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Robert and Tracy Smith are the proprietors of Gunny's Guns, Broadus' new (and only) gun shop. Located at 207 North Trautman in the former Fruit truck barn (just north of the intersection of Trautman and Wilson, east of the post office), Gunny's features a variety of firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, and other gear for the shooter or hunter. Robert and Tracy were raised in the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana, as members of Montana families that stretched back gener...
MILES CITY – The weather was a bit milder for the final weekend of the general hunting season, but hunter traffic was still down a bit at check stations on Sunday in southeast Montana. Hysham check station The number of hunters passing through the Hysham check station was below what is typical for the closing weekend of the general deer and elk season. A total of 61 parties (average = 70) and 98 hunters (average = 138) were contacted by FWP staff. Although the hunter numbers were slightly down, the harvest rate was 11 p...
On Nov. 1, at 125 South Main Street in Baker the ribbon to mark the official grand opening of the much-anticipated Junction 39 was cut at 10 a.m. "This will make it so real," said JoDee Pratt while preparing things for the opening. "It's actually kind of mind-blowing," added Deanna Hayden. Junction 39 is the vision of Baker community members JoDee Pratt, Rita Breitbach, Pam Nelson and Deanna Hayden. "We talked a couple of different times about doing some sort of second-hand st...
Montana State University Extension is reminding Montanans to open a Medical Care Savings Account or make deposits into their accounts before Dec. 31 to save money on Montana income taxes. An MSA is an account used to reduce the cost of saving for medical expenses and long-term health care. According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, an MSA offers several benefits, including a reduction on state income taxes. For example, if a person has taxable income over $21,600, they could save approximately...
Despite the wintry conditions that marked the closing weekend of pronghorn season, a lot of hunters still came through southeastern Montana check stations on November 13. Hysham check station "Check stations provide an opportunity for regional FWP staff to visit with hunters and to better understand what they are experiencing in the field in relation to management prescriptions such as mule deer B license allocation," explained wildlife biologist Steve Atwood. "With the onset...
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK Plenty of space, minimal human activity and protected lands ensure thriving wildlife and waterfowl population. Together, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, tucked in Montana's northeast corner and Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge out of Malta make a home for more than 200,000 ducks and geese, as well as lake pelicans. Other havens, such as Half-Breed National Wildlife Refuge at Rapelje, Freezeout Lake near Choteau and War Horse Lake National...
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK With the exception of some stretches of the Yellowstone, most of the rivers of the high plains are mellow - no whitewater excitement, just serenity, solitude, beauty and a sense of the past. The water moves at an easy pace past islands, sandbars and groves of cottonwoods interspersed with a carpet of grasses and other riparian vegetation providing a home to river wildlife. The landscape along the rivers has changed little with time. A modern day...
Across the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Christmas and holiday tree permits are available at local respective Ranger Districts or online through Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2022 Holiday season are $5.00/tree (limit 3). A small transaction fee is associated with the online platform. Fourth graders, through Every Kid Outdoors, can also obtain a free permit through Recreation.gov or at Ranger District offices. "Gathering a holiday tree with friends or family is a long-cher...
Republicans serving in the incoming State Senate caucused today and chose the Senate’s leadership for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Senate Republicans elected Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, to serve as the next President of the Senate. Ellsworth was the Senate President Pro Tempore during the 2021 legislative session. “It’s an honor to serve as the next President of the Senate,” Ellsworth said. “I look forward to working with senators on passing a conservative balanced budget, providing financial relief and lower...
Montana mountain lion hunters will find some significant changes to the mountain lion regulations this year, including changes to season structure and licensing types. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers three types of lion licenses for sale this season: a general mountain lion license, a limited special mountain lion license (must have applied by July 22), and an unlimited special mountain lion license. Hunters may only purchase or apply for one license. The exception is those who do not draw a limited special license may...
MILES CITY – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking information on a mule deer buck that was illegally shot and left to waste just north of the Yellowstone River bridge on Monday. Warden Sergeant Casey Prell responded to a report of a poached deer just past the bridge on Highway 59 North in Miles City. The buck was last seen alive in the area on Sunday around 2 p.m. Anyone with possible information about this incident is encouraged to visit https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont to provide details or call the FWP violation r...
The Ag Development and Marketing Bureau at the Montana Department of Agriculture focuses on expanding market opportunities for Montana farmers. Marketing Officer Weston Merrill recently led a team of South American buyers searching for high quality chickpeas, lentils, green peas, durum, wheat, and barley. “In experiences like this, associating the buyer with the seller is unique. My role is to make that connection succeed.” Department of Agriculture Marketing Officer Weston Merrill said. The team traveled throughout the Tre...
