Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Due to the divisive rhetoric from anti-hunting organizations which has unfortunately been misconstrued by even some segments of the hunting community, these honest responses are intended to shape your overarching impression of Guide & Gun and how we present this opportunity to others.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty and set expectations that will embody your hunting experience.

• Are we “trophy” hunting? Absolutely, whether the trophy is meat for sustenance or the combination of meat and antlers, horns, or hide that you can reminisce through consumption and admiration in your home, we hope you cherish the hunt and respect the animal that you work so hard to harvest. There should be some level of personal admiration and lessons learned through the preparation, travel, and overall experience to fulfill our most basic human instinct to connect with nature and provide for oneself. If that’s not a trophy then we don’t know what is...

• Are the animals wild? Without a doubt our privately managed Elk, Buffalo, and Deer herds have the same instincts as wild animals outside the fence. They possess a will to live and have minimal interaction with humans outside of hunting. These animals share the same behavior as foragers of the resources provided by the land with our conservation practices mimicking the free-range ideology for keeping populations healthy.

• Are we actually hunting? Certainly, just because we are able to keep a tight census on our private herds doesn’t mean this is a “crap shoot”. In fact it’s quite the opposite as these animals have typically seen more pressure especially as the season progresses which results in a higher sense of alertness. The tactics are the same, the terrain is the same, but we know that they’re out there somewhere and you have a better chance of sealing the deal.

• Is this commercialization or conservation? Both actually, any outfit that offers guiding and the opportunity to hunt on both public and private land is considered a commercial operation. Our uniqueness in this industry lies in our ability to provide more hunting opportunities in an inviting environment that reduces barriers of entry. We’re here to promote the inclusion of new hunters and also cater to the experienced with an adventure centered around the heritage and fulfillment of providing for your family. Our herd management practices for private ranches that are high fenced follow the same conservation practices of our free-range specie opportunities.

• Why do some of the animals have ear tags? Due to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) found in deer populations throughout the continent, South Dakota requires external identification of private herds to avoid possible cross contamination. This formality is generally administered annually via tranquilization of the individual animals and subsequently allows for data collection to ensure herd health. Additionally, it allows you to hunt without the burden of applying for state issued tags as the management is handled privately with records to support the transportation of your harvest as specified by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.

• Is a kill guaranteed? No, although it is our intent to provide our clients with a quality hunting experience offering a highly probable shot opportunity, some of our species are not guaranteed hunts and depend on the proper management of mature animals to yield continual success. We monitor the census of animals in our hunt areas and base our availability on their numbers to provide you with a shot opportunity, however free-range specie options may not always provide the trophy-class opportunity that you desire due to their migratory nature. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the hunter to put an ethical shot on their quarry to ensure recovery as wounded animals that are unrecovered are considered a completed hunt contract. It is our job to prepare you for that shot so you’re comfortable and confident when the time is right. That is the reality and seriousness of what we do.