2005 Newsletter - Avalanche Basin Outfitters

On the web - www.avalancheoutfitters.com - email: avalanche@mtintouch.net

Our hunting area consists of private ranch lands that offer excellent elk and deer populations.

Welcome to Avalanche Basin Outfitters – We offer premium guided combination hunts for elk, whitetail and mule deer. Antelope are also taken as available.

Avalanche Basin Outfitters is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range of central Montana, hunting district 446. The hunting area lies 35 miles north of White Sulphur Springs and consists of 76,000 acres of beautiful, mountainous, private ranchlands. Elevations vary from 4,700ft to 7,200ft.

These private ranchlands support a large population of elk and deer. Hunters have averaged 76% success on five and six point bull elk and 65% success on four and five point whitetail and mule deer over the last 23 years. The antelope we are harvesting average 14” in horn length.

These ranch lands produce trophy class elk and deer each season.

We are located in the middle of Meagher County in
south central Montana, Hunting District 446.

Destination point is White Sulphur Springs, Montana. The closest commercial airport is Helena Regional Airport in Helena, Montana. We provide all transportation to and from camps. We also provide airport pickup on request.

We work out of 2 modern camps during the week. Both camps consist of clean, comfortable cook houses, propane heated cabins (2 people per cabin), and hot showers. From these camps, you will travel by 4x4 vehicles and horses to different areas and drainages throughout the week. This enables hunters to access much of the area and harvest the best animals available during their hunt. It also enables us to accommodate people of mixed ages and physical abilities. We offer both 2 hunters per 1 guide, and 1 hunter per 1 guide rates to insure personal service.

We offer 4 x 4 and horseback hunts
for elk, deer and antelope.

We provide all camps, equipment, food, guides, stock, tack and accommodations while you are hunting. You will need to bring your personal effects, sleeping bag, binoculars, ammunition, boots and clothing. You are also responsible for license fees, taxidermy fees, meat processing & shipping.

Please call or write if you have any questions or need further information. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Doug & Zita Caltrider

Avalanche Basin Outfitters

PO Box 17

White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645

(406) 547-3962

avalanche@mtintouch.net

www.avalancheoutfitters.com

One of our modern hunting camps - hot showers,
great food and comfortable lodging.

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our annual newsletter
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2005 Hunting Summary

We had 7 archery hunters this fall. Zita did the cooking and camp chores. Shane Andes and I did all of the guiding.

The first archery hunt was September 8-13. Jeff Baumgartner of MN and Buzz Marvin of ND were our guests for the week. This was Jeff’s second hunt and Buzz’s sixth hunt with us.

A variety of weather and high winds hampered the first three days of hunting. Temperatures varied from 90 degrees on Thursday to 20 degrees and snow flurries on Saturday. Conditions improved by mid week, and hunting was excellent the last 3 days.

On the fourth evening Jeff connected on a nice 4 point bull called into 9 yards on Freemon. On the fifth evening Jeff harvested a beautiful, long tined 5 point whitetail out of a tree stand on Camas Creek. Buzz passed on a very nice 6 point bull out of a tree stand in Indian Creek. A large 7x7 bull was in the background but never presented a shot. On the sixth morning Buzz missed a difficult shot at a 7x6 bull that came to a cow call in upper Long Park.

During the second archery hunt, September 15-20, Doug and Janet Rehak of PA joined us for the week. Janet accompanied Doug as an observer throughout the week. Ron White of MI was also scheduled on this hunt, but did not receive a license. This was Doug’s ninth hunt with us.

The weather was beautiful the entire week, with sunny skies and no precipitation. Temperatures reached the 70’s during the day and 40 degrees at night.

Bruce Ellingsen of Spokane, WA 10-03-05

Brad Hoffman of Cochranton, PA 11-01-05

Kraig Carver of Gig Harbor, WA 10-12-05

On Thursday evening Doug collected a wide, long tined 6 point bull in lower Indian Creek. The bull was shot at 31 steps out of a tree stand. Doug hunted deer, fished, and relaxed for the rest of the week.

Bruce and Brodi Stock, and Mitch and Jake Brumlow, all of GA, were our guests for the third archery hunt, September 22-27. Bruce and Mitch joined their sons as observers on the hunt. This was Bruce’s fourth and Mitch’s fifth stay on the ranch.

