Bad lion hunt

[houndnem]

Most lion hunts are 5-7 day hunts, not sure how many days you hunted as you have deleted your posts, but in my opinion if you cant catch a lion in 5-7 days you have no business charging people money to hunt with you. if your catchin, but just holding out for a bigger cat that's a different story. I think back to when I had a real young pack of dogs, and I still don't think I've ever been 5-7 times out without a catch. in the event that that happened, I would offer the hunter to come back for free when the conditions were a little better. I don't know the whole story here, so maybe I shouldn't be voicing my opinion. I just think that if some one pays thousands of dollars to hunt something they should be given a fair oppurtunity to harvest one. I booked a moose hunt in alaska one time. spent pretty much my life savings to go, and when I got there the guide just wanted to hang out at camp and drink. they had killed moose from the camp in the past and he was banking on that happening. but he had not done his home work nor was he willing to try something else when plan A wasn't working. that experiance has left me with a bad taist in my mouth for half a$$ outfitters that are out there screwing people out of their hard earned money!

[Doogie]

Well that sure was a waste of time now that the original poster deleted all his posts and probly won't post here again. Maybe it should be changed so you can't edit your posts. So people will maybe think before opening a can of worms.

I'm willing to bet he was shown a cat and passed. I personally wouldn't book a hunt with out some sort of offer. like houndem makes or it was a situation like papa mentioned.

I'd still like to hear the outfitters side of the story

[bency]

Im friends with one of Matt Gilstrap's guides/hunting buddies, and he is the real deal. They definately hunt the traditional way.

[matt gilstrap]

Hi my name is Matt Gilstrap. I own and operate Extreme Hunting Adventures in the Gila Wilderness, in Southwest New Mexico. I am responding to the Article "Bad Lion Hunt". Marvin, Average Deer Hunter, a high school shop teacher from Columbiana OH recently came on a Mountain Lion expedition with me. After returning home from his trip posted false statements and accusations of me and my business. I normally don't spend much time reading forums on the internet. This issue was brought to my attention by one of my guides while I was hunting Ibex in the Florida Mountains. More recently Marvin removed his posts from this article. I feel that I need to set the record straight for those of you who read the original article. Marvin specifically stated that I allowed a hunter to shoot six bears and that I allowed an archery hunter to shoot a Mountain Lion at night. Both of these statements are lies. Marvin also stated that we never began hunting before 10 am in the morning. I guess he was looking at Ohio time because I remember feeding my horses each morning before daylight. In his article he complained about the area we hunted, the method we hunted, my choice of dogs,he discredited my abilities and my knowledge of Mountain Lion hunting. During the duration of the hunt I recall Marvin speaking poorly of his co-workers, his students, his faculty, his girlfriend, and his mother, so I guess I wouldn't expect him to have anything good to say about me or my operation. I have many years and many miles of experience trailing Mountain Lions in desert sands and cactus as well as snow up to your ass. The line of dogs I use originated in Arizona and has been in my family since childhood. Marvin mentioned in his article that his next Mountain Lion hunt would be up North in the snow. For your sake Marvin I hope you find an outfitter with my drive and ability, I hope his hounds are as cold nosed and have the desire to catch Mountain Lions as mine do. I hope it snows 3 feet, two days prior to your hunt, warms to 60 degrees the day before your hunt. I hope your able to drive 12 to 14 hours a day. I hope that during your hunt the temperatures drop to 30 degrees below 0 and the snow crusts to where it will only hold the weight of the Lion and the weight of the dogs. I hope an old female Mountain Lion crosses the road in front of you, with a four hour head start going straight up hill. I hope that smart old female that has been caught and released many times is within ear shot when those hounds open. I hope the remainder of your day is spent trudging up hill threw thigh deep snow and everytime you come over a ridge you can bearly hear the dogs trailing in the distance. I hope shortly before dark you finally reach the tree to see this magistic animal, bayed by these hard working hounds. To bad the female quota for that unit is closed. Oh and Marvin be sure and remember your flashlight and gloves, you're going to need them on this trip. And please warn your outfitter ahead of time that you will be needing his credit card to rent a car, as the rental car places will not accept your mothers.
Thank You cowboyvon for coming to my defense as you know my abilities and the history of the area I hunt. I saw a lot of Lion sign in the Floridas (just a tip for you Brett)
Anyone who wants to learn more about me or my Lion Hunts is welcome to visit my website: www.newmexico1outfitter.com or call me at 575-772-5927. Thanks Matt

[Riley Dabling]

Well said.

[Cowboyvon]

Well said Matt... Glad you showed up to set the record straight ... And thanks !

[Big N' Blue]

Matt, sorry you had to hunt with such a piece of crap and feel sorry for his next outfitter!