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Dream Hunts: 20 Incredible Big Game Hunting Trips

From moose hunts in Canada to monster mule deer hunts in the desert, here are our picks for 20 hunting trips to plan your greatest outdoor adventure ever

By The Editors | Published Mar 4, 2021 5:24 PM EST

We know that big game hunting season is still months away, but just the idea of getting to travel more easily and safely this year already has us thinking about dream hunts. S we asked our experts to pick the best big game hunts in North America that the average hunter can actually pull off. To be clear: This isn’t another lists of cheap, DIY hunts (though some of these are easily taken on your own), nor is it a roundup of expensive outfitters. These trips are chosen for value. So, quit dreaming and start planning.

The 20 Best Hunting Trips for Your Budget

We’ve done the research—and taken many of these hunts ourselves—to create a list of the very best big game hunting opportunities and affordable hunting trips.

1. Where to Hunt Moose in Alberta

Logistics: Once you secure a moose tag from your outfitter, you just need a passport to get into Canada, the proper paperwork to get a firearm across the border, and a Wildlife Identification Number (WIN) card to hunt Alberta. Price: $5,000 to $7,000 — Will Brantley

2. Hunt Record-Book Black Bears in Northern Saskatchewan

Why You Should Go: Huge swaths of northern Saskatchewan are only accessible by boat or plane. Up there, most black bears die of old age. A few outfitters are pioneering into areas where bears have never been hunted. This region has the genetics for giant boars; it may be the best opportunity anywhere to shoot a true trophy-class black bear. Logistics: The best hunting is in June. Licenses are only available through an outfitter. Hunters fly into Saskatoon, and then make the rest of the trip in vehicles, floatplanes, and boats via the outfitter. Price: $4,000 to $5,000 (Guided) — Brad Fenson

3. Travel to Kodiak Island, Alaska, for a Blacktail Deer Adventure

Why You Should Go: If hunting blacktail deer on the home turf of the world’s largest brown bears doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, then we can’t help you. These true wilderness hunts are usually based from a boat that provides a dry place to sleep (and protection from bears). Good bucks abound here, and depending on the weather, you may find them anywhere from the beach to the high peaks. Logistics: The small planes and boats required to get to Kodiak make travel challenging. Transporters provide boats for D.I.Y. trips, but the hunting is up to you. Outfitted hunts are much more inclusive. Licenses are over the counter. For more information, go to adfg.alaska.gov. Price: $3,000 to $4,000 (Transported and unguided or guided) — B.F.

4. Stalk Giant Velvet Mule Deer in Alberta

Why You Should Go: Three-hundred-plus-pound muleys, close-range spot-and-stalk, and velvet antlers are indeed the stuff of dreams for most bowhunters: It’s what makes Alberta such a hot destination during the September bow season—and your odds only go up during gun season. The region is marked by rolling prairie, steep coulees, and a smattering of cropfields, making it the perfect place to grow trophy bucks, and to sneak up on them. Logistics: The only way to obtain a tag in Alberta is through an outfitter, but there are dozens in the region. The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society has a directory. Price: $3,000 to $4,000 (Guided) — B.F.

5. Why Idaho Is the Best State to Hunt Color Phase Black Bears

Why You Should Go: Idaho has one of the largest black bear populations in the Rocky Mountains, and a high percentage of color-phase bruins. From mid April through June, you can spot bears on south-facing slopes, munching on the green grass they need to flush their systems after hibernation. You can hire a guide, or spot-and-stalk from the dirt roads and trails coursing through national forest land for a rare D.I.Y. trophy. Logistics: There are plenty of tags available over the counter, and some units allow you to take two bears. There are dozens of reputable outfitters for both spot-and-stalk and baited hunts. Price: $2,000 to $3,000 (Guided); $1,000 to $2,000 (Unguided) — Ben Romans

6. Wyoming Pronghorns Is One of the Most Affordable Hunting Trips in the U.S.

Why You Should Go: ­Wyoming has more antelope than people, and an array of hunting opportunities. To chase a trophy pronghorn, you can build points for a managed area. If you just want to hunt antelope, there are zones where you can draw every year or buy a leftover tag, of which there are usually plenty. You can hire a guide, hunt on public ground, or hunt private ground for a landowner fee—or in some cases for free with permission. Logistics: Wyoming begs for a D.I.Y. hunt, but there are plenty of good outfitters, too. Wyoming Game and Fish’s new Hunt Planner is an invaluable resource. Price: $2,000 to $3,000 (Guided); $1,000 to $2,000 (Unguided) — B.F.

7. Welcome to Axis Deer Paradise

Why You Should Go: If you’re after adventure, natu­ral beauty, exclusivity, and the finest red meat on earth, then Lanai, a 90,000-acre private island 40 miles west of Maui, is the spot. You may see hundreds of animals in a day while hunting one of the world’s largest populations of free-range axis deer . There are mouflon sheep, too. The terrain is spectacular and ­diverse, with mountains, plains, and ocean vistas. Logistics: You’ll fly to Maui, Hawaii, then ferry to Lanai. The stunning Hotel Lanai is under $200 per night. Since the game is privately owned, you’ll pay an outfitter about $3,000 for one day (though bowhunters might need two) of guided hunting that includes a trophy stag and two non-trophies. Price: $3,000 to $6,000 (Guided) — Jeff Johnston

8. Chase Barren-Ground Caribou in Manitoba

Why You Should Go: Northern Manitoba borders Hudson Bay, and the mixed habitat along the shoreline is the historical migration route of central barren-ground caribou. This hunt won’t cost you much more than a D.I.Y. fly-in adventure in other parts of the North, but it’s logistically easier, and success rates on trophy bulls are much higher. Logistics: The region is only accessible by airplane, with licenses available through outfitters who take care of planning and details. Much of the hunting is done from boats, and from both permanent and spike camps. Price: $5,000 to $6,000 (Guided) — B.F.

9. Stalk Trophy Mule Deer in the Nebraska Sandhills

Why You Should Go: The Nebraska Sandhills are the up-and-coming place to kill a big mule deer buck. Miles of rolling hills are woven with creekbottoms and some agriculture. Like Alberta, it’s ideal habitat for growing big deer and for spot-and-stalk hunting—but more affordable, and with great D.I.Y. opportunities. Logistics: Permits are available via application, and most tags are good for either a mule deer or a whitetail ­(outdoor​­nebraska.​gov/​hunting​­seasons). There are significant chunks of public land, along with some excellent outfitters for hunting private ground. Price: $3,000 to $4,000 (Guided); $1,000 to $2,000 (Unguided) — B.F.

10. Tag a 350-Inch Bull Elk in New Mexico

Why You Should Go: The Gila National Forest in southwest New Mexico is 3.3 million public acres of famously good elk hunting. Secure a tag and you have a solid chance at killing a 350-inch bull. The terrain is largely sandy, and full of pinyon and ponderosa pine. The climate is mild. Though some outfitters use horses to get deep into the backcountry, plenty of the Gila is accessible on foot. Logistics: New Mexico doesn’t award preference points. Nonresidents hunting solo are allotted 6 percent of the licenses in a drawing pool; nonresidents who book with a guide, 10 percent. You can apply as a party to help your chances, and a good outfitter can assist you with the process and put you on elk once you’ve drawn. According to the outfitters we polled, most hunters get drawn at least once every four years, so put in now. Price: $5,000 to $6,000 (Guided); $2,000 to $3,000 (Unguided) — W.B.

11. Plan the Ultimate Big Game Hunting Trip in Montana

Why You Should Go: Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness is one of the only places in the world where you can rifle hunt rutting elk, mule deer, black bears, and wolves all at the same time. Hunter success with a good outfitter runs about 50 percent, meaning that a hardworking hunter should take two of the four species during a 10-day hunt, with pretty good trophy potential. Logistics: Riding in via horseback takes a full day and can leave you too sore to hunt hard the next, so opting for a picturesque helicopter ride into “The Bob” is worth considering—and less costly than you may think. Contact an outfitter early to apply for tags, and you’ll almost surely draw. Price: $4,000 to $6,000 (Guided) — Joseph von Benedikt

12. Travel to Utah for One of the Best Mule Deer Hunts Ever

Why You Should Go: Utah’s extended archery hunt offers a chance to chase rutting muley bucks on an easy-to-draw tag. Draw for any unit in the state (some regions are almost 100 percent odds even for nonresidents), but don’t hunt the regular season. Hold off and that unused tag will qualify you to hunt the archery-only area in the public-access Wasatch Mountains during late November and early December. There’s no rifle season here, allowing bucks to grow big and old. It’s arguably the best big-buck hunt in Utah short of drawing a premium tag, which can take decades. Logistics: You’ll need to earn an online-education certificate for this hunt, but it’s not difficult and well worth it. Prepare to glass big country, stalk up steep canyons in knee-deep snow, and shoot long. Price: $1,000 to $2,000 ­(Unguided) — J.v.B.

13. Chase Northwest Colorado Pronghorns

Why You Should Go: There are antelope all over the West. But if you’re after a true bruiser of a buck, few regions are better than northwest Colorado. Moffat County consistently produces more Booner speed goats than any other county in the state. The rolling landscape here has plenty of peaks and valleys for spot-and-stalk hunting, and numerous irri­gated alfalfa fields and livestock operations for water-hole archery hunts. Logistics: You can apply for points, hunt the ample BLM ground in the area, and probably kill a giant buck in a couple of days—especially with a rifle. The best trophy units here can take up to 15 points to draw, though with a little research, you can get a tag within five years in units that are almost as good. If you’re going guided, a number of outfitters have tags for sale every year. Price: $3,000 to $4,000 (Guided); $1,000 to $2,000 (Unguided) — W.B.

14. How to Plan a D.I.Y. Coues Deer Hunt

Why You Should Go: These tiny gray deer live in lonely, high-desert country, and they behave—and are hunted—more like desert bighorn sheep than whitetails. Prepare to have your mettle tested against steep, remote mountains infested with thorns—and your soul renewed by a backdrop of shockingly beautiful desert sunrises and sunsets. Logistics: Tags are easier to draw during the November pre-rut than for the December rut hunt. If you’re willing to build points, you can eventually draw a tag for a unit offering a legit chance at mature bucks with big genetics, though it’s possible to draw every year in some less popular units. Check the Arizona Game and Fish for details. Price: $1,000 to $2,000 (unguided) — J.v.B.

15. Guide Hunts for Mountain Lions in Idaho and Colorado

Why You Should Go: If you love the sound of hounds at work, intense physical challenge, and an element of danger, go on a mountain lion hunt. Both Colorado and Idaho have thriving cat populations, and the states are neck-and-neck for B&C entries. When the dogs strike a hot track, the experience is as intense as it gets. Logistics: Both states ­offer over-the-counter ­licenses and long seasons open to hunting with hounds, but you want to go later in winter. Ideally, you keep a flexible schedule with an outfitter and hunt after a fresh snow. Check regs closely; in Colo­rado, you must pass a free (but easy) online course before getting a license. Check quotas daily. And plan on bringing the meat home—it tastes just like pork. Price: $4,000 to $5,000 (Guided) — W.B.

Win the Lottery: Our Top 5 Bucket List Tags for the Ultimate Big Game Hunting Adventure

These five bucket-list hunts can take 10 years or more to draw. But you’ve just got to try…

1. Bighorn Sheep: Missouri River Breaks, Montana

If you draw, you can tackle this adventure on your own or hire an outfitter. Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks

2. Trophy Elk: Arizona

In several trophy units, bulls scoring 380 B&C or better are regularly taken, including some over 400. Arizona Game & Fish

3. Mule Deer: Utah

Odds of drawing in a trophy unit are long, but this 20-plus-point tag promises a muley buck of a lifetime. ­ Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

4. Mountain Goat: Colorado

You don’t have to leave the Lower 48 to hunt a billy if you’re persistent. Colorado Parks & Wildlife

5. Desert Bighorn: Nevada

The holy grail of sheep tags will cost $1,200 if you’re drawn. Nevada Department of Wildlife — B.F.

2024-2025 South African Hunting Safari Packages

Regardless of whether you’ve always dreamed about hunting cape buffalo or plains game, you’ll enjoy  unparalleled service and an unforgettable african hunting adventure if you  book one of our south african hunting safari packages..

We currently have openings in October and November 2024 as well as most months during the 2025 hunting season.

We are also offering our remaining 2024 hunts at a discount. Contact us for details. 

At Big Game Hunting Adventures, we’ll deliver the high quality South African hunting safari at a reasonable price that you’ve always dreamed of. We are not a high volume outfitter and instead focus on providing a limited number of high quality hunts. Since we book a limited number of trophy hunting safaris each year and only take one hunting party at a time, we deliver an outstanding African hunting experience with exceptional service to all of our hunters.

If you’ve always dreamed of a true African hunting adventure like the ones you read about in  Outdoor Life  and  Sports Afield , then book a South Africa hunting safari package with us for the hunting trip of a lifetime.

Please note: we know every hunter is unique, so our African hunting safari packages are flexible. All of these packages may be upgraded with additional game animals and/or hunting days. You may also substitute different animals for the ones listed with the package.

For each package, safari hunts for other game like crocodile, hippo, lechwe, and roan can be arranged as well, but require advance notice.

If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for below, contact us  and we’ll build a custom hunting package specifically for you.

While you’re responsible for paying for your airline ticket, taxidermy, and shipment of your trophies home, our South Africa hunting packages include all costs associated with the hunt. There are no hidden fees . Our African hunting safaris all include pick-up and drop off at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Join us on one of our South Africa hunting packages for first class lodging, excellent food, and outstanding hunting!

The South Africa hunting packages listed below are valid for hunts booked in 2024 and 2025.

1×1: One Hunter Guided By One Professional Hunter 2×1: Two Hunters Guided By One Professional Hunter

South Africa Plains Game Hunting Packages

Looking for the best africa hunting trips.

Our Bushveld Adventure is our most popular African hunting safari package.

