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Newsletter
Essex show complete. Thank to all the hunters who allowed us to display your mounts in our camps booth most outfitters just bring their own or hand pick but as with eveything here at OUTDOOR PARTNERS we like to have our hunters involved. So a big Thank You to those who had their heads in the booth and surely a huge Thank You goes out to Paul Kilbury, Jeff Baker and Todd Laforce for all your efforts from building booth to setting up and actually working the show it was fun and enjoyable. We were really busy at times with three of us answering questions and rows of hunters waiting to get their turn to talk with us so the show went well. Being that the show was in Essex Vermont all the mounts were of course from our camp hunters who live in that area. Again guys we THANK EACH OF YOU as it is important to our way of doing things that it is our hunters booth. And again those 3 hunters who offered to help with this show you guys were outstanding you truly were OUTDOOR PARTNERS! It was great to see so many of the camp hunters show up at the booth and even saw some of our past hunters who stopped in to say hello it was great guys Thanks. Here are a few hunters who stop by and surely can't get everyone but: Pete,Zeke, Frank, Rob, George, Deven, Darren, Dennis, Mike, Chan, Donnie, David, Tad, Easton,Ed, john and like I said I'm sure I missed some but surely it was awesome seeing each and everyone of you and a pleasure meeting some of the better halfs.
Man things are surely booking quickly I'll be heading to the hunting show here in Vermont this weekend hope to see you there stop by the booth and say hello. I'm excited to meet the new hunters coming in most book over the internet of course so getting that chance to actually meet in person is always enjoyable and for those I will not meet till your at camp hope you have a great summer see you in the fall stay safe. As of 1/18/12 we have 2 primetime bow hunts remaining, 2 second gun and 2 Muzzle loader only or these can be booked as a combo second gun & Muzzle loader. We have 6 openings for early bow hunts that must have an end date no later than Oct.18. these hunts will have you first on your farm and they are 6-day hunts for $1000 each. Thanksgiving week is all so under the same discount program. Want to Thank all the return hunters as again we have a really high return rate and surely THANKS to all of those new hunting partners joining us and it is apparent that hunters are understanding that booking early gives them more hunt options. Only 7-days into our 2012 booking and we have just a few prime hunts remaining. Again thank you all hope everyone enjoys there up coming hunting vacation. We have now started booking for the 2012 hunting season if you are interested in joining our camp the time to contact us is now to allow you more date options as well as the chance to book hunts that are being offered for show prices. Each year we have a few hunts we offer at shows at a fairly large discount and this year is no different only that we will offer those hunts to everyone not just those few who happen to see us at the show. If your interested in all of our prices including dicounted hunts please e-mail me garyred71@comcast.net or call (802)-899-4545 All discounted hunt prices are only good through our show dates or until the hunts are booked. We are offering in these discounts bow hunts that have an end date no later than October 18th. not only are these hunts discounted but as part of the promotion they are being offered with 1 additional day of hunting at no cost! so if you book 5-days you get 6-days of hunting and 1-day to scout and hang stand so 7-days in the timber, these hunts can be booked as 5 or 7-day hunts. It should again be noted that all hunts come with a scout day at no cost. Thanksgiving week bow hunts are included in the same promotion and on the gun side we are offering a great price for a few muzzle loader only spots. As part of the promotional show discounts we are offering both second gun season & Muzzle loader only season in a combo pack that can be booked for a great price and the 4-days in between the two hunts come with the package if you want to buy a bow tag and bow hunt so be it or if you want just added scout time or maybe just relax around camp that up to you but this is a great deal for those gun hunters surely. Well this will give you an idea of what we have there is more but booking started for us today so contact us soon if your interested in making this your camp.
