Announcing the 2021-22 Big Sky Hounds Season

Dear Lovers of Big Sky Hounds,

You’ve all heard the story.  Nine years ago, after an annual hunt in Three Forks and a late-night, scotch-induced hunch, Red Rock Hounds left two hounds to start a hunt in Montana.  That fall, 45 people rode to four hounds at Big Sky Hounds’ Opening Meet.  Montana did not really know much about foxhunting, except it was fun, exciting, challenging, new, different, and addictive.  The following summer, I asked the question of a happy, enthusiastic, supportive crowd at a big picnic in my front yard “Is this something you want in your lives? Is it something you don’t want to live without? Is it worth your time and money?” and was met with a resounding “Yes!”  We then registered with MFHA and two years later became recognized (that’s a pretty big deal, if you’re a hunt).  We started a breeding program and built a stellar pack, replaced the “redneck kennels,” moved, built new kennels again, started traveling and attending joint meets and performance trials, opened hundreds of thousands of acres of magnificent hunt country on which we had hundreds of brilliant meets, made new friends, built a tribe, awarded colors, and hosted some of the most epic foxhunting adventures in the nation where we introduced the world to our unique brand of sport.  Big Sky Hounds has become synonymous with extraordinary destination hunting in the West. 

More importantly, we made a family and all the lasting memories and connections that go along with it.                   

Now, in the very same spirit in which we started; a new era begins.  This year, Big Sky is taking the show on the road to share more, see more, do more, experience more, offer more.  Be more.  This year, Big Sky Hounds is MORE!

Okay, let’s face it, sometimes less is more. 

Things change, sometimes with apocalyptic proportions, but the pure magic of FOXHUNTING MONTANA-STYLE never does.  We’re a bit of a unicorn.  While many hunts are experiencing loss of country and hunting rights, Montana’s continue to grow.  Our membership is strong, but our participation is down.  Our events are well-attended, but our regular meets are not.  So, at a picnic I had with just me and the hounds the other day, I asked that same question I asked you all years ago, “Is this something you don’t want to live without? Is it worth the time and money?” and the answer again was a resounding, “Yes!” (Especially from the hounds.)  My dedication to the people, hounds, horses, and country of Big Sky has never wavered.  BSH is stamped on my soul.  It defines me.  YOU define me.  It’s time to step it up, to share the joy, and to reintroduce that same spirit we had when we started with just four hounds and 45 people following, bashing through this country with the enthusiasm of someone who doesn’t know they could possibly fail.  For the fun of it!

This year, Big Sky will be traveling and sharing FOXHUNTING MONTANA-STYLE with the whole country, and the whole country with the members of Big Sky.   Still a Montana-based hunt and club with numerous events in-state, we’ll now also be hunting across the West.  When it’s bitter in the mountains, we’ll be based in warmer climes where you can join for a guaranteed good time, with fellow foxhunting friends who share your enthusiasm and love for each other and this crazy thing we do with our spare time, money, and cojones. 

Below is a schedule of meets, events and new membership structure. If this is something you want in your life, please reaffirm your commitment with another “Yes!”  Let’s continue FOXHUNTING MONTANA-STYLE and further the spirit of the Big Sky Hounds.

Membership structure has changed to offer one level of membership – this is your ticket to hunt with the Big Sky Hounds WHEREVER they are, WHENEVER they meet!  $500 annual membership includes MFHA dues.  Capping fees are $100.  Consider joining BSH, your pass to hunt the best of the West.

For more information and membership application, contact Renee at (406) 579-4060 or hounds@montanahorses.com.

See you in the West!