We had 3 days of snow with cold, windy weather. Temperatures reached the low 40’s during the day, and dropped into the 20’s at night. By mid week temperatures were in the 50’s during midday.

The second morning Jake passed on a nice 7x6 bull called up in upper Long Park. That evening Brodi was unsuccessful on a bull called up in Indian Creek. On the fourth evening Jake worked on a very large bull in Calamity, but was unable to get a shot. On the fifth morning Brodi’s hard luck continued on a bull bugled up in Long Park. The rut was beginning to pick up during this hunt, and we saw a lot of large bulls.

The fourth archery hunt was September 29-October 4. Don Sr., Don Jr. and Bruce Ellingsen, all of WA, were our guests for the week. Don Sr. accompanied his son and brother as an observer. This was Don’s third and Bruce’s second hunt with us.

We again had a variety of weather including rain, sleet, snow, and wind. It stayed fairly warm with temperatures in the 40’s during the day and 30 degrees at night. Several of the days were sunny and mild.

Randall Fox of Calhoun, GA 10-26-05

Keith Carver of Spokane, WA 10-12-05

Jeff Baumgartner of Bemidji, MN 9-12-05

On Thursday afternoon, Don was unsuccessful on a large bull that came to a cow call in Long Park. They were able to work on the same bull that evening, but did not connect. On Friday morning Don had a bull at 10 paces but the bull did not present a clean shot. Bruce had some hard luck on a good bull bugled up in the Burn. That evening Don passed up a 5x5 bull out of a tree stand in the Hole in the Wall. Late Sunday evening Don had a bull at 19 yards, but there wasn’t enough daylight to see his pins clearly. On Monday evening, Bruce made an excellent shot on a heavy horned 5x5 bull called into 28 steps in Long Park.

During the last archery hunt of the season, October 6-11, Buzz Marvin of ND joined us again. Buzz didn’t fill his tag on an earlier hunt, and was able to return for another try.

Brad Hoffman of Cochranton, PA 11-02-05

Chris Stiltner of Staunton, VA 11-07-05

Doug Rehak of Freeport, PA 9-15-05

The unsettled weather continued with snow, rain, wind, and cold temperatures. Daytime high’s reached 45 degrees with nights dipping into the 30’s. We did have some sunshine and a couple of mild afternoons during this hunt.

On Friday evening, Buzz passed up a 5 point bull out of a tree stand in the Hole in the Wall. On Sunday morning Buzz connected on a magnificent heavy horned 7x6 bull bugled up to 10 paces in upper Indian Creek.

It was a very exciting archery season. With the cool, wet weather, the tree stand hunting was not as effective. We did a lot of calling and hunted more country than usual. The rut was later, and we saw a lot of great bulls.

Shane Andes, Matt Caltrider and I guided on the antelope hunts.

Chet Ehrenzeller of Virginia Beach, VA 10-09-05

Chet Ehrenzeller of VA, and Ed Sausmen of PA, were our guests for the opening day of antelope season, October 9. This was Chet’s fifth and Ed’s fourth time hunting with us.

Sunday morning brought cloudy skies and mild temperatures. Chet harvested a beautiful, tight curled 13” antelope at 207 paces above Ayers Creek. Later in the afternoon, Ed collected a heart shaped, dark faced 14 ½” antelope buck at 160 steps south of Ayers Creek.

Larry Thompson of West Augusta, VA 11-10-05

Kraig and Keith Carver of WA joined us for the second antelope hunt starting October 12. This was Kraig’s third and Keith’s second hunt on the ranch.

Rob Vollers of Flemington, NJ
11-17-05

We had a beautiful, sunny day with temper-atures in the 70’s. Keith missed a difficult shot at an antelope in the bottom of Ayers Creek in the morning.

Early in the afternoon, Kraig connected on a 14” heavy horned, dark faced antelope buck at 212 yards south of Ayers Creek. Later in the afternoon Keith made an excellent shot at 108 steps on a wide, high 14 ¼” antelope buck in Ayers Creek.

Jeff Baumgartner of Bemidji, MN
9-11-05

Guides for the rifle season were Shane Andes, Dustin Schell and myself. Sandy Grigsby covered the cooking and camp duties.

