Boyd Shelby, blacktail guide

[Dipsnort]

After having sat through the blacktail hunting seminar put on by Boyd (Ed) Shelby at the Puyallup sportsman's show over the weekend I'm generally suspicious and curious as to any experiences folks have hunting with him.  What say you?

[bucklucky]

 

Ive only heard rumors, so I cant help ya on that one.

[bow4elk]

no clue...

[Houndhunter]

thatd be really hard unless you have alota private land access id think. ive thought bout trying to guide blacktails but i have a hard enough time trying to get people that generally know how to hunt on one, plus id have to take everyone to my honey holes

[wildmanoutdoors]

I live in Port Orchard and have known him since Jr. High. He definately gets it done. His success is astonishing. His biggest bucks are usaually semi neighborhood bucks which have grown up semi urban. Its not uncommen to see a house near were your hunting. Lots of areas other hunters dont think of. He capitolises on them and is very good at what he does.

Might not be your style, but the man knows how to find BIG Blackies. Legally. Usaually the areas he hunts for monsters are bow only because of proximity.

[Dipsnort]

Yeah, it looked to me as though he essentially relies on access to private property and often harvests deer in people's back yards.  It sounds like his guide service would be good for someone who is after a buck and not necessarily a "traditional" hunting experience.

He also made a very interesting comment--that he has been accused of poaching, hunting at night and hunting without permission.  I'm trying to reconcile why a person would make such a comment and why he (apparently) has been accused in what sounded to me like several instances.  Like I said, I'm generally suspicious.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Most homeowners who have no knowledge of hunting laws and such and maybe have seen frequently or even have everyday BIG bucks coming into there yards feel violated when along comes a guy in the know and whacks one with the kids swing set in the background. He will generally take em on a greenbelt or easement during there travels. He may even offer a gratituity to hunt your private lot.

There are allot of very populated places in Kitsap that are open to harvest with a bow. And many have no idea how to go about finding those places.

[Dipsnort]

I guess there were a few things that gnawed on my while I sat back and listened to the seminar.  First of all, it was basically an overt sales pitch to hire his services.  And there were several comments that had me thinking he was just off base in a social aspect.  Among other things, he mentioned that there have been times when a buck was on a neighboring property that he didn't have permission to hunt so he has thrown rocks on that property to try to scare the buck to the property he was standing on (where he apparently did have permission to hunt).  Maybe it's just me but if I don't want some guy killing animals on my property I sure as hell don't want him throwing rocks on my property to scare a deer to him.

[Dmanmastertracker]

Most homeowners who have no knowledge of hunting laws and such and maybe have seen frequently or even have everyday BIG bucks coming into there yards feel violated when along comes a guy in the know and whacks one with the kids swing set in the background. He will generally take em on a greenbelt or easement during there travels. He may even offer a gratituity to hunt your private lot.

There are allot of very populated places in Kitsap that are open to harvest with a bow. And many have no idea how to go about finding those places.

I don't know the guy, but I do know most easement's and greenbelt's are closed to hunting. In very, very rare situations, a private Company may own an easement such as Bonneville, but the majority of easement's, ROW's and greenbelt's are owned by the County, or City of jurisdiction and are closed to hunting .

[wildmanoutdoors]

I hear ya there. If your throwing rocks on a maintained piece of property like a lawn or garden or such Id be pissed too. But if you have 20 acreas of dense forest and couldent notice a rock out of place no matter, then I guess its fair game. All a homeowner could do is ask him to stop throwing them. If it was in your yard you could ask he comes pick it all up. Most wouldent even know he is there....

He definately isnt for everyone, but I dont believe he is a poacher as the definition decribes. He's kind of like the Jim Teeney of hunting...Jim would throw rocks to get Steelies to change there lye.
 

[wildmanoutdoors]

I don't know the guy, but I do know most easement's and greenbelt's are closed to hunting. In very, very rare situations, a private Company may own an easement such as Bonneville, but the majority of easement's, ROW's and greenbelt's are owned by the County, or City of jurisdiction and are closed to hunting .

Your probably right, and I used the terms way too loosely and shouldent speak for him, I cant say the he actually uses greenbelts and easements, because I dont know, just that he dosent have any issues with our 2 local area wardens...and he dosent have a bad rep with the community.

[bobcat]

Hey, somebody's gotta keep those rose-bush-eating deer numbers in check around those subdivisions. I don't blame the guy at all for taking advantage of the big bucks available that many won't hunt because of the proximity to houses and such.

