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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.
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Full description and what we offer
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:
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.
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.
Archery season coincides with the rut—the only time elk are vocal enough to locate reliably.
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.
| License Type | Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| General Big Game Combo | $1,278 | Elk + deer + upland bird + fishing |
| Elk Combination | $1,078 | Elk + upland bird + fishing |
| Deer Combination | $744 | Deer + upland bird + fishing |
If you submit your application properly but don't draw, Medicine Lake will refund your hunt deposit or apply it to a hunt in a subsequent year—your choice.
These are real backcountry expeditions. You need:
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)
Payment: - 50% deposit secures your reservation for 2026 - Remaining 50% due 60 days before hunt start - Visa/MasterCard accepted via secure payment gateway