2006 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 24 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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2006 Hunting Summary

We had 9 archery hunters this fall. Zita did the cooking and camp chores. Kevin Ancell, Kurt Wissehr, Shane Andes and I did all of the guiding.

The first archery hunt was September 8-13. Mike Meadows of GA was our guest for the week. This was Mike’s sixth hunt with us.

Weather conditions were warm and sunny the entire week with no precipitation. Daytime highs were in the 80’s with nights dropping to 50 degrees.

Shortly after daylight the first morning, we bugled in a beautiful long tined 7x6 bull in the top of Long Park. Mike made an excellent 30 yard shot to fill his elk tag (bull grossed 351 P&Y). Mike hunted deer, fished and relaxed for the rest of his stay.

During the second archery hunt, September 15-20, Ron White of MI, and Dave Haven of OR joined us for the week. This was Dave’s second hunt with us.

Randall Fox of Calhoun, GA 11-08-06

Rick Beinhauer of Venetia, PA 10-26-06

We started the week with 2 days of cold, stormy weather and 12” of new snow at 7000 ft. Temperatures varied from 25 degrees early in the week to highs in the 60’s by mid week.

On Friday morning Dave passed on a bull in Long Park. On a cold, snowy Saturday evening Dave missed a bull called in on Freemon. On Sunday morning Dave collected a heavy horned, long tined 6 point bull called up in Long Park. Monday brought clear skies and mild temperatures. Ron passed on a smaller bull in upper Long Park. Later in the day Ron made an excellent shot on a nice 5 point bull bugled in to 25 paces. That evening Dave missed an opportunity on a nice mulie buck.

Rick and Shelly Plecker of VA, and Rick Ellingsen and Dave Van Hersett of WA were our guests for the third archery hunt, September 22-27. Shelly and Dave accompanied as observers for the week. This was Rick P.s’ fifth hunt and Rick E.’s third hunt on the ranch.

The start of the hunt was cold and snowy, with highs in the 40’s. By mid week most of the snow had melted. Temperatures reached 60 degrees midday and dropped to 30 degrees at night.

The second morning Rick E. harvested a nice, symmetrical 6 point bull called into 6 paces in Indian Creek. Rick P. passed on a 6 point bull bugled in above the Rock Wall. The third evening Rick passed up shots at 5 bulls out of a tree stand in the bottom of Long Park. On the fourth evening Rick sat in the same tree stand, but was unable to connect on a nice 6 point bull. The next morning Rick had a very close encounter (3 yards) with a large, mad 7 point bull. The bull came straight in and never offered a broadside shot. On the last morning, Rick filled his tag with a heavy, long tined 6 point bull bugled up to 10 steps in Indian Creek.

Mike Meadows of Calhoun, GA 09-08-06

Keith Carver of Spokane, WA 11-17-06

The fourth archery hunt was September 29-October 4. Don Ellingsen, Bruce Ellingsen, Don Ellingsen Sr., and Lance Olson, all of WA, were our guests for the week. Don Sr. and Lance accompanied as observers. This was Don’s fourth hunt, Bruce’s third hunt, and Don Sr.’s third trip with us. Weather conditions were beautiful the entire week, with sunny skies and daytime highs of 60 degrees.

On Friday evening, Don had some hard luck on a large bull bugled up in upper Long Park. Don passed on a bull in Long Park the next evening. Later that evening he was unable to connect on a bull in upper Long Park. On Saturday afternoon Bruce drew on a 6 point bull at 10 steps in the Ramsey, but the bull was moving and did not stop. On Sunday evening Bruce had a 6 point bull come in to 25 paces, but the bull would not present a shot. Don had an exciting evening of elk hunting from the Hole in the Wall tree stand. After passing on a 6 point bull early in the evening, he made an excellent 15 yard shot on a magnificent 8x7 bull. The bull was extremely heavy horned, with long beams and tines, and grossed 380 5/8 P&Y.

Mark Prestrud of Rosemount, MN 11-24-06

Kraig Carver of Gig Harbor, WA 11-17-06

Allen Menozzi of McKeesport, PA 10-26-06

During the last archery hunt of the season, October 6-11, Mark Prestrud and Doug Brathol of MN joined us for the week.

