Hey Greg,

 Please find attached a few pictures of the Elk mount. Just got it home last week end.  The pictures do NOT do the mount justice. Craig did an excellent job on the mount plus got it out in 9 months !  To put it in perspective the last picture shows my Alaska Caribou next to it.  I could not get the Elk thru the front door so we had to rope it up at the back of the house to the deck area and thru the sliding glass door into the living room LOL.

Jay

John wrote his story below, I’m going to give you a few highlights along with pictures that were taken from the trail cam that the outfitter had put up.  John was hunting wolf over a deer carcass when he noticed something coming out of the woods, it wasn’t a wolf but a mountain lion that decided to take his wolf bait.  Well instead of watching and hoping the mountain lion doesnt’ come after him, like most of us would have.  John decides to go take his wolf bait back from the mountain lion.  I will let John and the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Oh yea, Congratulations to John on a monster of a wolf!  The outfitter said it was one of the largest ever taken in his area!

John Grounds Canada Wolf Hunt 2010

First day: at 1:00 p.m. my wolf stepped out at 300 yards. I tried to set up to shoot and was shaking so bad I had to stop and relax.

 This was a good move because then he turned and began to come towards me. He stopped at 154 yards quartered toward me and I shot and dropped him in his tracks.

 Last day:  I had been watching a lynx feeding on my deer carcass. He did this off and on all day. 2 hours before dark I saw something at 200 yards walking thru the trees. I assumed it was the lynx again due to the color. He cleared the trees and I saw it was a mountain lion. My heart was pounding out of chest. I watched him look around and approach the deer carcass. He then picked up the 80 lb carcass and started walking back the way he came. It then dawned on me I would not be able to hunt without my bait. I jumped out of the blind and took off walking toward the lion. I was 100 yards away from him when he noticed me. He looked up at me and came 10 steps toward me waving his tail back and forth. I continued to walk aggressively toward him. I was 70 yards from him then he turned and went back the way he came. So I walked to the tree line to try to get a picture and he was no where in site. I grabbed my bait and proceeded to drag it back to my bait site. I climbed back in the blind and hunted till dark.

 At dark I Walked out and met up with Greg my guide. I told him the story of my encounter and he laughed. Fifteen minutes had past he said we need to go back to the site and check out the cuddy back camera. We returned to the site and the bait was gone. We could not believe what we were seeing. We retrieved the camera and went back to the house to view the pictures. The camera showed the lion had returned to take the bait a second time. As we looked thru them we could see the way it had unfolded. We both were amazed at what we saw.

 This Wolf Hunt is an exciting hunt. I would highly recommend it.

 John G 

COUGAR COMING TO TAKE BAIT

JOHN GOES AFTER COUGAR

JOHN TAKES BAIT FROM COUGAR

COUGAR BACK JUST MINUTES AFTER JOHN LEAVES

Used Remington Wingmaster……………$400

2 boxes of Hevishot……………………………..$50

Extra candy bars for breakfast ……………..$2

Spending some quality time with your buddies……….priceless!!!!

Thanks to Dan Taylor who guides near Flint, MI.

Jim

Hey guys,

   I just got these pics from Brent Hunsche he hunted 4th season rifle elk at Bear Creek Outfitters and conditions were right for a cougar hunt also. Brent only had a short time to hunt cats before flying out back to Missouri.

Brent and his Dad hunted cats last year and conditions were tough so BCO had them back this year. Dad still has to caome back for his hunt.

Mike Owen took this beautiful whitetail on the 2nd day of his hunt.  I was fortunate enough to be with Mike and catch some of the hunt on film.  Mike and I were actually sitting a different area with some small bucks around us when the outfitter came speeding up in his truck telling us to get in, that they had spotted a real nice deer and we needed to hurry to get on him.  Mike actually took this deer on a spot and stalk hunt, taking him with about a 150 yard shot.  Nice Job Mike! 

