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 …
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!
Maybe the Swifties take charge
After talking about journalism and sharing stories, we said bye at Sea-Tac with the idea we might meet up again as I often visited Seattle.
Reviewing the elk management plan
During the last few days, I have been reading the new 470-page Montana Statewide Elk Management Plan. What was of most interest to me and probably most hunters, is found on pages 15-41.
Some pivotal actors are quietest
As we gathered for a quintessential American holiday last week, I found myself also feeling grateful for Norwegians.
Snoozing on the job
Our general rifle season for deer and elk ended last Sunday. If you are like me, after many days of hunting starting in September, first for grouse, then archery hunting for deer and elk, then ducks & pheasants and…
Science meets art in Yellow Bay
“Who here loves plants?” Seattle artist and former river guide and garden designer Sarah Jones asked the few dozen of us assembled for a day alongside Flathead Lake.
We can LEARN to save lives
According to federal mortality data, suicide in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2022. In Montana, the state with the second-highest suicide rate in the country, it increased 42% from 2011 to 2021.
Know where you stand
The phrase “know where you stand” is the ad line for the Missoula based cell phone app used by millions of hunters to assist them in hunting.
History exudes quirky diversity
One perk of my job came a year after I started at the Northwest Montana History Museum: I got to go to the Montana History Conference.
Democracy fans make it personal
“What is democracy?” Kristina Graber Wilfore asked the audience of about 40 people at her talk last month at the Northwest Montana History Museum.
Exploring Montana's backroads
If you want to enjoy this week’s Outdoor column, you must set your clock back 100 years or more as we explore a backroads corner of Montana.
A memorable performance for several reasons
We thought it was just a piece of trash on the road to Bigfork. It seemed to flutter in the wind like a brown paper bag. As we got closer, we saw it was earthbound and alive.
The many joys of early autumn
Ah September, one of my favorite months of the year. Our days are warm and sunny, with crisp cool nights and tons of opportunities to go hunting, fishing, hiking or camping.
Riders thrown by the Ponies down stretch
With the way they played the first half, it should have been a lock that nobody besides Missoula would have a better overall record in the Pioneer League than the Glacier Range Riders.
Six things may be Good enough
Or maybe they were just regular Northwest Montanans, judging from the activities of many current Kalispell residents.