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People gathered in Helena from all corners of Montana Wednesday to debate limits on archery permits for elk in the Missouri Breaks and 22 surrounding hunting districts.

While the discussion focused on the Breaks and nearby areas, at times it delved into more philosophical discussions including the pros and cons of nonresident hunters, public access to wildlife and outfitting in general.

The change from not having any permits to offering a limited number for bowhunters was first implemented in stages beginning in 2008, as Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department staffers said they were trying to find a way to be consistent and equitable while effectively controlling the elk population in the area. They said hunters were complaining of overcrowding, and had voiced concerns that bowhunters, especially nonresidents, were overharvesting the trophy bulls and pushing elk from public lands onto private property before the general big game rifle season began.

Rifle hunters were complaining the unlimited permits gave archery hunters unfair and unequal access. In addition, concerns were raised that bowhunters with modern equipment were able to kill too many bull elk.

Some bowhunters and rifle hunters at Wednesday’s FWP Commission work session praised the changes, saying that their hunting experience was enhanced in the Breaks, and since only 10 percent of the permits can be used by nonresident hunters, that it’s lessened their pressure.

“They just overwhelmed us,” said Dan Moore, who lives in Kalispell montana and Zortman. “I know that if I put in as a first pick I can get a tag. Don’t change a thing. It’s perfect.”

But other landowners, outfitters and hunters said the limits put on archery permits, especially in hunting districts where elk populations are above targets, is unfair and creates an economic hit in times that are tough already.

Paul Ellis with the Coalition for Responsible Management of Fish and Wildlife said the bowhunters were self-regulating prior to the implementation of elk archery permits. He accused FWP of ignoring its own elk management plan and mission statement, noting that in the majority of hunting districts the elk population was over objectives — in some cases, by quite a bit. For example, in hunting district 621, the population goal is around 1,400 to 1,650 elk, but about 2,553 were recently observed.

“You need to match up hunting opportunities with the available resources,” Ellis said. “I believe there were and are some solutions that will address overcrowding, equity and access if we work together on this.”

Mac Minard, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, said the loss of hunting opportunities, when combined with multipliers like hunters buying supplies and staying in small communities equated to a $9.4 million hit from just 2009 and 2010.

“You’re not charged with having to deal with that, but it is a consequence of what you have done,” Minard told the FWP Commission. “

Eric Albus, a landowner who operates Milk River Outfitters, said he believes the new permit system also is lessening access because people he knows are closing roads because of them. Chris Faber, a landowner and outfitter on Bear Paw Mountain, added that last year the public harvested 29 cow and 12 bull elk, along with three bighorn sheep and five mountain lions from his property.

“People think when someone leases a place they automatically shut it down,” Faber said. “I think you need to look into who is leasing the land, like doctors and sporting clubs. It isn’t the outfitters, but we’re getting blamed for it.

“If you’re going to run outfitters out of business, like with I-161, you’ll make problems bigger and create a lot of animosity … and once you make a landowner mad I don’t think you get him back.”

I-161 passed last fall and abolished outfitter-sponsored nonresident big game licenses but replaced them with 5,500 general nonresident big game licenses.

John Gibson, president of the Public Land/Water Access Association, and a board member for the Montana Wildlife Federation, countered that the opportunity by property owners and outfitters to profit off of big game and those wishing to hunt already is occurring, as shown by the number of legislative bills that proposed to enact policies restricting the powers of the FWP Commission.

“There’s a direct correlation between the number of nonresidents allowed to hunt and use our resources and the acres of land not available to residential sportsmen and roads closed for public access,” Gibson said. “If you really believe that you can resolve your access problems and you’re game management problems by increasing the number of nonresidents who have chosen to hunt in Montana, then I suggest you contact your psychiatrist immediately. That hasn’t happened in the 50 years I’ve been watching it.”

He added that at two public meetings he attended over the archery permit limits, that there was overwhelming support for the move.

Vito Quatraro, president of Bozeman’s Headwaters Sportsmen Association, added that if the elk in the Breaks are over population goals, the FWP should simply increase the number of cow permits in the area renowned for growing large bull elk.

“That will bring down your population, but will not bring down the population with archery tags in the Breaks,” Quatraro said. “People are not coming to shoot cows, but to shoot big bulls. So if you are over objectives, think about cow tags — and hey, maybe only on private land because that’s who is saying there’s too many elk on the land.”

What did get support is the formation of an advisory group on the subject, but the commission was cautioned that the makeup had to be evenly split among a wide range of interests. Some also urged the commission to go back to the previous no-permit limits now while the advisory group looked into the matter, though, while others said the commission should keep the current system in place until the group could come to a consensus.

