If
you'd like to bow hunt on a private ranch where you can expect
to see from twelve to fourteen whitetail bucks a day, check
out one of the best-kept secrets in the West--the Sunset Guest
Ranch in Helmville, Montana.
Owned and operated by Mike McCormick, Sunset is a 1,600-acre
working ranch with cattle, horses, and other farm animals.
The ranch was homesteaded by the McCormicks in the 1870s and
is surrounded by rivers on three sides. Eight miles of river
run through it,
"The bow zone area in the valley is about ten miles wide
and twenty miles long," Mike McCormick said in a recent
interview. "Our ranch sits on one end of it. This is
a high mountian valley--mostly cattle ranches with mountains
on all sides."
Neighboring ranches contain grain and alfalfa feilds, and
most of the area's heavy cover is on Sunset
Ranch. Any hunting pressure on neighboring ranches
encourages bigger bucks to move into this heavy cover area.
Pines, swamp, and rivers make ideal whitetail habitats and
archery hunting--whether you like still hunting or short drives
"This type of hunting area lends itself to high success,"
said Mike.
Pete Light of Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, hunted there with
three friends last October. "The first morning out we
saw about eighty deer, including sixteen bucks," he said.
I think three or four of those bucks were P&Y record class."
While Pete said he didn't bring an animal down himself,, it
wasn't because he didn't have chances. He was waiting for
a good shot at a record, book whitetail, His three companions
all shot animals.
Sam Weiss, an attorney from Cornwall, Pennsylvania, is another
enthusiastic hunter who has been to Sunset Ranch several times.
"Everybody in my group had multiple shots at good trophy
bucks," he said. "You'll see a lot of deer at Sunset Ranch. I think that area will produce the next Montana state
P&Y record."
Two reasons Sunset has such great trophy possibilities is
because hunting on the ranch has been limited to bow hunters
for nearly forty years, and because Mike limits each hunting
party to four hunters. This allows each hunter all the personal
space he needs to pursue his own style of bow hunting.
The season opens the first weekend of September. There is
a week's closure starting October 15, and then it reopens
during the big game rifle season through the end of November.
While Mike will offer archery hunts from September 8 -through
November 21 this year, he is encouraging hunters to book earlier
in the fall. "September is a pleasant time of year to
hunt," he said. "A lot of deer are moving out to
the alfalfa fields, and it's easier to predict where they'll
be. They go back and forth to the same places, often using
just three or four main trails. Later during the rut, they're
more unpredictable."
Buck licenses are unlimited and available until the first
of June. They cost $60 for hunters from out of state. Five
doe tags are available over the counter and cost $50. Combination
licenses are available on a limited basis.
In addition to bow hunting, Mike offers waterfowl shooting.
"We have an excellent population of native Canadian geese
nesting on the ranch and in the valley," Mike said. We
also have ruffled grouse hunting along the river bottom So
you can do a little shotgun hunting to break up your archery
hunt." Duck hunting
is also popular.
Waterfowl season opens when the Pacific flyway opens, usually
the first weekend in October, and generally continues until
December 14.
A group of elk moved in last year, and six bulls were taken
on Sunset Ranch and
a neighbor's ranch last September and October. "We never
used to have elk hunting on the ranch," Mike noted. "But
the Fish and Game people tell me once the elk move in, they're
bound to stay." The ranch also offers trout fishing during
archery season. The river has brown trout, dolly varden, some
rainbow.
A ten-day guided archery hunt at Sunset Guest Ranch
costs $1,500 per person and includes transportation to and
from the Missoula airport, homestyle meals, and cabin facilities.
A thirty percent deposit Is required. Mike will offer six
bow hunting trips this season. He takes each hunter out in
the morning personally and picks him up in the evening. He'll
give you as much or as little guiding as you want.
There are between four and six different heavy migration areas
out to feeding spots in different parts of the ranch, so hunters
don't get in each other's way. Horses, also are available.
A nonhunter can join your group for, on, extra $50 a day.
"I think Mike gives hunters a good value for what be
charges." said Sam. "They're nice people to hunt
with. Sunset offers more than just hunting. It's a total experience.
You get a real Western flavor and a relaxing hunt. I'd recommend
it enthusiastically for bow hunters."
If you come in September, you'll need rain gear in case you
hit wet weather, and in November, You'll need warm wool clothes.
November occasionally brings cold Montana winter weather,
but on the ranch, you'll never be much more than a half an
hour away from the shelter, Mike says. Most hunting areas
between ten and twenty minutes away from the lodge. So even
in bitter cold weather, which is unusal you won't be far from
a place to take a break warm up or change clothes before going
back.
Guest stay in two apartments in a warm, modernized bunkhouse
which once housed as many as sixteen cowboys a year. "The
accommodations were great," said Pete. "And the
food was tremendous with lots of home cooking and game dishes.
We've been hunting a lot of places, and Sunset Guest Ranch
is one of the finest. You don't have to be in great physical
shape to enjoy the hunt. I'd recommend it."
Mike also offers summer vacations at a cost of $100 a day
per person, which includes meals, horses, guided fishing,
and lodging. Family rates are available.
Editors Notes: Mike is a third generation Montana rancher
and has taken hunters for over 30 years. I have thoroughly
researched the opperation and have personally talked with
him at great length.
Several of my friends have hunted on the place and we all
agree, he runs a first class outfit and gives you more than
your money's worth.
For more information about hunting or vacationing at the Sunset Guest Ranch,
write Mike at Helmville, Montana 59843, or call him at (406)
793-5574. Tell him you read about the ranch in the Outdoorsmen.
