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Figured id post here to reach the largest audience. If anybody is looking for a sandhill crane guide in the future I strongly discourage using Wards Outfitter, calling themselves a crane guide is bold. I have never used them for other hunts so cant speak to that, but after my experience I wouldn't be booking any hunt with them. When booking a few weeks after being drawn I was told they keep blinds at 4-6 people and hunt over decoys. We paid to stay in his hunter lodging which included dinner, day of we were put in a nearby motel, no dinner. Still not major, but two of us paid, hotel room was half the cost of what we had paid him for lodging, so he made money there. Morning of the hunt we meet where we were told to find 10-12 guys loading up. Thinking maybe we are splitting up everybody, hits the road. Arrive at the spot, everybody is hunting together plus 3 “guides”. At this point its almost light out, they say alright lets hike this way. We walk about 100yrds to a fence line and they say “everybody find a bush to hide in” me and my buddy are looking at each other like are they serious? At this point we might as well be dove hunting. No decoys, no blinds, no calls. We are told to wait until the birds clear the fence to shoot, which puts them nearly vertical. Sun comes up, lots of birds are flying, but about 800yrds to the west and 500yrds to the east. They were avoiding the smoke stacks of the plant that the guides had put us in front of. Guides had us move around after about 45min of watching birds fly by, pretty hard to do w that many guys trying to follow. almost had a few birds fly over, but some young kid in the group shot when they were about 2-300yrds away. for the early afternoon guide brings us to another spot and says the birds sometimes hit this pond, its just a little walk. Sends us in the direction, turns out it was 1.75mi. Sat the tank from 11-2:30, no birds in sight. Get back to the truck about 3:30 to ask what the evening plan is, they dont hunt the evenings, they take everybody dove hunting. So at this point me and my buddy are done and take off. Sorry for the long winded read. But was not quite the sandhill crane experience we thought we were signing up for.

For the purpose of accuracy and to correct several misstatements, the following facts are provided for the record: 1. Client Count A total of eight (8) clients participated in the hunt, inclusive of you and your companion. 2. Lodging and Meals Ward’s Outfitters covered the cost of your hotel accommodations. Meals, including dinner, were not included in your hunt package. This is expressly stated in your signed contract, which governs the terms of service. 3. Hunting Setup and Conduct During the morning hunt, your position was oriented facing north. Additionally, statements made regarding a 12-year-old hunter allegedly interfering with your hunt are inaccurate and inappropriate. Youth hunters are legally permitted to participate and were in full compliance with all applicable regulations. 4. Blind Configuration and Hunting Method Placing six to eight hunters in a single blind significantly increases the likelihood of confusion regarding harvested birds. For this reason, Ward’s Outfitters exercised professional discretion to hunt using an alternative method that morning. 5. Duration of Hunt On the second day of the hunt, nine (9) sandhill cranes were harvested. You voluntarily elected to book a one-day hunt, thereby limiting your field opportunity. 6. Nature of Sandhill Crane Hunting Sandhill crane movement and behavior are highly variable and unpredictable. Clients are routinely advised to book multiple hunting days to increase success. 7. Season Results During the current season, Ward’s Outfitters clients harvested a total of sixty-eight (68) sandhill cranes. As is customary in guided hunts of this nature, harvest success is not guaranteed, and some clients did not harvest their full legal limit. 8. Communication of Concerns Ward’s Outfitters encourages clients to communicate concerns directly and promptly so they may be addressed in real time. Public complaints made without prior contact do not accurately reflect the opportunity provided. 9. Good-Faith Resolution While Ward’s Outfitters maintains that services were rendered in accordance with the contract, we regret your dissatisfaction. As a good-faith gesture, should you draw again next season, we are willing to provide a complimentary three-day hunt, during which you would have increased opportunity consistent with the nature of sandhill crane hunting. This response is provided to clarify the factual record. Ward’s Outfitters fulfilled all contractual obligations associated with your hunt.

