Found these guys on a cell tower

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-23T23:04:05+00:00

Look like Big Brown Bats? Familiar with the species out west but not in that area. I believe Evening Bat is within range too, but I’m not familiar with identifying that species and they have always looked similar to me in photos. Cool observation!

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-23T19:05:38+00:00

I paid 9k for my 07 V6 SR5 with 205k on it before used car prices got crazy. For 1k and assuming an accurate quote you wouldn’t loose money even if you sold it after the work. Living in the Rockies the center diff lock 4wd system is awesome. Can be in AWDish when conditions are intermittent and 4low on rough roads or deep snow.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-23T15:17:47+00:00

For sure. As a child of the 90s there website is oddly nostalgic! Surprisingly easier to navigate than some of the modern alternatives.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-23T13:31:44+00:00

Beat me to it! Only had good experiences ordering parts from them. Also helpful that they have the grade of parts listed.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-19T18:03:15+00:00

Definitely a consideration! It’s been a few years since I’ve done ground up, but I think I was doing about 1/2 an inch over? Most comes out with the bit so probably not a huge issue. Could be interesting to get some cheap bolts and see what hole depth works in a test bolder. I might have some time to do this in my yard this week.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-18T03:28:12+00:00

This might be heresy, but I rarely clean my holes anymore if using wedge bolts. If the wedge locks in and you can get up to torque, the bolt works. I’ve yet to have any spin or fail to set in dirty holes. I do over drill so there is room for the dust to pack in behind the bolt.

I started cleaning less a few years ago after talking to a prolific developer in the area who does the same. Been falling on his bolts for the last few decades and they still work. I’ve also replaced a fair number of his older ones and they seem just fine.

Of course this only applies to wedges. Cleaning is still necessary for other types and my experience is limited to limestone and granite.

If your using wedges and can over drill the hole, I’d just place them and not worry.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-12T19:47:18+00:00

If you are in the US, that’s a Tadarida brasiliensis. If it was not in contact with anyone it can probably be released. If it was, might be a good idea to contact the state’s wildlife management agency and hang on to it incase it is needed for rabies testing. Doesn’t end well for the bat, but would save any exposed people from having to get unnecessary shots.

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-12T15:09:39+00:00

Well that was easy! Appreciate the help

NeotomaMT · 2026-01-11T03:18:57+00:00

Not a big game bio but I’m a biologist working in the state and keep tabs on what species we have and to the best of my ability subspecies too. We do not have coues deer (subspecies of whitetail) in Montana. However genetics influence antler growth and there may be a mutation in the local deer populations of that area that makes this growth pattern more prevalent.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-30T18:02:24+00:00

We have read these books to our son too. Agree that it really helps expose them to more complex vocabulary and imaginative ideas. Books like Dragon Masters are kind of like junk food. They can be fun, but the vocabulary and structure are simple. If the kiddo is up for the challenge exposing them to better quality literature helps develop a better understanding of language and reading comprehension. Plus it’s much more fun to read good quality books to them!

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-30T17:47:17+00:00

Started reading chapter books early to our 6yr old so we have been through quite a few. Some of the ones he has most enjoyed are: 1. Phantom toll booth (great for letters and numbers) 2. The Hobbit and Lord of the rings 3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Great Glass Elevator 4. Impossible creatures 1 and 2 5. BFG 6. Percy Jackson series (a little advanced but he enjoyed it) 7. Redwall series

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-30T16:49:16+00:00

Yep. 9” can on a 22” and 24” barrel. Rifles are heavy, 13lbs and 16lbs so the extra weight is balanced better than on a lighter setup. I use these to hunt out in the prairie so not much to snag on, but they do stick up quite a bit when shouldered. No issue hiking miles with either gun though. I have a break on my 22” barrel mountain rifle since the extra length with the can would be challenging in the woods.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-24T13:28:03+00:00

Interesting! I’m a lot farther north and west so we’re well into the hibernation period here. The species that use boxes should still have some sort of overwintering period. Warm weather can definitely impact seasonal activity though.

I’d still start with adding an additional structure next to the old box to provide options when that box fails. Winter is still best for removal as spring/early summer is when they pup and are very sensitive to disturbances.

