First outfitter hunt

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My only advice is to go into there with minimal expectations - I went on my first outfitter hunt Jan of 2015 and despite the amount of deer that I saw, I did not even see a "legal" buck (one that met the outfitter's minimum requirements). Often times the bigger bucks are reserved for repeat clients or hunters that are affiliated with tv shows, just the average client will be placed where they will see numerous deer but not where the big boys are hanging out usually. As long as you don't go in there with the mindset that you may not even see a shooter buck and leave empty handed, you'll be alright. Enjoy the atmosphere and fellowship with the fellow hunters and you'll have a great time. For me a lot of it is having the opportunity to hunt in different areas, it is definitely a fun experience if you keep an open mind.
 
I don't know about you but if I was being deliberately sandbagged after I spent thousands of dollars, I'd be pissed. I've been on 7 guided hunts and never felt this way. But, I checked out the outfitter thoroughly. There are always people with money who think they can buy an advantage but trophy deer really don't care how much you paid. One thing to ask is wether the guides are allowed to hunt before or while they have clients. You shouldn't be competing with your guide. I also suggest you talk with a hunter from a previous hunt and get the real skinny.
 
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I've been on a few outfitter hunts. Have done bow and gun. Have had people in group have success but I have yet to connect on a buck of the trophy size. One outfitter in Illinois, while there a guide shot a 200" plus deer......yea didn't sit well with the group. Even though the odds of another hunter seeing it and getting a chance would be rare it's still not right when you have hunters paying $2,500-3k and be guide shoots a world class deer
 
Good luck! I have never hunted IL but if its a low pressure area and you get some cool weather I suspect you will have a great hunt.


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Tnwakeboarder":2wghfehl said:
I've been on a few outfitter hunts. Have done bow and gun. Have had people in group have success but I have yet to connect on a buck of the trophy size. One outfitter in Illinois, while there a guide shot a 200" plus deer......yea didn't sit well with the group. Even though the odds of another hunter seeing it and getting a chance would be rare it's still not right when you have hunters paying $2,500-3k and be guide shoots a world class deer
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That's what I'm talking about! The best outfitters don't allow the guides to hunt until all hunters are finished. The guide should be hunting for the hunter and not himself.
 
Here is the deer the guide killed that was around 204" I believe. The outfitter is a very good outfitter and many people have success on 150"+ deer. Free range of course. Was still awesome to hold a 200 inch deer

 
Tnwakeboarder":19e3yu06 said:
Here is the deer the guide killed that was around 204" I believe. The outfitter is a very good outfitter and many people have success on 150"+ deer. Free range of course. Was still awesome to hold a 200 inch deer
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I was on that hunt when that took place. Yeh kinda didn't sit well with everyone there. I was very happy for the young man that killed Such an impressive buck though.
 
tn droptine":3v0m09f1 said:
My only advice is to go into there with minimal expectations - I went on my first outfitter hunt Jan of 2015 and despite the amount of deer that I saw, I did not even see a "legal" buck (one that met the outfitter's minimum requirements). Often times the bigger bucks are reserved for repeat clients or hunters that are affiliated with tv shows, just the average client will be placed where they will see numerous deer but not where the big boys are hanging out usually. As long as you don't go in there with the mindset that you may not even see a shooter buck and leave empty handed, you'll be alright. Enjoy the atmosphere and fellowship with the fellow hunters and you'll have a great time. For me a lot of it is having the opportunity to hunt in different areas, it is definitely a fun experience if you keep an open mind.
Click to expand...


I know a few guys who have hunted with Hadley Creek in IL and they all said that exact thing happened, seeing a large buck at one end of the field and the next day a new hunter was hunting that end of the field. Mostly a Pro staffer who killed the buck ....
 
I have hunted with Full Draw Hunts in Adams. Not a bad ran outfit. They don't hunt. Just their clients.
 
landman":3jqtc6xt said:
tn droptine":3jqtc6xt said:
My only advice is to go into there with minimal expectations - I went on my first outfitter hunt Jan of 2015 and despite the amount of deer that I saw, I did not even see a "legal" buck (one that met the outfitter's minimum requirements). Often times the bigger bucks are reserved for repeat clients or hunters that are affiliated with tv shows, just the average client will be placed where they will see numerous deer but not where the big boys are hanging out usually. As long as you don't go in there with the mindset that you may not even see a shooter buck and leave empty handed, you'll be alright. Enjoy the atmosphere and fellowship with the fellow hunters and you'll have a great time. For me a lot of it is having the opportunity to hunt in different areas, it is definitely a fun experience if you keep an open mind.
Click to expand...


I know a few guys who have hunted with Hadley Creek in IL and they all said that exact thing happened, seeing a large buck at one end of the field and the next day a new hunter was hunting that end of the field. Mostly a Pro staffer who killed the buck ....
Click to expand...
I used to lease ground beside Hadley Creek and they are (were) a bunch of idiots.

I think they are under new ownership now though, Stacy sold it. Screwing landowners and the Illinois DNR finally caught up with him.
 
Go in with minimal expectations especially in Illinois hate to rain on your parade buy I've hunted Illinois four different times during the rut and post rut and I won't go back. Do you homework I think its called bowsite.com it has outfitters reviews and most are spot on. Before you get real deep in it I would look into Kansas also.
 

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