Shoco Ranch
Contact Info
Sally Shortridge
Phone: 406-562-3553
Fax:
Additional Info
Public or Private Destination: Public
Type of Shoots: Field
Game/Birds Offered: Pheasants, Chukars, Partridge, and Quail
Gun Dogs: Available
Other Hunting/Sporting Opportunities: Fishing, Whitetail Deer
Lodging: Available
Upland Bird Hunting
The Shortridge family has been ranching along the Smith River outside Augusta for nearly 100 years. The ranch has opened to people wanting to enjoy the dazzling scenery of the Rocky Mountain Front while reeling in trout known to locals to be both plentiful and feisty. Shoco Ranch’s private shooting preserve has ring neck pheasants that are considered the mustangs of pheasantry. Limits are likely with our variety of different covers, including gently rolling native grassland, a lightly wooded creek bottom and grassy meadows. For a change of pace you may also bag chukers. Our hunts are available from September thru March. Packages include the ranch cabins or in town facilities and hard flying beautiful healthy birds. Well trained gun dogs are welcome.
Fishing
The best fishing in the terraced Smith Creek begins in mid-June, when the Rocky Mountain snow melt subsides Smith Creek and Sun River are great light rod, dry fly fisheries and their shaded pocket water remains a destination in early summer . Our love affair with the land, painstaking habitat improvement has enhanced the overhanging vegetation made up of tree branches and shrubs that provide cover for our burly Rainbow and wild Brown Trout. Shoco Ranch’s private waters are managed exclusively for catch and release, and we allow only fly fishing with barbless hooks on Smith Creek. Rainbows, Browns, and Brookies we’ve got. Rocky Mountain wilderness and rivers fed by streams we boost on, all of this translates into a fisherman’s dream. Access is everything. Fishing Shoco Ranch’s four miles of private stream with Smith Creek running thru the middle guarantees you that access. When wading the Sun River is not an option we get to the tough spots on a float tube. Shoco Ranch is a dream come true for the fly rodder and angler that thrives on small stream fishing. Meet me in Augusta, Montana at Shoco Ranch.
Terrestrials are the best choice in small creeks and rivers. Imitations of these land and plant born critters are an absolute must in nearly every fly box. The strike is usually an explosion, and there are places where a fist full of hoppers, ants and beetles are all you are going to need!
Fly selections- Caddis flies are probably the most important insect for your fishing box. Many anglers focus on the dry fly, and fish the nymph only just before their emergence into open air. Nymph’s versions are most effective in moderate to fast water. These remarkably durable flies sink quickly, and mimic caddis pupa and freshwater shrimp. Local fishermen have chosen what has proven the most tried and popular patterns for the creek and river fishing.
Lodging
The Stonebolt Cabin is the easiest cabin to access. It sleeps 4 people and is named for the horse drawn feed sled that early ranchers used. The wood stove provides both heat and cooking opportunities. A propane heater with a thermostat has been added for easy even heat. Roll out your sleeping bags on our sturdy bunk beds. The Bunkhouse Cabin is the real McCoy, hand hewn from local cottonwood trees, look for the ax marks. We have updated the original sod roof to tin, perfect for the cool night that characterize fall here along the Rocky Mountain Front. The Missouri River Cabin is situated on the banks of that Blue Ribbon Trout stream. Nestled in a cottonwood grove, this handcrafted cabin sleeps four.
The White-tail Cabin sits in Smith Creek Canyon. The cabin has propane heat, eight foot porch, and sleeps four. This cabin boost of sighting of White-tail deer, Black and Grizzly Bear, Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, Chukars, and Coyotes. Be sure and carry bear spray. Hunt the canyon for Pheasants and coveys of Chukars or test your skill on our famous White-tail deer hunting on the ridge line overlooking the canyon.
New at Shoco Ranch is the Lodge at Augusta, Montana. Shoco Lodge sleeps eight with a full kitchen and living quarters. Corporate groups are welcome. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite spirits with them.
Whitetail Deer Hunting
Shoco Ranch is now accepting reservations for its premier White-tail deer hunting season.
5 days / 6 nights November Rut hunt for White-tailed deer for two hunters. We invite two hunters to the Rocky Mountain Front in Augusta, Montana at Shoco Ranch for a 5-day 1x1 guided rifle hunt for white-tailed deer. Schedule a hunt with Shoco Ranch owner for one of two deer hunts per season. Rolling hills and creek bottoms provide premium habitat for White-tailed deer. Target high-scoring White-tail bucks. This is your chance to hunt the biggest, widest, heaviest-beamed bucks. Accommodations in new hunting lodge and rustic cabins, meals, airport transfer your option, 1x1 guided hunt and blind hunt. Hunt may be extended and upland bird hunting package can be added. All booking are double occupancy, unless other arrangements are made. Private rooms can be arranged if available. As part of the care and maintenance inside our lodge, we ask that you bring slippers or wear socks. Boots and shoes are removed in the mud room. Non-hunting guests are welcome $150.00 for each night for a regular room, includes meals. Price does not include tax. Per hunt based.
Not included are license, meat processing, packing, shipping and gratuities. Although Shoco Ranch makes every effort to ensure a quality hunt and stay, it cannot, and does not, guarantee the game due to weather, and unforeseen situations.
Getting a good look at a White-tail buck can be difficult. But there are some factors to consider. The average body width is 15 inches and its ears are about 16 inches wide. Look for a buck that has antlers that are at least a couple of inches wider than its ears and body width. Next, look for a buck with antlers that are as tall as the height of its body. If so, it is apt to be a monster. Then last, look for brow times, and at least five points per side with antlers that carry mass. If the base of its antlers approaches the thickness of the base of its ears, it is carrying lots of mass: a sure sign of age. Everyone talks about the one that got away. You'll remember the one you bagged until you are 90.
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