Montana Big Game Hunts

Mule Deer, Whitetail, Elk, Bear, Mt. Goat Hunting

Swan Mountain Outfitters offers authentic western hunts in some of NW Montana’s most pristine natural settings.  Our hunts are fair chase horseback hunts conducted in the mountains of Montana on public land. Our location in the Swan Valley borders protected wilderness areas and therefore boasts an abundance of wildlife.  But make no mistake, this challenging terrain will make hunters earn Montana’s big game.  As a “new generation outfitter” we are committed to providing a quality hunt experience.  We achieve this by employing a team of knowledgeable and professional guides, using best in class equipment and stock and having a strong understanding of our permitted hunting territory. We offer the following guided hunts:

• Mule Deer Hunting
• Whitetail Deer Hunting
• Elk Hunting
• Black Bear Hunting
• Mountain Lion Hunting

Swan Mountain Outfitters encourages our youth to get outside.  If you bring your daughter or son hunting with you, (25 years old or younger) take 50% off the cost of their hunt!

Multi-Party Discount – 10% Off for 4 or more in your party.

Swan Mountain Outfitters is privileged to have three distinct seasons to hunt Rocky Mountain elk.  During archery season we have a vast area which affords us the opportunity to set aside specific areas to hunt elk with a bow exclusively. These are remote wilderness locations and we utilize a spike camp approach.

Next is an early season rifle hunt in the famed Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.  This hunt is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience as it’s one of the very few places where hunters can rifle hunt elk during the bugle. This season ranges from mid-September to mid-October and is offered in combination with mule deer and bear.  Interested hunters have the option to multi-weapon hunt in order to increase their opportunity.

Lastly is Montana’s general season which affords hunters the opportunity to harvest animals at a lower elevation.  Relying on Mother Nature to drive the animals down, this hunt is less rigorous and is conducted out of our base camp in the Swan Valley.  Because we don’t have to venture into the high country this hunt is 5 days in duration.

Swan Mountain Outfitters hunting territories are home to some quality mule deer.   Hunters will find our Mountain Mule deer do not disappoint when it comes to size or taste. With that said, it takes physical ability and drive to hunt these majestic animals, making it all the more rewarding.

We are fortunate to offer guided mule deer hunts in two seasons.  The first season is conducted in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the latter is hosted out of the Swan Valley.  During both seasons we utilize horses and can offer hunters the opportunity to hunt other animals in combination with muley’s.

Whitetail deer prefer lower elevations so we conduct our guided hunts out of our base camp in the Swan-Seeley Valley.We offer guided archery whitetail hunts as well as guided rifle whitetail hunts.Our archery season takes place during the month of September to early October.  The general rifle season runs from late October to the end of November.

Our professional guides work with the hunter to customize an approach based on the hunters preferred method and what the conditions dictate.  You can hunt whitetail off of horseback or you can hunt using stands and blinds.  Whitetail deer are not over-hunted in this area resulting in more mature life spans and therefore developed racks. See for yourself why we are proud to specialize in mountain whitetails!

The Swan Valley is renowned for its fertile concentration of black bears and our permits allow us exclusive use of the entire area! Montana is a fair chase state so the use of bait or dogs is prohibited.  Our bear hunts are unique as we’ll often use horses making it a genuine Western experience while easing some of the leg-work.

Guided black bear hunts take place in the spring or fall and are offered as five day hunts. Northwest Montana is renowned for its color-phased bears and many cinnamons, blondes and chocolates have all been harvested. Montana’s black bear licenses are over-the-counter and easy to obtain.  We truly let the hunters, “call the shots” and because of the timing hunters can elect to do some fishing on nearby rivers and lakes!

Mountain Lion hunting is done in the winter months using wet scent dogs.  We have some great lion districts in Region 1 of the state, arguably the best cat hunting in Montana.  With that said, non-residents should be aware it may take several years to draw in a special permit district. That said, if you want to avoid having to draw a special permit, we have the exclusive permit for hunting district 132, which is still governed by a quota system, meaning first-come-first-served.  Hunters making this choice are guaranteed the opportunity to hunt but will need to hunt early on in the season to ensure the quota isn’t filled.  We take a very limited number of lion hunters in order to avoid this.

We offer 7-day hunts with comfortable lodging, hunters can extend their hunt based on a daily rate if they are not successful by day 7. Give us a call today to plan the mountain lion hunt of a lifetime!