Bowsite.com

I thought I would take some time to post about my recent experience at Southern Ohio Outfitters.

I've followed them on Facebook for quite some time. I did a lot of reading up on them with mixed reviews posted online. There was a black friday special on a 3 day gun hunt so I text Dave with some questions. Two minutes later I get a response with answers. After a little back and forth I give him a call. Dave was great giving us some details on what they were all about and what to expect. I talked with my guys and we decided to give them a chance. We (3 of us) booked a 3 day gun and also booked a youth hunt for my 11 year old daughter.

November rolls around and it's time for the youth hunt. Dave provided a confirmation on the hunt along with an address and check in time. We arrive around 4pm to find the guides and Dave there to welcome us and get us setup with the sleeping arrangements. Rooms were great, clean, beds had a sheet, blanket and a pillow. There were 7 youth hunters with an adult. Everyone was very friendly and after chatting with a few they were all repeats and had been coming for several years.

About 7pm we get pulled together to fill out some paperwork and go over the rules. Guides answered questions and after that we were assigned our guides. Logan sat with my daughter and I and went over the plan for Saturday along with details on the spot and target bucks.

Saturday morning - Logan pucks us up 5am and drops us off. He gives us all the details on where the blind was and where the deer would likely come from. After getting dropped off we set off for the blind and find it no problem and get setup. Ground was level and easy to setup our chairs. Less than an hour in a target buck shows and my daughter smokes him! I text Logan - BUCK DOWN!! Him and Brandon are there 10 minutes later to recover the deer and congratulate my daughter. We get back to the lodge Dave is there to congratulate us and take a bunch of pics which came out great. I ask Logan what we needed to Cape out and butcher the deer? He says its included with the hunt and he would head there now and drop off and have back that night! That evening after we go to bed Logan brings back the deer packed in a cooler vacuumed sealed with cape and cap ready to roll!

Youth hunt was an amazing experience and had us excited for our 3 day gun hunt.

We arrive Thursday evening for our 3 day gun hunt - repeat experience with the crew as outlined above. Guides are there to welcome us. Dave introduces himself to my dad and uncle. We get settled in and meet the other hunters. We go through the meeting get assigned our guides and go over the details for the morning. My dad and I saw a bunch of deer the first day but my uncle didnt. They had some great bucks on camera at my uncles spot so he was going to give it another shot. Day two morning is still a bust for him. We both ask to come out for lunch and head to a new spot. James drops us off at a new farm which looked really promising. About 4:50 my uncle texts me and says he saw a monster way off in the distance. About 10 minutes later I hear a shot and my uncle smokes a great 10pt. Guides were great and recovered the deer to bring back to camp for pics. Deer was dropped off at the butcher and ready for us to leave in the morning.

We sat in pop up blinds, elevated maverick blinds and millenium treestands. I saw other stands other than the millenium but never sat in one. My dad and I saw deer everyday. First day was a little slow but a front blew through with some rain and seemed to slow things up. Overall I saw 40 deer 4 being bucks, one borderline a ways off and not sure how big. My dad saw close to 60 deer in 3 days with 3 bucks - 2 spikes and one 9 pt under 130. Not too bad for a 3 day hunt!

So all in - we had a great time and met a lot of great people. All the staff were great! If we wanted to move or had a concern we spoke up. My uncle didnt see a deer for a day and a half. Dave and James came up with a plan that paid off. Don't be afraid to speak up they won't get offended. They always had a plan. If you've never been on a guided hunt I would highly recommend giving these guys a shot! My dad and I didnt score this year, but hopefully we can pull it together for next year!