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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
I agree with big country....I don't think that DD is complaining about the fact that he didn't harvest a buck(he previously established that he didn't want to take anything under 160) or that the weather was bad. I think his complaint was the fact that the outfitter didn't do enough on his part & I agree. I mean, what's an outfitters real purpose? to give you a lift to your stand in the morning? I think not!!! This guy suposedly lives/works in the area and is familiar with the movement & patterns of the deer in the area. Hell if you ask me, DD could have done the same exact hunt without the assistance of the outfitter and just paid an individual to hunt their land. Personally I don't use outfitters/guides but I sympathise with his disappointment. And as for the guys in here passing judgement on him, "You're pathetic"[&o] Thanks for the info DD, i'll be damned if I ever go on a guided hunt in Alberta with anyone by the name of "Don".
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath ORIGINAL: Saskabush . However, i have a hard time really falling for the sad story given that the majority of your complaints stem from things beyond the outfitters control (weather, borrowed rifle, deer movement). Sask you make some good points ....the weather was out of his control ..the rifle situation was my own fault and he could not control deer movement however I do not recall blamming him for these problems .... I mentioned them only to share the conditions of the hunt ... Your one legitimate complaint about lack of effort from the outfitter should have been evident before this most recent hunt, or is it that in the past you were willing to overlook his shortcomings as long as you went home with a big deer? Either way, given the amount of bellyaching you did about the price last time i'm suprised you went back.;) As for my "one" legitimate complaint your right but that was the point of this story "lack of effort"and what we felt we paid for was the service and knowledge of our outfitter ...as for the past hunts those are history and were paid for in full and I see no barring orconnection to THIS hunt ...as to your remark about "all the bellyaching" about the price can you please refresh my memory where I did ALL that "bellyaching" I do not recall making any remarks about price that would be considered "bellyaching" I know that when a hunt doesn't work out that it's normal to want to find a reason why. Isn't it a little strange that after two successful hunts you draw a blank and all of the sudden the outfitter is a bum. Btw, am I missing something or were you in the truck with him...smoking...drinking coffee... listening to the radio? I thought you were on stand the whole time. How can you be in two places at once? Are we just assuming that he wasn't scouting because he kept you on the same stand? again Sask you refer to two hunts that are history and has no barring on what took place on this hunt ....however on my last hunt there I took my buck on a Wednesday and went out the rest of the week with the outftter and the other hunter in camp ...once we let him out we set in the truck all day thus why I have first hand knowledge of what he does during the day Finally, I take it you retract the following statements:D: " I would like to thank Don ****, my outfitter... for without their help I would never have found this buck of a lifetime. The valuable lesson I learned from Don about hunting trophy deer is that you have to be patient!" -Big Buck Magazine, Spring 2005. You seemed pretty happy with his services as long as your mug shot was in a magazine;). AGAIN HISTORY ....PAID IN FULL If you're ever looking for a reputable outfitter who will work his a** off for you i'd be happy to recommend one. He is top rate and often booked well in advance. Don't let one bad experience ruin you on hunting here but now at least you've experienced the downside of what hunting here can be. Good luck in Kentucky. Just curious Sask what do YOU do for a living...I think I have an idea :D dd The bellyaching comes from your thread two years ago when you returned with a trophy buck and then complained about the cost of your hunt.I seem to recall posting a reply that explained the cost breakdown of what an outfitter needs to charge just to break even. Given the service you received from this guy you should have been upset, an outfitter should work for his client but you still went back! I am a fisheries technician by trade. I have no current connections to the outfitting industry. I have one year of guiding experience with a reputable outfitter who does work his a** off. I am not defending your outfitter, simply implying that he is not the only one responsible for your miserable hunt. Remember, you're the one who came running to the forum ready to crucify this guy without him having a chance to tell his side. I'm only playing devil's advocate. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: bigcountry [/quote] Ditto!!!! Sheesh, I never can understand why some hunters like to "eat their own!" Can some of us be such great hunters as to critique every aspect of anyone else's hunts, and/or methods? Or, is it that some are such miserable, jealous, black-hearted, little people, that they take such delight in others misfortune! DD, sorry to hear about the bad hunt! It sounds like most of it was bad timing, which we know can't be forseen when booking a hunt! But it also sounds like there are some definite issues with a poor outfitter! I for one appreciate you sharing this! Some might consider it whinning, but I see it as informational! You may save some other hunters from spending their hard earned money, (and maybe a once in a lifetime trip) on a sloppy outfitter! |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
$4500 ???? Wow....he must of saw you coming. There are some greatCanadian Whitetail outfitterswith excellant success rates for under $2500. Maybe you felt that the more money you spend the better your chances are of getting a big buck so you can make another "Look at Me...Look at Me!" website.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
[quote]ORIGINAL: JagMagMan
ORIGINAL: bigcountry I for one appreciate you sharing this! Some might consider it whinning, but I see it as informational! You may save some other hunters from spending their hard earned money, (and maybe a once in a lifetime trip) on a sloppy outfitter! dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Hey Double D very sorry to hear about your negative experience! All a guide or outfitter can do is work hard for you,if you come to the table with the right attitude and a willingness to do what it takes than the oweness is on them to make every effort they can to put you on game.
