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Bowhunter Education classroom course, field days scheduled in Miles City
Sharpen your aim and your knowledge—Miles City’s only Bowhunter Education classroom course is set for March 21-23, so register now!
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TAKE ME FISHING!!!
When your life partner, kids, or friends are down in the dumps, sad, cranky, and out of sorts, they send out a message for HELP! They are asking for someone…
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WHY HIRE A FISHING GUIDE?
Fishing guides are easy to come by in Montana. Many see guiding as Big money. Others are great rowers but not great fishermen. Why should you hire a guide and…
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Archery Hunting, Bird hunting, buck, Bull Elk, Cow elk, Deer, Education, Elk, How to, Hunter Education, Hunter Safety, Hunting, Hunting Traditions, Montana GrantETHICAL HUNTERS!!!
Hunting in Montana and other places is being ruined by non-ethical hunters, poachers, and loss of access to public and private lands. Years ago, Montana was a hunter friendly environment.…
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Best of, Bull Elk, Deer, Education, Elk, Gear, How to, Hunt in Montana, Hunter Safety, Hunting, meat, Montana GrantDRESSING!!!
I always wondered why gutting a critter is called “Dressing”. It does sound better “gutting” but you certainly do not put clothes or a salad onto a downed deer…
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TROUT FISHING IS CHANGING!!!
The BEST trout fishing in the world is changing. Blame it on global warming, climate change, overfishing, development, or pollution. What were once the BEST destinations are no longer the…
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RV!!!
Recreational vehicles or “R.V.s” are a great way to comfortably and safely venture into the outdoors. Lewis and Clark would have been able to save a lot of time navigating…
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RECYCLING ROSES!!!
Montanans love their roses and other woody plants. The harsh weather can be devasting to many trees and shrubs. Winters, false Winters, Early Springs. Late Falls and the many other…
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BREAKING BREAD!!!
Hunting or fish camp meals are fast, tasty, and plenty. The hunters and anglers are tired and hungry after a long day on the water or in the field. The…
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MASTERING MELONS!!!
Sweet, ripe, full, and tasty melons are a summer treat. Cantaloupe and watermelons are the most common melons that are seasonal favorites. The long days of summer make these melons…
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accident, activities, Bear Attacks, Boating, Boating Safety, Education, health, Hunter Safety, Montana GrantDEATH WISH!!!
We have all made some poor choices when afield. Injury or worse can result from not planning, preparing, or considering safety risks. Montana is a rural place. Citizens play in…
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SNAKE SEASON !!!
Snake time is upon us! Summer means that rattle snakes are active and pose a risk. Fortunately, Rattlers are mainly nocturnal, but encounters can happen at any time. Habitats such…
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TROUT HUNTING!!!
Trout hunting season is on! Hunting trout requires a certain strategy, skills, and tackle. Seeing is believing when trout hunting. Successful Trout Hunters need great optics. Don’t get cheap when…
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FLAB INTO FAB!!!
Winters in Montana are LONG!!!! We all tend to gain more than a few pounds. As the winter grows, so do our waistlines! If you plan to chase bulls, in…
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OTTER OPPOSITION!!!
The Jefferson River, near the Sappington Bridge, was the site of an Otter Attack. # ladies were tubing down the river in the shallower summer waters. Their pleasant float soon…
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Did You Know, Education, Fishing, Hunt in Montana, Hunter Education, Hunting, Hunting Traditions, Montana GrantMONTANA SCHOOLS DENIED FEDERAL FUNDS!!!
If Montana Schools teach hunting, archery, or classes that involve firearms, they will be denied federal funds. These federal funds are earmarked to make schools better. They are also being…
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CABELAS!!!
Some outdoorsmen are gear fanatics. They pack along everything but the kitchen sink. When they pack in too much stuff, that means less room to pack stuff out. Big…
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GAME NAMES!!!
