Whitehall, Montana • Between Bozeman & Butte

Do It For Your Dog.

1,200 acres of premier pheasant cover on the Jefferson River — where your bird dog's natural instincts come alive. Open to the public, no membership required. Season runs September 1 through March 31.

Half-Day Hunts — $260 per gun
4 roosters released for you • 4 hours of hunting • No membership fees
Book Your Hunt
▼ Explore
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Birds Released
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Years Experience
MT FWP
Licensed Preserve

The Preserve

Built for Bird Dogs. Loaded with Pheasants.

Just 6 miles south of Whitehall, our preserve offers professional-grade cover and terrain — and most hunters see wild birds on every hunt in addition to what we release for you.

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Heavy Grass Fields

Long fields of heavy grass mixed with native Montana buffalo berry brush — natural cover that makes birds hold for your dog.

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Jefferson River Cattails

River cattail marshes provide excellent winter cover for stalking wary late-season pheasants.

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Dog-Safe Fields

Large hunting fields separated by woven wire fences for dog safety, with warm-water creeks, sloughs, and ditches for cool-downs.

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Your Hunt, Your Way

A minimum of 4 birds released per hunter based on your preferences. Half-day and full-day hunts available.

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Bird Dog Training

Extensive grasslands provide excellent training opportunities with professional-grade cover and terrain.

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Legal Transport Paperwork

We provide a printed sheet documenting the birds you're transporting, so you can take them home legally.

Why Sanborn's

Not Your Typical Montana Preserve

  • ✓Open to the public — no private membership fees like other Montana pheasant preserves.
  • ✓Package pricing, not per-bird pricing — comprehensive half-day and full-day hunt packages.
  • ✓Limited groups per day — hunting is by appointment so you never share your field.
  • ✓Wild birds on nearly every hunt — in addition to the birds we release for you.
  • ✓Conveniently located — between Butte and Bozeman, minutes off the highway. No long drives hunting for private access.
  • ✓20+ years and 15,000+ birds released — licensed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks with both game bird and preserve release licenses.
Group of hunters with their birds at Sanborn's Fish Kreek Ranch
Congressional group hunt at the preserve

2026–27 Season Rates

Simple Pricing. No Membership. No Surprises.

Group discounts available • Hunters 18 and under get 10% off

Most Popular

Half-Day Hunt

$260 / gun
  • 4 roosters included
  • 4 hours of hunting — a full, satisfying hunt for you and your dog
  • Morning or afternoon slots
  • Extra birds at discounted per-bird fee
  • Bring your own dog & walking guests welcome
  • Transport paperwork provided
Reserve a Half Day

Full-Day Hunt FOR THE AVID HUNTER

$450 / gun
  • 8 birds included — two half-days back to back
  • Full hour at midday to rest your dog
  • Best for well-conditioned hunters & dogs
  • Extra birds at discounted per-bird fee
  • Transport paperwork provided
Call to Arrange

Hunt times: Early season 8am–12pm & 1pm–5pm; after September 30, 9am–1pm & 1pm–5pm. Call for available days.
One hunter per gun: Guns can't be shared or switched between hunters — each gun commits to their own package (4-bird minimum). Non-hunting guests walk along free.
Payment: All major credit cards, cash, or personal check.
No dog? We know local dog trainers who may be able to run their dogs for your hunt — just let us know in advance.

🎁 Give the Hunt — Gift Certificates

One of our most popular options. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or the bird-dog owner who has everything.

Call 406-490-0641

Plan Your Hunt

Season Dates & License Requirements

🗓️ 2026–27 Season

We hunt from September 1, 2026 until we run out of birds — but no later than March 31, 2027. That's far longer than the Montana state season.

We're constantly releasing birds, so expect to see more birds than what we release for you. At the end of your hunt we check whether your birds are wild or released and give you a printed sheet documenting the birds you're transporting home.

📋 What License Do I Need?

Montana residents: A valid current Montana Conservation License with a Bird Endorsement. New Montana licenses are due March 1 each year.

Out-of-state hunters: A 3-Day Preserve License from any participating FWP outlet, plus a Conservation License and State Lands Usage fee. Whitehall outlets: Ace Hardware, the Corner Store, or online.

🐔 Live Bird Sales

We're licensed by Montana FWP to raise and sell live birds to other preserves, dog trainers, and landowners. Call 406-490-0641 for details.

🐕 Dogs & Guests

Bring your own dog and anyone who wants to walk along. Fields are fenced for dog safety, and warm-water creeks and sloughs keep dogs cool.

No dog? We know local dog trainers who may be able to run their dogs for your hunt — just let us know in advance when you book: 406-490-0641.

The Setting

A Beautiful Day on the Jefferson River

1,200 acres of grasslands, brush, and cattail marsh along the river bottom — with warm-water creeks and sloughs to keep your dog cool all day.

What Happens After You Book

Your Hunt Day, Step by Step

1

We Confirm

We call to confirm your date, time, and how many birds you'd like released.

2

Call from the Gate

When you arrive at the gate, call us for the code — that way we're ready and waiting for you.

3

Check In

Drive up to the office, check in with your current license — your birds will already be caught and ready.

4

Hunt & Head Home

Hunt your field, then we give you a printed sheet documenting your birds so you can take them home legally.

Book Your Hunt

Check Availability

Fill out the form and we'll get back to you with available dates — or talk to Marlene directly at 406-490-0641.

Request Your Hunt Date

We only use your info to schedule your hunt. Prefer to talk? Call 406-490-0641.

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Address

167 Franich Lane, Whitehall, MT 59759

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Season

September 1 – March 31 • Hunting by appointment

🧭 Directions

From Whitehall, take Highway 55 toward Twin Bridges. Mile markers count down from 11 — just past marker 6, turn left on the only dirt road: Franich Lane.

Go 1½ miles to the 90° bend in the road and you'll see our sign. When you reach the gate, call 406-490-0641 for the gate code and we'll be ready when you pull in.