Every year, people from all over flock to Choteau, Montana to watch the snow geese migrate through Freezeout Lake.
Growing up in Choteau I never gave much thought to it, but after I started working in the tourism industry it amazed me how many people came here every year to watch the birds.
In both spring and fall thousands of birds on their way north or south stop at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area and land on the lake to rest and renew. Some stay for only hours, while others will spend a week or more.
For several years now, the Wild Wings celebration has been taking place to invite people to Choteau and provide a weekend of fun activities for bird watchers.
This year’s Wild Wings event will be held March 27th – 29th with a schedule as follows:
Friday, March 27
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Meet and Greet Chili Feed at the Stage Stop Inn. Free Will Donations
7:30 pm: Migration: RMF Wildlife Perspectives, a presentation by FWP biologist Brent Lonner.
Saturday, March 28
6:30 – 10:30 am: Guided Tours of Freezeout Lake, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn. $5 for van tour by Dropstone Outfitters or you may follow in your own vehicle.
1:00 pm: White Geese Over Montana. Presentation by Mike Schwitters, the world-renowned master birder. FREE. Located at the Stage Stop Inn’s Breakfast Room.
5:30 pm: Doors open for the Old Trails Museum’s Wild Game Feed. Museum Fundraiser. Admission is a free-will donation. Potluck dinner with wild game and non-game dishes, silent auction, live auction, and a 50/50 drawing. Located in the Stage Stop Inn’s Rocky Mountain Convention Center.
Sunday, March 29
6:30 – 10:30 am: Guided Tours of Freezeout Lake, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn. $5 for van tour or you may follow in your own vehicle.
Don’t miss out on this fun and informative weekend! For tour-van reservations please email Maggie with Dropstone Outfitting at maggie@dropstoneoutfitting.com or call 406-289-0863.
You can also find more information on the event at facebook.com/wildwingschoteau.