“The Montana hunter steadied for the shot as the “sleuth” came closer. The group of bears would soon be in range!” Groups of critters have a different noun to describe…
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BIG FLY COUNTRY!!!
Montana is home to several species of nuisance flies. House flies and Horse Flies abound. At this time of year, swarms of flies show up in our yards, and homes.…
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activities, Bass Fishing, Boating, Boating Safety, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, Gear, health, How to, Montana GrantWADE A LITTLE DEEPER!!!
Wading can be dangerous. Fishermen that wet wade or wear expensive waders, always try to get a little deeper. Their goal is to get closer to the fishing spot that…
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RASH CHOICES!!!
Life can be an ITCH! Humans can get affected by many insects, bugs, snakes, nettles, and other encounters that make us ITCH. Poison Ivy is a huge contributor to what…
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OUTDOOR ACCIDENTS!!!
Outdoorsmen and women never plan to get injured, hurt, or stranded when enjoying Outdoor Recreation. Accidents happen when we get to comfortable, relaxed, and distracted. Once our guard is down,…
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BIG SKY BEST?
Big Sky Country is certainly the Last Best Place, but for what? For every person you ask, you will get a different answer. These answers also change with time. What…
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BEST OF THE BEST!!!
We have all been influenced by great mentors and fishermen. As kids, we were exposed to men and women that seemed to have the gift. As great anglers, the…
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BUBBLE BOBBERS!!!
Back in the day, Bubbles were a modified bobber that we used to fly fish with a spinning rod. You could cast the bubble that had a leader with a…
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activities, Best of, Education, Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana Fishing, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National ParkMONTANA’S BEST!!!
This is the time of year when Big Sky Country Shines. The rain slows, the warmer temperature means comfortable weather. The forests smell of pine, the air feels healthy and…
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Antelope Recipes, Bear Recipes, Best of, Buffalo Recipes, Bull Elk, Deer, Deer, Education, Elk Recipes, Food, Gear, How to, meat, Montana Grant, Moose Recipes, RecipesWASTED STEAKS!!!
Great steaks are becoming hard to find in Montana. The best steaks often came from small, family-owned cafes and restaurants. Those folks knew what a great steak was. Today, many…
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activities, Best of, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Funny Fishing, How to, Montana GrantTHE BUTT FLY!!!
Every fly angler has a ton of their favorite flies. One box may be full of nymphs, another is loaded with dries, and a terrestrial box is also on hand.…
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Big Hole River, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, health, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana GrantSALMON FLY SUFFERING!!!
It seems that aquatic insect and Salmon fly populations are in the decline. This reduction of insects is related to the decline in trout populations of SW Montana. Areas that…
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CHEATERS!!!
Fishing used to be about having fun. We all tried to catch a biggun, or a stringer full. Today, tournaments offer huge cash payouts, prizes, and rewards for the biggest,…
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activities, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Flying, Hunting, Kootenai River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana GrantHELICOPTER ACCESS!!!
Some wealthy people feel entitled to do whatever they want. Their money and connections give them a free ticket to do whatever they please. The rules and regulations are…
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COMPASS FLIP FLOP!!!
Earth is in constant change. Our planet has an orbiting moon, as we both revolve around a dynamic and changing star. That’s a lot of things in motion. It’s not…
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SAVE A FISH!!!
Catch and Release fishing is extremely important to conserve Wild and Native trout fisheries. A great and healthy trout may survive 4-6 hook ups. After that they will die. Great…
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GETTING SKUNKED!!!
Every fisherman has a bad day, occasionally. Getting Skunked Stinks! Not catching anything is not an intentional choice. We don’t wake up thinking, I think I will go fishing and…
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MONTANA ESCAPE!!!
The trend of people moving to Montana may be changing. According to the National Census numbers, more people are leaving Montana than are moving here. Big Sky Country is certainly…
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Best of, bison, Black Bear, bobcat, Brown Bear, cougar, Coyote, Did You Know, Education, Foraging, fur, Furbearer, How to, Hunt in Montana, lynx, Montana GrantDOG HAIR!!!
