HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for more than $500,000 in recreation grants. Applications will be accepted for the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program and the Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program. Applications can be submitted through the online system at funding.mt.gov. Application deadline is Feb.1, 2024.

Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program: This is a state-funded grant program. This program provides project funding with the goal of enhancing and maintaining OHV recreational opportunities for the benefit of OHV enthusiasts in Montana.

• Applications accepted: Nov. 15 – Feb. 1, 2024
• Awards announced: May
• Contracts issued and projects begin: July
• Anticipated funding available for awards: $200,000
• More information: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/off-highway-vehicle

Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program: A grant program funded through the creation of the OHV Trail Pass. This is the program’s third grant cycle. The program will award funds to non-federal entities for the maintenance of OHV trails on public lands.

• Applications accepted: Nov. 15 – Feb. 1, 2024

• Awards announced: May
• Contracts issued and projects begin: July
• Anticipated funding available for awards: $300,000
• More information: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/summer-motorized-trail-pass

Training sessions will be offered as needed for prospective applicants of the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program and Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Programs.

For more information on attending a grant application training session or applying to one of these opportunities, visit: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs.

For questions about the Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program and the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program, contact Seth McArthur at SMcArthur@mt.gov.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now accepting applications for Shooting Range Improvement Grants. Approximately $300,000 in funding is available. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2024.

Montana's Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to non-profit shooting clubs, organizations, local governments and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state.

To learn more about the Shooting Range Grant Program and to download this year's grant application, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/shooting-range. 

Online registration is available at funding.mt.gov. For more information, contact Seth McArthur at smcarthur@mt.gov or 406-444-3753.

Completed Shooting Range Grant applications can be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Shooting Range Grant Program, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

BOZEMAN - The much-anticipated Brawl of the Wild football game will be held at noon Saturday in Missoula’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium. 

Where to watch: 

• Broadcast TV: MTN Stations (KBZK in Bozeman, channel 7.1 over the air). 
• Streaming: ESPN+ (subscription required). 
• Radio: Bobcat Radio Network airing live on KXLB 100.7 FM in Bozeman (list of other stations around Montana).

Can the Griz food drive 

The annual Can the Griz food drive, an off-field competition between MSU and UM to see which school can collect the most donations for its local food bank, is being held through Nov. 18. The friendly battle is now in its 24th year and is hosted by the Office of Student Engagement. For more information, visit canthegriz.org. 

More to read 

• Learn about more activities, including watch parties across the nation from our recent news story and from the MSU Alumni Foundation. 
• Read the recent history of the Cat-Griz football rivalry. 
• MSU football recent news and stories. 
• Find retailers selling Bobcat gear. 
• Brawl of the Wild all-sport series.

BOZEMAN – The Western History Association has announced that a book by Belgrade author and Montana State University assistant teaching professor Michele Corriel has won the national 2023 Joan Paterson Kerr Award for the best illustrated book on the history of the American West.

It’s the latest in a string of honors awarded to “Montana Modernists: Shifting Perceptions of Western Art,” which chronicles the lives and legacies of six mid-20th century artists who were largely responsible for the emergence of modernism in Montana art. Three of them taught at Montana State in Bozeman and one at Eastern Montana College, now MSU Billings.

“There were lots of great artists around, but these were the people that were the anchors,” said Corriel. “From them came more.”

Corriel first heard about the influential modernists during her 18 years as an arts writer in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. She said that in interviews with artists, she would routinely ask about who had influenced them and “the same six names kept coming up.”

The names belonged to eastern Montanans Isabelle Johnson and Bill Stockton, and four others who settled in the Bozeman area after World War II – Jessie Wilber, Frances Senska, Robert DeWeese and Gennie DeWeese. They knew each other and “started a whole sort of zeitgeist in art,” according to Corriel.

“They had survived the Depression, they had survived the war, and there was starting to be a Cold War. The language they had used for their art while they were in art school wasn’t enough,” Corriel said. “For sure, in Montana, the art of (Old West artists) Charlie Russell and Frederick Remington was not going to suffice to tell the stories these artists needed to tell.”

Corriel said she didn’t see anyone else writing about the Montana modernist movement, so she set out to do it and do it right.

“I didn’t want it to be a coffee table book. I wanted it to be a book that was accepted into the canon,” she said.

Motivated to acquire the academic credentials to have her book taken seriously, Corriel enrolled in graduate programs at MSU. While working on her master’s degree in art history, she began researching Robert DeWeese, Senska and Wilber, all of whom had taught in the university’s art department. When she moved on to pursue her doctorate in American studies in the College of Letters and Science, she researched the other three artists more fully. All six ultimately became the subjects of her doctoral dissertation.

“I loved the experience; I loved the classes,” Corriel said. “I met fantastic professors. It got me on the right track and kept me going, and the whole process helped to make the book better.”

After graduating with her Ph.D. in December 2019, Corriel set to work rewriting the dissertation into a book structured around the themes of place, artistic lineage and community.

