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Frequently Asked Questions
- WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
- We really need everyone to arrive in Sheridan Wy the night before the trip starts so that we all get started the next day at the same time.
- WHERE DO I FLY INTO?
- You can either fly to Denver CO. and take a shuttle on to Sheridan or fly into Billings Mt. From Billings we will pick you up and return you to the airport for $50 per person or there is a shuttle flight from Billings to Sheridan but it doesn't work well for those coming from the East. The ranch is about 2 hours south of Billings.
- WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
- I can answer that about as accurate as predicting any weather. We are generally in the mid to high 80's for the June trip and 90's for the July trip. The lows are generally in the 50's but it will seem much colder when we are camped on the creeks. The Sept trip due to the fact that we are the third week in Sept and at 9000 ft, you need to come knowing that it can snow. Generally we are in the high 60's to low 70's for a high and somewhere between 27 degrees and 35 at night. We recommend a bag rated to 0 for this trip.
- WHAT TYPE OF SLEEPING BAG DO I NEED?
- We recommend a bag rated to 10 for the June and July trips and one rated at 0 or below for the Sept or Clean Up Ride.
- WHAT TYPE OF HORSES DO YOU HAVE?
- On the Double Rafter 98% of our horses are Quarter Horses.
- HOW MANY CATTLE WILL WE BE TAKING?
- The allotment allows for 648 cow calf pairs.
- CAN I BRING MY OWN SADDLE?
- Certainly you can bring your own saddle. You will more comfortable in your own verses a strange one.
- CAN I BRING MY OWN HORSE?
- Yes we allow for that but always encourage everyone to check with their vet before deciding to do so. Due to the elevation differences in 15 years we have had less than 5 personal horses brought.
- HOW MANY HOURS WILL I BE IN THE SADDLE EACH DAY?
- This is a little bit like the weather. Since this trip is the real thing we will go until we finish the day and reach our destination. This is reality not Hollywood! Generally you will be in the saddle a MINIMUM of 6 hours a day.
- I'M NOT THE MOST EXPERIENCED RIDER IS THAT A PROBLEM?
- Absolutely not! To the best of my knowledge we are the only cattle drive in the US that starts every trip with a horsemanship clinic by a clinician. Since we own our own horses we no every thing there is to know about the horse so we can get you mounted on a horse that fits your skill level. You can't have the best week of your life on the wrong horse!
- WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?
- We don't set a minimum age. However, we are not a baby sitting service and breakfast is at daylight on the June and July trips. Young kids get very tired and everyone who has ever had kids knows what that means, and it will be mom or dads problem to deal with.
- I HAVE NEVER HANDLED CATTLE IS THAT A PROBLEM?
- We spend the afternoon of the first day on the June and July trips with a cattle-handling seminar.
- I DON'T WANT A DUDE RANCH!
- I can promise you we have no dude ranch abilities, this is a real working family ranch.
- HOW IS YOUR CATTLE DRIVE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS?
- We are a one of a kind cattle drive. We don't have guest cabins or other dude luxuries. We move our camp with the herd, sleep in tents, cook over the hot coals, ride cowboy horses,(not nose to tail) and for two nights everything we take has to go on our pack string because the country we go into is only accessible afoot or horseback. You will be tired and dirty and it's a go rain or shine.
- ARE THERE DANGERS LIKE WILD ANIMALS?
- We don't have the Grizzly yet so there is nothing that concerns me.
- HOW SAFE ARE YOUR TRIPS?
- Anytime you are dealing with animals there is an inherent risk of injury due to the fact that they have a brain. We take every precaution to make this trip as safe as possible.
We have emergency plans in place and every crewmember knows them. Every trip we have a RN, EMT, or someone first aid certified along. Our medical person will also be carrying a satellite cell phone.
- THE TRIP SOUNDS DIFFICULT, WILL I BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TRIP?
- In 15 years and over 700 people, we have had less than 5 drop out.
- IF I HAVE TO CANCEL MY TRIP CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?
- The cost of putting these trips together is huge and things like insurance, horse replacement, advertising and so forth all have to be paid up front so we can't give a refund. If you have purchased a trip and think you might not be able to make it we recommend trip cancellation insurance. We will honor your money paid towards another trip for a period of two years.
- HOW DO I KNOW I WON'T GET A DEAD HEAD HORSE?
- The way you answer one question on our registration form will put you on a certain horse and then how you perform during the cattle handling seminar and the horsemanship clinic will determine if you stay on that horse or get moved to another one.
We want you on a horse that fits your skill level! It is safer for you and everyone else around you.
- WILL I HAVE PHONE SERVICE?
- In certain areas but I wouldn't count on it! Besides, I don't recall cell phones being available in the 1880's.
- WHAT DO I DO FOR PERSONAL HYGENE?
- On the June and July trips we have a shower available for the first two nights. After that it is the creek! It is very refreshing. There isn't nearly the dust or dirt on the Sept trip so you won't feel as dirty as on the June or July trips.
- HOW DO I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO GET WHAT YOU SAY?
- We are happy to provide all of the references that you would like and they probably will be from your very own state.
- MY SON OR DAUGHTER WOULD LIKE THIS AS A GRADUATION PRESENT, WILL THEY BE SAFE?
- I can personally guarantee the safety of your son or daughter. My crew is very professional and they know to breach that code would be immediate dismissal. We are a family operation and have our own children along. Here again I would be willing to provide all the references that you would like.
- WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLASTIC GROUND SHEET?
- The plastic ground sheet will keep you dry during the night if we are having weather and your stuff dry while you are out riding if we have weather.
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