Montana

Montana is an exceptional place to hunt big game. Residents are spoiled with low tag prices, ample species to pursue with over the counter (OTC) tags, millions of acres of public land, and seasons that last for months. It’s also home to special draws for moose, sheep, goat, bison, elk, antelope, and more. On the top of that list, and arguably at the top of the list in the world, is the bighorn sheep. Most notably, the Missouri River Breaks, “The Breaks” bighorn sheep tag. It’s a tag so coveted that it once went for nearly a half million dollars at auction and consistently sells every year for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2018, I drew this permit… Before you head out - Find out what our favorite Top 5 Bows from ATA are. Photo by Jerrin Uecker Lesson 1 - How to Draw a Tag for Bighorn Sheep If you’re someone who applies ... Read more

The Best Buttermilk Pancakes Obviously, I am always writing about food. So what's it take? What's it take to make the best coffee and the best buttermilk pancakes in the Northwestern US and plate it all rustic? It takes a little local knowledge and some great food products we stock at your local 40 namely, Wheat Montana Buttermilk Pancake mix, butter pecan syrup and one of our locally roasted coffees. The local knowledge is how to plate it all rustic. The clay jars you see pictured here are all made in Hinsdale, Montana at Klind Pottery. What makes these the best pancakes and coffee in the Northwest? Let us, ladies and gentleman, begin first with the mixture de pancake. Watch this video provided by Wheat Montana which will explain what sets this buttermilk mix ahead of your general pancake mixes.  You will see that this wheat is grown... Read more

As someone with a Hungarian background, garlic is part of the Holy Trinity (garlic, onions, and paprika) of cooking. We use it in dishes from breakfast to supper, along with eating it for its immune boosting qualities. Whether it’s the pungent hardnecked varieties or its versatile softneck sibling, garlic is one of those must-have ingredients in the kitchen. The good news is garlic is easy to grow pretty much anywhere in the country, and it’s one of those crops were putting a little time in the fall reaps the benefit next summer, making it one of those enjoyable autumn tasks. Plant Softneck Garlic to Last the Winter From mild to a hot there is a multitude of garlic varieties between the main subspecies with hardneck and softneck garlics being the most popular. The type you choose depends partly on your climate, as well as your taste ... Read more

In Episode 13 of AskNorth40, we were asked a question about where Simms clothing came from as some shirts say Bozeman, MT while others say Buy Local. To answer this question, we facetimed Michael White from Simms Fishing about where their products are manufactured. The answer to this question became twofold as Michael addressed Simms manufacturing production as well as their ideology behind the Buy Local shirts.   Simms Factory Tour in Bozeman, Montana As a manufacturer, Simms Fishing has been located in Bozeman, MT, since 1993 when the current owner, K.C. Walsh, acquired the company and relocated it from Jackson, Wyoming. Since then, the company has had a partnership with W.L. Gore & Associates (makers of GORE-TEX® fabric) to develop the breathable, GORE-TEX® Waders that Simms is known for. In 2012, Bozeman became the permane... Read more

It all began standing over a hole in the ice on the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir east of Helena, MT. I was on my first of many ice fishing adventures with my dad (Kit) and my grandpa (Poppy). Although I can't fully remember the entire experience of reeling in my first fish (a big rainbow trout), it somehow instilled a passion into my veins that never left. And when I look at the photo, I can almost remember the feeling I felt..almost. But, what I can remember is having cold toes and a happy heart! Now many years later, my best pal and adventure buddy, Chris Schlenker, and I always take an annual trip to the remote and magical Fort Peck Reservoir. The first few years were a big learning experience being under-geared and uneducated on the massive body of water. Our biggest setback was our old Tecumseh power auger. In fact, it was the... Read more

