“There is a big difference between HOPING you’re on a property that can fulfill your expectations and KNOWING you’re on a property that can do so!”
Many moons ago, back at the start of my career, I was asked to arrange an African plains game safari for a group of hunters. I had never been to Africa, so I politely declined knowing that it’s hard to consult on something I had no experience with. It was made very clear, however, that they wanted me to get it organized and to do whatever was necessary to get it done – even if that meant, I needed to get on a plane and fly to Africa to do so.
The reason I had never explored South Africa was because of all the rumors I had heard over the years. Everything from “it’s ALL high fenced” to “who wants to shoot something in a cage.” But in all honesty, at the conclusion of my exploratory mission, it was one of the very few destinations I had traveled too, that I didn’t want to leave. I was completely wrong with my initial assumptions. I LOVED every second of it and have been back multiple times since.
It seems that destinations like South Africa, New Zealand and parts of South America are acceptable locations when discussing “estate” or “high fence” styles of hunting. But bring that same conversation back to US soil and my answer would be, “that’s just not for me” – that was, until COVID 19 altered my hunting plans early this fall. I was scheduled to travel to Greenland with a group of clients and chase Muskox with my bow, but when Denmark (that’s who regulates Greenland) closed its borders to all entry and we had to push our trip to the 2021 season. I decided to give estate hunting in the US a try. With hesitation, I proceeded to book myself and a fellow first-time US estate hunter, a whitetail hunt in Michigan. And just like Africa, I was completely wrong with my assumptions!
I will say, there is a big difference between hoping you’re on a property that can fulfill your expectations and knowing you’re on a property that can do so! At no time did I feel like I was in some “controlled environment”. The deer were just as unpredictable and elusive as I had ever experienced with my whitetail hunts in Canada and across the lower 48. I found myself hunting age rather than antler size and was fortunate enough to take an old 7½ year old deer (based on trail camera history) and my hunting partner was able to harvest a gorgeous buck that scored just over 200 inches. I was able to pass on multiple deer larger than the one I took, but I found it easier to do so, because I envisioned that 2½ year old mid-160″ buck, as a 5½ year old – the true giant he could turn into. Now, I’m not usually in the business of passing on deer like that, but based on the environment I was hunting, it was pretty cool knowing I had a good chance to encounter exactly what I was looking for. That same desire is what drives me every time I go afield, no matter where I’m hunting. I can honestly say, I’ve never been so comfortable passing on so many big deer.
It was a cool hunting experience and given the opportunity and if my schedule allows, I will return in the future.
High fence, low fence, no fence hunting… I’ve had the opportunity to be exposed to all and have formed my opinions for each. Good or bad, this has been crucial to my ability to consult clients on the best destinations around the globe. Over the years, WTA has continued to look at expanding its assortment of North America-based estate-style hunting opportunities, simply because of the growing demand. Here is our offering, if this style of hunting is of interest to you.
In closing, I know this is a tough topic for some, but I can tell you first and foremost, I am a big fan of anyone that chooses to spend their free time and money in the outdoors. Who am I to tell someone what is right and wrong when it comes to spending time in their pursuit? I’m so happy that we have access to an assortment of venues around the globe that fit all physical levels and abilities for anyone that cares to participate. We all have opinions regarding how things are hunted; field vs. water in the duck hunting world, bow vs. gun in the big game world, while all the while, we’re still trying to figure out where crossbows fit into the picture. In my book, we’re all hunters no matter what your passion or pursuit is, just as long as you are doing so in a legal and ethical manner! Whether you’re restricted physically, by time, or simply want to try a new approach, give our WTA consultants a call and have a conversation to discover all the possibilities that exist.
