Forums46
Topics537,952
Posts9,730,997
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Questions when booking a deer hunt....
#5872244
08/10/15 08:49 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
What kinds of questions do yall ask a potential outfitter when trying to book a low fence whitetail hunt here in Texas? Curious as to what is important and what isnt.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872249
08/10/15 08:51 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 282
BuffaloSpringsRD
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 282 |
It is important to call Cody Malone. He is very active on here and offers some of the best array of services I know about.
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872257
08/10/15 08:59 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 282
BuffaloSpringsRD
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 282 |
Sorry I didn't see the "low fence" part of the question. I would still call Cody and pick his brain and see what he has available for this season. He always seems to harvest some studs, and his cull deer are always reasonably priced. Plus he can film the hunt for you which is an added bonus IMO
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872258
08/10/15 08:59 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
|
Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
The size of the deer on the place, rough average. If they actually have the age structure in place if they're pushing a lot of mature "top end" deer. Does the place have lodging; extra?. Is there indoor plumbing inside that lodging. If having to stay at a hotel, do they get enough business to be priority on booking. How many other hunters will be booked. Size of the place. Are there a lot of hogs. Honesty goes a long ways. Are dates flexible. Are non-hunting guests allowed. Semi-guided, fully. flat fee? trophy fee? draw blood fee? Do you have permission to hunt the property. I'm sure I'm missing more, but try to get questions answered in writing so you can refer back to them.
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872259
08/10/15 09:01 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,295
Cody Malone
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,295 |
I run 6-8 ranches in Texas but all are HF but if love to help ya out and book ya the hunt of your dreams! Ask the following... Property size? Sucess rate percentage? Shot opportunity percentage? Size of average buck harvested? Any photos of harvest? Recent trail camera photos (date stamps need I be correct) Any references? Years in buisness? Lodging & meals included? Any extra cost? Types of stands? Average shot length? Will you be the only person/group in camp?
HF Whitetail / Exotic / S. African Safaris
Proudly Sponsored by: Horizon Firearms / Swarovski Optiks / Under Armour / Yeti Coolers / Costa Del Mar / Havalon Knives
Malone Outdoors, LLC C/254-722-9031 or E/ maloneoutdoors@yahoo.com
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872260
08/10/15 09:03 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
1. I ask if they own the land or lease and how many acres. 2. I ask how many years they have been doing hunts. 3. I ask how many hunts will be booked and how many bucks are taken off the acreage annually(managing). 4. I ask about guides and how many years of experience they have. 5. I ask how many people will be in camp at one time and accommodations. 6. I ask about how the success rate is and the chance or opportunity is? 7. I ask about style of hunting that will be done. 8. I ask about quality and age of animals taken in the past seasons and most recent. 9. I ask about returning clients who re-book annually. 10.I ask for every reference they will give me and call them. 11.I ask if any hunting shows or celebrities will be their when I hunt, so I won't put up with that BS. Sure their is more I ask. Glad to see you back rtp
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: BuffaloSpringsRD]
#5872263
08/10/15 09:03 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,034
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,034 |
References, recent pictures of deer shot/trail camera pics, what range of bucks might you expect to see. Also google his name to see what the reviews are like - there are several outfitter sites where hunters can offer reviews of their hunts with various outfitters and you can do a search on there. Also how many acres, how many other hunters there while you are, accommodations?
There are some great outfitters out there but also a few poor ones - tread carefully
You can't fix stupid
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rifleman]
#5872572
08/11/15 12:13 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
The size of the deer on the place, rough average. And can you see pics of all the bucks taken the previous year to back that up. If they actually have the age structure in place if they're pushing a lot of mature "top end" deer.How do they know what the age structure is? Does the place have lodging; extra?. Is there indoor plumbing inside that lodging. If having to stay at a hotel, do they get enough business to be priority on booking. How many other hunters will be booked. Size of the place. Are there a lot of hogs. Honesty goes a long ways. Are dates flexible. Are non-hunting guests allowed. Semi-guided, fully. flat fee? trophy fee? draw blood fee? Do you have permission to hunt the property. I'm sure I'm missing more, but try to get questions answered in writing so you can refer back to them. [color:#FF0000][/color] Adding to a couple of points.
