2025 North Ranch Hunting

HUNTING APPLICATION DEADLINE - APRIL 1, 2025!

Montana Hunting Application: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply

2024 NORTH RANCH HUNTING SEASON INFORMATION

2025 Bowhunting Season: September 6 - October 19

• North Ranch Cow Elk Bowhunt Plan

• North Ranch Bull Elk Bowhunt Plan

2025 Rifle Season: October 25 - November 30

• North Ranch Bull Elk Rifle Plan

Hunting on the ranch is limited to: Elk, Mule Deer Buck, Black Bear, Antelope Buck, Coyote, Wolf, Mountain Lion

No Hunting For: Mule Deer Doe, Antelope Doe, Whitetail Deer, Bobcat, Fox

*** 90% bowhunting only, limited rifle hunting during rifle season for cow elk. All cow elk hunting with Rifle or Bow will end on the 4th Sunday of November (when the general rifle season ends) even though the cow elk shoulder season with a B tag continues.
(12 hunters maximum, bowhunting during rifle season is available)

​NORTH RANCH HUNTING OVERVIEW

​​Montana bow season in Montana starts the first Saturday of the month of September and always ends on the third Sunday of October. In Montana you can hunt on Sunday. (For example in 2024: 9/7 -10/19). Dates vary slightly each year. Season opens for elk, deer, antelope, bear and wolf. This is a Non-Guided hunt (Steve is not a registered guide/outfitter). Steve will provide maps and point out places to hunt, tree stand locations and such. All stand locations are marked on the OnXHunt app and the HuntStand App. The fee plan was developed to give friends an opportunity for a great hunt and spend time on a beautiful Montana ranch for a minimal fixed cost if they do not harvest an animal. If animal harvested, they pay a landowner trophy fee. Hunters are happy paying a trophy fee if successful. There is not another place in Montana that you can have a private ranch hunt (for elk, deer, or antelope ) of this quality, for a low cost of entry, and when an animal shot, the total cost is still under market, as compared to a guided hunt on a private Montana Ranch hunt.

The number of hunters will be limited to no more than 12 in a season (historically the number of hunters has been 8-10 broken out as of 4-5 cow elk hunters, and 4-5 bull elk hunters).  Depending on who is hunting in the group, tags they drew (cow vs Big Game Combo), the ranch crop planting success, Steve will have three, seven-day hunt weeks starting the opening of the season. In some years there may be hunting for a 4th week starting in late Sept going into Oct. Hunting is allowed only when Steve is on the ranch. By limiting the number of hunters, the goal is to have trophy animals on the place and to not over harvest.

​The North Ranch hunt should be thought as a primary elk hunt. And you could shoot a big bull. The largest bull shot so far was a SCI gross score of 350 shot in 2021. Bigger bulls than that have been seen on the ranch, but not shot yet.  Could you shoot a mule deer, yes, could you shoot an antelope yes, could you shoot a White tail buck, yes, could you shoot a black bear, yes. But do this hunt as a primary hunt for ELK. In archery season elk will be seen every day (10-100+), but due to open country, elk being very un-predictable,  and winds variation, it is not an easy hunt. It is truly a Hunt with bow.

The method of hunt is by tree stands placed near travel routes, or over water tanks, or ground blinds placed in areas that elk enter Alfalfa/Barely fields in the evening, or exit in the AM. The ranch is not set up for those that want to do a “Spot and Stalk Hunt”. There are spots this can be done, on the far West end, or the Forest service,  or neighboring block management properties, but do this hunt knowing for the most part, you will be hunting from ground blinds or tree stands. Depending on the hunt week you choose, hunting in the AM generally ends around 9:30-10:00 and in the afternoon, we go out around 3:00 give or take, and leave the stands around 8:15 PM. Each day in September, the days get shorter, so the evening depart times shortens by the day. Temperatures, weather, week of hunt, and rut process will vary, and dictate these hunt times. But 100% for sure, you are not doing an ALL Day Hunt.  Mid-day can be spent fly fishing on the North Ranch two ponds or hanging out. The ranch does have good internet reception in each cabin via “Star Link” satellite service. Or Fishing on the river ranch Musselshell River (if you have your own vehicle), or antelope hunting on NR if you have a tag. Antelope hunting is best at mid-day by water tanks.

