“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” ~ John Steinbeck

There is no better way to appreciate Steinbeck’s sentiment than to stand under the late-summer sky in Three Forks, Montana—hearing the crisp call of “pull,” watching targets arc across the backdrop of mountain ridges, and feeling the warm welcome of a club that does things with equal parts pride, grit, and heart. That was the setting for the 2025 Montana Sporting Clays State Championships, at Gallatin Sporting Clays. In late August, competitors, families, volunteers, and the local community gathered for what many called the finest state championship in Montana’s history.

Big Sky Country Sets the Stage

Gallatin delivered everything shooters hope for at a championship event: genuine hospitality, wide-open terrain, compelling targets, and a landscape designed for beauty and challenge. Nestled between two working ranches where the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers meet to form the mighty Missouri, the club offered not just a competition venue, but an experience—one that drew a record turnout of 267 competitors, 177 of whom were not Montana residents. One first-time Western Challenge competitor, Cody Jesse, commented simply, “Come for the scenery, stay for the targets, fall in love with the Western Challenge.” For many shooters, like Cody, the event doubled as a family vacation. These ‘claycation’ shooters typically extend their stay post-shoot to enjoy fly fishing, hiking, visits to Yellowstone, and long, warm evenings that define summers in Southwest Montana.

Expertly Crafted Targets on Ideal Terrain

For most shooters, the true hallmark of a championship is the quality of the targets. The Western Challenge target setter, Rick Hemingway, delivered in spades. The terrain at Gallatin Sporting Clays includes undulating hills, mountain backdrops, rolling draws, rock faces, daunting ravines, and sagebrush that Rick used to full advantage. Last fall, the club added 100 acres of leased land from a neighboring rancher to expand the courses substantially. Rick has been skillfully setting targets for the Western Challenge for nine years and brings his A game each and every time. In 2025, with two new courses, 100 additional acres of untapped mountainous terrain and 50 new Promatic traps, Rick showed up with his professional team eager to set targets.

The Western Challenge targets were described by competitors as fair, creative, balanced, and thoughtfully presented. Rick did not test the competitors with wicked speed and short visibility windows. He did challenge the shooter’s target reading ability, focus and skill. Another first-time Western Challenge competitor, Bob Thickens (stalwart Northbrook Sports Club member), commented, “I have registered more than 150,000 targets, and these targets at Gallatin are all new to me. Well done.”  Many attendees said they wished they could shoot the course again just to appreciate the artistry. The club opened its ranch gates on Monday and Tuesday post-shoot to give shooters just that opportunity.

Highlights From the Competition

Over four days, shooters tested their mettle in the Main Event, 2 Prelims, Super Sporting, Sub Gauge, and FITASC. New in 2025, the Mountain Magic True Pair side event was a definite hit among competitors. One junior shooter noted, “Now that was epic.” All in there were 900 juicy registered targets available. The additional 100 acres enabled Gallatin to add in a brand new 14-station course, the “Jefferson,” and greatly expand and enhance the “Gallatin” course. The expanded Gallatin course allowed the club to offer a 100 bird Super Sporting event that was well received. Shooters moved through the updated courses framed by the stunning backdrops of three mountain ranges, the Tobacco Roots, the Bridgers and the Gallatin. The elevation changes, and shifting backgrounds created targets that tested every part of a shooter’s game while showcasing scenery worthy of a postcard.

Dominating the podium for the Western Challenge were the familiar faces from Team Winchester. Zach Kienbaum took top honors in the Main Event with a 195/200. He wowed the crowd with a perfect 100 on the Madison Course. Zach also clinched the 100-bird Super Sporting event with a 96. The 2025 National Sporting Clays Champion, Mike Wilgus, won both the Friday Prelim and the 12-gauge event. Rodney Disbrow took high Veteran honors in the Main Event and FITASC. Recent NSCA Hall of Fame inductee, Desi Edmunds, won lady champion in the Main Event, both Prelims, Super Sporting and FITASC.

Shooting FITASC at Gallatin feels to some like stepping onto hallowed ground, quiet, remote, demanding, and steeped in the tradition only the discipline can evoke. From the pegs, shooters look out toward the Jefferson River, and the path of Lewis and Clark’s expedition. Competitors stand near the lands where Sacajawea was captured, adding a sense of history to every target thrown. When wind kicks up on the parcours, it can leave shooters exasperated and exhilarated in equal measure. Cameron Hicks accepted the challenge with quiet determination and delivered a near flawless performance to win the FITASC event. Chris Stephens from California won both the 5-Stand event and the Mountain Magic True Pair.

The Western Challenge consistently draws a cadre of elite shooters; their presence elevates the competitive bar and offers everyone the incredible opportunity to test themselves against the very best. Make no mistake, Montana shooters can hold their own! Thomas Owen earned the Montana State Champion title with an impressive performance. Caroline Fischer clinched state lady champ honors with grit and perseverance. Junior State Champ honors went to Tad Waggener, turning in a notable score of 171/200. Gallatin’s own William Sheehan accepted his belt buckle trophy with a big grin, winning the Sub-Junior State title.

