Frequently Asked Questions about Montana Elk Hunting
Guarantees?
Dome Mountain Ranch adheres to the highest of “fair chase hunting” ethics. Due to the unpredictability of hunter efforts, abilities and skill levels, weather, natural disasters, wildlife patterns and other things beyond our control, we do not offer any guarantee of harvest. However, we do guarantee that we will do everything possible to prepare you in such a way that you will be provided with an unforgettable Montana Elk Hunting experience.
How do I obtain a license?
Once we receive your initial non-refundable deposit we will mail you the “Outfitter Sponsored Guaranteed Tags” license information. We will also include detailed instructions. You are responsible for completing this information and enclosing a certified check or money order to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in the amount noted on the application. You can also call us with any questions you might have.
Can I put in for the draw?
Some hunters choose to apply for the general drawing through Montana
Fish, Wildlife and Park’s main website. This is an option, however
we do not accept deposits from hunters who do not have a current license
or choose the “Outfitter Guaranteed Tag”. The drawing for applications
does not occur until after the March 15th deadline; therefore if you
are not drawn you cannot obtain a license for that season.
How does the “Mule Deer” Trophy Fee work?
Dome Mountain Ranch offers an abundance of mule deer, many in the trophy
class. Rather than charge you “up front” for what is commonly
referred to as a “combo hunt” we leave this an option. The
difference in cost of the “Elk only” tag and the “Elk
and Mule Deer Combination” tag is only $100.00. We assess a trophy
fee of $2000.00 when you commit to hunting for mule deer in addition
to elk. You may also see a mule deer while elk hunting and choose to
harvest this animal. By doing so, you have agreed in advance to pay the
trophy fee regardless of recovery of the animal.
What is a typical day like?
Each day brings a different adventure relative
your own physical and hunting abilities. This can vary from a short walk to glass from a stand during
the day, to all day long adventures on foot and horseback. Our guides
will hunt as hard as you are capable of hunting. We strategically plan each
days hunt the evening prior to the actual hunt. We base our plans on
elk numbers and habits in the large area. In addition, as one of our hunters,
your guide may offer you several different well planned options for the
day. Most days you will eat a full breakfast well before dawn and be
transferred from the main lodge area via a Dome Mountain vehicle to our horse
staging area about 2 miles up a long mountain road. At the staging area guides
will assist you on mounting your horses. From here,
once again dependant on the plans you and your guide have made you may
spend from 20 minutes to 3 hours in the saddle in order to reach many
of the various areas we hunt. Following your morning plan, we often stop and rest for a lunch break
and discuss a mid day and evening plan. This could involve remaining
in your current location or remounting and riding to another location. In
the middle of the day, you may also do some slow stalk hunting through
dense areas where elk may be suspected or tracked into. Each day in itself
is often unlike any other. So, your typical day will often be much unlike
each of the other hunters in your group for that day. Our guide to hunter
ratio is 2 hunters per one guide. Many hunters appreciate our strong
ability to match up both guides and other clients to one another relative to
physical ability and hunting experience levels.
Tipping Guides and Staff
Being a Montana Hunting Guide is extremely physically demanding and brings
with it long days. The guides at Dome Mountain are the last to lay their
heads on the pillow and the first to awake in the mornings, often several
hours in advance to saddle horses and prepare for your day, all at an
amount of pay well below what most careers offer. The support staff, which
includes cooks, packers and house keepers will also be working hard each and
every day to make sure you are having an enjoyable experience. All of the staff
and guides of Dome Mountain are considered top quality. Rest assured,
they will earn anything you feel you should offer them. On the average, most
of the guides at Dome Mountain Ranch should receive $500.00 from each
hunter per week. All tips are reported to the outfitter. If a guide does not
receive a tip of at least 10%, the outfitter will then feel indebted to contact
you immediately regarding your admitted dissatisfaction with your guide.
We offer a “guide guarantee policy” here
at Dome Mountain Ranch. If you are not happy with your guide we will
offer you another guide and consider your concerns each day following
your hunt with us and make every effort to make sure you have the best
experience possible.
Game Care
Care of your meat, cape and rack are of the utmost importance. Upon harvest
and tagging of your animal, the guides like to take plenty of photos
for both you and themselves. Our next priority is to begin field dressing and
caping the elk or deer. We do not waste any meat whatsoever and also
take all recommended precautions for predator dangers in the area should we
be forced to leave your meat overnight due to safety reasons. Once
your animal is field dressed and packed out, we offer several options
for professional meat processing and taxidermy work. We will transport you and
your game animal to both locations. You are responsible
for the processing of your game animal by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. This is strictly enforced
by Dome Mountain Ranch in order to maintain the highest of ethics. For
those hunters who do not wish to have the meat processed for personal
consumption may also choose to “donate” the meat, but are still responsible
for basic processing fees which average around $300.00 per animal. We do
not offer “on site” processing because we are not professionally
licensed or trained due to strict health codes in the care of this meat.
We also do not offer any areas for hunters to process their own meat
at this time. Hunters can choose various cuts and have their meat shipped
to their home address following their hunt with us.
