For nearly thirty years, a wall tent in Montana’s Snowcrest Mountains has been Jack Ballard’s favorite home away from home. A third-generation Montana native of homesteader’s stock, Jack grew up on a ranch west of Three Forks, hunting mule deer, antelope, and elk. In 1992 his first published photo appeared in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s fledgling Bugle magazine. The next year, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish magazine carried his first article. Since then, Jack’s articles and photos have appeared in over thirty regional and national magazines, including American Hunter, Petersen’s Hunting, Sports Afield, Northwest Fly Fishing, Colorado Outdoors, Deer & Deer Hunting, and Montana magazine. His photos have been published in numerous books—including titles from the Smithsonian Press and the Heinemann Library—calendars, and magazines. Jack has received multiple awards for his writing and photography from the Outdoor Writers Association of America and other professional organizations.While developing his writing career, Jack lectured in philosophy, religion, ethics, and education at Montana State University–Billings. He holds two master’s degrees and is an accomplished public speaker, entertaining students, conference attendees, and recreation/conservation groups with his compelling narratives.In addition to western big-game hunting, Jack also writes about fishing, camping, canoeing, cross-country skiing, wildlife, and conservation. When not wandering the backcountry, he hangs his hat in Billings, Montana.To see more of Jack’s work, visit www.jackballard.com. Contact him directly by e-mail: jackballard@earthlink.net.