Elm Outfitters & Guides Training Program

The ELM Story Begins in 1959 with Erv Malnarich

Erv Malnarich started the first Big Game Guide
Training in America when he formed ELM Outfitters & Guides Training
in 1959—long before anyone even thought of a need for such training. Erv
compiled the first Masters Guides Home Study Manual and trained
thousands of individuals over the years to become guides, packers and
wranglers. Many are now among the most successful outfitters in the
industry today. It's a tradition we're proud to continue.

Erv Malnarich was a well known and renowned
Outfitter and Guide who worked and lived in the Selway Wilderness of
western Montana and Idaho for close to 50 years. In the fall of 1959
while guiding legendary big game hunter and Outdoor Life
writer Jack O’Connor, plans for a training program were first put into
place. Sitting around a camp fire a day's ride or so from the nearest
road, Erv and Jack started kicking around the idea of how to qualify
guides and packers in order to fill the needs for Outfitters throughout
the Rockies.

With the help, backing and support of Jack O’Connor and Elmer Keith, writer/editor of Guns & Ammo,
it wasn’t long and the very first Training Manual for Guides/Packers
& Outfitters along with the Advanced Hands on Training classes were
established. “The Outfitter’s and Guides Bible” which was written and
formatted in Erv’s easy-to-understand vocabulary and text along with
many instructional photos is our Guides Schools cornerstone. Now in
its sixth edition, “The Outfitters & Guides Bible” remains the standard for today’s Guides and Outfitting Industry.