Bill270

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I was just wondering if anybody has hunted with camp 5 outfitters for pigs, just wanted to know how your hunt was and if you had a good experience.
 

Family Tradition

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I hunted with the camp 5 guys last year..........

All I can say is these boys are legit, killed 2 nice hogs in one morning and could have hammered a few more had I wanted to pull trigger on them.

FT
 

Cold1nhand

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I have never hunted with them but know a few guys that have. They had a good time, shot some pigs.
 

aaron r

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I hunted with camp 5 a few years ago, excellent operation. All of the guides know how to get pigs.
 

DeadNuts

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I think I even saw them on a Versus hunting show??
 

Use_Enough_Gun

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bill270 @ Jun 23 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
I was just wondering if anybody has hunted with camp 5 outfitters for pigs, just wanted to know how your hunt was and if you had a good experience.[/b]


They're probably good outfitters but I'd NEVER book a hunt with them again after an experience of two years ago. We had a hunt booked (deposit paid) and about one month prior, one of our party had a MAJOR life changing medical emergency.

We contacted them and explained what had happened...hoping for some way to delay the hunt until our pal was back on his feet.

They REFUSED to reschedule our hunt and of course we forfeited hundreds (I think it was $450) to them. In fact we just asked that we get a credit of some sort toward a future hunt.

The short answer...not only no but HELL NO!

I understand it's a business...but could they have shown some small amount of customer service or at least a little compassion for this guy? Apparently not. So they made their few hundred bucks and lost 4 clients (PLUS) for a lifetime. Most outfitters rely on word of mouth for business--and referrals. We (our group) are AVID hunters and hunt all over the world. They didn't realize the cascading effect of mishandling this. I know of at least a half dozen fellow hunters who upon hearing this story refuse to consider them for a hunt. PERIOD.

There are many good outfitters around...and we all have choices to make. It's only me and my hunting pals that have a "dog in this hunt"...but I swore then that I'd not only never hunt with them, I'd tell the story (only if asked) about my experience with them.

F minus to Camp Five.
 

Rick

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Did you all want to reschedule or cancel the hunt, or just the pal who became ill?


Last year, my friends and I had just arrived in Silver City, NM two days before the season opened for deer. That night, I got a call from my brother that our mother had passed away. I tried to sleep, but ended up just driving home. The outfitter credited my deposit to this year's hunt. I would not have expected my friends to cancel and go home, though.

From what I understand, Camp 5 gets booked well in advance. WIth a month to go, they should have been able to fill that weekend, though. I can understand their reluctance to re-book an entire party because one person had an emergency.

I've never hunted there, but my friends who have were very pleased. Unlike many guides/outfitters, when you book there, you get a whole weekend's hunt. Varmint, ground squirrel, etc. are available if you bag your hog early. Many guides pick you up at a motel, take you out, you shoot your hog and are done at 10 or 11 AM...go on home.
 

Family Tradition

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Having spent time with the Camp 5 guys I have a hard time swallowing that pill.

Not saying it didn't happen but its not the norm for sure.

MS
 

Kentuck

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Can't find the info now but last I recall looking around for guides, weren't their hunts pretty pricey compared to others?
 

Use_Enough_Gun

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Family Tradition @ Jun 25 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Having spent time with the Camp 5 guys I have a hard time swallowing that pill.

Not saying it didn't happen but its not the norm for sure.

MS[/b]


As I said, it's our dog in this hunt...not anyone else's. As for the group canceling, we simply didn't feel it was right to be on a hog hunt when we'd planned it as a group and one of us was in ICU/rehab. For us it's about the hunt--not whacking a pig--(but who doesn't want to have some good meat in the freezer?)

What was surprising to me that they would NOT entertain any sort of future credit (even some percentage of it) toward a future hunt especially with almost a month's notice. They had (if I recall) 28 days notice and word has it (through the local "hunting" club) that Camp 5 filled that quota anyway.

Again, I wouldn't put this out there unless somebody asked about experiences with them. This is mine. Is it the norm? Maybe not. For us it was 100%.

The fellow asking the question deserves to hear it all whether it's + or -...

