Columns
Searching for opinion based articles? Below we'll share opinion news articles on a wide variety of topics.
Peak deer season has arrived
For the thousands of local deer hunters who have not notched their deer license this year, your time has arrived.
Time to change horses
The general rifle seasons for deer and elk hunting has mostly ended. Unless you were lucky enough to draw a late-season elk tag and have access to private ranch land in central Montana, your big game hunting season…
Conrad closets spill history
Last weekend I brought out all my sweaters and donned a pair of the wool socks I will wear for the next five months. Among the three basic needs, clothing seems like the lightweight, but a layer between self and en…
Only you can prevent overvotes
As a member of a resolution board that worked the last federal general election, I have pointers.
Is hunting always great?
When I return from a hunting trip, people frequently ask me, “How was hunting?” My response is almost always the same, “Hunting was great!”
Finding value or lack thereof in treasured items
Flathead treasure hunters and keepers flocked to the Northwest Montana History Museum for the sixth Montana Antiques Appraisal Fair on Oct. 26. Organized by the Foundation for Montana History, the fair brings in ex…
Saddled up for stories
About a hundred of us leaned in to hear every word said in honor of this occasion — the 60-year anniversary of the Wilderness Act — and also the recent publication of Elser's memoir, “Hush of the Land: A Lifetime i…
Opening day excitement builds
This Saturday is the opening day for the general rifle season for deer and elk hunting in Montana. This is the grandaddy of all opening days for the fall of 2024 hunting seasons. This is the day that probably over …
Clock doctor makes house calls
The museum’s Seth Thomas wall clock that hangs in the museum’s Swanberg Classroom hadn’t worked in years. Gentle prompts from our volunteer teachers spurred me to action.
For the love of hunting
Is hunting and are hunters an endangered species? Living in Montana, where most adults, especially males, hunt, it seems that our tradition of hunting for food and fun has rock-solid public support.
Northern Pike: Love or hate?
Before we get full time into outdoor columns about hunting, let me do a final end-of-summer column about fishing.
Let’s leverage common ground
When I moved to Kalispell a few years ago I visited a new friend’s house and saw that neighbors at the end of her street had hung a massive banner across their garage.
Some duffers don’t need to bluff
We were a few holes into what would be one of the highlights of our summer: A grand tour of prime Flathead Valley terrain during the golden hours of a summer evening.
Dahlia growers bloom at Northwest Montana Fair
Two big fellas load a cart just outside the Mini Horses Barn, a tied-up Clydesdale whinnies at me, and the signs along “Hamburger Road” make their pitches, including for Blended Red Bulls and the alluring combo of …
Summer on the lakes is set to loon music
Last week I enjoyed an early morning fishing trip on a beautiful lake, using only my quiet electric trolling motor. Using my onboard electronics, I slowly cruised around the lake searching my favorite spots for sch…