Harrisburg PA Outdoor Show is coming up fast! The floor lay out of the show is the same, or so I am told but all the booth numbers have changed. I will be in booth number 6433. Which is in the main hall. My location in the show is the same as last year. Only the booth number has changed. See you there! Show dates are Feb. 7 - 15, 2009.
It is 1AM on January 06, 2009. My last guests returned home the morning of December 31st. As of today's date we have harvested 10 six pointers, 3 seven pointer, 17 eight pointers, 1 nine pointer, and 14 does. There have been 14 misses and 11 presentations of a six point or better where the hunter did not get off a shot. EVERY ONE OF MY PAYING GUESTS HAVE SEEN DEER this year! If this does not sound like a lot of bucks harvested, just remember this is only our third year in business and we do not yet have the client base that some of our competition has.
I must admit, this season I had just as much fun as most of my clients. I met so many great people this year and had so much fun with them that I can't wait till next season to see them all again. One of the best stories from this season in my oppinion was that on November 29th I guided a three man group from Galloway New Jersey, Chip Stockton, Richard Clute, and Jim Thompson were my guests. All three men saw deer and on the first night of a three day hunt two of them saw shooter bucks. For one reason or another neither man got off a shot so they continued to hunt hard. The night of the 29th was one of the most interesting and fun hunts of the year in my opinion. Jim was set up in a ground blind and had 17 deer around him starting at 4:00PM. Down the road a bit Chip and Rich were set up in quad stands which looked over a soy bean field and a cut over. The cool thing was we could all see each other. That's right, I was in the field about 350 yards from Chip. I was only hunting with my video camera but figured I could be an extra set of eyes for the guys in the field. The deer started to appear around 4:45 and just kept coming. As luck would have it the big buck appeared 80 yards from my stand, not what I had planed. I called Chip who had eight does under his stand at the time. I told him to head across the field to the back of my stand so he could take the shot. Chip headed out across the field as I kept an eye on the buck. Unfortunately, Chip couldn't hear very well what I had said on the phone as I had the buck inside 100 yards from me and had to keep a low voice. Not knowing where the buck was he attempted to move through the cut over. Things looked like they were going fine until the crack of a branch that was accidentally stepped on sent the buck heading for the woods. Well, that's hunting but we had a hell of a good time! In the mean time, Jim called and said he had a deer down. Also, as we were getting out of the stand Rich shot. Man I was happy to hear the crack of his 7 mag. When I arrived at his stand he had shot a beautyful coyote which he left here so it could be mounted. He was watching deer but so was the coyote. Every time the deer went to move across the cut over the coyote would chased them back into the woods. These events were not quite what any of us had planned but as I said, "that's hunting and we had a hell of a good time!" Good friends and a great time is what it's all about.
This was a banner year. Some of my guests have limited out on bucks this season. This just goes to prove that my 6 point antler rule is paying off big!
It is my intention to put out all of my cameras at the end of the season so that my guests for the upcoming year will see what still lurks in our woods. Check our photo album for some of this seasons trail cam pictures. I have over eight thousand trail cam pictures in just over three months time. 90 percent of them are deer! I need to update the pictures as of today. There are many recent bucks on camera that I have not yet posted but I soon will. So keep an eye out for what is still in our neck of the woods! I have some monsters down here! Oh, I almost forgot to mention, out of all the bucks I have on camera, only 8 of them have been harvested!I don't know where all these other deer came from but hey, I'm not complaining.
2009 Prime Time Dates are filling up fast! I'm not kidding. Book early for 2009 to ensure your choice dates. We are growing!
OK, what makes us different from our competition?
First of all our lodging is second to none in North Carolina. Not an old converted farm house from the early 1900's or a trailer that is only used for housing hunters, but rather a custom Adirondack Sided lodge, stick built and completed in September of 2007. The grounds and facility is meticulously maintained daily by the staff and the owner himself. The lodge is nothing short of beautiful. Clean, warm, and comfortable is the only way you will find your accommodations when staying with us. We offer flat screen TV's in almost every room, central air conditioning, a double sided fireplace, a jacuzzi air jet tub, and plush furnishings. All of your bed linens and bath towels are supplied for you as well as basic toiletries. You are the customer and your comfort and enjoyment is important to us!
What else sets us apart from our competition is our food. Let me tell you, our food choices have been praised since we started serving meals in 2007. Chef Anita and sister Sharon always prepare a southern style, home cooked dinner that will knock your socks off. Last night's meal included whole roasted chickens complete with scalloped potatoes, pole beans, and fresh baked bread. We topped it off with a wine toast after a great day in the field, some coffee and two fresh baked sweet potato pies. You will never go to bed hungry because there is always enough for seconds or thirds! Our lunches include 3 to 4 different kinds of cold cuts with 2 to 3 different kinds of cheese. We usually have 3 to 4 different kinds of bread and a selection of condiments that will make you feel as if you were in the grocery store. We never buy or serve the cheep stuff and we get all of our cold items fresh every few days not weekly or bi-weekly. Soup is offered at lunch time with a usual selection of no less than 2 kinds and of coarse any beverage you would like is usually at hand. We finish lunch off with an offering of cake, pie, or pastry and of coarse coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is available. Breakfast is served continental style with as much fresh brewed coffee as you can stand. It only takes 3 minutes from start to finish in any of our Bun coffee makers to whip up a fresh pot. We offer 5 to 7 different kinds of cereal, no less than 2 fruit selections, English muffins, orange juice, cake or pie, and of coarse tea or hot chocolate. If your looking to be catered to look no further.
The third thing and maybe the most important thing that sets us apart in many hunters eyes is the quality of our deer heard.We have and do enforce a 6 point antler rule with no width restrictions. I can tell you that many of our competitors claim to have such a rule. However, most of them do not utilize or enforce it. This leaves you many times seeing nothing more than a few straggly spike horns and does. Now there are many who believe and I do agree that you can't eat the horns. With that said, I can tell you that there are plenty of mature does that can be harvested for the meat. I personally would rather eat a doe than a musty old buck any day. Our 6 point antler rule is working! I guarantee it. Every one of our paying customers with the exception of one man on a three day hunt have seen bucks so far this year. I can tell you that I have a few 130 class deer on the trail cams. You can see for yourself and since only seven of the camera bucks, out of the hundreds I have on film have been taken so far this year, It is safe to say that clients will be seeing more and better bucks for years to come. Now some of our competitors make the claim that they are in the county with the highest deer concentration, Halifax. Well, I can tell you with confidence that the statistics that determine the counts that are entered into the hunting digest are calculated by the counties by the number of deer harvested season to season. Well, since Halifax county is the home of most of the outfitters in North Carolina it is easy to see why the count is so high year in and year out, especially when you have some of the outfitters hunting 250 to 300 people per year and killing 500 to 600 deer per year. It is my opinion that there are no more deer in Halifax County than any where else in this part of the state. Why would there be? There is no different habitat. There is no more cover. There is no more food source. There is no different food source. The only thing that is different is that there is a higher concentration of hunters and hunting pressure. This is a fact. So when the other guy tells you "we have more deer" just remember facts don't change. As far as I know I am the only outfitter located in beautiful Franklin county. Our deer herd is great and the time you'll have with us is even better.
Still not convinced? OK how about this, I am willing to prove to any client who stays with me for a five day hunt that no less than $500.00 goes directly back to every person who hunts with us. Our butcher service, the amount of corn used for legal baiting, the food, the transportation, your guide, and everything else that we do for you is top notch and professional. Our expense is no less than $500.00 for your hunt, not your whole group, just you, guaranteed! As of today's date I have put out over 34,500 pounds of corn and I have another 2500 pounds on the way. We have just ended the seventh week of rifle season for 2008. This is where my competitors slack off and say, "well, there is only a few more hunters coming for the rest of the year. I really don't need to bait anymore or I don't need to bait nearly as much." I say why be cheap now? The last client deserves the same quality and professional treatment as the first client! If you get into any of my stands and there is no corn I will pay you $200.00. See if my competition will take you up on that deal. I think not. I am willing to bet that even though my competition has more stands and more land, (for now) they have not come close to being able to claim they have put out the same amount of corn. Your enjoyment and satisfaction means everything to me so no cost is spared.
A hands on owner and a knowledgeable staff is just one more thing that sets us apart from the rest. I personally wake up every morning, get you up and guide clients myself. I am hands on in every aspect of my business, from setting up farms, cleaning the lodge, and guiding the clients. I do it all and am there for every bit of the hunting season. My staff is mature and knowledgeable. There are no 23 year old youngsters here doing the job a much more experienced person should be doing. Dan Kepich is a former elk and mule deer guide in Colorado and Montana. Wadis Boseman is a life long resident of North Carolina who has hunted in this part of the state his whole life. Both men who are currently employed by Fair Game Outfitters have a wealth of knowledge and experience and both men have proven to be an asset to the FGO team.
If I haven't convinced you by now I guess there is only one thing left to do. You must come down here and try us out for your self. We have many clients who have been to the other guy and now that they have been with us, they say they will never go back. Try us out and let me prove it to you.
