Free day today at Montana's National Bison Range
<p>A young bison and an adult eat grass in this photo taken last fall at the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana.</p>
Need an excuse to get outside and enjoy the fall weather? Want to hear elk bugling and see geese migrating?
Head over to the National Bison Range in Montana, north of Missoula in Sanders County, where visitors will get in free all day today.
It's National Public Lands Day and many federal lands throughout the nation, including the National Bison Range, will be waiving fees for the day.
As long as weather and road conditions permit, visitors will be able to take Red Sleep Mountain Drive and head over the top. This road is a 19-mile, one-way gravel road which gains 2,000 feet and provides access to the high country of the National Bison Range. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear elk bugling in the higher forested areas as well as along Mission Creek. Watch for white-tail and mule deer, pronghorn, and, of course, bison. Keep an eye out for migrating birds; something unusual might be passing through.
To reduce disturbance to wildlife, the refuge does not allow the use of any electronic or game calls, including elk calls or bird song players. This minimizes stress on the animals and allows for visitors to have a more natural experience.
Also, remember that Red Sleep Mountain Drive is a one-way road and traveling backward to reach Mission Creek is not allowed when the Do Not Enter signs are posted.
The front gate opens at 7 a.m. and closes at dark, but visitors need to start the Red Sleep drive by 6 p.m. to be able to finish before the front gate closes. The refuge closes to all public use at night. The Visitor Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info and hours: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range/.