United States Outfitters

Date: October 9 - 14, 2009
Location: New Mexico
Species: Elk


Every year the Sportsmen Portal and Wired Outdoors team is proud to raise all the money needed to send two kids suffering from life threatening illnesses on their “Hunt Of A Lifetime”. This past year we were assigned Matthew Ciarlone of Downingtown, PA.

Photo of Matthew Ciarlone who lost his battle to leukemia earlier this year. His father Michael carried this photo everywhere he went.

Matthew Ciarlone, suffering from Leukemia, lost his battle before he had a chance to live his dream of a Midwest Elk hunt. Obviously in circumstances like this, the Hunt Of A Lifetime organization has no choice but to move on to the next child waiting to go on their hunt.

Typical Terrain

Like all the kids we raise money for, I find myself getting emotionally attached to the children as well as their families. When I received the call from Matthew’s father, Michael, that he had passed away, my heart was broken. Being a father myself, I can’t imagine what Matthew’s family was going through. For me, it was impossible to just move on and I knew that I had to do something, and I knew immediately what I wanted to do.

Our Camp

Like I mentioned before, Matthew’s dream was a midwest elk hunt so I knew that I wanted to offer Matthew’s father the opportunity to live out Matthew’s dream and harvest an elk in remembrance of Matthew. I wasn’t going to be able to pull this off without some help. So after a visit with one of the most well established elk hunting operations in the world, United States Outfitters at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, they didn’t hesitate and said, “Lets make this happen!”

New Mexico Sunrise

United States Outfitters runs a first class operation. Coming from Pennsylvania we flew into the Albuquerque Airport where we rented a car for the hour car ride from the airport to the camp. Now United States Outfitters runs numerous camps in New Mexico, Arizona and more. All our arrangements were taken care of and everything came off without a hitch.

Michael and Matthew's Elk

Once arriving in camp we were given an orientation and all the licensing was taken care of. On the hunts we did a lot of hiking, glassing and calling. Our guide Brian Dam was great. During our 5 day hunt he put us on 3 really good bulls, but due to one thing or the other, just couldn't pull it off. Usually due to not being able to get into position quick enough or bad wind.

On the last day of our hunt we took a nice 5x5 but not near the caliber of elk we had opportunities at earlier in the week. Every member in camp had tagged out, harvesting some very nice bulls. I can't say enough about the entire operation at United States Outfitters. If you are looking for a top notch, high success rate with great bulls, United States Outfitters is the place to go.

I would also like to thank United States Outfitters for stepping up and making this hunt happen for this family. I know this hunt will mean more the Ciarlone's than you will ever know. You will also be able to see this hunt on our tv show, Wired Outdoors.

Wedge Hills Lodge Outfitter Review

Date: Septebmer 8 - 14, 2009
Location: Northern Quebec
Species: Caribou
Outfitter - Wedge Hills Lodge

This was our first trip ever in pursuit of Caribou. One thing that I was looking for when I was researching outfitters was I wanted a true adventure. Well, that is what we got with Wedge Hills Lodge. I met several representatives from Wedge Hills Lodge at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, and after meeting them, I was impressed with their professionalism so decided to check their references.

Map of Location of Wedge Hills Lodge

After some research and phone calls to references I had made up my mind, we would book our trip with Wedge Hills Lodge in way up Northern Quebec! When I say way up, I mean way up. This would be a 22 hour car ride from northwest Pennsylvania to Sept-Iles Quebec, then a 12 hour train ride the following day and a 1 hour 45 minute float plan to camp.

Getting Ready To Board The Train

Almost time for the last leg of the journey.

When traveling on a trip this long, lots of things can go wrong. But I am happy to say that the trip couldn't have been more smooth and Wedge Hills Lodge was meticulous with all the arrangements including, hotels, flights and more. Most people who know me, know that I am a planner and leaving a trip like this up to the outfitter to make many of the plans was difficult for me. That being said, I couldn't have done it any better myself, all the arrangements were made and taken care of.

