1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. ski resorts

Life and land from the heart of the Yellowstone Region
Oct. 17-30, 2014
Volume 5 // Issue #21
SPECIAL SECTION:
HUNTING SMALL GAME
Breaking down TEDD/TIF
16th annual Powder Blast
in Bozeman
Montana's U.S. House election
Rusted Root returns to
West Yellowstone
Big Sky Resort adds more
skiable terrain
explorebigsky
explorebigsky
#explorebigsky
ON THE COVER: Snow settles on the Bridger Mountains in early October as fall fades into the winter season.
PHOTO BY TAYLOR-ANN SMITH
BELOW: Stalking ring-necked pheasants near Williston, N.D. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
Oct. 17 – Oct. 30, 2014
Volume 5, Issue No. 21
Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana
PUBLISHER
Eric Ladd
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Joseph T. O’Connor
SENIOR EDITOR/
DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR
Tyler Allen
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Maria Wyllie
CREATIVE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kelsey Dzintars
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Taylor-Ann Smith
VIDEO DIRECTOR
Brian Niles
SALES AND OPERATIONS
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Megan Paulson
DIRECTOR OF SALES
E.J. Daws
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Katie Morrison
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR
Maria Wyllie
MEDIA AND EVENTS COORDINATOR
Ersin Ozer
CONTRIBUTORS
Dave Alvin, Katie Alvin, Conrad Anker, Bjorn
Bergeson, Daniel Bullock, Sheila Chapman, Jackie
Rainford Corcoran, Theresa Da Silva, Mike Everett,
Kaci Felstet, Ted Kooser, Joe Nowakowski, Pat
Straub, Nick Turner
Editorial Policy
Outlaw Partners LLC is the sole owner of the
Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all
submitted material. Printed material reflects the
opinion of the author and is not necessarily the
opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will
not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express
views and share how they would like to effect
change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters
should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical,
accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We
reserve the right to edit letters. Include: full name,
address, phone number and title. Submit to
[email protected].
Taking aim
I’ve been bird hunting once in my life. As a preteen, I joined my father and his best friend Bill
Peter as we stalked around Peter’s farm with his
Irish setter Murphy. I took one shot at a fleeing
bird – I don’t even remember the species – and
missed. I haven’t pursued an animal since. I
moved to Montana in 2008 and every year I’ve
said I’d like to get into hunting, but other fall
activities always seem to distract that pursuit.
For this issue of EBS, I had the opportunity to
talk to Joe Nowakowski – a bird dog trainer in
Gallatin Gateway – to get an expert’s perspective
on training hunting dogs. He described how
rigorous training, patience and hard work with a
puppy can pay off in spades, giving you a faithful
outdoor companion for years. The passion he has
for his life’s work is clear and I learned more in a
day than I do in some weeks.
Tales like Nowakowski’s are the reason we print
special sections like the one in this edition, which
ADVERTISING DEADLINE
For the Oct. 31 issue:
Oct. 24, 2014
CORRECTIONS
Please report errors to [email protected].
OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY
P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716
(406) 995-2055 • [email protected]
© 2014 Explore Big Sky Unauthorized reproduction
prohibited
Explore Big Sky
regional distribution
Hundreds of drop points
surrounding Yellowstone
National Park
is devoted to small game hunting. These sections
narrow our focus – and aim – to seek unique
stories we wouldn’t otherwise find. In this issue
our publisher Eric Ladd describes an annual
hunting trip he takes to Williston, N.D. where
the oil boom starkly contrasts the rich pheasanthunting tradition.
We also have a story by Montana State University
student Michael Everett who describes waking
before sunrise and sitting for hours with his close
friends – both two- and four-legged – waiting for
the distinctive whistling wings of ducks.
These stories inspire us to go on long walks, see
new places and possibly relive some childhood
pursuits. We hope they inspire you.
– Tyler Allen
MONTANA IMPORT GROUP
PRESENTS THE
16 ANNUAL POWDER BLAST!
TH
A FUNDRAISER FOR THE
FRIENDS OF THE
AVALANCHE CENTER
SPECIAL THANKS TO MYSTERY
RANCH, GRIZZLY OUTFITTERS
AND THE COMMUNITY FOOD COOP
FOOD BY BOUNTIFUL TABLE / BEER BY LONE PEAK BREWERY / LIVE MUSIC BY HOLLER N’ PINE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 , 2014
TH
THE EMERSON / 6:30 PM
TICKETS AT WWW.MTAVALANCHE.COM
BozemanSkiGuide.com
4 Oct. 17-30, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
FEATURES:
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Section 1: News
Local News...................................................5
Regional....................................10
Montana................................15
Special Section:
Hunting Small Game
Section 2: Business, Sports, and Outdoors
Business...................................17
Health...........................................19
Sports..............................................20
Events.........................................22
Entertainment............................24
Outdoors....................................27
16th annual Powder
Blast in Bozeman
Rusted Root returns to
West Yellowstone
C a l e n d a r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8
The Eddy Line.............................................30
Fun...................................................31
Back 40........................................................32
Special Section: Hunting Small Game
Guide to small game.................................34
Big Sky Resort adds more
skiable terrain
THE ONE THING THAT YOU
HAVE THAT NOBODY ELSE
HAS IS YOU. YOUR VOICE,
YOUR MIND, YOUR STORY,
YOUR VISION. SO WRITE
AND DRAW AND BUILD AND
PLAY AND DANCE AND
LIVE ONLY AS YOU CAN.
Montana U.S House
election coverage
ile
let mob g
isin
advert ness
usi
drive b u!
to yo
-Anonymous
bus wraPs available - Target
thousands of local consumers including Resort
employees, permanent residents, MSU Students
and 300,000 seasonal tourists
contact outlaw Partners (406) 995-2055
or [email protected]
explorebigsky.com
LOCAL
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 5
The ABCs of TEDD and TIF
BY JOSEPH T. O’CONNOR
EXPLORE BIG SKY MANAGING EDITOR
A group of Gallatin and Madison County residents is seeking to form a Targeted
Economic Development District in Big Sky. The group formed the Big Sky
TEDD Committee in July, which was approved by the Big Sky Chamber of
Commerce.
What is a TEDD?
“[A TEDD] is a common tool to fund public infrastructure and encourage
economic development,” committee member Bill Simkins told EBS in August,
adding that Tax Increment Financing is one way the area could finance the
TEDD.
Here’s what you need to know about TEDDs, TIFs and what they could mean for
the Big Sky area.
What is TIF?
According to Montana law,
“A local government may, by
ordinance and following a public
hearing, authorize the creation of a
targeted economic development
district in support of value-adding
economic development projects.
The purpose of the district is the
development of infrastructure
to encourage the location and
retention of value-adding projects
in the state.”
“Tax increment financing is a state-authorized,
locally driven funding mechanism that allows
specifically designated districts to invest
property tax dollars that accrue from new
development into community and economic
development activities, including public
infrastructure,” according to Janet Cornish,
owner and principal of Community Development
Services of Montana. “As federal and state
resources have declined, TIF remains one of the
few mechanisms that local governments can
use to encourage investment.”
How does TEDD/TIF work?
How the money will be spent:
“This is not a new tax,” said TEDD Committee member Ryan Hamilton at an Oct. 8
committee meeting. “Any new construction will generate taxes, and this tax increment
normally goes to the county and state.” With a TEDD, this money would remain in the Big
Sky district.
If Gallatin and Madison county commissioners approve a TEDD, a baseline property tax
will be determined. That baseline amount will continue to go to the counties, but over
time, as infrastructure improvements are made, the property taxes generated above the
baseline tax will stay in the district to be used for further infrastructure investments.
What's been done:
The Big Sky Resort Tax Board
reallocated $45,000 from power
line burial project to help fund
the TEDD project
The next steps:
The Big Sky TEDD Committee hopes to
create two TEDDs, one in the Gallatin
County portion of Big Sky, one in the
Madison County portion. The two
districts could be managed by one
advisory board, which would be
comprised of a diverse cross section
of community members.
Step one: Present Infrastructure
Deficiency Report to county
commissioners showing that Big Sky is
infrastructure deficient, and requesting
the commissions make findings to that
effect. “It’s a resolution of intent that
Estimated TEDD project cost
• Attorney fees
• Mapping
• Writing infrastructure
deficiency report
•Writing
comprehensive
development plan
• Costs associated
with administration
• Consultant fees
• Third party
economic impact
study
we file so that the commissioners acknowledge
and understand our deficiencies,” said Mike
DuCuennois, also a TEDD Committee member.
• Madison Co. public hearing – Date and
location TBD
• Gallatin Co. public hearings (Gallatin County
Courthouse)Wednesday Nov. 12 (tentative)
Tuesday Dec. 2 (tentative)
Step two: Public engagement in the form of
town hall meetings likely after Jan. 1 if and when
Madison and Gallatin county commissioners
recognize infrastructure deficiencies in Big Sky.
Public TEDD Committee meetings with:
• Big Sky Owners Association (Oct. 17)
• Big Sky Water and Sewer District (Nov. 18)
• Big Sky Fire Department Board (Oct. 22)
• Big Sky School District Board (Nov. 20)
Step three: Create a Comprehensive
Development Plan for commissioners and
schedule a hearing to establish the TEDD.
Expected: spring 2015
How the TEDD project is funded
Private funding:
$20,000-$25,000
Resort Tax Board
funds reallocated:
$45,000
TEDD Committee
members have
applied for a
Planning Grant to
Big Sky Trust Fund:
$25,000
Big Sky TEDD Committee:
Loren Bough • Jecyn Bremer • Brian Caldwell • Kitty Clemens • Carol Collins • Matt Daugherty • Mike DuCuennois • Ron Edwards • Bill Farhat •
Kristin Gardner • Kevin Germain • Rob Gilmore • Ryan Hamilton • Mike Hedegaard • Jerry House • Jamey Kabisch • Karen Lum • Taylor Middleton •
Katie Morrison • Erik Nelson • David O’Connor • John Romney • Suzan Scott • Bill Simkins • Jim Simon • Dawn Smith • Brian Sprenger • Regan Teat •
Jessica Wiese • Brian Wheeler • Ennion Williams
6 Oct. 17-30, 2014
LOCAL
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Terrific Kids/Students of the Month
September: Leadership
BIG SKY – The Big Sky School District honored four students for their
leadership skills in September, as part of its Student of the Month/Terrific Kids
of the Month program.
Teachers choose two “terrific kids” from kindergarten through fifth grades
and two “students of the month” in middle and high school, recognizing them
based on a different theme every month.
An announcement is made over the intercom, and the students are called into
the office to be congratulated. In addition, the k-5 honorees are rewarded with
a burger from The Corral, and the chosen middle and high school students get
pizza from Blue Moon Bakery.
K-2 Terrific Kid of the Month: Frieda Fabozzi
Second grader Frieda Fabozzi is a model student
and shows kindness and respect to not only her
classmates and teacher, but also everyone in the
school. She sets an outstanding example for her
peers by following directions the first time they
are given, trying her best in everything she does,
and going above and beyond what is asked of her
on a daily basis. Great job Frieda!
Middle School Student of the Month:
Reilly Germain
Sixth grader Reilly Germain exemplifies
leadership on a daily basis. Her cheerful attitude
and bright spirit show her classmates that the best
way to approach a day is to be full of optimism and
life. Leading by cheerfulness is a non-traditional
approach, but her kindness and exuberance are
infectious, positively influencing her classmates to
learn and participate in a wholly favorable manner. 3-5 Terrific Kid of the Month:
Charlee Sue Dreisbach
Third grader Charlee Sue Dreisbach is a quiet
leader who demonstrates her leadership skills
by setting a positive example for others. She is
always focused and working hard on the assigned
task. Charlee Sue is a role model for students
of all grade levels, setting an example through
her behavior in the halls, at electives, and when
following directions in class. She remains positive,
determined and focused, helps others and
possesses a strong work ethic. Thank you Charlee
for being a leader that we can all learn from! High School Student of the Month:
Tucker Hensley
Whether in the hallways, in the classroom, or on
the basketball court, Tucker Hensley is a leader
at LPHS every day. He brings out the best in
those around him, is the first to offer a helping
hand, inspires confidence in others, and has an
infectious, cheerful attitude. On our expedition
trip this fall, Tucker voluntarily assumed a
leadership role by helping others, taking charge
and getting things done. It has been said, “A
leader is one who knows the way, goes the way,
and shows the way.” Tucker fits this quote and
earns the honor of LPHS student of the month
for leadership.
TAPHOUSE AND GRILL
OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR
FOOD SERVED DAILY FROM 11:30AM-9:30PM
HAPPY HOUR 4-6PM
S.I.N. SERVICE
INDUSTRY NIGHT
MONDAYS 11:30AM-9PM
$4 LONG ISLAND ICE TEAS
$4 MARGARITAS
HAPPY HOUR BREWS
FREE LIGHT APPS
$5 NACHOS
$7 BURGER W FRIES
LONEPEAKBREWERY.COM • (406) 995-3939
48 MARKET PLACE, MEADOW VILLAGE CENTER, BIG SKY, MT
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
LOCAL
Oct. 17-30, 2014 7
Big Sky HOAs step up
bear safety efforts
BEAR SMART BIG SKY
BIG SKY – Homeowners in the
Big Sky Owners Association,
as well as Spanish Peaks and
Town Center associations are
making the switch to Kodiak
bear-resistant trash cans. Trash
is the No. 1 attractant for bears,
and conflicts with humans have
steadily increased in the Big Sky
area in recent years.
The Kodiak trashcans available
to Big Sky residents have been
tested and certified by the
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
in West Yellowstone.
Visit fwp.mt.gov/fishandwildlife/
livingwithwildlife/bebearaware for
more information on living safely
with bears.
Greg Iszler, Bozeman, Mont.
Site Service, Big Sky Town Center
“I’m partial to dog costumes: the shark, [or]
the hot dog. The big debate at our house is
what we’re going to dress our dog as.”
Republic Services will pick up
residents’ old, non bear-resistant
cans on a regular pick up day in
late October and replace them
with new Kodiak cans.
Chris Phillips, Bozeman, Mont.
There are multiple benefits to
utilizing these new trashcans.
Homeowners won’t have to clean
up after bears that get into their
trash and, more importantly, this
effort will reduce the number of
human-bear conflicts in the Big
Sky area.
If you don’t live in one of these
HOAs and you’re interested in
helping to reverse Big Sky’s trend
in human-bear conflicts, contact
Republic Services at (406) 5860606 to request this service.
