texastrophies Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Need2hunts thread got me to wondering, how many have actually paid to go on a guided or outfitted hunt? If you want to elaborate about your hunt, please do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I've paid a couple different guys to take me fishing but I've never been on a guided hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebohio Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 i have never been on a guided hunt before. having a wife and three kids makes it unrealistic for me to consider. i dont think the sense of accomplishment would be the same as scouting,setting up on,and taking your animal. with that said i still think it would be alot of fun to share a deer camp and have the whole guided experience. mabey hunt an animal not avalible in my area. wouldn't pass on the opportunity to try something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I have been pheasant hunting in South Dakota with a outfitter/guide several times. Super guys to be around, lots of birds, all private ground, sweet lodge, and very reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 it was more of a semi-guided hunt and in OK. my cousin was the guide. if you haven't ever hunted an area that's intensively managed and has older age class bucks, then i highly recommend to do it at least once. the experience regardless of whether or not you take anything is awesome. i wasn't used to seeing that caliber of deer and by myself ended up getting an itchy trigger finger. i'm happy with what i got, which is my biggest to date, but i still could've done better i think. later in the week i watched, with an already filled tag, a 150 class whitetail buck bedded out in the middle of a wide open field. i hunted with Mt. Hide Outfitters and it was a very awesome experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Before working with Archer's Choice I went out to South Dakota two years in a row with a business associate for pheasants - one of these days I would love to go back. I also went down to Green County Illinois with some bickering Ohio boys a few years back and had a great time sharing camp with them. With Archer's Choice I had the opportunity to go on several guided hunts to either hunt and or film. Antelope/Mule Deer in SD with Randy Routier (a truely amazing person) of Routier Outfitting. Hog and Alligators in Florida with Osceola Outfitters Whitetails on Anticosti Island with Serf Sau Outfitters Whitetails in Pike County Illinois with Eagle Lake Outfitters Whitetails in Alberta with Lone Pine Outfitters Black Bear in Ontario with Camp Quetico Black Bear in Quebec (can't remember the name of the outfitter as I type) Black Bear in Alberta with Northern Adventure Hunts Black Bear in Manitoba with Adrenaline Outfitters Elk in Colorado with Winterhawk Outfitters. Moose in Alberta with Canada Maxamus Outfitters Whitetails in Iowa at Tails of the Hunt Whitetails in North Dakota at Double B Outfitters Plus probably a few I'm not remembering right now. What I've learned that if your only satisfaction to spending your $$ on a hunt is bringing back an animal then your missing the boat. If your going to soak in the adventure and new friends you meet and getting your animal is a bonus then you'll enjoy it for not only the time your there but also for years to come. If your thinking about going on a guided/outfitter hunt I would suggest doing as much homework on it as possible so that it meets your expectations, call every reference that they will give and talk to the outfitter about how they hunt and what to expect. With not being with Archer's Choice anymore if I look at this list the places that I truely would love to go back to hunt if I can afford it is Adrenaline Outfitters in Manitoba - they really know how to hunt big bears, and Russ, Joel , Rod and Shelley are some of the best people I have met and I would love to be able to share camp with them again. Winterhawk Outfitters in Colorado - I can't say enough about the adventure side of Winterhawk. Larry and Laura and there whole crew do a top notch job. For Whitetails I live in Illinois so I'm spoiled but the size of the whitetails I saw when I filmed in Iowa for a week at Tails of the Hunt, really does make me want to hunt Iowa for whitetails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Back in 2008 I had the opportunity to hunt the Milk River in Montana with Milk River Outfitters. They have been guiding the Real Tree guys and Waddell for years. It was an experience that I will never forget, especially because it was shared with my Dad. They are a top-notch outfitter and would recommend them to anyone wanting to hunt whitetails out West. www.milkriveroutfitters.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 One official outfitter in 2000. Black bear lodge in Quebec. Terrible experience that has kept me away from outfitters ever since. Poor communication and they made me feel bad for asking questions about baits getting hit, or asking to change spots after not seeing a bear at a bait 2 days in a row. They stated near 100% opportunity and 90% success. During my week at their bear camp 6 of 18 guys got a bear. Half of us didn't see a bear. The week prior one of 18 got a bear. They also did not warn me about black flies!!!!!! I hope to do a Red Stag hunt some day in New Zeland and would use an outfitter for that, but I tend to like DIY hunts much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Semi-guided with LLBUX, but I voted no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Semi-guided with LLBUX, but I voted no. Semi-guided with LLBUX, and I voted yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Have not voted Jeff. My daughter and I hunted with Steve Beilgard this past fall, figure there probably aren't any better guides out there, but I have not paid an outfitter or fee for a guide like I think you are asking in your poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I went on a bow hunt in Kentucky once where there was corn and clover to hunt and unhunted stands. Bring your own stand if you like. Only a dozen guys in camp. Catered meals Corn and clover were in a pile about 15 yards from the stand. They must have been last years butts and water bottles under my unhunted stands. Should have left mine at home. No room in the truck for it. Sharing one shower with 35 guys is a drag. Chicken patties and mashed potatoes, catered in everyday. As for the hunting...