2012 hunting info

The 2011 hunting season was a very successful one, 94% success rate for elk. We had clients missed several opportunities at some at trophy bulls, some good bulls were even passed. Some nice trophies were taken, both  Elk  (250-350 inches) and Mule Deer, with many branch bulls left over for the 2011 season. During the last week of the season while hunting cows we seen several branch antlered bulls, as many as 20 per day. The expectations of finding exceptional animals is real good for next fall, I am looking forward to 2012 season. Hopefully the following information will be helpful with your planning of a successful hunt in 2012.

7 DAY RIFLE HUNTS $6000.00

Your Montana elk/deer combination license is included in the price of your full service hunt. Rifle hunters booking a hunt in either of the first 2 hunts will have the option of also hunting  antelope for an additional $500.00 plus the price of the license, $230.00 which must be submitted by June 1, 2012.

Dates and openings of 2012 rifle hunts we offer

Current as of: 01/20/12

** last hunt is $4500.00 plus $1500.00 trophy fee for bulls taken **

7 DAY ARCHERY HUNTS-$6000.00

Your Montana elk/deer combination license is included in the price of your full service hunt. This includes elk, deer, fishing, and birds. You will arrive the first day of your hunt and hunt that evening, on the last day you will hunt in the morning and depart that afternoon.

PRICES OF 2012 HUNTS

Archery: $6000.00 for 7 days of  hunting with 1 guide to 1 hunter.

Rifle: $6000.00 for 7 days of hunting with 1 guide to 2 hunters.

These are full service hunts that include your elk/deer combination license, meals, cook, lodging, horses, game retrieval, and transportation to and from the Bozeman airport. The hunts will start with you arriving at noon of the first day of your hunt and hunting that afternoon and end after the morning hunt on the last day of your hunt with you departing at noon of that day.

These hunts are sold first deposit has first choice of openings. A 25% deposit is required to book a hunt with another 25% due along with the submittal of your license application, deposits will be refunded if you are unable to obtain your license, balance due at time of hunt. Deposits will be refunded if you are unable to obtain your license otherwise deposits are non refundable.  

 PREVIOUS YEARS SUCCESS RATES

Rifle:  2007 to 2011 (last 5 years)

Elk-----------93%

Archery: 2007 to 2011 (last 5 years)

Elk----------43%

2012 PRICES

Current as of: 01/20/12

GENERAL SEASON ELK/DEER HUNT

7 Full days - $6000.00

ARCHERY ELK/DEER HUNTS

7 Full days  - $6000.00

prices effective until April 1, 2012

Your Montana elk/deer combination license is included in the price of your full service hunt. This includes elk, deer, fishing, and birds. You will arrive the first day of your hunt and hunt that evening, on the last day you will hunt in the morning and depart that afternoon.

SPRING BLACK BEAR

7 Full days - $3500.00

April 15^th to May 31^st

Bear licenses must be purchased before April 14, 2012.

ANTELOPE

5 Full days - $2000.00

opens October 8th

applications due before June 1^st

MOUNTAIN LION

10 Full days - $3000.00

starts December 1st

Mountain Lion licenses must be purchased before August 31, 2012. Lion hunters are scheduled every five days, hunters scheduled for the second, third and fourth hunts may have to wait for previous hunter to complete their hunts. This is due to fast filling lion quotas. Lion hunters that stay the full ten days and don't get an opportunity to take a legal lion will have the option of returning the following year for $1000.00 plus the cost of the lion license.

OUR HUNTS

We offer full service hunts on a 20,000 acre private lease that includes, meals, cook, lodging,  guides, game retrieval, transportation to and from Bozeman airport. Archery hunts are 1 on 1 and rifle hunts are 2 on 1.

We require a 25% deposit to book a hunt.  If you are booking over a year in advance, you may send 25% at time of booking and 25% due along with the submittal of your license application by March 15th of  the year of your hunt.   The balance is due prior to the start of the hunt. Deposits will be refunded if you are unable to obtain your license otherwise deposits are non refundable.  

SUMMER TRIPS

Fishing - Hiking - Riding

starting at $150.00 per person per day

June July August September

Payment can be made with check, cashier’s check, money order, traveler’s checks or the following credit cards: Master Card, Discover or Visa.