What’s the funniest Halloween costume
you have ever seen?
Landscape Artist, Rocky Mountain Townworks
“Gumby at a Halloween party in Washington.”
Michelle Everett, Big Sky, Mont.
A Kodiak bear-resistant trashcan is
put through its paces at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. PHOTO
COURTESY OF G&WDC
HOA Account Manager, Hammond Property
Management
“A local goofball, [I] won’t name names,
dressed up as Garth – complete with Dixie cup
and red-rope licorice accessories.”
S
YELLOWSTONE CLUB
UNDER CONTRACT
UNDER CONTR
Mtn. Chateau / $20M / 15,583 SQ FT
20 Miller Lane / $13.7 M / 9,244 SQ FT
River Runs Through It / $13M / 13,349 SQ FT
Four Peaks Lodge / $10.9
Ski Tip Lot 8 / $775K / 1.11 ACRES
Ranch Lot 110 / $395
SPANISH PEAKS MOUNTAIN CLUB
UNDER CONTRACT
REDUCED PRICE
2570 Ousel Falls / $2.995M / 6,184 SQ FT
Ski Tip Lot 6 / $855K / 1.26 ACRES
MOONLIGHT BASIN
BIG SKY
10 Half Hitch / $3.49 M / 4,924 SQ FT
1085 Looking Glass / $539K / 2,100 SQ FT
13 Beartooth Rd. / $48
120 Firelight Dr. C-7 / $115K / 1,092 SQ FT
Mtn. Meadows / $3.495
REDUCED PRICE
Ranch Lot 10 / $275K / 5.1 ACRES
UNDER CONTRACT
Cedar Creek #45 / $229K / 868 SQ FT
Glacier #159 / $230K / 1,136 SQ FT
BOZEMAN
COMMERCIAL / DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIE
UNDER CONTRACT
Lot 12 Limber Pine / $135K / .3 ACRES
Lot 30 Bear Crossing / $175K / 2 ACRES
Ladd, Kulesza & Company
Real Estate Brokerage, Consulting & Development
Airport Garages / $20,000 each
For more information or
private showings contact:
406-995-2404
Lot 4 Yellowtail Dr. / $2
SOUTHWEST MONTANA Property Collection
RACT
99M / 10,451 SQ FT
5K / 2.38 ACRES
Doc’s Holiday / $8.2M / 8,423 SQ FT
Ranch Lot 93 / $350K / 4.84 ACRES
80K / 2,782 SQ FT
Park Condo 294 / $379K / 1,451 SQ FT
5 M / 120 ACRES
Lot 43A Half Moon / $379.9K / 1.22 ACRES
YC Lot 326 / $2.8M / 3.24 ACRES
Ranch Lot 99 / $345K / 4.06 ACRES
Village Center 281 / $350K / 473 SQ FT
Tract 2, COS 2071 / $250K / 5 ACRES
YC Lot 36A / $2.8M / 5 ACRES
Ranch Lot 87 / $297K / 3.65 ACRES
472 Firelight Dr. / $258K / 1,859 SQ FT
Antler Ridge Lot 183 / $180K / .46ACRES
ES
2.4M /3.5 + ACRES
Essentia / $840K / 7 pads, 14 units
Market Place / 5 units available / See agent
for details
LKRealEstate.com
All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and should not be relied upon as such.These offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without
notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you currently have a listing agreement or buyer broker agreement with another agent, this is not a solicitation to change. ©2014 LK REAL ESTATE, llc. lkrealestate.com
10 Oct. 17-30, 2014
REGIONAL
Explore Big Sky
Robin and Linda Williams
play The Ellen Theatre Nov. 1
BOZEMAN – “A Prairie Home
Companion” favorites Robin and
Linda Williams play The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman on Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.,
in support of their upcoming studio
release “Back 40.”
THE CRONIN FAMILY AND RANCH
AND RESORT GROUP ARE PROUD
TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF
UNDER
CONTRACT
18
PHASE 7
The Virginia-based duo will perform
a robust blend of bluegrass, folk,
old-time and acoustic country that
combines wryly observant lyrics with
a wide-ranging melodicism. Some
might call it “Americana,” but these
two revered music masters were living and breathing this elixir 20 years
before that term was turned into a
radio format. Released on Oct. 22, “Back 40” finds
the Williams duo celebrating their
40 years as performers with a newly
recorded album featuring fresh treatments of their early classics – many
from albums long out of print – and
favorites by other writers, as well as a
new song, “The Old Familiar House
on Christmas Day.” On the record, produced in Nashville
by Grammy-winning producer Jim
Rooney, the Williamses are backed
by the able trio of Todd Phillips on
standup bass, Al Perkins on Do-
bro and pedal steel, as well as band
mates Chris Brashear on mandolin
and fiddle and Jim Watson on vocal
harmony.
“I love listening to them sing this collection of songs,” Rooney says of the
album. “Their takes on ‘Urge For Going’ and ‘Boots Of Spanish Leather’
are as good as any I have heard. Pretty
damn good to have this freshness and
energy after all the years and miles.”
Robin and Linda Williams’ concerts
have earned them a huge body of fans
over the years, but as gifted songwriters Robin and Linda have also earned
the devotion and deep respect of their
musical peers. Their songs have been
recorded by the likes of Emmylou
Harris, Tom T. Hall, George Hamilton IV, Tim and Mollie O’Brien,
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy
Mattea, and The Seldom Scene. They
keep a busy tour schedule and also
make guest appearances on “A Prairie
Home Companion,” where they’ve
appeared since the public radio show’s
early days.
Visit theellentheatre.com for tickets
and more information.
“Moose Marsh”
Residential building lots
on the new extension of
Whitefish Drive
• Prices start at $105,000
“Hoof Beats”
• Lots range in size from 8,045 to 13,750 s.f.
• Single Family homes with an accessory apartment allowed as
a conditional use.
• Preliminary plat now, final plat this winter
• Taking reservations now to close mid winter
PACKY CRONIN
Ranch and Resort Group
406-580-4136
[email protected]
Ranchandresortgroup.com
BigSkyRealEstateGuide.com
Office: 406.586.5868
Fax: 888.432.9986
Property is agent owned
Represented by
Paula Pearl
Capturing the Spirit of Life
paulapearl.com
Creighton Block Gallery
33 Lone Peak Drive
Creighton Block406.586.6850
Gallery
Big Sky, MT
33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky, MT
406.993.9400 406.993.9400 paulapearl.com
explorebigsky.com
REGIONAL
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 11
Children don't just gather here for the pumpkins and caramel apples. The
petting zoo includes billy goats and pigs.
Rocky Creek Farm has a perfect setting with a sense of hometown nostalgia.
Bozeman locals Katie Birkle and Tanner Smith select the perfect apples to make
a batch of freshly pressed apple cider.
Rocky Creek Farm opened in 1981 and maintains its original buildings. Here,
visitors enter the main barn to press apple cider.
Celebrating fall in Bozeman at Rocky Creek Farm
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
TAYLOR-ANN SMITH
EXPLORE BIG SKY STAFF WRITER
BOZEMAN – The leaves have turned, apple
cider is flowing, and the pumpkins have ripened
at Bozeman’s Rocky Creek Farm. North of
Frontage Road, across the railroad tracks in an
open field stands the farm’s picturesque blue
barn, surrounded by antiquated tractors and
weathered hay bales. On a perfect fall day, the
farm is bustling with families, couples, tourists
and locals.
Rocky Creek Farm reminds its customers that
everyone can feel like a kid again. Billy goats bask
in the field waiting to be flocked by children
while tired pigs rest in their muck of hay and
mud. The number of fall activities offered at the
farm is staggering, from the corn maze to picking
pumpkins, from making batches of fresh cider
to petting farm animals. And don’t forget the
hayrides.
Visitors can start their day by making their
own cider, choosing a bucket and filling it from
massive bins of Jonathan apples. Once the bucket
is filled, walk inside the barn to have your unique
batch pressed. One is instantly greeted with the
sweet aroma of apple juice, and the smiles of farm
employees as they show kids how the machine
works. You can leave your bucket with the
team to be pressed while you continue your fall
adventures.
purchase your harvest. Only cash or check is
accepted at the vintage, early 1900s cash register.
Outside the barn, children bustle around with
their prized pumpkins and parents take endless
scrapbook-worthy photos. The unique part of
harvesting a pumpkin here is that the only way
to the patch is on a hayride. The tractors all have
their own character – each a different model with
varying amounts of rust – and slowly chug along
with a youngster steering the machine from an
employee’s lap.
Whether you travel here as a family to make
seasonal memories or stop by to stock up on fresh
produce, Rocky Creek’s 50-acre farm is an ideal
place to celebrate the changing season.
Upon reaching the pumpkin patch, one can’t help
but grin watching children run around seeking
the perfect pumpkin. Once you’ve gathered
your crop, take the hayride back to the barn to
Then you can return to the cider. Rocky Creek
Farm offers home fermenting kits to give your
batch a special kick if you desire. Keep in mind
that the cider is fresh and unpasteurized, and
since there are no additives or preservatives, it
must be consumed within a week or frozen to
keep bacteria away.
Rocky Creek Farm opened in 1981 and is located
at 34297 Frontage Road east of Bozeman. Hours
vary depending on the season and weather. The fall
hours are: Tuesday through Friday from 1-5 p.m.,
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from
noon to 5 p.m. The farm is closed Mondays. Visit
rockycreekfarm.com or call (406) 585-0225 for
more information.
Creighton Block
Paula Pearl, “Curious,” 30 x 40, Oil on Canvas.
Available at Creighton Block Gallery, Big Sky, Montana | (406) 993-9400 | creightonblockgallery.com
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
REGIONAL
Oct. 3-16, 2014 13
Oct. 17-30, 2014 13
The economic ecosystem of Yellowstone
National Park
BY KATIE MORRISON
EXPLORE BIG SKY STAFF WRITER
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – The
National Park Service released a report on Oct. 8,
showing that Yellowstone National Park visitation
numbers for 2014 have already surpassed the
year-end total for 2013. More than 3.2 million
people have visited the park since January, placing
2014 in top five visitation years since the park’s
inception in 1872.
Visitor Spending Effects Report,” the park brought
$451 million to the region in 2013.
“Although it’s not why Yellowstone National Park
was created, we recognize we are an important
economic contributor to the region,” Nash said.
As is the case with any ecosystem, each organism
in Yellowstone both gives to and receives from
Of comparable diversity are Yellowstone’s visitors,
traveling from around the U.S., as well as from
countries around the globe every year. The human
interaction between these visitors brings its own
complexity, as they interface with one other and
the natural world.
Yellowstone tourism has also a substantial
economic impact on the surrounding communities.
According to the NPS’ “2013 National Park
The social and economic implications of the
growing visitation to Yellowstone and surrounding
communities drive their own set of challenges,
Gilmore says. While the rise in visitation is a
financial boon to gateway towns, it also creates
pressure on basic infrastructure needs such as
healthcare facilities and employee housing.
“There are synergies between the [gateway]
communities, so it makes sense that regional
problems can have regional solutions,” Gilmore
said.
“As you look at long-term visitation numbers,
there continues to be a slow, steady increase,” said
YNP Chief of Public Affairs Al Nash.
Yellowstone’s complex ecosystem is a major
draw: Bison, wolves, grizzlies, elk, eagles,
trout, wolverines and caddis flies interact in an
environment of geysers, mud pots, wildflowers,
sagebrush, rivers and mountain lakes.
Rob Gilmore, Executive Director of the Northern
Rocky Mountain Economic Development District,
sees an expanded scope of the visitation impact.
its environment. YNP not only brings revenue to
the region, but also receives support from various
sources, including area nonprofits like Yellowstone
Park Foundation and the Yellowstone Association.
These synergies have sparked collaborative efforts,
crossing state lines with initiatives including YPF’s
Gateway Businesses For The Park program, which
brings area businesses together in support of the
park. The program represents companies from
many different aspects of the regional economy,
from the Bozeman International Airport to small
businesses like Big Sky’s East Slope Outfitters.
Nash says the park receives an estimated $33.8
million in federal funding for its base-operating
budget, a number that has declined or remained
static for several years. An additional $42 million
come from other sources, which Nash says
“[contribute] to operating Yellowstone.”
“We support Yellowstone because we believe its
sustainability is vital to not only preserve the
natural resource, but also the economic viability
of the region,” said Jeff Burgard, president of
AlphaGraphics printing, a For the Park member in
Bozeman.
This is how Big Sky gets
into hot water.
HEALTH SCREENING DAY
AT BIG SKY
Thursday, August 28 :: 8 am–1 pm
Bozeman Deaconess Pharmacy at Big Sky
Meadow Village Center across from the Big Sky Chapel
WHEN THE TRAIL TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN,
WE’VE GOT THE RELIEF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.
Bringing you
BIG SKY MEDICAL CENTER
There are hundreds of miles of trails to enjoy
around Big Sky. You can get away from it all
and still be close to the important stuff. Like
prescription medication. Or over-the counter
remedies for scraped knees or sunburns. Stop
by the Bozeman Deaconess Pharmacy at Big
Sky for all that and then some. We’re right
here in the neighborhood. And easier to find
than an ousel on the trail to Ousel Falls.
Weekdays 10 am–6 pm
(406) 993-9390
bozemandeaconess.org/pharmacy
Meadow Village Center :: 36 Center Ln., Suite 2
2015
Nordic HotFallTub
We service what we sell!
Join us Thursday, August 28, for free and reduced cost screenings
salesdraws
to fit your
budgetthe followingSpa
andSpa
blood
including
andcovers
more:and custom lifts
Pool and
spa care after
the sale
• Blood
pressure
• Glucose
• Body
mass
Bone density
Custom
maintenance•plans
Lots of• accessories
for your spa
Health education
Lab work
Special• orders
available
Bring unwanted/unused prescription drugs to safely dispose.
www.BigSkyHotTubs.com
For more information, call Bozeman
Deaconess Health Information
Center at 406-414-1644, or visit
bozemandeaconess.org/events.
(406) 995-4892 • [email protected]
47520 Gallatin Rd. • Big Sky, MT 59716
14 Oct. 17-30, 2014
we are
HEADER
explorebigsky.com
MONTANA
Explore Big Sky
explorebigsky.com
MONTANA
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 15
Montana mid-term elections
U.S. House of Representatives
Democrat Lewis says he’s the ‘work horse’ candidate
BY BJORN BERGESON
COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE
UM SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
As he watched the resulting 16-day shutdown of
the federal government last fall, John Lewis felt
compelled to do something about the partisan
gridlock.