Renee

BIG SKY HOUNDS WILL MEET - 2021

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th – BSH meets in Montana

Wednesday 15th through Sunday 19th – Joint Meet with SFH and RRH in Bryce, UT

Saturday and Sunday, 25th & 26th – OPENING MEET and DERBY WEEKEND in Montana 

OCTOBER

Friday 1st through Sunday 3rd - Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, NV – Joint Meet with RRH

Saturday 9th – BSH meets in Reno, NV

Friday 15th through Sunday 17th – Red Rock Hounds Opening Meet, Reno

Saturday 23rd – BSH meets in Reno, NV

Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st – BSH Meets in Montana (Halloween Meet)

NOVEMBER

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th – RRH at Home Ranch McDermitt (BSH will either accompany or hunt in Reno on Saturday 6th)

Saturday 13th  - BSH meets in Reno, NV

Saturday 20th – BSH meets In Reno, NV

Tuesday 23rd through Sunday 28th - THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL HUNT/SKI WEEK – Big Sky, Montana

DECEMBER

Saturday 4th – BSH meets in Reno, NV

Friday 10th through Sunday 12th – Tejon, California

Saturday 18th – BSH meets in Reno, NV

2022 schedule will be posted soon and mark your calendars for:

January 14th – 16th – Tejon, California

January 28th – MFHA Annual Hunt Ball New York, NY

February 16th – 20th Tejon, California Performance Trials

March 26th – 27th – Performance Trials, Grand Championship, Hoffman, NC

May 12th – 22nd – Miles City Montana Madness/Closing Meet

Happy New Year from the Big Sky Hounds

BIG SKY HOUNDS

 MAY YOUR TROUBLES LAST AS LONG AS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS.

 JANUARY IN A NUTSHELL | 2020 

WINTER HUNTING SUNDAY January 5, 12, 19, 26th. Weather Permitting - Please see fixture card for details. Hound exercise and horse conditioning throughout the week.

DANCE CLASSES! - To prepare for the upcoming Galas and Balls, we’re cuttin’ a rug and taking lessons in Bozeman through January, starting 1/3. Join Us!

HAT’S OFF TO: Brittany Baldwin, Cassandra Mitchell, Becky Bigelow, and Chris Bigelow. They hunted the Big Sky Hounds last meet. Way to go Wenches for kicking ass and on!

RETIRING HOUND: “Jack” has moved into the office as the official BSH mascot, but would welcome a couch and a family for his last years…he’s earned it.

SAVE THE DATES: Wild West Extravaganza and World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale - May 9th - 17th. Call Renee for more info — 406.579.4060

MEETS  

DEFINITIONS OF THE DAY 

AWAY (adv.)

A fox has “gone away” when he has left covert. Hounds are “away” when they have left covert on the line of a fox (or coyote).

COVERT (pronounced “cover”; n.)

A patch of woods or brush where quarry might be found.

BSH SITE

It is customary, regardless of the time of day, to wish a “good night” to all at the end of a day of hunting. Therefore, “Good Night.”

Big Sky Hounds, 13013 Little Holland Rd, Manhattan, MT 59741, United States

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

Happy Holidays from The Big Sky Hounds

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

"Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." ~ Dr. Seuss

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning." ~ TS Eliot 

Please note address change:

Big Sky Hounds, 13013 Little Holland Rd, Manhattan, MT 59741, United States

BSH Christmas Hunt and Celebration

BIG SKY HOUNDS CHRISTMAS HUNT AND CELEBRATION

SUNDAY DEC. 15, 2019 11 AM HUNT

3216 REESE CREEK ROAD, BELGRADE, MT

Party to follow hunt at around 2 pm. Come to hunt, or come just to celebrate. Food and beverages provided. Please bring a white elephant gift to share. We will be collecting cash donations for gifts for our generous landowners.

And We're Off. BSH Staff Meet 09.22.19

The first hunt of the season is a little like the first snow of the year in Montana. Everyone is surprised, like it snuck up on us without warning. We smack ourselves in the forehead, shake our heads and lament, “Happens every year.” We all temporarily forget how to drive. There is mass panic as we run around draining hoses, finding shovels, searching for boots and heavy socks, ordering firewood, and wondering how long we overlooked the appearance of #1 diesel at the gas stations. We are relieved when the next morning reveals a little green grass still in the yard and a second chance to get it right.

