I just got done with a hunt at Golden Triangle Whitetails, in Pike County, Illinois.
Don't waste your time or you money on this one. I got there and there were FORTY THREE bowhunters in camp. I was the only one with traditional gear. You are not allowed to scout, hang your own stand, or leave your stand...for any reason. It is only a money/production line hunt. No big bucks were taken. I saw one deer over 125". I passed him up at 18 yards. The stands you are taken to have been hunted for weeks. You can't find scrapes and hang a stand, you can't find rut areas, you can't hunt any trails you might see from your vehicle.
It sucked, quite frankly. Virtually all the land around this outfitter's is leased by OTHER outfitters...some even bigger with even more hunters.
Got a sour taste in my mouth.
Too Short
I've hunted public ground in the Golden Triangle and was impressed with the few animals I saw.
Unfortunately, publicity will trash any hunting spot real quick. Sorry things went bad for you, man.
Man, that sucks Paul. Surely one would have thought they would have made some exceptions for you!!!!! That really sucks!
jf
Thanks for the honest review Paul. I'm sorry you had a bad experience at such a great time of year.
You could always come to my place in SW Virginia. I can't promise a big bruiser but if you show up before the guns come out I can promise less than 43 hunters on several thousand acres of public forest and private farms.
I hope your November improves!
Hey Paul...
I too am disgusted with the whole "everyone's an outfitter now, so ya gotta pay ta hunt" thing that seems to be more and more prevalent in the midwest these days. It's exactly what you said; production line hunting.
Someday when I'm rich and have my own land :( :readit: I'll invite you over, let you hang your own stand, and help you drag the deer out, in exchange for listening to your b.s. around the campfire.
:campfire:
Man that sucks. They are obviously not in it for the success of the client.
Thanks for the honest review.