Montana Outdoor Podcast

Downrigger Dale
  • 4.7 (18)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

A weekly podcast covering the topics and people that make Montana’s Outdoors like no other place in the world. 

  1. Why is Everyone Coming Here?

    1d ago ·  Video

    Why is Everyone Coming Here?

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale is joined by one our favorite guests, the Executive Director of the Montana State Parks Foundation, Megan Buecking. Megan always brings a lot of excitement to the show as she always has great news to tell us about Montana’s State Parks. You may recall that the Montana State Parks Foundation is not actually a division of Montana State Parks. The State Parks Foundation is an amazing nonprofit that in essence helps bring the things to our State Parks that the State Parks would love to have but cannot afford to get them. This Foundation then steps in raises the money through donations from lots of awesome folks as well as through grants and things like that. As Rigger puts it: “The Montana FWP makes sure the State Parks’ campsites are there the water is running, etc. and the State Parks Foundation makes the State Parks are fascinating, ya know, the kind of places that make history come to life, make you proud to be a Montanan and make you want to come back again and also discover the next one down the road!”. And of course, this week on the podcast Megan does not disappoint as she goes over some of the incredible things waiting for you right now at several state parks and she even gave us a tease about Montana’s newest State Park and promised she will come back soon with some folks that have some very exciting news for us. Rigger also went through the latest State Park visitation numbers and man oh man wait until you hear those! Can you say, “new visitation record AGAIN?” Do not, repeat, DO NOT miss this podcast be sure and watch or listen right now on MontanaOutdoor.com or your favorite podcast spot to watch or listen. When you do you are going to be very proud of Megan and all the folks at Montana’s State Parks. Oh, and check out the links below and if you can or know someone who can donate to this wonderful organization. They are a huge part of why Montana’s State Parks are the best in all the United States and think about this, they do that all for 55 (and growing) parks and pull it off while still making them the most affordable in the country and do it on a tiny budget for a HUGE State. Yup, you are gonna love this Podcast and yes it WILL make you proud to be a Montanan or want to be one! Links: Click here to learn more about the Montana State Parks Foundation. The Montana State Parks Foundation is a great organization to donate to as they are amazing at what they can make happen with your donation. Click here to donate today!Click here to learn more about Montana State Parks. Click the links below to learn more about each of the parks we talked about this time on the podcast.First People Buffalo Jump State ParkPictograph Cave State ParkRosebud Battlefield State ParkMakoshika State ParkLone Pine State ParkWild Horse Island State Park Travelers Rest State Park Bannack State ParkBannack DaysLewis and Clark Caverns | Yellow Bay State Park Judith Landing State ParkClick Here to send Megan an email. She is happy to answer any of your questions.Your buddy Downrigger Dale would love to hear from. Click here to let him know what you thought of this podcast and what all you would like him to cover in an upcoming Podcast.Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    50 min
  2. Is This Safe To Eat? What We Learned About the Fish Consumption Warning.

    Jun 19 ·  Video

    Is This Safe To Eat? What We Learned About the Fish Consumption Warning.

