Planning Your Trip
Flights
If your plan is to fly to Montana on a commercial airline we recommend that you make reservations as soon as possible once you have booked your trip. You'll want to fly into Montana the day before your first scheduled river, hunting or camping day. If you are not visiting The Resort at Paws Up and leaving right after your trip, please plan on flying out the day after the last day of your trip. Here are the flight preferences for each trip:
- South Fork of the Flathead: Fly into Missoula the day before and out of Kalispell the day after.
- Wilderness Big Game Hunting: Fly in and out of Missoula the day before and after the trip.
- The Encampment at Bull Creek: Fly in and out of Missoula the day before and after the trip.
- Wilderness Roving Pack Trips: Fly in and out of Missoula the day before and after the trip.
We recommend you make reservations at The Resort at Paws Up (800-473-0601), the Double Tree (406-728-3100) or Wingate Inn (406-541-8000) in Missoula before and after your trip. All have excellent accommodations and a shuttle service to and from the airport. If staying at either of the hotels in Missoula, please ask for a Paws Up Outfitters room discount.
If you are going on a South Fork of the Flathead trip we highly recommend that you fly out of Kalispell (Glacier International Airport) the day after your trip. This will make your return trip much shorter and cut your travel time on the road in half. We recommend the Red Lion Inn (406-751-5050) of Kalispell for your last night. They have nice accommodations and give a discount to Paws Up Outfitters guests.
Most trips will depart Missoula or The Resort at Paws Up after an early breakfast on the departure date. A representative from Paws Up Outfitters will call you long before your scheduled trip to verify your flight plans, confirm pick up times and help arrange anything else you may need.
Packing Your Bags
You will receive a packing list via email once you have booked your trip. After the last deposit is confirmed we send each client a large duffle bag. This is for all of your personal items, clothing and gear (Sleeping bags, fishing rods, firearms for hunts and daypacks do not need to go in this bag). Please make sure all of your items fit into this duffle bag. Size and amount of items are important considerations on all of our trips because we have a limited amount of space on each trip. (Your duffels are packed on mules or put on gear boats depending on the trip you book.) If you plan on having any extra luggage or items that you will not need on the trip, we can lock it and store it away while you are on your trip and have it back to you on your last day of the trip.
Fishing Licenses
If you are going on a South Fork of the Flathead, Encampment at Bull Creek or a Wilderness Pack Trip and plan on fishing, please know you will need a Montana Fishing license. We highly suggest that you purchase your fishing license online long before you arrive to Montana. This can be done at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/license/default.html. If you are attending a South Fork of the Flathead trip you will also need to apply for a bull trout catch card as well: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/license/bulltrout.html. If you have any questions or are having trouble obtaining any of the licenses, please call us and we can walk you through the steps.
Hunting Licenses
If you are planning on Big Game hunting in Montana you will need an Elk or Deer license. Applications for the non-resident combination license via the general drawing must be received by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks prior to March 15 of the year you are planning on hunting. Costs for combination licenses range from $542 (for a deer combo) to $912 (for the big game combo). These applications can be found at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/applications. If you have any questions or are having trouble obtaining any of the licenses, please call us and we can walk you through the steps.
Gratuities
Please note that if your are going on an Encampment at Bull Creek Camping trip all gratuities are built into the cost of the trip.
This, by far, is our most frequently asked question. The tips that you provide for the staff will be pooled and split equally among the crew. Gratuities should be based on the overall experience of your trip. A general rule for tipping is about 10 - 15% of the cost of the trip. If you feel that one of the staff really went above and beyond for you, you are of course welcome to address that separately. We are ore than happy to collect checks, but tips are always easier distributed in cash. That may be something you want to plan for before you depart.
Paws Outfitters is looking forward to having you experience one of the most beautiful un-touched places in the continental Untied States. Please feel free to contact us via email or phone at 888-462-9710 if you have any further questions.