Last edited by rtp; 08/11/15 12:14 AM.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: stxranchman]
#5872588
08/11/15 12:20 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
1. I ask if they own the land or lease and how many acres. Not just the ranch size but how many of those acres are being hunted. How much of those acres are brush, woods, farmland, etc.2. I ask how many years they have been doing hunts. Especially on the piece of property you are being sold a hunt on.3. I ask how many hunts will be booked and how many bucks are taken off the acreage annually(managing). How did they arrive at that number?4. I ask about guides and how many years of experience they have. On the ranch you are being sold a hunt to.5. I ask how many people will be in camp at one time and accommodations. 6. I ask about how the success rate is and the chance or opportunity is? Again on the particular ranch you are being sold a hunt to.7. I ask about style of hunting that will be done. 8. I ask about quality and age of animals taken in the past seasons and most recent. Ask for pics and scores from all the bucks taken last year9. I ask about returning clients who re-book annually. 10.I ask for every reference they will give me and call them. 11.I ask if any hunting shows or celebrities will be their when I hunt, so I won't put up with that BS. Sure their is more I ask. Glad to see you back rtp Thanks for the welcome back. It has been a while. I have more to add. Just want to see if others touch on some points not listed yet.
Last edited by rtp; 08/11/15 12:21 AM.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872621
08/11/15 12:36 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358
jshouse
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358 |
Good info here...and good to see you back sir
If I send my neighbors a text and ask them to give me feedback on my lawn and plant rye into a giant dong pattern, I'm probably going to get some less than positive feedback. Same goes here.
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872714
08/11/15 01:27 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
1. I ask if they own the land or lease and how many acres. Not just the ranch size but how many of those acres are being hunted. How much of those acres are brush, woods, farmland, etc.2. I ask how many years they have been doing hunts. Especially on the piece of property you are being sold a hunt on.3. I ask how many hunts will be booked and how many bucks are taken off the acreage annually(managing). How did they arrive at that number?4. I ask about guides and how many years of experience they have. On the ranch you are being sold a hunt to.5. I ask how many people will be in camp at one time and accommodations. 6. I ask about how the success rate is and the chance or opportunity is? Again on the particular ranch you are being sold a hunt to.7. I ask about style of hunting that will be done. 8. I ask about quality and age of animals taken in the past seasons and most recent. Ask for pics and scores from all the bucks taken last year9. I ask about returning clients who re-book annually. 10.I ask for every reference they will give me and call them. 11.I ask if any hunting shows or celebrities will be their when I hunt, so I won't put up with that BS. Sure their is more I ask. Glad to see you back rtp Thanks for the welcome back. It has been a while. I have more to add. Just want to see if others touch on some points not listed yet. I would also ask if there is one owner or outfitter or other partner(s). I would ask how long the outfitter(s) has been in business. I would ask how many properties that are outfitted by the owner(s). I would ask about how they work their pricing....what is considered a trophy or management..any fees added, etc. I would ask what age class deer are allowed to be taken. I would ask about the management plan in depth for each property outfitted.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872820
08/11/15 02:33 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,463
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
|
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,463 |
1. I ask if they own the land or lease and how many acres. Not just the ranch size but how many of those acres are being hunted. How much of those acres are brush, woods, farmland, etc.2. I ask how many years they have been doing hunts. Especially on the piece of property you are being sold a hunt on.3. I ask how many hunts will be booked and how many bucks are taken off the acreage annually(managing). How did they arrive at that number?4. I ask about guides and how many years of experience they have. On the ranch you are being sold a hunt to.5. I ask how many people will be in camp at one time and accommodations. 6. I ask about how the success rate is and the chance or opportunity is? Again on the particular ranch you are being sold a hunt to.7. I ask about style of hunting that will be done. 8. I ask about quality and age of animals taken in the past seasons and most recent. Ask for pics and scores from all the bucks taken last year9. I ask about returning clients who re-book annually. 10.I ask for every reference they will give me and call them. 11.I ask if any hunting shows or celebrities will be their when I hunt, so I won't put up with that BS. Sure their is more I ask. Glad to see you back rtp Thanks for the welcome back. It has been a while. I have more to add. Just want to see if others touch on some points not listed yet. Welcome back
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5872850
08/11/15 02:52 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
Names and numbers of past hunts...
