South of Bozeman, Montana, a vast stretch of land runs from forested slopes and open meadows to high benches overlooking the surrounding country. The Flying D Ranch, a 113,613-acre property that became closely associated with Ted Turner after he bought it in 1989, remains one of the region’s notable private conservation landscapes. Once managed as a cattle ranch, the property was reshaped around bison, native wildlife and the protection of large areas of habitat. Today, mule deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, black bears, mountain lions, wolves and badgers are among the animals found across the ranch. Its rivers and streams also support trout fisheries, while bald and golden eagles are regularly seen over the property, adding to the ranch’s diverse wildlife and ecological character across its expansive landscape. This remarkable ranch exemplifies how private landownership and conservation can coexist, with Turner's vision ensuring that bison, predators and diverse wildlife thrive across protected Montana landscapes for generations to come. The ranch continues to illustrate how large private landscapes can support both working land uses and long-term wildlife conservation.
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