2003 Client Testimonials

Before I got into this Outdoor Connection business myself, I was a customer of Chris Lemke. He recommended on of OC's outfitters in Idaho when I informed him I was looking for a archery drop camp elk hunt - I suggest that everyone else do the same for their customers. This outfitter specializes in drop camps. They have good horses, good camps, and give good advice on where to look for the elk. The horse ride to the top of the mountain alone is worth the price. We went in mid-September this year. We only saw one muley buck but lots of does. We also saw a lot of bears, including a blonde color-phase. This is mainly an elk hunt though. In one of our camps, 3 guys shot 2 elk, including a 5x5 and a really nice 6x6. In the other camp, 4 guys went home empty-handed, but not for lack of shooting opportunities. A 380-class elk was unfortunately wounded, but was sighted with his herd the next day. There were many other close calls with nice bulls also. Be prepared for one of the toughest hunts of your life though, the terrain is straight up and down. That being said, my father-in-law had just recovered from knee surgery, and he shot the big 6x6 and a mule deer! He literally had elk running through his camp.

Report 1:
I just got off the phone with Art Hart, my client, to talk to him about his hunt with our outfit in Montana. Rebel, the outfitter, and Art worked hard every day had good snow and cold conditions were able to set up on a few elk and deer but were plagued by windy conditions that seemed to drive the game deep to cover. It was a tough hunt and if you take the reasonable price that Rebel charges but add the huge costs of the outfitter sponsored deer and elk tags you might as well try to steer the customers to easier areas to hunt like New Mexico. I agree with the idea that Rebel might be where we want to send folks for bear and cougar hunting. I might even say a mule/whitetail deer hunt but put in for the draw.

I talked with Jim Sago yesterday about his trip. He said about the same as my other client very tough hunting no shootable bucks or bulls he did mention there was a lot of logging in the area and thought that may have affected the hunting.

He did enjoy himself with Rebel and Rebel did call him before hand and tell him the conditions were tough. Rebel worked hard to get them on the game but they just were not there. He also said the accommodations were very nice.

Johnny Wellman 12/10/03