I am a first time hunter. Other than tracking down jackrabbits with a .22, I have not had a hunting experience in the outdoors. A few months ago I decided that I wanted to celebrate my 25th birthday by going on a guided hunt with a professional.
I found Native Hunt online after doing a search for local outfitters in Northern California. I really want to be taught by a professional and have the best chance at an ethical shot and a successful hunt. Native Hunt seems like a place where I can get the full experience.
Christine at Native Hunt responded to my initial email with a kind and welcoming note that made me feel that this was the correct place to go for guidance throughout the preparation process, as well as a great experience on the eventual hunt. Christine and I identified a few key steps to get ready:
- Commit to a date & species to hunt.
- Obtain a hunting license.
- Score a tag.
- Gear up.
- HUNT!
I chose a Black-tailed deer for my first hunt because it is the deer I have been surrounded by most of my life in the rolling hills of Contra Costa County, and because it is a native species to California. We settled on the best weekend and decided to move forward.
I then enrolled in a Hunter Safety class and took a full two-day course with a great team of instructors at Coyote Valley Sporting Clays in Morgan Hill. The all-volunteer team of instructors made it clear that hunting is a sport of integrity and ethics, and also one where safety is of utmost importance. I made a few friends in class and after passing the Hunter Safety Exam, we all proceeded to the local sporting goods store to purchase our hunting licenses & tags.
Native Hunt then provided me with a list of items every first-time hunter should have to be adequately prepared for the hunt. I also spent some time with a rifle instructor and have been hiking regularly to get in shape for the upcoming hunt by spot & stalk.
This hunt is going to be a transformational experience for me, and the fulfillment of a life long dream. Just preparing for the hunt has forced me to educate myself in many new areas, has increased my level of physical activity, and given me new motivation in life. The Native Hunt team has been extremely patient and supportive, and I can’t wait to meet them in person and have a great hunt!
-Jeremy Glick
All of us here at Native Hunt were so happy to host Bill and Will Schaffer at our ranch for an exciting Boar hunt! Both of them took boar and, most importantly, both left the ranch completely satisfied. Below we have included their testimonial from the weekend. Thank you Bill and Will for your visit! We all greatly enjoyed your company and look forward to seeing you back here soon.
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Hello Christine,
This is my informal post-hunt report. You have two very satisfied and happy hunter/customers.
The Hunt exceeded our expectations. We thought it was going to be good. It was great.
Sam, Ted, and Evandro were the best. They each worked hard and at the same time were a friendly as could be. From the get go we felt welcomed, and I mean that. It wasn’t just that we were paying customers. The three guys worked together well and they made sure Will and I fit in. It felt good.
We each got an animal of the size we wanted and the shot set up was picture perfect, right out of the pages of a sports magazine. Couldn’t ask for better.
I noticed the posted, open letter at the bunk house. It had the catch phrase PH (professional hunter). My background was as a professional in the military for 30 years, so with a cup of coffee at hand I would type the following and please feel free to pass any of this along as it is meant to be part of my thanks to the entire enterprise.
Christine: You worked with me on the phone and by email. Everything you said was easy to understand, not overstated and all of it was very accurate. When we got to the hunt there were no surprises. The suggestion about the motel the day before was super. Quality Inn took good care of us and they were glad to see we were on a Native Hunt.
Sam was professional throughout the time we were at the Hunt. And I would describe his professionalism by using terms like: He had safety up front and maintained safety throughout. He did it with a smile on his face and it was easy and appreciated by Will and me. He was a confident and that made us confident. He knew the hunt and the land and lead us into it so the we could enjoy ourselves to the maximum.
I was the old guy (66), I had prepared for the hunt. Sam checked in with me regularly to make sure I was OK. And he would have them keep the tempo up so I could feel challenged – which make for a great hunt. At the same time he had Will (my young son) working at a good pace too. It could not have been much better.
Leadership: He ran the show smooth, letting the other to guys do their jobs but at the same time it was clear he had control. He also worked with Will and me in a very smart way. He would tell us ahead of time what was needed and what we should be ready for. And that lead right into two very nice shots.
Taking a step back, Sam’s professionalism and leadership started at 4:00AM with a cup of black coffee which I enjoyed. While we were sitting there getting the paperwork taken care of, Sam took a good read on both of us and let us talk enough so he had a good feel for what kind of hunt we could give him. He asked what we were looking for in the Hunt and he delivered.
Ted, the second guide was with us from the get go. He joined in and played a nice number two role. He added a lot to our hunt but he always supported Sam’s lead. It was neat to see them work together. They were going to keep the customers happy and at the same time they had to find the pigs. I learned a lot from both Ted and Sam during the hunt.
Evandro (I hope I got that spelled correct) was over the top. His food was perfect for the hunt. He also had a lot of fun and friendly stories and information which added to our total enjoyment.
I want you all to know you did a great job. I wouldn’t change a thing. Will and I will enjoy the memory of this hunt for a long time to come.
I dropped the two pigs off at the butcher’s this afternoon. They were very impressed with the care and condition of the meat. So in about 3-4 weeks we will be able to do a taste test. Looking forward to that.
This email is to long. Coffee has gotten cold. But again Great Job, Thank everybody for me please.
Bill Shaffer (and Will)
A hog hunting story sent in from our friend John J. LaRussa who is from my home state of Florida, enjoy!
My younger brother who has never hunted in his life has been bugging me to take him hog hunting. Well on Monday 12-27-2009 his wants came true. He was in town and I took him to Hardee County Florida where I hunt. The hogs have been rooting the property up pretty good for the last few months. I placed my little brother (6′ 4 1/2″ and weighing in @ 320) in a tree stand along the creek on the property, squirrles got mad thought a bear moved in. Well about 30 minutes into the hunt I heard a shot and felt pretty good it was Thomas. About 2 minutes later another shot then another shot then a pistol shot then another shot that sounded like an explosion. All I could think was that the BEAR I took with me had a private war going on and did not invite me. During this barage of gun fire and pig squeeling I had to laugh out loud did not know what the heck was going on. Then the woods got quiet and 1 lone rifle shot and my BEAR I mean brother started howling like a child at Christmas. “I got one John I got one.” Finally I thought, after the little war that was going on. Well as far as the war it was the land owners to the East that were making all the rukus they were hunting the fence line and only Mother Nature knows what they got. I have not seen my brother that happy with me since we were kids growing up in South Florida. Hunting is second nature to me and if I could find a way to make a living at it I would. To see the look on another persons face and the jubilation in there voice as they tell you the story is what hunting is all about. My mother called me yesterday and said that the meat was delicious they had dinner at my brothers and he retold the story for them of how my BEAR got the Little Piggy.
John and Thom on Thom's second hunt
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