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Hunter Comments

This was our second trip with PO (see my previous review from 2007). In 2009 our hunt dates were 7 Nov – 12 Nov. We hunted in their Hancock Illinois Camp, Joetta Lodge again. I personally talked to Jake via e-mail and over the phone many times prior to our hunt and he was prompt in getting us all of the information that was requested as well as keeping us on our respective pay schedules. There were no hassles. 5 of us booked this hunt in December of 2008.

This hunt can be whatever you want it to be. We stayed out all day most days. We were in constant contact with the guides via cell phone if need be. If you are looking for a vacation, then this is not it. Our day started at 4am and we never got back to camp until after dark, but that was our choice.

Now as far as the hunt went. Our group did not feel that we were hunting in the most productive area this go round. This was becoming more evident as the week went on after 9 of the 14 people in camp had loosed an arrow and our group was yet to even draw the bow. 9 out of 14 people in camp with a shot and my group is 0 for 5. 4 of the 5 of us hunted hard. 12 hours a day. Overall, from my group’s standpoint, sightings were poor.

There was very little big buck sign on the farms we were assigned. We hunted some of these same farms in 07 and yes, they were smoking with lots of big buck activity (see my review from 07 on bowsite under outfitter reports). This go round, however, others in camp were coming back talking about the monster rubs and scrapes and the bucks they were seeing and we were just comparing notes and none of us had hardly seen a scrape or rub until later in the week when everyone else had either tagged out or wounded an animal (One guy even got two shots at legal bucks). This was the major difference than in 2007. There was big buck sign on every property we were assigned to. Everyone felt like they were hunting a very productive area. This time that was not the case, thus resulting in poor sightings by most of my party.

This was addressed with my guide mid-week. On the last day, some of us were finally moved, and I saw my first big rub and scrape (along with 24 deer that day). After going to another guides farm. You get the point.

In my opinion and that of our group, our initially assigned farms were not as active as others. And I think we can probably all agree that sometimes that happens. The warm temps and standing crops did not help, but no matter what the hunting seemed to be better on other farms. All we can do is state the facts to our guides, and trust their good judgment and Jake has to trust his staff to provide the level of service that PO advertises.

There were also a few other items that I passed along to Jake to help him better understand our disappointment, but all in all we paid for a hunt and not a deer, and that is what we got. Some real nice deer were killed the week we were there and I personally saw a couple shooters chasing does at a distance. I would recommend this outfitter, but I doubt the rest of my group would. The Midwest is going to be my nemesis.

Outfitter's Response

All in all that is hunting. The farms this group requested are the sames ones they hunted in 2007. They I was able to get them where they desired. I do know a few missed opportunities were had by this group. We had an excellent week where we killed 7 mature bucks and two of them were over 180 inches. As we had clients tagging out we moved hunters that were having slower hunts into potentially hottter (not better) spots. Anyone who hunts the midwest know that certain areas turn on and off like the wind. Also those who hunted the midwest in 2009 know certain areas were very tough due to the standing corn. Well the farms this group requested happended to be farms that mostly had standing corn. In my opinion the farms this group hunted were at any given time as good as anything we have. It's just hunting and that's why they call it hunting. All in all Performance Outdoors has an awesome year and killed some GIANT bucks. Check out our site and the new gallery and trial camera photos at www.performanceoutdoors.com. One thing I would mention that our camp manager did move anyone that was having a slower hunt into potential hotter or even just different spots when the opportunity presented itself. No matter what we will not allow stands to be hunted it the WIND is wrong and this also played a role at the end of the week as the rain started in the so did the east winds. I know that we have an excellent operation from A to Z, and our 70% re book rate reminds us of that. -Jake