This hunt includes 10 days accommodation and trophy fees for kudu, blue wildebeest, impala and warthog. Book this hunt and enjoy a classic safari hunt in the untamed bushveld of South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Fair chase hunting, no game farms, and no hidden costs.

Bushveld Adventure 10 Days (9 Nights) Accommodation Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, & Warthog $8,230 Per Hunter (1×1) $7,760 Per Hunter (2×1) $1,995 Per Non-Hunter

The bushveld of western Limpopo Province is famous as one of the best destinations for kudu and impala hunting in all of southern Africa. In addition to the big kudu, blue wildebeest, and impala this area is known for, this part of the country is also home to large and diverse populations of many other species of plains game. With the opportunity to enjoy an incredible African safari hunting experience for exceptional trophy quality animals in one of the wildest and least developed areas remaining in South Africa, it’s easy to understand why this is one of our most popular hunting packages. This South African hunting safari includes the trophy fees for a kudu, a blue wildebeest, an impala, and a warthog.

Species Available At This Camp : Blue Wildebeest, Blesbok (Common & Saddleback), Bushpig, Bushbuck, Cape Buffalo, Duiker, Eland, Gemsbok, Giraffe, Impala, Klipspringer, Kudu, Monkey, Nyala, Porcupine, Red Hartebeest, Sable, Steenbok, Warthog, Waterbuck, and Zebra

Testimonial:  For those booking a hunt with John, you should know that what he is a guy you can depend upon: he is solid, dependable, experienced, and will deliver on what he tells you. I value honesty and integrity and both John and the professional hunters he works with have it in spades. I booked a plains game hunt with John and couldn’t have been more satisfied when it was over. The Limpopo camp on the river is exactly what I wanted: it’s dedicated only to you (there are no other hunters) and is old style. Kobus (my PH) and Fielmon (my tracker) are both highly experienced and it was fascinating to watch them work together. It was an incredible experience!

-Bob Fletcher 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS HUNT!

First Timer’s Adventure 7 Days (6 Nights) Accommodation Blue Wildebeest, Blesbok, Impala, & Warthog $5,220 Per Hunter (1×1) $4,945 Per Hunter (2×1) $1,475 per Non-Hunter

This South African hunting package is perfect for the first time hunter to Africa as well as those with limited time or a strict budget. Taking place in the bushveld, hunters booked for this plains game hunting safari will get to experience breathtaking scenery and take in the awe-inspiring sight of the incredible variety of game that inhabits Africa. This package includes the trophy fees for four of South Africa’s most iconic plains game species: blue wildebeest, blesbok, warthog, and impala.

Testimonial:  I saw more game animals than I have ever seen in my entire life hunting in Texas. During my time in Africa, I was blessed to take a beautiful zebra along with a monster wildebeest, blesbok, and warthog. The accommodations were first class. I felt like a VIP the entire time. When you hunt there it is literally all about you.

The other best aspect of the hunt was my PH Kobus. When I arrived and shook his hand that first day at the airport we were client and PH. When I shook his hand getting on the plane to return to the United States, we were friends. That sounds very cliché but it is the truth. Kobus was professional, extremely knowledgeable, accommodating, patient with a newbie like me, he delivers everything he promises, and above all he is a good man. I enjoyed every second we spent together and I am very much looking forward to hunting with him again!

-Matt Acosta

Family Plains Game Hunting Package 10 Days (9 Nights) Accommodation for 2 Hunters Each Hunter: Kudu, Impala, & Warthog 6 Animals Total $13,320 ($6,660 Per Hunter) $1,995 Per Non-Hunter

This is often booked as a father and son hunting package, but it’s also the perfect opportunity for any two friends or family members to enjoy a classic African plains game hunt together at an affordable price. The Family Package safari is almost identical to the Bushveld Package. The only differences are that the Family Package includes the daily rates for two hunters as well as trophy fees for two kudu, two impala, and two warthog. However, it does not include the trophy fee for blue wildebeest. Regardless of whether you want a hunt for two friends or a husband and wife, a father and daughter, or a father and son hunting package, each guest will get the hunting adventure of a lifetime in one of Africa’s premier areas for hunting plains game.

Testimonial:  I took my 14 year old son on this hunt and I can’t say enough good things about the experience! Big Game Hunting Adventures was absolutely great and John had everything totally prepared for us. Every detail of the hunting experience was taken care of in an exceptional manner. The number of animals we saw on this hunt was amazing and Johan (our PH) was perfect. With his help, we took some very nice trophies on our safari. This was the hunt of a lifetime and we’re looking forward to hunting with them again soon!

-Richard Petree

Deluxe Plains Game Hunting Package 14 Days (13 Nights) Accommodation Kudu, Eland, Waterbuck, Gemsbok, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, & Warthog $17,480 Per Hunter (1×1) $3,015 Per Non-Hunter

We built this South African hunting safari package specifically for serious trophy hunters who want to pursue a wide variety of African game animals during a single hunt. This package also takes place in the bushveld of western Limpopo Province and is the ultimate plains game hunting safari for the species native to that area. Nowhere else will you get the opportunity to hunt for Africa’s premier species of plains game like this at such a reasonable price.

Testimonial:  An epic trip! We were anticipating a nice hunting camp, a fair chance at a few animals for me, good food, and some decent wildlife watching to entertain my wife and her friends. What all of us found was five star dining at a beautiful ecotourism resort that had fabulous hunting and a staff who went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. This far exceeded our wildest expectations and we couldn’t be more pleased! My wife and I were thinking this was the trip of a lifetime, but we and I are already planning to return. Kobus, Billy, Filoman, Rasilli and the rest of the team are true professionals, and all of us left knowing we’d become good friends. I feel incredibly lucky to have connected with Big Game Hunting Adventures and John!

-Tom Fetherston 

South Africa Cape Buffalo Hunting Package 7 Days (6 Nights) Accommodation $14,700 Per Hunter (1×1) $14,400 Per Hunter (2×1) $1,475 Per Non-Hunter

When it comes to hunting adventures, few experiences can compare to matching wits with the legendary Black Death  on foot in the African bushveld. After all, there’s a reason why cape buffalo are the most sought after member of the Big Five. This hunt takes place on our wild and undeveloped hunting area in western Limpopo Province. In addition to healthy populations of plains game and buffalo, this area still has that “wild Africa” feel with leopard preying on antelope, crocodile and hippo in the river, and the sounds of jackals at night. So, if you’ve always dreamed of a true African safari hunting adventure like the ones you read about in  Outdoor Life  and  Sports Afield , then you’ll have the trip of a lifetime on a Cape Buffalo hunting safari with us. This package includes the trophy fee for a trophy cape buffalo bull.

We have a 100% success rate over the past four years and our lifetime success rate on Cape Buffalo hunting safaris is over 90%. We only hunt hard bossed bulls, not immature bulls who have not had an opportunity to breed.

Testimonial:  First class outfit all the way around! They really make the whole deal easy and are right there for you the whole hunt every step of the way. John, Kobus, Johan and the rest of the crew will take good care of you and do everything possible to ensure a safe, successful, and very enjoyable hunting experience. I just completed my second safari with them and I’m ready for a third!

-Jerry McDonald

South Africa Cape Buffalo/Sable Hunting Package 8 Days (7 Nights) Accommodation 1 Cape Buffalo Bull & 1 Trophy Sable $20,135 Per Hunter (1×1) $1,655 Per Non-Hunter

With their long and spectacular curved horns, sable antelope are another one of Africa’s most desired trophy animals right up there with buffalo. Fortunately, this African safari hunting package is an excellent opportunity to hunt both sable and buffalo on the same trip at a discount. This hunt also takes place on our hunting area in the bushveld of western Limpopo Province and there are good prospects for a taking 40″+ sable bull on this hunt. This package includes the trophy fee for a trophy cape buffalo bull and a sable.

South Africa Cape Buffalo Cow Hunting Package 7 Days (6 Nights) Accommodation 1 Cape Buffalo Cow $6,775 Per Hunter (1×1) $6,585 Per Hunter (2×1) $1,475 Per Non-Hunter

We also offer a limited number of hunts for cape buffalo cows, which are a more affordable way to hunt cape buffalo than targeting a trophy bull. Specifically, we’re targeting older, post-breeding age cows without calves on these hunts. These old cows have been around the block a few times and are as formidable of an adversary as a bull. Indeed, approaching a buffalo herd in the thick bush and evading all those eyes, ears, and noses to identify and shoot an older female without a calf is an experience you won’t forget!

This package includes the trophy fee for a cape buffalo cow.

South Africa Wing Shooting Fees Pigeon, Dove, Guinea Fowl, Crested Francolin, Sand Grouse, White Faced Ducks $355 Per Hunter, Per Day $25 Per Day Shotgun Rental $12 Per Box of Shells

Our primary hunting areas have some fantastic bird hunting opportunities and you’re welcome to add a day or two of wing shooting onto a plains game and/or buffalo hunt. In particular, our main camp has healthy populations of pigeon, dove, and guinea fowl year round. Other species are migratory.

Depending on the exact time of year and exact bird species we’re hunting, this can range from sitting on the edge of a field pass shooting doves and pigeons as they come and go (in flocks of dozens and hundreds) to some sort of beaten hunt for other birds using people and/or dogs. There’s good bird hunting all year round, but there are definitely seasonal peaks. The months of May, June, July, and August tend to have really good hunting for a variety of bird species. Contact us for more details on adding some wing shooting to your hunt.

Professional Video Service $295 Per Day $2,065 for a 7 day hunt $2,360 for an 8 day hunt $2,950 for a 10 day hunt

Want to relive your once in a lifetime hunt and/or share the experience with friends/family when you return home? If so, then you’ll definitely want to book the services of our videographer. He’ll go out hunting with you each day, film the events of your trip, and then build a video of the entirety of your hunt. He’ll do all the editing in camp and will provide a USB flash drive with the completed video on your departure day for you to take home with you.

Videos are normally 40-60 minutes long and tell the story of your full experience: the hunt itself, camp life, especially interesting encounters with wildlife, etc. You’re also welcome to make special requests of him while you’re there. Contact us for more details on booking a videographer for your safari.

Why Should I Book A South Africa Hunting Safari Package With You?

• No hidden costs: our South Africa safari hunting packages include everything except for your air fare, taxidermy, and shipment of your trophies.
• We are not a high turnover outfit. Instead, we focus on providing quality hunts with the best possible experience for each guest. For that reason, we only book one hunt at a time. Instead of sharing the area with people that you don’t know, you’ll have the whole place to yourself. This allows us to give you our full attention and ensure that you receive VIP treatment on your hunt.
• We’ll pick you up at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. So, unlike a hunt in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or the Eastern Cape of South Africa, no follow on airline flights or plane charters to places like Harare or Port Elizabeth are necessary if you book a South Africa hunting package with us.
• If you want to bring your own rifle, we’ll get a temporary import permit for you and help you with all the paperwork involved at no extra charge. So, there is no need to go through the hassle of importing your rifle on your own or pay an additional $200-300 to another company for their help with this.
• We book a limited number of hunts each year, abide by strict quotas, and carefully manage our hunting areas. This ensures that our hunters have high success rates and take the best quality trophies possible (over 90% of our trophies make the Safari Club International or Rowland Ward record book).
• Our Professional Hunters (PHs) are friendly, knowledgeable, and have many years worth of experience guiding North American, European, and Asian hunters on plains game and dangerous game hunting safaris.
• We take pride in providing authentic African hunting safaris with outstanding personal service before, during, and after your hunt. You will not have problems getting in touch us when and we’ll be available to you through the entire process to provide assistance with anything you need related to the hunt.
• We strive to provide high quality, all-inclusive African hunting safaris with no hidden costs. We specialize in providing classic safari hunting adventures and do not offer cull hunts or hunts for non-trophy animals. Not every hunting outfitter prices their hunts in this manner. There are lots of “cheap” or “discount” African safari hunting packages out there advertising cut rate hunting prices and hunters who book those sort of trips often get what they pay for.
• This is a veteran owned and operated business and we plan all of our safari hunts with military precision and attention to detail.

For more useful information on our Africa hunting packages, read our Africa FAQ .

Advantages of Booking An Africa Hunting Safari Package

The biggest advantage of booking a hunting package with us is that our packages are priced at a slight discount. We also build our Africa hunting packages for the ideal length of time to hunt the animals included. This is especially helpful for hunters on their first trip to Africa. Finally, as previously mentioned, our Africa hunting packages include all the costs associated with the actual hunt. The price advertised here is the price that you will pay at the end of your hunt.

Can I Take Additional Animals If I Book An African Hunting Safari Package?

Absolutely! During the course of a hunt you will normally encounter hundreds of animals each day. It’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll run into a couple different species that you were not planning on hunting (and maybe didn’t even know existed prior to your safari) while you’re in Africa. We pride ourselves in flexibility and if you decide that you’re interested in taking an additional animal or two, just let your PH know and he’ll do his best to get you a shot at what you’re after. Additional animals are priced at our normal trophy fees .

What Happens If I Don’t Take An Animal Included In A Package?

We historically have success rates over 90% on most species of plains game. However, since we do practice fair chase hunting for wild animals, nothing is guaranteed and hunters do occasionally fail to take an animal they were after. So, if you do not take one of the animals included in your package, you will not be charged the trophy fee (at time of booking) for that animal. That being said, while we will make every effort to recover all animals wounded during our hunts, any animal wounded and not found will be charged full price.

What Is A Typical Day Like On An African Safari Hunting Trip?

A normal hunting day normally begins early in the morning when the hunters wake up and eat breakfast, which consists of coffee, rusks (a hard, dry biscuit), cereal, and juice. Generally, the hunters, the PH, and the trackers leave camp around sunrise in a 4×4 hunting vehicle carrying a cooler full of drinks and snacks. Depending on the desires and physical abilities of the hunter, we may hunt on foot via tracking or walk and stalk, set up on a good vantage point and glass for animals, or hunt from a blind.

