ORIGINAL: racewayking
ORIGINAL: early in
ORIGINAL: tsoc
I have read quitea bit about Jim Hole.I recall him being fanatical in all aspects of his approach to hunting his area's and the the set up of equipment.I know he has been successful.I still beelieve the biggest thing is your own mental state,If you can hunt under his terms and not be second guessing any thing then fine.
When some outfitters receive notoriety because of their success it actually leads to a loss in quality of their operation.They raise their outfitting fee's because of supply and demand,they over book,they may not be able to be as personally involved with all of their hunters because of increased amount of hunters in camp.
It is hard for an outfitter in that regard to fight the urge for the quick financial gain to preserve the integrity of their area and their operation.If Jim Hole is as disciplined in these area's as he is in his hunting techniques I would imagine he has those things under control.
Everything you said is exactly accurate. You know his ways, no doubt.Jim is quite well off and actually chooses who hunts with him. He has hunters who have hunted as many as 8 years in a row (regulars). He doesn't worry at all about bookings.If he likes the way you carry yourself, you'll be invited back, if he doesn't, you'll need to find another place to hunt. He makes that more than clear.
Jeff- I have to say this and don't take it the wrong way. Obviously you are not 100% satisfied with the arrangements and methods he uses. As this thread goes on it appears that you take pride in the fact that you are hunting with a well respected deer expert, yet challenge his philosophy on the mid afternoon hunt. Are you sure you are not too into the fact he accepts you and allows you to hunt there more than you appreciate the possibilities you gain by booking a hunt there?
You can book fully guided rut hunts for 3k in Pike County, Illinois which is the #2 Boon and Crockett producer and likely be allowed to hunt your way with better odds of getting a solid P&Y or Booner than what I am seeing up there in Alberta. Just a little food for thought considering this thread started off because you were not fully satisfied in what your experience was. I would say if you took what you learned from Jim Hole and applied it to another area that you would have some great success and maybe more happiness in your hunt. Just a little food for thought from the Land of Lincoln
I'm not 100% happy, simply becauseI'm nothunting all day.I'm willing to conform to his hunting strategy, as it has shown results for his hunters.
By the same token, I have had success ('06) as well up there hunting all day. My main goal with this thread was to see what others thought about this, and how they would handle it. My ideal scenario would be to get dropped off at my favorite stand site well before first light, and not be picked up until a half hour after dark.
I'm going to see if this can arranged this season. If it can't be, I'm not going to take my ball and go home.
I'm well aware of my options as a paying customer/hunter, but I really love this region (no tag draw) and the huge bucks that I KNOW are there. Like I say, I'm just after thoughts/opinions. So far, I think this has been a fun/educational type thread. Especially for those who might be planning their first guided hunting trip.