Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I have had several inquires via PM and Emails about how to and when to on hunting with an outfitter. Im NOT the all knowing on this, I don't make the arrangements for travel nor do I for the hotel reservations if you come up a day early, my main job in this enterprise is to pack your things into and out of camp along with game if ya get that lucky, and take care of all the stock.
Some ask about cost? that varies with the outfitter and what is expected from you, if you want 5 star accommodations, gourmet meals there are lot of variables on this its hard to tell what people expect from just a few phone calls. ALL OF THE PEOPLE that come to hunt with us are return customers or friends of the same, that have been with us year after year we know this because we don't advertise ANY PLACE. I take that back Jason is now advertising with a Fly Fishing Group, this is the first year that he has extended the season to include fishing, and its taken off BIG TIME. I didn't know it but one that witnessed a little competition we had yesterday was from a magazine and went to write an article about Jason's enterprise, so I guess now he does advertise.
For hunting, the absolute best thing to do is get in as good of shape as you can, you don't need to be able to run a marathon, swim the sea just be able to walk at a decent pace. Hiking is the best exercise you can do, its what you will be doing. The animals are there to get you up into the mountains and take you to the hunting but I wouldn't want to get off the horse and shoot an animal, thats not hunting its KILLING. So certain amount of hiking has or should be done, I would expect the guide to have ALL of the essentials, but I like to see people bring Bino's , Spotting Scopes, Range finders, after that what ever YOU want to carry is up to you. They don't need to be the best on the market just something to look around and look for game, if the guide has to share with you he might miss an opportunity for you they know where to look better than most, they spend a lot of pre season time finding them. Again getting in shape is best thing you can do.
We always have the people take a shot or two before they get on trail. Its hard to find a gun store 20 miles into the mountains that carries your part that you might need, because of travel the rifles take a beating and it a good time to check sighting and mounts to make sure its ready. I don't know about you but I love my guns ALMOST as much as I do the wife and my Mules or is that Mules and wife I forget who comes first.
Please shoot your guns before you get here A LOT. time shooting at different positions there are no cement benches to rest your gun and coffee cup on out here. Try to shoot at the distance that is dictated by your hunting local, here its very long shots usually at a very steep incline or decline. I don't like Pop guns I like to have enough power to knock the animal off its feet where it stands, two reasons the meat is not tainted with adrenaline because it ran bleeding out some hole you made in it, two me or someone else don't have to chase the SOB over into the next valley while you wait with your feet up back at camp, most cant ride fast enough and I don't want to take a chance of people doing something that is WAY ABOVE their abilities trying to stay up with me, if you want a picture of your animal BEFORE its cut up, DROP IT WHERE IT STANDS.
Im going to risk making a statement, I don't think that a 25/06 or 270 has any place in an Elk camp, we have had people use them and they have worked great but they are some shooters that are tickling the triggers, if those are used by unknown shooters I pull mine out and let them know that if they cant drop it I can, its their call but your going to have one PO guide if they have to chase it because of lack of gun or ability to shoot I think we owe it to the animal. In my world the 30/06 is the minimum (let the arguments begin)
Clothing you don't need to look the the Bass Pro Shop cover, warm and dry is what is important. Rain at the first of our season is almost a given not everyday all day but wet is no fun to hunt and can be life threating. Chance of snow is always around, I like the high tech undies from Under Armor light thin and very warm, sometimes to warm. Boot that have been broken in VERY WELL I cant carry you around so walking in comfort is a must, early in season I have cowboy boots later I go to Schnees http://www.schnees.com/ im sure there are just as good but mine have lasted me for years and they are made here in MT. Several shoes are best I hate to wear the same ones for every thing and it looks funny having chaps on tending to animals with converse tennis shoes on, but that's just me. Getting clean is up to you, your not sharing my sleeping bag, we use to jump in the creek it wakes you up and it natural, last couple of seasons Jason has got a propane heated shower stall.
don't go wearing the best smelling stuff it attracts bears and its not hard to have an animal smell you from a very long distance. After making 3 or 4 trips to and from town I have no problems finding a seat at the table, seems like folks find a lot of room for me 
I use the jump in the creek method I like the view from the tub better.
The things that I would suggest is to call around to people that have used you choice in outfitters, shoot your gun A LOT, and GET IN THE BEST SHAPE YOU CAN. it will make this a trip to remember it really makes me feel better when a Father and Son have me take a picture of them arm in arm sharing this sometimes trip of a lifetime, not all can or want to come back year after year. Book EARLY a year in advance is the best or more if you can.
Hope this helps, ask any question you have, We will be out for the next week then in for our Daughters Wedding then I will leave Penny in the mountains and I will be back from time to time and I check the computer for Clients Emails. Take game to the processor and supplies back to camp.
