Guided Whitetail hunt?????

Deerhunter · May 27, 2010, 02:55 PM

So my GF/ fiance knows I have been wanting to go on a hunt for years. She has now told me to start planning a trip for 2011. Told me I could go where ever I want. I am going to limit myself to a place I can drive to (I live in Northern VA, near DC). I also want to keep this at a reasonable cost. $3000 or less for the hunt. I am not counting in gas and tags.

Anyone have any info on a good place for an archery hunt in PA, OH, KY, WV or some other place that I can drive to?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 08:05 AM

Wow, noone has been on a guided hunt for whitetail? Maybe I was a little too picky about what I am looking for. Has anyone been to a place that they really liked? What were the chances of seeing deer that were over 130 class?

gkdir · May 28, 2010, 10:20 AM

I would suggest you post this question over on www.24hourcampfire. com, that site is specifically structured to the "hunter". Just my $0.02

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 10:59 AM

Thanks

.284 · May 28, 2010, 11:17 AM

Look for a outfitter in Pike county IL.

davlandrum · May 28, 2010, 01:15 PM

Well, I just googled "whitetail guides by state" and that seemed to work...

Once you narrow it down, a good guide will be willing to provide refences of previous clients. A great guide will provide references that were not successful on thier hunt.

I have only done one "guided" deer hunt and that was in KY. It was planned on the fly, as I was attending an Army school at Ft. Knox in the middle of a permanent change of station between Korea and New York. This was about 100 years ago, so don't even remember the name.

The reason I put quotes on the guided, was he would drop me off, point to the flagging tape, tell me to follow it to the tree stand and he would see me at whatever time. Never saw a deer, but there was a brutal cold front so that could have been a lot of the issue. Sat there in the freezing rain for 3 days... But it was a cheap hunt, if I recall $200. Basically I was paying for access and pre-hung stands.

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 01:28 PM

davlandrum

I have been on google doing searches. I started there first. I just thought that maybe someone on here had a great experience somewhere. I have looked at places in KY, IL, OH, PA, WV and KS. There are a lot out there and they all claim to have great sucess rates. I didn't want to get into calling a bunch of references just yet. Again thought I would start here first.

horseman308 · May 28, 2010, 01:39 PM

Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas may be your best bet for really big bucks if you're driving from DC. Kentucky has some good ones, but most of the people I hear about having huge deer have to go to the mid-west and plains states.

If you're willing to travel farther, you might check in to a Canadian hunt. It's a long way from the East Coast, but Saskatchewan is supposed to have some of the most enormous white-tails on the continent.

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 01:47 PM

I hate to say this in fear of someone taking it the wrong way, but............

I have searched google and I have an idea of where I want to go (States), I know what part of North American have big deer both body and antlers.

I am trying to find someone / anyone that has gone on a hunt and really liked the place they went to. Maybe people are trying to keep the place they go to themselves. Anyway, just looking to hear about good / bad experinces with guided hunts that you have been on.

Thanks

davlandrum · May 28, 2010, 02:02 PM

Deerhunter - no offense meant or taken.

Hope you find a great guide and have a great time.

Part of the lack of response might be because the states you listed are not "deer hunting destinations". If I was spending my money, I am going after big racks, or super-nice accomadations (like a nice lodge).

You are lucky to have a signicant other happy to foot the bill. I have to save all my pop-can refunds just to buy gas to hunt local...

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 02:18 PM

My hunting buddy is going on a trip to Ohio next year. From what his dad and him have heard it is a real nice place. I have looked at hunts in all of those places and they seem (at least from the pics on their site) to have nice deer.

Yeah she knows I enjoy hunting and she likes when I get lots of meat for the freezer. I have to make sure I get enough spicey sausage made. Butcher up in PA that I have been going to for years makes some great stuff.

davlandrum · May 28, 2010, 02:54 PM

That is one thing I seriously miss from back east - good processors. I cut my own, but having a good sausage maker handy is a treat. There was a butcher down around Frederick, MD that made awesome bologna....hhhmmm

Of course, here I am limited to 1 buck and maybe (draw tag) 1 doe, so don't have near enough to sacrifice making sausage or bologna.

moosemike · May 28, 2010, 03:12 PM

Go to Ohio. Much better trophy buck opportunities than in PA. Unless you really like extreme hunter pressure then by all means come to PA. You'll meet plenty of hunters to talk to while afield.

