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.

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 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.

How do I get to Dome Mountain Ranch

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. Let us know in advance!

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.

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.

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.

The Montana Elk Hunting Journal
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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.

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.

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.

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.