Early Winter Outfitters

[dfrankmax]

Just went on 9 day drop camp with this Outfitter.  Nice enough people but what a waste of time and money.  We were first time clients so I guess we were 'dumped' into the 'Rookie' camp after just a 2 hour horse ride.  Area where camp was, equipment provided,and area to hunt were all terrible.  Not told where we were going or type of terrain until 5 minutes before we left.  What a way to treat your clients.  Would have been nice to hunt someplace where one did not hear the cars and trucks on highway 20.  Even if we would have got a trophy mule deer,  I would not use this outfitter again.  No email,letter or phone call from outfitter before or after hunt.  Payed for trip in full with cash at sportsman show last January. Not going with  Early Winter Outfitting next year or ever again..........Priceless!

Lessons learned;
  If outfitter tells you to bring tarps to put over tent, assume tent leaks with holes and tears in it.
  If told a shovel will be provided, ask if it comes with a handle and not just an old rusty shovel head.
  If told a lantern is provided,  ask if it works or is it an old piece of junk.
  Ask if the camp will be on level ground or on a hill
  Ask for an exact camp location.  I'm an idiot and here is the coordinates for our camp - 48 degrees 32.669'N / 120 degrees 23.978'W  Google earth it and check it out.
 
  Just save your money, buy a good tent and equipment, and do it yourself

[hogsniper]

What were your expectations going into the hunt?  What tag was this for?

[WARHORSE]

wow sorry to hear that i have always heard good things about them. did you ever voice yer concerns to them? if so what was there take on yer opinion?

[ldjbuff]

Yeah sorry to hear.

[7mag.]

I went with them a few years ago, and had a good time. I thought the camp location could have been better, and thier gear was pretty worn out, but I told them what I expected before hand, and they did a pretty good job. I thought they were very nice people, and they went out of their way to make us happy. I would use them again.

[Ridgerunner]

Not the first time I have heard such a story, sorry to hear very frustrating way to spend a season for sure.

[longknife]

Not the first time I have heard such a story, sorry to hear very frustrating way to spend a season for sure.

X2 here, what a waist of cash. Sorry to hear it, considering it was a trip that you were planning(and dreaming)about!

I would like to hear about the Chinook outfitters for the same kind of services,,,,ANYONE??

[woodman]

I hear what you are saying loud and clear.

I was in a group of five guys that spent over $25,000 for an elk hunt of a lifetime that we lined up with the Puyallup Sportsman Show. We rode in on horseback and had a great "camping trip", but none of us ever got to put a scope on an animal. When we got to the outfitters place, a group was just coming out from the previous weeks hunt and they were pissed. They had one little spike deer. The outfitters worked hard at keeping the two groups apart. I have been hesitant to try it again.  Sorry to hear about your trip that was such a let down to you.

I will say that the outfitter that we used had a very slick way of putting the success average for us to expect.

[ribka]

Just went on 9 day drop camp with this Outfitter.  Nice enough people but what a waste of time and money.  We were first time clients so I guess we were 'dumped' into the 'Rookie' camp after just a 2 hour horse ride.  Area where camp was, equipment provided,and area to hunt were all terrible.  Not told where we were going or type of terrain until 5 minutes before we left.  What a way to treat your clients.  Would have been nice to hunt someplace where one did not hear the cars and trucks on highway 20.  Even if we would have got a trophy mule deer,  I would not use this outfitter again.  No email,letter or phone call from outfitter before or after hunt.  Payed for trip in full with cash at sportsman show last January. Not going with  Early Winter Outfitting next year or ever again..........Priceless!

Lessons learned;
  If outfitter tells you to bring tarps to put over tent, assume tent leaks with holes and tears in it.
  If told a shovel will be provided, ask if it comes with a handle and not just an old rusty shovel head.
  If told a lantern is provided,  ask if it works or is it an old piece of junk.
  Ask if the camp will be on level ground or on a hill
  Ask for an exact camp location.  I'm an idiot and here is the coordinates for our camp - 48 degrees 32.669'N / 120 degrees 23.978'W  Google earth it and check it out.
 
  Just save your money, buy a good tent and equipment, and do it yourself

Fuuny you wrote this.

