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Moreover, BMO engages in deceptive advertising practices, using outdated images that do not represent the current state of the elk or the accommodations.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.