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Hunter Comments

Don Bellusci 4405 Baughman Mill rd Lineboro Md. 21102

Broad Mouth Canyon Ranch PO. Box 472 Firth ID. 83236

Dear Mr. Jones;

As I sit here on my flight home, I reflect back on my hunt at the Black Foot Mountain ranch. I have pondered whether to write you about my experience, as there is little to be gained by expressing my displeasure with my hunt of Sept 10th 2007. One thing is for shore; nothing I can say will change the past. Never the less, by describing my hunt I will at least get it off my chest and not have to let my wife hear it.

I arrived in Idaho Falls and was promptly greeted by Maurice, a very nice and talkative gentleman. Maurice helped me load my bags into his truck and we set off for the ranch, not after first stopping by the Falls for which the town was named.

Once in camp, I was cordially greeted by the other hunters that had already arrived as well as several of the guides and cook. I was quickly shown my sleeping quarters and settleled in. Once settled we proceeded with your orientation followed by the completion of the release agreement and hunting license. This is where the trip starts down hill.

Upon completion of my paper work with Kent and Tom, Kent says to me that I have a balance of twenty four thirty eight. I thought for a moment and figured that well maybe there was some tax or fee that I had not paid and thought he meant twenty-four dollars and thirty eight cents. I asked Kent what this charge was for, he said it is my balance, how would I like to pay for it. I thought for a minute, and then asked do you mean two thousand four hundred and thirty eight dollars. Kent said yes, we show a balance due of $2438.00. I immediately got defensive and told Kent that he needed to call Lynette as I was paid in full and that I paid by check in late July or early August so that I would not have to worry about this when I got here. Kent asked if I new the check number. I could only guess and said based on the check in my wallet it was probably around # 850. Typically I don’t carry my canceled checks with me. Kent said he would have someone contact Lynette but she did not start work until 11:00 AM tomorrow.

Well this right off the bat cast a dark cloud over my hunt. Now I am worried about having to provide proof of purchase, contacting my wife, checking with the bank, etc. I was awake at 3:00 AM worrying about what to do about this issue. Were they going to keep me from hunting, did I need to write another check? I could not help but worry about this most of Tuesday until finally over hearing a conversation on the two-way radio that it had been corrected. Tuesday morning after laying awake since three I got ready for the days hunt, ate breakfast and waited for a ride to the park. Finally the Mule arrived and Chase, his clients, Ron and myself set off on our hunt. Having rotten a late start it was plenty of light and almost immedeatly upon entering the park we spotted a big bull. As I was hunting a management bull this was of little interest to me. As for Chase’s clients of which only one was hunting, he did not want to shoot only twenty minutes into his hunt. Never the less Chase insisted that they get a better look and off they went to try and spot the bull as Ron and I waited in the Mule. After about twenty minutes they returned and we proceeded to our hunting area. Un be knowing to me until talking with Chases client at dinner, there was also a management bull with that trophy. Why was I not told and allowed to put on a stalk on that bull? Ron and I hunted the rest of the morning and saw only one bull at 600yds. That was un recognizable. Back to camp for lunch and we wait and wait until almost 5:00 PM Finally the Mule shows up and we leave camp for at least a thirty-minute plus ride to the end of the park. It’s now almost 6:00 and we start out on our hunt. Not long into the hunt we hear two shots and assume that Chases client has scored. Ron and I ease on back toward the Mule and decide to set up on a rock above a good crossing. E are only there for five minutes when Ron says Chase must have a bull down we better see if he needs help and we leave the stand heading for his direction. My question now is what about my hunt and why must I sacrifice my hunt? I am not seeing any animals as it is. While proceeding in Chase’s direction we here him bugle and a big bull answer him. Immedeatly the bull appears and Chase’s client drops him. Chase’s client had not shot previously and we wasted the first part of my evening hunt. With the bull on the ground Ron and I started back into the woods. After a short distance I realized that in the excitement I left my bow on the seat and returned to grab my weapon. Realizing that we have a four seat vehicle, five grown men and a 800LB bull all of which are not going to fit. It was determined that someone must return to camp then return for the animal. Ron drove with one of Chase’s clients in the front and I was in the back, effectively ending my evening hunt. On the way back to camp, Ron was proceeding excessively fast over very rough terrain when upon hitting a large hump in the road, through me up out of my seat, hitting the top of my head into the roll bar. Instantly I got a headache, a large knot, jammed my neck and made me quite dizzy. When we got back to camp I told Kent my story then took several Advill and went into rest as I was still dizzy and disoriented. I have to tell you that by this time I am so upset with what has transpired that had I driven to camp I would have left for home right then.

