Sapphire Ranch Offers Waterfowl Hunting for Disabled

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The Sapphire Ranch, southeast of Lolo, is now offering limited waterfowl hunting access for disabled hunters that have a Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle (PTHFV).   Reservations and written permission are required to hunt the private land.

The Sapphire Ranch is open to hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Nov. 12, 2008 through Jan. 14, 2009.   The area offers vehicle access to several wheel-chair accessible duck blinds, and hunters with a PTHFV may bring up to two additional hunters with them.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will issue reservations and permission to hunters with a PTHFV on a first-come, first-served basis.   Eligible hunters can phone FWP at 406-542-5530 on Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Mark Reiling, owner of the Sapphire Ranch, hopes hunters will take advantage of this waterfowl hunting opportunity that is so close to Missoula. Reiling, FWP staff and a group of local volunteers helped build and paint the property’s duck blinds earlier this year.

“This is a great opportunity for handicapped hunters who want to go waterfowl hunting, but in order to ensure access continues, it is the hunter’s responsibility to know and follow the rules and respect the land and the landowner ,” said Bart Morris, FWP Region 2 Access Coordinator.  

For more information, contact FWP’s Block Management office at 406-542-5530

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