Today, the New York Daily News published a photo essay by Matt McKnight showing militia members from North Idaho and the Spokane area training and bonding near Priest River as part of the Light Foot Militia. You can find more photos by Matt McKnight of the 3rd annual militia gathering in North Idaho at Reuters here.

The June retreat, which peaked at 73 attendees, showed the growing numbers interested in the movement — and the wide range of ages. Stacy Pierce, who says she joined because of President Obama's policies and from "seeing my freedoms being slowly taken," brought along her 12-year-old daughter and her friend. The girls, who learned to shoot large weapons, were among people from all walks of life, such as paramedics and firemen, postal workers and registered nurses are all militia members, Pierce said. And they all get extensive training to expect the unexpected: rifle and pistol shooting, first aid, mines and close quarter combat/Sasha Goldstein, New York Daily News. More here.

Question: And you wonder why North Idaho has the image it does?