Bowsite.com

Hunter Comments

Accepted me as only hunter in camp on the last week of Archery before Gun. Had a good hunt first sit. Didn't see more than two deer for the next three days. Not Paul's fault in any way but on second to last day I suggested he pull a couple cards from some Camera's in fresh area's to see where they might be moving, since they weren't moving in the area he was putting me. He would not. He seemed to be more concerned about his Gun hunters coming in after me. The fact that he wouldn't pull a card was the biggest indicator to me that he didn't want to disturb area for his gun hunters. My single biggest disappointment came at the end. I shot a 150" + 9 pt on the last evening. We looked for two hours the next morning (the day his gun hunters were expected) We covered a total of 45 acres of mostly open area. The area that looked most promising as to where the deer went, he would not look. If looked at from a topo, anyone would see that would be the most likely area he went. This is the biggest Deer I have ever had the ability to shoot. Paul's comment to me was that it "wasn't a Iowa Deer classic Deer". That's a comment coming from someone that has the ability to live there. The deer was NOT looked for until his gun hunters left and questionable that it was ever looked for again. He said that he looked again for 3 hours but I didn't get that info until I asked. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt but have no idea where he looked. I guess it's like anything else - it's a lot of talk until the money exchanges hands! I might add that I asked him before I left what happens in the case of a deer not found with other hunters coming into camp. He said "they look for a downed deer no matter if they have hunters in or not". That was not the case. As of this writing, I have the biggest deer of my hunting career down with almost no effort to find him. I am very disappointed. It could have been such a different ending.

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - YES

Outfitter's Response

We are a small family owned and operated business and do everything possible to provide our hunters with a great experience. We regret that Mr. Pringle left dissatisfied, but do not wish respond to his allegations in this format and can provide other references upon request. Thank you. Paul Havick Coal Camp Outfitters, LLC