Montana Outfitter Recommendation

[Chrisbb]

Next year I will draw an elk tag in Montana and would like some first hand recommendations for an outfitter. I have done some research but have not landed on one that made me pull the trigger yet.

 

[Jaker_cc]

Forrest with Montana Trophy Outfitters is top notch with great leases for both general and LE tags. I’ve hunted with him a pile of times. If you want to chat shoot me a message and I’ll send you my number. He’s a friend, but I give honest reviews and he knows that.

I’ve killed 3 bulls with him.

 

[vladkgb]

Kaden at Montana High Country was awesome, did a bow hunt with them for a week, was successful, great accomodations, and great staff.

 

[Erict]

FNG - you may benefit by editing your original post and being as specific as possible in what you are looking for. You WILL benefit by contributing to other conversations here instead of being like many FNGs whose first posts are looking for freebee handouts and they are never heard from again. Good luck.

 

[Stache Attack]

Likely going to draw general I assume? What kind of a bull would you be happy with? Archery or rifle?

 

[Chrisbb]

FNG - you may benefit by editing your original post and being as specific as possible in what you are looking for. You WILL benefit by contributing to other conversations here instead of being like many FNGs whose first posts are looking for freebee handouts and they are never heard from again. Good luck.

I appreciate the advice and will go edit the post for more details. My actual first post was sharing that I have a hunt for first Archery in New Mexico GMU 48 this year and what I have done since January to prepare. I don't even think I asked a question but just shared some details of my setup and how I have practiced. For this post, I thought experience with outfitters would be good conversation and not the same as asking where the elk are.

 

[Chrisbb]

Forrest with Montana Trophy Outfitters is top notch with great leases for both general and LE tags. I’ve hunted with him a pile of times. If you want to chat shoot me a message and I’ll send you my number. He’s a friend, but I give honest reviews and he knows that.

I’ve killed 3 bulls with him.

Awesome I will take you up on that. I filled out his form on his website too so I will probably get an email at some point

 

[Chrisbb]

Likely going to draw general I assume? What kind of a bull would you be happy with? Archery or rifle?

Yeah general for me. I could go archery or rifle. I am doing an archery hunt this year in New Mexico and am new to archery but I'm pretty deadly with my rifle out to 400-500 yards. I see pics of bulls that are 270-300 and they look massive to me lol.

 

[Stache Attack]

Yeah general for me. I could go archery or rifle. I am doing an archery hunt this year in New Mexico and am new to archery but I'm pretty deadly with my rifle out to 400-500 yards. I see pics of bulls that are 270-300 and they look massive to me lol.

Talk with hammer’m outfitters. I don’t know if there is spots available but maybe you can see. If you would like a 280-330 bull it is great opportunity

 

[HornPorn]

The most important factor that will determine your options will be Budget

After that,

Private land or public land?
Horseback or Truck/UTV?
Bull size?

In my experience kicking tires with premium Montana elk outfitters since 2019 and having gone on a hunt, for 2026 you are going to be looking at $10,000-$12,000 for a 2x1, and $12,000-$14,000 for a 1x1 for a 5 day hunt. Add on tip and you are at $15,000 for 2x1 and close to $17,000 for a 1x1....and this is for a 280-330 bull. Nevermind plane tickets, shipping of meat, etc. By the time you get a bull on your wall you will have spent over $20,000. Montana Hunting Company, Montana Trophy Outfitters, Trophies West Outfitters would be the 3 I would point you towards

Yes you can find cheaper, $5-6K hunts in NW Montana on shot out, grizz/wolf decimated, public land for maybe a raghorn dink. 6 guys in camp at once. There were 6 guys in the same camp the week before you, and there will be 6 more the week after your group leaves. You'll eat well, see pretty scenery, and get the backcountry "experience", maybe even have a sore bottom from riding a horse. You won't have a 280-300 inch bull on your wall unless you are the one guy out of the season who had a horseshoe up his rectum.

Let us know what you end up doing

 

[KHNC]

Try to avoid any montana outfitter that hunts public land. Especially in the NW portion of the state. That area is infested with wolves. Public gets hammered. Private, private and more private is the way to go outfitted in Montana. Good luck in NM.

 

[Jaker_cc]

Awesome I will take you up on that. I filled out his form on his website too so I will probably get an email at some point

I can send you his direct number if you would like. Let me know

 

[Chrisbb]

Talk with hammer’m outfitters. I don’t know if there is spots available but maybe you can see. If you would like a 280-330 bull it is great opportunity

I think I have heard of this outfitter. Owner used to be a game warden or something similar?

 

[Stache Attack]

I think I have heard of this outfitter. Owner used to be a game warden or something similar?

Yes sir

 

[Chrisbb]

Try to avoid any montana outfitter that hunts public land. Especially in the NW portion of the state. That area is infested with wolves. Public gets hammered. Private, private and more private is the way to go outfitted in Montana. Good luck in NM.

Appreciate it. I have read about the wolf problem. I hope Colorado doesn't end up like that over the years with their bonehead wolf introducing plan