Tips for picking a Outfitter
08-21-2009, 03:04 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SouthEastern Massachusetts
Posts: 7
Tips for picking a Outfitter
Well....I am seriously debating going on my 1st trip.....I am thinking about the mid-west,.....I have never been on a hunt like these before, so , I was hoping that some of you who have could send a few tips my way as far as what to look for, and what to look out for... I have to say, this may be a once in a lifetime deal for me, so like most of you, I dont have the $$$ to take a chance on a shady hunt. I have no problem paying for a quality hunt, do I want to harvest a trophy, of course, but I am looking for a memorable experience as well......
I hunt the Northeast, the hunting here ( at least for me ) is far different from what it is in the Mid-west, or places like that....I dont have the opportunity to hunt a big farm over a food plot...or rattle with a decoy....ect...ect....
So, I guess some of my questions are....guided or semi-guided...( I have never hunted out there, so I am a little nervous about placing my stands and such on a semi-guided )....early season, pre-rut. rut. or late season?....I would have to guess that the rut is the best.....but I wouldnt know? does shot opportunity really drop off that much between those seasons.....I would think that the deer seen on farms would be a little predictable in early season, ( they need to travel to food )?
Any help would be great....i am not "dead-set" on the mid-west, but I really have a urge for that area....illinois, missouri, kansas, kentucky, indiana, ohio.........
if you dont feel comfortable giving me names of outfitters....just a few tips would help...I am really trying to do my homework on this one.....Thanks Guys. Jay
I hunt the Northeast, the hunting here ( at least for me ) is far different from what it is in the Mid-west, or places like that....I dont have the opportunity to hunt a big farm over a food plot...or rattle with a decoy....ect...ect....
So, I guess some of my questions are....guided or semi-guided...( I have never hunted out there, so I am a little nervous about placing my stands and such on a semi-guided )....early season, pre-rut. rut. or late season?....I would have to guess that the rut is the best.....but I wouldnt know? does shot opportunity really drop off that much between those seasons.....I would think that the deer seen on farms would be a little predictable in early season, ( they need to travel to food )?
Any help would be great....i am not "dead-set" on the mid-west, but I really have a urge for that area....illinois, missouri, kansas, kentucky, indiana, ohio.........
if you dont feel comfortable giving me names of outfitters....just a few tips would help...I am really trying to do my homework on this one.....Thanks Guys. Jay
08-21-2009, 04:09 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,120
I can't help you with a name of an outfitter but I have used Huntinfool.com to find outfitters. There is a subscription fee but it's worth it to find a quality outfitter and this time of year you can get discounted hunts.
08-21-2009, 04:17 PM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Hughesville, PA USA
Posts: 18,322
I can highly recommend Paradise Adventures in Altoona, KS owned and operated by Kurt Nunnenkamp. http://www.kansasparadiseadventures.com/aboutus.html
08-21-2009, 05:21 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: S. NH
Posts: 3,045
My buddy got this one in 2008.
His third year going to this outfitter.
He says it's outstanding!
Also, you can drive there, so it may be cheaper, along with bringing your meat home!
http://www.whitetailoutfittersofohio.com/
His third year going to this outfitter.
He says it's outstanding!
Also, you can drive there, so it may be cheaper, along with bringing your meat home!
http://www.whitetailoutfittersofohio.com/
08-21-2009, 06:45 PM
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: North East, PA (outside of Erie, PA)
Posts: 769
Personally I have to agree with this statement..subsribe to Huntin' Fool magazine...you will get alot of opinions here and write down those names and then cross reference to see if Huntin' Fool gives you the same name
08-23-2009, 04:20 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Burleson Texas
Posts: 12,560
Can't help out with an outfitter. I've been bow hunting for over 40 years and thank God, I've never had to use one. I did call one once, and after finding out I could buy a new truck for the price he was going to charge me I blew that idea off.
Good luck!
Good luck!
08-23-2009, 09:59 AM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 187
Do a lot of research and ask for references whoever you choose! I can Highly recommend www.spikesnspurs.com talk to Travis, tell him Tim told you to call. He's one of the most stand up guys you'll come across in the outfitting world. He's not a fly by night operation, he own a tire shop/feed store in his town and needs to keep a respectable reputation with the locals. That being said he owns/leases about 6000 acres that is a mix of timber, crp, and crop ground. I hunted there last year and had a great time, and will be doing another hunt with him this fall. He has a few spots left for archery, and had a few guys cancel for rifle/muzzle loader hunts so there are a few openings on those hunts too. He runs his gun hunts on different ground from his archery hunts. He is very affordable too, located in NE Missouri he's not too far from the Pike county IL area at a fraction of the cost. Also tags are over the counter archery is the best deal $225 includes 1 buck, 1 doe, and 2 turkeys. Good luck wherever you go!!!
08-23-2009, 10:49 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 4,919
www.trophydeerhunt.com
Jarod with Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts is a great guy, and some of the nicest people you will meet. He leases tons, TONS, of land, as he has a lot of ins and outs in the business as he sells land in the area too. He will put you on deer, do whatever you think is needed to make your hunt successful, and its some darn good food to. I highly reccomend him to anyone, and located in the southern part of Illinois, there are plenty of deer and action going on at all times. I am not making the trip this year, but next fall I will return to hunt with him as a little late graduation present.
Jarod with Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts is a great guy, and some of the nicest people you will meet. He leases tons, TONS, of land, as he has a lot of ins and outs in the business as he sells land in the area too. He will put you on deer, do whatever you think is needed to make your hunt successful, and its some darn good food to. I highly reccomend him to anyone, and located in the southern part of Illinois, there are plenty of deer and action going on at all times. I am not making the trip this year, but next fall I will return to hunt with him as a little late graduation present.
