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Post by osprey on Jan 31, 2007 19:18:17 GMT -5
Well fellas, I talked with my buddy Billy in North Dakota today, guess I'm heading back out in 2007. I know, I accept your condolences in advance, it's a hardship, but somebody's gotta do it. But if anybody wants a mule deer hunt let me know, I can give you all the details. It isn't cheap, but it's a great place and I can gaurantee you'll see plenty of bucks. Tag apps are nearly 100%, but you've got to put in by March 1. Dave
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Post by BuckMaster on Jan 31, 2007 19:43:13 GMT -5
Hey Osprey,
I know it's just a waste of my time to talk about it, but ONE DAY I will make it out there. The Deer Hunter and I looked into it a few years ago, talk about expensive! Maybe you can throw a little info as far as pricing and stuff our way.
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Post by Hardcorehunter on Jan 31, 2007 21:27:08 GMT -5
From your pics, I have seen the quality of deer out there, so I know they are great bucks to be seen. I imagine prices vary according to the size of rack you want to shoot so maybe a low end and high end price. Looks like a great place to go.
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Post by BIG FOX on Feb 1, 2007 6:49:26 GMT -5
bal park us a figure on what to expect. If i want to get a mule deer i think i will head back out to Utah where i grew up and try. i think i could cut some cost that way, with visiting family while i am there.
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Post by osprey on Feb 1, 2007 9:16:06 GMT -5
Hunts are $2,900, fully guided. 5 days of hunting, arrive Sunday, hunt M-F, leave Saturday mornings, that includes lodging, meals, guiding, stands, pretty much everything except license, tips, cape and meat care fees ($50 each for full skinning/caping and deboning all meat). Licenses are a total of $215. Nothing variable as to buck sizes, camp rules are P&Y minimums although he's not real tight on that, he wants you to shoot a buck that'll make you happy. The license is an 'either species tag' that allows you one buck, whitetail or mulie, and there are some great whitetails there too. We take you out and drop you off at the stands, combination of treestands and ground blinds, many with bait/feed stations (you won't believe some of the whitetail spots, have picked up guys that have seen 80-100 deer in one sit!), average shots are 20-25 yards. For another $200 and the tag ($80, must purchase ahead of time the way ND has the tag system set up) you can shoot a turkey, too. Lodge is a ranch house, 6 bedrooms sleeps 12, plus two cabins that'll sleep 2 and 4 more. Generally around 6 hunters in camp each week, although some weeks there are only 1 or 2. Ranch is 14,000 acres, has been bow only for over 12 years. Billy's website is www.123hunt.com, it has lots of pics and info. I know it isn't cheap, and I wish I could tell you it was a lot less, but hunt prices don't seem to be going anywhere but up. If I didn't have a deal as his cook and publicist/photographer I'd be lucky to go once every 5 years. But in comparison to other good mule deer archery hunts it's still a bargain, most of the comparable hunts on Colorado plains and in Canada are going for $3,500-$4,500 now.
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Post by BuckMaster on Feb 1, 2007 9:54:56 GMT -5
Thats not too bad. Maybe something to save up for. I know I definitely want to go. The Buckwild Crew will be there soon!
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Feb 1, 2007 10:06:09 GMT -5
Doesn't sound too bad to me. $50 to cape & debone is very cheap, at least to what they would charge around me for that.
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Post by powdernut on Feb 1, 2007 11:10:17 GMT -5
I have been saving for a trip to canada ,but would consider nodak if you guys were gonna do a buckwild trip out there. That's a nice picture osprey, betcha it was hard to come back after you were there for awhile.
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Post by osprey on Feb 1, 2007 11:31:28 GMT -5
betcha it was hard to come back after you were there for awhile. Ohh, you can't even begin to imagine!!!! I always get a little homesick 'cause it's around the holidays when I'm out there, and I always miss the smell of saltmarsh, but it's hard to leave. It's the only place I've been that I never really want to come home, I love it out there. One day I'll probably move out there, I'm already looking for something, either property or a house, so I can spend more time out there... Guys with families may have trouble with this one, but I always recommend Thanksgiving week, too. After 5 years of being there for 5-7 weeks each time, it's just consistently an awesome week for rutting activity of both whiteys and mulies. My Dad killed his Thanksgiving afternoon this year, I killed on the same day three years ago, and I killed my biggest 2 days after Thanksgiving two years ago. Plus it's an easy week to get a booking, most guys have family obligations they can't get out of so there is always an opening. You just have to survive Osprey in the kitchen on turkey day!!!!
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Feb 1, 2007 11:44:41 GMT -5
Guess you aren't too bad in the kitchen if they keep you coming back.
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Post by osprey on Feb 1, 2007 11:51:29 GMT -5
I got hooked up like I am now because the first time I went was on a booked hunt, and after one day of eating Billy's cooking I kicked him out of the kitchen and took over! Now most of the repeat guys won't book unless they know I'm going to be there cooking. His wife Betty took over cooking the rest of the time, she's good too, but she likes the break to spend some time in town on the weeks I'm there.
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Feb 1, 2007 11:53:42 GMT -5
Sounds like you may have some good recipes to share!!! ;D
So that's how you do it....book a hunt & kick the cook out. Maybe I'll have to try that.
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Post by osprey on Feb 1, 2007 12:03:24 GMT -5
That sounds like competition, I think I better keep my recipes and secrets to myself!!!
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Post by BIG FOX on Feb 1, 2007 12:08:25 GMT -5
Osprey you don't have to worry about The Deer Hunter, but i make a mean flat iron T-Bone on the bow of the catfish boat at 11pm.... just ask the Deer Hunter and Buck Master
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Post by BuckMaster on Feb 1, 2007 13:07:00 GMT -5
No lie. That was some awesome T-Bone and don't forget about the PO-TA-TOES MAN!!! Add a little fresh caught catfish to the mix and you cant go wrong!
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