Yes, Hamilton Packing Co. is open. Here’s what changed.

A note from Lauren, September 2026

Over the last few weeks we’ve heard something that stopped us cold: word going around the Bitterroot Valley that Hamilton Packing Co. has closed its doors.

We haven’t. We’re open, inspected, licensed, and doing the same work we’ve done at this counter since 1969.

Our Current Hours

• Tuesday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Monday: Custom and rancher drop-offs by appointment, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (retail counter closed)
• Sunday: Closed

Why the Retail Counter Is Closed Mondays

In August we closed the retail counter on Mondays. One quiet day a week lets our butchers stay ahead on custom cut-and-wrap, fair animals, and game — so your order comes back faster and cut the way you asked. It also gives our crew two days off in a row, which they’ve earned.

We announced it in August with flyers and a sign at the door, but a sign only reaches the person standing in front of it. If you drove up on a Monday and found us closed, we’re sorry for the trip.

Hunters: We’re Taking Game Now

Game season is on and we’re already taking drop-offs.

We’ve simplified things this year — no individual drop days. Bring your game in any day we’re open, Tuesday through Friday 9–6 and Saturday 10–5, no appointment needed. We’ll keep taking game as long as we have room, and we’ll post on Facebook the moment that changes.

Questions about cuts, wrapping, or turnaround? Call us at (406) 961-3861 — happy to walk you through it.

Ranchers: Mondays Haven’t Changed for You

Custom animal drop-offs still happen Mondays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, same as always. Call first at (406) 961-3861 to get on the schedule — we need you on the list before you haul. Watch for the A-frame sign out front directing you to the side dock.

Questions We’ve Been Hearing

Is Hamilton Packing Co. closed?

No. Our retail counter is open Tuesday through Saturday, and we’re here Mondays for custom and rancher drop-offs.

Did the state pull your license?

No. Nothing like that has happened. Our processing runs under Montana state meat inspection and our retail counter is licensed through the county. The certificates hang on our wall — come look any time.

Do I need an appointment to drop off game?

No. Bring it in any day we’re open. We’ll take game as long as we have room, and we’ll post on Facebook if that changes.

Where does your meat come from?

We source as close to home as we can. Our beef starts with Bitterroot ranch families, many we’ve worked with for decades, and our pork and lamb come from local ranchers too. We can’t raise and process enough to keep up with demand, so we also box in beef — and when we do, we buy from the Northwest first, then elsewhere in North America and Australia. Never South America. Ask us about any cut in the case and we’ll tell you exactly what it is.

Are you under new ownership?

Our family took over in May 2025 — going on a year and a half now. We found this business first, and it was the mountains and the small town that sold us on it. We moved up from Arizona to buy it, kept the crew on, and got to work. Hamilton Packing has been family owned since 1969, and it still is.

Come See for Yourself

We’re not going to spend our energy chasing down where the talk started. What we’d rather do is invite you in.

Come look at our case. Ask us anything. Meet the people who cut your meat. We’ve put a lot into this shop over the past year and we’re proud of where it stands.

That’s how this shop has done business for more than fifty years, and it’s how we intend to keep doing it.

To everyone who stopped by our booth at the fair to say hello — thank you. Some of you have been buying meat here since before we showed up. Some of you told us what you’ve noticed since. And honestly, we needed to hear it.