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Mike Connor

Our mission is to offer every student attending the Western Montana School for Guides an atmosphere and method of learning to produce the best possible results.  To accomplish your goals, we have chosen "hands on" experience, applying the laws, and familiarizing students with every aspect of the Guide/Outfitter business

Curriculum Outline.   

Shoe the critter

The First Week

The first week is spent working with horses and mules. A guide must learn to ride and care for the animals that they depend upon to transport the client and themselves in and out of the wilderness.
  • we include riding lessons
  • care and grooming
  • advance riding techniques
  • emergency shoeing
  • care of tack
  • recognition of common ailments

Shoe the critter

The Second Week

The main focus of the Second week is introducing the student to the many techniques of Packing including  
  • Equipment and supplies.
  • Safety issues
  • Knots
  • Packing various types of Loads
  • Balancing the Loads 
  • Pack String Knowledge 
  • Various Hitches

The Packing week concludes with a Hands On  test of the students knowledge

The Third Week

The Techniques of Being a Big Game guide including: 
  • Map and Compass 
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Judging the Client
  • Big Game Behavior
  • Scoring the Trophy
  • GPS
  • Packing in the Back country

This is just a short synopsis of all the material we cover. Our experienced instructors introduce the student to all the subjects necessary to become a Wilderness Adventure and Hunting Guide.

The Fourth Week

During the 4th week the class will Pack into the beautiful Selway Wilderness.

In the May and June sessions the class will participate as packers and guides for the students who chose to participate in the Spring Bear Hunt. 

During the July and August session the focus will be on a pack trip to experience and apply what has been learned during the previous weeks.

There are numerous other subjects that are covered throughout the weeks of the course.

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