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Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Fun Facts

Family Rating: Must Join the Hunt/Fishing to enjoy
Lodge Rating: Rustic but Nice Lodge, Very Basic
Lodge Capacity: 10-12 hunters
Season: September to November
Age Appropriate: 12 Years or older
Location: A little over an hour from Bozeman
Nearest Airport: Bozeman
Holiday Options: Fall Break, Thanksgiving
Activities: Hiking
Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer

Why Family Expeditions?

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Our First-Hand Experience

After several trips here on three different dates, we can say with certainty that this family owned and operated lodge is as honest as they come.  They do the right thing!

On our second and third trip, we took advantage of some Elk and deer hunting in the mountains. We stayed both at the very nice main lodge as well as the spike cabins atop the mountain sides.  Our days were spent hiking the mountains from the top down. The altitude was an adjustment for both of us but we managed to spot quite a few elk and tag a beautiful 6×6 after numerous invigorating stalks through the snow.  We had an opportunity at a really cool whitetail but we chose not to shoot it to give it another year to mature The guides are experienced and hike like mountain goats but adjusted their pace to meet ours.  It was a very rewarding trip with an awesome free-range elk to show for or effort.

This is one of our favorite Elk experiences but it is and adventure and if the weather doesn’t cooperate you just have to enjoy the challenge!

Montana Elk Hunting Lodge – Bozeman

As the elk pile out of Yellowstone when the snows come, they settle into this basin where Montana Elk hunting is prime.  Located in Tom Miner Basin Montana, this owner operated Montana elk hunting lodge offers all the benefits of a horseback Montana elk and mule deer hunt without the need to ride horses for long hours to get to your spike campsite!

They have a large and growing population of elk in this area that average in the 300-340 B&C range.  Their mule deer average around 150 – 160 gross B&C and their whitetail around 120-150.  This is primarily an elk hunt with some opportunity for mule deer. Mule deer  and whitetail success increases later in November during the rut. This is a very rustic trip but rifle hunters can stay in a nice lodge at no additional cost if they are willing to possibly sacrifice some opportunity for the comforts.Montana Elk Hunting Lodge - Bozeman

Rifle hunts (5 full days) are both 2×1 guided. For an additional fee you can have a 1×1 hunt. They are hunting a combination of private ground they own, private ground they lease, and public ground to which they have exclusive access. The total area they hunt on is over 20 square miles.

They use jeeps and trucks to get around the ranch and have two argos with snow tracks in case they have to get somewhere tough. While good physical condition always helps on a high elevation mountain hunt like this one, many hunters take elk without walking much at all. They can accommodate all levels of mobility.

For the hunting family or a combination of a hunting/hiking family, this is a fantastic lodge.  Take in the clean mountain air at high altitude as you hike from one side of the basin to the other in search of the majestic trophy elk.

AGE APPROPRIATE: 14 yrs and older.

Accommodations & Meals

Each hunter uses the main off season fishing lodge as their home base, traveling to permanent spike camps for one or two nights. This allows all hunters to hunt every part of the ranch.

Spike camps offer double occupancy permanent cabins with outdoor plumbing, heat, generators for light and a cook.  They are very basic but are a step up from a tent.

The lodge is located just down the mountain at 6,000 feet elevation.  The lodge is set up for hunters in the winter and offers a nice atmosphere. While everyone stays at the lodge for a night or two, those that do not want to stay in a rough mountain camp can stay at the lodge for the entire trip.  The only down side to staying in the lodge for the entire trip is that your harvest opportunity rate may decrease for your elk/mule deer.  The hunters staying in the mountain camps tend to have better opportunity because they are positioned to have easier access to the game

Meals:

There will be a camp cook to prepare your meals.  The meals are really exceptional camp meals.  You will not be suffering, for sure!

Hunting

Rifle hunts begin in mid-October hunting the resident elk herd. As the season progresses and winter snows begin in the Yellowstone National Park mountains, the “park” elk are forced down to this prime grazing area for food. Hunters are looking for mature herd bulls which average around 320 gross B&C and that’s the outfitters goal for his clients. In 2010 there was a bull taken that scored 389 gross B&C but that is unusual.

