Montana agates are highly prized gemstones that are found along the Yellowstone River from Custer to Sidney. They have a rough exterior skin, but often have a broken place or spot where the translucent quality shows colors such as yellow, orange, brown, brownish red, or black. They vary in size, from a fraction of a pound to 10 or 20 pounds. Very few large agates are found.
Because of their popularity, agates have become sparse, but can still be found especially after ice jams and high water, which will have exposed new stones. They are hard to be found by amateurs, but experience and luck can help agate hunters gain success.
Besides hunting for agates, searchers can find petrified wood, colorful jasper, fossils, and Indian Artifacts spread across the land.
Before searching an area, always make sure to get permission from private landowners before trespassing onto their land.
This event takes place during the 4th weekend in June, in Miles City. During the event, attractions include: Aeronaut reception, Balloon competition, Balloon Glow, arts & Crafts Festival, BBQ's, and Open Air Market. It is a fun event for watchers and participants alike!
Paddlefishing along the Yellowstone River is a very popular sport in Custer Country. Adult paddlefish are rather large, and can weigh from 40 to 100 pounds as an adult. The Bighorn River is also an excellent fishing spot, considered one of the best trout fishing areas in the U.S. Along the Bighorn, the Yellowtail Reservoir is about a 70 mile long lake which provides boating entertainment, as well as another excellent fishing site. Walleye, rainbow and brown trout, yellow perch, ling, crappie, and catfish are some of the popular catches in the lake. Ice fishing is popular with ling, walleye, and trout.
There are many golf courses located throughout Custer Country, some of them not mentioned. Here are a few of the popular ones:
Baker -- The Lakeview Country Club is a 9 hole golf course located south of Baker on Airport Road. Rentals are available, a pro shop, and a driving range and putting green are on location. No tee times are necessary during the week. Call (406)778-3166.
Broadus -- Rolling Hills Golf Course is located 3 miles west of Broadus. It is a 9 hole course, with a pro shop, driving range, putting green, food and beverage service, and cart and club rental. No tee times are necessary during the week. call (406)436-9984.
Miles City -- The Town and Country Club is located at the southwest edge of Miles City. It is a 9 hole course with cart and club rentals, proshop, driving range, practice putting greens, and food and beverage services. There is an award winning pro shop and a PGA staff. Call (406)232-1500.
Colstrip -- The Ponderosa Butte Public Golf Course, in Colstrip, is a very challenging 9 hole course. There is a pro shop with rentals available, and food and beverage services. Call (406)748-2700.
Hardin -- Fort Custer Golf Course, which is 3.5 miles north of Hardin , is a 9 hole course. Cart and club rentals, a pro shop, driving range, putting greens, and food and beverage services are available. call (406)665-2597.
Forsyth -- Forsyth Country Club and Golf Course is 3 miles west of Forsyth on Frontage Road of I-94 Exit 93. It is 9 holes; club and cart rentals, driving range, pro shop, and dining and cocktails are available. Call (406)356-7710.
Pryor Creek -- Pryor Creek Golf Club and Estates, is at Huntley, 15 miles east of Billings on I-94. There are 27 holes, cart and club rental, pro shop, full driving range, and food and beverage services. It is a private club, but the Pro can extend an invitation. Call (406)256-0626.
Billings -- There are several courses in Billings; this one is Lake Hills, at 1930 Club House Way. There are 18 holes, cart rental, pro shop, driving range, and dining and cocktails. Call (406)252-9244 for a tee time.
Roundup -- Pine Ridge Golf Course is a 9 hole course, with club and cart rental, driving range, pro shop, and food and beverage services. Senior rates are available during the week. It is located north of Roundup. Call (406)323-2880.
Over 3 million acres of land in Custer Country have been opened to hunting the past few years. Deer, antelope, elk, bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and several upland game birds are hunted during the fall of each year.
Residency is required to get a general game tag, which means you must live in Montana for 6 months prior to purchase of the game tag. Out of state hunters must enter a special drawing for hunting in the state. Over-the-counter licenses are commonly issued for most big-game species.
REMEMBER -- ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSION BY LANDOWNERS BEFORE TRESPASSING ONTO LAND FOR HUNTING, AND OBEY POSTED SIGNS WHEN YOU FIND THEM.
MILES CITY ANNUAL BUCKING HORSE SALE:
This rodeo-horse sale is held during the third full weekend in May, each year. The bucking horse sale offers a special brand of rodeo action born right in the southeastern part of Montana.
The sale itself is more than 30 years old, but wild mustangs have been showcased in Miles City since 1914. Today, top rodeo contractors come here to buy the stock they will use to entertain millions of Americans in years to come.
Besides bronc and bareback riding, the Bucking Horse Sale also offers Bull Riding, Ranch Rodeo, Wild Horse Races, B.H.S. Trade Exposition, Street Dance and Parade.
In Custer Country, there are 12 designated areas for viewing wildlife. In these areas, songbirds, upland birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, birds of prey, small mammals, hoofed mammals, carnivores, reptiles, amphibians, and fish are featured.
Wildlife can be seen in many other places, especially big game animals, such as deer and antelope, when only driving along any highway.