While your here be sure to scroll down and check out the hunting story and a few e-mails we have received from hunters, of course we can't place them all here but pick out a few that we feel you may enjoy reading. Of course don't forget to check out the photos and captions. To read full captions and see larger photo click on them. If your interested in booking or simply have questions or just want to talk hunting feel free to drop me an e-mail I'm always up for some whitetail talk....Gary. 2011 season now wading down the season went well over all with a few slow spots but over all there were some nice bucks harvested and lots of missed opportunities that really is nothing new. Each year we have misses and this year was no exception with 11 bow misses and 4 during the first two gun seasons. The largest buck so far was taken in the late season and that buck scored in the 150's. It just seemed as if those real monster kept eluding harvest with two hunters reporting that they missed on bucks that would have pushed or broken into the B&C class but guess that hunting. At this point Dolor Lamphere leads with the largest doe harvest that doe dressed in the 130's. Check out the photo of the bucks in the gallery be sure to click on photo if you want to read entire caption and see larger photo. OUTDOOR PARTNERS wants to thank all those hunters who have chosen to make our camp yours! We all so want to take a moment to Thank all of those hunters who contacted us this past year for more information we hope one day we'll see you in camp. OK so I'm a HUNTER JUST LIKE YOU! If your an ethical hunter who just loves the challenge of hunting mature bucks were likely about the same. I know many of you might think that I'm something more or less depending because I am on here writing and your on here reading. The simply truth is that I'm really just another whitetail hunter who is over come by my passion to both be in the timber and view whitetail in the wild and all so have a passion to try and harvest those mature bucks. I simply am one small part of our camp and was lucky enough to get the opportunity to be not only the person in charge of our camps website but all so I do all of the booking. Surely it is a dream to be so involved with our camp but it really dose not change the fact that I'm a hunter just like all my partners in camp. As I get ready to head into camp for my 12th. season of Trophy Whitetail hunting out of our OUTDOOR PARTNERS camp I'm as excited as I was 12 years ago, actually even more so if that is possible. Knowing just what my hunting vacation will be like sharing camp with many long time camp hunters and some new to camp what I don't know is what this years hunting will be like but I know I'll give it my best and I will enjoy. The camp is some what different than many first it is truly priced for the working class hunter and more than half our hunters have been coming for at least 5 season now with many being here even longer. That alone should tell you why I feel lucky to be part of our camp. But the real truth is that it is our camp when your here you really start to feel ownership, our hunters have there own hunting grounds to hunt in groups of 2, 3 and 4 no other hunters are allowed on their farms during their hunt. The hunters get to return to the same hunting grounds year after year again giving them a little ownership and pride in their hunting grounds, not to mention follow up years to nail down some really hot spots on their hunting grounds. And because we get a free day to scout and hang our own stands things are setup the way we want them and all of my camp hunting partners are earning their rewards all their rewards! Yes my passion runs deep and its time for me to leave for my 2011 hunt and I'm looking forward to it as always. I stopped in here because I just had the urge to again try and reach some of you hunters out there that really have the same dream I had 12 years ago. Not everything always goes smooth and not every hunter every year harvest a mature buck but simply put if your like me looking for that place you can make yours this camp again is affordable compared to what out there and the bucks are here the management system has proved it self year after year our hunters have killed 120 class to over 200 inch bucks in recent years. The hunting pressure here is controlled really well and while the camp it self is not 5 star it is warm,dry and comfortable all we need for our hunt. The hunters not only get along and help each other they really have a tight bond as hunters and look forward to sharing camp each year. If your an ethical hunter and you would just like to talk about deer hunting, our camp, my hunting approaches, anything hunting, even my hunting story you can find below, you can e-mail me at garyred71@comcast.net as I said my passion is deep and my goal is to inform those who maybe looking for what this camp offers the chance to join us. I'm a hunter most likely much like you if your ethical and the passion runs deep and that is what you'll find in my hunting partners in our camp. Best of luck to all have fun and be safe! OUTDOOR PARTNERS 2012 Hunts E-mail: Garyred71@comcast.net And request information remember booking early will give you more date option and don't forget to ask if we are running any discounts. All so we do have a YOUTH PRICE. Questions or to book a hunt: E-mail or call garyred71@comcast.net or 802-899-4545. Camp Hunting Story: Windy Day Buck It was my second season hunting 10-day bow hunt out of my Illinois Outdoor Partners camp and while I had hunted 9 different states and the 3 big Canadian Providence for big monster whitetail this place was going to become my hunting home it was just that good. Bow hunting is my passion and