The first rifle hunt was October 23-28. Guests for the week were Randall Fox, Chuck Burnette, and Charlie and Chuck Kirby, all from GA, and Bill Barney and Gary Brinsfield from OH. Chuck K. accompanied Charlie as an observer. This was Randall’s ninth hunt, Chuck’s second, and Bill and Gary’s sixth hunt with us.

Mark Panciera of Conneaut Lake, PA 11-01-05

Keith Carver of Spokane, WA 11-15-05

Most of the week was beautiful with highs in the 60’s and lows in the 30’s. Late in the week it cooled off with a few rain showers. There was no snow cover on the ranch.

On Sunday evening Chuck collected a nice 5x4 bull at 160 yards on Freemon. Randall passed on a 6x5 bull that evening. Monday evening Charlie missed a very large bull on Squaw Teat.

Wednesday morning Charlie made an excellent shot on a one horned 6 point bull at 128 steps in the Ramsey. That evening Randall harvested a wide, long beamed 6 point bull above the Upper Manuel. Thursday morning Gary connected on a nice 4 point bull called into 62 paces in Long Park.

During the second rifle hunt, October 30-November 4, hunters were Norm Hill of CA, Steve Kaufmann of MI, and Mark Panciera and Brad Hoffman of PA. This was Norm and Steve’s fifth hunt with us.

Charlie Kirby of Calhoun, GA 10-26-05

Mark Panciera of Conneaut Lake, PA 10-31-05

Tom Vollers of Far Hills, NJ 11-13-05

Chris Stiltner of Staunton, VA 11-09-05

We had cloudy, windy days with rain and snow showers during this hunt. Daytime high’s reached the mid 40’s, with nighttime lows in the 20’s.

On the first morning Norm made an excellent shot on a long tined 6x5 bull called into 161 yards in the Ramsey. Norm also passed on a large mule deer that morning. That evening Norm passed on a 5x4 whitetail on Camas Creek. Steve connected on a pretty, dark maned 5x4 bull at 200 steps in Horn Hollow. After an exciting second evening Mark collected a large, long beamed 6 point bull on Freemon. The third morning Mark’s good luck continued on a long tined 6x5 whitetail on Camas Creek. The fourth morning Brad harvested a nice, symmetrical 5 point bull at 236 paces in Long Park. That evening Norm stalked a large 5x5 whitetail on Elk Creek. After making a 200 yard shot at dusk, he found that he had mistakenly shot a 4x4 buck (not pictured) that was traveling with the large buck. The fifth morning Brad filled his deer tag with a beautiful, high horned 5x5 whitetail on Camas Creek. That evening Steve finished his hunt with a large, heavy horned 5 point whitetail at 300 steps on the Low Bar.

Chris Stiltner, Charlie Scott, Larry Thompson, and Marlin Hewitt, all from VA, were our guests for the third rifle hunt, November 6-11.

Temperatures ranged from the mid 50’s during the day to nighttime lows in the teens. We had 6” of new snow on the ground, and high winds throughout the week.

Norm Hill of Oakhurst, CA 10-30-05

Chuck Burnette of Calhoun, GA 10-23-05

Steve Kaufmann of Gaylord, MI 10-30-05

On Sunday, Charlie stalked a large 6 point bull in upper Indian Creek. The bull was at 100 yards and 300 yards, but never presented a clean shot. On Monday morning Marlin missed a nice 6 point bull on Freemon. After an all day stalk, Chris collected a long tined 6 point bull at 200 steps in the Ramsey. Wednesday morning Charlie missed a large mule deer at Fort Logan. Chris made an excellent shot on a long tined 4 point whitetail at 300 paces on the High Bar. That afternoon Marlin’s bad luck continued on a 6 point bull in the Ramsey. Thursday morning Larry harvested a broken beamed 6x4 bull at 108 yards in lower Long Park. That evening Larry filled his tags with a beautiful 4 point whitetail at 260 steps in the horse pasture on Rock Creek. The last evening Charlie connected on a high tined 5 point whitetail at the Annex. Marlin collected a hard earned 5 point whitetail south of Keep Cool Creek.

On the fourth rifle hunt of the season, November 13-18, guests were Rob and Tom Vollers of NJ, and Kraig and Keith Carver of WA. This was Kraig’s fourth and Keith’s third hunt with us.

The ranch received 18” of new snow at the beginning of this hunt. The week was cloudy with scattered snow showers. Daytime highs were in the 40’s, nights dipped to 20 degrees. Visibility was poor on several days of the hunt.

