News

N Bar 2020

For the 7th year in a row Montana Wounded Warriors were invited on 3 cow elk hunts on the week of November 29 – December 3 at the NBar Ranch. This is only possible due to the Wilks family and their kindness, generosity and patriotism.  Board member Bob Lilienthal was joined by Montana Wounded Warriors (MWW) Tyler Tummons, Seth Whitfield and Chad Grabil; board member Kristi Taylor was joined by MWWs Art Hazen, Ryan Morton and Jeremiah Barlow and board member Neil Baumann was joined by MMW’s Mackay Mathiason, Brandon Olsen and Kelly Niesken.

Due to the expertise and professionalism of NBar associates Justin, Todd, Russ and Dale, everyone was able to fill their cow tags and enjoy the fabulous NBar.

The accommodations, meals, and overall experience were once again amazing. 

The hunters were in awe of their experience and so very thankful for this opportunity.  Montana Wounded Warriors would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the NBar for this fabulous opportunity to bless our Montana Wounded Warriors.

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Twin Bridges 2020

In this crazy year of shutdowns, closers, masks, and social distancing, members of the Montana Wounded Warrior team headed to Twin Bridges, Montana for some Whitetail hunting. A special thank you to KC and crew at the Kennedy Ranch. The whitetail’s were plentiful, the guiding was outstanding, and the weather was perfect. The Ruby Drake Lodge was the site of the first class accommodations. Steve and Pete worked tirelessly keeping the team fed and comfortable. Montana Wounded Warriors Mike Mestas, Daniel Wilmont, and John Yeager, joined board members Craig Greenlee and Mike Sedgwick on this trip.
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Dillon 2020

Montana Wounded Warriors took three hunters to the Schuett Farms in Dillon MT where we have had great success hunting elk in the past. This year was no different. Each of our hunters took a cow elk, and multiple deer. Blade Schuett was our guide and once again he provided a quality hunt. Jason Baker also got one of our hunters on some water fowl. The vets who came this year were Aaron Blaine, Damon Lightfoot, and Luke Thomasson. We are so grateful to David and Shelli Schuett who continue to allow us to hunt on their farms. We would also like to thank Justin and Sarah Hartman, owners of the Expedition Lodge, who graciously donated their wonderful accommodations for our vets.
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Winnett Pheasant Hunt 2020

The hunt in Winnett this year was great. The Montana Wounded Warriors that joined us this year were Joe Horner, Clint Mainwaring This was the best bird numbers I’ve ever seen in my life. We all met Friday and went to Weller AG for introductions and some clay pigeon shooting. Then we worked with Joe’s rescue German Shorthair Pointer on Friday with some pen raised birds. The dog went from not being too sure of birds to having a really great point by the time we got it the last training bird. The dogs then grabbed the first raccoon of the hunt and finished it off with no issues. Saturday we started hunting around 0900 and by around 1100 everyone had their limit of birds. We would have finished sooner but we had a little delay as my dog and the German Shorthair decided to take on a raccoon, which they dispatched with ease. In the afternoon we tried for some sharp-tail grouse but no luck. Sunday was the same – everyone had their limits. Unfortunately two of the Warriors had to leave Sunday evening as they had to work Monday. Monday’s hunt was a productive hunt with two of us getting our 3 bird limit in about 30 minutes. Like always the Hill Ranch Oasis took good care of us. Frank Jacobs
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Big Timber Fishing Trip 2020

Montana Wounded Warriors had the privilege, once again, to have a couples fishing trip at the Riverstone Lodge in McCleod.  MTWW’s  Nathan Pross, Mike Kuntz, and Scott Parsneau, along with their better halves ;), as well as Board Member Neil Baumann and his lovely wife were truly blessed by the hospitality of the lodge’s managers Craig and Deb Greenlee and their staff. The food and lodging were excellent.

The first two days of fly fishing were challenging, with steady winds of 20-30 mph and gusts much higher.  Still everyone caught fish as well as a sun/windburn. The last day we were there, some of the group went to the Natural Bridge for a short hike while others fished the lakes on the property.  Everyone had a wonderful time and we can’t thank CVR Energy and its owner Carl Icahn enough for the wonderful opportunity they have blessed us with over the past three years.

