Big Sky

This two-bedroom log cabin stands on 5.38 pine-clad acres along the Gallatin River, 15 minutes from Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort. The renovated 1995 house has a vaulted living area with wide-plank floors, linear gas fireplace, chef’s kitchen with waterfall cooktop island, windowed breakfast nook, and glass accordion door to the riverside deck.

Outside are a hot tub, firepit, and garage topped by a one-bedroom apartment. $5,950,000. Eric Becker, Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty, (406) 539-6291.

Bozeman

From its cul-de-sac in the Bridger Range, this 2005 contemporary farmhouse has direct access to the Crosscut Mountain Sports Center and national-forest trails. The four-bedroom home features heated Brazilian cherry floors throughout, double-height ceilings, balconies with mountain views, open living and dining rooms and gourmet kitchen, and a lower level with gym, game room, theater, and wine cellar.

The 5.22-acre wooded property, 20 minutes from downtown, has a firepit, a creek, and a bunkhouse. $4,895,000. Jeremy Seglem, The Agency Bozeman, (406) 404-9404.

Whitefish

On the Rocks Ranch Treehouse anchors a 20-acre property between two national forests, in a gated enclave 25 minutes from downtown. The four-bedroom double A-frame, built in 2023 and fully furnished, has hemlock paneling, exposed beams and trusses, a rustic-modern kitchen, a living room with walls of windows, decks, and mountain views.

The parcel has infrastructure for two more homes; community amenities include a lake, golf, a gym, and stables. $7,500,000. Sean Averill, PureWest Real Estate/Christie’s International Real Estate, (406) 253-3010.

Livingston

Angler’s Retreat on the Shields comes with more than 39 acres along the Shields River. The restored 1904 four-bedroom farmhouse features new systems, a chef’s kitchen with French limestone flooring and marble counters, a living room with a woodstove, a primary bath with a claw-foot soaker tub, and a wraparound covered porch.

The property includes a hot tub, heirloom gardens, guest cabin, greenhouse, barn, sheds, trail access, trout fishing, and wildlife; town is 15 minutes’ drive. $3,250,000. Carlos Ordoñez, Hall and Hall, (307) 690-6375.

Missoula

Abutting conservation land, this four-bedroom Grant Creek home is also 15 minutes from downtown. Built in 1977 and updated in 2018, the organic-modern house has clerestory and picture windows, wood floors and ceilings, an open main floor with a freestanding concrete-finish fireplace and maple-clad minimalist kitchen, and an extensive back deck.

The 1.89-acre landscaped lot has front and back yards, patio, hot tub, outdoor shower, lawn, and mature trees. $1,650,000. Danni Moore, Engel & Völkers Western Frontier, (406) 396-2442.

Lolo

This three-bedroom ranch home sits in a quiet Bitterroot Valley suburb 15 minutes from Missoula. The 2006 house features an open kitchen with pale wood cabinets and stainless appliances, a dining nook, a bright living room with big windows, an en suite primary bedroom, and a laundry room.

Outside are lawns, garden beds, and a fenced backyard with a patio; local amenities include shopping, dining, fishing, and the walkable new Lolo K-8 school. $515,000. Nate Christianson, Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty, (406) 945-0880.

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.

Montana’s general hunting season wrapped up over the weekend and, according to numbers reported at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) check stations, hunters in this corner of the state had increased success in the field when compared to last year.   

More than 10,800 hunters stopped at northwest Montana check stations this season, and about 10 percent of them had successfully harvested game, compared to 9 percent a year ago. A total of 954 white-tailed deer, including 745 bucks, were reported at the four weekend check stations. Last year hunters checked 761 white-tailed deer, including 567 bucks. Check station results showed a slightly smaller mule deer harvest, ­92 deer checked this year compared to 97 a year ago. And the elk harvest was slightly above last year, 62 harvested this year compared to 51 a year ago.

This season, check stations were open on weekends during the general hunting season from 10 a.m. to approximately 1.5 hours past sunset. The regional stations were located at U.S. Highway 2 west of Kalispell, Montana Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney.

Hunters are required to stop at any check station they encounter whether they harvested an animal or not. The counts at the stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

There are still opportunities to hunt this winter. Certain areas have continued elk hunting opportunities, and there is also Montana’s Muzzleloader Heritage season for deer and elk from Dec. 14 through Dec. 22.

As the season wraps up, Montana hunters can thank landowners for access and share stories through an online portal. FWP is offering this opportunity to say thank you to landowners who have provided access and helped to make it a successful hunting season. FWP will collect these expressions of gratitude and share them with the specific landowners at the end of the season. Notes can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/thank-a-landowner-2024.

2024 General Hunting Season Numbers for Northwest Montana

Montana has some of the coolest, funkiest, and most historic bars and saloons in America. Some are award-winning, while others are simply a community gathering place. Montana’s small town bars are packed with character.

The Bunkhouse Bar & Grill is on US-287 near the bank of the Missouri River in Toston, Montana. This place is perhaps one of Montana’s most loved rural bars. People love everything about it – the staff, the food, the location, and the patrons.

“I stop by once a week and grab a soda and a bag of chips and a burger. Super nice staff and yummy food. I take mine to go but only takes 15 minutes and I might sit and talk to old farmers and ranchers while I wait.” (Yelp)

Stoneville Saloon in Alzada, Montana. When you find yourself in the very southeast corner of Montana, just a couple miles from the Wyoming border, you’ll definitely drive past the Stoneville Saloon. Don’t keep on driving. Stop in if they’re open.

There’s a cool Facebook group for those who enjoy discovering funky bars and taverns. It’s called American Saloons, Bars & Taverns. “The History and Cultural Significance of American Saloons, Bars & Taverns and the role that they played in helping to shape the course of American History.”

THE MOST POPULAR RESTAURANTS IN MONTANA

The Bank Bar & Vault Restaurant in Wilsall, Montana. Having lunch and a cold beer at The Bank Bar is perhaps one of my favorite things to do in life. Their burgers are really that good. 100% grass fed beef from the local Muddy Creek Ranch.