it was so obvious after just one visit in the timber here at camp that Illinois was built by Mother Nature for bow hunters. And Outdoor Partners while only in its second year was just what my dreams wrapped around. The price was right the management system was such that hunters would get opportunities yet it still supported age structure. But my favorite part about camp was I get my own farm to hunt and set my own stands. So basically if I harvest my buck here at my camp I will have accomplished it by doing it all myself and that is what I enjoy and want in my hunting. So the windy day buck while I’ll get to that shortly because this hunt actually took place my second season at camp let me share just a little about my season one hunt. My partner and I scouted out and hung 5 stands for our first hunt out of camp. Yes we got all 5 stands done in one day our scout day. As things would go over all the season was unseasonably warm. But to our surprise the deer and including the big bucks were still moving quite well actually in all my hunting I had never seen anything quite like it. As our first season flew by my hunting partner would have 3 opportunities at great bucks but he would fail to close the deal. And my hunt while I’d only have one opportunity would end the same way. It was a season filled with large buck encounters but neither my partner nor I could close the deal that is bow hunting. But after 30 plus years of hunting whitetail with many of those years having harvested bucks this year was simply the most enjoyable I had ever had. My partner closed that first season having messed up 3 chances on bucks that ranged from 130’s up toward B&C. And I had missed an awesome P&Y on the last day of the hunt. All of our opportunities were what we would call inside good bow range 30 yards and in. For some reason it just did not happen. So the second season rolls around and of course we place all 5 stands in the same trees as the year before knowing they all produced good deer movement. This my second year I was surely more relaxed and plenty excited for the season to start. With all 5 stands hung on our scout day I was ready to go early the next morning the start of our 10-days was on. As I recall the first three days were really good deer movement but no real shooter type bucks but that would soon change. The next two day I would see a total of 9 bucks with two of those being right around P&Y caliber bucks and one being a 150 type buck while no shot opportunity was given on these days seeing the three shooter bucks surely had me pumped for the next day. But the next day came in strong with high winds and heavy rain. Being to pump to sit in camp I put on my rain gear and plan to just get in my stand to see what traveled by if anything on this wild day! By the time I had climbed into my stand I was second guessing my decision to go out as the rain and wind seem to increase. I had one of those tree umbrellas but the wind and heavy rain had all but destroyed it early on. After setting for about 2 hours and knowing there was no way I could shoot and that the storm was only getting worse I was thinking about heading back to camp. A few minutes later I saw a really nice buck cross the creek just about 50 or 60 yards down. I had no idea what he was doing or where he was going but I had just accomplished my goal for that day. I now knew there was a shooter going through my stand location and tomorrow I’d be back here waiting on him. The next morning with really high hopes I was off to the same stand location and as so often is the case after a heavy storm we were into the back side of it and the winds were high gusting to 25 mph. The day was quite uneventful up until about 2:30 I had only seen two doe both just kind of sneaking through my stand location and while they past by at no more than 15 yards down wind they never seem to wind me. It was brisk out and the wind was raw kind of ripping through my Mossy Oak camo and my hands were a bit cold hanging tight to my Hoyt bow waiting for that opportunity I just keep thinking would come. I had been standing for about 7 or 8 hours now and trying to keep a positive frame of mind that even in the heavy wind I could still get my chance. I turned slightly to my right and without warning there stood my trophy whitetail buck not more than 25 yards away and he was directly down wind. Before I knew it he was walking down in front of me on and angle that kept him at about 20 to 25 yards but he was quartering to much no good shot. He got about 25 yards right in front of me going away no shot but then he turned. I drew my bow and placed my 20 yard pin just a bit high on his chest as he turned. Then my mind took over and I thought can I make a perfect shot in this wind at 25 yards? Suddenly I decide that it was not worth the chance of wounding the big buck. Having had my bow at full draw for awhile I let up but stayed ready. Resting my arm for just a few short seconds while intently watch the big buck in hopes he would come in just a bit closer as the wind continued to hammer. My tree was large enough and on a side hill but it was still moving slightly. Now facing my direction the big buck started walking right toward my stand seemly wanting to go back into the heavier cover behind me or perhaps hit the CRP fields up above. Both ways the big buck was closing the distance on my stand quickly and my heart was pounding like a locomotive was running through it. I knew that a shot opportunity was now going to happen as I drew my Hoyt bow set at 60 pounds and kept analyzing the situation as the big buck closed to ten yards. My bow at full draw I tried to get locked on but now he was quarter to almost striate on no shot! But I knew he’d have to give me a perfect