Lovely Montana Weather

[MTblack&tan]

At six this morning it was 37 degrees and just got done raining. At 8 o'clock I put down on a bobcat and it was around 20 degrees. An hour and half later it was 3 degrees and had laid down 2" of snow and our bobber was gone, had walked on top of the crusted snow and the dog was picking up a little scent until the snow covered everything up. For a pup she worked it as long as she could and when she was done I was ready for the truck. I dare that bobber or his long tailed cousin to cross in the morning, I'll be waiting.

[twist]

I went to work this morning at 7 an it was 28 outside east wind came up and starting to snow at 11:30 and it is now -1 out and an inch of snow. were are you in montana?

[MTblack&tan]

I am in Bozeman. They had most of the roads closed around here, bad travel day for people around here. It has been snowing all day, I just got a glimpse of the Bridgers a little while ago. Twist, is anything sticking over there or is it all blowing away?

[twist]

We have about 2-3 inches of new snow as of 3:30pm and about -4 out right now with no wind should be good hunting next couple of days I wish it was just a shade warmer but cant be to pickey.

[MTblack&tan]

Hey twist,
It is supposed to be -17 here in the morning and I plan on going out to look for tracks. How much do you think the cats move when it is that cold? I have mixed feelings on it and wanted someone elses opinion. I hope it warms up a little bit so if I cut one I can put down on it. The dogs got good and iced up today in the deep snow, so I don't really want to put them down until it gets a little warmer.

[larry]

Not to butt in, but I think If the weather has settled and the clear cold nights hit, the colder the more stuff moves, too bad dogs don't come with block heaters in them!

[MTblack&tan]

Larry, you're not butting in man. I appreciate your response. I just wish it was the other way around on the movement subject. I wish they would move more at 20 degrees instead of this below zero crap. I wouldn't worry about the colder weather so much, but I haven't had to run dogs in this much snow in a long time. My dog today was just getting soaked from the deep snow, and I think that coupled with the below zero is a recipe for bad things. What do you think? Don't get me wrong, I am still going to go in the morning. Just wait for it to warm up a bit before I put her down if I cut a track.

[larry]

I get pretty weary of the below zero stuff, as much as I try and justify running in it, I don't seem to follow through with it. Stayed home one night last year when it was -10 and sure enough somebody killed a nice tom where I would have been. Ran last week when it was -12 at about 1am but warmed up to 3-8 above around 9 or 10am. I know some guys do, and I have read books, Jerry Lewis' for example, of guys pushing it in -30+ but Too much can go wrong to quick for me. Mother nature can kill your ass let alone the dogs getting frost bite or worse. I hunt alone so I am always going with the dogs right from the truck, nobody to pick me up or get me out quicker. Maybe I'm missing out. I know that I cut 5 day old lion tracks on the same road the night after it was around -30 to -40 last week, not the same cat either, two diff toms and three diff females with diff size and number kittens. Have heard dogs can freeze thier lungs in that kinda cold to.

[twist]

I am with you on the cold weather larry I have cought alot of cats in the - temps but it is sure alot easier on the dogs if its above 0 out not to mention myself. Also if there is enough moisture in the air when it gets that cold it seems to freeze the scent down at least on bobcats. seem like the good cold dark nites everything moves better.

[MTblack&tan]

I have had some of the sames things happen to me Larry. I stay home when it is butt cold and then the next day go out and cut day old tracks or see where someone killed or ran one. So I told myself I was going this morning no matter what. It was ten below when I went to bed, and to my suprise it was 12 degrees when I started the truck. The wind was blowing really good when I got to the canyon and unloaded my sled. I cut one road that the only thing that crossed it was a weasel. Bad movement last night, I chalked it up to the wind. Have you guys seen the wind mess with the cats too?

[wyocathunter]

Hey MTblack&tan

I'm along ways from you guys but as far as the wind goes it has been horrible this winter. Every time that it snows the wind blows 30-40 mph and just makes things miserable plus you can't find any tracks. It has been a poor winter for lion hunting in this part of the country we have had maybe five good days to hunt when there wasn't any wind and we had fresh snow to hunt on. The last few days we have had wind speeds of over 70 mph. It is so hard to get around over here now its about all horseback or foot hunting cause not enough snow for the sleds and too much for four wheelers.[/list]

[kickemall]

Damn, and I was just bitching about the inch of snow we have (which is unusual) and having to hunt when its in the low thirties. I'll just shut up and enjoy it now!

[MTblack&tan]

Wyocathunter, I went up this morning and the wind was really moving the snow around. Mostly on the ridges and flats, the canyons were nice and calm with fresh snow. Still no tracks so I was thinking the wind kept things held up a little. Went for a hike up one canyon and I tell you what, we haven't had snow like this for a long time. Close to two feet at the highway. I hate snowshoes cause they give you the ability to go places you normally wouldn't. Not good when the dog jumps out of the truck an disappears in the snow. Hope the wind dies down for you and you can get some hunting in.