I will not hunt with a guide for the very reason that I am not willing to lose that much control of my own destiny.That outfitter has to make a living whether they have had serious winter kill the winter before or if Wolves have hammered their deer or elk herd or if they have lost all their guides. Again I am sorry to hear about the lousy experience you had.Aside from not being a decent person,it sounds like your outfitter is a -iss poor business person.Maybe he is selling his territory and doesn't give a rats -ss if you come back or not. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
That was some enjoyable reading. A two bags of popcorn kind of thread.
Tough luck on the hunt. It sounds like none of the stars were aligned on this one. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: tsoc Hey Double D very sorry to hear about your negative experience! All a guide or outfitter can do is work hard for you,if you come to the table with the right attitude and a willingness to do what it takes than the oweness is on them to make every effort they can to put you on game. I will not hunt with a guide for the very reason that I am not willing to lose that much control of my own destiny.That outfitter has to make a living whether they have had serious winter kill the winter before or if Wolves have hammered their deer or elk herd or if they have lost all their guides. Again I am sorry to hear about the lousy experience you had.Aside from not being a decent person,it sounds like your outfitter is a -iss poor business person.Maybe he is selling his territory and doesn't give a rats -ss if you come back or not. dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Sucks but sheet happens.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: Jimimac That was some enjoyable reading. A two bags of popcorn kind of thread. Tough luck on the hunt. It sounds like none of the stars were aligned on this one. dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Sorry to hear. Better luck next time.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath LOL Jim .... its kind of funny that when the good Doctor makes a post for some reason or another it gathers a lot of attention ..some good some bad ... almost 1000 hits ...but if it has enlightned just one on the forum as to what to look out for if they decide to ever go to Canada to hunt and allows them to avoid what we went throughthen it was a good post. dd Brandon |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: bhensley ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath LOL Jim .... its kind of funny that when the good Doctor makes a post for some reason or another it gathers a lot of attention ..some good some bad ... almost 1000 hits ...but if it has enlightned just one on the forum as to what to look out for if they decide to ever go to Canada to hunt and allows them to avoid what we went throughthen it was a good post. dd Brandon dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: bigcountry I got to understand something about you people on this forum. He told you why he is disappointed. You either think he is a liar or you have selective hearing. If you think he is lying say it. Be a man. Holy cow, none of you guys were there, the guy puts a post on here, and I can't believe there's 4 pages of bashing. Makes no sense. I heard what he said, do I understand why he's disapointed ? yes. He didnt get a big buck, Bottom line ! and nothing more. Had he got a buck, his tune would be all different. I guess he wanted the outfitter to go leash one up and tie it in front of him. Shheeeeeeesh ! Its called hunting, not shooting. We all get stumped, probably more so than we are successful. Had I gone to canada, I would have come back with some awsome memories, even had I not scored. If god gives you lemons, make lemonade. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
zzzzzzzzz
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath ORIGINAL: zrexpilot ORIGINAL: bigcountry I got to understand something about you people on this forum. He told you why he is disappointed. You either think he is a liar or you have selective hearing. If you think he is lying say it. Be a man. Holy cow, none of you guys were there, the guy puts a post on here, and I can't believe there's 4 pages of bashing. Makes no sense. I heard what he said, do I understand why he's disapointed ? yes. He didnt get a big buck, Bottom line ! and nothing more. Had he got a buck, his tune would be all different. I guess he wanted the outfitter to go leash one up and tie it in front of him. Shheeeeeeesh ! Its called hunting, not shooting. We all get stumped, probably more so than we are successful. Had I gone to canada, I would have come back with some awsome memories, even had I not scored. If god gives you lemons, make lemonade. dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Mighty sorry to hear about your trouble Scott..... A friend of mine had a similar run in with an outfitter in BC,and hired an attorney in Vancouver. He eventually got back about half his money..... I've completely stopped hunting in Canada. Just to much hassle for me. If I get scr#@d in the US..... at least I can access a legal system that does'nt consider me a PITA alien!
