Montana Wild PRS Shootout: Precision at Hidden Valley Range

The crisp Montana air buzzed with anticipation on April 19, 2025, as 72 sharpshooters gathered at Hidden Valley Range in Three Forks for the Montana Wild Shootout - Match 3 - Qualifier, a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Regional Series event hosted by Montana Wild.

Nestled on 100 acres of private land just north of Three Forks, Hidden Valley Range’s rugged terrain and 1,100-yard shooting lanes set the stage for a thrilling day of long-range precision. With eight stages and approximately 80 rounds, this match tested competitors’ skills, strategy, and grit, crowning Phillip Velayo as the victor.

Hidden Valley Range: Montana’s Long-Range Haven

Bird's Eye View of the Range

Hidden Valley Range, a membership-based facility, is Montana’s premier destination for long-range shooting, boasting nine shooting lanes and over 40 steel targets ranging from 100 to 1,100 yards. Its private, gated setting offers a controlled environment for PRS matches, with stunning views of the Gallatin Valley’s rolling hills. A 2024 Outside Bozeman article called it “a top-tier range for honing precision skills” Outside Bozeman, 2024. The range’s versatility, from zeroing bays to challenging long-distance targets, made it an ideal venue for the Montana Wild Shootout. Membership discounts for military, veterans, LEOs, and first responders reflect its community focus, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for competitors.

Montana Wild’s PRS Vision

Montana Wild, known for its outdoor content and community-driven events, partnered with the Western Precision Rifle (WPR) league and PRS to organize this qualifier. The event counted toward both PRS Regional Series and WPR points, drawing shooters from Montana and beyond. A 2025 PRS press release noted, “Regional matches like the Montana Wild Shootout provide accessible, high-caliber competition” Precision Rifle Series, 2025. With eight stages designed to challenge positional shooting, time management, and wind calls, the match showcased Montana Wild’s commitment to growing precision rifle sports in the state.

The Match Breakdown

The Montana Wild Shootout featured eight stages, each requiring roughly 10 rounds, for a total of 80 rounds. Competitors faced targets from 300 to 1,000 yards, navigating obstacles like barricades, tripods, and makeshift platforms—hallmarks of PRS’s dynamic format. A 2020 Daily Inter Lake article described PRS as “unorthodox, blending unconventional positions with long-range precision” Daily Inter Lake, 2020. Stages tested skills like:

• Positional Shooting: Engaging targets from prone, kneeling, or standing, often with unstable supports like tires or logs.

• Time Pressure: Each stage had a 90-second limit, forcing shooters to balance speed and accuracy.

• Wind Calls: Montana’s unpredictable breezes demanded precise doping, as a 2024 Archery Talk user noted: “Wind in Three Forks can make or break your shot” Archery Talk, 2024.

Phillip Velayo’s victory, with consistent hits across stages, highlighted his mastery of these challenges. A 2025 PRS leaderboard showed Velayo edging out competitors like Seth McAnally, who won Match 1 earlier in the season Precision Rifle Series, 2025.

Standout Moments

The match’s diversity shone through its stages. One memorable setup required shooters to fire from a raised wooden platform, mimicking real-world hunting scenarios. Another stage, dubbed “The Montana Gauntlet,” featured a sequence of five targets at escalating distances (400 to 900 yards), testing range estimation and rifle dope. A 2024 Rokslide user shared, “Hidden Valley’s stages push your limits—pure adrenaline” Rokslide, 2024. Competitors praised the match directors for creative course design, with a 2025 Reddit user noting, “Montana Wild’s stages were tough but fair, perfect for PRS” Reddit, 2025.

The community spirit was palpable. Novices received tips from veterans, and lead range officers (ROs) volunteered to ensure smooth operations, as outlined in PRS’s RO Option 3 rules Precision Rifle Series, 2025. A 2025 Facebook post from LRC MT- Long Range Practical Community read, “Great camaraderie at Hidden Valley—everyone’s here to improve” Facebook, 2025. Montana Wild’s organizers, including range managers Ann and Jeff, were lauded for their hospitality, with shooters enjoying post-match discussions over coffee and local brews.

Gear and Preparation

Competitors wielded rifles chambered in calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester, paired with high-magnification scopes for distant targets. A 2022 Sniper’s Hide thread recommended, “Bring a reliable optic and a dope chart for Hidden Valley’s winds” Sniper’s Hide, 2022. Many used tripods and barricade bags for stability, reflecting PRS’s emphasis on fieldcraft. Preparation was key: shooters zeroed rifles at the 100-yard bay, confirming dope before tackling longer ranges. A 2024 Black Ovis guide advised, “Test your setup at Hidden Valley’s zero bay to avoid surprises” Black Ovis, 2024.

Why Hidden Valley and Montana Wild Shine

Hidden Valley Range’s infrastructure—nine lanes, 40+ steel targets, and a private setting—sets it apart from public ranges like Logan or Livingston. Its PRS affiliation ensures professional match standards, as noted on precisionrifleseries.com Precision Rifle Series, 2025. Montana Wild’s event planning, backed by WPR, delivered a seamless experience, with clear stage briefings and timely scoring via PractiScore. A 2025 Reddit user praised, “Montana Wild’s organization was top-notch—Hidden Valley’s the place to shoot PRS” Reddit, 2025.

The match’s accessibility drew both locals and out-of-state shooters, fulfilling PRS’s Regional Series goal of reducing travel barriers. A 2024 PRS article stated, “Regional matches make precision rifle shooting inclusive” Precision Rifle Series, 2024. Montana Wild’s community focus, paired with Hidden Valley’s facilities, positions Three Forks as a rising hub for PRS in the Rocky Mountain South region.

Final Shot

The Montana Wild Shootout at Hidden Valley Range was a triumph of precision, community, and Montana’s outdoor spirit. Phillip Velayo’s win underscored the skill required to conquer PRS’s challenges, while Hidden Valley’s world-class facilities and Montana Wild’s organization made the event unforgettable. As a 2025 Archery Talk user summed up, “Hidden Valley’s PRS matches are a must-shoot—Montana Wild nailed it” Archery Talk, 2025. Visit Hidden Valley Range or Precision Rifle Series to join the next match and test your long-range skills in Three Forks.