Hunting - Hammer ’Em Outfitters

Hammer 'Em Outfitters Montana Hunting - Lower Rock Creek

Archery and Rifle Elk Hunts

Hammer 'Em Outfitters Montana Hunting - Hunting Grounds 1 Hammer ‘Em Outfitters is home to archery and rifle big game hunting opportunities. We hunt the Galt Ranch, which is 60,000-acre private cattle ranch in Central Montana. This is a well-known Montana high country cattle ranch and home to some GREAT native Rocky Mountain Elk. Because of low hunting pressure and quality management, you will have the added edge in harvesting a quality Fair Chase animal. The ranch is completely behind locked gates but it is not a high fence ranch. You will be hunting with a professional licensed guide, all you will have to do is concentrate on targeting that big bull. You will be in the comfort of a well-equipped Polaris Ranger side-by-side to access the hunting area. You will have the opportunity to hunt miles of road less country of the remote unspoiled Galt Ranch at Lingshire in the Big Belt Mountains of Montana.

We also want you to be aware that there is a fly fishing opportunity when you stay with us as well! The famed Rock Creek runs right by our hunting lodge at Walker Camp. The fishing outfitter that has leased Rock Creek has granted us a LIMITED opportunity to enjoy the blue-ribbon trout stream. This world-class stream is fly fishing ONLY and all fish are catch and release.

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Early Season Elk Archery Hunts

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Early season archery hunts are our specialty! We have been taking bow hunters out successfully for years. Because of our experience, we will be able to get you well within bowhunting range. And because of our privileged acreage, you will be guaranteed an exclusive one-of-a-kind bowhunting adventure. If you have never had the opportunity to hunt elk during the rut, you don’t know what you are missing: Cool crisp mornings… Elk bugling in the pre-dawn darkness… The musky smell of an elk wallow… Close encounters with one of nature’s most intense big game animals. All combined makes for an exhilarating hunt. There is definitely nothing like archery hunting for elk in the fall rut. Spots are limited due to our past track record, so we encourage you to contact us right away if you are interested in filling your archery tag with a trophy bull elk with Hammer ‘Em Outfitters. Get more info here.
At Hammer Em Outfitters, you will be hunting during the peak of the elk rut. The grunts of the bugling elk during mating will have the hair on the back of your neck standing straight up. This time of the year is addicting…stocking native mature bull elk gets in your blood and will keep you coming back to Hammer ‘Em Outfitters. You will be hunting green timber, blowdowns, creek bottoms and waterhole wallows. You will be in native elk habitat and expect to see lots of fresh sign. Hammer ‘Em pro guides know the area well. Average shots are between 20 and 40 yards. With the right weather conditions, archery elk hunting is one of the most exciting hunts you will ever experience. Hammer ‘Em Outfitter pro guides will use their bugling and cow-calling techniques to locate the bulls, to convince the dominant herd bull to move in a little closer for the shot.
Hammer ‘Em Outfitter pro guides want you to show up and prove to them that you have practiced extensively with your bow for this hunt. We want you to be able to place your broadhead accurately at 40 yards. Please review Montana’s Fish Wildlife and Park equipment restrictions if you have any questions on your archery equipment. Practice shooting under all types of conditions and various body angles both standing and kneeling. We have seen many shots miss placed because of leaning around trees and brush to shoot when a hunter is not prepared for the situation. Be sure to shoot with all your hunting clothes on. Make sure that articles of clothing are not in the way when you draw, or the bow is being held different because of heavy clothes and thick sleeves. Hammer ‘Em Outfitters have also provided a suggested gear list to help you prepare for your hunt. Having quiet and stealth clothing is an important factor when archery hunting, so please do not bring noisy clothing on your hunting adventure.

Hammer 'Em Outfitters Montana Hunting - Elk Bugling

Five-day Guided Archery Elk Hunt

2023 Elk Archery Season September 2 – October 15
Professionally guided 1 on 1 hunt @ $9,000 per hunter
Non-hunter and/or film crew for hunt @ $1000 per person
50% Deposit required to book a hunt – 50% balance due on or before July 1
Ground transportation to and from Great Falls Airport @ No Charge
Trip insurance is recommended to protect you from unforeseen events.
Above hunt prices do not include Montana hunting license, license fees are purchased directly from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Gratuity is not included in the price of your hunt.

Hunter Agreement Form
All hunting guests must sign the Hammer ‘Em Outfitters “Hunter/Guest Agreement and Reservation Form” and submit a 50% deposit to reserve hunting dates. All agreements and deposits must reach Hammer ‘Em Outfitters on or before March 1st.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks License costs:
Montana non-resident combo Elk – Deer Archery License = $1008
Montana non-resident Elk Archery License = $934
Montana non-resident Deer Archery License = $646

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Contact information:
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Licenses website
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Hunting Regulations website

You can download all our Hunting Contracts here.

