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As you can see there are only a few guys who do not like this Outfitter. I remind you-a few out of nearly 100 each year who visit Grand River Outfitters. Below are my comments on the major issues brought up.

>Food-excellent. Don tells everyone breakfast and dinner is served. Some hunters stay in the stand all day so you are on your own for lunch. Don tells everyone this. Sammy, Carmen, and everyone else who prepares the food are great. Sammy will even help you find the local taxidermist if needed. Plenty of leftovers each day and night.

>Bathrooms-There are 5 bathrooms located on the property all within a few yards of each building. You can use any shower or toilet. If you mess up the toilet, then you clean it. Don doesn't know everything that is going wrong if you don't tell him. If you want your own toilet, then go to the Ritz Carlton. This is a hunting lodge which is very nice large.

>Guides-Jason, Todd, and the others will go get your deer and even dress them out if you want. Don and Ron will do the same. If you want a filmed hunt, then ask. I am sure Don will accomodate. You can't imagine what all of them go through when getting your deer-mud, swamp, thickets, hills, creeks, etc. for sometimes over a mile.

>Pictures of deer not on his property-Not True! A nice 158 was killed last year at the camera spot and his sheds were there the year before. The locals are jealouse of Don because he has quality deer acreage-nearly 20,000.

>Stands-Don has over 100. All are in great spots near the woods or in the fields. If you ask Don which one you prefer I am sure he will accomodate. You can be moved if you are not seeing deer. Yes, he usually puts you in an "already hunted" stand. What you must realize is that this is the midwest. Big bucks travel...and are smart. Perfect example-my buddy killed a nice 9 point a few years back. I moved into his stand. I was watching another buck mating a doe and then came a 180 class buck out of nowwhere. No, I missed him because it all happened so quickly and I could not get a good shot off in time. The point is, these 3 deer were within 100 yards of the 9 point killed the day before...

Does-Missouri's does are on the decline in my opinion. The locals are taking 2-3 per day. On the hunt this year I heard at least 20 shots nearby and you can only kill 1 buck per year. Don is trying to protect the herd for future wildlife. Don't complain about going off somewhere different to get one. In the beginning you came for a buck, right?

Field Dressing-The deer is yours if killed legally. It is up to the hunter as with the meat. The local facility is only 5 minutes away to donate. Each carcass is put into a large pit daily and covered. What you may not realize is cayotes coming in at night and maybe uncovering them. But, then Don recovers them. He uses large machinery to make sure the hole is large and deep and overall taken care of.

Smoking-Some people do, some don't. Fact of life. I notice each year the guys come in after the hunt to eat dinner in their hunting gear. Now, do you think you have smoke or bew stew in your clothes? If you can afford the hunt, you can afford scent spray at Wal-Mart in Chillocothe which is about 30 minutes away. There are non-smoking areas at the lodge.

Conclusion: The deer in Don's house are trophies and came from his properties. This Outfitter has been studying deer since the early 1980's and knows the land. You have a great chance of taking a nice deer up to 200. Who knows? Maybe bigger. That's why it is called hunting. Don stays booked each and every year. True friendships have been formed there for hunters all across the country. If you don't like something whether it be your bed, bathroom, stand, food, etc. just ask Don. He will listen, give good advice, and make arrangements accordingly. He can hunt also if he wants to. The rifle season is only in for 2 weeks. Wouldn't you? I can tell you though he is very busy doing other things during the season and not hunting. Keeping up a lodge and several hunters at one time is not easy.

Where I come from-for $1500 I can book you on a charter boat off NC for some fishing for ONE DAY. No motel, food, toilet, airfare, gas, etc.

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - NO