Congratulations to our September Brand ID Contest winner. Marie Langille won our drawing of contestants who correctly identified the brand below. The brand is from the Y Cross Ranch. We’ll be sending Marie a copy of the book Smoke from the Branding Fire for her prize.

We’ve posted a new brand image for the month of October, and now it’s your turn to identify it. Which brand do the two letters below represent? Click here to submit your entry. If you guess correctly, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win your own copy of Smoke from the Branding Fire, written by Hank Pallister. It’s a fascinating exploration of the history of Western Canada.

Tomorrow is the final day to enter the September Brand ID contest. Thanks to everyone who’s already entered! Simply identify the brand below for an opportunity to win your own copy of Hank Pallister’s book “Smoke from the Branding Fire.” It’s full of rich details about Alberta’s cattle brand registrations and ranching history, its lore and memorable characters. Hank grew up around old-time cowmen and their stories and later gained much knowledge as Coordinator of Brand Inspection for Alberta. Click here to enter the contest.

Watch for a new brand to identify during the month of October!

This video from contains some stunning visuals of rodeo action from Box J Bar Ranch. The photos are coupled with Ian Tyson singing Old Cheyenne. It’s a powerful tribute to the dedication of cowboys and cowgirls. Watch the video below.

Visit www.boxjbarranch.com to view their list of ranch and photography services and their stock file.

We’re pleased to announce Carl Cedar as the Early Bird winner of our Cowboy Trail photo contest. He received the most votes for his entry by August 31. As his prize, he received a gift certificate for a free pair of cowboy boots (worth $300) courtesty of Alberta Boot!

“Ranch” – Carl Cedar’s winning photo

Bob Harris (publisher of the Experience the Cowboy Trail guides) delivered the certificate to Carl Ceder this morning.  Below is a picture of Bob presenting the $300 gift certificate to Carl at the Calgary International Airport. (Carl is the manager of the Tourism Calgary Info Centre there.)

Bob Harris (right)awarding early bird prize to Carl Ceder

Although the Early Bird deadline has passed, you still have the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes for yourself. The photo contest ends December 15 – enter today! Vote for your favorite photo, too.

Congratulations to Gordon Hunter for winning the August Brand ID quiz! Gordon correctly identified the brand below as being from the Bar U brand. This familiar brand is from the Bar U Ranch, which is now a national historic site in Alberta. To learn more about the Bar U Ranch, visit the Parks Canada website.

For each month’s Brand ID quiz we’re featuring a different brand from a ranch along the Cowboy Trail. Be sure to enter the September Brand ID quiz for the chance to win a copy of the book Smoke from the Branding Fire! Click here to view this month’s brand and to submit your answer.

YOU get to help choose the Early Bird winner of our 2014 Experience the Cowboy Trail Photo Contest! The photographer of the photo with the most votes will receive a gift certificate for a NEW pair of cowboy boots! Alberta Boot of Calgary has graciously donated this prize worth $300. Vote here with one click of a button. But hurry – you need to vote by August 31.

Of course, we also welcome your submissions to the contest! The contest runs through December 15, 2014. To be eligible your photo must have been taken on or near The Cowboy Trail in Alberta. It could show anything from a line dance to a rodeo to a horse ride, to just sitting on a fence with a piece of straw in your teeth. Click here to enter and learn about the rules and prizes.

Photo Contest entry “Wagons” by Alan Basaraba

We’re excited to have already received several submissions for our Cowboy Trail photo contest. Click here to vote for your favorite submission.

The photographer whose photo has received the most votes by August 31 receives our Early Bird Prize: a gift certificate for a NEW pair of cowboy boots courtesy of Alberta Boot, Calgary ($300). Your votes will also determine who wins the Voting Category Prize when the contest ends. The Voting Category winner will receive:

• A full day Rafting Adventure for 2 people with Otter Rafting Adventures (valued at $240)
• Stay & Play at Raven Meadows Golf (2 nights camping & 2 rounds of golf for 2 people)

Of course, we’d love to have you to enter the contest, too! You can enter an unlimited number of photos you’ve taken on or near The Cowboy Trail in Alberta capturing the spirit of Western mountain life.

Photo Contest entry “Dusty Trail” by William Rehlau

Photo Contest entry “Scenic Sight” by Bo-rum Hammond

The restoration of flood-damaged parks in Kananaskis Country is underway. The flood of June 2013 caused extensive damage to the local parks and hurt the tourism industry of the area. Travel Alberta reports that “Kananaskis Country sustained the most extensive damage in its 36-year history from the June 2013 flood.”

The repairs will be a large expense. Travel Alberta also reports that, “The Alberta government committed $60 million to restore 41 damaged campgrounds, 51 day-use areas and over 160 kilometres of recreation trails with more than 65 trail bridges.” Although it’s a significant amount of money, the investment will have a direct economic benefit. Tourism is a major industry in Kananaskis Country. When tourists come to visit the beautiful parks, they also stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and shop at local stores.

Members of the Kananaskis communities have been impacted by the flood, but  they’ve also banded together to rebuild the area. Over 700 volunteers have offered to help with flood recovery efforts, and 50 corporations have also expressed an interest in assisting.

Construction on some key waterways will help prevent future flooding in several campgrounds, a subdivision, the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, and more.

To learn more, read Travel Alberta’s article about the flood recovery efforts.

Congratulations to Stu Rieger for winning our July Brand Identification Quiz! He correctly identified the brand below as being from the CY Ranch. We’ll be sending Stu a copy of Smoke from the Branding Fire by Hank Pallister as his prize. The book is compliments of Joyce Pallister-Bronsch, the wife of the late Hank Pallister. The book tells the history of Western Canada through memorable stories of local personalities and ranching experiences.

You could win your own copy of Smoke from the Branding Fire by entering our August brand identification contest. Simply click here to identify the brand below.

There’s only one week left to enter the July Brand Identification Quiz. We’re providing a HINT to make it easier for you to enter to win a copy of the book Smoke from the Branding Fire! Here’s the clue:

Archie McLean was one of and perhaps the least well known of the “Big Four” who founded the Calgary Stampede in 1912.

With very little knowledge of the cattle industry, McLean moved in the 1880s to what is now Alberta to work as a rather green cowhand. But he learned the cow business quickly and while still in his 20s, he was promoted to manager of this large ranch in southern Alberta.

Use the hint to identify the brand below and submit your answer here before 11:59 pm on July 31. Good luck!