Greg,  

The overall hunt was better than expected.  Scott and Jim go out of their way to accommodate each hunter’s style of hunting.  Weather it be hunting the open terrain hill country for big muleys or the river bottom land for big whitetails.  Also, the food and hospitality was top notch back at camp.

Thanks,

Mike Owen.

I don’t think there is anything better than being with a hunter when they take their first big game animal.  I have been very fortunate over the last few years to help guide some first time hunters and catch their experience on film.  Mark’s hunt was no exception, we hadn’t been in the blind any longer than 30 minutes when this nice 10 point snuck up behind us while chasing a doe, of course he came up on my side so we had try and get situated in our ground blind so that Mark would have a good shot while I filmed. 

Mark did a great job staying very calm and remaining patient while I tried to get the buck to stop long enough for Mark to get the shot.  After my third grunt the buck stopped to face us just long enough for Mark to pull of a beautiful shot, the buck didn’t go any more than 50 yards before he dropped!

Congratulations Mark!

Be sure to look for Marks footage in a future newsletter.

Greg,

This was my first time to ever go deer hunting and thanks to Greg I shot my first deer. 10 pointer to say no less. Had an a great time and everyone at Nebraska Trophy Bucks and Birds were awesome! Look forward to going back again.   

 Mark Worley

I have 6 spots open for this same hunt in 2010, this is opening rifle weekend and we timed the rut perfect this year. We went 8 for 8!  This is a 4 day hunt and the Nebraska rifle season is only 9 days so spots fill up very fast.  If you want more information on this hunt call me, Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

Greg,

Just wanted to let ya know me and my wife just got back from hunting with your outfitter in Montana.

Our flight was on – time and all gear arrived, good start. We drove to the outfitters and met Dave and his wife Patty at the scheduled time there, we were greeted – They wasted no time with the warm greetings and unloading of gear. Accommodations were better than expected me and my wife had our own room complete with own facility’s. Great first day.

  The rest of the week was un-real, Meals were unbelievable more than anyone could eat. The guides were very knowledgeable of land and friendly.

 My wife travels with me on all my hunts including the hunting to video tape and take pictures. She said this was the first time she felt very comfortable as all wk Dave and the guides went out of their way to accommodate her.

  The hunting was on par with everything else, Lots of game, saw lots of mule deer, Antelope, a number of coyotes and a few elk and whitetail. I was hunting for Mule deer and Antelope. I was tough on the guides as I was given the go ahead on 11 mule deer but passed on the shot due to the fact I was looking for something different. Finally the 12th mule deer was what I was looking for – very nice 5×5 that was 30″ wide with good mass. I will give my guides Dave and his brother Steve credit for putting up with me and my passing of all those very good deer. At no point did they get frustrated with me, at one point they would just say is that one good enough – aahhhhhhhh, ok let’s try another spot. God bless them.

   I was not as picky with my antelope since I  have never hunted them before, This was new to me, I was hunting with Dave on this day. We dove to glassing points and mid way through the day we spotted a herd of goats. We made a move on them as the weather was turning for the worse, winds around 25 – 30 mph. We got to about 600 yards and ran out of cover. Dave insisted for me to advance on my own as it was to risky for two of us. I closed the gap to about 250yrds and took a nice 13 inch goat, my first. 

  One other thing nice about the hunt was that it was as physical of a hunt or as easy of a hunt that you wanted it to be. The terrain was tough but as the week went on the guides were willing to hunt to our ability. So the first half of the week we were walking while spot and stalk and the second half when my wife grew  tired we would drive to high points and spot. Not often you find an outfitter to hunt the clients way – usually you have to book a hunt to your physical ability. Here we hunted the way we wanted to hunt.

  Conclusion – Great people, food, Conversation and some Fine hunting – will go back. Enclosed are some pictures.

 Special thanks to Dave & Patty and there guides Steve & Rob – fantastic trip, I have been on 13 hunts now and this one ranks at the top.