[Dipsnort]

I hear ya there. If your throwing rocks on a maintained piece of property like a lawn or garden or such Id be pissed too. But if you have 20 acreas of dense forest and couldent notice a rock out of place no matter, then I guess its fair game. All a homeowner could do is ask him to stop throwing them. If it was in your yard you could ask he comes pick it all up. Most wouldent even know he is there....

He definately isnt for everyone, but I dont believe he is a poacher as the definition decribes. He's kind of like the Jim Teeney of hunting...Jim would throw rocks to get Steelies to change there lye.
 

It it were my piece of land it wouldn't matter whether the rocks land on my manicured lawn or in the "back 40".  I would still be PO'ed.  As an outside observer to this particular story he told I think it's beyond obtrusive.  The Jim Teeney story is not the same because the streams are public property.  If Boyd wants to throw rocks on public property to scare a deer his way I don't see a problem with it.

[wildmanoutdoors]

"The Jim Teeney story is not the same because the streams are public property.  If Boyd wants to throw rocks on public property to scare a deer his way I don't see a problem with it."

Exactly why I said "KIND OF" like the Jim Teeny.

Id just ask him for a steak. Lol PO' d or not, what are ya gonna do about it? Yell and scream? Big deal...break the law and you'll be sitting in jail and he will still have his Deer. Sure he could run into a whacko someday and get shot. But unless your that whacko, what exactly would you do Dipnort?

I wouldent like it any more than you. But you wouldent even know he was there chances are. And your right, He probably shouldent talk about that in a place were so many have different ideas and or concerns over these ways of getting deer. I wouldent be telling audiences that.

[Kowsrule30]

I've never heard anything too bad about this guy... A little off but who isn't.. But this is my exsperience with little honey hole's around suburbs in the County...


I live in Kitsap County... There are a lot of areas most hunters would never even think of hunting.... I found a nice little honey hole when I was 16.... I used my shot gun even though it wasn't a firearm restriction area.... Houses were not very close by... I nailed a nice 3 point one morning and it ran on private/posted land... (actually ran over 400 yds) After knocking on the door explaining myself and dragging a deer across their yard in front of their children.... (back to the woods, he wouldn't let me drive around and load it up) Hell, I even offered to hose down all the blood...   There was no hunting signs all over the next season...  A least I got one before the inevitable happened....

[wildmanoutdoors]

Theres some nice Deer up around Long Lake were I live Kow. Heck my buddy hunts on Horstman rd. near mile hill.

[Kowsrule30]

Theres some nice Deer up around Long Lake were I live Kow. Heck my buddy hunts on Horstman rd. near mile hill.

I'm assuming those area's are bow only??? I know exactly where you are talking about... Never looked into those spots... Looked into one off Bay St.... The city said NO TOO HIGH PROFILE!!!! 

[washelkhntr]

Don't know if I am right on this, but I could swear that someone on here posted about his hunting expierence with him last year or the year before and how it was one of the biggest jokes ever.

[gasman]

Don't know if I am right on this, but I could swear that someone on here posted about his hunting expierence with him last year or the year before and how it was one of the biggest jokes ever.

 

[MuleySniper]

Theres some nice Deer up around Long Lake were I live Kow. Heck my buddy hunts on Horstman rd. near mile hill.

Weird. My grandparents lived on Baby Doll and my uncle lives on Horstman. Most people in that area barely have an acre. When you say hunting, do you mean with his pickup?

[clhutner]

Dont know first hand but when I asked around here in Bremerton I did not hear anything good. Dont know the guy so do not know for sure but all had similar things to say.

[bobcat]

People are probably just jealous...

[gasman]

I sort of remember him also hunting state land around Tahuya and having some private property he leases for hunting rights also.

I did sit through one of his seminars once and he was big on tree stands along river banks and trails in out of river beds and along fence line areas.

[Dr. Death]

Don't know if I am right on this, but I could swear that someone on here posted about his hunting expierence with him last year or the year before and how it was one of the biggest jokes ever.


    

Yep, be careful....might find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation....i.e tresspassing, sneaking around on private property, ducking cars and homeowners etc...He's well known around the area for lot's of reasons.

[croix]

Don't know if I am right on this, but I could swear that someone on here posted about his hunting expierence with him last year or the year before and how it was one of the biggest jokes ever.

I remember that as well. Someone had booked a coyote hunt I think and the guide showed up late, didn't have the right calls, drove around in the truck most of the time (made like 2 sets) and had to leave early. The person who booked him didn't pay the full price because he felt so ripped off.