shot now there was no way he could get by without giving me a great shot. As he walked under my Loc-on stand with my bow at full draw when he got out away about 5 yards I placed my pin in the sweet spot and touched my free flight release allowing the arrow to do it job and my old faithful Thunderhead 100 sliced through its mark. I had my first camp buck 10 points and went in the P&Y book at 132+. I don’t recall what his gross score was but it made no difference. Maybe another story will be added here in the future as I head into my now 12th. Season and as luck would have it I have had at least one opportunity at a camp minimum buck or larger every year and while I have harvested several more big bucks, I have had years like the first one where I just could not close the deal and some years where I just simply held out for something larger passing on some really nice bucks. And of course I have placed several awesome bucks on my wall. But most importantly I enjoy every year in camp with all my hunting friends no matter if I fill my tag or not! Those are all stories for the future and from the past maybe the next one will be The Year of Opportunities. But for now it is time to get in the present as I ready for my 13th. Hunt out of my Illinois Outdoor Partners Camp. A HuntN Friend Gary The Ultimate Gift for That Special Hunter No matter if it’s a birthday gift or a Christmas gift or an anniversary gift if you know a deer hunter that you want to give the ultimate gift to consider blowing them away with a trophy whitetail hunt. We'll work up a hunt that’s sure to make that special hunter in your life flip with joy. Call or E-mail and I’ll be happy to work with you to build a great hunt. Will supply you with a gift certificate and a detailed letter about the hunt we work out, You can in return share with that special hunter on the perfect day. Contact me at: garyred71@comcast.net Notes Received From Hunters
Thanks for getting back to me Gary, I sent out the deposit money to Jason already so we should not have any problems there. As far as the show goes, cant make any promises for that due to I work all the days its going on. I will be up for the hunters night with all 3 mounts and if there are any other guys I know that would like to go, I will bring them with me. I should be getting my mounts back in April so that will not be a problem. Now after I took a breath from the blink of an eye, I once again would like to thank all that Outdoor partners have done for us. The opportunity was all that was needed. I can tell you that this year made a believer out of my father, I always have been and this year was no different. I can say I had the most confidence ever on a hunt, along with the relieve of my father finally shooting his trophy buck. I thought I knew allot about the farm I hunt, but still has taught me precious information I could only learn by hunting that farm and ability to adapt. I had a Blast with all the guys at camp, It is a great crew, I just wish I could spend more time with all you guys and in Illinois, but time and money makes that difficult. with that being said this trip was like a story, I got the chance to capture things in time with a camera and memories shared with friends and family. Thanks again gary this year was a pleasure and will be my best memory hunting.
Jayson Keller
Reply: Jayson it was awesome to see both you & your Dad score on mature bucks this year ! As the hunter who is responsible for doing our camps booking there is nothing more rewarding for me than hearing that the hunters have had a good time. And while that is much easier to do when you score I know you enjoy each season for what it is Con-grads to both of you and look forward to seeing you both at our Illinois camp this fall.
Hi Gary I just back home and wanted to thank you for all the help in getting into the Outdoor Partners camp this year. I didn't get a deer but Rob got a nice one on day 2. We arrived on the 29th and met with Chuck and got some of the preliminary paperwork done. The camp was clean and comfortable and we had a great first night. The next morning we saw Jason and finished up with all the money issues and necessary paperwork. We were shown the 3 properties we were allowed to hunt and then turned loose to place stands and scout. We understood that we needed to get a feel about the properties and get the stands up with out blowing them out and did a pretty good job. We drew straws since we decided that 3 on the Cilley farm was probably too many and I lost so I chose to go to the first small farm closest to camp rather than the northern Tennessee Road farm.. We set up a lock-on just over the hill on the north east side looking out into the drainage opposite from the second parking area and set a climber on the south west side just north about 100 yds from that rock pile near the first parking designation. I saw two buck 8 point or better just setting the stands and one was a slammer so I felt comfortable with the farm. I hunted all the first day from dark to dark without moving from the lockon and saw 12 deer. I passed on an 8 that was probably in the teens and below minimums and all the rest were doe. I tried the south west side on that rainy day 2 and saw 10 deer with just one small buck. At noon George texted me and asked if I wanted to try the Tennessee farm but I wanted to stay put and sat out all day until dark in my summit which was nice and comfy. At the third farm Rob went in the west end off that driveway to find a place for a stand and George went in through the corn on the east looking to put up a lock on. Somehow they pushed a few deer between them and just as George was texting Rob to tell him he found a good place for a stand he saw some deer and they