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My name is Brian Dorion and since 2008, I’ve hunted with Silver Bow Outfitters a total of 6 times, including this last hunt and have successfully harvested both deer and black bear during my hunts with Silver Bow. Hunting with Len Howells in this section of Montana is not for the weak of heart. This northwestern section of Montana and can be extremely difficult because of the extremely rugged terrain and weather conditions. Being from Florida, hiking those mountains can be difficult. During my hunt, I saw plenty of game, elk, mule deer, white tails, and moose. On this latest trip, I was successful and harvested a big white tail buck, however because of the weather the deer did not go into rut until the weather dropped into the 20’s. Silver Bow’s accommodations are warm and clean. Hunters stay in the bunk house on Len’s ranch which is located approximately 5 miles off of the paved road (US Highway 2) and approximately 1.5 miles from the nearest house with electricity. The ranch house and the bunk house are heated and lighted by propane gas. Upon arrival at Silver Bow, myself and all hunters are greeted by either Len Howells or his son Zack (one of Silver Bow’s guides). All hunters are shown to their quarters and then requested to confirm that their weapons (either bow or rifle) are still zeroed in from the trip. Once this task is completed all hunters enter the ranch house for supper, prepared by Len’s cook, Bonny. As I mentioned earlier I’ve hunted with Len and Silver Bow 6 times and every time the food has been outstanding, not only good, but plentiful. Once supper is completed, Len holds a group meeting at which time he completes the Montana mandated paperwork for an outfitter then he explains the current hunting conditions in the area. Len also goes over the proper target point on each animal being hunted (i.e. black bear, deer or elk). Len continually informs the hunters that the local weather will always dictate the hunting conditions in the area. In the case of elk hunting, since the Montana general gun season takes place approximately 3 weeks after the elk rut, Len informs all elk hunters the only way to be successful in hunting elk is to hope for a medium snow fall. The snow will be used to track the elk, without snow then hunting elk is left to spot and stalk hunting which can be an extremely difficult and time consuming hunt. In the case of white tail and mule deer, Len explains that the “usual” white tail rut starts about November 2; however that date is also dependant on the weather conditions. The white tail and mule deer in northwestern Montana do not go into rut until the temperature drops to below 30 degrees. Each hunting day starts off with either Len or Bonny waking up the hunters and cooking breakfast. Breakfast consists of fried eggs, bacon and toast or Len’s sourdough flap jacks, or maybe a breakfast casserole, with plenty of either coffee or juice. The food is plentiful and good. Then Bonny or Len puts out sandwich makings and the hunters are instructed to make themselves a sandwich and to grab bags of trail mix, fruit, or snack bars. The food is made available and all hunters are responsible for insuring that they have something to eat for lunch while in the field. At the end of the day, all hunters return to a large meal prepared by Bonny. The menu ranges from steaks to chicken to venison stew to spaghetti and meat sauce, with numerous vegetables and side dishes. Bonny also has a great dessert each and every night. I would recommend Silver Bow Outfitters to anyone interested in Bow hunt for elk in rut or rifle hunters for bear, deer or weather and conditions permitting an opportunity on an elk.