Check out all the comments and responses from past guests for more information.
The 2006 hunting season was my first year in business as Fair Game Outfitters but don't let that fool you! I have over 29 years of experience hunting, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors. My knowledgeable and experienced guides are professional, courteous, and mature and are ready to show you a great time during your stay with us!
I have been hunting and enjoying the outdoors since before the age of ten. I have hunted in many different states in the US on both guided as well as solo hunts with success in each category. I consider myself an avid outdoors-man with plenty of knowledge and skill to pass on. I enjoy giving others the opportunity to experience an exciting and rewarding time in the outdoors so that they can quite possibly create a memory of a life time!
You have all heard of the camps where the heat is an old wood stove, there is no running water, filthy is a commonly used word, and the rodents could carry a man away. Yep, I've been there and have told some of those stories myself. I love hunting and it is because of this reason I ventured into this business. I believe that you can have first class accommodations, food, and service, and also enjoy first class hunting! This is what I will provide you with if you come and stay with us. Nothing short of 100 percent will you get from my staff or myself. This is my promise and guarantee to you. I will do much more for you than any other Carolina Outfitter. I do not run a rack em and stack em business. Each client is valued and appreciated. Your hunt will be tailored to your group or even to a particular individual. Our land and stands will be managed and maintained through out the season to ensure no over hunting and a quality experience for you when it's your turn in the field. Before the end of the 2008 hunting season I will have put out 38,500 pounds of corn which is used for legal baiting. I do not use cob corn where only a fraction of the weight is actually consumed by the deer. I use only shell corn. Some outfitters will tell you that cob corn is better because it lasts longer. Well, if you are maintaining your stand sites on a regular basis then you don't need to worry about that. Cob corn will cost an outfitter much less by the end of the season but should that be the clients problem? It is also easier to keep cob corn at the stand sites for the client to see. Well, you can at least see the empty cob. Cost and client pacifiers are the real reasons why many outfitters prefer cob corn over shell corn, not because it works better. These are the things the other guy won't tell you or want you to know. I don't mind screaming it from the mountain tops because I do it right not cheap. Fair Game Outfitters is a new breed of outfitter because of my own pride and mind set and the way I look at hunting and my clients and their service. I am not trying to get by the season as cheaply as possible so that I can profit more for the year. I am trying to overly satisfy every client so that they will come back and see me the following year and also bring friends and spread the word. Now, you might spend a dollar or two more hunting with us but you will get truck loads of quality for your extra buck. That's a guarantee! Give us a shot for your next hunting trip and let me and my staff prove it to you!
I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of my guests for supporting Fair Game Outfitters in its third year in business. With only one more group of hunters scheduled for 2008, I have taken the time to reflect over everything the business has gone through to be at this point. Currently I have more clients scheduled for the 2009 hunting season then I hunted in all of 2006. We had an incredible third year and we harvested many quality animals. We had loads of fun with our new and pasts guests as we made many new friends and created some really nice relationships. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to provide you with an enjoyable hunting experience in 08 and are eagerly looking forward to your return in 09. Keep checking our site for updates as well as places and shows to find us. I look forward to serving you this up coming season and for years to come!
Once again thank you for a great third year!
Mike Santoro
If you like to hear more from these past guests please feel free to send them some email. Having worked with other outfitters in the past, I can say that this operation is top notch.!!! Their goal is 100% customer satisfaction. During my recent Muzzleloader hunt I did not shoot a deer. I had the opportunity to shoot lots of does and saw loads of smaller Bucks, I shot at and missed a nice 8 pointer. No Excuses, I MISSED.. My fault, not theirs. I'll be back to try again. Thanks to Mike and Ronnie for a super time. AL LAFRANCE
Thanks to Fair Game Outfitters for a great hunt. It started out a little slow but ended in 2 bangs from the muzzle loader. Two, eight pointers (one my son's first deer)15 min. apart from the same stand, last hour of the last day. Doesn't happen like that in New York, at least not in any part of the State that I've hunted in.
Gordon Betts gordonbetts@hotmail.com
I had a incredible 5 day hunt with Ron as our guide and Mike as our host. Base camp, you couldn't have been more comfortable at home. The hunting was a great success with our group of 5 guys harvesting 5 nice North Carolina Bucks. Ron and Mike keep up the good work! We will certainly see you next year... Thank You.