On the first evening Tom harvested a nice 5x4 bull in Calamity at 237 yards. After an exciting third day, Keith collected a large, heavy horned 6 point bull above the Rock Wall. Kraig also made an excellent shot on a wide 6x5 bull at 350 steps above the Rock Wall. The fourth morning Tom filled his tags with a high horned 5x4 mulie buck at 114 paces in the Ramsey. Rob took a shot at a nice bull in lower Long Park, but was unable to connect. That evening Rob made a great shot on a nice, symmetrical 5 point bull at 200 yards in Long Park. The next day Rob finished his hunt with a good 5 point mule deer in the Ramsey.

Dennis, JR, and Danielle Lupton of WV, and Bill Barney of OH joined us for the fifth and final rifle hunt for the season, November 20-25. This was Dennis’s 7th, and JR and Danielle’s 2nd hunt with us. Bill did not fill his tags on the first hunt, and was able to come back for another try. Dennis, JR, and Danielle were deer hunting on Camas Creek.

We had sunny skies and mild weather during the week. Temperatures reached 50 degrees during the day, with nighttime temperatures in the 20’s. We had 14” of snow cover on the ranch.

On Saturday evening JR missed a large mule deer buck on the Fort Logan Ranch. Sunday Morning JR connected on the same high, dark horned 4x4 mulie at 250 paces at Fort Logan. Dennis harvested a nice, symmetrical 4 point whitetail (not pictured) on Camas Creek. On Monday Danielle missed a whitetail buck on Camas Creek. That evening Bill filled his elk tag with a wide, broken beamed 6x5 bull taken at 200 steps in the Ramsey. Danielle had several more opportunities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Early Thursday morning Danielle made an excellent shot on a nice 4 point whitetail at 100 yards on the High Bar. The deer rut was in full swing during this hunt, and we saw a lot of good bucks.

I would like to thank everyone who hunted with us this season. We are very appreciative of your business, friendship, and loyalty. Weather and feed conditions were good for hunting this fall, and it was a great season. Everyone hunted hard and was a pleasure to be with everyday.

A special thanks to Zita Caltrider, Sandy Grigsby, Shane Andes, and Dustin Schell. Their experience, dedication and hard work are much appreciated.

Larry Thompson of West Augusta, VA 11-10-05

Ed Sausmen of Mifflintown, PA 10-09-05

Tom Vollers of Far Hills, NJ 11-16-05

2007 Prices

In Montana, outfitter-sponsored non-resident hunting licenses are sold on a market driven system. Everyone that applies for the outfitter-sponsored license properly and on time is guaranteed a license. (No drawing)

2007 Big Game Combination Elk/Deer License $1195.00 - (March 15th deadline)

2007 Combination
Elk/Deer Hunts

ARCHERY
(6 days actual hunting)

1 guide for 1 hunter - $6800 per person

Hunt 1 • September 8 - September 13
Hunt 2 • September 15 - September 20
Hunt 3 • September 22 - September 27
Hunt 4 • September 29 - October 4
Hunt 5 • October 6 - October 11

RIFLE
(6 days actual hunting)

1 guide for 2 hunters - $6200 per person
1 guide for 1 hunter - $7100

Hunt 1 • October 21 - October 26
Hunt 2 • October 28 - November 2
Hunt 3 • November 4 - November 9
Hunt 4 • November 11 - November 16
Hunt 5 • November 18 - November 23

Kraig Carver of Gig Harbor, WA 11-15-05

Charlie Scott of West Augusta, VA 11-11-05

J R Lupton of Augusta, WV 11-20-05

*ALL HUNTS REQUIRE A 50% DEPOSIT TO HOLD RESERVATIONS

I would like to express a sincere thanks to every client that we’ve had the pleasure of hunting with during the last 23 years. Without your business and friendship, the hunting season would not be possible. Also thanks to Galt Ranch, Fort Logan Ranch, and Camas Creek Cattle and Sheep Company for their continued support, understanding, and cooperation with our hunting operation.

Sincerely,

Doug & Zita Caltrider

For full details visit our web site:

www.avalancheoutfitters.com

Buzz Marvin of West Fargo, ND 10-09-05

Danielle Lupton of Augusta, WV 11-24-05

Rob Vollers of Flemington, NJ 11-17-05