Suggested Clothing and Equipment List

Clothing
*Hiking boots
Comfortable shoes
Sneakers/water sandals
*Rain gear
Windbreaker
Warm jacket
Long pants
Long sleeved shirts
Shorts/T-shirts/Bathing suit
Hiking socks
Long underwear
Warm hat/gloves
Hat w/brim
Sweater/fleece
Vest (down/fleece)
*Riding boots (hard heel)

Equipment
*Day pack
*Water bottle
*Binoculars
Sun block
Sun glasses
Camera, film, spare batteries
Field notebook
Pencil
Lip balm/protection
Insect repellent
Pocketknife
Hand lens
Bandana
Field guides
Flashlight

*These are essential items.

Rain gear
Rain gear is a must. Ponchos do not work well when riding horseback. The flapping material sometimes spooks the horses.

Hiking boots
Most weeks involve some hiking in steep and/or mountainous terrain. A good pair of hiking boots with high-traction soles and lots of ankle support is highly recommended for mobility and safety.

Water bottle
Our climate is very dry and drinking lots of water is very important, so have your own water bottle with you in the field.

Riding boots
If you plan to ride a horse, you need to wear riding boots (boots with a high, hard, smooth sole). Please do not buy riding boots if you don’t want to, since we have several boots in many different sizes that you may borrow while you are here.

Layers of clothing
Our weather can vary in the summer dramatically, with temperatures ranging between the 50’s and 90’s (degree Fahrenheit) day or night. So be prepared! The trick to dressing for Montana weather is to layer your clothing so you can always add or take off layers. Don’t forget your bathing suit and your wool hat and mittens!

Check the weather in Choteau: NOAA National Weather Service

Laundry
You are welcome to use the ranch laundry facility but please check with the housekeepers first.

Facilities and Services

Gift Store
We have a small gift store on the ranch where you can buy stamps, postcards, field guides, t-shirts, books and other gifts. We do not sell toiletries, film or batteries so please bring these items—especially extra film.

Liquor
We do not have a liquor license but you are more than welcome to bring your own and store it in the lodge if you want to. The vans will stop at a grocery store in Choteau before getting to the ranch if you wish to buy specialty items. (They sell beer and wine.)

Fishing
If you plan on fishing while you are here, don’t forget to buy a fishing license in Choteau before you get to the ranch.