VaFisher · May 28, 2010, 07:33 PM

I would save a few more dollars and go to Albert myself. I have hunted with Alberta Native Guide service and highly recomend them to anyone. When I can go again that's my choice, got a nice ten pointer that weight was over 350lbs and a 43 inch moose that was around 1500lbs.

Daryl · May 28, 2010, 07:56 PM

Sorry, I can't help east of the Mississippi. The farthest east I've hunted was Colorado, and that's always been for mule deer and/or elk.

The only "guided" hunt I've ever been on was to Mexico a few years back. At the time, I would have recommended it highly. It was truly one of the best hunts I've ever been on...anywhere...bar none. Sonora has some great coues deer, and some truly great people.

Unfortunately, it also has several drug cartels, a corrupt governmment, and a very high risk involved with going there right now with all the crime related problems in that country. I doubt Brad is doing any hunts down there, but he might be. Knowing what I know of life to the south of me, I would not recommend it at this time.

But perhaps things will change by 2011. Who knows? If you're interested, I can give you the contact info to inquire about a hunt.

I did take a really nice coues deer buck while on that hunt, and the hunt was worth every penny.

Daryl

Deerhunter · May 28, 2010, 09:09 PM

moosemike.....I grew up in PA. Been hunting in Montgomery and Chester county for 22 years now, other than the years I was out of the country with the Army. Different hunting private land on a guided hunt than the public land or small track of property in Southeastern PA.

VaFisher....Thanks for that one. That is what I have been looking for. Someone to name a guide service that they use. I have been waiting for someone to say, hey I went here and hunted with who ever and it was great or even someone to say I went here and it sucked. At least that would give me a good idea of who to look into more or who to not waste my time on.

I wasn't looking to go to Canada but may be an option.

Thanks again

Dr. A · May 29, 2010, 06:57 AM

I'm not from a state that you're looking to go to, but with the structure of the way our tags are distributed, people now come to our state and lease the land more often than getting a guide. Guiding is not what it was even a couple of years ago. Whether good or bad, folks that have been coming here have the one up on others new to the game. You can now apply and get out of state permits easily, and lease your own space. I leased my father in laws place to out of staters the last two years for $7,000. Would have been ideal for two folks and could have gotten several does and two bucks. Guess this keeps some money in the landowners hands, and decreases the guiding potential. There isn't much guiding needed in Kansas.

skydiver3346 · May 29, 2010, 08:06 AM

Tell Ted Nugent that my idea of "fast food" is a WOOD DUCK.

LSnSC · May 29, 2010, 08:24 AM

Of the states you've listed, KY is the only one I would pay to hunt in.

Buzzcook · May 29, 2010, 03:41 PM

If you have to stay relatively close to home, I'd suggest you look South.
The Carolinas and Georgia Have large deer populations and fairly liberal hunting policies.

I don't know the specifics of how large the deer grow, but I suspect on private land were they are fed, they probably grow pretty big.

LSnSC · June 12, 2010, 11:16 PM

Do you want to kill a trophy, or a just any buck? What kind of hunt are you looking for?
We start Aug 15th here in S.C. Quality management has really improved our herd in the last 10-15 yrs, licenses are OTC and were definitely in driving range. Youre not going to shoot a Booner here but a 125-130" deer is very doable. The early season hunts are pretty predictable. Afternoon hunts over crops (beans)for bucks in velvet are available for pretty reasonable prices.
Missouri would be my next choice for a rifle hunt. One of the few midwest states that allow rifle hunting during the rut.

ZeroJunk · June 13, 2010, 04:01 PM

http://www.sepaq.com/san/index.dot?language_id=1

I've been here. Accomadations are wonderful, and if you have never hunted it's as close to a sure thing as you are likely to get and inexpensive in the scheme of things.

Out of the area you asked I know.

Fat White Boy · June 13, 2010, 11:09 PM

I'd suck it up and drive to Saskatchewan, Canada. Further to drive but they have some massive whitetails...

johnwilliamson062 · June 14, 2010, 12:57 AM

Greene County Ohio has some of the best hunting in Ohio. A few Buckeye big bucks or whatever have been taken in the last decade. I think the hippies in YS are up to something

IDK of any guides though.

James R. Burke · July 1, 2010, 06:07 PM

The only input I can give you is sounds like you are getting married to a very great, and understanding women. Congradulations!

