Mission Mountains, MT

The Mission Mountains (pictured) and the opposing Swan Range, is a key grizzly bear migration corridor and home of the northernmost bison population in the lower 48. The National Bison Range is managed by the US Fish & Wildlife service. Work on the range, including burning grasslands to promote restoration and the annual herd roundup, is conducted by tribal members of the Flathead Indian Reservation. This reservation also protects some of the lowlands and grasslands from development in the Flathead Valley just south of Glacier National Park. On this spring day, some of the herd (estimated at 300-500 bison) grazed past the spot where I had set up camp for a day. Sizes: 8x10, 11x14, 12x18, 22x14