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Outfitter References
#7698881
12/26/19 03:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,955
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,955 |
Everyone using an "outfitter" for any type hunt should ask for references. I have made this mistake by not asking for references or asking enough questions. HUGE mistake. I can give you an honest reference for the following Hunting ranches and their packages, etc.
1. Shonto Ranch 2. West Texas Hunting Outfitters (WTHO) 3. D&B Hunting 4. South Texas Hunting Outfitters (STHO) 5. Woodson Hunter (dove hunting) 6. Sagebrush Outfitters (Prairie Dogs)
Please PM for any references
Last edited by Buzzsaw; 12/26/19 03:08 PM.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7698982
12/26/19 04:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977 |
Certainly some bad ones out there. Dealt with one this year for a West Texas Mule Deer hunt, luckily it didn't cost me anything but time.
Some very good outfitters too. My Elk Outfitter in NM is a good one and I have one in Colorado that a very good guy too.
Last edited by Stompy; 12/26/19 05:11 PM.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Stompy]
#7699100
12/26/19 07:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,694
mbavo
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,694 |
Certainly some bad ones out there. Dealt with one this year for a West Texas Mule Deer hunt, luckily it didn't cost me anything but time.
Some very good outfitters too. My Elk Outfitter in NM is a good one and I have one in Colorado that a very good guy too. Who was the bad one in West Texas? Pm me if you’d rather. I want to make sure to stay away from them. I’ve been wanting to hunt muledeer for several years, but haven’t pulled the trigger on a hunt yet.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7699115
12/26/19 07:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977 |
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Stompy]
#7699142
12/26/19 08:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,694
mbavo
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,694 |
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7699150
12/26/19 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977 |
Just to be perfectly clear, the West Texas outfitter I'm referring to is NOT Mulie Mike. I believe Mike to be one of the good ones, even though I've never hunted with him, but have talked to him several times.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7699168
12/26/19 09:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243 |
I never bother calling an outfitters references. The outfitter is only going to give you positive references. It’s a waste of time. Instead I do internet searches on hunting forums and face book. If there is a negative review out there you will find it.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7699257
12/26/19 10:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205
LuckyHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners?
Lucky 7 Exotic Ranch located in Eden, Tx. Well managed self sustaining herds roaming our 3,000 acre ranch. First Class Lodging, Ranch style meals and qualified guides. 30+ species.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: LuckyHunter]
#7699504
12/27/19 04:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,910
mulie_mike
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,910 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners? There are plenty of shady ranch owners out there too.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7699696
12/27/19 04:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268
7mag
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268 |
Well let the rock throwing start. I booked a hunt with Hwy Man out in west Texas. Horrible outfitter. Old,short senile old man!!!!
"Laugh with many, but don't trust any"
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: mulie_mike]
#7699787
12/27/19 05:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205
LuckyHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners? There are plenty of shady ranch owners out there too. If anyone needs a list of the great ranch owners just send a PM.
Lucky 7 Exotic Ranch located in Eden, Tx. Well managed self sustaining herds roaming our 3,000 acre ranch. First Class Lodging, Ranch style meals and qualified guides. 30+ species.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: 7mag]
#7700110
12/28/19 12:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
Well let the rock throwing start. I booked a hunt with Hwy Man out in west Texas. Horrible outfitter. Old,short senile old man!!!! What was horrible about the hunt? Did you threaten to shoot a feral cat? He’ll make sure you do jail time for that.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7700473
12/28/19 05:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,136
EddieWalker
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,136 |
When I first started going on outfitted hunts back in the 90's, all I had to go on was what I read in the Hunting magazines that I subscribed to. They always said to ask for and call references, so that's what I did. First trip was to Quebec for Caribou with Jack Hume and that worked out great. Next trip was to some outfitter that I don't remember near Thompson Falls Montana for elk. I spoke to half a dozen references and they all spoke highly of the outfitter, and how they saw elk every day and that they hunt with the outfitter every year. I guess it was too good to be true, because it was a disaster. Outfitter took his regulars to an area that they saw game, and us new clients to an area on public land that was over run with out of state hunters all over the place. In 5 days, I saw elk once as they ran past us after being shot at from two different groups of hunters on the same hill that we where on. Learned while we where there that the references where the regulars who where treated well, and that the new hunters never booked a hunt with them again.