ELK RIDGE OUTFITTER’S POLICIES AND EQUIPMENT LIST FOR RIFLE & ARCHERY HUNTS

WEATHER

Archers can expect any kind of weather from dry 80-90 degree days and 35-45 degree nights to 30-40 degree windy wet days and 0-30 degree nights. Rifle hunting, till approximately Nov 15 the weather can vary greatly between late summer type weather and cold wet winter weather, after mid November expect snow and cold winter weather.

BOOTS AND SHOES

Hunters may want light-hiking boots that are waterproof and heavier insulated boots possibly with liners. All boots should have good lug type or air bob soles. Bring slippers or light shoes for walking around lodge in the evenings.

CLOTHING

We recommend wool, it’s warm, and sheds water, and are quiet. Fleece also works well. We like to dress in layers so we can shed them as the day warms. Camo clothing is recommended for archers, Mountain Shadow and Desert Shadow from Kings Outdoor World (www.shadowcamo.com) or Ridge Ghost and Prairie Ghost from Montana Camo Inc. (www.ghostcamo.com).  These patterns work well in the areas we archery hunt. Rifle hunters need 400 sq inches of orange, we recommend mesh nylon or fleece vest for quietness.

BEDDING AND TOWELS

No sleeping bag needed, we provide beds with sheets, blankets and pillows. We also provide towels for your personal use.

PACKING THINGS FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL

We suggest packing everything in one large bag so you will be allowed more room for your game on the way home. You may want to send your luggage home by UPS or Parcel Post so you can take more meat home with you to save shipping costs.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

We do not provide any alcoholic beverages. You are welcome to provide your own.

OUR GROCERIES POLICY

We supply all your meals that will be well rounded and nourishing, however you will need to let us know prior to your hunt if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs. We will do our best to accommodate your needs if we are able to plan ahead.

AIRLINES & MOTELS

Airlines flying into Bozeman are: Delta, American, Northwest, United, Horizon and Alaska. If you are arriving by plane let us know when your flight arrives so we can make arrangements to meet you. If you are planning on staying at a motel prior to or after your hunt, we recommend the Grand Tree Inn 1-800-624-5865 they have a shuttle service to and from the airport, let them know that you are a client of Elk Ridge Outfitters and you will receive a discount on your room rates. If you are driving we have a local motel located in Wilsall about 8 miles from our lodge; Fort Wilsall  406-578-2006 or 406-209-3599

ARRIVAL AT ELK RIDGE

You will arrive here on the morning of the first day of your hunt and hunt that evening; on the last day of your hunt you will hunt in the morning and depart that afternoon.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Any photos or videos taken by clients may not be used for promotional purposes or used in contests of any kind with out prior approval from Elk Ridge Outfitters, photos or videos may be used for personal use only. Elk Ridge Outfitters has exclusive rights to use any photos or video taken by Elk Ridge Outfitters or their employees while hunting, vacationing or horseback ridding at Elk Ridge Outfitters in any promotional way they wish unless prior agreement has been established between Elk Ridge Outfitters and the client.

ARCHERY EQUIPMENT

Bows should have least 70# draw weight or more. Arrows must weigh at least 500 grains. We don’t allow mechanical broad heads that open on impact; we’ve lost too many animals with these. We don’t recommend carbon arrows; the material they’re made of doesn’t allow a bad hit animal to heal. A good heavy 3 or 4 bladed broad head is recommended. Over draws are ok. Learn to use a hands free type cow elk call. Archery hunters will be required to shoot a target with a guide before they hunt. Shots at elk will be 40 yards or less. Camo clothing is recommended for archers, Mountain Shadow and Desert Shadow from Kings Outdoor World (www.shadowcamo.com) or Ridge Ghost and Prairie Ghost from Montana Camo Inc. (www.ghostcamo.com).  These patterns work well in the areas we archery hunt.

GUN & AMMO

Rifles of 270 or larger are recommended, the most important thing is to be able to shoot it accurately. Your rifle needs to be sighted in for 200 yards. Use the heaviest bullet weight that works well at 200 plus yards, we don’t want them running out of steam at 200 yards, shots will be mostly in open country. Bring at least 2 boxes of ammunition, you will be required to check your sights with a guide when you arrive, and may have to resight your rifle if you should it bump it during the hunt.

ELK RIDGE OUTFITTERS

DOUG & MICHELLE LANDERS

256 KISTER HARDY ROAD

WILSALL, MONTANA 59086

406-578-2379

406-220-2379-cell

elkridge@wildblue.net

MONTANA OUTFITTER LICENSE # 284

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Revised: 01/20/12