What if I have never hunted before?

Then Yaak River Outfitters is a perfect fit for you. There are few things that our guides enjoy more than introducing someone to hunting. You don’t need any experience. All you need is a mind and heart that want to learn. When hunting with us you can expect the following:

1. We will teach you firearm safety. This is the most important thing that you will learn. We will ensure that you know how to safely handle, operate and shoot a rifle and/or a shotgun. We will also go over basic information relating to ammunition and ethical shot placement on the animal that you choose to hunt.

2. We will teach you basic skills for remaining safe in the woods. We will go over important clothing, gear, and how to use it. 

3. We will teach you about the ethics of hunting and the role that hunting plays in conservation. The act of taking the life of an animal is not to be taken lightly. We want to make sure that you understand wildlife populations and ecology. Knowing your role as a hunter in the ecosystem is critical to forming your hunting ethic. We also want you to know how poor decisions made by hunters negatively affect the ecosystem and the reputation of hunters as a whole.

4. We will teach you how to hunt. We want you to understand the habitat, behavior, and life cycle of the animal you choose to hunt, why we choose to hunt animals of a specific species, gender, or age class, and the methods of hunting that will give you the best opportunity to take an ethical shot. 

5. We will take you hunting. You will follow our guides into the woods, where they will reinforce what you have learned and where they will work to put you in a position to take an ethical shot.

6. We will teach you what to do after you shoot an animal. After killing an animal, it is important to know how to handle it to ensure that nothing useful goes to waste. Our guides will help and talk you through the field dressing, skinning, and entire butchering process (assuming that there is enough time before your departure). Or if you desire, our guides can handle the field dressing and skinning for you and arrange for the butchering to be done by a professional in town.

Do I need to own a gun?

No, we enjoy teaching people how to safely handle, operate and shoot a firearm. No prior experience necessary. We will equip you with a firearm and ammunition that suits you and the species that you intend to hunt. If you do own a firearm that you want to use, you are welcome to bring it.

Do I have to shoot the animal?

No, our guides will do their best to put you in a position that allows you to take an ethical shot, but whether or not you take the shot is up to you. Taking the life of any animal is not to be taken lightly. Our guides understand the gravity of assuming the responsibility for killing an animal. Regardless of whether you decide to shoot or not, you can expect our guides to support your decision and understand the emotions of the experience.

Is there a place for my family to stay if they are not hunting?

Yes! We have cabins that each sleep 4 and two lodges that sleep up to 14, all on a beautiful 500-acre property with a private lake. Ask us about guided and unguided activities for non-hunters to enjoy!

How long will it take after I make a reservation to go on the hunt?

That will depend on the species that you choose to hunt and whether or not you are a resident of Montana. For non-residents, the process can be as long as 1 year to hunt deer, elk, or mountain lion. For residents, most tags are available over-the-counter. We recommend that you get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss the species that you want to hunt so that we can help you through the process.