I have been on a number of "so called" guided hunts over the years. This was truly an A+ experience! Willie provided great communications up to and throughout the hunt. I wanted a hunt that my wife could enjoy without having to worry about cooking, freezing in a tent, and having to go days on end without a good hot shower. We stayed a the lodge, which is Willie's home. We enjoyed great meals, and met his lovely wife and children. We felt more like members of the family than guest. Our accommodations were better than some high dollar Hotels I have stayed in.
Willie's ability to do whatever it took to put you on game was uncanny. He knows his stuff. While I would have preferred to make my own setups, it's a confidence thing, the game was there. I did not connect myself, but it was not because the animals where absent! I honestly had within bow shot of my stands no less than five bucks during the six day hunt that would have gone 140 - 160 inches.
My wife took the largest doe I have ever seen, weighing in field dressed at 200lbs. While many will evaluate the success of the hunt by the game taken, we look at the total experience. This is not high fence, the animals are wild, and you have to hunt them. I would like to think that Samantha and I have made a friend, in fact I booked for next season before we left.
If you want to book a really good hunt, big Midwest whitetails with an outfitter that knows his stuff. The kind of hunt that you could feel comfortable taking your wife, your children, or a valued hunting partner then Jim River Guide Service is for you!
Scott and his wife Sam have a great attitude and that makes for a great hunting experience. They really appreciate that I do all of my own guiding and am willing to produce the names/numbers of ALL of my clients from the previous season. They had hunted with several other outfitters but never had the chance to be guided by the owner of the business. They said that the price was a little higher but it was money well spent to be hunting with the owner instead of being sent out with a "hired man" who the contracting guide hires in order to take many clients. I have a feverishly loyal customer base and hope to make Scott and Sam part of it.
I really enjoyed having Scott and Sam around. They are booked for another hunt next year and I expect to have a lot of fun with them on that hunt too!
It was cold during our hunt, frosty mornings, and cool breezy evenings at times. Typical weather for that part of the country.
