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Hunter Comments

Four of us went to PH Farms in Pawnee, OK to hunt hogs with a bow. We each had different expectations, and overall as a new bowhunter I felt the experience was okay. However, as an experienced businessman who deals with customers and clients I really felt Mark Palmatry could have done a much better job.

To be fair, I was surprised to see that this report is the first one done on PH Farms. So maybe this is a new operation, or maybe they just started advertising their business on the web (they come up high in rankings when we looked). In other words, its just possible that Mark simply has little experience working with clients. But there is so much more he could do to imrpove how clients feel they are being treated. As an example, once our deposit was paid, he was often difficult to communicate with concerning our trip out and what we should/could expect. Mark would often not return pre-trip messages or emails. Little things like sending an an informational/welcome packet with directions which could easily have been attached as an email attachment or snail-mailed be to first-timers would have been most welcome and even saved him time in having to return our calls for more info (which he often did not do).

Once I arrived in Pawnee I called him to get directions out to his ranch and it was clear he was annoyed that I needed such directions. He said, " . . . once you find it I'll come over and we'll settle up (its all about the money)." Their attitude was more like, "Pay me, and we'll see you when you get here (if you can find us)."

When I did find the cabins (and in hindsight and fairness it was easy, but the point is that newcomers don't enjoy the anxiety of getting lost, so give them some pre-printed directions or something), I was disappointed to see litter and trash scattered around them. It just showed a lack of pride in the operation. However, the cabins themselves were new and clean inside. Later when my friends arrived, we met with Mark and we learned that he was going to have us hunt in an area which was different from the area he originally told us we would hunt in. It turned out the preferred hunting grounds were now going to some other hunters. This was a little distrubing and reeked of bait and switch. My friend confronted him about this, and I do not recall his reply (I'm sure he will tell us in his response). But none of us were real happy about that new development.

The next two days we hunted, and at this point, despite some of the other things that had occurred, I felt the rest of the trip met my expectations. However, I cannot speak for my friends on this aspect of the trip. But as we ended our trip, I dealth with one of Mark's assistants (who was nice enough). The assistant, got Mark on the phone and it was clear to all that we were all there in close proximity as we agreed on the final billing. This went without a hitch, but as a businessman, Mark might want to convey his appreciation for us coming out from Colorado, and giving him our business. However, there was no "thanks for coming" or nothing. It was just "pay me." type attitude. No good-bye, no nothing.

In the end, I would say if you want bare bones hunting this will do fine. However, if you like to feel somewhat welcome and appreciated for making a long trip, and know that your host will see to it that you are happy and satisfied - this is not the place for you. Mark simply seems like once he is paid, he could care less if you had a good time. Maybe he needs experience as a businessman. Who knows. It was just our common impression after the trip was done.

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - YES

Outfitter's Response

At first I thought this is not worth responding to 1 to 4 hunters out of maybe 5000 since I have started the Boar Hunting Ranch but then I realized that I needed to respond. I own 2 successful businesses and have been in the hunting industry for 15 years guided whitetail, elk, bear, pheasants, quail, mule deer, antelope, ducks, geese, turkey's all over the country. Chris booked a single BOW AREA HUNT for $250.00 which was $25.00 off what it should have been. He got three other hunters to come with him and I gave them the BOW AREA SPECIAL for $200.00 a peice which is on the web site as BOW AREA SPECIAL FOR 4 HUNTERS AND ONE NIGHT IN THE NEW CABINS AND ANY SIZE HOG. When they showed up they tried to snowball me into letting them hunt the main area to try to keep them happy although the area was already booked to a group that has hunted with me every year for the pass 4 years and was booked a year in advance. Hunters remember do your homework before you go hunting with anyplace on the web figure out the prices and make sure you understand what you are getting before you drive 12 hrs to hunt. Chris did end up spending a lot of his money with us and for that we thank him for but I don't know how many hunters I have told and don't take this the wrong way but I am honest and up front your money is important to us but if we are not what you are looking for and you are concerned that it is not don't come because it is not worth it to me to have you unhappy with me after the fact. There are plenty of hunters out there that are looking for the type of do it yourself hunt that we a providing or we would not have all of the return business and repeat costmers that we have. I am truly sorry that Chris and his group feels the way they do. Thanks, Mark Palmatary