For this hunt we had clients hunting water holes from blinds. Antelope were slow coming into the water due to unusual August rains. We then switched our methods to some spotting and stalking. We were able to cut down the distance on several bucks by spotting and stalking and we had some antelope bucks that came into decoys. Spotting and stalking antelope with a bow is tough but can be very exciting and rewarding when they respond to a decoy.
"Hi Randy, I just recently joined you and
Ben on a bow hunting antelope hunt and wanted to tell you that your
operation was nothing short of first class. We were all not fortunate
enough to shoot an antelope, but I have to tell you that my goal and
many others was to relax and hunt in an area that we have never hunted
all while enjoying great food, scenery and of course the hunt. From the
time you picked us up in Billings to you dropped us back off your
outfit was very enjoyable and both you and Ben went above and beyond to
get all of us an antelope. Your sleeping and eating accommodations were
great and your ranches were full of wildlife. One of the most enjoyable
days was hunting from a blind in the morning and spot stalking all day
while mountain climbing a 5000 foot mountain to find the antelope. I
highly recommend your outfit to anyone who asks me and please feel free
to use me as a reference. Hope to see you in the future." Heath G. Schuman
"I
wanted to send you some pictures that were taken on our bow antelope
hunt this past week. The last day when the heat turned on so did the
light switch. We saw more antelope that day and movement than the other
two wet and cold days. Your camp was great, how shower was awesome, and
the company was great. Thanks again, Randy and please stay in touch. If
you get any of those HUGE elk that we kept seeing please send me a
picture. That would be an awesome hunt and maybe we will see you in two
years for an elk hunt. Take care and good luck next month. Kevin Compton
"
I wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much we enjoyed our time
with Musselshell Outfitters. Living in the east coast it was awesome to
finally see Montana vastness and the wildlife that inhabits it. It was
a real treat for us to see so many antelope, mule deer, and some
monster elk!! The accommodations, food and staff were
great............. but most importantly we really appreciate the time
and effort Ben and you put in prior to and during our hunt! Please
give our thanks to everyone and feel free to use my name as a
reference. Best Regards", Greg Loker
Archery elk, deer season opening on September 5, 2009. Opening week client, Lloyd Anderson, takes nice bull after seeing 12 different bulls and passing up 4 bulls that were in shooting range of his bow. Lloyd also saw a large 7x7 bull that was just out of range. Score on Lloyd's bull is pending at this time. Lloyd is pictured here with his bull.
Bow elk season opened with elk bugling and chasing cows. Cool mornings and warm days made water hole hunting exciting. Elk were also responding to calling during the first week of season. Pictured on right is Lloyd Anderson and Outfitter Randy Higgins after arriving back in camp with the bull.
" I saw 7 bulls over 300 inches in the first two days, and saw a bull that would go over 400 inches on the fourth day. The quality and quantity of bulls were great. I will see you next year." L.V. --Musselshell Outfitters hunting client October 2009.
Musselshell Outfitters client D. S. from PA with a bull taken at 7 yards!!!!!!!
The 2009 bow elk season has been completed. It was an excellent season for seeing quality bulls and for getting shots at quality bulls. Our shot opportunity was very high again in 2009. We had a bull taken at 7 yards, one at 12 yards, and the longest shots were 40 yards. Several of our clients saw a bull that would most definitely score over 400 inches in antler size.
We had several clients take bulls well over 300 inches. Next year is our 18th year of providing archery elk hunting on private land. Over the past 17 years we have taken bulls scoring over 300 inches each year. Over the years we have also had clients who had opportunities at bulls scoring from 350 inches to over 400 inches. This is a great archery elk area. If you are interested in a 2010 hunt we urge you to give a call or an email. Our hunts are filling up quickly for 2010. We have many current or past references available for you to call if you wish.
The 2009 rifle antelope season was action packed and everyone saw several good bucks. We have been 100% shooting opportunity on rifle antelope hunts for 17 years!!!! 3 day antelope hunts are very affordable and very action packed. Antelope have a license deadline of June 1.
We have had several bird hunting clients. The pheasant and chukar hunting has been great. Clients enjoy not having a limit on the bird preserve. We also have some great wild bird hunting as well for sharp-tail grouse.
Rifle mule deer and whitetail season start Sunday , October 25, 2009. We have many great mule deer and whitetail bucks located at this time. We are looking forward to a great rifle deer season.
Stan Louks takes a nice mule deer at 50 yards. --Nov. 09
Michael Freiburger takes a nice mule deer on a 1 mile spot and stalk in a large burn.-- Nov. 09
"Randy
Hope all is well in Roundup!
Thank you so much for the wonderful
Montana mule deer hunt last week. I'm sure I will be sharing my
experience with friends and family for quite some time. Our 1 hour 20
minute stalk with Pat through the burn to down a nice 4x4 was beyond belief. My heart starts
beating faster everytime I tell the story. I've been accused of making
the whole event up. Good Lord willing, I will get a chance to come
back and harvest another nice mule deer with you.
Feel free to give my name out to
potential clients. I would be more than happy to tell them about your
first rate facilities, right down from the camp, meals, guide and
experience in the field.
Tell Pat we said Hi ! Best of luck from Mike, Jim and Ray."
Michael Freiburger, MI, November 2009
Michael Turock takes a whitetail on an evening hunt where deer are moving towards irrigated alfalfa fields where they will feed during the night. ----Nov. 09
Guides bringing a deer across the icy Musselshell River for a hunting client.---Nov. 09
December 1, 2009-- The mule deer and whitetail rifle hunts were very successful and some nice bucks were taken. We had no snow and hunted on dry ground all hunting season. We took some nice mule deer out of some big burn areas and took some whitetail on the Musselshell River. It was a great 2009 big game hunting season for elk, muleys, whitetail and antelope. Thanks to all the clients who came to hunt Musselshell Outfitters, LLC in 2009. We look forward to seeing several of you back next year and the years to come.
The time has come to hunt lion with hounds, and to hunt upland game birds through March.
Hunts for fall 2010 are booking quickly, as well as spring turkey 2010. If you wish to book a hunt for 2010 or 2011, now is the time. We still have some great openings for archery elk, rifle deer, and a few antelope hunts for 2010. A last minute lion hunt for Dec. or Jan. 09-10 is still possible with the new licensing cut-off date.
3/12/10-- Pheasant and chukar clients are training dogs and enjoying the nice bird hunting weather on the shooting preserve. License deadline for big game is closing in fast. (March 15) Most lion quota's have filled at this time across the State except a select few. Spring turkey season is approaching and birds are already gobbling hard in early mornings. Antelope license deadline is June 1.
March 27, 2010---- The bird preserve season will close March 31. We have had a great bird season with many chukars and pheasants being taken by bird hunters. Most of all, many hunters got a chance to work their dogs and get them out of the kennels to let them do what they live for............................HUNT.
TURKEY SEASON is approaching quickly. We will start the new current newsletter at the start of the spring turkey season which is April 10.