Big Sky Warrior Outreach

Big Timber

Written by Cyd Hoefle

Photography contributed by David Bradley

“They are the reason we have the lives that we have,” David Bradley said. “We hold them close to our hearts because of it.”

The Big Timber man was referring to military veterans and the reason he and his wife Anne, along with Brian and Kary Engle, also of Big Timber, started the non-profit Big Sky Warrior Outreach (BSWO) four years ago. BSWO’s mission is to honor service members, with an emphasis on combat veterans, who have served or are serving sacrificially for our country. To show their appreciation, the four began the organization dedicated to providing outdoor Montana adventures for veterans.

For more information on BSWO

David.brandley@bigskywarrioroutreach.org

Facebook: Big Sky Warrior Outreach

Website: bigskywarrioroutreach.org

To donate a Montana hunting license for the Purple Heart Program

Go to: fwp.mt.gov

Click on Hunt – Click on Hunting Licenses – Click on License Donation Program

Since the organization’s first hunt in January 2022, nearly 60 veterans have traveled to Montana to hunt antelope on the prairie and elk in the mountains. They have fished the Yellowstone River and hunted pheasants on the plains, all while enjoying delicious meals and gracious hospitality –with all costs covered by BSWO.

With very little advertising and using the social media platform Facebook, Big Sky Warriors Outreach has reached veterans interested in participating as well as supporters that have contributed to sponsoring trips and donating to the organization.

“We’re getting the word out,” Brian said. “It’s taking time, but we’re growing at a steady pace.”

BSWO partners with area landowners who allow the veterans to harvest deer, antelope, elk and pheasant from their property, typically outside of the general hunting season.

In early January, Eric Christophersen, 16 Mile Outfitting guide, hosted two veterans who were guests on the ranch for four days and each successfully harvested a cow elk.

“We’re very grateful for the generosity of the landowners,” David said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”

Brian and Kary own Pioneer Meats and Meats of Montana and process the hunter’s game for free including shipping the meat to the homes of the veterans.

“I’m not a veteran myself,” Brian explained. “But I can’t thank them enough for the sacrifices that they have made for us.”

He makes specialty meats for the veterans including summer sausages and snack sticks in addition to usual cuts. Last year, Brian and his crew processed four antelope and six elk for the veterans.

“It’s become a tradition on the last day of the hunt that our veterans stop by and pick up their meat or make arrangements to have it shipped back to them,” David added. “It’s an exciting part of their time here.”

The pheasant hunt is held at the Three Cross Ranch, a private preserve near Rapelje. The event is restricted for Montana veterans.

Randy Koliha, retired Air Force Law Enforcement, was chosen for the hunt last year. He, along with about eight other veterans met for the hunt last February.

“It was really a great time of sharing,” he said. “The camaraderie, the bonding – we really felt valued and appreciated for what we did. Guys came from all over the state, and we didn’t know each other, but we’re military, we have an understanding of each other and in a very short time we really bonded. The bonus of the day was the pheasants.”

Part of BSWO's mission is to give veterans an opportunity to be vulnerable with others. Ages have varied from 30 to 80, time of service varies, and the branch of military varies. But for the guests that have had the privilege of traveling to Montana and taken part in the program, the bond of being a veteran unites them in ways that civilians cannot share.

Michael Letcher, from Arizona, is a retired Army veteran who served time in Iraq. He was selected, along with another Army veteran and two Marines to participate in the Purple Heart Antelope Hunt last October. The hunt is dedicated to veterans awarded with the Purple Heart. Michael and his companions were guests of BSWA for four days in October.

“There’s a camaraderie that happens in the military and when you get out, it tends to get lost. A lot of guys struggle with that. They aren’t around people that understand what they experienced - their sense of humor, the jokes that we get – the comfort and the chaos. When an opportunity to get around guys that have that combat experience; it’s amazing how quickly we remember that comfort and the chaos.” Michael said.

With the mission to provide outdoor experiences, camaraderie and relationships along with rekindling a love of the outdoors, BSWO hopes the veterans not only enjoy the hunt, but that they come together mentally and emotionally.

“Getting out in nature just seems to relax these guys,” David said. “For some of them it’s a chance to do something that they may likely never do.”

Michael scored an antelope on his visit and Brian processed the meat.

“I’m a hunter and I’ve had a lot of wild game before,” he said. “But that antelope is by far the best meat I’ve ever had. My family agrees.”

During the pheasant hunt, Randy felt a connection with several of the guys and has kept in touch with them.

“I can’t say enough great things about BSWO,” Randy continued. “It takes a lot of effort to make these hunts happen.”

Last summer the organization hosted a weeklong couples retreat, and it was so successful that they have once again added it to this year’s events.

For six days two couples enjoyed a summer adventure in Montana, which included rafting, ziplining, fishing and a day of horseback riding. At night they were guests in the Bradley’s home.

“A lot of veterans don’t like to talk about their experiences,” Brian said. “They are very humble guys that are true to their heart. We give them a safe place to talk about it with other veterans.”

Anne Bradley acts as the organization’s secretary/treasurer. She’s spent her career as a medical doctor in Glasgow, MT and when the VA clinic was built, she lost many of her veteran patients.

“I just really missed them,” she said. “I liked trying to help them with their health problems and David has a big interest in hunting. When we realized we could put it together and bring veteran to our state to hunt, it made sense.”

As the program continues to grow, the Bradleys and Engles hope to add several more hunts, particularly a parent/child hunt.

The cost to bring a veteran to Montana, which includes travel expenses, lodging, and the hunt is roughly $4,000 to $5,000. The Bradley’s have financed many of the hunts themselves, but with BSWO’s continued growth, companies and organizations are beginning to take notice and help. Last year, $17,000 was raised from several businesses and private donations.

The desire to increase the number of hunts and allow more veterans to take part will depend on funding. They are currently looking for individuals and businesses that would consider sponsoring all or part of each veteran’s experience.

“Every amount helps,” David said. “If people have travel miles that they aren’t using and would donate them toward airline tickets or pay for a couple of nights lodging for our couple’s retreat or even donate toward a meal it is really appreciated. We hate to turn anyone away, they are all so deserving, but logistically, we have to.”

David, Anne, Brian and Kary take no payment or reimbursement from BSWO and as business owners working full time, they devote as much of their time as possible. They are hoping volunteers will come alongside to ensure they can continue offering the same caliber of experience. They are seeking seasoned hunters with a heart to teach and help first time hunters with some of the hunts this year.

One of the easiest ways to help out BSWO is to donate a hunting license through the Fish Wildlife and Park’s Purple Heart Program. Residents and nonresidents can donate their hunting license to a disabled military veteran or disabled active-duty service member who has received the Purple Heart and has a 70% or greater disability rating.

BSWO is currently taking applications for the 2025 hunts and couple’s retreat.

“I highly encourage veterans to apply for the hunting programs that Big Sky puts on,” Randy continued. “When you have a successful organization like BSWO and you think about the time and effort that they have put forth and all the behind the scenes planning that goes on - the coordination with the ranchers, hunting guides, meat processing, travel arrangements - these guys are amazing!”

“Their hospitality is second to none,” Michael added. “It’s practically unheard of for an organization that goes above and beyond in every area and to do it for free. They are top-notch all around. I hope they have many years of continued success. David told me all I had to do was show up and get ready to have some fun and I sure did.”

Offering The Gift of Gratitude