“I came to the conclusion that the U.S. House
is basically keeping this country from moving
forward,” said the 36-year-old Democrat, who
faces Republican Ryan Zinke in the Nov. 4
midterm election. “We’ve got one seat in the
House, and I’m concerned about the future of this
country.”
For 12 years, he had been aide to U.S. Sen. Max
Baucus, first in Washington, D.C., as a legislative
assistant and then as a Montana-based state
director of Baucus’ efforts to solve problems for
individuals, business and local governments.
Born in Billings, Lewis is one of six children in
a blended family. His mother was an educator,
a Forest Service employee and small-business
woman. His father was a land planner and his
stepdad a smokejumper.
Lewis graduated from Missoula’s Sentinel High
School, and in 2001 he earned a bachelor’s in
political science from Western Washington
University. Returning to Montana shortly
thereafter, he began working on political
campaigns.
Both Lewis and Zinke struggled after the primary
to distinguish themselves with the independent
voters who will likely decide the election. But
the fight escalated when Zinke began running ads
comparing his leadership experience as a U.S. Navy
Seal with Lewis’ youth and his work “helping to
write the disastrous Obamacare legislation.”
Lewis, who was in Montana when the law
was drafted, has said he had no role in writing
Obamacare, but supports its efforts to provide
health coverage for working families. The
law needs fixing, Lewis said, by adding more
flexibility, less paperwork and more competition
from private insurers.
Lewis also draws a line between his stance on
energy and Zinke’s. Both support the Keystone
XL pipeline and an energy policy that calls for
development of oil, gas and coal, and renewable
energy, but Lewis said his plan focuses more on
renewables and the need to battle climate change.
The two also differ on abortion, with Lewis saying
he would fight for a woman’s right to choose.
Zinke is pro-life, but says he’ll abide the U.S.
Supreme Court decision declaring abortion legal.
As voters look for differences between the
candidates they should look at who’s supporting
them, said Lewis, who notes that more than
70 percent of the donors to his campaign were
Montanans. By contrast, most of Zinke’s donors
are from California, Texas and Florida, Lewis said.
Lewis says his Washington experience would
help him get legislation through Congress if he’s
elected. “When I see Congress going from crisis
to crisis, which is what led to the government
shutdown last fall, it concerns me,” he said. “I am
somebody that’s willing to work with both sides.”
In a recent TV debate, Lewis urged voters to keep
that in mind as the campaign rhetoric heats up.
“If you want a show horse in this race, then Mr.
Zinke is your guy,” he said. “If you want a work
horse, then I’m your guy.”
House hopeful Zinke banks on experience, leadership
BY KACI FELSTET
COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE
UM SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
You’ve seen Ryan Zinke’s ads, the ones with
medals, flags and the tall, square-jawed candidate
in combat fatigues or the dress uniform of a Navy
Seal.
“In the Seals we’re taught to lead from the front
and never quit until the job is done,” he said in
one ad before the primary. “Isn’t that what we
need in Washington right now?”
Zinke’s message of leadership is hard to miss as
the 52-year-old contrasts his experience with that
of his Democratic opponent, 36-year-old John
Lewis, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.
For 23 years Zinke fought as a Navy Seal in Iraq,
overseeing special operations and earning two
Bronze Stars. Before that he oversaw missions in
Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.
A fifth-generation Montanan who starred in
football at the University of Oregon, Zinke
returned to his hometown of Whitefish in 2008
with his wife and three children. He started a
consulting business that deals with aerospace, oil
and gas, and national security.
He began a political career serving one term in the
Montana Senate, where he chaired the Education
Committee and was known as a moderate who
sought compromise on subjects like school
funding and workers’ compensation reform.
Zinke has spent much of this campaign stressing
leadership and explaining his positions to
independent voters, who will likely decide the
race’s outcome.
He said he’s pro-life, but supports pregnancy
education and prevention programs, including
access to contraceptives. Despite his personal
beliefs, he said, the U.S. Supreme Court has
legalized abortions, so abortion shouldn’t be a
congressional issue. “The court has ruled, and I
respect the court,” he said. “That’s the American
process.”
He’s called for abandoning Obamacare like a
“sinking ship.” He says the law discourages
business from adding jobs, though likes its
coverage of pre-existing conditions and extended
coverage for young people.
Zinke, who’s on the board of a company that
improves the performance of oil and gas
pipelines, supports completion of the Keystone
XL pipeline, saying it would be the safest ever
built. “It is about making this country energy
independent, which is about jobs,” Zinke said.
He acknowledges climate change and that
humans are an influence, but said the research
is inconclusive. “You don’t dismantle American
power and our energy sources on a maybe,” he
said. “You work to make it cleaner.”
If elected, Zinke said he would put America’s
interests ahead of partisan politics. “Just because
it’s a Republican bill doesn’t mean it’s the right
bill,” he said.
Leadership and experience remain the twin
drumbeats of Zinke’s mission as the campaign
races toward Election Day.
One of his TV ads opens with a photograph of
Zinke among members of his Navy Seal team
in 1988. The ad then explains that, John Lewis,
the 36-year-old Democratic nominee, spent
that year in the fifth grade. Lewis rankles at the
implication, saying ideas matter more than years.
But Zinke isn’t backing off. “My experience is
extensive,” he said. “His experience is not.”
Sacred Geometry: A Workshop
with Benjamin Sears
Oct. 22, 5:30-8:30pm
To register visit santoshabigsky.com
Bringing you closer to Santosha (contentment) today...
yoga
massage
acupuncture
chiropractic
ayurveda
thai massage
406-993-2510 • 169 Snowy Mountain Circle • Big Sky, Montana
s an t o sha bi g sk y.c o m
SUMMER SCHEDULE
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
10-11am
All Levels
Adult Ballet
9-10:15am
All Levels Yoga
7-8am
All Levels Yoga
8:15-9:15am
Pilates
7-8am
All Levels Yoga
9:30-11am
All Levels Yoga
9-10:30am
All Levels Yoga
9-10:15am
All Levels Yoga
7-8am
All Levels Yoga
8:15-9:15am
Pilates
9:30-10:45am
Yoga Foundations
10/22: 5:30-8:30pm
Sacred Geometry:
Yoga Workshop
with Benjamin
Sears
5:45-7pm
Yoga Foundations
6:30-8pm
All Levels Yoga
5:45-7pm
All Levels Yoga
9:30-10:45am
All Levels Yoga
5:30-7:30pm
The Practice (1st
and 3rd Friday of
the month)
TRY A BENNY FOR BREAKFAST
WE DELIVER 406.995.2305
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 7AM-10PM
CHECK OUT OUR MENU:
BIGSKYBLUEMOONBAKERY.COM
LOCATED IN WESTFORK PLAZA MALL
BIG SKY, MONTANA
explorebigsky.com
BUSINESS
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 17
Harvest the Hope p.25
Section 2:
BUSINESS, SPORTS
AND OUTDOORS
Powderblast fundraiser p.22
Refine your fishing tactics pg.30
Montana’s Voke Tab fuels athletes around the globe
before moving to Bozeman the following fall
to attend Montana State University. The first
product Caughey packaged was called “Energia,”
and he says he owes much of his success to the
Bozeman community.
“Hundreds of people in Bozeman contributed
to product development, trying the tablets and
taking them out on the ski hill,” Caughey said.
“That first Energia tablet was finished in a South
Hedges dorm room.”
In 2008, Caughey changed the name to Voke Tab
and re-launched the product with his brother
Evan, who is a self-taught graphic designer.
Together they designed the tin’s red lion logo that
was inspired by Hamilton’s Roaring Lion Canyon
near where they grew up. The Caughey brothers
and Hood River, Ore.-based Ryan Huggins are
the company’s only full-time employees.
“We’re a really scrappy start-up company,”
Caughey said. “We’re just trying to get by to
make ends meet, expand our distribution and
get the word out.” Having a team of brand
ambassadors like Conrad Anker has spread that
word on a global scale.
BY TYLER ALLEN
EXPLORE BIG SKY SENIOR EDITOR
Kalen Caughey was competing as an 18-yearold mogul skier a decade ago when he hatched
the idea for an energy tablet he could carry in
his pocket. After ten years of research, product
development and guerrilla marketing, Caughey
now has elite athletes taking his Voke Tabs to the
far corners of the planet.
The Voke Tab ambassador team includes the likes
of mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventurer and
National Geographic photographer Jimmy Chin,
and professional skier Sage Cattabriga-Alosa. The
team also consists of athletes like Bozeman’s Tyler
Bradt, a kayaker who’s currently sailing around
the world base jumping and seeking first descents
of waterfalls.
As an active teenager, Caughey was just looking
for a convenient way to get a boost before bashing
down mogul runs.
“I was a big coffee drinker, but it didn’t work
taking it on the hill,” Caughey said, noting that
coffee also caused him to duck into the woods to
relieve himself before competitive runs. “That
led me down this path of making tablets with
a few ingredients you want, but not what you
don’t.”
The current iteration of Voke Tabs – sold in slim
green tins of three or seven tablets – are made
from green tea, acerola cherry, guarana berries
and erythritol for
sweetener. Caughey
says the chewable
tabs are about 70
percent organic
and each has the
amount of caffeine
equivalent to a strong
cup of tea.
“For portable, performance energy there’s really
nothing on the market that matches it,” said
Caughey learned
to make candy that
winter, and the
following summer
he employed the
help of his father,
a biochemist at the
National Institutes
of Health’s Rocky
Mountain Lab. The
elder Caughey had
access to thousands
of pages of scientific
literature, which
Sam Lowe, Max Lowe, Kevin Zombro, Brandon Watts, Voke Tab-founder Kalen
his son pored over
Caughey and Conrad Anker on the summit of Washington’s Mount Rainier in
looking for natural
2012. PHOTO COURTESY OF KALEN CAUGHEY
ingredients that
would give users of
Anker, who’s also the company’s vice president
his fledgling product a mental boost.
of marketing. Anker was introduced to Voke
Tab in 2012 by his son Max Lowe and has used
He ordered organic guarana berries from Brazil
them ever since. He took the tablets up Mount
and started experimenting with different recipes
continued on pg. 18
18 Oct. 17-30, 2014
BUSINESS
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
continued from pg. 17
Caughey in his element at the top of Goat Mountain about to rip down into Roaring Lion
Canyon, in his hometown of Hamilton. PHOTO COURTESY OF KALEN CAUGHEY
“The sherpas loved it,” he said, noting
the Nepalese porters called Voke Tabs
“legs no tired,” and began taking them as
a ritual before negotiating the perilous
Khumbu Icefall.
“Rather than having to brew coffee, the
caffeine is in an easily accessible form,”
Anker said of the benefits to climbing
with Voke. “When you’re seeking it, you
have it right there [in your pocket].”
Caughey spends nine months on the road
living out of his camper and marketing
Voke at trade shows, bike and ski shops,
and special events around the western
U.S. Voke Tabs are now sold at more
than 130 retailers from Telluride,
Colo. to Seattle, Wash. and mountain
communities in between.
BELOW: Mount Everest’s basecamp photographed in 2012 during
a commemorative expedition of the first American summit of the
mountain in 1963.
Caughey says the company has come a
long way in a decade, but getting product
into the hands of athletes is still Voke
Tab’s recipe for success.
A collection of
Alpine Home
Decor & Chalet
Style Antiques
Standing ski
coat rack
25
off
Everest on a 2012 climb – done in alpine
style without supplemental oxygen – to
commemorate the first American summit
expedition in 1963.
ABOVE: Voke Tab athlete Conrad Anker at the south summit of
Mount Everest. PHOTOS BY CONRAD ANKER
%
USE PROMO CODE:
OUTLAW
MANY MORE ITEMS AND MUSEUM AT
VintageWinter.com
explorebigsky.com
HEALTH
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 19
The ins and outs of gut health, part two
BY JACKIE RAINFORD CORCORAN
EXPLORE BIG SKY HEALTH COLUMNIST
Belly bloat is a common complaint these days.
Even my clients with wholesome diets express
frustration with their protruding abdomens.
It’s important to recognize the difference between
belly bloat and belly fat. According to Dr.
Robynne Chutkan, a gastroenterologist and author
of the book “Gutbliss,” bloating often changes the
shape of the abdomen throughout the day, while
belly fat stays fairly consistent.
If you're not sure which you have, Chutkan
suggests measuring your waistline every morning
and evening for several consecutive days. With
belly fat, the number shouldn't change by more
than an inch. However if you're bloated, the
number will vary quite a bit.
If belly bloat is expanding your tummy like a
balloon, rest assured that diet and lifestyle can
often resolve the issue. Let's look at some common
reasons why bloating happens and what we can do
about it.
Eating too quickly can cause food residue to
get caught in the colon and the body can’t fully
break down certain foods (which are different
for everyone). The partially digested food then
begins fermenting and creates gas. Prevent this
by chewing thoroughly and noticing which foods
trigger bloating.
Stress can cause inflammation in the digestive
system, which leads to bloating and other digestive
disorders. Learning simple techniques including
conscious breathing and muscle relaxation is an
incredibly powerful, safe and free way to promote
gut health.
Imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut due
to medications like antibiotics can wreak havoc
on the digestive system as well. While antibiotics
wipe out the bacteria that make us sick, they also
destroy good bacteria that aid digestion. Probiotics
can help.
Severe belly bloat should not be ignored. If
you’re experiencing abdominal pain, bleeding,
unexplained weight loss or gain, constant
constipation or diarrhea, see your physician.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer in
integrative medicine, when taking over-thecounter probiotics – as long as you're not allergic
– choose brands that contain Bacillus coagulans
(BC-30) or Lactobacillus GG with "colony forming
units" in the billions are best. Check the expiration
date to ensure the bacteria are still alive. Foods like
yogurt with active cultures, kefir, natural pickles
and sauerkraut can also help rebalance gut bacteria.
Constipation happens when the bowels are packed
and gas is getting trapped. Staying hydrated with
filtered water – unfiltered water may contain
irritants that further disrupt digestion – exercising
regularly and eating naturally high-fiber foods
like vegetables helps prevent constipation and its
companion, belly bloat.
"All disease begins in the gut," said Hippocrates,
often considered the father of Western medicine.
While we can be strong and beautiful without
perfectly flat abs, we should pay close attention
to belly bloat, a clear signal from our bodies
something is not quite right. The good news is that
while diet or lifestyle can often cause belly bloat,
they may also be its solution.
Stay tuned for my next article that takes a closer
look at the gluten debate.
