(Journal Page 2, continued from Page 1)
the stock when doctoring, shoeing, clipping manes and any thing a horse or mule may not want to accept. We also use a lay down method for unruly or wild ones to teach submission.
May 18 Day 5, Friday
4:00 AM breakfast, head to the mountains to spot elk. As we enjoy a unique Montana sunrise, we glass a huge herd of elk, feeding and moving in their transition range. We count well over 200 head of cows, calves and young bulls. This is a great place to spot Black bear as they follow the herds during spring calving. This day I teach hunting techniques for a successful hunt.
After lunch we put our crosscut skills to work falling some trees and cutting them into lengths. Also I teach chain saw running, and safety.
May 19 Day 6,Saturday
This is first-aid day, which is required by law. A must for the guide or packer.
May 20 Day 7, Sunday
Sunday is your day to do whatever you want. Most wash cloths, fish, sleep, hike, site see and numerous other activities.
May 21 Day, 8
Continue in our horsemanship and Packing Skills. Leading a pack string across water, up and down hills, learning how to successfully. Go over your responsibility as a guide and packer. After supper search and rescue do an orientation.
May 22 Day, 9
Learn basic vet skills so students are able to handle giving shots, identifying different wounds, bandaging and doctoring stock.
Continue horsemanship and packing skills. Fish and Game officer discusses important regulations.
May 23 Day, 10
Today we hike into a high mountain lake, we glass for mountain goats. Learn how to read a topographic map and navigate through the mountains on and off pack trails. Learning the different kinds of trees and plants and to read game sign.
May 24 Day, 11
Today is shoeing day, putting to use the skills you’ve learned from handling horses feet everyday. Everyone learns enough about shoeing to be able to nail a shoe back on and trim feet. Students learn the anatomy of the foot and basic horse shoeing skills that will enable one to go on with this trade.
May 25 Day, 12
Mike Knott of E.L.M. Outfitters and Guides Training Course come to spend a couple of days to visit with each one and see how everyone is doing and what needs to be improved on.
We do a little of everything you’ve learned at this point so Mike can see how everyone is progressing and discuss job opportunity with each student.
Guide professionalism, work ethics and attitude are also covered.
May 26 Day, 13
Taxidermist, professional guide and trapper Mike Smith teaches the techniques of capping big game and fish. Each student capes a steer head to learn the correct way to field cape and dress a trophy.
May 27 Day, 14
Sunday, the day to do whatever and rest. Some hike to a high mountain late to catch the very rare Golden Trout.
May 28 Day, 15
Continue learning riding and packing skills. Learning new hitches such as the Double Diamond. Also practice the Highline set up and Knotts, and learn the art of back braiding.
B.L.M. officer teaches no trace camping skills. A must for the back country camper and future of our forests. The students saw two large mule deer bucks this evening.
May 29 Day, 16
Today students learn how to pack meat and horns, also to pack a whole deer on a riding saddle. A new hitch is learned today, the Triple Diamond. This evening is Dutch oven cooking so we all take part in it.