Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School offers distinctive types of guide training and outfitter school programs covering hunting, packing and trail ride wrangling techniques:
- For Hunting Guide Candidates (4 to 5 weeks)
- For Waterfowl Hunting Guide Candidates, Houndsmen, and River Guide Candidates (5 days)
- For Hunting, Fishing & Packing Outfitters Seeking to be Licensed or Enhance Their Skills (10 days)
- For Trail Ride Wranglers or Horse/Mule Packers (7 days)
- For Hunters and Adventurers (10 days)
- For Wilderness Camp Cooks (2 weeks)
What To Look For in a Guide School
If you are comparing the curriculum of various wilderness guide training schools, you will find many of the same basic themes. The key is to drill down into the differences of these hunting guide schools in terms of the depth and breadth of what is being covered in each guide school, who is instructing and the details of guide school course material. For instance in courses about horses, are you learning about the anatomy and body parts of horses or are you actually learning horsemanship, how to ride and how to stay safe? In our hunting guide school curriculum at Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School, we have covered all the basic fundamentals as well as adding many unique program elements that set us apart from other hunting guide schools.
We actually have more content than we typically have time for as we strive to be very thorough. Our program is more intense and does not “peter” out near the end, cutting students loose early or filling time with hikes called “hunting practice”. We challenge you to select a program that will give you what you are paying for! At Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School, we offer thorough coverage of important topics in an innovative fashion delivered by top-notch experts.
We strongly encourage you to evaluate our curriculum, instructors and course layouts to other guide schools you may be familiar with.
Current Class Pricing
Our Long Range Shooting Class is designed for both novice and experienced shooters who want to enhance their precision shooting abilities. Whether you are a hunter or recreational shooter looking to increase your skills in the field or a guide wanting to expand your skillset and marketability, this class is perfect for you.
During this class, participants will learn the fundamentals of long range shooting, including proper rifle setup, ballistics, wind reading, and shot placement. You will also have the opportunity to practice shooting from 500-1000 yards in a mountainous environment under the guidance of our knowledgeable instructors.
Our hunting guide school uses a unique modular approach to present and practice seven learning categories. Rich programming not only covering the basics of hunting and guiding techniques as a foundation, but also thoroughly explores the latest innovations in techniques and gear for hunting. We integrate practical career development and professional strategies into the course.
Our Wrangler Training Program addresses the need for good base training in horsemanship as well how to lead safe, fun horseback rides. We deliver the skills and tools students can rely on to be an effective wrangler and excel in the industry.
Whether your goal is to wrangle in a national park, to safely guide hunting clients come fall, or simply improve your horsemanship, this course is for you!
Learn the ropes of packing and stringing horses and mules.
Carl Motes-Conners of Montana Rescue provides instruction in technical river rescue and rope rescue in association with Rescue 3 International, a worldwide leader in water and rope rescue training. Work hands-on on the basics of river running to help new boaters develop their skills. Philosophy is grounded in prevention and developing situational awareness in each participant.
In this course waterfowl guide students will learn all the facets of how to guide for ducks and geese throughout the various parts of the country. Certain parts of the US and Canada hunt ducks and geese differently. Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School will cover the various methods and species of duck and goose found throughout North America. The course has been designed from scratch based on interviewing several waterfowl outfitters throughout the country.
A complete program of instruction in camp and back country cooking. The school is located in a magnificent wilderness setting near Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness in northern Montana. The facilities shared with the Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School and students will be afforded the opportunity to learn and receive hands-on instruction in a realistic environment.
Learn how to use hounds to hunt lions and/or bears. Certain parts of the US and Canada hunt lions and bears differently, this course is comprehensive in it’s coverage.
All the great content of our wilderness guide school, but without the emphasis on testing and career development.
This volunteer program will pack in on mules 21 into the Bob Marshall wilderness to clear and maintain trails. This trip will be physically demanding. Swan Mountain will provide all of the meals, accommodations, stock, and equipment.
If you want to see what living and working in the wilderness is really like, opt for this FREE program or add it on with another class.
