FAQ’s

Check out additional hunting information about Blackfeet Outfitters below. If you have
further questions, please contact us via email or phone.

FAQs for Hunting

Are you ready for your adventure in Montana? Listed below you will find some basic questions to help you get fully prepared for your trip. However, if you have any questions, please contact us right away.

What are the success rates and game populations in Montana?

·      Are you looking for a long hunting season? In the west, Montana has one of the longest hunting seasons that boasts of millions of acres of prime hunting lands and healthy game herds across the state.

What licenses, tags, or permits are necessary?

·      Montana hunting licenses and tags are available at Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Hunting Licenses.

What land will Blackfeet Outfitters be hunting on in Montana?

·      As a hunter, expect Blackfeet Outfitters to be resilient and responsive to the best areas to hunt depending on what type of game you will be hunting. We hunt in National Forests, state lands, and private lands.

Are there any other game animals that can be hunted?

·      Montana’s massive landscape is home to a wide variety of wildlife including world class bull elk, cow elk, Boone and Crockett moose, big horn sheep, deer, antelope, giant black bear, mountain lions, and wolves.

·      Deer-only and upland bird game hunts take place in central Montana districts. We do not guarantee the harvest of game.

What is the degree of difficulty of hunting?

·      Please be mindful of your physical limitations. It is extremely important that you are in good physical condition to hike or ride horseback in rugged terrain at high altitudes in various weather conditions.

·      In the backcountry, in the Badger Two Medicine National Forest, trails may be 4-13 miles long with 500-1500 feet of elevation gain. Hiking difficulty ranges from moderate to extremely difficult.

·      North central Montana’s elevation ranges from 2000 feet to 7500 feet. Hiking difficulty is moderately easy to strenuous.

What is the terrain?

·      Big game animals thrive in the high rugged mountain country. Foothills, valleys, and peaks dominate the landscape of the Badger Two Medicine Forest south of Glacier National Park. The Badger Two Medicine borders the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness. Be prepared to hunt in steep mountainous terrain and access hunting through river crossings in various unpredictable weather conditions including snow and wind. The land terrain in Montana varies greatly from deep draws, coulees, and rock structures. We are careful not to take hunters in to areas that are any more than they can handle in terms of physical skills.

·      Upland birds are generally found in terrain of coulees, hillsides, forested areas, thickets, aspen groves, shelter belts, river and creek bottoms where there is thick cover.

What are the risks and dangers?

·      Hunting is an inherently dangerous sport. Poor planning and inadequate preparation leads to increased risks and dangers while hunting. Being physically and mentally prepared is of prime importance as you hunt for wild game. Consider bringing plenty of warm clothing that can be layered, a personal survival pack, and bear spray. Hunter gun safety is of extreme importance as well as being aware of your surroundings. Remember wild game animals live here. Be mindful of extreme changes in temperature and weather conditions. High altitudes and rugged terrain presents its own challenges. Animals including domestic horses and mules, and wild animals can be unpredictable and dangerous to the hunter; all beyond the control of the outfitter.

·      Please adhere to specific direction from Blackfeet Outfitters. Our outfitter and guides are trained to identify dangerous conditions.

What is the weight limit for riding horseback?

·      For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply. For horseback riders, maximum weight: 250 pounds.

What are the health requirements?

·      Many of our trips take place in the wilderness backcountry. Our clients should be healthy to partake in physical activity at higher elevations. Clients with specific medical conditions should consult with their physician before booking a trip.

What are the accommodations?

·      Depending on your choice of hunt and accommodations package, you may choose to stay at a local hotel/motel. However, if you decide to hunt in the backcountry on a multi-day trip, you will be staying in wood heated wall tents with cots and sleeping bags or you can bring your own sleeping bag.

What is on the menu?

·      For backcountry trips, our meals are family style meals that are easy to prepare and serve. Please inform us of any dietary requests. Blackfeet Outfitters is willing to cater to your needs. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included.

·      Snacks, water, non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

What communications are available?

·      Limited cell phone coverage is available depending on where you will be hunting. If you feel that you need cell service, we recommend that you acquire a satellite phone.

Where is the backcountry camp located?

·      Our basecamp is located at Lonesome Creek for big game hunting in the heartland of the road-less Badger Two Medicine area which borders the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

What are the camp facilities like?

·      Backcountry camping facilities in staying wood heated wall tents with cots and sleeping bags. While in the backcountry, you will be far from civilization.  Please bring all necessary personal items. There will no trips to the convenience store or market while we are in the backcountry.

Are there other hunters in the same camp?

·      There may be a possibility of other hunters staying in the same backcountry camp.

How many guides are in the camp?

·      One guide is provided for every 2 hunters.

