Skyline Guest Ranch
and Guide Service
Written by Bob Leiskau after Hunting 9/2002

If you are looking for one of those "Canned" Elk hunts where all you need to do is pull the trigger, hunting with Vic Jackson and the Skyline Guest Ranch and Guide Service in Cooke City, Montana is not for you.

Hunting with Vic is not for the weak of heart or physical stature. The area which you hunt is not loaded with elk, but the quality of the bulls fall into the near record book category. I know the bulls there could easily make the book.

I had the fortunate opportunity to take a guest during the opening week of the 2002 Elk hunt. This was a "once in a lifetime" dream hunt for both of us. Prior to booking my hunt, I contacted several Guide Services in Montana to try and determine what would be best for both of us. I considered the response given by the service, the price, accommodations, and the chance of fulfilling our dreams of harvesting a true trophy bull. The information I received varied from no response, overpriced (in my eyes) and an uncomfortable feeling that I would not receive what I paid for. As a last resort, I went to my laptops search engine to find "Elk Hunting Montana" websites. The result of my search showed the very first hit to be http://www.elkhuntmontana.com/hunt.htm. This was a direct link to the Skyline Guest Ranch and Guide Service. I called Liz Jackson, Vic's wife, and requested information. She told me everything I needed to know including the fact that there is not an abundance of elk in the area, but true quality bulls. She offered no misleading information, a fast response and more than I had hoped to find with a Guide Service.

When I received the packet in the mail, included was a reference list of individuals that had hunted the 2001 season. As I would expect any serious hunter to do, I proceeded to call no less than seven names on the list located all over the U.S. I am pleased to say that all the responses were honest and I firmly believe that the individuals told me the facts. There was only one negative (as the individual perceived it) comment. The person said great things about the facility and guides but was really disappointed about the lack of "cut trails" for the horses. I considered this a positive and not a negative for a couple of reasons. First, his response was honest and second, this was exactly what I was looking for. I called Liz to book our hunt and was advised that they were already filled up for the season. I requested to be put on a waiting list in the event someone cancelled. Low and behold, she called the following day and said two people cancelled. I booked immediately.

We flew into Cody, Wyoming and were met by Luke, one of the guides. On the hour and a half drive to the lodge, Luke proceeded to fill us in on what we could expect over the next seven days of our hunt. When we arrived at Skyline which is located about 7 miles from Yellowstone, we were assigned rooms in the new beautiful log lodge. We were fitted with our horses and given the opportunity to site in our rifles.

Rather than talk about each and everyday of our hunts, here is an overview of our daily activities in the lodge and out hunting.

We would get up at 4:30 a.m. for a fantastic hot breakfast at 5:15. We gathered up all our hunting gear (including a delicious large sack lunch) about 5:40. We would saddle up and head to the mountains in the dark. Coming from 91 feet above sea level, the guides were considerate and took us to about 9,300 feet the first few days of the hunt so we could get used to the altitude. After that, we were hunting most of the hunt at about 10,000 feet. The horses were incredible (especially Scotty, and yes I am partial to him). He treated me like I was a gentleman even though I know he thought different of me. The terrain we hunted was the roughest I have ever seen but the horses had no problems climbing the near vertical inclines that we encountered at times. By the way, other than getting familiar with horses and riding, don't waste a lot of time or money trying to prepare yourself because the terrain you ride in is something you cannot prepare for. The horses do all the work and know what to do.

We would ride from one to two hours and proceed to hunt until about 11:00. While hunting, be assured the guides were calling, looking for elk sign and doing their best to find the elk. For lunch, we would go back to the horses, eat our lunch, talk about whatever we wanted to and take a nap. For those of you that have never been in the mountains hunting, realize the importance of that nap. It gives you a chance to get some much needed rest and at times, an opportunity to get warmed up.

The afternoon hunt would begin between 2:00 and 3:00. We would hunt at elevation and begin to start down the mountain about an hour or two before dark. You can expect to hunt all the way back to camp either from horseback or at some of the many draws or meadows. We would arrive back in camp about 8:45 p.m. or so, take a quick shower, have one of the best home cooked meals served anywhere, talk about the days hunt and go to bed. Day two etc. a repeat of all of the previous things I mentioned.

When an elk is shot at, the guides will do all in their power to insure finding it. If one is killed, they cape it out, quarter it and pack it out. They will do with it whatever you want including taking it to Cody for processing.

Now the question is did either my guest or I get an elk. The answer is yes. We both did in our minds. I placed a poor shot on a 6x6 hitting him high above the shoulder. He did not leave blood and the terrain he ran into was impossible to track in. I guide myself and confirm that Vic did everything he could to try and find it. I called off the search, he didn't. My guest had a bull and cows right in front of him but every time he shouldered his gun, he would lose the bull in his scope because of the dense cover. He did not get to pull the trigger before the bull ran off with his cows. The fact is, Vic and Luke did their jobs extremely well, but we did not. I would rate this hunt as fantastic. The lodge, guides, staff and last but not least, the horses are to be commended for giving us a hunt of our lifetimes. Victor Jackson, his wife Liz, Luke and his wife Laura, and Lee did an outstanding job in seeing to our every need. They provided us with great memories that will last a lifetime!

Would I go back?……………. In a heartbeat.

Bob Leiskau
7810 Ashwell
Court Spring, Texas
77389 281-351-5721