Leatherstocking Guide Service Information and Frequently Asked Questions

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ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: All hunts include lodging and a big breakfast. Lunch is provided on our rifle and muzzleloader hunts.
We have the use of several rental homes in the Milford area where you will stay and these are modern homes and comfortable. We need to bring a sleeping bag as we do not provide sheets, pillow cases or towels. Our guides will get everyone up early in the morning, we'll prepare a large hot breakfast and then head for the woods. We bring sack lunches for you. Evening 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? We consider our hunts to be 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 farm 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. These are large farms so 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 if you like your spot and are comfortable on getting there, 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 THIS AREA?: DMP tags are by draw only with some resident hunters getting tags.
Be sure check the New York State hunting web site for complete information. All anterless tags (Deer Management Permits)are by draw in our area. For your convenience, a link to the ENCON hunting web site is provided on our home page. In past years New York residents have had a much better chance of drawing a DMP than non-residents.

DO YOU HELP WITH GAME RETRIEVAL?: Yes.
If you shoot a deer, or hit one and it runs off, we ask that you call us on your mobile phone, or leave a note on your vehicle. We cycle through during the day and check for messages. 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, the evening meal etc. Everything else is provided. Hunters who frequent our guide service purchase a NY Super Sportsman license which includes small game, fishing, deer hunting and turkeys. You are then pretty much set for the license year and you can come as often as you want.

IS THE HUNTING STILL GOOD AFTER OPENING WEEKEND?:
It is. Lots of hunters want to be in the woods for opening morning, whether that be for turkeys or deer. But the truth is that we have such a high game population around here that later hunts are often just as 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 here 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?
You sure can...just ask. 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 a high percentage of 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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