Tom Cottone Jr. tinhorn17@msn.com
I would like to thank Fair Game Outfitters for a great hunt. I took my two sons ages 14 and 12 for a 3 day hunt. The guides, Dan and Wadis did a wonderful job placing them in stands and taking the extra steps to ensure that they were properly secured with new safety harnesses that they provided. My 14 year old harvested a very nice 7 pt buck, a doe and a very respectable 8 pointer. My 12 year old had several opportunities to harvest a doe or buck, but his buck fever got the best him. I would like to thank Mike for taking the time to coach my son on his shooting skills. The hunting was great with many very nice bucks around. Posted by: Tom Jauss November 03, 2008 at 09:11 PM Tjauss@verizon.net
These are not the only comments left by my clients. Please check recent comments to see more!
We are booking up fast for the 2009 prime time! About 70 percent of our clients who have already hunted with us this year have booked for 2009 and many more have said they need to check their work schedule then they too will book. If you would like to ensure your choice dates for 2009 do yourself a favor and book early. We are growing fast!
2008 is almost over. I am delighted to announce that we have had a spectacular year! We harvested many great bucks in 08 and made some great new friends. In 06 and in 07 we had 100% success rate of our clients seeing deer. We are happy to announce that in 08 with almost twice as many clients we had the same results. Muzzle loader season was off with a bang and we will end with our last group on December 31st. With thousands of acres of hunting land under our control we never over hunt or over pressure our deer herd. We will have hunted only 82 people during the 08 season and at the end of the season we will have stands that have only been hunted once and fresh farms that had only had a handful of people on them. Late season and after season scouting will prove that our land still holds a great number of quality deer. You will be able to see this for yourself by our post season trail cam pictures which I will post by the Harrisburg show. You will be able to see that the results of our hunting did not even put a dent in our great resources! We have already secured much of the same land we have already had for almost 4 years now and are already in negotiations for new land. We are excited!
Why am I telling you all of this? Because, I want you to know that we do things right or we don't do them at all. 2008 is almost over and I am already working hard for 2009. This up coming season will be the best year to date! I promise you. Our 6 point rule for bucks is the best thing we ever implemented. So many hunters let spike bucks, cow horns, 3 pointers, 4 pointers, and 5 pointers go this year that I can't wait to see what our land comes alive with next year.
Allow me to share some hunter trivia and information with you. It is a fact that the large majority of hunters will never harvest a 120 class buck. It is also a fact that many hunters find themselves in a rut where they only seem to harvest immature bucks. Our 6 point rule not only manages our heard but it has also forced these same hunters to let the little ones pass there by often giving them the opportunity at the larger more mature buck they find only moments behind the younger buck. This opportunity would have never presented itself if the hunter was not made to wait. All too often the young buck which is often the first buck to appear is harvested and the shot from the gun or even the bow insures the mature buck lives yet another day.
When booking your hunt with Fair Game Outfitters,have confidence in knowing that we don't do anything in our business unless we do it right.
Our mission is to provide you with a excellent hunting experience that will have you biting your nails in anticipation for your next visit with us. By virtue of this statement our mission is also to provide everyone the opportunity to harvest the game they seek. Our goal is to satisfy each and every customer that we feel we are lucky enough to have come and hunt with us. We would like to be known and remembered by our customers and our competition as a leader in the outfitting business so that others in the business will look to us for standards.
To book a hunt or reserve a date email us at NCMonsterBucks@aol.com or call (252)862-6163. We accept all major credit cards and we'll reserve a date for much less then our competition.
Our hunting packages are priced with meals included. Breakfast is served continental style and includes a variety of cereal, toast, muffins, donuts, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice. Lunch will include soup, salad, and sandwiches or a variety of left overs which is often preferred by our guests. Chef Anita and sister Sharron will prepare a delicious southern style home cooked meal for dinner complimented by one of their homemade desserts. What ever meal you prefer, you can be sure it will be served in hearty portions along with a heaping helping of southern hospitality.
Of coarse, you are always welcome to bring your own food and prepare your own meals for yourself. Also, if there are any request or food product that can not be consumed by certain individuals we will be able to accommodate your needs.
1) 1 pair of Rubber Boots
2) 1 pair of Standard Boots
3) Hip Boots or Waders (if you want to get up close and personal)
4) A good pair of binoculars
5) Bug spray, netting, and or thermo cell for warmer months
6) Flashlight and Batteries
7) Seat cushion for longer more comfortable hunts
8) Slippers or slip on shoes for your comfort around the lodge
9) Camera and or Video Camera
10) A Safe Bow or Gun with necessary ammunition and adequate sights or scope
11) Proper clothing for the season (Keep in mind weather is unpredictable)
12) Rain Gear (WE HUNT RAIN OR SHINE)
13) A Large Cooler for transportation of your meat
14) Orange Hat or Vest
15) Personal Safety Harness
16) Climbing Stand (If you prefer)
17) Don't forget your NC Hunting License
18) Soft case for transporting your gun
Click on the image for a larger version.
