Montana Big Game Hunting at its Finest
If you are passionate about fair chase big game hunting and have dreamed about a western hunting experience, then XV Adventures should be on your radar. XV Adventures is a fully licensed & insured Montana outfitter (Outfitter License # 50002) located in the Shields River Valley near the small town of Wilsall. Being a fourth generation Montana cattle rancher, we have been involved in big game outfitting for over 35 years. Because of our ranching operation and the desire to provide the highest quality hunting experience, we only take a limited number of hunters each year. Most of our hunters return year after year, which also tends to limit any openings on any given year. As a family outfitting business, we pride ourselves on being able to provide a high-quality experience that is both memorable and has ample opportunities to successfully harvest a mature animal.
WHERE WE HUNT
We offer hunts for antelope, elk and whitetail deer during the archery and rifle season. We exclusively hunt privately owned land with much of it being part of our ranching operation. Our guided elk hunting takes place from a camp on Elk Ridge and is well known for producing large numbers of elk with many quality bulls. Our whitetail guided hunts take place in the cottonwood and willow river bottoms along the Shields River and consistently produce both large numbers of deer and a good proportion of mature bucks in the 120 inch to 145 inch category. The opportunity for larger bucks certainly exists, just not in the same proportion. Antelope hunts take place on ranch land within our operation. Elevations during these hunts range from 5,000 feet to just over 7,500 feet. Our hunts require a certain degree of physical fitness as the altitude and amount of walking can sometimes be considerable. To best enjoy your hunt some preparatory physical fitness should be accomplished ahead of your scheduled hunt.
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HUNTING OPTIONS
One of the Best Archery Elk Hunts in North America
I feel that the experience of hunting with the Swandal family on their ranch is one of the best archery elk hunts in North America. I have had success on most of my hunts and on the few hunts that I have not come home with a trophy, I have had opportunities. After the morning and evening hunts it is always fun eating good meals and talking about hunting and ranching with our group from Hawaii. Every year I look forward to this hunt. Another factor that makes this hunt special is the camp is in the action and walking from camp to our hunting areas is common. The terrain is friendly and beautiful. If you have the opportunity to archery or rifle hunt with the Swandal family on their ranch you will not be disappointed.
Something that every hunter desiring a true western hunting experience should consider
Not only are they blessed with an abundance of wildlife and a vast landscape of indescribable beauty, the hunting itself is tremendous. The Swandal family has been in the outfitting business for many decades and make every effort to ensure your hunt is successful. I would highly recommend XV Adventures for those hunters seeking a quality hunt in an authentic western base camp setting.
Absolutely a great hunting experience!
Plenty of great hunting acreage and lots of game (Elk,Mule and Whitetail deer and Antelope) Cleve and his guides work real hard to get you the animal you want! The camp is comfortable and the food is great! If you want a quality hunt with a great outfitter hunt with XV Adventu
BULL ELK
These hunts are conducted primarily in the Elk Ridge Range and foothills. The elevation varies from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Weather can be very unpredictable so come prepared, 80 degrees to sub-zero temps can happen within 48 hours. The terrain is highly variable, vast canyons to open to timbered slopes, steep to flat. The better physical shape you are, the improved odds of harvesting an animal. You should be confident with your rifle out to 300 yards. Practicing from multiple positions is a plus as well. Archery hunters should never shoot over 50 yards. Over the years we have seen too many wounded bulls. Elk are abundant on our property, and it isn’t uncommon to see large herds and multiple bulls every day. While year in and year out we have been highly successful, there certainly are no guarantees. This is a 100% fair-chase hunt, and the unpredictable nature of hunting can make animals scarce (extremely rare, but possible). We generally try to spot and stalk and not disturb the animals any more than necessary and this has served us well over the years.
We generally all meet at the ranch at 10 a.m. on the first day of the hunt and shuttle hunters into camp. On the way we stop to check zero on the rifles. After getting settled into camp and lunch we begin preparing for the afternoon hunt. The typical day consists of breakfast before sunup, then lots of glassing and locating animals in the mornings, and if possible, making a stalk. Once the elk have bedded, we head back to camp for a self-serve lunch (sometimes at camp, sometimes you will need to bring something and prepare to be out all day). In the evenings after everyone returns from their afternoon hunt, supper is served. Meals are generally served family style and menus vary each night. During the hunt, you can expect various forms of transportation from hiking, horseback riding, side by side or in the pickup. Hikes of several miles are not uncommon.