Book Your Hunt Now!

Inquire in regards to limited Antelope and Bear Hunts. Contact Us.

General Season Elk Rifle Hunts

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Hunting with Hammer ‘Em Outfitters is the ultimate in elk hunting. The way elk should be hunted! No fences to bind you or the elk, instead just miles of seemingly endless elk habitat in the shadow of the Little Belt Mountains adjacent to the gorgeous Smith River country. There is no greater hunting accomplishment than having harvested a native Rocky Mountain Bull Elk. We have outfitted in this same area for so many years that we have become very accustomed to the patterns of this particular herd of native elk. Often times, we know how the elk are going to react before they do! Elk is what we do best!
Rifle season always proves to be exciting with Hammer ‘Em Outfitters. The elk are resident and do not migrate in or out of the area. Spot and stalk is the primary way we hunt elk during rifle season. On average, 90% of our hunters have an opportunity, and 60% actually make their kill. We recommend you bring a rifle that you are comfortable shooting. A 270 caliber or larger, sighted in at 200 yards. Average shots range anywhere from 150-400 yards. Please call Hammer Em Outfitters or send us an email with any questions regarding cartridges, we would be happy to advise you based on our experience.
The average bulls harvested B&C score between 250-320 inches. The majority of these bulls are 5×5 and 6×6; however, our area carries some really strong genetics. We have harvested bulls in the 350 plus class. The bulls drop their antlers in the spring and our guide’s head into the mountains to find them. We have found sheds from resident bulls with 6, 7, and 8 points to a side. We are able to keep track of many of the resident bulls this way. Some of the bulls have consistently dropped their antlers in the same places over the years. It is really neat to follow the young bulls grow into mature herd bulls. Hammer ‘Em Outfitters does not charge trophy fees.
If you are wondering which week is the best to hunt, it’s a flip of a coin. We have been successful early in the season, late in the season, and every week in between. Your success depends more on the weather, your physical condition, and straight shooting.
Our Montana weather can change quickly. Be prepared for varying weather conditions and temperatures from 65 degrees F to 10 degrees F. We suggest dressing in layers (light to medium weight) so that you can maintain a constant body temperature whether you’re spotting or stalking. Shed layers if you heat up and add layers if you get cold. Please review our suggested gear list.

Hammer 'Em Outfitters Montana Hunting - Prime Elk

Five-day Guided Rifle Elk Hunt

2023 Elk Rifle Season October 21 – November 26
Professionally guided 1 on 2 hunt @ $8,500 per hunter
Non-hunter and/or film crew for hunt @ $1000 per person
50% Deposit required to book a hunt – 50% balance due on or before July 1
Ground transportation to and from Great Falls Airport @ No Charge
Trip insurance is recommended to protect you from unforeseen events.
Above hunt prices do not include Montana hunting license, license fees are purchased directly from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Gratuity is not included in the price of your hunt.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks License costs:
Montana non-resident combo Elk – Deer License = $1008
Montana non-resident Elk License = $934
Montana non-resident Deer License = $646

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Contact information:
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Licenses website
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Hunting Regulations website

You can download all our Hunting Contracts here.

Book Your Hunt Now!

Inquire in regards to limited Antelope and Bear Hunts. Contact Us.

Mountain Lion Hunts

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Hammer ‘Em Outfitters offers limited mountain lion hunts from the first of December through the middle of April. Nick Hammer has been hunting mountain lions for many years now and would love to share this exhilarating experience with you as well. Montana separates itself from many of the other western states when it comes to mountain lion hunting. Montana does not require a drawing in the hunting area Hammer ‘Em hunts in order to obtain a lion tag like many other states do. This means these licenses are readily available and its no hassle after you decided to hunt Hammer Em Outfitters in Montana. You can buy a non-resident lion license over the counter for $345; license must be purchased at least five days prior to your hunt. Montana has a rising mountain lion population; which is a bonus to the success of hunting these elusive and majestic Rocky Mountain predators. Mountain lion hunting can be a very physical hunt. The rugged limestone canyon country of Montana is home to the elusive trophy mountain lion. This is some of the most beautiful and diverse of Montana you will ever experience. When conditions are right we have had outstanding success. Book now for your exciting action-packed adventure, hunting the Little Belt Mountains of Central Montana in pursuit of this elusive ghost-like cats. On our snow hunts, we will cover the terrain by way of 4×4’s and Polaris Ranger side by sides searching for a track that is the desired size of the lion in which you would like to hunt. However, we do our best at all cost not to harvest female lions. Our well-trained pack of hounds is what makes us the best mountain lion hunting outfitter in the area. Remember there are no guarantees in mountain lion hunting like any other type of hunting. It takes a lot of knowledge, effort, and drive not only by the hounds, pro guide, and the hunter – good lion hounds to make it all come together. Once a fresh track is found the hunt is on.

