Fall 2025

Unveiling the long, secretive history of climbing in the Beartooth Mountains. Thirty miles as the crow flies from the Haufbrau—the beating heart of Bozeman’s climbing scene—lies the edge of the Absaroka-Beartooth…

The unlikely but true tale of an early misadventure in Yellowstone. In a time before GPS maps, technical hiking shoes, and all things Patagonia, a group of 19 men were tasked with exploring and charting what would become…

Following the footsteps of John Colter’s famous escape. The current was strong. I held onto the clothesline that had been strung across the river to aid our crossings. With each step, the river got deeper: knee, then thigh…

Pondering the fleeting mysteries of nature. November clouds ripe with winter had settled solidly over the Beartooths, showing no intention of departing until May. Yet the stubblefields of the Stillwater Valley held little…

How falconry taught one woman the art of letting go. The moment I mention falconry to someone, I see wonder flash behind their eyes, and I brace for the barrage of questions that will inevitably follow: “How did you get…

A chance encounter with an unforgettable trio. The mood was glum as Tom and I slogged down the trail with our headlamps on, after the fifth day in a row of utterly unsuccessful elk hunting. Maybe we should pull the plug.…

Embracing autumn with open arms.  Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. —Dylan Thomas Fall connects us with one another more than any other time of year. However contrived, it’s…

The Southwest Montana Fencing for Wildlife Program. In June of 2021, FWP wildlife biologist Vanna Boccadori backpacked 55 miles along the Big Hole Valley near Wisdom. But she wasn’t just out for a stroll. Boccadori was…

Looking back at 100 years of change. Montana’s wildlife habitats have been reshaped by a combination of natural forces and human development during the last century. Over 25 million acres of U.S. grasslands have been lost…

A roundup of wildlife-oriented conservation groups. Every year, millions of people visit Montana to experience the feelings of wonder that can only be inspired by its unique landscapes, vast wilderness, and abundant…

Fishing for Native Cutthroats by Fran Lunney For weeks, I fished for stocked trout in town in a stream overrun by subdivisions. The rainbows that I caught were lifeless in the summer heat. Their eyes, grey and dull as I…

Watching wolves in Yellowstone Park. When it comes to wolves in Yellowstone, there are few better to speak with than Nathan Varley. Even before founding Yellowstone Wolf Tracker—a wildlife-guiding business based in…

Slow-cooker antelope Bánh mì. Antelope is one of my favorite foods to cook and share with others. This recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy antelope roast, which can be tough. With a roast, you don’t have to trim the…

A weekend road-trip to southwest Montana’s abandoned boom towns. Not being a bow-hunter, my schedule in the early fall is typically wide open—open as the prairies of eastern Montana. So, rather than twiddling my thumbs…

The writing on the wall.  Gallatin’s gold, Jefferson’s green, Madison’s blue-blooded ripples of white, named after founding fathers, these rivers mother us through our small town lives until high-rises start to rise. Then…

A new way to protect the Montana lifestyle. When longtime Bozemanite Joseph Bloe pulled into the Sourdough trailhead early one Saturday morning, he found the parking lot unrecognizable. Dilapidated tents were pitched in…

How the 2025 legislature will affect our future. We’ve got it pretty good when it comes to access. Roughly a third of Montana, some 30 million acres, is public land. We’re home to the gold-standard stream-access law, which…

Hidden treasures found on secret streams. The deepest eddies in the stream paralleling the county highway supported several trout and an abundance of mountain whitefish. The latter usually accepted any well-presented,…

After-dark adventures in southwest Montana. As the sun sets earlier each evening, and the long-lit summer days wane, a new rhythm settles in. After months of staying out past 9:30, we’re not quite ready to call it a night…

A guide to the best brush guns. In the world of firearms, nothing screams “western” more emphatically than a lever-action. The rifles actors shucked from saddle scabbards in 1970s movies were the same models that true…

Finding the ringed planet in the fall sky. On September 22nd, 19 minutes after noon local time, the fall equinox will arrive in the Northern Hemisphere, officially ushering in the season of autumn. Hours of daylight and…

Navigating through the fog of head injuries. It’s one of those fall afternoons that eclipses everything—no work emails, no Huffine 500… just peak season aspens and warm sun softening the crisp alpine air. The stars aligned…

Tips for dialing in your bird dog. Now that hunting season is here, you’ll likely reminisce on last season, remembering both the good and the not-so-good. Sometimes everything that went right in the beginning may have been…

A tribute to a few of Montana’s most notable canines. Around here, dogs occupy more than our back seats and back yards—they are companions, guardians, and members of the family. When they die, it can be as devastating as…

Winterizing & cleaning warm-weather gear. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” —Benjamin Franklin Fall in Bozeman is fleeting—golden leaves one week, snow-covered trails the next. And, while it’s…

Deciphering southwest Montana’s most commonly confused fauna. Correctly identifying species in the field isn’t always easy. There’s often something working against you—distance, lighting, angle of view, observation time,…