Depending on how things go, the hunters may eat lunch in the bush during a break from the hunt, or they may return to the main camp to eat. The hunt then continues until dusk, when the hunters return to camp for dinner and to prepare for the adventures of the next day!

The video below does a great job of showing what the area looks like and how we conduct our hunts.

What Is The Food Like On An African Hunting Safari?

Regardless of whether you’re visiting from the USA, Canada, Europe, or Asia, excellent food is really a point of emphasis for us on our South Africa hunting safaris and we take great pride in serving delicious meals prepared from the game taken on the hunt. All meals are prepared on site by our professionally trained chef and consist of a combination of authentic South African cuisine and wild game.

Meals feature lots of meat, vegetables, and fruit and are accompanied by fine South African wines specifically chosen to compliment the meal. After a hard day of hunting, you’ll get a chance to relax and unwind with a sundowner and snacks around the fire pit before dinner while you rehash the day’s experiences and talk about tomorrow’s plans.

What Are The Accommodations Like On An Africa Hunting Safari?

Our hunters all stay in individual chalets wired with 220v electricity. Each chalet is kept in pristine condition and furnished with a bed, sink, toilet, and a shower. Our camp also features a fully stocked bar and an outdoor fire pit so you can sit around the campfire and swap stories each evening. The camp staff will also do your laundry as necessary over the course of the hunt.

To learn more details and to see photographs of the accommodations you’ll stay in if you book one of our safari hunting packages, visit  our accommodations page .

Can I Bring A Friend/Family Member Along Who Doesn’t Want To Hunt?

Sure! Our facilities in South Africa are all very comfortable and non-hunting guests are welcome in camp. A large number of our hunters bring along friends and/or family members who are not interested in hunting, but still want to enjoy seeing what Africa is like. For this reason, non-hunting guests are welcome to accompany the hunters on safari each day and we are happy to arrange a game drive, photographic safari, other wildlife viewing opportunity for them.

We can also organize other activities like hot air balloon rides, wildlife viewing, photo safaris, trips to Kruger National Park (which is a great opportunity to see other wildlife like lion and rhino), or visits to nearby tourist attractions. Contact us for pricing on these additional activities.

South Africa Hunting Itinerary

Day 1:  Your Professional Hunter will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in the arrivals hall immediately after you clear passport control and customs. If you brought your own rifle, we will have a pre-approved rifle import permit ready and he will help you retrieve it from the police office in the airport.

You’ll then head straight to camp. Depending on what time you arrive, we’ll stop for breakfast/lunch/dinner or snacks as necessary during the drive. Time permitting, we’ll make a quick stop at the range to check your rifle and potentially hunt that afternoon/evening.

Day 2 Through 2nd T0 Last Day: These days are completely dedicated to hunting. A normal day on one of our Africa hunting safaris normally begins early in the morning when the hunters wake up and eat breakfast, which consists of coffee, rusks (a hard, dry biscuit), cereal, and juice. Generally, the hunters and the PH leave camp around sunrise in a 4×4 vehicle carrying a cooler full of drinks and snacks.

Depending on how things go, hunters may eat lunch in the bush during a break from the hunt, or they may return to the main camp to eat. The hunt then continues until dusk, when the hunters return to the hunting lodge for dinner and to prepare for the next day!

Last Day:  At the end of the hunt, you’ll eat breakfast in camp and then your PH will drive you back to Johannesburg. We can also take you souvenir shopping on the way to the airport and eat lunch in the city. Your PH will assist you in checking your bags and rifle (if you brought one). He will stay with you until you successfully make it through the security checkpoint.

Included in our South Africa Hunting Safari Packages: Trophy fees for specified animals Accommodation, food, and beverages for specified number of days Exclusive use of the hunting area Services of a licensed Professional Hunter Pre-Approved firearm import service or use of one of our rifles with a reasonable quantity of ammunition Meet & Greet at airport Transportation between Johannesburg International Airport and hunting areas Reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages Laundry service during the hunt Skinning and field preparation of trophies Delivery of trophies to a taxidermist and shipping company CITES Permit (if applicable) Baiting (if applicable)

Not Included in our South Africa Hunting Safari Packages: Gratuities for staff members Taxidermy fees Shipment of trophies Airline tickets Personal, travel, and trophy insurance International calls from cell phones or landlines

All our African safri hunting packages are in US dollars and can be upgraded with additional hunting days and additional game animals at the normal daily rates and trophy fees  as listed on our price list.

For hunters that do not wish to bring their own rifles, we have scoped rifles chambered in .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 H&H, and .375 Ruger available for our clients to use during their African hunting safari. We provide use of the rifle and ammunition suitable for hunting plains game or Cape Buffalo as appropriate at no extra charge.

Note: we are not set up for bow hunting safaris.

REFERENCES AND TESTIMONIALS

Just send us an email and we’ll send you a list of references you can contact. You can also check out some reviews and testimonials our previous hunters have posted online.

Matt A. testimonial  on AfricaHunting.com

Lou T. testimonial  AfricaHunting.com

Mike S. testimonial  on the 24 Hour Campfire

We donated a hunt to the Send-A-Vet Foundation and hosted a Mike Stilson, who was wounded in Iraq during September 2007, on a plains game hunt in 2017. There’s a great article about Big Game Hunting Adventures and how we helped sponsor Mike’s hunt on Wide Open Spaces that’s well worth your time to check out.

To learn more about booking an incredible African hunting adventure, simply  click the “Get More Information” button below . You’ll be taken to a contact form on the next page where you can enquire about availability for particular dates and ask any questions you may have about our South Africa hunting safaris.

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ARIZONA | NEW MEXICO | UTAH | NEVADA | WYOMING | SONORA, MX

Big game hunts, we are the largest full-time guide service in north america., big game hunts.

With more than 1,500 happy customers ready to provide a reference, DIAMOND OUTFITTERS, has grown to become the largest full-time guide service in North America.

We have hunting packages for every budget. Fully guided hunts will include guide, lodging, meals, private property access fees, field transportation, ranch trespass fees, USFS or BLM permits, skinning, quartering and caping of your trophy. Semi-guided hunts do not include camp or meals.

Choose a species below to learn more about a particular hunt package.

(background photo by George Andrejko – AZGFD)

Mountain lion, big horn sheep, turkey, javelina & predators, veteran owned and operated.

Dan Adler, Owner/Guide -Veteran USAF Officer and Command Pilot for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Safari Club International - Arizona Chapter Hunter of the Year Many of our Guides are Veterans and First Responders.

The Bushmen Safaris reserve has been exclusively archery only since 1986. We are owned, operated, and set up for the bow hunter. Great genetics and low hunting pressure have resulted in a high number of record-breaking hunts at Bushmen Safaris!

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10 Hunting Trips Every Hunter Should Book This Spring

Pursuing new quarry in unfamiliar places – like alligators in Texas – can help you develop your skills as a hunter.

Getting out of your comfort zone is important for improving your skills as a hunter, and the best way to push yourself is a destination hunt. You’ll have the opportunity to pursue species you’ve never considered before, and in an unfamiliar environment.

Below are some of the country’s most exciting hunting grounds. If you’re nervous about trying something new, book a trip with an experienced guide who can give you tips, help you track animals, and show you where to position yourself to successfully fill your tag.

1. Alligators in Texas

Those who are interested in hunting alligators might want to pay Texas a visit. In movies, it’s a land where you draw your gun and go to duel. In reality, however, it’s the land where alligators go free, and no one likes it when they start threatening our game – or us.

Alligator season varies from one region to another, so check with a local guide before booking your trip.

2. Boars in Tennessee

Wealthy sportsmen introduced the wild boar to Tennessee’s forests around the turn of the 20th century. It didn’t take long for the population to bloom, and they quickly became an invasive species.

Known for their aggressive temperament, boars can cause extensive damage to native crops and wildlife habitats. Boars are an exciting species to hunt, and several ranches provide this opportunity at a reasonable price. For under a thousand dollars, you can get a tag, lodging, guides, and dogs to assist you in tracking this exciting game.

Spring black bear hunts top many hunters’ bucket lists. In Idaho, black bear season starts in spring and lasts until the beginning of the summer.

3. Black Bears in Idaho

If you like bear hunts, then you might want to put Idaho on your list, too. Spring marks the start of black bear hunting , and it lasts all the way to the beginning of summer.

Bear in mind that these dates are controlled and may differ from one hunting area to another. The purpose is to avoid overpopulation, which is why most of Idaho’s game hunts require special permits.

4. Black-Tailed Deer in Hawaii

Who said that Hawaii should only be visited for beaches and the Mojito? If you’re a hunter itching to pursue big spring game, you may want to pack your bags and head to Hawaii – particularly the island of Kauai. The population of black-tailed deer is very high, which permits year-round hunting. However, since some regions of this island have hunting limits, you need to know exact harvest regulations before pulling the trigger.

5. Turkeys in Kansas

When people think of great hunting locations, Kansas usually isn’t at the top of the list. But despite what many might think, the state isn’t all corn fields, and the southeastern corner has some amazing forests for hunting turkeys. Over the past several years, the bird’s population has increased dramatically, and the chances of bagging one are quite high. Knowledgeable outfitters can teach you how to call them in properly for a better chance of success.

6. Caribou in Alaska

With wide-open spaces and plenty of wildlife, Alaska is a hunter’s paradise. It’s the sort of place that many dream of but few can afford due to the high costs of transportation. However, if you have patience and the ability to use a call correctly, caribou hunting can be an incredibly rewarding pursuit. Some areas allow only fall hunting, but others permit year-round hunting.

Small game like fox, coyote and rabbit offer challenging, entertaining hunts due to these animals’ agility and keen senses.

7. Foxes in North Carolina

If you like hunting small game, then fox hunting may be your cup of tea. Most areas in North Carolina allow year-round hunting, so if you believe your house needs some new fox fur, schedule a visit to North Carolina.

Keep in mind that each area may have different bag limits or rules; confirm with a local outfitter before hunting.

8. Coyotes in Maine

If you’re planning a visit to Maine, you may want to try coyote hunting. Not only do coyotes make great trophies, but they’re also agile enough to provide an entertaining pursuit. Plus, since their population is high, no one is really bothered by the “no limit” and “all-year-round” specifications.

9. Wild Rabbits in North Dakota

Considering how fast and agile wild rabbits are, catching one isn’t as easy as it seems. Even with dogs, it’s very difficult to hunt a rabbit – and manage to make it sit still long enough for you to catch it. Actually coming home with a couple of rabbits not only fills your table but also feeds your pride.

Mountain lions are elusive and dangerous. A professional guide can help increase your chances of hunting success, while also ensuring your safety.

10. Mountain Lions in Colorado

Colorado is packed with mountain lions, and April marks the start of the mountain lion season. This wild animal is very elusive and dangerous, which is why you should book with a professional guide.

Furthermore, hunting this animal involves certain taxes and other regulations. Talk to a local outfitter before the start of every hunting session.

Having a Successful Hunt

While these are some of the most exciting places to hunt, good hunting places can be found in almost every state.

Regulations vary significantly among states, so always conduct extensive research before you apply for a tag or book with an outfitter . Even if the guide says they’ll take care of everything, you should try to learn as much as possible. After all, the goal is to become a better hunter, not just to take a vacation.

Adam Metts is an outdoor, ranch and hunting guru. He’s the lead guide and liaison at the Lazy J Ranch . He’s an expert in conservation, and native and exotic hunting species

FEATURED OUTFITTER

918-819-8213

All Inclusive Packages at Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch

Our guarantee.

Our Hunt Guarantee

Although our success rates are extremely high for harvesting your trophy (nearly 100%), we can't guarantee that every hunter will harvest their trophy. If you don't shoot any game (harvest or wound), you will not pay a trophy fee. All you pay for is the lodging, meals, transportation around the ranch, and guides fees which are all included in the hunt package fee for each hunt. 

Trophy Elk Hunt Packages

Our 2023-24 trophy elk packages include five star lodging for 3 days and 4 nights . Your hunt package includes delicious meals, snacks, with wine or beer after the hunt. Additional days/nights can be added if desired ($650ea).   The fully guided hunt includes recovery, field dressing, skinning (to the skull), and quartering of your trophy. Also included in the package is the transportation of your animal to our local taxidermist or game meat processor. Skull caping at the ranch or with a local taxidermist will incur an additional fee of $150. 

HUNT PACKAGE FEES:  Non-refundable fee whether an animal is harvested or not. This fee covers your stay at the ranch, guides, and other expenses. Trophy fees are in addition to the Package cost, but if you do not draw blood there will be no trophy fee. Wounded animals will be charged the same trophy fee as a kill.

• Individual Package:    $2500 plus the trophy fee, non-hunting spouse is free
• Group Package (5 or more hunters):    $2200 per hunter plus the trophy fees.

Non-Hunter Additional Guest: $500/night

Trophy Elk Fees:

• Under 320" gross B&C score - $7,000
• Elk 320" to under 350" gross B&C score - $9,500
• Elk 350" to under 375" gross B&C score - $11,500
• Elk 375" to under 400" gross B&C score - $14,500
• Elk 400" and up gross B&C score - $15,000 plus $100 for each inch above 400"

* In the case of irretrievable wounded animals, full price must be paid based on the gross B & C score. We do our best to recover any shot game, but can not guarantee the recovery of all wounded game.

One wild hog is available for a processing fee of $300.

Groups of two or more can add a quail, chukar, or pheasant wingshoot for an additional $600 per hunter (Includes 10 pheasant, or 12 chukar, or 15 quail per hunter, guide, and cleaning/packaging of birds).

Your guides, lodge chief and cleaner, and game processors will work hard for you and work for tips. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group. The gratuity is customarily between 15% to 20% of the total hunt. Please use a separate check or cash. 