After that, I started talking guys at my taxidermist on where they went and booked my hunts from those conversations. I had good luck doing that until the Internet took off. I still ask people that I meet where they went and what it was like there, but most importantly, I search for the outfitter and his guides online to see if anybody has posted anything about them. I use different search engines like Google, Chrome and Duckduckgo. Before spending any money, I want to know everything that I can about the outfitter!!!! I do not trust references that they provide and haven't called any of them since that Montana hunt.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Stompy]
#7701018
12/29/19 02:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455
Big Fitz
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455 |
Just to be perfectly clear, the West Texas outfitter I'm referring to is NOT Mulie Mike. I believe Mike to be one of the good ones, even though I've never hunted with him, but have talked to him several times. I've hunted with Muley Mike on an Aoudad hunt and had a great time and great hunt. I highly recommend him.
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Big Fitz]
#7702087
12/30/19 02:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 12
TexasHunter14
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 12 |
Some ranches can be shady or not what you are paying for.......outfitter you are using may be a good one and wants to deliver you a quality experience and service, but the ranch does their own thing beyond that outfitters control/authority level. SO CHECK OUT NAME OF RANCH TOO!!!! I have hunted with Mulie Mike...good guy and gets it done...have a great friend that uses him multiple times a year for his business trip hunts.
Last edited by TexasHunter14; 12/30/19 02:03 PM.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: mbavo]
#7702283
12/30/19 05:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,830
Grosvenor
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,830 |
Certainly some bad ones out there. Dealt with one this year for a West Texas Mule Deer hunt, luckily it didn't cost me anything but time.
Some very good outfitters too. My Elk Outfitter in NM is a good one and I have one in Colorado that a very good guy too. Who was the bad one in West Texas? Pm me if you’d rather. I want to make sure to stay away from them. I’ve been wanting to hunt muledeer for several years, but haven’t pulled the trigger on a hunt yet. Same here please. Headed to West Texas on the 2nd.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Stompy]
#7702390
12/30/19 07:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,574
Leonardo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,574 |
Certainly some bad ones out there. Dealt with one this year for a West Texas Mule Deer hunt, luckily it didn't cost me anything but time.
Some very good outfitters too. My Elk Outfitter in NM is a good one and I have one in Colorado that a very good guy too. I would be interested in the good ones as well. I am looking to go on my first elk hunt next year.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7704283
01/01/20 07:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 8
ElderlyKajun
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 8 |
I am looking for a Hunt for this upcoming season. I would like to use someone on this page or good references to check out. I am partially disabled and live on a fixed income , But can manage $2500. I am looking for a outfitter to do this on a yearly basis. I live near Baton Rouge Louisiana and can only do about 8 hours in a vehicle. Lodging would be nice..Thank you to anyone who helps out.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: LuckyHunter]
#7704784
01/02/20 12:44 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,954
huntwest
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,954 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners? A good outfitter knows the animals on a ranch better than the rancher. A good outfitter will have everything ready to go for your hunt. I know I hire an outfitter for hunts that I have limited time or knowledge of the species I’m hunting. A good outfitter makes your hunt a great experience with lifetime memories. A mediocre or bad outfitter will ruin a hunt you have worked and saved for.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: ElderlyKajun]
#7704841
01/02/20 01:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,910
mulie_mike
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,910 |
I am looking for a Hunt for this upcoming season. I would like to use someone on this page or good references to check out. I am partially disabled and live on a fixed income , But can manage $2500. I am looking for a outfitter to do this on a yearly basis. I live near Baton Rouge Louisiana and can only do about 8 hours in a vehicle. Lodging would be nice..Thank you to anyone who helps out. I have a variety of hunts within your budget www.westtexashunt.com
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: huntwest]
#7705471
01/02/20 04:20 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,955
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,955 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners? A good outfitter knows the animals on a ranch better than the rancher. A good outfitter will have everything ready to go for your hunt. I know I hire an outfitter for hunts that I have limited time or knowledge of the species I’m hunting. A good outfitter makes your hunt a great experience with lifetime memories. A mediocre or bad outfitter will ruin a hunt you have worked and saved for. very true i will return pm's today
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7705980
01/02/20 11:34 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 122
PriourHuntingRanch
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 122 |
Why not just deal direct with the ranch owners? A good outfitter knows the animals on a ranch better than the rancher. A good outfitter will have everything ready to go for your hunt. I know I hire an outfitter for hunts that I have limited time or knowledge of the species I’m hunting. A good outfitter makes your hunt a great experience with lifetime memories. A mediocre or bad outfitter will ruin a hunt you have worked and saved for. very true i will return pm's today Your key word is "Good" It can also be said: A good ranch owner knows the animals on the ranch better than anyone, A good ranch owner will have everything ready to go for your hunt. A good ranch owner makes your hunt a great experience with lifetime of memories, A good Outfitter needs a good ranch, with a good owner's permission to conduct their good hunts.
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Re: Outfitter References
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7707068
01/03/20 09:25 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,977 |
No middle man here. I own and live on the ranch, and am the outfitter.
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