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Hunter Comments

This hunt was about what we expected it to be. We saw deer almost every day. We saw a couple deer we would have shot, but good shots did not present themselves. A few things happened that were totally beyond the guides control. It was a 6 day hunt and the farmer on the land we were assigned to hunt was working/plowing near us 2 of the six days. A neighboring farmer was out another day near my partner running a chain saw and pounding a post in the ground. This ruined his afternoon hunt on day 5. My partner left a small pack lying in the grass near the edge of one field where he entered the woods. The farmer plowed over it and destroyed the contents. This was careless on my partners part, but he didn't leave it in an area of the field that had been cultivated previously and had no reason to think it would be damaged.

The guide had 19 hunters in his camps the week we were there. Some of his help had quit on him, leaving him with a lot of work to do himself. So, he was stretched quite thin for the entire week. We only saw him a couple times the whole week, as we and two other men stayed at his home, not at his main camp which was 35 miles away. Fifteen more hunters were staying there.

He told us we probably weren't successful in killing a deer because we didn't do everything he told us to do. To me, success doesn't always mean I have to kill something. I had a couple chances to kill "something", so I am satisfied with that aspect of it.

After the hunt was over, both of us communicated feedback to him about the hunt. He didn't receive it very well. He told me he wasn't interested in my feedback or advice. He referred to me and my partner, and even other unsuccessful hunters as "Idiots"; Lazy Hunters; Dumb-asses and a few other not so nice labels. I am 68 years old. I have been helping guides book hunts for about 20 years. This is a retirement job for me. I represent a number of guides/outfitters all over North America and S. Africa. Part of the reason I went on this hunt was to evaluate it to see if I wanted to try to help Mr. Homer by sending him hunter referrals. After the rebuttal and insults I received from him at the conclusion of our hunt, I will not recommend his hunt to anyone. And, that is sad, because he has some good hunting territory and obviously some nice bucks on his leases. But, I will not subject any of my clients to the brazen and disrespectful treatment we received from him. He really needs to improve on his "people" skills....a lot!

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - YES

Outfitter's Response

From being in the outfitting business for several years. I have to commend outfitters for doing their best job possible to tolerate the select few clientel that will arrive each year in camp with poor atttitudes. Most cases/clients are willing to listen to advice or ask for help. In the case of Mr Ramon Bell and is friend Richard Dyer this was not the case. Neither one was willing to listen nor ask for advice but were quick too offer their resume on their hunting expertice. After all they had been hunting for several years and already knew what they were doing. However.....Right off the bat Mr Bell comments that he is a "booking agent" and can "get me all sorts of clients based on his success". Backwoods Whitetails is and always will be a family and friends camp and we will "NEVER" give special treatement, attention or preference to booking agents or TV shows. Everyone is and always will be given the same equal opportunities, treatment and hunting privelages. If at the end of the vacation that client doesnt happen to fit in? Then so be it. There are several outfitters that all offer different amenitites. I suggest each hunter researches the outfitter to match his needs PRIOR to booking the hunt instead of going on the hunt and then complaining afterwards. As to touch base on some of Mr Bells comments. My help/Guide HAD NOT NOR DID NOT quit on me. That is just of his poorly judged assumptions or accusations in attempt to damage our business. If anyone would like the number to any or all guides to my camp? Please feel free to call or email me and I will give you the names and numbers of all guides so that you may inquire about certain situations directly. As for farmer activity that had not taken place nor was mentioned until the last day of the hunt. That was when My Dyer had places his fanny pack on the edge of a field where he knew the farmer was working. Why he did not take it with him is anyones guess. I have to assume laziness. Especially when they were riding their quad to and from their stand sites daily. My question to them was "Please explain how tractor activity can have anymore of a negative affect on a hunt that driving a 4wheeler right up to your stand site on a daily basis? If reference to his lodging placement. That was at Mr. Bells request. He requested to be closer to his hunt site for the morning travel. That was an option that did not have to be given to Mr Bell at all. As for his success? he had reported shot opportunity on a trophy class animal but it just wasnt what he was looking for. Again, Not once did Mr Bell consult with his guide nor did he ask for advice or help. As a guide we are paid for our help and advice. It is up to the client to request it, use it or ignore it. They were here during the 2nd week of November during the PEAK of the seek n chase phase. At their chooseing, Each day they chose not to sit all day and only spend up to 3 hrs in the stand each morning and after noon. Yes I did use the word LAZY in reference to MR Richard Dyer. If you are planning on going back to the same spot to hunt that evening? Why would you carry your pack only a few yards to lay it on the ground (on the edge of a field that is being plowed) before climbing onto a 4 wheeler to take a ride back to the truck? I could go on with this. But it is obvious that Mr Bell and Mr Dyer are grasping for exuses as to why they were not successful on their hunts. My suggestion to anyone that is going on a paid hunt. USE THE GUIDE!!! That is what you hired him for otherwise you would be hunting public land. Research and speak with the outfitter to cover all you specific needs. If their provisions do not match your needs. FIND AND OUTFITTER THAT DOES!!!! Dont bash an outfitter just because you failed to ask questions. Last but not least. Dont expect or think you deserve special treatment because you are a TV show or a booking agent. If anyone finds my reply to Mr Bells report offensive? We are more than likley not the outfitter for you. Each year Backwoods Whitetails carries an average overall season success rate from 50% - 65%. Just a note that we had a 75% success rate for the week that MR Bell and Mr Dyer were in camp?