Distinctly Montana Magazine

74 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 LEGACY HUNTS: A PROMISE KEPT While many of MVP's programs focus on the veteran's personal jour- ney, the organization recognizes the wounds of war often impact en- tire families. For the past four years, MVP has ex- panded its mission to in- clude Legacy Elk Hunts, a program specifically designed for the children of veterans and those who have lost a parent to combat. "I've seen veterans turn to alcohol and drugs and sedentary lives, and it destroys their chil- dren's lives," Urick says. "We need these vets to be the best parents and spouses they can be. We need them to find their voices again. If we're truly patriots, if we care about the direction of this country, then we had better care about the direction of our na- tion's children." The Legacy Hunts were born from a vow the MVP team made during the funeral of a friend who was killed in Af- ghanistan. "We made a promise to his wife and the two little boys he left behind that we would stay in their lives and provide the mascu- line nurturing and mentorship those boys would require as they grew up," Urick recalls. These hunts are far more than a weekend in the woods—they are opportunities for mentorship, connection, and personal growth. The MVP team also emphasizes the ethical components of Montana's hunting traditions, including the critical impor- tance of marksmanship, the sacredness of taking a life for food, training your body, and the enduring responsibility of conser- vation. MVP'S CONSERVATION MISSION Through their VLTATs along the Smith River, MVP has found a pow- erful way to protect and improve this scenic wa- terway for generations to come. Over the past seven years, veterans have reclaimed a sense of purpose by volunteer- ing their time and labor to restore and preserve the river. These efforts include engineering barriers to strengthen fragile banks, reclaim- ing ground lost to ero- sion, and constructing rock and log stairs to improve accessibility at several boat camps. This work does more than just maintain the landscape—it provides veterans with an oppor- tunity to channel their skills into a tangible legacy of stewardship. "Veterans have been trained to believe that fighting for our country is the only important thing they can ever do, so when they are no lon- ger serving, it is difficult for them to figure out their purpose," explains MVP's deputy direc- tor, Bryon Gustafson, an Army infantry veteran who served two tours in Iraq. "Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has realized that when MVP goes out somewhere, a lot of work tends to get done, so they keep bringing us on board for more projects," Gustafson laughs. "It's a partnership that helps provide us with a great sense of purpose." To date, MVP has supplied nearly $100,000 toward conservation efforts on the Smith River, earning them the title, "Friends of the Smith." The Pig Egg and gui- dons are set each night on the Smith River as MVP's memorial—filled with 7,054 dog tags honoring those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans Cameron and Jeff Martinez finally get to fly fish together in the Beartooth Wilderness, celebrating with a hard-earned trout and a rare shared moment.

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