Tag: Montana

These nine states have never hosted a PGA Tour event

There are still nine states that are still hoping their day in the sun is still to come.

This week the PGA Tour visits the First State for the time.

Wilmington Country Club will play host, marking the PGA Tour’s first-ever event in the state of Delaware and the 10th different venue to host the BMW Championship since the inception of the FedEx Cup in 2007.

“You’ve got to hit it as far as you can and hit a lot of fairways,” advised BMW defending champion and reigning FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay.

Delaware becomes the 41st state in the union to host a Tour event, but that means there are still nine states that are still hoping their day in the sun is still to come.

Maine is one of the nine remaining states that have never hosted a Tour event. Professional golf has been absent from northeast New England, five states within the Mountain Time Zone and Alaska. Some states barely avoided making the list. Nebraska was spared solely by the 1933 Nebraska Open, Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene hosted the 1992 Merrill Lynch Shootout and Arkansas made headlines with the Arlington Hotel Open from 1955-63.

Some of these states have hosted Nationwide, Champions and LPGA events, but the locals are waiting patiently for Rory, Tiger and Jordan to grace them with their presence.

Here’s a list of some of the golf courses that could potentially host the stars of the PGA Tour someday. (Special thanks to longtime Golfweek reader and journalist Peter Kollmann, who helped with the research.)

Former Oregon Ducks walk-on QB commits to Montana Grizzlies

Former Oregon Ducks walk-on quarterback AJ Abbott announced on Twitter he is transferring and joining the Montana Grizzlies.

Exactly one month ago, Oregon Ducks walk-on quarterback AJ Abbott announced he was entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal, and on Thursday he took to Twitter to reveal he is headed to Montana to play for the Grizzlies. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

“Thank you to all the coaches that have connected with me but I’m proud to announce I will be playing ball and continuing my studies at the University of Montana,” Abbott wrote.

Abbott was a star football player at Stratford High School in Houston, Texas before joining the Ducks ahead of the 2021 season.

However, he was unable to carve out any playing time whatsoever last season, and the competition at the quarterback position is as tough as ever with Bo Nix, Ty Thompson, and Jay Butterfield all competing for snaps in 2022.

Instead Abbott will head to the Big Sky Conference, where he’ll compete to play right away in one of the strongest FCS conferences in the country.

[lawrence-related id=26437]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Moose spotted on roof at Montana guest ranch; video

Moose are abundant in the wilderness surrounding The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, and visitors recently spotted one of the iconic animals on a rooftop.

Moose are abundant in the wilderness surrounding The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, and visitors recently spotted one browsing from a rooftop.

The peculiar sight, captured on video by General Manager Jon Martin, shows the moose leaning outward to browse on Aspen leaves. (See video below.)

Asked if this was common, or dangerous for moose, ranch spokeswoman Krista Johnson explained that a portion of Granite Lodge at the facility was built into a hillside. Critters can easily walk onto its “living roof” among wildflowers and grass.

However, rooftop moose sightings are not common.

ALSO: New Zealand orcas hit the surf in pursuit of prey; photos

“I’ve been working as the social media manager for almost eight years, and I’ve only seen it happen four times,” Johnson told FTW Outdoors. “One time one got up there and peed in front of the guests. This one was pretty clever and could reach some Aspen leaves.”

Johnson assured that a moose has never fallen “and they always leave the way they came.”

She mentioned another phenomenon involving moose that kneel to feed on landscaped grass in what resembles a “downward moose” yoga position. (See video below.)

“We let them be wild but ensure guests and staff keep their distance,” Johnson said of the potentially dangerous animals. “We want to protect this habitat as much as we can.”

The Ranch at Rock Creek is a secluded guest ranch on an authentic 19th Century homestead.

Moose chases grizzly bear in a wild scene caught on video

Employees preparing the Many Glacier Hotel for its June 3 season opening witnessed an extraordinary saga involving a hungry grizzly bear and momma moose hoping to defend her newborn calves

Employees preparing a Montana hotel for its June 3 opening witnessed an extraordinary saga involving a hungry grizzly bear and momma moose with two newborn calves.

The accompanying video clip, showing the moose chasing the grizzly bear down a road and to the water, and the bear smashing into a hotel window, has been shared by various sources without photographer credit since Sunday.

The footage, however, does not provide context or explain the larger story, which involved the predation of at least one of the moose calves by the grizzly bear.

Other clips, likewise, showed what transpired in bits and pieces at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. One shows the bear attacking one of the calves as momma moose stands in the lake. The footage, which can be viewed here, might be disturbing to watch.

RELATED: A fascinating look at a Yellowstone grizzly bear’s last days

At the time of this post, precise details were sparse. But Joshua Camareno, an employee at the property, told FTW Outdoors that the moose family’s ordeal began Friday and lasted at least into Sunday evening.

During that period, Camareno said, the grizzly bear took the calf into the woods and returned for the second calf a few hours later, “and that’s when the mom chased him off.”

Camareno said that on Sunday evening, National Park Service rangers used a hazing technique to scare momma moose and her remaining calf back into the woods.

“I’ve seen the grizzly come back twice since then, looking for it,” Camareno said late Monday.

Camareno also posted a clip to Instagram, writing: “Seeing this happen over the past two days wasn’t easy, but so glad I got to experience this first-hand.”

–Moose image is generic, courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Texas adds Montana transfer wide receiver Gabe Sulser

Sulser will be transferring as a grad transfer and will walk-on.

