When I got the call from Dan that I had won the trip to Ohio from US Outdoorsman Central and the Pursuit channel to hunt whitetail with Kokosing River Outfitters, I was excited and in disbelief.

Dreams of big bucks filled my head and the excitement built each day! It was the longest month of my life. From the time I stepped foot onto their property I was never disappointed. Jeff and Amy go out of their way to make you feel at home. You actually stay at their house. The basement is yours with a big screen tv and a little area with a fridge, toaster, and a microwave. Washer and dryer are free to use also! Every day lunch and dinner is served upstairs, prepared by Amy while everyone talks about their day. After dinner, Jeff asks that you go back downstairs so that he and the guides can formulate a plan and his family can relax, as upstairs is their living area.

Jeff and his guides are very knowledgeable and work very hard to put you on deer. Checking trail cams, weather, and scouting constantly to try to give you a successful hunt. They have 3000 acres and 57 stand locations with a type of stand to fit anyone's comfort level. While none of us got a deer this week we all had opportunities.

One very nice buck was passed due to no camera light, one nice 13 point because he was only 2 1/2, several that were just out of range, or just not what each person was looking for. Arriving here everyone was shocked to see field after field of corn still standing, and miles of beans still begging to be cut. This, coupled with clear skies and a incredibly bright full moon, made hunting very tough.

A lot of deer stayed in the corn bedding and only occasionally leaving for water. Everyone hunted very hard putting in tons of stand time through everything from wind to rain to lunar eclipse and blood moons. Not one of us left sad or disappointed. We all had a great time, made new friends, and enjoyed the amazing outdoors that God gave us.

That's what deer camp is about. It's not about killing a big buck... thats just a lucky bonus. It's about sharing something you love with family, friends, or people you just met and making memories that will last a lifetime. 

Not a single person will forget me dropping my bow out of a tree, or not feel Jon's pain as he passed a shot at a buck of a lifetime due to no camera light, or a guy from Minnesota's story about his dog named "Lady" that had everyone laughing so hard it hurt.

That's what deer camp is about. Coming up here, I never planned on ever coming back. Hunting with an outfitter is something I never wanted to do, it just isn't my cup of tea. This week Jeff and Amy changed that. They made it so fun that I booked a trip for next year. I am already looking forward to being back.

Thank you again to US Outdoorsman Central, the Pursuit Channel, and Kokosing River Outfitters for giving me the opportunity to come to Ohio and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

Shannon Housh
Pro-Staff - Bucks of Georgia