Deer trip for a new hunter suggestions....

First gun season hunt in Illinois or Kansas with a reputable outfitter.

Check out Hadley Creek Outfitters in Pike Co, IL. I hunted on the farm beside them earlier this year and everyone around spoke very highly of their operation and accommodations.

Anyone ever been to Giles Island? Looked pretty nice online.

Yes. Very nice experience.

Wow. This is the first I've heard of this. What was bad about Hadley Creek? Was this with the old ownership? The guys I hunted with this year said Hadley was under new ownership as of a few years ago. When did you go there?

I can add that OP absolutely does NOT want to go to CCW Outfitters in Paducah, KY.

If your in La just drive over to Texas. Pick an outfitter, bring plenty of ammo, and role. I know several slickers that have never shot a riffle before that came back with a truck load of animals. For a first time hunter I'd imagine that it's a blast but your aunt needs to understand that it's not always like that. As for GI, I've known one man who had a bottomless expense account take clients there. Said that it was the worse experience. Said the best part of the trip was meeting the Atlanta Braves who were leaving when he arrived. Apparently his guide was on strike 2of3 before getting shite canned. That being said, he wouldn't approve a shot on anything less than a state record

giles island is like 4,500 per person.

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Wow. This is the first I've heard of this. What was bad about Hadley Creek?

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Literally everything. I could write a novel. Total nightmare from the booking process, accommodations, guides, attitude, deer, etc. Pretty much everything I was told, or that was posted on their Web site, was a complete fabrication. If they said it, then it was a lie.

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Was this with the old ownership? The guys I hunted with this year said Hadley was under new ownership as of a few years ago. When did you go there?

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I guess so. This was in 08. Nov 16-18 2008. Dates that will live in infamy.

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The guys I hunted with this year said Hadley was under new ownership as of a few years ago.

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Stacey Ward is still listed as the Founder and has a picture on their Web site. His father is still listed as Camp Manager.

Note: His father is insane. Not crazy. Not eccentric. Not "a character". I'm talking about 100 % certifiable, off his medication, mean, violent, dangerous. Like....insane.

And when we had all of our problems, Stacey refused to even take our phone calls. Never returned our calls. Never responded to our letters. Basically, just told us to frick off.

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And when we had all of our problems, Stacey refused to even take our phone calls. Never returned our calls. Never responded to our letters. Basically, just told us to frick off.

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I know Stacey personally and that is not the kind of person he is. In fact that is completely unparalleled to his character and if something goes wrong on Hadley's end, he's going to do everything in his power to make it right.

I finally got the chance to hunt Hadley this year and everything about it is top-notch, but more importantly there aren't many places better to hunt in the U.S. than Pike Co., Illinois.

Joeytiger, in your situation I would suggest south Texas though as the others have.

I commented on how he runs Hadley Creek, your comment has no relevance to that