After a very decorated high school football career that saw him win Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, wide receiver Gabe Sulser decided to play his college football at Montana. Continue reading “Texas adds Montana transfer wide receiver Gabe Sulser”

Authorities: Missing Montana hiker was killed by grizzly bear

Authorities in Montana confirmed late Friday that a hiker who had been reported missing was likely killed during an encounter with a grizzly bear.

Authorities in Montana confirmed late Friday that a hiker who had been reported missing was likely killed during an encounter with a grizzly bear.

Craig Clouatre of Livingston was reported overdue from his hike in the Six Mile Creek area on Thursday, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Idaho Statesman.

A search-and-rescue team from the Park County Sheriff’s Office located his body Friday morning. The agency did not provide details but Sheriff Brad Bilcher posted the the following statement to Facebook:

“It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing this update. After an extensive search this morning we have located Craig. It appears he had an encounter with a grizzly and unfortunately did not survive.

“We will continue to work through the afternoon to bring Craig home. Please keep his family and all those involved in your thoughts and prayers.”

The post garnered nearly 200 comments from people expressing sympathy and offering condolences for Clouatre’s family.

Grizzly bears are emerging from hibernation and searching for food. People venturing into the wilderness are urged to carry bear spray and to hike in groups whenever possible.

–Grizzly bear image is generic

Trophy moose poacher receives lifetime hunting ban

A Montana hunter who illegally killed a trophy-size moose in 2019 has received a lifetime ban from hunting and trapping in the state.

A Montana hunter who illegally killed a trophy-size moose in 2019 has received a lifetime ban from hunting and trapping in the state.

Shiloh Berry, 41, pleaded guilty last fall to unlawfully possessing and waste of a game animal, and hunting without a valid license. He was sentenced Friday in Broadwater County Court District.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Berry also received a three-year fishing ban and was ordered to pay $12,100 in restitution. He also received a suspended five-year jail sentence.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Rare Yellowstone cougar sighting documented by tour company

An investigation was launched in November 2019 after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks received a tip on its anti-poaching hotline. Wardens found the decapitated moose 17 miles east of Townsend. Nearby were “distinctive” tire and boot prints.

In April 2020, wardens were tipped off that Berry was in possession of moose antlers said to have been found at the same location. An authorized search of Berry’s premises turned up the antlers, which were an impressive 56 inches wide.

His boots and truck tires were found to have made the prints discovered at the scene. Berry confessed to killing the moose during interviews with wardens.

–Moose image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Hunter hit with fines, suspensions for poaching bighorn sheep

A Montana resident has been fined more than $5,000 for illegally killing a bighorn sheep and leaving the meat to waste.

A Montana resident has been fined more than $5,000 for illegally killing a bighorn sheep and leaving the meat to waste.

Harold Horine, 45, shot the bighorn sheep ram on Nov. 22 in the Highland Mountains. A witness contacted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks after discovering the abandoned carcass.

Horine later told FWP wardens that he mistook the sheep for an elk.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Yellowstone wolves run down elk in rare ‘circle of life’ footage

In a news release issued Wednesday, FWP stated that Horine pleaded guilty in Madison County Justice Court on Dec. 7. Charges included hunting without a valid license, unlawful possession of a game animal, hunting on private land without permission, and waste of a game animal.

Horine, who is from Deer Lodge, was ordered to pay $5,245 in fines and restitution. Additionally, his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for two years.

–Bighorn sheep image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Large bear appears to ‘waltz’ with trees in comical video

Trail-cam footage showing a bear rubbing its massive body against trees, even standing and seeming to dance with their trunks, is being widely shared on the Internet.

Trail-cam footage showing a bear rubbing its massive body against trees, at times standing and seeming to dance, was shared Wednesday by NBC Montana with a “Caption this!” instruction.

“He could do a Charmin commercial,” one commenter joked.

“Just the Bear Necessities,” another chimed in, referring to a song in the Disney film, “The Jungle Book.”

Many commented on the bear’s masterful effort in relieving an itch. But bears typically rub against trees to mark territory, and male bears often mark several trees while searching for breeding mates.

RELATED: Grizzly bear’s trail-cam appearance both awesome and terrifying

A handful of NBC Montana followers suggested that someone put the bear’s actions to music. That’s when Don Redfoot, who captured the footage near Red Lodge, directed people to the Red Lodge Wildlife Sightings Facebook page, where the footage is put to music.

Click here to view Redfoot’s version and decide for yourselves whether his choice of “Waltzing with Bears” compliments or distracts from the bear’s tree-marking behavior.

With or without music,  the footage is amusing and perhaps even enlightening.

–Image courtesy of Don Redfoot

Suspected pipe bomb found, detonated at Montana fishing site

A suspected pipe bomb was discovered Saturday night at a popular fishing access site on Montana’s Jefferson River.

A suspected pipe bomb was discovered Saturday night at a popular fishing access site on Montana’s Jefferson River.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release that the Williams’ Bridge Fishing Access Site and nearby Sappington Bridge Fishing Access Site were closed after the suspected explosive device was found by Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel.

The team was training on the Jefferson River when its members found what they suspected to be a pipe bomb submerged at the Williams’ Bridge Fishing Access Site.

Experts from Malmstrom Air Force Base safely detonated the device Sunday morning. Both access sites were subsequently reopened.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Angler ‘in shock’ after landing record smallmouth bass

“We’re grateful to Gallatin County and Malmstrom Air Force Base personnel for their collaborative response in this situation,” Fish, Wildlife & Parks warden Adam Pankratz stated in the news release. “Thanks to these efforts, we were able to safely reopen these sites to the public.

“This is also a good reminder to use caution and carefully inspect items we would normally think of as litter before picking them up.”

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation and asks those with information that might be helpful to call (406) 482-2100.

–Jefferson River image is generic