Hirschy Landing Strip

As a private airfield, the specific reason for closure is not publicly documented. The closure was most likely due to a decision by the property owner. Common reasons for such closures include the owner no longer being an active pilot, a change in land ownership, or the costs of maintenance, taxes, and insurance outweighing the airstrip's utility. There is no evidence to suggest it was closed due to a specific accident, economic downturn, or military conversion.

The site of the former airport is now private agricultural land, part of the surrounding ranch. High-resolution satellite imagery clearly shows the distinct, straight outline of the former 4,500-foot runway. The land is used as a pasture or a private ranch road and is no longer maintained for aviation purposes. There are no remaining airport facilities like hangars or markings.

Hirschy Landing Strip was a significant private airfield that served the Hirschy Ranch, a large cattle ranch in the remote Big Hole Valley of Montana. When active, it featured a single, well-maintained unpaved runway with a length of approximately 4,500 feet, oriented roughly 16/34. Its primary operation was supporting general aviation aircraft for the private use of the ranch owners, facilitating transportation for business and personal travel to a location with limited road access. Its existence was a testament to the importance of private aviation in supporting agriculture and ranching in remote parts of the United States during the 20th century.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Hirschy Landing Strip. The land is privately held, and any initiative to reopen would have to come from the current landowner, involving a complex and costly process to meet modern FAA standards and recertify the airfield. Given that it has been closed for over two decades, reopening is considered extremely unlikely.