Rifle Elk

It’s been a long grueling hike to get back into the timbered ridge where you spotted that trophy bull. You’ve seen the elk’s bed in the meadow and you know that’s where he laid up to chew his cud. About now, with the first bit of sunlight starting to stream through the trees, you know he’s made his way back into the heavy timber somewhere near a third the way from the top of the ridge. And you know he’ll have found a bump of some sort to bed down, watching his back trail.

The ultimate game of chess has commenced in the dark timber on the bull’s home court.

Our Wise River base camp is nestled in the heart of the elk’s wintering range, and let’s us get close to our quarry by 4 WD and two feet. Our Rifle hunts are conducted from tent camps when the weather permits, but move to the warmth and comfort of the lodge as the heavy snows in the high country move the elk down to lower ground. Our lodge-based hunts combine the mobility and the flexibility to hunt the entirety of our 100 mile x 100 mile permit area.

Over the past 30+ years, Stockton Outfitters’ guides have led hunters to scores of record elk in the Big Hole Valley. The Bull quality and genetics in our area has remained consistent and our Rifle Elk Success Rate averages 40-60%. Our herds maintain a 30% Bull to cow ratio, which is among the highest in the Country.

Both mule deer and white tails range the same areas as our elk so opportunity to take a second trophy is high as well.

Trip Details & Information

Location: Region 3, Area 319, 331, 332	Season: October 24 - November 26
Trip Duration: 5 days	Availability: Available
Departs from: Butte, MT	Camp: Sugar Loaf Mountain
Accommodations: Cabins	Species: Elk & Mule Deer
Peaks & Passes:
President Theodore Roosevelt firstproclaimedtheBeaverhead-DeerlodgeNational Forest on July 1, 1908.Garnering itsname“Beaverhead” fromthe journals of Lewis & Clark and“Deerlodge”fromthe journals ofFather DeSmet and Granville Stuart (earlytrappers),itis the largestNational Forest in the State of Montana..StraddlingtheContinentalDivide, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NationalForestencompasses3.3million acres of southwest Montana. Itoffersbreath-taking scenery,awealth of history, and a vast array ofwildlifeto include elk,muledeer, whitetail deer, black bear, moose, BigHornsheep,mountaingoats, etc. . . . StocktonOutfitters,LLC huntsareas 319, 331 & 332 on and neartheBeaverhead-DeerlodgeNationalForest. The most recent FWPreportsindicate that approximately3,625 elkmake up the resident herd.

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Client Testimonials

Steve Hopkins, President RMEF - Tucson, AZRifle - '04

Stockton Outfitters, LLC’s guides did an excellent job. They made us feel welcome & important. They were considerate of everyone’s needs and wants. I truly enjoyed the variety of places to hunt and especially loved the remoteness of them. Stockton Outfitters did a great job preparing us for the hunt and did not lead us to believe in something that would not or could not be achieved. The guides gave 100% effort and I highly recommend this hunt to anyone. Stockton Outfitters is a class act.

Rick Sweeney - Lebanon, TNRifle - '04

My brother and I hunted with Stockton Outfitters in late November and found the experience to be one of the finest hunts we have every taken. Due to unfavorable weather we were forced to push ourselves to the limit both physically and mentally each and every day of the hunt. Our guide knew the country and the animal habits. His knowledge resulted in successful kills for both Jeff and myself, but beyond the kills I was overcome by the challenge of each day. Stockton Outfitters provides a true hunt for real sportsmen.

Paul Stivaletta - Anchorage, AKRifle - '05

I have hunted many self guided hunts in the past and opted to hunt with Stockton Outfitters, LLC for the 2005 season. My guide used a variation of techniques and we found numerous opportunities and eventually success. Though I hunted with a rifle my guide used calling to catch the elk off guard during the fianl stages of the rut. New to this experience, I was amazed. This hunt made me a better hunter as I learned alot each and every day with my guide. My hunt with Stockton Outfitters paid off with success, but made me a better hunter in the long run.