I saw the seminar as well and didn't see that he had anything more recent than 2005. His website looks similar. Maybe he's just not the best spokesperson? He does seem to get it done though. I did learn a couple things listening to him and I enjoyed the video of the deer foaming at the mouth 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Theres some nice Deer up around Long Lake were I live Kow. Heck my buddy hunts on Horstman rd. near mile hill.

Weird. My grandparents lived on Baby Doll and my uncle lives on Horstman. Most people in that area barely have an acre. When you say hunting, do you mean with his pickup?

There are Deer all over the neighborhood. If you can catch them in the areas behind the cemetarty on Retsil all the way down to the treatment plant. If he catches one, which is easy, in his yard, Its down. There is a new development going in on the lower part of Horstman also.

Also some area on the East side of the cemetary. We checked it out this year with the county as well the Sheriffs office. And anything East of 16 is bow only.

Personally, I dont hunt there or that way. But he is very tight on money so he makes due. He's pretty good at researching county and city stuff to find out whats legal. I personally think its kinda on edge, Lol

[Kowsrule30]

Theres some nice Deer up around Long Lake were I live Kow. Heck my buddy hunts on Horstman rd. near mile hill.

Weird. My grandparents lived on Baby Doll and my uncle lives on Horstman. Most people in that area barely have an acre. When you say hunting, do you mean with his pickup?

There are Deer all over the neighborhood. If you can catch them in the areas behind the cemetarty on Retsil all the way down to the treatment plant. If he catches one, which is easy, in his yard, Its down. There is a new development going in on the lower part of Horstman also.

Also some area on the East side of the cemetary. We checked it out this year with the county as well the Sheriffs office. And anything East of 16 is bow only.

Personally, I dont hunt there or that way. But he is very tight on money so he makes due. He's pretty good at researching county and city stuff to find out whats legal. I personally think its kinda on edge, Lol

I use to go off Old Clifton a lot... And Lake Flora... Then all the brush pickers took over... 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Grew up in sunnyslope. Know what ya mean. Fiegly used to be good.

Whole place is developed pretty much now..

[MuleySniper]

Thats funny. I know that cemetery. My mom lives right up the hill from it on Lindstrom. My uncle off of Horstman has a fairly big chunk of land. Im sure you've seen his place. the old white house at the bottom of the hill with the big yard, lots of chevy cars parked all over along with tons of other *censored* and about 5 pitbulls. Probably no deer in his yard Yeah, I don't make it over to see him very often..
MS

[wildmanoutdoors]

I go by your uncles place all the time. And Rusty lives at Horstman and Babydoll. We always head thru Retsil to get downtown.

Small world.

[bullchaser]

You guys have too much time on your hands if you are going to sit at your computer and critique some Guy you have never even talked to let alone hunted with. We as westside hunters are loosing our land to hunt at an amazing rate year to year why wouldn't we encourage him for promoting hunting and management or maybe you would rather see those bucks die of old age because they are your "pets" if he is caught breaking the laws fine pin him up if not get off your high horse my

[Deep Forks]

  Several years ago we kept seeing a bunch of deer along posted land by Kettle Falls, we had ask but never got permission to hunt.  One day we were driving by and there was a truck broke down half in the road, we stopped to help and it was one of these landowners.  The water pump was broke so we towed him home and he ended up giving us permission to hunt what we thought was about 25 acres.  We thought the land on the other side of him was his neighbors but turned out to be posted by him (neighbor) illegally, it was DNR land, which our new friend said happens all the time.  Well this ended up being almost 100 acres and we have taken several nice W.T. and lots of turkey off land we stumbled on.  Between Chewelah, Kettle Falls and Colville we have found several areas like this, none as large though.  Anyway the thread was talking about these small strips of land, well that is what we have found in the N.E.  Some of these strips get you access to public land so he possibally found areas like we did.  Some of the nicest deer I've seen killed are close to our residential areas on little strips.  MUZZY or BOW GO GET EM      

[7mag.]

My buddy hired him for a bear hunt a few years ago and said it was a joke. He said the guy is real strange also. He said they drove around in his Nissan pickup and glassed clear cuts, nice guided bear hunt. His blacktails aren't that great anyway. I watched one of his scouting video's, taken from the shoulder of the highway. His methods may not be illegal or even unethical, but I'm not going to pay a guide to hunt suburbia.

