Montana Upland Outfitters

Montana Upland Outfitters hunts 100% wild birds—sharp-tailed grouse, ringneck pheasants, and Hungarian partridge—across 100,000+ acres of well-managed private land in Eastern Montana. Owner Anthony VonRuden started this operation for one reason: to spend as much time as possible in the field with hunting dogs. That focus shows.

"I only hunt wild birds and relish the challenges that come with it. I love to shoot birds just as much as the next guy and no one will work harder to make sure that you get that opportunity, but at the end of the day I measure our success by the beauty of our surroundings and the efforts put forth by the dogs." — Anthony VonRuden

Sharp-tailed Grouse — Montana holds the healthiest population of sharptails in the United States. VonRuden specializes in big running dogs and covey birds. If you've wanted to work wide open prairie country with experienced dog handlers, this is the hunt.

Ringneck Pheasant — Hunting pheasants in Montana is a true hunt. Cagey roosters and strong dog work create challenging days in the field. Pheasants hold better in rough weather than sharptails, making them unpredictable and rewarding.

Hungarian Partridge — Also called grey partridge, these "little rocket birds" are spread across Montana's open plains. One explosive covey rise will get your adrenaline pumping.

Waterfowl — Three-day/four-night waterfowl hunts available, or combine waterfowl with upland hunting in a combo package.

Camp at Prairie Creek sits on the edge of Montana's wild and scenic badlands country. Accommodations include fully furnished canvas wall tents with carpeted floors, real beds, and heating. Coffee starts the day—sipping it by a crackling wood stove while anticipating the hunt is part of the experience.

• •6:00 AM — Coffee
• •6:30 AM — Breakfast
• •7:00 AM — Depart for field (30-60 min drive)
• •8:00 AM-12:00 PM — Hunt
• •12:00 PM-1:00 PM — Lunch
• •1:00 PM-4:00 PM — Hunt
• •5:00 PM — Cocktails & appetizers
• •6:00 PM — Dinner

• •5:30 AM — Coffee/doughnuts
• •6:00 AM — Depart for field (15-45 min drive)
• •7:00 AM-11:00 AM — Waterfowl hunt
• •11:00 AM-11:45 AM — Brunch
• •12:30 PM-4:00 PM — Upland hunt
• •5:00 PM — Cocktails & appetizers
• •6:00 PM — Dinner

• •Season: September 1 through December 15

Non-hunting companions: $500 per person (limit one per hunter)

• •Experienced guide each day
• •Three home-cooked meals daily plus refreshments
• •Full lodging in heated canvas wall tents
• •All bedding provided
• •Game processing and freezing
• •Gun rental (if needed)
• •Travel during the hunt

What's Not Included: - Gratuities (10-20% of trip total recommended) - Travel to/from camp (4x4 vehicle required, 3 hours from Billings) - Montana hunting license (3-day license required) - Ammunition (recommend #6 shot early season, #5-#6 late season) - Wine or liquor (bring your own)

Fishing in local waters and prairie dog shooting near camp are available at no charge except for ammunition and tackle costs.

All guides are year-round hunting and fishing guides with deep knowledge of bird behavior, weather patterns, and field strategy. VonRuden emphasizes that while you can't control weather or bird behavior, you can control the quality of the hunt. The team trains dogs continuously, maintains relationships with landowners, and focuses on improving camp amenities each year.

Email is the most efficient way to reach the outfitter—guides are in the field 300+ days per year. Still have availability for 2025 and 2026 seasons.