Becky Jackson is a 10-year veteran as HCR's bookkeeper. You'll find some of Becky's favorite hunting, fishing and wild-game cooking and hunting tips right here!

Magnificent Elk
For bull elk and spectators alike, early September brings an air of excitement to the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, better known as the "CMR" is located approximately 1-1/2 hours northeast of Lewistown in the heart of the Missouri River Breaks. The CMR, closed to hunting, is a safe haven where hundreds of bull elk gather their harems of cows for the annual breeding season. "Slippery Ann,” an area of willow–filled river bottom located adjacent to the main road through the CMR, provides wonderful viewing and photo opportunities for spectators of this annual mating ritual.

Each evening, shortly before sundown, the elk begin emerging from the brushy willows and cottonwood groves that line the Missouri River. The bulls put on the biggest show, visibly and audibly, as they compete with one another for the affection of the cows. Competition among the bulls becomes intense at times as they thrash small trees with their antlers or lock horns with one another as they battle for their cows. The air is pierced with their shrill bugles as they call their challenge to other bulls. Once a bull has established dominance over his competitor, he cuts his harem of cows off from the main herd and tries to get some distance between him and his competition. It is a constant struggle as cows try to mix back with the main herd, and challenging bulls approach from all angles trying to steal a cow or two for their own harem.

To witness this spectacular event, pack a picnic dinner, binoculars, cameras with zoom lenses and head northeast out of Lewistown on Highway 191 for 75 miles and follow signs to Slippery Ann.


Dutch Ovens
Preparing Yourself for Hunting