Fall 2025

Features

  • Dirty Sox & Tight Lips

    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…
  • A Long Walk in the Park

    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…
  • Catch Me If You Can

    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…
  • Written in Snow

    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…
  • Long Shot

    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.…

Departments

  • Keepers of the Flame

    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…
  • Don't Fence Me In

    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…
  • Speed Goat-Sandos

    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…
  • Looking for Ghosts

    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…
  • Only Natural

    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…
  • Ugly by Design

    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…
  • Don't Mess with Our Access

    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…
  • The Ultimate Attractor

    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,…
  • Howl at the Moon

    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…
  • Love Levers

    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…
  • Old Man Saturn

    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…
  • Concussion Comeback

    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…
  • Nip It in the Bud

    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…
  • All Dogs go to Heaven

    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…
  • For the Long Haul

    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…
  • Mistaken Identity

    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,…
  • Champs & Chumps: Fall 2025

    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…
  • Bird Brain

    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…
  • Rack 'Em Up

    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…
  • Pillory: Buzz Kill

    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…
  • Oh, Deer!

    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…
  • Touron Tales

    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…
  • On the Down Low

    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,…
  • A New Light

    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…

Gear Reviews

  • Review: Use Components Vybe Suspension

    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…
  • Review: Chene Floodline Boot

    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.…
  • Review: FORLOH Airalite

    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…
  • Review: Argali Absaroka Tent

    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…
  • Review: Mystery Ranch Bow Case

    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…
  • Review: Chief Upland Vest

    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…
  • Review: Exped Mega Pump

    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…
  • Review: Minus33 Crew Socks

    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…
  • Review: Turtlebox Speakers

    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…
  • Review: Gregory Zulu Pack

    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…
  • Review: Durston X-Dome 1+

    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.…
  • Review: Kuru Atom Fusion

    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…
  • Review: Weston Vacuum Sealer

    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…
  • Review: Altra Olympus 6

    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…
  • Review: Kifaru Echo Pack

    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…
  • Review: Sitka Dew Point Jacket

    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…
  • Review: FHF Bear Spray Lite Holster

    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—…
  • Review: Flylow Porter Wool Shirt

    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…
  • Review: Benchmade Meatcrafter Knife

    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…
  • Review: Kuiu Encounter Jacket

    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…
  • Review: Kuiu Yukon TR Rain Jacket

    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…

Book Reviews

  • Book: The Crazies

    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…
  • Book: Who Pooped in the Park?

    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…

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