Morning hunts normally begin with you and your guide glassing a very large meadow at daybreak. You guide may choose to stay there awhile or to go for a “spot & stalk” type of hunt until lunch. You might drive to another area to hunt as well. Afternoon hunts are normally walking to one of the large meadows and setting up to glass for the afternoon waiting for the elk to move out of the heavy timber to graze.

Please note:  This is a true free range hunt!  If the weather does not cooperate, the game does not either.  This is not a guaranteed hunt and you will work very hard for your opportunities as you hike the high altitudes!  This is a fantastic experience hunt and hopefully you will go home with a success story.  Either way, you will go home with a story of adventure!

Bow Hunts:

For a free range elk hunt in the middle of the rut, you will have a high opportunity experience.  The question is, will you  make the shot?  Your heart will be racing and the altitude will make it beat harder and faster. 

Wounded Animals:
As with almost all big game operations if you draw blood or wound an animal you will hunt that specific animal until harvested or your hunt ends. You can not hunt another animal.

Season:
Rifle season is from mid-October to late November. The last hunt of the year normally falls over Thanksgiving.

Licenses & Tags:
With the November 2010 election, Montana voted to eliminate the guaranteed outfitter tags for non-residents and go with a straight forward draw system.  The deadline for tag applications for rifle and bow hunters is March 15th. The outfitter feels that hunters will have a high draw rate since 100% of the applicants did draw for the 2013 season.  If for some reason, you do not draw, you will receive a 100% for the deposit that you will have made to hold your spot.

The draw is scheduled to take place the first week of May with the results available online the first week of June.

Length of Stay / Itinerary

Bow hunts are 6 Nights/7 Days
Rifle hunts are 5 Nights/6 Days

Travel Details & Location

Travel Arrangements: Flights, Hotels, Shuttle Service and Rental Vehicle

We recommend you fly into Bozeman, MT (BZN) the day before your hunt starts and spend the night there.  You can rent a car or have the lodge pick you up at your hotel the following morning around 10 a.m for an additional fee. The drive to the ranch is about an hour and a half. Once you arrive, you will eat lunch, sight in your rifle and begin your hunt.

On departure day you can hunt that morning if needed, pack up, eat lunch and head back to Bozeman. We suggest that you plan to spend the night in Bozeman.

Private Planes:  Livingston Airport (406)222-2440 is the closest private plane access. However, it is very windy! Most fly into Bozeman and travel from there.

Internet & Communications

Cell service is limited and there is no wifi.

Changing Generations

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR FAMILY OR COUPLE ON THIS TRIP:  IT’S SIMPLE

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could add more meaning and improve your relationships on every vacation with your family or spouse? Below are two easy steps to becoming intentional as you travel:

TWO EASY STEPS:
1.  Watch this video:

Make a difference video     

2.  Click on the link below for step by step ideas of how to add more meaning to your family/couple travel:

HOW TO: “MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Rates

Rates: Call for updated pricing

2024

Bow: $6,000 2×1 Guided: 7 Nights / 6 Days (12 hunts)

Rifle: $8,500 2×1 Guided: 5 Nights / 6 Days (10 hunts)

Rifle: $9,800 1×1 Guided: 7 Nights / 6 Days (10 hunts)

Call for more details.  Tags will run over $900 a piece. Subject to state change

Trip Insurance & Cancellation Info

Trip insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment on this trip. We will assist you with trip insurance upon booking. See links at the bottom of this page for the two providers we suggest for our clients.

Family Expeditions, LLC confirmation and refund policy:

If your trip is more than 90 days out from date of departure, a 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your reservation and must be received within 10 days of booking to confirm your dates. All trips must be paid in full at least 90 days prior to the departure date. If your trip date is within 90 days, FULL payment for the trip is required. All payments to Family Expeditions are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your trip, we will do everything in our power to assist you in finding a suitable substitute or transferring your dates per the lodge/providers/government requirements. Trip insurance protects your investment!

Find Your Perfect Adventure!

select one or more of the categories below to choose your adventure

Discerning travelers, if you do not see exactly the destination that you seek on our website do not lose heart. We are constantly visiting new destinations to give you the most cutting edge experiences. Email us or give us a call to discuss your next outdoor family vacation.