The "Big Open," Montana

In prior posts I have mentioned how few people there are in many of the areas of Montana that I have been bicycling through. In total, Montana has a population of about 1 million people spread over about 145 thousand square miles, for a density of about 2.3 people per square mile. This compares to Brooklyn, NY, as an extreme on the other end of the spectrum, that has about 2.5 million people spread over just under 100 square miles, for a density of about 35 thousand people per square mile.

The eastern part of Montana is the least populated. For example, Garfield County has a population of about 1,000 people, with a population density of only about 0.25 people per square mile. It's county seat, Jordan, where I stayed last night, has about 300 people. Garfield County is in the heart of this area called the "Big Open." It is a vast area of large ranches, where apparently the ranchers have a difficult time ekeing out a living in the arid conditions.

There is a movement afoot, apparently advocated by at least one local rancher as well as by the federal government, to convert a large section of the Big Open, about 15,000 square miles, into a national game refuge with buffalo, antelope, elk, deer, etc. The idea is to restore this section of the plains so that the vegatation and wildlife are consistent with what was here 200 years ago. This would be the U.S.'s "Serengetti."

The local residents tend to be a very independent sort, distrustful of big government and eager to continue their way of life, difficult as it may be. They do not favor the idea of a government game refuge. I can see their point of view. But I also think it would be wonderful to convert this area into what it was like 200 years ago. Perhaps some way can be found to fairly compensate these local people for their land or, preferably, to find a way for these residents to work and thrive within a large game refuge, giving safari-type tours and so forth. I sure would like my children and grandchildren to be able to come to see the land as Lewis & Clark saw it.