Montanans Share Their Wildest Outdoor Moments

If you spend enough time outside in Montana, it's only a matter of time before nature throws you a curveball. Whether you're a hiker, mountain biker, hunter, angler, or weekend camper, Mother Nature has a way of keeping you on your toes. Between the unpredictable weather and our untamed wildlife, there's never a dull moment out here.

I've been into outdoor activities for as long as I can remember, and yep—I've got my fair share of wild stories. From surprise animal encounters to storms rolling in out of nowhere, Montana doesn't mess around.

So, we asked our listeners: What's your wildest Montana nature moment—like a close call with wildlife or getting caught in a storm or stuck on a trail?

AVALANCHE!

Avalanches are a real part of life here in Montana—especially for folks who ski, snowboard, or snowmobile. Most outdoor lovers know it's smart to take avalanche safety courses to help lower the risk of getting caught in one. Luckily for this listener, they weren't anywhere near danger… but they did get a front-row seat to one from a safe distance!

"We were hiking up Pine Creek in early April about 12 years ago and heard a noise across the trail. When we looked over, there was an avalanche happening! It was crazy." - Holly

BIG KITTY (AKA Mountain Lion)

Montana's got its fair share of big predators—and mountain lions are definitely up there on the list. What's wild (and kind of creepy) is that it's way more likely for them to see you before you ever see them. I've only seen one in the wild myself, and my other run-in was hearing one nearby… which is enough to make the hair on your neck stand up. Their call is not what you'd expect either—you can listen to the chirping sound they make HERE.

"When I was a child, my family always spent a lot time up in the woods and had close calls in the Flathead! We spent every late July-ish time out picking huckleberries... Our job was to try not to eat ourselves sick off the plants and yell and sing as loud as we could to keep the wildlife away. There was one time when I was sitting in our truck, not doing my job, and a full grown huge mountain lion rubbed up on the truck like a household cat does. He slinked off without bothering anyone, thanks goodness." - Trista

BE BEAR AWARE

Bear encounters are easily one of the most intense things that can happen out in the Montana backcountry. Black bears? Usually not a huge deal. But grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) are a whole different story. Around here, being "bear aware" isn't just a suggestion, it's a way of life and luckily this listener did the right thing!

"Backcountry camping, a bear pulled our packs out of the tree we hung them on, shredded them, and ate all the food except the onion bagel." - Amanda

MOOSE

You don't often think of a moose as being that dangerous, but actually, they can be very aggressive. Mother moose are extremely protective of their calves, and bull moose can be territorial. No matter what, moose are HUGE, and if they feel threatened, they will stand their ground.

"Was driving up Hyalite with my cousin and a moose came down off the hill and charged my car...he decided we weren't worth it I guess and just ran past grazing my drivers side mirror...moose are huge!" - Samantha

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Do you have a crazy Montana nature story? Let us know HERE!