Commissioners didn’t take any action on the matter at the work session. The FWP will begin its biennial season-setting process in July by asking the public if they have any issues the state should address. Proposed quota ranges and regulations won’t be presented to the commission until its December meeting, with final seasonal recommendations being adopted in February 2012

“Since the rainfall has basically ended and the temperatures are cool, the threat of any rivers hitting flood stage is pretty insignificant,” meteorologist Leeann Allegretto said of northwest Montana. “If they haven’t already hit flood stage we don’t think they will.”

Allegretto, who works with the National Weather Service in Missoula, said precautionary flood warnings remained in place for the Stillwater River and the Whitefish River in Kalispell. Both of those rivers hovered around action stage late Thursday afternoon, but were on the decline.

The Stillwater River at Lawrence Park in Kalispell was just above its 7-foot action stage, cresting Thursday afternoon at 7.11 feet. The Whitefish River near its mouth stayed below its action stage of 8 feet, and Weather Service officials forecast it would remain at about 7.8 feet through the week.

Water levels on all forks of the Flathead River had also dropped significantly, Allegretto said, and in Lincoln County flood warnings were lifted on the Yaak and Fisher rivers, as was a countywide warning on all smaller streams.

“Our biggest issue right now is the Clark Fork River at Plains,” Allegretto said, adding that sections of River Road and Lower Lynch Creek Road were closed after a levee breached on private property and spilled into sewage pools. “That is not a good situation.”

The Flathead River near Columbia Falls, which threatened to flood low-lying areas Wednesday, crested at 13.74 feet, just below the 14-foot flood stage; water levels had dipped below 13 feet Thursday.

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River near West Glacier also approached flood stage Wednesday, peaking at 9.79 feet before dropping below 9 feet overnight. The North Fork of the Flathead also is running high, but is expected to stay below the 11-foot action stage through the week.

“The water is high, but it’s nothing unusual,” said Oliver Meister, owner of the North Fork Hostel and Inn in Polebridge. “I hope it’s going to stay that way.”

But even though flood warnings are being lifted, officials in Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest warned that rivers and streams continue to run high, and swift currents along with debris can pose safety hazards to boaters and other people recreating on the water.

Late lingering snowpack continues to affect runoff and flooding, and SNOTEL measuring sites show the most snowpack on record for this time of year, compared to about 25 years of data.

The Hockaday Museum’s exhibitions focus on the art and culture of Montana and the artists of Glacier National Park. The Museum offers rotating exhibits of works by nationally renowned and emerging artists and a permanent exhibition entitled ‘Crown of the Continent: Glacier National Park Gallery.’ This exhibit focuses on the painters, photographers, authors, sculptors and collectibles of Glacier National Park, both past and present.

The exhibition always features the rich art history of the Park, though the artists change from time to time. It includes the work of Marshall Noice, T.J. Hileman, John Clarke, John Fery, Ace Powell, Robert M. Stephens, Leonard Lopp, and other early and contemporary artists of the Park.

Children will enjoy a Discovery Gallery with hands-on activities, which change in theme along with the rotating exhibits. The Museum’s Off the Wall Gift Gallery offers unique gifts created by local artists including a great selection of pottery, jewelry, cards, t-shirts, artwork, and books on the art, history, and culture of Montana, as well as prints by Ace Powell, Bud Helbig, Jeanne Hamilton, Hugh Hockaday, Edward Curtis and others.

Don’t miss Arts in the Park, Northwest Montana’s largest arts festival with food and entertainment the fourth weekend of July in Kalispell’s Depot Park as a benefit for the Museum.

The Hockaday Museum is housed in a turn of the century Carnegie Library Building that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

Directions: The Hockaday Museum of Art is located two blocks east of Main Street on Third Street (US Highway 93) at the corner of Third Street East and Second Avenue East in downtown Kalispell.

The traditional image of bachelor parties usually involves a wild, drunken evening followed by some embarrassing stories the next morning! There are, however, plenty of different and unusual things to fill a stag party. As the organizer, you have plenty of things to consider when planning a stag party. The first thing to consider is whether you wish to hold a private party, or whether you prefer a night on the town. A night out around Kalispell can require a lot less planning than a private bachelor party, as there’s no need to hire a venue.

