Life on the Range

is an educational project showcasing real stories about the ever-changing landscape of ranching, multiple-use management, entrepreneurial spirit, family and stewardship on Idaho’s rangelands.

The heart-warming stories provide a rare glimpse of how our neighbors in rural Idaho work every day to improve the earth and touch people’s lives in positive ways.

Brought to you by the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission. If you have a story idea, please email us. Please support this project with your donation today.

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Range Stories by Region

Choose a region to explore and learn about Idaho Rangeland
The Challenges of Managing Wintering Wildlife in the Bennett Hills +
South Central Idaho   | 
Rangeland Management

Every Idaho farmer expects to have a few big game animals feeding in their pastures from time to time. But…

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Searching for the Perfect Range Cow +
South Central Idaho   | 
Education

In an ideal situation, ranchers and range managers like to see cattle actively grazing on a broad spectrum of the…

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Can targeted grazing with sheep reduce cheatgrass levels? +
South Central Idaho   | 
Sheep

On a bright sunny day on October, Kelly Hopping and Renee Kehler hike up a mountain in Deer Creek canyon…

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Know where to go before you go! +
South Central Idaho   | 
Recreation

By all accounts, the number of people playing outdoors in Idaho has been growing rapidly in recent years as record…

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Wendy Pratt – Grazing to Heal the Earth +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southeast Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Cattle

My family has been in the ranching business for over a hundred years. I was born on a ranch and…

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Wolves Part 5: Wolf Management in Idaho +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Wolves

Nearly 25 years after Rocky Mountain gray wolves were reintroduced to Central Idaho, wolves have had a negative impact on…

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Wolves Part 4: Unforeseen impacts caused by wolves in Idaho +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Wolves

More than 20 years after wolves were reintroduced in Idaho, Idaho ranchers have been surprised to experience a host of…

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Wolves Part 2: Wolf Reintroduction in Idaho (1995-2011) +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, North Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southeast Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Wolves

Following the reintroduction of 15 wolves into the Central Idaho wilderness in 1995, an additional 20 wolves were transplanted into…

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Wolves Part 1: Early History of Wolves in Idaho +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, North Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southeast Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Wolves

Wolves are a mysterious, highly intelligent creature. Living at the top of the food chain, they are effective predators, hunting…

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Wolves in Idaho +
Articles, Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, North Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Wolves

IRRC 5-part Educational Wolf Series Each of these videos leads into the next one.  Understanding the history, the perspectives of…

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IRRC expands reach with multi-pronged education programs +
Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, North Central Idaho, North Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southeast Idaho, Southwest Idaho   | 
Education

Many people enjoy the wide open spaces in Idaho, where you might see livestock grazing in pretty pastures with tall…

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New fire prevention policy works to preserve sage grouse habitat – Large-scale initiatives in Idaho and the Great Basin +
South Central Idaho   | 
Invasive Weed Management

BLM, Forest Service to follow new fire prevention strategy to preserve best sage grouse habitat in five Great Basin states,…

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Noh Sheep Company – Ranching in the South Hills +
South Central Idaho   | 
Sheep

John Noh enjoys rebound of sheep prices & wool prices, practices rest-rotation grazing in the South Hills Kimberly sheep rancher…

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Jared Brackett: Ranching in a Fish Bowl – Improving sage grouse habitat on BLM rangelands on China Mountain +
South Central Idaho   | 
Cattle

Jared Brackett – Ranching in a Fish Bowl Jared Brackett raises black angus cattle in a  very remote area known…

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