headed back towards Rob and when they broke out Rob was in a place where he got a shot on the beauty that he got. There was an 8 that he decided was below minimums that broke out first and then the big one and then a doe followed by a smaller 6. He compared the 8 that he had a good look at and passed on and saw the big one and decided that it was a shooter and it was done. Good luck on his part and right place at the right time. Day 3 I went into the climber again and at noon hadn't seen a deer so I moved it to the north west side right near the property line on a ridge where I saw the biggest rub I have ever seen. I saw 6 deer there but all were doe. Day 4 I decided to try the Cilley farm and went in at dark and found a place on the south west corner just above the corn. I saw 5 doe and at noon we decided to try Tennessee again and I poked down into that God awful mess and came out on a nice white oak ridge and posted there all afternoon. I only saw a doe but it was a nice spot. George tried that small side property and actually almost got it done on a shooter but had some bad luck and didn't get a chance to drop the hammer. Rob was back at camp taking care of his deer on day 3 and some of day 4. All in all it was a great hunt and turned out to be every bit as much as I was hoping for. On the way out there our team talked and we all agreed that if one of us scored it would be a huge success and we got it done. I want you to make sure to pass on to Jason that he has a quality operation and there was no smoke and mirrors like a lot of places. He was honest, provided a very high quality experience and should be proud of what he is offering. Our team talked a lot on the long ride home and look forward to returning next year with a bit more experience with the properties. It was hard to get to the level we needed to be with never seeing the properties before and the next trip we all feel that we should have a better chance at scoring. George talked about possibly trying to get a bow slot, Rob and I would like to get back same time same place again next year. G said if he couldn't put together a bow hunt then he was in for the 2nd season gun again. Regardless I want to come back for sure and will have at least one other with me. We might possibly have 4 and if there is an opening for the other two would need an additional farm slot for the other 2 providing that there is an opening. I will get in touch before the end of the year to give you the best guess at what we will be looking for. Once again Gary, thank you and Jason very much for all you have done to provide us with such an enjoyable hunt....Frank Reply:
Frank I'm of course really happy you all had an enjoyable hunt and Robs buck was awesome. You and your group are very much welcome anytime Jason told me he really enjoyed your group and talking with you. He all so added that you guys hunted hard and he could tell you all were enjoying yourself. Yes one thing you will always get from us is the truth no smoke no mirrors we both pride ourselves in the fact that while it may cost us a few hunters at the end of the day we know we are upfront. The thing is we really rather have fewer hunters and get the ones who understand what hunting is this is not Jason main source of income and it truly is a camp that was built with the working class hunters in mind, and those who enjoy the entire process of hunting. I'm glad you have joined our family of OUTDOOR PARTNERS hunters and you now own a spot in your Illinois camp! Hi Gary. As Rob Burkart told you we had an awesome trip and were thoroughly pleased w/ everything about the hunt. I can only imagine how good it could have been if we knew the properties better. Next year will be much better with the knowledge we gained. I found a great funnel on the Cilley farm the second to last day and think my opportunities would have been much better had I been there the first day. I did manage to see 4 115-120" bucks within 40 yards, one 9 point I think was a legal buck, but not what I was looking for. I booted a fully mature deer while moving my stand to the funnel I was talking about and sadly only 100 yards from where I had my stand! Two long bounds and he was out of sight. Also saw a 140ish buck the last night but did not get a shot. Rob told you I would be interested in a bow hunt, but only if it were available the last bit of October or 1st week in November. I realize this is a busy time, but would absolutely like to be on a waiting list. Would I need to get a partner? I'm sure I know a few guys that would not take any convincing to get them to go. Again if I'm a waiting list for a spot for a while so be it, put me on the list. I'm a bowhunter and need to get out of Vt! If I can't get a bowhunt I'll keep hunting w/ Rob, Frank and a fourth if possible. Thanks, George Reply: Thank you George I'm glad I could get you all in to join our OUTDOOR PARTNERS hunting family and now you all have a camp in Illinois to enjoy. We'll work on trying to get you into that pre-rut bow hunt you want I have you waiting for that hunt and if nothing opens up for you this year I'll keep you in the late season with Frank & Rob. Thanks again a huntN friend Gary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gary, Make sure you thank your Wife for all the great food and hospitality. We really appreciate all you do for the group and I can't wait to spend some camp time together. I'm sure I will be a fixture in the years to come. Take Care, Rene Reply: Thank's glad you enjoyed HUNTERS NIGHT here at my house in Vermont and glad you have decided to make this camp yours for years to come. We enjoyed having you during the two season you already have spent here and look forward to having you every year as a return hunter.