[bonecrusher]

saw his booth at the show. wasnt impressed

[duckmen1]

he sucks
did a coyote hunt with him and we ended up not even really hunting
he charged 200 dollars a day and said he garenteed 1 if not 2 coyotes
it was supose to be a baited hunt until the night before he called us up and said plans had changed we would be calling them with electric calls
about twelve o clock midnight the night before he called saying he couldn't get the calls so he would use a mouth reed
we mended up not getting to a spot to even call "which was only a 1/4 mile from the main highway, and you could still see the truck" until about 9 o clock
hunted 15 minutes if that in two spots right on top of the other, which might as well be the same spot and then went back to his place empty handed

as for deer hunting he told us about some of his ways and how they have shot at deer standing on a main highway, and sneaking on to private land without permission making his clients think they have the right to hunt the land

as for bears he still baits at times and his brochure says guarenteed hunt for 2000$, he says that is just a way to get more money by catching peoples eye "guarenteed"
i did pay half price, but shouldn't have gave him anything

he is the biggest load of crap i have ever heard of and he is a discrace to hunting

[duckmen1]

hey bullchaser
your right i have never hunted with him because if you consider what he did to me hunting you are just as bad as he is
take a look at the last comment
that is a short and nice way of putting how he treated me
he is the biggest piece of crap i have ever met "HUNTING"
whoever calls him a hunter is probably the same way themselves
you talk about critique on people but your doing the same to a big group of people rather than just one person
why don't you book a "HUNT" with him and maybe you"ll quit protecting him

[bullchaser]

I am not  bashing you guys who have had bad experiances with the guy i was not impressed with him at the show either. my point was lets not be so quick to judge. Hey Duckman Now your accusing me let it go, besides who the heck needs a guide for coyotes.

[7mag.]

I am not  bashing you guys who have had bad experiances with the guy i was not impressed with him at the show either. my point was lets not be so quick to judge. Hey Duckman Now your accusing me let it go, besides who the heck needs a guide for coyotes.

I could use a guide for yotes, I suck. A free guide, that is.

[Houndhunter]

I am not  bashing you guys who have had bad experiances with the guy i was not impressed with him at the show either. my point was lets not be so quick to judge. Hey Duckman Now your accusing me let it go, besides who the heck needs a guide for coyotes.

I could use a guide for yotes, I suck. A free guide, that is.

no kidding those are tough lil basterds to get in on the west side, ea isnt even huntin

[Jerome]

The thing that didnt impress me about Shelby is that when i looked at his info he said he charges a trophy fee for 3 point or better bucks, then you look even further down and you see that he is counting eye guards.  So if you kill a two point with eye guards you had to pay the trophy fee.  That was 5 years or so ago so i dont know if thats still how he is or not but thats sad to pay a trophy fee for a 2 point. 

[7mag.]

A few years ago, I took a blacktail rack from that previous season in to have it scored and I had it in my hand when I walked up to his booth. He couldn't get enough of it, and looked it over for several minutes. It was much nicer than anything he had on display or in his pictures. It was a nice buck, but it didn't meet the state record book minimum. As a blacktail guide, he should at least have pics of his clients with big bucks, or have some that he's shot himself. I am not impressed with that guy.

[Thehowler]

Has anyone checked out his website, Shelby's trophy guide service? I guess he also produced a Blacktail hunting video!

[duckmen1]

the reason i wanted a guide was because i think i was only around 14 years old and i could'nt seem to get one myself would never do one now and i have shot many on my own
have gotten a few honey holes and techniques to hunt them hear on the westside
but when your young sometimes you would like to pull a trigger once in a year
did'nt you when you were young?

[bullchaser]

duckman when i was 14 or 15 it took me hours and hours of calling missing and trying to get my first coyote I still remember walking home with him on my shoulder. we got off on the wrong foot my whole point was as hunters we should strive to be less critical of each other we as hunters and outdoorsman are a dying breed. pm me sometime lets go call in a few together.
-Matt

[trophyelk6x6]

I dont know him, my buddy said when he bought some property for his house he found his cameras. Later he came knocking on his door wanting to hunt his property and he told him no.

[cr250rider]

if you follow babydoll off milehile down to where its a 90 degree turn heads up hill. to the left there is a ranch and that whole corner is fairly wooded my buddy lives down there says that there is a real nice buck living around the neighborhood. I havent heard anything bad about Boyd but i did hear he took a dandy there 10 15 years ago. Im surprised not more people have hunt experience with him to share cuz ive seen his set up at outdoor show lots of times over the years. I know of him but not him and have heard same thing dude is on deer but pics and videos are very urban.