Jackie Rainford Corcoran is an IIN Certified
Holistic Health Coach, a NASM Certified Personal
Trainer, public speaker and health activist. Contact
her at [email protected], or find more at
thetahealth.org.
Stay up-to-date on the real estate market in Southwest Montana with
C U S TO M I Z E D R E P O RT S
Instant updates on properties customized by:
• Price
• Neighborhood
• Property type
Email Carrie Mechura [email protected]
Real Estate Brokerage, Consulting & Development
L K R E A L E S TAT E . C O M
406-995-2404
SPORTS
outdoor
patio seating
best
margaritas
in big sky!
FAST. FRESH.
FAT.
That’s how weRoll.
20 Oct. 17-30, 2014
SPORTS
Explore Big Sky
LPHS SPORTS
SCHEDULE
Volleyball
OCT. 4
AWAY
@ MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN
TOURNAMENT
LOSS
OCT. 9
AWAY
@ MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN**
JV 5:00
V 6:30
OCT. 11
HOME
HARRISON/
WILLOW CREEK**
JV 5:00
V 6:30
OCT. 13
AWAY
@ BELGRADE
(VARSITY ONLY)
V
OCT. 18
AWAY
@ WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS**
JV 5:00
V 6:30
OCT. 20
HOME
BELGRADE
(VARSITY ONLY)
V
OCT. 24
AWAY
@ WEST YELLOWSTONE**
JV 5:00
V 6:30
OCT. 29NOV. 1
AWAY
@ MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN
DISTRICT 8C TOURNAMENT
TBA
NOV. 6-8
AWAY
@ BUTTE/MAC
WESTERN DIVISIONAL
TOURNAMENT
TBA
NOV. 13-15
AWAY
@ BOZEMAN/MSU
STATE VOLLEYBALL
TBA
DINE IN OR CARRY OUT 11-8PM - LOCATED IN BIG SKY IN THE WESTFORK PLAZA
406.995.3099 - WEROLLEMFAT.COM
5:45
5:45
** DISTRICT 8C VOLLEYBALL GAMES
LPHS Football
Own your own private garage
next to the terminal
SEPT. 5-6
AWAY
@ GRASS RANGE/WINNETT
WIN
48-6
SEPT. 19
AWAY
@ SHERIDAN
WIN
56-6
SEPT. 27
HOME
SAVAGE
LOSS
69-24
OCT. 4
HOME
ALBERTON**
LPHS HOMECOMING
WIN
68-0
OCT. 11
AWAY
@ WEST YELLOWSTONE
WIN
90-18
OCT. 18
HOME
HOT SPRINGS**
1:00
OCT. 25
AWAY
@ LIMA**
1:00
NOV. 1
TBD
1ST ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 8
TBD
2ND ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 15
TBD
SEMI-FINALS STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 22
TBD
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
TBA
** CONFERENCE GAMES
Ophir Middle School Football
$20,000
All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot
represent that it is accurate or complete, and should not be relied upon as such. These offerings are
subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without notice. All rights
reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. ©2014 LK REAL ESTATE, llc. lkrealestate.com
SEPT. 19
AWAY
@ SHERIDAN
WIN
39-0
SEPT. 29
HOME
WEST YELLOWSTONE
LOSS
12-27
OCT. 11
AWAY
@ WEST YELLOWSTONE
LOSS
19-43
OCT. 14
HOME
SHERIDAN
LOSS
14-18
NOV. 1
TBD
1ST ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 8
TBD
2ND ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 15
TBD
SEMI-FINALS STATE PLAYOFFS
TBA
NOV. 22
TBD
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
TBA
explorebigsky.com
SPORTS
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 21
Big Horns stomp West Yellowstone 90-18
Lone Peak High School defender Ben
Michels causes a fumble against the
Wolverines on Oct. 11 in West Yellowstone.
PHOTOS BY THERESA DA SILVA
The Big Horns played strong defense, beating the Wolverines by more than 70
points.
The Big Horns claimed the “Battle of 191” trophy against their rivals West Yellowstone.
“Spike For A Cure” breast cancer awareness fundraiser
Ace Hardware–Big Sky partners with LPHS volleyball team
BIG SKY – On Oct. 11, the Lone Peak High School
volleyball teams raised awareness for breast cancer
by wearing bright pink socks during their matches
against Willow Creek. Ace Hardware–Big Sky
donated the socks and sponsored the matches
to help raise money for the Bozeman Deaconess
Foundation.
The evening began with the Junior Varsity teams
squaring off, resulting in a closely contested
3-1 victory for the Willow Creek Wildcats. Ace
presented the MVP’s of each team with a pink
volleyball by Baden, which included the breast
cancer ribbon logo, as “Ace Hardware–Big Sky’s,
Aces of the game.” LPHS freshman libero Julia
Barton received the honor for the Big Horns.
The varsity match also went in favor of the Wildcats,
who won 3-0, but again featured outstanding play
and exciting, close scores. Senior middle blocker,
Gabrielle Gasser took the “Aces of the Game” ball as
the outstanding LPHS varsity player.
During the player introductions prior to the
varsity match, the LPHS girls presented pink
roses to Tina Barton, mother of Julia Barton. Tina
is winning her battle with breast cancer, thanks
to her treatments from the Bozeman Deaconess
Cancer Center.
Varsity head coach Sarah Griffiths approached the
Bartons, saying the team wanted to do something
special for this game, as October is National Breast
Cancer Awareness Month. Coach Griffiths and JV
Coach Erika Frounfelker, began planning for the
event several weeks ago.
Tina and her husband Kevin Barton are the owners
of Ace Hardware–Big Sky, and saw this as a great
opportunity to help spread awareness of the
disease and raise funds for the hospital.
“We are so touched by the show of support from
our community and school,” Tina said. “The girls
looked great in their pink socks and really played
their hearts out. We are very proud of everyone
involved in this program.”
Through raffle ticket sales, pledge ribbons and
personal donations, the evening raised $1,113
for the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation and is
earmarked to help make mammogram screening
available to uninsured or underinsured women.
In a press release, the Bartons said they plan to
continue supporting the Big Sky community in
similar ways.
“We have a long history of supporting our school
and we have plans to continue growing this type of
community involvement written into our business
plan going forward.”
22 Oct. 17-30, 2014
EVENTS
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Fundraising for ‘Friends’
Powder Blast raises money for avalanche center
BY TYLER ALLEN
EXPLORE BIG SKY SENIOR EDITOR
BOZEMAN – Since its founding in 1992, the
Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche
Center has donated more than $350,000 to
southwest Montana’s avalanche forecasting center.
On Oct. 24, the Powder Blast – the nonprofit’s
biggest fundraiser of the year – returns to
Bozeman’s Emerson Cultural Center.
The 16th annual event includes a silent auction,
raffle, a catered dinner by Bountiful Table, draft
beers from Big Sky’s Lone Peak Brewery, wine
from Montana Ale Works and music by Holler N’
Pine. While it will resemble Powder Blasts from
years past, the silent auction this year will include
more items to bid on and a greater variety of bigticket items like ski trips, according to GNFAC
Director Doug Chabot.
“We have a formula that works,” said Chabot,
who is beginning his 15th year as the GNFAC’s
director.
Last year’s event raised nearly $30,000, money
that played a crucial role for avalanche education
in the region, according to Chabot. Last season the
Friends and the GNFAC collectively taught 91
classes with 4,328 participants, and money raised
at the Emerson will help expand that program.
“We’re going to be targeting high school [students]
harder this year,” Chabot said. “We’re also
working with Bridger [Bowl ski area] dealing
with issues on sidecountry, through education
programs, signage, and some avalanche beacon
rescue workshops.”
The Powder Blast will also help fund the popular
“Intro to Avalanches with Field Course” held
at Montana State University
and Bridger Bowl. The classes
include two evening sessions
at the university and a daylong
field course at the ski area for
$30, a price that wouldn’t be
possible without the Friends’
support, according to Chabot.
The Gallatin National Forest
provides 57 percent of the
center’s operating budget and
the Friends provides more
than half of the remaining
43 percent. In addition to
GNFAC Forecaster Eric Knoff digs a snow pit in the Bridger Range
education, money raised by the
to look for weak layers last winter. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GALLATIN
Friends is spent on four weather
NATIONAL FOREST AVALANCHE CENTER
stations in the region – which
danger [last winter],” Chabot said. “We really had
cost $5,000 a year to operate –
to be on our toes.”
as well as support for the GNFAC website. The
funding also provides safety gear for the forecasters
The center plans to launch an iPhone app this
and covers the expenses to operate and maintain
season and the weather station pages on its website
their snowmobiles all season.
will have more charts and graphs, so its easier for
people to read the data. With early snow events
Last winter was particularly challenging for the
coating the high peaks of southwest Montana since
GNFAC, with heavy snowfall in the Northern
August, the Powder Blast is a timely opportunity
Rockies and two persistent weak layers that
to celebrate the GNFAC’s coming season.
formed in the snowpack – one at ground level
during a December cold snap and another that
The 16th annual Powder Blast starts at 6:30 p.m. on
formed in January. Throughout the advisory
Oct. 24 in the Emerson’s Crawford Ballroom. Visit
area – including the mountains around West
mtavalanche.com for tickets and more information.
Yellowstone, Big Sky, Bozeman and Cooke City –
there were 80 avalanche
incidents last season,
with 33 people
caught in slides, five
full burials and two
fatalities.
“We never had an
extended period of low
Students in a Companion Rescue class at Bridger Bowl learn how to use an avalanche transceiver.
EVENTS
Oct. 17-30 2014 23
Zumba for a cure
Local fitness instructor to
host breast cancer benefit
BY JOSEPH T. O’CONNOR
EXPLORE BIG SKY MANAGING EDITOR
BIG SKY – Licensed Zumba Fitness
instructor Allison Gilley is hosting
Save the Rack Zumbathon, a Breast
Cancer Awareness Month benefit,
at Big Sky Fitness Fusion on Oct.
25. Proceeds will be donated to
the American Cancer Society of
Montana, and earmarked for the
purchase of wigs for patients who
can’t afford them, according to
Gilley.
“There’s a woman in my class who’s
a breast cancer survivor,” said
Gilley, who’s been a licensed Zumba
instructor for nearly five years and
moved to Big Sky from Red Lodge
last October. “We wanted the money
to go to women in Montana and I
was surprised at how expensive hair
pieces can be.”
Zumba is a fitness program developed
in the 1990s that incorporates
different types of dance movements,
including salsa, merengue and
flamenco, among others. Gilley
says it’s an intense workout, but
also an exercise that everyone can
participate in.
“There’s no experience necessary
because every dance move has a
modification,” Gilley said.
by Blanchford Landscape Group
Holiday and Event Decorators
High end decorating
services for homes in Big
Sky and Gallatin Canyon
Even if you don’t want to Zumba,
Gilley says interested parties can
purchase Save the Rack T-shirts
at Fitness Fusion, with proceeds
benefiting ACS of Montana.
Fitness Fusion is located in Big Sky’s
Meadow Village at 145 Center Lane,
Suite H. Save the Rack Zumbathon
begins at 9 a.m. Donations are
encouraged and a silent auction
will also held, with items including
jewelry, art and clothing, among
others.
Visit bigskyfusionfitness.com for more
information.
Dazzling results
without the hassle
Sign up before November 1 and save 10%
BIG SKY’S ONLY FULL-SERVICE WORKOUT FACILITY
OPEN 5 A.M.-10 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK
DAY, WEEK AND YEAR-LONG MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
VISIT OZSSAGE.COM/GYM.PHP FOR DETAILS
32 MARKET PLACE, MEADOW VILLAGE, BIG SKY (406) 995 4522
406.587.3057
www.christmasdecor.net
24 Oct. 17-30, 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Rusted Root returns to West
BY MARIA WYLLIE
EXPLORE BIG SKY ASSOCIATE EDITOR
WEST YELLOWSTONE – Rusted Root is returning
to the Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon in West
Yellowstone on Tuesday, Oct. 28, for a high-energy
musical experience.
Having explored a vast number of musical landscapes
since its formation in 1990, the Pittsburg, Pa.-based
band’s body-moving music knows no boundaries.
Lead singer and guitarist Michael Glabicki says
pinning down their sound isn’t simple.
see people relating to each other and understanding
each other through this one music, this one sound,
and it’s great to watch.”
Three of the original members are still with the band
– Glabicki, Liz Berlin on vocals and percussion, and
Patrick Norman on vocals and bass. Drummer Preach
Freedom and guitarist Dirk Miller are the two newest
members.
on material for a new album, expected next year.
“Our last record was kind of a celebration and
relaxation into everything we had learned over the
25 years we had been together,” Glabicki said. “This
next album is more of a start of the next 25 years
and how we’re starting to explore things in different
ways.”
Unlike some artists, Rusted Root tests their new
music out on the road before taking it into the studio.
Fans at the Oct. 28 show can expect to hear a handful
of songs off the upcoming album.
“It’s a very vast sound,” Glabicki said in a recent
phone interview. “It’s really hard to describe, so I let
other people give it names.”
Since the band first got together, Glabicki says
they’re more intuitive, as well as more relaxed and
comfortable with the music.
Known for their intense live performances, Rusted
Root’s genre is often referred to as a drum-enthused
fusion of roots music and world rock, with a lot of
extended jamming in which they explore different
sounds and styles.
“We’ve really gathered up a lot of musical assets and
have the ability to go between those [musical] worlds
now,” he said. “I think in a way we’re able to be more
responsive with the crowds. We are able to react to
[their energy] and infuse that into our show a lot
easier.”
Performing their music, Glabicki says, is a journey
with their fans, as well as one of self-expression.
“Our shows are very ritualistic in the sense that
these songs have a life of their own,” Glabicki said.
“Everybody in the audience relates [to them] in their
own way, so when we all come together around those
songs and the music, dancing and sweating it out, a
lot of healing happens.”
With eight albums under their belt, the group’s
appeal spans generations.
“I think our music is a bit timeless,” Glabicki said,
adding that Rusted Root’s broad fan base ranges from
tweens to grandparents. “It’s pretty fun because you
Rusted Root returns to West Yellowstone’s
Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon on Tuesday, Oct.
28. Doors open for the 21-and-older show at
7 p.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSTED ROOT
Wild West Saloon owner Aaron Hecht booked the
band for two sold-out shows in March and October
of 2012. “It’s a really intimate, small setting to see a
multi-platinum recording artist,” said Hecht, who’s
selling 300 tickets to the show. “I like being able to
bring a talent like this to the area. That unique sound
and energy they deliver show after show is amazing.”