Lodging and Food

The lodging was very comfortable and with a five bedroom rustic cabin complete with a wood stove, refrigerator, hot water, electricity and more. We ate breakfast and dinner every night in the main lodge with the rest of the hunters. The food was fantastic and believe me when I say, when it came to the food, I didn't get cheated! Everything from chicken to filet mignon.

Hunting

The hunting at Wedge Hills Lodge is on the George River and mostly done from boat. Guides take you up and down the river in very comfortable boats glassing the mountain sides for migrating caribou.

The George River scenery is breathtaking with lots of caribou. We had the good fortune of timing the migration and seeing lots of caribou. Since the three of us hunting were fairly young and foolish, we wanted to get out of the boat and see the terrain. Our guide Joe was more than accommodating and dropped us off in promising locations.

I will let some of the following photos speak for themselves as the three of us brought home 4 caribou and could have easily brought home our limit of 6 with the rifle, but we were doing it the hard way with the bows. I personally harvested a giant white caribou that I am sure will be a trophy of a lifetime.

My first ever caribou

Rob McCoy's awesome caribou

Kyle's first caribou

Our trip with Wedge Hills Lodge was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for the adventure of a lifetime. The cook, guides, owner, camp manager were all more than accommodating and committed to our stay with them. You can visit them online at www.WedgeHillsLodge.com.

Spring Lane Hunt Club Hosts First Annual PSP Retreat

For many months I struggled to come up with an event that would serve to entertain all our field staff members and moderators, who all have a wide variety of outdoor interests. After considering many different ideas, it was decided that a pheasant hunt would be a lot of fun and something that everyone would enjoy. Now all we had to do was find the best pheasant hunting operation available. As with all things at the Pennsylvania Sportsmen Portal, we don't cut corners and doing everything to the best of our ability, and this event was no different. This lead us straight to SPRING LANE HUNT CLUB.

Upon arriving at Spring Lane I was greeted by this pheasant below trying to dry himself off in the field while is was pouring down rain. I knew this must be a good sign! I pulled into the farm and was greeted by J.D. Kelly's mother with a warm welcome. It was kind of funny as she took a long hard look at me in my shorts and flip flops and said, "I hope you brought some other clothes for hunting because I don't think we have anything that will fit you." I assured her that I did, but when I travel, I like to be comfortable.

I knew it was going to be a great time when I was greeted by this guy when pulling in for the first time at Spring Lane Hunt Club

A pheasant hunt was something new for me and it was more important for me personally to find an operation that would not only provide a great experience, but cater to some of our unique needs. The entire field staff would be coming in on Friday night to take care of some PSP business, so we would all need a place to stay. All I can really say about the accomodations is they were absoutely perfect. In fact, we all commented that they were almost too nice for our rag tag group of guys and gal! They have two different houses that we stayed in with everything we needed. The description on their website does it much more justice than I can.

"We have two Beautiful Limestone houses located on our Continental ground in Arch Springs, only 3 miles from our Hunting fields. The Manor House offers 5 bedrooms, 3 queen beds, 1twin bed, and 1 queen sofa/bed. This house was built in 1805 and has been completely restored with 4 1/2 baths, laundry, Central Air, and full kitchen.

The Mill House, built in 1799, offers 3 bedrooms with 1 queen bed, 2 twin beds, and 1 full bed. This house also offers 2 full baths, laundry, and full kitchen.

These houses offer a perfect place for you and your hunting guests to stay while enjoying a couple days of fine wingshooting."

Manor House

Mill House

One thing I do know from going on several out of state guided trips is that some operations will promise you the world just to get you to book and then not be able to deliver. This certainly wasn't the case with J.D. Kelly, the owner of Spring Lane Hunt Club as he delivered on everything he promised and then some. After visiting and interviewing many different pheasant hunting operations the decision was easy. J.D. was eager and excited to host this event and take care of our every need as well as provide the best location, habitat and shear number of birds of any operation we spoke too and visited.

