What to Expect on Bighorn River Hunting Trips

Bighorn River Hunting Trips

This guide will prepare you for your hunting trip on the Bighorn River

At Big Horn Valley Ranch, we’ve perfected the art of Montana waterfowl hunting. Our team has spent years mastering the Bighorn River’s rhythms and secrets, and we’re excited to share that expertise with you. From pre-dawn flights to golden-hour retrieves, every moment of your stay is designed to maximize your success while providing the comfort and hospitality you deserve.

This guide will prepare you for everything your all-inclusive Bighorn River hunting adventure entails. We’ll walk you through what to pack and what a typical day looks like at our luxury lodge. Our goal is simple: arrive ready, hunt hard, and leave with memories that will keep you coming back to the Bighorn for years to come.

All-Inclusive Hunting, Lodging, & Dining in Montana

Package Includes:

Lodging
Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers, Dinner, and non-alcoholic beverages
Guided hunting trips
Transportation to/from hunting areas

Package Excludes:

Guns & Ammo
Guide & Staff gratuities
Alcohol
Transportation to/from Ranch
Montana hunting license

Ryan Pettis Outfitter #63800

BIGHORN RIVER HUNTING Tips

General Trip Details

Early Morning Departures: We leave before sunrise to hunt when waterfowl are most active. An early morning breakfast is provided at our lodge before the hunt.
Afternoon Return: All hunts wrap up by 2 PM, allowing birds to roost undisturbed. Relax and unwind after the hunt in our cabins and lodge.
One Hunt Per Day: We only offer morning hunts. Our guides are scouting the river and fields for birds in the evening allowing for a successful hunt the next day.

Clothing & Equipment

Waders: Mandatory, breathable with boots attached.
Winter Parka: Recommended brands – Sitka, First Lite, KUIU, Boreal, or something similar.
Winter Hat & Gloves: Oversized mittens and thin liner gloves preferred.
Layered Clothing: Loose-fitting layers are best due to varying temperatures.
Heat Packets: Bring 2-4 per day. Toe warmers are also helpful.
Provided by BHVR: Decoys, blinds, and equipment.

Guns, Ammo & Gear

Shotgun: 12 gauge preferred, but 20 or 28 gauge acceptable.
Ammunition: 3″ #2 steel shot recommended, but other options allowed.
Shotgun Type: Autoloaders are most common, but double guns or over/under guns are welcome.
Chokes: IC and M chokes preferred. Long-range chokes not required.
Eye & Ear Protection: Essential. Foam plugs are NOT recommended as they can be dangerous in live hunting scenarios. Please only bring ear protection that allows you to hear clearly.

General Information

Licensing: To hunt waterfowl in Montana, you need a Montana Migratory Bird License, a Federal Duck Stamp, and proof of Harvest Information Program (HIP) participation. You must also have a Montana base hunting license.

Montana Migratory Bird License: Required for hunters 12 and older, regardless of residency
Federal Duck Stamp: Required for hunters 16 and older
Montana Base Hunting License: Required for all hunters

HIP Participation: You must provide proof of HIP participation to purchase a Montana Migratory Bird License. HIP is a free program that tracks migratory bird harvest.

Gratuities: $125-$150 per gun per day is the standard guide gratuity.

Game Processing: We will help you clean birds everyday and try to send you with frozen or whole birds when you leave. We do not “have a place” for the birds you harvest.