FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please see the Rental Agreement at the bottom
of the page that you will be required to sign & return before your stay.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
Your deposit of 50% will be refunded ONLY if we are able to re-rent your time. If we are unable to re-rent your time, you will forfeit your deposit of 50%. If you are under a 30 day window of arrival and you cancel, your entire amount will be refunded ONLY if we are able to re-rent your time. We highly recommend that you purchase Vacation Cancellation Insurance, available for a minimal cost throughout different sites on the internet.
WHY DO YOU REQUIRE A MASTERCARD/VISA/DISCOVER CARD NUMBER AT THE TIME OF MY RESERVATION?
Currently, we do not charge a damage/security fee in hopes that everyone will treat The Bullet Hole Cabin at Whispering Ridge as their home. We do require that you sign a Rental Agreement, which states our policies. If, for any reason, you break any of the policites in the Rental Agreement, your credit card will be immediately charged.
ARE ANIMALS AND/OR PETS ALLOWED?
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are any animals and/or pets allowed at all, anywhere on the property, by you or your guests. Many of our guests have severe allergies. If anyone brings a pet onto the property during this rental period, including guests to the cabin, you will be asked to leave immediately, charged an additional $300 cleaning fee, due to pet dander, and the necessity to deep-clean the cabin, and will receive no refund on moneys paid for your stay. The Bullet Hole Cabin is a high quality cabin. Due to the quality of the cabin as well as other guests' allergies, we do not make ANY exceptions to this rule.
IS SMOKING AND/OR VAPING ALLOWED IN THE CABIN OR ON THE PROPERTY?
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES do we rent to smokers. This includes all tobacco products. WE RENT TO NON-SMOKERS ONLY. Many of our guests have severe allergies. If anyone uses tobacco products (including vaping) during this rental period, including guests to the cabin, you will be asked to leave immediately, charged an additional $300 cleaning fee, due to the use of tobacco products and the necessity to deep-clean the cabin, and will receive no refund on moneys paid for your stay. The Bullet Hole Cabin is a high quality cabin. Due to the quality of the cabin as well as other guests' allergies, we do not make ANY exceptions to this rule.
IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE?
The base rate covers up to two (2) guests. For any additional guests (including children over the age of 12 months), the additional charge is $10.00 per person/per night plus 8% Montana lodging tax.
WHAT SIZE BEDS ARE PROVIDED?
There is a queen bed in the downstairs bedroom; a double bed in the upstairs private bedroom; and a king bed that can be separated into a set of twin beds are found in the open loft area.
DO YOU HAVE FACILITIES FOR BOARDING MY HORSE?
No, we do not have facilities for boarding your horse. We do have several contact people for horseback riding; however.
ARE THERE OTHER BUILDINGS OR HOUSES ON THE PROPERTY OR THAT CAN BE SEEN?
Yes. The Bullet Hole Cabin at Whispering Ridge is located on 10 acres. Our main home and shop are also on the property. The main home is approximately 600 feet away and the shop is approximately 200 feet away. All homes in this area sit on usually a 5 to 10 acre lot. Whispering Ridge sits among trees which hides a good portion of neighboring homes. While sitting on the back porch of the guest cabin, you can see a portion of a neighbor's home over the ridge as well as a portion of another neighbor's home as you come in the driveway. From the front porch, you can see the main house; from the back porch, you have total privacy from the main house. To protect your privacy, trees have been planted (although they are still quite small - due to the deer eating the big trees), and a separate circular driveway is provide for the guest cabin.
Although there are other homes, this area is quiet. Most of the time, you can hear the sound of silence; no cars, no people or planes. What you will hear are the flutter of bird wings, the wind whistling through the trees, an elk bugling, coyotes yipping in the morning air or perhaps a pack of wolves howling in the distance.
IS YOUR KITCHEN FULLY EQUIPPED?
We have placed serving pieces for 12 in the guest cabin. This includes dishes as well as glasses, wineglasses, and cups. Even though the cabin is set up for six/seven people, you will have extra. Pots, pans, splatter shields, measuring cups, spoons, mixer, coffee maker, crock pot, toaster, electric griddle, mixing bowls, 8x13 & 8x8 baking pans as well as a cookie sheet are provided. Even items such as wine glasses, a cork screw, cheese graters and basic condiments are included.
WHAT SUPPLIES DO YOU PROVIDE IN THE CABIN?
For the kitchen, all paper products such as paper towels, paper napkins, plastic wrap, Reynolds wrap, plastic bags and trash bags are provided as well as dish detergent and dishwasher detergent as provided. Liquid hand soap as well as bath soap are provided for both bathrooms. Toilet paper is provided for the bathrooms. Bring your own shampoo and conditioner. If you have a specific bath soap you like, please bring that also. All linens, including sheets, blanks, comforters, bath towels, washcloths and kitchen towels are provided.
Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, flour, sugar, pancake mix, coffee, tea, coffee filters, tea bags, creamer, cooking spray (Pam - both regular & grilling), and spices such as salt and pepper, garlic powder, and steak seasoning are provided also.
WHERE CAN I WASH CLOTHES?
A washer and dryer is provided in the cabin. We provide laundry detergent and dryer sheets; however, if you have a specific brand you like, please plan on bringing it yourself.
IS THERE A PHONE?
Yes, there is a telephone that you are welcome to use to make local calls. To make any long distance calls, please bring a calling card.
CAN I GET CELL SERVICE?
