Experts Journal

The IX Ranch added some color to its historic horse herd this year. These dun-colored registered Quarter horse colts are the result. For 60 years this Montana legacy ranch has raised its own working cow horses. Their 25-head remuda is supported by six foals a year from eight foundation broodmares and the new Plenty Dun, double-bred Hancock stallion.

This article is the second in a continuing series regarding water in the western United States. This edition focuses on operational and administrative practices that can help maintain your water rights by first ensuring that all filings and administrative reporting requirements are up to date, and secondly, by keeping your rights active to protect them from abandonment.

We are thrilled that The Wall Street Journal profiled Circle 9 Spring Creek Ranch as a “House of the Day.” Resting in the shadows of the rugged Tobacco Root and Highland Mountains in the historic and lush Jefferson River valley, the ranch offers gorgeous scenery and miles of river and restored spring creek fishing, as well as productive pivot-irrigated farmland.

To quote Explore Big Sky columnist Patrick Straub, “Reports are trickling in, chatter is growing louder in the corners of local fly shops, and pullouts are being used more by anglers than for excess snow. Don’t put your skis or boards away yet—some of the best snow of the season will soon fall on the slopes. But if you take your recreation seriously, have your waders and rod at the ready at all times because we are in the season of potential.”

As the chief editor of much that is published by Hall and Hall and as an avid reader of much that is published by others in our industry, I am struck by the overuse of certain words that I believe were meant to be used sparingly to describe something very special and unusual. In my last blog, I talked about the true meaning of the word “legacy.” In that instance, I objected to the use of the word rather than the overuse of it but there is no question that it is overused as well.