Document Type

Report

Publication Date

7-2026

Disciplines

Agricultural and Resource Economics | Leisure Studies | Nature and Society Relations | Other Social and Behavioral Sciences | Regional Economics

Abstract

Montana's outfitting and guiding industry remains a vital economic sector driven primarily by nonresident visitors, generating an estimated $314 million in direct expenditures in 2024 and supporting more than $1.27 billion in total economic output when indirect and induced effects are included. This report, an update to ITRR's 2017 industry analysis, draws on a survey of outfitting businesses alongside ITRR's annual nonresident visitor survey to examine roughly 980,000 clients served by an estimated 1,500 outfitting and guiding entities statewide. While wildlife viewing and sightseeing attracted the largest share of clients, fishing generated the most revenue despite serving a smaller portion of clients, followed by wildlife viewing and hunting. The industry is characterized by small, seasonal operations that depend heavily on independent contractors, with guide gratuities forming an important but often uncounted component of worker income and total visitor spending. Outfitted visitors differ markedly from typical Montana tourists, tending to be older, wealthier, and far bigger spenders over longer trip durations, with many traveling from states like Texas, California, and Utah in family or friend groups. Despite its economic significance, the industry faces mounting operational challenges, including seasonal workforce constraints and environmental pressures such as "Hoot Owl" fishing restrictions, which affected numerous western Montana rivers in 2024 and forced many outfitters to alter or relocate trips. The report concludes that continued growth will depend on how well the industry adapts to environmental pressures, land and water access constraints, and climate-related impacts on Montana's fisheries and ecosystems.

Keywords

Outfitting, Guiding

Rights

© 2026 ITRR

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