ORIGINAL: teejarrardjr

I have hunted all over the United states and Canada. I have shot my biggest Bucks in canada and saw the biggest buck in IOWa. .I want to tell you . Everyones life is so different . This is totally you choice to go on a Preserve hunt. I once was totally against it .But The last few years I have had alot of things happen in my life. It made me realize that life is short do only what makes you happy not some so called professional hunter on TV or any guys who only spend a few hundred dollars on Public land hunts .I have hunted alot of Public land and spent alot of time and money going all over public land hunting .When you spend a ton of time in the woods and you have some hunter bust a big buck away from you. And then your season is over .Well after all the time away from family and your JOb . No Deer. The key to having a good hunt in a preserve if doing plenty of research on the outfitter. There are some preserve hunts that are not near fair chase and then there are some that are as hard as public land deer. These are the ones you want to hunt at. Just because the outfitter is well known doesnt mean his hunt is good. I have spent several thousand dollars going on fair chase hunts and you will get a very bad hunt eventually and then even spend $4000 and come home with nothing. I have went on hunts to Canada with guys who spend $3000 on the hunt and $600 on airline tickets and spent around another $1000 on License and spending money traveling and go home with nothing. Untill you have done this dont say you want be proud of a deer you shot at a preserve. I would rather go hunt a preserve anyday than spend $5000 and have nothing to show for it. Fair chase is something most hunters dont even practice any more. Food plots in the winter months , only food source for miles ,Trail cameras 24/7 in the woods , no deer then move it and find some deer while your sleeping . The real meaning of Fair chase is not practiced anymore. See we dont know what each day will bring us . So enjoy every opertunity you get hunting . YOu might get sick an no able to get in the woods. I watched a guy who booked a hunt at a preserve while fighting Cancer. He was so happy even having treatments just waiting to go on his hunt. We finally made it and he shot a !40 to 150 inch buck .He was the happiest he has even been . He passed away 2 days after his hunt. His wife said that hunt kept him going knowing he was going to get that buck he always wanted. We should all support all type of hunting .If we dont our grandchildren will not be able to hunt. So good luck on your decision do what ever makes you happy .YOu will be proud of a buck from a preserve. .You will also see bucks there you will never see in the wild. 200 plus inches