Royal Tine Outfitters

Royal Tine Outfitters has spent nearly three decades pursuing mountain lions—what they call "the coolest animal on the planet." Owners Cody and LeRee Hensen work year-round with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to monitor lion populations and collar cats across the state. When they're not doing that contract work, they guide hunters and photographers into some of Montana's roughest terrain.

The outfitters are licensed by the Montana Board of Outfitters (#6035) and permitted to hunt on both private land and adjoining Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest property. Their camp sits just outside the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness near Warren Peak, close enough to Philipsburg that Missoula, Bozeman, and Butte airports are all viable fly-in points.

Royal Tine operates on their family cattle ranch—over 5,000 acres of prime grass meadows, pine forest, and flowing water in hunting district 211. The ranch sits in the Sapphire Mountain foothills at 5,800 feet elevation, bordered by thousands of additional acres of USFS land. Elk numbers run about 25% over the Montana FWP objective, which means consistent action.

Hunt Format: - 2 hunters per 1 guide (minimal hunting pressure) - Maximum 2-4 hunters in camp at any time - No more than 12 total hunters per year - Wall tent camp with stoves, cots, sleeping pads, and firewood - Hot breakfast, midday lunch and rest, evening hunt - Home-cooked meals prepared by camp cook - Hunting 5,000+ private acres plus adjoining USFS land

Archery Season (September): - September 9–14 (Pre-Rut) - September 17–22 - September 26–October 1 - Only the best weeks of the rut available

Rifle Season (October-November): - October 22–27 (opening week) - October 30–November 4 - November 7–12 - 2 hunters per guide for all except opening week (4 hunters)

Bull elk typically range from 2½ to 3½ years old, with opportunities at mature bulls. Over the last 15 years, they've maintained very high success rates. Terrain is mild to moderate; expect weather from 0°F with snow to 50°F and sunny.

• •What's Included: Lodging, all meals, professional guides, wall tent camp accommodations

• •What's NOT Included: Montana hunting license ($320 for non-residents), gratuities (10-15% standard), taxidermy, meat processing, personal gear and firearms/archery equipment

Lion season runs December 1 through April 14 in Montana, but Royal Tine focuses their effort in December when pelts are in peak condition for life-sized mounts. They use well-trained hounds to locate and tree lions in rough terrain between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation.

Hunt Method: - Early morning track location using 4×4s and snowmobiles - Well-trained lion hounds chase and tree the cat - Close approach with vehicles/snowmobiles when possible, then hike in - Hunting typically done by 1 PM (daylight-only harvest requirement) - Physically demanding—good shape recommended

• •Recommended Calibers: .223, 22-250, .243, or open-sight carbines like 30-30. Avoid large magnums (excessive hide damage) and varmint loads (tend to explode on impact).

Why Royal Tine for Lions: - 25+ years of experience chasing lions (guiding since 1998) - Well-trained pack hunted almost daily all season - Huge hunting area across multiple districts, public and private land - Modern equipment: 4x4s, snowmobiles, tracked side-by-sides - Contract work with Montana FWP keeps their knowledge current - Limited hunter numbers (only 6-8 per season) - Very high success rates - Economy management hunts available (landowners want dead lions)

• •6-Day Guided Mountain Lion Hunt — Call or email for current pricing and availability

• •Non-Hunters: $250/day to accompany a hunter

• •Montana Non-Resident License: $320 (tags available over-the-counter in their quota-season hunting districts)

For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to see "the Ghost of the Rockies" without harvesting one. Royal Tine offers limited 2-day packages.

• •2-Day Photo Safari: $950/person
• •Includes 2 guides searching for tracks
• •Breakfasts, lunches, drinks provided
• •Does NOT include lodging or dinners (local motels available in Philipsburg)
• •Early morning pickups (4-5 AM from motel)
• •Track searching until ~1 PM if no luck
• •Once a track is found, hounds chase to tree
• •Hike to the treed lion for photos

Gear List Recommended: - Light/medium layers (wool, synthetics, fleece) - Heavy-duty hiking boots with aggressive tread - Gaiters and trekking sticks - Lightweight gloves for hiking - Small backpack for camera gear, drinks, snacks - Medium-weight pants (with long johns underneath) - Midweight coat as top layer - Heavy gloves and hat if snowmobile required

Royal Tine offers custom horseback pack trips for adventure seekers, photographers, and fly fishers who want to access remote backcountry.

Trip Options: - Static pack-in trips (same camp location) - Progressive trips (different camp most every day) - Rides typically 2–5 hours in saddle - Stops at lakes, streams, scenic overlooks - Flexible "layover days" for your choice of activities (day riding, trekking, hiking, fishing, or relaxing)

• •Accommodations: Comfortable guest tents and large kitchen fly with home-style meals

Pricing: - $1,450/person for 3-day/2-night guided trip - Drop-in packing: $350/day packer + $125 per animal (e.g., packer + 5 mules + 2 riders = $1,100 one way) - Custom trips require 2-person, 3-day minimum - 50% deposit, balance due 30 days prior - Maximum 6 people per trip - Minimum age: 12 years old

In summer, Royal Tine runs two educational programs:

• •Royal Tine Guide and Packer School — Learn to guide, pack mules, horseback skills, outdoor wilderness survival
• •Camp Cook School — Outdoor camp cooking techniques

Details available at RoyalTine.com.

"We believe in doing everything possible to ensure you will have a successful and memorable Montana hunt." — Cody and LeRee Hensen

The Hensens run a small operation by design. They limit hunter numbers, maintain intimate camp dynamics (2-4 hunters maximum), and bring 25+ years of Montana hunting experience to every trip. Their knowledge spans elk, deer, mountain lions, and backcountry hunting across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, and Arizona—but they've chosen to base their core operation in Montana where they know the land, the animals, and the seasons intimately.

Hunt Reservation Details: - 50% deposit required (applied toward hunt price) - Balance due 30 days prior (cashier's or personal check) - Non-refundable deposits (held for reserved time and advance preparation) - Trip insurance recommended - Montana big game license application deadline: March 15