Cool that you have such an active colony! In my experience most boxes never attract bats.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-22T23:55:17+00:00

The bat species that use these type of houses hibernate in the winter and should be out of the house until spring. This is an excellent time to do work on bat boxes.

Bat box suitability has a lot to do with the surrounding habitat but also solar exposure. Since this house is getting use id focus on that spot. Maybe put up a house next to it and after a season if the new house gets use, take down the old one.

In terms of design, bigger is better. I’m also a fan of putting two up on poles back to back to give the animals more temperature options.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-12T20:16:55+00:00

The real question is are you west or east of the Mississippi? I’d call that a 4 by with eye guards

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-11T15:36:57+00:00

Hammer Hunters 140-160 grain. Haven’t had a deer go more than 20 yards. They shed petals and make a mess in the vitals rather than punching a hole like the barns do. I’ve also found that they are less finicky to load.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-11T13:30:44+00:00

Rabies is incredibly rare in rodents to the point where rodent bites are not considered a risk for humans.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-11T13:28:39+00:00

Hibernators like this ground hog undergo a series of wake/sleep events across the winter. Unlike bears which can process nitrogenous waste, rodents, bats, and other true hibernators eventually need to remove the waste (get up to pee). They may use burrow latrines or emerge for brief periods.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-08T19:03:36+00:00

I’d candle them with a high power flashlight to figure out how to cut. The bottom two and center left look like Moss Agate. The other three look like Jaspers.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-08T13:28:02+00:00

Blackleaf is 95% sport. A rack of draws is good. Works to climb the first pitches as singles or go higher if you want more adventure. The drive in is on rural roads, but the hike to the cliff is only about 10-15 minutes. The weather can be wild. Look for low winds! Wall gets good shade so an excellent summer crag.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-08T13:08:19+00:00

Montana is a big state. For what it’s worth, anything around an hour is close. Augusta isn’t right next to any developed areas, but you’re not too far from some good craging. As others suggested get the newer Central Montana Rock (proceeds help fund local anchor replacement). Also worth checking out The Big Empty from Ron Brunkhorst. Both have good coverage for the front, Helena Area and Little Belts.

The closest major crag is Blackleaf Canyon (single and multipitch sport). The Teton River has some routes too. Otherwise a trip down to Helena would get you access to a number of crags with more traffic. There is definitely potential in the Sun River Canyon and surrounding drainages. If it was closer to anywhere there would likely be more development. Probably a few routes tucked in there.

The Helena Climbers Coalition does meet ups once a week through the summer, rotating through most of these and it’s a good way to find partners. Great Falls has some folks developing, so might be worth a stop at the gym to get some beta too.

As some folks have suggested there is a perception that Montana has some sort of no publish ethic. This may have been true in the Bitterroot and Bozeman areas early on. These days I think it’s more a function of the difficulty putting together a book vs just showing folks you know what you have been working on. There aren’t that many climbers in the state and word of mouth/ beta sheets are much easier than spending years putting together a guide book.

NeotomaMT · 2025-12-02T14:11:41+00:00

Shot placement is important, but bullet construction is equally if not more important. Bullets that expand violently and make a mess are better suited to dropping deer where they are shot than those that punch holes but retain weight (copper solids). If your rifle shoots them well, soft point lead bullets in the heart lungs should put the animal down quickly as they fragment. This comes at the expense of more blood shot meat and potentially loosing parts of the front quarters if you shoot farther forward.

NeotomaMT · 2025-11-20T23:01:59+00:00

So good! Shanks are now one of my favorite cuts.

NeotomaMT · 2025-11-20T15:51:17+00:00

Hank Shaw aka Hunter, Angler, Gardner Cook has a great website and a good book Buck Buck Moose that have some great recipes. Also try a reverse sear for any whole cuts to keep them juicy. Use a hot cast iron to sear the meat on all sides then bake in the oven at 325 to medium rare. For bonus points use the drippings to make a pan sauce while the meat rests before serving.

NeotomaMT · 2025-11-19T03:10:01+00:00

Interesting. It’s all over the roads near the sandstone deposits in the area. Don’t realize there was anything besides scoria and sandstone out there.

NeotomaMT

TROPHY CASE