Montana’s Upland Northwest In Photos

onX Creative Director Dave Fields and Copywriter Christian Fichtel joined Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitting Company for a few days of bird hunting in northwest Montana.

The Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem is a unique place. Home to more than fifty grizzlies as a result of sustained recovery efforts over the last few decades, the Cabinet-Yaak is a case study in how human interaction and rugged wilderness can collide. A long history of logging has left the million-acre Kootenai National Forest with more than 10,000 miles of roads, more than any other national forest in Montana.

In these fractured forests, mountain grouse have thrived. From the wet, dark creek bottoms holding ruffed and spruce grouse to the fire-scarred, open hillsides harboring flighty blue grouse, the area is a joy to explore with friends and pointing dogs. onX Creative Director Dave Fields and Copywriter Christian Fichtel made the trip to spend a few days with Tim Linehan, a longtime Montana outfitter, friend of onX and one of the best woodsmen we know. Tim and his wife, Joanne, have spent thirty years offering everything from trout fishing to big game, predator and upland hunting through Linehan Outfitting Company, one of the most respected outfitting operations in the West.

Photos by onX Creative Director Dave Fields.

Montana outfitter Tim Linehan carries a shotgun while grouse hunting.
Two hunters ride in a truck while looking at the onX Hunt App.
Two side-by-side shotguns rest on an orange upland vest.
Two hunters use the onX Hunt App to decide which direction to go.
Montana outfitter Tim Linehan gets his setter ready for the hunt.
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A hunter walks through thick woods while grouse hunting in northwest Montana.
Two grouse hunters walk up a trail in northwest Montana.
A hunter holds a side-by-side shotgun while grouse hunting in northwest Montana.
A hunter holds a spruce grouse harvested in northwest Montana.
Montana outfitter Tim Linehan rests with his two setters.
Two hunters hold ruffed grouse harvest in northwest Montana.
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A hunter holds a knife after cleaning grouse.
A setter rolls around in leaves while grouse hunting in northwest Montana.
Montana outfitter Tim Linehan sits on his porch with his setters.
Montana outfitter Tim Linehan holds a shotgun and looks out over the valley.
Two hunters begin the climb for blue grouse in northwest Montana.

Christian Fichtel

Raised in North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains, Christian Fichtel now resides in rural Montana. He is a father, writer, hunter, and fly fisherman.