Medicine Lake Outfitters

Medicine Lake Outfitters has operated continuously since 1974, based 14 miles west of Bozeman along the Gallatin River. The outfit specializes in wilderness pack trips by horse and mule into the greater Yellowstone region backcountry. Tom Heintz, a fifth-generation Montanan, has spent his entire 50-year career providing outfitting and guiding services in wilderness settings.

Their operation is simple: during summer they guide fly fishing in Yellowstone Park. From September through November, they outfit elk and deer hunts in the mountain ranges north and west of the park.

All hunts during archery season and general rifle seasons are semi-guided. Here's the actual breakdown:

• •Base camp is pre-set before you arrive
• •Cook and camp tender handles all kitchen duties and camp maintenance
• •You hunt on foot without a guide accompanying you
• •Hunters must go out in pairs for safety and meat handling capability
• •Packer checks camp regularly to retrieve game and haul meat

This model gives you independence—you're not glued to a guide—while providing camp infrastructure so hunting doesn't get buried in survival tasks. The five-to-six-hour pack trip gets you into camp on day one; actual hunting runs six days; final day is pack-out.

General season rifle hunts take place in the Madison Range, elevation 6,000 to 11,000 feet, just west of Yellowstone near Big Sky.

• •2026 Season: October 24 – November 29
• •Hunt Length: 8 days (travel days plus 6 hunting days)
• •Cost: $4,400 per guest
• •Group Size: 6-7 hunters per trip

Most elk taken here are 5×5 and 6×6 bulls. The roadless character of the Madison has allowed a high percentage of bulls to reach maturity.

• •Hunter Success Rate: 70-80% opportunity for elk contact. That's contact, not guaranteed harvest. Weather, physical conditioning, shooting ability, and hunting pressure all factor in.

• •Hunting Strategy: Early mornings and evenings hunting park edges where elk feed and bed. When snow arrives, they track fresh sign along wildlife corridors and still-hunt into bedding areas. Bulls typically bed on benches with good visibility—approaching from above gives best odds.

• •Combination Hunts Available: Elk is the focus, but mule deer and whitetail are numerous and rut through November. Add black bear, wolf, or mountain lion at no additional hunt cost (trophy fees apply). If you take two species, second animal costs $500 trophy fee.

Archery season coincides with the rut—the only time elk are vocal enough to locate reliably.

• •2026 Season: September 5 – October 18
• •Hunt Length: 8 days (travel plus 6 hunting days)
• •Cost: $4,400 per guest
• •Pack Trip: 6-hour ride by saddle horse

Hunting bugling bulls requires getting close enough for bow range—50 yards or less. This isn't rifle hunting. You're tracking by sound, observing bulls for hours from close proximity, hearing their challenging calls.

Better than 80% of archery clients have had reasonable shot opportunities at good bulls during their hunt.

Actual harvest varies year to year. Bowhunters in good shape with significant elk experience have the best odds.

Nonresident licenses are drawn by lottery. Application deadline is April 1st each year.

• •Preference Points: Book with an outfitter and you can purchase two preference points at application time—improves your drawing odds. Separate pools exist for elk (17,000 available) and deer (4,600 available).

• •Additional Licenses (no quotas, just specific dates):
• •Black Bear: $350
• •Wolf: $25
• •Mountain Lion: $320

• •Application Process: FWP begins accepting applications March 1st. Submit by April 1st for spring drawing. Licenses awarded mid-April, emailed early May.

These are real backcountry expeditions. You need:

• •Physical fitness: Good condition required. Altitude, steep terrain, long days hiking
• •Technical skills: Proficiency with GPS and topographical maps
• •Game care ability: You dress and cape your own game, lead the packer to the meat hang, help load mules
• •Weight limit: 230 lbs maximum (horses can't safely carry more on steep icy trails)
• •Personal gear limit: 65 lbs total (duffel, daypack, sleeping bag). Rifle, bow, clothing worn on the ride aren't counted

• •Not Recommended For: Anyone with respiratory disorders, heart trouble, or conditions aggravated by altitude.

Other Policies: - No special diets accommodated - Strictly nonsmoking (wildfire liability, guest consideration) - Nonrefundable deposits (10% profit margins mean cancellations are devastating; travel insurance strongly encouraged)

• •Getting There: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is 14 miles away, served by Delta, Frontier, American, United, Southwest, Allegiant, and Alaska Airlines year-round. Car rentals available on-site.

• •Timeline: Arrive in Bozeman no later than early afternoon the day before your hunt. Last-minute gear pickups and rest are important.

• •Reservations: Book as far in advance as possible. Initial contact by email is easy, but Medicine Lake requires a phone call to discuss your experience level and expectations. They want the whole party involved early to prevent misunderstandings.

Payment: - 50% deposit secures your reservation for 2026 - Remaining 50% due 60 days before hunt start - Visa/MasterCard accepted via secure payment gateway

• •Meat & Antlers: Medicine Lake packs everything back to your vehicle at trailhead. If flying, shipping logistics get complicated on tight schedules—driving is often better.

• •Contact: (406) 388-4938 or reach out with your hunting experience, party size, and season of interest.