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

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