Dave Thorstenson grew up in Libby, Montana, where he still resides today. His foundation for sculpting originated by watching his dad, Chuck Thorstenson, carve Native Americans and mountain men out of cottonwood bark. Dave’s artwork has been in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Ducks Unlimited Banquet Programs. He possesses a B.S. in Recreation Management and a minor in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. In the college off-season, Dave worked nine years in the private timber industry. His last five were hooking logs under a line machine (yarder). He completed his practicum for the Forest Service on Libby Ranger District. He spent twelve years sawing trails seasonally for Libby Ranger District and was Mr. Mom in the off-season. Dave got his first permanent job on Libby Ranger District in 2008. Since 2014, he’s been the recreation specialist for the Three Rivers Ranger District in Troy, Montana. Dave has managed public recreation on over 1.3 million acres and currently manages the Ross Creek Cedars and Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge.