Bowsite.com

This was my first hunt at S.O.O., and I went despite the negative reviews I've read as a friend had been there and recommended it. Man, I'm not sure where a lot of these negative reviews are coming from, they did not describe my experience at all! So I will try to address some of the things I've read and comment on my experience. I was at the Emerson Lodge, and Dave himself was my guide part of the time, and Logan the other times. I spent close to an hour a day talking with Dave and found him to be a very kind and down to earth guy. Certainly not angry or aloof. In total between Emerson and Oak Ridge campus there were 18 guys. Neither camp was completely full, if Dave was only about the money, why did he not completely book? Also, one gentleman shot a buck that was a good bit below the minimum, but was super stoked about him... and Dave never mentioned the penalty. Also showing the reverse of greed/ only being about the money. He was happy that we got deer, and that we had a good time. The gentleman misjudged him and apologized but Dave was like no sweat, glad you are happy! As for the stands, most were newer Millennium ladder stands, I saw no footprints around them or other signs of heavy use. I was told I was only the second guy to sit in the ones I was at. Of course I have no way of verifying that, but it fits with the lack of prints or other signs of use. There seemed to be greatly more stands than hunters, some of the guys moved several times and never hunted where another had been. The guides all did their best to put us where deer had been being seen on cameras. Out of the 18 guys, there were 9 or 10 shooting opportunities, 6 of which were capitalized upon. On a 3 day hunt post rut, that's not bad in my opinion. Fair chase means fair chase... no guarantees. Some groups see more, some less as the deer move throughout the season. I've had the same experience this year back home- an outstanding bow season, almost no deer for the first week of rifle season, then back to seeing deer. Such is hunting! I was one of the lucky ones to be able to capitalize on my chance, and harvested a big buck, right at 140". I was super excited to do so on a 3 day, sub $2000 hunt! My buddy who shot a beautiful buck at the SOO last year unfortunately went home empty handed this year.

As for lodging, it was clean and nicely furnished. No plywood floors or bare wire visible anywhere, despite what some reviews have said! Amanda was an excellent cook, most of use went back for thirds!

Overall I was very satisfied with the hunt for the price it was. One would have better chances on a week long hunt, but those are over double the cost. Different hunts for different folks. I thought the 3 day was an excellent value for the money and plan to return to the SOO again!