| Montana as vast as the big sky, that blankets it, rich with natural resources – – – fertile soil, rivers, gold, forest wind – – – and overflowing with beauty. Imagine a place where winter means fresh powder days at one of the biggest ski resorts in America, followed by a night out at a concert or the symphony, opera or ballet. A place where spring means exploring the nearby 3.1 million-acre forest or relaxing on campus with a pick-up game of frisbee. Bozeman is ranked as the Number 3 College Town in America.
The community surrounding Yellowstone offer a diverse range of experiences. From skiing, fishing, and abundance, outdoor adventures in a booming college town of Bozeman to the Hardin Colorado. Many scenes just over the past and Livingston, the areas, rich culture is as rich as the landscape. Big Sky and Red Lodge offer year-round, resorts with ample cable, terrain and simply terrific places to stay.the Little Big Horn, Battlefield national monument is worth 1000s of Cheyenne, Sue, and Arapahoe warriors fought under such legendary figures as bowling crazy horse. Lieutenant, colonel George Armstrong, Custer, and more than 200 of his men from the seven of the cavalry died, in the brief battle. a wonderful way to explore. The monument is by hiking with a Native American guide through the Apsalooke Tours. And it’s hard to drive through Montana without running into a rodeo, the small town rodeos offer a unique window into the life here the biggest parties in the west. The highlights are the Mill city bucking Horse Sale weekend the third full weekend in May. The Gardner rodeo in mid June, the Augusta, American Legion, rodeo parade, the last Sunday in June, and the Livingston roundup rodeo July 2-4 together with the wolf Peak wild horse stampede the second weekend in July. That place is our hometown – Bozeman, Montana. An outdoor adventurer’s paradise, over the years Bozeman has been recognized both nationally, and abroad as one of the top ski towns, and was named the #1 micropolitan area in the nation from 2018 up to 2023, when Bozeman’s residential population crested 50,000. MSU even offers expeditions camping for students for $600 for 5 nights. Surrounded by incredible hiking destinations, you’ll find over 80 miles of trails connecting the city to surrounding mountains and more than 60 trailheads within an hour’s drive. In the winter, you’ll see fellow Bobcats skiing or snowboarding at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky Ski Resort. In the summer, you’ll float past them on the Madison River or hike alongside them in Hyalite Canyon, just minutes from campus. Hunting and fishing are popular as well as grouse hunting. Here’s a funny story of outdoorsman who are new to Montana. The Madison Valley is an important wildlife linkage zone between core habitats at the center of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and habitats are popular for grizzly bear, wolverine, Wolves and pronghorn antelope. With an average age of 27 and a youthful, energetic atmosphere, Bozeman is the definition of a college town. Many campus-community collaborations such as the Community Catwalk and MSU’s Homecoming Celebration(s) take place annually, spreading the Bobcat spirit throughout the vibrant downtown district. In Bozeman you are much more than a student at Montana State University — you’re a local! |
MSU Polo
Email: poloclubofmsu@gmail.com
Mission: The Polo Club is a student organization that promotes participation and sportsmanship in polo competition among all students. The club provides students with an opportunity to learn to play polo and create new friendships with team members of other schools. Emphasis is placed upon providing an environment conducive of equine education while encouraging the development of sportsmanship, leadership and team spirit.
MSU Recreation
https://www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/
MSU Study Abroad
https://www.montana.edu/international/studyabroad/aboutprograms.html
Montana Cuisine
Montana food is influenced by its open expanses and beautiful wilderness. Some of the ingredients and dishes that Montana is known for are bison, huckleberries, chokecherries, morels, elk burgers, and steak. Huckleberries are so popular that there are shops dedicated solely to them. Steak is a common menu item and a possible official state food.
Montana is home to the Common Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), a native species that grows in the region. These berries are small, dark-colored fruits that resemble large blueberries but have a distinct taste. They are typically found in mountainside thickets, especially in moist areas with well-drained acidic soil. The deciduous shrubs that bear these berries are usually small to medium-sized, rarely growing taller than four feet high. Huckleberries become especially abundant in areas that have recently burned. They are highly sought after and are more expensive than blueberries.
Nearby Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western U.S. (excluding Alaska). Because of its size it is often more like an ocean than a lake. Those of you who have been out on its rough waters during a major wind storm can attest to this. In fact, Flathead Lake is so large that some of its water currents are influenced by the Earth’s rotation, termed the Coriolis effect, a phenomenon typically only seen in oceans.
Montana Sapphires
Montana has four major sapphire deposits:
- Yogo Gulch
- Rock Creek
- Dry Cottonwood Creek
- The gravel bars along the Missouri River northeast of Helena
The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is one of the largest, oldest, and best sapphire mines in the world. It has produced over 180 million carats of sapphires for over 130 years. However, it is temporarily closed.
