2023 River Ranch Hunting
HUNTING ON RIVER RANCH
IMPORTANT 2023 HUNTING APPLICATION DEADLINE!
April 1, 2023 Hunting Application Deadline! Deer Unit: 580
Antelope License deadline is June 1. Antelope hunt unit: 590 for rifle, 900-20 Bow.
Sandhill Crane permit deadline is July 24. Sandhill Crane hunt unit: 586-01. (Permit is free, but you must apply and if you draw, you can shoot 2).
Montana Bowhunting Application: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply
2023 HUNTING SEASON INFORMATION
River Ranch Bowhunt Only Plan
RIVER RANCH HUNTING GUIDELINES:
100% only Bow Hunting
Hunting Limited To: Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer Buck, Antelope Buck, Black Bear Boar, Coyote
No Hunting For: Mule Deer Doe, Antelope Doe, Bobcat, Fox
RIVER RANCH HUNTING OVERVIEW
This is a Non-Guided hunt (Steve is not a registered guide/outfitter). Steve will provide maps and point out tree stand locations and ground blinds. All stands (ground blinds and tree stands) are marked as way points on both the OnX Hunt app and the HuntStand Pro app. Please have these apps pre-loaded on your phones or tablets. As of 2023, there are 10 tree stands and 8 Ground blinds for deer, and 4 ground blinds for antelope. There will be no “Spot and Stalk” hunting for deer on the River Ranch. OK for antelope.
For the 2022 season, Steve leased another 640 acres for hunting from the ranch to our West boundary. None of this area was hunted in 2022, and tree stands, and blinds must be set up, which will occur in 2023. This will add another 3-4 tree stands and 2-3 ground blinds for the deer hunting opportunity.
Hunting Habitat: The ranch consists of 1274 deeded acres and 640 acres of a state lease. The ranch has 3.2 miles of the Musselshell river running through if with many bends and turns along the way. Much of the river bottom is filled with willows and cottonwood trees. Lots and lots of cover for deer. Away from the river bottom, we have 150 acres under pivots with Alfalfa and alfalfa/orchard grass. And 100 acres under pivots, with just natural grass. Looking forward, additional acres will be converted to alfalfa/grass mixes and food plots with cereal grains and Brassicas.
The fee plan: was developed to give friends an opportunity for a great hunt and spend time on a beautiful Montana ranch for 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, antelope, and bear) 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 ranch.
Number Of Hunters: Deer hunters will be limited to no more than eight in a season. Regarding Antelope hunters, the limit will be no more than six per season but drawing the Antelope tag takes 2-3 years of preference points. In the past years, generally only 1-2 hunters. Hunting is allowed only when Steve is on the ranch. The goal is to have trophy animals on the place and to not over harvest.
River Ranch Property Boundary (including state lease)
Ranch Housing: The ranch house and finished basement will sleep 6-7 folks and has two full bathrooms, both with showers. It also has a washer and dryer for clothing. Internet is provided via Star Link. Cell phones work at the ranch house.
River Ranch Shop: the shop is heated, and within the shop there is a room (12 by 20 Ft) designed for hanging/skinning game. This room has running hot/cold water with a double stainless sink, 72-inch stainless table to butcher on and floor drain. Additionally, there is a large freezer to store caps or such. From the ceiling, there are two winches for hanging game up to skin.
Regarding Hunting: (Bow Hunting Only for Deer/Antelope) Deer bow season opens the 1st Saturday of September. Antelope bow opens 8/15 each year. The ranch has a very healthy population of white tail deer and antelope. It is very common to see 50-150 white deer in the fields north of the river in the fall. It is very common to see 10-20 antelope in the large section of land (about 900 acres) south of the river, depending on time of year and hunting pressure (the antelope move in herds from ranch to ranch, so the numbers vary from year to year). Mule deer numbers are very limited. Some years you have 6-8 in the bottom area, some years you see none. Very hit and miss on mule deer. Regarding antelope in the south section of ranch, the ranch property is surrounded by 3 sides by the Duncan Colony of the Hutterites. They allow rifle hunting by the day, at a rate of $50/hunter per day hunted. As such after rifle season opens on the 2nd Saturday of October, the antelope tend to move onto the MMJR which has not had any rifle hunting since 2016.The state section of the ranch north of Hwy 12 also has a group of 10-15 antelope depending on pressure. In bow season, very little pressure, rifle, plenty. Regarding white tail deer, once the rut hits a peak (around 11/12 give or take) you will always see 5-10 bucks in a sitting. The rut starts around 10/31 give or take, and goes through the season end (the Sunday after Thanksgiving). Steve has seen many bigger bucks Thanksgiving week. Prior to Steve buying the ranch in 5/2015, there was rifle hunting on the ranch with permission. Since that date, no rifle deer hunts have taken place.