J.D. Kelly, owner of Spring Lane Hunt Club , takes myself, Don Ott and Frank Litavish for a tour of his farm. I was a little concerned about falling out the back, but J.D. promised he would let me know when I need to hang on!

J.D. who worked and guided in South Dakota for years, couldn't stress enough about the habitat that they work so hard to provide for their birds. With over 600 acres on the farm, it is all managed with the birds in mind. The farm itself couldn't be located in a more picturesque part of central Pennsylvania, located between two mountain sides and farm land as far as the eye can see.

After arriving at the farm on Friday afternoon, J.D. took us on a tour and showed us where we would be hunting the next day. I was overwhelmed by the beauty and amount of land that we would be hunting with a wide variety of habitat and food sources. I think the only thing that could have made it better was a hunt in the prime of autumn when the leaves are so colorful. I can only imagine how those mountainsides light up with fall colors.

After a good night's sleep at the Manor House and Mill House we were ready to meet our forum moderators and have a great day hunting. Everyone arrived at the farm by 6:45 am so we could get started with the hunt between 7:00 am and 7:30 am. J.D.'s family and staff provided a wonderful breakfast and really went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. After a brief introduction with some words of safety in the field from J.D., we were split in our groups and ready to hunt.

Field Staff and Moderators early in the morning before the hunt.

I had the good fortune of hunting with Teresa Patterson, Kyle Schwabenbuaer and J.D. Kelly was our guide. Sounds like a great group, but a lot of pressure on me hunting with the owner and two seasoned shotgunners. I haven't hunted for small game or pheasants in over 20 years so needless to say, I was a bit concerned if I would be able to hit anything.

Me, Teresa Patterson, Kyle Schwabenbauer and J.D. Kelly after a great morning spent with good people and great friends.

I grew up hunting with rabbit dogs my entire childhood, mostly beagles, and have never had the opportunity to hunt with bird dogs. I now know why some of you are obsessed with your bird dogs. These dogs were amazing and a beautiful thing to watch! I think I could have spent the day just watching the dogs work and not even shooting anything, it was that impressive.

Kyle and Teresa got on the board first and I had not yet been tested, but my time would soon come. Within a few yards from where Teresa scored on her first bird, I got my chance and fortunately was able to take my first bird. I now felt a sense of relief that I was still capable of shooting after all those years. Well to make a long story short, near the end of the hunt I was 5 for 5 and really feeling quite cocky. It is amazing how one goes from being so humble to really feeling like something special. I am sure Teresa and Kyle could elaborate more. Each hunter was allowed 5 birds and I said to J.D., "Well that is it for me" and I was ready to hang it up for the day and just walk along, but J.D. said, "Why don't you just finish out this stretch," so I, not being one to go against the hosts wishes, complied.

At this point and time J.D. decided to get in my head and I know Teresa and Kyle were more than ready for me to miss one, and you guessed it, the sixth one that went out was a clean miss on a very easy shot. That is what you get for getting to cocky and obnoxious!

End of the day photo with all the guides, PSP field staff and moderators

The entire event was an absolute blast and I can't think of a more appropriate way to spend the day with all the field staff and moderators from the PSP.

If you couldn't already tell, I can't say enough about J.D. Kelly and Spring Lane Hunt Club. On the way home my cousin Mike asked me how I would rate the day and I didn't hesitate to say, "It was a 10, out of the ballpark homerun," and that is all thanks to J.D. and his staff. Whether you are looking for a company outing, a romantic weekend getaway with the Mrs, or some time with friends, I would highly recommend Spring Lane Hunt Club!

You can visit the Spring Lane Hunt Club website at www.SpringLaneHuntClub.com for more information on their operation and hunts.

