PSA Dont Book Wards Outfitter For Sandhill Crane

[wardsoutfitters]

6 hours ago, dsotm said:

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

I would suggest this false statement be removed.  

[Tony Nile]

@bowhunter-tw  @wardsoutfitters

 

Very different sides of a story.  Which of you is willing to share the contract? 

 

 

 

[Tony Nile]

11 hours ago, bowhunter-tw said:

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. 

 

7 hours ago, wardsoutfitters said:

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.

Quoted both posts before any edits

[trphyhntr]

7 hours ago, dsotm said:

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

Are they though?

[wish2hunt]

I do know they get really upset and jump your butt if they don’t agree with what you say.

[Boarman03]

39 minutes ago, wish2hunt said:

I do know they get really upset and jump your butt if they don’t agree with what you say.

It is natural to try and protect one's business and livelyhood. 

Obviously someones expectation was not met and to me they should have tried to handle this privately first. 

In my opinion, if, by Wardsoutfitters own words, they determined that there were too many people to put in the blind(s) safely, then they overbooked and were unable to provide the hunt they contracted for. Lodging was paid for, but the balance was not provided for as stated by both parties.

Thus, Wardsoutfitters would have been wise, again in my opinion, to refund the balance, minus the lodging. There is a saying, "Friends come and go but enemies collect". It takes a long time to build up a good name and a short time to lose it. By refunding the balance of the hunt the customer would have been less likely to post about their negative experience here.

Now, more people are aware that a problem existed and it is likely that fewer people will choose Wardsoutfitters. Was that worth the $580 (two hunters at $350 each less the $60 lodging) short term gain? 

Normally, it takes a lot for someone to go through the trouble to post a negative experience in that much detail.

It's unfortunate that the hunting experience was so negative.

 

 

[wish2hunt]

27 minutes ago, Boarman03 said:

It is natural to try and protect one's business and livelyhood. 

Obviously someones expectation was not met and to me they should have tried to handle this privately first. 

In my opinion, if, by Wardsoutfitters own words, they determined that there were too many people to put in the blind(s) safely, then they overbooked and were unable to provide the hunt they contracted for. Lodging was paid for, but the balance was not provided for as stated by both parties.

Thus, Wardsoutfitters would have been wise, again in my opinion, to refund the balance, minus the lodging. There is a saying, "Friends come and go but enemies collect". It takes a long time to build up a good name and a short time to lose it. By refunding the balance of the hunt the customer would have been less likely to post about their negative experience here.

Now, more people are aware that a problem existed and it is likely that fewer people will choose Wardsoutfitters. Was that worth the $580 (two hunters at $350 each less the $60 lodging) short term gain? 

Normally, it takes a lot for someone to go through the trouble to post a negative experience in that much detail.

It's unfortunate that the hunting experience was so negative.

 

 

It wasn’t even about a hunting or guiding experience. People were just making some comments and he started in on me about how much better he was than me.

[JSR]

[wildwoody]

Typical guide BS. Always upsell, and its A bad year. Put them on the bad list. Nice avatar, looks little over the top.

[firstcoueswas80]

No dog in this fight, but I'd also be upset if a guide buried me and a bunch of other dudes in the weeds with no blind, no decoys for a paid, guided crane hunt. Im far from an expert, but every time I've hunted them, we had a great blind and a ton of decoys. 

[Couzer]

6 minutes ago, firstcoueswas80 said:

No dog in this fight, but I'd also be upset if a guide buried me and a bunch of other dudes in the weeds with no blind, no decoys for a paid, guided crane hunt. Im far from an expert, but every time I've hunted them, we had a great blind and a ton of decoys. 

This right here 100%. You can shoot buried in the fence line as they fly over but your chances drastically increase with the use of cranes decoys and a blind. I would not hunt with a guide without decoys. I would assume they would have 50-300 decoys. You can get it done with 5-20 decoys but again its all about the numbers IMO. 

[Boarman03]

2 hours ago, wish2hunt said:

It wasn’t even about a hunting or guiding experience. People were just making some comments and he started in on me about how much better he was than me.

Wow! Interesting and kind of sad. It doesn't sound like a situation most people would want to deal with. Too many egotistical tyrants running around these days. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Sorry that happened. Certainly not a pleasant situation.

[HyNoon]

On 12/27/2025 at 5:42 PM, 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! 

If you are using a guide , this has been the most recommended guide for cranes and he is definitely the best in the business for cranes. Yes I have used him and had great experience. All accurate info above. ☝🏻  

[654321]

On 12/27/2025 at 5:33 PM, bowhunter-tw said:

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. 

Were you part of this hunt

[bowhunter-tw]

Yes