Saturday, December 07, 2024
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Warren Illi: Flathead Outdoors

See the latest column from Warren Illi here!

Updated 1 week, 2 days ago

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.

Updated 3 weeks, 2 days ago
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!”

Updated 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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 …

Updated 1 month, 4 weeks ago
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.

Updated 2 months, 1 week ago
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.

Updated 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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…

Updated 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Handguns and bear spray

Wow, it’s springtime in the Flathead. Last weekend was a great spring weekend with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s, plus bright sunny skies.

Updated 7 months, 1 week ago
Farm life

I write this column from my farm in eastern Montana near Malta. This is my first trip of the year to my farm.

Updated 7 months, 3 weeks ago
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.

Updated 8 months, 1 week ago
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 in a last ice fishing trip of the season. Wro…

Updated 8 months, 3 weeks ago
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…

Updated 9 months ago
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.

Updated 10 months, 2 weeks ago
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.

Updated 11 months ago
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…

Updated 11 months, 2 weeks ago
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!