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Richey, MT 59259; Big Sheep Mountains in the background including Clay Butte, alt 3121 ft, Dawson county's highest point.

Richey MT, Richey Montana, 59259

The area around Richey includes several small towns and settlements

as well as larger towns that serve as county seats. Richey is located in

northwest Dawson county and is in close proximity to McCone county and

Richland county in Northeastern Montana. Our community sits between

two historic landmarks, the Missouri River and the Yellowstone River.

We are fortunate to have nearby two recreation areas on the Missouri river,

Fort Peck Lake to the west and Lake Sakakawea to the east.


The local terrain is mainly rolling hills with some badlands mixed in.

There are not many trees here as a rule, and they are confined to low lying

areas such as creeks and draws or in the towns and around farmsteads. Few

trees means the sunsets are in full view every evening and the full moonrise

every month. Natural vegetation is comprised of grasses including wheatgrass,

needle-and-thread, blue grama. Forbs such as purple coneflower, milkweed

and black-eyed susan dot the hillsides. Sagebrush, winterfat and buckbrush,

and herbs like prickly pear and yucca can be found. Areas around streams

and rivers support cattails, chokecherries, willows and native cottonwoods.


The economy of the region is based on the land and is mostly farming

and ranching, although oil and gas exploration and recovery is becoming

more common. A fair amount of the farm land is enrolled in the conservation

reserve program which provides excellent food and cover for wildlife.


It is not uncommon to see herds of pronghorn antelope and whitetail deer

or mule deer feeding along the highways. Occasionally one will catch a glimpse

of a wild turkey or a ringneck pheasant or perhaps even an eagle going about

their daily routines. Less often seen are skunks, bobcat, elk or rattlesnakes.

A meadowlark will be heard long before it is seen, sitting on a far-off fencepost

singing its heart out. Flocks of Canada geese foretell a changing of the seasons

as they migrate north and south. Northern pike, wall-eye pike, carp, catfish,

sturgeon, paddle-fish and bluegill call the local streams and rivers home.


There are cattle, here, a lot of cattle. Ranchers proudly enjoy raising

them and other forms of livestock like sheep, hogs and even American bison.

There are also families who raise turkeys, chickens, llamas, emu, horses or

ponies, hunting dogs, and fish.


What you won't find here is a lot of people, or crime, or smokestacks.

In fact there is a problem with too few school-age children, so in the future,

schools in many smaller towns may have to close or co-op with larger nearby

schools. This situation is a result of families being smaller these days and fewer

workers needed in the highly mechanized agricultural economy.


As everyone else no matter where they live, we have too much of some

things and not enough of another. We keep trying to focus on the important and

positive characteristics of Eastern Montana rather than the less desirable aspects,

and strive to keep it one of the best places to live and raise a family.


September Full Moon

Harvest full moon over Richey, Montana.



   

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