An Insiders Look at our Head Wrangler Dustin Call

Dustin Call Wrangler Paws Up

Dustin Call has been riding horses since he was four years old. He grew up riding at his family’s home in Wallburg, North Carolina, and became a member of the United States Pony Club at a young age. Call eventually “fell into the cowboy way” in college, switching to Western saddle riding and even holding down a summer job at a Wild West theme park as a stunt performer. After college, Call knew he wanted to become a professional horseman, so he headed west and became enamored with the cowboy way of life. After landing a job at a ranch in Colorado, Call was able to dedicate his life to caring for and riding horses, as well as educating and leading others in their own horsemanship. Call came to Paws Up as Horse Manager in 2015. He is the leader of Paws Up’s outstanding equestrian program, where he continues to share his love of horses with visitors to the ranch and “anyone with a sense of adventure and an open mind.”

dustin call wrangler paws up1. What’s your favorite thing about working at Paws Up?

Helping to connect people with horses! It’s really at the core of what I love about this resort. I think horses are the most amazing creatures and are truly good for people in so many ways, and here I get to help people rediscover that relationship, or find it for the first time.

2. How is the equestrian experience different at Paws Up than at other ranch destinations?

Our flexibility. For one, we have an amazing array of trails and different times you can ride, anywhere from early morning to chasing the sunset, so no matter what your schedule or vacation style is, we can find a time and a place for you to ride. We also have horses and programs that can engage anyone, from first-time riders to those who ride on a regular basis and have horses of their own. 

3. What’s your favorite thing Chef Ben cooks up on the ranch?

The Gnarly Burger! He serves it at breakfast, but I could eat it three meals a day. Talk about stick-to-your-ribs good!

4. What music are you currently listening to?

Hayseed Dixie! Give ’em a try—they’re a good time.

5. If you could ride horses with one famous person, who would it be?

Buck Brannaman, my favorite horseman. You can never stop learning with horses, and he has an amazing amount of knowledge and insight to share. Or Viggo Mortensen—he’s the coolest.

6. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An astrophysicist, then an architect, then an actor, then an archaeologist. I’ve covered a lot of ground…

7. What is your second-favorite activity at the ranch? (We know horseback riding is first!)

White water rafting! I own my own boat, but I’m nowhere near as good a captain as our guides are.

8. Besides horseback, what is your favorite method of transportation?

My two feet. I love to hike and run and explore. I’ve hiked most of our trails as well.

9. We know you love all of the horses at Paws Up, but which one edges out the others and why?

My go-to good buddy is Ink. He’s an amazing little ranch horse who I can really get a job done with, whether it’s checking miles of fence on our own, roping a cow, bringing in our horse herd in the morning or leading a trail ride. When I first got to the resort he had some serious problems we had to work through, and that journey together makes his reliability and kindness now that much more rewarding. He’s a very good friend of mine.

10. How do horses inspire you?

The thing that inspires me most about a horse is his capacity for forgiveness. What you need to know about a “bad” horse is that—99 percent of the time—whatever he is doing that you wish he wouldn’t, somebody taught him that. But if you treat him right, he’ll trust and love you as deeply as a child. I strive to have that strength in my life, and I think everyone could use at least a little in theirs!

11. What advice do you give to someone who has never been on a horse before? RELAX! This is good advice for any new adventure, but especially true with horses. Our horses are trained extensively to be safe and considerate to novice riders, so there’s no need to worry. The horses want nothing more than to please you, and a relaxed, happy rider is the best reward you can give them.

12. What are some of the funniest moments you’ve witnessed between guests and horses?

Oh boy … too many to count. Kids and horses are always a good bet for hilarity, especially a 6-year-old riding a 1,600-pound draft horse cross! Cattle drives are usually a pretty good time as well. There’s nothing like watching successful, mature adults screaming at cows.The Resort at Paws Up

3 Most Requested Activities at Paws Up

Horseback Riding The Resort at Paws Up

Take a wild guess at the three most requested activities at The Resort at Paws Up. If you picked fly-fishing, horseback riding, and ATV trail rides, then you are correct—and you should reward yourself with one of the above! These three activities in particular are extremely popular due to the multiple offerings, times, and uniqueness that come from the setting of the resort. Activities Director Mark Houseman says, “Their popularity stems from the fact that these three activities offer a great representation of the Montana way of life. From the world-class fishing to the wide-open exploration of our state, they allow our guests a way to escape busy city life and marvel at the beauty of the Montana landscape. Personally, my favorite is the three-hour ATV tour, as you get to drive deep into the back part of the property, enjoy the thrill of two hill climbs, snap a photo at the best picture spot at Lookout Rock and experience the ever-changing landscape that you experience along the route.”

atv paws up

For our ATV trail rides, guests can choose from a one and a half-, three-, or five-hour excursion. For the first two options, guests explore the woods, tackle hill climbs, take in the picturesque scenery from Lookout Rock and view the beautiful Blackfoot river. On the five-hour ride, guests will explore the woods, and then take the ATVs off-property to Elevation Peak (about 7,000 feet). Once they have completed this climb on the ATVs, guests will hop off for a hike to the top. From there, views are breathtaking, and guests will experience the grandeur that earned Montana its Big Sky State nickname. Post-hike, adventurers head to Garnet, an abandoned-but-intact ghost town where guests will travel back to the 1800s as they check out the saloon, hotel, general store and so much more. Lunch is provided before driving back to the resort.

Paws Up horseback riding

Horses are iconic to Montana, and riding is probably the first activity that crosses the mind when thinking of Montana. The Resort at Paw Up houses 40 horses on-property for all of our equestrian activities. Whether you are have never been in a saddle before or are a riding expert, Paws Up has something for every ability with one-, two- or three-hour trail rides, cattle drives, lessons and more. The Resort’s wrangler will pair guests with a four-legged friend that will be the perfect match for exploring more than 100 miles of wilderness trails. You will pass towering ponderosa pines, whose size and beauty are surpassed only by the views of the distant mountain ranges of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

horseback riding at Paws Up

This year, there are several additions to the equestrian program, including a new evening ride that takes you past our quaint line shack (where you will enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer) to the top of Scout’s Point to take in a signature Montana sunset. Or enjoy a lunch ride to a gorgeous spot in the shade where guests indulge in a Paws Up-style picnic. Kids can participate in lessons at the Saddle Club arena, complete with games, obstacle courses and more, and adult beginners can join instructional group trail rides. For advanced riders, the all-new, three-hour trail ride allows equine enthusiasts to cover terrain that no Paws Up guests have ever traversed. For an authentic taste of Western ranch life, participate in a cattle drive where novice and advanced riders alike saddle up with seasoned ranch hands and drive a herd of cattle across the majestic rolling pastures of the Resort property.

fly fishing Resort at Paws Up

Montana is known for fly-fishing, and Paws Up hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous rivers in which to fly-fish, thanks to the movie “A River Runs Through It.” This gorgeous river flows right through our property, where all of our guided excursions are strictly for fly-fishing. Our guides have fished the surrounding rivers for years and will help you find the best trout fishing holes. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with these rods, but only for independent fishing.

fly fishing Paws Up

Also near the resort is the Missouri River—one of the best hot spots for fly-fishing and a treasure trove for trout. This massive river travels approximately 700 miles along the entire state of Montana.

Other options include Bitterroot River—a dry-fly paradise that is famous for 95 percent dry flies and great hatches, which start in mid-March and extend well into October—and the Clark Fork River, the largest river by volume in the state and also one of the longest. The Clark Fork is approximately 310 miles long and is close to the resort. The best fishing on the Clark Fork is found between its origin and the confluence with the Flathead River near Paradise.