Rusted Root’s most recent album, “The Movement,”
was released in 2012, and they’re currently working
BIG SKY’S RESTORATION &
TEXTILE CLEANING SPECIALIST SINCE 1988
Concerts at Wild West Saloon remind the band
members of some of their early gigs when they were
first starting out in Pittsburgh, according to Glabicki.
“The crowd seems to really dig what we do, so it
seems like a no brainer to go back there.”
Doors open for the 21-and-older show at 7 p.m. The
Maw Band out of Teton Valley will open for Rusted
Root, slated to hit the stage at 10 p.m. The West
Yellowstone Holiday Inn is offering a special rate for
concertgoers the night of the show.
Visit wildwest.inticketing.com for tickets and more
information.
Bozeman’s Gem Gallery took second place in the decorating contest last Halloween for their pirate theme. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN
PARTNERSHIP
Downtown Bozeman
trick-or-treating
DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN ASSOCIATION
Our Mission:To provide the best possible service to
our clients through education, experience, courtesy,
honesty and professionalism.
BOZEMAN – Downtown Bozeman is the place to be on Halloween. Join in the
fun from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, for a “spooktacular” and safe evening of
traditional trick-or-treating.
Kids can enjoy the Halloween fun and trick-or-treat at more than 150 downtown
businesses with hot drinks available outside the Downtown Visitor’s Center at
8 East Main Street. There will be patrol cars, intersection attendants and “safety
Sams,” located at all downtown intersections to help slow traffic and make the
experience as safe as possible.
IICRC CERTIFIED FIRM • 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES
The Downtown Bozeman Association is seeking volunteers to assist the Bozeman Police Department at the downtown intersections during the event. Call Ellie Staley at (406) 586-4008 or email her at [email protected] if you’re
interested.
Downtown trick-or-treating is free and open to the public and will go on snow or
shine. Visit downtownbozeman.org for more information.
explorebigsky.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 25
Harvest the Hope
Cornfield concert protests XL Pipeline
BY JOSEPH T. O’CONNOR
EXPLORE BIG SKY MANAGING EDITOR
The town of Neligh, Neb. is a threehour drive from Omaha past endless
cornfields, and has a population of
1,600, mostly working in agriculture.
For one day on Sept. 27, the
population quintupled when nearly
8,000 people converged on Art
Tanderup’s farm for the Harvest
the Hope concert, which included
performances by Neil Young, Willie
Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah,
and Lukas’s band Promise of the Real.
The daylong event, organized by
nonprofit Bold Nebraska, was held
to protest the proposed Keystone XL
Pipeline expansion that would run
through Tanderup’s 160-acre farm
and also across a portion of the Ponca
Tribe’s historic “Trail of Tears.”
Young, the Nelsons, and Promise of
the Real were fresh off a Farm Aid
performance in Raleigh, N.C. on
Sept. 13, a benefit for family farms
in America. At a press conference
before the show, the artists joined the
Tanderups and key members of the
Ponca Tribe to protest the proposed
pipeline expansion.
Nearly 8,000 fans were on hand at the Harvest the Hope concert in Neligh, Neb. to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline
expansion. PHOTO BY JOSEPH T. O'CONNOR
“For our grandchildren’s survival we must begin
to live differently,” said Young, a longtime
environmental advocate. “The Keystone XL
Pipeline is a large step in the wrong direction for the
health of the earth.”
Tribal leaders honored Young and Nelson by
draping buffalo hides over their shoulders during a
Native American hip hop artist Frank Wahn, of the
Sicangu Lakota tribe, warmed up the crowd in the
breezy afternoon sunshine, displaying the powerful
energy that won him the Chicago Mayor’s Award for
Civic Engagement in May. “My generation needs to
pick up the fight,” Wahn told concertgoers.
When Lukas Nelson took the stage in cowboy boots
and a feather affixed to the neck of his guitar, the
crowd became silent.
Along with drummer
Anthony LoGerfo
and bassist Corey
McCormick, Promise
of the Real ripped
into their new song,
“Love Yourself” before
playing a lively and
memorable version of
the Paul Simon classic,
“Diamonds on the
Soles of Her Shoes.”
The crowd swayed to
the rhythm.
Lukas Nelson and his band, Promise of the Real, joined his father Willie, Neil
Young and others performing at Art Tanderup's farm on Sept. 27.
PHOTO BY DANIEL BULLOCK
pre-show ceremony, and thanked them for standing
beside them in the fight against the pipeline.
The Tanderups had cleared 26 acres of corn for the
ensuing concert, an event many thought they would
never witness. “This is monumental,” said Michael
Semrad of the local band The Bottle Tops, who
played earlier in the afternoon. “It’s Nebraska music
history in the making.”
Nelson then motioned
stage right to his father,
who stood smiling, his
long braids tumbling
from beneath a trucker
hat reading, “Pipeline
Fighter.”
“Let’s get my dad up here for a set,” the younger
Nelson said.
Willie and POTR broke into “Whiskey River,” and
the 81-year-old Outlaw Country star’s voice
rose when he emphasized the line, “Raise our
glasses against evil forces.”
Neil Young, clad in a black cowboy hat and a shirt
that read, “Idle No More,” then joined the group
on stage for a family-style rendition of “This Land
is Your Land,” before crooning a solo version of
“Mother Earth” on the pump organ.
Young then invited POTR back on stage for “Down
by the River” and his recently released track,
“Who’s Gonna Stand Up?,” trading guitar solos
with Lukas.
The concert ended with the setting sun highlighting
the dust kicked up in the field, and revelers in awe
of the event they had just witnessed. “It’s a dream
come true,” said Alexis Stevens of Nashville, whose
band had played earlier. “We were joking that we
should quit music after this [show].”
If approved, the Keystone XL Pipeline extension
would run 1,200 miles from the tar sands of
Alberta, Canada through Montana, South Dakota
and Nebraska en route to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Proponents argue that the $7 million dollar project
will provide jobs and revenue for states along the
route. Critics say the project could damage the
environment and lead to further global warming,
and that a leak in Nebraska could destroy the
Ogallala Aquifer, which spans eight Midwest states
and provides drinking water for approximately 2
million.
“Water is our way of life,” said Sicangu Lakota tribe
member Shane Red Hawk, who rode horseback
through the crowd alongside his 10-year-old
daughter Tashina. “We can live without Starbucks
and McDonalds. We’re here to fight for the Lakota
way of life. When we’re 80 years old, we can look
back and say we did what we could while we could.”
26 Oct. 17-30, 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Shakespeare in the Schools to perform for
area students
Kevin Asselin,
executive artistic
director of Montana
Shakespeare in the
Parks, directs the
play and the 10week tour is the first
of two educational
outreach programs
being offered during
this academic year by
Montana Shakespeare
in the Parks, which
is based at Montana
State University. The
fall tour will conclude
in late December and
Montana Shakes!,
a tour designed
specifically for
elementary school
Montana Shakespeare in the Schools performing “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” during last year’s tour. This year the troupe will be performing the comedy
children, will start in
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” PHOTO BY ASHLEY STEVICK PHOTOGRAPHY.
the spring.
MONTANA SHAKESPEARE IN THE SCHOOLS “The primary goal of Shakespeare in the Schools
is to bring live, professional performances of
BOZEMAN – This fall, Montana Shakespeare in
Shakespeare’s plays to middle and high schools
the Schools is performing Shakespeare’s boisterous
across Montana, Wyoming and Idaho with an
comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to nearly
emphasis on rural, underserved areas,” said Susan
12,000 students in communities throughout
Dickerson, the organization’s managing director.
Montana, Wyoming, and, for the first time, Idaho.
Its annual tour began Oct. 10 at the Anderson
Shakespeare in the Schools’ annual Elise Event,
School in Bozeman.
a fundraiser named in honor of sponsor Elise
Donohue, will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6:30
p.m., in MSU’s Black Box Theatre. The event will
KEEPING YOU MOBILE
IS JUST WHAT WE DO.
feature a catered after-show wine reception and the
performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,”
followed by an intimate talk back with the actors
and designers. Call (406) 994-3303 for tickets and
more information.
Visit shakespeareintheparks.org or call (406) 9943310 for more information about Shakespeare in
the Schools, and to see if the tour is visiting a school
near you.
Fall tour dates: Bozeman and Big Sky
Nov. 1: MSU Black Box Theater, 7 p.m. – public
performance
Nov. 3: Park and Gallatin County Homeschool
Network, 10 a.m.
Nov. 4: Bozeman High School, 8:35 a.m.
Nov. 14: Chief Joseph Middle School, 9 a.m.
Dec. 3: Belgrade High School, 9 a.m.
Dec. 5: Lone Peak High School, 8:45 a.m.
Dec. 18: Petra Academy, 9 a.m.
All school performances are private. If you are
interested in attending a performance, please contact
the school’s administration.
Mobile Check Deposit
Mobile BillPay
Person2Person
Payments
First Security Bank
Mobile App
ourbank.com
Member FDIC
See ourbank.com for fees and details.
explorebigsky.com
OUTDOORS
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 27
More terrain revealed on Big Sky’s new trail map
BY SHEILA CHAPMAN
“Another goal, beyond improving the tree skiing
experience, was to continue to promote healthy
forest and improve wildlife habitat,” said Mike
Unruh, mountain operations director at Big
Sky Resort. “Thinning allows the remaining
trees to get the resources they need and also can
encourage new growth, promoting diversity in
age class and species.”
BIG SKY RESORT PR MANAGER
BIG SKY – Skiing through the trees was
an objective of Big Sky Resort’s Mountain
Operations Department as they expanded the
resort’s skiable acres from 5,750 to 5,804 this
summer.
Extensive glading will enhance the tree skiing
experience this winter and will bring new runs
and more fun for intermediate to expert skiers.
On the southern exposure of Lone Peak, the crew
did careful thinning of select trees on Dakota
Gully. The trails will now be regularly groomed,
changing its designation to intermediate, and
allowing more skiers and riders to enjoy the
Dakota chair lift.
The Southern Comfort chair lift area on the
south side of Andesite Mountain saw the most
improvement with two new intermediate runs,
named Lizette and Pomp after Sacajawea’s
children. Lizette is located between Deep
South and Sacajawea, and Pomp is located
between Sacajawea and El Dorado. A section
of Ponderosa was also widened.
In addition to the four new ski runs and
expanded skiable terrain, a new trail map will
be revealed this winter, rendering the majority
of Big Sky Resort’s terrain in one primary view,
with two additional insets of Lone Peak. One
inset will focus on the bowl and the other on the
southern face of the Shedhorn and Dakota area.
Another new intermediate, gladed run
called Lois Lane can be found between Lower
Morning Star and Mr. K, and a new black
diamond trail named Soul Hole was developed
between Lobo and Calamity Jane. Both of
these new runs are accessed via the Swift
Current chair lift on Lone Mountain.
The mountain operations crew also improved
Tango Trees, a tree run below the Lone Peak
Triple lift, through selected thinning and
removal of standing dead trees.
“The new trail map image breaks the mountain
into three very distinct areas, and the transition
from one section to the other is easily followed,”
said James Niehues, famed resort illustrator who
designed the new map. “The most important
element of a trail map is to show the trail system
in the clearest and simplest way.”
ILLUSTRATION BY TAYLOR-ANN SMITH
LittLe Bear, GaLLatin Gateway
DON PILOTTE, BROKER | 406.580.0155 | RANCHMT.COM
LittLe Bear, GaLLatin Gateway
Organic Marijuana
$1,975,000 | #189283
645± acres near Gallatin Gateway
Gallatin Valley views, 28 individual parcels
Surrounded by public land on three sides
Access to great hiking, hunting & solitude
Alternative to Modern Medicine
Lone Peak Caregivers serves Big Sky,
Bozeman, Belgrade, Ennis and the
Western Yellowstone region.
Providing patient comfort through
local, high quality organic products
in a professional environment.
$3,285,000 | #191842
tOwerinG PineS, BiG Sky
5 bd, 6 ba 6,882± sf home on 40± acres
Big Sky & Gallatin River views
End of the road privacy, native stone hot tub
Additional land available
$14,999,000 | #191070
CB ranCH, MadiSOn VaLLey
Working ranch on 6,236± acres
Indian Creek runs through property
Borders NFS, 20 mins south of Ennis
Great access to hunting and fishing
An independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates, Inc. Prudential, the Prudential logo and Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related
entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license with no other affiliation of Prudential. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information contained herein is derived from
sources deemed reliable; however, is not guaranteed by Prudential Montana Real Estate, Managing Broker, Agents or Sellers. Offering is subject to error, omissions, prior sales, price change
or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent verification of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser.
28 Oct. 17-30, 2014
EVENTS CALENDAR
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
PLANNING AN EVENT? LET US KNOW! EMAIL [email protected], AND WE’LL SPREAD THE WORD.
Friday, Oct. 17 –
Thursday, Oct. 30
*If your event falls
between Oct.31 and
Nov. 13, please submit it
by Wednesday, Oct. 22.
BIG SKY
SATURDAY, OCT. 18
Days of My Youth
After Party w/DJ 5 Star
Lone Peak Cinema,
6 & 9 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21
Bingo Night
Gallatin Riverhouse Grill
6 p.m.
Fall Cooking Class
Gourmet Gals, 6-8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
Gallatin Canyon
Women’s Club Meeting
Annual Halloween
Luncheon
Olive B’s, 12 p.m.
Awareness Wednesday
Sacred Geometry w/
Benjamin Sears
Santosha Wellness
Center, 5:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night
By WOM, 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Ancient Peaks Wine Dinner
Rainbow Ranch,
6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 24
Free Lecture Series:
Prof. Shane Doyle
Ophir School, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
SATURDAY, OCT. 25
The Great Pumpkin
Giveaway
Big Sky Visitor
Center,
10 a.m.
Bingo Night
Gallatin Riverhouse Grill
6 p.m.
Fall Cooking Class
Gourmet Gals, 6-8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
Open Mic Night
By WOM, 10 p.m.
BOZEMAN
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
7:30 p.m.
Heavy Mental
Snowboarding Film
The Emerson, 7:30 p.m.
Boeing Boeing Comedy
The Ellen, 7:30 p.m.
The Terrible Thing From
Somewhere Else
Adult Puppet Show
The Verge, 8 p.m.
LFTD: Little Feat
Night 1
Live From the Divide,
9 p.m.