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: SniperRAB]
#5872860
08/11/15 02:57 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Names and numbers of past hunts...
I send this pic and ask if any of these guys look familiar...if the answer is yes, then I end the conversation ASAP
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: stxranchman]
#5872906
08/11/15 03:33 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358
jshouse
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,358 |
Names and numbers of past hunts...
I send this pic and ask if any of these guys look familiar...if the answer is yes, then I end the conversation ASAP outlaws
If I send my neighbors a text and ask them to give me feedback on my lawn and plant rye into a giant dong pattern, I'm probably going to get some less than positive feedback. Same goes here.
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5873451
08/11/15 04:01 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666
John Humbert
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666 |
Guys, for what it's worth. My future son-in-law and his buddy did a axis doe hunt with Guadalupe Outfitters this past weekend near Waring. They saw TONS of very nice WTs on the low fence properties they have. Lots of 8's and some good 10's. It's gonna be a very good year down there (and just down the road in Boerne, it is shaping up to be a stellar year for WT).
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: John Humbert]
#5873580
08/11/15 05:48 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
Guys, for what it's worth. My future son-in-law and his buddy did a axis doe hunt with Guadalupe Outfitters this past weekend near Waring. They saw TONS of very nice WTs on the low fence properties they have. Lots of 8's and some good 10's. It's gonna be a very good year down there (and just down the road in Boerne, it is shaping up to be a stellar year for WT).
Gonna be a Good Year Sir...I feel it
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5873601
08/11/15 06:00 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,463
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
|
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,463 |
Have you ever fired a client...
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5874018
08/11/15 10:11 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950 |
This may rile some but in my opinion the amount of question has a lot to do with what the price of the hunt is.
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: don k]
#5876035
08/13/15 12:54 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
This may rile some but in my opinion the amount of question has a lot to do with what the price of the hunt is. True but I think a lot of people go into it without asking detailed questions. Most outfitters give vague answers unless pressed. Most hunters hear what they want to hear and proceed accordingly. This can end up with frustration on both sides. If you are being sold a high dollar low fence hunt, and you are told the place is protein feed that can mean a wide range of things. Take it another step further and ask when the outfitters starts the protein feed and when does he cut it off. Ask how many protein feeders he has. This will give you an idea of how many acres per station. Ask how many tons are feed on that ranch on avg each year. Just one example of how a vague answer of, yes we protein feed, needing to be followed up with some additional questions.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5917257
09/08/15 12:12 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
With dove season starting up it made me think of something else that should be asked to a possible outfitter when purchasing a deer hunt. Ask what other hunting is taking place on the ranch. It would stink to show up and bow hunt a place that has been getting blown up by dove hunters prior to your hunt. Or even quail, pig, or varmint hunters. Just another factor which could make or break a possible package hunt.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5917263
09/08/15 12:15 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
Have you ever fired a client... I did once. It was the only poor experience I had in 9 years. I felt incredibly blessed to have the clients I did because I have heard some horror stories. Of course when you are selling a limited number of hunts to cut some expenses, it is different that trying to pass a huge number of clients through a place so you can turn a profit.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Re: Questions when booking a deer hunt....
[Re: rtp]
#5974994
10/13/15 02:06 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
OP
Extreme Tracker
|
OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
Regarding pictures given to you from an outfitter pay attention to the camera angle. If the camera is set up around knee high and is shooting "upward", it will make the buck appear much bigger than a camera that is set waist to belly button high.
Let'em grow old
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|