Shell Valley Outfitters

Shell Valley Outfitters operates out of Shell, Wyoming, in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. They distinguish themselves as one of the only outfitters in Wyoming offering mountain lion hunts all year long—Winter (Nov-Feb), Fall (Sept-Oct), and Spring (Mar-May).

Mountain lion hunts use a pack of GPS-collared hound dogs. Hunters ride horseback, UTV, or pickup along roads and trails until fresh lion tracks are spotted. The hounds track and tree the lion, then hunters move in to complete the hunt. It's a genuine adrenaline experience, not a sit-and-wait affair.

• •Why hunt outside winter? Less snow means more diverse hunting methods (horseback, dragging roads), better weather, access to high-elevation areas, and zero competition. Spring hunters also pick up shed elk and deer antlers during the hunt.

Over-the-counter lion tags. No preference points required.

Elk hunts run September 1 through November 20. Hunts operate from a drive-in camp at 8,000-foot elevation on nearly 7,000 acres of private lease. Hunters use UTVs or horses to glass canyons and call in bulls—300-class and above are the target.

• •What to expect: You return to camp every night in a clean, organized facility. Early fall (Sept 1-Oct 14) hunts cost $9,500 for 6 days. Mid-fall (Oct 15-Nov 4) and late-fall (Nov 5-20) hunts are also $9,500. Three-day cow hunts run $2,500.

All packages include lodging, meals, caping, quartering, airport transport from Cody, and game delivery to local meat locker and taxidermist. No trophy fees.

• •Preference points: Seven or more preference points significantly improve your odds of drawing a tag. Shell Valley assists with the application process.

For DIY hunters, Shell Valley offers pack animal services on Big Horn National Forest. Experienced outfitters assist with loading gear on horses and retrieving packed-out elk meat. In-Reach satellite phone check-ins included. Custom pricing per group.

Two main offerings:

General Season (5-day hunts) - $4,500 - Archery: September 1-30 - Rifle: October 15-24 - Lodge-based out of Greybull or Shell - Hunt private creek bottoms using ground blinds - Easy tags to draw, no preference points needed - Your tag is valid for any buck (mule or whitetail)

Late Whitetail Rut Hunts - $4,000 - November 10-30 (peak rut) - Easy tag to draw, highly exciting - All-day sit opportunities—bucks chase does constantly - Strategic blind placement on private ground with zero competition

Both packages include lodging, meals, caping, quartering, airport transport, and game processing. No trophy fees.

• •Why Wyoming? It's the antelope capital. Shell Valley hunts endless BLM land with plentiful animals.

These are town-based hunts out of Greybull or Shell. All include lodging, meals, caping, quartering, airport transport, and game processing.

Shell Valley Outfitters takes a limited number of hunters each year to ensure quality. Outfitting is their full-time job. In the off-season, they're scouting, clearing trails, managing livestock, and working new leases. Their hound dogs are selectively bred and GPS-tracked for year-round hunting conditions—the result of 13 years perfecting their pack.

• •Permitted on Bighorn National Forest under permit BG #361.

Contact: - Phone: 307-431-0110 - Email: [email protected] - Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 am - 7 pm (closed Sunday) - Mailing: P.O. Box 187, Shell, WY 82441

• •Mountain lion (year-round)
• •Elk (September-November)
• •Mule deer (September-October)
• •Whitetail deer (September-November)
• •Pronghorn/antelope (August-October)
• •Cow elk (September-December)
• •Bear (seasonal—listed on website menu but details sparse)