About Us and the Guides
John and Jeanie Wilkinson have been guiding and outfitting hunters for over 40 years. They have built Cottonwood Outfitters as one of the premier and most respected outfitter companies in Montana. Hard work, lots of sweat and perseverance is what you will notice Cottonwood Outfitters is all about when you show up to hunting camp thanks to John and Jeanie.
John is an older fella, in fact none of us are too sure how old. We heard rumor he helped build the first railroad if that gives you an idea though. John was the President of Montana Guides and Outfitters in 2006 and 2007 and is a past 2 
year term member of the Private Lands/Public Wildlife Council. He is also a present member of the Montana Board of Outfitters which is a 5 person board appointed by the governor of Montana. Although he may be a bit weathered, it does not show for he can still hike the hills, cape a deer in 24.7 seconds (give or take a second or two), and spot a great trophy anywhere in the landscape. Just be sure he changes is glasses towards low light. He has been known to head for camp during primetime hunting because he was wearing his sunglasses, turns out it makes it look a lot darker than it truly is. His personality, knowledge and experience for hunting is something a younger guide or outfitter could only hope to have in their future.
Jeanie cooks, cleans, books hunters, helps organize and sends hunting applications. She also checks to make sure they are correctly completed and sent to the state of Montana (and somehow finds time to keep John in line). Her cooking is really something else. We can assure you that if you do not gain weight during your hunt, it’s your fault for not eating enough do to the fact that there are always mass amounts provided. Her hardy meals with always a wonderful desert are sure to put a hunter to rest earlier than they had intended. John and the guides particularly enjoy her flat cake. You ask what flat cake is? And all we can say is you will just have to come to camp and try it while hearing the story behind the extravagant creation. She is one of the nicest and warm hearted persons you could ever meet. Just be sure to stay out of her kitchen when she is preparing a meal, you would not believe how much a spatula can hurt even when you’re a grown adult.
Pictured here is Roger Bryant, a 34 year old Virgo who has been hunting himself for 22 years and with Cottonwood Outfitters for 7. If you are entertained by
“stories” and want to hear lots of them, Roger is a good match. Roger is a busy man with a family and a full time job on a ranch/farm, but finds time to primarily guide for rifle deer with Cottonwood. Roger is a great time for any of our hunters and works hard to be sure their hunting experience with Cottonwood Outfitters is exactly what they expected. His years of hunting himself and guiding have given him great knowledge towards big game behavior, a must to an enjoyable and successful hunt. If he whips out a little book while you are on your hunt don’t worry, nothing is horribly wrong, he is just reminding himself the difference between a deer, antelope and big foot.
Pictured here is Shayne Hinz, a 23 year old Taurus who grew up East of Billings, MT and began hunting himself 11 years ago. He has guided for Cottonwood
Outfitters for 4 years now and is one of the best dang Ostrich guides in Montana. He plans on being an Outfitter for a lifelong career aside from running his taxidermy business during the off season. Shayne guides full time for our archery and rifle hunts so don’t mind if he falls asleep in mid stride of a stalk, he claims to be “hearing the animals’ next move.” Shayne has a passion for hunting that most people do not understand. He will assure the hunter has a serious hunt but with plenty of laughs and great memories made in time.
Pictured here is Eric Siegfried, believe it or not a 29 year old Cancer that grew up and started his passion of the outdoors in Miles City, MT. When not accused
of being too young to operate a vehicle from his lack of a five o’clock shadow, Eric enjoys spending his free time studying the behavior of mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope and elk. As Eric experienced more of the thrilling outdoors hunting and pursuing big game for 17 years, he desired to share these memories with others and began guiding. Eric has guided with Cottonwood Outfitters for 3 years. When Eric finds time aside from his busy GPS mapping company, he guides archery elk as well as some of our rifle hunts. A note to any hunters who get the opportunity to hunt with Eric, be sure he brings two coolers of food. We assure you he will eat all of the contents out of one and probably begin to pick through yours by early afternoon.
Please contact us at:
muledeer@midrivers.com or 406-232-4910. Also you can contact us through our website under the “Contact Us” tab.