May 27, 2010, 02:55 PM	#1
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	Guided Whitetail hunt????? So my GF/ fiance knows I have been wanting to go on a hunt for years. She has now told me to start planning a trip for 2011. Told me I could go where ever I want. I am going to limit myself to a place I can drive to (I live in Northern VA, near DC). I also want to keep this at a reasonable cost. $3000 or less for the hunt. I am not counting in gas and tags. Anyone have any info on a good place for an archery hunt in PA, OH, KY, WV or some other place that I can drive to? Thanks in advance for the info. __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 08:05 AM	#2
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	Wow, noone has been on a guided hunt for whitetail? Maybe I was a little too picky about what I am looking for. Has anyone been to a place that they really liked? What were the chances of seeing deer that were over 130 class? __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 10:20 AM	#3
gkdir Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Location: Oklahoma/Kansas Posts: 89	I would suggest you post this question over on www.24hourcampfire. com, that site is specifically structured to the "hunter". Just my $0.02 __________________ "Normal "is just a setting on your dryer.

May 28, 2010, 10:59 AM	#4
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	Thanks __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 11:17 AM	#5
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	Look for a outfitter in Pike county IL. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

May 28, 2010, 01:15 PM	#6
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Well, I just googled "whitetail guides by state" and that seemed to work... Once you narrow it down, a good guide will be willing to provide refences of previous clients. A great guide will provide references that were not successful on thier hunt. I have only done one "guided" deer hunt and that was in KY. It was planned on the fly, as I was attending an Army school at Ft. Knox in the middle of a permanent change of station between Korea and New York. This was about 100 years ago, so don't even remember the name. The reason I put quotes on the guided, was he would drop me off, point to the flagging tape, tell me to follow it to the tree stand and he would see me at whatever time. Never saw a deer, but there was a brutal cold front so that could have been a lot of the issue. Sat there in the freezing rain for 3 days... But it was a cheap hunt, if I recall $200. Basically I was paying for access and pre-hung stands. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

May 28, 2010, 01:28 PM	#7
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	davlandrum I have been on google doing searches. I started there first. I just thought that maybe someone on here had a great experience somewhere. I have looked at places in KY, IL, OH, PA, WV and KS. There are a lot out there and they all claim to have great sucess rates. I didn't want to get into calling a bunch of references just yet. Again thought I would start here first. __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 01:39 PM	#8
horseman308 Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 526	Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas may be your best bet for really big bucks if you're driving from DC. Kentucky has some good ones, but most of the people I hear about having huge deer have to go to the mid-west and plains states. If you're willing to travel farther, you might check in to a Canadian hunt. It's a long way from the East Coast, but Saskatchewan is supposed to have some of the most enormous white-tails on the continent. __________________ You only take one shot at a time - make it count.

May 28, 2010, 01:47 PM	#9
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	I hate to say this in fear of someone taking it the wrong way, but............ I have searched google and I have an idea of where I want to go (States), I know what part of North American have big deer both body and antlers. I am trying to find someone / anyone that has gone on a hunt and really liked the place they went to. Maybe people are trying to keep the place they go to themselves. Anyway, just looking to hear about good / bad experinces with guided hunts that you have been on. Thanks __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 02:02 PM	#10
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Deerhunter - no offense meant or taken. Hope you find a great guide and have a great time. Part of the lack of response might be because the states you listed are not "deer hunting destinations". If I was spending my money, I am going after big racks, or super-nice accomadations (like a nice lodge). You are lucky to have a signicant other happy to foot the bill. I have to save all my pop-can refunds just to buy gas to hunt local... __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

May 28, 2010, 02:18 PM	#11
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	My hunting buddy is going on a trip to Ohio next year. From what his dad and him have heard it is a real nice place. I have looked at hunts in all of those places and they seem (at least from the pics on their site) to have nice deer. Yeah she knows I enjoy hunting and she likes when I get lots of meat for the freezer. I have to make sure I get enough spicey sausage made. Butcher up in PA that I have been going to for years makes some great stuff. __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 28, 2010, 02:54 PM	#12
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	That is one thing I seriously miss from back east - good processors. I cut my own, but having a good sausage maker handy is a treat. There was a butcher down around Frederick, MD that made awesome bologna....hhhmmm Of course, here I am limited to 1 buck and maybe (draw tag) 1 doe, so don't have near enough to sacrifice making sausage or bologna. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

May 28, 2010, 03:12 PM	#13
moosemike Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2009 Location: Lebanon PA Posts: 535	Go to Ohio. Much better trophy buck opportunities than in PA. Unless you really like extreme hunter pressure then by all means come to PA. You'll meet plenty of hunters to talk to while afield. __________________ et cognoscetis veritatem et veritas liberabit vos

May 28, 2010, 07:33 PM	#14
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	I would save a few more dollars and go to Albert myself. I have hunted with Alberta Native Guide service and highly recomend them to anyone. When I can go again that's my choice, got a nice ten pointer that weight was over 350lbs and a 43 inch moose that was around 1500lbs.