Trophy Care
Upon the harvest of your animal you may choose to have it mounted by a
local taxidermist or have the animal professionally caped and transported
to a taxidermist of your choice. Fees for a full mounted elk range around
$900.00. A skull or “European” mount will be around $300.00.
You are responsible for the cape, hide and antlers once they leave the
premises of Dome Mountain Ranch. While many of our guides are quite skilled
in trophy caping, we cannot offer any guarantees should a taxidermist
of your choice find flaws nor have difficulty in the mounting process.
How do I get there?
We offer travel assistance through a local travel agency should you wish
to use airline travel as your method to arrive at the ranch. We
offer free airport transportation to and from the Bozeman, Montana
airport only. We also offer free transportation to and from local hotels in Gardiner, Livingston
and Bozeman, Montana. If you choose to drive to the ranch, we will
also assist you.
How do I prepare?
“Success is when preparation and opportunity
meet”. Your preparation
and realistic expectations prior to your hunt will be the single
most important factor in your success. Once you have booked a hunt with us,
we will mail you a wealth of information, gear lists, suggestions and
plans to help you prepare and assess your goals. Those
hunters who have followed our advice over the past 10 seasons have shown
a success rate nearly 75% higher than those who have not properly
prepared. A hunt in our area is very
physically demanding. Our base camp elevation begins at 5,000 feet above
sea level. During the day you may find yourself hunting at 9,000 feet or higher.
Clothing and Gear
Our extensive preparation materials include detailed lists and up to date information on the best gear and clothing requirements for hunting in our area.
What is “First Blood Policy”?
In an effort to adhere to ethical hunting practices
it is to be understood by all clients who hunt with us: That should animal
be wounded in any way, shape or form by a hunter, regardless of recovery
or confirmed kill of this animal, your hunt for that particular game
animal will be considered complete and your tag expired. We will make every effort possible
to continue to pursue the wounded animal during the remainder of and following
your hunt. However, you will not be permitted to attempt harvest
of another animal.
Hunting Game Laws:
Upon successful receipt of your Montana Big Game Hunting License you are
responsible for being aware of all game laws. An up to date
copy of these laws will be provided to you. Any hunter who violates any law
will be immediately reported to the Law Enforcement division of Montana Fish,
Wildlife & Parks.
Alcohol
Hunters of legal age are invited to bring alcoholic beverages with them
or purchase them at one of the local stores and enjoy a
drink in the evenings following your hunt. However,
no hunter is permitted to carry a firearm or be in the field unless a
full 8 hours have passed and any signs whatsoever of intoxication are
not visibly apparent to staff, guides and outfitter. Any hunter suspected of consuming alcoholic
beverages while in the field will be immediately escorted out of the
field and placed in a safe environment so no harm to others may occur.
Rifle Caliber
A mature Montana bull elk can weigh upwards
of 1,000 pounds. We recommend
a caliber of bullet with the necessary scientifically proven
knockdown power to quickly and ethically take a big game animal. However,
many current deer rifles are also completely capable of doing the same.
We suggest a flat shooting caliber rifle which you
are able to consistently and accurately shoot 100% of the time at distances
of 300 yards or more in a varying degree of circumstances and positions. We spend one afternoon
prior to your hunt going over last minute preparations and rifle sight in checks.
If you are not capable of accurate placement during this time and are
unable to correct any errors, we will not take you into the field to hunt.
As a hunter, placing 3 bullets at 100 yards on a target range rest within a
2” group
is expected. We also offer you the opportunity to test your skills
at distances of up to 400 yards under realistic in the field shooting situations
and will consider these performances in regarding the areas we
will suggest for your hunting.
Bow/Archery
Archery Hunting for North America’s most challenging big game animal will require your complete preparation and commitment to this type of hunt. Most modern archery equipment including both compound and recurve bows are all very capable of taking a Montana bull elk. However, once again, shot placement is the absolute most important decision you will have to make. Before purchasing any new equipment, please consult with us. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate shooting accuracy of up to 40 yards in realistic in the field shooting situations. If you are unable to do so and cannot correct this lack of preparation we will not take you into the field until you can do so.
What should I expect? “Expectations” (realistic)
Most first time fair chase elk hunters who do not take advantage of our preparation assistance program are often regretful and disappointed that they did not make better efforts prior to their hunt. Due to our respect of the game animals we hunt and conserve we believe that you should place the highest expectations upon yourself to be an ethical hunter. This does not mean your hunt is a failure if you do not go home with a trophy animal bigger than your friends or co-workers. What we believe to be the most important aspect of our hunters own expectations is that they do not place undue expectations upon themselves. Your expectations will closely parallel your preparations and hunting abilities. However, we will make every effort to also consider these abilities and expectations and make sure that we place you in comfortable, non-life threatening situations so that we might even exceed your expectations of what a Montana Elk Hunt should consist thereof.
Are there any hidden or additional charges?
All charges are listed and discussed in all of our information. This does not include gift purchases and other amenities that you might choose during your time with us.
Cancellation Policy
We highly suggest that all our hunters purchase
additional “Trip
Insurance” in case of emergencies and other issues that may arise
and cause the hunter to miss his scheduled trip hunt dates. We do not otherwise
offer any cancellation policy whatsoever. This insurance policy information
will be included in our information we send to you for your review.
