SD outfitter to avoid

[akajun]

Sounds like a guy who just doesn’t have his shit together. I’ve only been on one or two guided hunts for birds, but lots of chartered fishing trips offshore . Always tip at the end, and hell I’ve never paid time balance till the end either.
We all know that nothing is guaranteed in hunting or fishing but have your shit together , stand on good business, and try.
I had one captain that as soon as we got on the boat it rained for an hour, shut the bite down . We fished all day without a bite till the last hour where we found a spot and limited out on redfish and caught a few specks
Yeah I tipped him well
Then I had another trip where the Captian brought his side piece as a deckhand and she didn’t do anything, not to mention he was late, the radar broke off and hit my arm, and he got into a oissing contest with the game wardens over some past stuff and they started scrutinizing my party .caught very few fish , didn’t try.
When we got back we got into it, I refused tip . Thing is he’s on TV a lot, so people think he’s awesome, but has very few repeat customers.
Bottom line
Always do your research

 

[Bill K]

Good you posted the story of your trip. Nothing wrong in the way you did it, I feel, you just laid out some of the main things that were really wrong for a guided trip.
As some mentioned, never pay the tip in advance, always at the end of the trip and then with the amount it was worth. From Zero, in your case, to what you feel like with the fine trip hunting/fishing.
I would also add you should give a written report, like you did here, to the local/state game department.
If he is a registered guide, they should look into his outfit and if he is up to date on his license's and requirements. That and you story should aid others in choosing or not choosing his outfit for a outfit to hire.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Good you posted the story of your trip. Nothing wrong in the way you did it, I feel, you just laid out some of the main things that were really wrong for a guided trip.
As some mentioned, never pay the tip in advance, always at the end of the trip and then with the amount it was worth. From Zero, in your case, to what you feel like with the fine trip hunting/fishing.
I would also add you should give a written report, like you did here, to the local/state game department.
If he is a registered guide, they should look into his outfit and if he is up to date on his license's and requirements. That and you story should aid others in choosing or not choosing his outfit for an outfit to hire.

From what I can tell, there are no regulations or governing bodies in South Dakota for outfitters

 

[J.d. Popkes]

How did you get refered to him? How did the references he gave from previous customers check out?

Coworker hunted deer over there. On a lease that he had since lost before I could get there, the following year. I’m sure there was a perfectly legitimate reason why he lost that lease too…… I’m pretty new to outfitters. In fact this was my first time. I looked at one or two others, and they wanted us to get thrown into large groups which I didn’t want and some didn’t do the fishing. That area for that matter the whole west side of the state such a fantastic place for people really good people, people leave their windows down and their doors unlocked with six expensive shotguns in the vehicle while they go inside to get a sandwich at the grocery store, but that doesn’t always carryover to everyone’s character apparently, plus the guy I hired is not from there. My dad has a farm an hour and a half West. But the bad Winner we had a couple years ago pretty much decimated all the birds.

 

[T.Rhodes]

Just for fun I tried to go Rocky Road website...it's down. Facebook page seems to have been hacked. Something hinky going on with that.

Sorry you got shafted JD.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Thinking about posting this over on long range hunting. Unless there’s a guy here that is a member there that is willing to share, copy paste the link to this thread.

 

[6fatrat]

Len Backus
Long range hunting

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Just for fun I tried to go Rocky Road website...it's down. Facebook page seems to have been hacked. Something hinky going on with that.

Sorry you got shafted JD.

His website works like his trolling motor. Guy is a tire fire in every way.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Len Backus
Long range hunting

Is he on here?

 

[JFrank]

Is he on here?

You probably could have had the same experience without a damn guide.

 

[hogpatrol]

Had a not real cheap pd hunt in Texas where lunch was to be provided. Got out to the dog town and had a cooler with margarine, bologna, american cheese, bottle of mustard and a loaf of white bread. We did kill a lot of dogs but if we'd have known, would have brought our own food. As other posted, research and references and from what I've seen and heard, especially here in the states, way too many quick buck artists.

 

[1lessdog]

I guided for many yrs up in Saskatchewan for Waterfowl for 5 to 6 weeks. Coming back to N.D. The last week of October and would Waterfowl and Upland hunt till freeze up. Then hop over S.D. and hunt Nebraska. Then finish up the year in Texas end of Dec into January. Then come back to N.D. to do Predator hunts till first week in March. I can honestly say I hope every client I had, was satisfied with there experience with me. In Canada we averaged 68 geese a day for 16 yrs. Hunting 5 day a week. And never counted the duck that were shot in the decoys in the morning. I sometimes miss it. I had 12 quarters of land leased for Pheasants and I lost 10 quarters that went back into production in one year. I don't blame them, going from 54.00 a acre in CRP to 140.00 cash rent back into production. It was a no brainer for the farmers.