Regarding Waterfowl Hunting: Each Fall there are thousands of ducks and geese that migrate through the area. There are also local ducks/geese that nest and stay in the area all year long. This area of Wheatland County has one of the largest populations of migrating Sand Hill Cranes in the state of Montana. The season opens 9/1 and close around 9/28. If you draw a permit, you can shoot 2 cranes. The state section across Hwy 12 that the ranch leases has a 60-acre pond in its center area, that has fresh water flowing into it all year long. Come Fall, starting in October (depending on cold weather fronts coming out of Canada), 1000’s and 1000’s of ducks/geese and 200-300 Sand Hill Cranes rest on this pond and swamp area. They fly out in the early AM to feed on nearby crops. Same in the evening. And from the end of the 3rd week of October to month end November, hundreds and hundreds of ducks (mostly Mallards) fly into and out of the Mussel shell river on the ranch as the river is not frozen yet, like the ponds are. The river forms many bends and turns that the ducks land into. It is very common for certain bends to have 100-400 sitting ducks resting. The ducks start to fly into and land around 8:30-9:00 AM, and again just before dark. Geese and duck fly into the field under the pivots in both the AM and evening.
Regarding Pheasant Hunting: Each year Steve buys and releases 200, 14-week-old pheasant on the property. The objective is to establish a natural producing pheasant population. He started these releases in 2016. We have hold over of cocks, but limited hens for nesting. It is a tough challenge, as everything (hawks, owls, fox and coyote) like to eat pheasant. At present there is only limited pheasant hunting for those that contribute to the cost of the released birds, if Steve opens that option.
River Ranch House
Important 2023 Hunting Application Deadline!
April 1, 2023 Hunting Application Deadline! Deer Unit: 580
Antelope License deadline is June 1. Antelope hunt unit: 590 for rifle, 900-20 Bow.
IMPORTANT 2023 HUNTING APPLICATION DEADLINE!
April 1, 2023 Hunting Application Deadline! Deer Unit: 580
Antelope License deadline is June 1. Antelope hunt unit: 590 for rifle, 900-20 Bow.
Sandhill Crane permit deadline is July 24. Sandhill Crane hunt unit: 586-01. (Permit is free, but you must apply).
Montana Bowhunting Application: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply
2023 HUNTING SEASON INFORMATION
RIVER RANCH HUNTING GUIDELINES:
100% only Bow Hunting
Hunting Limited To: Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer Buck, Antelope Buck, Black Bear Boar, Coyote
No Hunting For: Mule Deer Doe, Antelope Doe, Bobcat, Fox
River Ranch Lodging
Check out the lodging options for hunters at the river ranch.
RIVER RANCH HUNTING OVERVIEW
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 stands and water tanks are marked as way points on both the OnX Hunt app and the HuntStand Pro app. Please have these apps pre-loaded on your phones or tablets. The fee plan was developed to give friends an opportunity for a great hunt and spend time on a beautiful Montana ranch for 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, antelope and bear) 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 ranch. The number of Deer hunters will be limited to no more than eight in a season. Regarding Antelope hunters, the limit will be no more than six per season. Hunting is allowed only when Steve is on the ranch. The goal is to have trophy animals on the place and to not over harvest.
Background: The river ranch consists of 1274 deeded acres and 640 acres of a state land lease. This portion of the ranch was bought in May 2015. From 2016 to 2018 major changes to the fencing were done. Regarding fish and wildlife, the most significant change was fencing the cattle out of the Musselshell River bottom on both sides of the river. This has allowed the grass cover to grow better, willows to expand growth area, and it stopped the cattle from eroding the bank of the river. On all new fencing, the bottom strand of the wire was kept 15 inches off the ground, and the top strand of wire no higher than 42 inches to allow for antelope and smaller deer to crawl under easily, and larger deer to easily jump. We also removed about 3 miles of old sheep weave fencing that was on both sides of the old rail road tracks that goes through property for about 2 miles. This fence was almost 5 foot tall, and It created issues for deer trying to jump over it and impossible for antelope to crawl under. We also removed other portions of the old sheep weave fence that was creating issues with antelope movement.
Main Compound and Building Structures: The 1st major project was removing the old bridge crossing the Mussel Shell river. It was built in 1935, and really in poor condition. That task was accomplished in the Fall of 2016. It was built to the specs to allow for a fully loaded cattle truck to cross it caring 88,000 pounds. The next major project was the building of the 55 foot by 150 foot cattle pole barn facility. This was completed by June 2016. Older buildings were tore down, and the old cabin Mexican John stayed in was refurbished starting December 2015 and completed by April 2016. . The old house had a good newer roof put on it, but the bones of the place had a major makeover including new insulation, flooring, electrical, plumbing, electric heat and also a new wood heater set up, and new siding. It is a 2 bedroom. 1 bath house. It will easily sleep 3-4 people. The end goal is to finish out the basement, to allow for more storage and the ability to sleep 1-2 more folks if need be. In 2019, major landscaping was done, and in 2020, Spruce, Aspen and Apple trees will be planted around it. In the late Fall of 2018 a duplex modular was put on site to allow for housing for the ranch staff people. It accommodates 2 families. It is 16 by 80 foot wide and is set up by the new cattle pole barn that was built in 2016. Now employees live on the ranch 24/7. In February of 2020, a 12 by 20 foot shop structure was built inside the River Ranch metal work shop. The new build out is fully insulated, has two insulated sliding windows, has seasonal running hot/cold water, double sink to clean fish or meat in, 72 inch stainless table to butcher on, a floor drain in center, wood stove, regular size freezer and two winches to lift up deer or elk. It also has a hose faucet to wash game off with. The new facilities of housing and shop are capable of accommodating any fishing or hunting need. Just as with North Ranch more trees will be planted on the property.
