Guide Hunting in the Adirondacks

Guide Hunting in the Adirondacks

Hello Hunters

I want start off by saying that guide hunting in the Adirondacks is much different than other places that you may have hunted.

There are all types of game here in the Southern Adirondacks; Whitetail Deer, Black Bears, Snowshoe Rabbits, and all types of game birds inclusive of: Wild Turkey, Partridge, Pheasant, and much more.

Now let me get to the point !!

I have hunted in the Adirondacks for many many years and have gotten my fair share of all types of game. The main difference from booking a guided hunting trip in lets say Canada, is that most of your game is feed in the same spot everyday. I went one time on a guided hunting trip and really saw no point in this type of hunting, I sat for 4 hours in a tree stand over a feed pile, the smell of human urine and the sign of humans was everywhere from the cigarette butts, to the candy wrappers.

I then by no surprise saw a beautiful fat Black Bear appear through the treeline, his head was down and he was heading right for the feed pile, he appeared to be 250 lbs. I raised my rifle and paused.

I had a flashback of home, and how unnatural this all seemed. Don't get me wrong seeing the country and the animals are great but its really not hunting, I think anyone can sit over a feed pile and shoot an animal!

It reminds me of a funny story. I was younger about 22 years of age and I was working in the Adirondacks as a hunting guide for a well known outfitter, (whose name I will withhold for privacy reasons).

I woke up that morning in our hunting camp which happened to be right next to a game preserve which farmed Whitetail Deer, there had to be 50 or 60 of them. Does of all sizes and Bucks that ranged from a single spike horn to a 14 point.

I heard a truck pull up and out stepped three well dressed men, darned with hunting hats on, why I have no clue, the one man went to the back of the truck and appeared from behind his very large full size king cab tinted with tinted windows and I am sure air conditioning. He held a large hard black rifle case, and carefully placed it on the hood of his truck. He presented a beautiful long barreled rifle whos shine was blinding. It must of had a 200 power adjustable scope on it, and was to say the least huge. He was then escorted by the owner of the game preserve to the gate which he proceeded to unlocked. I heard the owner say that once they entered the deer yard they could take their pick, but not the 4 point.

The well-dressed gentleman raised his rifle after a few moments, and pointed it at a beautiful 10 point, 190 pound whitetail deer. He was standing there broad side, not less than 30 feet away. The deer just stood looking at the man and the owner (who always feed him). The man aimed the rifle took off the safety and fired.

After the smoke cleared, we looked and there stood the deer. He just continued to look at them, and had no inkling on moving. The man stated he must of jerked the trigger. So he again pulled up to fire, guess what happened - - HE MISSED AGAIN. The deer this time did move about 5 feet away and began to resume his normally daily event - eating.

The owner than proceeded to ask the shooter if he sighted in his rifle prior to arrival, The response was, Sight It In???

The owner instructed the man to wait and not to shoot again. The owner of the deer yard proceeded to his truck and pulled out his 30-06 Carbine, with no scope, and proceeded back to where he had left the gentleman and finished the job himself, the rest is not important, we all know what happened.

Now let me ask you, does this story send any kind of message?

Remember we were talking about hunting. It does not matter if it's whitetail deer, ducks, geese, fox, or etc. It's about hunting, is bagging an animal really that IMPORTANT to some that they need to buy a kill or sit over a pile of food that was put there by man or women?

Hunting is more than that, it's getting to see the wilderness for its natural patterns and the feeding that mother nature has placed for them, not the fried bacon or dog food.

So here is the deal, the people that would like to learn what Mother Nature has planted instead of just any kill, are the people I welcome to see at Back to Basics. Let me put it in a different perspective; if the game was meant to be that easy to obtain, then why were the Indians out hunting for days at a time? It was not meant to be easy.

Here at Back to Basics we will make this deal, we can't promise you will bag your game on your first visit or even your second visit, but can promise a vast area that many have dared to venture into. Maybe because they just don't know about it. Either way it's here and I will share the stories, give you my best advice, and show you one hell of a good time along with some very remote and stunning country!!! That I will shake your hand on.

What a great place to start ? or finish?

We can outfit your trip, and would be happy to discuss your likes and dislikes. We can go over different meals options, the area, and all the details, before you even arrive. Back to Basics can be used as a base camp to hunt for the day, or can provide backpacking into the remote back country, where the BIG guys live. We are able to outfit a single hunter or a group excursion, the only thing we ask is BE A TRUE HUNTER AND ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OF THE WILDLIFE.

If you have read this thus far, here's the bonus.

Please view the pictures below of your new hunting surroundings.

Peace to all and keep an eye out for more interesting stories from your Adirondack Wilderness Guide and Outfitter.