One June evening a few years back found us at the site of Chief Joseph's surrender, just beyond the northern slopes of the Bear Paw Mountains. A thunderstorm was tailing off in a cloud-laden sky. On the western horizon, a widening gap revealed a setting sun. As a prelude to an unfolding concert the elements and the heavens merged. As pastel hues of crimson tinted the breaking clouds, the sun slowly disappeared from sight. Just when we thought the drama was complete, the pinks...
he Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced the rescission of a 2014 memo intended to provide guidance on changes in use for municipal water rights. “After reviewing the memo and its implementation over the last six years, we have determined that the memo is restrictive in how it directs historical use to be calculated and does not account in full for the variety of ways municipalities can produce historical use information,” said Nate Ward, Water Rights Bureau Chief. The Guidance for Municipal Purposes and...
Republican Matt Rosendale, the current representative of Montana’s at-large U.S. House district, has handily won his race to return to Congress. With nearly all votes in Montana’s expansive eastern U.S. House district counted as Wednesday morning, Rosendale beat independent businessman Gary Buchanan and Democratic former Billings City Council member Penny Ronning, receiving 114,330 votes, more than the rest of the field combined. Buchanan received 44,512 votes, two percentage points more than Ronning’s 40,570 votes. Liber...
Following some changes to the mountain lion license structure by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission that are now in effect, lion hunters are urged to review the regulations before purchasing a license. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers three types of lion licenses for sale: a general mountain lion license, a limited special mountain lion license (application only by July 22, 2022), and an unlimited special mountain lion license. You may only purchase or apply for...
Mid-Rivers Communications is offering $93,000 in scholarship funds for Eastern and Central Montana students. The Mid-Rivers Fund for Education, funded by unclaimed capital credits from members, has awarded over $560,000 in scholarships to area students. In 2023, Mid-Rivers will award 36 competitive and 18 drawing scholarships. Scholarship categories reflect the mission and values of the Cooperative and its members. This year’s scholarship program has three categories: • Dawson Community College/Miles Community College Sch...
Cold, wet weather settled into southeast Montana on Saturday and Sunday, making for a challenging opening weekend of the general hunting season. Traffic was a bit slower than usual at area check stations Sunday, and harvest success rates were down a bit due to winter weather conditions. But for the most part, hunters took the weather in stride and looked forward to more time in the field. Hysham check station Even with the cold and wet weather, most of the metrics for the...
The 2022 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8, and as absentee ballots have already gone out, odds are that scores of Montanans are already busy filling in their votes. If you're not registered yet, are planning to vote at the polls, or are still confused about what election laws may or may not be in effect right now, Montana Free Press has endeavored to make things a little easier with our 2022 Election Guide. And since the legal landscape has been such a moving target this...
Due to ongoing misuse of State Trust Land associated with recreational shooting – including public safety concerns, shooting debris left on site, and concerns that private property will be further damaged – the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced that two new firearm restrictions will be implemented on the affected lands in Gallatin County. Restrictions go into place on November 12 of this year, with an additional seasonal restriction going into place in the spring of 2023. The mix of temporary and yea...
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) recently announced their 15th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. “The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana’s authentic heritage for future generations,” said DuWayne Wilson, MCHF & WHC p...
For rural businesses looking to expand, purchase equipment or launch their business, Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) would like to announce that the State of Montana has been awarded $60 million dollars in federal funds to assist small Montana businesses with expansion and job creation. The MT SSBCI Loan Participation program will be used to assist existing Montana businesses that need additional funds to stabilize, pivot, expand, or re-start their business and to assist new Montana businesses...
Miles Community College will be holding the First Interstate Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet on Saturday, October 22. This year’s event will include a social hour, dinner, and hall of fame induction ceremony. The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. at the Town & Country Club in Miles City with a no-host social hour with dinner served at 7 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony. Montana radio personality Rocky Erickson of Rocky Erickson Sports will emcee the event. This year’s Hall of Fame class includes former Miles Com...
University of Montana law professor and Montana Constitution expert Anthony Johnstone has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a judge for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the White House said Friday. Johnstone is currently the Helen and David Mason Professor of Law at the University of Montana's Blewett School of Law, and he published a book on the Montana state Constitution this year. His past experience also includes serving as an attorney in the Montana...
Olivia DeJohn laughs as she chalks up having found a classroom she loves so early in her teaching career to serendipity. She teaches second grade at Missoula's Paxson Elementary School, a job she quips "fell into my lap." She did her student teaching at Paxson while getting her master's degree at the University of Montana and, as a result, was asked to serve as a long-term substitute for an educator who had to go on leave. "Originally when I heard second grade, I was like,...