Water fight in the Crazy Mountains. From the beginning, Montana has been plagued by rapacious crooks who disregard our laws and lands in favor of personal enrichment. It began with the fur trade, continued with the gold…

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A raptor-identification quiz. Think you’re an avian expert? A bird-of-prey pundit? A walking raptorial resource? Here’s a chance to test your chops (or lack thereof). All of the questions are based on birds of prey that…

Which Montana ungulate are you? Nothing says “deep introspection” quite like comparing yourself to a wild animal. Use this quiz to discover which hooved Montana beast you embody most. Q1: It’s Saturday morning. What are…

The skinny on the happenings around southwest Montana. SHORT STUFF Next time you’re in West Yellowstone, mosey on over to the west side of town, where a new trail awaits. It’s called the Yellowstone Shortline Trail, and it…

A long-overdue indictment of motorized mayhem. They buzz by, propelled by overpowered motors and what seems like a personal vendetta against well-maintained singletrack. They appear out of nowhere, blasting around blind…

Are the downhill thrills really worth it? When it comes to two-wheeled transport, people have consistently pushed the envelope of possibility—from the absurdly impractical penny-farthing to the carbon-fiber, costs-more-…

Montana's newest nuisance. Move over, zebra mussels, there’s a new menace in Montana—but it doesn’t hide on hulls and infest waterways. No, this invasive species roams the mountains high above, eating nutrient-rich grasses…

The best answers for the worst questions.  As temperatures drop and daylight hours wane, we can finally take a moment to catch our breath, pack away our summer gear, and reflect on the wonderful season we had. And with…

The subtler side of southwest Montana. That famous quote, “Because it’s there,” was said by George Mallory, the British mountaineer. He reportedly gave this succinct answer when asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest,…

The unexpected benefits of outdoor art. There was no hatch on the Gibbon River, and the fishing was challenging, but I didn’t care—Yellowstone Park on a sunny, autumn day is wonderful. After another bad cast, everything…

A love letter to my hometown. When I was young, I read The Outsiders for a school project, and it had a much more profound impact on me than I’m proud to admit. There’s a great romance within the tortured teenage mind in…

Every year, my resolution to commit to a stretching routine lasts about three days. I’m reminded of this broken vow a few hours into a strenuous bike ride, when the cumulative toll of vibrations radiating through the bike…

For tromps along the river or other wet terrain, you can wear your Gore-Tex mountain boots, but why would you? A slip-on rubber boot keeps your dogs from barking, 'cause they'll stay warm and dry instead of cold and soggy.…

American-made, Montana-designed, and mountain-tested, the FORLOH Airalite Rain Jacket should live in your pack, from summer scouting 'til the snow flies in November. Windproof, comfortable, and quieter than many rain shells…

Cowboy campers in Montana are familiar with the “midnight shuffle” in the wee hours of the morning: the dark clouds roll in, and you grope hopelessly in the dark for a headlamp and tarp. Usually it’s too late, and you’re…

Locally, the Mystery Ranch name has become synonymous with quality and durability, and the company’s new Anchor Point Bow Case lives up to the reputation. This padded, zippered case is designed for the hunter who wants to…

When I first tried on First Lite’s Brooks Down Sweater, I found it comfy, but didn’t think it would stand up in the field. Man was I wrong—this jacket held tough during long stalks through thick timber and while crawling…

Spend enough time chasing birds, and at some point you'll start searching for a better upland vest. Even the most frugal hunter learns what works and what doesn't, and how little things make a big difference out there in…

You know it, I know it, the people of Bozeman know it; a strong boot makes or breaks the fun. Be it low-cut blisters, drenched socks, or chafing of the heels, discomfort ruins everything. When I found Kenetrek’s Women’s…

Ever dreamed of being able to see in the dark without having to pay a premium? Most of the so-called budget night vision goggles out there feel like toys—clunky, pixelated, battery hogs that end up collecting dust after one…

You don’t realize how important good communication is on a climb—or any adventure, for that matter—until you're without it. For me, it happened halfway up a multi-pitch when the wind kicked up, rendering everything my…

With their wide toe box and unmatched comfort, Altras have been a favorite of mine for years, and the Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Low hiking shoes are easily my best kicks to date. They are waterproof, highly grippy, and…

For an affordable trail cam that doesn't need battery replacement, check out the WOSPORTS G600Pro Wi-Fi Solar Trail Camera. It's simple, includes a free app for remote monitoring on your smartphone, and takes high-…

Blowing up a mattress by hand—or rather, mouth—isn't exactly a big deal, but when it's a large mattress, or you've already given yourself a head-rush on that beat-up old Therm-a-Rest from high school, the Exped Mega Pump…

Socks don’t usually get much attention—until you’re ten miles deep with blisters. Minus33’s Mountain Heritage Micro Weight Full Cushion Crews earn their keep with a Merino wool blend that’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and…

