Patient Hog Guide Suggestion

[Eastsloper]

My 14 year old son with Down Syndrome will be taking his hunter's safety course/exam in 2 weeks and is very excited about being able to hunt. He has been studying the book and is confident he will pass the exam (I am more worried than he is)...so as a reward I would like to take him on a pig hunt in california and am looking for a suggestion for a guide for a rifle hunt this Spring. Would appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[rwlittle]

I'd try Burroughs Ranch in Red Bluff. Mr. Burroughs is a very nice guy. I do not have the number, but it is in the Jesses pig guide list. I hunted there a few years ago. Breakfast and dinner are provided (be prepared for some awesome down-home cooking...and be prepared to gain 10lbs. in 2 days). The hunter's cabin is quite nice (3 bedroom, 1 bath, VCR, big front porch, fishing ponds). I think it would be perfect for your son's first trip.

 

[brknarrow]

831-385-3003 tom willoughby the best in the west and the first.

 

[hatchet1]

i will second brknarrow,s vote, tom will take care of you and your boy.
you will have an awesome experience.

 

[Speckmisser]

Eastsloper, congrats to your son (and his dad)!

Most of the quality guides I've heard about on this forum sound like top-rate fellas.

The key for you will be to be very open and communicate what your expectations are from the guide. Let him know what challenges you anticipate, any limitations, and most of all...let him know that he'll need to be patient with both of you (parents can get pretty protective of a special child).

Once you've done all of that, and come to agreement, then trust that guide. He's the expert on the hunting. You're the expert on yourself and your boy. Let him do his part and you take care of yours, and it'll be a hunt to remember.

Congrats again!

 

[Hogskin]

I've hunted with willoughby a bunch of times and would again but I'm not sure he's the guy you want taking your special needs son out. Maybe he'd be great but he treated a rookie friend of mine like crap, almost to the point that the friend wanted to hang it up and not hunt anymore. If you want a pig Tom is the guy that will get you into them but it's not always about dumping a pig. My

 

[w8_liftr]

EL:

Where are you located and how far are you willing to travel? I have hunted with August Harding a bit ago and was very satisfied with the results.

Send me a PM and I can give you all the particulars.

W8_Liftr

 

[Land Cruiser]

Ken Whittaker - top-notch gentleman. Great operation too! Give him a call 530-474-4959. He will take good care of your son.

Good luck!

 

[rwlittle]

Speck has a very good point (as always) ....definately call a bunch of places and talk to the guide and have a Q&A session with them. From that you should be able to decide which guide will best suite you and your son. From my experiences hunting with guides (only about 4 total), I would say Burroughs Ranch would be a great place.. Mr. Burroughs is like a nice mellow grandpa that is always cheerful and eager to show you a good time.

Be sure to let us all know which place you decide upon!!

 

[daddy63]

Nothing against tom becuase I have hunted with a number of times with my kids and he has been good. But when my son was ready to hunt, i took him to Bill Burrows and I know that was the right place to bring him. Plus, Bill video's the hunts and that tape is worth everything when you're done. If you would like more details, PM me and I'll be glad to fill you in. good luck

Daddie63

 

[rwlittle]

ah yes, I almost forgot about hte videos...definately gets you excited about the hunt.

 

[dirtpoor]

lets not forget one of our own, Deedy at Bryson Hesperia Resort, I doubt you could find a kinder more enthusiastic person than she.

 

[BrysonHesperiaResort]

Thank you Dirtpoor, I am truly honored.

Well, this is quite a coincidence. My little brother (34 years old) has Down's. People with Down's are THE best. It is a humbling experience to be around them, makes me remember how much I take for granted. Anyway, contact me if you feel like it, dloftus@wildblue.net -I don't know if I would be the best one for this special needs hunt, but I think this is such a great venture and I wish you the very best with this experience! Your son is a very lucky boy to have you as a father.

Deedy

 

[EMSFlyer]

Here's another guide to check out: Mark Williams. In speaking with him, he seems like a top notch guy and seems willing to give you the hunt you want and answer all your questions to the fullest. I haven't hunted with him (yet), but he's one of the guides I'm considering for me and my wife's hunt.


Check out his site:

http://www.huntingtop10.com/guides/ca/cagd4/index.html

Happy hunting!