The Terrible Thing From
Somewhere Else
Adult Puppet Show
The Verge, 8 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
Pints w/Purpose
Montana Hope Project
Bridger Brewing, 5 p.m.
Tom Cook
The Legion, 9 p.m.
LFTD: Little Feat
Night 2
Live From the Divide,
9 p.m.
Improv on the Verge
The Verge, 7 p.m.
The Mighty Flick
Eagles Bar, 9 p.m.
Golden Grenade
Zebra Cocktail Lounge,
9 p.m.
M.O.T.H. & Modern Sons
Filling Station, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 18
Bozeman Winter
Farmers Market
The Emerson,
9a.m. – 12 p.m.
Stephanie Quayle
Homecoming Concert
The Emerson, 7 p.m.
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
7:30 p.m.
Boeing Boeing Comedy
The Ellen, 7:30 p.m.
Rose Gold/The Funeral
& The Twilight
Wild Joe’s, 8-10 p.m.
GT Hurley
Bacchus, 8-10 p.m.
John Adams Smith
Band
The Zebra, 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
Lisa’s Aerobics Reunion
& Birthday
Dance Aerobics Party
The Emerson, 2-5 p.m.
Boeing Boeing Comedy
The Ellen, 3 p.m.
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
3 p.m.
Mohr4
Lockhorn Cider House,
4 p.m.
Ian Frye
Bridger Brewing,
5:30 p.m.
Bozeman Doc Series
Presents: Virunga
The Emerson, 7 p.m.
Bridger Mountain Big
Band
Colonel Blacks,
7:30 p.m.
Trivia Night
Bacchus Pub, 8-10 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21
Low Flying Trapeze
Class
The Emerson,
5:30-7 p.m.
Karaoke Night
Bacchus Pub,
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Ladies Night
The Zebra, 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
7:30 p.m.
Polecat w/Flatt
Cheddar
Filling Station, 8 p.m.
“Vessel” Screening
The Emerson, 7 p.m.
Tom Georges Trio
Bacchus Pub, 9-11 p.m.
Aerial Hammock &
Fabric Class
The Emerson,
7-8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 24
16th Annual Powder
Blast
Music by Holler N’ Pine
The Emerson, 6:30 p.m.
GT Hurley
Bacchus Pub, 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
Music & Mussels w/
Walkrick
Bridger Brewing,
5:30 p.m.
Reel Rock 9: Valley
Uprising Film
The Emerson, 7:30 p.m.
Pimps of Joytime w/
Moon Hooch
Filling Station, 8 p.m.
Joe Knapp & Friends
Lockhorn Cider House,
8 p.m.
Bonehart Flannigan
Wild Joe’s, 7-9 p.m.
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
7:30 p.m.
The Terrible Thing From
Somewhere Else
Adult Puppet Show
The Verge, 8 p.m.
LFTD: A Night of Murder
Ballads
Live From the Divide,
9 p.m.
FOR RENT
Hill Condo studio – fully furnished, top floor, views, renovated. $650/month.
One year lease only. NS/NP. Call (425) 478-8388. Available beginning Nov. 1.
Subscribe now!
Outlaw Partners produces the Mountain Outlaw
magazine (published 2x year) and Big Sky
Weekly newspaper (published 26x year).
Each publication is created with integrity and
enthusiasm, featuring world-class photography,
intriguing content and quality editorial providing
readers more than a story – an experience. The
Outlaw media experience thrives on the lifestyle,
land and culture of the mountain west.
explorebigsky.com/subscriptions
explorebigsky.com
Today’s Tomorrow
The Legion, 9 p.m.
Soul Seed & Satsang
The Zebra, 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 25
Bozeman Winter
Farmers Market
The Emerson,
9a.m. – 12 p.m.
Silly Moose: Children’s
Improv
The Verge, 2 p.m.
“The Language
Archives”
MSU Black Box Theater,
7:30 p.m.
Boeing Boeing Comedy
The Ellen, 7:30 p.m.
The Terrible Thing From
Somewhere Else
Adult Puppet Show
The Verge, 8 p.m.
Blitzen Trapper & EDJ of
The Fruit Bats
Filling Station, 9 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
Boeing Boeing Comedy
The Ellen, 3 p.m.
Ian Frye
Bridger Brewing,
5:30 p.m.
Warren Miller’s “No
Turning Back”
The Emerson, 7 p.m.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Explore Big Sky
Bridger Mountain Big
Band
Colonel Blacks,
7:30 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 27
Pints w/Purpose
Greater Yellowstone
Coalition
Bridger Brewing,
5:30 p.m.
Trivia Night
Bacchus Pub, 8-10 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
Low Flying Trapeze
Class
The Emerson,
5:30-7 p.m.
Aerial Hammock &
Fabric Class
The Emerson,
7-8:30 p.m.
Rich Riesser
Bacchus Pub, 8-10 p.m.
The Lonesome Shack
Filling Station, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
Low Flying Trapeze
Class
The Emerson,
5:30-7 p.m.
Aerial Hammock &
Fabric Class
The Emerson,
7-8:30 p.m.
Bridger Brewing,
5:30 p.m.
BFF Presents:
“Nosferatu”
The Emerson, 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night
Bacchus Pub,
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
Spencer Bohren Benefit
Concert & Art Show
The Emerson, 7-9 p.m.
Madeline Hawthorne
Bacchus Pub, 9-11 p.m.
Panther Car
The Zebra, 9:30 p.m.
Kent Johnson
Bacchus
Pub, 9-11
LIVINGSTON
&p.m.
American
Legion
PARADISE VALLEY
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
8 p.m.
Dirty Shame
Murray Bar, 9 p.m.
The Wench
Chico Saloon, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 18
Matt Ridgeway – Jazz
Duo
Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.
Rich Riesser
Bacchus Pub, 8-10 p.m.
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
8 p.m.
The Lonesome Shack
Filling Station, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
Vibe Quartet
Dan Tedesco
Murray Bar, 9 p.m.
The Wench
Chico Saloon, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
3 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
Jay’s Lounge
Murray Bar, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21
Swingley Jazz Project
The Mint, 7 p.m.
Mary Scholz
Murray Bar, 8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
Blues & BBQ
Music by Doug Blaine,
7 p.m.
Sean Devine
Murray Bar, 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Network Live!
Blue Slipper Theatre,
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Bingo Night
The Mint, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 24
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
8 p.m.
Big ‘Ol
Murray Bar, 9 p.m.
The Shufflebums
Chico Saloon, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 25
Micah Swanson
Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.
Quenby & West of
Wayland
Murray Bar, 9 p.m.
The Shufflebums
Chico Saloon, 10 p.m.
Oct. 17-30, 2014 29
Beer Fest in West
Chief Pairing Dinner
Branch Restaurant &
Bar, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
3 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 18
Beer Fest in West
Gallatin Grass Project,
2:30 p.m.
Tomorrow’s Today,
4:30 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 27
Jay’s Lounge
Murray Bar, 8 p.m.
Hooligans feat. Bill
Payne, 7:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
Swingley Jazz Project
The Mint, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
Beer Fest in West
Hang Over Breakfast
Branch Restaurant,
7-10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
“Haunted Montana”
Storytelling
Park County Senior
Center, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
DJ Night
Wild West Saloon,
10 p.m.
Blues & BBQ
Music by Doug Blaine,
7 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Knit Knight for Knitters
Send It Home, 7-9 p.m.
Milton Menasco & the
Big Fiasco
Murray Bar, 8:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
Rusted Root
Wild West Saloon,
8 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
Bingo Night
The Mint, 7 p.m.
WEST YELLOWSTONE
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
Tour Unique Historical
Hotel
Three Bear Lodge
Daily w/ Reservation
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
DJ Night
Wild West Saloon,
10 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
Knit Knight for Knitters
Send It Home, 7-9 p.m.
“Sylvia”
Blue Slipper Theatre,
8 p.m.
Party in Big Sky at
then stay safe at
Whitewater Inn
Discounted rooms $69 dbl. occ. plus tax
Friday, October 31
Trick-or-treating for the kids 5-7pm
FREE haunted indoor maze 5-9pm
HWY 191 just south of turn-off
to Big Sky
406-995-2333
bigskyresort.com/whitewaterinn
30 Oct. 17-30, 2014
THE EDDY LINE
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Flies tied with bushy heads and gaudy eyes are ideal for this time of year. The big head pushes water, making vibrations that a larger trout can feel and will impulsively chase. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GALLATIN RIVER GUIDES
Refining your tactics
Effectively fish streamers, woolly buggers
and large flies
BY PATRICK STRAUB
EXPLORE BIG SKY FISHING COLUMNIST
Fall is here. The morning’s frost can be found on
pumpkins, cottonwood trees are changing colors,
and baseball playoffs and football upsets delight
sports fans. The next several weeks also serve up
some of the best big-fly fishing of the season.
It’s the time of year it’s OK to say to your angling
buddies, when rigging your rod, “I’m going to
fish a ‘bugger all day,” in hopes of hooking a pure
specimen. Say this in the heat of summer and
you’ll get scoffs and cross-eyed looks as you tie
on 18 inches of 1X tippet and a three-inch long
articulated baitfish imitation.
Committing to one fishing method during the
day can be a risky endeavor, but it can also have
its rewards. I know, as I often commit to fishing
dry flies while other guides use weighted nymphs
and a strike indicator. I catch fish, but I sacrifice
numbers to see fish rising to a dry fly. But during
fall, if you want to catch a big trout, learn to fish
big, subsurface flies that imitate smaller baitfish
or large aquatic foods.
Understanding the habits of big fish.
Fish grow large for a reason – they are very
predacious in nature. Brown trout are more
aggressive than most trout species, and as
temperatures drop and the days get shorter,
browns stage to spawn, making them easier
fishing targets. They actively seek out prey while
protecting areas that may become spawning
grounds. Use this to your advantage – shorter
days mean less daylight, making these fish feel
more comfortable than normal. The low-light
conditions of fall mornings and evenings are ideal
for catching big browns.
Once brown trout grow beyond a foot or so, their
feeding habits change. They actively seek out and
ambush smaller trout, as well as larger aquatic
food like crayfish and large stonefly nymphs.
Target water offering ample “ambush-friendly”
habitat such as undercut banks, log jams, fast-
flowing banks with underwater structure, and
deep holes at the end of shallow runs.
Adjust and upgrade your tackle.
Stouter leaders and tippets, sinking fly lines
or leaders, and a few other non-traditional gear
adjustments are key. Getting your fly down to
these large fish is essential, especially on our area
freestone streams such as the Madison and the
Gallatin. Select larger flies like bead head woolly
buggers and arm yourself with ample split-shot
for weight – if you’re fishing in Yellowstone
National Park be sure to use non-toxic weight, as
lead is prohibited. If you’re fishing a large river
like the Yellowstone, choose a 15-foot sinking
leader or sink-tip fly line, which will cover most
depths. For smaller waters like the Gallatin and
Madison, a shorter 7- or 10-foot sinking length
will perform well. Choose one with a sink rate
between 2.6 and 3.5 inches per second.
and examples of flies that have over-sized eyes.
When a larger fish is chasing baitfish, the eyes
offer a prime target for the predator. Bushy
or bulky heads are important, too. Frenchy’s
Fathead, a local favorite, is tied with a thick deerhair head that pushes water as it’s stripped.
The next few weeks around Big Sky are truly
special for local anglers as the pace is quiet and
unhurried. The favorite runs and holes on our
rivers are often free of other anglers, but even
if you see someone in your favorite spot, most
likely you know them. Enjoy these next few
weeks of solitude, and hopefully your biggest
fish of the year.
Pat Straub is the author of six books, including
The Frugal Fly Fisher, Montana On The Fly, and
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About
Fly Fishing. He and his wife own Gallatin River
Guides in Big Sky and with a partner operates a
guide service on the Missouri River.
For leaders choose stronger tippets. The hope is
you’ll need a 15-pound test line because you’re
catching monster trout, but regardless you’ll
likely be snagging
structure and want
line that won’t break
when you have to
yank a hook off a log
or rock pile.
Choose bigger,
bolder flies.
To target trophy
trout, use flies that
trigger a big fish to
react impulsively.
Articulated flies – or
flies tied with a joint
in them – exploded
onto the angling
scene several years
back, dominating
most hard-core
streamer anglers’ fly
boxes. Sculpzillas,
The One and Jointed
Urchin are popular
Choose flies with big eyes. The eyes of the prey are a good target for predatory
trout chasing prey.
FUN
FUN
Oct. 17-30 2014 31
big sky beats
BY MARIA WYLLIE
EXPLORE BIG SKY ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Find out what tunes we’re bumping! In “Big Sky Beats,” Explore Big Sky staff
and guests talk soundtracks for winter in the Rockies, and guests have a chance to
share what they listen to when they shred.
With Halloween on its way, talk of costumes and fall festivities is in the air.
Whether you’re carving pumpkins with friends, hosting a costume party while
omsimply looking to switch up your
the kids trick-or-treat, having a bonfire,
.cor
ock
t
S
pen for the spooky season.
playlist, the tracks below are fitting
orO
ww
ct
e
w.V
While most of these songs weren’t written specifically for Halloween, many
of the lyrics can be associated with the annual event – werewolves, ghosts, full
moons, monsters and the devil. Speaking to your darker side, these songs will
surely help you get in the Halloween spirit.
1. “I Put A Spell On You,” Shane MacGowan & Friends
2. “Monster Mash,” Bobby “Borris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
3. “Hells Bells,” AC/DC
4. “Thriller,” Michael Jackson
5. “Ghostbusters,” Ray Parker Jr.
6. “Somebody’s Watching Me,” Rockwell
7. “This Is Halloween,” Marilyn Manson
8. “Bark at the Moon,” Ozzy Osbourne
9. “Werewolves of London,” Warren Zevon
10 “Bad Things,” Jace Everett
American Life in Poetry:
Column 498
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE
VOTED
To celebrate my 75th year, I’ve published a new book of poems, and many of
them are about the way we come together to help each other through the world.
Here’s one:
Big Sky’s
Best!
Two
3Y
American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department
of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2012 by Ted
Kooser from his most recent book of poems, “Splitting an Order,” Copper Canyon
Press, 2014. Poem reprinted by permission of Ted Kooser and the publisher. Introduction copyright © 2014 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author,Ted
Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of
Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
AR
E
On a parking lot staircase
I met two fine-looking men
descending, both in slacks
and dress shirts, neckties
much alike, one of the men
in his sixties, the other
a good twenty years older,
unsteady on his polished shoes,
a son and his father, I knew
from their looks, the son with his
right hand on the handrail,
the father, left hand on the left,
and in the middle they were
holding hands, and when I neared,
they opened the simple gate
of their interwoven fingers
to let me pass, then reached out
for each other and continued on.
