We would like this post to serve two purposes; to connect you to Montana PBS’ Backroads of Montana, and to show you a great episode featuring the Hirschy Ranch back in 2003… putting up hay the old way, using buck rakes and Beaver Slides.  These unbaled haystacks once dotted fields all over Montana, but can only be seen these days in the Big Hole and Beaverhead Valleys, the Deer Lodge Valley, the Little Blackfoot Valley, and a rare few other places in Montana.  Sadly, the old beaver slides are becoming relics now parked at the edge of the field, and the last of the loose haystacks are being replaced by round and large square bales…truly the end of an era.

This is an excellent episode of Backroads of Montana, also featuring elk on the National Bison Range, the Charles M. Russell Museum, an old-time Montana music group, the Dearborn River high bridge, and the Sweet Grass News.

Backroads of Montana Episode 120, 11/25/2003: http://watch.montanapbs.org/video/2070414704

Here is an article published by the Missoulian newspaper (2007) about a Montana family that was still putting up hay the old way: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/true-to-the-beaverslide—avon-ranching-family-proudly/article_fc263b41-6309-59bf-b1d5-2f6b1d368768.html.

Here too is a wonderful little documentary showing the Beaver Slide in action using horses, the way it was originally done.  This demonstration comes to you from the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, located just outside Deer Lodge, Montana.  The ranch is a significant part of pioneering Montana history, protected and managed by the National Park Service.  We highly recommend it as a place, summer and winter, to experience a piece of true Montana authenticity.

Thank you videomikeproductions for placing this video on You Tube.