Ranch owner, Steve Coale
Farming: At end of 2016, 3 pivot were put in place( 2 big half pivots, and a smaller full circle) to be operational the Spring of 2017. Total ground under the top flat pivot is 91 acres and total area under the lower ½ pivot is 39 acres. In the Fall of 2017 another big ½ pivot was put in to the West of the Ranch driveway that covers 55 acres total. The 1st 3 pivots have had hay barely and peas planted under them for the past 3 years. Starting Spring of 2020 100% pure Alfalfa will be planted on the top 91 acres under pivot and the 39 lower acres under pivot will be 50% Alfalfa and 50% orchard grass (a high protein grass). The land to our north boundary, owned by the Hutterites is farmed in Barely and Winter wheat. Currently under the West pivot there is only native grasses, but in 2021 that will be converted to barely/peas.
Water and Water Improvements: With the Mussel Shell river flowing (West to East) a total of 3.1 miles through the property, and Mexican John Ranch Creek flowing out of the North onto our property, and the State lease 60 acre pond flowing out of the north to our Western part of the property, there is plenty of water. There is also a spring feed ½ acre pond to our far East boundary, and a small spring fed pond centrally located. Across the river to the far south part of the property there is a full section of ground that has a series of natural springs creating watering areas for antelope and mule deer.
Hunting: (Bow Hunting Only for Deer/Antelope) and only 2 Rifle Hunters for Antelope starting season 2021: The ranch has a very healthy population of white tail deer and antelope. It is very common to see 40-50 white deer in the fields north of the river in the fall. It is very common to see 30-200 antelope in the large section south of the river, depending on time of year and hunting pressure. Mule deer numbers are very limited. Some years you have 6-12 in the bottom area, some years you see none. Very hit and miss on mule deer. Not sure why, but just the way it is. Regarding antelope in the south section of ranch, the ranch property is surrounded by 3 sides by the Duncan Colony of the Hutterites. They allow hunting by the day, at a rate of $50/hunter per day hunted. As such after rifle season opens on the 2nd Saturday of October, the antelope tend to move onto the MMJR which has not had any rifle hunting since 2016. This area of the ranch is about 900 acres. This time of year it always has antelope, and I have seen as many as 200 plus. The state section of the ranch also has a group of 10-20 depending on pressure. In bow season, very little pressure, rifle, plenty. Regarding white tail deer, the river bottom is thick with willows and brush and scattered cottonwood trees. Once the rut hits a peak (around 11/12 give or take) you will always see 5-10 bucks in a sitting. The rut starts around 10/31 give or take, and goes through season end 11/29 give or take. Prior to Steve buying the ranch in 5/2015, there was rifle hunting on the ranch with permission. Since that date, Steve has not shot a buck on the place, bow hunting only, passing up many nice bucks to allow for them to get of age. In both 2018 and 2019 season 150 plus class bucks were seen, but not within bow range. And those bucks were seen in the last two days of the season, so unless they got hit by a car, they lived another year.
Waterfowl Hunting: Each Fall there are thousands of ducks and geese that migrate through the area. There are also local ducks/geese that nest and stay in the area all year long. This area of Wheatland County has one of the largest populations of migrating Sand Hill Cranes in the state of Montana. The season opens 9/1 and close around 9/28. If you draw a permit, you can shoot 2 cranes. The state section across Hwy 12 that the ranch leases has a 60 acre pond in its center area, that has fresh water flowing into it all year long. Come Fall, starting in October, 1000’s and 1000’s of ducks/geese and 300-400 Sand Hill Cranes rest on this pond and swamp area. They fly out in the early AM to feed on nearby crops. Same in the evening. And from the end of the 3rd week of October to month end November, hundreds and hundreds of ducks (mostly Mallards) fly into and out of the Mussel shell river on the ranch as the river is not frozen yet, like the ponds are. The river forms many bends and turns that the ducks land into. It is very common for certain bends to have 100-400 sitting ducks resting. The ducks start to fly into and land around 8:30-9:00 AM, and again just before dark. Geese and duck fly into the field under the pivots in both the AM and evening.
Pheasant Hunting: Each year Steve buys and releases 200, 14 week old pheasant on the property. The objective is to establish a natural producing pheasant population. He started these releases in 2016. We have hold over of cocks, but limited hens for nesting. It is a tough challenge, as everything (hawks, owls, fox and coyote) like to eat pheasant. At present there is only limited pheasant hunting for those that contribute to the cost of the released birds, if Steve opens that option.