Nearby Fly Fishing
The best fly shops in Bozeman are The River’s Edge which has sales in September for 20% off storewide and Yellow Dog Fishing, which is the biggest around and better than Dan Bailey’s in Livingston or maybe even Blue Ribbon in Yellowstone. For stocking up online before the trip, we like www.reelflyrod.com, www.flyfishfood.com, and www.jsflyfishing.com.
The Gallatin River and canyon is a short distance from Bozeman. Big Sky is nearby–if she wants to ski. Livingston is only 23 miles away and it’s the gateway to Paradise Valley which certainly deserves its name.
Fishing is open all year around. During early Spring, midges and BWO’s should work well. Highline Canal is a short distance from Bozeman. This is a favorite of the locals. You can also fish the Gallatin as it exits the canyon. Again, it’s a short drive from town. The Madison is a bit farther away–about 80 miles to Ennis from Bozeman. I don’t fish it downstream of Ennis, but it should produce well in colder months in that stretch. In the Summer, the river below Ennis gets too warm.
If you’re willing to drive, the Madison just inside Yellowstone Park can provide great fishing once the brown trout start running. People catch 24-26 inch browns every year starting sometime in September. I caught some 20 inch class browns and rainbows in mid-September.
West Fork Cabins
24 Sundance Bench Rd
Cameron MT 59720
I stayed mostly on the Madison. Then I also fished the Gardner River inside YNP. That one is just a beautiful stream. The fish are smaller, but I don’t care because it’s fun. I catch fish right across from the people sitting in the river where the thermal spot is. My side of the river is cold, the other side is very warm.
The camp I’ll be staying at is right on the river. It’s called West Fork Cabin Camp. They only have 10 or 11 cabins. The rest are RV spots and tent spots. If you wanted to come up there, you could contact the camp owner and manager, Chance (info@wfork.com), to see if they have availability. There’s another camp with nice cabins a few miles up there road: Driftwaters Resort. That’s not immediately next to the river, but within a very short driving distance of it. It’s not quite as cozy, but they do have a pretty good restaurant.
There are other rivers in the area, such as the Gallatin and Ruby. I did not go to either on this trip. The river is literally 30 seconds or so from the cabin and is fishable even there.
There’s a smaller stream which flows into the Madison ( West Fork ) and that’s also just a couple of minutes of walk from camp.
Montana is the Best Place to Hunt Deer
Montana, renowned for its vast size and breathtaking natural beauty, may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about top deer-hunting destinations. However, it deserves consideration for its exceptional deer hunting experiences. Explore the compelling reasons that make Montana the ultimate state for deer hunting in the United States, and gain a newfound appreciation for the hunting opportunities awaiting enthusiasts in Big Sky Country.
1. **Abundant Deer Population:**
Montana boasts a significant deer population, estimated at around 507,000. With a human population of only 1.1 million, there’s an ample abundance of deer for hunters. While not all areas are open for hunting, the state offers numerous opportunities to pursue these mammals.
2. **Vast Hunting Terrain:**
Montana’s vastness is a key factor in its appeal for hunters. With approximately 30 million acres of state and federal lands, equivalent to the size of Pennsylvania, there’s an extensive expanse for hunting. Hunters navigate through a mosaic of private, state, and federal lands, often relying on GPS systems to stay within legal boundaries.
3. **Extended Hunting Seasons:**
Montana provides a lengthy hunting season, with the 2023 deer season spanning from September 2 to November 27. The season includes both archery and rifle hunting, offering hunters a substantial timeframe to pursue deer.
4. **Diversity of Deer Species:**
Unlike some states with a single deer species, Montana is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. Each species presents distinct challenges, with mule deer known for their curiosity and white-tailed deer for their skittish behavior.
5. **Private Hunting Opportunities:**
Montana’s expansive territory and hunting-friendly culture enable easy access for individuals interested in hunting. Private hunting outfitters offer guided tours, training, and exclusive experiences on private lands, providing hunters with ample space for their activities.
6. **Varied Landscapes for Unique Experiences:**
Montana’s diverse environments, including forests, meadows, and mountains, contribute to unique hunting experiences. The state’s varied landscapes offer hunters the opportunity to stalk their quarry in different settings.
7. **Challenging Weather and Environments:**
Montana’s weather, ranging from mild early in the season to harsh conditions in October, adds an extra layer of challenge for hunters. Combined with diverse environments, this presents a unique and demanding hunting experience.
While these reasons make Montana a preferred destination for many hunters, individual preferences may vary. Nonetheless, the state’s exceptional hunting qualities continue to draw enthusiasts back year after year.
