Editor's note: This eloquent piece by a Crown of the Continent outfitter mentions Sen. Jon Tester's Forest Jobs & Recreation Act, which could bring new wilderness to Montana for the first time since 1983. It is long overdue.

Even old outfitters remember the days we were green. Fortunately for myself, l learned the ropes from one of Montana’s great legends, Tom “Hobnail” Edwards, who along with his wife, Helen, ran the Whitetail Ranch near Ovando for decades.

Tom hired me as a young wrangler and taught me skills I’ve used 50 years outfitting the Bob Marshall. Helpful lessons like never give the cook too much sass if you value your dinner and always make sure your horses are happy before bed so you don’t have to go looking for them in the morning. The most important lessons he taught me however was how to make my guests listen for the hush of the land because the hush is what kept them coming back to the wilderness again and again.

Of course, Tom did more than just listen for that hush, he defended it.

To read the entire op-ed, click here.