President, Alex Maher, enjoyed a successful chukar hunt this weekend on a good friend’s ranch near Casper, Wyoming, with the Maher’s new yellow lab pup, Pinder Sprite. Chukar and Hungarian partridge numbers are up this year on both private ranches and adjacent public lands across the northern Rockies (ex. Live Water listing Bighorn Basin Ranch in Meeteetse, WY). We are crossing our fingers for great hatches and chick survival again this spring.

With nearly 20 inches of snow in the past 72 hours at Grand Targhee Resort, the Driggs, Idaho, office at Live Water Properties was all about exercising the powder day clause on Friday morning. The team met up at the base of the Dreamcatcher lift to enjoy a day in the “office” while getting in some much needed POW to start their day. Winter has indeed arrived in Teton Valley with “The Ghee” reporting 182 inches of snow this season.

Don’t miss the 5th Annual Great Snow Fest that celebrates winter fun and highlights our greatest asset – SNOW. Events include snow sculpting, skijoring, backcountry film festival, Nordic skiing race, kids events and much more. Bring the entire family to enjoy the festivities that span the last two weekends in January 22 – 31, 2016.

Once again the holiday season is upon us. While the old adage rings true at this year “Tis better to give than receive” you’ll be extra excited to give these gifts for the angler, hunter, outdoorsman or rancher in your life. We rounded up some of the Best Gear for the Holidays for under $200.

A lower price doesn’t have to sacrifice quality or intrigue, anyone one your list will be excited to receive. We know you would be too so this list doubles as a list for you.

Best Gear for the Holidays

For the Angler

• Lifeproof iPhone Lifejacket Case $35
• Wheatley Signature Fly Box $200
• Post Fly Box Subscription $40 per month

For the Hunter

• FITS Ultra Heavy Big Game Rugged Boot Socks $20
• Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Flask $65
• Black Diamond Spot Headlamp $40

For the Outdoorsman

• Stio Teton Skyline A-Ring Belt $35
• Yeti Rambler $30 – $40
• BioLite Camp Stove $130

For the Rancher

• Camp Time Roll-A-Table $85
• Stromy Kromer $40
• PEET Boot Dryer $50

Grizzly Gulch is a stunning mountain property with two wild creeks, timber and big mountain views. The property is located in Warm River, 12 miles east of Ashton, Idaho, and 35 miles north of Driggs. It is bordered by national forest and State of Idaho lands. Comprised of 160 deeded acres, the ranch enjoys over ¾ mile of trophy fly fishing. Robinson Creek and Rock Creek converge on the property with excellent wild trout fishing on the deeded land with miles of additional fishing on the adjacent national forest. Both creeks originate in Yellowstone National Park, which is 7 miles to the northeast. Robinson Creek joins the Warm River 4 miles downstream of the property, and it immediately flows into the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, one of the West’s most storied fisheries. The property is a mix of natural riparian zones along Rock Creek and Robinson Creek and high timbered ridges looking over the respective drainages. The highest point of elevation is Huckleberry Ridge, which divides the two creek drainages. Huckleberry Ridge is forested with aspen and conifer trees and affords views to the south and the east including views of the majestic Teton Range. Grizzly Gulch represents a truly wild setting with close proximity to town and unrivaled recreational access to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The air is starting to get crisp and that means we can look forward to chili and football season! Enjoy this award-winning chili recipe, and feel free to substitute any wild game on hand.

3 tablespoons peanut oil

1 onion, chopped

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

2 pounds any wild game meat or beef bottom round, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups crushed tomatoes

1-3/4 cups beef stock (canned or homemade)

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon sugar

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Garnishes

Chopped red, yellow and orange bell peppers

Jalepeno peppers, sliced

Minced watercress or arugula

Snipped fresh chives

Crumbled cooked bacon

Sour Cream

Shredded cheddar cheese

Crumbled corn chips

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a flameproof casserole or dutch oven. Add the onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium-low for 5 minutes.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and brown the meat over high heat, in batches if necessary.

Stir in the tomatoes, stock, tomato paste and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until the meat is tender, 1-3/4 hours, covering the pot when the mixture becomes thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve the chili in a large bowl, surrounded by small bowls of the garnishes.