After months and months of sunshine and seemingly all the time in the world, I have to admit drawing hounds for the first meet of the season took me completely by surprise…again.

On Sunday, September 22nd we (Mark Carman, Britttany Baldwin, Cass Mitchell, Kim Day, and Wendy Fordyce) left the kennels (Nancy Carman holding down the fort) with seven couple, including two new entry Atlas and Asa (sponsored by Liz Richards) and Nelson, Fat Dan, Sparky, Ely, Zman, Apollo, Victoria, Uturn, Keg, Vann, Baritone, and another hound who has temporarily left my memory.

Admittedly, I have never, ever started young hounds hunting. Do they just naturally get it? And how will they know we’re not roading any longer, but actually hunting? Earlier, I had sat in the draw room staring into the kennels like an idiot as the hounds all vied for their chance to hunt that day, wondering how really to go about it. Remembering that for whippers in I had Britt and Cass, who had spent hours roading hounds but never really whipped in or had the chance to learn the country, and Mark as a first time field master leading Kim and Wendy, who had never hunted with me or at this fixture, I decided to play it safe. I pulled twelve old, fat, sweet, solid hounds and two puppies. What could go wrong?

As we left the kennels I tried to make a plan to stay in country that would be good for the whips and where I could see the puppies. I cast up Red Rock Canyon. Nothing. (Wondering…is Atlas slightly impaired or just a big happy goof? Or both?) We moved southeast and I dropped them in to Tried and True. Nothing. (Note to self: Never make poor Fat Dan do this again. Find him a couch, he deserves it.) We moved further south and crossed east over Green’s Canyon. The thick, tall stems from a bumper yellow clover crop were knee high. No self respecting coyote would go through this. (This is like new country here, old trails are covered and normal paths of migration are not here. Where are the coyotes this year?)

We climbed about 400 feet in elevation (a couple times) and gone almost four miles. There was water for hounds in the slick rocks on the flats, thankfully. The weather was creeping up into the “wish-I-hadn’t-worn-this-sweatshirt” realm. My horses were gasping for air despite my genuine efforts at getting them in condition. Shit.

But, Asa was amazing and every hound (well, almost every hound) was doing the job of helping the puppies figure this hunting thing out. We were actually having a nice time and there had been no cussing or tantrums. Yet.

The wheat fields in the distance had not been combined. I decided to loop around the north rim of Green’s Canyon and steer clear and south of the planted fields and the steep canyons. We popped up over the hill, both whips basically at my side as I thought, “Well, we’ll tour this a little more and go home.” Best laid plans. Suddenly, the hounds hit hard, fast, hot, and loud and were off to the south and straight down in to a steep canyon that could not be crossed by human or horse. So, of course I yelled to Brittany, “Get down there, stay with them, go south, fast! I need you on the other side like yesterday!” She looked at me in a way that said, “And how would you like me to sprout wings?” That was the last time I saw Brittany. (Not ever, just that afternoon.) We were literally in the middle of a rock pile, overlooking a cliff, hearing the hounds down at the bottom in full cry, and watching them start to climb out the other side. The coyote came in to view on the ridge above them.

This is a huntsman’s dream, right? Get two puppies on a good line with solid hounds to show them what to do. Show our newest members a grand time. Except, my heart was in my throat as I wondered how in the world we could get to them and fearing they were going to keep going south into Montolia, under a fence with no gates or coops and completely off limits that day. Shit, shit.

I took the field off the cliff, down into the bottom, and started out the other side into a half mile climb when my horse slowed from full speed to full slow. I was completely out of horse. Shit. I asked Mark if he had any horse left and he said enough to get to the top to be my eyes. We climbed out as fast as possible and then heard Cass tell us (from her northern bird’s eye view) that she could see the coyote and the hounds ripping through a wheat field headed south. Off we went, another half mile of climbing around the field and to the top of the next hill. I told Mark, who seemed to have half a horse left, that he needed to get to the fenceline or we would never see the hounds again…ever. (Later he told me he had thought…”Never? Like, never, ever? This is serious!” Admittedly, I have a bit of a flair for the dramatic.)

