Bowsite.com

Hunter Comments

This was our 3rd year hunting elk and this year to satisfy the new SB 196 law we had to be assigned a guide to meet with us. Jim and Kelly assigned our party Rod Phillips. Later in the day he was assigned to us, Rod gave me a call. This was mid June, and he wanted to know if we hunted unit 51 before where we'd like to hunt etc. When it came down closer to the start of the season, Rod let us know he would be scouting the unit before our hunt, since he had never been in unit 51 before. We decided to go beyond the requirements of SB 196 and decided to utilize Rod as much as we could for the short time he was available. We met Rod Thursday afternoon, and he had a camp picked out for us and his tent was already set up. All we had to do was set our tents up and Rod was more than willing to help out. Two hours after we had been at camp, Rod showed us elk from camp. He spent the days leading up to the season scouting with us and showed us about ten different area we should try. We were able to have Rod guide for us the morning of the first day of the hunt before he had to go. That morning, even though unsuccesful was on e of the best hunts I've been on. Rod was more than willing to answer any questions we had. He gave his opinion on where, when, and how to hunt these animals, but also made sure not to pressure us into hunting his way if we wanted to go about it a different way. We only used 3 of the spots he showed us, because we didnt need any more. We were successful on day 3 in an area Rod thought their was a big old bull. We didnt shoot the big bull, but did harvest a decent 5X5. We went back to that area 2 days later and almost got a shot at the big bull, but it just didn't pan out. All 4 of us had a shot at an animal within range but for one reason or another passed. By far the best year we've had, mainly due to Rod. We all look forward to hunting his ranch in Texas in the near future, and if we don't get tags in New Mexico next year we will be hunting with Rod in Colorado. Not with him guiding us but hunting with a friend. A true gentleman that went above and beyond what was asked.

Outfitter's Response

Ernie-Thank you very much for the kind words. Rod will be most appreciative. He was just on a muzzy hunt in 13 with a client from Quail Creek Plantation who is also in the hunting business. He was very complimentary of Rod and indicated he knows what he is doing. He would hunt with him again in a heartbeat. Jim