Take Care
BIG
Some ask about cost? that varies with the outfitter and what is expected from you, if you want 5 star accommodations, gourmet meals there are lot of variables on this its hard to tell what people expect from just a few phone calls. ALL OF THE PEOPLE that come to hunt with us are return customers or friends of the same, that have been with us year after year we know this because we don't advertise ANY PLACE. I take that back Jason is now advertising with a Fly Fishing Group, this is the first year that he has extended the season to include fishing, and its taken off BIG TIME. I didn't know it but one that witnessed a little competition we had yesterday was from a magazine and went to write an article about Jason's enterprise, so I guess now he does advertise.
For hunting, the absolute best thing to do is get in as good of shape as you can, you don't need to be able to run a marathon, swim the sea just be able to walk at a decent pace. Hiking is the best exercise you can do, its what you will be doing. The animals are there to get you up into the mountains and take you to the hunting but I wouldn't want to get off the horse and shoot an animal, thats not hunting its KILLING. So certain amount of hiking has or should be done, I would expect the guide to have ALL of the essentials, but I like to see people bring Bino's , Spotting Scopes, Range finders, after that what ever YOU want to carry is up to you. They don't need to be the best on the market just something to look around and look for game, if the guide has to share with you he might miss an opportunity for you they know where to look better than most, they spend a lot of pre season time finding them. Again getting in shape is best thing you can do.
We always have the people take a shot or two before they get on trail. Its hard to find a gun store 20 miles into the mountains that carries your part that you might need, because of travel the rifles take a beating and it a good time to check sighting and mounts to make sure its ready. I don't know about you but I love my guns ALMOST as much as I do the wife and my Mules or is that Mules and wife I forget who comes first.
Please shoot your guns before you get here A LOT. time shooting at different positions there are no cement benches to rest your gun and coffee cup on out here. Try to shoot at the distance that is dictated by your hunting local, here its very long shots usually at a very steep incline or decline. I don't like Pop guns I like to have enough power to knock the animal off its feet where it stands, two reasons the meat is not tainted with adrenaline because it ran bleeding out some hole you made in it, two me or someone else don't have to chase the SOB over into the next valley while you wait with your feet up back at camp, most cant ride fast enough and I don't want to take a chance of people doing something that is WAY ABOVE their abilities trying to stay up with me, if you want a picture of your animal BEFORE its cut up, DROP IT WHERE IT STANDS.
Im going to risk making a statement, I don't think that a 25/06 or 270 has any place in an Elk camp, we have had people use them and they have worked great but they are some shooters that are tickling the triggers, if those are used by unknown shooters I pull mine out and let them know that if they cant drop it I can, its their call but your going to have one PO guide if they have to chase it because of lack of gun or ability to shoot I think we owe it to the animal. In my world the 30/06 is the minimum (let the arguments begin)
Clothing you don't need to look the the Bass Pro Shop cover, warm and dry is what is important. Rain at the first of our season is almost a given not everyday all day but wet is no fun to hunt and can be life threating. Chance of snow is always around, I like the high tech undies from Under Armor light thin and very warm, sometimes to warm. Boot that have been broken in VERY WELL I cant carry you around so walking in comfort is a must, early in season I have cowboy boots later I go to Schnees http://www.schnees.com/ im sure there are just as good but mine have lasted me for years and they are made here in MT. Several shoes are best I hate to wear the same ones for every thing and it looks funny having chaps on tending to animals with converse tennis shoes on, but that's just me. Getting clean is up to you, your not sharing my sleeping bag, we use to jump in the creek it wakes you up and it natural, last couple of seasons Jason has got a propane heated shower stall.
don't go wearing the best smelling stuff it attracts bears and its not hard to have an animal smell you from a very long distance. After making 3 or 4 trips to and from town I have no problems finding a seat at the table, seems like folks find a lot of room for me I use the jump in the creek method I like the view from the tub better. The things that I would suggest is to call around to people that have used you choice in outfitters, shoot your gun A LOT, and GET IN THE BEST SHAPE YOU CAN. it will make this a trip to remember it really makes me feel better when a Father and Son have me take a picture of them arm in arm sharing this sometimes trip of a lifetime, not all can or want to come back year after year. Book EARLY a year in advance is the best or more if you can.
Hope this helps, ask any question you have, We will be out for the next week then in for our Daughters Wedding then I will leave Penny in the mountains and I will be back from time to time and I check the computer for Clients Emails. Take game to the processor and supplies back to camp.
Take Care
BIG
Guess I may have to accidentally let my foot meet his backside..... 
:-laf