Begin the planning by deciding what your budget is, and how the cost of the night will be paid – will you be charging guests for the night? Or, will guests buy drinks from a bar with no venue costs associated? If your guests have a high budget, a night out in a casino or a trip abroad could be a great way of making your stag party a night to remember. If you decide to have a private party, then carefully consider the venue in Kalispell – what time will it close? How much does it cost? Will the staff be included in the price? Discuss all your needs with the venue management before agreeing to use the venue. One important factor in your planning, and possibly one of the more difficult aspects to organize, is the date of your event. Try to choose a date when most of your guest list will be available, avoiding public holidays and religious festivals. Unless your stag has a very strong stomach, it may be a good idea to plan the bachelor party for a few nights before the big day – after all, there’s nothing worse than having a bad hangover while walking down the aisle! When you have the night planned, try to contact as many of your stag’s friends as possible and let them know the date, time, and venue. You may wish to keep the details of the night a secret from the stag, so consider asking friends and relatives for a copy of any phone numbers and addresses.

Founded in 1891, Kalispell today has grown into the business and commercial hub of northwest Montana. Situated midway between Glacier Park and Flathead Lake, Kalispell manages to maintain a small-town atmosphere while making available all of the conveniences of a much larger city.

Offering a harmonious mixture of old-world charm, spectacular scenery, friendly locals, a casual lifestyle and an endless array of outdoor activities, it is easy to see why Kalispell was awarded the “Best Mountain Town in America Title” from Mountain Sports and Living Magazine.

Drive less than 30 minutes from town in any direction and you will find yourself basking in the beauty of some of Montana’s most prized treasures and attractions including Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshal Wilderness Complex to the east, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort to the north, Flathead Lake to the South and a string of lakes and rivers to the west.

But you don’t even need to get into your car in order to explore and enjoy all of mother nature’s spenders in Kalispell. There are more than 20 beautiful parks scattered throughout the city limits, including the 38-acre Woodland Park with it’s flower gardens, water park, log pavilion, skate park, hockey rink and large pond complete with fountains.

And Kalispell isn’t just limited to it’s outdoor attractions, art and culture is abundant everywhere you look in Kalispell, from the Conrad Mansion Museum to the Hockaday Museum of art and many points in between. Boutiques and gift shops line both sides of main street and several artistic murals, sculptures and other artistic expressions are located throughout the town.

VilJoya is an independent senior living community in Kalispell, Montana, that has been developed for residents who want an active Montana lifestyle, free of all home maintenance. Here in the Northwest, few places rival the Flathead Valleys character; composed of a beautiful natural environment, everyday grandeur and a gracious community of people who wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else. Our town center villas are located near medical facilities and numerous retail outlets and services. VilJoya Independent Senior Living is an ideal choice for retirement or downsizing.

Interested in independent senior living? Those making this choice usually dream of spending their retirement in a community of peers, where they can enjoy ready access to a wide variety of social, cultural and fitness activities. Others love the idea of moving to a smaller home that is easy to care for, surrounded by similar senior residences. You may want to cook some meals, but you also may want the option of dining out without driving anywhere. The common denominator in both visions is self-sufficiency.

You are our the No. 1 priority at VilJoya senior living. We cater to your needs and desires because you deserve the best Montana has to offer.

Spencer Williams of Great Falls picked up a key tournament victory Tuesday when he won the United States Golf Association Public Links Sectional Qualifier at Mission Mountain Country Club in Ronan.

Williams fired rounds of 68-72 for a 36-hole score of 4-under-par 140. He edged Logan Iverson of Kalispell and Morgan Brown of Tucson, Ariz., by one stroke for the title.

Williams advances to the 86th USGA Public Links Championship to be held June 27-July 2 at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. This is Spencer’s third trip to the Publinx nationals and he’s also competed at the U.S. Amateur.

Iverson defeated Brown in a playoff for the first alternate spot. Five of the top seven finishers were from out of state.

Williams also earned 50 points toward the Montana squad for the 2012 USGA Men’s Team Championships. Williams is in fourth place with 90 points, trailing Jerry Pearsall of Billings (150) and Ron Garland of Bozeman and Craig Hurlbert of Hamilton (120 apiece).

THE MARIAS VALLEY Golf Club in Shelby is gearing up for the biggest weekend of the summer.

The 82nd annual Oilfield Invitational is set for Father’s Day weekend, June 18-19, and a field of between 80 and 100 men is expected. The Oilfield annually attracts one of the top fields of any tournament in northcentral Montana, and is one of 10 events statewide that awards points for the USGA Men’s Team Championships.

Steve Williamson of Shelby won his record ninth Oilfield title a year ago and Curly will be back to defend his championship.

Players can form their own foursomes for Saturday’s first 18-hole round, which will have a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The golfers will start at 8 Sunday morning with play embarking off both tees.

Entry fee is only $100 and includes 36 holes of golf, prizes, a steak dinner Saturday afternoon and a 20-man derby on Saturday night. Call pro Dale Newell at 434-5940 for entry information.

Marias Valley also will be the host for the Montana State Golf Association’s State Junior Tournament, to follow the Oilfield on June 20-21. Nearly 120 of the top boys and girls in Montana will play 36 holes, with the top four finishers in each event qualifying to represent the state at the Junior America’s Cup later in the summer.