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Brandon thank you but let me make one thing very clear ... do not judge all Canadian outfitters or hunts on what happened to us ...most of the Canadian people I have ever met are genually very nice people ...I also think the majority of the Canadian outfitters are honest hard working people that mean well ...I would just advise you to be sure to ask all questions and make sure everything is clear before you go and even then things might not work out like this time but he lost two very good clients .... dd If your true intention was to be informative then good for you. If I misunderstood your tone or intention, I apologize. I have read your original post several times and I still have not seen it being the "public service announcement" you say was intended, but again I may have misunderstood. As for the post from two years ago, if anyone knows how to access threads older than a year i'd be happy to track it down. Until then, lets call it another misunderstanding. Lastly, I would like to deviate from my critical theme and congratulate you on making a mature choice not to shoot the first basket rack you saw once you were aware you might go home empty handed. Too many hunters snap and shoot the first "saturday" buck they see because they feel the hunt isn't a success unless they kill something. I've witnessed guys shooting basket racks and not even taking the antlers home with them. Again, well done on sticking to your goals. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
I went on an elk hunt to Colorado this year and the guide did everything in his powerand then someto insure a succesful hunt. There were 8 of us in camp and although I did not harvest we took 4 bulls and a fine mule deer. The mule deer came at no extra cost as would have a bear if someone tagged ont on an elk and held a bear tag.How many guides would do this?This guide took us to different farms or leases if you will to continue our hunting provided we had a tag at no extra cost. He moved me quite a few times because he was concerned I wasn't seeing anything. My 7 day trip ended without me ever seeing a live elk or even hearing one bugle but I came away very pleased with no complaints. Had he acted like DD''s guide that might not be the story. This guide worked very, very hard to insure all 8 of us had the best chance to harvest. I feel DD's guide did not do this as per his story. His bashing(DD's) is unfounded and there is always too much of it on this site. If you don't have something positive to say whynot just say nothing. It's such a simple thing to do, takes no effort at all.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
[quote]ORIGINAL: Manybeards
Mighty sorry to hear about your trouble Scott..... A friend of mine had a similar run in with an outfitter in BC,and hired an attorney in Vancouver. He eventually got back about half his money..... I've completely stopped hunting in Canada. Just to much hassle for me. If I get scr#@d in the US..... at least I can access a legal system that does'nt consider me a PITA alien! [/quote MB just so happens that the friend I hunted with is an attorney and he is checking with APOST to see what recourse we have ... I will keep you informed..... Sask as for misunderstanding my "tone" I find it very hard to "hear" a tone on this forum'''alot of people jump to conclusions...and I have made the same mistake before on heremyself so thank you for the appolgy but none needed .... dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
I was not there either but one thing is for sure, you may be a hunting guide or run a lemonade stand but when you take someones money to do a job, you owe them your best effort. It doesn't sound to me like this guy did much to earn his money of leave a happy customer in his wake. Bad things can happen on any hunt but he at least owed his best effort. Hope you find a better outfitter next time.
I was a hunting guide for about ten seasons. I may have had a few customers who did not recieve what the hoped for on thier hunt but I never had a customer that could say that I didn't give them the best shot I could. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: James B I was not there either but one thing is for sure, you may be a hunting guide or run a lemonade stand but when you take someones money to do a job, you owe them your best effort. It doesn't sound to me like this guy did much to earn his money of leave a happy customer in his wake. Bad things can happen on any hunt but he at least owed his best effort. Hope you find a better outfitter next time. dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
I have been on several paid hunts and my problem is how do you really know about an outfitter until you actually hunt with them? I ask all the questions, talk to references and still you get there and hunt and come accross outright lies to be honest. If I could ever find an honest outfitter he would have a lifetime client.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: White-tail-deer I have been on several paid hunts and my problem is how do you really know about an outfitter until you actually hunt with them? I ask all the questions, talk to references and still you get there and hunt and come accross outright lies to be honest. If I could ever find an honest outfitter he would have a lifetime client. dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
The only outfitter I ever hunted with was Snowshoe Lake Hunting and Fishing in Newfoundland. They far exceeded my expectations in my 3 trips and always tried to make me feel comfortable. They worked their arse off to ensure success. It is hunting however and some things are beyond the scope of what they can handle. When things turn tough that is what separates the true professional outfitters from the people who take your money just to let you hunt on their land. When I pay an outfitter I am paying for the location, with his experience and unique personality to give me something I can't easily accomplish on my own. This year 2 of my best hunting friends and I tried something different. We went to Colorado as first time elk hunters and decided to try it on our own. None of us had experience or even seen an elk but we are accomplished North Country deer hunters. Hunting is hunting and even though it took a few days to figure it all out we came home with 3 nice animals. It was fun to hunt a strange new country but I kind of missed a guide to fill us in on all the intricacies of that particular hunt and the lore of the native people who live there. Success to me doesn't mean a filled tag. There is much more to the hunt.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
I couldn't agree more DD and Champlain, the hunt is not all about the kill. And every hunt I've been on I have come away with great memories some with kills and some without. But what I'm talking about are outright lies. Example...the last hunt I went on the hunting season opened on a Saturday. We were told our hunt would start on a Monday to allow for deer to pushed on to the property from surrounding properties. When we arrive on Sunday as agreed to get settled in we find out that 4 guys hunted the property all weekend and took 3 buck off the property. We were told we would be hunting unhunted property. I could go on and on.I guess it's just the nature of the business??