 

[Mark W]

Had a not real cheap pd hunt in Texas where lunch was to be provided. Got out to the dog town and had a cooler with margarine, bologna, american cheese, bottle of mustard and a loaf of white bread. We did kill a lot of dogs but if we'd have known, would have brought our own food. As other posted, research and references and from what I've seen and heard, especially here in the states, way too many quick buck artists.

That sounds like a fine meal in the field to me. I once hunted with some acquaintances who were supposed to bring the food. All they provided was a can of sardines and a whole onion for each person and a loaf of white bread, with hot Budweiser to wash it down. At least I didn’t have to pay for it…..lol

 

[L.Sherm]

Len Backus
Long range hunting

From what I understand there is no outing( calling out) any company overthere

 

[jds holler]

That sounds like a fine meal in the field to me. I once hunted with some acquaintances who were supposed to bring the food. All they provided was a can of sardines and a whole onion for each person and a loaf of white bread, with hot Budweiser to wash it down. At least I didn’t have to pay for it…..lol

Was that meal breakfast or lunch?? jd

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Rock road outfitters
Gregory SD

Talked To him on the phone, said me and my two boys want to shoot pheasants and fish the Missouri. He said that he absolutely provides that service. Set the date. I’ve never used an outfitter, asked what tip was customary, agreed. Paid nearly half in advance. He showed a video of where we’d be staying, gave what seemed like a standard legit sales pitch. Just us, no large group, has dogs, tons of birds and fish, perfect time of year, etc. Meal situation was extremely vague, said there’s a great cafe or meal provided, says we’re “super casual”, which in hindsight is a red flag.

Arrival, paid remainder and tip in cash first thing, didn’t want to lose it and didn’t want to have it lingering.

Hunted first day, me and my sons, him and two guides. 7.5 miles walked in extremely dense cover, only real one good dog, he got injured and had to go back, nobody limited out, one had maybe 2 birds, shot one on the road. He provided a decent meal. Day two, same group of people,no good dog, walked worse thicker cover, fewer birds, quit at noon, went back to the “lodge”, warmed up yesterday’s burgers, bunch of people in the lodge, went to our “apartment”. He asked later that day if we wanted to road hunt, I declined, didn’t come for that, didn’t need a guide for that. Its not even legal for guides to road hunt on roads that don’t run along their lease. said we’d be there for fishing in the morning. Got to the lake, trolling motor won’t work, zero bites, he said I’ll buy you lunch, and be done. By now my group was indeed done. Cafe was closed, I had packed a lunch because this was my 3rd day and by now knew that was on me too, I was pretty done. The cafe was closed another day for breakfast so we ate gas station food. I asked in the beginning if I should bring food or if it’s all handled, glad I didn’t bring food because where we stayed there was no grill or plates, pans etc like shown in the video. Best meal was at the bowling alley, just me and the boys. Apartment wasn’t something you’d pay to stay in, certainly not what was in the video. Whole food thing was a cluster f.

Met some locals around town. In talking with them I explained how we were doing and asked how they were doing. They laughed at us when I told them who I hired and how it went. At that point I really felt like a sucker.

We just got out of there.

Couple days later I get to thinking, I’d ask for a partial refund. The tip, the fishing, and half of a day of hunting. I just got a bunch of excuses, he wanted to get some of the refund from the landowner, and on and on. Finally he says just no to any refund. $4k in fees and tips, 400 in licenses and a 10 hour drive home. Plus food.

Too many other details to name, you get it.

Expensive lessons learned.

Terrible.

 

[CharlieNC]

It helps to use a reputable booking agent such as Butch Mannasse World Wide Adventure. They will have checked out the guide and hunt personally, and if any issues the agent has more leverage to resolve it. Cost is the same vs booking directly. If you want to pheasant hunt again I can recommend a couple good places we have been to many times.

 

[SD guy]

Expensive lesson learned. Sorry the experience turned out so poor for you & your boys. Guess my take away in hindsight may be to call the only cafe in town, seeking references & do not tip until the tip has been justified.

 

[ken158]

What did you tip for? Do you tip a waitress before you get your meal and service? Those of us that have used outfitters have stories… some bad but most average to good. You need to “out” this guy to save others from the misery you had. Or at least PM those that ask and I am asking since may go to SD next year.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

What did you tip for? Do you tip a waitress before you get your meal and service? Those of us that have used outfitters have stories… some bad but most average to good. You need to “out” this guy to save others from the misery you had. Or at least PM those that ask and I am asking since may go to SD next year.

Pm me anytime