MISSOULA, Mont. — Standing at the sacrament table Sunday morning, cousins Jackson and Collin Kanenwisher still appeared battered with scrapes, black eyes and sunburns. Jackson’s brother, Spencer, winced a bit while ushering at the chapel doors. Collin’s brother Beau was limping slightly as he passed the sacrament with the other deacons.

The day before, the Kanenwisher boys and their high school teammates clenched the Montana state title for club rugby in a fierce battle that ended 41 to 15. The Bitterroot Warriors, a majority of whom are LDS Church members, had a Cinderella season and are leaving the field with more than a trophy.

Organized two seasons ago, the Warriors’ first players included the Kanenwisher cousins and their best friends, brothers Zander and Adam Smith. They recruited from each county high school but had the most success signing up church friends.

Boys from four LDS wards in four high schools joined the team and set the standard for leadership, language and commraderie.

Nick Recht, who will attend BYU-Idaho this fall, had an outstanding performance in the semi-finals of the round-robin tournament, held on the University of Montana rugby fields in Missoula. He scored one try off a kick from fly-half Collin Kanenwisher and then scored in the final minutes with a kick that toppled into a hard-fought victory over Kalispell 8 to 7.

“The championship was great, but I was really proud to beat Kalispell,” Recht said. “We were the only team to beat them earlier in the season, and they are a mean, dirty team. They really are bigger and better than us with a few players that were really hard to play against, so our goal as a team was to beat them in the second round. We weren’t really thinking beyond that.”

Recht was recruited to play with the boys he attends seminary and church with and discovered a love for the game that had a lot to do with his teammates.

“I just love the diversity of rugby,” he said. “You can kick, pass and tackle and then run in every position, but it’s the team itself that made it pretty fun.

“Our team captains Spencer and Zander always told us to ‘keep our heads’ and represent Bitterroot in a good way,” he said. “When things got intense, some of the players start playing pretty dirty in the rucks, but our captains didn’t want us to let it get to us or give in and play dirty back.”

Before every game, the Warriors grouped in a circle on the field for a prayer, “and that really made a difference,” said Recht.

Charlie West, a member of the team and not a member of the Mormon church, said praying before each game “brought us together as a team and helped us play better.”

He said playing with so many sets of brothers “made practices a lot more interesting.”

The five Fadely brothers from a Stevensville ward 25 miles north added strength and character to both the high school and junior high Warrior teams. Twins Mitchell and Marshall and their younger brothers Preston, Ethan and Jason also played rugby.

“We were all really exhausted playing three full games in one day,” said Mitchell Fadely. “But we were at church and excited to tell everyone. My dad even had it announced in priesthood meeting. I think our last match against Simms was the best we’ve ever played. We’ve really improved over the season, thanks to our coaches, and we were all in really good shape to still have enough energy to play three games and win.”

Freshman Beau Kanenwisher who played scrum-half scored a try during the first minutes of the championship game after a pass from his cousin Jackson.

“We’re naturally better because we’ve been playing (sports) together for so long,” he said. The rivalry between the younger brothers and the older brothers motivated them to make their captain brothers proud.

“They don’t act like it, but I know they’re proud of us and how we play,” said freshman Adam Smith, and then added a story when he was glad to have his brother back him up. “These massive guys on the other team were picking a fight with me, but then Zander and Jackson came flying in. It was pretty cool.”

Stephen Curdy, a Hamilton High School junior and Blodgett Canyon Ward priest, talked about his experiences in sacrament meeting the day after the championship. The assigned topic was integrity, and he had no problem finding symbolism from rugby experiences.

“In the finals we played Simms who play with a lot of sportsmanship and integrity,” he said. “They made the game a lot more enjoyable, and our team had the goal to play the same way.”

While fledgling teams across Montana competed during regular season, they were learning the game at the same time. The resulting matches were sometimes brutal with multiple fouls, both intentional and unintentional.

“At times it can be pretty hard to keep your standards when the other team is playing dirty and swearing,” said Mitchell Fadely. “But it’s important to keep your head and not play dirty or else your team is pretty much hated throughout the whole state.”

Twelve-year-old Preston Fadely joined the rugby club this year and loved playing with other Mormons from the valley. “They were great examples,” he said. “I’m definitely going to keep playing rugby because I love everything about it. I love the sportsmanship, I love the whole game and how it’s played.”

As for next season, when his brother Spencer steps down as captain, Jackson Kanenwisher said, “We’re excited but there’s no pressure.”

Added his cousin Collin, “We figured out how to play right and we’ll do it again.”