World-Class Big Game Hunting in Montana

Montana is world famous for its big game hunting. Hunters from all over the world come here seeking elk, deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose. We have been offering high quality, challenging hunts for over 40 years.

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) hunting regulations and dates are released in March of each year. Please check the MFWP website for confirmation of season dates.

Wilderness Hunting

Our wilderness hunts are in rugged, rigorous country, typical of the great hunting areas in North America. The area in which we hunt is prime habitat for elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, and wolf. The elk in this area are a resident and migratory herd. The area is rough and remote, which allows the elk the years necessary to develop quality antlers. The landscape varies from large open meadows to lightly timbered south slopes and long benches. This area is also grizzly bear habitat; however, encounters are rare. The weather in September is usually in the sixties and seventies during the day and in the thirties at night. It gets cold in October and much colder in November. It can snow in September and be mild in November. One thing you can always count on is that mountain weather is unpredictable.

A typical day of hunting consists of leaving after breakfast and riding before daybreak. Some days we will hunt until late morning, return to camp, and then hunt again in the late afternoon until dark. Other days we will stay out all day. Walking and/or riding are mandatory. Being in good condition for hiking and riding will help you have a more successful hunt. We hunt as hard as you choose to hunt. Mountain goat and bighorn sheep hunters should expect long days of glassing. Our guides are experienced outdoorsmen and know the area extremely well.

Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters operates two wilderness hunting camps: Hellroaring and Independence.

Hellroaring Wilderness Camp

Hellroaring, an early season camp, is located in Bull Moose Meadows, 8 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. We hunt elk, deer, mountain goat, black bear and moose out of Hellroaring. It is accessed by a 12-mile horseback ride. Getting to Hellroaring from Bozeman or Big Timber takes the better part of a day. Accommodations in Hellroaring include comfortable carpeted wall tents with cots, foam pads and wood stoves. There are 3 or 4 hunters per tent. A shower is available, which is always medicine for the weary. Hearty meals are prepared by our great camp cook and are served in a central dining tent.

Independence Camp

Independence is a multi-purpose camp. It is used for bow hunting, sheep hunting, goat hunting and general season rifle hunting. It is located 55 miles south of Big Timber at the head of the Boulder River. Independence is accessed by 4 x 4 vehicles. Accommodations include meals by our camp cook and a comfortable tent camp.

Private Land Hunting

Wildlife abounds on our private land ranches and includes healthy populations of elk, deer, and antelope. All of our ranch hunts are fully guided. Our guides our experienced and licensed by the Montana Board of Outfitters. In order to maximize our hunters’ experience, we limit the number of hunters on each trip. All hunts include comfortable lodging and three meals a day.

Big Timber Ranches

Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters is lucky enough to headquarter in Big Timber, Montana with some outstanding ranches just minutes away. Local landowners of these properties have been gracious enough to allow us the opportunity to offer our hunters and anglers access to some very special hunting and fishing areas. We have access to thousands of acres of wildlife habitat on local private land ranches. Hunting on these ranches includes opportunity for elk, deer, antelope, black bear, turkey, duck, and geese. Most of these ranches are hunted with a general license. The ability to move from ranch to ranch during the hunt provides our hunters with the best possible hunting experience. We use 4×4 vehicles to access the ranches, unless weather requires horses.

Greater Area Ranches

We have partnerships with exclusive ranches beyond Big Timber that offer elite hunting experiences with the benefit of a general license for elk and deer. Elk, deer, and antelope are the hunting focus of these ranches. We use 4×4 vehicles to access the majority most of these ranches with some offering the opportunity to hunt on horseback. The true meaning of Big Sky Country unfolds in this unspoiled wildlife habitat with vast landscapes and miles of ambling riverfront.

Hunting Deposit & Payment Policy

A partial deposit of $1000 is required to book your hunt. If you do not draw a license, the $1000 partial deposit will be rolled over to the following year, if space is available, or refunded. The drawing takes place in mid-April. The remainder of the deposit (50% of the cost of the hunt) is due when the draw is posted and is non-refundable. The balance of the hunt is due 30 days prior to your hunt and is non-refundable. Hunts not fully paid by this date will be considered cancelled. We recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance. Montana Outfitters & Guides Association suggests Global Rescue Travel Insurance. 

All hunts will include an additional fee of $50 for the Hunter/Angler Defense Fund. This fund was set up by Montana Outfitters & Guides Association for the purpose of defending non-resident hunting and fishing rights in the State of Montana. (Information on HADF can be found in the General Hunting Information Packet.)

We accept Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard only) and Checks. Make Checks Payable to: Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters, Inc.

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