Headed back out tomorrow for the rest of the year. Hoping this cold front gets the bigger bucks out looking.

For those interested the 2026 AZ Pronghorn and Elk Regs are posted a little earlier than normal. https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/23143704/2026-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_251223.pdf

No dog in this fight, but I'd also be upset if a guide buried me and a bunch of other dudes in the weeds with no blind, no decoys for a paid, guided crane hunt. Im far from an expert, but every time I've hunted them, we had a great blind and a ton of decoys.

Got lucky and killed a good buck in NM this year with the drought. Was a very physical hunt and it was a true cat and mouse game with an old solo living stinky old troll buck. Very difficult country but was rewarded.

Saw more coues deer today. In 24a then I've even seen in 1 day in my life time. At least 40 plus does and 9 bucks . I giant one with 4 does. Then a spike and a nice size forky. Then two small 3 points. And a smaller 3 point with two dang nice 4x4 and those two were fight and chasing each other . No does where with or near them. They fought pretty hard for about 10 minutes. Then went up over a ridge. Also saw about 30 coatimundai. And my nephew stuck one at 47 yards. Pretty dang good shoot for a 12 year old. I didn't have a camera today with me. Going to take one tomorrow and Saturday. Taking my 6.5 creadmore tomorrow. NO MORE CROSSBOW. I bought this yesterday.

Anyone looking for coal? Asking for a friend.

Made a gumbo today. Shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage with red, green and yellow bell peppers, white onion, shallots, celery, garlic, cajon seasoning, cayenne pepper, old bay, diced tomatoes, dry basil, chicken stock and rice!

Im always on a diet. Sometimes im losing. Sometimes im on a seefood diet.... I see food, I eat it. Kinda in the middle right now.

Sign of the times. The economy is crashing and people need money. We'll see how badly we crash this time.

Please Don’t!!! Go on a hunt and post pictures and stories instead! I doubt we need more classified ads. Haha

Saw 2 coues bucks harassing the ladies today. Nothing too crazy but enough to get the blood pumping. This was the first time seeing coues bucks with does. 2024 deer hunts_1.mp4

This right here 100%. You can shoot buried in the fence line as they fly over but your chances drastically increase with the use of cranes decoys and a blind. I would not hunt with a guide without decoys. I would assume they would have 50-300 decoys. You can get it done with 5-20 decoys but again its all about the numbers IMO.

They have always had a bad wrap for Crane. Use HiLo if you get drawn for crane. Great blinds, literally over 100 decoys, great calling!

Gone

You really gotta get something more substantial to protect that scope bro.

I was able to get out a few weeks ago and check out a new area I’ve had my eyes on. I almost never find sheds, so this was a nice treat. I glassed up this shed at 700 yards away first thing in the morning. I noted the spot and continued to glass as I didn’t want to waste the prime glassing hours. Late morning I went over and picked up the shed, and just on the other side of the bushes was the match. Big or small, finding sheds always gets me excited, especially if I can find the match. Sorry for the sideways pics. I’d fix it if I knew how 🤦🏼‍♂️

Not much to say about this hunt. We found him 500-600 yards out. Waited for him to bed. Snuck up to 180. He stood up and my father in law knocked him back down again. Tagged out and back to the truck by noon. Here’s a hot take for ya tagging out on opening morning is overrated.

Here is a link to the elk and antelope bonus point report to see what your draw chances are. These are last year's hunt numbers and bonus point numbers. https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15151918/2025-Bonus-Point-Report.pdf

I mean they’re also convicted poachers so don’t book with them period

$350 per day plus $60 ea for lodging I’ll stick to turkey hunting, way more fun that that cluster we were on

Roasted with honey, spices, vanilla, salt, and butter. The nuts went quick, looking forward to next year! Thanks @Phil Carr

Anybody interested in some chia pet's, or blue blockers or some clappers?