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: White-tail-deer I couldn't agree more DD and Champlain, the hunt is not all about the kill. And every hunt I've been on I have come away with great memories some with kills and some without. But what I'm talking about are outright lies. Example...the last hunt I went on the hunting season opened on a Saturday. We were told our hunt would start on a Monday to allow for deer to pushed on to the property from surrounding properties. When we arrive on Sunday as agreed to get settled in we find out that 4 guys hunted the property all weekend and took 3 buck off the property. We were told we would be hunting unhunted property. I could go on and on.I guess it's just the nature of the business?? dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
First of all, condolences to you dd on your experience.
Second, I am not sure I understand this stuff, so maybe some of you can help. How can a person justify charging you $9500 when you harvest nothing? I hope you were in a five star hotel/restaurant!! We have days, sometimes weeks where folks don't see a deer here. So that part I understand. Sometimes we blame iton too many acorns, the wind is too strong, (snow is not anoption here lol)etc. etc. But we darned sure don't charge for something you don't get...how can aperson be in business like that? best of luck |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: diamondaranch First of all, condolences to you dd on your experience. Second, I am not sure I understand this stuff, so maybe some of you can help. How can a person justify charging you $9500 when you harvest nothing? I hope you were in a five star hotel/restaurant!! We have days, sometimes weeks where folks don't see a deer here. So that part I understand. Sometimes we blame iton too many acorns, the wind is too strong, (snow is not anoption here lol)etc. etc. But we darned sure don't charge for something you don't get...how can aperson be in business like that? best of luck dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Hey D.D. how about posting some pics of the trip and show us you previous bucks?
Don't give up! |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
How much?
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
David ...being the humble ;)kind of guy I am I shy away from posting to many pictures but it JUST so happensI have a web site you can find them on if you care to look...thank you for asking ...www.thereevesbuck.com
dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath David ...being the humble ;)kind of guy I am I shy away from posting to many pictures |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Hia suhhhhhh you'll blow my new image ole buddy ....as for my signature it is an honest statement ....inside spread IS nothing but air NOT bone ...bone IS what makes class IMHO ...now spread AND mass are a great combination but if all I could have is one or the other give me MASS EVERYTIME!
dd |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: zrexpilot I heard what he said, do I understand why he's disapointed ? yes. He didnt get a big buck, Bottom line ! and nothing more. Had he got a buck, his tune would be all different. I guess he wanted the outfitter to go leash one up and tie it in front of him. Shheeeeeeesh ! Its called hunting, not shooting. We all get stumped, probably more so than we are successful. Had I gone to canada, I would have come back with some awsome memories, even had I not scored. If god gives you lemons, make lemonade. I understand, because I have been with outfitters where its exactly as described,and came back empty handed but had a good time, and have been on trips where I brought back something and still had a bad time due to the outfitter did not try to help us any at all. |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
THANKS BC ...SOMEGUYS ONLY READ WHAT THEY WANT TO ...HE MUST BE A "SPEED" READER LOL
DD |
RE: I'm Back from Alberta
Am I reading this correct in that you are in the process of hiring, or working with an attorney to see what recourse you have?
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
WOW DD. Looks like you're up to your old tricks [8D]:D. Some things never change.
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RE: I'm Back from Alberta
ORIGINAL: James Vee Am I reading this correct in that you are in the process of hiring, or working with an attorney to see what recourse you have? dd |
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