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with a panel of experts to go over the latest fish consumption warnings that were issued by the FWP, Montana DEQ and the Department of Health and Humane services. When that press release about the fish consumption warnings came out back in late April Rigger called his buddy Greg Lemon at the FWP. Greg was able to get a date set when three experts from the Department of Health and Human Services, DEQ and the FWP could all get together and come on the podcast. Rigger and the Captain had received lots of emails from folks that were concerned about consuming the fish that they were catching. After all, the headline of the press release said, “DATA INDICATES FISH CAUGHT IN SOME MONTANA WATERBODIES MAY CONTAIN DETECTABLE LEVELS OF THE MAN-MADE POLLUTANTS KNOWN AS PFAS”. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. What are those? The experts on podcast will explain it way better than we can, all we know is that they are not good for you if you eat a lot of them. As Rigger put it after he had heard that one of the fish mentioned was Walleye; “The headline alone was enough to scare the P-FAS out of me that is for sure! Especially since my health has not been the best lately and I love to eat Walleye!”. That is why he wanted to get the facts directly from the experts. And that is exactly what you will get when you watch or listen to this podcast, especially if you are one of the folks that had heard about it like Rigger and got pretty darn concerned. So here is what we recommend. First, watch or listen to the podcast as it gives some great information that we are sure will make you feel a lot better when you get the facts from the experts that Rigger has on this week’s podcast. If you want to get even more info there are some links below that will give you some great info as well, however you will probably understand that info better if you watch or listen to the podcast first. Also, there are links to take you straight to the emails of the experts on the podcast as well, if you want to ask them questions directly. Bottomline; Montana basically has cleanest fish and water in the country! That said, there are recommendations that you should follow especially for women that are pregnant or for younger kids. So, watch or listen to this podcast to get great info and help you find the details you need! Links:  Click here to read the press release that came a while back.One of the experts on the podcast is Trevor Selch who is a Fisheries Pollution Biologist with the FWP, and he gave us a copy of the Montana Sport Fish Consumption Guidelines which is full of great info. Click here to look that over.Click here to email Trevor with you questions.Another expert on the podcast is Andy Ulven. He is the Water Quality Planning Bureau Chief with the Montana DEQ. And here are the links to some publications that will also give you lots more info about what is being done about all this.Montana’s 2020 PFAS Action Plan2024 Action Plan Progress Report2023 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Fish Tissue and Surface Water ReportIf you have questions for Andy, click here to email him.Dawn Nelson was another expert on the podcast who was also very helpful. She is a Toxicology & Environmental Public Health Supervisor with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. She said you are welcome to click here to email herwith any questions you have.Questions for Rigger? He would love to hear from you, just click here to email him! Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    52 min
  3. High Tech, Low Tech or No Tech You Are Gonna Love the New Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival!

    Jun 12 ·  Video

    High Tech, Low Tech or No Tech You Are Gonna Love the New Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival!

    Send us Fan Mail Ever since Forward-Facing Sonar entered the fishing tournament scene there has been a decline in competitors in most of Montana’s fishing tournaments. That’s why the Gallatin Chapter of Montana Walleyes Unlimited decided to add something new to this year’s Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival. That is what your host of the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale is talking about with Tournament Director Eve Parrow. So, what did they add you ask? A choice! That’s right, they created two competition categories that they call the Tournament Class and the new Social Class. As Rigger put it; “This just might solve a problem that many anglers have had with fishing tournaments these days!”. The Tournament Class, which has an entry fee of $420, will be for those who love to use the new high tech Forward-Facing Sonar or just don’t mind competing against those who do, and the Social Class which has a much lower entry fee of just $200 will be exclusively for those who will not use Forward-Facing Sonar, basically for those who want to compete against those who compete with low tech or no tech. Of course, there are a specific details and rules that go with these new competitive categories and that is why you for sure should watch or listen to this week’s podcast. Tourney Director Eve Parrow does a great job of covering what you need to know. Eve also talks about all the ways that the whole family can have a blast at this year’s Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival! In fact, one tidbit we found super interesting is that in the Social Class up to 5 people can be in a competing boat. Course, only the two-person team can fish but the rest can have some fun cheering them on in the boat! And there is even more things that just might surprise you so, for sure watch or listen to this podcast. Then check out the links below and of course let Rigger know what you think! Links: To enter the Tournament Class of the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival right now click here. To download an Entry Form, click here.To enter the Social Class of the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival, click here to email your entry.Click here to learn about the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival from the Townsend Chamber of Commerce.Click here to learn more about the Gallatin Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana.Click here send Eve Parrow a Facebook Message.To send Eve Parrow an email click here.Course, you can always click here to email Downrigger Dale.Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    34 min
  4. Corner Crossing Part 2! The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Perspective.

    Jun 6 ·  Video

    Corner Crossing Part 2! The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Perspective.

