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wolf guide services customized for groups

Wolf 356   by Kim Kaiser

Wolf-watching

Guide Services

 

Description

Guides

Rates

  Yellowstone Wolf Tracker arranges custom single and multiple-day wildlife watching excursions, year-round.  The Wild Side, LLC, guides, Dr. Nathan Varley & Linda Thurston, are wildlife biologists who have been tracking and observing wolves since reintroduction in 1995. They combine scientific research, conservation advocacy, film documentary, and extensive on-the-ground experience, all focused on the wolves of Yellowstone.

The best seasons for wolf viewing are winter, spring, and fall, which are also quiet times in the park.  Outings originate near the north entrance of the park where we typically meet groups in the early morning at Gardiner, Montana; or a nearby location upon arrangement.

Wolf 138 by Bob Landis

Your best opportunity to view and learn about wolves in their natural habitat lies in hiring guides and spending a day tracking and observing these elusive wild animals.  Along the way guests are also likely to see large herds of elk and bison, as well as, grizzly bears, eagles, moose, pronghorn antelope, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, and others.  Possible, too, are sightings of river otters, badgers, pine martens, owls, and other more rare wildlife.  Most importantly about the guiding services is that you will learn about the ecology, history, and current issues of Yellowstone from local biologist guides with advanced degrees in wildlife study and 30+ years of combined experience in Yellowstone!

Rates:

$480 for up to 6 people; and $680 for 7-14 people, flat rate per day (6-8 hours).  Price includes our transportation (a comfortable and roomy touring vehicle or our 14-passenger "Adventure Bus"), park entrance fees, hot drinks & breakfast, top-of-the-line spotting scopes, and expert interpretation/guiding services.  Inquire about step-on guiding for 7+ people in which we ride along with your group in transportation you provide.

To arrange a guide,

email

or phone/text: 406~223~2152

Description:  Our meeting time and place will be prearranged with the preferred meeting place being Gardiner, Montana, at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  Best search times are at sunrise due to activity patterns of wildlife during the early hours.  "Early morning" varies from 5 AM in the summer to 7 AM in the winter.  The outing will last 6-8 hours depending upon sightings, interest, weather, etc.  You will explore much of the northern portion of the park and many different wildlife areas.  The primary focus will be on finding and observing wolves, bears, or other wildlife at guests' request.  Much of the search will be road-based, but depending upon guest interests, we can include short nature walks in spectacular locations.  Nathan & Linda use the top-of-the-line spotting scopes (Swarovski 80mm HD, Nikon 82mm ED).  Wolves, being shy of humans, are often viewed from a distance.  Photographs of wolves are rarely won, though photographers have been pleased with the variety of scenic and wildlife images captured during our outings.

Linda Thurston & Nathan Varley   Photo by Jim Clark

Guides:  The husband and wife team of Nathan Varley, M.S., Ph.D., and Linda Thurston, M.S., have been guiding in Yellowstone since prior to wolf reintroduction in 1995.  They have been the heart and soul of Yellowstone Wolf Tracker since its inception in 1997.  A combined 50+ years of experience in Yellowstone includes scientific research and conservation efforts on behalf of wolves, bison, elk, otters, bears, and mountain goats.  In addition to guiding, both currently maintain ecological research at major universities, field courses for colleges and prominent conservation organizations, and on-the-ground efforts that address today's most pressing wolf conservation issues.  For further biographical information about Nathan & Linda, see About Us.

Gray Wolf Pup by Duke Coonrad

Policies:

Reservations:  Full payment for trips is due at time of booking.  We accept personal and/or cashier's checks and credit cards.

Cancellation Penalties:  A full refund minus $45 processing fee will be given for all cancellations more than 45 days before the trip.  For cancellations less than 45 days prior to departure, the deposit is non-refundable.

Health and Safety: The trip requires good physical fitness and mobility.  The trip is suitable for people of all ages, though children below the age of 14 must receive prior approval. If you have health questions, consult your doctor for more information. The tour leaders must be advised in advance of any special health needs. Weather conditions can change without notice and it is the responsibility of the traveler to have proper clothing and equipment. We will provide a list for the clothing and gear recommended for the trip.

Responsibilities and Conditions: We act only in the capacity of agent in all matters of transportation and tour operation. We are not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence of others or from causes beyond our control. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the participant, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in transportation schedules. We take no responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred by persons physically unable to participate in the planned activities. No refund can be made for absence from the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of the booking. The right is reserved to decline, to accept or to retain any person as a tour member for any reason which affects the operation of the tour or the rights and welfare or enjoyment of the other tour members. We will not discriminate against any individual because of race, sex, creed or nationality.

Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel any trip if conditions arise that are beyond our control and adversely affects the well-being of the trip members. In such a case, a full refund of the trip cost is given, but we are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by members in preparing for the trip including flights and other travel expenses.

 

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Custom

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For reservations, phone:

  406~223~2152

  or email

 

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YELLOWSTONE WOLF TRACKER,  DBA The Wild Side, LLC.