The Western Way: Lonnie Metzger inducted to Cowboy Hall of Fame

Ronan rancher Lonnie Paul Metzger was recently inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame for District 10, which includes Lake, Flathead Lincoln and Sanders counties. He’ll be honored, along with other members of the 17th class, on Feb. 8 during an induction ceremony and Western Heritage Gathering at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls.

His profile, courtesy of the Hall of Fame follows:  

What cowboy would consider a complete whiff to be the best loop he ever threw? The vast majority would never consider a missed loop to be a positive outcome. 

On the contrary, most who agonize over a missed loop, wonder what might have been, at the jackpot or branding, had they caught. There is, however, one top hand that would beg to differ. If you asked him about the best loop he ever threw, he would tell you straight up that he missed the bull he was trying to snag that day and thanks God for it! 

That day he was sitting on a pony in a not-so-quality-built saddle. Had he caught, then dallied off; there is no telling what kind of wreck would have ensued.

It is this type of philosophy, attitude and sense of humor that sets Lonnie Paul Metzger apart from the rest of us saddle tramps.

Metzger was born on January 24, 1953. He grew up on the family ranch near Ronan where he still hangs his hat today with his wife, Tammy. His children, Dee Dee, Cody, Trent, Ryan and Amber, all reside in Montana, having grown up with the same values practiced by their dad.

Lonnie has lived the Western way of life through his means of earning a living, the way he treats others, and his love of family, agriculture and the great outdoors.

A lifelong resident of the Mission Valley, Lonnie has always been involved with agriculture. He has put up thousands of tons of hay over the years, but his real passion is focused on raising good cattle and working those cattle horseback. 

Over the years Lonnie has managed cattle and yearlings on his own ranch and on outside grazing leases. His understanding of quality grass has helped him earn a reputation as a stockman to whom folks will lease their place based on a handshake. They trust the fences will be fixed, the weeds will be sprayed, and the land will be cared for as if it was his own.

Lonnie studies new grazing practices knowing it’s never too late to learn ways to improve. He is dedicated to proper weed control in order to improve pastures. 

In the Mission Valley, he’s one of the guys people call when looking for pasture or hay. If he can’t help directly, he will know who can.

Views horses are partners

Along with cattle, there has always been a horse on the Metzger place. A horse to some is just a tool, but Lonnie views them as a partner.

For more than 30 years he and Tammy raised horses from two prominent stallions bred to their mares. Colts were ridden and trained as ranch horses for working conditions as well as the arena. 

Whether it be for doctoring cattle in a pasture or team roping at a jackpot, horses from the Metzger string were bred correctly then trained to go to work. 

Lonnie believes horsemanship goes hand in hand with stockmanship and admires the quality use of a horse to get ranch work done. He encourages a smooth, steady approach to handling livestock rather than being “hell bent for election.”

Whether it’s doctoring, gathering, trailing, or branding cattle the approach is always the same when Lonnie has anything to say about it: slow and smooth is fast and easy. 

When it comes to branding at Lonnie’s, it’s the kids who rope. That way, they get to learn horsemanship and rope handling from patient seasoned ropers. Parents assist them and the adults work the ground no matter how long it takes.

Lonnie sees the importance of passing on skills to the younger generation.  He loves to see kids who want to be good with a rope and horse. He enjoys helping others of all ages, but he has always been good with kids.

Guide, bull rider & ranch roper

Besides raising cattle, there are other ways Lonnie has found to quench his thirst for living in God’s creation. He worked for outfitters such as Bud Cheff, for whom he packed mules and guided hunters.

During one fall, Lonnie and Mike Smith worked through hunting season and then stayed in the Bob Marshall to trap beaver. It was nothing for temperatures to drop below zero and snow to get deep. That particular season they didn’t come out until Dec. 15 by way of snowshoes.

Lonnie also rode bulls in the Montana Rodeo Association (MRA) for 10 years, although when asked how long he rode his response is “about six seconds.” He’s team roped and tried his hand at calf roping.

He was one of the founders of the Western Montana Ranch Roping events, which have been held since 1999 and are still going strong. His horse has been picked as the Top Rope Horse and he’s been named the Top Hand by his fellow ranch ropers multiple times over the years. 

He has been recognized for the award because of his skills with his horse and his rope as well as his work behind the scenes, providing livestock, securing prizes, hauling cattle and judging events. Lonnie’s peers respect him for all that, and making stockmanship a priority.  

At the county fair you could find Lonnie helping behind the scenes sorting hogs for hours. He ran the Pioneer Days City Slicker Rodeo for Mission Valley kids for many years. Hundreds of kids got to experience the mutton busting, chicken chase, greased pig contest and stick horse rodeo, all due to his organizing the livestock and drumming up donations and labor to run the one-day event which is still popular today.

Epitomy of the Western way

When visiting and listening to Lonnie, one hears of the influences in his life as a cowboy, horseman and person. Faye Haynes, Bill Gardner, Bud Smith, Jon Conco, and Tony Garcia all had a hand in developing Lonnie’s approach to life.

Isn’t it funny how life comes full circle? It’s now Lonnie who influences a person’s philosophy toward grazing, horsemanship and handling a rope.

Anyone who has interacted with Lonnie would tell you his patience, humor, and experience are priceless, and express gratitude for the wisdom and/or jokes passed to them along the way.

More than any other trait, it’s Lonnie’s treatment of his fellow man that epitomizes the Western way of doing things. He is the guy who literally would give you the shirt off his back.

Lonnie is the first to offer help when a neighbor is in trouble and to visit a sick friend. He’s behind the donation of ground beef at the VFW and anonymously giving money to the school lunch program to pay for a kid’s meals. Lonnie’s the one who makes sure a young high school girl will be able to afford a prom dress. 

His attitude is contagious. Kids look up to him. Friends can count on him. Family is blessed by him. What else could be more important for a Hall of Famer?

For more information on current and past inductees, visit www.montanacowboyfame.org.