“Place because they are in Montana,” Corriel explained. “I talked about Isabelle Johnson and Bill Stockton the most in that chapter because they were ranchers and they knew the land – breathed it, lived it, ate it. Their art really, truly reflects place.”

Montana also drew artists with impressive lineages, who had been educated at prestigious institutions in the U.S. and abroad, including Columbia University and the Otis College of Art and Design.

“They were schooled in art and art history. They had degrees from amazing places,” Corriel said.

The final component – community – refers to the nurturing of the Montana modernists and their movement, thanks to the hospitality of the DeWeeses.

“It’s really what held them together,” Corriel said. “In the ’50s and ’60s, their house (in downtown Bozeman) became the center of the art movement. After they moved to Cottonwood Canyon, people would meet there, and they would talk well into the night.”

Though only four of the artists featured in her book were university professors, Corriel said, “All of these artists were teachers. All had the opportunity to teach art to young people in the ’50s, coming home from the war and explaining to them what they were trying to do and be open to the creative processes on both sides. They were always learning from each other – it was a very egalitarian pedagogy.”

The elder artists, in addition to treating their students as artistic equals, also taught them how to become teachers themselves, “and those artists became teachers down the line,” Corriel said. “It’s a legacy that still exists.”

Though the six artists profiled in the book are deceased, interest in them is alive and well, according to Corriel. Earlier this year, she curated a show based on her book at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings; next summer, she will do the same at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena.

In addition to the just announced Kerr award, “Montana Modernists” was awarded the Big Sky Award for the overall best book and first prize for art and photography at the 2023 High Plains Book Awards. It also won honors in the 2023 Montana Book Awards contest.

Corriel teaches in MSU’s University Studies program, and she has taught classes on Montana modernism in the School of Art in the College of Arts and Architecture.

“This is a subject that is so near and dear to my heart – I’m very passionate about the subject,” Corriel said. “I’m so honored and humbled by all of the attention this book has been getting.”

And though she is the person who researched and wrote the book, she said it is the artists who deserve the credit.

“They were amazing people who lived remarkable lives, who dedicated themselves to art and created this important art movement,” she said. “What would have happened without them?”

The Montana Master Hunter Program (MHP) is accepting applications for the 2024 program. Deadline is  Nov. 30. Led by One Montana, the MHP is for hunters who want to continue to improve and hone their skills, build relationships with landowners to aid their wildlife management goals, and be an advocate for conservation and wildlife. Classes will be held in Bozeman (March), Missoula (April) and Kalispell (May). To apply or learn more, visit mtmasterhunter.com.

Life requires the presence of water. However, even though water is present in most places on Earth, its quality isn't always assured. Actually, there's a chance that the chemicals, bacteria, and dangerous particles in your tap water are endangering your health. For this reason, a lot of homeowners decide to put in water filters. Water that has been filtered helps to make it safer to drink by removing contaminants. Not everyone, though, has the money to install a water filter right now. Fortunately, you can install and buy a water filtration system for your home with the assistance of water filter financing.

What is water filter financing?

A payment plan referred to as "water filter financing" enables households to pay for the purchase as well as the setting up of a water filter over time. You can pay for the system in manageable installments spaced out over time as an alternative to paying the entire amount at once.

How does water filter financing work?

Water filter financing works very similarly as that of other financing options such as car loans or mortgages. A lender will provide you with a principal amount to pay for your water filter, and you will pay the lender back over time, typically with interest. The terms of your loan agreement will vary depending on the lender's policies and your credit score.

What are some benefits of water filter financing?

The flexibility of financing water filters is one of its key advantages. Financing offers a way for people who cannot afford to pay for their water filtration system all at once to spread out their payments over time. Having the option to select from a range of water filtration systems that may suit your budget, as opposed to settling for a subpar or inadequate filter, is another benefit of financing.

What are some things to consider when choosing a lender?

There are a few considerations to make when selecting a lender to finance your purchase of water filters. First and foremost, be sure to investigate and contrast various lenders to identify the best terms and rates for your financial circumstances. Second, think about the kind of interest rate you want—variable or fixed—and which is best for you. And lastly, make an effort to select a lender who specializes in financing water filters and who can provide counsel and direction all through the financing procedure.

What are some other ways to finance your water filter purchase?

There are other ways to pay for your water filtration system economically besides financing for water filters. These consist of credit cards, home equity loans, and personal loans. Before choosing one of these possibilities, it's critical to do your homework and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Financing for water filters might be a great choice for homeowners who want to buy a water filtration system. Financing offers a way to install a water filter that is appropriate for your home at a reasonable cost and allows you to spread out your payments over time. To guarantee a seamless loan experience, evaluate lenders, pick one you can trust, and carefully go over your lending terms.

What to Consider When Taking Water Filter Financing

Are you thinking about investing in a water filter for your house or place of business, but you just cannot afford the initial outlay? There are financing options available to assist in lowering the cost of this investment. But before you sign the paper, there are a few important things to think about when obtaining a finance plan for a water filter. We'll talk about the crucial considerations in this blog post before obtaining a finance plan for a water filter.