BOOKING A HUNT

*Once dates are scheduled, $2000 deposit is required to preserve a date for all hunts. Deposits are non-refundable at 2 months prior to the hunt date. Make checks payable to:

Anchor Point Properties, LLC

2215 Indian Sky Lane

Newbury Park, CA 91320

The remaining balance of the hunt or recreation package is due upon arrival in cash, check, or credit card. Trophy fees or additional fees are due at the end of the hunt.

Book Your Hunt!

Trophy Whitetail Hunt Packages

Our 2023-24 trophy whitetail packages includes five star lodging for 3 days and 4 nights. Your hunt package includes delicious meals, snacks, with wine or beer after the hunt. Additional days can be added if desired ($650 ea). The hunt includes field dressing, skinning (to the skull), and quartering of your trophy. Also included in the package is the transportation of your animal to our local taxidermist/game processor. Skull caping at the ranch or with the local taxidermist will incur an additional $150 fee.

Hunt Package Fees:  

Non-refundable fee whether an animal is harvested or not. This fee covers your stay at the ranch, guides, and other expenses. Trophy fees are in addition to the Package cost, but if you do not draw blood there will be no trophy fee. Wounded animals will be charged the same trophy fee as a kill.

• Individual Package:    $2500 plus a trophy fee, non-hunting spouse is free. 
• Non-Hunter Additional Guests: $500/night

Trophy Whitetail Fees:

• Doe - $800 
• Management Bucks 3+ year old, under 130", and 8 points or less - $2500;  September and October Early Season Management - $2200
• Bucks 130" to under 150" gross B&C score - $6500
• Bucks 150" to under 175" gross B&C score - $8500
• Bucks 175" to under 200" gross B&C score - $10,500
• Bucks 200" and up gross B&C score - $12,500 plus $100 for each inch above 200"

* In the case of irretrievable wounded animals, full price must be paid based on the gross B & C score. We do our best to recover any shot game, but can not guarantee the recovery of all wounded game.

Semi-guided Management Day Hunts:  

• $750 per day ranch fee (does not include lodging or meals) plus the management trophy fee

Groups of two or more can add a quail, chukar, or pheasant wingshoot for an additional $600 per hunter (Includes 10 pheasant, or  12 chukar,  or  15 quail per hunter, guide, and cleaning/packaging of birds).

The remaining balance of the hunt or recreation package is due upon arrival in cash, check, or credit card. Trophy fees or any additional fees are due at the end of the hunt. 

Buffalo Hunting Packages

Hunt Mill Hollow Bison Hunts 2023-24. The hunts will include meals & lodging for 1 day and 1 night. Additional day/night(s) can be added for $650 per day/night.

Trophy Bull - $8000

Mature Bull - $6500

Management Meat Hunt - cow, heifer, or yearling bull - $3800/bison

*If blood is drawn (bull is wounded), there will be a trophy fee.

Groups of two or more can add a quail, chukar, or pheasant wingshoot for an additional $600 per gun (Includes 10 pheasant, or 12 chukar, or 15 quail per gun, guide, and cleaning/packaging of birds).

*Once dates are scheduled, $2000 deposit is require to preserve a date for all hunts. Deposits are non-refundable at 2 months prior to the hunt date. Make checks payable to:

Wild Hog Hunt Packages (2023 update)

ALL PACKAGES ARE 2 NIGHT MINIMUM - Package fees include lodging; food, snacks, and drinks; transportation around the ranch; recovery, gutting/skinning, quartering your hogs "Ranch Processing" ; storage of your meat in a walk-in cooler prior to your trip home. 

2 HOGS/hunter are included in all packages. Additional hogs will a have fee of $300  each

1)  Individual Package:   2-night minimum lodging - $1600 includes meals and game processing for up to 2 hogs.

    Additional nights - $650/day-night

    Non-hunting spouse or child sharing hunter's room - $75/night

2) Group (5 or more hunters) Package:   2-night minimum lodging - $1400/guest, includes transportation around the ranch, meals, and game processing for up to 2 hogs/guest

Additional nights - $650/guest/night

Non-hunting spouse or family sharing the hunter's room  -  $75/night

Non-Hunter Guest:   Additional Non-hunter Room - $500/room/night

Individual Single Day-Only Ranch Passes:    $800 per day, No trophy fees, includes transportation around the ranch, lunch, and "Ranch Processing" for 1 hog; Ranch processing fee for additional hog(s) - $300 each.

Wild hogs can be harvested in addition to any Whitetail Deer, Axis Deer, Elk, or Bison Trophy hunts or recreational package 

Your guides, lodge staff, and game processors will work hard for you and work for tips. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group (preferred). The gratuity is customarily between 15% to 20% of the total hunt cost. Please use a separate check or cash.

*Once dates are scheduled, a $1000 deposit for individual hunters ($3000 total for group hunts) is required to preserve a date for all hunts. Deposits are non-refundable at 2 months prior to the hunt date. Make checks payable to:

The remaining balance of the hunt or recreation package is due upon arrival in cash, check, or credit card. 

Axis Deer Hunts

Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch has been building a trophy Axis Deer herd for the last few years. Our 2023-24  Trophy Axis Deer package (beginning and ending in April) includes your stay at a five-star lodging for 3 days and 4 nights .   Your stay will include delicious meals, drinks, and snacks.

HUNT PACKAGE FEES:     The hunt package fee is charged whether an animal is harvested or not. This fee covers your stay at the ranch, guides, and other expenses.  Trophy fees are in addition to the package cost, but if you do not draw blood, there will be no trophy fee. Wounded animals will be charged the same trophy fee as a kill.  The fully guided hunt includes recovery, field dressing, skinning (to the skull), and quartering of your trophy. Also included in the package is the transportation of your animal to our local taxidermist or game meat processor. Skull caping at the ranch or with a local taxidermist will incur an additional fee. 

Individual Hunt Package Fee:   (2023-24) $2500 plus a trophy fee, non-hunting spouse is free

Group Package (5 or more hunters): (2023-24)  $2200 per hunter plus the trophy fees.

Additional days/nights can be added if desired ($650 each).

Individual Day-Only Ranch Passes:    $800/day/person, includes guide, transportation around the ranch, lunch, and "Ranch Processing.

AXIS DEER TROPHY FEES:

• Buck in hard antler and less than 30" - $4200
• Buck in velvet (any smaller size) or hard horned 30" to under 32"- $4800
• Buck in velvet or hard horned 32" and under 34" - $5400
• Buck in velvet or hard horn 34" and over - $5500 plus $500 per inch 
• Axis doe - $1200

* In the case of irretrievable wounded animals, the full trophy fee must be paid. We do our best to recover any shot game, but cannot guarantee the recovery of all wounded game.

The remaining balance of the hunt or recreation package is due upon arrival in cash, check, or credit card. Trophy fees or additional fees are due at the end of the hunt. 

Fallow Deer Hunts

Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch has been building a trophy Fallow deer herd for the last few years. Our 2023-24 Trophy Fallow Deer package (beginning and ending in April) includes your stay at a five-star lodging for 3 days and 4 nights .   Your stay will also include delicious meals, drinks, and snacks. 

HUNT PACKAGE FEES:     The hunt package fee is charged whether an animal is harvested or not. This fee covers your stay at the ranch, guides, and other expenses.   Trophy fees  are in addition to the package cost, but if you do not draw blood, there will be no trophy fee. Wounded animals will be charged the same trophy fee as a kill.  The fully guided hunt includes recovery, field dressing, skinning (to the skull), and quartering of your trophy. Also included in the package is the transportation of your animal to our local taxidermist or game meat processor. Skull caping at the ranch or with a local taxidermist will incur an additional fee. 

Individual Hunt Package Fee:   (2023-24) $2500 each plus a trophy fee, non-hunting spouse is free

Additional days/nights can be added if desired ($650/hunter).

Individual Day-Only Ranch Passes:    $800/day/person, includes transportation around the ranch, lunch, and "Ranch Processing.

FALLOW DEER TROPHY FEES:

• Fallow Buck - $4800
• Fallow Doe - $1600

Groups of two or more can add a quail, chukar, or pheasant wingshoot for an additional $600 per hunter (Includes 10 pheasant, or 12 chukar,  or 15 quail per hunter, guide, and cleaning/packaging of birds).

Your guides, lodge chief and cleaner, and game processors will work hard for you and work for tips. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group. The gratuity is customarily between 15% to 20% of the total hunt. Please use a separate check or cash.

Aoudad Hunts

Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch has been building a trophy Aoudad herd.  We are finally ready to begin our Aoudad hunts in May 2021. 

HUNT PACKAGE FEES: Our 2023-24 Aoudad package (pricing beginning and ending in April) for a 3 day/4 night hunt is $2500.  This fee covers your stay at the ranch at our five-star lodge, guides, and other expenses. Your stay will include delicious meals, snacks, with wine or beer after the hunt. The hunt package fee is incurred whether an animal is harvested or not. Trophy fees are in addition to the package cost, but if you do not draw blood there will be no trophy fee. Wounded animals will be charged the same trophy fee as a kill.  The fully guided hunt includes recovery, field dressing, skinning (to the skull), and quartering of your trophy. Also included in the package is the transportation of your animal to our local taxidermist or game meat processor. Skull caping at the ranch or with a local taxidermist will incur an additional fee. 

Additional days/nights: can be added if desired - $650/night/hunter.

Aoudad Trophy Fees:

Rams less than 30" - $4400

Rams 30" to under 32" - $4800

Rams over 32" - $5200

Groups of two or more can add a quail, chukar, or pheasant fall/winter wing-shoot for an additional $600 per hunter (Includes 10 pheasant, or 12 chukar,  or 15 quail per hunter, guide, and cleaning/packaging of birds).

The remaining balance of the hunt or recreation package is due upon arrival in cash, check, or credit card. Trophy fees or other additional fees are due at the end of the hunt. 

Luxury Quail Hunting Packages

Field Hunt (15 quail per person, includes lunch) - $600 per person

Full Day Field Hunt with overnight stay (30 quail per person with breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - $1550 per person

Additional Quail - $20/bird

Additional Pheasant - $30/bird

Additional Chukar - $25/bird

Additional Nights lodging - $650/night

Dog Handler/dog: Half day - $100;  Full day - $150 per day

Non-Hunter Additional Room: $500/room/night

Non-hunting spouse in the same room:   Free!

Your guides, lodge chief and cleaner, and game processors will work hard for you and work for tips. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group. The total gratuity is customarily between 15% to 20%. Please use a separate check or cash.

*Once dates are scheduled, $600/gun deposit is require to reserve a date for all hunts. Deposits are non-refundable at 2 months prior to the hunt. Make checks payable to:

Guided Pheasant Hunting Packages

Pheasant Half Day Hun t (10 birds/person) - $600 per person

Pheasant Full Day Hunt with overnight stay (Includes 20 birds, breakfast, lunch, and dinner) -  $1550 per person

Additional Pheasant - 1-10 birds - $30/bird

Additional Chukar - 1-10 birds - $25/bird

Additional Quail - 1-10 birds - $20/bird

Additional Night Lodging - $650 per person

Dog Handler/dog:  Half day- $100;   Full day - $150

Non Hunter Additional Room: $500/room/night

Non hunting spouse in the same room:   Free!

Your guides, lodge chief and cleaner, and game processors will work hard for you and work for tips. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group. The total gratuity is customarily between 15% to 20%.

*Once dates are scheduled, $500/gun deposit is require to preserve a date for all hunts. Make checks payable to:

Guided Chukar Hunting Packages

One Half Day Field Hunt (12 birds per person) - $600 per person

Full Day Field Hunt (24 birds per person, includes lunch) - $900 per person

Full Day Field Hunt with overnight stay (20 birds per person with breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - $1550 per person

Dog Handler/dog: Half day - $100   Full day - $150/day

**Not Included In The Packages**

Transportation to or from the ranch: The ranch is located just southeast of Stilwell, Oklahoma. If you need to get picked up at a local commercial airport (Fayetteville, AR  -1.5hrs; Fort Smith, AR - 1hr; or Tulsa, OK - 2hrs), there will be an additional charge of $500 round trip (maximum of 3 passengers).

Oklahoma Hunting Licenses:                                                                                                                                              During the Oklahoma deer hunting season, you are required to purchase an Oklahoma Resident Annual Hunting License, a Nonresident Fiscal-Year License, or a Nonresident 5-Day Hunting License. If you are hog hunting outside of the state deer hunting season, you are not required to purchase an Oklahoma Hunting License. www.oklahomawildlifedepartment/licensing 

Your guides, lodge chief and cleaner, and game processors will work hard for you. If you feel they have done a good job, please tip them individually or as a group. The total gratuity is customarily between 10% to 20%. 

Alcoholic beverages: BYOB except for trophy elk, deer, and bison hunts

Taxidermy: There are several local taxidermists that can do beautiful whitetail deer, elk, and wild boar mounts, or you can bring your trophy home to your own taxidermist. 

Additional meat processing: Arrangements can also be made with a local meat processor for complete processing, packaging, and shipping of meat. 

Maps: If you are going to go off into the woods, it is a good idea to go on-line to  OnX Maps . You can download Oklahoma or the ranch area to save for offline mapping. Your GPS on any smartphone will work offline with an OnX map. Cell reception is best with Verizon.

Booking at Hunt Mill Hollow Ranch

*Once dates are scheduled, deposit is required to preserve a date for all hunts and events. Deposits required are listed with each package. Make checks payable to:

Book at HMH Ranch!

• Tools for Trophy Hunting

Hunting Trips

Hunting calendar.

At Bar 5 Ranches, we hunt year round. Our hunting season breaks down as follows:

ELK: September 10 – November 17

DEER: October 29 – November 4

TURKEY: April 14 – May 2

BEAR: September 1 – November 30 (with Elk or Deer tag only)

MOUNTAIN LION: year round (as quota permits)

See Rates & Packages for Hunting Trip Details »

Bar 5 Ranches

Elk hunting.