Walk into my garage and do you know what you are met with? A barrage of towering boxes waiting to be unpacked. However, if you side step twice, do a half spin, duck down, then pivot to the right, you will be standing in the ideal place to view my 'wall-o-packs.' So even though my wife's outrageously large coffee mug collection and my favorite morning breakfast toast plate are still boxed up, we did manage to organize the packs that propel our weekend adventures. What can I say? Priorities. Want to check out our selection and colors on the Scrambler 30 by Mountain Hardwear? The latest addition to the 'wall-o-packs' is the Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 Outdry Backpack. Now although the name may seem too long and lack what marketers call "spice", it does virtually tell you everything you need to know about this backpack. How's the Size on ... Read more

It seems like I have tried my hand at a little of everything in my short 21 years. Growing up, I had a deep love for animals and I searched for anything that meant I could spend more time in the barn and less time in the house. From choosing the correct tack for my performance horses to winning Grand Champion with my barn cat at the county fair, I've always been involved in livestock and shows. I'm the daughter of an outfitter, which means that hunting and fishing is a way of life. In the spring, I love to fly fish and hike. I could spend every day on the river catching trout... or attempting to. When I don't have my crown on as Miss Rodeo Montana, you can find me working as a dental lab technician in scrubs of many colors. Stay tuned to yourlocal40.com for more blogs and write ups as North 40 helps promote the Western culture alongsi... Read more

What are you doing this Father's Day weekend? If you don't have plans, residents and visitors alike will be able to fish for free that weekend so if you don't know, now you know. This statewide tradition has been in effect since 2011, and will continue this Father's Day weekend, June 17th and 18th, 2017. We have equipment for gear fishers here and an entire site dedicated to fly fishing right here. Everyone can fish for free and we have some great employee resources. If you're interested, but haven't tried it out before, come in and ask about a setup to get you out this weekend and check out our #RippleEffect program designed to help new anglers get outfitted without breaking the bank. Remember to follow Montana's state regulations when you're out there. Here's some great waters to try out: Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, Bitterroot and ... Read more

You know it, we know it: Alpine Touch is the business. What you may not have known is that this local Montana company started in Whitefish out of a concrete mixer behind a grocery store. When Whitefish became too "touristy" for the owners, they went in search of a "quieter existence" and settled finally in Choteau, Montana. Who Owns Alpine Touch and Where are they Based? I got to catch up with Chad Ekegren, the owner of Alpine Touch and a dedicated small-town man, "What better place to live and work than on the Rocky Mountain front?" Chad bought Alpine Touch from the previous owners (Choteau residents as well) in a joint venture with his dad, the owner of a John Deere company in Choteau as well, "My family bleeds green and yellow." Here is our selection of Alpine Touch products you can order online. Chad went to school for a degree in bus... Read more

If you've never tried your hand at competitive archery, now is a great time to start!  It's finally spring, and 3D archery season is charging full steam ahead. Here in central Montana, there is no excuse for not getting your bow out of the case and getting in a full summer of practice on the 3D courses.  From now until August, there is a shoot nearly every weekend within 2 hours of Great Falls including several local events. 3D shoots are something that all archers should attend for several different reasons. You can find Montana state's current list of 3D shoots online HERE. Shoot at Life-sized Game Animals While not everyone will draw tags for moose, sheep, or caribou, it's still good practice because you're shooting at animals that are similar in size to what you will be chasing.  Most clubs have several fun targets well.  Who doe... Read more

Berkley Flicker Shad Fishing Lure Review Read more

First Family Activity this Father's Day? Prairie Dog Hunting. Last month I took my daughter, Lauren, out to our friend's ranch to shoot prairie dogs.  The morning started off perfect with a few clouds and very little wind.  She was shooting my new Savage 17 HMR, while I was alternating between my .223 and .22-250; we were racking up the kills between the two of us. Early in the afternoon, the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up, which was creating problems with the light bullets, and also sending the prairie dogs for the cover of their holes.  So we decided to take my chocolate lab, Justice, for a walk up the mountain and look for a few "shed" elk antlers. Want another great activity for Father's Day? We left the truck in the prairie dog town and headed toward the base of the mountains, which is typically a good transit... Read more