Powder River Examiner -

Doug Gardner – rancher, outfitter, and friend of the community will be the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Broadus 4th of July Parade. Gardner embodies the Chamber's 4th of July theme "Land That I Love", as his years of work with multiple facets of the land and its people serve as a guide for future generations.

Gardner grew up on the family ranch north of Hammond with his four siblings, originally attending the Box Elder School.

Doug recently told us that one of his first memories of visiting the big city of Broadus was when he came to town as a young lad to watch a Lassie movie. While waiting in line at the theater, he met several future classmates, and the experience endeared him to the town and its people.

Doug, along with his twin brother Dave, went to high school in Broadus, graduating in 1970.

Following graduation, Doug matriculated to MSU-Bozeman, where he eventually graduated with an Ag Business degree.

In Bozeman, Doug worked with the graduate studies program on artificial insemination of cattle, which he had been involved in for several years, beginning in high school.

While working in an endocrinology course, Doug met the love of his life, Kerry, who helped him type up his thesis paper. Kerry was attending MSU as a nursing student, and the pair hit it off in grand fashion.

Doug and Kerry moved to Carter County after graduation, and were married in 1976.

Kerry went to work at the clinic in Broadus, where she worked as a nurse for 46 years, retiring in 2022. Kerry worked with multiple health care providers over the years, remaining dedicated to serving the community through it all. Doug credits Kerry for the immense amount of work she put in as a nurse and raising a family to become the successful group they are today.

The couple first lived on a leased ranch, and eventually moved back to Doug's family's place, which they purchased and settled down on, eventually raising their family at the ranch.

Their first son, Ren, was born in 1982, followed by KayCee in 1985 and Miles in 1989. The couple now has seven grandkids living in Myles City and Broadus, which Doug described as "a blessing".

During this period, Doug continued to AI cattle, while also working on a sheep shearing crew up and down Powder River for over 10 years. He worked as an auction clerk for Slug Mills and Mills Auction Service for 25 years. This was all done while taking good care of the family ranch and keeping it in the family, for what will now be the fifth generation of Gardners, as Myles takes over operations, with future help from his daughter Harper.

Doug also served on a variety of boards over the years, from the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association in the 80s and 90s, the Rolling Hills Golf Course Board when it was founded, to the Southeast Electric Board for nearly 10 years, where Doug says his goal is to keep costs down while keeping the lights on.

In 1979, Doug was approached about becoming an outfitter, guiding hunters to their dreams of taking Southeastern Montana big game. A chance meeting along a gravel road with Kenny Greslin broached the subject, and Powder River Outfitters was born. In the early 2000s, Doug branched off to form Gardner Ranch Outfitters, which is now being run by Doug's sons, Ren and Myles, as well as his nephew, Todd Gardner.

"The greatest thing about outfitting is the people we've met," Gardner commented, noting that the true gift of the business was the lifelong friendships made with ranchers and hunters, many of whom have remained loyal for decades. Gardner mentioned that some of his hunting clientele have come out to help brand in the spring or golf at local tournaments during the summer.

Expounding on his philosophy on guiding, Gardner said "We've always made an effort to show the hunters what wasn't here as much as what was here," explaining that the solitude and beauty of a Eastern Montana fall sunrise from atop a lonely butte made as many memories as taking home a large set of antlers.

"I've learned to appreciate our area through the hunter's eyes," Doug commented. "What we have here is special – the people, the place, the sense of community. Many of the hunters understand how special it is here, as it's something that's been lost in a lot of the world. It's something I try to keep in mind and appreciate."

4th of July goers are welcome to come appreciate the people, the place, and sense of community next Tuesday, as Doug and many other members of the community ride in the 4th of July parade, around the courthouse square beginning at 10:30 AM.