The elk hunting experience at Bar 5 Ranch is one of the most exclusive in the country. Our fair-chance hunting season runs from early September through October. Our guides will ensure that your experience is an unforgettable one throughout your hunting career.

The most sought after trophy in North America is the elk, a majestic and resilient animal. Wapiti is another name for the elk, a Shawnee Indian name which never gained popularity.

Elk made a remarkable comeback from near total extinction, and Yellowstone Park enacted by congress saved the elk, reduced to a mere 400 in 1881, Yellowstone became the breeding grounds and as recovery began so did the shipping to other states to repopulate.

A trophy elk hunt at Bar 5 Ranch is a memorable experience, to say the least, during the September and October ruts bulls bugling echoes throughout the forest and ridge tops, a message of challenge and assertion as they seek out the cows, the rest of the year they don’t utter a sound. During the rut a bull elk is in his prime antlers polished sharp and fully grown, neck swollen from being engorged with blood and remain swollen for about two months.

The most polygamous of the deer family is the elk, it is not unusual to see a bull with twenty to thirty cows. Elk have thirty-four teeth, twelve molars, twelve pre-molars, eight incisors and two ivory-like canines which were highly prized by the Indians and used in making jewelry. Thousands of elk were killed mainly for those canines until this practice was outlawed.

Elk meat is palatable, dark and similar to beef in taste, hundreds of tons reach the dinner tables of sportsmen every year.

Read a TESTIMONIAL by Wayne Carlton >

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In the spring, Bar 5 Ranch will guide you through a prestigious hunt of wild turkeys. These magnificent birds are plentiful on our land and these hunts are beyond enjoyable.

A camera is a must (PG-13)

FYI: Turkeys roost in trees at the last ray of light and nest on the ground in dense cover. Eight to fifteen eggs are average, buff spotted with grey.

MOUNTAIN LION

New Mexico is one of the best states for hunting mountain lions and Bar 5 Ranch is known for being home to many trophy cougars. These intelligent, swift, and illusive cats are tough to hunt and require a knowledgeable hunting guide who will accompany you on your trip.

Predator, carnivore, scavenger, cannibalistic are among many of the adjectives with which you can describe the black bear, but he is a unique animal and asserted his presence in the wild. If it is edible the bear will eat it and sometimes if it’s not, bears menu is as large as a Chinese yellow pages and has a sweet tooth, honey sugar and sweets are among his favorites.

Black bears come in a variety of colors, the typical black with shiny black hair and a splash of white on the chest, brown, blond, cinnamon, smoky-blue and white. All but the latter have been spotted at the ranch. Food resources for the black bear at Bar 5 Ranch are abundant such as elk and deer especially the old and weak, they gorge themselves with sweet acorns from white oak as they ripen in mid-summer, wild berries, grass and so on.

Black bears are, by nature, loners and do not interact except during the mating months of June and July then retreat to their solitude. A female bear with cubs will avoid contact with other bears and will defend her cubs, sometimes till death, against any intruder regardless of size. A large male bear will, on occasion, confront a sow with cubs in an effort to kill the cubs and somtimes consume them then trail the female until she goes into heat again and mate with her. Cruel though it may seem to the human spectacle this practice has been going on for thousands of years and never had an impact on the species, it is also carried out by lions and leopards in the jungle.

It is true that the bear gorges itself with food before the long winter nap to build up enough fat reserves to sustain it during hibernation but it is also true that a bear, before hibernating, does not eat for several days and discharges everything in its digestive system then eats pine needles, leaves and hair off his chest. This material is non digestive and goes through the digestive system and forms a tube, also called plug in the anal passage. The plug is later discharged when the bear comes out in the spring. No excrement is ever found in the bear’s den. “Keep it clean” is the rule.

Bear hunts at the Ranch are limited and issued only as a combination hunt with elk.

All guests who join us are welcome to fish in our plentiful lakes located on property. Fly fishing is all catch and release, but if you choose to have our chef prepare your catches of the day, the limit is 1 trout per person, per day.

Fishing is catch and release with barbless hooks on lures and flies only. The trout at the Ranches are truly a delicacy, firm white meat thanks to clean, cold and unpolluted water. If you wish to try this gourmet treat you may keep one or two depending on the size and the chef will prepare it for you either in the kitchen at the Ranch house or at lakeside. We recommend it.

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Spring 2024 Issue of Backcountry Hunter - On Sale Now!

This issue of Backcountry Hunter is filled with the go-to gear and knowledge hunters need to head into the spring and fall hunting seasons.

Allie D'Andrea Overcomes the Florida Everglades for Venison

Follow Allie D'Andrea as she tackles the Everglades, facing gators, swamps, mosquitoes, and the white-tailed deer she's hunting.

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3 Spring Hunts to Plan Now

Fur, feathers and bristles provide all the action you need to sharpen your shooting skills..

Water in the flooded Georgia timber was rising rapidly when my buddy and I exchanged we-need-to-get-the-heck-out-of-here glances. We’d already made the ill-advised decision to wade through hip-deep water in a few places just to reach the enclosed blind, constantly on the lookout for snakes and gators.

It had been a difficult hog and turkey hunt. He’d knocked down a gobbler early in the hunt, but I had nothing to show for hours of hunting. Obviously, I didn’t want to go home empty-handed, but there we were, facing the reality of a pork-less hunt.

As we climbed down the stand and pushed through the flooded timber toward our ATV, we encountered waist-deep water in several places. Just as we reached a non-submerged portion of the ATV trail, I spotted a boar hog milling around in ankle-deep water, his snout foraging through the water like a vacuum cleaner. I believe God put the hog there as a reward for our efforts. I rolled to one knee to stabilize my rifle, but the hog instantly fed behind a tree.

I sprang to my feet and hustled directly at the tree, then knelt as he fed out from behind it. At 40-some yards, it was a chip shot. I knew blood trailing would be futile given the amount of water and rainfall, so I settled the crosshairs on his cone. The Remington .22.-250 barked across the water through the flooded timber, and the hog crumpled in the water, cannon-ball ripples fleeing from his lifeless form. It was a thriller of an ending to an extremely difficult hunt.

Spring is King

I live in Wisconsin where winter and its cold temps extend into late March, April and occasionally early May. Naturally, nothing sounds more inviting than a hunting trip to locations where green grass and spring flowers grace the landscape during these months. Plus, long hours spent writing all winter invites a time of R&R.

Three species that come to mind are turkeys, wild hogs and black bears. Let’s look into some logistics and tips for chasing these species on your next spring road trip.

Wild Turkeys

I’ve traveled to hunt turkeys in Kansas, Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota. And while I can get my fill of turkeys in Wisconsin, there’s something reinvigorating about chasing birds in new places. Choosing a location depends on what you hope to accomplish.

When I hunt Florida, I combine beach time with my hunt. When I hunt the prairies and Great Plains, I hunt shed antlers during down time or once I’ve tagged out. I also look for new deer-hunting ground while hunting on public land. I combine other activities with a turkey trip because a 10-plus-hour drive is a long way to go for a turkey.

Timing is key for the public-land hunter. Most places are best hunted on opening day before birds get educated, although I’ve had quick public-land hunts in May, too. Keep in mind that Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota have archery-only seasons that open before the general/shotgun seasons. This is a great time to hunt large flocks of uneducated birds.

On the prairies and plains, the best tips I can provide are to call loudly, use optics and be mobile. Last spring while hunting in South Dakota, I heard birds gobbling way off in the distance. I called with all the volume my box call could muster, and the birds answered. I scanned the rolling hills with my binos, and I spotted three dark dots. My rangefinder read 1,000 yards to the redheads. I continued calling, and they came on a string all the way to my decoys.

Florida is its own animal. Osceola turkeys are the most sought-after wild turkey subspecies among those looking to complete their Wild Turkey Grand Slams. And, Florida is a populous state. Public lands are mobbed with resident and nonresident pressure. Your best bets are to hire a guide or apply for Florida’s quota hunts or Special Opportunity Hunts.

Get-It-Done Tip: Turkeys are turkeys, regardless of location. Use cover and terrain to make moves on birds. From there, use your calls and decoys wisely and only when it makes sense.

Recommended

The South is overpopulated with feral hogs. Licenses are either inexpensive or not required (check regulations for the state you choose to hunt), and bag limits are either generous or nonexistent. These suckers reproduce faster than hunters can kill them, hence the light regulations and hefty bag limits. Some states even allow night hunting with lights.

I’ve killed hogs in Florida and Georgia. Private land is best. I witnessed lots of sign on public land in Florida, but hogs are heavily hunted and I didn’t see any. After scoring permission to hunt on private property, I killed one right away with my bow. If you have limited time to hunt, I highly suggest seeking permission on private land.

Networking is a great way to generate hog-hunting leads. Often, you can pay little or nothing, or you can trade a deer or turkey hunt in your home state for a hog hunt in the South.

Hogs roam a broad scope of habitat, but it seems they prefer wet, shaded or swampy habitat during the midday heat. In the evenings and mornings, they meander through oak hammocks or along field edges. You’ll likely encounter wallows where they roll in the mud, and you’ll also find tilled-up ground where they’ve been digging.

Get-It-Done Tip: Hogs are tough, and shot placement is everything. Extensively study anatomy charts online prior to hunting them, especially if you’re hunting with archery tackle.

I have friends who’ve killed spring black bears in Idaho and Montana. This hunt will be the most expensive on this list but still affordable for most.

Once bruins evacuate their winter dens, food is king. Black bears are often thought to be carnivores. However, they are omnivores and will eat grasses just as readily as a calf elk or fawn deer. Thus, south-facing avalanche chutes are great places to search for bears grazing on tender shoots. Once a bear of interest is spotted, the stalk is on. Keep the wind in your face as you move in for a shot.

Baiting is allowed in Idaho (study the regulations for specifics/restrictions), so a hunter with more than a week and some tasty bait can realistically orchestrate a successful hunt from a treestand over expired bakery.

Understand that grizzly and black bear habitat overlap in many parts of Idaho and Montana. Pack bear spray and a sidearm (know the regulations, here, too), and don’t walk into the timber until daylight.

Get-It-Done Tip: Being successful at spring bear hunting requires more forethought than turkeys or hogs. These are reclusive big game animals, so it’ll be a challenging hunt in tough terrain. You’ll need to be in great shape, have extensive maps denoting National Forest access and be prepared for long days behind glass.

Spring Is Around the Corner

Spring, without question, is an exciting time to be a hunter. Adventure is out there just waiting to be had. But, to have an enjoyable experience, the planning must begin now or already be in the works.

Also, if you’re on a budget, look for ways to cut costs. For example, can you camp rather than pay motel fees? Better yet, can you stay with a friend or family member who lives in the area? Rough it by eating sandwiches rather than dining out each evening. Process your own meat. For the turkey hunt, drive a gas miser rather than your pickup truck. Creativity goes great lengths toward saving money.

Choose a species and location from the list above, and start working out the details right now. Then, embark on a thriller spring adventure you’ll never forget.

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Part 3: Bears of the North – Grand Finale

With two tags punched and only one hunter remaining, the pressure is on Rafe Nielsen of Browning to follow up on Joe Ferronato and Shawn Skipper's success. Intent on using every minute of hunting light that Alaska's long days have to offer, Nielsen attempts to close out the trip on a high note. Will he be able to follow in Ferronato's footsteps and tag out a great Alaskan grizzly bear, completing a feat thought nearly impossible?

Part 2: Bears of the North - Keep the Momentum Going

Heading into day two of the hunt, the group has high hopes for another success. Continue the Big North adventure with Joe Ferronato, Rafe Nielsen, and Shawn Skipper as they attempt the impressive feat of each notching a tag on an Alaskan grizzly bear. Explore the Browning and Leupold tools this trio utilizes during the hunt and discover if Ferronato can follow Skipper's early success in wild grizzly bear country.

Part 1: Bears of the North - The Journey

Travel along with Joe Ferronato to Alaska's remote Tundra to hunt grizzly bears with Leupold's Shawn Skipper and Browning's Rafe Nielsen. Experience the journey from Oregon to Alaska, the plane ride into the Tundra, setting up camp, and the first sightings of bears. The group's goal? To hunt three majestic grizzly bears all within a week. Will the group be able to accomplish this daunting task?

Stag Arms Pursuit AR Pro

Stag Arms continues to cater to the hunter crowd with purpose-built AR and bolt-action rifles. The new Pursuit AR Pro incorporations find leather into the cheek pieces, as well as a leather wrap on the handguard that not only looks great, but also protects the hand from the cold steel and helps deaden the sounds when resting the handguard on a blind or stand rail. It is available in .223 Wylde, as well as .350 Legend for the dedicated deer hunter in straight-wall-only states.

Aero Precision Solus Hunter

Known for premium-grade ARs and AR parts, Aero Precision recently entered the bolt-action rifle market with their Solus action. This year, they've upgraded the Solus Hunter model, shaving weight with a new split 20 MOA rail and fluted bolt body. The Solus action is mated to a premium, match-grade barrel that is a fluted, stainless sporter contour sheathed in carbon fiber. The whole package is then set into an adjustable AG Composite stock to create the ultimate big-game rifle for the western hunter.

Browning X-Bolt 2

The original X-Bolt rifle from Browning was introduced in 2008, and became an instant classic. For 2024, Browning is upgrading the design with new manufacturing methods and new features. The X-Bolt 2 Speed rifle is fitted with the company's new Vari-Tech stock, which is adjustable for both comb height and length of pull, plus features interchangeable pistol-grip modules for a true fit personalize to the hunter and shooter.

The Truth About Thermal Optics

Kevin Reese of Pulsar educates us on the difference between thermal optics, night vision and all the terms surrounding the growing popularity of hunting and shooting in no- and low-light conditions. Pulsar leads the category of thermal optics, and provides a wide-array of optical options for hunters.

