Jocelyn Dodge

Although the long Labor Day holiday weekend signals the unofficial beginning of fall, in Southwest Montana there are still plenty of opportunities for us to enjoy the great outdoors even with the changing of the seasons. We had a chance to sit down with local forester and recreation enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge to chat about what the end of summer means for campers, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts.

Planning on retreating to the Great Outdoors over Independence Day or over the next couple of weeks? Temperatures are expected to soar in to the upper 80s next week and July is always a great time to head out to one of our area's beautiful lakes and rivers.

Well, after another long winter behind us, the recent snowfall notwithstanding, we have come to Memorial Day Weekend and Summer's unofficial start. Regardless of the weather or the forecast there are many who will be heading to area campsites for the holiday weekend, and local forester and outdoor recreation enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge says that the campgrounds are ready. She shared with us some things you should know beforehand if you're heading for a campsite or river over the long weekend.

We recently caught up with local forester and outdoor recreationalist extraordinaire, Jocelyn Dodge and she shared some great news for those experiencing a bit of cabin fever. "Thompson Park is now open for the summer from 8 AM to 9 PM through Labor Day," she told us. But with the warm weather comes more active wildlife. "It’s also bear and tick season and bears are beginning to come out of hibernation and will be looking for food."

With the recent nice weather following the bitter cold snap we had a couple of weeks ago, people are taking advantage of the temperatures and are getting back on our area's roads and trails. We caught up with local forester and outdoor recreationalist Jocelyn Dodge who offered some tips on what to do if you encounter wildlife and how to stay safe on your snow machines.

We are only a few days away from a day that hunters from all across Montana and even all across the entire region have had circled on their calendars since early last December. The Treasure State's general big game rifle season opens on Saturday, October 21 and we had the chance to talk with local forester and avid outdoor enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge about what steps you need to take when venturing into the Montana backcountry.

Can you refurbish an old piece of furniture like you were Bob Vila? Or do you run away in fear at the sight of tools and stain. Either way, you will find a welcome spot at the Mother Lode Theater's "Junk to Gem" fundraiser coming up at the Mother Lode Wednesday evening.

Fall is definitely in the air in Southwest Montana but along with the crisp mornings and imminent snowfall there are many recreation opportunities on our area's roads, trails and campsites. We had a chance to chat with local forester and outdoor enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge and she offered some helpful suggestions for anyone who wants to get outside and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

With the arrival of September comes cooler temperatures and fall colors and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities on the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest. Local forester and outdoor enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge gave us some insight on what to expect this fall if you plan on venturing out into the woods, be it for some late-season camping, the beginning of big-game archery season or just a relaxing drive on a Southwest Montana backcountry road.

Make no mistake. It is HOT in Southwest Montana this summer. As temperature records fall across the entire country, the mercury in our neck of the woods has gone into the 90s several times already and August looks as though it could be another scorcher. However, there are areas nearby where the temperatures are a bit cooler, the air has a little more moisture, and the views are unbeatable. Southwest Montana forester and outdoor recreation expert Jocelyn Dodge has a few viable suggestions.