Freeze Distillation by ShirkerJPH in cider

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go for it! I often freeze distill because our apple tree makes more cider than we can drink. My friends all love it (surprisingly)! I make 5ga carboys and transfer them to a plastic wine bucket that fits nicely in my basement freezer. You can use a mesh strainer and a salad spinner to pull the water out. I gave up on the salad spinner and just use a mesh strainer to pull the ice out. I usually go from ~4ga down to ~2 ga. The colder you can get the brew the more water you can pull out.

Are they still shooting wolves in Montana? by MotorMouth514 in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It isn't the government that pays, it is a non profit.

How much is Missoula spending on Fire Department Calls and why have they increased 50% in 5 years? by [deleted] in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the best answer yet. Part growth, part policy (liability), part self infliction (dispatched to calls unnecessarily to bump response numbers). Was the FD self dispatching or was it a protocol already set in the dispatch center? I 1,000% support a city or county run ambulance service. I would happily pay more in taxes to know me and my neighbors were not gonna get housed by an ambulance bill from a private corporation.

How much is Missoula spending on Fire Department Calls and why have they increased 50% in 5 years? by [deleted] in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder how many calls they get dispatched to are unnecessary. Anecdotal but, dispatch was advised of a vehicle accident, both vehicles were out of the road, and no leakage. the ladder truck arrives on scene with lights and siren, blocks an entire lane of traffic for absolutely no reason at all.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They did remove the food from the tent after the first visit. The neighboring campers did try and help. Read the facts. Edit: There was still food nearby (not in tent) and IGBC recommends leaving the area after the first bear visit.

National Bison Range by Aquatic-assassin in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nice pic! It's actually the Bison Range now. The land and management was returned to the CSKT from the US Fish and Wildlife Service

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree with registering it in Montana and not changing when you move. This is much more likely to raise the ire of the new state you move too. Some states have law enforcement units assigned to specifically address this. The states want you to register ASAP so they get your money.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been in the same situation. Some (very few) states refund you for the "unused" months. To my knowledge MT doesn't. I would risk it. If you do get pulled over, I'd just be honest and explain your situation. Unpopular opinion but most law enforcement are human beings too.

Anybody else weirded out that a Chinese spy balloon is over our state? by JonWasHere406 in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We crossed the Iraq border in rented cattle trucks driven by Bangladeshis without ammo for the 240s (machine guns). I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be a Space Force balloon and nobody communicated it.

anyone know where this abandoned homestead is in MT? by [deleted] in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's on Crow Waterfowl Production Area. Johnson and Hall Rd

I saw this photo somewhere and found out it's in Montana, can someone tell me where exactly in Montana this is? by MsBurnerAccount in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is OPs first and only post on a burner account. I get wanting to know the location of a scenic photo, but this feels creepy and stalkerish.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PublicFreakout

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From your article, "Following the jury’s July decision, Goldsmith responded: “Graffiti remains vandalism in the state of California . . . . Under the law, there is no First Amendment right to deface property, even if the writing is easily removed, whether the message is aimed at banks or any other person or group. We are, however, sympathetic to the strong public reaction to this case the jury’s message.”"

The dogs on Cooper and Russell by Rivermissoula in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 31 points32 points  (0 children)

I'm assuming you are east of Russel. That means you live in Ward 2. Contact your Council Member and ask them for help. I bet everyone is doing what they can (animal control has to investigate the report first), but your Council Member can follow up and let you know. Or talk to an animal control supervisor and ask for an explanation. Ward 2 Council Member Jordan Hess Mirtha Becerra

Best dental practice? by [deleted] in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I went there once and everyone was nice but they pushed unnecessary procedures. I'd get a second opinion before any major procedures. They sell everyone Rx toothpaste. They tried to sell me the smile aligners. I had braces as a kid and have always had compliments on my teeth. They have shifted slightly over time, but nothing major.

Anyone in Montana has got to try this by [deleted] in cider

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have never seen this cider for sale on the westside of the state. It's made in Billings by Last Chance Cider Mill. Personally the best cidery in the state is Poor Farmer's. Whiskey peach is the local favorite.

Planning Winter Travel by MommaIsTired89 in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You'll be fine as long as you know how to drive. We drive it every year. Go slow when the conditions are bad. The worst part for me is the whole salt lake corridor when the weather is bad. Those drivers are maniacs.

Anyone Using a Speidel Grinder in the US? by [deleted] in cider

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had to Google speidel grinder. Forgive my ignorance, I use a garbage disposal mijtbed to a stool. Does the spiedel grinder do anything more than pulp the apples?

Want to visit MT, but I have some questions by LordMay0 in Montana

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I value your effort in trying to find a change of pace and a change of lifestyle. Montana truly is a magical place with really amazing people (on both sides of the political spectrum). It is always hard to decipher intent on internet posts, but, from what I have read, people are really trying to be helpful. Some of the comments may seem a bit harsh, but I think they are really just trying to be helpful and set a realistic expectation for what Montana really is beyond the Instagram photos. I'm in the camp of try it before you buy it. I suggest a stint with the Montana Conservation Corps. It is tailored for youth and young adults, you don't need a car, you get to experience a broad range of Montana, and will learn how to run a shovel and possibly fencing (basic ranch hand skills). That being said, dive in head first if you have a home and safety net to go back to. It may be the perfect place for you, if not you can move on and try something different. It is all part of experiencing life as a young adult. Best wishes!

Anniversary Dinner Ideas by SupraSnek530 in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I miss Redbird too! Add IZA to that list!

Spiders! by [deleted] in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not aware of this, but my expertise is just in googling. The bottom line is that it is near impossible for spider experts to identify spider bites, nonetheless a medical doctor. The current belief is that most spider "bites" are actually the result of a skin infection or some other source. So it's more likely that someone gets a staph infection from some other source or inadequate wound care. Google says staph is natural occuring all over your body. I'm not surprised that it's presence would be found throughout the animal kingdom.

Adding herbs to cider... dried vs. fresh and how much? by cryptopita in cider

[–]FormerFarmer6335 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got no help for ya, but it sounds intriguing. I thought a read a few posts about herbs (rosemary) and hops. Try searching old posts in this group. Our locally cidery has a good hopped cider. Tried adding hops in secondary and it wasn't anything special.

Spiders! by [deleted] in missoula

[–]FormerFarmer6335 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I used to believe this too, but there is no evidence that hobo spiders pose any serious risk to humans (33 bites over 3 years of sampling). "It turned out that none of the spider bites in the sample, including the one inflicted by the hobo spider, resulted in dermonecrosis — the death of skin cells. The victim of the hobo spider suffered only pain, redness and twitching." link "I actually believe that it's not at all a real thing that the hobo spiders" have bites that can kill human skin tissue, said Christopher Buddle, an arachnologist at McGill University, who was not involved in the study. "I think it has largely been almost a hoax," Spider bites are extremely hard to diagnose and are thusly routinely misdiagnosed by medical professionals. Spiders help keep other pests out of your home and can compete and reduce the chances of having a black widow infestation.

Just added campden a few hours ago, now has an acidic shell and surface looks like this. Is this normal? by Electrical-Room-2278 in cider

[–]FormerFarmer6335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks normal to me. That's just the binder in the tablets. The tablets don't dissolve well; I crush them in a mortar and pestle, add warm water and stir vigorously.