White Deer Ranch, vacation rental by owner between Fishtail and Absarokee Montana

Owners: Lee and Roxanne Dunn

Lee purchased the Ranch in 1989, it is now 450 acres with a lake, three houses, two of which are open to vacationers, a historic barn and several original buildings. Since becoming organic certified in forage, pasture and hay in 2010, Lee and Roxanne have been pursuing a beyond organic approach to land management that is not only chemical free but uses regenerative agriculture methods. They have raised their cattle, poultry, pork using organic standards, but have not gone through the costly certification process. Their animals are raised in a carefree happy environment with plenty of fresh air, clean water and foods that nature intended for them. Lee and Roxanne are adding annually to their offerings of "you -pick" and foraged foods, natural products, herbal remedies, farm to table dinners, seminars, classes and events.

We host farm-to-table dinners at the Ranch for 30-50 guests to enjoy locally (most right on the ranch) grown and foraged foods all prepared by Montana Jack's of Dean, Montana. Click here for dates and reservations.

Our Crew

Roxanne's son, Brice, also lives here. You may see him out fencing, farming, welding, forging or caring for the animals. Take a look at his metal art at MT-Forge.com

Roxanne's daughter, Cassie, here part-time, works on planning weddings, farm-to-table dinners, celebrations, seminars and retreats through her planning company, Better to Gather Events.

The first house and garage at the top of the photo, the barn and a few buildings in the middle and some half sheds. The Cobblestone nestled into the trees. And the Log House with the green roof.

The border of the 450 acres is in white. The yellow pin is where the houses are.

The Log House

Click on the image to go to the Log House's page.

The Log House is open year round for vacation visitors. It sleeps 12-16. 12 in 6 queen sized beds and 4 more on two queen sized air mattresses. See the reservation calendar for details on how to book a stay. Click here for more photos of the Log House's interior.

The Cobblestone House

Click on the image to go to the Cobblestone House's page.

The Cobblestone House is also open year round to vacationers. The kitchen is the original homestead house of the Hudson's. Other rooms were added as the family grew and present day it has two bedrooms, an office, one bathroom and a living room. It has lots of history and charm, yet still offers the modern conveniences. See the reservation calendar on how to book a stay. Click here to see more photos of the Cobblestone House's interior.

Cobblestone Calendar

The Ranch House

When you drive down the lane onto White Deer Ranch, the first house you come to on the lane is called the Ranch House. It is where our family lives. If you are an expected guest, there is no need to stop - unless you just want to visit or need information - then please do! If you would like a Ranch tour, just knock!!

Greenhouse

The greenhouse was made by taking an existing building formerly a grain storage and shed combination and replacing the south facing portion of its room with poly carbonate panels. This building is now very useful not only as a greenhouse to keep food growing for the family during the winter and a place for garden starter plants, but also as a space for pottery and arts and crafts. We installed a rocket mass heater which is a highly efficient style wood stove that is made of bricks and a cob (clay/dirt/straw mixture).

The Historic Barn

You will see the historic barn in the center of it all. The barn was the heart of ranch operations for 100 years, and has animal stalls, hay storage, dairy cow feeders and a tack room with corrals. We hope to someday host classes, instruction and community events in the barn's loft, but renovations will have to take place first, which could take years.