Warren Illi: Flathead Outdoors
See the latest column from Warren Illi here!
Northern Pike: Love or hate?
Before we get full time into outdoor columns about hunting, let me do a final end-of-summer column about fishing.
Is hunting always great?
When I return from a hunting trip, people frequently ask me, “How was hunting?” My response is almost always the same, “Hunting was great!”
Opening day excitement builds
This Saturday is the opening day for the general rifle season for deer and elk hunting in Montana. This is the grandaddy of all opening days for the fall of 2024 hunting seasons. This is the day that probably over …
For the love of hunting
Is hunting and are hunters an endangered species? Living in Montana, where most adults, especially males, hunt, it seems that our tradition of hunting for food and fun has rock-solid public support.
Summer on the lakes is set to loon music
Last week I enjoyed an early morning fishing trip on a beautiful lake, using only my quiet electric trolling motor. Using my onboard electronics, I slowly cruised around the lake searching my favorite spots for sch…
Handguns and bear spray
Wow, it’s springtime in the Flathead. Last weekend was a great spring weekend with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s, plus bright sunny skies.
Farm life
I write this column from my farm in eastern Montana near Malta. This is my first trip of the year to my farm.
Spring firewood gathering
Spring is here in the Flathead with its ever-expanding variety of outdoor activities. Last weekend was just too nice to stay indoors, so I had to do a little hiking just to get out and soak up some spring sunshine.
Fish management failures
Last week I drove to my cabin in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, planning to do some spring cabin chores and squeeze in a last ice fishing trip of the season. Wro…
2024 fish regs and non-native species
Wasn’t last weekend wonderful? With temperatures in the 50s, sunshine and no wind, I just had to dig out my dusty lawn chair, walk to the back yard, sit my butt down and soak up the glorious heat and sun. If this w…
2024 Montana hunting regulations
The much-awaited 2024 deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations are out for public review and implementation. This is one of Montana’s most popular publications, with 270,000 copies printed each year.
Fishing for muskie
What’s probably the rarest game fish in Northwest Montana? I’ll bet that 99% of local fishermen can’t answer that question correctly.
Failed fishery management
Sunday’s Daily Inter Lake had an interesting article about a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposal for what might be viewed as reinventing the wheel. The proposal is considering to restart a program to kill lak…
Start the ice fishing season at Sunriser tourney
Yes, in spite of our unusually warm weather, ice fishing season is here. ‘Tis the hard water fishing season!
Reviewing the elk management plan
During the last few days, I have been reading the new 470-page Montana Statewide Elk Management Plan. What was of most interest to me and probably most hunters, is found on pages 15-41.