tjwking Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Mullins all the way!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joe hunter Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I wish I had your problems. Good luck to you and your brother this fall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rageinthesage Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I would definitely send COOSEFAN a pm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tinesup Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Mossback? No, or should I say He&* NO......If they do say they have you a bull it will be bought from another guide service, like Star Guides, or some other local kid they decided to give a hat to. So you might as well just hire a different outfit. They will spend all there time looking for auction bulls and you will never be a priority. Plus for dinner I heard they feed you hot dogs every night. Worst Group out of them all. Chad Smith/ Vaquero: No, I only would hunt with him if you got a tag in the unit where he has the exclusive private ranch. Matt Schimberg: NO, only if you want to hunt giant deer on the strip. James Guide Service: NO, never no who you will get for a guide. Steve Chappell? No: Great guy and great service and you may get in a DVD of his but I think you could go with a better outfit that specializes in BIG BULLS... McClendons: Maybe, Great guys, Most experienced outfit out of all of them but there kinda of the old flame but still kill a good bull every once in a while. My third pick. Jay Scott and Darr Colburn: Maybe, Top notch guys and great service.My second Pick. Mullins Outfitters: Yes, Top notch guys and great service. They have the best camp around and best service and they always kill huge bulls. My 1st Pick. These are my recommendations. Have fun on the hunt and make sure to post up some pictures when you get the huge bull your looking for. Best of Luck on your decision. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Thanks a bunch all who voted for me and for the kind words...I might've blushed a little CouesFanatic, I know and am friends with most of the outfitters you included in your list and they are all very talented, successful and just good guys overall. In order to make the best decision in choosing an outfitter, I first would request a list from each of them of phone numbers for past clients that include ONLY past Unit 9 clients and especially the phone numbers from past clients that were unsuccessful! You'll typically get a more genuine idea of the outfitter from a client that went home without the trophy he hoped for, so it's always good to call the unsuccessful past clients. By requesting ONLY the past Unit 9 client phone numbers, you'll get an idea of that outfitters experience in that particular unit by how many numbers he gives you. All the guides you mentioned know about each individual "giant" in Unit 9, we basically have the same "Hit List" and most of them know how and where to hunt those bulls. By asking for opinions on open chat forums you're not gonna get a genuine idea of each guy because we all have friends here or there. You'll get a more genuine idea of each outfitters experience and overall character by calling all the reference numbers you can get from each outfitter and base your decision off that. Best of luck and congrats to your bro, it's a great year to have that tag!!! JIM> 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Scott Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I have obviously been watching this post and I completely agree with Jim. I am really concerned that this topic and thread could start to get "chippy". It is obvious everyone has their favorites. CWT is the best site on the web so lets not open this up to a "can of worms". I feel all the guides/outfitters mentioned are very qualified and good hard working guys. I think everyone that has been mentioned could give a great hunt but lets not turn this into one of these threads that we see on other sites that spirals downward. We (Colburn and Scott) are honored to be mentioned but lets keep this post moving in a positive direction. Gobble Gobble 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesfanatic Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Wow, what a tremendous tag to have and great problem to have. I think there are some important questions you need to ask that will narrow your list. 1) Who is going to be in Unit 9 during the archery hunt? 2) What is your price range? The cost of the hunt varies approximately $1500-2000 between the list of guides. 3) Who will be your guide? If I was gonna book with some of the names you mentioned I would only hunt with the outfitter no subguides. 4) Do they have any availability? I know for sure that at least one of the outfits you mentioned the outfitter already has a client during the early rifle hunt so he would not be available to guide you. You would have to be guided by one of his other guides, which would not work for me. 5) How many hunters will the outfitter have in camp? 6) Ask to talk with references who were not successful when they hunted with that particular outfit? Success can not be guaranteed but many parts of the hunt can! For example: professional staff, guide works as hard as he can, a guide who is up on time ready to go, good food. I can tell you from experience that if the camp sucks and the guides suck then the hunt will suck but if the camp is great and the guide is great the hunt will be awesome even without success. 6) How big of bull are you looking for? Be realistic? I personally think 370" is a realistic mark anything bigger is a bonus. When you start contacting each of these outfits you should ask them how many hunters did you have in camp during the archery hunt last year, how many did you have during the early rifle hunt last year This will help you compare a larger outfit to a smaller one. Some of the outfits you mentioned take considerably (4-5 times) more hunters then the others. Also if someone is boasting about killing 4 bulls over 400" in the past 5 years ask were those general season hunts or auction or raffle hunts? The only bulls I would want to know about were those killed during the general season. These are some of things I would look into if I had to make a choice. I am not going to recommend one outfit over another because I know several of your recommendations. Although I do know where I would invest my money!!!! Good Luck and I hope to see a picture of a monster. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anthonyrmatthews Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Great recommendations so far! Remember the good guys fill up fast. I would recommend talking to the outfitters and see who's personality you feel you would have the most fun with. There are some great guys listed as recommendations and they will bust their tails for you, but who will you enjoy being with the most? Don't put so much pressure into the score of the animal, but score your hunt on the incredible experience you'll be able to have. The fun should already have started for you, and will hopefully provide a lifetime of memories. Congratulations and enjoy every minute! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dragon Report post Posted March 22, 2013 This is definitely a well qualified list, and you cannot go wrong with whoever you decide. In my opinion, you definitely need to call Matt Schimberg of Arizona Strip Bucks. He and his crew are top notch and extremely hard working, and they are dedicated to killing nothing but the biggest animals out there. Do not let the name Arizona Strip Bucks deter you, as he and Bryon Goswick have been killing giant bulls for years! And if you are interested in private land, Matt has exclusive access to the only locked up private land in unit 9. He will book up fast, so I would give him a call. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shooterpar Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Matt Schimberg and AZSB have the only private land Hunt available in unit 9. Big bulls get pressure and hop that fence. Just saying Plus Matt is one of the best hunters out there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rageinthesage Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I have obviously been watching this post and I completely agree with Jim. I am really concerned that this topic and thread could start to get "chippy". It is obvious everyone has their favorites. CWT is the best site on the web so lets not open this up to a "can of worms". I feel all the guides/outfitters mentioned are very qualified and good hard working guys. I think everyone that has been mentioned could give a great hunt but lets not turn this into one of these threads that we see on other sites that spirals downward. We (Colburn and Scott) are honored to be mentioned but lets keep this post moving in a positive direction. Gobble Gobble. +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhuntin Report post Posted March 22, 2013 you need to check out greg krohg at mogollon rim outfitters Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesFanatic Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks for the responses everyone. I will be talking this over with my brother throughout the weekend. Please keep the thread civil, it was not meant to be a bash-fest. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted March 23, 2013 I have no recommendations, I have no emotional attachment to any of the guys. But I thought it was interesting that right before Jim posted someone with a brand new account recommended him (only kidding, we all know he wouldn't do that) Interesting to see the difference in posts from long time CWT guys and the <10 post crowd. Glad to see the regulars maintaining the standard. Stay classy San Diego! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhunter4life Report post Posted March 23, 2013 All I can say is some drive Chevy's, some Ford's and others Dodge's, and guys like me drive Toyota's! We all view something just a bit different. Like others stated do your home work, remember your the boss and you are interviewing your hire! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
