Lodge Hunts vs. Wilderness Hunts: Which Montana Elk Hunting Experience Is Right for You?

Elk hunting in Montana is one of the most iconic Western experiences you can have. The landscapes are wild, the animals are smart, and no two days in the field are ever the same. At Specimen Creek Outfitters, we guide elk hunts in some of the most scenic, game-rich country near Yellowstone National Park, and we offer two ways to experience it: lodge-based hunts and wilderness horseback hunts.

Both are true fair chase hunts. Both give you a real shot at Montana bulls. But they’re built for different types of hunters, and it’s important to know the difference before you book your hunt.

If you’re looking for a comfortable stay and full days in the field without going too far off-grid, our lodge hunts are a great fit. You’ll stay in a warm cabin near Gardiner, Montana—right at the doorstep of Yellowstone. Each day, you’ll head out with your guide in a 4x4 to hunt nearby public lands. You’ll spend time hiking glassing points, working ridgelines, and moving through drainages where we’ve tracked elk movement. When the day wraps up, you’ll come back to a hot meal, a private bed, and the comforts of modern life.

This style of hunt is perfect for guests who want to focus on the hunt itself without worrying about packing into the backcountry. If you’re bringing a family member who won’t be hunting or you’d prefer to combine your trip with some sightseeing or photography in the Yellowstone area, this option offers that flexibility. You’ll still be hunting real elk in rugged country—you’re just doing it with a base camp that has indoor plumbing.

The wilderness horseback hunts are a different kind of experience entirely. These are full pack-in trips, where you and your guide ride into remote terrain with a string of horses and mules, camp in traditional wall tents, and hunt from deep inside country that’s not accessible by truck or trailhead. You’ll wake up to a cold nose and the sound of the creek outside camp, saddle up after coffee, and ride or hike to hunt areas that see far less pressure than road-accessible spots.

This is the kind of hunt you read about in magazines or watch on those quiet, no-nonsense films where the mountains do the talking. You won’t have cell service. You won’t have a lodge meal waiting for you. But what you will have is full immersion in the Montana wilderness and the chance to chase elk in some of the most beautiful, untouched country in the West.

That said, wilderness hunts require a little more from the hunter. You don’t have to be an endurance athlete, but you do need to be ready for long days, variable weather, and covering ground on foot or horseback. If you’re in decent shape and have a desire to unplug and go all-in on the experience, this style of hunting can be incredibly rewarding. Many of our guests tell us it’s one of the most peaceful, fulfilling things they’ve ever done.

There are also practical differences between the two. On a lodge hunt, we typically have more flexibility to move spots if we’re not seeing animals. With trucks, we can cover different zones and respond quickly to updated elk patterns. On wilderness hunts, we’re all-in on the area we ride into—so we make sure we’re heading to country with fresh sign, good water, and high potential based on pre-season scouting. Once you’re in, you’re hunting hard from camp, morning to night.

Both hunts include full guiding services, field care, and help with pack-out. Our team handles every detail, from helping you understand tag options before the hunt to glassing, calling, tracking, and getting meat off the mountain. All you need to bring is your personal gear, rifle or bow, and a willingness to hunt hard and stay present in the process.

If you’re not sure which hunt is right for you, give us a call. We’ll ask you about your physical comfort level, previous hunts, whether you’re coming alone or with others, and what kind of adventure you’re really after. Sometimes it’s the lodge hunt that fits the bill. Other times, someone who’s never slept outside before ends up booking a backcountry horseback trip—and they leave saying it was the best decision they’ve ever made.

There’s no wrong way to do it. What matters is finding the style of hunt that fits you—and then doing it right. That’s what we’re here for.