Killer Vacation in Montana

This is one vacation that pays travelers back! Hunting wild game in Montana is one way to fill the freezer for an entire winter. Sportsmen say the Treasure State is divided into two parts: the western side, where larger deer and elk roam and the eastern side where larger groups of animals graze with a less dense terrain.

Hunting is still a highly sought after sport that yields a great harvest. Of course, safety is the number one rule, so be sure to know your state's hunting laws before taking it up as a sport. Some states (like Montana) require one year of residency or a safety training class before issuing a hunter's license. Youth, older than twelve years in Montana, are also welcome to hunt under strict guidelines. Between the ages of 12 and 17, young people are required to take safety orientations for rifle and bow hunting. Hunting is no longer the redneck man's sport. Many women are also interested and are prized marksmen.

Since most Americans buy their meat at the grocery store, hunting may seem old-fashioned or even barbaric. However, before making a judgment, consider some of these interesting facts:

Deer Meat is Healthier and Cheaper than Beef

White-tail deer, mule deer, elk and antelope roam free in the environment grazing on grass, corn and other vegetation. They are not corralled and mass produced with steroids and other poisons as are domestic cattle. Yes, there are some pesticides on the grasses or crops in the deer's diet, but the comparison pales to what we buy in grocery stores.

With proper diet and exercise, this means deer meat has 50% less fat than beef and is free of preservatives. Additionally, hunters rake in a couple hundred pounds of meat for the price of one season of hunting! Hunting tag prices vary state to state, but in Montana, residents pay about twenty bucks. Non-residents can visit and pay two hundred, but that's still a great price.

Hunting also helps the state and counties in herd control. These animals multiply and can become rather destructive to local farmers' crops.

Getting There

If you're not driving, western Montana is serviced by many major airlines, trains and of course buses. Most of eastern Montana is serviced by a small airline called Great Lakes Airlines (www.flygreatlakes.com). The largest planes hold thirty people and prices tend to be higher than larger competitors, so save your pennies!

Guided Hunts in Montana

Montana is famous for guided hunts. Deer hunting season is relatively short, so if you have a group of people who want to go, plan well in advance. Individuals from all over the world visit Montana during this time. Guided hunts and dude ranch mini-vacations are a great way to spend free time for anyone, but particularly for city dwellers living in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Montana is quiet. Here are a couple of websites to start with: Christian Guide service - www.jjguide.com Jamie and Juanita or www.armellscreekoutfitters.com Mark and Deanna.

Tips for travel to Montana:

Life in the "Last Best Place" is different than other places; here are a few things to keep in mind before taking the plunge:

Weather is different. Winters in Montana are dry. Blowing snow is more of a danger than falling snow. Because the snow is dry, snow drifts blow up to eight feet and higher. Please, never go out alone in the winter. Also, temperatures fall well below zero, though not usually in November. But, with the high winds, the temperature may feel like 40 degrees below zero. Dress appropriately.

People are different. People in Montana are laid back and sometimes take longer to do things. Charging in with a well-laid plan and the "front and center" attitude is overlooked and maybe even frowned upon. Just relax and you'll fit right in.

Puddle Jumpers. If you want to fly in, you may have to tolerate puddle jumpers (19-30 seater planes). These planes are loud, a bit of a rough ride and seldom provide extra services. Some don't have rest rooms. Also, they tend to have more mechanical problems than larger planes.

Pack out. Montanans greatly appreciate those who pick up after themselves. There are no public entities or groups with environmental concerns who will clean up after sloppy visitors, so don't be one of those.

Prepare to have meat transported. Naturally, getting a 200-pound buck would be a thrill, but transporting all that meat is another story. Think ahead about this and be sure to ask your hunt guide(s) what is offered locally and how much it will cost so you can figure it into your budget. It's usually reasonably priced and all you have to do is drop the animal off, then pick up (or ship) your packaged meat a day or two later. The following website can assist you with an idea of different weights: www.butcher-packer.com.

Go ahead, do something different this year. Experience life the way our country was started, back when men still hunted for food. You may be surprised!