Just thinking so far!

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xcaliber
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Just thinking so far!

Post by xcaliber »

OK, although we hunt Indiana which has liberal deer hunting rules, and an abundance of licenses available to both residents, and non-residents, and we have private land most years to hunt, there is limited numbers of trophy bucks to hunt. Although we may get an opportunity at a nice one, the idea of expanding that opportunity is something that appeals to me as I get older, and the years I have left to do this are questionable with my conditions. That said, I have decided to pursue opportunities in another state. We decided Ohio for many reasons, but mainly the closeness to our home area just in case something goes bad with my health. To drill down further we have decide to try an outfitter and picked Brushy Fork Outfitters. I have not yet locked in, but might do so next week. I would opt for a guided hunt, and their success rate is 75% on bucks coming in over 140" and there is a penalty for shooting one smaller. There are doe opportunities also for those that don't want to go home empty handed. Of course I want to kill a big buck, but wish to have the Kid get one more than myself, but hope to double up. I can hunt with my Excalibur, so win, win!
I'm conflicted however. but getting closer to pulling the proverbial trigger on the opportunity. The owners have properties in three counties in central Ohio, and thousands of acres to hunt on. In a way I feel like it's cheating or making it too easy, on the other hand I'm thinking since it is fair chase hunting, but guided it's still legitimate hunting, and I still have to make the shot. I need a push in the positive direction to commit to this. Here are my points that persuade me in that direction.
1. Opportunity is high because of the management, and restriction on taking smaller bucks.
2. I'll hunt in my traditional fashions here in Indiana before, and after the trip.
3. I can afford to do it without taking monies from the family budget.
4. I'm not getting any younger. :roll:
5. I'm still using archery equipment.

Link: http://brushyforkoutfitters.com/

We're planning on the third week of October, or possibly the last week. Please let me know your thoughts, and if anyone hunts this area, or even better has any personal experience with this outfitter. I have spoken with two guys in charge of the operations in length, and they really seem legitimate.

Thanks folks in advance, anxious to read some input, even negative actually before I drop $$ on this idea. :eusa-popcorn:
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janesy
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by janesy »

I can fish Muskie at the end of my street. I can also be on the Kawarthas in 25 minutes.

But I do everything I can to go to an outfitter in Sioux Lookout which is further from my house than the Florida Keys and twice as expensive, to chase after the elusive "Big Girls"

Go for it, if you can afford it, and it makes you happy... do it!
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by Normous »

The real answer is "you only live once".

DO IT!
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by Deaf jeff »

dan,
as i get older the experience of a different area for deer hunting is just as important as the kill so i booked a canada rifle hunt for 2021(harris hill resort) because i have always wanted to hunt canada and i dont wanna regret not doing it. so imo go for it and it have fun!!
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janesy
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by janesy »

xcaliber wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:33 pm
OK, although we hunt Indiana which has liberal deer hunting rules, and an abundance of licenses available to both residents, and non-residents, and we have private land most years to hunt, there is limited numbers of trophy bucks to hunt. Although we may get an opportunity at a nice one, the idea of expanding that opportunity is something that appeals to me as I get older, and the years I have left to do this are questionable with my conditions. That said, I have decided to pursue opportunities in another state. We decided Ohio for many reasons, but mainly the closeness to our home area just in case something goes bad with my health. To drill down further we have decide to try an outfitter and picked Brushy Fork Outfitters. I have not yet locked in, but might do so next week. I would opt for a guided hunt, and their success rate is 75% on bucks coming in over 140" and there is a penalty for shooting one smaller. There are doe opportunities also for those that don't want to go home empty handed. Of course I want to kill a big buck, but wish to have the Kid get one more than myself, but hope to double up. I can hunt with my Excalibur, so win, win!
I'm conflicted however. but getting closer to pulling the proverbial trigger on the opportunity. The owners have properties in three counties in central Ohio, and thousands of acres to hunt on. In a way I feel like it's cheating or making it too easy, on the other hand I'm thinking since it is fair chase hunting, but guided it's still legitimate hunting, and I still have to make the shot. I need a push in the positive direction to commit to this. Here are my points that persuade me in that direction.
1. Opportunity is high because of the management, and restriction on taking smaller bucks.
2. I'll hunt in my traditional fashions here in Indiana before, and after the trip.
3. I can afford to do it without taking monies from the family budget.
4. I'm not getting any younger. :roll:
5. I'm still using archery equipment.