First thing I did when I took the Turtlebox Gen 3 speaker out of the box? Threw it in a puddle. It says waterproof on the box, and I had to see for myself if that was true. To no one's surprise, it lived. So too did the…

If you're anything like me, backpack shopping can feel like a gamble. Sometimes you don’t realize a pack’s flaws until you’re deep in the backcountry. That was my reality—until the Gossamer Gear G4-20 came into view.…

Summertime without a backpack is like a sports car with no gas: disappointing. Indeed, a pack helps get you out there, every chance you get, with a smile on your face. And a good pack, one that's got all the right features…

After spending several nights in the field with the Durston X-Dome 1+, I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations. When I initially unpacked it, I was impressed by how lightweight it was for a double-wall tent.…

After months of battling sore feet, I was desperate for a shoe that could provide genuine relief without sacrificing style. Enter the KURU Atom Fusion. With a breathable mesh upper and an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, the Atom…

Summer nights in Montana can get chilly—especially up in the alpine. But who wants to carry a winter sleeping bag 3,000 feet up a mountain to a remote alpine lake? I do, so long as it weighs only 2lbs., 10.5oz. That happens…

For years, I assumed that camping meant waking up to a crimped neck and sore back, no way around it. Until, that is, I picked up the Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad from Sea to Summit. With a nearly four-inch…

Last fall, I wanted a vacuum sealer for wild-game processing, figuring it would help protect the meat that I worked so hard to get. In a nutshell, vacuum sealing removes the air from a package, protecting the meat from…

Every time I move, I’m reminded of the merits of minimalism. Some things are easy to get rid of, but gear tends to pile up—especially when only used for specific activities. That’s where having a bag that adapts to various…

These days, trail runners feel overly minimal—narrow, flat, and lacking bounce. I understand lots of folks prefer a low-profile shoe on the trail. But when I'm running or hiking over rocky terrain, I need more cushion and…

As the old saying goes, sometimes not getting what you want is a tremendous stroke of good fortune. So it is with my latest backpack, as the one I originally wanted was out of stock. Thank goodness for that, because in…

For years, my hunting buddies have been using trekking poles, but I’ve shunned them, thinking the poles would be an unnecessary accessory, only taking up space in my pack and adding extra weight. But as I’ve gotten older…

Spring conditions in Montana can be unpredictable, but as sure as the wind will blow, the rain will fall. When the storms inevitable blow in, the Sitka Dew Point Jacket is a versatile, 3-layer shell that is sure to keep you…

The La Sportiva Big Wall Pullover Hoody is a stylish, asymmetrical half-zip ideal for cold-weather excursions. The fleece provides lightweight warmth without much bulk, allowing for freedom of movement and easy layering. It…

Despite their simplistic task, not all bear spray holsters are created equal. Case in point: the Bear Spray Lite Holster from FHF Gear. This nifty holder is made from a strong, laminated nylon and military-grade shock cord—…

These days, with so many styles of baselayers to choose from, it can be hard to know which material is best. However, sometimes it’s best to get back to the basics, and as the old adage goes: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix…

You can’t go wrong with a good wool flannel shirt—especially one that looks sharp, fits well, and can stand up to whatever you throw it’s way. This, my friends, is exactly the versatility you’ll find with the Porter Wool…

After nigh on two years of debilitating plantar fasciitis, I needed something special to get me back in the game—and the R3 Orthopedic Foot Roller from Roll Recovery is special indeed. I don't know who designed this thing,…

Down coats are the standard during a cold Montana winter, with varying amounts of insulation based on the activity. Which is all well & good for trails and open country, but what about off-trail snowshoeing and ski-…

For years when processing wild game at home, I used two knives: a fillet knife for trimming silver skin and cutting steaks, and a folding pocket knife for deboning and slicing through thick tendons. The Meatcrafter from…

With all due respect to blue-jean skiers, some of us are too old-fashioned (read: punctilious) to wear camouflage for anything but hunting. For me, sporting multi-cam on the Nordic trails is akin to a mom wearing PJs at the…

These days, there’s specialized rain gear for just about every activity—skiing, mountain climbing, fishing, hunting, you name it. If you have the money to buy it all, great, but if you had to pick one jacket to cover all…

You can scroll through a hundred photos of Yellowstone online and still miss what makes the place feel alive. But flip open Seeing Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (Sweetgrass Books, $22) with photography by David…

Anyone who’s spent time in Big Timber knows the wind is a full-time resident. Rather than just letting it blow over his land, 4th-generation cattle rancher Rick Jarrett decided to cut his teeth in the wind industry and…

Though cameras have never been my forte, I know a good photo when I see it. Stories, on the other hand, well that’s my bread and butter—especially ones that combines humor, relatable circumstance, and familiar locales.…

If you’ve ever hiked with a curious kid, you know the questions never stop. Somewhere between “What’s that?” and “Are we there yet?” comes the inevitable “Who pooped here?” Enter Who Pooped in the Park? (Far Country Press…