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I hunted The Bostick Plantation in South Carolina with 3 friends for Deer and Hogs over bait back in late August 01. It cost $750 for 4 days and 3 nights. The food stunk, wasn't ever nearly enough food each meal, too many hunters. The water stunk to high heaven of rotten eggs(sulfur), it was hard to get through a shower without gagging. The beds were held together with tape...yeah duct tape. A total of 3 animals were seen by our party in the 7 hunts. 3 in the am, 4 in the pm. On of the 3 animals seen was a small hog that was shot by a friend in our party. I did not see anything but birds and squirrels. We gave our guide a $100 initial tip( guy who placed us and drove us to our stands) about an hour after we got there. Hoping for a good stand placement and a good impression. We did not eat there after the first two meals didn't provide us with enough food. We went to local restaurants. Meals were to be included. The bugs were brutal and we all paid a premium(almost double) for bug suits sold there. Can you say taken advantage of? Bottom line bad experience all around. Guess they didn't like Yankees. Have not paid to hunt since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Yep, and I've also guided. I'd rather be the customer.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I hunted with the best guide in Wyoming, Steve Beilgard :1eye: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Yes, I 'll second that. SteveB is the best. I just watched the video of him dragging you up that hill. Funny how far he got ahead of you while you were catching your breath, lol! I just figured it was your condition at the time. Then I remembered he had me gasping for air too, lol. He must have been a mountain goat in a previous life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Yes, I 'll second that. SteveB is the best. I just watched the video of him dragging you up that hill. Funny how far he got ahead of you while you were catching your breath, lol! I just figured it was your condition at the time. Then I remembered he had me gasping for air too, lol. He must have been a mountain goat in a previous life! LOL..Yeah, no kidding eh. That guy is a mountain goat. I couldn't have kept up to him if I was 21 again..LOL;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBow Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 My Fish & Game Club has an annual fund raiser auction and I've picked up a few guided Canada Goose hunts for about $125 for a days hunt for 4 people. Good outfitter and great success. They set up about 150 decoys and flip open blinds on pre-permissioned farm land. Usually limited out by 10:00 to noon hour. As far as big game is concerned, I'd rather do it all DIY if that is available, but not all regions, states or provinces allow non-residents to DIY. TBow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Once................... with Manuel Enriquez of El Halcon Lodge & Outfitters in 2007 for Gould's turkeys. Top freakin' notch !!!!!!!!!! No more elaboration is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 I have paid for a guided goose hunt. It was worth it. I have never paid for a big game hunt, but I would if I could find the money tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Yup once, my grandpa took me on my first elk hunt for my high school graduation present. It was alright, not real impressed. Took a decent 5x5. If im gonna get an out of state tag, especially one that you cant get every year, Im gonna make sure that I have the best chance to fill that tag. If you are working and have a family, it makes it difficult to do scouting and all that yourself, especially if you are going out of state. I would love to do a DIY hunt someday, the sense of accomplishment in a successful hunt would be awesome but I would rather maximize my odds by using a guide/outfitter if I had the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 A few guided Hog hunts on private land while I lived in Florida in the late 90's but nothing since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Hunting has always been an adventure for me and I like to explore. I've never used an outfitter and probably never will. I enjoy the chance of failure and the sense of accomplishment that comes from beating all odds and actually figuring it out on my own. Sometimes it becomes a survival exercise but I'm not frightened by the prospect of dying in a beautiful wild place, though some of the folks who wanted to tag along were. I'll do it until the Lord takes me home. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 One official outfitter in 2000. Black bear lodge in Quebec. Terrible experience that has kept me away from outfitters ever since. Poor communication and they made me feel bad for asking questions about baits getting hit, or asking to change spots after not seeing a bear at a bait 2 days in a row. They stated near 100% opportunity and 90% success. During my week at their bear camp 6 of 18 guys got a bear. Half of us didn't see a bear. The week prior one of 18 got a bear. They also did not warn me about black flies!!!!!! I hunted bears in Quebec once and know many people that have went to Quebec for bears. Had the opportunity to go back to Quebec for bears and turned it down, won't ever go again. The bugs are one reason, promised vs. reality would be another. For the time and money invested I would go to Manitoba or Alberta and look for a good bear (5'8" square and up) instead of the opportunity for "a" bear in Quebec. Just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Yes............my wife and I went on a archery whitetail hunt (she doesn't hunt, was more like a bed & breakfast for her) in October of 2002 to Harpole's Heartland Lodge in Nebo, IL. The food and hospitallity was wonderful, but the hunting was poor at best. Only one doe was killed in camp my week. It was killed by the partner they paired me with. I saw 4 scrubs in 4 days of hunting. At one point we were actually put on a 40 acre piece of ground that was boardered by a highway (not a back road) and public hunting land. I booked the hunt to see what all the hype was about in Pike County IL. All we got was a glorified bed and breakfast that sand bagged clients till the higher paying customers came in for the rut. My "guide" had an old jacked up truck with super loud exhaust. The deer heard us for miles. I will never do that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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