Gary, Thanks very much for hosting the Hunters Night event. It was great to see the mounts and hear the stories and have a forum to ask all of our questions. We were really looking forward to this trip prior to yesterday and now we are REALLY getting excited. Plus everyone there seem to be great people to share a camp with and everyone was more than willing to share their stories and what worked best for them. Thanks again Zeke Reply: I'm glad that the HUNTERS NIGHT at my house in Vermont was enjoyable and mostly that you were able to meet prior, current and future hunters and all so information that will help when you arrive at camp and start your scouting and hunt. Thank you for becoming part of our camp I'm sure you will enjoy. Welcome to your OUTDOOR PARTNERS camp. 2010 season: Here is Don's Note:
Gary.....Here it is. On my 8 th day I actually shot and wounded a nice 9 pt buck. Blood trail and all. As luck wound have it 4 of us looked for it the next day for 3 to 4 hrs. Blood trail ended, no deer. I guess I choked again! I did get the wrath of Gary for getting out of my treee stand and not waiting 45 mins. (I won't forget this).I had several other shots at other bucks throughout the rest of my bow hunt, but wasn't quick enough on the draw. I did end up scoring on the last day of shotgun, 5 PM. A respectful 7 pt. scoring 126 inch at 162 lbs. As Jeff said, You never give up and there's plenty of time! To end up this 13 day bow and 3 day shotgun, I saw 41 + bucks and 95 + does.I certainly did learn allot. Shooting at a big buck is way different than a target. I want to thank everyone who helped me out,set up tree stands, look for wounded deer, drag out shot deer and giving me good advice. It was fun and thanks again. Maybe I'll see you guys next year. 12/12/2010 update from camp: Quick update on late 3-day muzzle loader season after two of the 3-days a total of 3 deer have been harvested 2 doe and 1- buck. Chuck Irwin the hunter who harvested the 200+ inch B&C last year in the second gun season has killed a big 9 point with two kickers making it an 11 point the buck has not yet been scored but should score up into the 140’s based on reports. Today is the final day of the 3-day hunt so good luck to the remaining hunters. Hunters there have been at least 13 deer taken that I don’t have photo of if you could send me a photo so I can post on website that would be great please send in jpeg format if you can and include small caption if you would like.
Reply From Gary: Don,
Thank you for taking the time to write this note being your first time bow hunting you did really well there are many seasoned bow hunters who would love to have the hunt you had and the chances, You will connect my hunting friend lesson learned was the goal at the start of your first ever bow hunt and I for one think you can say mission accomplished. It was great having you in camp and surely we hope you make this your hunting home like so many of us have. Don't worry about the WRATH you did just fine, lesson learned next season will be here soon so be ready. You saw a lot of bucks and learned a lot about bow hunting in just one season and you did your self proud hunting right down to the wire during the gun season and harvest a great buck. Thanks again for the note I know the hunters will enjoy reading it and I'm really happy you had a good hunt. Gary, I want to thank you for the hunt that I experienced last week at the camp in Illinois. From day one your services were accurate and very professional. The camp accommodations were excellent and the other hunters welcomed me as if they had known me for years. They shared hunting information and if they couldn't answer one of my questions, they referred me to you. The doctor always delivered and gave me the answer that I was looking for, thank you. I'm looking forward to next year and will be going to the show in Burlington. In the past, I booked two nightmare hunts, Anticosti Island, Missouri, which basically took my money. Jason and you have something that is special, and even though I didn't harvest a buck or doe, next year will be different. Hope all is well with your wife and the house and things get back to normal as possible for you. Best wishes to you and your family on the holidays and may everyone be safe. Thank you again for a great hunt and experience. Dan Tompkins Reply: Dan you are so welcome it was a lot of fun sharing camp with you and your group I hope we get to do so again in the future. It is always great to hear that hunters have a good time and that means a lot to me and even more based on the fact you did not harvest that monster buck we all try for but you know your a true whitetail hunter when you can enjoy the hunt and not just the kill. I'm looking forward to being in camp with you again in the future and I'm sure you will connect on one of those monster just stay after them that is and should be where the enjoyment comes from its your camp man you take care. Again Thank you nothing more rewarding to hear from the hunters that they enjoyed their time in camp. a huntN friend Gary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gary, Just wanted to drop you a note and tell I had a great time with all the guys in camp. While I did not connect this year I saw the biggest buck of my life on the last afternoon of my hunt (you had that planned for getting us to return lol). All the guys in camp made it easy to feel welcome, you and Jason were a wealth of information as well as the rest of the group at camp. I also hope everything at home has quelled and all are doing fine, our group had you in our thoughts when we heard what had happened. Hope to see you and all the guys in January at the show in Burlington. Well good bye for now and Happy Holidays for you and your family... Talk Soon Dean Reply: Dean hey it was a great time I'm just glad you enjoyed yourself surely you guys are a class act and know what hunting is about it was my pleasure to have the opportunity to be in camp with you my friend. I hope you are able to return for future hunts here at your camp. While we would like to be able to control those big bucks to come out on key surely he just showed up so you would have a good ending to your hunt and get you pumped up for a return trip. Those darn monster bucks are just simply no easy task to harvest and if they were we'd likely not enjoy hunting them as much. The nice thing is you know they are here and it is matter of just hunting long hours on stand and maybe next time you see a monster he'll give you that shot you need to place him on your wall. Thanks again my friend and I'm so glad you enjoyed your time here in your Illinois camp! Hello Gary: I know the Emails are coming in on you so I figured I’d let you catch your breath for a minute. Now I would like to reflect on what I experienced: For the first time in my life when dealing with hunting, hunters, I have never seen a group of guys have such a great time, complementing each other, willing to help one and other and give helpful hints and advice. I saw Jason he owner of the operation that was no different than the guys he had hunting and he was having a genuine good time, It was as if everyone had been old friends. I’m glad I got a chance to hunt with all you guys. I didn’t feel as if I was just another guy run through the mill, it felt as If we all had a part in the big picture. For me the drive out to camp, seeing the guys, the anticipation, setting the stands, seeing deer, hearing the stories, the misses and the hits this to me is hunting. There are deer in Illinois that words cannot explain. This year I got a chance to harvest the biggest deer in my life, a memory that will never leave me and I got the chance to do so with my Father and all of you guys, it keeps running through my head although the whole experience seems as if it lasted less than an instant. I realize now that there always is allot more to it than just setting your stands and hunting, we all have families, houses and responsibility and those things constantly run through our heads, especially when we are far from home. I want to thank you and Jason once again for the opportunity. Jason Keller Reply: For Jason Ippensen (owner) and myself there is nothing more rewarding than seeing hunters bring in that monster buck it simply is one of the most rewarding feelings we get. Surely equally as rewarding is knowing that the hunters understand that it is trophy whitetail hunting and not every hunter will conclude his hunt by harvesting a big buck but knowing that those hunters who don’t close the deal leave camp having had a good time is equally as rewarding and says a lot about this special hunting camp and its hunters!
