Bird Hunts
The sound of whistling wings, the cackle of a Rooster pheasant, the startling thump
of a grouse taking flight are all available to Big Sky visitors with Milk River Outfitters.
We cater to groups of four to six hunters to ensure that you receive a quality hunt.
Whether you have your own dogs or not, we can help you in your quest for upland birds and waterfowl.
North-East Montana may be the best kept secret in the upland bird and waterfowl hunting world. We offer
a wide variety of upland birds, ranging from ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tail grouse, sage grouse, and
Hungarian Partridge. Our pheasant hunting is excellent with a 3 bird per day limit. There is truly an
oasis of habitat for the untold variety of upland birds available to sportsmen and women in Big Sky
Country. Between sharp-tail grouse, Hungarian partridge, sage grouse, and ring-necked pheasants,
opportunities are plentiful. Our upland hunts are nicely complemented with ample waterfowling for the
avid shotgunner. At MRO, we offer a combination upland bird hunt with jump shooting for waterfowl in
the numerous stock dams and ponds that dot the expansive Montana countryside. This option seems to
blend the best of all bird hunting for the avid shotgunner.
With the waterfowl hunting is just as diverse and exciting as the upland bird hunts, we can personalize
any waterfowl experience for the avid shotgunner. Numerous species of duck and geese migrate early in
December through Montana, especially a lot of big green headed mallards. If you are seeking incredible
waterfowling opportunities, Montana is your destination. Regardless of the species, you'll find few
other areas in the United States to offer the variety of ducks found here: Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal,
American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall,
American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck,
Oldsquaw, White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser,
Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, and the Ruddy Duck all call Montana home. As part of the Central
Flyway, we can offer some of the best migratory bird hunting in the US.
For our first outing of the season, we offer an early special upland bird 3-day package , between archery
and general season, usually starting around the 18th of October. The cost is $1250 per person which includes
all meals, guides, and lodging. This pricing does not include gratuities, license, or ammunition.
Our most popular hunts starts around the 2nd of December and run thru January 5th. This December hunt is the
premier opportunity to experience a combined upland bird and waterfowl hunt in Northeastern Montana. For this
time period, we typically float the Missouri River, teeming with ducks and numerous species of geese, or jump
shoot the Milk River for pheasants and ducks. While the weather can be cold, this is usually the time of year
that offers the best pheasant and waterfowl hunting for those big mallards that have come down from the north.
During the '05 season in an average day, hunters with MRO would see up to 800 pheasants and 2-3000 mallard ducks each day!
The 2 biggest things to remember during a December bird hunt are to bring warm clothes and lots and lots of extra ammo!
These upland bird and waterfowl hunts cost $1250 (US) for three (3) days with longer packages arranged and priced by
calling Milk River Outfitters. This price includes all meals (lunch in the field), guides, lodging, packaging of birds,
and transportation to and from our local airports. Also, like our big game hunts, items not included are: airfare to and
from Havre or Glasgow International Airport; license and permit fees; ammunition; taxidermy; shipping of game; or guide
tips. Nonresidents 12 years of age or older need a conservation license and upland game bird license to hunt upland game
bird, excluding turkeys. If you have your own dogs, please call us and we will make arrangements to help you house and
feed them. December is a prime time to harvest some really big mallards but duck season in the Central Flyway continues
till January 8. Goose season continues through January 16th. Feel free to download the waterfowl application through the
link below and send it off to Montana FWP before you come to Big Sky Country. Additionally, a Federal waterfowl stamp
required for waterfowl hunts. Nonresidents 12-15 years of age need only a conservation license; nonresidents 16+ need a
conservation license, a Montana migratory bird license and a federal stamp. Each migratory bird stamp holder must complete,
at the time of purchase, a "Montana Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program Survey Card" as required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.