Find Your Hunt
April, 2026
By Jolene Palmer - Shedhorn Sports Media Coordinator
At the risk of sounding like a sausage, I’ll be frank. When I recently joined the Shedhorn Sports team as media coordinator, I felt a tinge of impostor syndrome. Guns and I are acquaintances at best. Distant cousins if you will.
My earliest memory of Shedhorn was long, long ago, in the year 2008. I’d squeezed in the back of a friend’s truck, en-route from Big Sky to Ennis over Jack Creek Road, for the sole purpose of checking out “The Seven-Day-A-Week Gun Show.”
“Don’t you guys already have enough guns?” I’d asked. Sighs and sideways glances ensued. Of course they didn’t have enough guns!
My roots run deep in outdoor appreciation and the art of the written word. Guns? Hunting? Not as much. So when Shedhorn’s fearless owner and leader Mel Glaser put her faith in me to help promote her store, I knew I’d better up my game.
Just before issuing my first newsletter to our loyal followers, the shop scored more than 100 new firearms. Ah, yes, firearms. Guns. Mel, without a hint of dread, politely explained to me that handguns include pistols and revolvers, whilst long guns consist of shotguns and rifles.
Who’s the newest gun expert? It’s me! Ok, maybe not quite. But, a first lesson from Bob, our ammo organization expert, helped me navigate the rack of boxes to find the bullet best for taking care of gophers.
In short order I also learned, that within the hallowed walls of Shedhorn Sports, it’s about much more than game hunting and guns. It’s about getting into the wild. Once there, the spirit of the hunt will find you.
Sometimes, it’s while scaling craggy ledges, poking around for fossils and crystals.
It could be during a hike, weaving amidst cottonwoods, scanning the ground for mushrooms, antler sheds, and perhaps that pocket knife that you misplaced once upon a time.
Hunting is searching… for a hint of a path, perhaps a game trail, perhaps a long-lost mining road.
The hunter is a fisherman, ignoring the passage of time, casting away cares in exchange for a chance to land the ever-elusive trout.
The birder is a hunter - gazing through binoculars with the patience of a kindergarten teacher, silently searching for that elusive scarlet tanager.
Whatever hunt calls to you, outdoor forays can be all the more successful with the right gear and knowledge. And, wouldn’t you know? That’s where the Shedhorn Sports crew is here to help. We’ve got the maps, gear and sheer grit and knowhow to set the greenest greenhorn or the seasoned sportsman on the right path.
Need a better view? Our guys Nick and Charlie are on hand to set you up with the best binoculars, scopes and the like. Shedhorn also carries polarized sunglasses and sun hats to keep the rays out of the way.
Hunting for shoes? Our girl Tina has tootsies of all shapes and sizes covered. Our selection includes hiking and hunting boots, daily driver shoes, stylish yet sporty sandals. Slippers. Socks. You name it, we aim to have it. Tina also oversees our Montana outdoor-inspired apparel options, keeping the racks stacked with all things functional and fashionable.
Fancy some fishing? Shedhorn carries supplies for the guys who love flies and for those who find spinners the winner. Sun protection is key on the water - avoid that nasty burn with our lightweight river layers that’ll have you casting in comfort and class.
Planning to extend the hunt for a day or two? Shedhorn has an awesome selection of camping gear from shelters to cookware, freeze dried delicacies, bedding, lighting and the like.
Did someone say backpacks? We have ‘em - including Stone Glacier and Mystery Ranch hunting bags, Osprey camping packs, Kavu slings and all sizes in between. I highly recommend having a little extra bag space for whatever you gather on the hunt.
And, of course, we’re always showcasing our impressively wide and ever-changing selection of firearms and accessories. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or new to the game, I’d bet my bottom dollar there’s a gun here that’ll draw your interest.
For now, the lingo I overhear coming from the gun section remains mostly foreign to me. thankfully, my fear of not fitting in with the big guns has subsided. What’s more, I am very much looking forward to shooting photos and guns at an upcoming Shedhorn staff-only Smith & Wesson shoot later this month.
I’ll be a regular Annie Oakley in no time.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ever claimed “Shotgun!” before jumping into the passenger side of your best friend’s ride? Maybe you have, sure. But! Have you ever considered WHY the coveted spot up front is called that? According to my extensive online research, the phrase’s origin harkens back to the lawless, stagecoach days of the wild American west. If you were sitting next to the driver, you were in charge of wielding the shotgun in defense against bandits.