While individual winners and scores tell one part of the story, the defining moments were found in old friends reconnecting, enjoying ice cream under the celebrated (and now famous) Western Challenge amenity tent, and fist bumps between squads celebrating small successes and great shots. The level of camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by competitors was exceptional; the shared laughs and stories reminded us all why we love the sport.

Western Hospitality and DIY Montana Mindset at Its Finest

The terrain and targets shaped the competition. The hospitality, logistics and volunteer effort shaped the memory. As a nonprofit 100% volunteer run club, Gallatin Sporting Clays has a well-earned reputation for its friendly atmosphere and a distinctive DIY culture. Eager to showcase new courses and terrain in 2025, the Western Challenge shoot committee had one goal: elevate the shooter experience. Their work began 12 months before the tournament, with a full year of planning, coordinating and improving every detail of the event. The Gallatin member volunteers brought the new course expansions to life through long, hot, dusty workdays. All major upgrades – course expansion, new trails, new cages and stations, directional signage, additional parking lots and fencing, new gun racks and benches – were built and installed entirely by club member volunteers. A herculean effort led by a handful of members reconfigured the layouts, graded roads, cut trails, installed creek crossings and constructed bridges. Local suppliers and vendors were eager to join the effort. Most of the equipment (skid steers, tractors, fork lifts, gravel trucks) were either donated to the cause or bartered for club membership. Three-day member work parties, known affectionately as “Tom and Huck Days,” rallied the Gallatin membership and created a shared sense of accomplishment. This DIY pride comes from building something together, by hand, for the benefit of the entire shooting community. Sweat equity is literally built into everything at Gallatin Sporting Clays.

Casey Chase and her team from Score Chaser kept the shoot committee on point and in check. A proud Montanan and Gallatin member, Casey brought the professionalism, organization and multi-tasking prowess for which she is famous. Who else can get you registered on the fly, change your Lewis class options, accept your payments, re-squad you with your buddies, squeeze you into a sub-gauge event, find you a golf cart, greet you with a smile and remember your name? She is an integral part of the Gallatin team and ensured the Western Challenge ran flawlessly. Score Chaser was also the 2025 Western Challenge Amenity Tent Sponsor. With over-the-top snacks, ice cream, goodies, sundries, and beverages, the now famous Gallatin Amenity Tent is a much-anticipated oasis for shooters on the Jefferson course.

Other local sponsors and businesses played a meaningful role. Contributions of resources, prizes, food, beer, and support gave the Western Challenge an unmistakably community-anchored character. Madison River Brewing sponsored the well-attended shooter parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Local retailer Murdochs donated cowboy boots and hats to enhance the trophy table. Local website developer, JTech, sponsored the shooter welcome packets and provided technical support. The Gallatin Valley Tourism Board played a key role in supporting the event. With a generous grant, they enabled the shoot committee’s vision of ‘elevating the shooter experience.’ Funds from this grant went directly to sponsor additional shade tents, portable restroom facilities, additional hand washing stations and golf cart shuttles needed to transport shooters around the expanded club.

Montana: The Destination Shooters Keep Returning To

When the final shots echoed across the valley and the last belt buckle and pair of cowboy boots were awarded, most competitors did not rush home. Instead, they stayed to float the rivers and fish, sample local breweries, explore small-town shops, or simply sit outside and savor starry nights in Big Sky country. For many, like Desi Edmunds and Zach Kienbaum, the Western Challenge has become a cherished annual tradition rather than a one-time event. Cody Matson (Matson Shooting Academy) shared, “The Western Challenge is my favorite tournament I shoot all year. It’s hard to put the experience into words. Pictures don’t do it justice. Despite being open to the public, you feel like you are part of the best unchartered club in the country.” This year’s championship saw exceptional attendance, bolstered by traveling shooters like Cody, who chose Gallatin Sporting Clays for its reputation as a premier shooting destination. The influx of Western Challenge shooters hailing from 37 states, including 14 international shooters, brought a welcome boost to local hotels, campgrounds, small businesses and outfitters. This economic ripple effect underscores how sporting clays events can meaningfully support rural communities.

Conclusion: A New Standard for State Championships

The 2025 Western Challenge and Montana Sporting Clays State Championships proved that a memorable event does not just come from challenging targets or a volunteer crew hell bent on elevating the shooter experience. It comes from a location that inspires, a close-knit club that cares deeply about its guests, and a state whose spirit welcomes every visitor like an old friend.

Gallatin Sporting Clays, its volunteers, sponsors, and the broader Three Forks community created an unforgettable event that reflected the best of Montana. As shooters packed up their gear and said their goodbyes, many echoed Steinbeck’s words—some places earn your respect, but Montana earns your love.

Register today on scorechaser.com for the 2026 Western Challenge to be held on August 27-30 to secure your spot. Gallatin Sporting Clays would love to host you.

Visit us at www.gallatinclays.org and Facebook.

Contributed by: By Robin Sheehan