Link: http://brushyforkoutfitters.com/

We're planning on the third week of October, or possibly the last week. Please let me know your thoughts, and if anyone hunts this area, or even better has any personal experience with this outfitter. I have spoken with two guys in charge of the operations in length, and they really seem legitimate.

Thanks folks in advance, anxious to read some input, even negative actually before I drop $$ on this idea. :eusa-popcorn:

Thought a little harder about it. I don't think you should do it. Fact of the matter is that you don't know what the land is like. you haven't seen the accommodations. The food may be inedible. The guides could be complete mucktards. It might be too hard for you. It might be too easy for you. They may not even speak English.

So, because I'm a nice guy and just willing enough to throw myself on your perverbial grenade. Book the first trip ... and I'll go on your behalf and report back. With pics

Let me know, I'll start packing.
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xcaliber
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by xcaliber »

janesy wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 4:26 pm
xcaliber wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:33 pm
OK, although we hunt Indiana which has liberal deer hunting rules, and an abundance of licenses available to both residents, and non-residents, and we have private land most years to hunt, there is limited numbers of trophy bucks to hunt. Although we may get an opportunity at a nice one, the idea of expanding that opportunity is something that appeals to me as I get older, and the years I have left to do this are questionable with my conditions. That said, I have decided to pursue opportunities in another state. We decided Ohio for many reasons, but mainly the closeness to our home area just in case something goes bad with my health. To drill down further we have decide to try an outfitter and picked Brushy Fork Outfitters. I have not yet locked in, but might do so next week. I would opt for a guided hunt, and their success rate is 75% on bucks coming in over 140" and there is a penalty for shooting one smaller. There are doe opportunities also for those that don't want to go home empty handed. Of course I want to kill a big buck, but wish to have the Kid get one more than myself, but hope to double up. I can hunt with my Excalibur, so win, win!
I'm conflicted however. but getting closer to pulling the proverbial trigger on the opportunity. The owners have properties in three counties in central Ohio, and thousands of acres to hunt on. In a way I feel like it's cheating or making it too easy, on the other hand I'm thinking since it is fair chase hunting, but guided it's still legitimate hunting, and I still have to make the shot. I need a push in the positive direction to commit to this. Here are my points that persuade me in that direction.
1. Opportunity is high because of the management, and restriction on taking smaller bucks.
2. I'll hunt in my traditional fashions here in Indiana before, and after the trip.
3. I can afford to do it without taking monies from the family budget.
4. I'm not getting any younger. :roll:
5. I'm still using archery equipment.

Link: http://brushyforkoutfitters.com/

We're planning on the third week of October, or possibly the last week. Please let me know your thoughts, and if anyone hunts this area, or even better has any personal experience with this outfitter. I have spoken with two guys in charge of the operations in length, and they really seem legitimate.

Thanks folks in advance, anxious to read some input, even negative actually before I drop $$ on this idea. :eusa-popcorn:

Thought a little harder about it. I don't think you should do it. Fact of the matter is that you don't know what the land is like. you haven't seen the accommodations. The food may be inedible. The guides could be complete mucktards. It might be too hard for you. It might be too easy for you. They may not even speak English.

So, because I'm a nice guy and just willing enough to throw myself on your perverbial grenade. Book the first trip ... and I'll go on your behalf and report back. With pics

Let me know, I'll start packing.
:lol: :lol:
Chris, funny you say that. The Kid has a job, but is taking a test in a few weeks to get into the pipe fitters apprenticeship program. If he gets in, which I'm pretty sure will happen, he may not be able to go. Deposits are non refundable, so if he can't go, it is transferable to another person with advance notice. :eusa-dance:
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DuckHunt
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by DuckHunt »

While I plan to have more than a couple decades left of hunting, we all know we don't always have control of the circumstances and they tend to change. My hunting area sounds similar in that I'd be hard pressed to ever see a 140" deer, much less harvest one. I've taken 88 deer off the property in 16 seasons and last year I got the first to gross 120". We have numbers, and that doesn't always lend itself to large antlers. If you're looking for 75"-100" bucks, then you'll be happy as a pig in slop.