Weatherby's All-New Model 307 Range XP

Digital Editor Dale Evans talks with Weatherby's Marketing Manager Tyler Grethen about the all-new Model 307. The Model 307 incorporates Weatherby's newest bolt-action rifle platform with a 2-Lug, fully cylindrical action that is compatible with a multitude of aftermarket accessories. This shooter-friendly platform will be at home on the shooting range or the most extreme hunts you can take it on.

Introducing the Savage 110 Trail Hunter

David is joined by R.J. Contorno of Savage Arms, who highlights the newest addition to the popular 110 line of bolt-action rifles. The Trail Hunter is fitted into an overmolded Hogue stock that sports classic lines and sure-grip feel throughout. Like all 110 actions, this Trail Hunter features Savage's proven Accutrigger, which just celebrated its 20-year anniversary.

Federal Terminal Ascent 7mm PRC

Controlled-expansion bullets offer great accuracy along with deadly down-range performance, and Federal's Terminal Ascent bullets are some of the best. The Terminal Ascent line now features the brand-new 7mm PRC which will prove to deliver devastating terminal performance on a variety of game across North America.

CZ Shadow 2: Competition Ready Right Out of the Box!

CZ's marketing director and I discuss the merits of CZ's top-of-the-line competition pistol, the Shadow 2. Building upon the iconic, full-size CZ 75 9mm pistol, the Shadow 2 is factory-fitted with all the bells and whistles that today's competitive shooters expect. Why pay more when the Shadow 2 offers-up speed, accuracy and dependability at a very attractive price point.

The Ultimate Truck and Trail Gun

Hunters and shooters looking for a single-gun solution for hunting, predator control and plinking should consider the Franchi Momentum All-Terrain Elite. With a short barrel, sporterized design and AR-style drop magazine, the All-Terrain Elite blends all the best attributes of scout and ranch rifles into one reliable platform.

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Montana Black Bear Hunts

Montana black bear are fair game in both the fall and spring! Color phase bears in shades of cinnamon, chocolate, and blonde are seen more frequently than jet black bears. In fact, the Swan Valley is home to some of the best black bear hunting in Montana. Our bear hunts often utilize horses, which makes us a very unique option for guided bear hunts in Montana. Montana bear hunting in our area is pure fair chase, no baiting or use of dogs, in fact we can’t even use scents.

In the fall, we can hunt black bear in combination with other species hunts. In the spring, we’ll focus on bears exclusively.

The Swan Valley is one of the few areas in Montana that remains open for black bear hunting until June 15th. In the spring these animals are very active. They consolidate in numbers on the valley floor taking advantage of the new growth to bulk up after hibernation. Using a combination of horses and hiking, we’ll hunt rockslides, search old logging roads and mountain meadows for scat and sit clear cuts. Hunters can elect to take some time to fish, taking advantage of our “Cast & Blast” offering where you can have an opportunity to shoot a black bear, catch a lake trout and a northern pike all on the same adventure.

CAST AND BLAST

You can upgrade any 5 day Bear Hunt to this 6-Day fishing and hunting combination trip which allows sportsmen to fish with a spinning rod for trophy size Northern Pike and Lake Trout and hunt black bears on public land fair chase. The Spring in Montana is a great time frame to chase Northern Pike right before they spawn resulting in blistering runs while soaking in the solitude of the Swan Valley. We can even glass bears from the boat and switch gears to hunting if we find a big boar we like. We fish out of a pontoon boat or specialized trolling boat maximizing comfort and success. We allow you to mix and match your hunting and fishing days giving you a nice change of scenery and a break from the physicality of hunting.

If you are looking for the ultimate fair chase black bear hunt in the beauty of the Swan Valley, this hunt is for you!

Current Trip Rates

2024 hunting season.

Group Discount Rates: 10% for groups of 4+

Family Discounts: Son/daughter Discount (swan location only): 50% discount for under age of 25 hunting with parent. Hunting Spouse Discount (swan location only): 25% off.

One-on-one guide: $1500 extra

3% Administrative Fee : All multi-day trip rates will have an additional 3% administrative fee added per reservation. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at (406) 387-4405.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: For all hunts, $1,000 per hunter is required to secure the reservation. A secondary deposit of $2,000 is required no later than March 1st the year of the hunt. Both deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. The remaining balance is due June 1st. If you do not get drawn we will refund a deposit, but will not for any other reason. There are no refunds due to weather or not harvesting an animal. Since all of our hunts are free chase, there is a chance you may not see an animal during your hunt. If the thought of going home without of an animal is not palatable to you, do not book a hunt! Credit Cards accepted for initial deposit with no fee, all other subsequent payments can be made with a check or cash or a credit card. If you choose to pay with a credit card a 3% convenience fee will be added. Above prices do not include tags/licenses that are paid directly to the state of Montana, or a Hunter Defense Fund fee of $50 collected of all outfitted clients of Outfitter members of the Montana Outfitter & Guides Association for the purposes of defending nonresident hunting rights in the state of Montana. All hunts are offered under Montana License #34041, Patrick M. Tabor Jr. 26356 Soup Creek Road, Swan Lake, MT 59911 (406)-387-4405.

2025 Hunting Season

Cancellation & Refund Policy: For all hunts, $1,000 per hunter is required to secure the reservation. A secondary deposit of $2,000 is required no later than March 1st the year of the hunt. Both deposits are non-refundable. The remaining balance is due June 1st. If you do not get drawn we will refund a deposit, but will not for any other reason. There are no refunds due to weather or not harvesting an animal. Since all of our hunts are free chase, there is a chance you may not see an animal during your hunt. If the thought of going home without of an animal is not palatable to you, do not book a hunt! Credit Cards accepted for initial deposit with no fee, all other subsequent payments can be made with a check or cash or a credit card. If you choose to pay with a credit card a 3% convenience fee will be added. Above prices do not include tags/licenses that are paid directly to the state of Montana, or a Hunter Defense Fund fee of $50 collected of all outfitted clients of Outfitter members of the Montana Outfitter & Guides Association for the purposes of defending nonresident hunting rights in the state of Montana. All hunts are offered under Montana License #34041, Patrick M. Tabor Jr. 26356 Soup Creek Road, Swan Lake, MT 59911 (406)-387-4405.

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The 11 Best Hunts of Summer

By Brad Fitzpatrick

Updated on Apr 20, 2021 3:26 AM EDT

6 minute read

A successful dove shoot with Federal's Hi-Bird. Brad Fitzpatrick

If you ever wondered why layout blinds are sometimes called coffin blinds, spend some time inside one under the midday August sun. I did just that in Utah last summer. The cool of the desert morning turned to intense heat by 10 a.m. as heat mirages rose off the distant wheat stubble.

Why would I willingly subject myself to such conditions? Because the only thing hotter than the inside of that coffin blind was the pigeon shooting. I was hunting with the pigeon master himself, Neal Hunt of Soar No More decoys, and when the birds are coming in as steadily and as quickly as they were that day to Neal’s decoy spread, there’s very little time to worry about the heat, (or if your deodorant has given out). We shot volley after volley at decoying pigeons until our gun barrels were red hot. It is the closest thing America has to high-volume wingshooting, and summer is prime time to hunt these birds .

If you’re a passionate hunter, life’s too short to spend three months of every year sitting in front of an air conditioner and dreaming of fall. Don’t let the dog days of summer get you down. Here are 11 great hot-weather hunts for June, July and August.

Collared doves were first released in the Bahamas in 1974 and eventually found their way to the mainland United States. These birds have spread across the country, and since they are an invasive species most states have very liberal (or no) bag limits or closed seasons. And, just like their cousin the mourning dove, collared doves make excellent table fare. Concentrate your efforts around agricultural fields especially after harvest since collared doves regularly feed on waste grain. It’s critically important that dove hunters learn to distinguish collared from mourning doves, though. You can see where collared doves have spread here and learn how to identify them here .

Feral hogs were first introduced to the United States by Hernando De Soto and his conquistadors when they trekked overland through what is now Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Today there are an estimated 5 million wild hogs in the United States that cause over a billion dollars of damage to agricultural crops each year. In the southern U.S. hogs do the most damage to rice fields, so concentrate your efforts there from sunset to sunrise. FLIR’s new PTS-223 is a superb thermal sight option for your rifle that allows you to hunt pigs in total darkness.

During the summer months, coyotes take a toll on fawns so coyote hunting is a critical component of any whitetail deer management plan. Coyotes are particularly tuned-in to fawn bleats early in the summer as well as canine distress calls. The thick growth of summer means dogs will likely approach more closely than they would in late winter when there’s less vegetation so shotguns with tight chokes and heavy magnum loads are a great option this time of year.

You can chase spring bears through June in some parts of Idaho, and with so much public ground the Gem State is an ideal location for your late-spring bear hunt. Hound hunting is legal there, too, but be prepared to hike through some very steep country and, at the higher elevations, you’ll still encounter snow. Neighboring Washington’s black bear season opens on August 1 in some units, though hound hunting is not allowed.

The wide-open spaces of the American West are home to America’s fastest ungulate, the pronghorn. Wyoming is the pronghorn capital of the world, and the season opens in certain areas on August 15. Rifle hunters can employ spot-and-stalk tactics but bowhunters will likely need to concentrate their efforts around water sources or, if you’re so inclined, stalk animals behind a decoy. Despite what detractors tell you antelope venison is excellent when handled and prepared properly.

Like the aforementioned collared dove, wild pigeons are members of the Columbidae family and are delicious, especially birds from agricultural areas where they subsist on a steady diet of grains. Pigeons will come to decoys, so if you simply can’t wait for the early-fall goose season to tuck into a layout blind and bust some birds, pigeon hunting is a low-cost, widely-accessible alternative. In most states there are no season dates or bag limits on feral pigeons, and farmers are usually thrilled to have pigeon hunters on their property since the birds cause so much damage to machinery and barns.

A whitetail buck in velvet is the trophy of a lifetime for many hunters, and there are a few states that are open to hunters in late summer. South Carolina is the most popular destination for those looking for a buck in velvet, but Tennessee now offers a chance to hunt deer in late August as well. If you’ve already cleared out your freezer after last fall’s hunt, here’s a chance to procure more protein until the season opens in your home state.

Florida has a serious problem with introduced Burmese pythons and the state is asking hunters to come and help capture these massive reptiles. The dense, overgrown country around the Everglades is perfect habitat for these snakes which regularly reach lengths over 15-feet.

But, wrangling a python in tall grass is not an adventure for the faint of heart. If you’re successful, though, these snakes provide an awesome snake-skin trophy and even meat for the frying pan (though the biggest snakes can have high mercury levels, so chowing down on 50 pounds of python is not advised).

Many states like Missouri offers lengthy squirrel seasons and that means you can pursue these animals all summer long. Squirrel hunting is traditionally a sit-and-wait affair, but if you have a chance to follow a well-trained squirrel-hunting cur through the hardwoods, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Most hunters carry a .22 rifle or pistol for squirrels, but if you’re hunting around urban areas and want to keep noise to a minimum, modern air rifles are certainly up to the task. There are many classic squirrel recipes including my personal favorite—fried squirrel with biscuits and gravy.

When a murder of crows blackens the sky you’re in for some fast-paced shooting action. Crows are members of the Corvidae family (which also includes ravens, jays, and magpies) and respond very well to calls and decoys. They offer excellent off-season practice for waterfowl hunters and reducing their numbers helps mitigate the negative effects they have on populations of nesting birds like quail. Don’t underestimate these birds; crows are clever and wary and if they smell a rat they’ll turn tail and disappear before the first shot is fired. Hide your face, hunker down in available cover, and hold still as they approach. Believe it or not, you can eat crow, too (find the recipe here). And as always, make sure to check your local regs for crow hunting season dates.

Read Next: The 10 North American Hunts You Must Have on Your Bucket List

Some states like North Dakota offer an early Canada goose season that begins in mid-August. This is a great opportunity to get a jump on the year’s waterfowl season and, in productive areas, you’ll limit on geese quickly. Early-season birds aren’t as call-shy as they will be later in the year, but it takes some serious scouting to pattern these local birds. Early seasons usually offer higher bag limits than the regular season (North Dakota traditionally has a bag limit of 15) so a few successful days in the field will produce enough meat for a fall supply of delicious goose jerky.

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Spring Turkey Hunting in NY, VT, NH, MA & ME (Late April through Early June)

Eastern view outfitters llc is the #1 turkey hunting outfitter in the entire  northeast, the beast of the east since 2009, we offer unmatched spring turkey hunts in the 5 northeastern states– us super slam clients we are here to serve you, we are often  imitated  but never duplicated , spring turkey hunts are offered in new york, vermont, new hampshire, massachusetts & maine from late april through early june..

EVO LLC home base is located in Plattsburgh, New York , situated in the Champlain Valley, along Lake Champlain .

Hunts are conducted on leases with access to thousands of acres of private farmland and forested tracts. With Guide services and Turkey hunting Outfitters popping up all over in the last few years…. Please Do Your Research!! If you can find a Turkey Guide service within the Northeastern United States with higher success rates & one that harvests more birds… Captain Bryce Collins will give you a free hunt!! It doesn’t exist! 

The hunting grounds in NY are hugely agricultural with mixed forested areas between agricultural zones. The areas hunted in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine are largely forested tracts with smaller pastures, meadows and agriculture creating a mosaic of Eastern Wild Turkey habitat. These diverse habitats, plenty of land access and thorough scouting ensure our guests the best possible chances at getting their trophy bird!  We are strictly fair-chase, no feeders, or farm raised birds…  We offer the most exciting and action packed Spring Turkey hunting in Northeast United States with un-matched success rates! No other Guide Service in the Northeast Kills more Turkeys than we do! 

