Harrison Hunting <MT Adventures/Philipsburg, MT elk hunt should be avoided at all costs

[Steve Baines]

Booked an elk hunt with Harrison Hunting Montane Adventures last year. Thought I was signing up for a traditional spot and stalk hunt, but when I was getting ready to forward the final payment I was told it was a hunting blind hunt. Not my first choice but I went with it, considering I had already purchased a license and had $2500.00 in a deposit. Communication from this guy is virtually non-existent. Terrible customer service. Came into Philipsburg a day early, excited about the hunt. Met Harrison's girlfriend and one of his guides at a nice home in the mountains. He was hunting another state. Accommodations and food were good. But that's where the "good" ended. First day in the woods you could tell there had not been any animals on this property in months. Sat for almost five days (Left a day early I was so disgusted) and never saw anything. Fresh snow on a number of occasions only strengthened my belief that there were no elk on this property. Actually, there were no animals at all on this property. Harrison could have realized the same thing if he had pre-season scouted before we arrived, but that wasn't the case. The guide spent half a day on the property six weeks before the hunt. This hunt was thrown together as a quick money maker for the outfitter, or that's how I felt. I felt totally used. Never was there any discussions of an alternative plan. There was none. This was it. Sit in a blind for 5 days. If you don't see anything, "That's Hunting," as his girlfriend kept commenting. That's an easy thing to say when you're not out 10K in license, plane fare, and hunting trip costs. "That's terrible hunting" form a guide that puts profits above his clients. In my 56 years of hunting this was the worst hunt I've ever experienced. Avoid this hunt at all costs. Poor hunt form an even poorer outfitter.

 

[IBen]

But if you would’ve gotten an animal, it would’ve been a good hunt, right?

 

[7mm-08]

First post is a complaint about an outfitter. Way to contribute!

 

[Steve Baines]

But if you would’ve gotten an animal, it would’ve been a good hunt, right?

Would have been happy just to have an opportunity. There was no effort to make that happen. That's all I ask from a guide. Do your job. Find another alternative if this effort doesn't produce.

 

[bojangles808]

thank you for sharing

 

[CorbLand]

First post is a complaint about an outfitter. Way to contribute!

At least he posted the name of the outfitter…

 

[The Guide]

Booked an elk hunt with Harrison Hunting Montane Adventures last year. Thought I was signing up for a traditional spot and stalk hunt, but when I was getting ready to forward the final payment I was told it was a hunting blind hunt. Not my first choice but I went with it, considering I had already purchased a license and had $2500.00 in a deposit. Communication from this guy is virtually non-existent. Terrible customer service. Came into Philipsburg a day early, excited about the hunt. Met Harrison's girlfriend and one of his guides at a nice home in the mountains. He was hunting another state. Accommodations and food were good. But that's where the "good" ended. First day in the woods you could tell there had not been any animals on this property in months. Sat for almost five days (Left a day early I was so disgusted) and never saw anything. Fresh snow on a number of occasions only strengthened my belief that there were no elk on this property. Actually, there were no animals at all on this property. Harrison could have realized the same thing if he had pre-season scouted before we arrived, but that wasn't the case. The guide spent half a day on the property six weeks before the hunt. This hunt was thrown together as a quick money maker for the outfitter, or that's how I felt. I felt totally used. Never was there any discussions of an alternative plan. There was none. This was it. Sit in a blind for 5 days. If you don't see anything, "That's Hunting," as his girlfriend kept commenting. That's an easy thing to say when you're not out 10K in license, plane fare, and hunting trip costs. "That's terrible hunting" form a guide that puts profits above his clients. In my 56 years of hunting this was the worst hunt I've ever experienced. Avoid this hunt at all costs. Poor hunt form an even poorer outfitter.

Lots of public land in that area. After a couple of days with no action, I would have went for a walk in the National Forest or went to Georgetown Lake and went fishing!

Next time I'd suggest doing it without an outfitter.

Jay