Percival McKinnon Alberta Whitetail Outfitters

• Date: November 22-29, 2008
• Location: Alberta, Canada
• Species: Whitetail

Note: You can read my feature article about my trip to Canada with my father to hunt with Percival-McKinnon Alberta Whitetail Outfitters by clicking here. In November 2008, I had the opportunity to hunt with Percival-McKinnon Outfitters in Alberta, Canada. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dale McKinnon and his wife Debra for several years after a successful bear hunt with them and we have always stayed in touch. So when the opportunity presented itself to go hunt with Dale, I jumped. If his whitetail operation was run as professionally and efficiently as his bear operation, this was going to be the hunt of a lifetime. Below is a small video clip that will give you an idea of the lodge, caliber of deer, how hard the guides work and just the kind of operation that Dale McKinnon is running. You will be able to see Dale and his operation featured on our TV show coming October 2009. Stay tuned for more details.

LODGE The lodge is absolutely breathtaking and at the same time relaxing with a cozy fireplace, comfortable beds and meals that are out of this world. With a log cabin interior and giant Canadian Whitetails hanging on the walls, it isn’t hard to see why that first night at the lodge is hard to sleep with visions of giant bucks running through your head.

STANDS On this trip I would be taking my father because I knew that this was going to be the opportunity of a lifetime to harvest a monster buck. From the beginning we had some unique requests, including setting stands that my father and I could hunt together. The stands were all very comfortable tripods, set in locations that have not been hunted and were recently scouted by Dale's guides. When I say recently scouted, the day before is usually when they set up a stand always insuring that there is deer activity in the area.

DEER Percival-McKinnon has a 150 inch minimum on their deer and they run around a 75% success rate. The success rate would run closer to 100% but many of Dale’s clients are repeat customers coming back year after year who are searching for that once in a lifetime 175 class buck and bigger. Being from Pennsylvania, the size of the bodies on these deer are amazing. In many cases you are talking about 300 lb deer, with racks that have great mass and character.

GUIDES All of the guides that I have ever had with Dale McKinnon have be a pleasure to be around all week and most importantly, they work their tails off. After dropping you off at your stand in the morning they spend the rest of the day scouting for giant bucks. On a six day hunt, we hunted 4 different stand locations missing two opportunites at two giant whitetails. If they get on a big buck, they don't hesitate to move you.

Cameraman Don Ott, Me, Carl Say and our guide Ryley Hunter

Dale also has a fantastic bear hunting operation and his website is www.albertabear.com . I would also like to personally thank Dale and Debra for doing so much and going out of their way to make this a hunt of a lifetime for my father.

If you are looking for a very realistic chance at 150 and much bigger, beautiful lodge, great guides and fantastic hospitality, I would highly recommend Percival-McKinnon Alberta Whitetail Outfitters.

For more information on hunting with Percival-McKinnon Alberta Whitetail Outfitters contact them at:

DALE & DEBRA MCKINNON P.O. Box 600 Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada T0A 2C0 Ph: 780-623-3040 Fax: 780-623-3040 e-mail: dalemck@telusplanet.net

Dale is also attending the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, where you can meet him personally and talk about his operation.

Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures Outfitter Review

Jason Say, thrilled with his biggest buck ever! November 4, 2006, Wisconsin

Jason Say with owner, John Bulgrin

John Bulgrin, owner, taking a moment to pose with Jason Say's buck taken with Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures.

This is where the giant lay, 40 yards from the stand.

Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures {view web site}

I hunted with Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures the first week of November, 2006, which John Bulgrin, owner, said is usually the peak of the rut. Boy, he wasn't kidding about the rut!If you are looking for an awesome hunt at an affordable price, this is the place to go. I shot this beautiful 130 class whitetail and saw several other ones that made this guy look small. On one day of hunting 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening I saw 12 different bucks.

Only hunting PA for whitetail this was quite an eyeopener and an absolute blast. You just didn't know what was going to come around the corner next.

By the way if you are looking to turkey hunt, I saw approximately 15 turkeys a day while hunting. They are everywhere!

The hospitality is great and John and his guides go out of their way to make sure you have the best opportunity at shooting a mature whitetail. With comfortable stands already placed on the property, you don't have to worry about bringing your own.

Again, if you are looking for an affordable whitetail hunt, these guys are for you. They also offer, fishing trips and turkey hunts. {view web site}