Elk & Deer

Elk Track Identification

Elk Scat Identification

ELK HUNTING

There is no call on this earth more captivating than that of a bull elk.

See Our Rates Page for Areas Hunted and Dates, also go to Mt Fish, Wild Life and Parks: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/default.html

Montana offers out-of-state Combination Elk and Deer Tags

Nonresidents must apply for either a $542 deer or $912 big game combination license

by March 15 each year.

If you remember the smells of bacon, coffee, and wood smoke coming from your camp tent, these are probably some of your most treasured memories, followed by conversation around an evening fire about work, politics and hunting. Things have changed since the days when hunting laws were obeyed, everyone worked hard and were ethical and respectful toward the animals taken - young or old, buck or doe – which were considered a “trophy” and food on the table and gifts of the land. Wild Skies Outfitting still operates under these traditions.

Call Pat at 406-570-3804 to discuss your next adventure with us!

As outfitters of some of the greatest country we feel gratitude for our wilderness area and surrounding forest which are some of the finest! In Montana and Wyoming we are fortunate to still have areas where hunting is a tradition with more big game animals than people. School days are cancelled and hunting camps are places where friends and family return too. So we take special pride in sharing this with our out of state hunters and talking of mountains, animals, great hunting spots and bad roads. We strive to put you in front of a trophy animal, but we also strive to teach you about elk hunting and hope to give you a hunting experience that will bring you back year after year.

TESTIMONIAL –

When my son said he was taking me on a hunt out west I was excited. I had never been west of Illinois. It turned out to be more than I had ever expected. When we arrived at camp we dialed in our bows and stowed our gear. We were then introduced to several guides. As soon as I shook hands with Pat, I knew he had the look of an experienced guide. Being a taxidermist and bobcat/turkey guide in Pennsylvania, I could acknowledge his experience in our first conversation. We started the next day hunting public land and pressured elk with a bow. With Pat's knowledge and determination, we were able to find the elk in the cooler, higher canyon in the afternoon. It was then that I first laid eyes on what would be my future bull elk. My son Isaac shot and missed it first. It then stopped in front of me at 58 yards. The muzzy broadhead did its job and passed through the elk. I am now mounting a mature herd bull from Montana. Pat and I have become good friends and stay in touch since our hunt. I would highly recommend Pat as a guide to anyone that is serious and wants to work hard in fulfilling their dream hunt.

2010 Dave Jones-Coudersport, Pennsylvania

Archery Hunting

We have had archery hunters bugle two different bulls in to 60 yards and were not able to get closer and were not prepared to shoot that far, so practice really helps. Being ready for close range to longer range can help your kill rate. We work hard to put you in a range that is comfortable for you, but practicing different ranges helps even the odds.

How often have you been trading bugles with an elk at 60 yards, watched him stop bugling then just walk away? With Pat Foster of Wild Skies Outfitting you won’t have to worry much about that, as his specialty is hunting elk, and he is one of the best Elk Hunting Guides in three states.

This last hunt season Pat even bugled in two game wardens. But with his experience he knows that a bugle is only one piece of the puzzle in hunting during the rut.

RIFLE AND ARCHERY HUNTING

See our Rates Page for Dates and Prices

Pat has a genuine understanding of the elk rut! Elk are preparing to court and breed, and their behavior and patterns are predictable when you have spent 30 years of your life getting to know them. The rut is triggered by a photo response in elk. Simply put, the length of day determines when the elk rut will begin. In most areas the rut starts sometime late in August and lasts through the beginning of October. A cow in estrus can be bred for 12 to 18 hours; if she is not bred during that time she'll come in to estrus again 21 days later. Up to three cycles can occur in a single season.

Elk vocalizations are mostly limited to mews and chirps, during other times of the year, as they are social animals and they provide reassurance and comfort to one another through these mild, pleasant noises. However, bulls rake their horns on trees and wallow and start to bugle as the rut approaches. They battle one another to establish their harem which they protect and fight for. These herd bulls are territorial over their cows who they court for breeding.

CALL US at 307-420-1463 to make reservations for 2011’s elk season. We will send you or email you our reservation forms with a list of what to bring, and we can customize your trip.

DEER HUNTING

See Rates Page for Areas Hunted and Dates, also go to Mt Fish, Wild Life and Parks: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/default.html

Montana offers out-of-state Combination Elk and Deer Tags

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness area is home to many whitetail and mule deer and our hunt areas is right in the middle of some of the best deer hunting. With the combination license we concentrate on your ELK first, but also never pass up the opportunity to give you a shot at a choice deer.

Pat and his guides know where the deer are, what they eat, and how they react, and will strive to put you in front of sizeable deer.

Through Pat’s years of experience in the field and as a guide with many trophy kills he has developed a knack for recognizing a Trophy Deer. He knows the dimension of a typical deer’s head in relationship to their ear length, width across the forward head, and length of the nose. By comparing the mass and length of a deer’s antlers to the head, nose and ears, he can determine how big the rack is. So while hunting with us, be share to tell us what your expectations are in shooting a deer.

Mule deer move and look different with their distinct forked antlers, bouncing stride, black tipped tail and identifiable white rump. They prefer specific habitat although can be found in many different terrains include our hunt area. They have great site and senses, and will bed away from the wind on the side of slopes, ridges and waterways. They strategically place themselves above rocks and hillsides and are very good at avoiding predators including man. Mule deer are wary and alert and good at escaping, however we maximize the search by glassing and looking on south-facing slopes in major drainages and coulees.

Whitetail Deer are recognized by the white underside of its tail, which flags as they race off upon detection of a predator. They are predominantly more brown then their cousins the mule deer. They adapt too many different habitats and are found in the forest and fields.