Columns
Searching for opinion based articles? Below we'll share opinion news articles on a wide variety of topics.
Fish management failures
Last week I drove to my cabin in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, planning to do some spring cabin chores and squeeze …
Spring firewood gathering
Spring is here in the Flathead with its ever-expanding variety of outdoor activities. Last weekend was just too nice to stay indoors, so I had to do a little hiking just to get out and soak up some spring sunshine.
Burning questions answered
On my recent drives along U.S. 93, I had seen the plumes. Instead of cringing that it was wildfire, I’d smile because it meant someone was cleaning up a pile — a burn pile, that is, and a chore that many yearn to t…
Big bird saves the day
When we walked in earlier to the Lone Pine State Park visitors’ center, AmeriCorps program specialist Eryn O’Brien greeted us with a hearty, “Are you guys big birders?” She took our “no” in stride, and provided the…
2024 fish regs and non-native species
Wasn’t last weekend wonderful? With temperatures in the 50s, sunshine and no wind, I just had to dig out my dusty lawn chair, walk to the back yard, sit my butt down and soak up the glorious heat and sun. If this w…
Fresh ears for young writers
It’s all good. I practically skipped with glee after these volunteer gigs, and the rejuvenating effects lasted for hours — just for bringing fresh ears to new writers.
2024 Montana hunting regulations
The much-awaited 2024 deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations are out for public review and implementation. This is one of Montana’s most popular publications, with 270,000 copies printed each year.
Cupid’s got nothing on Marion
They had me at “Anti-Valentine’s Day” in the event promo. I called my adventure buddy, and we headed to Marion.
Behind the open mic
Now a weekly event, the all-comers confab traces its roots to about six years ago, when emcee-organizer Colton Christensen worked at a Whitefish restaurant.
Sharp shooter captured a town
In these weather-bound days I hole up and read for hours. I finished a book about Lucie Duff Gordon, a London intellectual and translator who fled to Egypt in the mid-1800s to save her health and fell in love with …
Fishing for muskie
What’s probably the rarest game fish in Northwest Montana? I’ll bet that 99% of local fishermen can’t answer that question correctly.
Packers cultivate sunny outlook
Days are supposed to be stretching longer since solstice but to me it doesn’t feel like it. Winter can be hard around here.
Failed fishery management
Sunday’s Daily Inter Lake had an interesting article about a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposal for what might be viewed as reinventing the wheel. The proposal is considering to restart a program to kill lak…
The laureate rocks
I didn’t expect to hear Mary Oliver’s verse from Montana’s poet laureate, and here Chris La Tray recited her “The Summer Day.” We listened, then bent our heads to draw.
Start the ice fishing season at Sunriser tourney
Yes, in spite of our unusually warm weather, ice fishing season is here. ‘Tis the hard water fishing season!