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale continues his look at the issue of Corner Crossing in Montana. This time he talks with the President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), Ryan “Cal” Callaghan. BHA is basically on the opposite side of Corner Crossing compared to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks or at least as it relates to the court case that the two organizations are involved in. However, as Rigger put it, “When you listen to last week’s podcast and now this week’s podcast in a lot of ways both FWP and BHA are on the same side.” Watch or listen to this weeks and last week’s podcast and tell us what you think. Just like last week’s podcast, this week’s podcast is very interesting and we for sure would love to hear what you think and better yet make sure you get your comments into the Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Advisory Committee and the FWP. Ryan at GHA is a VERY smart guy and gave some excellent comments and perspective in this week’s podcast so be sure and watch or listen and then tell Rigger if you think he needs to do another Corner Crossing Podcast down the road. Our hope is that this issue gets worked out so Landowners and Hunters keep a good relationship going that can get even better!  Links: Click here to learn more about Back Country Hunters & Anglers.To watch last week’s podcast, click here or here to just listen.If you have any questions or comments for Ryan Callaghan, click here to send him an email.Of course, Rigger always loves to hear from you so feel free to email him anytime by clicking here.Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    1h 7m
  5. Corner Crossing: What is it? Why Are Montanans so Divided Over it? What is the Solution?

    May 30 ·  Video

    Corner Crossing: What is it? Why Are Montanans so Divided Over it? What is the Solution?

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with the Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Christy Clark about the VERY controversial issue of Corner Crossing. Corner crossing — the act of moving from one parcel of public land diagonally to another parcel, ostensibly without setting foot in bordering private land — has long been a contentious issue in western states where public and private land is often checkerboarded. As Director Clark put it during the podcast; “I think really what we need to remember here, the reason, it is so divisive is because it really reflects two very cornerstone Montana values, right? Private property rights, profoundly important to Montanans. Public access, the cornerstone of Montana. It's our heritage, right? We're known for having fabulous public access. So, when those two issues butt up against each other, it's going to be a challenge. But I think in that challenge and in that middle ground, there's a lot, we can do to mine that. I think we can look at this as an opportunity to talk about what works, maybe what we haven't thought of.” So that in a nutshell is why if you love to hunt, fish and or just get out and discover Montana’s outdoors, this maybe one of the most important things you watchand or listen to in recent history. Another thing that Rigger and Director Clark talked about was the fact that there is a very important opportunity for all of us to state where we stand on this issue. That opportunity will happen during the Private Land/Public Wildlife Committee (PLPW) meeting June 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in Glasgow at the FWP Region 6 office. You will also be able to attend the PLPW meeting virtually through Zoom. That is where you will be able to give your input on where you stand and, most importantly, offer your solutions on how we can settle this controversy! Gang, this podcast will be a great way to get important information and get your ideas flowing. So, what do ya say? Let’s solve this and get back to enjoying Montana’s Great Outdoors! Make sure you watch and or listen to this Podcast today! Links: To read the press release about the upcoming PLPW meeting in Glasgow on the 1st and 2nd click here.Click here to join the PLPW meeting via Zoom on June 1st.To join the PLPW meeting via Zoom on June 2nd click here.Click Here to get a copy of the agenda for the PLPW meetings on the 1st and 2nd.To learn all about the PLPW advisory committee and to contact the PLPW board click here.Questions for FWP Director Christy Clark? Click here to send her an email.Questions or suggestions for Rigger? Click here to send him and email.Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    31 min
  6. The Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament Will be Unlike Any Before. Find Out Why.

    May 16 ·  Video

    The Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament Will be Unlike Any Before. Find Out Why.

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks to the tournament director, Jason Eggebrecht and volunteer, Tom Kobza about the amazing changes that have been made to this year’s upcoming 39th annual Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament. Make sure you watch the podcast on MontanaOutdoor.com or listen and without a doubt do not, repeat, DO NOT miss this year’s Gov Cup. Why? The additions to this year’s tournament are amazing. What are those? Well, for starters how about 1st Place this year will be guaranteed $20,000 (based on minimum field of 175)! Oh, and get this one! Each day, four random total weights will be drawn, and the teams holding those weights win cash EXCLUDING THE TOP 10%. With a full field of 200 teams paying the $200 random-weight entry, that works out to $5,000 per draw, per day for four lucky teams! That's $20,000 on July 10th and another $20,000 on July 11th up for grabs purely on luck of the draw. Think about it even if you are as bad at walleye fishing as say a certain podcast host, we know, you STILL have a shot at being in the money. And the list goes on when you add in all the usual cash and prizes you can win if you add them on to your entry. You have got to watch and or listento this podcast to learn all about it. It is going to blow you away gang! So do not miss this podcast and for goodness sake for sure DO NOT miss out on this year’s 39th annual Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament! Now, it is important to let you know that the tourney is starting to fill up pretty fast so you should register right away! Links: To learn all about the 39th annual Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament click here.To get your two-person team entered right now, click here!Click here to see the list of sponsors that are making this year’s amazing tournament possible. Maybe shoot them a word of thanks when you can.Click here to see the Roster lineup so far!To see the rules for the Gov Cup click here.Click here for tournament contact info.Want info about the amazing Glasgow and Fort Peck, MT area? Click here!Questions for Jason? Click here to email him. Questions for Tom? Click here!Click here to email your old pal Downrigger Dale!Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    53 min
  7. Montana Knife Company. From Humble Beginnings to New Heights! A Fascinating Talk With CEO Josh Smith!