Yes, you can get cell service at the cabin. Verizon seems to work the best. However, due to the mountain ranges, many times reception is lost when you are out driving. We do recommend that you DO NOT trust GPS. The roads are not accurate on GPS in this area.
IS THERE A TELEVISION, RADIO, ALARM CLOCK AND/OR INTERNET?
We provide a flat screen TV with a DVD player. There is no TV viewing. This is for DVD viewing ONLY. There are movies available, we are adding more constantly. If you have a favorite one you would like to see (perhaps again!), please feel free to bring your DVD. There are two alarm clocks provided in two bedrooms. DSL Wi-Fi is hooked directly into the cabin. A password is provided for internet access.
DO YOU HAVE A BBQ GRILL?
Yes, we do provide a gas BBQ grill on the back porch. Please use this grill only. There are no outside fires permitted.
DOES THE CABIN HAVE HEAT AND IS IT AIR-CONDITIONED?
Yes, the cabin has a mini-split heat pump/AC system, thermostatically controlled for its main heat source, as well as a gas fireplace. (Please note: The fireplace is turned off during the summer months.) In each bathroom, there is a heat/fan/light combination.
Yes, the cabin has air-conditioning. Typically, in the summer months, we may have daytime temperatures of 84 to 88 degrees. However, at night, the temperature is usually in the 50s, making it very comfortable in the cabin. Humidity in the summer months is typically in the 5% to 15% range.
ARE THERE CLOSETS FOR OUR CLOTHES?
There is limited closet space due to the size of the cabin. However, there are hangers available above the washer and dryer for your coats and two bedroom areas have an area for hung clothing. Each bedroom will have a dresser-type piece of furniture with drawers/shelves for putting clothes in.
WHAT KIND OF VEHICLE SHOULD I HAVE FOR YOUR AREA?
A standard car is all that is needed typically to reach our property during non-winter months. If you want to go exploring on the Forest Service Roads, a higher clearance vehicle is advised. However, in winter, snow and ice can prove to be an issue. We highly recommend a 4x4 or all wheel drive vehicle with higher clearance during the winter as well as studded tires, if your vehicle has them.
WILL I SEE MUCH WILDLIFE IN YOUR AREA?
Typically, from the cabin, you will see mule deer, white tailed deer and turkey. In our area, and especially the backcountry, we have seen elk, moose (with babies too!), mountain lion, coyote, wolves, bald eagles, black bear and signs of grizzly. It depends on the season and the day -- you may see them and you may not.
CAN I BRING A SNOWMOBILE OR 4 WHEELER TO RIDE AND ARE TRAILERS PERMITTED?
We DO NOT permit the parking of any type of trailers at the cabin. This includes motor homes, campers, as well as boat trailers. You, you can bring a snowmobile or 4 wheeler to ride, if you have it loaded onto the back of your truck. The circular driveway is for cars & trucks only. The circular drive for the cabin does not provide enough room, especially for turning, if you are towing even a small trailer. You MAY NOT ride any equipment on our property. We have walking access to the Kootenai National Forest only. You will have to trailer the 4 wheeler and/or snowmobile to the Forest Road access. You CANNOT drive onto the National Forest from our property.
WHAT ABOUT BRINGING MY OWN BOAT, BOAT RAMPS, BOAT RENTAL, AND/OR GUIDES?
We DO NOT permit boat trailers at the guest cabin. The circular driveway is large enough to accomodate 2-3 cars, it is not large enough or long enough to maneuver a boat trailer. We DO NOT have any boat ramps on the west side of Lake Koocanusa. However, on the east side of the lake, (we are on the west side), there are several boat ramps at US Forest Service campgrounds with parking available for your trailer. There is also a marina with slips available for your boat. If you desire, we can refer you to an outfitter for a guide service. Also, you can rent pontoon boats or small fishing boats on the east side of Lake Koocanusa.
ARE THERE PLACES TO SWIM, HIKING TRAILS, ATM'S, BANKS, PLACES TO EAT, GROCERY STORES, ETC?
On our side of the lake, there is one Forest Service Road access to a nice swimming area on Lake Koocanua. Travel to the east side of the lake, and there are several smaller lakes to swim in as well as Rexford Bench Swimming Area. We do have beach towels available for your use.
You can either hike across the property to the National Forest or use a one of the designated hiking trails through the Kootenai National Forest. There are literally thousands of acres to hike in.
We will send you an informative guide before you arrive so you can start planning your vacation. Also, in the cabin is an Information Guide covering additional information for you.
IS HOUSEKEEPING PROVIDED IN THE CABIN?
No, not on a daily basis. If your stay is longer than one week, we will provide housekeeping at the end of each week, i.e., clean sheets, vacuuming, clean bathrooms, etc. if you desire. Clean towels are provided for your stay. We do pick up the trash every morning if you put it on your porch.
ADA COMPLIANT?
We are not ADA-Compliant and do not have to be, due to this is a private property. We do not seek to discriminate; however, people in wheelchairs and/or walkers will have trouble with stairs and the small areas in the cabin. There are no grab bars or wheelchair ramps at the cabin. Therefore, people that use these devices for mobility, due to safety issues, will not be able to rent the cabin.
ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN FEES OR ADDITIONAL THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW?
We are up front on our costs. The only reason you would be charged additional moneys would be if you violate any of the Policies, which are shown below in their entirety in the Rental Agreement. When you receive your Confirmation of Reservation in the Mail, you will also the Rental Agreement, which must be signed and returned before your stay.
Any other questions? Give us a call or e-mail.
We would love to help you!
406-889-5272