I have personally hunted with this outfitter and would highly recommend him on any hunt he offers.  Patrick runs a very organized outfit with some great properties and guides that are just as excited about the hunt as you are. The archery antelope hunt is a blast and if you are looking for a TRUE trophy mule deer, patrick is the guy to hunt with. 

For all the details give me a call Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

 Here is his update…

Howdy Pards

 Heres some reflections on 2009 and changes and opportunities for 2010.

 Antelope; 

  In 2007 we didn’t hardly host antelope hunts in the eastern plains because our focus was on developing the deer hunts. 2008 we hosted 10 guided archery hunts and 4 guided rifle hunts. The rifle hunts went 100% on 13 to 15″ goats and all hunters were happy hunters. The archery went real well too.Of the 10 archers 6 of them harvested bucks and all others had shots. In 2009 we tried non guided hunts because we could make it cheaper and in this economy we thought that would be good. It sold well with 13 hunters signing up. But the harvest was nil. Some shots taken and everyone seemed to have fun because of the abundance of antelope. But the reality we’ve come to realize is that folks need some assistance to be successful. So we’re back to guided for 2010, but we’re making it 2X1 and reducing the price through January to $1250 each. (from $1500) This is a 3 day hunt during the dates August 15th and September 20th. We’re only going to host 2 to 3 hunters at a time instead of 4. We think this new focus will produce the kind of results we had in 2008 at a price the hunters can afford. Call Greg Ray for a hunter view as he and 4 of his pards hunted in 2008.

 Plains Trophy Mule Deer

 Our success on harvest for the past 3 years is 15 for 18. The size has ranged from 150 to 206 with most bucks in the 170 range and 4 of these exceeding 185 gross. Most hunters have a tuff time passing up mediocre bucks to give them a chance at great bucks. 1/2 of our hunts are over the first day or two. Its totally up to the hunter to make that call. As guides we advise, but the hunter makes the call. We had our first 2 unhappy hunters this year. This was disheartening, but in reality is part of the hunting business. The first rifle season is 10 days long. we hosted 2 hunters the first week and two the second. One of the first hunters shot a mediocre buck the first morning. The other experienced a very slow week, seeing lots of mediocre bucks and only one bruiser. The next two hunters came in the very next day and had action packed hunting every day. Seeing several good bucks and getting 3 shots at a monster non typical that would have easily been our biggest buck to date. But the shots missed. That’s Mule Deer hunting. These big bucks are real romers. They’ll hang out for a while and then move on. We rarely see the same buck more than a couple days in a row. We picked up a beautiful 191 class buck on the last hunt. He had a 4″ drop tine on a very symmetrical frame. For 2010 we’re hoping to pic up allot more land to lease. We have proposals in review that would more than double our current 30,000 acres if the proposals are accepted. See our web update that should be up by Jan 7th. The price will remain the same as the past 3 years.

 Elk

 We’re continuing to only offer drop camps for 2010. These drop camps have consistently produced about 25% harvest success on drops and 50% on guided. Archers have experienced 50 to 100% shot opportunities. Our camps are first rate accommodations in very remote beautiful wilderness. Our horse and mules are top notch, and we’ve still had no horse related injuries to clients for the past 6 years we’ve hosted hunts. The prices remain the same, but for the month of January we’ll give 3 hunters or less the 4 person rate of $1750 (instead of $1950). And give 4 people the 6 person rate of $1500 (instead of $1750)

Buffalo

 January through March is the best time for Buffalo because their hides are full and thick. January they are fatter than in March. Our prices remain the same. But for January our Mega Bulls will be reduced by $750 to $3750. This is a great price for monster class buffalo. If your looking for a big hide or a big head on the wall the time is now. I also have a taxidermist that will tan a hide for about 1/2 price.

Thanks for all your marketing in 2009, and hope to continue our successful partnership for 2010!