Leatherstocking Guide Service Information and Frequently Asked Questions

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ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: All hunts include lodging. During opening weekend of rifle season we have the use of several rental homes in the Milford area where you will stay and you need to bring a sleeping bag as we do not provide sheets, pillow cases or towels. Meals are on your own. You are free to cook in the home or make the short drive to one of the restaurants in the area. Cooperstown is always great to visit and it is a quick 15 minute drive and home to the baseball Hall of Fame.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON A SEMI-GUIDED DEER HUNT? Deer hunts are semi-guided because the guide does not stay with you throughout the day. When you first arrive we will discuss a potential farm for you to hunt. We have aerial photos of each property which will help you get some sense of the general area where you will be hunting. Your guide will then take you to that area and walk with you to a stand. There may be other hunters on the farm, but nobody else will be in your specific spot. Since you are on your own while hunting usually our hunters drive to the farms in their own vehicle, but if that is not possible we'll take you in and pick you up when the hunt is complete. Often after the first day you are on your own to hunt that area as you wish and you will drive to the hunting area each day without your guide.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDE?: Because many hunters ask me what they should tip our guides I can tell you that the average is around 20% of the cost of the hunt for deer hunts and often more for turkey hunts where the level of personal service is greater based on the type of hunt. Our guides work hard for you when you are here and before you arrive. The guides scout for prime locations, set up our many tree stands, help get you to and from your designated spot each day etc. and we hope you show your appreciation of their efforts.

ARE DOE TAGS AVAILABLE IN UNIT 4F?: Unit 4F DMP tags are usually received by hunters who apply for their DMP before October 1.
Be sure check the New York State hunting web site for complete information and for your convenience, a link to the ENCON hunting web site is provided on our home page.

DO YOU HELP WITH GAME RETRIEVAL?: Yes.
If you shoot a deer we ask that you call us on your mobile phone. If you need help we will come help drag or take the ATV. Either way, we'll get your deer out of the woods for you.

WHAT OTHER COSTS DO I NEED TO PLAN FOR?:
Licenses, tips for the guide, meals etc.

IS THE HUNTING STILL GOOD AFTER OPENING WEEKEND?:
Yes it is. Lots of hunters want to be in the woods for opening morning, whether that be for turkeys or deer. But, we have a high game population here and later hunts are often very successful. In fact, many guys like coming later as the woods are quiet, we are not as busy, and they just seem to enjoy their time more.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN TREE STAND?
We do have many stands set in areas that are productive each year. However, we certainly encourage you to bring your own equipment, especially if you are most comfortable with your own stands. ** Please be sure to bring a safety harness with you.** We do ask that you not cut any trees or limbs etc. as we are hunting on private leased land.

CAN I GET REFERENCES FROM GUYS WHO HAVE HUNTED WITH YOU?
To maintain privacy we do not post names and phone numbers on our web site, but we will be glad to give you numbers to call. We have many return hunters each year so you'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect should you decide to hunt with us.

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