Back Country Horsemen have big year in the Bob

The Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead posted big numbers for 2013 — volunteer efforts last year were worth nearly $200,000.

“It looks like the Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead packed more miles, hauled more tons of freight and donated more hours of time than any year in the club’s 40-year history,” club president Andy Breland reported about the preliminary numbers.

Club members donated 3,159 hours in 2013 packing supplies to crews working in the wilderness or clearing trails, hosting public events, training horsepackers and educating the public.

The club’s efforts included hauling stock 12,759 miles to various wilderness projects. Pack stock put in 5,416 hours packing 28,360 tons of goods. Breland said he and vice president Chuck Allen together packed more than 600 miles last summer.

The club will hold its next general meeting at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 offices in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit online at www.bchmt.org/flatbch.

The Back Country Horsemen of Montana will hold their state convention this year at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula on April 5-6. For more information, visit online at www.bchmt.org/missoula.