Thanks again Greg.

 Keith & Shannon

If you would like more information on this hunt give me a call Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

Greg,

 Great to hear from you. It was pleasure meeting you and hearing about your hunts.

 Indeed it was a great time and definitely an experience I’ll treasure for many years. It’s an incredible feeling having my first shot at big game hit it’s target so true. It’s an even better feeling when it landed the one that was envied by the other guys in our group. Having a great guide was truly the reason I was able to get such a nice trophy, so I gotta give him the credit he deserves – thanks Mayo (he’s in picture 018)! 

 Not many hunters can say that within the first hour, of their first day, of their first hunt,  they were able to be as fortunate as I was. Seeing the rack of that Boo come over the ridge and being in such a perfect position, got the adrenaline surging through my veins. My heart was pumping so intensely, it nearly popped out of my chest. 200 yards with a .308 may not be the longest shot with the biggest gun, but I’m sure proud of it.

 One shot…animal down….Caribou steaks for dinner….it doesn’t get any better than that.

Great hunt, my employee jason shot a very nice antelope, I think it could make book. I am happy with the size of mine as well….

Greg,

Just got back from Deep South Outfitters. Had really great trip, the gator hunting is adrenaline at its best. My dad tells our story to anybody who will listen. We got both gators the first night, an 8 and 9 footer. Billy’s guide Dave, was a super guy. The weather was extremely hot, not real productive for hog hunting. Dave really worked to get some hogs.

Thanks,

Jack C.

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

THANKS GREG, THE TRIP WAS GREAT. JUST SOME OF THE FACTS,I GOT MY STAG

ON THE 3rd NIGHT  RIGHT AT THE LAST MOMENTS OF SHOOTING LIGHT AFTER A 2 HOUR STALK ON OUR HANDS AND KNEES.

 HE HAD ABOUT 10 DOES WITH HIM AND SEVERAL KANGAROOS WE HAD TO FOOL AND WE GOT TO 80 YARDS FOR THE SHOT. BUT HE KEPT CHASING DOES SO WE HAD TO WAIT UNTILL HE FINALY MADE A MISTAKE.

 PAULA GOT HERS ON THE LAST DAY IN THE MORNING AS WE WERE LEAVING THE AREA TO HEAD OUT. WE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS OLD MGT. STAG FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THOUGHT WE LOST HIM UNTILL WE FOUND HIS DOES UNDER A SHADE TREE.

 AS WE GLASSED THE AREA AND HE WAS FOUND LAYING DOWN IN THE TALL GRASS BARELY VISABLE. WHEN HE GOT UP HE GAVE PAULA A PERFECT BROAD SIDE SHOT AT A 182 YARDS. WITH ONE SHOT THE OLD STAG FELL WITHIN 10 FEET.

 THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP. DAVE PAULA AND RENEE.

We are now taking bookings for 2010 and 2011 for this hunt. Give me a call Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

New Mexico Big Game Unit 12  Elk Hunt with Double G Outfitters

This last minute hunt turned into a hunt of a lifetime!

Being in business for yourself you never know when you will be able to take enough time off for a hunt like this, but there are times when you see that window of opportunity and just have to take it.

 After receiving an Outdoor Connection update from Greg Ray on 9/18 I noticed a New Mexico hunt for Elk. I have always had a quest for a true trophy Elk. This hunt was early rifle hunt in big game unit 12, Oct. 1st thru the 5th, on approximately 20,000 acres of private land. Knowing that rut would still be going on I contacted Greg for the Hunting Inspection Report. After review of the report I called Greg to book (9/21). 

  With only a week and a half to get ready I had no time to spare. I flew in from Tulsa to Albuquerque on the 30th and was picked up at the airport by one of the outfitters personal. From there we met up with the other two hunters from Indiana and went to the Fish And Game office to get our tag and license. After leaving Albuquerque it was a 2 hour drive West to camp. Camp was set up in a beautiful public area inside the National Forest approximate. 20 miles East of the hunting area.

