To me this almost sounds like a no brainer. From reading many of your past posts the business side of this seems like it would likely be a breeze for you and the excitement of putting bow hunters not use to that caliber deer on big bucks could be very exciting. I would probably worry a little about exactly who was hunting not so much if they are crazy or not but more like if they are prepared as far as things like equipment, gear, etc. Even though you have met many of your goals in regards to hunting you'd still probably hate to see wounded bucks and realistically that is still something that can happen to someone who is extremely dedicated and prepared. May want to consider getting a good trailing dog if that's legal or at least have access to one. We have a small family farm in VA(only 87 acres) and some of my favorite memories are those where I took a new hunter, a kid, or just someone who didn't have somewhere decent to hunt and they killed deer. It's something about their excitement that is contagious and helps keeps my hunting fire stoked. Realistically even if you do this on the scale you're describing I'm sure you could still find some time to sneak in a hunt or 2 to prevent any symptoms from withdrawal
I would sell the land and go look for a less managed place to buy and build it up. That's half the fun I think!
I have strongly considered it. You are exactly right about the fun and reward of improving a property. Good point.
You guys that mention dealing with poor shooters and wounded bucks bring up a point that probably causes me the most concern. Not that I cant manage to make a poor hit myself, but it would be really tough to have someone else do it on my properties. It would be a bad situation, because I would probably consider a wounded buck a filled tag and hunt over. Another great point made. Exactly the kind of conversation I was looking for when posting this thread. Is it common for outfitters to consider a wounded animal as hunt over? Even then, I wonder how many guys would fess up if they spent a fair amount of money and took vacation to come hunt. Also, I think some guys would push themselves to take shots they normally would not take at home.
Dude, that's why I am trying to make a little extra money to put in your trust fund. By the way, I need your SS# so I can claim you this year as a dependent on my income taxes. Just PM me.
Fletch, I know how you feel and this is the main reason that I started filming. I needed to find something to add to the challenge. Filming has changed the way I hunt the feelings that I have from the hunt and the way I manage our farms. If your worried about people taking bad shots and screwing up. I would not sell hunts. If you don't need the money I would get others involved take them hunting. Take a camera set with them enjoy the experience. I pretty sure that I get more wound up over Frank or my brother in law Ty killing a deer while Im filming than I do If I shoot one myself. Its a great feeling and its great to see others get to experience it. Just my two cents.
I've always heard the grass is greener on the other side until you get there. The only person that can really answer your question is you. Hunting is a commitment. Hunting for hunters, which is what you will be doing, might be over the top. Wonderful idea though.
This is really a tough one. I would consider trying it on a limited basis to start just to see how I would feel about it. I'm guessing you will get annoyed with the way some hunters hunt. The first bad shot some guy puts on a big buck how will you feel about it? Will it bother you?
Good questions. I wouldn't think I would offer money back for no success. The deer would be there and the opportunity would be exceptional. I really think that a smart hunter would have a 100% chance at getting a P&Y class deer in range in a weeks time. More likely, they would get multiple opportunities. Now, if you are talking about getting a 5 year old or older buck in range, the odds may slip to 50/50 or less. I think that is why I would focus on rut hunts. I never sit all day and have days that I see many, many bucks. A dedicated bow hunter, would get opportunities. But, I think I would be crazy to make any guarantees. If the weather was a complete shut-out, or some other circumstances completely messed somebody up, I would definitely work with them on a chance to return or a discounted return or ??? Thanks for the input. Good stuff.
I'm the new guy here, so my opinion doesn't count much. But I do have a farm that I hunt, so somehow I feel qualified to answer it. All I will say is that when people find out you have deer people can come hunt, you make a few friends and a lot of people real angry. Personally, I think if I got to the point that hunting wasn't fun or didn't fulfill the purpose that it once did, I would find a new way to fulfill that purpose. Maybe for you that's guiding, but who knows. I think a new method - muzzleloader, recurve, or something else, or new land all together would be the route I would personally go. Also, and for me the biggest concern of the whole thing - what happens when someone falls out of a tree and breaks his neck? Guaranteed it will be your fault somehow.
