Hunt with Wayne Hill Outfitting a Montana and Idaho outfitter and hunting guide service. Providing top quality guided hunts for archery elk, rifle elk, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, moose, sheep, and goat.
Thank you for your interest in our service. We hope
this letter will answer your questions about what we provide and tell you a little
something about us. We encourage you to research the outfitter of your choice
thoroughly to ensure getting the hunt you prefer. We have provided an extensive
reference list to assist you in this process.
We conduct top quality hunts in both Montana and Unit
4 of the Idaho panhandle. We work hard for you as we realize how important hunting
is to you. We are dedicated to doing the very best job possible. Success is what
we strive for in every aspect of the hunt. All of our hunts are designed to be
trophy hunts. There is no "extra charge" for this; it is simply a standard
we've set. We also feel that your luck plays a lot in hunting. If you happen
to get lucky and kill the biggest bull in the woods, we don't feel we should "cash
in" on it. After all, you've already paid us to take you hunting.
Our hunts are conducted on the Kootenai, Lolo and Idaho Panhandle National
Forest mountain ranges. Although we have a vast area in which to hunt, we limit
our hunts to only 12 clients per hunt. This enables us to tailor our hunts to
a more personal level to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable hunting experience.
We use 4 wheel drive vehicles to take us to the area in which we plan to hunt.
Then hunt through the drainages on foot and are picked up at a designated spot
by one of our drivers. You will hunt several different drainages during your
stay. We don't put out camps of any kind. Camps tend to "lock" you
into one particular area. If the game is not there, the camp is of no benefit
to you the hunter. We truly do not feel that cold wet camps "add" anything
to the quality or enjoyment of hunt in our area. Fortunately our lodge is located
in the heart of where we hunt, making it possible for us to return you to the
lodge each evening for a hot, well prepared, all you can eat "country-style" dinner.
At the lodge a hot shower, good food, lively conversation and a good night's
rest in a comfortable bed make for an enjoyable style of hunting. ( click on
the links at the left for more photos of the lodge)Breakfast and dinner are served
daily in our dining room. In rifle season, lunches are packed for you. During
archery season, three hot meals are served daily. Towels and bedding are provided
for you. The lodge has nine bedrooms, four baths, a large dining room and large
comfortable living and seating area. Internet access is available and Verizon
cell service works well here at the lodge.
One of the keys to a successful hunt lies due in great part to preparation.
I've been involved in the outfitting business all of my life. I have also lived
here in these rugged mountains all of my life. This country is vast, with an
abundance of game and good cover for the game. I spend most of my time in the
mountains, and not just my spare time. This is what I do for a living. I know
the country, the game, it's habits and it's habitat. My guides have undergone
my personal training in addition to the training they have received in guide
schools they have attended. They are familiar with the area and are experienced
in the field. They are also dedicated young men who give 100%. We have been in
the outfitting business for 30 plus years.
Another important factor that will contribute to the success of your hunt
is your physical condition. The country we hunt is mountainous, steep, brushy
and challenging. It's where the big ones like to hide. This country will make
some serious demands on you. We suggest you be in reasonably good physical condition
for the more strenuous hunts; it will enhance your enjoyment and chances of success.
We also offer one on one hunts at a very affordable rate. Exercise your legs
well in advance of your hunt…it will pay off!
Again, thank you for your interest in our service, and no matter where you
choose to hunt, we wish you an enjoyable and successful hunt.
Huntin' out west,
Wayne & Annette Hill
ABOUT THE HUNTS
The largest breed of elk resides here in northwestern Montana and the Idaho
panhandle. The elk herds are residential and do not migrate in or out of our
area.
On elk, deer and moose hunts bring at least three large duffle bags in which
to transport your meat home. It has come to our attention that United airline
no longer allows you to take your horns on the flight, you can mail them or use
a different airline.
RIFLE ELK AND DEER HUNTS
Rifle
elk season starts October 10th in Idaho and the fourth Sunday in October in Montana.
During rifle season in Idaho we are also able to employ bugling and stalking
methods because we are catching the elk in the tail end of the rut. Rifle season
in Montana is mainly stalking. Our success rate for rifle elk runs about 40%.
This average is based on the ability of the clients and their preferences. Some
guys pass on anything less than a 6 or 7-point bull. Others just plain miss!
We are in a "brow tine bulls" only area. We find this to have greatly
improved the quality of mature bulls. . Our success for deer runs about 85%.