Our business is built on return clients and we hold our repeat clientele for good reason. Our clients come as guests and leave as friends. We have maintained from the beginning a “hard work pays off’” mentality.  We scout year round and scout daily during the season, making sure our guests are on birds each day of the hunt! And it shows!! We have nearly a 100% opportunity rate on all Turkey hunts and only take a high percentage of Mature Trophy Longbeards each year, leaving plenty of younger birds for the following Spring. We do not over book our season/properties and only offer a limited number of hunts each season. This population management and business strategy ensures our guests plenty of birds from the first day to the last day of the season! Scroll through our Facebook page…. We harvest birds from the first day to the last day of the season!! Statistically, our best scoring birds usually come middle to late in the season… Food for thought! So don’t worry about when your hunt is scheduled early or late in the season…. It does not matter, I promise! Come prepared, ready to hunt and realize we have the ground and the experience to be just as successful the entire Spring season. No mid-season drop off on kills is the true testament of any outfitter, their ground quality, their Guides and the Team’s work ethic!

Our hunting trips utilize Guides that are Licensed & Experienced professionals. They are glad to answer questions and provide informative details about calling and setup strategy to help you hone you skill set before, during & after the hunt. We only use the best Guides in the Northeast–Masters of their craft! Some are decorated competition Turkey callers and others are seasoned & professional Turkey Killers! As I have heard someone say before “I only run with killers!” This pretty much sums it up!

We have become the go-to Outfitter in the Northeast for many seasoned Turkey nuts like myself chasing the US Superslam . With a huge client reference list and a great knowledge of what it takes to be successful everyday, I promise you will get the best possible chances while hunting with us. Booking multiple states to hunt Wild Turkeys with us has become a common occurrence. No other Outfitter in the Northeast has the capability to put together a 5 state package and get it done nearly 100% of the time. 

Reserve you hunts well in advance. We only book a limited amount of hunts each season to ensure our guests have a quality experience! No matter if you are here for opening day or the last day of the season, rest assured you will have unpressured birds to hunt! We book up almost a year in advance and have very limited availability due to repeat customers so call soon  and plan in advance to reserve your hunt!

We hope you do your research and then we are certain you will choose EVO for your next Guided Spring Turkey hunting experience!

What’s NEW—Check out The Videos from the Eastern View Outfitters YouTube channel

Epic video alert.

The First video is a collection of hunts in New York in mid to late May with clients hunting with Owner/Guide Bryce Collins. It was turned into a Promotional Video that was filmed and edited by Tyler Breen.

Then check out the Second Video , a hunt filmed by Tyler Breen in late May which ended in a double–Harvesting both gobblers in the same hunt! Make sure to click on the little asterisk symbol to watch both clips in HD!! Select the icon in the lower right corner of the video after starting it to play and then highlight the highest resolution,  enjoy! “No Guide service in the Northeast has higher Success rates on Spring Turkeys–You can take that to the bank!” Sincerely, Capt Bryce Collins 

The Third Video is a great hunt in which the boys from Alabama & Mississippi double down in an apple orchard. Check out the beard on the bird bringing up the rear!!! They wanted to kill the 2 in front and Bryce elected to take the 2 doing the dance in the decoys at 12 yards!!

The Fourth Video is from a quick clip (I-phone footage) from a hunt with PA Wildlife Biologist Chris Miller, knocking off his 35th state in NY on his quest for the US Superslam featured below on our Youtube channel. Watch as Owner/Guide films over the shoulder as Biologist Chris Miller awaits the “kill him” call from Bryce. What a heart stopper as Chris puts it on him good! Chris Miller booked multi-state hunts after hunting in NY with us and was very satisfied in his experiences harvesting birds around the Northeast with EVO LLC. 

The Fifth Video is filmed by Cade Trickey who was a videographer and media guru at Divebomb Decoys. A hunt from May 2022 with Owner and NYS Guide #4457 Bryce Collins. Clients are in tight on a big group of birds early in May. Patience and maximizing quality opportunities is shown here as both clients take a simultaneously planned double. It takes a team to operate with this much consistency and we have the A-TEAM!!

“I have hunted Wild Turkey with over 20 different Outfitters all over the country, harvesting birds in over 30 different states. We have harvested 3 birds in about 4 hours of hunting time with Guide Bryce Collins and Eastern View Outfitters LLC. After killing this heavy, double bearded, 1.5 inch spurred stud today with another day left to hunt… We can say you have a phenomenal operation here.”

“My nephew and I are from Virginia, we had the pleasure of turkey hunting with Bryce Collins and Eastern View Outfitters for five days in New York and Vermont in this last week. These guys have the focus and passion you want when looking for someone to go hunting with. We hit it off immediately and had our groove on. The weather was less than ideal two of the five days we hunted, but we still got it done and did not give the birds an inch slack. We harvested 7 Birds in 5 days of hunting and had a very successful trip! I have hunted all over the country and these guys are a cut way above most you will ever have the pleasure of going into the woods with. If you are looking to book a trip to the North country don’t over look these guys. As we say in the south ” they’s good people”

“My son Kyle and I had the opportunity to go on a Fully guided youth turkey hunt with Bryce. Bryce donated the hunt to his local NWTF Lake Champlain chapter, which he volunteers for. With his combined knowledge of the area we hunted and his expertise in turkey hunting, within approximately 2 1/2 hours of setting up he had called in 5 hens and 3 Mature Tom’s. Kyle bagged a 20 lb Longbeard with a 9 1/4 inch beard that day. It was awesome to share that moment and to see the delight in Kyle’s face when he took his first bird. Thank you Bryce for a memory of a lifetime.”

“Fantastic Wild Turkey hunting! My friend and I hunt turkeys all over the country. For the last three days we have hunted with Eastern View Outfitters around Plattsburgh, NY. This has been one of the best if not the best hunts we have ever had. Everything is first rate. Our guide was fantastic. We both harvested our two gobbler NY limits, 4 birds between the two of us. Beautiful country, fantastic guides, and incredible turkey hunting. You will not be disappointed!”

“After punching our 4 tags and limiting out….Ben and I are already planning our next trip and are looking forward to hunting with Eastern View Outfitters again. I would trust them with your fishing and goose hunting as well. Bryce is very passionate about what he does and wants the best experience for you! Looking at the Eastern View Outfitters FB page in May is like scrolling through the obituaries of the local turkeys!”

Guided Turkey Hunting in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Maine 

2022 eastern view outfitters llc season harvest– 148 birds in 32 days #1 in the northeast.

Your hunt starts months before any of our Guests for the season have arrived Capt Bryce and the Guides are scouting and patterning birds on our hunting grounds. Hundreds of hours have been spent and thousands of miles in the trucks have been traveled to ensure one thing–Our Guest’s Success!  

Upon arrival our guests can expect Capt Bryce Collins to contact you and touch base the evening before each day to discuss transportation during the hunt and the location most convenient to meet the NYS licensed Hunting Guide. The hunt preparation will start in the pre-dawn hours…  where you will meet your guide for the 3 day hunt. We will sign liability waivers, releasing EVO LLC and all landowners from liabilty. We will settle balances on the first morning of the hunt and go over your strategy for the day. Our guides will accompany and lead you in the field before first light taking you to a pre-scouted area where a bird was roosted and located the evening before. Guides then will aid you by showing you where to sit, calling in the Wild Turkeys and coaching you within whispering distance to the harvest of your Trophy bird!

Hunts are always 1 on 1 or 2 on 1 ratio of hunter/s to Guide. We do not permit hunters to hunt on their own. All hunts are fully guided by an experienced, Licensed/Insured Guide. Our Guides are the some of the best in the Northeast–Masters of the craft! We highly encourage US Superslam guys to call us and call early! Captain Bryce has plenty of hardcore US Superslam references of hunters from the past years to provide upon requests. No doubt if you are in pursuit of the coveted US Superslam you are well connected and have already asked around… You are looking at this website for a reason. You’re in the right place my friends. We are typically booking a year in advance. Rest assured you will get the opportunities that you’re paying for! 

We will hunt on prime agricultural land as well as mixed hardwood forests teaming with wild turkeys. Our fully guided Spring turkey hunts conclude each day at noon or after you have filled your tags. We only offer fully Guided Turkey hunts–No Semi-Guided packages are offered.

We do not mix parties so either you will hunt one-on-one with your Guide or with the hunting partner you brought with you and your Guide. This ensures a safe, and well managed hunt. After the hunt we will field dress your bird/s and provide you with tips and instruction on processing your game on your own if you want or we will do everything for you if you decide. Guides will field dress your harvest into skinless quarters (two breasts & two leg quarters) which is included in the hunting package price. If you prefer to have it dressed skin on and whole like a store bought Turkey this is an extra charge that can be arranged for an additional fee of $50. Your meat in either case will then be vacuum sealed and frozen for your departure as well for no extra charge!

Each day is action packed and it is not uncommon to hunt multiple areas and setups each morning. We are serious about our Turkey hunting and we expect our guests to come ready to hunt–so come rested each morning and prepared the hunt and for the weather conditions! Prepared means having your Gun patterned, bringing proper clothing and being ready to hunt hard 3 mornings!  

You will have the whole afternoon to relax while the Guides are scouting, locating and roosting birds to hunt for the following morning. Many people ask if they can roost birds with the guides and we understand it is part of the hunt and that you want to be part of the entire hunt… but we have a system and do not allow guests to roost birds with us. This is the Guide’s time to stay in their groove, relax a little, call each other and converse, while getting some time away from the Guests. No offense but it is a long season, a lot of work and a lot of hours to “be on” all the time. So as a Guest, get your rest and fuel & hydrate your body for the following day so that you are at your best.

Your Guide will contact you after scouting each evening of the hunt to once again go over transportation details, where to meet, arrange your pickup from the lodging for the following morning or just to reiterate the statement, “meet/pickup will be at the same time and place.”

All hunters will ride with the Guide they are hunting with. This serves multiple purposes, one it is best for the environment from a carbon footprint standpoint and second, it prevents Guests from getting stuck on an access road etc. Over the years we have seen it all, and this is the way we operate. It also takes some of the stress off from the guests, so that you can sit back enjoy your hunt much more.

We truly work for our Guests harder than anyone and value our nearly 100% return Clientele list! Captain Bryce and his affiliate Guides are some of the most intense hard core Turkey hunting Guides in the Northeast–Rest assured they want you to punch tags more than you even want to punch them. This is why you are booking with EVO LLC! “Try Spring Turkey Hunt with us once and I promise you will not only leave as friends but as satisfied guests!” Sincerely, Capt Bryce Collins. 

After the Hunt

Many people choose to relax and rest up for the following days adventure by seeing some of the areas scenic destinations like Ausable Chasm. If you enjoy tasting local Craft Beers and Wines. Check out Ausable Brewing Co , Valcour Brewing Company , The Oval Brewery and Plattsburgh Brewing Co  located right in the same building as the Comfort Inn lodging. If Wine and Ciders are your thing– definitely check out Elf’s Farm Winery & Ciderhouse  and Vesco Ridge Vineyards  for a great Tasting experience. Recommended formal dining options are Anthony’s Restaurant & Bistro , Latitude 44 Bistro  and for more casual Dining check out Mickey’s Restaurant  and Our House Bistro . For those diehards who want to squeeze every bit of action they can into the day! Guests can take full advantage of our Blast and cast Package, the Waterfowl and Deer hunt Package and our Fishing and Bowfishing Combo Packages! While you relax and enjoy everything the Lake Champlain Region  has to offer. Our guides will be out in the afternoons until dusk scouting and roosting birds for the following days hunt. After harvesting your trophy New York Gobbler, your Guide will process your bird, vacuum seal the meat and freeze until your departure. If you decide to preserve your Trophy Wild Turkey–we have an exceptional Taxidermist who we can put you in touch with if you plan to have the work done locally.

If you’re extending your vacation, don’t miss out on the rest of the Adirondacks and Northern New York !

Lodging included on all New York Hunts

Plattsburgh, NY

We offer lodging & meals at 2 beautiful Lodging accomodations! Allowing our hunters to split up and utilize the nearly 28,000 acres of leased property we have to hunt Wild Turkeys on.

All Linens, towels and basic toiletries are supplied and turned over every 3 days. 

We sanitize and clean the entire lodge between groups to stay safe and healthy due to COVID-19

Both lodging boasts Do-It-Yourself fishing opportunities by walking shoreline access for bass, pike, and trout! Bring your fishing gear and fish in the afternoons! Or check out the Blast and Cast packages where we can add a 4 hour Lake Champlain fishing Charter at a discounted rate to your trip. Fishing in May is excellent!!

Lodging options on VT–NH–MA–ME hunts is not included in pricing.

We have guests book lodging at our recommended inn’s and hotels..

We will send you an itinerary and recommended lodging for all VT-NH-MA-ME hunts and the nearest township upon booking your reservations for the hunt. It is the Guest’s responsibility to secure the lodging of their choice near that township. Feel free to lodge any where you might fancy near that township. You are not required to use our recommended lodging.

• We will do everything we can to make our guests safe, successful, and happy!
• No farm raised birds! No feeders. All Turkey hunts are 100% Fair chase! This is the “real deal”
• We will not limit you to the constraints of a blind for the whole day just waiting on a turkey…
• Our hunts are action packed and we will hunt multiple setups on each day
• We will not limit you to one bird and then charge you for a “second bird fee” or a “Trophy fee”…  You paid for a hunt–if you have tags and time permitting… “The Hunt goes on!” Do the research… check references, compare photo galleries, look at our Eastern View Outfitters Facebook   page for the most current activity and complete photo gallery …See You All in the This Spring! Sincerely, USCG Capt Bryce Collins
• We encourage Novice hunters and Experts hunters alike–And hold both experience levels as repeat clientele
• We only offer a Fully Guided hunt…. No Semi-Guided hunts are permitted 

New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine & New Hampshire Guided Turkey Hunt Packages

Eastern--spring wild turkey hunts in ny-vt-ma-nh-me, blast and cast (new york hunts only), youth turkey hunts in new york & vermont, shotgun & ammunition rentals, fall turkey hunt & whitetail combo hunts in ny (october 1-october 14), new york rates are listed below and include 9 meals & 3 nights lodging:, 1 hunter x 1 guide package $2150/per hunter– 2 birds per hunter  (includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging), 2 hunters x 1 guide package $3900  ($1950/per hunter)– 2 birds per hunter  (includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging), 4 hunters x 2 guide package $7800– 2 birds per hunter  (includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging), with 4 hunters you will have the entire lodge to yourselves. .