Anyone with a dog knows that shed hair is a problem. Hairy dust bunnies gather in corners of the floor, or on carpets. Vacuuming helps but what can you do…
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Boating, Camping, Did You Know, Education, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, health, Hunting, Montana GrantBIG FRY COUNTRY!!!
Montana sunbathing smells like frying bacon. Getting a sunburn is easier at higher altitudes. Big Fry Country means that being outdoors in the sun has its risks. Sunburn is a…
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KNOT KNOWLEDGE !!!
Fishing knots are critical to fishing success. Different knots are required for certain line types, gear, and presentations. Not all Knots are created equally. For most of my fishing, I…
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activities, backcountry fishing, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gear, Montana GrantBACKPACK FISHERMEN!!!
I have noticed that many fly guys are fully decked out when fly fishing. In some drift boats, there is only room for 2 anglers since the 3rd area is…
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animal attack, Best of, Bob Wards, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, health, Hunting, Montana GrantSQUITOS!!!
Big Sky Country is also home to huge blood sucking mosquitoes. They grow big in the Rocky Mountains. These blood suckers can be relentless and ruin a fishing, hunting, or…
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MONTANA NAMES!!!
Everyone has a little cowboy or cowgirl spirit. Humans are Hunters and Gatherers. Our pioneer spirit continues to bring folks to western states. Once here, kids will need names that…
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LOOKING FOR BIG BUGS!!!
Now is the time for huge stoneflies and Salmon flies. Big Sky Country sports BIG BUGS during June-July. If you are fly fishing now, start with stonefly nymphs. Big black…
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CHOKE HOLD!!!
Dogs are great family pets. Owners are always looking out for their wellness. Sadly, our pets can require emergency first aid immediately. Dogs are famous for eating almost anything which…
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animal attack, Animal Laws, Bear, Bear Attacks, Black Bear, Did You Know, Education, Grizzly Bear, health, Montana GrantBEAR WITH US!!!
A lifetime ago, I lived in Maryland. Being from western Maryland, I was used to seeing bears in the Appalachian Mountains of Garrett County. The biggest black bear that I…
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Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Madison River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fishing, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana Grant, TroutALL THE MARBLES!!!
Trout fishing is at risk in Montana and many other traditionally favorable trout waters. Generally, trout prefer cool, clean, clear water that is below 65 degrees. Montana is home to…
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Catchin the Big Ones, Cutthroat Trout, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gallatin River, health, How to, Madison River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana Grant, Rainbow Trout, Trout, Yellowstone RiverCATCH LIMITS!!!
Montana fisheries are being overfished. Many anglers practice Catch and Release fishing. Trout, walleyes, or perch are hooked, landed, and released often after several minutes of selfies, flipping, flopping, and…
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animal attack, Bear, bison, buck, Bull Elk, Deer, Education, Elk, Funny Deer, Grizzly Bear, health, Horseback riding, Montana GrantWILD LIFE!!!
Wildlife means that the critters are not domesticated. These “Wild” animals or fish have not come from a preserve, hatchery, or manmade and manipulated place. The critters and fish are…
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accident, animal attack, Animal Laws, Bear, Bear Attacks, Bison, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Camping, Cow elk, Deer, Did You Know, Education, Elk, Grizzly Bear, health, How to, Laws, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National ParkTOUCH ME FEEL ME!!!
Humans seem to have a need to touch and feel wildlife. The problem is that inappropriate touching and feeling are harmful. Recently, there have been several human wildlife encounters in…
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activities, Best of, Bighorn River, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Flying, How to, Lakes, Montana GrantTHE LAST BEST FISHING HOLES!!!
Secret Fishing Holes have become fewer and further between. There seem to be more folks that have discovered the joys of fishing. Humans are Hunters and Gatherers so catching fish…
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