Mills Wilderness Adventures - Meet Your Hosts
In 1977 Ron Mills established a small outfitting business in Half-Moon Creek of the Scapegoat Wilderness. Ron had worked for many outfitters prior to this and had missed few seasons in the mountains. Though he was born and raised on ranches around Augusta, Montana and lived right at the foot of the Rocky Mountains his first opportunity to experience the mountains did not come until 1959 after he graduated from high school. He immediately fell in love with the horses, the mountains, and the adventure. Though he grew up on the family ranch and had always planned on being a rancher, it became clear that his heart was now in the wilderness. From 1959 to 1976 he worked for several different outfitters gaining a tremendous amount of experience which has served him well since starting his own business. Ron is a licensed Outfitter (license #618), though he had a modest start from scratch his experience in wilderness, horses and people have helped him expand and become one of the largest and best outfitters around.
Tucker went on his first pack trip with his father ((Ron) when he was five years old. Like Ron, once Tucker was introduced to the wilderness he never thought of doing anything else with his life. After working on a cattle ranch for 4 summers he started taking summer trips with his father at sixteen. Born and raised into the outfitting business Tucker is now a partner, easing the burden on Ron.
Tucker's wife Amy was also born and raised in Augusta. Amy does all the book-work and correspondence for the business as well as keeping all the camps stocked with groceries, and is the camp cook on most of the trips.
Ray (Ron’s brother) plays a major role in our operation. After working for the United States Forest Service for over 40 years, he retired and joined the Mills crew. Ray has amazing knowledge to compliment the years of experience Ron and Tucker have in the wilderness. We are grateful for every year he continues to join us on our trips summer and fall!!
The younger generation of the Mills family is also very active in the business. Tucker and Amy's two boys, Bryar and Turk are starting to take on more and more duties as they continue to learn on the trips and look forward to following in their dad’s footsteps. Ocassionaly Ron's other children Dennis, Schuyler, Ace and Reef work a trip as a guide, wrangler or packer.
This operation is not just a job for us, it is our passion. Ron worked hard to get where he is and has passed down the desire to share authentic wilderness adventures while showing great respect for the land and animals we encounter with the guests who join us on these amazing trips. We are so grateful to spend our summers and falls in the Bob Marshall.