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The 7th Annual Big Sandy American Legion Coyote Derby started off much better than last year. The weather was chilly, but no snow stopped all the snow mobile participants we typically see. However, it didn't slow down the calling class teams as the number of dogs they brought in in comparison to the open class was pretty crazy. We started the weekend with 29 teams for a total of 98 participants. With the milder than normal weather, not as many coyotes were killed as the previous year but teams...
To step onto the mat as an 8th grader, Harley LaBuda has become one of the first girls with the opportunity to become a 5 time All American as one of the newest members of Team Montana. To earn the title of All American, competitors must place in the top 8 for their bracket at Nationals. Harley stepped onto the mat in Omaha, Nebraska representing Team Montana at the USAW Nationals in the 14U girls division. She ended up taking 7th at Nationals with 2 wins by pin and 2 losses. From a young age,...
The 6th Annual Big Sandy American Legion Coyote Derby was off to a rocky start a couple of weeks ago when freezing rain shut down the roads from Great Falls to Big Sandy. However, this didn't stop many. The road opened up around 3 pm that day, and while teams were slow to trickle in on Friday night, we ended up with 27 teams for a total of 99 participants this year. The weekend ended up being the perfect weather for calling in coyotes. The Derby was hugely successful, with hunters bringing in a...
The Big Sandy Saddle Club kicked off their first O-Mok-See of the year on Wednesday night. Turned out to be a beautiful evening after some very much needed rain. We opened up with the entrance of our beautiful American Flag followed by all of the participants and the omoksee prayer. Dear Lord, We pause, mindful of the many blessings you have lain along our path. We don't ask for special favors, nor do we ask that the blessings granted our opponents be diminished. Instead, we thank you for...
Another year of calving is just around the corner for many in the Big Sandy community and around Montana. The Big Sandy American Legion Coyote Derby started as an idea in 2017 by Mason Ophus, Stephen Boyce and Clete Ophus. A good opportunity to fundraise for a local organization and help the local ranchers with reducing the depredation issues that coyotes present during calving and lambing season. While ranchers are up for hours on end, monitoring and caring for their livestock during this...
As a rancher, our border collies are part of the family but a tool as well. They are up for any task at hand, they don't hesitate, and they don't talk back. They show up every morning for work, and all they ask for is a good scratch behind the ears and a full belly. A good working dog can take the place of one or two hired men. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and countless hours of training go into everyone. A working stock dog trial is a competition that brings handlers together to test their...
This year we kicked off the 4th Annual Big Sandy American Legion Coyote Derby with 25 teams. Despite terrible wind and warmer weather the first day, we had 78 coyotes brought in. By Sunday night, teams killed a total of 183. There are a few less coyotes around going into calving season and I know our local landowners are appreciative. The Diamond 4 U Club was the host bar. The following were sponsors this year: Tilleman Ag, Montana Outfitting, D6 Guns, Allan Peterson of the AG Ranch, Primos...
Memorial Day, A time honored tradition to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. Every Year the American Legion Post 50 organizes a guest speaker to talk about the importance of this day, this year was nothing short of another exceptional remembrance of the many fallen soldiers in our nation's history and within our community. We had the incredible opportunity to honor Sergeant Edward Tessier, a courageous man who lost his life during a training mission...
