Seeley Lake welcomes new sporting goods store

SEELEY LAKE - After making one-too-many trips into Missoula for outdoor gear, Ryan Dunster decided it was time for a change.

"There wasn't anything here, so we saw the need for it," said Ryan. "Sometimes where you might need something and there's nothing here so you have to make a plan or do without it."

Now, locals and visitors will have a one-stop-shop to fill their outdoor needs. The shelves at Heritage Outdoors are packed with odds and ends for backpacking and camping, such as cookware, fuel and freeze dried meals. Ryan proudly sells a variety of equipment for hunting and fishing, including guns and ammo, and is certified to make Federal Firearm License (FFL) transfers.

Heritage Outdoors is owned by Ryan and his wife Lavonne. The store is located in the Heritage Building at 3195 Montana Highway 83, across the hall from the Heritage Office Stop where Lavonne works. The couple's children will also help run the new store.

"We are really outdoorsy. We fish, hunt, hike and camp," said Ryan about his family. "I also wanted something for my boys to maybe work in."

Ryan doesn't have previous experience in owning and managing a business, but he's open to suggestions and feedback from his customers. He plans on posting a board in the business where customers can make product requests.

"We're hoping to make it work," said Ryan. "It's a lot of work not to."

Heritage Outdoors specializes in hunting, fishing and outdoor equipment. While they do not currently offer hunting and fishing licenses, these will be offered as soon as they receive the required equipment.

New and consignment guns are available as well as six different brands of ammunition of the most common calibers. Special calibers can be ordered. They also offer essentials for archery and optics. Ryan looks forward to offering hunting apparel in the future.

For the fishermen, Ryan said they have rods, reels, line, lures, and tackle. They also offer bait including worms and smelt. Once the snow flies, they will offer a full line of ice fishing gear.

For the outdoor enthusiasts, Heritage Outdoors offers a little bit of everything including bear spray, camping gear, stoves, lanterns, flash lights, freeze dried meals and hammocks.

Ryan hopes to expand the business in the future to accommodate the local demand. He looks forward to offering bicycle equipment to better serve the Adventure Cyclists that frequently travel through Seeley Lake. If customers are looking for a product that Heritage Outdoors doesn't currently have in stock, Ryan can order items that will arrive to the shop within a day or two.

"The goal is to be able to provide whatever [customers] need and to provide items they couldn't [previously] get here in town," said Ryan.

Heritage Outdoors officially opened on Thursday, Aug. 8. Ryan, who also serves Seeley Lake as a Missoula County Sheriff's Deputy, said the hours for the shop will fluctuate. For the next month it will be open Mondays - Wednesdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Though the business's schedule may be unpredictable, Heritage Outdoors aims to accommodate. Ryan explained that Lavonne can open the shop if he can't be there. They also plan to post a phone number for customers to call if they are in a pinch and need to make a purchase on a case-by-case basis.

For more information about Heritage Outdoors, contact Ryan at 406-304-8271 or email heritageoutdoors406@gmail.com.