PAID Hunting trip with father In law. What to expect.

[Bigeclipse]

All,
My father in-law is bringing me on a hunting trip to Wisconsin. And I am very lucky in that he is paying for the trip itself. Including the "deer" I will shoot. That being said, I still have to pay for equipment and such. I began hunting deer 3 years ago with rifle and Bow. I have typical cold weather and warm weather gear. I own a 300WSM Browning x-bolt with Burris Fullfield 2 4.5-14x42. Groupings are MOA or slightly better right now with federal fusion. Havent tried any other loads and do not handload. I am wondering what to expect on these paid type hunting trips? this is the type where it is on a few thausand acher ranch that has a great population of "good" genetic deer which they brought in and bred years ago...but there are no feeders or anything and you still have to "hunt/call" deer and such. I know what you are all thinking...lol do they lead you to deer tied up to a fence and you shoot it lol. I was kind of thinking the same thing but as I stated my father in-law is bringing me for free so....yeah, I am going to go lol.

As I stated, what should I expect? loaded question haha but seriously any comments welcome on this question
Anything I should consider about this type hunting trip?
What should I bring? This will be wisconson in late october.
Any other comments?
thanks!

 

[digger11]

Maybe don't expect anything.Go and have a good time.Try not to plan the fun out of it.
Bonding with Father-in-law,,,priceless

 

[Bigeclipse]

Maybe don't expect anything.Go and have a good time.Try not to plan the fun out of it.
Bonding with Father-in-law,,,priceless

Thanks and maybe you're right...I just want to be prepared. Not sure what to expect. I am nervous of a few things like the fact that if you draw blood and dont recover the deer you still pay for it...even if its not my money, I dont have lots of money like my father in law so this will most likely be my only Hunt out of New York for the forsee-able future maybe even for the rest of my life.
Also, I was looking for some advice on possible weather in Wisconsin in late october...maybe some people here have hunted in Wisconsin...I dont know exactly what to bring and my father in-law, even though a good hunter, has never been there either.

 

[HARPERC]

A lot of places have lists I'd contact them to get a feel for whats provided, and whats needed. Some places provide beds and blankets some don't. Some are full service lodges, some are tents and cots, others nearby motels. Will a guide be with you all day, does the price go up as the deer get bigger. if a lot of walking is involved, or a lot of sitting. You need to get first hand info to narrow your questions a bit. Have fun, but it will be more fun if you're properly equipped shivering all night takes the joy out the days hunting.

 

[Coyboy]

late October typically has night time lows in the low 30's daytime highs around 40-50.

But in 43 years of living hear I can remember lows in the single digits and highs in the 80's during that time period.

I fished a Musky tournament in mid- October last year and snow squalls blew thru constantly and the temp was never over 35. The next week-end it was 70 degrees.

 

[Bigeclipse]

late October typically has night time lows in the low 30's daytime highs around 40-50.

But in 43 years of living hear I can remember lows in the single digits and highs in the 80's during that time period.

I fished a Musky tournament in mid- October last year and snow squalls blew thru constantly and the temp was never over 35. The next week-end it was 70 degrees.

Thats what I was guessing myself...that it was probably similar to northern New York weather...and we get the same, sometimes can be single digits or 30's or like last year during october bow one week I was in T-shirt and sweating and the next I was full suit and freezing so i guess I will have to pack everything haha.

To the other comment about getting info on the place we are hunting at...They provide housing and food in their lodge. also the way it sounds is you can have a guide if you want at no additional fee. but if you dont take a guide, you run the risk of shooting a larger buck than you may want to pay for. The guide will look through his spy glasses and tell you the probable score and then he takes on the risk if you shoot it and it turns out to be a higher class, so you wont get charged any extra money. BUT since there are no fences, there are no guarentees...so if you dont shoot one, you simply get refunded your money..minus deposit which can be applied for another hunt later that year or the next year. So it seems less like you are simply shooting a deer thats tied up haha and more like actual hunting.

 

[Korhil78]

Thats what I was guessing myself...that it was probably similar to northern New York weather...and we get the same, sometimes can be single digits or 30's or like last year during october bow one week I was in T-shirt and sweating and the next I was full suit and freezing so i guess I will have to pack everything haha.

To the other comment about getting info on the place we are hunting at...They provide housing and food in their lodge. also the way it sounds is you can have a guide if you want at no additional fee. but if you dont take a guide, you run the risk of shooting a larger buck than you may want to pay for. The guide will look through his spy glasses and tell you the probable score and then he takes on the risk if you shoot it and it turns out to be a higher class, so you wont get charged any extra money. BUT since there are no fences, there are no guarentees...so if you dont shoot one, you simply get refunded your money..minus deposit which can be applied for another hunt later that year or the next year. So it seems less like you are simply shooting a deer thats tied up haha and more like actual hunting.

HAHA...forget that noise! I would have a guide with me everyday! A bonding moment with your father-in-law could become a family rivalry at the pull of a trigger!

 

[azmetalman]

My son-in-law and I became best friends on a very rugged week long Coues Whitetail hunt. He killed his first deer on that hunt. I taught him how to bone it out and he packed it to camp. Since then we have hunted Coues, elk, pheasants and bobwhites together. We shoot trap together when I get up to the Northwest. We have also become fishing buddies and have taken two fly fishing catch and release float trips for trout and 2 salmon trips. I don't have a son so this has been great for me.
Do yourself a favor just go without expectation, quit worrying about anything and enjoy the ride. You have nothing to prove. It will be the best trip of your life.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I've never heard of a place like you're describing that isn't high fenced. What's the name of this place he's taking you to?

 

[EasternNChunter]

I've never heard of a place like you're describing that isn't high fenced. What's the name of this place he's taking you to?

I agree. That was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned "Pay for my deer". If that is the case, you can expect to kill a big buck. Remember though, the bigger the buck, the more he pays. You will also probably have a "guide" with you the entire time, telling you exactly what he scores, age, and show you his mother and father's papers. To each his own...

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I agree. That was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned "Pay for my deer". If that is the case, you can expect to kill a big buck. Remember though, the bigger the buck, the more he pays. You will also probably have a "guide" with you the entire time, telling you exactly what he scores, age, and show you his mother and father's papers. To each his own...

LOL! That's funny and I don't care who you are!!!

 

[Bigeclipse]

I've never heard of a place like you're describing that isn't high fenced. What's the name of this place he's taking you to?

I will have to ask him what it is called.

 

[sourdough44]

Yes, it sounds like a 'high fence' type operation, somewhat 'canned'. I would just go with it & enjoy the experience. It just won't be anything like a true 'big woods' hunt.

The weather should be moderate, you could check historical temps, I'd bet upper 60's for a high & maybe near freezing at night. Your gun sounds like more than enough, just put some thought to shot placement.

 

[SidecarFlip]

There is a phesant operation near us that does the same thing. It's fenced and the birds are captive. Personally, I think that crap should be legislated out of existence. You pay for the 'hunt and you pay per bird. Sort of a gentlemans (*****) hunting experience. I hear it's popular with the wannabe hunter crowd.

That isn't hunting at all, thats 'shooting pigs in a barrel' as the old saying goes....

With the amount of deer that wind up as hood ornaments every year, makes good sense to get out in the woods and have a real hunt.

If it was me, I'd go to commune with the FIL and carry an empty rifle or take a camera and record the event.