Locations
Testing & Training
Through cooperative partnerships with landowners, the Big Sky Chapter is fortunate to train and test on large parcels of land which reflect the natural hunting environment. Our chapter is currently developing access policies for properties. In the meantime, please don't train on these properties outside of chapter sponsored training days, unless specifically coordinated with board members.
Muddy Dog Ranch
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Muddy Dog Ranch
311 Wilson Rd, Great Falls, MT 59040Directions:
1. From Great Falls, head North on the Old Havre HWY
2. Turn left onto 15th St/US-87 N.
3. In 0.1 mi. turn left onto Bootlegger Trail.
4. In 6.4 mi. turn left onto Wilson Road (portions unpaved).
5. In 3.18 mi. Vinyard Rd will be on your left. Continue 0.1 mi. and Muddy Dog Ranch is on your right.
6. Enter using the second, west most, driveway.
NOTE: If you reach Stuckey Rd you've gone about 2.7 miles too far.
During testing events, lots of people camp at the testing grounds, and it's nice to be on site. There are no hook ups for campers. There is an outhouse and an unpressurized spigot of potable water. This is private property, and we request that you are extra considerate and respectful of the grounds! Cell service is spotty.
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If you are pulling a travel trailer/RV please keep in mind that possibly many other campers will need to fit in the allotted space and park accordingly.
There are a few snakes that have been spotted on these grounds mostly Garter and Bull snakes, however Rattle Snakes have been present in the past. The only other potential hazards are a few barbed wire fences, gopher holes, and the road.
Local Veterinarian: In the event your dog requires medical attention we recommend: Big Sky Animal Medical Center, Great Falls, MT They are staffed 24/7 for emergencies Regular office hours are 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon-Fri, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. 406-761-8387 Address: 5101 N. Star Blvd., Great Falls, MT 59405.
Helmville, MT
Our club utilizes more than one location for training and testing in the Helmville area. The location will be covered in the information you receive from the training or test coordinator. However, depending on multiple factors, the exact location of the training or test may change from one Helmville location to another, which are only a few miles apart.
Directions:
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NOTE: Cell service is limited, so scout your route and plan ahead!
1. From Hwy 200, turn south onto Kleinschmidt Road (46.996463, -113.028077).
2. Continue straight until you reach a 90° turn (46.991076, -113.028110).
3. Pass through the gate– the gate is locked, except for on training and test days. Leave the gate as you found it.
4. Drive approximately 1.3 miles to the parking/meeting area.
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Helmville Rodeo Grounds
1. From US HWY 271, turn west on to Ovando Helmville Rd, head west for 0.4 miles. The Rodeo Grounds will be on your right (north).
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Gravelly Property
Coming from Helmville or the Helmville Rodeo Grounds:
1. From US HWY 271, turn left (west) on to Ovando Helmville Rd, continue west for 9.9 miles.
2. Turn right (east) onto Brown’s Lake Rd and continue for 2.2 mi. The testing grounds will be on the left (north) side of the road.
PLEASE, even though the road through the field may have deep ruts, we ask that you stay in the established tracks.
Coming from Ovando:
1. Exit US HWY 200 onto Pine Street, continue on Pine Street and head south onto Central Ave.
2. Central Ave. merges with the Ovando Helmville Rd.
3. Continue on the Ovando Helmville Rd. for 6.5 miles.
4. Turn left (east) onto Brown’s Lake Rd. and continue for 2.2 mi. The testing grounds will be on the left (north) side of the road.
PLEASE, even though the road through the field may have deep ruts, we ask that you stay in the established tracks.
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Geary Brothers Property
Coming from Helmville or the Helmville Rodeo Grounds:
1. From US HWY 271, turn west on to Ovando Helmville Rd, continue west for 8.8 miles.
2. Turn left onto Newman Potter Rd and continue for 1.2 miles.
Coming from Ovando:
1. Exit US HWY 200 onto Pine Street, continue on Pine Street and head south onto Central Ave.
2. Central Ave. merges with the Ovando Helmville Rd. 3. Continue on the Ovando Helmville Rd. for 7.6 miles. 2. Turn right onto Newman Potter Rd and continue for 1.2 miles.
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Please Note - cell coverage is very sparse in the Helmville. Do not rely on email, text or cell communications to provide up-to-date changes during test. The Test Secretary/Coordinator will have the most current information available. The nearest reliable internet access is at the Copper Queen in Helmville. Stop in and enjoy a cold beverage while you log-on.
If you are not certain where your test day is being held, please be sure to connect with the either the Test Secretary/Coordinator the day before your test.
Buckhouse, Missoula, MT
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Coming from US I-90 from either East or West
1.Exit US I-90 onto N. Reserve St. and head south.
2. Continue 5.4 mi on Reserve St./US 93 South.
3. Turn right onto Brooks St./US 93 S. and continue
1 mile south west .4. The Buckhouse property will on the right/north side of the road.
As you enter this property, you will drive through a storage shop yard. This is a working storage area, please show the utmost respect courtesy to the land owner.
Camp Creek, Manhattan, MT
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Address:
10620 Camp Creek Rd
Manhattan MT 59741Google Maps link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ohuwTNvRDhGViSET7
Directions:
From Four Corners:
1. Drive west on MT-84/Norris Rd for 8.7 miles.2. Turn right onto Camp Creek Rd for 3.7 miles.
3. The training fields are on the right/east side of the road. During training events, the gate will be open. There is no sign or any other identifier.
Local veterinarian:
Bridger Veterinary Specialists and Emergency in Bozeman is staffed 24/7
406-548-4226There is no water available.
Cell service is spotty from the top if the hill in the training field; there is no cell service at the parking area,
No toilet currently available, but the chapter is in discussions to provide a porta-potty.
Snakes have been seen later in the summer.
This is private land used with permission for organized Big Sky Chapter events only. Please be respectful of the resource and the opportunity.
This location is on Camp Creek Road, west of Four Corners and south of Amsterdam.
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Local veterinarian:
Bridger Veterinary Specialists and Emergency in Bozeman is staffed 24/7
406-548-4226There is no water available.
Cell service is spotty from the top if the hill in the training field; there is no cell service at the parking area.
No toilet currently available, but the chapter is in discussions to provide a porta-potty.
Snakes have been seen later in the summer.
This is private land used with permission for organized Big Sky Chapter events only. Please be respectful of the resource and the opportunity.