We all finally reached the fence where I believed they had crossed, our southern out-of-bounds boundary for the day, upwind and over the hill from where we had been. There was nothing. No sound. No sight. Shit, shit, shit. Mark started running the fenceline looking for a hole, or a low spot, or a gate. I went the other direction looking for a gate. None. (This is miraculously the tightest most impervious fence in the entire state of Montana. They could use it as the poster child for the legal definition of “fence.") Four hours later (okay, maybe 5 minutes) I started blowing and pulled out my wire pliers.

Then, over a hill about 1/4 mile to the south four hounds started coming back to me and the horn, Asa among them. Had they lost? I blew some more. They were gathering to me. AND THEN…a coyote on the ridge above them started yipping back at us! We could hear him and see him sitting right above the hounds. The cheeky bastard! Now what? I had already started blowing, the hounds had already started coming back to me, and I couldn’t get to them. I tried to channel my inner huntsman, but then realized I don’t really have one, so I decided to go with what I had started…keep blowing. The coyote kept chattering back at us. The hounds didn’t seem to notice. Weird. Cass and Wendy were at the fence now, watching for hounds as Kim and I kept the pack well off the fenceline and on some water. Mark was at the top of the hill behind us scanning for Brittany, who was still MIA.

Within a couple of minutes the pack was back with me, the coyote shut up, we all had a rest and congratulated the hounds. On our way home, we met Brittany and Fat Dan. It was a beautiful day, great view, good hounds, valiant horses, and the best of people.

I kept thinking, “Okay, I’m super proud of this pack and amazed by the A puppies. They all found and chased a coyote. I called them back, and they all came home with me. Way to go. Good huntsman!” The horned beast on my other shoulder kept whispering, “Yeah, but you called two puppies off a good line and a coyote because you couldn’t get there, hadn’t properly conditioned your horse, didn’t have enough staff, and hadn’t paneled your country. Bad huntsman!”

I’m still holding this debate with myself: Is it good or bad that my hounds can be easily called off a good line when it’s necessary, do it amiably, and do it over and over? I still marvel at them, even the puppies. They are so much smarter and more intuitive than I ever imagined a dog could be. They are able to beautifully meld their natural instincts with our schizophrenic desires. It is as if they want to hunt when we want them to hunt, they want to stop when we want them to stop, and in the end they really don’t care either way as long as we like what they are doing for us. And they are hunting really, really well..despite my best efforts at completely ruining them by my sophomoric blunders along the way.

Just like the day after a first snow, the day after a first staff meet is time to make a list of the things that must happen for us to be prepared for the season. I would really like to believe that this list is echoed across other hunts. If it’s not, I don’t want to know.

• Condition hounds better

• Condition horses better

• Condition self better

• Get staff to participate more to help with the above (and better learn the country and the hounds)

• Spend more time with puppies

• Maybe feed some hounds a little less

• Make a big map of the country and disseminate it to members

• Railroad more people into honorary staff positions, like whippers-in, field master, and secretary

• Build coops and gates (railroad people to help)

• Express eternal gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed up for the day and made it so great

• Send an apology letter to Brittany for sending her off into the pit of hell and leaving her there to fend for herself…and maybe a box of chocolates, or flowers, or tequila, or something

In the end, this is what staff meets are all about - learning, tweaking, changing, rinse, repeat. I’m not too proud to say that we really need the practice and the participation. We hope you’ll come join us. Add your take, your perspective, your joy and your triumph to The Story of Big Sky Hounds. This is how memories are made.

Next meet is Wednesday, September 25th 9:30am at the kennels.

Road Trip! BSH to Tejon Hounds Hunt Week

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES BY JOINING US IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA!

 Tejon Hounds Hunt Week is January 22-26, 2019 and we are making the trek down to the warm to join the fun.