What week is best? The million-dollar question. Each year is different. There are 28 water tanks on the ranch, 12 set up for just for hunting, others for cattle. Water is a limiting factor in this general geographic area and forest service. As the season progresses, the rut activity gets better as colder weather sets in. But in the earlier season, the water tanks provide the best hunting opportunity. If we have a good summer moisture season, with moisture in late August/early September, the early season is the best. But there are many variables that are impossible to predict before the season begins.

Crop Notes: As of Spring 2024, there are 139 acres planted in Alfalfa; and 102 acres planted in Willow Creek Wheat or barely or Oats, depending on the time of year and crop rotation. These crop areas are all dryland, so the amount of moisture and the timing of this moisture is very important, and can have a big impact on the hunting, and number of animals coming into the fields.

For non-hunters staying in camp, there will be a daily observer fee of $150 plus food/fuel cost split amount if we have room. Priority will be given to hunters paying hunt fee.

Food/fuel Cost:  will be split evenly between all folks in camp including Steve. So, if 6 hunters and Steve hunting, and total food cost at $1400, divide by seven or $200 per person. Fuel costs defined as fuel used in camp, or fuel used by Steve to bring items into or out of camp to prepare for the hunt. “Fuel to and from” the airport to get into or out of camp, is on your own. Over the past years, this cost has generally run around $195 give or take per person.

Hunt Payment: Hunt fee, trophy fees and food/Fuel cost will be paid at the end of the hunt in the form of a check or cash (if $100 bills-nothing smaller). No CC accepted, and checks need to be made out to: Montana Mexican John Ranch, LLC.

View hunting pictures for bulls taken.  Sorry we cannot show you the pictures of the bulls missed (about the same number of bulls shot).

Hunting Vision

Steve’s goal with hunting fees charged to friends is to help offset the cost of ranch crop plantings, water developments and tanks, tree stand/ blind set ups, wildlife tree plantings and habitat improvements over time. Each year Steve adds new acres to crop areas, all designed to improve the hunting. Additionally, each year Steve plants more trees to improve wildlife habitat. Successful wildlife conservation requires a lot of grit and perseverance. (see photo).  At this point, hunt costs (equipment/blinds/gear/trail cams and crop seed/fertilizer/farming/tree planting costs, by far exceed hunting income.

DIRECTIONS TO NORTH RANCH

The Ranch is Located about 22 miles NW of Harlowton. This distance is on a good quality dirt road and you can travel 55-60 MPH for most of the distance, except the last 5 miles. It will take about 35 minutes once you turn off Hwy 12.

1) From Harlowton, West side (intersection of Hwy 191 coming up from Big Timber and Hwy 12 going through Harlowton) heading West on Hwy 12, go 1 mile and make a right onto the Lode Road. It will be a good quality dirt road.
2) Go exactly 16 miles and make a left turn onto the Jellison Road. The Lode road will continue north.
3) Go about 3 miles on the Jellison Road and bare slight left at the North Middle Fork Road. There is a road sign at this Y location. Take the North Middle Fork Road. The Jellison Road will bear to the right, and continue to the Forest Service Jellison camp ground.
4) Go about 1 ½ miles to the ranch gate. The gate is locked, so you will need the combination from Steve. He will send it to you. The ranch main headquarters is about ½ mile past gate.
5) If you need to make a phone call make, you will have cell service on the Lode Road up to the Jellison Road turn off from the Lode Road. After that, you loss cell coverage until you reach the ranch compound.
6) If you get lost, Steve Coale’s cell number is 281-451-8243.

NORTH RANCH PROPERTY BOUNDARY

North Ranch Property Boundary, Including Forest Service Boundary

North Ranch Image Gallery

North Ranch Accommodations

Lodging is provided under base hunt fee plan. We can handle 6 people plus Steve comfortably. The same applies for ATV’s and quads for use on ranch. And if you shoot an animal, it is a group effort to get it out of the field and back to the skinning shed. Hunters flying in from out of state will have to provide their own transportation from airport to the ranch. Best to coordinate arrivals so that 2-4 guys can get one rental and drive it out to ranch, splitting cost of rental.