Safety

Nature, as William Blake wrote, is "red in tooth and claw." Meaning, she'll kick your ass if you're not careful. Learn how to stay safe and your outdoor adventures will be that much more enjoyable, for both you and your crew.
McKenna, Marley
“Oh! but Grandmother, what a terrible big mouth you have!”
“The better to eat you with!”
And scarcely had the wolf said this, than with one bound he was out of bed and swallowed up Little Red Riding Hood. Read more >>
Tick-Borne Disease Alliance
As the summer sun beats down, everyone knows to apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water—but what about parasites? Those nasty little bloodsuckers are out there, waiting to use your body (and your dog's!) to fuel their own. Read more >>
Coil, Jesse
Hot summer days in Bozeman usually mean fun and adventure, but if you’re not careful, they can mean something else: heat stroke. Read more >>
Beaudoin, Kate
Dr. Chuck Jonkel of the University of Montana had tried everything: flashing projectiles, boat horns, even synthetic skunk spray. Read more >>
Savage, Nicholas
In the early morning of July 10, 2010, a sow grizzly and two cubs attacked three people, in three different campsites, as they slept in their tents. Two of the people were injured while the third was killed and partially eaten. Read more >>
Ryan Krueger
In one compact design, the Backcountry Bomb allows you to cut cornices quickly and efficiently. Read more >>
England, Mike
Skiing steep, rock-laden spring lines demands protection—and for optimal cranial coverage, you’ll want to join the masses and pick up a Smith Variant Brim. Read more >>
Orem, Tina
Hypothermia, Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries: Prevention, Survival, Rescue, and Treatment (Second Edition)by Gordon G. Giesbrecht, Ph.D., and James A. Wilkerson, M.D.excerpt pages 125-126 Read more >>
Nauman, Chris
Before getting geared up for rock-climbing season, give some thought to safety. Here are three simple things to think about: properly threading top anchors, doubling back your harness, and replacing old, worn-out gear. And, of course, don’t forget to wear a helmet! Read more >>
Barkas, Vaia
My dog is all nose. Black and quivering, it leads him headlong after any whiff of nonsense. Like the day I came down from Mystic Lake. My dog trotted by the creek, snuffling after squirrels but coming when I called. Around a bend we met two riders on horseback. Read more >>
Sanford, Ashley
Few things in Montana have the power to get an adventure lover’s blood pumping and adrenaline racing as much as a field of fresh powder or an undiscovered frozen waterfall that begs to be climbed. But few things also have the power to be so potentially dangerous. Read more >>
Ripley, Leigh
We all know the danger is out there, but the reality of it actually happening is usually far from our thoughts. Fact is, grizzly bears do attack. They attack anyone or anything they feel threatened by. Spend enough time in the backcountry, and one day that threat might be you. Read more >>
Avalanche Safety
Rogel, ChristineSnowmobilers have unique avalanche risk factors built into their sport. Today’s high-powered sleds are capable of reaching new heights at greater speeds, and each year riders venture farther into remote terrain. Read more >>Chabot, DougI get excited at the thought of fresh powder and start to salivate every time I hear, “a winter storm warning is in effect.” Obviously others share my obsession since each storm is followed by a shortage of workers in Bozeman, as folks call in sick and play hooky. Read more >>Chabot, DougChances are you're someone who enjoys winter – as a snowmobiler, backcountry skier, or snowboarder, you probably dream of steep slopes and deep, untracked powder. Or perhaps you snowshoe or cross-country ski, and you cherish the winter woods and the solitude that a blanket of snow provides. Read more >>Cunningham, TerryAvalanche safety is all about information and preparation. To maximize your chances of staying safe in avalanche country, we’ve compiled a list of avalanche “do’s and don’ts.” DO: Read more >>Cunningham, TerryThe Dos Equis–hawking character dubbed “the Most Interesting Man in the World” has a rival in Bozeman resident Doug Chabot. The 48-year-old was arrested and jailed for a week by border guards in Tajikistan. Read more >>Hunting Safety
Sinay, KenLike a lot of Montanans, I’ve done my share of hunting—it’s a seasonal tradition, and I enjoy the healthy, high-quality protein I harvest for my family and friends. Read more >>Mittelsteadt, JaneThere are some dangers lurking in the woods and fields for our hunting companions, and some basic precautions can go a long way to ease the symptoms from any problems your pet experiences. Read more >>Muennich, PeteFor the most part, Montanans are smart and responsible hunters; but some of our gun-wielding visitors aren’t so trustworthy. Here’s how to keep your dog from getting shot at this fall.1.Stay close to your canine. The further the dog wanders, the higher the risk. Read more >>Layne, LizFall is one of my favorite times to get outside with my dog. There are no mosquitoes, ticks, or flies to drive her crazy; the risk of heat exhaustion is virtually nil; and we both like to get muddy. Read more >>Dodge, BrentYou might spend days, even weeks, gearing up for the hunting you’ve dreamed of tackling this summer—yet it takes only a split-second to be tripped up by a weak or unprepared ankle. Read more >>Boating Safety
Muennich, PeteSpring recreation in and around Bozeman almost always includes some form of water sport. For those of us with a canine counterpart, this can be intimidating, especially when watercraft is involved. Making sure your dog is comfortable aboard your boat is vital to the success of your day. Read more >>Grenz, JonasAny adventure sport is truly about minimizing the risk, focusing on the task at hand, and proceeding to have the time of your life. Proper gear and knowledge are the best ways to minimize the risk, giving you the peace of mind to concentrate on the task at hand. Read more >>Carpenter, BradPaddling out into a frigid spring torrent strewn with rocks and sucking holes presents a classic test of judgment. How do your ability and experience stack up against the challenge and the hazard? Decide badly, and you may wind up broken or even dead. Read more >>Deibert, MarkThanks in part to the recent extreme sport craze, whitewater kayaking has evolved dramatically in the last ten years. What was once a relatively unknown sport now ranks high on the list of the most popular adventure activities. Read more >>