Email us @ NCmonsterBucks@aol.com
It is our promise to you that we will do everything in our power to provide you with the best possible hunting or fishing experience regardless of price. We will offer you clean comfortable lodging, safe reliable equipment and environment, friendly and knowledgeable guides, and a great time in the woods or on the water. We promise to be professional, attentive, prepared, courteous, and safety conscious at all times. We will do our best to get you right in the middle of the action weather it's hunting for that trophy white-tail or fishing for the catch of a life time. You can count on us to have your best outdoor experience in mind.
We will skin, quarter, and store your deer until your return trip home at no charge. This service will be provided by our expert butcher who is just minutes away. Full game processing is available in the event you would like to take advantage of this service. We will offer this service at very reasonable rates.
Our expert taxidermist service is always available. Unlike many taxidermist services, your trophy will not be held up any longer than necessary. In most cases we can have your finished mount expertly completed in time for the Harrisburg Outdoor Show (early February).Our Taxidermist work is always available for inspection and professional quality is guaranteed. This service is available for all those who want to display their trophy for years to come. We offer competitive pricing for this service.
Our lodging and accommodations include a brand new stick built lodge that is second to none in North Carolina. Our main lodge is a four bedroom three bathroom home with plenty of room to comfortably accommodate thirteen adults. Our lodge is equip with a full modern kitchen, flat screen TVs, central air conditioning, and a double sided fireplace. We will provide you with cook ware, basic toiletries, and bedding for your stay so bring your gun and other outdoor gear and lets get down to some serious hunting.
We will do our best to keep your party in separate quarters. However, during busy times there may be other guests staying in the same room.
We are sure you will enjoy the accommodations we have to offer. If you have been to other outfitters in the past we dare you to compare our lodging to theirs, but be care full you may not want to leave.
Our approximate 8000 acres has 2,900 acres of farm land and crops, many of which deer and other game animals enjoy as a major food source. Our other 5,100 acres consists of hardwood ridges, swamp bottoms, cut-overs and pine thickets. Throughout these 5,100 acres you will find cleared lanes, as well as plenty of food plots with a natural mix of clover, wheat, rye and top name seed mixtures to ensure a healthy diet for our heard. In the areas where there are no food plots, there will be loose corn as well as corn feeders. If you've never experienced hunting Eastern North Carolina and its wide variety of terrain, beautiful sun rises and sunsets, we invite you to join us to see what you've been missing.
2009 Deer Hunting Season
Archery - September 12 - October 9
Muzzle loading Firearm - October 10-16
Rifle Season - October 17 - January 1
April 11 - May 8 (limit 1 gobbler per day, 2 gobblers per season)
2009 Duck Hunting Season
Soon to be announced
Soon to be announced
2009 Rabbit Season
November 21 to February 26, 2010
Bow Hunts (Whitetail Deer) |
|
3-Day (Limit of 2 buck and 1 doe) |
$1200.00 |
5-Day (Limit of 3 buck and 2 doe, third buck must be larger) |
$1875.00 |
Muzzle Loading (Whitetail Deer) |
|
3-Day (Limit of 2 buck and 1 doe) |
$1200.00 |
5-Day (Limit of 3 buck and 2 doe, third buck must be larger) |
$1875.00 |
Gun Season (Whitetail Deer) |
|
3-Day (Limit of 2 buck and 1 doe) |
$1200.00 |
5-Day (Limit of 3 buck and 2 doe, third buck must be larger) |
$1875.00 |
Special Late Season Whitetail Hunt (Nov. 26 - Jan. 1) |
|
3-Day (Limit of 2 buck and 1 doe second buck must be larger) *** 5-Day (Limit of 3 buck and 1 doe third buck must be larger) *** |
$900.00 $1500.00 |
Spring Turkey |
|
3-Day Self Guided $900.00 Fully Guided $1200.00 (lodging and meals included) By the day per person rates available upon request. |
|
Duck Season By the day per person $150.00 |
|
| Goose Season | |
By the day per person $150.00 All New Rabbit Hunts Your dogs or Ours By the day per person per 5 hour day $125.00 Bobcat and Coyote By the day per person $150.00 Water Fowl, Rabbit, Bobcat, and Coyote hunts do not include meals or lodging but can be arranged for reasonable rates. |
** Deposit checks should be made payable to: Fair Game Outfitters . (CASH ONLY payments will be accepted on remittance balance upon arrival).
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