ORG
S IN A R O W !
A N I C & L OC A L !
(406) 995.2728
Off-Season Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 6pm - Close
Call for Reservations, Take-Out,
Catering & Private Parties.
www.lotuspadbigsky.com
In the Westfork Plaza,
Meadow Village, Big Sky.
32 Sept. 19-Oct. 2, 2014
BACK 40
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
For Explore Big Sky, the Back 40 is a resource: a place where we can
delve into subjects and ask experts to share their knowledge. Topics
include regional history, profiles of local artists and musicians, snow and
avalanche education, how-to pieces for traditional or outdoor skills, and
science.
Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”
Winterizing your landscape:
Techniques and advice
BY NICK TURNER
EXPLORE BIG SKY CONTRIBUTOR
This time of year the days are shorter and Mother
Nature starts to show us signs that winter is
around the corner. Fall is a beautiful season on
its own, but offers so much potential for a great
summer landscape the following year. By taking
the proper steps before winter hits, you can
save yourself a lot of spring-cleaning time and
encourage a healthier landscape by accomplishing
some simple chores.
The first thing is considering where you live, and
being aware when frosts start occurring in your
region of the country. You can protect annuals
with frost blankets during cold nights to extend
their growing season, and hardier plants benefit
from water or mulch to aid moisture retention
through the winter. Hardy plants rarely die from
the cold and most of the time dehydration is the
culprit. Very cold, dry days in the fall and early
winter can pull moisture out of plants leaving
them depleted.
Keep in mind snow is our friend in Montana.
Rely on it to help protect plants, like a blanket
insulating them from those bitter cold January
days. If you have an irrigation system, talk to
your local landscape company to discuss proper
cut off times. This will ensure enough moisture
retention within the plant to survive through the
dry winter months.
Know what types of plants are on your property
and how to prepare them for winter. Perennials
and other grasses can benefit from being cut
back to three inches from the ground in the
fall following several hard frosts, reducing the
potential for insects or diseases to overwinter
on the foliage. Trees and shrubs can profit from
pruning that will help with better flowers,
overall plant health and structure.
Fall is my favorite time of year to work on the
structuring of trees and shrubs because it’s
easier to see what
direction the plant
is growing after
a full summer of
growth and brings
great rewards in
following years.
Trees and shrubs
heal faster and
more effectively in
the spring and fall
so hold onto your
hand pruners until
this time of year.
Fertilizing plants in
the fall helps them
absorb essential
nutrients they will
store in their root
systems over the
winter, and then
utilize in spring.
Again, know what
plant species you
have and feed
them the proper
fertilizer.
Finally, irrigation
systems will
need to be blown
out. By sending
compressed air
through your
John Doyle, horticulture assistant for Big Sky Landscaping, pruning aspen in the
system, freezing
fall. PHOTO BY NICK TURNER
temperatures won’t
wreak havoc on
Nick Turner has been the horticulturalist at Big
your buried pipes. Don’t overlook this step – it
Sky Landscaping for the past four years. He
could be the most costly part of your landscape if
received his degree in Landscape Development and
not done in time.
Plant Science at State University of New York at
Fall sets the table for healthy plants the following
summer. Stick with these few simple steps and
you’re on your way to a flourishing landscape.
Cobleskill. When he’s not helping plants survive
and thrive you can find him with his wife and
two huskies enjoying the surrounding mountains.
Visit bslmt.com for more information Big Sky
Landscaping’s services.
OPENING NOVEMBER 1
Big Sky's NEW full service grocery store at
20 Huntley Drive in the Town Center
NOW HIRING!
Apply online at Roxysmarket.com
The BIG SKY TOWN CENTER is a natural gathering place in Big Sky, Montana - with restaurants, galleries, a movie theater
and shopping, this is where Big Sky comes together.
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
HUNTING
PHOTOS • GUIDE TO SMALL GAME • TIPS, TRICKS, AND PERSONAL STORIES
OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
Oct. 17-30, 2014 33
34 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HUNTING
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
PHOTO BY TROY PAULSON
OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
PHOTO BY TROY PAULSON
OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO
explorebigsky.com
HUNTING
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 35
GUIDE TO SMALL GAME HUNTING IN MONTANA
SPECIES // SEASON
UPLAND
GAME BIRDS
Upland game bird is an American
term which refers to non-water fowl
game birds hunted with pointing
breeds, flushing spaniels, and
retrievers.
MOUNTAIN GROUSE:
Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
SHARP-TAILED
GROUSE:
Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
SAGE GROUSE:
Sept. 1 - 30
RING-NECKED
PHEASANT:
Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
PARTRIDGE:
Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
WILD TURKEY:
Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
SPECIES // SEASON
MIGRATORY
BIRDS
Largely due to availability of food,
migratory birds follow a regular
seasonal movement, often north
and south along a flyway, between
breeding and wintering grounds.
DUCK
COOTS
GOOSE
COMMON (WILSON'S) SNIPE
SANDHILL CRANE
SWAN
*season varies based on flyway location
SPECIES // SEASON
FURBEARER
BEAVER:
Nov. 1 - April 15 &
Sept. 1 - May 31
OTTER:
Nov. 1 - April 15
Technically, the term furbearer
includes all mammals, all of which,
by definition, possess some form
of hair. Typically, however, wildlife
managers use the term to identify
mammal species that have
traditionally been trapped or hunted
for their fur. Furbearers are a diverse
group, including both carnivores
(meat eating predators) and rodents
(gnawing mammals).
MUSKRAT:
Nov. 1 - April 15
MINK:
Nov. 1 - April 15
BOBCAT:
Dec. 1 - Feb. 15 &
Dec. 1 - Mar. 1
MARTEN:
Dec. 1 - Feb. 15
FISHER:
Dec. 1 - Feb. 15
WOLVERINE:
Dec. 1 - Feb. 15
SWIFT FOX:
Nov. 1 - Mar. 1
36 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HUNTING
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Whistling wings in Big Sky Country
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
MIKE EVERETT
EXPLORE BIG SKY CONTRIBUTOR
There are few moments that can best a southwest
Montana sunrise. One such moment is sitting in
an early morning duck blind with a good bird dog
that’s shivering from excitement and anticipation.
You warm with a thermos of hot coffee and hear the
unique whistling that only duck wings can make.
The pinnacle is the smell of burnt gunpowder from
an empty shotgun shell, the contents of which were
just discharged at a passing gadwall.
The first Saturday in October begins opening
weekend for Montana’s waterfowl season. Brian
Taylor, Joe Hoffman and I made up the crew filling
the blind that morning. The week prior, we built a
handful of blinds to be fully prepared for opening
day.
where we had built a blind the previous week.
That’s public-land hunting for you: The early bird
gets the worm, which in this case, was the best spot
on the lake. We made a quick decision to load up
and head to a secluded
bay on the south end
of the lake where
we hastily built a
blind and hoped that
it would provide
enough concealment
from the sharp-eyed
fowl. It turned out to
be a wise decision.
In years past, we were often the only people
hunting on this lake (I’d reveal its location but,
well, you know the rest). This year it was different.
We awoke at 3:30 a.m. to the sound of a long line
of trucks waiting at the boat launch. Legal shooting
light began at 6:56 a.m., 30 minutes before sunrise,
so we decided that a 5 a.m. wake up would provide
ample time for us to get dressed, feed the dogs and
percolate some coffee.
On the way to the
area, we saw more
than 1,000 geese
roosted in the bay.
We built the blind
then threw out two
dozen duck decoys
and a dozen full-body
goose decoys. As we
sat in the blind before
sunrise, we could hear
Bell stands by her game.
thousands of birds
quacking and honking
all around. We were on the “X,” as water-fowlers
would say.
We would regret this wake up time, at first. Across
the lake, we could see the faint glow of headlamps
The first couple of flights soared past us, wings
whistling, and didn’t pay much attention to our
calls – the dogs were more upset than we were. But
soon enough a large flock of mallards cupped their
wings and set among the decoys. I called the shot
and after the smoke cleared, five birds were left
floating in the spread. Bell – my dog and best friend
– made her way out to the birds and retrieved them
all. We ended the day with five geese, and 14 ducks.
It was a great hunt with great friends.
Duck Marsala
This is a simple duck dish to prepare and with a Marsala
wine reduction, how could you go wrong?
Ingredients:
4 duck breasts
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon thyme
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup Marsala wine
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
mushrooms (as many as you like)
olive oil
parmesan cheese
salt/pepper to taste
Season flour with salt and pepper and dredge the duck
breasts in the seasoned flour until thoroughly breaded.
Brown the breasts in olive oil in a 7-quart Dutch oven
until golden brown. Remove breasts, add onion and cook at
medium-high heat until onions are soft. Add garlic, thyme,
duck breasts and mushrooms. Deglaze the pan with all of
the Marsala wine. Let wine reduce for five minutes then
add heavy cream. Finish the dish with parmesan cheese and
serve over any pasta, rice, or potatoes.
Bell makes the catch of the day.
explorebigsky.com
HUNTING
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 37
+
VIDEO PRODUCTION. GRAPHIC DESIGN. WEB DEVELOPMENT.
AND YEAH...WE PUBLISH THIS NEWSPAPER.
EVERYONE, EVERY BUSINESS, EVERY BRAND HAS A STORY.
[email protected] / 406.995.2055
CHECK
OUT OUR
CANS!
BIG SKY RESORT’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY
RETRO RED ALE
& LPB’S CLASS V AMBER ALE
Find it in Big Sky, take it anywhere.
VOTED ONE OF TOP 10
SKI RESORT BREWERIES
BY USA TODAY!
LONEPEAKBREWERY.COM • (406) 995-3939
48 MARKET PLACE, MEADOW VILLAGE CENTER, BIG SKY, MT
38 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HUNTING
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Training your bird dog right
BY JOE NOWAKOWSKI AS TOLD TO
TYLER ALLEN
A well-bred puppy is smart money because you’ll
save on training bills in the long run. Start out with
the best puppy you can afford and it will pay off in
dividends.
three to five times
a day. Aside from
these lessons and
walks, riding in
the car or spending
supervised time
playing with the
family, a bird dog
should spend the
rest of its day in
a kennel. More
is not necessarily
better, because of
the puppy’s short
attention span.
End each lesson on
a good note, not a
failure. If I can’t get
the new concept
through, I’ll go
back to something
the dog knows.
The three basic commands are “Sit,” “Here,” and
“Heel.” With retrievers the foundation is “sit,”
since you take a young dog that’s expected to sit for
30-40 minutes between shotgun volleys – that’s a
lot to ask of a dog. You want them to “sit” on one
whistle blast, and come “here” on two.
Once your puppy is
properly socialized,
the three tenets for
training a good bird
dog are water, birds
and guns.
Good bird dogs are key to any successful hunt.
Whether you’re after pheasant, Hungarian
partridge, ducks, or grouse, proper training will
result in a good bird dog.
Pointer breeds will go out and find birds like
pheasants, and once the dog goes on point, hunters
are alerted to the game. Retrievers are able to
patiently sit for extended periods of time and
recover the shot birds in the water.
But begin at the beginning: Purchasing the right
puppies and socializing them when they’re still
young is key to success.
When training bird dogs it’s essential to get them started early.
PHOTOS BY JOE NOWAKOWSKI
Water: Take your puppy out on a run with older
dogs that will lead the younger ones right into
the water. Your puppy might be a little timid at
first, and it might take a week to get them in, but
be patient. If they get hot from the run, they’ll
get right in. One problem I see is when a dog
owner forces the puppy into a cold creek, you’ve
got to let them do it on their own.
Whether you’re after waterfowl or upland game birds, a
properly trained dog will be a faithful hunting companion
A leash, or lead, is the No. 1 tool when training dogs
– if you don’t have a lead, you don’t have control.
Step on the lead, pull him in hand over hand, saying
“Here, here, here,” instead of correcting your puppy
with your hand – this will prevent head shyness.
Early on we’re just forming good habits, and the
corrections are as simple as lifting up on the lead and
pushing their butt down to have them sit.
Birds: The operative word in “bird dog” is
“bird” – they have to have the introduction at
a young age in order to be imprinted. I start a
litter of puppies at five-weeks-old with pigeons.
It’s a litmus test for what types of dogs we’ve
got.
If a pup doesn’t have a strong initial desire, we
can take them out of the litter and work with
them. You want your dog to have that “prey
drive.”
Guns: When dogs are chasing pigeons, start
shooting with a blank pistol as the dogs are
running away. Gradually increase the noise level,
then start standing up and firing from a higher
position. Finally, stand up and fire in front of the
puppy. We make as much noise in the kennel as we
can, including slamming doors. I want them to be
bombproof at 16 weeks.
If you lock your dog in a kennel for the first 16
weeks, you’ve lost it because at that point the
puppy’s mind is as mature as it’s ever going to get.
The first 16 weeks are critical in forming behaviors
in your dog for the rest of their life. The clock is
racing, and there’s no going backwards.
Joe Nowakowski has been training bird-hunting
dogs for more than 20 years and has operated Little
River Kennel – now located in Gallatin Gateway
– for seven. He was raised in Georgia, got his first
bird dog when he was 19 years old, and moved to
Montana in 2001. Visit thelittleriverkennel.com or
contact Nowakowski at (406) 995-2617 for more
information.
We start the puppies at 5 weeks old on a lead with
whistles. Dogs that are imprinted with whistles at a
young age are exponentially ahead of dogs that get
into it at 8 months.
We control a puppy’s environment, and do a good
job of not letting bad habits start. The crate isn’t
just for potty training, because you can’t leave an
8-week-old puppy unattended. You socialize the
dogs, but don’t let a lot of people handle them. I
don’t care what words you use for commands, but
use them and use them consistently.
When socializing a young bird dog, it’s important
to start with short lessons of three to five minutes,
The operative word in “bird dog” is “bird.” You want your dog to have “prey drive” from a young age.
explorebigsky.com
HUNTING
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 39
A family tradition
Pheasant hunting in Williston, N.D.
BY ERIC LADD
EXPLORE BIG SKY PUBLISHER
If someone were to ask what you knew about
Williston, N.D., how would you reply? Some
might answer it’s the land of oil, crime, “man
camps,” uncontrolled development and the highestgrossing Wal-Mart in the country. But others would
describe Williston’s endless miles of dirt roads
flanked by golden farm fields, multi-generational
families living on homesteads, legendary sunsets,
and tasty home-cooked breakfasts.
