Hunt Will Foster New Relationship With the Predators BY RON MOODY Wolf, the hunter, once again will become the hunted in Montana and Idaho this fall. Denial of a federal court injunction to stop wolf hunts in those states means that a fundamental change of relationship between people and the lupine predator can now get underway. I urge Americans of all cultural tribes … [Read more...]

TOP 10 REASONS Talk show host David Letterman joined the cluster of stars putting down stakes in Montana some time ago. Letterman, it is well known, keeps to himself. His precise reasons for deciding to live part time in the Treasure State remain unknown, though speculation abounds. Some guess that he's planning to retire here, especially in light of recent developments—sex … [Read more...]

Montana Hunters Feel the Pinch as Wolves Decimate Deer and Elk BY TOM DICKSON Last hunting season was Damon Almond’s worst in the 13 years he has lived in western Montana. The Missoula-area firefighter hunted 21 days during the bow and rifle seasons and failed to see, much less kill, a single elk. “A lot of times I get an elk with my bow, and if not, then usually during the … [Read more...]

And How They Got Their Name Washington Irving's Astoria was first published in 1836, and has been reprinted numerous times over the years. Following is an excerpt from the introduction and from Chapter 24, which describes John Astor’s travels among the Crow Indians: …Not long after my return from a tour upon the prairies of the far West, I had a conversation with my friend, … [Read more...]

Send Not to Know, It Howls for Thee BY DISTANT THUNDER I recall the early days of wolf reintroduction, and the problems with it—not some lack of appre-ciation for the wolf’s place in nature, or any disdain for wolves, but the disingenuousness of the discourse. Psychologically, the call to bring wolves back into our midst after they had been eradicated said as much about … [Read more...]