Thank you for this. Your words paint breathtakibg pictures of the beauty of Montana. Now we all need to work to stop the current regime from selling off, or despoiling, our priceless public lands!
Ryan, I agree 100%. I love Montana. I'm not a hunter, but I am an avid hiker; I know I will never see everything this state has to offer. I hope it remains wild and free forever
Excellent writing, Ryan. This story in many ways reflects my feelings moving to Montana fifty years ago, as one lucky enough to be born with a few silver spoons in my mouth. The wealth we all share here in Montana is worth more than all the money in the world. We are so lucky, but that luck’s been given to us by those who’ve fought for it over just two or three generations. Hopefully the last few generations wake up to the wealth we’ve all inherited, and help to protect it for future generations!
Love this essay! I thought of my growing up on a dairy farm in Iowa! We played in the nearby creek, we planted and harvested from the garden - a big one! The stars were beautiful and sparkling at night!!! Yes it was a “rich” life.
Grandpa was a pheasant / grouse hunter - never got a good bird dog. He was a land man for Railroad then Farm & Ranch appraiser after retired - grew up with him not shooting but loved going out on land with him every fall eastern MT - public lands are America. 💯🤗🇺🇸❤️🙏
Good job Ryan! Being a bird hunter and huntin' behind good bird dogs myself here in Montana are the best days of my life! Especially from a drift boat floating rivers catching trout between coulees full of birds on the way! it's a good life! Thank you sir!
Such heart-felt stories and wonderful pictures that really drive home the inestimable value of public lands. Thank you for sharing these precious moments from your growing bond to the land.
Good writing. I moved to Havre from Columbus, OH after college to start my AmeriCorps VISTA assignment many years ago now. One day I was out fishing for walleye at Fresno and a game warden approached me to inspect. We got to talking about living on the Hi-Line and how resentful many of the locals were about living there. I said to him, "the people who grew up out here don't know what they've got." He nodded in agreement and said, "no, they don't." I grew up in southwest Ohio where you had to have property or know someone with it to hunt. Few public lands in Ohio offer hunting opportunity and especially not the stalking kind I prefer. Once I, finally, got to Montana I ran wild. The Hi-Line was my introduction and it holds a special place in my heart. Chasing deer in the Breaks, hunting pheasant in Blaine County, fishing Beavercreek and the Marias without a soul in sight. You just don't know, until you know.
Beautifully written, Ryan. I can smell the air and feel the wind. My husband, Kit Muller, would have loved this. He spent 38 years in the BLM creating a landscape-conservation system—not pieces of public land for one species or another, but a whole landscape for all species, flora and fauna.
Thank you for this. Your words paint breathtakibg pictures of the beauty of Montana. Now we all need to work to stop the current regime from selling off, or despoiling, our priceless public lands!
Ryan, I agree 100%. I love Montana. I'm not a hunter, but I am an avid hiker; I know I will never see everything this state has to offer. I hope it remains wild and free forever
Excellent writing, Ryan. This story in many ways reflects my feelings moving to Montana fifty years ago, as one lucky enough to be born with a few silver spoons in my mouth. The wealth we all share here in Montana is worth more than all the money in the world. We are so lucky, but that luck’s been given to us by those who’ve fought for it over just two or three generations. Hopefully the last few generations wake up to the wealth we’ve all inherited, and help to protect it for future generations!
Yes, we are wealthy indeed. Let’s fight to hold onto it.
Love this essay! I thought of my growing up on a dairy farm in Iowa! We played in the nearby creek, we planted and harvested from the garden - a big one! The stars were beautiful and sparkling at night!!! Yes it was a “rich” life.
Grandpa was a pheasant / grouse hunter - never got a good bird dog. He was a land man for Railroad then Farm & Ranch appraiser after retired - grew up with him not shooting but loved going out on land with him every fall eastern MT - public lands are America. 💯🤗🇺🇸❤️🙏
Wondering what you did with the dead birds?
Eat every one. Love wild birds. We’ve had a lot of good meals that did not originate in some degenerate factory farm!
Good job Ryan! Being a bird hunter and huntin' behind good bird dogs myself here in Montana are the best days of my life! Especially from a drift boat floating rivers catching trout between coulees full of birds on the way! it's a good life! Thank you sir!
I pray it doesn’t all get taken away.
Remington 870
Sporterized 03A3
Revolvers of course
Such heart-felt stories and wonderful pictures that really drive home the inestimable value of public lands. Thank you for sharing these precious moments from your growing bond to the land.
To those who understand this, to those who have or will experience this, there is calm reassurance and a feeling of pride.
Fine column! Wonderful memories and genuine love for our public lands and heritage! Thanks for sharing! Tom Schneider
Good writing. I moved to Havre from Columbus, OH after college to start my AmeriCorps VISTA assignment many years ago now. One day I was out fishing for walleye at Fresno and a game warden approached me to inspect. We got to talking about living on the Hi-Line and how resentful many of the locals were about living there. I said to him, "the people who grew up out here don't know what they've got." He nodded in agreement and said, "no, they don't." I grew up in southwest Ohio where you had to have property or know someone with it to hunt. Few public lands in Ohio offer hunting opportunity and especially not the stalking kind I prefer. Once I, finally, got to Montana I ran wild. The Hi-Line was my introduction and it holds a special place in my heart. Chasing deer in the Breaks, hunting pheasant in Blaine County, fishing Beavercreek and the Marias without a soul in sight. You just don't know, until you know.
Amen
Beautifully written, Ryan. I can smell the air and feel the wind. My husband, Kit Muller, would have loved this. He spent 38 years in the BLM creating a landscape-conservation system—not pieces of public land for one species or another, but a whole landscape for all species, flora and fauna.
The stories and the photos brought tears to my eyes. Every bit Worth Fighting For, Mr. Busse. 🥹
Beautiful storytelling.