Hammer 'Em Outfitters Montana Hunting - Mountain Lion Hunt

Five-day Guided Mountain Lion Hunt

Mountain Lion Season runs December 1 – mid-April
Professionally guided 1 on 1 hunt @ $5,500 per hunter
Non-hunter and/or film crew for hunt @ $1000 per person
50% Deposit required to book a hunt – 50% balance due on or before July 1
Ground transportation to and from Great Falls Airport @ No Charge
Trip insurance is recommended to protect you from unforeseen events.
Above hunt prices do not include Montana hunting license, license fees are purchased directly from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Gratuity is not included in the price of your hunt.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks License costs:
Proposed 2021 prices
Montana non-resident Mountain Lion License = $320
License purchased after August 30th requires a 5-day waiting period.

You can download all our Hunting Contracts here.

Book Your Hunt Now!

Inquire in regards to limited Antelope and Bear Hunts. Contact Us.

Montana Hunting License

Please visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website to obtain your nonresident big game license. March 15th is your deadline to apply. Our lease is NOT a special permit area and does NOT require a special permit. You have two options when purchasing your hunting license: (1) You can apply for a big game combination license (which includes elk, deer, birds, and fishing) OR (2) an elk combination license (which includes elk, fishing, and birds). If you are an archery hunter you will also be required to purchase an archery license. If you have questions or trouble navigating the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website, please contact us here.

Please note if you are interested in either a rifle or archery antelope hunt, please contact us so we may guide you through the process of obtaining the correct licensing for your hunt. If you are looking for a truly exceptional Montana Rifle Hunt, planning ahead and getting a tag in a limited unit is well worth the effort.

Your Gear

The gearing-up process – the planning, the packing, the travel, are all part of the hunting experience. A well thought out gear list not only ensures that you have everything but more importantly assures you are covered for the unpredictable fall weather in Montana. We find that wearable gear that can be layered to match the day is a good approach. Weather and storms can roll in quickly over the Little Belt Mountains. Early fall archery hunts and general season rifle hunts temperatures swing wildly, it’s normally mild but we can experience rain, wet snow, and cool temperatures. Pack gear that meets these demands. Layering clothing has evolved into the premier method of staying warm on the coldest days. An effective layering system essentially consists of three layers that work together to insulate, manage moisture and protect from the elements – an outer layer for protection, a middle layer for warmth, and at the core, a good base layer for warmth and comfort. If you need help building a gear list for your upcoming hunt please give us a call or send us an email. We are here to ensure your hunt is a rewarding experience. Below are a few items we have found are essentials from our past guests.

View Gear List
Outer layer for protection – quiet – waterproof – breathable
Mid layer for warmth – wicking – quiet – breathable
Base layer for comfort – wicking – quiet – breathable
Rain gear – “quiet and packable”
Ball cap and weatherproof hat
Shooting gloves and warm handwear
Comfortable boots (2 pairs, waterproof)[G1]
Lodge footwear
Hiking socks and sock liners
Daypack for your daily gear
Sunglasses
Water bottle
Knife for your use
Binoculars (optional rangefinder and spotting scope)
Headlamp – flashlight and spare batteries
Camera with waterproof bag
Flagging tape or markers
Personal toiletries and lip balm
Personal medication and prescriptions
Snacks and anything you can’t live without
Personal alcoholic beverages
Click here for the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks hunting regulations.
Archery Hunts (in addition to the gear list):
Montana hunting license
Quit camo-clothing, layers and waterproof
Bow with bow sling (80% let-off)
12 arrows – min.
Binoculars (optional rangefinder and spotting scope)
Release and a spare
Fixed-blade broadheads (NO expendables)
Personal bow accessories
Facemask/paints
Rifle Hunts (in addition to the gear list):
Montana hunting license
Rifle with sling and scope (270 cal. or greater)
– sighted in @ 200 yards
Ammunition made for elk-sized game
Scope cover
Bipod or shooting sticks (optional)
Binoculars (optional rangefinder and spotting scope)
Winter weight headwear, gloves, and balaclava[G3]
Hand warmers
Insulated hunting boots
Gaiters – made of quiet material
Fluorescent orange vest
– 400 square inches above the waist as per Montana law.

Download Gear List