If there was a show called Selling Montana — and I’m lobbying for it — Amanda Caldwell would undeniably be the star. A real estate agent specializing in ranching and hunting lands, Caldwell is also a serious outdoorswoman.
H&B: Tell me about growing up in Montana.
Amanda Caldwell (AC): I’m a fifth generation Montanan. I grew up just outside of Augusta, Montana, a charming little ranch community tucked alongside the Rocky Mountain front. It was a beautiful place to grow up, and it shaped me into who I am today — I wake up every day and feel blessed.
I come from a long line of hunters; both of my parents grew up hunting. My siblings (I have an older brother and a younger sister) and I were shooting bows practically before we could walk. Our parents took us outdoors constantly — camping, fishing, exploring — but especially hunting. Every fall, my dad would take us into the backcountry with him, even if it meant carrying us in a backpack.
Now that I’m an adult, I have a whole new appreciation for how challenging those trips were. Backcountry hunting is no easy feat, and the fact that he did it with little kids in tow shows the kind of sacrifice and dedication he had. My dad, a retired railroad engineer, worked hard for our family, and both of my parents made quality time with us a priority. I feel incredibly blessed to have grown up that way: surrounded by nature, family and a deep respect for the outdoors.
My mom and dad were meat hunters — mainly elk and deer — filling the freezer each fall. We would go on family hunts and process the meat together. My mom had a tradition of writing on the outside of the package who had gotten it and when she was preparing dinner, she’d announce who was responsible for providing that night’s meal.
HB: Tell me about your college years, and what your post-college plans were.
AC: I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from Montana State University. I went to work as an auditor and tax accountant, and it just wasn’t for me. I found a way to blend my professional skills and my deep love for Montana through my career in real estate. I’ve specialized in ranching and premier hunting lands, so I’ve found a perfect balance of using my education with my passion for the land in Montana.
HB: What is your favorite thing to hunt and where is your favorite place to hunt?
AC: Elk are my favorite animals to hunt — my dad shaped that passion. He would take us out to hear the elk bugling during the rut in September. If I could never do anything other than hunt elk, that would be fine with me. I love hunting in the Montana mountains. I love to challenge myself. I’m primarily a bowhunter — I got my first compound bow in middle school — and bowhunting is where my passion lies.
HB: Describe your most epic hunting trip, and is there a bucket list trip you still want to take?
AC: My favorite type of hunting is taking my horses into the backcountry and packing in. I love spending time with my horses in the mountains—it’s my happy place. It feeds my soul.
The most memorable hunt of my life was in 2018, after my mom passed away from breast cancer at 57. That fall was the most successful of my life—I harvested the biggest archery elk I may ever take, a standout archery antelope buck, a mountain goat, a bear and a stomper mule deer. I was on a solo hunt and had been out for about two weeks. I followed a huge bull several miles waiting for a shot. He and another bull locked horns in a fight, and I slipped into the willows nearby.
When the fight ended, the bull turned and walked to within five yards of me. I let an arrow go and made a great shot, clean into his side. It felt like my mom was there. That was a hunt I’ll never forget.
I’d love to go on a Stone sheep hunt in Canada or a Dall sheep and caribou hunt in Alaska. I’m headed to Alaska next year for a moose hunt, and I can’t wait.
HB: Do you have a best one-that-got-away story
AC: It’s not quite a “one that got away,” but I drew a Wyoming elk tag in 2023 and was hunting with my best friend Laci and her husband Josh. We took the horses and mules and packed 20 miles into the backcountry. We found a bull we called Dinosaur — he had the most distinctive bugle you could hear across the canyon. On opening day of rifle season, Laci shot a bull at first light, so Josh and I split off to find another.
We were on a hillside and spotted one, but Josh’s dog ran out and spooked it. We tied up the horses and started hiking up a mountain at 9,000-plus feet. We skirted across these rocky faces and came to an opening overlooking a meadow — there were elk 150 yards below us. I laid down to get into position but the rocks gave out and I started sliding straight down with my gun in hand. Josh grabbed me by my belt to keep me from falling.
It wasn’t ideal, but I steadied my aim as best I could, freehand, and pulled the trigger. I needed a second shot, but the bolt flew out. As the elk ran off, I shoved the bolt back in and managed a follow-up shot. Josh turned to me and said, “Amanda, that was Dinosaur, and not only did you miss him, but you scared every elk in the county.”
I was devastated. We went to look for blood and found only a few drops — no clear trail. But then we realized Josh’s dog was missing. He walked into the trees and called me over. His dog was sitting next to my elk — Dinosaur. It was a very special hunt, and one I thought I had totally blown.
HB: What’s your favorite gun you own?
Caldwell: I fell in love with building long-range hunting rifles. Last year, I built myself a 6.5 PRC on a Manners stock. It’s my favorite gun! It’s light, it’s a versatile caliber and has great ballistics.
HB: How much do you love horses?
Caldwell: Horses are my number one passion! I grew up on the back of a horse, and I rodeoed from a very young age. My horses are my best friends. I have 12 horses and three mules. Horses allow me as a single woman to go places I could never go without them.
HB: What do you love about your real estate day job?
Caldwell: I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a career that allows me to stay close to the land. I’ve been in real estate for nearly a decade now—since 2015, specializing in farm and ranch properties, cattle operations and hunting land. It’s a privilege to help people invest in and steward Montana’s heritage, whether they’re purchasing a generational ranch or seeking a property that supports a conservation-focused lifestyle.
HB: Tell us about your social media presence?
Caldwell: As someone deeply connected to Montana’s land, conservation is incredibly important to me. We all have a responsibility to care for and preserve our natural resources — not just for today, but for future generations. Using my platform to share that message is something I take seriously.
My goal is to inspire others, whether that’s through outdoor adventure, education around land and real estate or simply by living an authentic life that encourages people to pursue their own passions. The outdoors, and all aspects of the outdoor lifestyle have brought me so much peace, and I want others to know it’s accessible to them, too.
HB: Describe your perfect day.
Caldwell: The start to every perfect day begins with coffee and fresh heavy cream. My little sister — who’s the person I am closest to — would be there. We’d watch the sun rise over the mountains, ride horses to a mountain lake, do a little long-range shooting and finish the day cooking steaks and sipping a glass of wine or Blanton’s whiskey.