pilot64 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Driving from Bozeman to Kalispell through Missoula September 7-9. Any recommended photo opportunitues along the way ?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Check out Triple D Game Ranch in Kalispell.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Tripadvisor.com

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Stay off the interstates!
Much more beautiful scenery taking the back roads and relaxing rather than flying down a slab of highway that feels like tunnel vision.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

going there for a workshop in March; anyone have any experience with Triple D ?

Novots Loc: Grand Forks, ND

To bad your not close to Billings you could go see MT Shooter, a UHH member and owner of a camera store there! I sold MT some equipment and he was more than fair. Have fun.

dsiner Loc: Kent, WA

If you are taking Montana 200 from Missoula to Kalispell, you will pass by the National Bison Range. In Butte some of the old mining buildings are still around. Too bad the old copper pit mine is not working, it was quit a site in it's day. Now just a toxic waste site.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Take the eastern route around Lake Flathead. This is shorter than the western route, much faster, and far more scenic. The western side of the lake is more resort-like and more heavily populated. The lake itself is very good material for landscapes, crystal clear water blanketed by Montana-blue sky with tree-lined shores. The area is quite photogenic.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Great people, wonderful animals. Should have some snow in March, it highlights several animals. Heather is the handler of both the animals and the shooting group. She sets the rules you will live by and those rules make the place run smoothly. Our group was given the chance to add certain animals and we went crazy. The grizzly bear (Bruno) is a show stopper: 1000 lbs. of pure exhibitionist, and a world-class break-dancer. Bruno and the big cats were all behind very high amperage electric wires and they were constantly reminded of that fact by Heather. I would recommend reading the web site for Triple D, it will acquaint you with the options of animals they present. Once your day begins you will realize why the group size is limited, some sites offer very limited sized areas for shooting. All animals are of the highest quality for showing, good, even coats with no scarring, and they are active. We spent 4 full days of shooting in January weather. Batteries and media cards are very important. Several people in our group shot over 12,000 photos in 4 days. Some shooting sessions are at the farm but most are held at remote locations, so you will travel several miles each day and you will have a mid-day lunch break. Triple D is very well run and offers great opportunities to shoot some not-too-common animals. I hope you enjoy it as much as I and my companions did.

adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

I agree that the eastern side of Flathead Lake has, by far, better scenery. You can also explore going up the eastern side of the Mission Mountains, which are quite photogenic. I can't remember the state highway number, but it goes up between the Bob Marshall Wilderness on the east and the Missions Mtns. on the west. It is a fine drive, which I like to take when I am not in a rush to get to Kalispell.

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

The National Bison Range is a "must see" for landscape and animal photog. Also, be on the lookout for old barns, mines, and other historical sites of interest all along the way. Flathead Lake has some beautiful scenes, but the eastern side has very few turnouts to use off of Hwy 35, so be aware. Try to use the State Park sites such as Finley Point, Yellow Bay, Woods Bay and Wayfarers. Welcome to the Last Best Place - Montana, and happy shooting!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

glad to see this write-up; I had already signed up for Triple D in March plus the 2 extra shoots they offer; what time of year did you go ( if you went in March do you have any clothing recommendations )? any recommendations for lenses ? I understand we may actually be pretty close to the subjects

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

I think you are responding to my post. We were in Kalispell the last week of January. Temperatures were mid-20's to mid-30's during the day but there was constant sunshine and very little wind. You can determine your own personal workload and keep yourself as warm as you want. Yes, you will be able to get close to most of the animals, the big cats are the exceptions. I'm trying to get a close-up of Bruno, it may work.

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