Your guide will field dress the animal as appropriate (in certain situations the animal may need to be prepared for a pack out). The meat will then be taken to our local processor and the antlers to the taxidermist if desired. Antlers attached to skull may not be transported across state lines unless boiled and the brain-matter is removed. The taxidermist’s work will likely have to be shipped to you. Depending on the timing of your harvest, your meat may be ready for pickup before departure, if not it will also have to be shipped. We hunt the first half day and the following five days, with the last day being used to pack up and head out of camp. We are usually out of camp by noon. If necessary, we will provide transportation to the airport or hotel in Bozeman.
Whitetail Deer
Our whitetail hunts are 5 full days of hunting. Hunts are from elevated ladder stands all of which have safety ropes for the hunter to attach their harness. During the rifle season some hunts may offer spot and stalk opportunities or rattling for a mature buck as well. Hunters are strongly encouraged to be selective in their buck harvest.
As such, we try to maintain a healthy proportion of mature bucks greater than the 120-inch class and secondly, your best opportunity to harvest a more mature old buck necessitates some degree of patience and selective evaluation. Our hunts offer many temptations and yes hunting is more than just about antlers, but we want you to harvest something of which you are very proud. In the end, what you harvest is your choice and we do not charge a fee for bucks of a lesser maturity.
EVALUATING BUCK MATURITY
Accommodations for hunting cow elk, whitetail deer, antelope, mountain lion and bear will vary from a house on the ranch to a motel in town.
We are not currently booking mule deer hunts as the population is struggling.
BE PREPARED FOR WEATHER!
By October/November this region of Montana can be in full Indian summer mode, or we can be experiencing full blown winter. Normal (if there is such a thing) would range somewhere between high temperatures in the 50’s - 60’s and lows between 20’s – 30’s. Often “normal” can be nothing more than the average of the two extremes, so it pays to be prepared for either.
Once into November the likelihood of snow on the ground increases with each passing day. Significant snowfall can make walking more difficult, so it is advised to take this into consideration when preparing for your hunt. Wind can likewise be a factor, so choosing appropriate clothing is advised.
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Cleve Swandal
Cleve is a 5th generation rancher who has lived in the Shields Valley most of his life. Cleve and his wife Carrie have one son, Lyle who is 3. They work diligently taking care of cattle growing/harvesting alfalfa hay and keeping track of the wildlife for the outfitting business. Cleve has guided in one form or another all of his adult life and obtained his outfitting license in 2022. When not working he enjoys spending time with family and anything outdoors!
Lyle Swandal
Lyle has guided hunters for 30+ years and has spent his entire life in the hills in and around the Shields Valley. His true passion is raising cattle and riding good horses. Lyle works the ranch with his wife Tara and son Cleve. When not working Lyle enjoys the outdoors with friends and family.
The Camp
We hunt out of a camp, nestled in the foothills, that has been in the family for many decades. The camp itself is a modest but comfortable arrangement, consisting of the main cabin, two hunter sleeping cabins and a guide cabin. It is accessible by high clearance vehicle. There is no electricity or running water and the camp is served by an outhouse. Water is sourced from a nearby spring. A shower is available via an ondemand water heater and propane lanterns are used for light. Cell service is available intermittently throughout the hunting area.
The main cabin is where meals are served and the head guide and cook stay. It is heated with a wood stove and is generally the gathering place when not hunting. In terms of sleeping, one cabin has four beds with
places to hang and dry clothing and is heated with a propane heater. The second cabin has two beds and is heated with propane. Sheets are provided, with many hunters using their sleeping bag as their blanket.out to 300 yards. Practicing from multiple positions is a plus as well. Archery hunters should never shoot over 50 yards. Over the years we have seen too many wounded bulls. Elk are abundant on our property, and it isn’t uncommon to see large herds and multiple bulls every day. While year in and year out we have been highly successful, there certainly are no guarantees. This is a 100% fair-chase hunt, and the unpredictable nature of hunting can make animals scarce (extremely rare, but possible). We generally try to spot and stalk and not disturb the animals any more than necessary and this has served us well over the years.
