Wednesday, May 20, 2026
46.0°F

Warren Illi: Flathead Outdoors

Explore Warren Illi’s Flathead Outdoors column, offering seasoned insight into Northwest Montana’s wildlife, hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions. His writing highlights local ecosystems, regulations, seasonal activities, and decades of field experience across Northwest Montana.

Updated 1 year, 3 months ago

A modern arsenal for ice fishing

The recent cold weather has been very welcome for those of us that like to ice fish.

Updated 11 years, 5 months ago
Thankfulness and a 4-by-4 buck deer

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is as enjoyable as mine, enjoying a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings and some quality family time.

Updated 11 years, 7 months ago
Help enforce rules for private lands

Montana hunters are extremely fortunate to have over 30 million acres of public land to hunt. In Northwest Montana we have an addition 900,000 acres of Plum Creek and Stoltze land for hunting. Since most Plum Creek…

Updated 11 years, 7 months ago
Should younger kids be allowed to go hunting?

Montana is well-known as one of the best states for offering quality hunting. But is Montana a youth-friendly hunting state?

Updated 11 years, 8 months ago
Great weather for hunting, fishing

Wow, what great September weather for hunting, fishing and hiking! Recently, I’ve spent several days doing all three.

Updated 11 years, 8 months ago
Late-summer fun: fishing, firewood

What a great Labor Day weekend!  We are now entering the season of many outdoor choices.

Updated 11 years, 10 months ago
Flathead provides a family-friendly Fourth of July

It is hard to beat a long Fourth of July week in the Flathead! Long, warm, sunny days, no rain and refreshingly cool nights made outdoor recreation a real pleasure. With endless beautiful mountains for hiking, stre…

Updated 11 years, 11 months ago
Cormorant purge improves fishing

After a fun morning of fishing and a late morning breakfast, I am sitting in our Minnesota cabin overlooking sprawling Leech Lake. JoAnn and I have been here for two weeks, upgrading our cabin property and sneaking…

Updated 11 years, 11 months ago
The hunter as conservationist

Hunters are the world leaders in conservation. I like that aspect of being a hunter. Hunters, through their hunting license dollars, pay for most conservation.

Updated 12 years, 1 month ago
So many choices for spring recreation

Spring is here! Well, sort of.

Updated 12 years, 1 month ago
Happiness is a new fishing boat

I am as giddy as a kid with a brand-new all-day sucker.

Updated 12 years, 2 months ago
Snow creates flooding woes for ice anglers

Where is global warming when we need it?