Black Mountain Outfitters

When I first booked with BMO I was excited. Their website said things like “Hunting Experience of a Lifetime” and it reported that it was one of the “Biggest Ranches in the Nation”. It talks about the joy of sharing hunting camp and understanding each hunters specific and unique goals. It advertises itself as a “World-renowned outfitter”. As an experienced hunter I’m always looking for a great hunting experience. My goal is no longer to get the biggest or the best - although it would be great- but it is to have fun, enjoy myself, meet other hunters, and get that feeling of camaraderie only hunting camp can give you. I don’t spend this amount of money to be immersed in company politics and drama.

My hunting experience started out slow but I was enjoying what I love- the pursuit of the hunt and being outside.

We finally spotted a good bull, but ran out of daylight. Had another encounter with the same bull, but just didn’t get it done. But that’s hunting - I understand that.

The next morning I’m excited to head out to return to the same spot to find that bull, but my guide is mad. He told me another guide is going after the same bull. We get there and the other guide had indeed scared the elk off.

We get back to the lodge and the General Manager threatens to fire my guide. My guide was also told that we could not hunt that farm anymore.

It was a very awkward situation at camp - definitely not fun and friendly.

After another awkward conversation between the general manager and myself we were “allowed” to hunt the farm again. By this time there is so much tension and drama, it was not an enjoyable experience.

When we got to the hunting spot the next day the other guide was there again. If I wanted to be on top of other hunters I would hunt on state land. Not here where they claim they have one of the “biggest ranches in the nation”. I was disappointed and thought the entire situation was handled in a very unprofessional way. I slept on whether or not to reach out to someone about my experience but reminded myself that I sacrificed my time, energy, and money to make that hunt, thinking it would really be “the hunt of a lifetime”

I reached out to the booking manager, GM, and owner. It seemed they only wanted to remind me that I signed a contract and I “wasn’t guaranteed anything”. I couldn’t help but feel like just a number - they did not care about my experience.

Although it is unfortunate to write a “negative” review, my motive is not to bad mouth this company. It is to express my experience and make sure other people do their due diligence before they choose an expensive hunt. I wish I would’ve done more research and if I had, I would not have gone with BMO.

Black Mountain Outfitters (BMO) is an outfitter service in severe decline, plagued by mismanagement and numerous disappointments. Over three years, I've witnessed a business that not only fails to justify its high prices but also operates with astounding incompetence and negligence.

A critical concern is the reckless behavior of guides, especially their alcohol consumption. Witnessing guides drinking before dawn and engaging in activities that require sobriety, like driving clients and handling firearms, is alarming. This behavior is not only irresponsible but also poses a fatal risk to everyone involved. The fact that this occurs routinely, with guides starting the day intoxicated, escalates the issue from isolated incidents to a systemic problem within BMO.

The management's indifference towards this grave issue is equally concerning. Their failure to intervene or address the guides' drinking signifies a blatant disregard for client safety and the basic tenets of responsible guiding. It is inconceivable that such behavior is overlooked and unchecked, raising serious questions about the management's priorities and commitment to clients' lives.

Guest interactions at BMO often involve crude behavior, creating a highly uncomfortable environment, especially concerning interactions with women and children. This and the management's indifference contribute to an unwelcoming atmosphere.

Accommodations are a far cry from what is advertised. The reality is a series of dilapidated structures with inadequate heating, poor insulation, and substandard sleeping arrangements. Shockingly, I was evicted from my room to accommodate someone's assistant, reflecting a total lack of regard for client comfort and contractual obligations.

Hunting experiences were severely compromised by guides encroaching on each other’s territories, leading to disrupted hunts and lost opportunities. This lack of coordination amongst guides further illustrates the operational chaos at BMO.

Moreover, BMO engages in deceptive advertising practices, using outdated images that do not represent the current state of the elk or the accommodations. This misrepresentation, coupled with the reality of the experience, speaks volumes about the organization's integrity.

Another egregious example of negligence was the mishandling of meat care, where I lost the meat from my first bull elk due to a freezer malfunction, with no attempt at compensation or even acknowledgment of the mistake.

For those considering overlooking these issues for a meat hunt, beware: there's no guarantee you'll leave with what you came for. My experience of freezer failure and the subsequent loss of my elk meat highlights the futility of this endeavor. You could invest time and money into a hunt with BMO only to leave empty-handed, making it a frustrating waste.

Despite these overwhelming negatives, the professionalism and expertise of Thomas Powers stand out. He is the linchpin holding BMO together, the most qualified and highest-performing guide in New Mexico. His presence at BMO is the only factor that makes the experience remotely tolerable.

After three years of giving BMO a chance, hoping for improvement, my patience has been consistently met with disappointment. This review serves as a warning to others to avoid the financial and experiential pitfalls I endured. With extensive hunting experience across the U.S. and internationally, I have a broad perspective on what to expect. Unfortunately, BMO falls short of even the most basic standards.

The systematic issues at BMO, from Tom McReynolds to Zack Lashley, indicate a business ethos that lacks ethics and integrity. From the very top, it feels as though the business is riddled with dishonesty and exploitation.

Black Mountain Outfitters is an operation that is not worth the investment. Paying the exorbitant fees they demand only contributes to a system of nepotism and mismanagement. Steer clear of BMO and instead seek services where your time, safety, and investment are valued and respected.

Have hunted with BMO three years in a row and have next years already booked it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. From the moment I arrived I was impressed by the camaraderie and the wealth of knowledge shared among the guides.BMO provides opportunity to connect with fellow hunters and learn from each other's experiences.

Have always went with large groups usually 6-9 of us and haven’t had a problem with filling our tags thanks to the help of our guides Joey P. ,Issac, and Mario.

Overall, I highly recommend BMO to anyone considering booking a trip. It is a very rewarding experience!

I can’t say enough about my hunt with BMO. My family and I (6 of us) booked a cow hunt. We had 2 guides Joey P. and Mario. Upon arrival we met with the crew and got settled in. Had dinner that night at the main lodge and went over a game plan on the elk they had already scouted for us. The food was top notch and they even had fresh home made pies. 24/7 snacks and a fridge full of ice and sodas. Wrapped up night one and headed out before light to glass up some elk. Within the first 2 hours we had 3 elk down. By the end of the day we got 2 more and the following morning had our last one down with the help of Isaac who put us on a herd he had seen while hunting bulls. These guides made us feel at home and worked hard to get us our animals. Joey P. , Mario, and Isaac are top notch, they took care of us and I’m glad to call them friends after this trip. I can’t wait to get back out with BMO and do it again!