The first two days of the hunt were warm and mild. Stormy weather with snow, high winds, and cold temperatures hampered the next two days efforts. The weather settled the last two days, with highs reaching the 50’s and lows dropping to 30 degrees.

On the first morning Doug passed on 2 bulls in upper Long Park. Mark had a bull at 10 steps but the bull did not present a shot. The second evening Mark passed on a 6x5 bull in the Ramsey. On the last morning Doug was unable to connect on a large bull called in on Freemon.

We glassed and hunted a lot of great bulls, and it was a very exciting archery season. With the cool, wet weather the tree stand hunting was not as effective. We covered a lot of country this season, and had good results bugling and cow calling. The rut was later again this year, peaking around October 3.

Guides for the rifle season were Dustin Schell, Kurt Wissehr, and I. Sandy Grigsby covered the cooking and camp duties. We hunted both the Rock Creek and Camas Creek Ranches during rifle season.

The first rifle hunt was October 22-27. Guests for the week were Bill Riley, Allen Menozzi, Casey Harper, Rick Beinhauer, RW Grafton, and Jim & Lynn McHolme, all of PA. RW accompanied as an observer and assisted in the guiding. This was Bill’s seventh, Casey’s fourth, Rick’s third, RW’s eighth, Jim’s third, and Lynn’s second hunt with us.

The week started off with cold, windy weather and 2 ½ feet of fresh snow at higher elevations on the ranch. Mid week brought daytime highs in the 50’s, and lows in the 30’s.

On Monday evening Allen missed a large 6 point bull in Middle Creek. After a long stalk on Tuesday afternoon, Allen made an excellent shot at 220 yards on a heavy horned 6 point bull in the Ramsey. On Wednesday morning Rick and Casey looked at ten 6 point bulls but did not have any shot opportunities. On Thursday morning Rick collected a large bodied, long tined 6 point bull in the top of the Clear Range. That evening Allen harvested a long tined, symmetrical 5x5 whitetail buck on the Low Bar of Camas Creek. Rick also filled his tags with a dark horned 5x5 whitetail buck on Camas Creek (no photo). Early Friday afternoon, Bill connected on a beautiful 15” antelope at 230 steps in the Clear Range. That evening Bill passed on a large 5x5 mule deer while hunting two good bulls seen earlier that day.

We had very poor weather conditions at the beginning of this hunt, was tough getting around. We saw a lot of nice bulls and mule deer bucks during the week. We moved down to Beaver Creek midday on Tuesday.

During the second rifle hunt, October 29-November 3, hunters were Gary Northrop of WA, Don Bettino of MD, Mike Burger and Don Smith of VA and Doug Burger of MT. This was Mike’s third hunt, Don S.’s second, and Doug’s second hunt on the ranch.

We had cold, clear weather with very little wind during the week. Daytime highs early in the week reached 30 degrees, with night time lows at -10 degrees. The ranch had 15” of snow at higher elevations. The middle of the hunt brought milder temperatures and melting snow.

Randall Fox of Calhoun, GA 11-05-06

Steve Dissinger of Schuylkill Haven, PA
11-03-06

Ron White of Bloomfield Hills, MI 09-18-06

Don Smith of Glade Hill, VA 11-03-06

After arriving at camp on Saturday evening, Doug missed a bull on the camp side of Spring Basin. On the first morning Gary passed a bull in upper Spring Basin at 80 yards. The second afternoon Don B. missed a bull in lower Long Park. On the third evening Doug missed a bull in Democrat. Don S. filled his deer tag with a high, heavy horned 5x5 mule deer buck at 250 yards in the top of the Clear Range.

We moved down to Beaver Creek early Tuesday morning. Cold weather and crunchy snow conditions made the hunting tougher this week. The mule deer rut started during this hunt, we saw a lot of bucks traveling.

Randall Fox of GA, and Roger Hamm, Steve Dissinger, and John Likar, all of PA, were our guests for the third rifle hunt, November 5-10. This was Randall’s tenth hunt, Roger’s second and John’s second hunt with us.

Temperatures warmed up during this hunt, ranging from the mid 50’s during the day to nighttime lows in the 30’s. We had quite a bit of wind and some rain during the week, and most of the snow melted off of the south slopes.