I know from the elk hunt inquiries I made this year, the way they handle it is, there isn't a guarantee, they don't discount the hunt, it's the cost of doing business. However, they said that they'll typically give a % discount if a hunter came back for an additional hunt. Which makes sense. To get back to my initial post and your response. Yes, if you're already self-employed, you know what it takes to run a successful business. I say go for it, and like you said, since you're not relying on the money to feed the family, you can run ramp it up or slow it down as you see fit. Good luck to you. I look forward to seeing some members going out to Iowa for a hunt on the property.
Seems very nice and generous of you! If you decide to do this I would love to know about it as I would be very interested! Wish I was at that point of my hunting career!!!
Fletch I feel this is a progression through the hunting states some of us (very few) will feel but many will. It takes opportunity, good spots and a lot of hard work (both in hunting and life if obtaining the spots is a desire). You're an amazing hunter (hard work), you live in an awesome area (opportunity) and own awesome land (good spot). I think it is only natural to hit the point at which you are. I also think it is very natural to think of ways to keep the fire in the hunting aspect of your life but maybe in a different way as you've hit a rather consistent structure to it with no changes. I think doing a hunt or two a year for other folks would be something you'd greatly love and as you said would put some change in your pocket to either take vacations or live some other hunting dreams (Elk, bear or moose type hunts out of state). If a praying man pray, if not think on it. Honestly, I think it is awesome you are even capable of such a consideration...I pray someday in my future I can relate but right now I cannot. Kudos on all the hard work in life and hunting to get to this point...that all doesn't happen overnight or easily. Look forward to seeing what you choose....and if you offer any scrub hunts late season for a fraction of $3k bahaha! Blessings brother. **Also if you want help setting up a simple but attractive website for the guide operation let me know I could be of use in that...but you probably have connections anyways.
First of all, thanks for that. It has been and continues to be a journey of passion and at times frustration. Like last night when I finally had a mature shooter coming on a string and a coyote buggered him as I was clipping onto the string with my release. Anyway, I guess that's what keeps us coming back. Back on track. I think I first realized how much fun guiding could be when I took my sons out and they took their first deer. Then, took their first good buck. It was a huge thrill for me. Then, I took a 12 year old son of a friend and put him on a couple of does that he shot with his bow. He had a double on the first hunt I took him on and again, I was as thrilled as he was. Then I read about guys here hunting crazy hard and seldom or never seeing a buck even close to what I see on nearly every sit. It all started to click in my head that I have an opportunity to do something fun and make some dreams come true. I have even considered just doing youth and/or disabled hunts. I have spent most of my adult life coaching little league and teaching Sunday school etc., and enjoy watching kids get involved in the outdoors. I'm sure I will do a little guiding to some extent in the future. I just need to decide at what level. Thanks for the comments.
You should trade big buck hunts for utah hunts. I'll even throw in shooting jackrabbits with our ARs. I know you secretly would love to do that.
I can't even pretend to imagine the situation you're in. But a couple of other things to possibly think about is.. Trading hunts -- A LOT of guys would be willing to swap hunts for a chance at some great bucks. Guiding family -- Now is the great time to invite family, or friends, and spoil them. Tutor me -- That'll keep you occupied for at least 5 years.
Lol. I took my 70 year old father-in-law last year on his first deer hunt. He killed a nice buck and was like a little kid with excitement. So much so, that he bought his own farm now and is working on finishing his cabin as we speak. I put a nice food plot on his place and he is running cameras and mineral and the whole deal. Its like he has a whole new passion for retirement. Talk about rewarding! I for sure would swap some hunts for something that I had interest in. It would definitely be a great way to go on some top end hunts.
