Our lodge hunts take place at the historical Blacktail Ranch (in hunting district 423), located a 33-mile drive from our base in Augusta, Montana. A new offering for 2020, we will be hunting on a combination of deeded private land, Montana state lease ground and national forest, totally more than 20,000 acres of hunting access.

The hunts are ideal for combination deer and elk, with the ability for fair-chasing hunting for both whitetail and mule deer. For elk hunting, most hunters prefer bulls, but this area allows for either sex to be taken. We are also permitted to hunt wolves, black bears and mountain lions.

Homesteaded in the late 1800s by the Rittel family, the ranch currently has a long family tradition, and the fifth generation is working on the ranch. An original homestead, it became a guest ranch in the 1950s and today has top-notch facilities and comfortable lodging, making it an ideal addition to our hunting season offerings.

As with all Mills Wilderness Adventures of Montana hunts, hunting on the ranch is a traditional fair chase. While some areas have two-track roads, we hunt strictly on foot and horseback and may occasionally use teams and wagons. As always, no motorized vehicles will be used. To better access national forest, there is a comfortable cabin–called “The Hideout”–that we will be using as well.

All lodge hunts are seven days and are available the last week in October through the end of November.