I have no illusion that my decision or my posting about my experience will "punish" Camp 5 in any way. That's not my goal or my point. I'm sure he could go up there and have a decent hunt based upon the collective experience of others. We probably would've had one too but the point is moot.

I now hunt with other proven outfitters or VAFB and have great hunts--with friends.

'Nuf said (on my part)...
 

Family Tradition

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UEG

Man, I want you to know I feel you. I have an outfitter who did me wrong in the past and if asked I'd tell my story.

My point was knowing Jim and a few of the guys that for my thinking that should have been very out of the normal way of doing business.

Had I been in your shoes I'd find somebody else also and I dont think the way you put your story was in away way mean spirited. Facts and thats it.

Let the one asking the questions make up their mind.

FT
 

Bill270

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Thank You guys for the replies and info. Use Enough Gun what are some of the other outfitters you have used if you don't mind me asking. My dad and I are just looking for a good quality pig hunt we've hunted tejon and with boaring experiences and are just looking for something new and different country.
 

Use_Enough_Gun

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bill270 @ Jun 25 2008, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Thank You guys for the replies and info. Use Enough Gun what are some of the other outfitters you have used if you don't mind me asking. My dad and I are just looking for a good quality pig hunt we've hunted tejon and with boaring experiences and are just looking for something new and different country.[/b]

Tyler at Boaring Experiences is one, but you've already hunted with him...Tom Willoughby is another--he's probably the most experienced hog hunter I've ever met. (Tom Willoughby Outfitter & Guide Service (831) 385-3003.

You can't go wrong with Deedy at Bryson Hesperia Resorts (805) 472-2922) http://brysonresort.com

The same group that booked Camp 5 ended up hunting with her about a year ago (already a year?) and we had a HOOT! You can search the forums for her posts and somewhere or another is my hunt report from last year. You'll be treated well and she will bust her *ss to get you good hogs. Many +++ experiences among JHO members from what I know.

However...She's in the same region as Tom and Tyler (Paso Robles area). But you gotta hunt 'em where they are...

Look forward to hearing about your hunt...whoever you go with and a hunt report if/when you go.

Best of luck to you...
 

bcbear3

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I've hunted with Camp 5 before and always had good experiences. First time I.ve heard a negative beef, hard to believe.
 

hatchet1

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tom willoughby gets my vote for your best bet, you will see hogs,you will have fun, you will hunt until
you tag out
<
dont know of anyone else that has the type of experience he does,the dude
is a pig killin machine
<
 

outdoorsman

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hatchet1 @ Jun 26 2008, 04:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
tom willoughby gets my vote for your best bet, you will see hogs,you will have fun, you will hunt until
you tag out
<
dont know of anyone else that has the type of experience he does,the dude
is a pig killin machine
<
[/b]


Another thumbs up for Tom. Hunted with him years ago and then again recently. Both hunts were awsome!! Saw lots of hogs and had easy pickin's. He and his boy know exactly where to go!
<
 

Bill270

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Thanks for some more info, do any of you guys know about how much Tom's hunts go for or if he has a website.
 

hatchet1

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i believe he is 575.00 for a two day hunt, you will be done in one if you can shoot, you will not leave his property until you
have a hog hangin, he wont stuff a 100 pounder down your throat either ,he will put you on a decent size hog,
good luck and post up when you whack um, i learned a TON from tom when i first hunted with him about 15 years ago,
he pointed me in the right direction, and i have not stopped yet,
<
 

BrysonHesperiaResort

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Bill270;
Tom does not have a website (or a computer)... his hunts are still priced at $575, 100% shot opportunity. I hunt with him quite often... he does a great, great job. Been in the business for 30 years. You'll have to book the old fashioned way, call him at 831-385-3003.

Use Enough Gun;
thank you very much for all the kind words... we sure had a blast with you and your gang, you guys are the best. Love your new avatar. Nice.
<


I have to add that we juggle hunts all the time. If someone needed to reschedule their hunt because a member of the hunting party was unable to attend, we would (and have) rescheduled their hunt. I have sent deposits back when people have become ill, even when they didn't ask for their deposit back. They probably are going to have a few medical bills (that's putting it mildly), and I always have more hunters. It's just good business.

Deedy
 
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