Montana is a state well known for its spectacular beauty ranging from towering mountains to rolling prairies, clear lakes to roaring rivers, and magnificent wildlife that can be seen right in our backyards. It is also no secret that Montana offers world-class, skiing, hiking, and camping opportunities amid its stunning natural beauty that has inspired both artists and filmmakers, and attracted visitors for years.

In our modern time, an aspect of Montana that is often overlooked is the legacy of grit and determination historically found in the inhabitants of this aptly nicknamed “last best place.” Among the values that have shaped the Legacy of Montana is a deep respect for the ranching community, which is the backbone of Montana’s legacy and plays a vital role in our state’s history and way of life. The agricultural sector generates billions of dollars in revenue each year and provides employment to tens of thousands of residents. Many of Montana’s ranching families have been here for multiple generations and we hope they are here for many more to come. Hand in hand with ranching is a reverence for private property rights. The Montana Constitution explicitly recognizes the right to acquire, possess, and protect property as a fundamental right, and courts in the state have consistently upheld this right. The emphasis on private property rights contributes to the individualism and self-reliance of Montanans as people here are encouraged to take ownership of their land and their lives.

In addition, the legacy of hunting and fishing is also deeply ingrained in the state’s culture and history. Indigenous peoples relied on hunting and fishing as a means of survival, and after western settlement hunting and fishing remained important for sustenance and commerce. Today, millions of acres of public land serve as a place where sportsmen and women can recreate responsibly to carry on Montana’s hunting and fishing tradition.

Lastly, strength of community can still be found throughout Montana’s small towns. The cohesion that occurs when families have known each other for generations, depending on each other for social bonds and economic success, is hard to replicate in larger urban areas. Through floods, fires, or family emergencies you will find that people here come together wholeheartedly and do whatever is necessary to look out for their neighbor.

We at Legacy Lands strive to preserve the legacy of Montana. We enjoy working with clients who desire to do their part to preserve the traditional practices that have made Montana a destination state.