Backcountry Horsemen share packing, safety tips
Greg Schatz, an experienced packer and horseman, gives Bigfork resident Mark Mercel some pointers on packing at last Saturday’s Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead’s clinic on safety and horse and mule packing. (Scott Shindledecker/Daily Inter Lake)
Guy Zoellner, the Trails Manager for the Spotted Bear Ranger District, shares a laugh with his audience at last Saturday’s Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead’s clinic on safety and horse and mule packing. (Scott Shindledecker/Daily Inter Lake)
Colyne Hislop, a wilderness packer with the U.S. Forest Service’s Spotted Bear Ranger District, spoke about the virtues of using electric fences to corral horses and mules in the backcountry. (Scott Shindledecker/Daily Inter Lake)
Those that treasure and savor time in Montana’s backcountry can thank Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead for its efforts over the last six decades.
Formed nearly 50 years ago in 1973, the Flathead chapter was the first of an organization that now features state and local chapters in 31 states with about 13,000 members.
Last weekend, the chapter and the Spotted Bear Ranger District hosted a free horse and mule packing and safety seminar at Triple Take Arena outside of Kalispell.
Greg Schatz, state director of the chapter, said the Flathead group has hosted the clinic for at least the last 30 years.
“It’s the second time we’ve done it with the Spotted Bear crew and it’s worked out well,” Schatz said.
The origins of the service group include “perpetuating enjoyable common sense use of horses in the back country and assisting government agencies in maintenance and management of the resource.”
Schatz explained the Horsemen chapters aren’t just for owners of mules and horses.
“Hikers are more than welcome,” he said. “We have trailhead projects where horses aren’t needed and many other opportunities and skills from food to clerical that are much appreciated.”
They also work closely with the Forest Service on clearing trails and have also advocated on behalf of its trail workers due to the fact federal budget cuts continue to affect the agency.
“Spotted Bear used to have a trail crew of 40 people, now it’s 13 and it could’ve been down to seven if we didn’t put some pressure on them,” Schatz said.
But mainly the group is one that works to keep trails open and rebuild trailheads as well as teach young people and newcomers about the lifestyle.
Later, this year, the Flathead chapter is hosting its third annual youth program Aug. 6-9 with the Forest Service’s Northern Region Pack String out of the Ninemile Ranger Station.
It is open to teens from 14 to 18 years of age. There are opening for 11 youth.
“We’ll teach how to lead and manty and we’ll do a little trail work, too,” Schatz said.
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Kalispell. Food and fellowship begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the group, check out their webpage at http://www.bchmt.org/flatbch/ or on Facebook.
Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.