How far is the backcountry camp from the trailhead?

·      Lonesome Creek in the Badger Two Medicine is 13 miles from the trailhead.

What caliber of rifle should I bring?

·      For big game hunting, please bring your own ammunition and a minimum bolt-action rifle of .270 caliber. We discourage bringing semi-automatic rifles and pump action rifles.

·      For upland bird hunting, please bring shells and shotguns with a caliber of 28, 20, 16, and 12,  6-8 ½ shot.

What type of hunting does Blackfeet Outfitters provide?

·      Blackfeet Outfitters provide spot and stalk hunting. Blackfeet Outfitters does not guarantee harvest of game.

·      For upland bird hunting, we have dogs that are ready to hunt or you can bring your own.

What happens if I don’t fill my tag?

·      If a hunter has not filled his/her tag before their scheduled hunt is over, he/she has the option to pay for each additional day at our daily rate.

What is your wounded animal policy should this arise?

·      We will make every effort to recover your wounded animal. Shot placement and know your weapon and its limitations are key. Please practice your marksmanship.

What if I accidentally bag the wrong species?

·      If a client bags the wrong species for his/her tags or exceeds the bag limit, even by mistake, it will be reported to the authorities, and the hunt will end.

Will the guide cape or skin my animal, and is there a fee for this?

·      Our guides will make every effort to care for your meat, trophy antlers, and cape. Some meat processors will skin the animal as part of the meat processing fee.

Will you charge a pack out fee?

·      No, the pack out is included in the price of the guided hunt.

Is the game processing, shipping of meat, pelts, antlers and horns included in my hunting package?

·      Hunting clients are responsible for game processing, taxidermy fees, shipping of meat, pelts, antlers, and/or horns.

How will I get my meat and/or my trophy home?

·      Blackfeet Outfitters will assist you with getting your game to a local and reputable meat processor and taxidermist. Frozen meats can be safely shipped by UPS, FedEx, and other private carriers using overnight or 2nd day shipping. The hunter is responsible for shipping costs.

Can I bring alcohol?

·      Absolutely no alcohol of any form will be used while out on the hunting field. When you return to camp, you are more than welcome to imbibe. This is for the safety of our clients, guides, and other employees. If you decide that you need or want a drink during the day, that’s fine, but you will be done hunting for the day.

Where is the nearest airport?

·      Great Falls International Airport.

What other services are available?

·      Great Falls International Airport pickup: call for pricing

·      Limited cell coverage

·      Meat processing

·      Taxidermy

·      Shipping

What is Blackfeet Outfitter’s credit card processing fee?

·      Blackfeet Outfitters charges a 4% convenience fee to process your transaction.

What should I tip my guide, cook, or other camp help?

·      All of our guides, cooks, and wranglers work hard to assist our hunters and clients wherever possible. Gratuities are appreciated. Direct tipping is recommended.

·      While tipping is not required, it is customary if you feel your guides have worked hard to provide you with a great experience.

What is your cancellation policy?

·      Deposits are refundable with 60 days advance written notice. An administrative fee of 15% per person will be charged on all refunds. In the event of cancellation, the client may have the option to apply the deposit balance to a future date. There are no refunds due to weather nor harvesting an animal. Trip insurance is recommended to all of our clients to protect them in the event of cancellations. Montana Outfitters and Guides Association recommends Signature Travel Insurance.

Safety:

·      When handling firearms please be knowledgeable about the firearms that you are using. Know the rules of carrying and storing a firearm.

·      Stay together. Do not split up and venture off alone.

·      In the event that hunters are separated, we suggest bringing a personal survival kit.

·      Please be mindful about bringing valuables. We do not have a safe to store your valuables.

·      If you are not prepared to follow our rules for safety, we will ask you not to hunt.

What shall I bring for a survival kit in the backcountry?

·      Due to extreme conditions, bring a survival kit that includes a compass, fire starting material, knife, folding saw, orange ribbon tape, space blanket, flashlight/batteries, rope, waterproof bags, water bladder, and snacks.

Questions to ask yourself:

·      What is your proficiency at hunting?

·      Am I looking for a wilderness experience or a ranch-type of hunting experience?

·      How important is it to stay in a nice camp?

·      Am I prepared to stay in the wilderness without the creature comforts of home?

We do our best to run our operations on a timely schedule. However, due to weather, road conditions, working with livestock, our start times can vary a bit. Please be understanding of the environmental conditions.

Where can I stay?

·      Great Falls has many motels and hotels to stay. We are happy to make recommendations if you wish. 

We do our best to run our operations on a timely schedule. However, due to weather, road conditions, working with livestock, our start times can vary a bit. Please be understanding of the environmental conditions.