This is genuinely some of the best hunt country in the world.  The sport is truly amazing, the hounds magnificent, and you will be surrounded by wonderful people having a great time in the sun.

RESERVE YOUR HOUSING, LEASE HORSES, OR SPACE ON THE TRAILER NOW!!!

(Registration details for the event will be coming separately from Tejon Hounds.)

Tentative itinerary for those travelling with us:

January 19th - depart Montana, overnight in Cedar City, UT (horse boarding and hotel)

January 20th – arrive Tejon Ranch (Cross and Crescent house, boarding at Tejon)

January 21st – acclimation day, if you are flying or driving in, you can arrive this day

January 22 – 26th – HUNTING WITH TEJON

January 27th – sleep in, pack up, recover from the festivities

January 28th – depart Tejon, overnight in Cedar City, UT (horse boarding and hotel)

January 29th – arrive back in Montana   

Housing: The Big Sky Hounds group has reserved the Cross and Crescent house near the Equestrian Center and next to Red Rock Hound’s house.  Cost is $900/room and is reserved January 20th – 28th,  (I can help coordinate bedroom/bed splitting).

Rooms:

1st bedroom- 1 bed

2nd bedroom- 2 beds w/ separate bathroom (booked)

3rd bedroom- 2 beds

4th bedroom-4 beds w/ separate bathroom

Horse Lease:  Horses will be available to lease from Montana Horses, Inc. for $250/day, including transport.  Reservation of Montana Horses must be made and paid in advance and is non-refundable.  Please email info@montanahorses.com to reserve your lease horses.

Horse Transport: $500/round trip, includes board in Cedar City, UT only.  Additional charges apply for board at Tejon, I can help arrange.  There is very limited space on the trailers, so reserve early. 

More details will be coming soon, including Tejon Hounds registration information.

Can’t wait to join our friends on this adventure.  Until then, stay warm and Happy Holidays!

Renee

2018 December Fixture Card

DECEMBER 2018 - Meet at kennels unless otherwise noted

Weather is chilly and ground is frozen. Temperatures generally become warm enough to ride and bring hounds out by 11am and begin to cool again by 2pm, so meets will be limited to the warmest part of day. Please dress warmly (when convenient and weather permitting, formal attire is appropriate on Sundays, Away, and Holiday meets) and bring horses barefoot or sharp shod. If cancellations must occur due to weather, we will announce on Facebook Messenger - BSH Updates - three hours prior to each meet. If you require messaging in a different manner or wish to be added to the FB group, please let Renee know by calling or texting 406 579-4060 or emailing hounds@montanahorses.com.

2nd Sunday 11am. Sunday Meet - Hunt Breakfast by Cora Baeth

5th Wednesday 9:30am. Wenchday Meet

7th Friday 11am Hound Exercise, horseback

9th Sunday 11am. Sunday Meet - Hunt Breakfast by Maris Griffis

12th Wednesday 11am. Wenchday Meet

14th Friday 11am. Hound Exercise, horseback

16th Sunday 11am. Sunday Meet – Hunt Breakfast Volunteer Needed

19th Wednesday 11am. Wenchday Meet

21st Friday 11am. Hound Exercise, horseback

23rd Sunday 11am. Sunday Meet – Hunt Breakfast Volunteer Needed

26th Wednesday 11am. BOXING DAY MEET & HOLIDAY PARTY - Holiday Feast coordinated by: (need member volunteers to coordinate Holiday Party, please).

30th Sunday 11am. Sunday Meet - Reese Creek. Hunt breakfast by Liz Richards. 

January 2nd 11am. Wenchday Meet

WINTER BREAK January 3rd – February 12th

BSH WILL CONTINUE TO HUNT AND EXERCISE HOUNDS WHEN POSSIBLE DURING WINTER BREAK AND WILL BE SCHEDULING MEETS AND TRAVEL.

19th – 27th BSH TO TEJON HUNT WEEK, California