The next morning, realizing that the prospect of getting close to a management bull with a bow was slim to none not to mention even seeing a management bull I decided to hunt with a gun. The morning hunt produced three bulls. The first bull was at 250 yds. But due to the glare of the sun and the guides poor optics it could not be determined what the bull was IE management or other wise. The second bull was only glimpsed and the third bull was a trophy that was later taken by Tom’s client. After that we sort of wondered aimlessly continuing to glass the same area over and over. I asked Ron why couldn’t we persue the first bull for a better look. Ron said that there may be someone else on the other side of the ridge and we couldn’t. We finally climbed the hill toward where we heard Tom’s client shoot earlier and saw Tom with a down bull. We met Tom and since Kent had brought the mule out for retrieval of the animal, we took their horses in order to cover more ground and possibly stay out all day in preparation for the evening hunt. Did not work out. Evidently Ron has some knee issues and horse back riding causes him pain. So back to camp we go. At camp we eat lunch and wait and wait and wait. I one of the other hunters asked me why I am not in the field, it is getting late, yea I know. I asked Ron when we were going to go out and he said that we must wait for Kent to return with the mule.

So far my hunt has been poor at best and I am figuring that I am probably going home empty handed. My spirits are very low and by no means am I having fun.

Kent finally returned with the mule and it is now after 5:00 PM. Kent proceeds to tell Ron that he has seen two small management bulls in a bottom area next to the fence. We pile into the mule and head to the area described. Since it was getting late we proceeded with haste. Arriving at the area Kent described was a small management bull standing next to the fence looking at us. Ron came to a stop and said to me there is your bull.

I was sitting in the front seat with seat belt fastened, spotting scope on my lap and my gun in my right hand. Being in an awkward position, I mounted my gun while still seated in the mule and looked at the bull for a moment. He was only 100yds away and quite easy to see. I thought for a moment I am not going to take this animal. He is not mature, only meets a five by five if you count sticker points and no challenge at all. I thought about what guarantee meant and a conversation I over heard with Chase and his client explaining guarantee, by definition if you have a shot at a bull in your class and do not take it, so ends your guarantee. I thought about a conversation I heard on the radio regarding there possibly being an issue with butchering an animal on the same day of the kill and if I don’t shoot now I probably will go home empty handed on top of a lousy trip. Being unable to exit the mule I chambered a round and shot the bull.

I felt no exhilaration no sense of accomplishment more over I felt remorse, as this was not hunting it was taking.

Rulon, I have to tell you I have been hunting since I was nine years old and have not been more disgusted with the harvesting of an animal as now.

As I near the end of my trip I wonder why my customer service was so bad. Why the service I received was so much less that that of the other hunters. Why I ended up with the least experienced guide, why we were always late to get into the field and why promises were not kept. I wonder was this a bait and switch scam. I had considered up grading but did not even see a 340 class bull to up grade to. I can’t help but think that had I spent 10 or 14K I would have had a better hunt.

Rulon, I have been on several big game hunts, some good some not so good but by far this is the worst hunt I have been on thus far.

I would appreciate a response or at least acknowledgement that you have read this letter.

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - YES

Outfitter's Response

Thanks for this oportunity to respond to Dons' complaints. We have been outfitting for almost 20 years now and we have had a handfull of clients that just were not happy people. Don got a nice bull and all the other clients in camp had a great hunt. They personally mentioned to me that "Don was just not a happy guy". We do our best to make sure eveything is perfect for our clients and have a very high satisfaction rate. Sometimes guides and individuals just don't mesh. I am sorry Don felt inclined to send in this rating but I feel our guys did a good job. The other clients that were in camp with Don would agree and would love to give a positive referal. If anyone would like their information or any of our other clients from this season, we would love for you to contact them for a additional perspective on our organization.. Thanks Rulon Jones.