Montana Big Game Outfitters

Montana Big Game Outfitters specializes in fully guided hunts for trophy game across private ranches in Eastern and Central Montana. Founded and operated by Anthony VonRuden (Outfitter #30194), the outfit focuses on spot-and-stalk hunting methods that get you glassing from vantage points where big animals actually feed and bed.

The North American pronghorn—called "speed goats" for good reason—are the second-fastest land animals on Earth and built for prairie hunting. Montana's strong antelope populations mean excellent success rates.

• •99% success rate on trophy-quality animals
• •Most affordable big game hunt offering
• •Pleasant spring weather (no 4 a.m. wake-ups)
• •Easy meat pack-outs and excellent table fare
• •Ideal for introducing new or young hunters to western hunting
• •3-4 year Montana draw patience, but worth it

"Pronghorn are found nowhere else in the world. With their closest living relatives being the giraffe, to say they are unique would be an understatement."

Glassing from green mountainsides in late spring puts you in position when bears are most active—feeding in bursts between naps after hibernation.

Hunt structure: - 6-day hunts with emphasis on patience and glassing - Position on high vantage points early, stay 2-3 full days per location minimum - Expect burst activity: 15-20 minute feeds followed by long rests - Meat, hide, and skull care handled in camp with freezing facilities - Guides recommend practicing prone shooting at angles and distances before arrival

What to prepare: - Layered clothing (Montana weather changes every 15 minutes) - Good cardio conditioning for elevation and ground coverage - Bipod for prone shooting - Base layers, puffy jacket, full rain gear standard kit

Recommended taxidermy: Shawn Andres at Alpine Artistry (alpineartistry.com)

Eastern Montana prairie provides open country for hunting Merriam's turkeys perfectly adapted to grassland life. The outfit runs spring hunts with multiple tags and high action.

Recent hunt highlights from their 2020 trip: - 4-day turkeys with tags filled quickly - Early morning roosting, afternoon scouting - Decoys and calling bring toms within 10-50 yards - Wild turkey considered some of the best table fare available - Belly crawl stalks effective in open prairie

Camp features: - River-side camp locations with scenic views - Fishing opportunities during downtime (guides also run fly-fishing business in Missoula) - Field dressing and meat processing handled in camp

Montana Big Game Outfitters also offers: - Mule deer hunts - Wingshooting experiences

Anthony VonRuden's approach emphasizes patience, pre-hunt preparation, and enjoying the landscape as much as the harvest. Common guidance across all hunts:

1. Glass first, move second — Spend 2-3 full days scanning terrain before writing off a location 2. Get in shape — Pre-season cardio makes covering ground faster and recovering heart rate quicker 3. Practice uncomfortable shooting — Prone at angles, from packs, on hillsides 4. Focus on the journey — Six-day hunts exist for a reason; success comes to patient hunters

Anthony VonRuden - Outfitter #30194 - Phone: 406.544.1441 - Email: [email protected] - Website: montanabiggameoutfitters.com

Booking available through their website for all hunts.