Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship
The Western News | UPDATED 5 hours, 31 minutes AGO
Taylor White, a Maine resident, works on her carving of a grizzly bear Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship. White was a registered nurse before Covid-19, who made a drastic change and is glad she did. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Josh Miller, a Delaware resident, works on his carving of a bald eagle Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship. Carving eagles is his passion. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Mark Colp, an Alberta native and current California resident, works on his carving of a mountain goat Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
The 10th annual Clash of the Carvers Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship was held last weekend in Libby.
The event saw a number of new carvers as well as some traditional favorites.
In his first time at the event, Kamron Garbe garnered first place in the Judge's Choice and Carver's Choice with "Catch of Contention."
Ryan Villier claimed first place in the People's Choice and second in the Judge's Choice with his mountain lion masterpiece.
Amanda O’Neill's mountain goat nanny and kid earned her the Judy McVay award and fourth in the Judge's Choice.
Kyle Thomas' adventuresome grizzly bear earned him fifth place in the Judge's Choice and second place in the People's Choice.
Vancouver, British Columbia's Tyler Welfing grabbed third place for his "Slow Down, Bee Happy Stop and Smell the Roses" carving.
Josh Miller, a Delaware resident, works on his carving of a bald eagle Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship. Carving eagles is his passion. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Mark Colp, an Alberta native and current California resident, works on his carving of a mountain goat Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at the Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)