Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School Equipment List

Depending on time of year the session you signed up takes place will determine if  you will be enjoying spring or summer weather in Montana. The first session in  April/May has the highest chance of snow and is guaranteed some rainy days (be ready  for mud). Second session in June/July is highly variable as we move from spring to  summer weather. The last session in July/August is going to have hot temperatures with a  chance of rain. 

You will be staying in a canvas wall tent with a wood stove and an outlet for  electricity. You will have roommates and each person gets a bunk with a foam sleeping  pad. We do recommend bringing an additional sleeping pad if you have any back issues, as multiple weeks sleeping on a single pad can get uncomfortable. There are two pit toilet latrines and a shower with a propane heater.  There is wifi and limited cell service in camp too.  

On the weekends you will have the opportunity to leave camp and go into town.  Condon is closest (~14mi) but is quite small with minimal services. Kalispell (~55mi) is a large city and will have anything additional you may need. This is also a good time to visit a laundry mat. If you do plan on purchasing clothing and/or gear for your time in Montana and have questions or want recommendations, feel free to email or call. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, you can comfortably make it through guide school with very little equipment and just essential clothing. 

 

Required items needed for attending school

Supplies

  • 2x Bic Lighters, fire starting materials if you have them i.e. flint & steel, magnesium
  • Camera
  • Compass (Only for Guide School students, make sure it has a base plate, and declination setting ability so it can be used with maps)
  • Day Pack (quiet material),
  • Headlamp or Flashlight w/ Extra Batteries
  • Binoculars (Only for Guide School students, 10×42 is great)
  • 1 Hunting Knife and Sharpener, Safety Knife or serrated blade
  • Insulated Travel Mug or “to go cup”
  • Mosquito Repellent, chapstick & Sun Block
  • Multi Tool (such as a Leatherman)
  • single reed mouth call for elk (guide school students only)
  • Notebook & Pen
  • Sleeping Bag w/ Stuff Sack (please note that bags are rated for survival not comfort) & pillow
  • Small First Aid Kit (mole skin)
  • Toilet Kit (shampoo, soap, deodorant, shaver)
  • Towel & Washcloth
  • Alarm clock
  • 2 Water Bottles (1 quart size, hydration bladder for backpack is a good idea as well)
  • Money for laundry and shopping
  • A rifle for use on the ballistics course plus 2-3 boxes of ammunition (only for guide school students)

 

  • WATERFOWL STUDENTS ONLY –  most of the above and below items unless noted as for guide school students only
  • 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with 2-3 boxes of ammunition for target practice
  • Duck and Goose calls
  • Hip Boots
  • Bear Spray – if you plan to do any back country hiking

 

Clothing

  • Clothes for at least 1 week (pants, long and short sleeve shirts – western or outdoor attire)
  • 1 Set of Camouflaged Clothing (shirt & pants)
  • Long Underwear & Regular Underwear
  • Swimsuit
  • river sandals
  • Camp Shoes
  • Broken In Hunting/Hiking Boots (Danner, Gortex, Rocky, no steel toed boots)
  • Flat Bottom Riding Boots (Justin, Rocky, Ariat) – guide school students only
  • rubber or muck boots for muddy terrain
  • baseball cap
  • sunglasses
  • scarf for riding in dusty conditions

Outerwear

  • Vest & Heavy Coat (down is great)
  • Rain Suit and/or Slicker

Accessories

  • Extra Pair of Glasses (if you wear them)
  • Leather working Gloves – guide school students only
  • Warm Gloves
  • Water Proof Hunting Gloves
  • Belt

 

Items not required, but you are welcome to bring

Supplies

  • Bows (we have targets and give instruction)
  • Elk Bugle w/ Grunt Tube & a Cow Call
  • Fishing Gear
  • GPS
  • Guns
  • Laptop (we have Wi-Fi in camp)
  • Small Lightweight Collapsible Camp Chair
  • Your Own Vehicle (if you plan on exploring area on your days off)

 

Items not required for school, but are required to guide

Supplies

  • Framed Pack
  • GPS (prefer Garmin with long range walkie-talkie)
  • Pistol
  • Rangefinder
  • Shooting Sticks
  • Thermarest Pad or Air Mattress
  • Your Own Vehicle (a must if you plan on working)

Clothing

  • Additional Sets of Camouflaged Clothing (shirts, pants, hat, gloves, gators and jacket)
  • Gaiters (made of quiet material, preferably waterproof)
  • Seasonal Clothing (for guiding in summer fall and winter conditions)

Accessories

  • Camo Cap and/or Hunter’s Orange
  • Cowboy Hat (need to look the part)

PROHIBITED ITEMS – DRUGS AND ALCOHOL