Beavercreek Outfitting

Paul Ritchey has been guiding hunters across Montana his entire life. With his wife Starla, he built Beaver Creek Outfitting to focus on what matters: accessible hunts for people who want to experience authentic backcountry elk and mule deer hunting without needing to be in peak physical condition.

"I feel I have what it takes to provide hunters with the right hunting area and the right equipment to make the hunt safe. I have the ability to provide the best opportunity for a hunter to be successful taking a trophy game animal, in an enjoyable environment."

Beaver Creek hunts the Little Belt Mountain Range in central Montana, operating under a special Forest Service permit on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The area sits at elevations between 5,500–8,000 feet and is completely roadless—no motorized vehicles allowed.

• •300+ elk per week
• •100+ mule deer per week
• •Open meadows surrounded by thick green timber
• •A resident herd that winters in the same area they hunt (not migrating through)

Rifle Season: Hunts run Sunday to Saturday across a five-week season. Early season elk stay in timber; late season they form herds of 40–50 head. Mule deer transition through the rut as temperatures drop.

Archery Season: Earlier timing puts hunters in small basins with aggressive bulls. Hearing multiple bulls bugling and challenging each other in one basin is described as "a magical experience."

• •Own their horses. Most outfitters lease horses the week before season. Beaver Creek owns theirs, knows their temperament, and matches horses to hunter ability.
• •Resident herds. They hunt elk that winter in the same territory. No guessing whether you picked the right week.
• •Mature mule deer. The area's inaccessibility means fewer hunters and more mature bucks.
• •Three generations in camp. Paul's father ("Grandpa Chuck") handles cooking. Hunters regularly mention fresh-baked pies every day.
• •Heated shower tent. For a remote backcountry wall tent camp, creature comforts matter.
• •Selective guide hiring. Paul looks for the same qualities he values from his own years as a guide.

A two-hour horseback ride from the trailhead takes you to the main camp at just under 6,000 feet elevation. Setup includes:

• •Hunter wall tents
• •Cook tent
• •Horse corrals
• •Heated shower tent
• •Wood stove for cold nights

Hunters saddle up before daylight, eat a hearty breakfast, and head out. The majority of kills happen within 3 miles of camp—horses let hunters cover more ground faster while staying comfortable.

• •First-come, first-served reservations
• •$300 deposit to secure your dates
• •50% balance due after March 15 license draw (or $300 refunded if you don't draw)
• •Remaining 50% due at arrival
• •License note: Non-residents draw through Montana's system; unsold licenses occasionally go back for individual sale

Paul Ritchey 207 W Montana St. Lewistown, MT 59457 Home: (406) 535-3582 Cell: (406) 366-2112 Email: [email protected]