transparent process where the public is very engaged in coming up with potential solutions," said Ebinger.