If I want to harvest a 140+" deer, I'd need to go elsewhere. I've considered it and may very well try an Ohio or Kentucky outfitter at some point in the future. As our quality (healthy) hunting years wind down, having quality hunts seems more important. If you have the means, I say go for it. Just remember that its hunting. Don't be surprised if mother nature throws a warm spell right in the middle of the one week you planned all year to hunt. Its easy to adjust and take a day off when you're at home. It plainly sucks if you're out of state and committed to those dates you paid for no matter what.
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papa bear1
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by papa bear1 »

janesy wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 4:26 pm
xcaliber wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:33 pm
OK, although we hunt Indiana which has liberal deer hunting rules, and an abundance of licenses available to both residents, and non-residents, and we have private land most years to hunt, there is limited numbers of trophy bucks to hunt. Although we may get an opportunity at a nice one, the idea of expanding that opportunity is something that appeals to me as I get older, and the years I have left to do this are questionable with my conditions. That said, I have decided to pursue opportunities in another state. We decided Ohio for many reasons, but mainly the closeness to our home area just in case something goes bad with my health. To drill down further we have decide to try an outfitter and picked Brushy Fork Outfitters. I have not yet locked in, but might do so next week. I would opt for a guided hunt, and their success rate is 75% on bucks coming in over 140" and there is a penalty for shooting one smaller. There are doe opportunities also for those that don't want to go home empty handed. Of course I want to kill a big buck, but wish to have the Kid get one more than myself, but hope to double up. I can hunt with my Excalibur, so win, win!
I'm conflicted however. but getting closer to pulling the proverbial trigger on the opportunity. The owners have properties in three counties in central Ohio, and thousands of acres to hunt on. In a way I feel like it's cheating or making it too easy, on the other hand I'm thinking since it is fair chase hunting, but guided it's still legitimate hunting, and I still have to make the shot. I need a push in the positive direction to commit to this. Here are my points that persuade me in that direction.
1. Opportunity is high because of the management, and restriction on taking smaller bucks.
2. I'll hunt in my traditional fashions here in Indiana before, and after the trip.
3. I can afford to do it without taking monies from the family budget.
4. I'm not getting any younger. :roll:
5. I'm still using archery equipment.

Link: http://brushyforkoutfitters.com/

We're planning on the third week of October, or possibly the last week. Please let me know your thoughts, and if anyone hunts this area, or even better has any personal experience with this outfitter. I have spoken with two guys in charge of the operations in length, and they really seem legitimate.

Thanks folks in advance, anxious to read some input, even negative actually before I drop $$ on this idea. :eusa-popcorn:

Thought a little harder about it. I don't think you should do it. Fact of the matter is that you don't know what the land is like. you haven't seen the accommodations. The food may be inedible. The guides could be complete mucktards. It might be too hard for you. It might be too easy for you. They may not even speak English.

So, because I'm a nice guy and just willing enough to throw myself on your perverbial grenade. Book the first trip ... and I'll go on your behalf and report back. With pics

Let me know, I'll start packing.
You beat me to it janesy. :problem: :lol: :lol:


OOps my bad. :oops:

Dave :eusa-dance:
Last edited by papa bear1 on Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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W.Miguire
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by W.Miguire »

Go for it Dan , you will have the time of your life. I had a chance to go to Manitoba and I had a blast . took the largest buck in camp that season. the only thing I didn't like I only hunted 35 min. :thumbup: just go and enjoy yourself
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by Timbrhuntr »

I looked them up on another bowhunting site and they seem to have pretty good outfitters reviews. They have 41 reviews 39 5/5 and 2 4/5 and out of the 41 27 reported being successful.
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by longbow joe »

Seems like ..everyone here wants to go to ohio to shoot a big one.
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xcaliber
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by xcaliber »

longbow joe wrote:
Sun Mar 08, 2020 12:02 am
Seems like ..everyone here wants to go to ohio to shoot a big one.
I'm waiting for the Kid to say yep / no. I'm working on a third guy too! 8)
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xcaliber
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by xcaliber »

Timbrhuntr wrote:
Sat Mar 07, 2020 9:58 pm
I looked them up on another bowhunting site and they seem to have pretty good outfitters reviews. They have 41 reviews 39 5/5 and 2 4/5 and out of the 41 27 reported being successful.
I spoke with them on the phone, and you can tell right off these guys have it together. I'm hoping to lock in next week. :wink:
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by mr meat »

As they say, Just Do It!
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Re: Just thinking so far!

Post by Doe Master »

My advice is to do it . :)
It is a memory that will live forever . Me and Dad did a hunt in Saskatchewan . Neither one of us shot the biggest deer but we had a blast . Our thoughts were people pay for leases or hunt camps every year and we don`t . So the money we would have spent on that went into a hunt instead .
People at times get wrapped up in the words guided hunt . If you go visit a friend to hunt on their property isn`t that a guided hunt then . You may not pay with money but bringing wobbly pops or food is still a payment of sorts .
If your son or a friend can go then it is an experience of a lifetime . A bond . :)
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