  After getting settled in camp it was off to sight in the rifles before dark set in. This was a 1 x 1 guided hunt and Ron G. was my guide.

The next morning it was up at 5 am for a quick breakfast before setting out for the hunt. It was still dark when we arrived at the area inside unit 12. Weather was very calm with clear skies and in the high 20’s. I’m thinking to myself, what could be more perfect for the bulls to be bugling on a morning like this! 

 Ron and I took off hiking to the south east to an area he called Maria. Along the 2 1/4 mile hike in we stopped and called several times but never heard a peep from anything.

 After it started getting daylight I could see several rubs and broken trees and a lot of fresh sign; the sort of thing that really gets your heart pumping.

 By 7;30 we had arrived at Maria , a small watering hole. The water had a skim of ice on it except for a small hole that held a lone drake mallard. It was obvious that nothing had been in to water overnight.  While standing in the trees overlooking the water hole we commented how strange it was that we had not heard anything at all. No sooner had we said that we heard a bugle approximately 800 yards to the south of us and then another to the north east of us. We both look at each other, smiled, and the chase was on.

 We moved in to get in between the two bulls and then decided to go after the one to the south. Ron was very good with the cow call and had both bulls bugling back and forth. We also heard a third bull to the east of us. We were able to close in fast on the bull on the south with Ron’s calling. At one point we were within 80 yards of the bull but had not seen him yet when all of a sudden we saw a big cedar tree moving back an forth as the bull stood hooking it. The tree never had a chance. We still could not see the elk yet so we moved to set up so we could see him when he moved away from the cedar, hoping he would move through the small clearing just to the left.

 The Elk never saw us but when he did move, it was away from us keeping the tree between us and we only got a glimpse of him. That glimpse was all we needed to see he was big. Ron decided to hold our ground and continue to cow call. It amazes me how an animal so big can make a slip on you so fast, but before we knew it the Bull Elk had made it to a ridge 200 yards away and had 3 cows and a small bull with him.

 There was no shot until they reached a small clearing on top of the ridge. They all stopped, the Bull standing broad side, but could not shoot because of a cow behind him. I was standing and shooting off hand with the Bull 200 yards out. When they moved I had about 5 seconds to make a shot with the bull quartering away. When the 340 weatherby went off the bull dropped like a rock.

  I knew the Elk was big but had no idea how big it really was until we hiked up to the top of the ridge to see him. The Bull Elk was a 7 x 7 with a gross score of 391 1/2″. Unbelievable ! Later that afternoon one of the other hunters tagged a nice 6 x 6 Bull Elk.

  Many thanks to Ron G and his crew for a hunt of a lifetime!  I would highly recommend working with Greg Ray for a hunt of a lifetime.

 Jay B.

Broken Arrow, OK

This is a very unique hunt and gets the adrenaline pumping.  If you want more details about a gator hunt call me.

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

Hello Guys,

     I just received these gator pics in the mail from Larry H. He killed 2 gators a 7 footer and 8 footer on his hunt with one of our gator outfitters in Forida.  Larry said everything was top knotch and would recommend them to anyone. Everything went like clock work, they were also very helpful in helping to get Larry’s bow set up prior to the the hunt.

Larry also said if anyone would like to call about this hunt he would be happy to be a reference.

Here is a quick note from a fellow Okie that just returned from caribou camp.  Hope he saved some for the rest of us.  Iwill post more updates as they come in.

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 greg@outdoor-connection.com

Greg,
The Caribou hunt I booked through you to hunt with Safari Nordik couldn’t have been any better.
12 guys 16 caribou the first day!
Great food,and plenty of it,The guides all  worked hard to help you get the animal you wanted.
Heated cabins with indoor facilities including a shower in each cabin.
Good fishing and ptarmigan hunting right outside of camp.
I highly recommend this hunt.
Thanks,
Mark Rehme