We have both white- tail and mule deer. The mule-deer rut earlier than the whitetail
in our area, so if you are interested in a mulie buck, comes earlier, and whitetail
later. The deer and the elk use the same terrain, so we are able to hunt both
at the same time, with no need to go to another area. We have some very respectable
bucks here, definitely Boone and Crocket class. During rifle season the weather
conditions make heavier wool pants necessary. Polar fleece also works well this
time of year. Please leave your Gortex rain gear at home! Gortex is noisy in
the woods. Medium to heavy weight wool pants, a lightweight wool shirt-jacket
a chamois or flannel shirt, a T-shirt and wool socks. Dress in layers. State
law, and we require you wear 400 square inches of florescent orange material
during the rifle season. We suggest a vest of soft mesh material, not nylon or
polyester because they are noisy in the woods. All clothing should be of material
that is quiet in the brush. Boots with an air-bob sole design are a must for
our type of terrain. Insulated, all rubber constructed boots with an air-bob
sole work best. Bring at least two pair of sturdy weatherproof boots. Boot dryers,
if you have them, are also very helpful. Now for those of you that wonder, we
do a lot of rifle elk hunting, and we are very successful, but we don’t
do a rifle report because, TRUTHFULLY if you miss with a rifle, what is your
excuse?
ARCHERY ELK
We
specialize in archery elk hunting. We are very proud of our ability to bugle
in the big groaner bulls, sometimes to within 15 or 20 feet. It's an experience
archers never forget! Our average success in archery season has run anywhere
from 30% to 50% depending on the ability and condition of the guy with the bow.
Montana usually begins the first Saturday in September. We are concentrating
on elk hunting and the elk are in the rut during this season. The deer are not
in the rut so we are not conducting archery deer hunts during this time. This
year’s archery reports are in this brochure, for more reports you can go
to our website, click on reports, and find reports from 1996 through the current
year there. During archery season, we employ bugling techniques and stalking.
We start the hunt early (before daylight) in the morning, and hunt until the
action stops. (The bulls quit talking) Then if you haven’t had enough for
the day, we will take you out again in the evening. Since the weather is generally
warm, lightweight wool pants or polar fleece work best during archery season,
usually you can find the right weight fairly inexpensively at army surplus stores.
You need to wear clothing that doesn’t make noise in brush. A chamois cloth
or similar quiet fabric, camo shirt and a camo T-shirt and wool socks. Dress
in layers. Bring two pair of well broken in hiking boots, preferably with the
air-bob sole. We recommend an all rubber-un-insulated boot with an air-bob sole
for archery.
BLACK BEAR HUNTS
We conduct the majority of our bear hunts in Montana. Spring bear season starts
April 15th in and runs until May 15th. There are a good number of bear in our
area. Since our winters are sometimes long, and the snowmelt is late, we have
you come as late in the spring as possible, enabling us to access the areas.
The larger bear also come out later in the spring. Spotting and stalking are
the main methods used in this hunt. We utilize closed roads, open brush fields
and natural feeding habitats to hunt for black bear. We do not use bait, and
we do not have the black fly problem found in other areas. You will be fully
guided during the hunt and not left in a tree stand somewhere for hours. We are
fortunate to have all color phases of black bear in our area. There are black,
brown, cinnamon, blond, and black with a white v marking. Success on the bear
runs 90% kill with about 110% shooting. Normally lightweight wool or polar fleece
is fine for this time of year. You do need to wear fluorescent orange during
this hunt.
MOOSE, SHEEP AND GOAT
Moose, sheep and goat permits are on a drawing basis. We have many of the
species in our area, but not many draw for the permits. Should you be so lucky
as to draw a permit, we will be happy to discuss details of this hunt with you.
We conduct top quality hunts in both Montana and Unit
4 of the Idaho panhandle. We work hard for you as we realize how important hunting
is to you. We are dedicated to doing the very best job possible. Success is what
we strive for in every aspect of the hunt. All of our hunts are designed to be
trophy hunts. There is no "extra charge" for this; it is simply a standard
we've set. We also feel that your luck plays a lot in hunting. If you happen
to get lucky and kill the biggest bull in the woods, we don't feel we should "cash
in" on it. After all, you've already paid us to take you hunting.
Our hunts are conducted on the Kootenai, Lolo and Idaho Panhandle National
Forest mountain ranges. Although we have a vast area in which to hunt, we limit
our hunts to only 12 clients per hunt. This enables us to tailor our hunts to
a more personal level to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable hunting experience.
We use 4 wheel drive vehicles to take us to the area in which we plan to hunt.
Then hunt through the drainages on foot and are picked up at a designated spot
by one of our drivers. You will hunt several different drainages during your
stay. We don't put out camps of any kind. Camps tend to "lock" you
into one particular area. If the game is not there, the camp is of no benefit
to you the hunter. We truly do not feel that cold wet camps "add" anything
to the quality or enjoyment of hunt in our area. Fortunately our lodge is located
in the heart of where we hunt, making it possible for us to return you to the
lodge each evening for a hot, well prepared, all you can eat "country-style" dinner.
