Guided Whitetail Hunt

[mcd176]

I was wondering if any of you have ever been on a professionally guided whitetail hunt?

I have been kicking the idea around for several years, I am finally in the position where I can afford a nice hunting trip (looking to spend $1500-$2500) I have hunted deer since I was six and have taken several over the years but none above about 110 class.

I guess one issue I am having is the fact that I feel almost guilty paying to hunt it just seems un natural and I refuse to kill an animal with an ear tag in it.

If anyone has any suggestions on places to look into that you have hunted please let me know, I live in West Virginia and would like to stay close

-Mike

 

[creekbend]

Perhaps this may help. Try this website Mountain Meadow Hunting Preserve - The Birthplace of Hunting Memories that Last a Lifetime! Greenville, West Virginia Good Luck.

 

[nybirdman]

Some of the hot spots in the U.S. the last couple of years have been in Ohio and Kentucky.I would look there or the north-west corner of W.Virginia.My nephews just returned from a bow hunt in Ohio...lots and lots of bucks...only problem they have a very short gun season.

 

[Rocksprings]

What is the difference between a deer with a tag in his ear and one that is trapped in a high fenced pasture ?

 

[mcd176]

Rocksprings,

I agree with you, I have found several free roam, non fenced hunting outfitters, They are of course out west though, What I was meaning by paying for the hunt was paying for the guide to lead me into the right areas. My neighbor used to guide people out west on whitetail, mule deer and elk and that's how his hunts worked. Im not looking for a 100% kill hunt

 

[Rocksprings]

Down here in Texas those hunts cost big dollars. Most are in high fence places. Its pretty sad, some places the deer follow you around waiting to be fed corn. The guide tells you which one cost what. Like hunting in a zoo. Like said before, they charge an arm and a leg.

 

[MotorSeven]

MCD, if you are looking for free range & big horns I think I would look in Manitoba. My wife is from a small town there and I usually go up for Duck/Goose season. I have sat on a few deer stands with her cousin and seen some amazing racks....er.. ah, horns that is. If you are going to spend the money and time at least put yourself in big horn country so the odds are in your favor. Local guides up there are very reasonable, they are not big outfits, just home grown and trust me they know every farmer in a 100 mile radius of their town. A thousand ac farm is the norm in the prairies, so lots of opportunity's.
This was one of his his 2010 season bucks:

 

[Western]

Are you wanting to hunt a preserve? which most of the time is high fenced raised deer. That is usually where you find deer with tags in their ear.

I think you want an outfitter, someone that has private land or land they have leased for hunting, they usually provide lodging (some don't) and a guide. I don't know how the hunting thing is in the East, but from the mid-west on Westward, there are lots of Outfitters/guides.

Quality of land will likely effect the price, I think you will have to kick in more $ . Travel, tips, and extras tags.

Kansas has a great reputation and a allot of outfitter/guides, but shop around and ask for references you are allowed to contact. Midwest Outfitters Inc. This is just one from a Google search.

I'd take the cash you have, then start "building the pot" while you search out the place you want to go, just remember, some of the states require a hunting permit that you have to apply for early. In this case, that is where the outfitter can help, some will apply for you, or have available "landowner" tags.

IMO, save your $$ until you find where you want to go, if you go to Illinois or Westward and get your self a 160+ for 5k then I think you have done pretty darn good. You could spend thousands more over the years and end up with a 120-140, unless you get lucky, but for a once and a lifetime, 5k is a cheap vacation. I say 5k, because 3k here in Texas wont get you much.

BTW, some outfitters give better deals at times if you have a paying hunting buddy, and some will let you take your wife if you want.

Sorry so long, there are allot of variables.