It is crucial to evaluate interest rates and costs when looking into financing options for water filters. A financing option may seem enticing due to its low interest rate, but beware of hidden expenses that might make payments pile up and end up costing more than you had intended. To find out about any additional costs you might have to pay, make sure you read over the terms and conditions of your financing arrangement.

One of the biggest mistakes a borrower can make is not carefully considering the length of the financing term. While a longer term may seem like a good idea because of lower monthly payments, it can result in a higher overall cost due to interest accumulation. Shorter financing terms may result in higher monthly payments, but the overall cost may be lower because of less interest accumulation. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option before selecting a financing term.

Financing options for water filters may have specific eligibility requirements, such as a certain credit score or income level. Before applying for a financing plan, be sure to research the eligibility requirements so you can make an informed decision based on your financial situation.

It is crucial to consider the standing of the business providing the funding plan. Before registering, check out the company's background, customer satisfaction rating, and reviews. Selecting a business with a good reputation is crucial to making sure you don't get taken advantage of.

Since a water filter is an ongoing expense, it's critical to account for potential maintenance and replacement costs in your financing strategy. Prior to committing to a financing plan, make sure you understand the terms of the warranty and the associated costs of servicing your water filter.

In conclusion, selecting a financing plan for a water filter is a major choice that needs to be well thought out in light of a number of variables, such as interest rates, the length of the financing term, eligibility requirements, company reputation, and future maintenance and replacement expenses. We hope that this blog post has given you the knowledge you need to decide how best to pay for your water filter. To be sure you're choosing the best course of action for your financial circumstances, always remember to weigh your options before committing and consult a financial expert.

On November 11, 2023, at 1:07pm, Yellowstone National Park Dispatch received a 911 call from a concerned family member where an individual had sustained injuries that prevented the individual from hiking out of the backcountry cabin they were staying at.  The caller indicated that one of the individuals in the party was in need of immediate medical treatment near Cabin Creek outside of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone Section and GCSSAR Heli Team, Montana Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to the request for aid.  The GCSSAR team members along with law enforcement communicated with the patient over inReach to establish critical details leading to how best to serve the injured individual. Due to the remote location and varying snow levels, SAR Heli Team extracted the patient from Cabin Creek to a staged Hebgan Basin Rural Fire Ambulance. The patient was cleared medically by Hebgen Basin Rural Fire and required no further higher-level care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind backcountry recreationalists that having a plan for contingencies along with being able to call for aid in remote areas is crucial in the backcountry adventures.

On November 9, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Gallatin County 911 received a call for assistance for an injured hunter in the Cow Creek area of the Bridger Mountain Range.  The injured person was hunting with his adult son when he slipped and injured his lower leg.  His son hiked out of the area to find cell service and called 911.

Search and Rescue members responded to the area and utilized side by side ATVs to get to his location. SAR members provided first aid, then transported him and his son by side by side out of the area back to their personal vehicle. The injured individual determined that his son could provide transportation to further medical attention, and he and his son left the area in their own vehicle.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind backcountry recreationists that adventures may not go according to plan, and it is important to pack for contingencies.  Even when the plan is to be exercising all day, it is a good practice to bring warm enough clothing, food, water, and survival gear that you can safely spend the night as temperatures drop in the event you are unable to move and must await rescue.  Furthermore, cellular service is spotty at best in the backcountry and a communication plan that does not depend on cell service is a good idea.

BOZEMAN – The Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University recently received a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services exceeding $250,000 for a unique project prioritizing paleontology education. The award is one of the 122 awards presented by IMLS.

The project, “Discover Science! A Paleontology Education Initiative,” will expand the museum’s paleontology education program to reach more Montana residents, enabling the museum to offer a range of educational resources through paleontology galleries and pop-up museum programs statewide.

“With robust research and fieldwork occurring, we want to be able to dig deep with teachers and students as well,” said Chelsea Hogan, the museum’s director of education and public programming. “Capturing a child's passion for dinosaurs at a young age could set them up for a lifetime of love for science. This opportunity to grow our paleontology outreach program will allow us to connect in person and virtually with more teachers and their classes than ever before.”

“Discover Science!” will immerse participants in the scientific process of exploring prehistoric environments reaching as far back as 80 million years.

“STEM inquiry, including paleontology research, is the forerunner of human progress,” said Stephanie Dickson, vice chair of the Museum of the Rockies board of trustees. “Museum of the Rockies’ IMLS-funded ‘Discover Science!’ program will significantly impact the scientific and environmental literacy of citizens of Montana.”

Over three years, the grant will help create and distribute classroom materials, including posters and fossil kits. It will also support teacher stipends, ensuring that educators can attend the museum’s specialized conferences that are designed to enhance professional development and foster a community of educators dedicated to science. The museum also plans to introduce a part-time museum educator position to enhance outreach.

For more information about these initiatives and other programs at the Museum of the Rockies, please visit museumoftherockies.org.