Steve arrived early Friday afternoon and filled his antelope tag with a nice 13” antelope buck on the High Bar of Camas Creek. On Sunday afternoon, Randall harvested a dark, heavy horned 6 point bull at 240 paces below the Rock in Spring Basin. Randall filled his deer tag Wednesday afternoon with a high, wide 5 point mule deer towards Monument. That evening Steve collected a beautiful, wide 6 point bull at 175 yards in the Dry Range. Roger was not able to connect on a large bull that was with Steve’s bull. Roger harvested a nice, symmetrical 4 point whitetail buck at the Annex on Thursday evening (no photo). Steve missed a whitetail buck Friday morning on the Fort Logan Ranch. That evening he made an excellent shot on a large, wide 5 point whitetail buck in Elk Creek. Roger worked on a group of bulls on Beaver Creek, but ran out of shooting light.

We moved down to Beaver Creek early Wednesday morning. Saw quite a bunch of nice bulls and many nice bucks during this hunt.

On the fourth hunt of the season, November 12-17, guests were Keith and Kraig Carver of WA, and Dave Kessler of Pa. This was Keith’s fourth and Kraig’s fifth hunt on the ranch.

The week started out cold, snowy, and windy. The last 4 days of the hunt were clear and sunny, with daytime highs in the 30’s and nights dipping into the single digits.

The first evening Keith and Kraig passed up two bulls on the camp side of Spring Basin. On the third morning Dave hunted a group of 5 bulls in the top of Long Park. There was one large bull in the group but Dave was not able to connect. On the fourth afternoon Keith and Kraig missed a nice mulie buck towards the Burn. Their hard luck continued into the next morning on a large mule deer buck on Beaver Creek. After an exciting last day hunt, Keith collected a dark horned, symmetrical 6 point bull at 80 yards in the Dry Range. Kraig also filled his elk tag, making an excellent shot on a nice 5 point bull.

We moved down to Beaver Creek during midday on Tuesday. The hunters passed up approximately 40 mule deer bucks and saw a lot of nice bulls during this hunt.

Mark Prestrud and Doug Brathol of MN and Don Smith of VA joined us for the fifth and final rifle hunt of the season, November 19-24. They had hunted with us earlier in the 2006 season, lost several hunting days due to bad weather, and were able to return to fill their tags.

We experienced sunny skies, mild weather, and wind throughout the week. Temperatures reached 50 degrees during the day, with nighttime temperatures in the 30’s.

Bill Riley of Elizabeth, PA 10-27-06

Dave Haven of Salem, OR 09-17-06

Don Ellingsen of Spokane, WA 10-01-06

Allen Menozzi of McKeesport, PA 10-24-06

Rick Ellingsen of Spokane, WA 09-23-06

On Sunday’s hunt Mark and Doug saw 7 bulls, and passed on 2 bulls in lower Long Park that evening. Wednesday afternoon Doug and Mark stalked a group of 6 bulls in the Dry Range. After a three hour wait and passing up 4 bulls, Doug collected a beautiful 7x6 bull at 130 steps. Late Wednesday evening, Don worked on a large 6 point bull in the Hill Field on Doggett’s. The bull eluded them, and Don made an excellent shot on a cow to fill his tag. Mark stalked a group of 9 bulls on Beaver Creek, but ran out of shooting light. On the last day of the hunt Mark made an excellent shot at 209 paces on a nice 5 point bull in the Dry Range.

We stayed at the Beaver Creek camp throughout the week, but hunted both ranches. We saw a large number of bulls on this hunt. The larger mule deer bucks were with does, and the whitetail rut was just starting.

I would like to thank everyone who hunted with us this season. We are very appreciative of your business, friendship, and loyalty. Snow conditions and cold weather made some of the archery and early rifle hunts tougher. Everyone hunted hard and was a pleasure to hunt with everyday.

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

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

Steve Dissinger of Schuylkill Haven, PA
11-10-06

Kurt Wissehr with Rick Plecker’s Bull
09-27-06

*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 24 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

Doug Brathol of River Falls, WI 11-22-06

Steve Dissinger of Schuylkill Haven, PA
11-08-06