 

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Spotted Bear, South Fork Bear Hunt 2020

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Once again, Lisa and Bill of the Diamond R Guest Ranch welcomed Montana Wounded Warriors Tyler Tummons and Scott Larkin, as well as guide Jesse Shively and MTWW Board Member Bob Lilienthal. As usual, our hosts provided great lodging and wonderful meals in an absolutely stunning setting. Our MTWW’s are always amazed at the beauty and solitude of the surroundings.  Unfortunately, partially due to the moist weather and numerous grizzly bear sightings, our hunters were unable to harvest any black bears.  They hunted very hard and often, under the guidance of Jesse, but the critters did not cooperate. In spite of this, everyone had a great time and sincerely appreciated the hard work and hospitality provided by our Diamond R hosts.

Florence Elk Hunt 2019

Over the summer, Montana Wounded Warriors was contacted by Jake Jourdonnais, a retired marine from Bozeman. He said that if we were interested, he could get a couple of our vets access to hunt cow elk on the MPG Ranch in Florence, MT during the shoulder season. Jake was able to take Kevin Martin and Brandon LaRocque, who each harvested a cow elk on this beautiful ranch. We would like to thank Jake and his dad, Craig, the manager of the MPG, for the wonderful opportunity they provided for our vets.
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Twin Bridges 2019

Another great trip to Twin Bridges whitetail hunting on the Trailsend Ranch.  Todd Bucher, Josh Cota, and Dan Kerpa harvested these wonderful bucks as well as several whitetail does. Huge thank you to Casey and Adam for getting us on the deer and another huge thank you to the Ruby Drake Lodge, Pete and Steve Bartowski for awesome lodging and the best food a person can eat.  Great hospitality and friendship for sure.  

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Grass Range Bull Elk Hunt 2019

Opening weekend, one of our Wounded Vets, Mac Vosbeck, was given a chance to fill a bull elk tag that he had drawn for hunting district 411 in the Grass Range area.  Dan & Macie Ahlgren opened their home to Mac and board member Neil Baumann.  They were able to see a bull right out of the gate the first morning, but by the time they had an opportunity to shoot, he disappeared.  The weather was blustery, and the rest of the weekend they were unable to locate any elk. 

Mac didn’t give up though.  Two weeks later, Mike McGouldrick joined Mac Vosbeck as Dan & Macie invited them to their home once again.  Mac got his bull elk and both Mac and Mike got two really nice mule deer bucks. Another awesome and successful hunt with Montana Wounded Warriors.  Thanks again to Dan and Macie Ahlgren for their wonderful hospitality and for supporting our Wounded Vets.

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Fort Peck Mule Deer 2019

We had a great group of Montana Wounded Warriors that participated in our Mule Deer hunt at Fort Peck Hotel in November of 2019.  They included Dev Stutsman, Bill Austin, George Burke and Dustin Hostetler along with MTWW board assistant Fred Ricketts. Our host, Carl Mann, the owner of the Fort Peck Hotel, and the 2 guides, Jesse and Caleb, assisted our hunters on a Great Mule Deer hunt.  The weather was good for the 1st three days of our hunt, but Sunday we woke up to 5 – 6 inches of snow.

Dev got his deer on the 1st day so Fred took him out for a little Pheasant hunting on Friday. Great weather and a lot of walking. Birds flew ahead of us just out of shooting range, but it was fun seeing Gunner, Fred’s Griffon, go after them. By Saturday everyone had gotten their deer.  Carl and the guides took the vets out goose hunting on Sunday. The goose migration was in full force. The Wounded Warriors got a lot of chances at the geese with a few hits and a lot of misses as the geese flew off the river. It was a fun time in the snow trying to harvest the geese.

Everyone had a great trip spending time with each other and enjoying the hospitality of Carl and Linda. Special thanks to Linda who was up each day at 4:00 AM cooking breakfast for the whole group.

Thanks to all that participated…

Fred Ricketts, Board Assistant

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Fort Peck Nov-2019 - George & Jesses