At the lodge a hot shower, good food, lively conversation and a good night's
rest in a comfortable bed make for an enjoyable style of hunting. ( click on
the links at the left for more photos of the lodge)Breakfast and dinner are served
daily in our dining room. In rifle season, lunches are packed for you. During
archery season, three hot meals are served daily. Towels and bedding are provided
for you. The lodge has nine bedrooms, four baths, a large dining room and large
comfortable living and seating area. Internet access is available and Verizon
cell service works well here at the lodge. 
One of the keys to a successful hunt lies due in great part to preparation.
I've been involved in the outfitting business all of my life. I have also lived
here in these rugged mountains all of my life. This country is vast, with an
abundance of game and good cover for the game. I spend most of my time in the
mountains, and not just my spare time. This is what I do for a living. I know
the country, the game, it's habits and it's habitat. My guides have undergone
my personal training in addition to the training they have received in guide
schools they have attended. They are familiar with the area and are experienced
in the field. They are also dedicated young men who give 100%. We have been in
the outfitting business for 30 plus years.
Rifle
elk season starts October 10th in Idaho and the fourth Sunday in October in Montana.
During rifle season in Idaho we are also able to employ bugling and stalking
methods because we are catching the elk in the tail end of the rut. Rifle season
in Montana is mainly stalking. Our success rate for rifle elk runs about 40%.
This average is based on the ability of the clients and their preferences. Some
guys pass on anything less than a 6 or 7-point bull. Others just plain miss!
We are in a "brow tine bulls" only area. We find this to have greatly
improved the quality of mature bulls. . Our success for deer runs about 85%.
We have both white- tail and mule deer. The mule-deer rut earlier than the whitetail
in our area, so if you are interested in a mulie buck, comes earlier, and whitetail
later. The deer and the elk use the same terrain, so we are able to hunt both
at the same time, with no need to go to another area. We have some very 
respectable
bucks here, definitely Boone and Crocket class. During rifle season the weather
conditions make heavier wool pants necessary. Polar fleece also works well this
time of year. Please leave your Gortex rain gear at home! Gortex is noisy in
the woods. Medium to heavy weight wool pants, a lightweight wool shirt-jacket
a chamois or flannel shirt, a T-shirt and wool socks. Dress in layers. State
law, and we require you wear 400 square inches of florescent orange material
during the rifle season. We suggest a vest of soft mesh material, not nylon or
polyester because they are noisy in the woods. All clothing should be of material
that is quiet in the brush. Boots with an air-bob sole design are a must for
our type of terrain. Insulated, all rubber constructed boots with an air-bob
sole work best. Bring at least two pair of sturdy weatherproof boots. Boot dryers,
if you have them, are also very helpful. Now for those of you that wonder, we
do a lot of rifle elk hunting, and we are very successful, but we don’t
do a rifle report because, TRUTHFULLY if you miss with a rifle, what is your
excuse?
We
specialize in archery elk hunting. We are very proud of our ability to bugle
in the big groaner bulls, sometimes to within 15 or 20 feet. It's an experience
archers never forget! Our average success in archery season has run anywhere
from 30% to 50% depending on the ability and condition of the guy with the bow.
Montana usually begins the first Saturday in September. We are concentrating
on elk hunting and the elk are in the rut during this season. The deer are not
in the rut so we are not conducting archery deer hunts during this time. This
year’s archery reports 
are in this brochure, for more reports you can go
to our website, click on reports, and find reports from 1996 through the current
year there. During archery season, we employ bugling techniques and stalking.
We start the hunt early (before daylight) in the morning, and hunt until the
action stops. (The bulls quit talking) Then if you haven’t had enough for
the day, we will take you out again in the evening. Since the weather is generally
warm, lightweight wool pants or polar fleece work best during archery season,
usually you can find the right weight fairly inexpensively at army surplus stores.
You need to wear clothing that doesn’t make noise in brush. A chamois cloth
or similar quiet fabric, camo shirt and a camo T-shirt and wool socks. Dress
in layers. Bring two pair of well broken in hiking boots, preferably with the
air-bob sole. We recommend an all rubber-un-insulated boot with an air-bob sole
for archery. 
We conduct the majority of our bear hunts in Montana. Spring bear season starts
April 15th in and runs until May 15th. There are a good number of bear in our
area. Since our winters are sometimes long, and the snowmelt is late, we have
you come as late in the spring as possible, enabling us to access the areas.
The larger bear also come out later in the spring. Spotting and stalking are
the main methods used in this hunt. We utilize closed roads, open brush fields
and natural feeding habitats to hunt for black bear. We do not use bait, and
we do not have the black fly problem found in other areas. You will be fully
guided during the hunt and not left in a tree stand somewhere for hours. We are
fortunate to have all color phases of black bear in our area. There are black,
brown, cinnamon, blond, and black with a white v marking. Success on the bear
runs 90% kill with about 110% shooting. Normally lightweight wool or polar fleece
is fine for this time of year. You do need to wear fluorescent orange during
this hunt. 