Bowsite.com

This was my first trip to Missouri and obviously with this outfitter. After arriving and getting settled into camp, I was able to shoot my bow and make sure all my equipment was in good order. That evening we (the guides and hunters) went over trail cam photos and areal photos of the various properties we would be hunting. We were encouraged to do all day sits with some of the biggest deer in the past being taken during mid-day hours, but were given the option to come out mid day if we chose. Deer travel patterns and wind direction for the next days hunts were discussed. From best I could tell from photos and talking with other hunters all the properties had trophy class animals (150 inch or better)and some with multiple animals.

The weather during the fall rut season in Missouri was unseasonably warm. The fist day was the only day I didn't see anything, however other hunters in my camp and the other camp were successful. I was moved the second day because of wind direction more then the lack of activity. Saw a lot of deer including several small bucks. Over the course of the next few days I was moved to other properties based on wind and deer activity. On the second to last day had a close call with a nice 150" 10 point but was unable to connect.

Dave was very intense on trying to get me on a nice animal and seemed to take it personally when I was not able to connect. This is hunting and sometimes it's just not in the cards. I felt the warm weather had more to do with my lack of success (killing) then anything Dave and his guides did or didn't do. I was treated the same as any of his long time returning customers and saw the way the returning clients interacted with Dave. They were more like friends then client and outfitter and the fact that he has such a high volume of return clients (several who have yet to kill) spoke volumes to me. I stayed a second week for the opener of rifle and was able to connect on a nice animal the second to last day of the hunt. I have already booked for next year and I am taking my father out with me so he too can enjoy the experience.