Thanks to the generosity of a pioneering Montana family and Helena’s Shodair Children’s Hospital, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has the opportunity to purchase more than 5,600 acres of land at the base of the Big Snowy Mountains. The property is located north of Ryegate and adjoins an 88,600-acre Forest Service Wilderness Study Area and a 6,900-acre Bureau of Land Management wilderness area. FWP is taking comments on the proposal before moving ahead with the purchase. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is stepping in to help with the process. In the end, if all goes well, the state would have a new wildlife management area providing much-needed winter range and public access. For more on the proposal, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/ryegate-area-familys-ranch-could-be-montanas-next-wildlife-management-area-in-big-snowy-mountains/article_51c51457-a321-52fb-9828-595f24a8300f.html

(Written by Brett French – Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette/Montana Untamed)