Bruno

Now that you've packed everything out and can take a breather (yeah right), I just wanted to say Mike and I really enjoyed our hunt with you.  Unfortunately, my camera did not survive the tumble off the horse, so the best picture came out the worst.  I've enclosed some others also.

2007 was not a kind year to my business early on, but it's looking up finally.  If the trends continue, I might be able to do this again sometime.  It the meantime, I will heartily recommend your outfit to anyone who asks, and if a customer needs a reference, have him give me a call.  You run a tight, professional, ship.  The way it should be.

Sincerely,

Rod

I don't yet have any words to describe how I feel about that smile on Riley's face but I want to try to let you know how big you are.  He trusted you without doubt in a place that most kids his age would never think of going.  You heard about is calling out for you in a dream?  He was panicky at first then he settled after three or four times calling out "Bill!!!".  You must have handled whatever it was because he was right back to sleep.  Looking forward to knowing you all better and meeting more of the family.

Ryan & Riley

Riley says thanks a million and please take care of his dogs while he's gone!

		The theme for the MDF Convention this year was "Hearts for Habitat" and it truly lived up to this theme.  One very special moment actually had its beginnings at the 2003 MDF Convention when Bill Plante of Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters in Fort Benton, Montana donated a wilderness elk and mule deer hunt for youth only hunters.  His goal with this donation was to get more youth out to experience a wilderness

hunting experience with their parent and to pass on our precious hunting  heritage.  After the hunt was sold at auction, Ron and Katie Frey of Frey's Gunshop in Ridgecrest, CA said that they would joint with Bill for the 2004 Convention by building a custom rifle fit for a youth.  Then John Smithbaker of Brunton added in a pair of Etna binoculars and Waylon Janousek's Wildlife Taxidermy of Great Falls, Montana donated a deer shoulder mount, making this one incredible package!

At the Saturday night auction, this page went up for bind.  After some excited bidding, the final bid was reached at $7,000.00!  The successful bidders turned out to be a trio of MDF Life Members and Conservation Partners - David Arthur, Bill Kiefer and Leon Searles.  Three men from three different parts of American, but with the same heart and love for our hunting heritage and mule deer country.  They announced that they would like to see the hunting tradition passed on to a young person that had not had the opportunity to experience such a hunt with their parent.  At that moment, these three men announced that they were giving the hunt to a young man in the audience and called forth 13 year old Nolan Young of Reno, Nevada.  Nolan is an extraordinary young man who was born with cerebral palsy.  Nolan has hunted with his Father, Jay, for chukars in Western Nevada, but has dreamed of hunting mule deer.  His dreams soon became a reality thanks to the four MDF members who gave from their hearts to ensure that our American hunting heritage gets passed on to the next generation.

I Thank You!
Your hunting friend,

Dear Bill,

I was referred to you by a client of yours who told me that you would provide one of the greatest hunting experiences of my life.  I was not disappointed.  You provide what I believe hunting should be; true fair chase of quality wildlife on their turf with incredible scenery and unpredictable weather.  On top of that, you provide fantastic horses, great guides, good food and an overall enjoyable experience.

As you know, we were the last hunt of 2006 and the weather really did a number on out ability to take an elk.  I am not at all disappointed at this fact for in true hunting there should be no guarantees.  Everyone on our hunt took an incredible mule deer and despite the uncooperative weather, you and your guides never gave up on trying to put us in position to take an elk.  You provide a hunting experience where every animal taken is a true trophy, not only because of the opportunity to take a quality animal, but because of the experience associated with taking the animal.

I can honestly say that not a day goes by since my return home that I do not think back to our hunt.  I will and have recommended you to everyone I know who is looking for a challenging and rewarding hunting experience.  I look forward to returning to Montana and creating more great hunting memories with you soon.

Best Regards,
                          
D. Chad Nuce

Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters
P.O. Box 824
Fort Benton, Montana 59442

Dear Bill,

   I would like to thank you for the 10 great days of hunting I had this year.  Your offer great hunting, an excellent set-up for camp facilities, gentle horses to ride, wonderful scenery and most important, friendly and helpful people to guide us.  Although I didn't take any elk on this trip, I still truly enjoyed myself and I learned a lot about elk hunting.  The next time I come out I plan to be better prepared to climb your "hills".  You run a first-class operation and I'm glad I booked my trip with you.

Thanks again.

Tim Baker

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
2291 W Broadway
P.O. Box 8249
Missoula, MT 59807

Dear RMEF,

  Just a note to tell you how much in enjoyed my hunt.  Naturally it's exciting getting a 5 x 6 bull and a 5 x5 mule deer, but more than that, I've never in my 23 years had a guide that worked so hard as Bill Plante of Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters.  Neither have I had a guide be so attentive to what shape I was in, so as not to walk me into the ground while still making sure that I hunted as hard as I possibly could.  Quite honestly, Bill is the most knowledgeable person regarding elk and deer that I have ever had the pleasure of hunting with.  The horses, camp, personnel, and the food were all great!  It was my hunt of a lifetime.  I will go back.

Sincerely,

Dan Colacurcio, Jr.

MULE DEER
The Official Publication of the Mule Deer Foundation
Fall 2003
Volume 8, Issue 4

President's Message

"Time To Hunt"

Leaves are turning.  Tall peaks are covered with snow again.  Pack mules are shod and saddled.  Wood stoves are burning in wilderness canvas tents.  Rifles are sighted in.  Imaginations are going full tilt.   These are what set hunters apart from others in our urban society.  These are also some of the things that my son, Cameron, and I experienced recently in the Scapegoat Wilderness of Montana.

The adventure began at the 2003 MDF Convention when I purchased this hunt at the auction.  Bill Plante of Scapegoat Wilderness Outfitters donated this youth hunt to support MDF and to get more youth afield.  Cameron hunted and I left my rifle at home!  Months of planning, packing, dreaming and sighting of his rifle ensued.  The activities before the hunt are an important and necessary part of the overall experience.  Bill is an outfitter extraordinaire and  we had a fantastic experience.  Great camp, good food, solid pack and riding stock coupled with an outfitter who works hard, is very capable, knowledgeable and personable makes for a trip to remember.

Though this trip only lasted a week, Cameron and I will have precious memories that will last a lifetime.  Thanks Bill!

Get out and hunt this fall - and take a youngster with you.  Together, you will never forget the experience.

Yours in Conservation,

Terry Wayne Cloutier, President/CEO 
Mule Deer Foundation

P.S.  Bill has donated another great youth hunt for the 2004 Convention.