May 28, 2010, 07:56 PM	#15
Daryl Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Posts: 2,350	Sorry, I can't help east of the Mississippi. The farthest east I've hunted was Colorado, and that's always been for mule deer and/or elk. The only "guided" hunt I've ever been on was to Mexico a few years back. At the time, I would have recommended it highly. It was truly one of the best hunts I've ever been on...anywhere...bar none. Sonora has some great coues deer, and some truly great people. Unfortunately, it also has several drug cartels, a corrupt governmment, and a very high risk involved with going there right now with all the crime related problems in that country. I doubt Brad is doing any hunts down there, but he might be. Knowing what I know of life to the south of me, I would not recommend it at this time. But perhaps things will change by 2011. Who knows? If you're interested, I can give you the contact info to inquire about a hunt. I did take a really nice coues deer buck while on that hunt, and the hunt was worth every penny. Daryl

May 28, 2010, 09:09 PM	#16
Deerhunter Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 607	moosemike.....I grew up in PA. Been hunting in Montgomery and Chester county for 22 years now, other than the years I was out of the country with the Army. Different hunting private land on a guided hunt than the public land or small track of property in Southeastern PA. VaFisher....Thanks for that one. That is what I have been looking for. Someone to name a guide service that they use. I have been waiting for someone to say, hey I went here and hunted with who ever and it was great or even someone to say I went here and it sucked. At least that would give me a good idea of who to look into more or who to not waste my time on. I wasn't looking to go to Canada but may be an option. Thanks again __________________ My idea of fast food is a mallard. -Ted Nugent

May 29, 2010, 06:57 AM	#17
Dr. A Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2007 Location: Salina, KS. Posts: 215	I'm not from a state that you're looking to go to, but with the structure of the way our tags are distributed, people now come to our state and lease the land more often than getting a guide. Guiding is not what it was even a couple of years ago. Whether good or bad, folks that have been coming here have the one up on others new to the game. You can now apply and get out of state permits easily, and lease your own space. I leased my father in laws place to out of staters the last two years for $7,000. Would have been ideal for two folks and could have gotten several does and two bucks. Guess this keeps some money in the landowners hands, and decreases the guiding potential. There isn't much guiding needed in Kansas.

May 29, 2010, 08:06 AM	#18
skydiver3346 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,222	Hey Deerhunter Tell Ted Nugent that my idea of "fast food" is a WOOD DUCK.

May 29, 2010, 08:24 AM	#19
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Of the states you've listed, KY is the only one I would pay to hunt in.

May 29, 2010, 03:41 PM	#20
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	If you have to stay relatively close to home, I'd suggest you look South. The Carolinas and Georgia Have large deer populations and fairly liberal hunting policies. I don't know the specifics of how large the deer grow, but I suspect on private land were they are fed, they probably grow pretty big.

June 12, 2010, 11:16 PM	#21
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Do you want to kill a trophy, or a just any buck? What kind of hunt are you looking for? We start Aug 15th here in S.C. Quality management has really improved our herd in the last 10-15 yrs, licenses are OTC and were definitely in driving range. Youre not going to shoot a Booner here but a 125-130" deer is very doable. The early season hunts are pretty predictable. Afternoon hunts over crops (beans)for bucks in velvet are available for pretty reasonable prices. Missouri would be my next choice for a rifle hunt. One of the few midwest states that allow rifle hunting during the rut.

June 13, 2010, 04:01 PM	#22
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	http://www.sepaq.com/san/index.dot?language_id=1 I've been here. Accomadations are wonderful, and if you have never hunted it's as close to a sure thing as you are likely to get and inexpensive in the scheme of things. Out of the area you asked I know.

June 13, 2010, 11:09 PM	#23
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I'd suck it up and drive to Saskatchewan, Canada. Further to drive but they have some massive whitetails...

June 14, 2010, 12:57 AM	#24
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	Greene County Ohio has some of the best hunting in Ohio. A few Buckeye big bucks or whatever have been taken in the last decade. I think the hippies in YS are up to something IDK of any guides though.

July 1, 2010, 06:07 PM	#25
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	The only input I can give you is sounds like you are getting married to a very great, and understanding women. Congradulations!