“Black Betty” with the day’s prize OUTLAW PARTNERS
PHOTOS
Williston is in the
midst of a culture
clash as the hydraulic
fracturing boom
brings in thousands
of transient workers
to this once-quiet
North Dakota town.
Williston’s rapid
growth has benefited
many pocketbooks in
the community, but
also filled the streets
with oversized diesel
trucks pushing some
locals, who prefer a
slower pace of life, out
of the city limits.
For more than 20 years,
The annual group, hailing from four different states, gathering after a successful hunt
a close family friend
Our hosts are a father-son duo native to the area,
of mine has taken a
and are always good for a tour of their backyard
father-son hunting trip to Williston and returned
roads as we chase the wild game bird. We enjoy
home with tales of mile-long tree rows filled with
early morning drives to secret hunting spots,
30-inch-tailed pheasants. For the past couple years
and feast on homemade stews and cornbread for
I’ve joined in on this journey to chase the sporting
lunch in the shadow of grain silos. Many of our
birds, and while some hotels now have security
classic hunts are now littered with oil wells, the
bars on their lobby windows and you have to
distinctive natural gas flares adorning each of
keep a close eye on the speeding oil tankers, we’ve
them. But we still manage to find birds and come
found the fall Williston bird-hunting tradition
home with great photos and plenty of tales about
still intact.
the “one that got away.”
Three tips to surviving Williston:
Get a room at one of the newer hotels in town as
many of the seasoned locations have seen better
days. Recommended stay: Best Western Plus:
(701) 572-8800
Breakfast at Gramma Sharon’s- Arrive early and be
prepared to leave full. Ask for a Scotcharoo desert
bar to go (if you have a hunting group ask for the
whole pan!)
Where to hunt?
North Dakota laws dictate that if land isn’t
posted, you can hunt it. Find a local guide, and
when in doubt, knock on the farmhouse door to
ask permission.
Williston, ND
Conservation:
The Williston, N.D. hosts, Ron and his son Holland Bird hunters’ support of
conservation efforts is
growing more important with
development encroaching on
habitat around the region. Find
your local Pheasant’s Forever
chapter and show your support.
Southwest Montana’s Bozeman
chapter is active in preserving
habitat and hosts an annual
fundraising banquet every April.
Visit gallatinvalleypf.org for more
information.
40 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HUNTING
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky
Pheasant hunting in America: A brief history
BY MARIA WYLLIE
EXPLORE BIG SKY ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Aasheim attributes this to ideal habitat with lots of
grain and cover.
The pheasant is so commonplace in North America
today that people may not realize this colorful,
grouse-like bird has only been on the continent since
the late 1800s.
In Montana, pheasant hunting season begins Oct. 11
and ends Jan. 1. Aasheim says the season is set later
in the year to give pheasants more time to get their
color, thus making it easier for bird identification.
Native to Asia, the ring-necked pheasant was first
introduced as an Oregon game bird in March of
1881, when United States Consul General Owen
Denny and his wife Gertrude shipped 60 of them
from Shanghai to the Willamette Valley. The
introduction was a success, and the birds quickly
spread to nearby counties.
Aasheim expects the season to be an average one this
year, falling somewhere between 90,000 – 100,000
roosters harvested. “We’ve heard good reports on
pheasant and sharp tail, with partridge off a bit,” he
said, adding that there is no way of knowing overall
population sizes.
With the help of Denny’s political connections, he
was able to sway the state to pass legislation in 1892
that banned hunting until the population reached
a sufficient number. That year, the first pheasanthunting season opened in Oregon, and hunters
reportedly bagged 50,000 birds in 75 days.
Subsequently, the ring-necked pheasant was
introduced to other states across America.
Populations thrived in the Midwest’s grassland
habitat, as the birds spend the majority of their time
on the ground and prefer fields and farmlands with
brushy cover. However, they also inhabit woodland
undergrowth and some wetlands.
Pheasant numbers reached all-time highs in the
mid 1900s before suffering severe population
declines, due to changes in agricultural practices in
which farmers converted grasslands to croplands
or urban development. Populations have since
thrived as a result of the United States Department
of Agriculture’s Grassland Reserve Program, which
helps to maintain grasslands.
Pictured here is a male ring-necked pheasant, also
known as the common pheasant. COURTESY OF
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE
Although the birds have short lifespans – it’s rare
to get a 3-year old pheasant – they have good-sized
broods, or offspring, and are very productive if
conditions are favorable.
Pheasant hunting is popular in the Midwest,
especially in South Dakota, where the bird was
introduced in 1898. Since then, South Dakota has
adopted the ring-necked pheasant as its state bird
and has become a world-renowned destination for
the sport. Only twice in the past two decades has the
bird’s annual harvest been under 1 million roosters.
Northeastern and central Montana are also prime
hunting ground for pheasants and other upland
game birds – an American term that refers to nonwaterfowl game birds hunted with pointing breeds,
flushing spaniels and retrievers. Central Montana
is the state’s most popular pheasant hunting
destination, seeing twice as much use compared to
other parts of the state, according to Ron Aasheim,
spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The daily bag limit for pheasants is three and the
possession limit is nine. FWP regulations state that
it’s unlawful to posses or transport pheasants within
Montana unless one leg and foot are left naturally
attached for evidence of its sex since it’s illegal to
shoot females, which are called hens. For other
upland game birds, hunters are required to leave a
wing.
“I can tell you that pheasants are by far the most
popular upland game bird,” Aasheim said.
Total hunter days for upland game birds are
approximately 300,000, whereas hunter days for elk
and deer are about 1 million, according to Aasheim.
Despite this discrepancy, upland game bird hunters
still spend approximately $40 million each year in
Montana.
FWP reminds hunters that it is their own
responsibility to know hunting regulations, and that
ignorance is not an excuse.
CONCEPT TO CREATION BUILDING IN BIG SKY
COMPLETED PROJECTS
rothconst.com • (406) 582 8223
Building 32, Big Sky Town Center
Lone Peak Cinema
Marketplace Building, Big Sky Town Center
Elevation 6000
explorebigsky.com
HUNTING
Explore Big Sky
Oct. 17-30, 2014 41
Get Outside!
Keep your dog hunting-season safe
BY KATIE ALVIN
EXPLORE BIG SKY CONTRIBUTOR
Bird-hunting season is a time of excitement and
adventure, and for many it’s another reason to
get outside with our four-legged friends. But
hiking and hunting with dogs requires special
considerations beyond normal care, so here are a
few for planning a field day with your pet.
carry a multi-tool with good pliers for removing
porcupine quills, thorns and other embedded
objects. Dog bandaging can be awkward, so carry
an extra roll of stretchy vet bandage. Duct tape can
be used to secure tricky wraps, but never apply it
directly to skin, fur or footpads. Aspirin is the only
over-the-counter pain reliever you can give a dog,
Behavior in the field
You may have complete control of your pet in
familiar environments, but even the best dogs can
lose their minds in the unbounded freedom of
wide-open spaces. Unless your dog has mastered
proper backcountry behavior, have a sturdy leash
and be prepared to use it. Leash your dog when you
A healthy dog is a happy dog
You’re far more likely to encounter sick wild
animals in the backcountry than in your
neighborhood, so be sure your dog’s vaccinations
are up to date. Fit your dog with a sturdy collar
with current ID and rabies tags. If you’re
traveling, affix a temporary tag with your local
accommodations or camp location.
Before a big day, be certain that your dog is in good
shape. You may plan to slowly pace a field all day,
but your dog will be covering much more ground
while bird hunting. If you hunt from a blind, your
dog will be doing most of the work retrieving.
Dogs aren’t very good at self-regulation and can
work to complete exhaustion before giving up on a
hunt.
What to pack for pets
Even the furriest dog can use protection from
harsh conditions. If your dog is swimming a lot
in cold water, a neoprene vest is both insulating
and buoyant. If you’re bushwhacking through
thick brush, a vest protects from thorns, branches
and stumps. In big game country, blaze orange is
critical to increase visibility to other hunters. Dogs
can sunburn too, so apply sunscreen on sensitive,
exposed areas like the nose and ears.
For long days, bring food for your dog as well. If
you won’t be near clean water sources, pack extra
water too. Don’t forget bowls – collapsible ones are
most convenient.
Your personal first aid kit will likely include
many things you can use on your dog as well,
but you might need to toss in a few extra items.
Pack scissors to trim hair around a wound and
There’s nothing quite like an attentive, diligent dog to share the hunting experience with you. Stone, pictured here, is ready for duck hunting on Hebgen Lake. PHOTO BY DAVE ALVIN
so pack a couple pills for emergency. Talk to your
vet about dosages beforehand.
Is your dog a tenderfoot?
One of the worst dog experiences I’ve had was
on a hike with my Labrador retriever to Beehive
Basin one spring. Since it was early in the season
she hadn’t toughened up her paws, and the final
mile of rough granite tore open all four footpads.
Though I had my full first aid kit, I barely had
enough moleskin
and tape to cover
each paw. I resorted
to tearing strips off
my T-shirt to wrap
her paws. We made
it down without
having to carry her,
but she was crippled
for a week while
her feet healed.
Now I prevent this
problem by building
up her paw pads
each spring taking
walks on gravel roads
and pavement. Dog
booties offer backup
protection for her to
wear across sections
of rough terrain or
to keep bandages in
place after an injury.
Anna Alvin and Boden at Windy Pass in the Gallatin Range. With proper conditioning and preparation, dogs can go anywhere. PHOTO BY KATIE ALVIN
see wildlife or when you approach other people or
horses. Move away from the trail to allow others
to pass without fear. Pack a pocket full of treats to
reinforce good behavior.
An important word about wildlife
It’s illegal in Montana to allow your dog to chase,
stalk, attack or kill any hooved game animal. You
can be charged with a misdemeanor, fined up to
$1000, and sentenced to up to six months in jail.
If law enforcement witnesses such behavior – or
if a private landowner sees it on their property
– officers can destroy your dog. Using a leash or
leaving a “spirited” dog home is a small price to
pay for their life.
At day’s end
There’s nothing quite like returning home after
a long day outside and putting your feet up, but
don’t forget your dog might appreciate some TLC
too. Take a few minutes to give your pet love while
you look for ticks and brush out burrs or matted
fur. If you prepared properly, you’ve stayed safe
and had a great day. It won’t be long before you
start thinking about the next big adventure for you
and your pooch to get outside!
Katie Alvin has lived in Big Sky for more than
20 years and owns East Slope Outdoors with her
husband Dave. With degrees in Environmental
Studies and Soil Science, she has been involved with
environmental and outdoor education for 25 years.
HUNTING
42 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HEADER
Explore Big Sky
liveTHEDREAM.
REAL, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
Craig Smit, Broker
406.581.5751
[email protected]
Kevin Butler, Broker
406.570.3890
[email protected]
LTDrealestate.com | 4 0 6 . 9 9 5 . 2 8 0 0
Introducing the
newest member of
the LTD team!
Katrina Stemmene, Realtor
[email protected]
208-691-3152
Katrina living the dream!
HUNTING
Oct. 17-30 2014 43
luxury lots
2007
Spanish Peaks Lots
Average sold price:
$813,384
2014
Moonlight Basin Lots
Average sold price:
$1,012,500
Spanish Peaks Lots
2014 Average sold price:
$427,000
Now is the time to buy land at
Spanish Peaks Mountain Club
Hunters against hunger
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS
HELENA – A law passed during the 2013 Montana Legislative session allows
individuals to donate wild game and help feed people in need. Contributions
from your kill will help nonprofit groups distribute game to the Montana
Food Bank Network, according to Ron Aasheim, spokesman for Montana
Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Hunters who legally harvest big game during the hunting season can
donate their meat for no cost or processing fees. Only legally harvested or
confiscated deer, elk, antelope, moose and wild buffalo may be donated. No
road kill can be donated. Hunters can deliver their big game to the nearest
participating meat processor and the ground venison will then be distributed
to Montanans in need through Montana Food Bank Network’s partner
agencies.
If a hunter desires to retain some of the meat, the meat processor will take a
photocopy of the carcass tag to remain with the donated meat, for inspection
by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The original hunting license must stay
with the hunter’s meat.
To assist with processing charges, a hunter who applies for or purchases a
deer, antelope, elk, or wild buffalo license may donate $1 or more in addition
to the price of each license to Hunters Against Hunger. These contributions
will help pay for butchering and distribution of the processed game.
Participation by meat processors and hunters is the key to success for feeding
hungry Montanans this season. Visit mfbn.org/hunters-against-hunger or
contact Jeff Gutierrez at the Montana Food Bank Network at (406) 721-3825,
ext. 232 for more information about the Hunters Against Hunger program.
LOT 110
$395,000
2.38 ACRES
A gently sloping lot, it has captivating
views of the Gallatin Range, while
maintaining privacy with abundant trees.
LOT 93
$390,000
4.84 ACRES
Enjoy views of Gallatin Range through
the trees and quiet cul-de-sac location
of this parcel.
LOT 99
$345,000
4.06 ACRES
Private treed lot with southern
exposure with a mix of pine and
aspen trees.
LOT 87
$297,000
3.65 ACRES
A treed, private Ranch lot affording
peace & quite yet the ease of being
central in the Big Sky community.
LOT 10
$275,000 Reduced Price
5.1 ACRES
Montana meat processors working with
Hunters Against Hunger:
Belgrade: Budget Game
Big Timber: Big Timber Meats Big Timber: Pioneer Meats Big Sandy: Big Sandy Meats Billings: 4th Ave. Meat Market Bozeman: Yellowstone Meat Processing Butte: Western Meat & Sausage Block Glasgow: Treasure Trail Meat Processing Great Falls: House of Meats Helena: Tizer Meats Lolo: Lolo Locker Manhattan: Amsterdam Meat Shop Plains: Clark Fork Custom Meats Superior: Superior Meats Trout Creek: Pat’s Wild Game Nestled in old growth pine trees, this
large 5 acre lot borders open space
near Ousel Falls.
Ladd, Kulesza & Company
Real Estate Brokerage, Consulting & Development
4 0 6 . 9 9 5 . 2 4 0 4 • L K R E A L E S TAT E . C O M
All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we
cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and should not be relied upon as such. These
offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without
notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you currently have a listing agreement
or buyer broker agreement with another agent, this is not a solicitation to change.
©2014 LK REAL ESTATE, llc. lkrealestate.com
44 Oct. 17-30, 2014
HEADER
explorebigsky.com
Explore Big Sky