PSA Dont Book Wards Outfitter For Sandhill Crane

[bowhunter-tw]

Figured id post here to reach the largest audience. If anybody is looking for a sandhill crane guide in the future I strongly discourage using Wards Outfitter, calling themselves a crane guide is bold. I have never used them for other hunts so cant speak to that, but after my experience I wouldn't be booking any hunt with them. 
 

When booking a few weeks after being drawn I was told they keep blinds at 4-6 people and hunt over decoys. We paid to stay in his hunter lodging which included dinner, day of we were put in a nearby motel, no dinner. Still not major, but two of us paid, hotel room was half the cost of what we had paid him for lodging, so he made money there. Morning of the hunt we meet where we were told to find 10-12 guys loading up. Thinking maybe we are splitting up everybody, hits the road. Arrive at the spot, everybody is hunting together plus 3 “guides”. At this point its almost light out, they say alright lets hike this way. We walk about 100yrds to a fence line and they say “everybody find a bush to hide in” me and my buddy are looking at each other like are they serious? At this point we might as well be dove hunting. No decoys, no blinds, no calls. We are told to wait until the birds clear the fence to shoot, which puts them nearly vertical. Sun comes up, lots of birds are flying, but about 800yrds to the west and 500yrds to the east. They were avoiding the smoke stacks of the plant that the guides had put us in front of. Guides had us move around after about 45min of watching birds fly by, pretty hard to do w that many guys trying to follow. almost had a few birds fly over, but some young kid in the group shot when they were about 2-300yrds away. for the early afternoon guide brings us to another spot and says the birds sometimes hit this pond, its just a little walk. Sends us in the direction, turns out it was 1.75mi. Sat the tank from 11-2:30, no birds in sight. Get back to the truck about 3:30 to ask what the evening plan is, they dont hunt the evenings, they take everybody dove hunting. So at this point me and my buddy are done and take off. 

Sorry for the long winded read. But was not quite the sandhill crane experience we thought we were signing up for. 

[Evan]

They have always had a bad wrap for Crane.   Use HiLo if you get drawn for crane.  Great blinds, literally over 100 decoys, great calling! 

[Couzer]

Bummer, they sounded unprepared. 

[bowhunter-tw]

5 minutes ago, Evan said:

They have always had a bad wrap for Crane.   Use HiLo if you get drawn for crane.  Great blinds, literally over 100 decoys, great calling! 

Good to know! I probably wont ever put in for it, but if I do I will use them. Unfortunately I hadnt seen any bad reviews only some older good reviews.

[PRDATR]

Holly Heck Batman. I know they are pretty proud of their Sonora Coues hunts how much did they get ya for this hunt? I did that hunt about five years ago with another member and we were setting up decoys at like 5am and used a different outfitter. Didn't take long to figure out it wasn't my cup of tea. There were like 8 people in the blind and I think everyone got a bird. I think it was $350 just for the hunt. We took care of our own lodging.

[Big Tub]

Did you have to sign up for all three days?

[bowhunter-tw]

19 minutes ago, PRDATR said:

Holly Heck Batman. I know they are pretty proud of their Sonora Coues hunts how much did they get ya for this hunt? I did that hunt about five years ago with another member and we were setting up decoys at like 5am and used a different outfitter. Didn't take long to figure out it wasn't my cup of tea. There were like 8 people in the blind and I think everyone got a bird. I think it was $350 just for the hunt. We took care of our own lodging.

$350 per day plus $60 ea for lodging

 

I’ll stick to turkey hunting, way more fun that that cluster we were on

[bowhunter-tw]

9 minutes ago, Big Tub said:

Did you have to sign up for all three days?

Luckily no, they only had the one day available when I signed up so didnt get stuck paying for the other days

[PRDATR]

13 minutes ago, bowhunter-tw said:

$350 per day plus $60 ea for lodging

 

I’ll stick to turkey hunting, way more fun that that cluster we were on

 

We stayed here. Awesome place out in the boonies.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/52631600?locale=en&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1766886108_EAMTJhNzlmNTUzMG&set_everest_cookie_on_new_domain=1766886108.EAMjFlNjRkOWU0MDM5Nz.KffOGEqf6wfi0LVXffjWrLCKx0IepyFFG8jvExwIzWE&source_impression_id=p3_1766886109_P3nd-H9U3KQgc79T

[ctafoya]

I'd never hire a "guide".  The almighty dollar has ruined 99.9% of them. I'd rather not hunt than have to hire one. Well, except for the one I know. 😄 

[wardsoutfitters]

For the purpose of accuracy and to correct several misstatements, the following facts are provided for the record:

1. Client Count

A total of eight (8) clients participated in the hunt, inclusive of you and your companion.

2. Lodging and Meals

Ward’s Outfitters covered the cost of your hotel accommodations. Meals, including dinner, were not included in your hunt package. This is expressly stated in your signed contract, which governs the terms of service.

3. Hunting Setup and Conduct

During the morning hunt, your position was oriented facing north. Additionally, statements made regarding a 12-year-old hunter allegedly interfering with your hunt are inaccurate and inappropriate. Youth hunters are legally permitted to participate and were in full compliance with all applicable regulations.

4. Blind Configuration and Hunting Method

Placing six to eight hunters in a single blind significantly increases the likelihood of confusion regarding harvested birds. For this reason, Ward’s Outfitters exercised professional discretion to hunt using an alternative method that morning.

5. Duration of Hunt

On the second day of the hunt, nine (9) sandhill cranes were harvested. You voluntarily elected to book a one-day hunt, thereby limiting your field opportunity.

6. Nature of Sandhill Crane Hunting

Sandhill crane movement and behavior are highly variable and unpredictable. Clients are routinely advised to book multiple hunting days to increase success.

7. Season Results

During the current season, Ward’s Outfitters clients harvested a total of sixty-eight (68) sandhill cranes. As is customary in guided hunts of this nature, harvest success is not guaranteed, and some clients did not harvest their full legal limit.

8. Communication of Concerns

Ward’s Outfitters encourages clients to communicate concerns directly and promptly so they may be addressed in real time. Public complaints made without prior contact do not accurately reflect the opportunity provided.

9. Good-Faith Resolution

While Ward’s Outfitters maintains that services were rendered in accordance with the contract, we regret your dissatisfaction. As a good-faith gesture, should you draw again next season, we are willing to provide a complimentary three-day hunt, during which you would have increased opportunity consistent with the nature of sandhill crane hunting.

This response is provided to clarify the factual record. Ward’s Outfitters fulfilled all contractual obligations associated with your hunt.

[dsotm]

I mean they’re also convicted poachers so don’t book with them period

[Boarman03]

2 minutes ago, dsotm said:

I mean they’re also convicted poachers so don’t book with them period

Caution on inflammatory statements, but their answer did not resolve some of the disputes. They did offer to make it right, to a point.

It does sound as if they over booked their capacity, even by their own comments.

[eddielasvegas]

1 hour ago, Boarman03 said:

Caution on inflammatory statements, but their answer did not resolve some of the disputes. They did offer to make it right, to a point.

It does sound as if they over booked their capacity, even by their own comments.

I'm no linguist or Rhodes Scholar, but no way facts (I did not verify his statement) can be inflammatory.

If, in fact, WO are convicted poachers, that may hurt their feelings reading it on a hunting forum, but that's about it.

 

Eddie

[dsotm]

3 hours ago, Boarman03 said:

Caution on inflammatory statements, but their answer did not resolve some of the disputes. They did offer to make it right, to a point.

It does sound as if they over booked their capacity, even by their own comments.

Stephanie promised an explanation and he still hasn’t done so, he’s a scumbag no a criminal