Florida, Ga, SC Whitetail Outfitter Recommendations

[Manny1608]

I’ve been trying for my first whitetail for 4 years now in south Florida public land and one time on a family friend’s lease in SC. I just came back from a hunt with a central Florida outfitter near Ocala, FL in which our whole group of 8 only saw one buck in 5 days, I only saw does on 2 out of the 5 days. On the last day I asked the guide about how slow it’d been and he told me that there was plenty activity on the “premium stands” and showed me trail cam pictures of bucks from that morning and the previous days at those “premium stands” but no one in our group had paid the extra fee to be sat at the premium stands. This left a terrible taste in my mouth and really left me feeling scammed knowing now that I’d been placed in a burnt out stand and had my money taken like a chump. All of this to say: I’m looking for recommendations on a reputable outfit that’s straightforward without the hidden fees that can put me on a buck or someone that’d be willing to allow me on their property (I’m willing to pay and help out on the land if needed). I’m not looking for a monster just looking to spend some time in the woods and fill the freezer. Preferably in Florida, South Carolina, or southern parts of Bama and Georgia.

 

[ShortMagFan]

I think you are going to be much better off joining a lease or making a friend with property. Or hunt public. Whitetail on the southeast are a dime a dozen. But any outfitter promising big deer is a liar. And they can’t stay in business having paying client shoot small deer

 

[Kyguy]

What was the outfitter you used?

 

[Jpsmith1]

I didn't hunt deer with them, but talk to Tom at Collin's Low Country Hunt Club.

He has nice accomodations, Juanita was an AWESOME cook and I saw a bunch of deer and did get the pig I was there for.

 

[RoseAllen]

What are you willing to spend on a hunt?

 

[Manny1608]

What was the outfitter you used?

Black Tine Outfitter

 

[Manny1608]

What are you willing to spend on a hunt?

I’d like to be under $2,000 for a buck if possible. Not looking to shoot a giant, just looking for my first buck. I’m still in school and unfortunately can’t spend more than that.

 

[Manny1608]

I didn't hunt deer with them, but talk to Tom at Collin's Low Country Hunt Club.

He has nice accomodations, Juanita was an AWESOME cook and I saw a bunch of deer and did get the pig I was there for.

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll look them up

 

[Rich M]

Whitetail on the southeast are a dime a dozen.

Where do you hunt? It can't be FL.

OP - join a lease in GA and shoot your first deer next year. Plenty of deer in GA. FL is tough hunting.

Your guide experience sounds typical to me. Buddy and I did a 3 or 4 day hunt in GA and were put in non-premium stands as it was the first weekend they opened hunting. The guides were subpar and they didn't care if we shot anything but sure as hell were standing in line for tips when we were leaving.

If you want to have a better hunt you have to pay more and go to a more reliable guide. AND/OR you have to go every year.

There are some places in GA where you can do a 3-4 day hunt for about $1500-$2000 and shoot a buck and doe. Search Google for that if you gotta go now.

 

[Kyguy]

It does NO ONE any good when people talk about poor experiences but don't list the guide or outfitter. Its absolutely no different than getting a schitty product or schitty service from a manufacturer or retailer, and lord know people are ready to blow up forums and the internet when that happens.

 

[TreeDux]

Your guide experience does sound all too familiar. I love Florida and there are deer to be killed but my first suggestion would be any of those other states that you mentioned. You should easily be able to kill a buck and probably a doe or two for the price mentioned but you definitely have to research the options diligently. The right outfits can get you a buck and enough experience to learn something and build confidence. After that (or even before?) look into public. Special draw or management hunts can provide opportunities, especially if you aren’t hung up on big antlers. It’s very doable but you’ll have to drive a bit. Depending on what you have going on in Florida you could maybe trade a hunt for some fishing?

 

[Manny1608]

Your guide experience does sound all too familiar. I love Florida and there are deer to be killed but my first suggestion would be any of those other states that you mentioned. You should easily be able to kill a buck and probably a doe or two for the price mentioned but you definitely have to research the options diligently. The right outfits can get you a buck and enough experience to learn something and build confidence. After that (or even before?) look into public. Special draw or management hunts can provide opportunities, especially if you aren’t hung up on big antlers. It’s very doable but you’ll have to drive a bit. Depending on what you have going on in Florida you could maybe trade a hunt for some fishing?

That’s why I was asking for guide recommendations, I figured my experience wasn’t anything new. It’s getting late enough in the season that I’m thinking this will be a trip for next year but definitely going to keep scouting public. I’m down in south Florida right before the Keys and have a 26ft boat which I fish regularly. I would 100% be down to trade a hunt for some saltwater fishing.