I called them in Augsut for a hunt and left a few messages. And they just returned my call today. Not a good indication on how they conduct their business

[high country]

hmm, looking at the map, you are in an area that can produce some pretty nice bucks. I have been days deep and not seen a thing and then learn a guy from this site kills a masher in the next drainage over.......right time right place. I hear you loud and tall about the crappy equipment and hearing the road.....but, if you have ever packed with horses, you can watch a new tent need a tarp in one pass of a tree......I did.  as for the road, I have been a strong 3 miles from a hiway and could hear it if the wind was right.

I am in no way defending them, just keeping it real.  at least you know what to expect for the next trip, and can add your requirements to the deal.

[WDFW-SUX]

Ive seen there parking lot full of nice bucks that just got packed out...but I do know that the last couple of years have been real lean for them...I guess thats why you need to check references and talk to Bio on your own before you book

[actionshooter]

I'm not going to defend them cause I have never used them, but it sounds a lot like you didn't put any effort in either. Sounds like you paid them at the sportsmans show and then showed up the day you rode out.  A little "homework" needs to be done.

[TommyBell]

I set up a drop camp in 2007 for 4 guys and our own stuff to be packed in 7 miles or so into the wilderness through Sawtooth Outfitters. The trip was great the packers were funny awesome great guys. My good friend Mark ended up doubling up scoring a dandy 4 point buck and a 150-170 pound small black bear. I tried to see what the prices were like from the other outfitters in the Methow area and could not get the time of day from these "outfitters", they weren't interested in just dropping off 4 guys in the wilderness in their spot they wanted to guide us. Give me a *censored*ing break! When you drive by their place on 20 its easy to see why the "service" is so *censored*ty. I would not even waste the time on these folks ever again. Thats my 2 cents.

[gasman]

I would like to hear about the Chinook outfitters for the same kind of services,,,,ANYONE??

Good guys over there at Chinook pass outfitters. They work hard for you know the area well.
Ty does his home work and will get you what you want, it is up to you to make the shot  
He wiil find elk when every one else is hiking around with there finger up there nose  

Do a search in the elk section for them and you will see for your self. They have had anotehr good year  



dfrankmax, was this a drop camp or fully guided  

[berger175]

I have to say that I to have a little info on this outfitter. Not good. I have hunted with just about every outfitter in Washington and there is only a few that I would even think about going back to.
Western life outfitters in the Blues is decent. Not allot of mulies but what is there are pretty good. Three Peaks outfitters are good people with great stock. Don't even think about Icicle outfitters what a joke.
Remember that the last few years has not been real good for mule deer but they are starting to show. Make sure you always ask for references if you don't already. What where you hunting for any way?

[Antlerking]

I went in with sawtooth this year for the 1st time and it was awsome hunt, a little rough and we had to hike our a%% off but that is what you expect when you hunt the HIGH HUNT. I would go with sawtooth again, and I would refer my freinds to go with them! There is no garrentee of course, but if you do your homework and get some good maps, we had a good idea of what the country looked like and I used my maps to get us up above timber line from camp.

[berger175]

I have to say that I to have a little info on this outfitter. Not good. I have hunted with just about every outfitter in Washington and there is only a few that I would even think about going back to.
Western life outfitters in the Blues is decent. Not allot of mulies but what is there are pretty good. Three Peaks outfitters are good people with great stock. Don't even think about Icicle outfitters what a joke.
Remember that the last few years has not been real good for mule deer but they are starting to show. Make sure you always ask for references if you don't already. What where you hunting for any way?

[7mag.]

I have to say that I to have a little info on this outfitter. Not good. I have hunted with just about every outfitter in Washington and there is only a few that I would even think about going back to.
Western life outfitters in the Blues is decent. Not allot of mulies but what is there are pretty good. Three Peaks outfitters are good people with great stock. Don't even think about Icicle outfitters what a joke.
Remember that the last few years has not been real good for mule deer but they are starting to show. Make sure you always ask for references if you don't already. What where you hunting for any way?

I have been with 3 Peaks Outfitters, and will go again. Scott and his wife are great. Very nice and accommodating people. They have good stock, good knowledge, and are excellent packers.

[berger175]

I very much agree and I will be back with them in 2011. Good hunting.