    May 9 ·  Video

    Montana Knife Company. From Humble Beginnings to New Heights! A Fascinating Talk With CEO Josh Smith!

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale takes a trip to the Montana Knife Company’s new facility just outside of Missoula Montana. Gang, their new home is AWESOME! One of the many cool things about it is if you ever get a chance to go to Missoula you can stop by and take a look at this brand new 51,000 square foot facility, both outside and in. There you can get a delicious cup of Black Rifle Coffee and take a look at and even buy some of their latest knives, hats shirts and more. They even have a mezzanine you can go up on and look down on the buzzy manufacturing floor below. Course you can watch the podcast right now and see some of the facility and listen to the Founder and President of the Montana Knife Company Josh Smith tell his amazing story of how this great American Company came to be. Josh talks about his humble beginnings and his lifelong fascination with making knives. His Little League coach in Lincoln Montana was and still is a bladesmith and gave josh his first lessons on how to make knives from a hunk of steel and, well obviously something clicked with Josh because he has never stopped designing and making knives since he was 11 years old! In fact, Josh became the youngest person in the world to ever pass the bladesmith test! His story truly is amazing. We know that you will absolutely love this podcast, so don’t miss it! Watch it now on MontanaOutdoor.com on YouTube, Spotify or listen on the website, Apple Podcasts or tons of other sites.  Links: Click here to learn all about the amazing Montana Knife Company! You can contact the Montana Knife Company by clicking here.You can also click here to contact your host Downrigger Dale and he can get your questions for Josh answered.Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    1h 14m
  8. Where do ya wanna go and what do ya wanna do? Answer and you could win $100!

    Apr 25

    Where do ya wanna go and what do ya wanna do? Answer and you could win $100!

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale is giving you a chance to win $100! It is really simple! All you have to do is send Downrigger Dale an email to Downrigger@MontanaOutdoor.com and tell him what place in Montana would you like him to tell you about in an upcoming Podcast. Maybe it is a State Park, a National Park, maybe it is a body of water you have always wanted to know more about, maybe it is particular mountain or spot on the prairie you have heard about that you have always wanted to know more about. Or maybe you want to know more about some new fishing gear or you want to learn about how to catch a particular species of fish. Maybe you have always wanted to learn about hunting with falcons or about how to trap or it is an outdoor person you have always wanted to learn more about? In other words, you may want to email your answer to the question of “What do you want to do in Montana?” that you would like Rigger to do a podcast about. Just email your answers to those questions by midnight on July 4th. Then Rigger and his podcast crew will go through the emails and pick what they feel is the most interesting and or creative answer to the question “Where do you want to go in Montana?”. The person that emailed the answer that they pick will win $100. And the person that emailed the most interesting and or creative answer to the question “What do you want to do in Montana?” will also win $100! That’s right there is 200 bucks on the line here so watch or listen to this podcast and then send your email in before midnight on Saturday July 4th! Winning selections will be announced on MontanaOutdoor.com on August 1st. Good luck Everyone! Links: ·      Remember be sure and email your answers to, “Where in Montana’s outdoors should Rigger use as topic for a podcast?” and “What thing or person that you have always wanted to know more about should rigger use as the topic for a podcast?” Be creative! Click here to email your answers to Rigger! Support the show Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

    24 min
See All (176)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast covering the topics and people that make Montana’s Outdoors like no other place in the world. 

Information

  • Creator
    Downrigger Dale
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Montana Outdoor Podcast
  • Show Website
    Montana Outdoor Podcast

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