All hunts are 3 Day (2 bird/hunter) Regular Season Hunts in NY, VT, NH, ME, MA offered May 1st -May 31st

• Includes 3 Day, (2 bird per hunter) Fully Guided Hunt on Private Land–We do not offer any Semi-Guided Spring Turkey hunting
• NY Hunt includes 3 nights lodging and 9 meals. (3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 3 Dinner)
• New for 2023 Meals & Lodging are included on all New York hunts.
• We will have a cook on site and serve a Continental style breakfast. Then a sit down lunch at 130PM and a sit down dinner at 630PM each day. 
• Sit down Meals will be First class food! Owner–Bryce Collins is a foodie and we will have Top Tier dining.
• All hunts conclude at 12 noon or when tags are filled.
• Check in is 4pm on the day before your hunts starts. Dinner will be served that evening at 630PM. Check Out time is 2-3PM on the last day of your hunt. Lunch will be served at 130Pm on the last day.
• Game removal and disposal, Bird cleaning (skinless quartered), Vacuum Packaged meat, Taxidermy Preparation & freezing (if desired)
• Transportation to and from our lodging while hunting is included from your Guide.
• Transportation to the boat launch will be your responsibility on our Blast & Cast packages. Your Guides will be scouting for your hunt. A separate Charter Captain will take you fishing to ensure QUALITY on both trips!
• Tips and techniques from our Master Guides on hunting strategy, decoy placement, calling strategy and game processing

Hunts in VT–NH–MA–ME Rates are listed below and do not include Meals Lodging:

Super slam hunter package $1350/per hunter–  1 birds per hunter  (no meals & lodging).

• All hunts include 3 Day, (2 bird per hunter) Fully Guided Hunt on Private Land–We do not offer any Semi-Guided Spring Turkey hunting
• Tips and techniques from our Master Guides on hunting strategy, decoy placement, calling strategy and game processin

1 Hunter x 1 Guide Package $2550– 2 birds per hunter+4 hour Lake Champlain Fishing charter 

(includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging), 2 hunters x 1 guide package $4350– 2 birds per hunter +4 hour lake champlain fishing charter,   (includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging), 4 hunters x 2 guide package $8300– 2 birds per hunter +4 hour lake champlain fishing charter,   (includes 9 meals & 3 nights lodging) with 4 hunters you will have the entire lodge to yourselves. .

*Saves you $$$$ booking as a Combo!

All Blast & Cast Packages are a 3 Day(2 bird/hunter) Regular Season Spring Turkey Hunt in NY with a 4 hour Lake Champlain Fishing Charter

• Meals & Lodging are included on all New York hunts.
• Transportation to the boat launch will be your responsibility. Your Guides will be scouting for your hunt. A separate Charter Captain will take you fishing to ensure QUALITY on both trips!

1 Youth Hunter and Parent X 1 Guide $850 per youth (2 day hunt)

• Includes Full Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) Fully Guided Hunt on Private Land (1 bird per youth NY & VT law)
• Bird cleaning (skinless quartered) Vacuum packaged meat, Game removal and disposal
• Taxidermy Preparation & freezing if desired
• Tips and techniques from our Guides on hunting strategy, decoy placement, calling strategy and game processing

Youth season is a great way to get kids into hunting and have them be successful… No compettion from adults hunters… And it precedes the regular turkey season–when hunting pressure has not yet come into play. We hold a 100% Opportunity rate on all youth hunts!!! You heard right! Lets keep it going!

You can also add an afternoon Fishing charter to this Youth hunt on the famous Lake Champlain. We have a World Class fishery here and we will have one of our Affiliate Charter Captains take you out fishing in the afternoon. Or if you are lucky enough to tag out on Day 1 we can have them do a morning fishing trip on Sunday. This needs to be scheduled well in advance and this is an added charge (Please see Charter rates)

Nothing makes a kid want to be in the outdoors more than an action packed successful first outing. Lets get them off the video games and hooked on the outdoors! You can’t put prices on memories that last a lifetime! 

The “youth hunter” is allowed to take one bird during the special youth weekend season in NY & VT state.

I require a parent/guardian over 21 years of age to accompany the youth on our hunt. The parental guardian must sign a waiver release for the child and one for themselves prior to hunting. The parent guardian does not need a hunting license and is not permitted to carry another gun.

The Youth Hunter needs a valid New York State or Vermont hunting license and Turkey tags to participate. Please take a look first at NYS DEC  and https://vtfishandwildlife.com website for rules/regulations to help you answer any questions you might have.

We only offer a 2 youth hunts in NY & VT each season. We have nearly 100% Success rates on 14 seasons of youth hunters!! Knock on wood…! This is because we do not over extend ourselves or mix groups. So book well in advance to get your youth hunt reserved. This is arguably the best weekend to hunt of the entire Spring Turkey hunting season!! We can provide lots of references… just call Capt Bryce Collins for information. 

$150 per gun for hunts

Rental Includes

• 12 gauge Top of the line Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 firearm that has been patterned and proven for harvesting turkeys
• Aftermarket Turkey choke designed for maximum longe range performance specifically for Turkey Hunting
• Turkey hunting ammunition specifically patterned for the gun and choke during the 3 day hunt
• Your Licensed Guide will give proper instruction on the firearms so that you are comfortable using it
• The firearm will be provided and retained after the hunt by your Guide each day

1 Hunter 2 day Fall Turkey Package $ 250 (1 bird either sex)

2 hunter 2 day fall turkey package $500 (1 bird per hunter either sex), 1 hunter 2 day fall turkey & archery whitetail deer package $500 (1 bird  & 1 deer either sex per hunter), 2 hunter 2 day fall turkey & archery whitetail deer package $1000 (1 bird  & 1 deer either sex per hunter).

• Semi-Guided hunts from fixed ground blinds & tree stands on Privately leased and managed farms
• We will advise you on how to hunt these properties but ultimately the choice is yours
• We only book 5 Fall Turkey hunts annually and have a very high success rate on these hunts so please call and reserve well in advance
• We have a meat cutting outfit very close with a quick turn around time to make sure you don’t have to ship your meat home this is an additional charge and you deal directly with the butcher 
• Lodging accommodations are an additional $90/night located at the Comfort Inn in Plattsburgh, NY

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Banya - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Hunting in Arizona

92 hunting trips from 14 outfitters starting from a 27,129

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Arizona on map, about hunting in arizona.

When you hunt in Arizona you will immerse yourself in stunning scenery, deserts, mesas, and rugged mountain ranges. Southern Arizona is primarily desert, while the northern part of the state is a mix of mountain ranges, pine forests, plateaus, and canyons. Arizona has excellent big-game hunting, with ten huntable species, including pronghorn antelope, black bears, bison, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelina, Merriam turkeys, Gould’s turkeys, mountain lions, mule deer, and Coues white-tailed deer. The world-record typical elk, which scored 442 5/8 B&C points, came from Arizona. Bird hunting is also outstanding in Arizona, which has three species of quail (Gambel’s, scaled, and Mearns’), mourning doves, white-winged doves, Eurasian collard doves, band-tailed pigeons, blue grouse, and a wide variety of ducks and geese. Most of Arizona’s big-game hunting licenses are allocated through a draw system. The number of permits available per species are determined and adjusted annually from the results of surveys and studies. To apply for a hunt permit, or tag, an application must be submitted during the drawing period, so planning ahead is important for hunting in Arizona. There are also a few hunting permits available over the counter in Arizona, including archery deer hunts in some units and mountain lions and bears in some areas. Learn more about Arizona’s hunting regulations and how to apply for a license at the Arizona Game & Fish Department website: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/ .

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National Hunting and Fishing Day 2023

On the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes the nation’s hunters and anglers. While not all Americans participate in hunting and fishing, they are important outdoor activities that connect people to wild animals and wild places. For many it is a lifestyle and gateway to the outdoors and a connection to nature. These pastimes often bring together family and friends and create lasting memories. Hunting and fishing are also a fantastic activity to get kids outside and interacting with the environment. Studies show that time spent in nature positively affect child and adult health and well-being. This can be through lowering stress levels, increasing exercise, and even through the healthy lean protein harvested while hunting or fishing. Many state fish and wildlife agencies provide cooking guides full of recipes hunters and anglers use to feed their families and communities:

• Cooking Texas Style - This Texas Parks and Wildlife series showcases how Texans have been serving wild game to their families for generations as the original low-carb, low-fat, all-natural food. From venison to dove, turkey, or quail, the videos and recipes show healthy choices the whole family can enjoy.
• Kentucky Afield - Through this series the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources invites viewers into the kitchen to learn how to prepare freshly harvested meals like striper chowder and deer camp chili.

Beyond the connection to nature and human health benefits, hunting and fishing also support conservation and land stewardship. When President Nixon signed the first ever Presidential proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day he highlighted this conservation commitment, writing: "I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations." While the inaugural National Hunting and Fishing Day took place in 1972, hunters and anglers have supported conservation for much longer through their commitment to sustainable practices and m anufacturers  excise taxes paid on sporting equipment.

Excise Tax from Hunting and Fishing Funds Conservation

Industry excise taxes have been crucial to American conservation since 1937, when pressure from conservation groups and the public helped pass the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, known as Pittman-Robertson, followed in 1950 by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, known as Dingell-Johnson. Managed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program , these funds provide more than $1 billion a year to support fish and wildlife. Across the country, state and territory fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of conservation using Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds as an indispensable part of their budget.

The excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment collected through the Wildlife Restoration Act have been one of America’s most effective tools for funding conservation. These excise tax funds are used by state fish and wildlife agencies to maintain public hunting access to tens of millions of acres, teach over 600,000 hunter education students annually, monitor and manage over 500 species of mammals and birds, and support nearly 800 firearm and archery target shooting ranges where the public can hone their skills. 

• Federal Excise Taxes Fund Massive Public Hunting Area Purchase - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish acquired the L-Bar Ranch in late 2022, through excise taxes paid by firearms, ammunition, and archery manufacturers. The new property expanded the existing Marquez Wildlife Management Area to 68,000 acres—106 square miles—of public land for hunters, birders, and nature enthusiasts.
• Supporting Outdoor Diversity and Access for Tuskegee University Students Through Hunter Education - Sergeant Bill Freeman and his colleagues at The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are working to ensure the state’s wildlife and wild places are for everyone. These efforts have utilized Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to support hunter education courses and mentored hunting trips for students at Tuskegee University and other colleges in the state. Hunting and other outdoor related activities allow the public to enjoy the state’s recourses and become an active member in the stewardship of these resources.
• Elk Restoration in the Eastern United States - After being absent a century or more, elk have been restored to the eastern United States. With sweat-equity investments of dedicated wildlife biologists and conservation groups, and the reliable and consistent conservation funding made possible by the Wildlife Restoration Act, state fish and wildlife agencies in eight states now manage robust herds of elk. Kentucky alone went from 1,500 to 10,000 elk in two decades. 

Since 1950, the excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel collected through the Sport Fish Restoration Act have been used by state and territory fish and wildlife agencies to ensure clean water, healthy fish, and public access to waterways. With this funding state agencies teach over 1.5 million students’ aquatic education annually, raise and release over 1 billion fish annually into waterways, and funded over 8900 public boating and fishing areas.

• Steelhead Restoration - For more than half a century, America’s fishing equipment manufacturers have shared a partnership with state and federal agencies through the Dingell-Johnson Act. Hear from the industry, state, and federal partners supporting steelhead restoration work through these excise tax funds.
• Casting A Fly Rod To Apache Trout Is A Testament To Perseverance - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to delist the Apache trout at an event with the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Trout Unlimited. The Apache trout stands to be the first sport fish species to be recovered and removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.
• Rio Grande cutthroat trout—a Model for Fisheries Conservation – Supported through Sport Fish Restoration dollars, biologists with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are working to conserve Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

Wildlife Management Through Hunting and Fishing

Hunting and fishing can be beneficial as wildlife management tools to maintain the health and abundance of wildlife species and the balance of our natural resources. Hunting and fishing can also be tools to decrease invasive species invasive species An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars. Learn more about invasive species and control wildlife diseases.  

• Funding Wildlife Health Labs - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds are protecting the health of our nation’s fish and wildlife by funding over 35 laboratories conducting disease surveillance and response. 
• Game Mammal Study Across Hawaiian Islands Can Support Hunters and Endangered Species - There are two main strategies for controlling invasive game mammals throughout the Hawaiian Islands: putting up fences and hunting. With funding through the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program, the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at Hawai’i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is using island wide surveys to study what areas non-native game mammals are using, how to manage existing hunting areas, and even how hunting could be a tool to protect sensitive species and ecosystems.

Find Hunting and Fishing Opportunities Near You

Visit your state’s fish and wildlife agency website or local office for resources on hunting and fishing and information on licenses, permits, and regulations. Additional resources to get started can be found at: 

• nhfday.org/hunting/
• nhfday.org/fishing/
• www.takemefishing.org/

State fish and wildlife agencies own and operate tens of millions of acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the nation. WMAs  and state game lands offer a chance to connect with nature including opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife-based activities These public lands are operated and maintained as a result of funding from two sources including excise tax paid by companies who manufacture sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment, and fishing gear as well as state licenses, permits and stamp revenues paid by hunters, trappers, and anglers.

• WMA Hidden Opportunities Video  
• Waterfowl and WMAs  

State agencies also provide boating access sites that are designed, constructed, and maintained with excise tax funds. Visit your local boating access site for waterway access.

Additional hunting and fishing opportunities are available at many national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Find a location near you at www.fws.gov/initiative/hunting/hunting-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-lands-and-waters and www.fws.gov/fishing/map .

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