The 2006 hunting season was my first year in business as Fair Game Outfitters but don't let that fool you! We have quickly grown into North Carolinas most premier outfitting service, first class all the way! I have over 30 years of experience hunting, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors. My knowledgeable and experienced guides are professional, courteous, and mature minded and are ready to show you a great time during your stay with us!
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 the outdoors and it is because of this reason I ventured into this business. It is my belief that you can have first class accommodations, food, service, and hunting! This is what I will provide for you 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 Outfitter, period. 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 there is no over hunting and a quality experience will be in store 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 the service I provide. 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!
My 2010 hunt with Fair Game Outfitters and the lodge's owner and chief guide, Mike Santoro was my first experience in North Carolina; I am very happy to say that it is all that he declares it to be and probably even more. First of all, realize that I am not a new-comer to the sport of hunting...I'm 59 and have been hunting for 40 some years. I've taken deer most of those years, bear, coyotes and most, if not all, species of small game, so I guess you can say, at least, I'm am an experienced hunter. All that considered, I can honestly say that in every aspect of his business, he delivers. Whether it's the food at the supper table, the plentiful corn supplied at every stand site, or the varied types and locations of his stands; all are true testiments as to how he conducts his business. Mike always has the client's needs and comfort in mind. He is a man of his word regarding all issues he states and stands-by, as a first class operation in the guiding service. My drive from Scranton Pa was well worth the seven and a half hours to experience FGO's accommodations, varied hunting stands, and abundant population of deer (not to mention the wonderful people I met there). I accomplished what I set out to do (harvest a sizeable doe and a six point or bigger buck) with the guidance of Mike and his world experienced guide, Greg. They put me on deer six of the eight times I stepped foot in the woods. And that's saying a lot considering I hunted four days during the last week of the season (Nov 15-18) that he offered to his clients. On the morning of my last day, I sat on a ridge where the biggest buck he has on film was still running, but it wasn't to be my day as the buck didn't show up. I saw five buck during those four days and more doe than I see in twenty outings in Pa. Mike always kept his enthusiasm going so that you felt that he would make it happen for you as he did in my case; on the last day, the last hour, the last minute of my hunt. His determination to have me succeed was truly exceptional. Actually, I booked my hunt with him for 2011 before I ever shot a deer at his camp, because I saw his dedication and commitment to satisfy everyone that enters his lodge. He treats all his clients fairly, and one of the things I like best is his ability to handle any situation with tact and a sense of respect for his clients. He welcomes your input, your ideas, yours concerns so that he can better provide the quality hunt that you paid for. If he can't provide something you require; he'll tell you so right up front without any hesitation. We had a lot of laughs and good humor reigned throughout the days both at camp and during the rides to and from the field. Everyone had an opportunity to speak their mind on issues being discussed and some very interesting stories were shared by all. Don't break any of his lodge rules (which are all very well explained and enforced for the safety of those involved and so that all enjoy their time at the lodge without worry or fear of incident) and you'll have the time of your life hunting with him as your guide. Having hunted at numerous other lodges in NY, New Brunswick, and Montana; I can honestly say that Mike Santoro's FGO lodge is the best that I have ever experienced regarding food, guide services rendered, accommodations, and a genuine hunt for whitetail deer. One other thing I'd like to mention......if you, like me have slowed down some in your ability to hunt (due to age, a health issue, or just because you wanted too) then, FGO is the place for you to book a hunt because Mike takes pride in helping those who need a little special consideration.
Steve Kurilla
570-677-0254
Posted by: Steve Kurilla | January 30, 2011 at 10:49 PM