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Welcome Hunters, (August 2010) As our first news letter I want to first say thank you to each hunter who has taken the time to stop in and visit our site we surely hope you will continue to do so in the future. We will be adding photos each year as well as each month I’ll have a new monthly news letter up for the hunters to read through. The news letter will cover many different subjects from information about camp, deer herd, harvest stories and even special promotional discounts as well as my opinion on some subjects related to hunting. But to start off let me first tell you that my name is Gary and I’m a hunter much like yourself. I started hunting with Jason the owner of Outdoor Partners 12 season back it was his first year taking hunters and really ending up here at Outdoor Partners was just a last ditch effort to locate a place I would enjoy enough to call my hunting home. Being that I live in Vermont and I’m an avid deer hunter who over time became interested in hunting mature bucks traveling to hunt would become a necessity and really for the most part I knew it was going to most likely mean traveling out of the northeast. While hunting big mature bucks with any weapon is a challenge and enjoyable bow hunting surely is my passion and where most of my time is dedicated. I hunted several different states in my quest to locate a place that could produce everything I was looking for in my hunting adventure and while one or two of these places drew me back for a second or third hunt something was missing that I really wanted in my hunting. As time passed I ended up finally getting to hunt Illinois remember this was 15 years ago when Illinois was just starting to become really noticed for their great whitetail hunting. After 3 seasons hunting here in Illinois I had a great time and really liked what the hunting could offer but after that first year the hunting pressure in the areas we were trying to hunt had climbed to the point by the third seasons end we had had enough it was time to try something different. As my partner and I started looking back at all of our hunting adventures all by the way fun in one way or another we realized that this Illinois location was where we had to be we now just had to locate a place that was affordable and we really wanted one with a good management system that included controlling the hunting pressure and on top of that we really wanted to be able to have our own hunting ground if possible and be able to do our own stand placement. We kind of sit in the motel room picking at each other like we could ever afford that even if we could get lucky enough to locate such a place. Seeing that we had to drive 30 miles one direction at the last place we hunted in Illinois to get to our hunting location we through that in to our search as well what to heck how about a place that has all this with just a comfortable camp to stay as well within a few miles of our hunting grounds. Well surely it all seemed simply unobtainable I mean how could we afford such a place even if we could locate one? And we had not really done a lot of hunting where antler requirements are in place and enforced. To this point not all but most of our antler requirements came from our own self commitments. But we knew from years of traveling and hunting many locations that without a solid enforced management system the hunting would only decline! And it matters not where your hunting big woods, small or otherwise simply put without management that controls hunting pressure, doe harvest, and age structure the hunting is only going to decline. So as this true story of how I ended up at Outdoor Partners goes my hunting partner Chuck happen to grab this small news flyer and in a small add and I mean small like get the glasses. There it was DO IT YOURSELF Trophy whitetail hunting in Illinois located in the Midwest part of the state yup right in the heart of the sweet spot. As Chuck read on the only other information was that camp and your own private land included. Needless to say the excitement was simply high and at the same time the biggest questions were how much and from there how is the hunting pressure? It would not be long and we would have answers to the questions and we liked all the answers. Yes even including the cost I quickly did the math I knew not only could I afford this venture but if it worked out to be even close to our expectations this would be our hunting home for many years to come. Well 12 seasons later I can tell you that I’m still here with many old friends and many new ones as well. Outdoor Partners offers great hunting ground that is managed to produce great hunting opportunities, the hunting pressure is the first idem on their management program. Farms are assigned to you when you arrive and your arrival day is at no charge as this is your scout and stand hanging day. You and your partner are assigned your own farm you are the only hunters allowed on that farm during your hunt. Outdoor Partners has one farm where they assign groups of 3 or 4 for those wanting to stay in a larger group this farm is large in size and was added by request of the hunters so we would have a farm for larger groups. However if you come in with 4 hunters and this farm is taken you pair up in twos and receive your own farms to hunt in groups of two. I have remained on the same farm all 12 season and this will be the same for you if you chose to join us at our camp. You can elect to stay on the same farm or request when booking return trip to move and try another farm but you will not know what farm that is until you come in the next season and are assigned your farm. No hunter gets to hand pick his or her farm the owner assigns them when you come in for the first time and that farm becomes yours for those dates as long as you continue to return. You will find yourself feeling ownership the way this camp runs not only in your farm but in the camp itself. You’ll find antler requirements that read a buck must have an inside spread of 15 inches and at least 8 points and or gross score 120 inches. You’ll find that these requirements work well for both first time trophy hunters and seasoned hunters as well. Many of the seasoned hunters have their own standards that are some number over the camp enforced requirements. As part of the management system $450 off a return trip the next season is offered to the hunter who harvest the largest doe and all other hunters who harvest a doe are placed in a drawing where two hunters’ names are drawn and awarded discounts on a next season return trip. This is in support of our hunters helping in the harvest of doe to keep that needed balance to have a good buck to doe ratio that produces outstanding rutting activity come fall. Our management system and farms produce trophy class bucks each year and last season one of our lucky hunters harvested a 200 inch plus monster! The camp is not five star but it comfortable warm and dry with everything hunters need. You’ll feel right at home here and that is the goal enjoy being part of our hunting family and your camp!
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