Kentucky Guided Hunt Advice

[Tioga]

We're looking at Mark Smith's Bowhunting Western Kentucky for a guided deer hunt this fall. We're PA boys looking at booking our first out of state hunt and we hear Kentucky is the spot to look for someone on a budget, yet the potential is there for P&Y bucks. Any thoughts on the outfitter or Kentucky? We're looking at 2500 bucks total - all expenses.

[petey]

For that kind of money, you can go a lot of places including Illinois.

If you're stuck on hunting Kentucky/ Southern Ohio, then goto M & M Outfitters website

http://www.mmoutfitter.com

Give Chad Martin a call and tell him I sent you :D
Chad Martin 859-289-3176

Otherwise (shameless plug) I'd call Lamont Outdoors in Southern Illinois and you can get a good hunt for less than that (all expenses)
Mark Lamont: (618) 384-7415
Bill Earl: (618) 925-3842

Here's pictures of the bucks they took last year

http://www.lamontoutdoors.com/gallery/gallery.cgi?Category=7

These boys will be in Harrisburg in a few weeks at the show, so you can go meet them in person there

I'd recommend either and I wouldn't send my fellow PA boys to someplace I wouldn't go ;)

[fabsroman]

Petey,

I agree that the plug is shameless. I am sure you know all of the advertisers on huntchat and they are quality people. Plus, without the advertisers there would be no huntchat. Plug away my man.

[Tioga]

I appreciate the info. Lamont Outdoors looks like it has a lot of potetial. I'll be sure to check them out at the Show in Feb.

What kind of success has anyone (on hunt chat) had at Lamont's? Judging from the web photos a few fellas went home pretty happy!

[Steverino]

Hey Tioga,

I bowhunted the rut at Lamonts this past fall for two days (Nov.12th &13th) after getting turned unto the place from Petey and talking with the head guide, Bill Earl. As it turned out, I had talked with Bill previously a couple of years earlier.

If you look back through the "Anything Goes" category here at HC, you'll find a review that I wrote for the benefit of hunters looking for a good hunting experience at a reasonable price.

I tagged the below buck at 6:30am on Sunday (keep in mind-I had only hunted for one day when this guy came strolling by in bow range of my stand) I saw other bucks running around that made my knees weak-some real pigs. Honest. Should have used some In-Scents on Saturday:rolleyes: but that's another story.

The P&Y potential is definately there. If I wasn't in New House Saving Mode I'd be back again this year for sure! Hopefully in a season or two, I'll be able to return. I can personally recommend them for a first class hunting experience Tioga 9I have absolutely no ties to them whatsoever-was just extremely pleased with my hunt and the quality deer herd and land management practices that I observed first hand) Good luck!

;) S

[Steverino]

I used to live in Western Kentucky just outside of Benton and while not trying to take anything away from Mark Smith's operation, (not familiar with him) I do know the area and besides hunting LBL (Land Between the Lakes)-Southern Illinois, IMHO, has better potential for what you are looking for from my personal experience for the money.

[Tioga]

Definitely stogie worthy! I like the picture.

The more I research things (believe me, tooo much research). The more I believe that if I'm going to spend the money, why not go to the "land of giants," and I don't mean Maryland either!
:D I wish I would have found this website sooner, great place.

If Petey has time to try and sell me more, I'm all ears. The website looked good, I'll try to contact the head guide.

[Tioga]

It was like I was there while I read it. Sounds like good times. We're like everyone else, the atmosphere at camp is almost as important as the hunt itself.

[fabsroman]

Tioga,

Maryland deer might not be the biggest in the nation, but they aren't necessarily small either. Also depends on your definition of big. Are we talking racks or body weight?

Here is a picture taken 2 years ago of some deer killed in Maryland. I know the guy in the truck and it is legit.

[Steverino]

Some great looking bucks! (in any state of the union, Fabs) Will this fella that you know in Maryland let Tioga and his pals hunt with him in his spots this coming Fall? :D

[petey]

Tioga,

Just don't forget to mention me (Josh Peters) if you call Bill or Mark or (Huntchat). Believe me, I've sent a lot of people to them over the few years and they'll show you the time of your life, and it'll be a good experience if it's your first time on a "paid" hunt.

The Huntchat ProStaff will be making it's 3rd year this April to hunt Spring Gobbler with Lamonts. I've killed 2 birds the past 2 years in less that 1 hr of hunting on their land. It just keeps calling me back every year. I truely enjoy the time I spend hunting with those good ol boys....and if you get to meet Bill you'll know what I mean. That man is worth the trip alone!! He'll keep you rolling on the floor.

With their opperation and land in both Illinois and right across the river in Indiana a guy can draw a tag for IL then go down and buy your license over the counter for Indiana and get 2 of whatever you're hunting (and you're hunting the same deer/turkey,etc...)

[Tioga]

I don't have a digital camera or access to a scanner or I'd post some pics of my bucks.

I hunt northern Lancaster County - around Adamstown/Denver.
Also, own a camp in Tioga County - 20 minutes north of Wellsboro.

Nice MD deer Fabs - I have heard they have nice bucks down there. My dentist hunts the Remington lease down there.

....thanks Petey for the referral. Sounds like a great place to go. I'm also looking at Copper's Creek (Rock Island County) - anyone heard of these guys?

[Tioga]

Going to be located at the Sportsmen Show?
I can't find them on the floor plan - lists outfitters located in each section of the show on the website (Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show)? ....Petey...do you know where they'll be? thanks.

[petey]

Yeah I noticed that myself. I think they may have been a little late on the signup and didn't get added to the list, but I think they are going to be in the main outfitter area. I told Mark to send me their booth number if he knew it. I'll try to get ahold of one of them and find out for sure.

I'll be down Monday with the wife to enjoy all the vendors, and Wednesday I may just sit all day and BS with those boys. I have a bunch of "clients" that are going to be there, so I'll have plenty of catching up to do and a lot of the typical PR work. Anyhow, those are the days I'll be there... I'll let you knwo on the booth number once I find out

[petey]

Lamont's will be at booth 4301 at the Eastern Outdoor Sports Show in Harrisburg if anyone is interested.

They'll probably be stopping at my place on their way through today....

[Tioga]

We decided to book with Copper's Creek out of Rock Island County, Illinois. Not sure if you guys got my thank you last week...but thanks again for the advice on where to go. We really like what we see/hear from out outfitter and are glad we didn't go to W.Kentucky.